Chapter 307 - 168: Dinghu Mountain, Jin Yuanzai

Chapter 307: Chapter 168: Dinghu Mountain, Jin Yuanzai

Xuzhuang straightened his robes and rose to his feet. After leaving the cave chamber, he activated a restrictive spell with a wave of his sleeve, then slowly walked down the corridor.

The main hall was empty, which didn’t surprise Xuzhuang. Although the few people temporarily residing in Han Yuan Cave were acquainted with one another, they rarely gathered in the main hall to socialize.

Xuzhuang walked out of Han Yuan Cave and saw Zhong Shenxiu standing at the cliff’s edge, hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance. Sensing Xuzhuang’s aura, he turned and called out with a smile, "Brother Xu."

Since meeting at Lai Xian Hall, the three had explored Weiyun Immortal City together, which had dissolved much of the initial formality between them. As a result, they had adopted more familiar terms of address.

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow, sounding rather surprised. "Brother Zhong, it seems your cultivation has progressed again. Advancing to the third stage must not be far off."

Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly. "It’s simply a case of my past efforts finally bearing fruit."

Xuzhuang remained noncommittal. He walked to the cliff’s edge and asked, "Brother Cen has already activated the spell on his cave chamber. Where is he?"

Zhong Shenxiu replied, "I’m not sure where Brother Cen went. But he isn’t one to break his word. Let’s just wait a moment."

Xuzhuang gave a slight nod. Before he and Zhong Shenxiu could exchange more than a few words, Cen Fenghong suddenly descended from the sky, calling out, "Brother Zhong, Brother Xu, sorry to keep you waiting."

Before either of them could ask, Cen Fenghong took out two treasure pouches and handed one to each of them. He laughed and said, "We can’t neglect etiquette when paying a formal visit. I took the liberty of making a trip to the Linglong Treasure Pavilion to prepare some visiting gifts."

Not long ago, at Lai Xian Hall, the three had made an appointment with Changhua to visit Dinghu Mountain and then travel together to the Guangcheng Dojo to attend a lecture. Today was the day they had agreed to set out.

Xuzhuang accepted the treasure pouch and glanced inside. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "How thoughtful of you, Brother Cen. In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony."

’It wasn’t that Xuzhuang was ignorant of etiquette; he had intended to purchase a visiting gift himself. He just hadn’t expected Cen Fenghong to prepare gifts for both of them. Since the items weren’t excessively valuable, there was no reason to reject his kind gesture.’

Zhong Shenxiu also accepted the treasure pouch without protest, offering his thanks. Cen Fenghong simply gave a hearty laugh and said, "Shall we be on our way, then?"

Xuzhuang and Zhong Shenxiu both assented. The trio then rose on the wind and flew off together.

——

Its peaks were majestic, soaring into the heavens. At its summit lay a celestial lake that never ran dry through the four seasons, feeding a waterfall that plunged like a long, jade dragon. This was Dinghu Mountain.

On Dinghu Mountain, within a simple Daoist temple, Changhua and Changxin were playing Go. With each stone placed on the board, phantoms of crisscrossing Sword Qi and surging rivers would manifest.

Surrounding the Go board, more than a dozen young, robed Daoists with their hair in topknots sat in a solemn circle, watching with quiet concentration.

Although Dinghu Mountain had inherited the gentle style of its founder, True Monarch Guangcheng, it was still a great Sword Dao sect and could not lack a cutting edge. Thus, dueling via Go had become the sect’s most popular method for sparring and discoursing on the Dao, as well as a form of instruction.

Just as the two were locked in a fierce and delightful struggle, while the surrounding disciples watched with bated breath, the sound of a bell from outside suddenly shattered their concentration.

Changhua, being mild-mannered, was not perturbed. He calmly summoned a disciple and instructed him to go find out what was going on.

The disciple acknowledged the command and departed. He returned only a few moments later and reported respectfully, "Master, a Daoist Child has sent word. Three Daoists are visiting the sect today, saying they wish to call upon you and Martial Uncle."

"Three Daoists?" A flicker of pleasant surprise crossed Changhua’s face. "Could it be our friends, Zhong, Xu, and Cen?"

"Oh?" Changxin’s spirits lifted. With a sweep of his hand, he scattered the pieces on the board and exclaimed, "Then we must hurry and welcome them!"

"..." Changhua pointed at Changxin and shook his head. He rose to his feet and asked, "Where are our three friends now?"

The disciple replied, "The Daoist Child said they have been settled in White Deer Hall to rest."

Changhua nodded slightly and announced to the others, "I have distinguished guests. Today’s session of Go and sword discourse is concluded. You are all dismissed."

The disciples replied in unison and began to disperse. Changhua then headed out of the temple, and Changxin hurried to catch up, saying with a grin, "Senior Brother, be honest. Have you been feeling impatient lately? To have such a strong desire to win... you had me beaten back at every turn within twenty or thirty moves. That’s not like you at all."

Changhua evaded the question. "You too should focus more on your cultivation. Our practice is a struggle with ourselves. Don’t grow complacent just because outsiders flatter you."

Changxin shook his head. "When have I ever slacked off in my cultivation? My progress just can’t compare to yours, Senior Brother."

’He knew full well that this senior brother of his was an expert at concealing his true strength!’

Changhua gave a faint smile and didn’t reply. The two of them rode the wind across the mountain until they arrived before a great hall. Stepping inside, they saw that it was indeed Xuzhuang and his companions, enjoying tea within the hall.

The Immortal Maidens and Daoist Children in attendance saw the two enter and hurriedly bowed in unison. "Greetings, Martial Uncles."

Changhua gave a casual nod and strode into the hall. With a smile, he clasped his hands in greeting. "My friends, you have indeed arrived as promised."

Seeing Changhua and Changxin come to welcome them, the three visitors did not put on airs. They rose to their feet and, one by one, presented their visiting gifts.

Changhua wore an apologetic expression as he spoke. "My friends, you arrived without sending advance notice. I should have arranged a formal reception to greet you from a distance; that would have been the proper etiquette."

In truth, the moment the three had arrived at Dinghu Mountain, they were guided to White Deer Hall and hosted attentively. By no means could this be considered impolite. Hearing Changhua’s words, they all simply smiled and insisted it was unnecessary.

Changxin shook his head vigorously. "My friends, you don’t understand. A few days ago, when Jin Yuanzai, a True Disciple of the Taiyi Palace from the Eastern Celestial Realm, came to visit our Junior Brother Zhuo, Junior Brother Zhuo arranged a welcoming procession that met him three thousand li away! There were Spirit Beast Carriages, immortal birds flying escort..."

"The Taiyi Palace of the Eastern Celestial Realm?" At his words, the hearts of all three visitors skipped a beat. Cen Fenghong’s interest was piqued first, and he asked, "A True Disciple from that sect is traveling in the Guangyuan Realm?"