Chapter 99 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 99: Going Into Dragon Ascension Gate
Translator: Lynn
After their in-depth discussions, Xu Ziqing, Diao Zimo, and Luo Hou would occasionally sit and talk, and the three of them gradually became more friendly.
Over the next three months, the remaining monks who didn’t enter with spiritual roots also attempted to establish their foundations. With the exception of two individuals who failed due to unstable foundations, the other ten succeeded.
Meanwhile, Su Xin successfully established his foundation in the last five days. He had experienced much in the world, and his good mood played a part in his success, even though his foundation was a bit unstable. With this, all four members of the Loose Cultivator Alliance had successfully established their foundations, leaving many family members and sects envious.
Introduced by Xu Ziqing, Zhuo Hanyan and Ran Xingjian had some interactions with Diao Zimo and Luo Hou, forming a loose but implicit alliance. If they entered the big world, they would most likely help and support each other.
However, due to Su Xin’s busy retreat and Xu Ziqing’s commitment to entering Wuling Immortal Gate, although Zhuo and Ran were grateful to Xu Ziqing for his healing help, they still couldn’t be as close to him as they wished.
A year passed in the blink of an eye.
One early morning, a loud and clear howling sound echoed from outside the cave. It sounded like the impact of gold and jade, light and melodious to the ear. All the monks rushed out of their caves in an instant.
A group of floating clouds appeared in the sky, pure white and incredibly light, rapidly approaching.
Upon closer inspection, the monks realized it was not a cloud but a massive phoenix-like bird, the spirit bird Bai Luan1. It had a body length of three feet, and its wings spanned another three feet. Its snow-like feathers were adorned with a golden crown on its head, making its golden eyes even more dazzling.
Perched on Bai Luan’s back was Tang Wenfei, the Jindan real person they were familiar with.
Tang Wenfei announced, “Those who have established their foundations, come to my spirit bird; those who haven’t, enter my sleeve.” As soon as he spoke, only a few monks were left in sight.
Except for Xu Ziqing and Su Xin, who chose to enter with spiritual roots, the others had not established their foundations. Even Xu Zitang, who was persistent, reserved, and proud, only had a cultivation level close to the tenth level of Qi Refining.
Upon witnessing Tang Wenfei’s movements, the monks could clearly see the trajectory of his sweeping sleeve, but upon closer inspection, they felt dizzy and their minds were overwhelmed. They realized that their cultivation was insufficient to comprehend the true essence of such techniques, so they quickly averted their gazes. They understood that even if they saw the true appearance of the technique, they were not allowed to practice it. Thus, they didn’t think too much and resorted to various methods to jump onto Bai Luan’s back.
Once all the monks were ready, Bai Luan flapped its wings slightly and set off. Its movements were fluid and graceful, demonstrating its own style with a calm elegance.
Bai Luan flew rapidly, and in a few breaths, they crossed the vast Tenglong Mountain Range and arrived at an empty and vast wilderness.
The area was covered in mist, making it difficult to see clearly. The sound of water could be faintly heard in the mist, but it seemed both distant and near, and difficult to comprehend for those who had established their foundations.
Outside the mist, many people were already waiting. Sect leaders, elders, patriarchs, and elders from various aristocratic families were present, along with many young foundation-building monks from noble families. Additionally, monks from various sects and families who intended to leap into the dragon gate were also there, all in the foundation-building period.
Bai Luan circled in the air three times before landing on a small hill. Tang Wenfei remained on its back, not intending to come down to talk with the monks. Instead, he released several talented monks from his sleeves with a flick of his sleeves.
After the few monks landed, they headed toward their respective sects and aristocratic families. Xu Zitang walked toward his elder brother, while the one secretly following Xu Ziqing quickly made his way in Wuliang Sect’s direction.
Seeing Tang Wenfei’s actions, the Foundation Establishment cultivators on Bai Luan’s back obediently bid farewell to him and descended on their own.
Xu Ziqing, along with Su Xin and the others, went straight to where the monks of the Loose Cultivator Alliance were gathered.
The leader of the Loose Cultivator Alliance and his wife, Huo Tong, stood side by side. Upon seeing the four of them had successfully established their foundations, they couldn’t help but show joy. Huo Tong, in particular, fixedly stared at Su Xin and quickly embraced him, saying, “You brat!”
Su Xin could sense both worry and joy in his master’s wife voice and replied with a smile, “Master, don’t worry. I am a disciple carefully taught by you and Master. How can I go wrong?”
Huo Tong smiled and said a few more words before letting him go.
Su Xin winked at Xu Ziqing, who felt amused and returned the smile.
Zhuo Hanyan and Ran Xingjian also returned to their master with excitement in their eyes.
However, there was a cold snort from the other side. Xu Ziqing looked over and saw Wuliang Sect. He understood why the Loose Cultivator Alliance’s leader was unperturbed. The Loose Cultivator Alliance had already defeated Wuliang Sect, so why would they care about them? Despite Wuliang Sect’s dissatisfaction, they couldn’t do anything. The leader, being on the spirit bird’s back, deterred any potential troublemakers.
The leader of the Loose Cultivator Alliance then addressed everyone, expressing his relief that the four of them had established their foundations. He encouraged them to watch over and help each other in the big world.
He also advised them to be cautious, not to be arrogant and get into unnecessary arguments, nor to be humble and allow others to bully them. The path of immortal cultivation was to challenge the heavens and seek enlightenment from them. They must proceed with prudence to achieve longevity and immortality.
The four of them responded, and then the leader focused on Xu Ziqing, expressing gratitude for his help.
Xu Ziqing humbly replied, expressing that he was merely repaying the kindness of the Loose Cultivation League for taking him in.
The leader’s eyes flickered slightly, feeling a bit of regret. They hadn’t expected Xu Ziqing to possess such a rare Single Spiritual Root. It had been a miscalculation on their part. Although Xu Ziqing didn’t have a deep relationship with the Loose Cultivator Alliance, they were reluctant to ask him to take care of their disciples in the big world and possibly strain their friendship. Nonetheless, they appreciated the assistance he had provided to Zhuo Hanyan.
With not much else to say, Xu Ziqing smiled and looked away. But then he spotted someone he recognized.
In an open space, Xu Zhengtian, the Patriarch of the Xu Family, and several elders were surrounded by more than a dozen children, including Xu Zifeng and two other Foundation Establishment cultivators. Presumably, they were being accompanied by someone who would take them to the big world. The other disciples also displayed decent cultivation, all above the sixth level of Qi Refining. Despite the hardships the Xu family endured, they managed to seek help in time, preventing any serious injuries.
Among the people present, Xu Ziqing recognized a couple of individuals, which surprised him. Standing beside the white-faced and bearded Foundation Establishment cultivator was a lively and lovely woman in a light yellow dress – Xu Zishu, Xu Ziqing’s direct cousin in terms of seniority. Xu Zishu had once tried to get close to Xu Ziluo when Xu Ziqing was at Baicao Garden. Now, many years later, she seemed to have found a way to accompany a Foundation Establishment monk despite her cultivation is only at the third level of Qi Refining.
Another Foundation Establishment cultivator caught Xu Ziqing’s attention. It was a beautiful woman with a somewhat arrogant and pungent demeanor, currently at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Xu Ziqing would never forget this woman as she was the one who had injured him for the first time in his life – Xu Ziluo. Luckily, his friend stepped in and saved him from a fatal outcome.
Xu Ziqing’s gaze then fell on a man standing five or six steps away from Xu Ziluo. This man wasn’t particularly tall, and his cultivation was only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. His appearance was simple and honest, with somewhat ordinary qualifications and background, but he possessed a rare sincerity and genuine character. It was Zhuang Wei.
At this moment, Xu Ziqing noticed a tinge of sadness in Zhuang Wei’s eyes as he gazed at Xu Ziluo. He knew that Zhuang Wei admired Xu Ziluo, but Xu Ziluo, being kind-hearted, didn’t reciprocate those feelings and didn’t look favorably upon Zhuang Wei. With the girl he admired heading to the big world again, Zhuang Wei couldn’t help but feel depressed.
Feeling sympathetic towards his friend, Xu Ziqing walked over. Zhuang Wei had shown kindness to him when he was humble, never looking down upon him and even willing to befriend him. Even after Xu Ziqing had established his foundation, Zhuang Wei still treated him as a friend. Because of this, Xu Ziqing couldn’t bear to see him in distress.
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