Chapter 14: The Graceful Bu Yu

Cultivating the Dao was an incredibly comfortable endeavor.

Being immersed in the profound essence of the Dao, one's mind could soar on the wind or roam freely between heaven and earth. Hours could slip by unnoticed, and months could pass in the blink of an eye. All the while, one would feel at ease, utterly oblivious to the passage of time.

In his three years on the mountain, Wang Sheng often felt as if he had only just arrived yesterday. Back then, however, he was still wide-eyed, uncertain, and brimming with anticipation.

Now, the restlessness caused by his regression had subsided significantly, and much of his youthful naivety had faded. His face had also gained sharper contours, and although his features hadn't changed significantly, his physique had fully matured. He had even grown as tall as Qing Yanzi. His hair was as long as his master's now, too.

With the mountains brimming with primal qi, Wang Sheng now exuded clarity and transcendence that surpassed what he had achieved in his previous life. The worldly air that had once clung to him had disappeared, replaced by a much more refined and elegant demeanor.

One afternoon, Wang Sheng sat cross-legged on a square wooden plank balanced on the eaves of the courtyard. Utterly still, he looked as though he were doing it effortlessly. Wisps of true essence playfully swirled around him like mischievous children. They drew streams of primal qi from the mountain and made them flow into him, continuously refining his body.

Having reached the late stage of the Spirit Convergence Realm, Wang Sheng's spiritual consciousness had matured, and his true essence had undergone significant transformation.

What time is it?

Slowly opening his eyes, he found his senior sister sitting quietly beneath a tree just outside the courtyard. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought.

Two figures approached slowly along the mountain path. Hearing their faint conversation, Wang Sheng hurriedly shut his eyes again, feigning deep meditation.

"You have to help me, Senior Brother!"

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Li Shiwu, a Daoist master with graying hair and a deeply wrinkled face, trailed behind Qing Yanzi. He addressed Qing Yanzi as "Senior Brother" even though the latter was visibly younger.

Li Shiwu had been overseeing the Wudang Mountains' external affairs for the past two years. He was also their most frequent visitor.

Today, the old Daoist had followed Qing Yanzi to their small courtyard. Looking helpless, he made hushed pleas.

For the past two years, Li Shiwu had shown considerable care for Qing Yanzi and his disciples. Their bedding, robes, and other necessities were regularly replaced. Wang Sheng had even asked Li Shiwu to arrange for him to participate in a few rituals so he could earn some extra income.

Naturally, Li Shiwu's kindness came with an ulterior motive: building rapport with Qing Yanzi.

Thanks to Qing Yanzi's foresight, Wudang's most senior elders managed to swiftly restructure the sect's teachings after the resurgence of primal qi. Now, the sect had completely changed. These days, the Wudang Mountains were in a semi-secluded state, which was how Wang Sheng remembered it in his previous life.

While many Daoist temples and martial arts sects at the foot of the mountain remained open to the public, the core areas, such as the Purple Cloud Temple and the Taihe Palace, were now closed off. Patrols were frequent, and mountain paths were sealed with large stones.

The rear mountains, where the Daoist masters cultivated, were strictly off-limits. Trespassers would face more than mere fines.

With the return of cultivation, the Daoist sects had received directives from the Daoist Association to ensure that their disciples would not recklessly spread news of the primal qi's resurgence.

Just as Wang Sheng had expected, although there were plenty of rumors circulating online, the authorities strictly monitored the internet, keeping the outside world relatively calm. The Hua Republic was likely still formulating strategies to address the potential disruption that cultivators could bring to the world.

The reopening of the cultivation path had filled the Daoist masters with excitement. They devoted themselves to cultivation with unwavering focus and enthusiasm. After all, cultivation offered tangible benefits: enhanced abilities and longevity.

On the other hand, the resurgence of primal qi also separated the wheat from the chaff. One's Dao Heart, attainments, and aptitude were reflected in their cultivation speed. For that reason, despite having spent over a decade in a Daoist sect—two and a half years of which were after the primal qi resurgence—Li Wishu had only barely reached the Spirit Convergence Realm.

As a result, the Wudang Mountains' external affairs were entrusted to him. His role, which came with the title of vice sect master, kept him busy with events like martial arts exchanges, Daoist scripture seminars, and academy opening ceremonies.

In truth, it was a subtle way of sacrificing Li Shiwu's chance at enlightenment. Assigning him mundane responsibilities effectively denied him the opportunity to progress in cultivation.

Today, Li Shiwu had come to their courtyard to discuss an upcoming exchange meeting involving over twenty prominent sects at Mount Mao. The Wudang Mountains wanted to invite Qing Yanzi to lend some authority to the event.

Although it was called an exchange meeting, it was essentially an opportunity for the major Daoist sects to size each other up. Each sect wanted to assess whether others had also discovered the resurgence of the primal qi of heaven and earth and gauge the cultivation progress of the elders, sect members, and disciples within their ranks.

The Wudang Mountains planned to send a few second-generation Daoist masters, peers of Qing Yanzi and Li Shiwu; several of their top ten third-generation disciples; and some of their Daoist temples' promising youths. However, the delegation needed a high-level expert to lead it.

Hence, Li Shiwu sought out Qing Yanzi.

Li Shiwu sighed. "Everyone on the Wudang Mountains, from the sect master to our two martial uncles, emphasizes that cultivation is more important and refuses to leave their seclusion. In the end, this matter was pushed onto me. Senior Brother, you know my aptitude is dull, and I am currently far from impressive. By the grace of the infinite gods above, I truly can't hold the stage."

Qing Yanzi chuckled. "The attendees of the exchange meeting are all from prominent Daoist sects of sacred mountains. We share the same roots and lineage; there shouldn't be any conflicts."

"I'm worried someone would deliberately test us," Li Shiwu replied with a bitter smile, pointing at his streaked white hair. "If it were just my old face, it wouldn't matter, but can we afford to lose the Wudang Mountains' reputation? We're already in a bit of an awkward situation. Senior Brother, you're one of the few cultivators at the Seed Formation Realm on the mountain. You must lend me a hand..."

Qing Yanzi pondered for a moment, his expression becoming troubled. "If you need a Seed Formation Realm cultivator, then I'm afraid I can't go."

Li Shiwu froze, then urgently asked, "You've fallen from your realm, Senior Brother? How is that possible?"

"I wouldn't say I fell."

Qing Yanzi turned his palm upward, revealing several swirling streams of faintly glowing qi. A calm and majestic aura spread steadily through the room.

"I broke through to the Illusory Core Realm a few months ago. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to attend."

Li Shiwu's eyes widened. The round-faced, thick-browed Daoist nearly jumped up in frustration. "You what?!"

Qing Yanzi calmly clenched his fingers. The Illusory Core returned to his body, leaving no trace of its aura.

On the rooftop, Wang Sheng stifled his laughter, struggling to keep his composure. His master had always been steady but mischievous and unpredictable.

"Senior Brother, your cultivation progress is truly..." Li Shiwu twitched a few times. He sounded so aggrieved that it seemed as though someone had stolen a hundred silver coins from him.

Qing Yanzi smiled. "While I can't go, I do have two disciples who should meet your requirements."

"What? Have Bu Yu and Fei Yu already broken through to the Seed Formation Realm?"

"Yes. Little Xuan broke through a few months ago. Little Sheng started his apprenticeship a little later, and he focused more on the Dao of the Sword, so his cultivation isn't as advanced as his senior sister's. Still, his aptitude isn't bad. Albeit barely, he has already reached the late stage of the Spirit Convergence Realm."

The calmer Qing Yanzi remained, the more Li Shiwu wanted to stomp and shout.

"Little Sheng, Little Xuan, come here," Qing Yanzi casually called out, his voice effortlessly penetrating the walls and courtyard. It even reached Mu Wanxuan, who was meditating quietly in the forest outside.

"Yes, Master," Wang Sheng replied.

He flipped over gracefully from the rooftop. The wooden board that he had been sitting on remained unmoved on the eaves, and his landing was almost silent, with only his tied-back hair swaying slightly. His outfit—short sleeves, slippers, and oversized shorts—detracted a bit from the elegance, though.

Wang Sheng stood quietly in the courtyard, waiting for his senior sister to join him. Inside the house, Li Shiwu couldn't help but crane his neck to get a better look at the young Daoist priest at the late-stage Spirit Convergence Realm.

Having seen countless prodigies and talented youths over the years, Li Shiwu had developed a keen eye for assessing people. First, he noted Wang Sheng's posture. His legs were straight, his shoulders relaxed, and his entire demeanor loose yet upright like a pine tree—devoid of unnecessary bends.

Upon a closer look, Li Shiwu felt that Wang Sheng resembled a famous sword sheathed within its scabbard: strong but not overbearing, sharp yet understated. The scabbard was plain, yet it invited speculation about the sharpness of the blade hidden within.

Assessing a person naturally involved their facial features too. Wang Sheng wasn't particularly striking—he had sword-like brows and clear eyes that had a hint of refinement, but he was far from the kind of person who could rely solely on his looks to get by. However, after growing out his hair, he had gained a somewhat untamed and free-spirited charm.

Li Shiwu stroked his beard and exclaimed, "What a young sword immortal! I've cultivated for nearly twenty years, yet I pale in comparison. Shameful, truly shameful."

Qing Yanzi chuckled softly, his eyes filled with joy.

A disciple receiving praise always brought honor to the master, regardless of their cultivation level.

At the courtyard gate, a figure in white appeared. She seemed to be walking at a leisurely pace, yet in just a few steps, she had traversed dozens of meters and stood beside Wang Sheng. Only a faint trace of Yin-Yang Qi lingered on the ground, forming a tiny whirlwind before gradually dissipating.

Turning his head, Wang Sheng met a pair of deep, clear eyes. Any ripples in his Dao Heart instantly calmed.

Compared to when Wang Sheng had first arrived on the mountain, his senior sister seemed like a completely different person. One year, she was just a budding flower; the next, her petals opened. Now, she was in full bloom.

Over the past two years, her physique had fully developed thanks to the nourishment of true essence. She was only five or six centimeters shorter than Wang Sheng and Qing Yanzi, and her proportions were almost perfect.

She had long and slender legs, a waist thin enough for one arm to wrap around, and curves that were a sight to behold under her pale-white shirt. Moreover, despite cultivating in the mountains, her skin remained soft, smooth, and flawless. Under the sunlight, it seemed to emit a faint radiance, like the purest white jade in the world.

She truly looked like Fairy Bu Yu now.

Having spent every day together, Wang Sheng naturally had no trouble maintaining his composure before his senior sister.

"Master is waiting for us," he said.

"Alright."

The two entered the house together.

Wang Sheng bowed. "Master, Martial Uncle Li."

"Good, good," Li Shiwu commented. As a respected Daoist master, he only glanced at Mu Wanxuan for a moment before averting his eyes. He then softly asked Qing Yanzi, "Has Bu Yu truly reached the Seed Formation Realm?"

Qing Yanzi just smiled.

"Senior Sister, can you hand me my sword?" Wang Sheng whispered to his senior sister.

"

Mm.

" With a casual gesture, Mu Wanxuan made the Tai Chi sword hanging on the wall of the inner room fly steadily into Wang Sheng's hand.

Mu Wanxuan then playfully winked at Wang Sheng, seemingly asking if there was anything else she could help him with.