Song Daren dragged Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan out of Shojing Hall, exhaling as if he'd narrowly escaped disaster.
Ji Changfeng raised an eyebrow. Is it really that terrifying?
Honestly, a beauty like Shi Niang Su Ru? In his previous life, people would've lined up, begging for a scolding from such a "big sister." Oh, Senior Brother Daren, you're truly blessed and don't even know it…
Song Daren led the two to a tranquil courtyard. "Junior Brothers," he said with a smile, "Dazhu Peak may have few people, but that's its charm. Take these courtyards, for example—there's more than enough for everyone to have their own."
Ji Changfeng nodded in agreement. He couldn't argue with that. Compare this to Chaoyang Peak, where Shang Zhengliang's four hundred-plus disciples probably had to cram several to a courtyard, living in cramped, noisy conditions.
"Pick a courtyard you like," Song Daren continued. "Settle in later."
"Yes, Senior Brother," Ji Changfeng replied. Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly echoed his assent.
Song Daren cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "Junior Brothers, I'll now teach you the sect's rules, precepts, and our core cultivation method—Taiji Xuanqing Dao!"
"The first rule of our sect: respect your master and honor the Dao…"
Ji Changfeng listened attentively, while Zhang Xiaofan struggled to memorize the rules Song Daren recited.
A few minutes later, Song Daren asked, "Junior Brothers, our Qingyun Sect has twelve rules and twenty-four precepts. Have you memorized them?"
"Yes, Senior Brother," Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan answered in unison.
Whether they truly remembered was beside the point. The rules boiled down to slaying demons, respecting masters, and upholding righteousness. What Ji Changfeng really cared about was Taiji Xuanqing Dao.
"Good." Song Daren nodded, his tone growing weightier. "Next, I'll impart our sect's core cultivation method—Taiji Xuanqing Dao!"
His face darkened. "This method is profound and wondrous, coveted by demonic cults and heretics. You must swear an oath never to share it with outsiders!"
Without hesitation, Ji Changfeng swore the oath. Zhang Xiaofan, nervous, stammered through a solemn vow.
"Very well." Song Daren's expression softened. He began reciting the intricate incantations of Taiji Xuanqing Dao's first layer.
Taiji Xuanqing Dao was divided into three major realms: Jade Purity (Yuqing), Upper Purity (Shangqing), and Supreme Purity (Taiqing). Each realm had nine layers. Most experts of the righteous and demonic paths lingered in the Upper Purity realm, while elite disciples typically reached Jade Purity. As for Supreme Purity? Legend held that only Qingyun Sect's founder, Patriarch Qingye, had ever attained it.
But Ji Changfeng knew the truth. The current sect leader, Daoxuan Zhenren, had already secretly stepped into the Supreme Purity realm, making him the foremost figure in the Daoist world. In a dozen years or so, Yun Yilan, the master of Incense Valley, would also reach that realm. By then, however, the entire Divine Land would teeter on the brink of crisis…
Song Daren recited the first layer's incantations three or four times, then looked at the two boys. "Junior Brothers, have you memorized it?"
"I have," Ji Changfeng said with a nod.
Zhang Xiaofan, struggling, mumbled, "S-Senior Brother, I've memorized it too."
In truth, Ji Changfeng had mastered the incantations after the first recitation. If Song Daren weren't present, he'd have started cultivating on the spot.
"Good." Song Daren stood. "Since you've memorized it, I won't disturb you further. It's late—rest well. Don't forget to wake early for your tasks tomorrow."
Those "tasks" meant chopping bamboo—not ordinary bamboo, but Black Joint Bamboo, a tough, resilient species unique to Dazhu Peak. For new disciples, cutting it served to temper their physique.
After Song Daren left, Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan chose their courtyards. Zhang Xiaofan picked one near Shojing Hall, while Ji Changfeng opted for a more secluded one, craving peace and quiet.
_
Back in his courtyard, Ji Changfeng sat cross-legged on his bed, his heart pounding with excitement. He began his first cultivation session. Silently reciting the first layer's incantations, he assumed the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, reaching out to sense the legendary spiritual energy.
Swish—
Within moments, he felt something extraordinary. In his mind's eye, he glimpsed the spiritual energy hidden in the air. With focus, he drew it toward him.
Success! A wisp of spiritual energy flowed into his body, marking his first step in cultivation.
[You have begun cultivating Taiji Xuanqing Dao and discerned subtle flaws within it, successfully refining the method…]
His Heaven-Defying Comprehension triggered, and clarity flooded his mind. So many flaws in the first layer alone?
Ji Changfeng shifted to the improved version of Taiji Xuanqing Dao.
Swish—
A surge of spiritual energy poured into him. He circulated the energy through thirty-six full cycles, transforming it into his own magical power.
"Phew…" Ji Changfeng exhaled a turbid breath, a glint of astonishment in his eyes. "Thirty-six cycles?" he murmured. "Does that mean I've mastered Taiji Xuanqing Dao's first layer and stepped into the Jade Purity realm's first stage?"
One night!
He'd mastered Taiji Xuanqing Dao in a single night!
What kind of feat was this? If word spread, the entire Qingyun Sect would be shaken to its core.
For an ordinary person, mastering the first layer took at least three months. Even geniuses needed one or two. Yet Ji Changfeng had done it in less than a night?
Glancing at the still-dark sky, he resumed cultivating. Though he'd mastered the first layer and could theoretically move to the second, he lacked the subsequent incantations. For now, he could only continue refining the first layer.