Chapter Fifteen: Tianyun Peak, Shuiyun Interval

  Tianyun Peak is hidden in the vast clouds and mist.

  The grand curtain of the Fu Yao Conference fell, and the Taiyang God Temple's Mountain Protection Array was restarted. From the foot of Tian Du Mountain, it stretched for dozens of miles, and those who gazed out at such a grand gathering reluctantly withdrew their gaze.

  It will be three years before we can see such a grand scene again.

  People at the foot of the mountain cannot see the scenery on top of the mountain, and even a gentle breeze cannot see the beauty in front of it.

  Soaring into the sky, pulling and flying, shuttling through the clouds, a strong gust of wind made his eyes hard to open. Even more chilling, even the sun-protective clothing on his body couldn't stop it, desperately drilling into the gaps in his bones.

  Fortunately, this situation did not last long, only a few breaths, and suddenly the scene in front of me opened up, with a green mountain rushing into Ningfeng's line of sight.

  The green mountain floats in the air, majestic and steady. The clouds in the sky serve as a colorful skirt wrapped around its waist, with emerald makeup adorning it from top to bottom.

  From seeing the Tianyun Peak to being in this mountain, it was just a blink of an eye. In that short time, even if Ning Feng tried his best to open his eyes wide, he couldn't see everything clearly.

  He faintly saw white cranes dancing elegantly in the shallow water at the foot of the mountain, and glimpsed vast fields of flower gardens and spiritual farmland unfolding like floating lights and shadows. Pavilions and towers appeared and disappeared among the green mountains and waters, with an aura of immortals lingering and not dispersing.

  After landing, Ning Feng and two other newly promoted disciples subconsciously took a deep breath.

  A surge of spiritual energy poured into the body, not just from the mouth and nose, but also seeping in through all the pores on the skin, making the whole person feel refreshed as if washed clean.

  "Is this Tianyun Peak?"

  Ning Feng made a great effort to recall what he had seen before, so as to form a complete impression of this place where he would be staying for a long time afterwards.

  "Tianyun Peak is said to be the most sparsely populated of the nine peaks of the Divine Palace, but the specific reason seems to be shrouded in mystery, and no one knows."

  "Tian Yun Shizun said I am his seventh personally taught disciple under his seat, even if adding the nominal disciples, there are only a few people on the mountain."

  "But..."

  Ning Feng had a faint impression, but when he caught a glimpse of her, he hadn't seen many people like that before.

  "Are they all just miscellaneous chores?"

  Let's put aside the doubts for now, and this isn't the time for questions either.

  Tianyunzi, this Ningfeng who was only meeting his master for the second time, slowly turned around to face them.

  "Willow Intent Cicada."

  "Wooden little tree."

  "Rather die than surrender."

  Tianyunzi has the appearance of a middle-aged man, wearing a yellow robe that covers his body. He looks majestic without being angry, and his facial features are among the nine peaks, which is considered young. It is said that his true age is also young.

  His gaze swept over the three new disciples, and he said in a low voice: "From today on, you will be my Tianyun Sect disciples. There are no other rules in this sect, only four words: same door, friendly love. Whoever dares to kill their fellow disciples, I, as your master, will personally take action and make them regret it."

  The first sentence was spoken with a stern tone and expression, so Ning Feng and the other two hastily bowed their heads to indicate that they definitely did not dare.

  Tianyunzi nodded, composed himself and said: "You don't have to be tied up either. With me as your master, the Tianyun sect will not let people bully you."

  "In three days' time, I will open a platform to expound the Dharma; you should all remember to come and listen."

  "Then go."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Tianyunzi turned around and disappeared without a trace.

  "Hmm..."

  Ning Feng and three others simultaneously lifted their heads, with a bewildered expression on each of their faces.

  What's going on?

  They looked at each other in dismay, reading the same question from each other's eyes: Is this it? Where are we supposed to go now?

  "Older sister Liu."

  "Older Brother Wood."

  Ning Feng shrugged and didn't think much of it, smiling as he greeted the other two new disciples.

  Three years outside the door, three people may not be considered familiar, but they are also old acquaintances.

  Liu Yi Chuan was among the top in the Washing God, and was also the first to be accepted as a disciple by Tian Yun Zi, so she is naturally the senior sister. Mu Xiao Shu is the same.

  The two were respectively ranked fifth and sixth in the lower ranks of Tianyunzi's lineage, both considered Ning Feng's senior siblings.

  Liu Yi nodded slightly and politely returned the courtesy.

  This woman was naturally calm and serene. Every day she wore a green dress, unchanged, to anyone she was always gentle, Ning Feng had long been accustomed to it, and didn't think it strange.

  The wooden hut is different now.

  He hastily waved his hand and said: "It's me who should be calling you Shixiong, Ning Shixiong don't be like this..."

  Mù xiǎo shù zuǐ bèn, shuō zhe shuō zhe, liǎn dōu hóng le.

  Translation: The wooden little tree mouth is stupid, talking and talking, the face turned red.

  Liu Yi's normally calm and collected demeanor couldn't help but curve into a smile at the sight, while Ning Feng shook his head with a chuckle.

  This little wooden tree is also a genius.

  Among these thirty new disciples, Mù Xiǎo Shù is almost the youngest. He entered the outer sect at the age of ten and is only thirteen this year.

  Mu Xiaoshu was simple and pure in nature, with a clear mind. Whenever he went out, he would call out to people as "Shixiong" (older brother) or "Jiejie" (older sister). This suddenly made Ning Feng let out a startled "Mu Shixiong".

  Ning Feng laughed and persisted, Mu Xiao Shu was so stubborn that he wouldn't give in even if he died, his simple face was sweating profusely.

  "Never mind."

  Ning Feng smiled and said: "Otherwise, in formal situations, I'll call you Sixth Brother, and at other times, I'll call you Little Tree."

  Mù xiǎo shù wāi zhe tóu, kǎo lǜ le yī xià, zhèng de tóu.

  English Translation:

  The little wooden tree tilted its head, thought for a moment, and nodded seriously.

  He let out a long sigh and a relaxed smile spread across his plain face, as if he had just resolved a major issue.

  Before they could continue their conversation, a clear voice came over.

  "Three younger brothers, I'm late."

  As the wind turned back, he only saw a man in his thirties with a wide robe and large sleeves, a gentle face, walking towards him.

  With a gentle stride, he appeared in front of Ning Feng at the same time as the words entered his ears.

  "This is Brother Shen Zhaoxuan, he is your third senior brother."

  Shen Zhaoxuan's expression was warm and gentle, his tone even more so, with a broad and magnanimous elder brotherly demeanor that made people involuntarily feel a sense of affection.

  Ning Feng, Mu Xiaoshu, Liu Yizhen paid their respects, without mentioning introductions.

  "Brother Ning, I am your guide and mentor."

  "You'd better come with me."

  Ning Feng was curious: "Guide Shixiong, what does that mean?", and then looked at Liu and Mu with difficulty, after all, it wasn't good to abandon them.

  As he turned around, he happened to see another man and woman walking towards Liu Yichen and Mu Xiaoshu.

  Shen Zhaoxuan's face changed when he saw the newcomer, especially when he saw the woman. He looked like he had eaten bitter melon: "Bad, it's Second Sister."

  "She's been in a bad mood lately, let's just not bother her for now."

  Shen Zhaoxuan pulled Ning Feng's arm and turned around to leave, with a somewhat fleeing appearance.

  Ning Feng was suddenly enveloped in a thick fog, and just as he called out to Liu and Mu, he was dragged away by Shen Zhaoxuan.

  "It's a good thing we didn't run into each other head-on." Shen Zhaoxuan stopped and pretended to wipe away non-existent sweat, before smiling at Ning Feng: "Ning Shidi, you don't know how troublesome it is when Second Shijie is in a bad mood. If she catches up with us, our days will be far from easy."

  A whirlwind of question marks in my mind, I really want to know how can't get through this difficult time?

  Just a glimpse from afar, that second sister-in-law resembles Liu Yizhen quite a bit, faintly, coldly, like a wildflower blooming on its own, not seeking anyone's admiration or praise, nor seeking to be plucked by beauties.

  "Caught by Second Sister, if you don't practice for three days and nights, it's not considered done, who can stand it?"

  Shen Zhaoxuan was chilled to the bone and spoke with a bitter smile.

  Ning Feng blinked his eyes and didn't look back again, but he couldn't help feeling a little worried in his heart.

  It's unlikely that Second Sister will find him to be a good match, with Shen Zhaoxuan and other senior brothers being so much stronger. But if Liu Yichen were to learn from this route's sister's bad habits, it would truly be unbearable.

  Thinking of this, Ning Feng suddenly reacted and asked: "Shen Shixiong, what does Yindao Shixiong mean?"

  Shen Zhaoxuan returned to his usual calm and gentle demeanor, walking ahead while speaking freely: "Even if my younger brother didn't ask, I would still explain it to him."

  Two people walked in front and back, talking as they went, but after a short while, Ning Feng suddenly understood.

  Elder Brother Yingluo, this saying is a grand one. The world is vast and there are many sects, but it is unique to the Sun God Temple.

  Whenever a new disciple enters the door, there must be a senior brother to lead the way, arrange everything for the new disciple, explain what is unclear, from life to practice, and make up for the place where the master cannot take care of it.

  In the same vein, apart from the teacher-student relationship, the bond between a guiding senior brother and a newly promoted junior is the most profound.

  A sip of water, a drop of dew, on the path of cultivation, many seniors have taken care of me. As I grow up day by day, I should also repay and return the kindness.

  This pattern has been practiced in the Temple of the Sun God for less than a thousand years, and since then, the good relationship between the gods and the temple has also been envied by other sects.

  Ning Feng understood and looked at Shen Zhaoxuan with a few more points of closeness, cupping his hands and smiling: "Then I'll trouble Brother Master from now on."

  He naturally dropped the "Shen" character from "Shen Shixiong", to show his difference.

  From now on, in our circle, when referring to "Shixiong", it will undoubtedly refer to Shen Zhaoxuan.

  "Haha, it's also my first time being a guide elder brother. I hope younger brother doesn't mind that older brother is lazy and unqualified."

  Shen Zhaoxuan's expression was joyful, pulling Ning Feng to quicken their pace by two steps, and as they turned around the mountain pass in front of them, the view suddenly opened up.

  "Brother, what do you think of this place?"

  He stretched out his hand and pointed forward, the water light in front of him shone back, the clear wind blew over the water vapor, standing among them, his mood was delighted.

  Ning Feng didn't quite understand Shen Zhaoxuan's meaning, but still followed his words and looked ahead.

  Not far ahead, there is a lake lying horizontally.

  The lake is not large, with water lilies blooming everywhere. The flowers are pink and white in color, and the fragrance is refreshing and lingering.

  In the middle of the lake floats a small island, shaped like a lotus flower. From afar, it seems to be planted with large patches of sunflowers, gathering sunlight and condensing water vapor, making the entire island appear dreamlike and illusory.

  In the center of the small island, there is a building with a white jade base, elegant and serene.

  Ning Feng glanced at it a few times, as if he had gained some insight, and asked: "Big Brother Master, is this the residence arranged for Little Brother Master?"

  Shen Zhaoxuan nodded and then shook his head, saying: "I've found a few places for my brother, anyway, there are fewer people in our Tianyun Peak, so you can choose freely, younger brother."

  "Although there are buildings here, in fact, no one has ever lived here, and its origin is also quite interesting."

  He pointed to the island in the middle of the lake and said, "In the past, there was no island in the lake. About a thousand years ago, an ancestor failed to refine a treasure, his heart fire was not calm, so he directly threw the abandoned treasure from the mountain into this lake."

  The ancestors later forgot about this matter, but a hundred years later, the lake suddenly bloomed with green lotus flowers like a canopy, covering the entire lake, and in one night, it withered and transformed into this island in the center of the lake.

  "After the ancestors investigated, it turned out that the water lilies in the lake and the abandoned treasure of the past had merged into one body, which is why there was this strange phenomenon."

  And also...

  Shen Zhaoxuan gazed out at the lake and said, "Since the night when the green lotus withered and transformed into an island, the spiritual energy of the water on the lake has undergone a strange transformation, becoming exceptionally dense. Therefore, clouds often gather around it, making it seem like a celestial realm."

  "The ancestors were sentimental, and in the past, with a flick of their sleeve, they created an island in the middle of the lake. They ordered people to build towers and pavilions on the island, but later there was a change, and since then, for thousands of years, no one has lived there."

  Shen Zhaoxuan shrugged and smiled: "Not even having a name, if Shidi attaches importance to this place, he can take one himself."

  He didn't take long with Ning Feng before he picked up the habit of shrugging his shoulders, and it looked so natural that Ning Feng was left speechless.

  "Then let's call it Water Clouds Interval."

  Ning Feng blurted out, and then added: "Senior brother, it's this place, no need to choose."

  Shen Zhaoxuan asked with interest: "Shui Yunjian, a pretty good name, is there any implication?"

  The breeze strolled along the lake shore, and I casually replied: "Clouds are carefree, water is at leisure."

  "In the past, treasures and blue lotus flowers shouldn't have been together, but these two things coincidentally merged into one body, giving birth to this island. Isn't it just like the water and clouds on a lake?"

  "The clouds in the sky and the water in the lake were originally unrelated. However, as water vapor rises to form clouds, and cloud vapor cools and condenses into rain, it is a predetermined fate."

  The name "Ning Feng" was originally a casual choice, and the explanation that followed was also made up on the spot. However, as I continued to talk about it, a strange feeling began to linger in my mind.

  "Hmm, Shuǐyún Jiān, this name is pretty good, it's settled then."

  He turned back and smiled: "Shixiong, how did Shidi go to Shuizhongyuan?"

  "Can't always swim home every time, can I?"