Chapter Six Spring Water Flows Down

  "Is this really me?" Zhang Yin stared at the silver mirror, the more she looked, the more she felt that the person in the mirror was not herself, but a stranger she had never met before. She began to dissect every part of the face in the mirror, looking at each one separately, from the eyebrows like smoke and mist, to the eyes like stars and water, the delicate skin as smooth as snow, and the cherry lips.

  But this way, she became even more unfamiliar with herself.

  "Miss, this is the painting you wanted." A slightly tense voice came from behind.

  Zhang Yin took over the several scrolls handed over by Yāhuán, opened them one by one, and carefully observed. All the scrolls depicted women with different postures, telling stories of female immortals. Zhang Yin looked at each painting carefully, more serious than when reading Taoist scriptures. However, after looking through all the paintings, she still didn't seem to have come up with any results. In fact, she was clueless about music, chess, and painting, and this time, she didn't know what she wanted to see by looking at the paintings either.

  As she looked on, Zhang Yin suddenly burst into anger, picked up that stack of paintings and slammed them against the wall.

  Yahuan was almost hit by the copper-axled painting scrolls, her face pale, shrinking in the corner and trembling with fear. But this wasn't the first time she'd encountered such a thing, so she endured it without screaming. Zhang Yin had been acting strangely for several days, if she were startled by screams, who knows what would happen next.

  "Get out! Useless thing, you can't even find some paintings for me, go and find them for me again!"

  That girl slipped out of the room in a flurry, as if she had received a great amnesty.

  Xiaoyuanhuan turned a corner of the corridor and happened to meet Jingxiang Zhenren and his wife, who were walking slowly. She hastily went forward to pay her respects. Lan asked: "Is Yin in the room? Has she been better these past few days?"

  Xiaoyuan replied, "Miss has been staying in her room every day, admiring herself in the mirror and had me find many ancient paintings of female immortals to look at. I don't know why, but after Miss finishes looking at the paintings, she often gets very angry. However, Miss practices her sword skills and cultivates her inner energy every day, never neglecting her studies."

  At this time, a faint sound of something being smashed came from Zhang Yin's room again.

  Lan and Zhang Jingxiao exchanged a glance, smiling: "It seems that our daughter has grown up."

  Zhang Jingxiao stroked his beard and smiled, with a pleased expression on his face. "Yes," he said, "in the blink of an eye, thirteen years have passed."

  Xixuan Mountain connects several mountain ranges, stretching for thousands of miles. Moganshan and the twelve side peaks are actually quite far apart. At this time, the five southern peaks were still a clear sky, while the three northern peaks were covered with lead-colored clouds.

  Tan Yuan Peak is located in the north, and the Tan Yuan Palace on the peak is slightly different from other peaks. It is not magnificent and beautiful, but elegant and delicate. When the Tan Yuan Palace was passed into the hands of Yu Xuan Zhen Ren, it had been eleven generations since only women were in charge. However, although there are many female disciples in the Tan Yuan Palace, male disciples are also allowed.

  In the Danxin Hall, incense smoke curled around, exotic beasts roamed about, and it looked like a fairy palace. Yu Xuan Zhenren sat in the warm pavilion of the Danxin Hall, gazing at the layered lead clouds outside the pavilion, her eyebrows tightly furrowed, with a worried expression on her face. On either side of her sat two other Zhenrens, her shifu (master) sister Yu Jing and her shidi (master's younger brother) Yu Zhengzi.

  Yu Xuan's skin was as tender as a baby's, her eyebrows arched like crescent moons. She looked no more than twenty-five or six years old. Just sitting in the warm pavilion of Danxin Hall made it seem brighter by a fraction. On her right side, there was another creature, a snake over two feet long, its entire body fiery red. It had thin cicada wings on its back and four legs protruding from its abdomen, an unknown exotic beast. The snake slowly slithered along Yu Xuan's arm, occasionally flapping its wings to hover in mid-air for a moment before gently descending.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren was actually over sixty years old, but she had achieved great success in her cultivation and looked as youthful as ever. Yu Jing Zhen Ren, on the other hand, was nearly a hundred years old, yet appeared even younger than Yu Xuan Zhen Ren by a fraction. As for Yu Zhen, he looked to be around thirty years old, with a few strands of long whiskers under his chin, exuding an air of elegance and refinement that was hard to put into words.

  Many Taoist practitioners have long lives, such as the Purple Micro True Person who is over a hundred years old, and the Purple Yang True Person who has exceeded 105. The Jade Profound True Person was able to take charge of the Dan Yuan Palace at the age of fifty, which is indeed something worth boasting about. But now she has her eyebrows tightly furrowed and her face set in leaden clouds, obviously having encountered an insoluble problem.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren sank into thought for a long time, finally saying: "In another half month, this year's sect will have its small test. Today I invited your senior sister and junior brother to come, wanting to hear your opinions on this small test."

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen exchanged a glance, both looking embarrassed, neither of them speaking up.

  Yu Xuan let out a soft sigh and said, "There's no one else here either. Whatever you want to say, go ahead."

  Yu Jing let out a sigh, then said: "Currently, my Dan Yuan Palace has four generations of ancestors and descendants, totaling 113 people. Except for two or three disciples, there are no particularly outstanding talents. Among the young disciples, only Han Yan's talent is exceptional, and he may become a great figure in the future. However, in my opinion, it will be difficult for him to compare with Ji Bing Xian of Chang Yang Palace, Li Xuan Zhen of Xuan Ming Palace, Shang Qiu Shui of Si Kong Palace, and Ming Yun of Tai Xuan Palace. Especially since my Dan Yuan Palace has a small population, it can be said that only Han Yan is worthy of mention, unlike the other palaces where talents are abundant. Originally, Zi Wei Zhen Ren's Chang Yang Palace had less than 100 disciples, with a smaller population than my Dan Yuan Palace. However, Ji Bing Xian was incredibly talented, and Zi Wei would soon ascend to immortality, so it was impossible for our palace to surpass Chang Yang Palace. Zi Yang Zhen Ren was originally the oldest, but his cultivation was not sufficient. However, he was highly respected, which is why the number of disciples in Tai Chang Palace was actually the largest. Yu Xuan Zhen Ren had always been on good terms with Zi Yang Zhen Ren and often helped him guide the disciples of Tai Chang Palace. Even if Han Yan could win a match, Tai Chang Palace would still have an advantage due to their numbers, so we wouldn't be able to surpass them. Therefore, I must say that this time, our Dan Yuan Palace will likely end up at the bottom among all the palaces, just like last year."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh and said: "The Dan Yuan Palace has been weak in my hands for a long time. If we lose again this year's small exam, it will be the 17th consecutive year that we are ranked last among the nine palaces. Since our ancestors established the annual small exams and decade-long big exams over 1,100 years ago, there has never been a palace that has been at the bottom for 20 consecutive years. But looking at the current situation, it's hard to see Dan Yuan Palace making any progress in the next three to five years. This shame of being at the bottom for 20 years is likely unavoidable this time."

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen both hung their heads in silence. They naturally knew the current situation, but they were also helpless to find a good solution. Now that Dan Yuan Palace was at a disadvantage, cultivating Taoism was not as easy as eating and drinking, and there was no shortcut to success. In these one or two years, where could they go to find so many excellent disciples?

  As if sensing the gloomy atmosphere in the warm pavilion, the mysterious fire feather snake quietly rose up and then flew out of the pavilion like a red lightning bolt, silently and without warning.

  Yu Xuan gazed at the faint red tail shadow left behind by Xuanyu Huayu's departure, and sighed, "This small test has ended in defeat, and I, Yu Xuan, will bear this shame alone. However, it seems that Dan Yuan Palace now has a chance to rise again, but it puts me in a difficult position."

  Yu Zhen interrupted: "Are you referring to Ji Ruochen?"

  Yu Xuan nodded and said, "It was him."

  Yu Zhen's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she asked in doubt: "I have also seen Ji Ruochen before. His talent is not bad, but it can't be said that he has exceptional talent. Why do all the true immortals, from Ziwei to the present, show him such favor?"

  Yu Xuan raised his head to gaze at the sky, let out a soft sigh and said: "This is a secret of our Dao De Zong sect, only those who have attained true enlightenment can understand. Yu Zhen, although you are my junior brother, I still cannot reveal the details to you. However..."

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen knew that Yu Xuan had more to say, so they all held their breath in anticipation.

  Yu Xuan paused for a moment, seemingly hesitant about something. After a long while, he said: "This matter is of great importance, but I can only reveal a little to you. Ji Ruochen's innate talent may be ordinary, but his good fortune is thick. Moreover, what his true innate talent is like, we are not yet at the level to see clearly. Ziwei Palm Teach Gan Mou mistakenly took the risk of flying up, halfway out of the pass, and ordered three real people to lead a group of disciples to rush to Saiwai to collect Ji Ruochen back to the sect. Such a big array, just said one sentence: Ji Ruochen has hope for flying up in this life!"

  "Ascension in sight?!" Yu Zhen and Yu Jing both took a sharp breath in.

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren previously briefly opened and closed, had discussed the future of several disciples, among whom Ji Bing Xian was evaluated as having a chance to achieve the fruit of corpse liberation after 100 years of bitter cultivation. With this one sentence evaluation, Ji Bing Xian immediately became recognized as one of the most talented among the thousands of young disciples in the Dao De Zong.

  Ji Ruochen unexpectedly has a chance at ascension!

  Isn't this saying that the Taoist sect will produce two flying immortals in a hundred years? What a grand occasion! From then on, the leader of the Taoist sect will dominate the world and subdue all demons. It's no wonder that the various immortals attach such importance to Ji Ruochen and are vying openly and secretly with each other so fiercely. The four words "hope for ascension" have already dispelled Yu Jing and Yu Zhen's doubts.

  At this time, it is not necessary for Yu Xuan Zhen Ren to explain clearly. Yu Jing and Yu Zhen also understood what "having hope" meant in Dan Yuan Palace. As long as Ji Ruocheng was willing to enter the gate of Dan Yuan Palace after the big exam four years later, even if Dan Yuan Palace ranked last among all palaces for another fifty consecutive years, it would no longer be a problem. A flying ascension true immortal is enough to make Dan Yuan Palace's name remain in history.

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen's shocked expressions had yet to fully dissipate when Yu Xuan, the True Person, let out another sigh and said with a hint of melancholy: "It's just that getting Ji Ruochen to enter my Dan Yuan Palace is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Not to mention Yu Xu's, the True Person's, immortal sword, Shou Zhen's, the True Person's, pre-heavenly trigrams, and Tai Wei's, the True Person's, Taoist methods, he has shown great interest in Zi Yun's, the True Person's, alchemy of the purple furnace, but has no enthusiasm for my Dan Yuan Palace's ultimate techniques! And with Zi Yang, the True Person, being a neighbor, what can my Dan Yuan Palace use to compete with other sects? This year's small examination, our palace ranked last among all the palaces again. It's even more hopeless that he will choose Dan Yuan Palace four years later."

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen looked at each other, both knowing that Yu Xuan's words were true. However, this great opportunity was right in front of them, and it would be extremely difficult to give up on it just like that. If Ji Chu and Chen could really ascend to the heavens as Zi Wei had said, then the Dan Yuan Palace would not only gain a reputation, but it would also bring immense benefits to the cultivation of the three people present. The Great Way is easy at first but difficult later, and when one reaches the level of Yu Xuan and the others, every step forward will add countless dangers. Therefore, for them, anything that could improve their cultivation would be an irresistible temptation.

  Yu Jing and Yu Zhen suddenly understood that Yu Xuan had already made up his mind, but was just discussing it with them. They also knew what to do, but making the decision was equally difficult. However, since things had come to this point, the three of them had actually already made their decision in their hearts, the only difference being who would be the first to say it out loud.

  The Danxin Hall's warm pavilion suddenly fell into a dead silence. Yu Jing and Yu Zhen were both in a state of mental stillness, their minds as calm as stagnant water. Yu Xuan sat upright and motionless, his face solemn.

  It wasn't long before Yu Zhen's cultivation was slightly inferior, and she couldn't help but say: "Yu Xuan Shijie, my Dan Yuan Palace has many female disciples. If we want to surpass the other eight sects, in my opinion, perhaps we can start from this aspect..."

  Yu Zhen had barely finished speaking when Yu Jing coughed. Yu Zhen immediately came to her senses, shut her mouth tight and refused to say another word.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren finally sighed and said: "My Dan Yuan Palace was originally weak and had little power. If the three of us, as master and disciples, cannot unite, what can we use to contend with outsiders? I have inherited the legacy of our late master and will take responsibility for all future disgraces. You two do not need to worry. Ji Ruochen is only eighteen years old, at an age when he is vigorous and impulsive, and knows little about good or evil. After much deliberation, I can think of no other way but to use this method to lure him into submission."

  Yu Zhen humbly said: "Sister Shang said it extremely well, just now I was not aware of the overall situation. The rise and fall of my Dan Yuan Palace all depend on this one move, so I think it's not a problem to go further, for example, if there is a disciple who can practice dual cultivation with Ji Ruochen..."

  Upon hearing the words "joint cultivation", both Yu Xuan and Yu Jing's faces showed a hint of embarrassment. Although they knew that Yu Zhen spoke reasonably, and in their hearts they were thinking the same thing, but to say it out loud like this was still somewhat unbecoming.

  Yu Zhen carefully considered her words and continued: "Please don't blame me, two senior sisters. I've thought about it repeatedly and feel that as long as there is a disciple from my Dan Yuan Palace who can dual cultivate with him, even if he refuses to enter our sect's walls after four years, on the day of his ascension, the female disciple who dual cultivates with him will definitely have a huge improvement in her true yuan. Our Dan Yuan Palace will also benefit greatly from this, which is better than gaining nothing at all."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren gazed into the distance at the dark clouds on the horizon, nodding slowly and saying: "What Yu Zhen Shidi said is indeed true, I also had this intention. However, there is one difficult aspect to consider - dual cultivation requires a predestined affinity, and although my palace has many disciples, I fear that none of them have an affinity with Ji Ruochen."

  Yu Jing finally spoke up: "This matter requires a two-pronged approach. Firstly, we need to choose a capable disciple and have them get close to Ji Ruochen. Secondly, I still have a piece of rare incense from Nanman called Huanmeng Niushan, its effects are... quite mysterious. If my disciple and Ji Ruochen practice together and burn some of this incense, it will have twice the effect."

  Yu Zhen's face showed a hint of surprise as she gazed at Yu Jing, utterly unprepared for the fact that her fellow sister-in-arms of several decades would also resort to such a sinister scheme.

  Yu Jing's face turned slightly red, her eyes shifted, and she looked away.

  Yu Xuan, the true person, stared blankly at the outside of the pavilion for a long time before withdrawing his gaze and said lightly: "Yu Jing Shifu, Yu Zhen Shidi, although this matter is about the revival of Dan Yuan Palace after a thousand years, it doesn't quite align with the principles of our Dao De Sect. If word gets out, it will surely cause a huge commotion. Yu Jing Shifu, please send Huan Meng's Dreamy Cloud Robe to me tonight. From now on, you two must not interfere in this matter again; I will handle everything myself. This way, if the situation is exposed, I alone will bear the responsibility. As long as Shifu and Shidi are here, Dan Yuan Palace still has a chance to rise again. Yu Zhen Shidi, go and call Huan Yan over; I have something to say to her."

  Yu Zhen was taken aback and said: "Hanyan?"

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren nodded and said: "It is indeed Hanyan."

  Yu Zhen looked at Yu Xuanzhen again, let out a light sigh, shook his head and left the warm pavilion to find someone.