49 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

Chapter 49 In the Misty Forest, the pace set by Zhou Zhi's team visibly accelerated, leaving Bai Fan with little opportunity to observe her surroundings, only able to catch hurried glimpses. Once they had exited the forest, the atmosphere relaxed again. The disciples of Chongxuan Shui were genuinely good-tempered, unlike the initial encounter Bai Fan had with Wang Li and his companions; the current disciples were all quite easygoing. Thinking back, Bai Fan recalled how her master had told her that the entry-level technique of their sect was already known to her when she inquired about it, and the Clear Mind Incantation she had been copying for five years must be the foundational study. If this were the case, their good temperaments wouldn’t be surprising. Everyone had memorized the book by heart, naturally fostering peace of mind. The only difference was in how each master chose to teach it. As they arrived at a beach, Bai Fan finally realized just how vast Xuanming truly was. Zhou Zhi pointed towards various small islands, explaining, "These archipelagos also belong to our Xuanming, but they are primarily used for cultivating spirit shells and are not used as residences. If anyone is curious, feel free to explore." "What are spirit shells?" a new disciple curiously asked. "Spirit shells are a type of marine creature. They usually appear in pairs and only produce a few spirit pearls every few decades. The pearls are actually their eggs, but the survival rate of these eggs is incredibly low. If they do not hatch into small spirit shells, the dead eggs become spirit pearls." "Oh, I see. Senior Brother Zhou is indeed knowledgeable." Zhou Zhi smiled modestly, but it was Bai Fan who was particularly curious about these spirit pearls. "What are the uses of these spirit pearls?" she inquired. "Spirit shells thrive in shade and often absorb the essence of the deep sea at night, enriched by the energies of the sun and moon. The spirit pearls, deeply nourished, are highly beneficial for cultivation." For Bai Fan, whose cultivation mostly relied on her own efforts or spirit pills, hearing about such spirit items was indeed enlightening. Being a low-level rogue cultivator, her knowledge was quite limited. Everyone was primarily focused on cultivation, gathering spirit stones, and buying spiritual herbs for alchemy. She had no idea that such items could also enhance one's skills. Compared to disciples of a sect, not only was she lacking in resources, but her knowledge was also deficient. "In that case, I would like to take a look." Bai Fan and a few disciples went ashore. As they approached the island, the smell of the sea carried by the wind felt novel to Bai Fan, who had always lived inland. The island was filled with sea stone caverns, which were cool and damp. Upon entering, they saw numerous spirit shells clinging to the stone walls, retracting into their shells at the slightest disturbance. Bai Fan approached a spirit shell and sniffed it, sensing a faint aura. However, its half-closed shell concealed the interior, so she reached out to open it, only to be stopped by Zhou Zhi. "These spirit shells are timid. It's best not to touch them; you might provoke them." Bai Fan awkwardly withdrew her hand and stepped back. "In fact, these spirit shells release a mucus to protect themselves, which is actually their urine. This mucus, if sprayed on you, will leave its scent lingering for a hundred days. That’s why I advise against touching them. Only trained personnel can handle them without causing this reaction." Hearing that the shells could spray urine, Bai Fan quickly moved further away, already imagining the unpleasantness of carrying that smell for a hundred days. The other disciples laughed at Bai Fan's reaction, which made her feel more connected with them. After all, she had been confined to the Punishment Hall for five years, during which the other disciples had become familiar with each other, but Bai Fan found everyone new and unfamiliar. After exploring the spirit shells, they resumed their patrols. As they walked, someone approached Bai Fan from behind, saying, "Senior Brother Bai, you've been with Xuanming for five years without much interaction with others. If you're interested, you can come to the Enlightenment Hall next time. Here's an invitation." Bai Fan was puzzled as she accepted the invitation and listened to the disciple say, "I am Zhang Heng, a new disciple of the Alchemy Room. Take a look at this invitation. Whether you come or not is up to you." With that, he turned and hurried away, leaving Bai Fan confused as she held the invitation. She examined it and saw that it was for a private gathering of disciples for discussions at the Enlightenment Hall, promising a page of the Dao Canon as a prize for the top debater. Bai Fan had no idea what the Dao Canon was, so her interest was minimal. She casually tossed the invitation into her storage bag. The patrol was uneventful, and after they finished, everyone dispersed. Before leaving, Zhou Zhi called out to Bai Fan, "Junior Brother Bai, could I have a word?" Bai Fan stopped, looking back at Zhou Zhi, "Is there something you need, Senior Brother Zhou?" "Did Zhang Heng give you an invitation today?" Bai Fan nodded, confirming she had received one, but she wasn't particularly interested. "If you do go, could you take me with you?" Zhou Zhi's tone was exceptionally polite and his demeanor impeccable, making it hard for Bai Fan to refuse despite her lack of interest in the event. "Actually, Senior Brother Zhou, I..." "Please, Junior Brother Bai. If you go, take me with you. I will meet you before we go." After speaking, Zhou Zhi quickly left, leaving Bai Fan speechless. "I actually don't intend to go at all," she muttered. Returning to her residence, Bai Fan saw the twin sisters playing with a small turtle, appearing bored out of their minds, using even a slow little turtle for entertainment. "Master, you're back," Ying Yue greeted, standing up. Bai Fan, tired from a day of patrolling, merely acknowledged with a faint "Hmm" before retreating into her quarters, shutting the door on the sisters. Inside, she saw a small bottle on the table, knowing it contained the recently acquired pills. Opening it, she found two Peiyuan Pills, which she promptly consumed before beginning her meditation. Unlike her prior haste to advance, Bai Fan now preferred a slower, steadier approach, focusing on purifying her inner spiritual energy. Days passed, and upon awakening, Bai Fan used her spiritual sense to scan the residence, becoming more adept at it with each use. Outside, she saw the twins conversing with Zhou Zhi. She opened the door, catching the attention of all three, with the twins quickly approaching to explain the situation. "Junior Brother Bai, you’re finally out," Zhou Zhi greeted. "Senior Brother Zhou." "The Enlightenment Hall starts today. We should head over soon. I came early to join you." After a brief conversation with the sisters, Bai Fan walked over to Zhou Zhi, resigned to the fact that she now had no choice but to attend. "Why is Senior Brother Zhou interested in the Enlightenment Hall?" Bai Fan asked as they walked. "You might not know, Junior Brother Bai, but although the Enlightenment Hall is a private arrangement among disciples, the main host is none other than Xuan Guang Zhen Ren, a disciple under the Headmaster. Attending will not only allow us to witness his presence but also hear the insights of other disciples." Bai Fan nodded, understanding that although the Enlightenment Hall seemed informal, it was officially sanctioned. She wondered why she received an invitation. "Did Senior Brother Zhou not receive an invitation?" Zhou Zhi shook his head. "I heard the invitations were personally sent by Zhen Ren. It’s quite surprising that you received one, Junior Brother Bai." "I’ve spent five years in the Punishment Hall without interacting with anyone. Now, it's like I don't know anyone." "Perhaps Zhen Ren saw something exceptional in you or heard about you from your master often." Bai Fan silently agreed. She doubted there was anything extraordinary about her. Her skills and background were unremarkable, so being noticed must have something to do with her master. After half a day’s journey, they boarded a small boat to the Enlightenment Hall, located outside Chongxuan Shui, making for a slightly longer trip. Looking up, they saw radiant figures flying overhead towards the same destination, prompting Zhou Zhi to comment, "There are many attendees this time. Far more Golden Core cultivators than previous years. Like shooting stars, the radiance above us is a spectacular sight." Their small boat moved slowly, manned by an old ferry man clad in a straw raincoat, silent and unassuming, typical of ordinary humans. Contrary to the outside world's assumption that a sect consists only of its disciples, a large sect like Xuanming can be compared to a major nation, with mortals living within it, forming a city through generations. Most of these mortals are descendants of Xuanming disciples, and many disciples originate from within this city. Their innate qualities are somewhat superior to those of average people outside, making it almost impossible for outsiders to join Xuanming. Upon reaching the shore, Bai Fan and Zhou Zhi disembarked and were struck by the grandeur of the Enlightenment Hall. It wasn’t just Xuanming disciples present; there were disciples from other sects as well. "Junior Brother Bai, let's head into the venue," Zhou Zhi suggested. "Alright," Bai Fan agreed. Entering the Enlightenment Hall, they saw numerous cultivators, each standing in groups and conversing in a cacophony of voices from all regions. Zhou Zhi whispered something to Bai Fan, but she couldn't catch it. Wearing a confused expression, she followed as Zhou Zhi led her to a designated seat bearing her name. Many others had already taken their seats. Bai Fan found her spot and sat, quickly served tea by a disciple whose cultivation far surpassed hers, leaving her feeling slightly flustered. Holding the cup nervously, Bai Fan looked towards Zhou Zhi, who stood at a distance, waving at her. Suddenly, the hall fell silent as all eyes turned to a man in dark robes standing on the platform. With a mere gesture to hush the crowd, the chatter seemed to be sucked out of the room. "Greetings, everyone. I am today's host," the man announced as everyone else took their seats, leaving companions like Zhou Zhi standing at the back. Bai Fan, holding her tea cup, watched the platform with mixed feelings. "Thank you all for attending this session of enlightenment. The first prize for the best interpretation today will be a page from the Dao Canon." At this, the crowd erupted in excitement. "It really is the Dao Canon!" "I'll have to give it my best shot this time." "With so many experts around, it's not going to be easy. Look at the Yun Xiao group; they look ready to fight." Turning her head, Bai Fan noticed the Yun Xiao disciples, easily recognizable by their bright orange robes. Seven or eight of them, equipped with swords at their waists, seemed more like they were there to fight than to discuss doctrines. Since Bai Fan's seat was near the passage, the Yun Xiao group soon passed by her, causing others to make way. Once they had passed, Zhou Zhi came over. "Finally managed to squeeze through," Zhou Zhi said, standing by Bai Fan's side in the passageway where he wouldn't be in the way. "Where did you go just now, Senior Brother Zhou?" Bai Fan asked. "I saw an acquaintance and stopped for a chat." At that moment, the discussions began, with the host throwing out a passage from the Dao for disciples to interpret, with no need for formal registration—anyone willing could step up. One by one, people went up to interpret the passage using pen and paper, like answering a test. Bai Fan, sitting below, found herself nearly dozing off. Zhou Zhi, on the other hand, watched intently, fully engaged, as if seeing the true nuances of the interpretations. Bai Fan, though possessing a good memory, wasn't particularly intelligent. Interpreting scriptures was a difficult task for her, as evidenced by her bobbing head, almost like a pecking chick. A sudden gong sound jolted Bai Fan awake. She looked around, seeing a disciple with a mallet standing in front of the gong he had just struck. "Time's up; everyone put down your pens." The interpreters on stage stopped writing—some dejected, some satisfied, some composed. Bai Fan, propping her head up, watched as the papers were collected and handed to the senior cultivators for evaluation before being passed to the host, the man in dark robes. The host scanned through the papers, his brows furrowed as he read through them, before passing them to an assistant to read aloud. The assistant's voice was clear and melodious, making the teachings surprisingly easy to grasp, unlike the usual complex and cryptic texts. Everyone listened intently. Bai Fan's heart felt suddenly enlightened by the well-presented explanations, everything making perfect sense. The audience, captivated, gained significant insights. Many had come specifically for this reading since it was rare to have such detailed explanations, something even their masters couldn't provide regularly. When the recitation ended, everyone slowly emerged from their contemplative states. The host asked, "Now that you have listened, who do you think did the best interpretation?" This question stumped most attendees, who were more focused on listening than on judging the interpretations. No one knew how to respond. Bai Fan sipped her tea thoughtfully, contemplating the principles she had heard. The host then said, "Since none can distinguish the best interpretation, we will choose someone to share their views." Someone from the crowd questioned the fairness of this method, but the host dismissed the concerns, insisting it was fine. The man now identified as Xuan Guang Zhen Ren, Zhou Zhi's earlier mention, scanned the crowd until his gaze landed on Bai Fan, sipping tea with her head lowered, unaware. "Let that disciple come up to share their views," he announced, pointing towards Bai Fan, who had no idea it was directed at her and looked around behind her. "The one looking behind, yes, you. Come on up." Bai Fan froze, stunned. She couldn't believe her bad luck, being called up to assess something she barely understood. Zhou Zhi nudged her excitedly. "Junior Brother Bai, it's you! This is a great opportunity." "But I..." Before she could object, a group of disciples escorted her to the stage. Feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles, Bai Fan found herself under the scrutiny of countless eyes, filled with envy, jealousy, and confusion. Standing before the papers, she placed her tea cup down, trembling as she picked up a script to read. Her mind was blank, and her nerves tingled with anxiety. All she could manage was to memorize the content, moving from one paper to the next until she had committed dozens to memory. "Have you finished reviewing?" Xuan Guang Zhen Ren asked. Bai Fan nodded and then shook her head, leaving the audience tense. "Since you’ve reviewed it all, share your thoughts." "Do you really want to hear my thoughts?" Bai Fan asked, taking a deep breath, worried she might ramble nonsensically. Xuan Guang Zhen Ren nodded affirmatively. "Alright. To be honest, I didn't appreciate any of the interpretations. While I may not be able to interpret as expertly, I found that most were focused on showcasing knowledge rather than deeply explaining the texts. This made them seem insightful yet incomprehensible, like grasping at enlightenment but understanding nothing." The audience erupted in dissent, with some accusing her, "You can't interpret yourself, so how can you criticize others? One person's opinion can't define the quality." "Yes, exactly. I thought the second one was well thought out, filled with profound truths about the Dao." "I liked the fourth one. It offered unique perspectives on worldly phenomena, broadening my understanding significantly." Chaos erupted as everyone voiced their objections, forcing Xuan Guang Zhen Ren to shout, "Quiet! I asked for his input, and if you have objections, keep them to yourselves." The hall fell silent, and Bai Fan felt like she had barely avoided being drowned in spit. This role was truly a thankless job. "The Dao doesn't belong to one perspective alone. If it did, what would all these sects signify? My intent was for you to learn from each other, not to argue." Xuan Guang Zhen Ren released a powerful aura, silencing the crowd and making it hard for Bai Fan to breathe. "Continue," he urged Bai Fan. Xuan Guang Zhen Ren turned back to Bai Fan and continued speaking. Bai Fan felt the oppressive aura lift from her, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. "This..." "Don’t be afraid. Speak freely, I am here," Xuan Guang Zhen Ren encouraged. Bai Fan steadied herself, emboldened by his assurance. Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to appreciate the support of our wonderful readers. Thank you to those who have cast their king’s tickets or nourished with nutrient solutions~ Special thanks to our little angel who cast [land mines]: - Sui Yi, 1 land mine; And to our little angel who nourished [nutrient solutions]: - Friend, 2 bottles; I deeply appreciate everyone’s support, and I will continue to work hard! Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter Back to Home | Desktop Version | Bookshelf | All Novels | Trending Novels