Mingmei's life over the past two years has been extremely colorful. He spent nearly a hundred years cultivating himself, while Xiao Wenbing caught up in just two years. Although there is still a gap, it is estimated that he will be surpassed in another year or two.
Having witnessed a peerless genius grow up beside him, Mingmei was filled with mixed emotions.
“Junior brother, from today onwards, I have fulfilled my responsibility of guiding you. From now on, your cultivation will depend entirely on yourself.”
Why?
"I have taught you everything I could. I have also informed my master, and you may go see him now." Mingmei smiled slightly, turned and left, then burst into laughter, a laughter that was both cheerful and tinged with sadness.
Xiao Wenbing stared blankly at his departing figure, as if he understood his feelings. After a long while, he bowed deeply to his back and shouted, "Senior brother, you will always be my third senior brother."
As if he had heard his words, Mingmei waved his hand lightly in mid-air, and his figure disappeared around a mountain peak.
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"Master, my third senior brother asked me to come see you." In the quiet room, Xiao Wenbing respectfully said to the old Taoist priest Xianyun.
Looking at him with surprise, the old Taoist priest was extremely astonished by his disciple's submissive attitude today. He stroked his beard, wondering if it was the heavens opening their eyes, or some ancestral master appearing in his spirit, making him suddenly realize the importance of respecting his teacher?
"Master, Master?" Xiao Wenbing waited for a long time, but the old Taoist priest still didn't speak. He couldn't help but raise his head, only to see the old Taoist priest staring at him, deep in thought. He was also surprised and uncertain, so he called out softly.
"Ah." The old Taoist priest seemed to wake from a dream. This was his disciple. "Wenbing, your cultivation has now reached the mid-stage of Core Formation. You have mastered all the basic talisman techniques in our sect. Although there is an ancestral precept that one should not be distracted until reaching the Golden Core stage, there are exceptions. With your high aptitude, you can actually start exploring the various schools of thought."
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, and he said, "Master, are you going to teach me swordsmanship, alchemy, and weapon crafting?"
Seeing his impatient look, the old Taoist priest shook his head and sighed, "It wasn't me who taught you."
Xiao Wenbing's face immediately fell.
"However, I can recommend a good place to you," said the old Taoist priest Xianyun calmly.
"Where?" Xiao Wenbing's hope was rekindled. He never expected that this old-fashioned fellow would be so lenient.
"Tianyi Sect".
Xiao Wenbing was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "Never heard of it."
Old Daoist Xianyun glared at Xiao Wenbing, but saw that Xiao Wenbing was completely unconcerned. Knowing that he couldn't intimidate him, he had no choice but to change his expression and said in a gentle tone, "Tianyi Dao Sect is the oldest sect in the cultivation world of Earth. Even today, it is undoubtedly the number one sect in the Divine Land."
"Master, how do they compare to our Secret Talisman Sect?"
"Yes, if we're talking about talisman techniques, our sect is number one in the world. Even the Heavenly Dao Sect would be inferior by a third," said the old Taoist Xianyun proudly.
Judging from the art of talismans? That means that other disciplines are no match for him. This old Taoist priest is quite eloquent and cares a lot about his reputation.
"Master, do you mean that I should learn their other magical arts?"
"Exactly."
"Will they teach?" It's no wonder Xiao Wenbing asked this question. Although Earth's cultivation world isn't large, it's still filled with numerous sects, and absolutely no single sect would be so generous as to impart all its secret techniques to disciples of another sect.
"Yes, because our sect has a deep connection with the Heavenly Dao Sect. Our sect's founder, Master Baihe, was an honorary elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect."
"Ah, then why did he choose to establish his own school?"
"Well, that's a matter for the older generation, and it's not something we younger generations can interfere with. However, Master Baihe was once awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring throughout the cultivation world. Alas... this was the last glory of our Earth's cultivation world."
Xiao Wenbing opened his eyes wide, eager to hear how this patriarch had displayed his divine power back then, but unfortunately, the old Taoist Xianyun only gave a brief introduction and then refused to continue.
“Master, since we come from the same source, why do you want your disciple to go there to learn skills?”
"Although the White Crane Ancestor was omniscient and omnipotent, his two disciples were particularly fond of the art of talismans. When the White Crane Ancestor ascended to the Immortal Realm, they only received the true teachings of his talismanic arts."
"So, apart from the art of spirit talismans, all the other cultivation techniques we've learned are second-rate?" Xiao Wenbing suddenly realized.
Volume Two: The Fairy in White, Chapter Fifty-One: Leaving the Mountain
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The old Taoist priest's face showed a hint of embarrassment: "No matter how second-rate they are, they all originated from the Tianyi Sect, so they are definitely much better than ordinary sects."
Seeing that Xiao Wenbing was still not finished, fearing that he might say something unpleasant again, she quickly interjected, "Before the White Crane Ancestor ascended to heaven, he thought of this and specially discussed it with the sect leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect at the time. They decided that if there were any outstanding disciples in the Secret Talisman Sect in the future, they could be sent to the Heavenly Dao Sect to study the orthodox arts of the various schools of Taoism."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wenbing finally understood the old Taoist's plan: he wanted him to learn orthodox techniques. Unexpectedly, the old man had ultimately admitted, indirectly, that the other skills within his sect were indeed inferior.
"Besides, it's also to broaden your horizons and let you see the centennial celebration of the Heavenly Dao Sect six months from now."
Xiao Wenbing's eyes lit up. Every grand ceremony was bound to be a huge event, and he was determined to go and see it for himself.
"Master, what are they celebrating?"
"Offer sacrifices to the ancestral master."
"What?" Xiao Wenbing asked uncertainly, "Could it be the same as when we offer sacrifices to the ancestral master in the ancestral hall?"
"good."
"Master, what kind of centennial celebration is this?"
The old Taoist priest shook his head slightly and sighed, "The Heavenly Dao Sect is, after all, ancient and deeply rooted. There are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, who have attained immortality. Every hundred years, the disciples in the mountains hold a grand altar to pray to their ancestors for blessings." The old Taoist priest swallowed and said with no small amount of envy, "Because of the large number of people, almost every time one or two patriarchs bestow treasures upon them."
"Wow... thousands of immortals? The Heavenly Dao Sect is truly the best in the world!" Xiao Wenbing exclaimed in praise.
"So what? Although the Heavenly Dao Sect has many immortal elders, they also have the most disciples, at least a thousand inner disciples. How do you think we should divide these one or two treasures?"
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback. This was indeed a difficult problem. Only one or two such items appeared every hundred years, and thousands of disciples would probably be green with envy. How to distribute them was indeed a huge challenge. If the sect leader could not make impartial decisions, it would be difficult to gain the respect of the people.
"However, that scene is indeed spectacular. I saw it a few times when I was young. Yes, it is really amazing. You young people should broaden your horizons."
Hearing the old Taoist priest speak so solemnly, Xu Haifeng couldn't resist the urge to try it himself.
"Wenbing, go back and get some rest today. Go with Zhang Jie first thing tomorrow morning."
"Second Senior Brother? Isn't it Third Senior Brother?"
"Mingmei's skill is insufficient; he is only at the Core Formation stage. Learning more would be more harmful than beneficial. Zhang Jie has been a Core Former for ten years now; it's time for him to join the Heavenly Dao Sect."
Just as Xiao Wenbing was about to agree, he suddenly sensed something amiss behind him. He turned around and saw a man striding in – it was Zhang Jie.
"Master, junior brother."
The old Taoist priest Xianyun recounted his journey to the Tianyi Sect to him, and then instructed him: "After you two brothers leave the mountain, be careful in everything you do, and do not be careless."
"yes."
After the two of them left their residence, the old Taoist priest Xianyun shook his head silently. Xiao Wenbing was the only disciple of the Secret Talisman Sect in thousands of years to go to the Heavenly Dao Sect to learn all kinds of arts while still in the Core Formation stage.
His talent is undeniable, but is what he did right or wrong?
Outside the room, Xiao Wenbing said to Zhang Jie with a grin, "Second Senior Brother, we're leaving tomorrow, how are we going to get there?"
"What? How do I get there?"
"Senior brother, you've already reached the Golden Core stage, so you must have learned how to ride the clouds and fly on a sword, right?"
"I only know a little bit about it."
"Then..." Xiao Wenbing's face was full of hope, "Could you please take me flying there, senior brother?"
"…………"
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"Senior brother? Is this what you meant by flying?"
On the plane, Xiao Wenbing looked at Zhang Jie, who remained calm, with frustration, still feeling resentful. Yesterday, Zhang Jie had finally given in to his persistent pleas and agreed to take him flying across the sky.
Although with his current level of skill, whether he sleeps or not makes little difference, Xiao Wenbing was indeed so excited last night that he didn't sleep a wink.
Unexpectedly, the next day, Zhang Jie first took him to a car driven by Zhao Feng himself, and then drove towards Ningbo Airport.
Upon arriving at the airport, Xiao Wenbing already knew something was wrong. However, with so many pedestrians around, he couldn't afford to lose his temper and give others a show.
He had no choice but to suppress his anger. Once on the plane and halfway through the flight, when most of the passengers were dozing off, he angrily lowered his voice and carefully questioned Zhang Jie.
"Yes, aren't we about to fly there?"
“Senior brother, I meant flying through the clouds or riding a sword,” Xiao Wenbing said fiercely.
“Junior brother, I think you may have forgotten that we live in a modern scientific society. If the two of us suddenly appeared in mid-air, whether unarmed or carrying a greatsword, the impact would be quite negative if we were seen.” Zhang Jie remained calm as always, seemingly oblivious to his burning anger.
"Second Senior Brother, do you also worry about the consequences?" Xiao Wenbing asked in surprise.
"Of course. Ever since the first reconnaissance satellite in the mortal world was launched into the sky, our cultivation world and the Western sects have made a pact that disciples below the Nascent Soul stage are not allowed to fly in the sky."
"Why?"
"If one's cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul stage, one can travel thousands of miles in an instant, and even a reconnaissance satellite might not be able to catch up. However, those of us in the Golden Core stage absolutely cannot reach that speed. Once we take off, the chances of being discovered are very high."
"So what if they find out? We're not afraid." Xiao Wenbing stopped arguing and just muttered a few words under his breath.
Zhang Jie shook his head repeatedly and said, "Junior Brother, this is not right. Modern people no longer believe in seeking immortality. If they see us, they will definitely make a big fuss. They won't think we are gods or monsters. If it causes a big commotion, it will be bad news for the entire cultivation world. So since the agreement was made, there are no more people floating idly in the sky during the day."
Nodding helplessly, Xiao Wenbing asked, "The convention?"
"Yes, this is the first time our two major powers from the East and West have cooperated."
"Who are the people from the West?"
"Christianity and the Dark Church."
"I heard they are enemies."
"Yes, but that has nothing to do with us. As long as they have enough strength, we will treat them all the same."
Volume Two: The Fairy in White, Chapter Fifty-Two: The Fairy in White
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