"May I ask how old you are, Senior Brother Xiao?"
Everyone looked up and saw that the person who broke the silence was He Chuanbing, who was standing next to Xiao Wenbing and had not yet successfully registered.
"I wouldn't dare, Senior Brother He, I'm only twenty-eight this year."
"Twenty-eight..."
Another chorus of praise erupted. If it weren't for the precedent of a 26-year-old Golden Core cultivator, Xiao Wenbing's age would certainly have caused a huge uproar. However, with Feng Baiyi as a precedent, a 28-year-old Core Formation cultivator wasn't as as astounding.
"Alas... heroes emerge from among the young. Fellow Daoist Xiao is a disciple of the Secret Talisman Sect, isn't he?" In that short time, Daoist Zhang had returned to normal. He sighed and asked.
"Exactly."
"Thinking back to your grandmaster, the White Crane Immortal, he also began cultivating the Dao at the age of three, and after twenty-five years, he formed his inner elixir at the age of twenty-eight. Fellow Daoist Xiao is truly a rare and exceptional talent to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him," Zhang Daoren sighed.
"Rarely seen?" The old Taoist priest glanced at him sideways. Such talent is rare? Then go find another one and see. However, his eyes swept over the ethereal Feng Baiyi, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Compared to this woman, he was indeed far inferior.
The crowd on the platform immediately erupted in cheers, whether sincere or not, all celebrating the two newly appointed honorary elders of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
"Sect Master, these two are indeed exceptional talents, rare gems that come along only once in a thousand years. I am completely convinced." Zhang Daoren suddenly changed his words before he could finish speaking.
Xiao Wenbing is indeed remarkable, but he can hardly be considered a once-in-a-millennium talent.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, this old Daoist has forgotten something." The Tianyi Sect Master said unhurriedly, "Fellow Daoist Xiao has only been in my sect for two years and three months. He condensed his core in one month, formed his core in one year, and reached the middle stage in one year. I wonder if such a talent is suitable for the position of honorary elder of our sect?"
On the rooftop, the clamor abruptly ceased, and all the thousands of gazes now focused on only one thing.
Xiao Wenbing remained undaunted; he faced the challenge head-on.
Those were a pair of beautiful, jet-black eyes, seemingly unfathomable.
※※※※
After leaving the pavilion, Xiao Wenbing and Feng Baiyi followed the Tianyi Sect Master to the Tianyi Grand Hall, where they were presented with a jade pendant representing the honorary elders of the Tianyi Sect.
After bidding farewell to the Sect Master of Tianyi, they headed towards their residences. Along the way, Xiao Wenbing stole glances at the stunningly beautiful woman beside him, his strange feelings growing stronger with each passing moment.
I don't know what kind of life these cultivators lead, but at least so far, Xiao Wenbing seems more like an ordinary person.
Since he had feelings for Feng Baiyi, he naturally had to use his methods to win her heart.
"Fellow Daoist Feng, Mount Tian is a wonderful place."
Xiao Wenbing's words were pure, pointless chatter, but Feng Baiyi was clearly even less adept at social interaction. Upon hearing this, she merely glanced at him and then fell silent.
Having been rebuffed, Xiao Wenbing didn't care. He amused himself the whole way, talking animatedly. But no matter how funny his stories were, Feng Baiyi remained unmoved.
"Fellow Daoist Feng is so young, yet he has already reached the Golden Core stage. He is probably the first person in history to do so."
Stopping in his tracks, Feng Baiyi finally spoke for the first time: "Since Fellow Daoist Xiao has the time to waste words, why not work hard to cultivate and enter the Golden Core path as soon as possible?"
A sudden realization dawned on Xiao Wenbing, and he immediately understood. This beautiful young woman had probably only known how to cultivate since birth. Apart from the arduous path of immortality, she likely had no time for anything else.
However, such ascetic cultivators are a dime a dozen in the cultivation world, but very few can achieve anything. At her age, to be able to cultivate to the Golden Core stage is even more unique and unparalleled.
Such ascetic practitioners generally look down on those whose cultivation level is lower than their own. If you want to gain their friendship, you must at least have a cultivation level that is no lower than theirs.
Xiao Wenbing smiled proudly and suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Feng, the path of cultivation is divided into eight stages: Condensing the Core, Forming the Core, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Dividing the Spirit, Separation and Union, Tribulation Transcending, and Great Completion. Why don't you and I make a bet and see who can reach the Nascent Soul realm first?"
A pair of beautiful eyes looked at him calmly, and after a moment, Feng Baiyi said, "Alright, I'll take your bet."
"Aren't you going to ask what the stakes are?" Xiao Wenbing asked, quite surprised.
"No need, I'm sure I can win." The soft voice carried immense confidence.
Xiao Wenbing put away his smile, gazed at the stunningly beautiful face before him, and said seriously, "Whoever wins can ask the other to do one thing, as long as it is within the other's ability, they cannot go back on their word."
"good."
Xiao Wenbing gave a thumbs-up and said loudly, "It's a deal."
After saying that, he turned and strode away, never looking at Feng Baiyi again.
Volume Two: The Fairy in White, Chapter Sixty: Conflict
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However, after rounding two corners, a smug smile appeared on his lips. He secretly felt lucky that she was naive and innocent, like a blank sheet of paper; otherwise, how could his little trick have lured her in?
Transforming into an infant? That's certainly not easy. However, with my special abilities and my natal golden talisman, my chances of winning are still quite high.
Besides, even if he lost, he had already agreed that he would only do what was within her capabilities. For a woman like her, what couldn't he do for her within the bounds of propriety?
If we win, hehe… Xiao Wenbing suddenly burst into laughter. His steps were incredibly light as he walked towards his residence.
Unconsciously, his gaze shifted to the left, and he seemed to catch a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of his eye. He didn't think much of it and continued walking, but after three steps, he suddenly stopped.
The figure—a ridiculously absurd thought suddenly flashed through Xiao Wenbing's mind.
He turned around and looked up, only to find that the area in front of him was completely empty.
After a moment's hesitation, his figure flickered and vanished from the spot.
A flash of light appeared in his hand, and his body was lifted off the spot, rising into the air.
His cultivation level was already at the Core Formation stage, so even if he wanted to ride the clouds and soar through the sky or travel thousands of miles on a sword, he still lacked the strength. However, if he only wanted to float in the air and move slowly, he could still do so with the help of the Secret Talisman Sect's spiritual talismans.
As he rose higher, his field of vision expanded, and Xiao Wenbing used his divine sense and eyesight to the limit, looking around in all directions.
Suddenly, his body trembled slightly in mid-air, almost falling. He saw that slender figure again, slowly walking into a house.
It was her; Xiao Wenbing was certain he couldn't be mistaken.
Suddenly, the sound of air being torn apart came continuously. Xiao Wenbing was slightly startled. Seven Golden Core cultivators suddenly appeared around him, coldly scrutinizing him.
"Who are you, fellow Daoist? Don't you know that flying is forbidden within the Tianyi Sect? State your sect's name and come with me to see the elders to accept your punishment," the leader said disdainfully.
There are those who dare to defy the rules of Tianyi Sect and fly into the air without permission, but they are all old monsters who have been famous for hundreds of years and have been friends with the sect leader and elders for many years. They are not people that these Golden Core stage law enforcement disciples can control.
But for a mere Core Formation stage cultivator to have such audacity is truly courting death.
Xiao Wenbing's expression changed. He was naturally aware of this rule. After all, this was an important place for the Daoist sect. If everyone were to cast spells and wander in the sky, what kind of order would that be?
However, in his haste, he completely forgot about the matter. This was also a result of the old Taoist priest Xianyun spoiling him too much in the Secret Talisman Sect.
Every sect, as long as it has its own sect, will have similar rules. Even Lu Jun in the Secret Talisman Sect doesn't dare to take to the air easily. However, Xiao Wenbing is clearly different. Ming Mei once mentioned it to him, but he habitually ignored it.
In truth, even if he remembered, he might not care. What's so great about taking off? Feng Baiyi was even overtaking airplanes on her sword in broad daylight, yet no one criticized her.
"Ha, no time." Xiao Wenbing said calmly, descended, and walked towards the house where the figure had disappeared.
The Golden Core stage enforcement disciples were simultaneously enraged.
I've seen rampant things before, but I've never seen anything this rampant.
The leading disciple, overcome with rage, nearly fell from mid-air. He took a deep breath and shouted sharply, "How dare you..."
He descended rapidly, intending to capture this audacious madman on the spot.
However, Xiao Wenbing, who was prepared, turned around, and with a flash of light in his hand, he unleashed a surging power like a raging storm, which struck the disciple heavily.
It was also his bad luck that led him to believe that capturing a Core Formation stage cultivator would be a piece of cake. He was completely unprepared, and while the opponent's cultivation was indeed not high, his personal magical artifact was extraordinary. Taking this blow, he was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground, his body emitting wisps of smoke, as if he had just escaped a fire. His clothes had several large holes burned in them, and even half of his hair and eyebrows were singed, making him look quite disheveled.
The other disciples were shocked and were about to make a move when they suddenly heard someone behind them shout angrily, "Stop!"
They immediately stopped and stepped back, standing solemnly and respectfully saying, "Senior Brother."
Chen Shanji suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Wenbing and said respectfully, "Disciple greets Elder."
"Senior Brother Chen, please don't be so polite." Xiao Wenbing quickly changed his expression, making a complete 180-degree turn from his previous unreasonable attitude.
"I don't know how these junior brothers offended the elder. Please give your instructions, elder, and punish them severely."
Those people were secretly lamenting their situation. Seeing Chen Shanji's appearance, they knew exactly who Xiao Wenbing was.
The Heavenly Dao Sect has always had strict rules and a clear hierarchy, and offending an elder is a serious matter.
“Senior Brother Chen, to be honest, it was my fault. Just now, in order to find an old friend, I shouldn’t have used my magic to ascend into the sky to search for him, which led to the conflict with these senior brothers. I should be the one apologizing to you all.”
"Take off?" Chen Shanji immediately understood the reason. He smiled wryly and said, "Elder, you don't need to be so polite. Just go ahead and fly however you want. I guarantee that no one will dare to stop you."
"Thank you very much, Senior Brother Chen." Xiao Wenbing cupped his hands in thanks to him, then turned and quickly left.
Watching him walk away, Chen Shanji came to the disciple who had been injured by Xiao Wenbing. Upon closer inspection, he turned pale with horror.
This is a disciple at the early stage of the Golden Core realm, yet he was knocked unconscious by a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Core Formation realm with a single talisman.
"Senior Brother, is he Xiao Wenbing from the Secret Talisman Sect?" someone cautiously approached and asked.
Chen Shanji's face hardened, and he angrily rebuked, "You lot are really stupid. A Core Formation stage cultivator dares to fly recklessly in the air within the Daoist sect, and you still can't see through the trickery? You deserve this calamity."
He held immense prestige among his fellow disciples. When he delivered a stern lecture with a stern face, everyone stood frozen in fear, trembling with fear.
"Tell the other brothers to remember this: these two honorary elders of our sect are not people we can afford to offend. Remember that."
"yes……"
Volume Two: The Fairy in White, Chapter Sixty-One: Encounter
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Chen Shanji glanced again at his unconscious junior brother on the ground, and felt even more apprehensive.
The power contained in Xiao Wenbing's talisman had definitely surpassed the Core Formation realm, and it was in no way inferior to my own full-force attack. This elder truly possesses extraordinary abilities.
In the distance, Xiao Wenbing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His attack, though seemingly powerful, was actually only a single strike. Even if he wanted to unleash the same talisman again, he lacked the strength.
Unlike other disciples, he was able to utilize the energy of his natal golden talisman even at the Core Formation stage. This is unprecedented in the more than three thousand years of history of the Secret Talisman Sect.