Chapter 14

“Junior Sister Xie, intensify your cultivation. The Great Feathered Immortal Tour is approaching; perhaps we can journey there together.”

Seeing that Xie Chang’an was unfamiliar with the Great Feathered Immortal Tour, she explained, “It is a grand event in Dream Departure City, sometimes held every five years, sometimes every ten. The upcoming one should be soon, roughly around this year.”

The character for ‘feather’ signifies wings.

With fully formed wings, one can soar across the four seas, wandering among immortal dreams, intoxicated as if in a yellow millet dream.

Yu Chunshan said you could see it as either a grand feast or a trial.

Entering Dream Departure City means choosing a new path in life. You may immerse yourself endlessly, living and dying in cycles, never leaving, or you can use it to temper your mind and advance your cultivation.

Most who go there initially seek cultivation because within, reality and illusion intertwine, time is unpredictable, and besides refining their practice, they may even be blessed with fortune or acquire peerless treasures. But in the end, only a few can truly leave.

“So, Dream Departure City can bewitch the mind?” Xie Chang’an asked.

Yu Chunshan shook his head. “It cannot be called bewitchment. Ultimately, it is a choice that arises from one’s true heart. The path of cultivation is arduous and long. Many know they lack the aptitude and luck to reach the end; at best, they live a few days longer than ordinary people. After witnessing Dream Departure City, they feel that instead of wasting time outside with bitter practice, they might as well choose a more exhilarating way to live. At least inside Dream Departure City, they can live a life of drunken dreams, fulfilling their desires.”

Xie Chang’an said, “Sounds like Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly.”

“Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream has an awakening, but once you enter Dream Departure City, if you cannot hold yourself, you could be trapped there forever,” Yu Chunshan sighed. “Though I have never been myself, I heard from my master and senior uncles. There is a Senior Uncle Chang from neighboring Snowlit Peak who went to Dream Departure City twenty years ago and never returned. At that time, his sword cultivation was at the peak of the Sword Intent realm, about to break into the Sword Heart realm, yet even he couldn’t resist the allure of eternal residence there.”

The path of cultivation is step-by-step.

Among the myriad weapons, the sword reigns supreme. Sword cultivators are divided into the realms of Sword Qi, Sword Intent, Sword Heart, and Sword Immortal.

Take Yu Chunshan as an example: a disciple of the inner sect of Destiny Peak. Though her innate talent and foundation are not top-tier, they are above average. In terms of realm, she has only just reached perfection in the Sword Intent realm, still some distance from breaking into the second realm.

Senior Uncle Chang, having reached the peak of the Sword Intent realm, was already counted among the renowned masters. If he had advanced further to the Sword Heart realm, he could have founded a sect outside Chishuang Mountain with just his name alone.

Yet even he could not leave Dream Departure City — what a concept!

Saying he had no curiosity about Dream Departure City would be untrue; Xie Chang’an even entertained a slight urge to challenge it.

Seeing her silent contemplation, Yu Chunshan assumed she was fearful and anxious, so he comforted her, “Whether one can leave Dream Departure City isn’t entirely related to cultivation. My master once said, Senior Uncle Chang stayed because he wished to stay; no one forced him, not because he could not leave.”

Xie Chang’an nodded, “When the time comes, I will follow the sect’s arrangements.”

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and the much-anticipated apprentice ceremony commenced.

……

This was the first time Master Shiyan of Chishuang Mountain met Xie Chang’an.

As the sect leader, he was burdened with mundane affairs, squeezing time even for cultivation. Though curious about Zhu Xuanguang’s new disciple, he would not personally attend as Zhang Fanruo and the others might for a junior.

Today’s apprentice ceremony would reveal everything clearly.

“Master Zhu has always had eyes higher than the sky. Over the years, Chishuang Mountain has been talent-rich, yet he couldn’t even pick a single disciple. I thought he would never take a disciple until ascension.”

The speaker was Xu Weique, the elder of Beizhu Mountain and senior brother to the sect master.

Though the sect master was absent, sending Xu Weique, second only to himself, to attend was a high honor.

Beizhu Mountain, located by the northern sea, maintained good relations with Chishuang Mountain; Xu Weique had traveled with Master Shiyan and Zhu Xuanguang several times in the past, so he spoke more casually than others.

“This outstanding disciple of his is destined to inherit Chongming Peak, perhaps even the title of the world’s number one. Surely she is gifted, but such a person naturally attracts many eyes. Maybe even some on your Chishuang Mountain are displeased. How about I personally test her later, so she can make a name for herself under everyone’s watchful eyes and firmly establish her footing here?”

“Why do you act so unruly at your age?”

Fang Qinglan, peak master of Zhaoxue Peak, sighed and spoke bluntly.

“Don’t think I don’t know you want to force Zhu Xuanguang to compete with you. Today’s apprentice ceremony must go smoothly — especially with so many guests present. Brother Zhu finally accepted a disciple; we’re happy Chongming Peak has a successor. Don’t ruin it!”

Xu Weique was taken aback by the subtext.

“Could it be that Master Zhu’s disciple is mediocre?”

“Her foundation indeed isn’t comparable to Shen Xi’s.” Fang Qinglan was diplomatic, but the difference was significant. “Yet her comprehension and willpower are excellent. The Devouring God Mirror shattered in her hands.”

“The Devouring God Mirror even cracked?” Xu Weique was genuinely surprised. “Though worn, the Devouring God Mirror is not easily broken by mundane force. This disciple must have something extraordinary.”

Fang Qinglan said, “Her resolve far surpasses ordinary disciples, probably the strongest among this generation of Chishuang Mountain. But since she is new and not a prodigy, she can’t stun everyone at once. The apprentice ceremony should still be steady. Stop causing trouble.”

Having his chance to stir up a commotion cut off, Xu Weique’s interest waned, tinged with regret.

“I had hoped to see another genius from Chishuang Mountain. With only one Shen Xi, it’s too lonely.”

“You just want to see two geniuses fight, don’t you?”

“Old Fang, why must you always think the worst of others?”

As they spoke softly atop the height, a figure ascended the steps from afar.

The front of Cranesong Palace was already crowded with people.

There were disciples of Chishuang Mountain and guests like Xu Weique attending the ceremony.

Because Chishuang Mountain was powerful and influential, many sects from across the world had sent representatives, including elders and even sect masters. Despite the grand scale, the spacious Cranesong Palace atop Chongming Peak, usually quiet and secluded, had not been this lively for a long time.

Wang Ting was among the guests.

He had only recently entered the immortal path, so logically could not represent his sect at the ceremony. But he had a good master — Daoist Wenqin accompanied him — so Chishuang Mountain naturally treated him as an honored guest.

Wang Ting looked at the gathering of distinguished guests and whispered to his master, “Master, Chishuang Mountain really has a big reputation!”

After all, cultivators worldwide sought longevity and enlightenment, and many were impatient to waste time on social niceties. Some sects were too distant or uninformed to respond in time.

Those who came did not want to offend Chishuang Mountain and sent representatives accordingly.

Wang Ting’s sect, Fuguang Mountain, was also renowned. Its sect master, Master Canmiao, had profound cultivation rumored to rival Zhu Xuanguang’s. But in foundation and strength, Fuguang Mountain was still slightly inferior.

Hearing Wang Ting’s remark, Daoist Wenqin smiled, “Chishuang Mountain was even more talent-rich in the past. There were three who made the Immortal Registry; now it’s somewhat in decline, relying on Zhu Xuanguang to uphold its reputation…”

He was about to explain the histories and strengths of the major sects when he noticed Wang Ting distracted. Frowning, he turned to look and saw Wang Ting’s face change drastically, eyes fixed ahead.

Curious, Daoist Wenqin naturally followed his gaze.

In sight was the slowly approaching figure — the ceremony’s protagonist.

Rumored to be favored by Zhu Xuanguang, this was the disciple he had accepted, possibly his only one.

Everyone knew Zhu Xuanguang never took disciples and had no time for a large number of students.

The young girl wore Daoist robes, black hair half-tied, sleeves fluttering, stepping steadily forward.

All eyes were on her, yet she remained calm and composed, looking straight ahead, unaffected by the attention.

Her expression was solemn but not stiff, neither joyful nor arrogant, neither proud nor restless.

Anyone seeing her would commend her steadiness of mind.

But Wang Ting could not.

He stared at Xie Chang’an as if seeing a ghost!

Though lookalikes exist, he clearly heard that the disciple Master Zhu was accepting today was also named Xie Chang’an.

Not long ago, he had bid farewell to Xie Chang’an in Chang’an City.

Back then, she was a powerless palace maid, pitiable and pleading for him to teach her some life-saving immortal techniques.

But the arrival of Daoist Wenqin interrupted Wang Ting’s sympathy. He mercilessly exposed Xie Chang’an’s sinister intentions, severing the faint worldly ties between them.

Later, Wang Ting often recalled her desperate, helpless eyes.

He regretted not pleading braver then; perhaps Daoist Wenqin would have changed his mind.

Yet that past was over. They were unlikely to cross paths again. Returning to the sect, Wang Ting had many cultivation tasks and no time for idle thoughts, soon putting aside matters of Chang’an and Xie Chang’an.

Who would have thought that a palace maid with no kin, no support, could transform into the direct disciple of Chongming Peak’s head at Chishuang Mountain?

Wang Ting found it unbelievable, almost questioning his own eyesight, as if still dreaming.

“Master, is that… really Xie Chang’an?”

“It truly is her.” Daoist Wenqin also studied the figure a moment before affirming.

Wang Ting murmured, “How could this be…”

“There must be untold twists and turns.”

Daoist Wenqin frowned.

Xie Chang’an’s foundation was indeed average, and even now, though somewhat improved, not impressive enough to have the world’s number one accept her as a disciple.

Since Chishuang Mountain was making such a grand display for her apprentice ceremony, it was not Daoist Wenqin’s place to interfere. Though he disliked Xie Chang’an, he would not sabotage the ceremony and embarrass Chishuang Mountain.

His thoughts shifted, catching Wang Ting’s expression in the corner of his eye, and his heart sank!

Wang Ting’s face flickered with loss, disbelief, and a trace of regret and longing. The shock of seeing Xie Chang’an unsettled his heart, unprepared for this sudden emotional storm.

After entering the Dao, Daoist Wenqin had adopted the name Wenqin, but his given name was Wang Ling. He and Wang Ting shared the same Taiyuan Wang family lineage, though distantly related, Wang Ting should address him as great-uncle.

Because of this, Daoist Wenqin foresaw the coming chaos and returned briefly to Chang’an City to warn his clan to leave early, taking Wang Ting as a promising disciple.

Wang Ting lived up to expectations. Fuguang Mountain was also a sword-cultivating sect. Shortly after entering the Dao, Wang Ting broke through the Sword Qi realm. Though the Sword Qi realm is the first realm for sword cultivators, achieving it so quickly marked his exceptional talent. Daoist Wenqin regarded him as his heir and closed-door disciple, with a bond beyond master and disciple — a family tie.

Seeing Wang Ting’s shaken composure upon seeing Xie Chang’an was not just surprise at an old acquaintance. It was also the shock of her changed status and the profound upheaval in his heart caused by guilt for having coldly rejected her before. All these emotions overwhelmed him, shattering his calm.

Daoist Wenqin regretted bringing him to Chishuang Mountain. The young man’s mind was unsettled; early exposure to outside peers was not beneficial.

He knew that if left unchecked, this subtle emotional tangle could become a mental knot or even a demon, a major obstacle on the cultivation path.

He had to find a way to dispel this inner demon.

Daoist Wenqin sighed, making up his mind.

He was no fool. Causing trouble now would earn Chishuang Mountain’s lasting enmity and lead to bitter grudges, but—

Xie Chang’an had already reached the top of the steps. Before Zhu Xuanguang, she knelt on a cushion, respectfully bowing and paying homage.

“May you diligently cultivate and never betray your own heart.”

Zhu Xuanguang placed a jade crown atop her half-tied hair, fixing it with a white jade hairpin.

The apprentice ceremony was complete.

Mortal women did not wear crowns except for female Daoists, hence called the female crown. In the immortal cultivation world, customs differed from the mortal realm. Regardless of gender or age, the apprentice ceremony was solemnly conducted by a senior of the sect personally placing the crown, signifying importance.

For Xie Chang’an, Chishuang Mountain held a grand ceremony. Such honor was reserved only for the founding disciples of the three peaks’ heads. Years ago, when Master Shiyan accepted Shen Xi as a disciple, a similar ceremony took place.

Master Shiyan smiled, gazing at the freshly minted successor of Chongming Peak.

“Your master’s cultivation is peerless in the world. Your great-grandmaster, Master Shen Liu Zhi, was also a prodigy. You must not disgrace their reputation.”

His words were gentle and encouraging, half in jest, but full of motivation.

Xie Chang’an bowed solemnly, “I will faithfully follow the master’s teachings and dare not slacken!”

Fang Qinglan smiled, “You’ve been here only a few days and haven’t met all the elders and fellow disciples. Today’s guests fill the hall. Many peers have come to witness. It’s a good opportunity for introductions—”

Before he finished, someone interrupted:

“Fellow cultivators of Chishuang Mountain, I have met this newly accepted disciple of Master Zhu before. She was once merely a palace maid in the Tang Palace, but possessed deep scheming and narrow-mindedness. She almost plotted against even my disciple. Such a person joining Chishuang Mountain may cause great mistakes and harm your sect in the future. I urge you to reconsider carefully!”

Though the voice was not loud, it echoed across the peak.

Thunder erupted from clear skies; the words shocked all present.

The once lively Cranesong Palace suddenly fell into profound silence.

The uproar was abruptly stifled as all eyes turned to Daoist Wenqin stepping forward amidst the crowd.