Half a month later, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi led a group of disciples away from Taikang Mountain.
The party consisted of six Core Formation cultivators, one from each of the six peaks, five of whom were familiar faces. From Chaoyang Peak, Bai Yanfei, Dao title Zhifei; from Qingquan Peak, Ye Jingwen, Dao title Chongyun; from Ganlu Peak, Han Qingyu, Dao title Yunyu; from Liuyun Peak, Jiang Min, Dao title Wuhua; from Lingyin Peak, Kuang Zhu, Dao title Hanruo. When they first met, these individuals were merely at Foundation Establishment; in the blink of an eye, they had all become Core Formation cultivators.
Among the five, the eldest, Han Qingyu, was over two hundred and eighty years old, while the youngest, Jiang Min and Bai Yanfei, were just over one hundred and eighty. Such a team of Core Formation cultivators was astonishingly young.
The Core Formation cultivators of the Xuanqing Sect had successfully transitioned to a new generation. From now on, this batch of people would be the mainstay of the Xuanqing Sect.
Over a hundred people boarded the Flying Skiff Treasure Ship, heading towards Kunzhong City.
The Flying Skiff Treasure Ship was a sect's flying magical treasure. Externally, it resembled a small boat, but inside it could accommodate a thousand people. Operated by high-level cultivators, it was much faster and safer than low-level cultivators flying on their own.
The six Core Formation cultivators boarded the ship and came forward one by one to pay their respects. Chaofeng from Qingluan Peak was a disciple of Dao Lord Miaoyi, only about three hundred years old, which was still considered young among Core Formation cultivators. Yet, among the people before him, apart from Qin Xi who was around his age, everyone else was younger than him. It was truly a case of comparison breeding discontent.
After Chaofeng, Kuang Zhu stepped forward and bowed slightly, saying indifferently, "Greetings, two Senior Uncles."
Mo Tiange knew his temperament was aloof, not that he held any grudge against them, so she smiled back. She actually wanted to call him Senior Brother Kuang Zhu, but she was now a Nascent Soul Dao Lord and couldn't completely disregard the hierarchy.
"Senior Uncle Shoujing, Senior Uncle Qingwei." Jiang Min stepped forward to pay her respects. Her expression was also cool, only revealing a fleeting smile when she looked at Mo Tiange.
Mo Tiange recalled the willful and lively Junior Sister Jiang from over a hundred years ago and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Senior Uncle Shoujing, Senior Uncle Qingwei." Han Qingyu stepped forward with a smile, as steady and kind as ever. She was the impeccable senior sister, always behaving appropriately, gentle and amiable.
Ye Jingwen did not step forward, but his smile was brilliant as he bowed to them.
After these five had paid their respects, Bai Yanfei, not far away, showed a struggle on his face, hesitating whether to step forward.
After that farce years ago, he had been ordered by Dao Lord Zhenyang to be confined in seclusion and had never visited Qingquan Peak again. Decades later, when Qingquan Peak became turbulent and astonishing Core Formation celestial phenomena appeared, he learned that Senior Sister Mo had formed her Core. He had thought himself exceptionally talented, arrogant and proud before her, only to later discover that this Senior Sister Mo possessed even more outstanding aptitude and a more tenacious will than his own. She had forged ahead of him in both Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. She was like the most perfect character on a stage, making him appear dull, pale, and detestable in comparison.
After witnessing her Core Formation, he finally adjusted his mindset. Even if he was a rare single Spirit Root talent that emerged once in a century, on the path of immortality, it merely meant he could walk a few steps further than others. It did not allow him to look down upon all living beings, nor did it allow him to ascend to the heavens in a single step.
Fifty years later, he finally formed his Golden Core. However, compared to his aptitude, this achievement was merely passable, and it was nothing compared to the three most outstanding disciples of the Xuanqing Sect.
He often recalled that deserted mountaintop years ago, where he had boasted arrogantly that given a hundred years, he would surely trample Qin Shoujing underfoot. In the end, he only stepped into the Golden Core realm at one hundred and thirty years old, almost double Qin Shoujing's age of seventy-eight. And by the time he formed his Core, Qin Shoujing had long since reached Nascent Soul. Now, he was only at mid-stage Core Formation, while Senior Sister Mo, who was only a few years older than him, had already formed her Nascent Soul.
He harbored deep doubts about himself. Was he truly suited for this path? Why could even Qin Shoujing, with his dual Spirit Roots, leave him so far behind?
And now, these two stood before him, and he had to perform the rites of a junior.
After struggling for a long while, he finally stepped forward. "Zhifei pays his respects to the two Senior Uncles." Having elders present yet ignoring them—such discourteous behavior wouldn't allow him to vent his frustration; it would only cause him to lose virtue.
Zhifei recalled when his master bestowed this Dao title, saying to him: You are exceptionally talented, born of noble lineage, hence your arrogant character, looking down upon the mundane. You must know that before the Great Dao, talent is not the only factor; lineage is even more useless. A single Spirit Root is a gift from heaven, but possessing one does not guarantee a smooth path. From this day forth, I hope you reflect on yourself three times daily, recognize your faults and know what is wrong.
He knew his master was right, but there was always a sense of injustice in his heart...
Facing him, they merely smiled and nodded, neither offering cold, mocking words nor excessive concern, as if he were just a very ordinary Core Formation junior within the sect.
Bai Yanfei suppressed the disappointment in his heart and retreated to the side. On this treasure ship, he felt as if sitting on pins and needles. Mo Tiange and Qin Xi reminded him of his own past ignorance of the immensity of heaven and earth, while Jiang Min, not far away, reminded him even more of his childish foolishness from back then.
Someone gently tugged his hand, seemingly wanting to comfort him, but he avoided it, whether intentionally or not. That person's expression immediately dimmed.
Traveling on the Flying Skiff Treasure Ship, the group reached Kunzhong City in three or four days, and this wasn't even its maximum speed. Without this vessel, traveling with so many Foundation Establishment cultivators would have taken at least half a month. Sect magical treasures were of little use to individuals, but they came in handy when many people were involved. This was the accumulation of a sect.
As they approached Kunzhong City, a streak of escaping light shot up from the city, stopping before the Flying Skiff Treasure Ship.
"Which Fellow Daoist from the Xuanqing Sect has arrived?" the newcomer called out loudly.
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi emerged from the ship and saw that the cultivator floating before the treasure ship was their acquaintance, Feng Xiao of the Biyun Sect.
Qin Xi raised his hand in greeting. "Fellow Daoist Feng."
"So it's you two youngsters!" Feng Xiao gazed at them with a smiling expression.
"Yes, the two of us have been ordered to come and assist in the battle."
"You've come just in time; we're short on people right now." With that, he pointed to a high platform north of Kunzhong City. "Park the treasure ship over there; someone will receive you. You two, follow me."
Qin Xi turned and gave Han Qingyu an instruction, then he and Mo Tiange followed Feng Xiao, flying into the city and landing before the Wanhe Pagoda. The three of them proceeded unimpeded up to the sixth floor.
Compared to the day when Nascent Soul cultivators had gathered, today the sixth floor only held seven or eight Nascent Soul cultivators. However, each of these seven or eight were figures of authority from major sects, not comparable to ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. Among them, they saw Dao Lord Zhenyang.
After paying their respects, the two of them consciously stood beside Dao Lord Zhenyang.
Dao Lord Zhenyang looked at them with a smile and asked, "Matters resolved?"
Mo Tiange knew what he was referring to and replied, "Yes, all resolved."
"That's good. Hua Yan sustained some injuries, and Lingxi's realm is somewhat unstable; both need to return. Since you've resolved your matters, stay a few more years."
"Yes." The two replied respectfully. Setting others aside, Dao Lord Zhenyang himself couldn't leave his post. They received sect provisions, and standing up when needed was their duty.
"Fellow Daoist Zhenyang." Someone called.
The three ended their conversation and turned to see it was Liu Dingyuan of the Tiandao Sect.
Compared to a hundred years ago, he seemed to have aged a few years, and some demonic aura was leaking out. Could his lifespan be nearing its end? Mo Tiange thought to herself.
"Ah, Fellow Daoist Dingyuan." Dao Lord Zhenyang responded politely.
Liu Dingyuan wore a benevolent smile, looking at Mo Tiange and Qin Xi, and said to Dao Lord Zhenyang, "I truly envy you, having such outstanding juniors who require no worry!"
Dao Lord Zhenyang chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Dingyuan only sees the benefits, not the difficulties! These youngsters, one after another, dislike managing affairs. They're utterly unreliable. It seems I'll be busy until my body turns to dust."
Though he spoke of difficulties, the smile on his face was exceedingly bright. Compared to Liu Dingyuan, these were happy troubles, perfect for needling Liu Dingyuan. This old fellow had contended with him for centuries, always being suppressed by him. Now, it was finally his turn to come out on top.
Liu Dingyuan still smiled with perfect amiability, his demeanor showing no hint of discomfort. As for whether his heart was equally calm, that was unknown.
After laughing, Liu Dingyuan said, "I propose sending just the two of them to guard the East Sea. What do you think?"
Dao Lord Zhenyang frowned. "Fellow Daoist Dingyuan, relying solely on the two of them isn't enough, is it?"
"Adding the precious daughter of the Luanfeng Immortal Couple should be fine. Feng Qing reported that there are no more than five demonic cultivators above the eighth rank who have taken human form. Shoujing is no ordinary cultivator; even if he can't take on five, taking on three should be possible."
"That's only if those demonic cultivators don't exceed the eighth rank..."
Liu Dingyuan immediately added, "If there were demonic beasts above the eighth rank, Feng Qing wouldn't have been able to return."
Dao Lord Zhenyang didn't continue the argument, instead lightly tapping the table with his knuckles, frowning in thought. After a moment, he turned and asked them, "What do you two think?"
Qin Xi replied without hesitation, "If Fairy Feng Qing's report is accurate, it should be fine."
Before Dao Lord Zhenyang could say anything, Liu Dingyuan interjected, "Young people truly are full of sharp vigor!" He then said to Dao Lord Zhenyang, "The East Sea borders the Tiandao Sect. If their strength proves insufficient, they can seek aid from Feng Qing and Lu Daquan."
Dao Lord Zhenyang no longer voiced opposition, instead saying, "That still depends on whether the Luanfeng couple is willing."
Feng Xiao was speaking with Ding Luan nearby and laughed upon hearing this. "I say, Old Liu, my Feng Ning has little skill. She only managed to become a Nascent Soul relying on us, her parents. If you're counting on her to accomplish things, it definitely won't work."
"Fellow Daoist Feng, you're too modest." Liu Dingyuan glanced at him. "If your Feng Ning still counts as having little skill, then none of Tianji's Nascent Souls are reliable."
"Fellow Daoist Liu thinks too highly of our Feng Ning," Ding Luan said with a smile. "She's merely been lucky, never having suffered losses. Whether she's reliable at critical moments, we, her parents, dare not guarantee."
"Enough, enough. When have you two ever boasted about yourselves? I've long since heard you say this until it's worn out!" Liu Dingyuan waved his hand. "First you said Feng Ning's aptitude wasn't good, then you said it would be fine if she could just form her Core. Now that she's formed her Nascent Soul, you still say it was by chance. If it were really that coincidental, wouldn't Tianji be filled with Nascent Souls everywhere?"
Ding Luan and Feng Xiao smiled without speaking.
"Just give us a straight answer, you two. Are you willing to let Feng Ning go along?"
Ding Luan said with a smile, "She can go. It would be good for her to witness true young geniuses." As she said this, her gaze drifted towards Mo Tiange and Qin Xi.