Chapter 1382: Chapter 1378: First Meeting
Chu Zhiyuan gazed up at the peak.
The overwhelming aura came crashing down, as if ready to crush him at any moment.
No ordinary mountain peak could deliver such an impact.
This was the presence of the Spirit Venerable contained within.
The Spirit Venerable merged their aura with the mountain’s form, creating an inseparable unity, drawing strength from each other.
This is how the Spirit Venerable’s power is manifested.
He was deep in thought.
There was a unique charm contained within.
How could I achieve this?
In my Venerable Perfection state, it seems impossible to reach, but maybe with a unique magic technique, could I accomplish it?
Could such a magic technique be a manifestation of the Spirit Venerable’s power?
Countless flashes of spirit light flickered in his mind, colliding and bringing continuous insight, yielding great harvest.
This was just by approaching the Spirit Venerable’s Cave Mansion, and he had such enormous gain.
What would it be like to meet the real Spirit Venerable?
His heart grew increasingly eager.
Senior Brother Ning Dongge’s expression gradually turned serious, as he turned his head towards him.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled saying, "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I will act cautiously."
Ning Dongge nodded.
Chu Zhiyuan silently shook his head in his mind.
In front of the Spirit Venerable, precisely, one must not be too cautious, especially in front of Grandmaster Wang, one mustn’t be overly cautious.
The White Jade Stone Plate carrying them approached faster and faster.
The closer to the majestic mountain peak, the faster the speed.
Ultimately, it was like a streak of white light, like a comet across the sky.
"Boom!"
With a thud, the White Jade Stone Plate abruptly stopped.
Both were instantly thrown out.
Towards the mountain peak, landing in front of the forest at the foot of the mountain.
In mid-air, Chu Zhiyuan shifted, changing his descent into a sideways gliding, not landing on the ground, but stepping directly onto the treetop, moving upwards.
He casually helped Ning Dongge with a flick.
Ning Dongge, borrowing the momentum, also shifted, avoiding the ground, stepping onto the treetop to follow Chu Zhiyuan.
He laughed as he floated, "Why?"
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Can’t land on the ground, or we’ll be trapped."
From a distance, the Super Sense couldn’t illuminate the mountain peak, as if enveloped by the sun, unable to be directly looked at.
Upon entering, Super Sense could illuminate.
The lush green grass on the ground, full of life, looking enchanting.
In Super Sense, they seemed carved from jade, with soft green light flowing inside.
Clearly, they weren’t ordinary green grass, containing pure power that could disrupt the flow of True Yuan.
Once the two stepped onto the grass, performing Qinggong might become difficult.
Then, they would have to walk up step by step.
Super Sensing Illumination showed, the peak was about twenty thousand meters high, with snow accumulation that never melted even halfway up.
At this height, walking up step by step, with their physical strength, they could do it, but it would consume too much time.
He didn’t want that trouble.
"Oh—?" Ning Dongge curiously glanced at the lush green grass outside the woods.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Senior Brother Ning, when you came last time..."
Ning Dongge shook his head, "Last time, the White Jade Plate directly carried us to Grandmaster Wang’s Cave Mansion."
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Seems like Uncle Wang is still angry?"
Ning Dongge replied, "Be careful."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
This Grandmaster Wang really has a temper.
It’s been so long, and he’s still not over it.
The treatment went down, seems like he doesn’t want to see me.
The two floated up, the temperature quickly dropped, soon the cold wind roared.
Before their eyes was an ice-covered, pristine world.
Then there were small courtyards and pavilions interspersed.
There were people in the courtyards and buildings.
And their cultivation was remarkable.
Chu Zhiyuan was already aware through Super Sensing Illumination, showing no surprise.
Ning Dongge solemnly whispered, "Junior Brother, don’t offend these people."
"Are these the descendants of Grandmaster?"
"No."
"Then..."
"Servants of Grandmaster," Ning Dongge said, "All serving Grandmaster."
"...This...so many?" Chu Zhiyuan showed a surprised expression.
"Each generation needs to be replenished; there’s no other way. These servants will age eventually and must be replaced by newcomers... But when they grow old, they won’t be simply killed off; they can only spend their twilight years here."
Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded: "Nor do they let these servants die without descendants. If they have offspring, they won’t be driven out; they might as well stay here..."
The residents of these small courtyards altogether exceeded ten thousand, a staggering number.
This was the true spectacle of being surrounded by thousands of servants.
Considering the immensely long lifespans of the Spirit Venerables, it didn’t seem entirely unreasonable.
Senior Brother Ning said, "Other ancestors are much the same, some even more so. When we become Spirit Venerables in the future, I reckon it’ll be the same for us. Spirit Venerables are indeed different."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Spirit Venerables are indeed different."
He was born a princely heir, accustomed from a young age to a life of luxury, attended by others, lifting neither a finger for clothes nor food.
Such a life surrounded by servants was commonplace to him; he thought nothing of it.
However, judging by Senior Brother Ning’s expression, it was clear he was envious.
Envious of this freedom, perhaps.
Those servants saw Chu Zhiyuan and Senior Brother Ning but acted as if they hadn’t.
This sparked his curiosity, and he sent a sound transmission to inquire with Senior Brother Ning.
Senior Brother Ning said, "The Grandmaster must have informed them."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded in sudden realization.
Before them, a vast square suddenly opened up.
The square was paved with white jade, and at the end stood a grand white jade hall, standing tall like a jade tripod.
An imposing statue stood on the White Jade Square.
The statue depicted a serene peak formed by a gigantic stone, with a graceful middle-aged man standing atop, hand resting on his sword’s hilt, looking down with a stern expression.
Chu Zhiyuan turned his head to look at Senior Brother Ning.
Senior Brother Ning nodded slightly: "That is indeed Grandmaster Wang."
Suddenly, an explosive voice rang in their ears: "If you have something to say, come inside and say it!"
Senior Brother Ning quickly said, "Let’s hurry inside."
Chu Zhiyuan glanced once more at the statue, feeling the man’s expression somewhat strange.
A bit too flamboyant.
Senior Brother Ning arrived at the hall entrance, cupped his hands, and said: "Grandmaster Wang, disciples Ning Dongge and Chu Zhiyuan pay their respects."
"Enough chattering, come in!"
"Yes."
Senior Brother Ning and Chu Zhiyuan ascended the steps, crossed the threshold, and entered the hall.
Inside the hall, various scrolls were floating in the air.
These scrolls were covered in writing.
Some bear large characters, some small; some with only four or five characters, others densely packed with hundreds or even thousands.
The script varied: some cursive and chaotic, some dignified and gentle, some wild and unrestrained, some gentle like a breeze and rain.
Each character was filled with spirit, rich in aura.
The floating scrolls, like snowflakes swirling in the air, filled the entire hall.
"Grandmaster." Senior Brother Ning cupped his hands.
The scrolls halted momentarily, then parted on both sides, forming a passage to the center.
One end of the passage was Chu Zhiyuan and Senior Brother Ning, the other a graceful middle-aged man.
His appearance was identical to the statue outside.
He was quickly painting under the care of two young maidens, his brush strokes like dancing dragons and serpents.
Chu Zhiyuan was quite amazed.
Upon closer examination, this Spirit Venerable lacked an overwhelming aura; he appeared ordinary, much like a non-cultivator.
If seen on the street, one might overlook him entirely, not paying any attention.
"Snap!"
Wang Miaoqiao tossed the Purple Brush accurately onto a nearby brush holder, then turned his head to glare at them.
His body remained still, only his head turned, abruptly and eerily.
Chu Zhiyuan felt as if a Golden Dragon suddenly emerged from the dense clouds, its glittering claw at his brow, with burning dragon scales down to his nose.
The Miao Jing Spirit Water in his mind rippled slightly.
His vision flickered.
No Golden Dragon, only Wang Miaoqiao’s deep, tranquil eyes.
Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands, smiling: "Disciple Chu Zhiyuan pays respect to Grandmaster Wang."
Wang Miaoqiao sat down in the nearby Taishi Chair, nodding with satisfaction: "Hmm, not too shabby, not a fool, have a seat to talk!"
He glanced at Senior Brother Ning: "Dongge, you too, sit."
"Yes, Grandmaster." Senior Brother Ning cupped his hands.
The two young maidens brought over two Taishi Chairs, placing them opposite Wang Miaoqiao.
Chu Zhiyuan and Senior Brother Ning sat in the Taishi Chairs.
Wang Miaoqiao scrutinized Chu Zhiyuan, grunted: "Dongge says you’re the greatest prodigy in the history of our Heaven-Reaching Sect."
Chu Zhiyuan froze, then laughed, looking at Senior Brother Ning.
Senior Brother Ning said, "From what I know, Junior Brother is indeed the youngest Venerable Perfection in our Heaven-Reaching Sect’s history."
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "Senior Brother, I was just lucky."
"Hypocrite!" Wang Miaoqiao snorted, waving a hand: "Spare me that nonsense! You think luck alone got you to Perfection at such a young age?"
Chu Zhiyuan gave an embarrassed smile.
Wang Miaoqiao said, "Your comprehension is strong, your spirit robust, and you’ve practiced the Taihao Jade Void Scripture. You’ve already set foot on the right path; becoming a Spirit Venerable is just a matter of time. Why do you seek me then?"
