Chapter 186 Guest Elder
Seeing this, Qin Ziling stretched out his hand towards it, and water-based true energy burst out, forming a giant hand with water ripples in the air, and slapped it hard on the head.
Then, before the Golden-Crowned Crane could come to its senses, the giant hand with ripples had already grabbed its long neck, and then Qin Ziling and Zuo Cong flew onto its back.
When the golden-crowned crane sees someone riding on its back, it spreads its wings and flaps them violently, soaring into the sky. It then performs difficult moves in the air, trying to flip the person off its back.
But how could Qin Ziling do as it wished?
A giant hand condensed with water energy was still grabbing its neck, and then it clenched an iron fist and punched its head back and forth several times.
The golden-crowned crane staggered in the air in pain and tried to resist a few times, but was hit by a few more punches and then became completely obedient.
At the foot of the mountain, Elder Fang and others stared at the scene in the sky, stunned, unable to recover for a long time.
After a long while, Elder Fang and the others secretly swallowed their saliva and thought, no wonder the man who can be on friendly terms with the sect master must be a tough guy!
The top of Jinjian Peak looked even wider and more majestic than Qin Ziling had imagined.
The top of the mountain seemed to have been flattened by a giant sword. A magnificent palace stood on the flat ground on the top of the mountain, reaching into the sky, surrounded by a spacious square.
"A big sect is a big sect. Even if it has fallen, its foundation is far beyond the reach of those families in Fangqiao City."
Qin Ziling was sighing in his heart, and was about to push the golden-crowned crane's head down to signal it to land in front of the palace, when he suddenly felt something in his heart, and his eyes looked down towards the palace gate.
Standing at the entrance of the palace was a short, fat old man with a wrinkled face and a head full of white hair. He looked very old and seemed to be dying.
But in Qin Ziling's eyes, the old man was just an unsheathed sword.
Once the sword is unsheathed, it will be extremely sharp and unstoppable.
"Who is this? He is just standing there casually, but he gives me the feeling that he is much more powerful than Long Xiaotian! Could it be Jian Bailou?" Qin Ziling's heart suddenly jumped.
"Master!" At this moment, Feng Ziluo flew in front of the old man and bowed slightly.
Seeing that it was indeed Jianbailou, Qin Ziling did not dare to delay and jumped down from the Golden Crowned Crane with Zuo Cong.
"Qin Feng and his disciple Zuo Cong are here to meet Senior Jian." Qin Ziling bowed, while Zuo Cong was already kneeling on the ground sensibly and kowtowed to Jian Bailou.
"No wonder Zi Luo couldn't forget you after he came back and mentioned you many times. You are indeed a rare talent among men!" Jian Bailou said, stroking his beard. His eyes looking at Qin Ziling were like two sharp swords, ready to cut him apart.
"Senior Jian, you are too kind." Qin Ziling said modestly, but muttered to himself in his heart, I don't like that kind of thing, why do you keep thinking about me?
“You are at the Water Element True Power realm, but your true power is even stronger than that of a great Qi Refiner at the initial True Yuan realm. Just based on this point, you deserve my praise as the best among men, not to mention that your actual age should be younger than you look.” Jian Bailou said, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"Senior really has a keen eye." Qin Ziling quickly bowed and flattered him, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
I thought, it seems that the pattern on my chest, combined with my powerful soul, once I gather my blood and strength, even someone as powerful as Jian Bailou will not be able to see through my martial arts. The wood element's true power, covered by the water element's true power, and with the help of the soul, can also avoid his perception.
"Haha! You are much more talkative than Ziluo." Jian Bailou laughed, and then said, "Let's go into the hall and talk."
Everyone entered the hall and took their seats as host and guest.
In addition to Jian Bailou and his disciple, there were two more elders present in the hall, including the two elders who had just welcomed the guests.
Among these four elders, except for one who has a black mole on his chin and looks younger than Feng Ziluo, the others are older than him.
These four elders all have reached the late stage of true power cultivation and have strong true power.
"Zi Luo has already told me about the Dragon Vein Land. Our Golden Sword Sect owes you a great favor!" Jian Bailou said.
"Senior Jian, you're too polite. To be honest, it was thanks to the fighting of Sect Master Feng and his men that I was able to get a big bargain." Qin Ziling said quickly.
"We in the Golden Sword Sect have always been clear about our grievances and grudges. You don't have to be modest." Jian Bailou waved his hand, then changed the subject and said, "I don't think a person like you, Qin Xiaoyou, would come to our Golden Sword Mountain for no reason. If you have anything to say, just tell us. As long as our Golden Sword Sect can do it, we will never refuse."
Seeing that Jian Bailou was straightforward and generous in his words and deeds, and not at all pretentious, Qin Ziling couldn't help but feel a great liking for him. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Junior does have something to ask of you, but it's not urgent, let's put it aside for now. Junior wants to ask a question first."
"You ask." Jian Bailou nodded.
"I heard that the senior was attacked by a master of the magic way in his early years and was seriously injured. Now he is old, so he urgently needs the blood and flesh of the Chi to heal his wounds and strengthen his blood and vitality. But I think the senior's vitality does not seem to be very good. Could it be that the blood and flesh of the Chi are useless?" Qin Ziling asked.
Jian Bailou is the mainstay of the Golden Sword Sect. Only with him can the Golden Sword Sect continue to stand firm.
Only then could Qin Ziling feel at ease letting Zuo Cong study Taoism and practice in the Golden Sword Sect.
When Qin Ziling said this, Jian Bailou's white eyebrows twitched and a hint of surprise flashed in the depths of his eyes, while Feng Ziluo and others all showed grief and anger on their faces.
The elder was obviously a man with a hot temper. He could no longer hold back his anger and said, "It's because the Biyun Sect and the Jinlie Sect are too insidious and shameless. They knew that Master-Uncle had the help of Hua Chi's flesh and blood, so his injuries would definitely be relieved. So they teamed up to bully Master-Uncle and forced him to take action, causing his old injuries to relapse and return to his original state!"
"The Biyun Sect is currently one of the two major Qi-refining sects in Xiyun State, and the Jinlie Sect is one of the three major martial arts sects in Xiyun State. Don't they care about the reputation and prestige of their own sects? They actually joined forces to bully people for no reason?" Qin Ziling asked, his eyelids twitching.
"The Biyun Sect and the Jinlie Sect claim to be the leaders of the Qi-refining and martial arts sects in Xiyun Province. They naturally value their reputation and prestige. How could they not care about their own reputation and prestige? They naturally came up with an excuse to join forces to bully us!" Elder Fang said with anger and disdain.
"What do you mean?" Qin Ziling asked again.
"Humph, it would have been fine if Fellow Daoist Qin hadn't asked. The moment you asked me, I became even more annoyed." Elder Fang's face was filled with anger, his beard trembling. "Have you ever heard about the disappearance of Jin Lie Sect's Elder Long Xiaotian?"
"Long Xiaotian is missing? He is a great martial artist in the late stage of bone refining!" Qin Ziling was surprised.
This surprise was truly a surprise. Of course, it was not because of Long Xiaotian's disappearance, but because he was surprised that this incident was actually related to Jian Bailou's injury again.
"Precisely because Long Xiaotian is a great martial artist in the late stage of bone refining, his disappearance is very abnormal. He is most likely killed by someone. Originally, Long Xiaotian's life or death is none of our business. But before he disappeared, Long Xiaotian happened to fly over Jinliao County on a blood eagle, and my uncle has the strength to kill Long Xiaotian." Elder Fang said.
"So, they think that it was Senior Jian who attacked and killed Long Xiaotian?" Qin Ziling's expression became indescribably subtle and complicated.
"In fact, it doesn't matter whether my master attacked and killed Long Xiaotian. What matters is just an excuse to beat my master back to his original form. Actually, it was our miscalculation. We didn't expect that human hearts could be so sinister. But then again, my master is such a great man, how could they possibly give him a chance!" Feng Ziluo said, emitting a cold chill.
"Haha, actually they are overthinking it. Even if I have the help of Hua Chi's flesh and blood, I can only survive for a few more years. How can I have the chance to step into the Fa Yuan realm!" A hint of sarcasm appeared on Jian Bailou's face.
“But they won’t give Master any chance. Once Master becomes a Grandmaster with a sword in hand, who in the entire Xiyun Province can be your opponent? It just so happens that Long Xiaotian is missing, so naturally they will frame Master first!” Feng Ziluo said, feeling even colder.
"What about the Biyun Sect?" Qin Ziling asked with a frown, feeling a little guilty.
"The reason given by the Biyun Sect is even more ridiculous and hypocritical. They said that I killed Shen Yan, but since we all had an agreement beforehand, they didn't ask any further questions. They only asked me to return Shen Yan's belongings before his death so that they can keep him as a memory." Feng Ziluo replied.
"Things from Shen Yan's life?" Qin Ziling's face changed slightly.
He was the one who took Shen Yan's Xuantian Yunwu Flag.
"What they want is not only the Xuantian Yunwu Flag, but also the nonexistent Yunyu Sword." Feng Ziluo sneered.
"It's indeed insidious and hypocritical!" Qin Ziling's expression changed slightly again when he heard that.
"I only regret that my realm is too low. I was forced to attack by a group of people, but I could do nothing. In the end, my master had to take action!" Feng Ziluo said with a look of self-blame and hatred.
"They are coming for me, what does it have to do with you!" Jian Bailou waved his hand, then his eyes fell on Qin Ziling again, and said: "My dear Qin, you can tell me your story now. Don't worry, although my old injury has relapsed, I will be fine for another two or three years, and the sword in my hand is still useful."
"I'm here for my disciple Zuo Cong." Qin Ziling touched Zuo Cong's head and said, "Zuo Cong, come forward and let Senior Jian take a good look at you."
"Yes, Master." Zuo Cong stood up and bowed to Qin Ziling, then walked in front of Jian Bailou.
Jian Bailou's eyes first fell on Zuo Cong with a hint of doubt, but soon became sharp, and he reached out and grabbed Zuo Cong's wrist.
"It's a single spiritual root of the gold element, and it's much better than the other four spiritual roots." Jian Bailou held Zuo Cong's wrist and shook it slightly, then said in a deep voice.
"A single spiritual root of the gold element, and it is much better than the other four spiritual roots!" Feng Ziluo and others were shocked when they heard this and stood up suddenly.
Everyone has five spiritual roots. The so-called single spiritual root means that one of the spiritual roots is dominant and overpowers the other four.
Therefore, single spiritual roots also have advantages and disadvantages. The more a single spiritual root is superior to other spiritual roots, the better its quality will naturally be, and the easier it will be to cultivate.
"Sure enough!" Feng Ziluo and others also started to investigate, and soon came to a conclusion. Everyone looked shocked and envious.
"Do you want us to pass on the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Jue' to Zuo Cong ?" Jian Bailou spoke quickly.
"That's right." Qin Ziling nodded.
"This won't work. This technique cannot be passed on to outsiders. Only if Zuo Cong becomes a disciple of my Golden Sword Sect can I teach him the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Jue'." Seeing Qin Ziling nod, the four elders' faces changed slightly and they blurted out the secrets.
Feng Ziluo looked a little embarrassed, but did not speak.
“Young friend Qin has done my Golden Sword Sect a favor. My Golden Sword Sect has always been a believer in repaying favors and avenging hatred! So the ‘Golden Snake Gengjin Jue’ can be passed on to Zuo Cong. He can still follow you without having to become my Golden Sword Sect disciple.” Jian Bailou said.
"Uncle Master!"
"Uncle Master!"
Everyone's faces changed drastically, but Feng Ziluo still didn't speak.
"Don't interrupt me, just listen to me." Jian Bailou waved his hand to stop Elder Fang and the others, and continued, "But the Jinjian Sect has an ancestral precept that the method cannot be passed on to outsiders! Therefore, the method of the Fayuan realm cannot be passed on to outsiders. I can only pass on the method below the Fayuan realm to Zuo Cong! And this method is only for Zuo Cong, and cannot be passed on to outsiders."
"Uncle Master!"
"Uncle Master!"
Elder Fang and others looked unwilling upon hearing this and spoke up one after another, trying to persuade them.
"Are you satisfied, Mr. Qin? However, Zuo Cong is gifted and should still have hope of entering the Fayuan realm in the future. If Mr. Qin is willing to give up, it would be best to let him join our Golden Sword Sect." Jian Bailou ignored Elder Fang and the others, and said to Qin Ziling.
"The Dharma is not to be passed on to outsiders, so that's what they say! No wonder the 'Eternal Green Wood Technique' and 'Black Snake Mysterious Water Technique' I got don't have the Dharma Yuan Realm and the techniques behind it. It seems that if you want to learn the Dharma Yuan Realm cultivation method, you must either rob it by force or become a disciple of the Golden Sword Sect.
The principles of the Golden Sword Sect are more to my liking. Jian Bailou is a man who is straightforward and generous. He said that it will be no problem to hold on for two or three years. After two or three years, even if I am not sure of defeating the Grandmaster, I will definitely have the strength to rival the Grandmaster. "Qin Ziling looked at Jian Bailou, pondering in silence, but his mind was working quickly.
Jian Bailou did not urge him, but waited quietly.
Soon, Qin Ziling made a decision.
"Senior Jian, to be honest, I am a casual cultivator. I accidentally learned a water-based technique and then embarked on the path of cultivation. Therefore, the issue of Zuo Cong's master is actually my personal issue. Since Senior Jian values Zuo Cong, it is his good fortune. I am willing to let him become a disciple of the Golden Sword Sect."
Jian Bailou, who had been calm, finally showed a slight change in expression after hearing this, while Elder Fang and the others could no longer hide their joy.
"However, this time, besides Zuo Cong, I also want to learn the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Jue'." Qin Ziling said immediately.
"Your water-based true power is already extremely strong, and I'm afraid it has reached its limit. Gold creates water, so using gold-based techniques to break through the limit is a good idea.
However, even if you can break the limit, the improvement is limited, and it will waste a lot of time and resources. In your situation, it is better to condense your true essence as early as possible and practice water-based exercises with all your heart. "Jian Bailou thought about it and persuaded him.
"What you said is true, but I always want to try it." Qin Ziling said.
"Since you are determined, I can teach you the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Art' which is the skills before the Fayuan realm. After you have cultivated the Gengjin true power, you can also enter the Seven Killing Sword Cave. As for whether you can comprehend the 'Seven Killing Sword Art', it depends on your own opportunity." Jian Bailou said straightforwardly.
"Uncle Master!"
"Uncle Master!"
The faces of all the elders changed drastically when they heard this. Even Feng Ziluo's eyelids twitched several times, but he still didn't say a word.
Jian Bailou raised his hand to stop Elder Fang and the others, his eyes fell on Qin Ziling like swords, and said: "But I hope that Qin Xiaoyou can agree to my three conditions."
"Please speak, senior." Qin Ziling said seriously.
"One, I hope you can be my registered disciple."
"That's fine."
"Second, I hope you can be an elder in the Golden Sword Sect. Of course, you are only my nominal disciple, not a formal disciple of the Golden Sword Sect, and this elder can only be considered a guest. You are free to come and go, and are not restricted by the sect rules."
"That's no problem." Qin Ziling replied, with a hint of surprise flashing in the depths of his eyes.
"Third, you must solemnly swear that you will not pass on the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Jue' to anyone else unless you receive permission from the Golden Sword Sect."
"Of course!" Qin Ziling replied without hesitation.
“Since young friend Qin has agreed, let’s hold the ceremony of becoming a disciple today. You will become my disciple and you will become my disciple in name only. Zuo Cong will become Feng Ziluo and officially join the Golden Sword Sect.” Jian Bailou said.
Upon hearing this, the elders could not help but speak up again to dissuade him.
"You don't have to say anything more, I have made up my mind!" Jian Bailou waved his hand to interrupt again.
Seeing Jian Bailou's firm attitude, everyone had no choice but to obey.
On that day, Zuo Cong formally became a disciple and worshipped the ancestral tablets of the Golden Sword Sect. The ceremony was grand and solemn.
Qin Ziling also became a disciple and was granted the position of guest elder, but the ceremony was relatively simple.
Qin Ziling respectfully offered tea to Jian Bailou and called him "teacher". Jian Bailou then gave Qin Ziling a flying sword with a golden glow, the size of a little finger, named Wujin Sword, a magic weapon-level flying sword, and a gold sword symbol representing the status of a guest elder.
Elder Fang and others were very happy that Zuo Cong joined the Golden Sword Sect, but they were quite dissatisfied with the fact that Jian Bailou accepted Qin Ziling as a registered disciple, granted him the position of guest elder, gave him the Black Gold Sword, and was going to teach him the "Golden Snake Gengjin Art" and even allowed him to enter the "Seven Killing Sword Cave" to comprehend the sword art.
However, Jian Bailou was the Grand Elder of the Golden Sword Sect and held an extremely high status. Elder Fang and the others had no way of objecting to his decisions.
"You are well versed in water-based Taoism, so it should not be difficult for you to get started with the 'Golden Snake Gengjin Jue'. However, it will still take some time to condense your true power.
There are many mineral veins in Jinjian Mountain, and the five metals are abundant. If you have nothing else important to do, you can stay in Jinjian Mountain for a few more days. It will be very beneficial for you to gain the truth. This is a bottle of Xuanjin Pills. Take one every other day. It can help you gain the truth and condense your strength as soon as possible. If you have any doubts about your practice, you can come and ask me for advice at any time."
There is an ancient wooden house in the back mountain, where the supreme elder practices in seclusion. After Jian Bailou taught Qin Ziling the "Golden Snake Gengjin Jue", he gave him some special instructions and a bottle of elixir.
"Thank you, teacher. I don't have any other important things to do for now, so I will practice in Jinjian Mountain for a while longer." Qin Ziling took the pill bottle and bowed slightly.
"Okay, go ahead. If you have anything, you can come here to find me." Jian Bailou nodded.
Qin Ziling bowed slightly again, then left the wooden house in the back mountain and walked all the way to an ancient courtyard halfway up the mountain.
This is the residence arranged by the Golden Sword Sect for Qin Ziling, the guest elder.
"Elder Qin, you're back!" Qin Ziling had just walked to the gate of the courtyard when a servant opened the door and bowed respectfully.
The largest group of people on Jinjian Mountain are not the inner and outer disciples, but the servants.
Some of these menial servants were brought by the disciples of the Golden Sword Sect, while others were selected by the Golden Sword Sect itself from the secular world.
Qin Ziling was a guest elder, so the Golden Sword Sect naturally assigned him servants to look after the house and serve him.
"Yeah." Qin Ziling nodded slightly, walked in, went all the way to a pavilion in the backyard and sat down, then took out the bottle containing the Xuanjin Pill.
"The teacher is decisive and courageous, and has foresight. He showed me this kindness not only out of gratitude, but also to win me over and leave a way out for the future.
Elder Fang and the others were much worse. Even at this time, they were still acting like misers. They didn't even think about how much of the Golden Sword Sect's things would be preserved once the teacher fell.
However, even if the teacher is courageous and far-sighted, he certainly could not have imagined that even though my current strength is not as good as the grandmaster's, if I really use all my cards, it is unlikely that the grandmaster will be able to kill me.
He accepted me as a registered disciple and gave me the status of a guest elder, which actually helped the Golden Sword Sect find a great helper. He could never have imagined that I also had the Chi meat in my collection, which could help him even more if I took it out.
However, the Chi meat is very important. Anyway, the teacher can still hold on for two or three years, so I will wait and see for a while. If the teacher and the Golden Sword Sect are really worthy of my trust, I will take out some Chi meat and really recognize this master. Then the teacher and I, one in the dark and one in the light, will join forces, and even the master will have nothing to fear. "
Qin Ziling was looking through the pill bottle while thinking.
After thinking for a while, Qin Ziling opened the pill bottle, took out a black gold pill and swallowed it, then closed his eyes and practiced the "Golden Snake Gengjin Jue".
…
In a blink of an eye, Qin Ziling stayed in the Golden Sword Sect for ten days.
During these ten days, Qin Ziling went to the back mountain almost every day to ask Jian Bailou for advice on some of his confusions in the way of Qi Refining, and benefited a lot from it.
Qin Ziling's bizarre ideas that break free from the constraints of this world's framework, as well as some experience from the old devil Li Mo, gave Jian Bailou some inspiration when discussing the way of refining Qi, making him more appreciative and concerned about Qin Ziling, his registered disciple.
Later, every time Qin Ziling came to him for advice, Jian Bailou specially ordered someone to invite Feng Ziluo to come and listen.
Feng Ziluo didn't take it seriously at first, but his opinion of Qin Ziling changed later on, and he even expressed his regret to Jian Bailou in private, saying that Qin Ziling majored in water-based Taoism, and if he majored in gold-based Taoism, his achievements would not be inferior to his.
It was already nightfall that day.
In the back mountain, lights were still on in the quaint wooden house.
"Junior Brother Qin, no wonder you can cultivate your water-based true energy to be so pure and powerful. Your insights on Qi training are truly unique and thought-provoking. I can't help but sigh that I am not as good as you!" Feng Ziluo sat cross-legged on the grass in the courtyard behind the wooden house, looking at Qin Ziling with deep emotion.
"Haha, it's rare that you, Ziluo, also feel inferior to others. I remember that you are a very arrogant and conceited person, and you won't submit to anyone!" Jian Bailou said with a smile, pointing at Feng Ziluo.
"When I was young and frivolous, I always thought that with a sword in my hand, I could travel the world and no one could defeat me. Now that I am over forty and have experienced so much, I no longer dare to be so arrogant and conceited, let alone in front of Master and Junior Brother Qin." Feng Ziluo said.
"How can a sword cultivator be without the spirit of forging ahead fearlessly and having no one else in the world to rival him? Brother Feng can be more restrained in his actions and conduct, but the sharpness in his heart must never be erased, otherwise it will definitely be harmful to your cultivation!" Qin Ziling said sternly.
Upon hearing this, Jian Bailou's seemingly cloudy old eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, and Feng Ziluo was shocked all over, and he suddenly straightened up, his aura soaring to the sky, like a sharp sword out of its sheath, sharp and intimidating.
But soon, the edge dimmed.
"You are right, but fate plays tricks on us. Given my current situation, what can I do even if I have ambitions in my heart? Fortunately, Junior Brother Qin sent Zuo Cong here. This child is very talented. I'm afraid that the Golden Sword Sect will depend on him in the future!" Feng Ziluo said.
Upon hearing this, Jian Bailou glanced at Feng Ziluo and moved his lips, but finally he sighed deeply and looked up at the night sky for a long time without saying a word.
In the battle at the Dragon Vein Land, Feng Ziluo exerted his true strength with all his strength. The Netherworld's death energy had penetrated deeper and deeper into his meridians and internal organs. Even after he came back and ate some of the blood and flesh of the Chi, he could only stabilize his cultivation. If he wanted to make further progress, it was just like him wanting to break through to become a master.
It's very difficult! Almost impossible!
"There is always a way out. We in the Qi Refining Sect are doing something that goes against the will of Heaven, so we are bound to encounter numerous difficulties. How can you give up on yourself, Brother Feng? You should use the sword in your hand to cut through all obstacles and move forward courageously!" Qin Ziling said in a deep voice.
As he spoke, a cold light flashed in the depths of Qin Ziling's eyes.
Almost at the same time, Jian Bailou, who looked up at the sky, had his eyes flashing with lightning, and there was a powerful aura on his body, like a sharp sword piercing the night sky.
“Snap! Snap!”
Applause broke out in the jungle around the wooden house.
At some point, black fog began to fill the surrounding jungle, and this black fog was continuously pouring towards the cabin from all directions, as if it was going to completely cover the cabin and the sky above it.
"There is always a way out! That's well said. Very well said!" A voice of praise rang out.
Then the black mist began to fluctuate, and three people walked out of it.
All three of them were dressed in black and had hideous masks on their faces.
There were two skulls embroidered side by side on the black clothes.
There were flickering fires in the skull's pair of dark eyes, which were not only very eerie in the dark night, but also seemed to be able to attract people's souls. When people looked at it, it seemed as if the whole person was about to be sucked into an endless abyss.
"Messenger of the Underworld!" Jian Bailou stood up slowly. The black fog that was surging towards the wooden house suddenly seemed to be hit by an invisible force and rolled back.
"Jianbai Tower really lives up to its reputation!" said the man in black in the middle sinisterly.
"I'm not worthy of the well-deserved reputation. But isn't your hall master here? If only the three of you came, it seems that you are overestimating yourselves." Jian Bailou said in a cold voice.
