novelraw Chapter 107 The Way of the Celestial Masters
Chapter 107 The Way of the Celestial Masters
The Way of the Celestial Masters.
Lin Xiao carried Qin Yanan and followed behind the group, traversing mountains and valleys, far away from the hustle and bustle and strife of Jiangcheng.
The Celestial Masters Sect is located atop the most renowned Qingyun Mountain within the Canglong Kingdom.
The mountains here are steep and shrouded in mist.
Looking into the distance, Lin Xiao saw a mountain gate hidden among the sea of clouds, with green bricks and gray tiles built against the mountain, and upturned eaves pointing straight to the sky.
The whole place exudes an otherworldly, ethereal aura, completely different from the mundane world below the mountain.
The group walked along the winding ancient stone path, with towering ancient trees along the way and the air filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.
Just one breath was enough to dispel some of the fatigue in Lin Xiao's body.
Occasionally, one can see disciples of the Celestial Masters sect dressed in Taoist robes, or walking slowly with a whisk in hand.
These people all had calm expressions, neither humble nor arrogant.
Even when they met Master Xuanzhen and his entourage, they only bowed and paid their respects.
Then he quietly stepped aside, without peeking at him in any way.
"Is this the Celestial Masters Sect?"
Qin Yanan leaned gently against Lin Xiao's chest, her eyes full of curiosity.
Even with her status, she had never been to this mysterious and unpredictable Celestial Masters sect.
At this moment, I was filled with bewilderment and a touch of awe at this unfamiliar environment.
She grew up in the Qin family and was used to the extravagance and scheming of wealthy families.
But I have never seen such a serene and ethereal place, surrounded by a mystical aura.
The air here seems to carry a reassuring power.
Lin Xiao nodded gently, her gaze sweeping over the scenery along the way, and said in a gentle tone:
"We'll stay here for now. Once I've finished studying the runes with them and recovered from my injuries, we can talk about other things later."
His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
After days of fighting and exhaustion, there was finally a moment to catch one's breath in this tranquil mountain setting.
Soon, after traveling for about an hour, the group finally arrived at the entrance of the Celestial Masters Sect.
The mountain gate of the Celestial Masters Sect is made of a single piece of bluestone, several meters high, with the three powerful characters "Celestial Masters Sect" carved on it.
In addition, there are two stone lions standing on both sides, lifelike and majestic.
On either side of the mountain gate stood a disciple dressed in a blue Taoist robe, tall and straight with a wary look in his eyes.
It turns out that he has the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment, which shows the profound foundation of the Celestial Masters Sect.
After passing through the mountain gate, the group arrived at a spacious square with bluestone slabs paving the center.
Occasionally, disciples would compete in the art of runes here, making it quite lively.
At the end of the square stands a magnificent hall called the "Celestial Master Hall".
The roof of the palace is covered with glazed tiles, which gleam brightly in the sunlight.
Master Xuanzhen turned around and said to Lin Xiao and Qin Yanan, "Young friend Lin, Miss Qin, it is getting late. Please rest in the guest courtyard on the west side."
Tomorrow morning, young friend Lin will come with me to the Rune Pavilion to discuss and study the matter of runes.
Remember, Miss Qin, you must not wander around the mountain at will, especially forbidden areas such as the Rune Pavilion and the Scripture Pavilion. You must absolutely not approach them.
"Thank you, Master." Lin Xiao bowed slightly, his tone respectful.
He then led Qin Yanan, following a young Taoist boy, towards the guest courtyard on the west side.
The guest houses on the west side are built against the mountain, and they are all small and exquisite bamboo houses, which are quiet and elegant.
The young Taoist boy led the two to the front and back of two bamboo huts, then bowed and said:
"Mr. Lin, Miss Qin, this is your residence. Disciples will deliver meals to you daily. If you have any needs, please ring the copper bell in the courtyard."
Furthermore, my master has instructed that Miss Qin must not step out of this courtyard, not even half a step. Please understand.
"Of course, we don't need to wander around." Lin Xiao nodded slightly in agreement.
The young Taoist priest nodded slightly upon hearing this, then bowed and took his leave, turning and leaving the courtyard.
Lin Xiao and Qin Yanan entered the bamboo house, which was simply but neatly furnished.
A bamboo bed, a wooden table, and two bamboo chairs.
Besides that, there was an old-fashioned pottery jar in the corner, with a few fresh wildflowers inside, emitting a faint fragrance.
He gently placed Qin Yanan on the bamboo bed and said with concern, "Sister Yanan, rest for a while. I'll go get some hot water."
Qin Yanan gently took his hand, her eyes full of worry, and said, "Lin Xiao, you're injured too. You should rest first. I can handle it myself."
Seeing Lin Xiao fighting bloody battles to protect him, covered in wounds.
Her heart ached, and she wished she could take all his pain upon herself.
"I'm fine," Lin Xiao said gently, patting her hand softly.
"It's just a minor injury; you'll be fine after a few days of rest. Don't worry, I'm here. No one can hurt you here."
After saying that, Lin Xiao turned around and walked out of the bamboo house, went to the courtyard to fetch hot water, and brought it back into the house.
After a quick wash and a few more words, the two went to bed separately.
……
In the following days, Lin Xiao would go to the Rune Pavilion every morning to study special runes with Master Xuanzhen and the disciples of the Celestial Masters Sect.
Of course, he didn't keep anything to himself.
He simply took out the remaining runes and told everyone about them.
As for how to make runes, he knew nothing about it and could only say that he had obtained them by chance.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Celestial Masters sect felt helpless but did not press the matter further.
Even so, Master Xuanzhen and the disciples of the Celestial Masters sect were extremely fascinated by these runes they had never seen before.
Every day, he would discuss the mysteries of runes with Lin Xiao, and occasionally he would ask Lin Xiao for some tips on the use of runes.
Fortunately, he could enter dreams, so whenever he had a problem, he would ask Yu Jiuyou about it while he was in a dream.
Although Yu Jiuyou was curious as to why Lin Xiao would ask such basic questions, he eventually found someone to teach him.
Therefore, Lin Xiao's suggestions are often insightful and to the point.
This made Master Xuanzhen and others admire him even more, and their attitude towards him became more and more gentle.
Qin Yanan, on the other hand, stayed in the guest courtyard, abiding by the rules of the Celestial Masters Sect, and never stepped out of the courtyard.
Every day, she would sit on the stone bench in the courtyard, looking at the green hills and clear waters outside, waiting for Lin Xiao to return.
Occasionally, a young Taoist boy would come to deliver meals, and she would simply thank him softly without saying much.
She knew that she was only allowed to stay because Lin Xiao "coerced" her into joining the Celestial Masters Sect.
In the world of Celestial Masters, she was ultimately an outsider.
Only by being careful with his words and actions can he avoid causing trouble for Lin Xiao.
However, even so, trouble still came.
On this day, Lin Xiao was invited to the Celestial Master's Hall.
Qin Yanan was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, staring blankly at a wildflower in her hand.
Suddenly, a commotion came from outside the courtyard gate.
Immediately following were several arrogant voices: "This is it? The eldest daughter of the Qin family, whose cultivation was abolished, lives here?"
Qin Yanan's heart tightened, and she subconsciously stood up and looked towards the courtyard gate.
Three disciples of the Celestial Masters sect, dressed in blue Taoist robes, pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.
The leader was a young female disciple with an arrogant expression, who looked at Qin Yanan with disdain.
Qin Yanan frowned slightly and couldn't help but say, "Who are you? This is my place, you can't come in!"
Although her cultivation had been crippled, Qin Yanan never lacked courage.
She just didn't want to cause trouble for Lin Xiao, and she couldn't let Lin Xiao be in danger again because of her.
The young female disciple in the lead sneered, stepped forward, and glanced at Qin Yanan with disdain.
"Did you think you were the eldest daughter of the Qin family? You're just a useless piece of trash whose cultivation has been abolished. Do you even deserve to live in the guest quarters of the Celestial Masters Sect?"
"If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Lin's sake, you wouldn't even be able to enter the Heavenly Masters Sect's mountain gate."
"that is,"
Upon hearing this, a disciple standing nearby immediately chimed in, echoing:
"My senior brother said you're a burden. Fellow Daoist Lin is exceptionally talented and possesses special runes; he should focus on studying the Dao of Runes. If you know what's good for you, you should go down the mountain on your own and not drag Fellow Daoist Lin down with you."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yanan froze, her face drained of all color.
These words were like sharp knives, piercing her heart.
She knew that although these people's words were harsh, they were the truth.
I am now a useless person.
If it weren't for me, Lin Xiao might have received better treatment at the Celestial Masters Sect.
"I didn't drag him down," Qin Yanan's voice trembled slightly, though even she herself seemed a little unconvinced.
Seeing this, the leading young disciple sneered, his tone becoming even more arrogant:
"Senior Brother Lin Xiao was just bewitched by you! You're a piece of trash, do you think you're worthy of making Senior Brother Lin Xiao give up his opportunities for you?"
Since you're so ungrateful, then we'll get rid of this burden for Senior Brother Lin Xiao!
As he spoke, the young disciple raised his hand and slapped Qin Yanan.
Although he didn't dare to actually kill Qin Yanan, he did want to teach her a lesson.
Let her know her identity, and make her leave Lin Xiao on her own.
Qin Yanan's pupils shrank sharply. At this moment, she had no cultivation and naturally had no way to avoid this.
Unexpectedly, she ended up becoming a burden to Lin Xiao.
However, at this critical moment, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, filled with intense anger: "Stop!"
Qin Yanan suddenly opened her eyes and saw Lin Xiao rush into the courtyard. In a flash, he stood in front of her.
At the same time, he raised his hand to block the young female disciple's palm strike.
With a "bang," the young female disciple was jolted back two steps, a look of astonishment on her face.
Lin Xiao held Qin Yanan tightly, his eyes coldly fixed on the three young disciples, and said in a sharp tone:
"Who gave you permission to come here? Who gave you the audacity to lay a hand on her?"
He had just returned from the Celestial Master's Hall when he heard the commotion in the courtyard from afar, so he immediately rushed over.
If Qin Yanan were injured, he would never let these people go.
The young female disciple in the lead steadied herself, and upon seeing Lin Xiao, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She quickly spoke:
"Fellow Daoist Lin Xiao, I'm doing this for your own good!"
This eldest daughter of the Qin family is a burden. With her cultivation abolished, she can't do anything and will only drag you down.
I just wanted to teach her a lesson and make her leave you on her own!
"My affairs are none of your business!"
Lin Xiao's eyes grew increasingly cold as he looked at the three people before him and said:
"I brought Ya Nan back with me. Anyone who dares to lay a finger on her will face my wrath!"
Upon hearing this, the three young disciples showed fear on their faces.
Although they were disciples of the Celestial Masters sect, they knew Lin Xiao's strength and how much Master Xuanzhen valued him.
If they really anger Lin Xiao, they will suffer the consequences.
"Fellow Daoist Lin Xiao, we...we know we were wrong, we will never dare to do it again!"
The young disciple in the lead immediately lowered his head, his tone flustered, and his previous arrogance was gone.
"Get out!" Lin Xiao shouted in a low voice, his tone icy.
"From this day forward, you are not allowed to approach this courtyard again, and you are not allowed to say a single disrespectful word to Sister Ya Nan. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Yes, yes, we'll leave right away!" The three young disciples quickly agreed and ran out of the courtyard.
Soon, the courtyard returned to calm.
Lin Xiao slowly turned around and looked at Qin Yanan behind him.
The coldness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by deep tenderness and heartache.
"Sister Ya Nan, I'm sorry I'm late and that you've had to go through all this trouble."
Qin Yanan looked at him, and tears welled up instantly.
She hugged Lin Xiao tightly and said, choking back tears, "Lin Xiao, am I really useless? Am I really dragging you down?"
They're right, I'm a piece of trash. I shouldn't have followed you, I shouldn't have let you get into trouble because of me..."
"Sister Ya Nan, don't talk nonsense," Lin Xiao gently stroked her hair, his tone gentle yet firm.
"You're not useless, you're the most important person to me, and I'm willing to protect you."
Those people don't understand; they don't know that you are more important to me than any rune or any opportunity.
"But..." Qin Yanan wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Lin Xiao.
"No buts," Lin Xiao said, looking down into her eyes with a serious tone.
"Sister Ya Nan, I said I would protect you and take you to see all the mountains and rivers, and I will definitely do it."
With me here, no one can hurt you, and no one can separate us.
From now on, no matter what trouble you encounter, I'll be there for you. Don't be afraid.
Qin Yanan hugged Lin Xiao tightly, tears streaming down her face silently.
The grievances and despair in her heart were gradually dispelled by Lin Xiao's gentleness and determination.
She knew that she might really be a burden, and might really have caused trouble for Lin Xiao.
But she couldn't live without Lin Xiao, just as Lin Xiao couldn't live without her.
As the sun sets, golden rays spill into the courtyard of the bamboo house, illuminating the two figures embracing, creating a warm and peaceful scene.
They all knew that the Celestial Masters sect was not a place to stay for long.