Plundering the Dao of the Immortal Journey

The autumn colors have gradually become more obvious. Golden leaves lined the mountainous areas as the leaves of the maple trees turned scarlet. The gold leaves fell to the ground and covered most of the surface.

The roads that led up to the Free Cloud Sect’s mountain were covered in wilted leaves. A pair of Daoists had been assigned to sweep these leaves aside.

The limestone tiles that covered the yard outside the stronghold had already been patched perfectly. The traces and scars of war could no longer be seen.

"Hoo!"

"Ha!"

The sound of the newly recruited disciples could be heard as they practiced their basic fist techniques. Beside them, senior Daoists were practicing their sword moves. Zhao Ning led them and gave orders to change stances.

"Crane Dance"

The disciples raised their swords high up.

"Sky Slash!"

"Swipes of the Setting Sun"

Following Zhao Ning’s orders, the disciples changed their stances accordingly. Originally, Free Cloud Sect’s sword techniques were left up to the disciples to decide what to practice. However, after the previous battle, Pei Zi Yun had changed the system, and made the disciples learn all the basic moves.

"Once a Daoist joins the sect, they then have to learn the Hundred Beasts Manual to perfection in order to improve their health and fitness."

"Once they have grasped the basics, they should then learn basic sword techniques, in order to defend themselves properly."

"Once the foundation has been laid, they can then choose to pursue either Dao arts or sword techniques."

These Daoists practiced hard, as sweat dripped down their foreheads. The Daoists who were more advanced in level practiced their sword techniques alone, while others chose partners to spar with in the different Dao techniques.

Yu Yun Jun was in a corner as she explained certain Dao techniques to a group of Daoists who listened attentively.

The sun had gradually risen as morning training concluded. After a shower and a fresh change of clothes, morning lessons would commence. Before the classes, everyone had to pay their respects to the Patriarchs as well as recite mantras.

When it came to morning classes and the curriculum, it was a very controversial topic which differed between sects. However, Pei Zi Yun understood that he was attempting to follow the rules and traditions of this sect.

The rule was, "Live in a monastery, offer incense, and observe worship rites."

Additionally, the garbs worn in the monastery had to be the same for Daoists of the same rank. Of course, Outer Circle Disciples would wear different robes from the Core Disciples and Inner Circle Disciples. Likewise, the Elders would wear different robes from the rest. This was to observe the hierarchy within the sect yet everyone would be united across the same rank. Additionally, Elders could no longer pick their own disciples immediately. The Elders would work together to train the entire pool of new recruits. Only after the disciples had reached level 5 would the Elders be able to pick them.

Doing this would save the Elders a great deal of effort without having the need to focus all his energy on individual interaction between each disciple. Doing this would also ensure that the Elders would have time to pay attention to the development of a Daoist before deciding to train them directly. Additionally, a greater sense of unity is formed, instead of propagating division.

After the morning lessons were over, Zhao Ning and Yu Yun Jun walked out side by side and spoke to each other. Before long, they realized they had reached the front of the stage located at the training grounds. The traces of war here were long gone as new infrastructure was built and repairs were made. Yu Yun Jun realized that Zhao Ning was deep in thought and asked, "What are you thinking about? Are you thinking about these new buildings?"

Zhao Ning then sighed and replied, "No, I’m thinking your disciple Pei Zi Yun is extremely outstanding. He could foresee what others couldn’t. There were many different choices he could’ve made for this sect which had been tried and proven but he chose his own way. Everything we see here is so new and different, yet effective."

"Of course when it came to the ceremonial rites, it doesn’t have to be discussed. Twice a year to the Imperial Courts. Once during the new year for blessings and to avert disasters. Once after the harvesting period. Just thinking about all of this fills me with amazement."

"According to the Sect Leader’s instructions, the ceremony for blessings and to avert disasters can be combined into a huge banquet. Who wouldn’t want to pray for blessings and to avert disasters?"

"And the celebration after the harvest is meant to be a joyous occasion. To thank the Imperial Court for their blessings and to add the finishing touches. However, doing it on a grand scale would mean that even the government officials would want to participate and join the celebration here."

"Both of them yielded different results. One is to attract believers for donations, and the other is for them to get as close as possible to the Imperial Qi."

"In the short run, we may not be able to see the results. But over an extended duration, I am confident that our Free Cloud Sect would yield results!"

The sun rose the next day as Pei Zi Yun was sat at his desk and wrote novels, Ye Su’er painted several flowers. The pair of them would eye each other and smile, but didn’t wish to interrupt the other party.

Since they were together, they both expressed their talents freely.

He was writing down his cultivation experiences. After all, Pei Zi Yun had received a great deal of knowledge and memories, it was impossible to write them all down. Hence, he wrote down the Dao techniques which he had acquired from the time he started his cultivation till he became an Yin Master. Just as he had finished writing, he placed his pen down and exhaled. Then, he felt bright light obscure his vision.

"So, it’s finally arrived!"

A white Plum Blossom came into his view as it became grew larger and transformed faster until it was a white semitransparent information interface. It floated in the middle of his vision, where words could be seen.

"Yin Master: Level 2 (100% Completion)

Sword Techniques: Master (6% Completion)

Dao Principles: Advanced (6%)

Dao Arts: 43 Variations, Advanced (1%)

Stars Transposition: Level 3 (7%)

Cloud Form: Level 1 (8%)"

"Level 2 is 100% completed!" Pei Zi Yun looked at Ye Su’er and realized she hadn’t noticed. After a long time, he thought, "Earning Prestige has such incredible effects! Once I attain a particular level, Paradise won’t even be able to compare to the rewards I shall reap. As long as I maximize the amount of Prestige I receive, even if I don’t possess Paradise, might it be possible for me to become an Earth Immortal?"

"The only reason I could climb this fast was because of the Pirates Annihilation Journal. Since it was an actual story, it spread extremely quickly and was accepted widely by many readers." Pei Zi Yun thought to himself, "Since the pirates have been killed, my Imperial Edict should arrive any moment now."

He extended a finger and tapped ‘Yin Master’ on the interface, and saw it being transformed right away. A sense of warmth and comfort throughout his body and Yin Master. At the next moment, he saw these words, "Yin Master: Level 3 (5% Completed)"

Even before he had time to take a good look, he felt a warm glow in his chest from the enchanted talisman. When he took it out, a Free Cloud Sect disciple could be seen, "Sect Leader, the Imperial entourage is nearing."

Pei Zi Yun rejoiced, "I know. Make your preparations. I shall come down the mountains now."

"Yes, Sect Leader." The Daoist disciple acknowledged.

Ye Su’er hurriedly stood up as well, "Brother Pei, this is a big occasion. Hurry up and go."

Pei Zi Yun nodded his head and left. The rites to receiving his imperial edict was extremely complicated. However, he had experience with this since he had done this before for Free Cloud Sect, and thus wasn’t particularly worried.

When he arrived at the entrance, he was already dressed in his Sect Leader robes and was ready to welcome the entourage. Before long, several oxcarts appeared in view. However, he was taken aback by the extremely few numbers present in the entourage. There were four soldiers in front, and four soldiers behind. Pei Zi Yun paused before he ordered, "Music!"

Before long, the drums started to play as the oxcart moved towards them slowly. When it finally reached them, a eunuch stepped off the oxcart and Pei Zi Yun advanced and bowed once before he led them deeper into the sect’s domain.

Thankfully, the mountain which the sect’s domain resided in wasn’t tall. The eunuch scrutinized the view of the monastery, the chambers and the pavilions. The corridors and walkway were immaculately clean and he noticed that the necessary incense had been burnt. He then stepped forward.

"Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!" Pei Zi Yun and the rest of the Daoists cheered out.

Hearing this, the eunuch then announced the edict, "The Emperor’s words: Pei Zi Yun has done a great service to the dynasty with his brilliant mind and ingenious planning. He has taken over the reigns as Free Cloud Sect’s leader. Accept this gift from the Emperor, your new title as a Dao Master. Your new Daoist name shall be Qi Ning. You shall receive additional rewards as fabric and 100 taels of silver."

"Thank you, your majesty." As soon as the edict had been read out, a wisp of white energy as long as a snake wrapped itself around his body before entering him.

"Boom!" In that second, Pei Zi Yun trembled violently. Something related to Free Cloud Sect and Paradise seemed to have stirred up within his heart as he paused in shock, but was overwhelmed with happiness. It was over as abruptly as it had started, and he regained normalcy.

When the ceremony was over, Pei Zi Yun stood up and received the edict, "Accept my gratitude and allow me to serve you some tea."

After the solemn ceremony was done, the eunuch did away with his stern look and broke out in a smile, "Dao Master, please."

The pair of them walked into the hall where Pei Zi Yun took out 300 taels of silver and handed it over to him, "Eunuch, this is for you to buy some tea, as a token of my respect."

"You’re too courteous. I shan’t refuse as well." The eunuch spoke out.

Pei Zi Yun then walked into a room and focused his energy deep within his body. Gradually, the Yin Master in him opened his eyes.

From the perspective of the Yin Master, everything around here had changed. There were two levels.

The lower floor was a white river where it converged with a dense layer of smoke above. The smoke was a scarlet hue.

"This must be the energy from beneath the ground which I can only see in this form."

When he looked up at the layer above, he saw that it was white energy floating above which gave off certain yellowish aura. It seemed to be particularly different from anything he had ever seen before. There was also the existence of some black matter.

"This is the result of the Prestige acquired. Based on the way he saw it, it was almost halfway filled."

At this point a small white snake circled around as well, driving the black matter away as the snake started to heal Paradise.

"Could it be that Imperial Qi can help to restore Paradise?" Pei Zi Yun thought to himself.

At this point, Zhao Ning walked in, carrying in a set of robes. "Congratulations to Sect Leader for attaining the status of Dao Master. Please put on these robes and enjoy the celebration."

Pei Zi Yun wore his robes before walking over to the main hall. He saw a lady accompanying Ye Su’er who turned out to be her Sect Leader. It seemed like she wasn’t supposed to be around for the solemn ceremony. Now that it was over, she can participate in the celebration.

Everyone in Free Cloud Sect fell to their knees, "Congratulations to Sect Leader, congratulations Dao Master!"

They were extremely formal, considering that this was a huge milestone. After all, Pei Zi Yun was only formally recognized as the Sect Leader with this new title. Ye Su’er looked particularly jovial as her Sect Leader watched her. She then stepped up to Pei Zi Yun, "Congratulations Dao Master, you now have a new name Qi Ning."

Most people aren’t usually given a new name when they become Dao Masters. However, since Pei Zi Yun was the Sect Leader, this new name was a sort of proof that he was worthy of being the leader of Free Cloud Sect.

Seeing Pei Zi Yun being modest, she then spoke, "When we discussed the alliance, I was supposed to stay here on Free Cloud Sect for a month. Now, I’ve stayed an additional month. Looks like your hard work has paid off. With this edict along with the fact that your sect is secure, I shall take my leave."

"So soon?" Pei Zi Yun was surprised.

"It’s not soon. Ye Su’er is also at the critical juncture of her cultivation, and I cannot let her fail." The Sect Leader replied. Pei Zi Yun had been living together with Ye Su’er for almost one and a half months ever since his return. Their feelings for each other had grown deeper and deeper as well. If it weren\'t for the fact that they had a little self-control, their passion for each other might have gone overboard.

Since the sects weren’t particular about whether their female disciples were virgins, it didn’t matter. However, virgins would have a higher chance of breaking through the gates of heavens since they were pure.

When Pei Zi Yun heard this, he knew that this was coming. However, his heart still sank. He glanced at Ye Su’er and felt an aching in his chest. He knew that the Sect Leader had a soft exterior but was extremely resolute in her decision. There was absolutely no chance to overturn her choice.

After a long time, he clutched his fan and replied, "Since Sect Leader has already made a decision, how can I obstruct her? Let me send you off."

The female Sect Leader then nodded her head, "Alright, I shall head down first."

This was to give them some time together. After hesitating, the pair walked out together. Since today was the day the Imperial Edict was supposed to come, the entire mountain road was swept cleanly. The winds blew gently upon them as several yellow leaves scattered across.

Pei Zi Yun held onto Ye Su’er’s hands as they walked. From time to time, some leaves would fall upon them. Pei Zi Yun would gently brush the leaves off her.

At this point, Ye Su’er slowed down and spoke, "Brother Pei, it’s tough on you. You had to care about your sect, and had to kill pirates. I shall open the gates of heavens soon, and assist you."

At this point, her emotions had overwhelmed her as tears streamed down her face just before the bade farewell to each other.

Pei Zi Yun stretched a hand out to wipe her tears, "I know, you’re already at the eighth stage. I know you’re working hard. Nobody else would be able to advance as fast as you."

Ye Su’er leaned in against him and replied, "There is. Didn’t you advance faster than me?"

"Me?" Pei Zi Yun laughed. He knew that it was considered cheating for him, and yet he couldn’t say it. The pair didn’t speak and held each other. After some time, Ye Su’er pushed away as she spoke, "Brother Pei, after sometime, I shall come and find you."

"Before leaving, let me play the flute for you!" Pei Zi Yun spoke as he retrieved the flute from his waist.

Ye Su’er picked up her own bamboo flute as well as they played in harmony with one another. Their notes complimented each other so well that even the eunuch was stumped when he heard such a beautiful chorus.

After the melody ended they parted. An oxcart had arrived. Although Ye Su’er couldn’t bear to leave, she boarded the cart as they set off into the distance.