Fairyland Sunshine

Chapter 207: The Stars Have Moved
The towering Kunlun Mountains, the crawling silver dragon, the dotted Tianchi Lake, the shining sun and the moon.

Although the scenery of the Great Snow Mountain is monotonous compared to the outside world, it is by no means boring.

Many Tianchi disciples like to invite a few good friends over for a banquet, enjoy the snow, brew tea and discuss philosophy after completing their studies. It is truly a pleasant experience.

On this day in Tianchi Mountain, on the famous Xiaojing Peak, facing the mirror-like pool on the top of the peak, there were a group of disciples listening to the wind and talking about profound things, and performing magic on the snow.

When the atmosphere was getting heated, a young Taoist priest suddenly came in hurriedly, and someone at the table shouted, "Cui Qi, why are you so late?"

Cui Qi did not respond, but laughed and said, "Look, everyone, who did I bring with me?"

When everyone heard this, they looked and saw a Taoist wearing a bamboo hat walking slowly towards them in the wind and snow, with a heroic face visible from under the brim of his hat.

"Brother Zheng!" Someone at the table stood up happily and called out, "You're back!"

"Junior Brother Wang." The visitor smiled and said, "Long time no see."

It turned out that this person was Zheng Jian, and the one who stood up to greet him was Wang Yao, who was a disciple of Xiaoshan together with Cui and Zheng.

Wang Yao stood up to greet the two men, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then hurriedly led them to their seats.

Zheng Jian had a great reputation in the mountain. Even if the disciples present had never interacted with him, they had at least heard of this senior brother. Seeing him, they all welcomed him warmly and quickly made room for the three of them to sit together.

Zheng Jian smiled and agreed. As soon as he sat down, Wang Yao couldn't wait to ask, "Brother, you left the mountain for ten years and came back suddenly. Could it be that you have gathered all the external medicines and are about to try to condense the pill?"

"Gathering all the external medicines is not an easy task." Zheng Jian shook his head slightly and said, "I returned to the mountain this time because my master summoned me back."

"Master personally summoned me back?" Cui Qi asked in surprise, "What on earth is it for?"

"I don't know yet." Zheng Jian said, "I have been exhausted today. I will rest for a night before going to see my mentor."

Cui and Wang nodded when they heard this. Just as they were about to change the subject, a disciple named Geng Guangling came over and said, "I may know why Senior Brother was called back to the mountain."

"Hmm?" Cui Qi said in disbelief: "Guang Ling, I know you are well-informed, but how can you know what my master is thinking?"

"Haha." Geng Guangling laughed, "I have no idea what Master Xiao is thinking, but I do know..."

Geng Guangling lowered his voice slightly and said, "Recently, all the disciples with excellent foundation and good skills have received some training."

"At this critical moment, Senior Brother Zheng was called back to the mountain, maybe it was for this matter."

"Oh?" Zheng Jian glanced at Cui Qi and Wang Yao, and saw that they were both in deep thought, as if they had realized something somewhat late after hearing Geng Guangling's words. He couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

The Tianchi Xuanwei sect was established not long ago, so it does not have many disciples. The sect is taught by master and apprentice, so the disciples are closely connected.

Therefore, although news like this should not be widely known, once it comes to reality, it will inevitably leak out to some extent.

Zheng Jian didn't quite believe Geng Guangling's statement, but seeing the reactions of Cui and Wang, it didn't seem to be groundless.

It’s just that the sect’s previous style was to rarely interfere with the growth of disciples, so why did there suddenly change?

"Could it be..." Zheng Jian was not an ordinary disciple after all, and he was more sensitive to rumors after traveling abroad. After pondering for a while, his eyes suddenly flashed: "Is it because of the Tiannan Dharma Contract?"

Zheng Jian was thinking about this and didn't say anything for a while, but the atmosphere suddenly became cold. Geng Guangling couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and said hurriedly: "Master, sect leader, I shouldn't have made irresponsible comments. I was presumptuous."

Zheng Jian reacted, smiled and said it was okay, then naturally changed the subject: "When I returned to the mountain gate, I saw a few cultivators struggling to climb the snowy mountain ridge. They didn't look like they were from Tianchi Sect. I wonder why?"

"Brother, you are away from the mountain, so you may not know." Cui Qi said, "This happened three and a half years ago. At that time, I was guarding the mountain gate, and a few monks came to the mountain to become my disciples."

"It can be said that this person does have some talent. After practicing in the mundane world, he was able to refine his Qi to the twelfth level."

"It's a pity that he has already exhausted his potential after achieving such an achievement. Naturally, the sect was unwilling to accept him, so they sent him to climb the mountain ridge. Not only did they require him to climb to the top of the mountain before he could become a disciple, but they also used some unknown method to make it difficult for him to move forward—"

When Zheng Jian heard this, he noticed something unusual.

As expected, when Cui Qi said this, he actually revealed a look of nostalgia, and smiled and said: "At that time, my fellow apprentice Guan and I who was guarding the gate together felt the same way. Later on, we thought that this must be a test within the sect."

"I thought that he would recognize the reality and go down the mountain sooner or later, but he not only persisted, but also climbed to the top of the snowy mountain in 99 days."

"That day, this person practiced fetal breathing on the spot, and in one go, he reached the thirty-sixth level of Qi training. He suddenly opened the bridge between heaven and earth, and revealed a nine-foot-long mysterious light... Later, he was accepted into the sect, and he is still practicing in seclusion today."

Geng Guangling said: "After this matter was spread, many scattered cultivators came here to try to regain their immortal fate. It was quite annoying."

"But the sect doesn't seem to want to drive them away, so we can only let them go."

"I see." Zheng Jian nodded slightly and said, "So, there is another outstanding young man in our sect, which is really gratifying."

"Your superior foundation is admirable." Geng Guangling complimented, "But I think that only people like you are worthy of being called outstanding."

"You are too kind, Junior Brother." Zheng Jian laughed. "How can I say that I am an outstanding person? Let alone the vast world, even among my fellow disciples in the mountains, there are more than five of them who have surpassed me in merit and deeds."

Wang Yao, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but raise his head.

In his impression, Zheng Jian was a confident person, especially in his swordsmanship, which he was good at, and he never gave in to anyone.

So it was undoubtedly extremely rare to hear such words from Zheng Jian's mouth. At least Wang Yao only remembered it once, and that was when he was defeated twice by Qing Hongjian.

"Could it be that senior brother has lost his edge?" But Wang Yao looked at Zheng Jian and saw a kind of calmness in his expression.

This feeling was very strange. It seemed that Zheng Jian had indeed changed. Although he was modest, he did not mock himself. He really felt that the world was so big and there were countless geniuses. He was just an ordinary one among them.

But this did not prevent him from going his own way.

Then Wang Yao had another thought: "Could it be that Senior Brother has found the 'Sword Heart' that Master mentioned?"

Wang Yao was lost in thought, while the others continued to talk. After hearing what Zheng Jian said, Cui Qi immediately asked, "Brother, why are you so modest?"

"The world is so vast, there are indeed countless talented cultivators, but how many of them can be ranked among the four-character evaluations like you, Senior Brother?"

"Brother, are you making fun of me?" Zheng Jian joked, "I was at the bottom of the Miao rank, but after only one year, someone surpassed me."

Cui Qi, however, really felt that being able to stay in Miaoyizimo for a year was already a great achievement.

Over the years, the four-character reviews have changed with each new year. Some names remain stable, while others come and go.

Is that bad? No, for those who practice cultivation, they are sailing against the current. Every hour, every moment, every minute, countless people are striving to cross the river. If you are a step slower, there will be someone faster who will surpass you. Especially for these geniuses in cultivation, who doesn’t make rapid progress in cultivation and improve with each passing day?

Being able to reach the end of the Miao Yizi, one is already a first-class figure among his peers. Zheng Jian just smiled when he heard this, picked up the cup on the table, and found that it was filled with snow tea, so he put it down again.

He took a wine flask from his waist, raised his head and took a sip by himself, then laughed and said, "How can such a small achievement be worthy of such praise?"

"If you are listed at the bottom of the Miaozi list once, you are a first-class person. If you are listed in the fourth list, how should you praise it?"

Four lists are included!

The Tao is profound and the Fa is wonderful; these are just four words, but there are very few people who can fully understand them, let alone be the best in all of them.
In the past, there was only one such person, Xianlin.

However, Geng Guangling subconsciously asked, "Brother, are you talking about Brother Xu Heng?"

Zheng Jian smiled and drank.

He had long known that this junior fellow was a genius. He had noticed Xu Heng's progress from being ranked first in Miao to being ranked first in Xuan.

But who could have imagined that within just three short years, his Taoism and magic skills had both reached great heights, and that he was now listed on the top four lists, and was at the top in every category?

"That's right." Zheng Jian smiled and said, "You may not have seen it before, otherwise you would know that this junior brother is a true celestial being."

"That's true." Cui Qi nodded and replied, "When Senior Brother Xu returned to the mountain, I was guarding the mountain gate and had the honor of meeting him. He was indeed a graceful and elegant man, a natural talent."

"So Junior Brother Xu has already returned to the mountain." Zheng Jian was slightly surprised, and Cui Qi said, "That's right."

"However, after Senior Brother Xu returned to the mountain, he went into seclusion not long after."

"Ah, that's because you're out of touch with the news." Geng Guangling said, "Senior Brother Xu has already come out of seclusion, and has appeared in the library and the performance area."

"Oh?" Zheng Jian's eyebrows moved slightly. After taking a few sips of wine, he suddenly said, "Thanks to my fellow apprentices for your warm hospitality. I am very happy."

"However, I have just returned to the mountains and still have many things to deal with. I am afraid I cannot accompany you to the end."

Everyone was surprised when they heard this, but since Zheng Jian said so, they couldn't keep him, so they had to see him off.

Zheng Jian also had an excellent Taoist temple inside the mountain gate, but after he came down from Xiaojing Peak, he had no intention of returning home. Instead, he leaped up, turned into mysterious light, and controlled the sword energy, rushing towards a familiar direction.

Soon, a jade-like rock peak came into view. It turned out to be the Yutai Peak.

He descended towards the top of the mountain and found Xu Heng's cave with ease. With a flick of his fingers, he handed in a visiting card, but waited for a moment, but no response came.

"Could it be that my junior brother is not in the mansion?" Zheng Jian felt a little regretful and was just thinking of choosing another day to come back when he suddenly felt something and looked up.

He saw a golden light flashing in the sky not far away, and then a startling rainbow rushed out of the wind and snow, fled to the top of Yutai Peak, and turned into a young Taoist wearing a wide Taoist robe and a ebony branch in his hair. He smiled at him and said, "Brother Zheng, long time no see."

Naturally, there is no one else who can do this except Xu Heng.

After not seeing each other for many years, Xu Heng's demeanor was the same as before, but the changes in his aura were earth-shaking, which made Zheng Jian have an illusion, as if he was looking up at a mountain hidden in the mist and clouds, and it was difficult to see the whole picture even with his best eyes. Standing in the void, he could still see a golden flame swaying faintly in his spiritual orifice.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he broke the estrangement that had accumulated over the past decade. Zheng Jian smiled when he heard his words, and asked with a cupped hand, "Brother, have you just finished your homework?"

"I guess so." Xu Heng said, "I am trying to take the essence of the sun and cultivate true fire."

As he spoke, the shadow of the golden flame in his spiritual orifice gradually faded away.

"Oh?" Zheng Jian nodded thoughtfully. He had often heard that people with profound knowledge of fire magic could extract the essence of the sun from the sunlight to cultivate true fire. It turned out that Xu Heng had also reached this level.

However, this was the secret of someone else's magic, so Zheng Jian did not ask further questions and just changed the subject: "I just arrived at my junior brother's house and I met him finishing his homework. It was quite a coincidence."

Xu Heng laughed and said, "How can it be a coincidence? It was because I sensed that someone had posted a message that I took a break from my studies and returned."

"Please." As he said that, he opened the door of the cave and led Zheng Jian in.

Zheng Jian did not say anything polite, and followed Xu Heng into the hall and took a seat. Xu Heng knew that he liked to drink, so he did not intend to serve tea. He just said regretfully: "There is no wine in the mansion now, so I can only neglect you, Senior Brother."

Zheng Jian waved his hand and said, "The thing I have the most is good wine."

As he spoke, he took out an ice pot and two small cups from his bag and said, "Brother, do you know what kind of wine this is?"

"Oh?" Xu Heng asked, "Could it be the nectar?"

"Ha." Zheng Jian laughed and said, "If it's nectar, I wouldn't want to share it. This is the Fire God's Brew from Gao Yan, the Wine God!"

"The fairy of wine, brewed by the God of Fire?" Xu Heng's eyes lit up.

Gao Yan, the Wine Immortal, is also a legendary strange man and one of the Eight Immortals. It is said that he loves drinking and brewing. Many of the world's most famous wines are made by him.

However, it is not easy to get the fine wine from him. Unless you exchange it for wine of equal quality, you have to do something for him in order to get a jug of fine wine from him.

Xu Heng had never thought that Zheng Jian would have such an opportunity. He suddenly became interested and urged, "In that case, Senior Brother, why don't you pour it quickly?"

Zheng Jian laughed, tipped the ice stone, and said, "Please."

This wine is called "Fire God Brew", but it is served in an ice pot and looks like clear water when poured. It does not really live up to its name.

Xu Heng took the wine cup and took a look at it. He couldn't see anything unusual, so he poured it into his mouth, but he couldn't help but be shocked.

As soon as the clear water-like wine entered his throat, it immediately turned into thousands of fire lines, running along the meridians, penetrating into the bone marrow, and soaking into the skin... It seemed to rush around, reaching every corner. Even though Xu Hengdao had a strong body, he felt hot. It took three full breaths before it gradually returned to its original state.

And after that, there was a warm force like a trickle of water, gushing out from every place where the fire line reached.

With his control over his body, he immediately felt that this warm current had the magical effect of tempering the body, nourishing the bones, and improving one's aptitude...

Although Xu Heng had the bones of an immortal, and he only took a sip, the effect was almost negligible, but it still showed the wonder of this wine.

"Good wine." Xu Heng couldn't help but praise: "It is indeed worthy of being the precious wine of the wine fairy."

Looking back at Zheng Jian, I saw that he had not yet drunk the wine in the cup, but his eyes were slightly wide open, with a look of surprise.

"Junior brother..." Zheng Jian shook his head: "Do you know how long I was drunk when I first drank this wine?"

Xu Heng couldn't help but smile when he heard this.

(End of this chapter)