Zhu Tian: A journey of spiritual practice starting from Joy of Life

Chapter 247 The Trip to Tianshan is Ahead of Schedule
Two years later, in the weapon-refining room on the eighth floor of the Twelve-Story Tower.

Leng Feibai sat in front of a table full of carving tools, wearing a pair of special glasses, holding a small carving knife in his hand, concentrating on carving a matching array on a sandalwood bead the size of an ordinary glass ball.

Before long, a string of twelve sandalwood beads appeared before Leng Feibai's eyes.

Leng Feibai let out a soft breath, picked up the carved beaded string, walked to the edge of a furnace, casually tossed the string of beads inside, then made a hand seal, and a ball of flame rose from his palms and poured into the furnace.

As the furnace roared to life, the sandalwood beads floated up from the flames, each bead slowly emitting a faint glow.

Leng Feibai secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he observed the reaction of the beaded string, indicating that there was no problem with the array pattern carved on the string.

An hour later, each bead, which had been blackened by the furnace fire, shone brightly, and its blackened surface burst open, revealing the orange-red bead underneath.

Seeing this, Leng Feibai breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand and grabbed, and the twelve beads in the furnace flew out and began to swirl on Leng Feibai's right wrist.

This string of sandalwood beads is called Yuan Chen beads, corresponding to the twelve zodiac animals, and each bead has its own unique effect.

Among magical artifacts that fall between the realms of immortals and mortals, this is considered a top-tier artifact.

Leng Feibai then took the Yuan Chen Pearl to the warehouse on the tenth floor. The warehouse, which was originally empty, was now filled with all kinds of magical artifacts on one-fifth of the shelves.

The collection includes all kinds of magical implements, such as knives, swords, gauntlets, greaves, bracelets, thumb rings, and golden ruyi scepters.

These are all magical artifacts that Leng Feibai has successfully crafted over the past year, but their effects are all just ordinary and mediocre.

"We don't need the Yuan Chen Pearl in this world yet, so let's leave it here for now!"

As Leng Feibai spoke, he placed the finished Yuan Chen Pearl on the shelf, turned around, and walked out of the Twelve-Story Building.

Inside the Valley of Leisure, Kang Guangling, Gou Du, Wu Lingjun, and Shi Qinglu were instructing their disciples.

Two years ago, news of Leng Feibai stealing military rations from the Western Xia army in Qinzhou and assassinating the Western Xia general Helian Chong spread quickly throughout the Song Dynasty thanks to the Beggars' Sect's propaganda.

The fame of Xiaoyao Valley spread throughout the entire Song Dynasty, and disciples came in an endless stream to become its disciples.

However, due to the rules of the Xiaoyao Sect, Leng Feibai and Su Xinghe did not recruit many disciples, but only selected a few disciples with good looks and good aptitude to join their sect.

Emperor Shenzong of Song, who had just ascended the throne, in order to thank Leng Feibai for his actions, issued an imperial decree to bestow upon Xiaoyao Valley a hundred jars of imperial wine, a hundred bolts of brocade, ten boxes of jewels, and ten thousand taels of gold.

He then selected a set of the Wansui Tongtian Tie (a copy of the ancient calligraphy series) and Fan Kuan's "Snow Crossing the Mountain Pass" from the Hanlin Academy, which he had treasured for many years, and presented them to Leng Feibai as private gifts.

Leng Feibai was overjoyed and immediately put the calligraphy and painting scrolls into the Qunfang Garden.

Fan Kuan's paintings need no further introduction. The Wansui Tongtian Post is a rare collection of ten volumes of calligraphy by twenty-eight members of the Wang family, presented by Wang Fangqing, a Fengge Attendant, in the second year of the Wansui Tongtian era of the Wu Zhou Dynasty.

Empress Wu Zetian was overjoyed and ordered the most skilled copyists of the time to make a copy, hence the name "Wansui Tongtian Tie" (Ten Thousand Years of Heavenly Connection Calligraphy).

However, the copy of "Wansui Tongtian Tie" in Leng Feibai's possession was not the original, but a high-quality imitation made by a master copyist of the Tang Dynasty.

However, since it is a copy of a calligraphy model from the Tang Dynasty, even if it is not as valuable as the original, it can still be considered a treasure.

Inside the room, after hearing Leng Feibai's words, Su Xinghe jumped up and asked, "Junior brother, are you going to Tianshan?"

Leng Feibai sighed and said, "That's right, senior brother, you don't need to react so strongly."

"I!"

Su Xinghe was momentarily speechless. "Junior brother, the agreement your senior uncle made with you was for three years, and there's still a little over a year left. Isn't that a bit early?"

"Who said I went to keep a three-year appointment!"

Leng Feibai said righteously, "As a junior, it's not wrong for me to visit my senior master."

"I bet you're just trying to take this opportunity to run off and have some fun!"

Su Xinghe mentally complained, then changed his tone and said, "But junior brother, if you're going out, shouldn't you disguise yourself? After all, your face is too likely to attract unwanted attention."

Hearing Su Xinghe's words, which were almost like pouring cold water on his spirits, Leng Feibai fell silent and nodded in grief and indignation.

After explaining the affairs in the valley, Leng Feibai prepared some luggage, drew a Wind and Fire Escape Talisman, and left Xiaoyao Valley.

The distance between the Central Plains and Misty Peak is not much farther than that between Kunlun Mountain and is also within the range of the Wind and Fire Escape Talisman.

Shortly after, Leng Feibai arrived at a mountain covered in ice and snow.

Upon seeing this, Leng Feibai immediately used his Heavenly Vision and Earthly Hearing Technique to locate the Lingjiu Palace on Misty Peak.

Before long, two women dressed in black with vultures embroidered on their chests appeared in Leng Feibai's perception, riding two camels.

Leng Feibai was overjoyed and flew towards the two women.

Upon seeing Leng Feibai descend from the sky, the two women were startled. They leaped off the camel, simultaneously drawing a knife and a sword, and stared intently at Leng Feibai.

"Two girls!"

Leng Feibai quickly said, "My name is Leng Feibai. I have come to Tianshan to pay my respects to my master. Please..."

Upon hearing this, one of the women put down her longsword and said, "Are you Leng Feibai, the Valley Master Leng, and the Venerable Lord's nephew?"

Leng Feibai nodded, and the two women put down their swords, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "Ye Yun and Chen Yuan from the Xuantian Department of Lingjiu Palace greet Valley Master Leng."

Leng Feibai waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Please tell me, ladies, how do I get to Lingjiu Palace?"

Ye Yun quickly pointed in a direction and said, "Valley Master Leng, we were supposed to escort you there. But we have an important mission to attend to right now, so please forgive us, Valley Master Leng."

Leng Feibai smiled, said nothing, and gestured for them to leave.

The two women quickly mounted the camel and left.

Following the two women's instructions, Leng Feibai activated the Feng Hou Qi Men technique, transforming into a mountain eagle and soaring through the air.

After passing through eighteen perilous passes, a massive castle came into view.

Seeing this, Leng Feibai breathed a sigh of relief, transformed back into human form in mid-air, and called out towards the castle, "Uncle-Master, your disciple Leng Feibai has come to see you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, chaos erupted within Lingjiu Palace.

Not long after, Tianshan Tonglao and a dozen black-clad maids flew out of the castle. Seeing Leng Feibai suddenly appear, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief and said, "It really is you, kid. What are you doing at Lingjiu Palace?"

"Of course I've come to pay my respects to my senior master!"

As Leng Feibai spoke, he took out two boxes containing eight-ounce ginseng roots that had taken human form and handed them to Tianshan Tonglao.

The Heavenly Child Granny was skilled in medicine and immediately recognized that the two ginseng roots were of superior quality. She then smiled and said, "You've come all this way, why bring any gifts? Come on in and let's talk!"

As she spoke, Tianshan Tonglao took the two boxes from Leng Feibai and handed them to a maid beside her. She then pulled Leng Feibai into Lingjiu Palace. Inside the garden, Tianshan Tonglao led Leng Feibai to sit in a pavilion, followed by her four personal maids.

"Grandma has heard about what happened to you in Qinzhou!"

The Heavenly Child Granny said excitedly, "We dealt with the Western Xia army and thoroughly humiliated that bitch Li Qiushui. She really brought honor to me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Leng Feibai nodded and then recounted the story, "Uncle-Master, there's something I won't hide from you. When I raided the grain supply camp, Uncle-Master Li showed up to stop me, but I..."

Looking at Leng Feibai's expression, Tianshan Tonglao snorted coldly and said, "Good riddance! The four of us, my fellow disciples and I, all come from the Central Plains. Even though I came to Tianshan and seized a Jianghu power, I have never done anything to harm the Song Dynasty. But she, not only did she marry into the Western Xia, but she also went to help the Western Xia fight against her own homeland. She truly deserves to die."

Seeing this, Leng Feibai changed the subject, "By the way, Uncle-Master, in your previous letter to me, you mentioned taking on a female disciple..."

"I knew you little rascal, you came here for her!"

Tianshan Tonglao laughed and scolded, then turned to the maid beside her and said, "Mei Jian, go and call Hongmian over."

Mei Jian acknowledged the order and withdrew. Tianshan Tonglao continued speaking to Leng Feibai, "The female disciple I took in is Qin Hongmian, who sparred with you back then. Feibai, I can tell that little girl Hongmian has feelings for you. Do you have any thoughts about it?"

Leng Feibai paused upon hearing this, then sighed and said, "Uncle-Master, I have no plans for marriage at the moment..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

The Heavenly Child Granny said with exasperation, "The man is unmarried, and the woman is unmarried. She loves you, so why... do you already have someone else in your heart?"

Looking at Tianshan Tonglao's appearance, and thinking of his future self and his words, Leng Feibai said helplessly, "Uncle-Master, let me talk to Miss Qin about some things alone."

Seeing Leng Feibai's conflicted expression, Tianshan Tonglao knew she wouldn't get anything out of him. She couldn't help but feel annoyed, and for a moment, the idea of ​​planting a few Life and Death Talismans in this brat's head to force him to talk was born.

Thinking of this, Tianshan Tonglao's palm twitched slightly, and she shot out a burst of energy that struck Leng Feibai squarely.

But Leng Feibai didn't react at all, staring straight at Tianshan Tonglao and asking, "Uncle-Master, what are you doing?"

Tianshan Child Granny said nothing, got up and walked away into the distance, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

But in fact, Leng Feibai could sense that the aura of the Heavenly Child Granny still lingered in the shadows, watching him.

Not long after, Qin Hongmian walked over carrying two swords on her back.

Upon seeing Leng Feibai, Qin Hongmian ran over and exclaimed, "Senior Brother Leng, you've arrived!"

"Junior Sister Qin!"

Leng Feibai changed his form of address, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "My senior master's strength ranks among the top five in the world today. It is truly a great opportunity for junior sister to become her disciple."

"well enough!"

Qin Hongmian shuddered at the thought of the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny's teaching methods.

Seeing this, Leng Feibai wanted to say a few words of comfort to her, but Qin Hongmian slapped him directly.

"watch out!"

Leng Feibai didn't dodge. He grabbed her wrist with a grappling move and slammed her onto the stone table in the pavilion.

"You let go!"

Qin Hongmian blushed deeply on the spot, while Leng Feibai laughed and said, "Junior Sister's skill has improved a lot. It seems that the Great Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin Temple is truly very effective."

After saying that, Leng Feibai released Qin Hongmian. Qin Hongmian snorted coldly, sat down angrily, and said, "What do you want to say to me?"

"There are some things I should have told you sooner!"

Leng Feibai gritted his teeth and said, "Junior Sister Qin, long before we first met, I had already been married. I married three wives!"

"what!"

Qin Hongmian was surprised when she heard this, and even Tianshan Tonglao, who was eavesdropping in the dark, was stunned.

Leng Feibai is only in his early twenties, but he's already married.

"You bullshit!"

Qin Hongmian couldn't help but ask, "When we first met, you were only about eighteen years old. How could you have married three people at once!"

Leng Feibai sighed and started making up a lie, "My Leng family originally lived on an island near Leizhou. At that time, I was obsessed with martial arts and had no interest in anything else. Later, my parents were worried about me, so they arranged a marriage for me. They even redeemed two courtesans from a brothel and brought them into the family one after another."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongmian gripped her sleeves tightly with both hands and gritted her teeth, saying, "Your father and mother truly dote on you, senior brother."

Leng Feibai didn't answer after hearing this, and continued to make up his story, "Until I was seventeen, a sudden epidemic swept across the entire island. I had been practicing martial arts for many years, so I escaped the calamity. But my family all died in that epidemic. So, I left my homeland and traveled around, just wanting to forget my heartbreak. So, Junior Sister Qin..."

"What, do you think you're a cursed zodiac sign, so you want to reject me?"

Qin Hongmian loosened her sleeve and said with a smile, "Senior Brother Leng, let's make a bet."

Leng Feibai was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What bet?"

"The competition two years from now!"

Qin Hongmian said confidently, "The competition has been rescheduled for three days later. If I win, you will marry me. But if you win, I will not appear before you. How about it!"

"What kind of bet is this?!"

Leng Feibai raised an eyebrow and said, "Fine, I agree! But with your skills, you're no match for me!"

After saying that, Leng Feibai turned and left the garden, walking away into the distance.

As Leng Feibai disappeared, Tianshan Tonglao jumped out, frowning as she said, "Hongmian, are you really confident you can beat him?"

Qin Hongmian laughed, "I certainly can't win in a head-on confrontation, but I can use some of the underhanded tricks from those stories! I guarantee he won't be able to defend against them!"

Upon hearing this, Tianshan Tonglao raised an eyebrow, feeling curious about what method this little girl had to trick Leng Feibai into losing to her.

"Using dirty tricks?"

Leng Feibai, who was eavesdropping from the shadows, couldn't help but curl up his lips. He was also somewhat looking forward to seeing what method Qin Hongmian had to defeat him.

However, to save her some face, I'll just have to play along with her a few times.

Once I get the Seven Treasures Ring back, I'll head south to Dali to see the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake.

(End of this chapter)