Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 81 Don't Let Your Inspiration Go to Waste (Combined)

New Year's Eve.

It’s New Year’s Eve again.

Throughout the sect, a unique scene unfolded.

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators, riding on flying swords and activating their spiritual power, hung spirit talismans and red lanterns on the eaves of various buildings throughout the sect.

At Rudaoping, the stone steps of the mountain path were covered with a thin layer of snow.

Several outer disciples were traveling together, about to descend the mountain.

They happened to meet the monks on duty at the mountain gate, and said goodbye to them.

"Be careful on your journey. If you can return before the seventh day, the food hall will still have spirit meat dumplings to collect."

"Got it, Senior Brother!"

It's really strange.

In the path of cultivating immortality, it is said that one must transcend worldly desires and sever all ties with worldly affairs in order to attain the path to immortality.

Other sects in the Chu Kingdom's cultivation world are the same; while they don't suppress their disciples, they certainly don't encourage celebrating these secular festivals.

The Dongyuan Sect, on the other hand, is exactly the opposite.

When the sect leader founded the sect, he established a rule that from New Year's Eve until the seventh day of the new year, the entire sect would take a collective break.

It is no different from that of ordinary people.

All deadlines for external chores and internal tasks have been postponed.

If you want to go down the mountain to return to your hometown for the New Year, just inform the elder in charge and you can leave a few days in advance. Just make sure you get back to the sect before the eighth day of the new year.

However, restaurants and eateries remained open as usual during the Spring Festival.

Disciples who stay to help in the sect can receive a higher salary as compensation.

According to some of the more senior disciples, the sect leader was not in seclusion on New Year's Eve that year.

Disciples residing within the sect may also receive a handwritten congratulatory letter from the sect leader.

However, this is just a rumor.

Song Yan looked very dashing today.

Dressed in a deacon's robe, he looked quite dashing.

That's right, he is one of the outer disciples who volunteered to stay in the sect this year to serve.

The original disciples who were in charge of the duties all went back to their hometowns for the New Year.

In the past two weeks, my mind has been clear and my spiritual resources have been abundant, so my cultivation progress has been rapid.

Such a state of cultivation is not something that can be achieved at any time, so he decided to strike while the iron was hot and continue this state of cultivation.

Moreover, I had gone down the mountain to return to Shiliang on New Year's Eve in previous years.

Spending the New Year in the sect this time has a unique charm.

Actually, there's nothing wrong with staying in the clan to serve.

Although they were supposed to be inspecting the sect, everyone was actually in the food court, chatting and drinking with friends in private rooms.

This is not.

Junior Sister Gu Qingqing sent a message talisman early in the morning, saying that she had invited many acquaintances to have New Year's Eve dinner together at the food court.

When he first heard the word "acquaintance," he was somewhat dazed.

Where did this acquaintance come from?

But then I thought about it again, and realized that there are actually a few people among the outer sect who can be considered friends now.

The food court was quite crowded today, mostly with monks on duty.

Following the letter number indicated on the transmission talisman of Junior Sister Qingqing, I pushed open the wooden door to the private room.

"Senior Brother Song!"

Perhaps to welcome the New Year, Gu Qingqing was wearing an apricot-red brocade jacket with floral patterns, her black hair tied in double buns with a red ribbon.

It's very festive and cute.

"Come and sit down."

Inside, as expected, all the faces were familiar.

Besides Gu Qingqing, Li Qingfeng and Shao Sichao were also present, along with someone who appeared to be Gu Qingqing's junior sister.

Song Yan looked familiar, but I couldn't remember who he was.

"Senior Brother Song?"

The female cultivator gasped in surprise when she saw Song Yan's appearance.

"Huh? You...recognize me?"

She had a delicate and pretty appearance, but spoke with great poise and confidence: "I recognize you, I recognize you. Perhaps Senior Brother Song has forgotten."

"On that day on Xiawei Peak, my two fellow disciples and I encountered danger. It was thanks to Senior Brother Song's rescue that the three of us were able to return to the sect safely."

"what……"

He did recall that.

I had just returned from a trip to Jiran Valley at that time.

Out of politeness, Song Yan casually asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Yang Yuerong."

strangeness.

"A very nice name."

Gu Qingqing curiously pulled Yang Yuerong aside and asked her all sorts of questions, asking what had happened that day.

The two female cultivators whispered among themselves, no longer paying attention to Gu Songyan.

"Long time no see, Qingfeng."

Li Qingfeng and Song Yan had a life-or-death friendship. Ever since their trip to Peach Blossom Village, the two often sparred and occasionally exchanged insights on cultivation.

Everyone knows the details of what happened in Peach Blossom Village, but they rarely mention them.

Song Yan's methods were ruthless and powerful, and Li Qingfeng's techniques were even more bizarre; neither could say for sure what the other was doing.

Those who cultivate immortality all have their share of opportunities; to make a fuss about it is to be a step down from the ideal.

"Senior Brother Shao."

Shao Sichao greeted Song Yan and then turned his attention back to the recipe in his hands.

In Song Yan's view, he and this Senior Brother Shao had already had quite a few interactions.

But from the other party's perspective, it was probably just a acquaintance from their trip to Jiran Valley.

There were originally two female cultivators in this private room. Li Qingfeng was very reserved and awkward, but he felt much better after Song Yan arrived.

"It's really lively today. I didn't expect you, Lao Song, to be not going back to your hometown either?"

"I remember Shiliang, it's very close to the sect."

At least, he can speak now.

Song Yan explained the reason, and everyone suddenly understood.

"It's not that I'm never home. I'll go back to my hometown when my cultivation is more stable. All my fellow villagers will be there, it'll be the same."

Everyone nodded.

Once the conversation started, Li Qingfeng asked, "Hey, speaking of which, where are you all from?"

Gu Qingqing answered first: "I am from Danyang Prefecture in Chenzhou. Have you been to Xiqijiang, Senior Brother Qingfeng?"

"No."

"Hey, you've never seen anything like this before."

"Old Song, have you been there?"

"No."

Song Yan has always been an honest child. Apart from once going to Linzhou for a free medical clinic with his grandfather, he has never traveled far.

Gu Qingqing chuckled: "Then next time I'll take Senior Brother Song out to play!"

Li Qingfeng couldn't help but complain, "Why is it that when it comes to me, I'm the one who's never seen the world?"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Chenzhou Danyang Prefecture.

If I remember correctly, the Wan family, where Wan Songran lives, seems to be located over there.

"Qingfeng, what about you? Aren't you going back to your hometown for a visit?"

When this was mentioned, Li Qingfeng's expression became slightly unnatural, but he quickly returned to normal.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "My hometown is Xin'an Prefecture in Linzhou."

Xin'an Prefecture?
That was the capital of the Chu Kingdom.

"However, in the mortal world, I am just a stray dog, and all my relatives have passed away."

Song Yan was taken aback and patted him on the shoulder.

Where is Senior Brother Shao?

Li Qingfeng suddenly asked, "Where is Senior Brother Shao from?"

"I'm from Longquan Prefecture. There's a place called Sunjiaji near Beiya Mountain."

Shao Sichao replied casually, "It's been quite a few years since I've been back."

"Oh."

Li Qingfeng suddenly changed the subject: "Hey Lao Song, where's your little snake? Didn't it come?"

"Xiao He, I'm here..."

hiss--

Snake Baby suddenly poked its head out from Song Yan's sleeve.

A human girl's voice, perfectly proper: "Happy New Year!"

Yang Yuerong was startled by the sudden appearance of the snake demon, and her panicked appearance amused Xiao He.

The joyful atmosphere returned to the room.

Before long, the New Year's Eve dinner was served one by one.

In the middle was a copper pot, inside which simmered a brightly colored broth, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Around them were dishes of eight-treasure rice with chili peppers, spring rolls with spirit mushrooms, and some unidentifiable slices of spirit fish and other spirit plants and meats. The group chatted and ate, enjoying the rare atmosphere.

"what?"

It was nearing midnight when there seemed to be some commotion outside.

Qingqing, who was by the window, got up and pushed open the small window of the private room.

"Wow……"

Looking out the window, on the mountain path of the sect, spirit lamps suddenly lit up one after another, their warm yellow glow reflecting off the spirit talisman lanterns on the eaves.

The protective array of the mountain emitted a burst of spiritual light.

An upside-down "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character lit up.

Suddenly, several streaks of light floated up into the night sky.

"Bam—"

The peach blossom-shaped spiritual flames bloomed in the night, illuminating the snow-covered entrance platform.

Everyone put down their chopsticks and went to the window to watch the fireworks in the night sky.

"I wonder how Anian, Ayun, and Darong are doing lately..."

"Is Uncle Meng feeling any better...?"

"Did Granny Qin go back to her hometown today?"

At this moment, perhaps everyone is thinking of their homeland and loved ones.

Shao Sichao stood at the back of the group, sighed softly, his carefree attitude vanished, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes.

"My homeland is thousands of miles away, when will I be able to return..."

Dang, Dang, Dang...

On Dragon Head Peak, the sound of bells and chimes resounded through the clouds.

Under the cover of night, a streak of blue light suddenly flew out from somewhere within the sect.

In an instant, they split into thousands of spirit butterflies, which slowly drifted towards various parts of the sect.

Several beams of light flew towards the food stall and hovered beside the group.

"This is……"

Gu Qingqing saw the dazzling light and gently touched it with her fingertip.

A seal script slowly unfurled, and spiritual light transformed into ink, settling upon it.

Eight powerful and vigorous characters appeared.

A new year begins, and everything is renewed.

The signature, in tiny characters, is on the side: "Li Jun."

"A letter from the sect leader!"

Everyone gasped in surprise.

They all accepted the azure spiritual light hovering beside them.

The handwriting on all of them is the same, but there is a special spiritual quality to it.

Li Qingfeng suddenly sensed something and drew that wisp of spiritual energy into his dantian.

His expression was one of surprise: "This..."

Everyone did as instructed and found that this wisp of spiritual energy was incredibly pure. When it merged into their dantian, their cultivation level improved significantly in just a few breaths.

The area outside the food court was noisy.

Upon closer listening, it turned out that someone had received a letter from the sect leader and immediately broke through a bottleneck, prompting the surrounding disciples to offer their congratulations.

On this New Year's Eve, the sect leader was not in seclusion. He not only gave his disciples a handwritten letter, but also distributed spiritual energy to help them with their cultivation.

Song Yan thought to himself that his sect leader was really very humane.

Could this spiritual energy be considered a "talisman" he gave to his junior disciples?

All the disciples on duty gained something.

Everyone beamed with joy.

"Senior Brother Song, why don't you open it and take a look?"

Seeing that Song Yan remained unmoved, Gu Qingqing couldn't help but ask him a question.

He had actually accepted it long ago, but originally intended to open it back in his cave, but the atmosphere was lively right now.

It's fine to open it here.

With a light touch of the fingertip, the seal script slowly unfolds, its spirit transforming into ink and settling upon it.

Unexpectedly, the inspiration transformed into eight characters that were different from those of others.

Song Yan was suddenly stunned.

I stared at those eight characters, lost in thought.

A sharp yet clear spiritual intent suddenly surged forth from the seal script.

It transformed into radiance and disappeared into the Zhendao Sword Mansion, merging into the Dao Seed.

……

"Cultivate your sword intent diligently, and do not waste your inspiration."

……

Dongyuan Sect, a forbidden area.

In a secluded valley.

There are some characters carved on the mountain wall, with sharp strokes, as if they were carved with a knife or sword.

A young man in a white robe was sitting in front of a blue stone tablet, talking to himself.

"Junior sister, it took a lot of effort to suppress the inner demons a few days ago."

“Once I went into seclusion, it lasted this long.”

"I'm so sorry to leave you to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lunar New Year alone... You won't blame your brother, will you?"

He looked up at the fireworks in the night sky and continued, "Feng'an is a dry and cold place."

"More than three hundred years have passed, and I still can't get used to it."

“This is quite different from what you used to say about Junshan, such as ‘a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery’ or ‘a place where the spirits of nature are concentrated’.”

The young man suddenly burst into laughter, but then fell silent again.

In front of the blue stone tablet, a pear tree was planted.

There was a wine jar and two empty bowls under the tree.

"I was careless and forgot to fetch the wine from Feng'an. I'll make it up to you next time."

"Let's drink some tea and stay up to welcome the New Year today."

He poured some spiritual tea into a bowl, sprinkled one bowl in front of the tombstone, and drank the other himself.

"Speaking of which, a very interesting young man has emerged in the sect."

"They're on the same path as me, yet they seem somewhat different..."

"Legend has it that the ancient sword ancestor came from your Chu region."

"Now, this small Dongyuan Sect actually has two sword cultivators hidden inside..."

"The circumstances and connections involved are truly wondrous."

“Recently, there have been more and more traces of demonic cultivators. I must also cultivate diligently, otherwise I fear I will not be able to protect this small piece of land in Feng’an.”

The young man stood up and looked up at the huge stone wall behind him.

He turned around and left.

……

Yanran Mountain Range, Fuyu Peak.

A woman in white stood atop the mountain, her robes fluttering gently in the cold mountain wind.

Looking towards Dongyuan Sect.

The mountain gate was brightly lit, and the protective array emitted a joyous aura.

The blue flames in the sky were reflected in her pale yellow vertical pupils.

"Humanity……"

"It's really fun."

Under the night sky, hundreds of talisman lanterns lit up one after another.

Some of the younger disciples, like ordinary children setting off firecrackers, flung out strings of exploding fire crow talismans.

"On a certain day, we exchange some meaningless blessings..."

"Forget the suffering, cast aside the burdens, and embrace a new life."

"When disaster strikes, be invigorated; when fortune smiles upon you, be cautious and prudent."

"No matter what, we can always keep going."

"Perhaps this is why human cultivators were able to forge a path to survival step by step in the ancient chaos."

Watching that wisp of spiritual light drift from Dragon Head Mountain to all directions.

She suddenly remembered Xiao He; her eyes sparkled when she talked about that human cultivator.

With a light tap of the fingertip, a wisp of demonic energy entangled the lone blue butterfly.

A wisp of pure spiritual energy and the characters within it faintly emerged.

"but……"

"Fireworks fade quickly, and butterflies have short lives..."

The woman in white waved her sleeves to dispel the demonic aura, letting the green butterfly stumble and fly towards the depths of the Yanran Mountains.

"From hope and vitality, to despair and destruction..."

"It will only be a blink of an eye."

……

I'll post these short transitional chapters for the Lunar New Year all at once.

After the New Year, the more formal storyline of the Dongyuan Sect will gradually unfold. Thank you all for your continued support!

Thank you to readers [20200918231042999], [Farmer Fantasy], [Lin Ancao Jing], and [150710082207848] for your monthly ticket support! Thank you all for your recommendations and subscriptions! Thank you very much!

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(End of this chapter)