People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 389, People from the Yin-Yang School Arrive
Yan Lingji stared intently at the bamboo slip, the flame in her hand gradually changing shape, sometimes a circle, sometimes a square, and finally turning into a small fire snake that coiled around Yan Lingji's hand, but it didn't last long before it dissipated.

A red-banded snake that was coiled on the table saw Xu Qing arrive, so it quickly jumped off the table, crawled to Xu Qing's feet, and affectionately touched Xu Qing's thigh.

"You heartless bastard!"

Yan Lingji rolled her eyes at the Red Serpent's intimacy with Xu Qing and said somewhat angrily.

Since Xu Qing obtained the Crimson King Serpent, he entrusted it to her to raise because he was too busy. She took great care of this king serpent that had gained sentience. As a result, when it saw Xu Qing, it immediately clung to him without saying a word.

That attitude of not taking money really angered her.

"How can you say that? After all, I was the one who rescued it from the clutches of the Hundred Poison King."

Xu Qing reached out and picked up the Crimson King Serpent. The serpent climbed up Xu Qing's arm and coiled around his neck.

"You rescued it and then abandoned it, so I'm the one who still has to take care of it."

Yan Lingji snorted softly, crossed her arms over her chest, and spoke with dissatisfaction in her icy blue eyes.

“What’s mine is yours, and what you’re raising is mine too. There’s no need to be so clear about it. Your fire control technique just now looked more refined than before.”

Seeing that Yan Lingji was a little jealous, Xu Qing quickly comforted her and changed the subject.

Upon hearing Xu Qing mention fire control, Yan Lingji's displeasure vanished, replaced by a smile. She then reignited a flame in her palm and said...
"That's natural."

Previously, Yan Lingji's fire control techniques were all large and sweeping, and apart from using them for show or lighting lamps, there was almost no fine manipulation.

Is it that she doesn't want to? Obviously not, but rather that she doesn't have the means to control it.

However, with Qingweizi's guidance and instruction, coupled with Yanlingji's exceptional talent, she grasped the knack of fire control in just one day, and all that remained was to study and practice diligently.

"It seems that Qingweizi is a good teacher. You should learn from her from now on."

Xu Qing sat down next to Yan Lingji and buried his head in her shoulder.

"Well, how are you? How's your understanding of the I Ching coming along?"

Yan Lingji looked at the somewhat tired Xu Qing, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes. She reached out and took the Crimson King Serpent off Xu Qing's neck, tossing it onto the soft cushion beside him, and gently stroked his head as she spoke.

The Crimson King Serpent gave Yan Lingji a resentful look, straightened up, and twisted its body as it headed towards the door, like a child angrily running away from home.

But neither Xu Qing nor Yan Lingji paid any attention to it.

"We have the method; as for the rest..."

Xu Qing held Yan Lingji in his arms, inhaling the faint fragrance emanating from her hair, and recounted how he had met Bei Mingzi.

After listening to Xu Qing's story, Yan Lingji understood the struggle in his heart. However, since deciding on his future path was a matter concerning Xu Qing's entire life, she could not interfere.

"Don't worry, I believe you can find the right path for yourself," Yan Lingji said softly.

Nestled in Yan Lingji's soft, fragrant embrace, Xu Qing's composure calmed somewhat, and he said in a deep voice...
"I have to choose this path myself. I'll continue studying hard starting tomorrow."

"Alright, let's rest for tonight."

After a night's rest, Xu Qing followed Bei Mingzi's suggestion and took the Book of Changes out of the meditation room. He felt nature and comprehended the Dao within it, using the Book of Changes to find the Dao that best suited him.

During the day, Xu Qing would either be by a spring, on the road, in a bamboo forest, or elsewhere, holding the Book of Changes and reading it. At night, Xu Qing would begin to comprehend the Book of Changes by observing the stars.

And so, a beautiful scene soon appeared on Mount Taiyi.

Whether on the road or elsewhere, Xu Qing could be seen reading. The disciples of the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect were initially puzzled, but after learning that it was their junior uncle Xu Qing who was comprehending the Book of Changes, they all admired him even more.

For many years, no one has dared to touch the I Ching. Everyone knows what will happen after mastering this classic. The Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect allow any disciple to study it, but no one has dared to touch it. This is because, apart from a few sages, anyone else who wants to study the I Ching is either crazy or stupid.

Now, Xu Qing dares to do things that ordinary people wouldn't dare to do, which truly earns him the respect of everyone on Mount Taiyi.

Time flies by in the blink of an eye, and nine days have passed in a flash.

Mount Taiyi, Baopu Lodge.

As the place where the leader of the Human Sect cultivates, Baopu Lodge has always been the most sacred place in the Human Sect, because it also enshrines the memorial tablets of the sages of the Human Sect throughout the ages.

Qi Lunzi, the head of the Human Sect, dressed in a white Taoist robe, with white hair and beard and an aged face, respectfully bowed to the memorial tablet on the table with three sticks of incense in his hand before inserting the incense into the incense burner.

Behind him, Xiaoyaozi, also dressed in a Taoist robe and sporting a small mustache, respectfully followed suit and bowed.

"Xiaoyaozi, you must have heard about the news from Tianzong, right?" Qi Lunzi said, looking at the empty space in the middle of the memorial tablet.

"Reporting to Master, I have heard that Xu Qing is currently studying the Book of Changes. Other disciples say that he is holding the Book of Changes day and night, studying it constantly, and even showing signs of being obsessed," Xiaoyaozi nodded and said.

"The Book of Changes, how many years has it been since anyone has tried to comprehend it? Even Chishongzi and the others were at their wits' end, and in order to compete for Xueji, they actually risked sending Xu Qing to comprehend the Book of Changes," Qi Lunzi said with some emotion.

Qi Lunzi was both surprised and moved when he learned that Xu Qing was studying the Book of Changes. From Tianzong's decision, he knew that Tianzong was determined to achieve the covenant between heaven and man.

"Master, rest assured, your disciple will not lose to him," Xiaoyaozi said calmly.

Although Xu Qing's reputation has spread far and wide, his martial arts level does not increase with his fame. No matter how high Xu Qing's talent is, it is impossible for him to comprehend the Book of Changes in just over ten days.

Even if Xu Qing comprehends the Book of Changes and enters the Celestial Master realm, it will not matter.

He was already a Celestial Master before joining the Taoist Human Sect, and after practicing the Human Sect's mental techniques and martial arts, his strength far surpassed what he had before.

Xiaoyaozi was confident of defeating Xu Qing. This was not arrogance from Xiaoyaozi of the Human Sect, but rather the pride of the number one hero in Guanzhong.

“I have faith in you, but you must not be careless. I also know Xu Qing; he is a very peculiar person, and anything can happen to him.”

"During this time, you will entrust the affairs of the sect to Mu Xuzi. You should focus on preparing for the Heavenly Man Pact. At the same time, I will also teach you the final move of Snow After Clearing Skies. You must win back the student status for our Human Sect."

Qi Lunzi turned to look at Xiaoyaozi and said seriously.

"Master, this move can only be learned by the successive leaders of the Human Sect. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to teach it to me now?"

Xiaoyaozi's expression shifted somewhat, and he hesitated before speaking.

“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Moreover, among all the members of the Human Sect, you are the most suitable to succeed me as the new sect leader. Sooner or later, I will have to teach you.” Qi Lunzi shook his head and said.

In the past years, the Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect have had a history of losing more than winning in their duels. During the last duel, he realized in his fight with Chishongzi that he would never be Chishongzi's match again.

He had originally given up hope for this year's Heavenly Mandate, but after learning that the Heavenly Sect was going to have Xu Qing represent the Heavenly Sect, he agreed without hesitation and let Xiaoyaozi take the stage.

Because he understood that this was the only chance for the Human Sect to reclaim Xueji in the next ten years.

If they lose this time, Tianzong will continue to control Xueji, and even Chisongzi will be no match for him the next time he takes the stage. This means that Tianzong will control Xueji three times in a row.

Within fifteen years, the Heavenly Sect will become the orthodox sect of Taoism. If this continues, the Human Sect will likely have no hope of competing with the Heavenly Sect.

Therefore, no matter what, Xiaoyaozi must defeat Xu Qing, otherwise Tianzong will truly become the orthodox sect of Taoism.

After a moment's hesitation, Xiaoyaozi understood Qi Lunzi's meaning and then cupped his hands in greeting.
"Disciple understands. This time, I will do everything in my power to reclaim Xueji from the covenant between heaven and man."

"Okay, you hand over the reins to Mu Xuzi, and then prepare to follow your master into seclusion."

After hesitating for a moment, Qi Lunzi continued.

"Have Mu Xuzi strengthen the patrols of the Human Sect. The Yin Yang School has arrived, and people from the other Hundred Schools and various countries are arriving one after another. Be sure to receive them well."

"I hope that what happened to the Heavenly Sect will not happen to my Human Sect."

"The Yin-Yang School?"

Xiaoyaozi's expression became somewhat subtle; he naturally understood what Qi Lunzi was talking about.

The Yin-Yang School once sneaked up to Mount Taiyi and abducted a disciple from the Tianzong Sect. This enraged the Tianzong Sect, which was prepared to start a struggle for the Dao lineage with the Yin-Yang School. However, for some unknown reason, they eventually gave up.

Although the matter ended hastily, the feud between the Yin-Yang School and the Heavenly Sect was permanently established.

The Yin-Yang School didn't send anyone to the last Heavenly Mandate ceremony, but they dared to send someone to observe this time. They must have ulterior motives, so we must be on guard.

"Disciple understands, I will go and inform my senior brother immediately," Xiaoyaozi said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Go."

Xiaoyaozi turned and left Baopu Lodge. Qi Lunzi watched Xiaoyaozi's departing figure, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"I hope you have truly let go of the past. The Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect may take different paths, but they lead to the same goal. If you cannot let go of your stubbornness, how can you cultivate a peaceful state of mind?" Qi Lunzi sighed softly.

Xiaoyaozi's strength and realm are indeed higher than Xu Qing's, but Xiaoyaozi also has his own shortcomings, namely his state of mind.

The other party gave up everything and came to the Human Sect from the renowned Guanzhong region, not simply for the sake of cultivating Tao.

All the past events will become obstacles in Xiaoyaozi's mind. Only by letting go completely can Xiaoyaozi go further in the Human Sect and reach a higher level in the path of martial arts.

But mental obstacles are never so easy to let go of.

"Everyone has their own destiny. I'm already halfway to the grave, and my mindset isn't as good as it was when I was young. Sigh, I'm really getting old," Qi Lunzi said self-deprecatingly.

Having said that, Qi Lunzi stopped thinking about it, picked up his sword and headed towards the secluded chamber where he was in seclusion, waiting for Xiaoyaozi's arrival.

(End of this chapter)