Dongting Immortal Clan

Meanwhile, Chen Xiaohu and Lu Tianming flew away from Yunmeng Ferry in a small awning boat.

He sighed repeatedly in his heart, a lingering sorrow of parting lingering within him.

This flying boat is three zhang long and five chi wide, with a dark yellow color. Upon closer inspection, it has a jade-like hue, as if dense, ancient runes are flowing within it.

Chen Xiaohu took a closer look and felt that it was similar to the flowing runes on his own small cauldron.

Lu Tianming stood at the bow of the ship, hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering in the wind, like a statue, unmoved by the strong winds.

Chen Xiaohu dared not make any more movements, for fear of falling off the boat and being smashed to pieces.

The three teenagers sitting in the boat awning were also sitting carefully, not daring to be careless.

All around, there was only the howling wind, and the sky gradually darkened.

I don't know how much time passed, but the sky became completely dark.

In the distance, stars lit up the sky one by one, looking like many jade beads adorning the sky.

Chen Xiaohu looked into the distance by the moonlight, and suddenly a huge mountain peak appeared in front of him, dark and piercing the clouds.

The mountain is surrounded by many smaller hills, which embrace and protect it, like stars surrounding the moon.

Above the mountainside, clouds and mist swirl, obscuring the entire view. Only a few lights are faintly visible, like stars embedded in the mountainside.

"This is the Xuanqing Mountain Range."

Without turning his head, Lu Tianming said, "The Taixu Sect's mountain gate is located on the main peak, Taixuan Mountain."

"You have entered the sect this time, but you will not be cultivating on the main peak, but on Purple Furnace Mountain, one of the seventy-two peaks."

Lu Tianming unleashed a golden light, and a faint portal appeared around them. The flying boat passed through the portal, circled Tai Xuan Peak, and headed northwest.

After traveling for about half an hour, a purplish-red mountain peak appeared before them.

The mountain peak wasn't very high, but its body was purplish-red, as if it had been burned by fire.

There are several stone halls on the mountainside, built against the mountain, layer upon layer, and brightly lit.

At the foot of the mountain, there is a stream. The water is not clear, but milky white, like rice soup, or like a misty white fog, and it exudes a faint medicinal fragrance.

"We've arrived at Zilu Mountain."

Lu Tianming stood up, stretched, and waved to Chen Xiaohu.

"Chen Xiaohu, you can stay here. I have already made arrangements for your master."

The flying boat landed on a stone platform.

The stone platform was not large, about three zhang square, with several stone pillars standing around its edge. The pillars were engraved with runes that faintly glowed.

Chen Xiaohu jumped off the flying boat and stepped onto the stone slab. It felt hard and solid, just like standing on the ground.

He glanced back at the flying boat.

Lu Tianming and the others took off again and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

……

Just as Chen Xiaohu was at a loss for what to do.

Beside the stone platform, a figure appeared out of nowhere, smiling at him:

"Who are you?"

"My name is Li Kaihe, and I am a disciple on duty at the Reception Platform of Zilu Mountain."

Chen Xiaohu mimicked the gesture and returned the greeting, speaking clearly:

"Chen Xiaohu greets his senior brother."

"Do you have an identity token?" Li Kaihe asked with a smile.

As instructed, Chen Xiaohu took out the jade token bestowed upon him by Lu Tianming from his bosom.

Li Kaihe took it with both hands, examined it, and his expression changed. He looked at Chen Xiaohu with a strange look on his face:

"So it's Junior Brother Chen, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

Just as Chen Xiaohu was feeling something was off, Li Kaihe stepped forward first, extending his hand as if to guide her:

"Since this is your first time visiting Zilu Mountain, feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

"If there are no further questions, shall I lead you to your master?"

"Take me to my master first."

Chen Xiaohu pondered for a moment, then smiled and replied.

He was still completely clueless about Zilu Mountain. Lu Tianming had only given a brief introduction to the sect on the way, and he had no idea what the future held for him.

And so, Chen Xiaohu followed Li Kaihe up the stone steps.

The stone steps were wide enough for five or six people to walk side by side. On both sides were trees he had never seen before, with straight trunks and dark red leaves that gleamed faintly in the moonlight.

A thick layer of fallen leaves covered the ground beneath the tree, making a soft, silent tread.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, we arrived at a stone temple.

The stone hall is not large, and the three characters "Ziyanju" are carved on the lintel. The characters are delicate and beautiful, as if written by a woman.

Li Kaihe stepped forward and knocked on the door. The door opened quickly, and a woman in her thirties opened it. She was wearing a light purple Taoist robe, her hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and she had a delicate face with a touch of heroism in her eyes.

"Li Kaihe? What brings you here?"

The woman seemed somewhat acquainted with Li Kaihe, and couldn't help but ask a question. Then she glanced at Chen Xiaohu behind him, and seeing that the young man was only at the Wood Embryo Realm, her brows furrowed slightly.

"This is……"

"It was sent by Uncle Lu. His name is Chen Xiaohu."

Li Kaihe cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Uncle Lu said that Auntie was short of manpower, so he asked me to send people over."

Upon hearing the voice, the woman carefully examined Chen Xiaohu. Chen Xiaohu felt a warm energy coursing through his limbs and bones into his body, only to leave after a few breaths.

"The foundation is not bad, come in."

The woman in purple nodded slightly, and Li Kaihe immediately gave Chen Xiaohu a wink and whispered:

"This is my aunt, Li Ziyan, who is also the master that Uncle Lu found for you. She is a renowned alchemist on the mountain. From now on, you will be cultivating under her guidance, so you must be careful and diligent..."

"You talk too much nonsense."

Li Ziyan glanced at Li Kaihe and said in a cold tone:

"Just leave the person to me. Go back and be your assigned person. If you can't refine the Golden Marrow this year, see if your father won't beat you."

Upon hearing this, Li Kaihe's face immediately fell, and he bowed and took his leave.

Chen Xiaohu watched him leave, then bowed and said:

"Disciple Chen Xiaohu greets Master."

Li Ziyan waved her hand, turned and entered the stone hall, with Chen Xiaohu following closely behind.

As soon as he entered the stone hall, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted towards him, stronger than any other scent he had ever smelled, even giving him a feeling of lightheadedness.

Biting the tip of her tongue, Chen Xiaohu steadied herself and looked around.

This stone hall is very large, larger than the entire courtyard of the Chen family. It is surrounded by wooden shelves, which are filled with all kinds of bottles and jars, as well as dried medicinal herbs.

In the center of the stone hall, there is a huge alchemy furnace, cast in bronze, taller than a person, with various runes engraved on its body.

At this moment, the flames in the furnace were burning fiercely, illuminating the entire stone hall in an orange hue.

……

"sit."

Walking to the alchemy furnace, Li Ziyan pointed to the ground, and vines quickly grew, transforming into a dark green carpet.

"I don't know how much Senior Brother Lu has told you."

"But since you want to become my disciple, I will tell you about the rules of the mountains."

Chen Xiaohu sat cross-legged on the futon as instructed.

Li Ziyan sat suspended in mid-air, her robes draped naturally, and said in a clear, cold voice:

"First of all, the Taixu Sect is the foremost Taoist lineage in Jingzhou, and a sacred place of cultivation that has flourished since ancient times."

"The inner sect has seventy-two mountains, and each mountain has its own core lineage."

"Within the Taixu Sect, Purple Furnace Mountain is the foremost place for alchemy!"

Li Ziyan's tone remained indifferent, as if she wasn't interested in Chen Xiaohu, and she continued:

"I don't know why you were recommended to come up the mountain, but I suppose there must be some kind of destiny involved."

"But here, I don't look at your aptitude for cultivation, nor do I look at your past background."

"Only understanding and patience."

"Without comprehension, it's difficult to even begin to understand alchemy."

"Without patience, it is difficult to achieve anything here."

"If you can endure hardship, then keep me. I, Li Ziyan, will not treat you unfairly."

"If you can't handle hardship, go somewhere else. I won't deliberately hold you back."

Chen Xiaohu didn't say anything, but simply placed his hands on his forehead and bowed down, performing the apprenticeship ceremony.

Seeing this, Li Ziyan's lips twitched slightly, and she said nothing more. She simply waved her hand at the wooden shelf by the wall, and a thin booklet flew over.

"This is 'A First Glimpse into the Flame of Elixir,' which discusses the basic methods of alchemy."

"Take a look first, then come find me and I'll teach you how to control fire."

Chen Xiaohu took the booklet with both hands, turned to the first page, and saw only eight characters written on it.

"The fire of the elixir burns in the heart; guard against arrogance and impetuosity."