This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

Through Chen Jing's story, Li Daoxuan realized that the world, or rather the country, was not safe.

War could break out at any time.

Their location, Anyi County, is situated in the southeastern part of the Great Zhao Kingdom, at least three thousand li away from the background of the Great Li Kingdom mentioned by Chen Jing.

At present, it seems unlikely that Anyi County will be affected by the war.

Unless the Great Zhao Kingdom suffers a complete defeat and the Great Li Kingdom breaches its defenses and advances unimpeded.

Thinking about these questions, Li Daoxuan began to actively learn about the history, geography, and culture of this world.

In any case, knowing more provides more protection.

Autumnal Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost's Descent, and now it's already the Beginning of Winter.

When I woke up in the early morning, I could see a thin layer of frost in the yard.

As always, Qingfeng got up the earliest. After heating the stove, boiling water, and putting the rice in the pot, she took a broom and swept the spotless yard.

The rising sun from the east shone on his face, revealing a layer of fuzzy hair that shimmered with gold.

Compared to when he first arrived, Qingfeng had grown much taller and was no longer as thin as before.

When Chen Jing last came, his master called him and his junior sister Mingyue to his room that very night and taught them the true methods of cultivation.

Now, more than two months have passed, and he has made smooth progress in many steps such as sitting in oblivion, fasting of the mind, and guiding the body. He estimates that he should be able to complete the foundation building in another ten days.

Qingfeng secretly encouraged himself, realizing he should work even harder. His junior sister, who was five years younger than him, had already completed the Foundation Establishment stage half a month ago. It would be quite embarrassing for him, as the senior brother, to fall too far behind.

Just then, a slight ripple came from Mingyue's room.

The breeze stopped sweeping and turned to look.

His eyes were full of envy.

"No wonder Master said that Junior Sister is a rare genius in cultivation, and her magical power has improved again."

A short while later, Mingyue's door opened, and she came out wearing a thin navy blue cotton coat.

Despite being blind, she walks naturally and smoothly, without the groping or fumbling manner typical of blind people.

The reason for this is twofold: firstly, Mingyue is very familiar with this place, and secondly, her five senses are far beyond those of ordinary people, allowing her to move freely even if she cannot see in a familiar environment.

"Good morning, senior brother."

Mingyue greeted him with a faint smile.

Qingfeng replied with a smile:

"Good morning, junior sister. Congratulations on your further progress in cultivation."

Mingyue has curved red lips and a shallow dimple on her cheek.

"Senior brother, you'll be at the Foundation Establishment stage soon, right? Don't worry, Master said that although you progress slowly, your steps are steady, and you might very well attain enlightenment in the future."

Qingfeng nodded, then put down the broom, turned around, and went into the kitchen.

When she came out again, she had a bowl of qi-boosting soup in her hand.

"Junior sister, this is what I brewed for you. Your magical power has just increased, and you need to replenish it. Drink it quickly."

Mingyue didn't stand on ceremony, reached out and took the Qi-tonifying soup, and asked:

"Where is Master? Has he not come out of seclusion yet?"

Qingfeng turned and glanced at Li Daoxuan's room, then shook his head and said:

"Master said that it takes at least nine days and nine nights of incantation and magic to nurture the medicine furnace before it can become spiritually connected. Counting the days, there are still three days before I can come out of seclusion."

Mingyue nodded and began to sip the qi-tonifying soup.

Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open, and a lively and agile figure skipped and hopped in.

"Good morning, gentle breeze and bright moon. Have you had breakfast yet?"

It was Wang Jingshu who barged in.

She has always been so informal with her elders, and she always felt that the names Qingfeng and Mingyue sounded nice when pronounced together, so she always preferred to call them by their names instead of calling them "senior brother".

Wang Yangming, who was following behind her, gently tapped her head and scolded her:

"Don't be disrespectful, you should call them senior brothers and sisters."

Wang Jingshu pouted and said with dissatisfaction:

"They have no objections..."

Seeing this, Qingfeng smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"It's alright, as long as Jing Shu is happy."

Wang Yangming, however, said with a serious expression:

"Respect for elders and juniors is essential; propriety must not be disregarded."

After saying that, he glared at Wang Jingshu, as if warning her.

Wang Jingshu rolled her eyes and said reluctantly:

"Senior brother, senior sister..."

Mingyue had just finished drinking the qi-tonifying soup when she looked up and asked:

"Master hasn't had time to give lectures these past few days, why did you all come?"

Wang Jingshu immediately became interested when this was mentioned.

She grabbed Mingyue's hand and chattered away:

"I heard that a group of martial arts practitioners have gathered at Fuyang Mountain in the north, saying they are going to hold some kind of martial arts tournament."

At this point, Wang Jingshu suddenly lowered her voice and said:

"According to inside sources, the purpose of this martial arts tournament is to elect a supreme martial arts master of the Great Zhao Dynasty, who will then go to the capital to assassinate Zhao Hongxin, the Grand Secretary of the current cabinet."

As soon as Wang Jingshu uttered these words, Wang Yangming immediately reprimanded her in a low voice:

"Jing Shu, watch your words."

Wang Jingshu said, completely unconcerned:

"What are you afraid of? There's no one else here."

"Furthermore, since the war between Da Zhao and Da Li began, Grand Secretary Zhao Hongxin has been clamoring for peace in the Emperor's ear. He even agreed to Da Li's demands for ceding territory and paying reparations, and even petitioned the Emperor to send a princess there for a marriage alliance."

"This kind of treacherous minister deserves to be torn to pieces."

Wang Yangming shook his head helplessly. Although he didn't want his sister to speak so recklessly, he inwardly agreed with Wang Jingshu's words.

While the Great Zhao and the Great Li are fighting in the north, this Grand Secretary is always causing trouble from behind.

Such a person is a traitor to the country and deserves to die.

However, Qingfeng did not echo Wang Jingshu's words, but instead smiled slightly:

"Since he was able to become the Grand Secretary, he must have his strengths. We are far from the capital and do not know the truth, so it is best not to make any hasty conclusions."

Wang Jingshu glared at him and said:

"Hey senior brother, why are you siding with such a treacherous official?"

"If it weren't for him back then... my dad..."

At this point, Wang Jingshu quickly stopped talking.

These matters were the Wang family's secrets, and she dared not speak of them carelessly.

He quickly changed the subject:

"Oh dear, whatever they're up to, the martial arts tournament on Fuyang Mountain is sure to be a lot of fun. Anyway, Master said we'd have a holiday these past few days, and I'm getting dizzy from studying at home. Shall we go check it out together?"

Although Wang Yangming was much more composed than Wang Jingshu, he was naturally unwilling to let this opportunity slip by, as he was often preoccupied with matters of state.

He was eager to see who would ultimately become the supreme martial arts master, and was thus sent to the capital to assassinate Zhao Hongxin.

Qingfeng was somewhat tempted, but still shook his head and said:

"My master is in seclusion and may be summoned at any time. I need to stay and keep watch."

Wang Jingshu was taken aback, looked at Mingyue, took her hand and shook it from side to side, and said coquettishly:

"Senior sister... Senior sister... Let's go together..."

Mingyue smiled and said:

"I'm not available."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yangming immediately interjected:

"Don't worry, senior sister. I've already arranged a carriage. We can just take it there."

Wang Yangming looked at Mingyue with eyes full of expectation.

Wang Jingshu then looked at Qingfeng and said:

"Senior Brother, let's go together. I'll arrange for someone to guard the courtyard later. If Master needs someone, there will always be someone to serve him."

Seeing this, Qingfeng felt somewhat helpless and turned to look at Mingyue.

Mingyue lowered her head and thought for a moment, then finally relented.

"Okay, let's go together."

Wang Jingshu was overjoyed and pulled Mingyue outside.

A smile also appeared on Wang Yangming's face as he looked at Qingfeng and said:

"Senior brother, please."

Qingfeng nodded, and the two walked side by side out of the courtyard.

Inside the room, Li Daoxuan, who was chanting incantations to warm the medicine furnace, naturally heard the commotion outside.

Fuyang Mountain is only about 20 miles away from Anyi County, and all four of them have the protective charms he left behind, so there is no need to worry.