When both the brother and sister were going to argue, an illuminating light appeared outside the abode and dissipated within seconds.
The Zhengyi sect knew that they had a visitor from the connoisseur. Without losing their courtesy, they went out together. They were surprised to see what awaited them. Even Su Xiuqing's expression was different.
The person that visited was Chen Jinchan, the headmaster of Qing Xuan. Quickly and without hesitation, they stepped forward to greet her.
Chen Jinchan gazed at them. Among the crowd, Su Xiuqing stood out. She was filled with Qi of Dao, like a flowing river and her mana purity was clearer than the blue sea and sky.
She was indeed a rare cultivation genius. It was no surprise there were rumors spreading that she was going to be the leader in the Southeast Yuan Continent.
The world was not only contained to Qing Xuan, talents were scattered all around.
Su Xiuqing noticed Chen Jinchan had her attention, she then responded, "Zhenren Chen, is there anything that I can help?"
With a smile, Chen Jinchan replied, "My master wanted to invite little celestial master to meet him at Taiyi Peak for a while."
Su Xiuqing's face turned red. She was a female and the night was getting dark soon. Hence, it was improper to meet Zhenren Shen alone.
In addition, Shen Lian had many romantic affair rumors in his early years. If she attended the meeting, even though there was nothing between them, no doubt there would be rumors. However, she would be seen as arrogant to refuse the invitation.
Before Su Xiuqing could weigh the pros and cons, her apprentice-brother encouraged happily, "Apprentice-sister, why are you hesitating? Zhenren Shen will be teaching you. Go quickly and don't let him wait."
Su Xiuqing was angry at first, then, almost immediately, something switched inside. Zhenren Shen was second of the world's cultivators. Qing Xuan's influence was dominant. Besides that, the cultivators that came were definitely related to Qing Xuan. She was just a firefly if compared to Zhenren Shen, which was like the moon. There was nothing to compare with between the both of them.
There would be a suspicion that she wanted to provoke Zhenren Shen. If she showed signs of refusal and the word of it leaked out, the whole Southeast Daoist sect would find trouble towards Zhengyi sect.
Furthermore, she could not put the blame on Zhenren Shen. After all, she was not worthy for Zhenren Shen to treat her hostile. Although she had great potential and high qualifications, the gap between both of them was enormous.
Su Xiuqing secretly sighed. She soon realized that she boasted greatly about her speed of cultivation and also belittled her apprentice-brother, she was going to take the connoisseur for granted. Her greatest outcome she obtained in Qing Xuan was to reflect the evil side of her heart.
Having said so, she was still a talented cultivator. Therefore, this time, her heart and mind were like a sword, cutting away the arrogant spirit. Humbly, she said, "I will meet Zhenren Shen."
"Follow me," Chen Jinchan ordered with a smile. Like a rainbow, the light passed through Taiyi Peak and Qingliang Hill and disappeared.
In Qing Xuan, most people were not allowed to fly, except those who were distinguished and honored. Hence, the light from the Qingliang Hill drew a lot of attention and the soon the news were slipped to many.
Some of the talkative cultivators wanted to talk about a love affair. However, before they started, the listeners left him as if they saw a plague.
These people were muddled. The celestials had supernatural powers. If caught with slandering, retribution was the only outcome. This was known as the karma effect.
Recalling the Daoist, he was an immortal land celestial with more than a thousand years experience in the path of Dao. Due to his karma with Zhenren Shen, he had to come to give his life. Therefore, what makes the others with no merits to gossip about Zhenren Shen?
When Su Xiuqing arrived behind Taiyi Peak, Chen Jinchan showed her the way and left as he needed to catch up with some celestials. Shen Lian was of high status and in a higher state. The others would be uncomfortable to talk to him after the Dragon Flower Assembly. At the same time, Shen Lian had no patience with networking. Therefore, Chen Jinchan was suitable for the role.
The stars shined brightly in the sky. It seemed so close that the stars seemed like it could be hand plucked. The path towards Shen Lian's home was shining brightly too. Su Xiuqing calmly walked to the end of the road. The door naturally opened and the interior was bright like the full moon fell into the house.
As she entered, there was no source of light.
Shen Lian laid on a stone couch, it seemed like he was sound asleep. Su Xiuqing did not dare to disturb Shen Lian so she quietly waited by the side. There was no superfluous decoration in his house, only a picture, hung in the hall. In the picture, there were mountains, rivers and a couplet. It wrote:
'There is nothing in the heaven and earth that I can rely on, I can only rely on myself;
The Book of He Tu Luo1 cannot be depended on, as its basis is all void.'
After reading the couplet, Su Xiuqing was amazed.
There were only Zhenren Shen and Zhenren Xiangshan who had that breadth of mind. She would take many years to reach that state. In fact, she might not reach it in this lifetime.
When she was not paying attention, Shen Lian got up.
immediately, Su Xiuqing gathered her thoughts, put her hands in front and bowed attentively.
Shen Lian smiled and commented, "You are not my disciple nor my grand-disciple, so it need not be so formal. We can lose the arrogance but do not lose your self-esteem.
Su Xiuqing responded, "Thank you for your advice. Zhenren Shen, why do you call me?"
Shen Lian answered, "I find that you have the potentials so I decided to direct your cultivation."
Su Xiuqing was comforted by Zhenren Shen's straightforwardness.
Shen Lian added, "After receiving the teachings, I demand some reward."
Su Xiuqing became ashamed as she thought the reward in the wrong way.
As she listened to Shen Lian's request, she knew that she overthought.
"The runes method from Zhengyi sect is authentic and successive generations had evolved it into a variety of methods. Hence, even the mortals were able to to use them. This gave Zhengyi sect a good reputation in the mundane world. I hope that you could work for me for a few years. Your job is to teach the cultivators some ordinary Talisman. It would be better than even people with different cultivation are able to use it too. Within the years that you work for me, you are free to ask any questions regarding the difficulties you face in your cultivation. I would not let you delay your cultivation and would give you an identity as a disciple under me. What do you think?" Shen Lian spoke carefully.
There were more cultivation sects here than the netherworld. The development of Qi cultivator was much better compared to Yinshang. For example, unlike the Qi cultivators in Yinshang, the runes method from Zhengyi sect was ingenious and it was able to be absorbed into different levels.
Su Xiuqing was a genius in runes method and the highest accomplisher in Zhengyi sect. Her uniqueness was she even managed to grow the Talisman Seed. Therefore, he hoped that he was able to bring her to the netherworld. This would help Da Zhou greatly.
At the same time, as Su Xiuqing was working, she would be able to receive some fortune of the nation. This would also enhance her cultivation. However, Shen Lian did not press further. It all depended on her decision. 河图洛书 - Book of He Tu Luo is the original source of culture in the ancient China.