For three consecutive days.
Princess Yunluo lingered near the Sutra Pavilion.
She saw the Wudang disciples and the remarkable golden monkey Jinling but not the young true immortal she sought.
Her eyes held regret.
Realizing her purpose might go unfulfilled.
Not all things go as planned, even for the Ming Emperor's sister, unable to force a land-dwelling immortal's appearance.
It wasn't an unseemly desire for Ning Changge but curiosity driving her.
Lady Yunluo remained, driven by curiosity.
Zhu Wushi approached with a wry smile:
"Yunluo, His Majesty knows you slipped away and sent me to bring you back."
Princess Yunluo wrinkled her nose, her charming face showing playful annoyance:
"Brother is so boring, always stuck in the royal city!"
Zhu Wushi could only smile wryly. Princess Yunluo's pampering allowed such audacity, unlike his own caution.
"Let's go before it inconveniences you, Uncle."
Princess Yunluo understood sensitivity, pouting as she followed Zhu Wushi, the imperial entourage readying to descend the mountain.
A powerful surge emanated from the Sutra Pavilion.
Zhu Wushi instinctively turned.
Their ranks of powerful warriors stirred awake.
To his utmost, he felt an overwhelmingly sharp aura rising, poised to pierce the heavens, seeming to slice him asunder, sending a shiver through his core.
"What sword intent is this? Such killing intent!"
Zhu Wushi gasped, shielding Yunluo.
He had encountered countless master swordsmen, but this terrifying sword intent was unparalleled, as if a mountain of corpses and sea of blood were contained within.
Princess Yunluo's eyes sparkled.
She dashed towards the Sutra Pavilion, seeing the faint image of a giant white tiger within the fluctuating aura, rushing forward.
Zhu Wushi was alarmed, fearing for Princess Yunluo's safety amidst the overpowering aura. Fortunately, the aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, almost making him doubt his perception.
It wasn't an illusion, only one possibility.
The young true immortal had gained new insights.
His brief stay at Wudang had revealed the other's swift, astounding progression. Such talent engendered envy.
Princess Yunluo hurried forward, her heart aflutter upon seeing the white tiger vanish, calling out:
"Could Yunluo be fortunate enough to see the young true immortal in person?"
Despite her curiosity, she maintained decorum.
The Sutra Pavilion was silent, Yunluo's anticipation turning to dejection until a faint voice spoke:
"Immersed in Dao, not seeing visitors."
Princess Yunluo bit her lip, bowing with slight sorrow:
"Apologies for disturbing the young true immortal's seclusion."
Her small desire was simply to satiate curiosity, having grown in the royal city and hearing Ning Changge's name, she had ventured out for the first time, tasting freedom's breath, yearning for a carefree life.
Rejection by Ning Changge felt like a significant setback.
Turning away dispirited.
A stream of light suddenly shot from the Sutra Pavilion, hovering before her.
Her eyes widened with disbelief, a small sword gleaming mysteriously hovered before her. Trembling, she reached for it, hearing Ning Changge's calm voice:
"Fate favors you today with this meeting. I gift you a sword for personal protection."
Princess Yunluo's delight was boundless, her small wish fulfilled, she immediately felt elated, her playful demeanor returning, bowing respectfully towards the pavilion:
"Thank you for the sword, young true immortal!"
The Sutra Pavilion remained silent.
Princess Yunluo's dejection turned to joy, she carefully stowed the sword, eyes gleaming, clutching her fists in delight:
"Young true immortal, I won't take your gift for free. Just wait, I'll bring my brother's Daoist texts for you!"
Zhu Wushi, hearing her muttered delight, couldn't help but smile wryly.
But at the sight of the gifted small sword, envy rose within. Any gift from the young true immortal was bound to be extraordinary!
He paid his respects to the pavilion, descending the mountain with Princess Yunluo.
Hearing Yunluo's joyous voice, Ning Changge couldn't help but smile.
Not oblivious to Yunluo's frequent visits, he gifted the sword not on a whim.
Firstly, despite Yunluo's noble, somewhat spoiled background, her pure and kind nature showed in her interactions with Wudang disciples and Jinling, meriting a protective gift.
Secondly, Ning Changge wished to study the imperial Dao of the Nine Provinces, embedding weak spiritual senses in the sword, usually dormant, to observe the ruler's path.
A significant reason.
Ancient lore states, the Nine Provinces' rulers are formidable.
The True Dragon Emperor's path can seamlessly lead to the land-dwelling immortal realm, perhaps inspiring Ning Changge himself.
Thus, a move in subtle chess.
Success was irrelevant.
Regarding Yunluo's playful intent to bring all of the Emperor's texts, Ning Changge merely smiled.
His spiritual sense noted Zhu Wushi and others descending the mountain, so he refocused, grasping the golden sword qi he had just devised!
The terrifying killing intent earlier stemmed from it.
"Gold embodies sharpness, embodying killing. My Gengjin White Tiger Sword Qi surpasses the Qinglong Sword Qi and Vermilion Bird Sword Qi in lethality!"
Ning Changge's eyes glowed with satisfaction.
Three of the Five Elemental Divine Sword Qi achieved.
Only water and earth remained to complete the cycle.
"Combining Five Elemental Swords with Five Elemental Divine Sword Qi, perfecting the foundation path, ensuring no obstacles in cultivation!"
Ning Changge exhaled deeply.
Having perused Daoist texts, his foundation deepened, capable of creating a perfect foundational method, striving to establish a Five Element foundation.
"Senior Brothers must now seek water and earth spiritual items."
"But no rush, I have time before reaching the twelfth perfection stage."
Ning Changge observed his inner state.
His spiritual power surged, partially liquefied, exemplifying the wondrous method, foreshadowing foundational realm power, a reason for his formidable strength.
"It's time to refine this sacred relic."
Ning Changge's distant gaze shifted as he summoned the bronze relic left by the Buddha he smote with thunder.
Gleaming, it floated before him.
A spiritual item by extraordinary methods rather than nature, likely formed from the Buddha's extensive resonance with cosmic forces, leaving traces combining with his essence.
"Pity the relic holds limited spiritual power. Yet, refined into an elixir with spiritual herbs, it aids advancing to the eleventh stage!"
Ning Changge summoned the Spirit Gathering Furnace.