Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 110 Unexpected Changes in Southern Xinjiang

The next morning, Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple and headed to Qingfeng Temple.

Qingfeng Temple is located on Qingfeng Mountain, which is several hundred miles away from Qingyun Mountain.

Zhou Ning did not ride a horse, but chose to walk.

Firstly, it allows them to cultivate along the way, and secondly, it allows them to observe the situation of the people in the north rebuilding their homes.

After walking for three days, he arrived at the foot of Qingfeng Mountain.

Unlike the last time I visited, Qingfeng Mountain was no longer shrouded in dark clouds. Sunlight shone through the forests, and everything seemed vibrant and full of life.

On the mountain path, several woodcutters were chopping wood. When they saw Zhou Ning, they all cast kind glances at him.

"Young man, are you here to offer incense at Qingfeng Temple?" an old man asked.

Zhou Ning nodded: "Yes."

The old man laughed and said:

"Master Xuanzhen of Qingfeng Temple is a good man. When the Black Mountain Demon caused trouble some time ago, he and his disciples protected the people in this area. You can't go wrong by going to him."

Zhou Ning smiled and continued climbing the mountain.

Qingfeng Temple still stands on the mountaintop, its green bricks and gray tiles nestled among the evergreen pines and cypresses.

Zhou Ning stepped forward and knocked on the door. A young Taoist priest opened the door; it was Mingxin.

"Young Master Zhou, you've arrived! Your master has been waiting for you for a long time." Mingxin led Zhou Ning into the Taoist temple.

Xuanzhenzi was meditating under a pine tree in the backyard when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

"Young Master Zhou, please have a seat."

Zhou Ning sat down opposite him and asked with concern, "Master Xuanzhen, your injury...?"

Xuanzhenzi waved his hand: "It's all better now. I'm getting old, so recovery is slower, but thankfully there haven't been any lasting effects."

He took a map from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

"This is a new map of the North. The Black Mountain Demon's forces have been completely wiped out, and the people are rebuilding their homes. However, there are still some places where the Black Mountain's demonic energy and resentment remain, which need to be slowly purified."

Looking at the map, Zhou Ning felt a surge of relief.

"Master Xuanzhen, you summoned me here just to tell me this?"

Xuanzhenzi shook his head: "No. I called you here to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Xuanzhenzi was silent for a moment, then said, "Although the Black Mountain Demon is dead, his master is still alive."

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat: "Master?"

Xuanzhenzi nodded: "The Black Mountain Demon is nothing more than a pawn. Behind him is an even more powerful being, the extraterrestrial demon."

Extraterrestrial Demon. This wasn't the first time Zhou Ning had heard this name. Yan Chixia had mentioned it, and so had Xuanzhenzi.

"Master Xuanzhen, are you saying that the extraterrestrial demons will return?"

Xuanzhenzi nodded.

"It's not 'they'll come again,' but 'they've always been there. They've never left. They're hiding in the void, waiting for their chance. The Black Mountain Demon's actions are all about accumulating power for them."

He paused, then continued:

"The Black Mountain Demon is dead, but the resentment and blood he accumulated have been absorbed by the extraterrestrial demons. Their power is stronger than before."

Zhou Ning clenched his fist: "Then what should we do?"

Xuanzhenzi said, "Improve ourselves. Only by becoming stronger can we protect our home when they come."

He looked at Zhou Ning, his eyes full of expectation:

"Young Master Zhou, you are Yan Chixia's disciple, the most outstanding young cultivator I have ever seen. I hope you can continue your cultivation and break through to the Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation stages as soon as possible, becoming a powerful figure capable of fighting against the extraterrestrial demons."

Zhou Ning solemnly replied, "I will."

He stayed at Qingfeng Temple for a few days, exchanged cultivation insights with Xuanzhenzi, helped handle some follow-up matters, and then bid farewell to Xuanzhenzi and returned to Lanruo Temple.

When they returned to Lanruo Temple, it was already half a month later.

Yan Chixia was practicing his sword on the back mountain. When he saw him return, he sheathed his sword.

"You're back?"

Zhou Ning nodded and reported Xuanzhenzi's words to his master.

Yan Chixia remained silent for a long time before saying:

"I've known about the extraterrestrial demons for a long time. The reason I didn't tell you is because your cultivation level is too low; knowing too much would be detrimental."

He paused, then continued, "But now that you've formed your Golden Core, you should know that."

He took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This is the cultivation method for the 'Transformation of the Divine Realm'. Take it back and study it. Once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, you can begin cultivating this."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade slip and solemnly said, "Thank you, Master."

Yan Chixia nodded and turned to walk towards the main hall.

"The path of cultivation is still long. Don't rush, take it one step at a time."

Zhou Ning stood there, gazing at his master's retreating figure, a firm belief welling up in his heart.

Extraterrestrial demons, no matter how strong you are, I will not back down.

Because behind me are people who need protection.

Yan Chixia's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in Zhou Ning's heart.

"The path of cultivation is still long. Don't rush, take it one step at a time."

The Master's voice was calm, yet it contained profound truths.

Zhou Ning returned to his residence, sat cross-legged on the bed, and closed his eyes in deep thought.

He reflected on his spiritual journey from becoming a disciple to the present day.

From sensing the Qi, to the Qi Refining stage, the Foundation Establishment stage, and then to the Golden Core stage, every step is difficult, but every step is taken steadily.

He never expected to achieve success overnight, nor did he ever become arrogant or complacent because of his temporary achievements.

"Don't rush," he told himself.

In the days that followed, Zhou Ning devoted more time to contemplating the world and cultivating his mind.

He meditates on the back mountain every day, listening to the wind, watching the clouds, appreciating the moon, and observing the flowers bloom and fade.

He combined the "Concentration Technique" and the "Innate Qi" to integrate his divine thoughts and true essence, allowing him to feel the righteous energy of heaven and earth.

He discovered that when his mind was calm enough, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would naturally flow into his body without needing to be deliberately guided.

The feeling was like a stream flowing into a river, and a river flowing into the sea—natural and without any obstruction.

"Is this what they mean by 'following the natural way'?" Zhou Ning seemed to understand.

He no longer deliberately tried to break through to the middle stage of the Golden Core realm, but instead allowed his true essence to flow naturally and his Golden Core to be nurtured naturally.

Within his dantian, the round golden elixir slowly rotated, radiating a warm golden light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

He could feel the power within the Golden Core growing stronger day by day, slowly but steadily.

On this day, he was meditating on the back mountain when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.

Zhou Ning took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Yan Chixia's voice echoed in his mind: "Zhou Ning, come to the main hall."

Zhou Ning stood up and strode into the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Yan Chixia stood before the incense table, holding a letter in his hand, his expression solemn.

His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze deep, as if he were pondering some difficult problem.

"Master, what happened?" Zhou Ning asked.

Yan Chixia handed him the letter:

"This was sent by Xuanzhenzi. An unusual celestial phenomenon has appeared near the Flaming Mountains in the Southern Frontier. Some say they saw black cracks opening in the sky, and some strange things could be vaguely seen within the cracks."

Zhou Ning took the letter, unfolded it, and read it.

The contents of the letter were consistent with what Yan Chixia had said, and it ended with a sentence:

"I suspect this is related to extraterrestrial demons. I humbly request Immortal Yan to make a decision."

"An extraterrestrial demon?" Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat.

Yan Chixia nodded:

"The extraterrestrial demons are lurking in the void. If they want to descend to the mortal realm, they need to open a spatial rift. The black rift that appeared in the Southern Frontier is very likely its attempt to do so."

He paused, then continued, "I must go to the southern border. You stay in the temple and continue your cultivation."

Zhou Ning said, "Master, I will go with you."

Yan Chixia shook his head: "No need. Your cultivation is not high enough, you wouldn't be of any help. Besides, Lanruo Temple needs someone to guard it. You stay here and wait for me to return."

He took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This jade talisman contains a full-force sword aura of mine. In a moment of crisis, it can save your life."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade talisman and solemnly said, "This disciple understands."

Yan Chixia nodded, turned and left the main hall.