bookbashuk Chapter 42 "Five Qi Smoke Scene Cloth"
Chapter 42 "Five Qi Smoke Scene Cloth"
a few days later.
In the courtyard of Xuanzhenfang.
After Chen Bai finished drawing the required number of talismans for the day, he was about to meditate to consolidate his cultivation when a soft knock came from outside the door.
The knocking was neither too fast nor too slow, but rather rhythmic.
He opened the door, and a maid dressed in blue stood outside.
She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with her hair styled in two buns. She had a delicate and lovely face, and her clothes were embroidered with a small lotus flower pattern.
When the maid saw him, she bowed respectfully, took out a light pink letter from her sleeve, and presented it with both hands.
"Young Master Chen, my fairy has heard that you have attained the state of fetal breathing, and has specially sent her maid to deliver this message."
The fairy said that a tea party was being held this afternoon on the Tingyun Boat, and several fellow Daoists had been invited. She would like to invite you to join them for a chat.
Chen Bai took the letter and unfolded it. The handwriting was delicate and graceful, and the signature was "Le Yi".
The letter conveyed roughly the same message as what the maid had said: congratulating him on breaking through to the embryonic breathing stage and inviting him to a gathering that afternoon, saying that she would introduce him to several fellow Daoists.
The letter ended with a note that read, "No need for gifts, just come in person."
Chen Bai closed the letter, feeling a warmth in his heart.
He hadn't known Fairy Yueyi for very long. When they first met in the market, he was just a mortal who hadn't even reached the threshold of fetal breathing.
Now that he has broken through the fetal breathing stage, the other party immediately sent someone to invite him, which shows their sincerity.
"Please inform the fairy that I, Chen, will certainly keep the appointment on time."
The maid responded, bowed again, and then turned and left.
Chen Bai watched her figure disappear at the alley entrance, then turned and went back into the house.
He pondered for a moment, then changed into a clean and tidy blue long gown.
Although this outfit wasn't a magical artifact or robe, it was clean and neat, and it accentuated his upright posture.
After getting ready, seeing that it was still early, he sat cross-legged on the bed for about half an hour, circulating his qi through the body several times as usual to strengthen his embryonic breathing, before getting up and going out.
The rented courtyard was already quite close to Fairy Yueyi's residence, and they arrived there soon.
Fairy Yueyi was already waiting inside the door. Today she was wearing a light green dress with a moon-white gauze over it. Her black hair was loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, and she looked refreshing and gentle.
When she saw Chen Bai arrive, Le Yi smiled, her smile filled with genuine joy.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen, on attaining the state of embryonic breathing. From now on, you are a true member of the immortal family."
Her voice was soft and gentle, unhurried, like a clear spring flowing past your ear.
"Thank you for your concern, fairy."
Chen Bai returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone frank, "I only managed to cross this threshold by luck; I'm still far from being a true immortal."
Fairy Yueyi shook her head slightly, seemingly disagreeing with his humble words, but did not say anything more polite.
She stepped aside to make way for the doorway and led Chen Bai into the courtyard, where they sat down at the stone table.
After the maid served two cups of tea, she withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.
"The reason I invited you here today is to ask you what your plans are for the future."
Fairy Yueyi picked up her teacup but didn't drink it immediately. She gently stirred the tea leaves floating on the surface with the lid. "If there are already arrangements, I won't interfere. If not, I do know a few fellow Daoists I'd like to introduce you to."
Chen Bai raised an eyebrow slightly, not in a hurry to answer.
Seeing this, Fairy Yueyi put down her teacup and gave him a general overview of today's tea party.
She spoke in the same unhurried tone, but with great clarity, explaining the backgrounds and origins of each fellow Daoist at the tea party in just a few words.
"Among the fellow Daoists who have come today, several are disciples of the Immortal Clan. Among them, the most distinguished is Wei Changfeng, a direct descendant of the Wei family of the Immortal Clan."
The Wei family has been rooted in Yuluo Prefecture for hundreds of years and has a profound heritage. Although this young master Wei is of the direct line, he is not arrogant and is a person worth befriending.
In addition, there were several other disciples of the immortal clan, but most of them were from collateral branches or were born out of wedlock. They were of decent talent but arrogant in nature, so there was no need to make too much effort to befriend them.
Chen Bai nodded and silently memorized it.
"Besides the immortals, there are several fellow cultivators who are independent cultivators, each with their own strengths, and you should get to know them well."
Fairy Yueyi paused briefly before adding another sentence.
"In addition, several fairies from two other immortal sects—the Spirit Sword Sect and the Three Peaks Taoist Temple—whom I have a good personal relationship with will also be attending the gathering."
Among them was a fairy named Zhang Ruxue, an inner disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect. She came from the Zhang family of the immortal clan, and although her family had fallen on hard times, she possessed extraordinary talent and was highly regarded within the Spirit Sword Sect.
Chen Bai keenly noticed the subtle pause in Fairy Yueyi's tone when she said those words.
He didn't ask any more questions, but just listened quietly.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang is somewhat arrogant and doesn't like to beat around the bush when he speaks."
If she offends you in any way later, I hope you will forgive her for my sake.
When Fairy Yueyi said this, her tone was somewhat apologetic, clearly showing that she was genuinely considering Chen Bai's feelings.
"Rest assured, fairy."
Chen Bai smiled and said, "Since you are a friend of the fairy, I will naturally treat you with courtesy."
Seeing that he looked calm and showed no sign of reluctance, Fairy Yueyi nodded in relief.
She stood up, took out a light pink handkerchief from her sleeve, and tossed it gently.
The handkerchief, once released from her hand, hung suspended in mid-air and slowly unfolded.
The handkerchief was about three feet square, made of a light and thin material like a cicada's wing. It had a scarlet background embroidered with a few strands of light blue smoky patterns, and the edges were decorated with a circle of fine silver tassels.
The most peculiar thing is that when the handkerchief is unfolded, the surrounding air seems to be gently stirred by something, and faint five-colored smoke rises and flows on the surface of the handkerchief, adding a touch of mystery to this small magical artifact.
"This is a magical artifact for embryonic breathing, bestowed upon us by our clan, called the 'Five Qi Smoke Landscape Cloth'."
Fairy Yueyi explained, "Although it looks unremarkable, it has two mysterious functions: self-defense and flight. It can easily carry two people."
As she spoke, she stepped onto the handkerchief first.
The handkerchief, as thin as a cicada's wing, remained perfectly still beneath her feet, as if she were standing firmly on solid ground.
Chen Bai followed her example and stepped onto it. The touch under his feet was soft yet firm, like stepping on a very thick layer of silk.
Fairy Yueyi made a hand seal, and the five-colored smoke around the handkerchief swirled slightly, lifting the two of them slowly upwards.
Chen Bai felt his feet lighten, and he was lifted off the ground, floating lightly into the sky.
The handkerchief rose at a steady, moderate pace, with an invisible barrier around it blocking the wind from blowing in your face. Standing on it, you felt no bumps at all.
Chen Bai looked down at the streets and houses that were gradually shrinking beneath his feet, and a sense of indescribable wonder welled up in his heart.
This was the first time he had ever experienced being so high up in this world, overlooking mountains and cities.