nyslfriends Chapter 77 Farewell
Chapter 77 Farewell
Chapter 77 Farewell
The blue phoenix stood on the riverbank, watching Zhao Cheng'an put away the Qiankun bag. After a while, it spoke again.
Its voice remained clear and melodious, but its tone had become gentler.
"Six months from now, the Dao Court will send a celestial ship here."
"At that time, you need to be prepared to follow the fairy boat back to the mountain gate and officially become a citizen."
"The books in the Qiankun Bag are the foundational inheritance prepared for you by the sect. They contain three major sections: natural history, rune science, and the basics of magic and magical artifacts. You need to study diligently on your own. Once you arrive at the sect, there will be an entrance examination waiting for you."
"The entrance examination is related to the arrangement of future teaching plans, resource allocation, and so on."
"These six months must not be wasted."
Qingluan paused slightly at this point.
Those cyan-gold vertical pupils fell on Zhao Cheng'an, as if scrutinizing something.
After a moment, she nodded slightly, her voice becoming even gentler.
"The environment here is barren and the spiritual energy is scarce. It is truly remarkable that you have been able to cultivate to your current level in such a place."
"But remember, this is just the beginning."
"Within Tongming Mountain, geniuses abound. You stand out from the crowd in the Seven Kingdoms, but once you enter the mountain gate, you'll find that people like you are not uncommon. There are many who are stronger, more talented, and more hardworking than you."
"Don't be arrogant, and don't feel pressured."
"Maintain the resilience and curiosity you had at the Imperial Academy, avoid arrogance and impatience, and proceed steadily."
Zhao Cheng'an stood still and listened quietly to what was said.
Entering the Golden Core Dao lineage doesn't mean the end, but rather just the beginning. Even before he'd entered the gates, the pressure of the assessment already weighed on him. This slightly dampened his joy, but it only fueled Zhao Cheng'an's fighting spirit even more.
It's truly a joy to have all the geniuses of the East China Sea competing together!
He lowered his head slightly and bowed respectfully to the enormous blue phoenix.
"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will keep it in mind."
1
The blue phoenix nodded slightly.
It said no more and slowly unfolded its pair of sky-covering, azure wings.
A gentle yet powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from it, causing the ancient trees on both sides of Thousand Ears Valley to bow down in unison, as if paying homage to this Foundation Establishment stage divine bird.
The Azure Phoenix gently flapped its wings, and its massive body soared into the air.
It circled once in the sky before flying towards the golden rift that was not yet fully closed. The burning turquoise holy fire around it left a long trail of light in the clouds, as if igniting the entire sky.
The crack slowly closed.
The colorful light that filled the sky gradually dimmed and merged into the approaching night.
Zhou Ji and the others surrounded Zhao Cheng'an, their eyes fixed on the dark blue Qiankun bag, unable to look away for a long time.
Sun Fuli rubbed his hands together and leaned closer with a smile: "Brother Zhao, could you show us this? This is the first time in my life I've ever seen something like this in person."
Zhao Cheng'an handed over the Qiankun Bag.
Sun Fuli took it with both hands and carefully examined it several times.
After reading it, he passed it on to Xu Baiheng.
Xu Baiheng glanced at it twice and sighed softly, "The foundation of the Golden Core Dao lineage is indeed beyond our imagination."
The group of people congratulated Zhao Cheng'an for a while before gradually dispersing and going back to their own business.
The night is getting darker.
An oil lamp was lit in the study of the chief priest.
The dim light cast the shadows of the three people on the wall, which swayed gently with the flickering flames.
Shen Yanshan sat behind his desk, while Qi Weizhao sat on a wooden chair opposite him, holding a cup of hot tea. Zhao Cheng'an sat between the two, with the Qiankun bag and several books taken out of it spread out on the table in front of him.
Shen Yanshan stroked his beard and broke the silence: "Cheng'an, you've really opened my eyes today."
He paused, seemingly considering his words, but finally said it directly: "When your article was included in the Daoist Canon, I knew you had a bright future. At that time, my greatest hope was to train a student who could be admitted to a first-class Daoist lineage, and that would be enough for me in this life."
However, being chosen by the Golden Elixir lineage is beyond what the phrase "limitless future" can encompass. "The Phoenix Edict bestows its inscription, and ten thousand birds pay homage to the Phoenix—I've been at the Imperial Academy for over a hundred years, and this is the first time I've witnessed such a scene."
Qi Weizhao put down his teacup and nodded: "Tongming Mountain is the most open-minded in its academic atmosphere among the seven major Golden Elixir Daoist lineages. The fact that you were able to obtain their Phoenix Decree shows that your expertise in talismans and spiritual plants has been recognized by them."
"This is remarkable; you must not waste your talents."
Zhao Cheng'an lowered his head slightly: "I am able to be where I am today thanks to the teachings and tolerance of the two masters over the years."
"Alright, no need for further flattery." Shen Yanshan waved his hand. "What are your plans for the future? There are still six months until the immortal ship from Tongming Mountain arrives. You can't just stay in the bamboo house reading books forever, can you?"
Zhao Cheng'an nodded and said truthfully, "This disciple plans to return to Dayin first."
On the one hand, they need to say goodbye to their parents and friends and leave some things behind.
On the other hand—that is, matters related to demonic cultivators.
Shen Yanshan didn't press for a reason, but simply nodded: "It's only right. You've been away from your homeland for many years, and now that you've achieved success in your cultivation, going back to see your family will put an end to your worries. Go ahead, the affairs here at the Imperial Academy will be taken care of by me and Master Qi, so you don't need to worry about them."
Zhao Cheng'an stood up, took a step back, straightened his robes, and bowed solemnly to Shen Yanshan and Qi Weizhao.
"Thank you both for your teachings over the years."
After straightening up, he took out a pre-prepared Dao contract from his sleeve, placed both hands on the table, and gently pushed it toward Qi Weizhao.
"Master, this is the complete cultivation rights contract for the second-generation improved spiritual rice. I am willing to formally transfer the cultivation rights of this achievement to the Imperial Academy of the Seven Kingdoms. In the future, any new students who enter the academy can use this spiritual rice to assist their cultivation."
Qi Weizhao reached out and picked up the Dao contract, his gaze slowly sweeping over it.
He didn't speak immediately. After a while, he carefully put away the Dao Contract, looked up at Zhao Cheng'an, and said with a hint of emotion in his voice.
"Cheng'an, I accept your kind gesture on behalf of the Imperial Academy of the Seven Kingdoms."
He put down the Dao contract, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said gently, "It is because of your magnanimity that the Dao Court was able to be established, and the cultivation civilization of the East Sea Region was able to develop step by step to where it is today. You will surely go even further in Tongming Mountain in the future."
Zhao Cheng'an bowed slightly: "This disciple dares not accept such high praise."
"What's meant to be yours will be yours." Qi Weizhao waved his hand. "Go on, be careful on your way back."
Zhao Cheng'an responded, turned around, pushed open the study door, and walked out.
It was completely dark outside.
Chisui Valley was shrouded in a deep blue twilight. The distant stream shimmered with dappled white light under the moonlight, and autumn insects chirped softly in the grass.
Zhao Chengan walked back along the bluestone path for a short distance before he saw a tall figure standing under an old locust tree ahead.