036. Passing Through

Lingyu rode atop the crane, gazing down from the heights, feeling as if the ground beneath her feet was slipping away. The paper crane was a type of talisman used for travel, but because its power was immense, its use was strictly regulated. Only the most skilled talisman masters of the Talisman Pavilion could craft them, and they were never distributed to disciples lightly. This was Lingyu’s first time flying on a paper crane.

Yet she had always been fearless, and soon excitement replaced any tension.

“Junior Sister Cheng, how does it feel?” The wind was strong in the sky, and Zhang Qingshu shouted to her.

Lingyu nodded, her eyes shining. “Not bad at all.”

“Junior Sister Yu?” Dantai Yu’s voice came from nearby.

Lingyu turned to look and found Yu Xiyin lagging behind, her face pale.

Lingyu hurriedly guided her crane over. “Senior Sister Yu, are you alright?”

Yu Xiyin clung to the crane’s neck, sweat beading on her face, her hands frozen with anxiety. She managed, “I’m… I’m fine…”

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister Yu. As long as you hold tight, you won’t fall. And even if you do, we’re all here! Right, Senior Brother Dantai?”

Dantai Yu, whose gentle name belied his robust appearance, flashed a bright smile. “Junior Sister Cheng is absolutely right. Don’t be afraid, Junior Sister Yu.”

Zhang Qingshu and Sheng Yangqiu flew closer, surrounding Yu Xiyin. “You fly in the middle, Junior Sister Yu. If anything happens, we’re here.”

Grateful, Yu Xiyin nodded. With her four companions guarding her, her anxiety eased, and she gradually steadied herself, though she didn’t dare glance down. About an hour later, as the crane’s spiritual energy waned, the five found a safe spot to descend and rest.

Travel talismans were much simpler to make than magical artifacts, but their flaws were obvious—they could not be used for long and were easily damaged. Before departing, their sect had given each of them three paper cranes, enough for their three-month journey. If they were careful, one might suffice.

Paper cranes were precious; even Zhang Qingshu could only occasionally obtain one from Zhang Zhaoguan for a thrill. Each of them cherished theirs, descending to rest whenever the energy was low, replenishing it before setting out again.

The second ascent saw Yu Xiyin much calmer, flying steadily behind the others, sometimes daring a glance down.

They flew for most of the day, and by late afternoon, they descended and sought lodging at a small temple. Flying in the sky was exhilarating, but it was exhausting and stressful.

The temple was tiny, occupying barely five or six acres, with only a single main hall and two courtyards—enough for perhaps ten Taoists. Judging by the sign at the gate, it was a forest temple.

Zhang Qingshu stepped forward and called for the gate to be opened. A young novice hurried out, scarcely more than ten years old, simply dressed. Seeing their fine robes embroidered with the mark of Xuanyuan Temple, he was flustered and ushered them in without even speaking properly.

The novice led them to a side hall, served them spiritual tea, and ran to fetch his master.

Such forest temples lacked the qualifications to formally accept disciples, and the novices were not true Taoists. The so-called master was merely a title, much like at Baishui Temple, where Lingyu and Xianshi called Xuanchenzi their master without a proper lineage.

Soon, an old Taoist with grizzled hair and beard entered the side hall, greeting them. “I am Guangningzi. Greetings, fellow Daoists.”

Lingyu and her companions rose politely. “Greetings, Daoist Guangningzi.”

They each introduced themselves and sat once more.

Guangningzi, too, was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. Judging by his aged appearance, he was likely past eighty, though cultivators seemed younger and stronger than mortals—he looked no older than sixty and was full of vigor.

“Young and promising, all of you,” Guangningzi observed, unable to hide his envy. With the same cultivation, these five were barely twenty, while he was halfway to his grave—a cause for lament.

Zhang Qingshu smiled. “Daoist, you flatter us. There are many talented people in the world; we’re nothing special.” He spoke truthfully. In Xuanyuan Temple, only those who reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement before twenty could become elite disciples. Among them, they were considered good, but above the elite disciples were the true heirs, and compared to those prodigies, they were merely ordinary.

“Daoist Zhang, you are too modest.” Guangningzi offered further praise—calling them heaven’s chosen, prodigiously gifted—until the five were nearly floating with pride. Finally, he turned to business. “May I ask what brings you to our temple?”

Zhang Qingshu replied, “We have business to attend to and passed through here. As dusk approaches, we seek a place to lodge. We hope you will accommodate us.”

“Oh…” Guangningzi nodded. “Are you searching for materials to repair the Heavenly Pillar?”

“That’s right.” A trace of surprise flashed in Zhang Qingshu’s eyes. “Daoist, you’re well-informed!”

Guangningzi waved his hand. “To be honest, I only heard of it this morning from the signal talisman sent by your temple.” He sighed, troubled. “The Heavenly Pillar is fractured; disaster looms. We’ve been assigned many tasks and are quite at a loss.”

Zhang Qingshu smiled mildly. “There’s nothing to be done. If the Heavenly Pillar collapses, the world will perish and we’ll all suffer. Gathering materials isn’t for others, but for ourselves and our loved ones.”

“Quite right, Daoist Zhang. Our temple plans to send out most of our members to contribute to the repairs.”

Lingyu listened to the conversation, occasionally sipping tea, as the rest interjected now and then.

After some idle chatter, seeing their lack of enthusiasm, Guangningzi wisely arranged for them to rest and refrained from further conversation.

The temple was small, accommodating few guests. The five of them were given only two rooms, separated by gender. The conditions were simple, but they cared little, tending to themselves and meditating to restore their spiritual energy.

In the evening, Guangningzi sent someone to invite them to a banquet. Lingyu and Yu Xiyin excused themselves, claiming ill health, while Zhang Qingshu and the others attended.

About an hour later, Zhang Qingshu returned and knocked at their door.

Lingyu opened the door to find him slightly drunk. She quickly invited him in and poured tea. “Senior Brother Qingshu, what’s wrong?”

Zhang Qingshu reeked of alcohol and drained the tea in one gulp. “That old Taoist has some nerve!”

The old Taoist—Guangningzi?

“Senior Brother Qingshu, what about him?” Yu Xiyin came over.

Zhang Qingshu explained, “Guangningzi mentioned a nearby Black Dragon Pool that grows deer antler fungus in abundance. However, the area is rife with marsh gas and many poisonous plants and creatures. He wants us to join forces, explore it together, and split the deer antler fungus evenly.”

“Deer antler fungus? Isn’t that one of the materials we’re supposed to collect?” Yu Xiyin asked. “Did you refuse him, Senior Brother?”

Zhang Qingshu shook his head. “Including himself, the temple only has five cultivators, most of whom are second or third level. If we work with them, we’ll be doing all the heavy lifting. Besides, this place isn’t far from Abyss City, and Black Dragon Pool isn’t their property. Why hasn’t anyone else harvested the deer antler fungus? There must be dangers. That old Taoist is trying to trick us!”

Yu Xiyin was shocked. “We’re less than a day’s journey from Xuanyuan Temple. Does he really dare to plot against Xuanyuan disciples?”

Zhang Qingshu curled his lip. “Don’t be too trusting, Junior Sister Yu. With disaster looming, the three great temples carry the burden, but who knows if they’ll survive? When dynasties changed, even Baishui Temple, once the greatest in the world, fell in a few decades. How much more so when confronted with calamity?”

Lingyu agreed. “Senior Brother speaks true. If we succeed, we do all the work. If we fail, it’s we who suffer. No wonder that old Taoist kept flattering us, pouring sweet words like water!”

“He thinks we’re young and easy to fool!” Zhang Qingshu sneered. “We have our mission. Let’s not bother with them for now, we’ll deal with it when we return.”