Chapter 36

"Brother, I have troubled you with this matter."

The speaker seemed to be at the edge of a cliff. When Su Peng heard this, he was curious. Just then, he saw a person slowly ascending from below the cliff.

Seeing this, Su Peng was instantly shocked. He couldn't help but be surprised. Even if someone climbed up directly from the bottom of the cliff, it wouldn't have surprised him as much as this person, who was actually slowly 'flying' up!

This was clearly not a case of using force to leap, but a genuine 'flight'.

Seeing Su Peng's shocked expression, Dugu Sheng whispered, "Eldest Brother's martial arts have reached a realm where he can control short-distance flight using his qi."

"Is it just controlling flight with qi?" Su Peng was still unable to suppress his shock. To be able to control flight with qi? To what terrifying level must one cultivate this internal energy?

The person who had risen from the cliff did not have any intention of showing off. Upon reaching the edge of the cliff, he took a step forward and walked onto the cliff.

At this moment, Su Peng finally got a good look at the person's face, but found that he couldn't accurately describe it.

It wasn't that the person lacked distinctive features, but rather, they were too distinctive, making it difficult for Su Peng to describe.

For example, at first glance, the person seemed to be around thirty, but upon closer inspection, he seemed to be in his early forties. However, upon further observation, it seemed that if the person shaved his beard, he would be in his early twenties.

The person's demeanor gave the impression of someone well-versed in literature, not like a martial artist, but more like a scholar who had passed the imperial exams and was well-read.

However, occasionally, his demeanor gave the impression of someone who was disillusioned with the world.

Yet, no one could deny that at this moment, he gave off a slightly dispirited feeling. Whether it was his untrimmed beard or the purple wine gourd in his hand, it all contributed to this impression. However, his clothes, though not of the highest quality, were exceptionally clean, indicating that he paid great attention to his appearance.

In short, there were countless small, somewhat contradictory points about this person that made it difficult to describe him specifically.

"Is this Eldest Brother? The person whom those in the martial world, though not necessarily revering as a deity, still hold in high regard?" Su Peng thought to himself.

At this moment, the man saw Su Peng and nodded slightly, saying, "I assume you are the one holding the Four Elements Black Iron Token."

Su Peng nodded. Although this person had a somewhat dispirited appearance, his words carried a transcendent calm, different from Dugu Sheng's ancient and unchanging demeanor. It had a mysterious and profound quality, making one feel that his every word followed some subtle and unfathomable law, making it impossible to resist, and one didn't want to resist.

"I am Su Peng, and I have met Eldest Brother." Su Peng felt the person's extraordinary bearing and the terrifying level of his martial arts, so he decided to be low-key and cooperative.

The person nodded and said, "My name is Xu Daoqi. The Four Elements Black Iron Token was issued by me. The token has some sentimental value to me. Could you return it to me?"

Su Peng nodded and walked over to hand the token to Xu Daoqi.

After Dugu Sheng had seen the token, he returned it to Su Peng. Now, Eldest Brother Xu Daoqi's words made Su Peng feel comfortable, with no sense of coercion. He felt that even if he refused, Eldest Brother wouldn't forcibly take it but would find another way to get it.

At this moment, Su Peng walked to the edge of the cliff and saw where Eldest Brother had been. About four or five meters below the cliff, there was a stone niche that could accommodate a person lying down. Above the niche was a protrusion that protected it from rain and wind, making it a good place, though ordinary people wouldn't have the courage to drink and watch the sunset there.

After giving the Black Iron Token to Eldest Brother Xu Daoqi, Xu Daoqi looked at it for a long time, sighed, and said, "Brother, take Su Peng to see the master. Tell him that I also recommend this person... The events of ten years ago have troubled you and the master."

"Eldest Brother, what are you saying?" Dugu Sheng said. The giant seemed to have great respect for Xu Daoqi. From Su Peng's brief interaction with Dugu Sheng, he knew that for Dugu Sheng to respect someone, it wasn't just because of their high martial arts skills. Eldest Brother Xu Daoqi must have other qualities that earned respect.

However, Su Peng didn't have time to think further. After bidding farewell to Eldest Brother Xu Daoqi, Su Peng and Dugu Sheng continued along the cliff, heading deeper into the mountain.

After walking for some distance, Su Peng finally asked Dugu Sheng about his doubts, saying, "Eldest Brother Dugu, Eldest Brother seems somewhat dispirited. Is there something that has troubled him?"

Dugu Sheng didn't answer for a long time. After a while, he sighed and said, "Eldest Brother has already mastered the essence of transcendent cultivation, but he is extremely emotional and passionate, with his own troubles."

Then he didn't want to continue.

Su Peng, understanding, didn't press further. However, he had a general idea that it was probably related to a woman. Given the character of Eldest Brother he had seen, it was likely a touching and classic love story.

Dugu Sheng didn't want to talk about it, and Su Peng wanted to talk but didn't. They reached a tacit understanding and continued walking. After passing through a pine forest enhanced by an array, Su Peng finally arrived at the main hall of the Zixia Sect.

It was a building that resembled a Taoist temple, but it was entirely purple. Su Peng secretly marveled, knowing that even in the current era of divided heroes, with its ancient setting, there were still some taboos. Not many people would openly rebel by making their residence purple, which was a clear act of usurpation.

Dugu Sheng, however, didn't seem to care much. He led Su Peng into the building, which resembled a Taoist temple, and walked inside. In the inner hall, there were two boys, but they weren't dressed as Taoist boys. They merely nodded slightly to Dugu Sheng and then went about their business.

Dugu Sheng led Su Peng into the rear hall, which was a vast hall that resembled a training ground, but there were no statues of deities. There was only an old Taoist with a white beard sitting on a mat, meditating with his eyes closed.

Dugu Sheng and Su Peng walked over. Dugu Sheng stood quietly beside the old Taoist for a moment before saying, "Master, the disciple chosen by Eldest Brother on your behalf has been brought here."

Su Peng looked at the old Taoist. His hair and beard were white, but his face was rosy, making it difficult to guess his age. However, Su Peng estimated that he was at least seventy years old.

The old Taoist opened his eyes and looked at Su Peng. Su Peng didn't feel the old Taoist's gaze to be particularly piercing; instead, he felt a very comfortable sensation, as if his body was becoming transparent, as if his meridians were being cleansed.

"This old Taoist is truly accomplished! His gaze is clear and refreshing. Just one look at me, and I feel my body becoming transparent, as if my meridians are being cleansed. Truly impressive!" Su Peng quickly regained his composure and looked at the old Taoist with admiration.

"Hehe, no need to be nervous. What is your name?" The old Taoist smiled kindly, and Su Peng felt as if he was basking in a warm spring breeze, finding him to be a very good master. He answered, "I am Su Peng."

"Very good. However, I still don't know if you have the aptitude to cultivate on Zixia Mountain. Stay here for a few days and get to know everyone." The old Taoist nodded and then closed his eyes again.

"Is he accepting me as a disciple, or not?" Su Peng wondered, looking at the old Taoist, who had already entered a meditative state again.

Dugu Sheng, however, understood. He knew that his master had special abilities. Today's "very good" only meant that Su Peng was a good person, not evil, but didn't determine his other qualities and aptitude. Over the next few days, he would be tested further.

Thinking this, Dugu Sheng nodded and said to Su Peng, "Follow me."

The two left the building. Dugu Sheng led Su Peng to a two-story bamboo house and said, "You can stay here for now. I live in a wooden pavilion nearby. If you need anything, let me know, and someone will bring it to you."

Although Su Peng was still thinking about being accepted as a disciple, seeing the behavior of the other disciples, he knew that they were not ordinary people and had a certain selection method. He decided not to rush and nodded, saying, "I will stay here, then."

Dugu Sheng nodded and left.

Su Peng entered the bamboo house and found that the space was quite large and very quiet. The view from the window was also nice. On the second floor, there was a bed and a rattan table with a few books. Su Peng had nothing to do, so he read for a while.

However, not long after, he saw a boy walking up to the house. It was the same boy he had seen in the temple. The boy's clear voice called out from below...

~~~

I had some matters today, so the update is late. Apologies.

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