Chapter 71

Mr. Le's tone was filled with endless sighs, what could have happened that even the teacher felt regretful? In Lu Zheng and Xin'er's eyes, Teacher Li Yi was meticulous in his actions and often earnestly taught them to think carefully about the consequences of their words and deeds in daily life.

Apart from being cautious in his words and actions, the teacher was a person with an extremely strong inner self. They had never seen him show any emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, always maintaining a stern and indifferent expression. It was even more unimaginable for him to feel regret. Therefore, the two were even more curious about what had happened to the teacher after he entered the Hundred Flowers Valley.

After exchanging names, Ling Zai Xin had already heard of Li Yi's great name, knowing that he was the 'Moon' of the 'Sun and Moon Two Gentlemen' in the Sun and Moon Hut, one of the top ten experts in the cultivation world. She naturally believed his words. With Li Yi's explanation, she fully understood the ins and outs of the matter.

After listening, Ling Zai Xin laughed out loud, thinking to herself, "I never expected that the famous Mr. Li would be so fond of food, flying all the way here just to be mistaken for a shameless and lustful person because of a fish!" Although this gentleman looked serious and respectful, he had no airs, and his sincerity and purity made her feel a sense of closeness. She said, "I see! Mr. Li, I was rash just now, and I apologize for my rudeness." As she spoke, she bowed to Li Yi.

Seeing this woman's straightforwardness and willingness to admit her mistake, Li Yi naturally did not mind. He returned the bow and said, "Miss Ling, you are too kind. I was also a bit hasty, thank you for your understanding, and please also thank Miss Xiao Lan!"

Ling Zai Xin glanced at Xiao Lan, who was curiously observing the two, though she did not understand what they were saying, she listened very attentively. Ling Zai Xin walked over and put the clothes Li Yi had given her back on Xiao Lan, then turned and said, "Xiao Lan is a blue fish from the Great Prison Abyss, larger than ordinary blue fish. I have been practicing here every day since I was young, and Xiao Lan has always been with me. I only talk to her about my inner thoughts. I never expected that she would become enlightened and transform into a human form."

This girl was truly strange, just a moment ago she was shouting to attack Li Yi, but now she was even telling him about her childhood.

Ling Zai Xin continued, "After Xiao Lan became enlightened, I taught her how to transform into a human form. It's strange, usually it takes a long time to guide a monster to transform into a human, and even after three to five years, it might not succeed. Perhaps because she listened to me speak from a young age, Xiao Lan only took a few months to show signs of forming a human shape. I calculated that it would happen today, and coincidentally, it was just when Mr. Li captured her, what a coincidence!"

Li Yi was stunned and looked at Xiao Lan. Her eyes seemed clear yet confused, but she looked at him with a gentle smile, and he said, "Rare, rare indeed!"

"That's why when Xiao Lan transformed into a human, I sensed it in the valley and flew here, only to see... a misunderstanding!" Ling Zai Xin laughed and asked curiously, "Mr. Li, I often hear my teacher say that cultivators value the purity of their essence and energy, unlike ordinary people who eat grains, meat, and vegetables, which can make their energy impure. Therefore, there are techniques like abstaining from grains and eating the essence of the sun and moon to maintain a clear and vigorous spirit. Why is Mr. Li so eager for food?"

Li Yi said, "Food should be refined, and dishes should be finely prepared. The nourishment of food is not just for the body. The harmony of the five flavors is as profound as the alchemy techniques of the Daoist immortals."

Li Yi said this with a serious face, but Ling Zai Xin felt that this great man was just making an excuse for his greed, though he spoke convincingly. She said, "Mr. Li, to apologize, please come to the Hundred Flowers Valley. Although the cultivators in the Hundred Flowers Valley usually eat only grass, dew, and water, and have no fine dishes, there is a drink called 'Hundred Flowers Brew,' made from the essence of various flowers, which is fragrant and delicious. Please come and taste it as a way for me to apologize."

Hearing the name 'Hundred Flowers Brew,' Li Yi was intrigued and was about to agree when he suddenly remembered that the Hundred Flowers Valley was full of female cultivators, and Lian Huanchen had once forbidden men from entering. He said, "I am a man, and it would be inconvenient. I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline."

Ling Zai Xin said, "To be honest, I am now the valley master of the Hundred Flowers Valley. After my teacher passed away, the ban she imposed was not a rule of the valley but a personal order, which naturally was lifted. I hope Mr. Li will not refuse. In fact, besides inviting Mr. Li to taste the Hundred Flowers Brew, I have another request, and I hope Mr. Li will grant it."

Li Yi said, "What is it, Valley Master Ling?" He knew Ling Zai Xin was the new valley master and changed his address.

Ling Zai Xin bowed deeply and said, "Since my teacher passed away, I have been struggling to make progress without guidance. Mr. Li is a great cultivator. Could you please give me some guidance? If Mr. Li feels it is too abrupt, consider it as if I never said it."

In the cultivation world, it is common for cultivators to seek guidance from seniors or those of higher realms, but it must be with the permission of their own teacher and under the right circumstances. Cultivators respect their teachers and would never seek guidance without their teacher's consent, which is a taboo. Now that Ling Zai Xin's teacher had passed away and she had no one to guide her, using this opportunity to seek guidance from Li Yi was appropriate.

Li Yi gently helped Ling Zai Xin up, looking at her dress, which no longer had any petals attached, and the peach branch in her hand, which had only a few buds and one withered flower. He then looked at Xiao Lan, who was wearing his clothes, and finally nodded, "Very well, I will trouble Valley Master Ling."

The peach branch Ling Zai Xin held was not an ordinary one but a magical tool, a symbol of the valley master of the Hundred Flowers Valley. This peach branch came from the divine peach tree on Taodu Mountain and was refined into a magical tool by the predecessors of the Hundred Flowers Valley. The more powerful the valley master, the more buds and flowers on the branch. When the tool was passed to the next valley master, all the flowers would wither, and the new master would need to use their own cultivation to make the flowers bloom again. It is said that the most flowers ever bloomed on the branch were 108.

Hearing Li Yi's agreement, Ling Zai Xin was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Li. This is wonderful. There is one more thing, Xiao Lan has transformed into a human, and I want to take her back to the Hundred Flowers Valley to cultivate, but my cultivation is not sufficient to carry her through the air. I have to trouble Mr. Li."

Li Yi nodded and said, "Valley Master Ling, please lead the way."

Ling Zai Xin thanked Li Yi and flew off. She wore a white dress, held a peach branch, and moved gracefully, like a celestial maiden descending from heaven. Li Yi said to Xiao Lan, "Miss Xiao Lan, I will take you flying. Don't be afraid!"

Xiao Lan, still somewhat confused, smiled when Li Yi spoke. Li Yi, taken aback, used his magical power and followed Ling Zai Xin into the air.

Soon, the three landed. When Ling Zai Xin saw Li Yi and Xiao Lan land, Li Yi's hands were hidden in his sleeves behind his back, and Xiao Lan was about ten feet away from him. She felt that Li Yi was indeed a gentleman and admired his magical power. Carrying someone through the air without touching them was much more difficult than holding them.

Ling Zai Xin said, "Mr. Li, this is the Hundred Flowers Valley, please come in."

The place where the three landed was the entrance to a valley. Li Yi looked up and saw two peaks reaching into the clouds, standing guard at the entrance. Inside the valley, mist and clouds swirled, extending out, making it impossible to see what was inside. Li Yi knew that this mist was an array, the protective array of the Hundred Flowers Valley. Even ordinary cultivators using various magical powers might not be able to see through the mist and understand the situation inside. Without permission, entering the valley would result in being lost or trapped by the array, and in the worst case, being killed by the array.

The headquarters of various cultivation sects and large cultivation families often have various arrays set up based on the terrain to protect their mountains. These arrays not only protect the sect but also have the function of gathering the essence of heaven and earth, greatly benefiting the disciples within the sect.

Ling Zai Xin invited them in but did not move, her eyes smiling, as if she wanted to test the legendary top ten experts with the protective array of the Hundred Flowers Valley. The mist array at the entrance of the Hundred Flowers Valley is called the Cloud Travel Array, perfected by the valley masters over generations, unpredictable and powerful.

Li Yi, as a guest, could not break the protective array. Finding the weakness in the array and breaking it was much more difficult than letting it display its full power. Since the array is called Cloud Travel, it suggests that it is a highly changeable and confusing array.

Li Yi looked at the misty entrance, understanding Ling Zai Xin's intention, and thought, "This girl is simple yet cunning, which is not good for cultivation." With this thought, he stepped into the mist first!