Chapter 19

Xiangyu asked suspiciously, "How did you know our identities?"

Xuankong smiled and said, "This entire Laoshan Sect was built by my master and me. The Qingxian Hall is even inscribed with the Nine Heavens Lightning Formation. How could ordinary people come and go as they please? But you two seem to know everything about the inner workings of our sect, so I guessed that you might be the spirits of the plants in the courtyard."

Jiangxue and Xiangyu both clapped and laughed, telling Xuankong about their origins. Indeed, they were the white peony and mountain tea flower that he had transplanted from Kunlun Mountain.

Xuankong marveled, "In the stories I read in 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,' Pu Songling only wrote about two flower spirits living in front of the Qinggong Temple on Laoshan Mountain. I didn't realize that it was because of my curiosity, trying to match the descriptions in the book, that I transplanted them from Kunlun Mountain."

Jiangxue covered her mouth and laughed, "I noticed that every time you entered or left the Qingxian Hall, your eyes would scan over us. I thought you already knew our identities."

Xuankong's face turned red, remembering his childhood when he would show off his magic outside the Qingxian Hall. Now, he realized that Jiangxue and Xiangyu must have seen everything. It had been over ten years, and he was now an adult.

Thinking about his past and present, he couldn't help but sigh, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiangyu and Jiangxue had watched Xuankong grow up from a child and were curious about his many ideas. Xiangyu leaned closer to Xuankong, looking even more graceful and beautiful, truly a rare flower spirit.

Xuankong exclaimed, remembering that he was still talking to Xiangyu, and shook his head, "My master allowing me to leave the mountain is a long-held wish of mine. If I can use this opportunity to spread the fame of the Laoshan Sect, it would be great."

Jiangxue was taken aback and said, "I thought you lived alone on the back mountain because you were proud and didn't want to associate with others."

"Where did you get that idea?" Xuankong chuckled, "It's just that my fellow disciples have too many distractions and can't focus on the path to immortality. Interacting with them is a waste of time."

Xiangyu recalled and agreed that the disciples of the Laoshan Sect were indeed as Xuankong described. Over the years, many had come and gone, but few had truly mastered the teachings of the sect.

They were all just using the opportunity to learn some magical techniques to show off in the secular world.

"The path to immortality is divided into three levels: Dao, Fa, and Shu," Xuankong said, counting on his fingers. "Below the Great Dao, there are 48,000 side paths and methods. Even side paths can lead to enlightenment. Unfortunately, my fellow disciples lack the Dao and the Fa, and only seek the mysterious techniques, thus moving further away from the Great Dao."

Xiangyu and Jiangxue agreed, knowing that Xuankong aspired to become an immortal and achieve enlightenment. They advised him to get along with his fellow disciples but didn't take it too seriously.

Xuankong and the two sisters had been communicating in the dark for over ten years. Now that they could finally meet face to face, they talked for a long time.

Unconsciously, the sun had set, and it was getting dark.

Jiangxue calculated the time and was surprised to find that the moon was already high in the sky. They bowed slightly to Xuankong and said, "It's getting late. We need to go back and continue our cultivation. We'll meet again when the opportunity arises."

Xiangyu stood up reluctantly, knowing that Xuankong was about to leave the mountain, and it might be a long time before they met again.

Thinking about how they had just opened up to each other but were now parting, she felt a bit sad.

Xuankong, however, was optimistic, knowing that there would be many more opportunities to meet. He comforted them, "You are spirits of plants, and the essence of the sun and moon is crucial for you. I should let you go, but as fellow cultivators, we will meet again. Don't let the length of time affect your cultivation."

Xiangyu was not convinced, thought for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. She smiled, "After we return, we will enter seclusion to cultivate. It won't be long before we face the heavenly tribulation and transform. Once we transform, we can meet often!"

Xuankong was startled. The heavenly tribulation is a test that cultivators face when they achieve enlightenment, triggered by the heavens' jealousy. It could be a pure yang fire, a yin ice, or a heavenly thunder.

None of these are easy to handle.

Over the years, Xuankong had many connections and was a friend of Li Zhenren from Liangchang Mountain. When he sensed the heavenly tribulation coming, he sought refuge in the Huayang Heaven of Maoshan Mountain, avoiding the heavenly thunder and fire, and cultivated the Purple Mansion Golden Pill, integrating his magical powers.

However, Jiangxue and Xiangyu, although they practiced the Laoshan Sect's techniques, did not fully understand the severity of the heavenly tribulation.

Feeling a bit nervous, Xuankong asked them to slow down and focused on sensing their cultivation levels. Jiangxue saw Xuankong's serious expression and felt a bit tense, standing there as Xuankong's divine consciousness scanned them.

Since they were in Xuankong's mental space, it didn't take long for him to fully understand their cultivation levels.

Xuankong calculated for a moment and said, "It will be about a year before you face the tribulation. Xiangyu's cultivation is more refined, so it might be a few months sooner. Jiangxue, you will be a bit slower, but both of you will face the tribulation within a year."

Xiangyu was startled by Xuankong's serious tone and asked, "Jiangxue and I have been devoted to cultivation and have never harmed anyone. Why would we face the heavenly tribulation?"

Xuankong explained, "In the secular world, when someone cultivates the Golden Pill and transforms into a child, it is called the Yuan婴 technique. After achieving this, one can shed their mortal body and ascend to the 33rd Heaven to become a celestial official."

"But you and Jiangxue were born on Kunlun Mountain and were transplanted to the Qingxian Hall. You have also learned much about the cultivation methods of the Laoshan Sect, haven't you?"

Jiangxue nodded. Over the years, living outside the Qingxian Hall, they had listened to the old Daoist's teachings. Although the old Daoist didn't explicitly mention them, he would sometimes talk about the cultivation methods for spirits and monsters, which benefited Xiangyu and Jiangxue.

However, the old Daoist hadn't even cultivated the Purple Mansion Golden Pill, so he couldn't have detected Xiangyu and Jiangxue outside.

But he had inherited the teachings of an ancient deity, and in ancient times, humans did not have the status they have today. During the reign of Emperor Jun, many powerful beings had spirit disciples, so when the old Daoist taught his disciples according to the scriptures, Xiangyu and Jiangxue could also benefit.