World's No. 1 Swordsman

Chapter 77: Daoist Master Jingyun

The moment Wang Sheng heard the voice, he felt as if he saw a serene and otherworldly white-dressed female cultivator. She seemed to be standing quietly beneath a pine tree on the Zhongnan Mountains, waiting for the moonlight to gently cascade over her.

This situation seemed to have become slightly more complicated.

His master had mentioned that he had gone away to discuss some Daoist questions with someone. If he was referring to Jingyun, then she had to be a cultivator of similar attainment.

Breaking through to the Golden Core Realm was undoubtedly dangerous, which explained why he might require someone to save him at a critical moment. If so, that meant Jingyun was not only on the same level as his master. He also trusted her deeply enough to put his life in her hands.

A Daoist friend? Why do I feel like the mistress just got cheated on?

Then again, it wasn't really his master's fault. The mistress had been gone for many years, and his master was a refined, free-spirited Daoist cultivator. It was only natural for him to find a new companion.

Such was human nature!

After repeatedly thanking the warm-hearted Daoist masters and elders, Wang Sheng hurried down the mountain with Lin Huifeng, hoping to reach Lantian before nightfall. Instead of following along, Lin Huifeng's two female disciples returned to their temple.

Lantian was famous for its fine jade. The Qinling Mountains stretched across the southeastern part of Lantian, though that area could barely be considered part of the Zhongnan Mountains.

His master really knew how to pick a secluded place for cultivation. If it weren't for Jingyun, who hadn't sent a message in their YouChat group for over a year until now, Wang Sheng could have turned the Zhongnan Mountains upside down and still failed to find any trace of his master.

In the car, Lin Huifeng said with deliberate mystery, " Daoist Master Jingyun is quite extraordinary."

Wang Sheng was in the middle of messaging Mou Yue that he had found traces of his master and was on his way to see how long he would remain in seclusion. However, when he heard Lin Huifeng mention Jingyun, he quickly became interested.

With a smile, he asked, "How extraordinary?"

Lin Huifeng shook his head in admiration as he drove. "If beauty were comparable to jade, then she would be its goddess."

After a brief pause, he added, "Daoist Master Jingyun and I are about the same age, but she has cultivated in the mountains since childhood and has been practicing for thirty to forty years now.

"According to my master, her comprehension and aptitude are talents rarely seen even in a hundred years. Before the resurgence of primal qi, the depth of her Daoist realm was already immeasurable.

"For the past two or three years, she has been in complete seclusion. Many fellow cultivators believe she is now one of the most advanced Daoists here."

So the female Daoist master was indeed on the same level as Wang Sheng's master.

Wang Sheng thought about the situation carefully. As far as he could recall, there was no one named Jingyun on the Heavenly Rankings. She was likely a reclusive master who did not engage with the world.

It would be rather disrespectful to joke about matters of romance with someone like her. Nevertheless, when Wang Sheng finally met Jingyun a few hours later, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander in that direction.

***

The car stopped at the parking lot at the foot of the mountain. Wang Sheng originally intended for Lin Huifeng to wait below, but the Daoist master insisted on accompanying him.

"I was entrusted with this task. I must see it through," Lin Huifeng remarked.

Wang Sheng didn't argue. After thanking him, he took the lead in finding the path up the mountain.

These days, it was difficult to find a completely undeveloped deep mountain forest.

Since it was too far from the Zhongnan Mountains' main peak, the area had very few Daoist temples left. Despite the scattered lights from a few dwellings on the gentler slopes, it still felt isolated.

The higher they climbed, the more secluded the forest, and the steeper the mountain paths.

Fortunately, Jingyun was not difficult to find. They had chosen the right mountain, so there was no fear of getting lost.

The moss-covered mountain path was lined with fragrant grasses, blades shifting with the stars. The moonlight faintly illuminated the way—an untouched narrow path that wound through a bamboo grove. As they passed, a nightingale softly cried.

Though they were both cultivators, reaching the mountaintop still took some time and effort. It wasn't until past ten at night that Wang Sheng and Lin Huifeng finally reached the Daoist temple near the summit.

Rather than a temple, it was more like a small courtyard with a single room inside dedicated to enshrining Daoist deities. What truly surprised them, however, was that not a single light was coming from inside the temple.

Since stepping into the Seed Formation Realm, Wang Sheng had gained the ability to see in the dark. Glancing around, he found no trace of electrical wiring in the temple, making it feel like an ancient structure from centuries ago.

He thought it was only natural, though. Given the state of the temple, the cost of running electricity up the mountain would be unaffordable.

As Wang Sheng hesitated over whether to step inside, he heard someone softly call out to him. Their melodic voice—ethereal yet easy to understand—drifted in with the wind. Reminiscent of a zither's harmonious notes, it filled the heart with tranquility.

—Fei Yu? Who is with you?

Judging from the voice projection technique, Jingyun was likely already at the Illusory Core Realm, making her an undisputed expert in that day and age.

Since the resurgence of primal qi, cultivators who already had a solid Daoist foundation and had not yet suffered physical decline were experiencing rapid breakthroughs, especially those with great comprehension and aptitude. Their progress would surge until they reached the Golden Core Realm, where it would begin to slow down.

Wang Sheng vaguely recalled that in his past life, a Daoist master on TV mentioned that the primal qi in the world was now at least ten times more abundant than a thousand years ago. It was as if the qi of the past millennium had accumulated and suddenly returned.

This had even led some to propose the "Primal Qi Tide Theory."

However, Wang Sheng's scattered thoughts vanished in an instant. He clasped his hands and bowed in the direction of the voice, performing the most common Daoist sect greeting for juniors.

"Greetings, Senior. I am Fei Yu, and this is Daoist Master Huifeng. Without his help, I could not have found this place."

—Oh. Keep your voices down. Follow the small path on the west side of the courtyard, and you'll reach me.

Wang Sheng and Lin Huifeng exchanged glances. Smiling, they followed Jingyun's directions along the secluded path.

The area near the mountain summit was barren, with only scattered boulders dotting the landscape. Above, the sky was filled with countless stars, like a vast curtain that was forever out of reach.

A half-moon hung on the horizon, resembling both the leader of the stars and the divine ornament on a celestial maiden's forehead.

Not far behind the courtyard stood a mountain wall. They had reached the very peak of the mountain.

At its base, a cave entrance was partially sealed by large stones. Even without extending his spiritual consciousness, Wang Sheng could already sense his master's familiar aura emanating from within.

However, the aura fluctuated wildly between violent surges and deep stillness. It was clear that his master was at a critical moment in his cultivation—he was attempting a breakthrough.

Just as he had expected, though he had managed to locate him, QIng Yanzi was in no state to leave his seclusion.

Wang Sheng had already anticipated as much thanks to Jingyun's instructions, yet he still wanted to come. For one, he wished to confirm that his master was safe. For another, he was curious about the female Daoist master.

Turning his gaze away from the cave entrance, he looked slightly to the left and finally saw his master's equal—the Daoist whom he could entrust his life to.

She donned a loose Daoist robe and a carefree-style headscarf that secured her hair. Two ribbons trailed down her back, blending with her long hair, while two delicate locks cascaded over her waist.

The slender woman, who might very well be his master's confidante, was certainly worthy of the word "beauty." She was tall and graceful, her flawless skin as smooth as jade. Even though she wore no makeup, her autumn-like eyes and delicate eyebrows were already captivating.

No wonder Lin Huifeng had described her as "a beauty as flawless as jade."

Under the moonlight, she stood before the stone wall, seemingly as still as a jade statue atop Mount Wuliang.

Her ethereal presence deeply impressed Wang Sheng.

Compared to the mistress, the woman seemed like a far more suitable match for his master. If the two became Daoist partners, it would be much easier for both him and Mu Wanxuan to accept.

However, as a disciple, he had no right to comment on his master's personal life. In the pursuit of the Dao, such matters were insignificant.

Lin Huifeng sighed quietly and whispered, "Go ahead, Daoist Master Fei Yu. I'll wait here."

"Thank you, Daoist Master Huifeng."

"It's nothing."

Wang Sheng approached the cave entrance alone. He couldn't help but peer inside, discovering that the cave extended deep into the mountain. Faint blue glimmers flickered within.

"Your master is inside. You mustn't disturb him now," Jingyun said softly. Even her tone had a cool, soothing quality.

"When will my master be able to come out, Daoist Master?" Wang Sheng asked.

"That's uncertain. He came well-prepared, but forming a Golden Core is always a perilous process. He entered the cave half a month ago, and I have been protecting him since. If he does not emerge within forty-nine days, I'll enter and check on his condition."

"How likely is he to succeed?"

"Fifty-fifty."

"Hmm..." Wang Sheng frowned slightly.

He was going to ask why his master hadn't waited for a more certain opportunity before attempting the breakthrough. However, it only took him a moment to realize that if he were in his master's position, he probably wouldn't have waited either.

It would never be certain if a Golden Core could be formed.

"Did something happen?" Jingyun gently asked.

"We've got a situation in the mundane world." Wang Sheng sighed. "I wanted to ask my master if he could help."

Jingyun looked thoughtful for a brief moment before speaking again. "Does it have to do with Sister-in-Law Chi Ling?"

Sister-in-Law...?

"Oh, uh... yes, somewhat."

"If it's urgent, you can stay here for a few days, and I'll go in his stead," she offered. "What exactly happened?"

Wang Sheng was momentarily taken aback.

Jingyun was a cultivator at the Illusory Core Realm. By today's standards, she was among the most powerful experts in the Daoist world. If she stepped in to stabilize the situation, she would undoubtedly be more reliable than him and his senior sister combined.

However, the whole matter had arisen because of his master's past with their mistress. Otherwise, the Special Investigation Unit's affairs would have had nothing to do with them. As Qin Yanzi's disciple, it was only natural for him to handle it for his master. Dragging his master's Daoist friend into it without a second thought seemed inappropriate.

"It's nothing too serious," Wang Sheng said with a smile. "My junior sister, Chi Wen, has been brought back to the mountain. The mistress... Well, my master's ex-wife needs a cultivator's help with some matters. I originally thought our master could use this as an opportunity to go over and see if they could reconcile, but since he's in seclusion, my senior sister and I will take care of it instead."

Jingyun's delicate eyebrows knitted slightly. "Back then, Chi Ling abandoned Senior Brother Qingyan in the mountains without a word. Heartbroken for both her and their child, he was left to suffer alone for decades. Now, she suddenly wants to reconcile? How is that fair?"

"The reconciliation was just my own assumption—a speculation. Master's ex-wife isn't aware of any of this yet. She simply needs help," Wang Sheng quickly replied.

"Then I will go," Jingyun said, her expression turning cold. "I should ask her myself. What right did she have to leave so easily back then? What right did she have to keep Senior Brother Qingyan from seeing his own child for twenty years?"

She scoffed. "And to name the child Chi Wen... Does she even realize how that sounds?"

For someone as serene as her, she was certainly quick to anger.

As the wind howled around the mountain, Wang Sheng couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled.