The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 421 - 249: Infinite Scenery at the Perilous Peak
This bizarre and silent journey lasted quite some time, and the bamboo valve only gently touched the other shore. Streaks of flowing light flashed across the sky, left by the Cultivators who had reached the shore before them, soaring in the sky with their Magic Artifacts.
After Jin Manyi and Miluo reached the shore, they didn’t delay any further. Summoning their ride, a Magic Artifact, it turned out to be a gigantic Bodhi Leaf, capable of accommodating more than ten people. Naturally, Jin Manyi wouldn’t say goodbye, and with just a cold glance at Ning Xiaoxian, she proudly stepped onto the Bodhi Leaf, while Miluo cheerfully said, "See you on Hidden Immortal Peak at Guangcheng Palace." After these words, the Bodhi Leaf soared into the sky, quickly becoming one of the flowing lights on the horizon.
Ning Xiaoxian made up an excuse, asking Quan Shifang to wait for her, and headed back to the inn on this shore and found a secluded teahouse, taking a Jade Scroll infused with spells from Changtian. She stood by the Ruoshui River, and calling upon an Earth Python said, "Hand it to your ancient ancestor!" She gently tossed the Jade Scroll into the water. The Earth Python twisted around, apparently chasing after the Jade Scroll, and didn’t surface for a long time.
She then stood by the riverbank for a little while until the river surface was calm and quiet without any noise, then she turned to Quan Shifang and said, "Senior Brother Quan, let’s go."
They had already delayed half a day, so they decided not to proceed on Quan Shifang’s Jade Boat, but instead let Qi Zai revert to its original form. As a Chongming Bird, it was massive enough to carry Ning Xiaoxian, Quan Shifang, and Tu Jin while still having ample space.
Its injuries had long since healed, and upon flapping its wings to fly, it truly resembled a meteor chasing the moon, instantly leaving the landscapes of hundreds of miles behind. Quan Shifang, sitting cross-legged on the bird’s back, stroked Qi Zai’s back feathers and exclaimed, "What a majestic bird, being able to have it is truly a blessing." His tone was only filled with awe, with no envy or probing.
Qi Zai crowed proudly, but Ning Xiaoxian heard in it genuine joy for her own happiness, making her lips curl into a smile.
The speed of the Chongming Bird was incredibly fast. According to Changtian’s calculations, they could actually arrive at Guangcheng Palace two days ahead of schedule. However, located amidst a range of mountains, Qi Zai’s journey on the last day mostly involved flying upwards.
Ning Xiaoxian had been through Chixiao Mountain, base of Chi Xiao Sect, as well as Yunxiao Palace on Qingjing Mountain, but she had to admit, only upon reaching Guangcheng Palace did she witness what could truly be called a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, an Immortal Realm within the Mortal World!
They just happened to pass a mountain peak, where a fountain cascaded directly from the peak, a waterfall spanning three thousand miles, its lively waters vanishing below into the Cloud Sea. She seemed to hear the roaring sound. This scene evoked the sense of lush clouds about to rain and the water so serene it produced mist.
The peaks above this Cloud Sea were clear and elegant, giving her the illusion that she was seeing islands in a vast ocean. "Indeed," Ning Xiaoxian took a deep breath, feeling the air clean and moist yet extremely thin, "Indeed, the most beautiful views lie atop perilous peaks!"
Her words, though spontaneous, carried a double meaning. Only a Cultivator with the eyesight and abilities of a Cultivator could traverse indefinitely inside this endless beauty, for even if mortals so desired, how could they have the strength to venture?
Qi Zai was flying among the peaks at such a high altitude that she estimated it to be at least a thousand zhang (over four thousand meters).
They flew through the long night, just in time to welcome the sunrise. Just as the red sun slowly rose, illuminating the rolling Cloud Sea below them and casting a radiant glow over the mountains near and far, the spectacle was indescribably magnificent. The three of them, riding in this realm between Heaven and Earth, were but specks like mustard seeds.
She shut her eyes, slowly appreciating the vast expanse between Heaven and Earth, feeling the relentless strong winds brushing past, experiencing a sense of transcendence and ascension to immortality... As if a shackle in her heart shattered, her spirit platform felt as clean as if washed, suddenly more clear-minded than ever before. Taking a deep breath, she reopened her eyes; the sky and the Cloud Sea were still the same, yet her perceptions had changed.
Climb even higher, and there will be even more beautiful scenery. She silently told herself.
Quan Shifang stood behind her, watching her graceful figure stabilized on the White Bird no matter how the bird swooped or soared. Her white robe glinted gold in the sunlight, while her ink-black hair and sleeves fluttered in the wind, stirring more affection in her heart. Yet, this affection, once it reached his lips, turned into a lingering aftertaste.
Just then, Ning Xiaoxian turned around with a smile, her pair of jet-black eyes glistening warmly, seemingly with a radiance within, her features expressing a clarity and serenity never seen before. This being before him, he couldn’t say exactly what was different, yet deep down he knew she had indeed changed, Quan Shifang paused for a moment before joyfully exclaiming, "Miss Ning, have you refined your true self?"
