The location of Shuiyue Temple is indeed somewhat secretive.

Although it's at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, it's far removed from the official road, surrounded by towering bamboo forests, and hard to find without guidance.

This is normal.

After all, this is a nunnery, where all the practitioners are women, and they don't require incense offerings from the common folk, seeking solitude instead.

In the winter season, the snow just cleared.

The temple roof is covered with white snow, with crystalline icicles hanging from the eaves.

Among the bamboo grove, the branches droop, the snow weighing down the bamboo leaves; occasionally, a gentle breeze sweeps through, causing snowflakes to drift down.

The path is covered in snow, with only a few shallow footprints leading to the secluded temple gate.

Inside Shuiyue Temple, the courtyard snow remains unmelted, all a vast whiteness, with a few wintersweets standing proudly in the snow, heightening the sense of tranquility.

The temple's main door is half-open, emitting a warm light through the gap.

A serene scene of green lamps and ancient Buddha, with the sound of the wooden fish echoing peacefully.

Not far from Shuiyue Temple, the bamboo grove encloses a pavilion, where a red clay stove brews boiling tea, accompanied by some simple snacks.

Inside the pavilion, besides Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan, are Madam Bai and Master Xiaoyue, making the snow day tea brewing seem quite elegant.

"Sorry, it's not convenient to invite you two into the temple."

Master Xiaoyue nods with a smile, explaining the reason.

"No need for formalities, Master."

Li Yan clasped his fists, saying: "We have already sent a letter up the mountain. We will leave after a brief visit."

Some things can be understood at a glance.

The life at Shuiyue Temple, though austere, is something these women of the Bai Family are well-adapted to, enjoying their solitude without needing contact with outsiders.

Master Xiaoyue chuckled softly and began, "The invitation to come early was my idea."

"With the heavy snow closing the mountain, it's hard to travel, but with Qingcheng Mountain now stabilized, there will be numerous rituals from the twelfth lunar month to the fifteenth. It will be even busier after the new year."

"Some matters are better handled in advance."

"Master is right."

Li Yan nodded in agreement. "We are not well-acquainted with the situation on Qingcheng Mountain, so I hope Master can give us some guidance."

This is his purpose for coming.

Though he met Mingshanzi at Jianfu Palace, that man mostly considers matters from the Cheng Family's perspective.

Some words can't be trusted entirely, and some things are hard to ask about.

Shuiyue Temple is relatively aloof, and with Madam Bai's connection, there are things that can be asked directly.

Master Xiaoyue nodded slightly, "Since you've been recommended by me, it's only right to arrange things properly for you, or else I can't explain to Brother Yu Chanzi."

"Qingcheng Mountain has an ancient lineage, with generations of Mystical Sect scholars coming here to cultivate. Though it's one order, many traditions remain."

"There's the Heavenly Master Dao Zhengyi Sect, with Heavenly Master Zhang preaching on the mountain. Hence, Qingcheng is also the Ancestor Court of Heavenly Master Dao. They have a close relationship with Dragon and Tiger Mountain...

There is the Shangqing Sect, passed down by Du Guangting, with many cultivating in the Shangqing Palace…

There is the Qingwei Sect, established in the Northern Song, adept in the Thunder Technique, flourishing in the Southern Song with several generations of Masters, including Huang Shunshen who was bestowed the title 'Thunder Abyss Sage of Universal Transformation'…

There's the Danding Ziyang Sect founded by the Immortal Zhang Buduan upon his arrival in Shu, now united with Quanzhen Dragon Gate.

Currently, the largest on Qingcheng Mountain is the Quanzhen Dao Dragon Gate Sect, part of the Quanzhen Dao Dragon Gate Dantai Biyong Sect, having the best relations with Wudang. The new Master, Chen Kongzi, comes from this sect... there are many other small traditions as well."

"With Brother Yu Chanzi's letter, you should be warmly received on the mountain and not met with intentional difficulties. But you should be aware of who is close and who is distant, as some have been reclusively cultivating for years and have rather peculiar temperaments."

"That's good then."

Li Yan breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "And what about the Cheng Family?"

Master Xiaoyue smiled and said, "The Cheng Family is the lineage of the Qingcheng Sword Immortals, stemming from the Ancient Immortal Ning Fengzi, prospered later by Li Babai; they are the leaders of sword cultivation on the mountain. Originally, they were the greatest variable, but they have now voluntarily ceded their position, thus quelling disputes."

"Cheng Jianxian governed Shu for decades, with high merit and prestige, but Cheng's younger generation lacks outstanding people. With old giving way to new, Qingcheng can now advance further."

"Fire Monk was invited to the mountain by Cheng Jianxian back then. Since you are associated with the Cheng Family, he will surely be attentive during Artifact Refining."

"That's why now is the best time to ascend the mountain. Come next year at the opening of the cellars, Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Wudang Mountain, and Maoshan will send people, bringing various thoughts into play and potentially involving you."

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance."

Li Yan expressed his gratitude with a sincere clasp.

The outsiders don't know about these things. Knowing them beforehand helps prevent saying the wrong thing and offending people on the mountain.

"It's my duty."

Master Xiaoyue nodded slightly, rose, and said, "Feel free to continue your discussion. It is time for me to give the disciples a sermon."

After seeing Master Xiaoyue off, Madam Bai began, recounting the general situation of the Bai Family members before soberly saying, "Yan'er is cultivating in the Great Snow Mountain, and I have sent someone to accompany and protect her."

"You don't need to go and disturb. When spring begins, and the hibernating insects awaken, it will be the day to break through the barrier. If successful, she will go to meet with you."

"If she fails... I'll choose a burial site for her at the Great Snow Mountain."

Li Yan shuddered, "Is it that dangerous?"

When she contended with several Earth Immortals, Long Yan'er destroyed her Lifebound Gu to buy him time, thinking that only her Dao was exhausted; how did it become a life-threatening matter?

Madam Bai paused in silence, shook her head, and sighed, "The path of cultivation is inherently difficult, and everyone has their own karmic paths. This child seems easygoing, yet she's actually fated to be both stubborn and afflicted."

"From now on, she will follow you all, and I hope you'll take care of her."

"Of course."

Li Yan solemnly nodded in agreement.

...

After bidding farewell to Madam Bai, the two of them took a detour back up the mountain.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.