Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 106 Invited to Qingqiu

The death of the Black Mountain Demon was like a boulder thrown into a lake, the ripples of which lingered for a long time.

The people of the North were rebuilding their homes from the ruins, the righteous cultivators were clearing out the remaining Black Mountain forces, and Zhou Ning was cultivating day after day on the back mountain of Lanruo Temple.

The initial stage of the Golden Core realm has been completely stabilized.

Within his dantian, the round golden elixir slowly rotated, radiating a warm golden light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Zhou Ning could sense that the power contained within the Golden Core was more than ten times stronger than when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage.

His divine sense could cover a radius of 500 feet, and his sword control technique could simultaneously control five flying swords, setting up a simple sword formation in the air.

But Zhou Ning knew that wasn't enough.

The shadow of the extraterrestrial demons hangs like a sword of Damocles, ready to fall at any moment.

He kept Xuanzhenzi's words in mind at all times.

The Black Mountain Demon was merely a pawn; his master was the true enemy.

"I must break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm as soon as possible," Zhou Ning secretly resolved in his heart.

On this day, he was practicing sword control on the back mountain. Five flying swords, driven by his divine sense, darted and danced in the air like a group of agile fish.

Suddenly, he felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.

Zhou Ning sheathed his sword, took out a jade talisman, and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Yan Chixia's voice echoed in his mind: "Zhou Ning, come to the main hall. We have guests."

guest?

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat.

Lanruo Temple is located in a remote area, and few people visit it on ordinary days.

Who is it?

He hurried down the mountain and into the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Yan Chixia sat at the head of the table, holding a cup of tea in his hand, his expression calm.

Opposite him sat a young woman dressed in a white Taoist robe, who was none other than Xuan Jing.

"Miss Xuanjing?"

Zhou Ning was somewhat surprised.

"Why are you here?"

Xuan Jing stood up and smiled slightly at him: "Young Master Zhou, it's been a long time. Your cultivation has improved again."

Zhou Ning cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Xuanjing, you flatter me. Did you come to see me because Daoist Xuanzhen has something to discuss?"

Xuan Jing took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"It's not my senior brother, it's the fox clan of Qingqiu. They asked me to pass on a letter to you."

The Fox Clan of Qingqiu?

Zhou Ning took the letter, unfolded it, and read it.

The handwriting on the letter was delicate and beautiful, clearly the work of a woman.

The content is very simple.

It is written as:

The chieftain of the Qingqiu Fox Clan invited Zhou Ning to Qingqiu Mountain for a chat, saying he had important matters to discuss.

At the end of the letter was a red fox-shaped seal, exuding a faint spiritual aura.

"Xin Shisi Niang?" Zhou Ning asked.

Xuan Jing nodded: "That's right. Miss Xin said that you saved her life and the lives of her people. The entire Qingqiu Fox Clan is extremely grateful to you. She invited you to Qingqiu Mountain, firstly to thank you in person, and secondly because she has an important matter to discuss with you."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "I understand. Please tell Miss Xin that I will go in a few days."

Xuan Jing nodded, then took out another jade talisman and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This is a 'message talisman' from my Qingfeng Temple, for easy contact. Young Master Zhou, take care."

She bowed to Yan Chixia, then turned and left the main hall.

Zhou Ning watched her leave, then carefully put away the letter and the jade talisman.

"The Fox Clan of Qingqiu?"

Yan Chixia's voice came from behind.

"After the Black Mountain Demon died, Xin Shisi Niang led this branch of the fox clan back to Qingqiu Mountain. I didn't expect that they would arrive at Qingqiu Mountain in such a short time. As expected of an ancient demon clan, their speed is extraordinary."

"The Qingqiu Fox Clan is an ancient demon clan. Although they have declined, their foundation remains. Befriending them will benefit your future cultivation."

He paused, then continued, "Go. Come back soon."

Zhou Ning bowed respectfully and withdrew from the main hall.

The next morning, Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple and headed to Qingqiu Mountain.

Qingqiu Mountain is located in Qingzhou in the south, a thousand miles away from Qingyun Mountain.

Zhou Ning did not ride a horse, but chose to walk.

Firstly, one can cultivate along the way, and secondly, one can experience the local customs and culture.

After traveling for five days, he arrived at a city called "Qingzhou".

Qingzhou is an important town in the south, with towering city walls, wide streets, and a bustling market.

Zhou Ning found an inn in the city and stayed there, planning to rest for the night before continuing his journey.

As night fell, he was meditating and regulating his breathing in his room when he suddenly heard a commotion downstairs.

Zhou Ning frowned, got up and went downstairs.

In the lobby of the inn, several men dressed in tight-fitting clothes were gathered around a table, talking loudly about something.

They all had swords hanging from their waists and exuded a menacing aura, clearly indicating they were people from the martial arts world.

"Have you heard? Something big has happened at Qingqiu Mountain," a burly man with a full beard said in a low voice.

"What is it?" the other person asked.

"You know the Qingqiu Fox Clan? You know those fox spirits. I heard they've been gathering people lately, apparently to deal with something."

"A fox spirit? Isn't that a monster? Why are we going to join in?"

"What do you know? Although the Qingqiu Fox Clan are demons, they never harm people. Moreover, they possess treasures. I've heard that whoever can help them solve their problems can obtain a 'Qingling Pill,' a spiritual medicine that can prolong life."

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat.

Qingling Pill?

Isn't that the kind of pill that Xin Shisi Niang once gave him?

What trouble has the Qingqiu fox clan encountered?

He made no fuss and silently returned to his room.

The following morning, Zhou Ning left Qingzhou and continued south.

After walking for another three days, he finally arrived at Qingqiu Mountain.

Qingqiu Mountain boasts beautiful scenery, lush forests, and is often shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland.

At the foot of the mountain stands a stone tablet with the two characters "Qingqiu" engraved on it, the characters simple and vigorous.

Zhou Ning climbed upwards along the mountain path.

After walking for about an hour, a stone gate appeared ahead.

The stone gate was tightly closed, and the lintel was engraved with intricate runes that emitted a faint spiritual light.

Two young women stood at the entrance, dressed in white, with delicate features, and they resembled foxes.

"Halt! Who are you?"

A woman watched him warily.

Zhou Ning cupped his hands and said, "My name is Zhou Ning. I have come to pay my respects at the invitation of Miss Xin Shisi Niang."

The two women exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

"So you are Young Master Zhou? Sister Fourteen has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come in."

They pushed open the stone door and led Zhou Ning inside.

Behind the stone gate lies a wide valley.

The valley is filled with peach trees, and the peach blossoms are in full bloom, with petals falling like rain.

Deep within the peach grove, one can vaguely see some exquisite pavilions and towers, like a paradise on earth.

Zhou Ning followed the two women through the peach grove and arrived at a grand hall.

The main hall is magnificent and imposing, with blue bricks and gray tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, exuding a royal air.

At the entrance of the palace stood a young woman in a long red dress, none other than Xin Shisi Niang.

"Young Master Zhou..."

When Xin Shisi Niang saw him, her eyes were filled with joy.

"You've finally arrived."

Zhou Ning cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Xin, it's been a long time."

Xin Shisi Niang led him into the main hall, invited him to sit down, and had tea and snacks served.

"Young Master Zhou, you saved my life, and you saved the lives of my people. On behalf of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, I express my sincerest gratitude to you."

Xin Shisi Niang stood up and bowed deeply to him.

Zhou Ning quickly helped her up: "Miss Xin, you don't need to be so polite. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is simply our duty."

Xin Shisi Niang sat down again and sighed.

"Young Master Zhou, actually, I've called you here not just to express my gratitude. There's another matter I'd like to ask for your help with."

Zhou Ning asked, "What is it? Please speak, Miss Xin."

Xin Shisi Niang said:

"Our Qingqiu Fox Clan has a secret realm. It was left behind by our ancestors and contains treasures and cultivation techniques accumulated by our fox clan over thousands of years. However, the entrance to the secret realm is sealed by a powerful seal. Our fox clan cultivators have tried many times, but none of them have been able to open it."

She paused, then continued:

"Recently, we've noticed signs that the seal is weakening. If it completely collapses, the treasures within the secret realm will be exposed, and many people will likely come to plunder them. We would like to ask Young Master Zhou for help in reinforcing the seal."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "I can give it a try. But I don't know much about sealing techniques."

Xin Shisi Niang said, "Young Master Zhou, there's no need to worry. Our fox clan has an elder who is proficient in sealing techniques. He will guide you."

Zhou Ning nodded: "Okay. I'll do my best."