Qingxu Temple, the morning bell first tolled.
Thin mist like gauze lingered among the emerald mountain ranges, gently veiling this ancient sect that had weathered tribulations and was now rejuvenating. On the martial arts grounds, diligent disciples had already begun their morning practice—shouts and the sound of sword blades cutting through the air interwove, filled with vitality. From the direction of the dining hall drifted the fragrance of spirit grain porridge, mixed with the faint medicinal scent from the alchemy rooms, composing a scene of peace and harmony.
Tang Xiaoqi stood alone on the stone steps of his small courtyard, deeply inhaling this familiar and reassuring air. His gaze swept over the soaring eaves of the reconstructed main hall in the distance, over the ancient pine in his courtyard that he had secretly nourished with his Purification Source and now grew ever more vigorous, finally settling on the ancestral jade pendant in his hand that felt warm to the touch, and the black iron wok leaning against the stone table that appeared simple and unremarkable yet held a universe within.
Deep in his eyes, a barely perceptible determination and resolve replaced the usual gentleness.
Last night, he had once again startled awake from the nightmare that had entangled him for years. The burning Xu Lan Mountain Manor, his parents' blurred and sorrowful faces, his father Xu Zhan's blood-colored eyes—sometimes hollow, sometimes struggling—in the churning demonic energy... Each dream was like an invisible whip lashing at the depths of his soul. The jade pendant on his chest grew warm in his dreams, transmitting no longer purely cooling comfort, but also an urgent summons, along with increasingly clear fragmented information about family mission and the heavy responsibility of the "Purification Source."
He could wait no longer.
Staying at Qingxu Temple, he had the protection of masters (though the master who had sacrificed himself would be eternally remembered, the sect master and other elders cared for him deeply), the support of senior brothers and sisters, and abundant resources—he was safe and sound. With his current late Foundation Establishment cultivation, plus the mysteries of the Purification Source, he could cultivate peacefully within the sect. Given time, condensing a Golden Core would not be difficult.
But safety often meant stagnation. How could closed-door cultivation handle the Shadow Snake Pavilion lurking in the shadows—that even someone like his father had fallen victim to—and that mysterious demonic entity? How could he rapidly increase his strength to unravel the mystery of his origins and fulfill the mission seemingly related to the entire cultivation world's safety that the "Purification Source" endowed? Let alone achieving that wish buried deep in his heart, one he dared not easily touch—saving his father, who might still hold a thread of hope.
Opportunities would not fall from the sky into Qingxu Temple's mountain gates. True growth required the tempering of blood and fire, required stepping into that vast and unknown world—to experience, to contend, to comprehend the true meaning of the great dao at the edge of life and death.
This thought had sprouted when he obtained the Crimson Flame Sword in the secret realm and initially awakened the Purification Source; it became clear after experiencing the sect defense battle and witnessing his master's sacrifice and his father's possession; after Aunt Su sent the secret letter about the "Soul-Controlling Jade" and the Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters, it finally became completely firm.
The time had come.
He turned back into his room and began to pack his belongings in an orderly manner. Several bottles of high-grade Qi Recovery Pills and Detoxification Pills he had refined himself, and the life-saving sword talisman given by Eldest Senior Brother were solemnly stored close to his body; the jade slips recording techniques like the "Long Spring Art" and "Basic Purification Art" were checked to be intact; some strange ores and spirit herbs obtained from the secret realm whose uses he hadn't fully figured out were carefully packaged; finally, he wrapped the wok that had followed him the longest, saved him countless times, and now contained spiritual essence, in specially made soft cloth, and secured it on his back.
His movements were unhurried, every detail showing solemnity. This was not an ordinary trip down the mountain—this was a farewell. A farewell to past security, a farewell to the identity of "Qingxu Temple's Xiaoqi" who was protected and cared for, to welcome a journey with an uncertain future, where fortune and misfortune were hard to predict.
When he finished all this and pushed open the courtyard door, he found Eldest Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng already standing quietly on the bluestone path outside the courtyard, as if he had long anticipated his decision.
Mu Qingfeng was dressed in his usual simple and elegant daoist robe, his temperament steady as a mountain. His gaze fell on Xiaoqi's baggage behind him, without the slightest surprise. Only in his deep eyes flickered a complex, indescribable emotion—concern, worry, and also a realization and release that "a young eagle must eventually leave the nest."
"Decided?" Eldest Senior Brother's voice was peaceful, revealing no waves.
Xiaoqi met his gaze and nodded heavily, without superfluous words: "Yes. Eldest Senior Brother, I..."
Mu Qingfeng raised his hand, stopping his next words. He walked slowly forward, took from his sleeve a leather scroll glowing with faint spiritual light and a small jade bottle, and handed them to Xiaoqi.
"This is a copy of the sect's treasured 'Map of the Earth and All Phenomena.' Though not as detailed as the original, it marks the known dangerous lands, secret realms, and sect power distributions of the Central Continent and even some overseas and foreign regions, as well as some ancient legendary lands. It may aid your travels." He paused, pointing to the jade bottle. "Inside are three 'Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pills,' personally refined by the sect master. As long as one breath remains, they can sustain life and争取 a chance at survival. Do not use them lightly unless absolutely necessary."
Xiaoqi gripped the heavy scroll and warm jade bottle in his hands, his throat slightly choking. He knew the value of these two items, especially the Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pills—they were practically the sect's ultimate life-saving treasures. This friendship weighed more than a thousand jun.
"Eldest Senior Brother, the sect has shown me grace as deep as mountains, I..."
"No need for more words." Mu Qingfeng interrupted him again, his tone carrying unquestionable firmness. "Qingxu Temple will always be your home, your most solid backing. The secrets and missions you bear, the sect master and I all understand clearly. Staying in the temple is certainly safe, but like a precious pearl gathering dust, difficult to release its brilliance. Going out to venture, though dangers abound, is the path you must take."
He gazed at Xiaoqi, his eyes sharp as a sword, as if to penetrate his soul: "Remember, no matter what you encounter, preserving your life is the first priority. Face matters calmly, plan before acting. Your power is special—both a reliance and possibly a source of 'talent inviting envy.' Use it cautiously. Also... remember to keep in contact. Don't let those who care about you worry."
The final words, carrying the admonitions of an elder, made Xiaoqi's nose slightly tingle. He bowed deeply to the ground: "Eldest Senior Brother's teachings, Xiaoqi will engrave in his heart, never daring to forget!"
Just then, a fiery red figure rushed into the courtyard like a whirlwind, bringing a gust of fragrant wind—it was Third Senior Sister Liu Yun. Today she was not dressed in her usual martial attire, but rather in neat traveling clothes, with a long sword on her back, her heroic bearing striking.
"You brat, trying to sneak away? Not a chance!" Liu Yun's willow brows stood vertical as she grabbed Xiaoqi's ear, though without much force. "Such a big matter, and you didn't tell your senior sister beforehand?"
Xiaoqi grimaced, but warmth filled his heart as he quickly begged for mercy: "Senior Sister, lighter, lighter! Wasn't I just coming to say goodbye to you!"
"Goodbye?" Liu Yun released her hand, putting both hands on her hips and snorting. "Who gave you permission to go adventure alone? Don't you know how dangerous the outside world is? What if you run into those lingering Shadow Snake Pavilion ghosts again? Your senior sister may only be at peak mid-Foundation Establishment, but my sword technique has received Master's true transmission. Going with you, at least I can watch your back!"
Her words tumbled out like continuous cannon fire, filled with unquestionable concern. Xiaoqi was moved but shook his head, speaking seriously: "Third Senior Sister, I understand your intentions. But this trip is not for sightseeing—the road ahead is unpredictable and fraught with danger. I bear the Purification Source and am a target of many. If you travel with me, the target is too large, and it would put you in danger too. Moreover, the sect has just experienced a great tribulation and needs capable people. Eldest Senior Brother needs strong assistance, and the Law Enforcement Hall cannot do without you. Your battlefield is at Qingxu Temple."
Liu Yun opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but meeting Xiaoqi's unusually determined and mature gaze, and seeing Eldest Senior Brother's silent nod beside them, she finally swallowed her words. She understood—Xiaoqi was speaking the truth. This junior brother who once needed her protection and scolding had truly grown up, with his own responsibilities and decisions.
Her eyes reddened slightly as she abruptly pulled from her storage bag a folded soft armor shimmering with faint silver light and stuffed it into Xiaoqi's arms: "Here! This is inner armor refined from the hide of that Thunder Rhino last time mixed with ice silken threads. Its defensive power is not bad, and it can also avoid poison and resist fire to some extent. Wear it properly! If I find extra scars on your body when you return, just wait and see how I deal with you!"
Then came a pile of bottles and jars—top-grade wound medicine, heart-clearing pills, even several jars of spirit wine she had secretly hidden away. "Drink these on the road, but don't get drunk and mess things up!"
Xiaoqi held an armful of things, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, yet his heart was wrapped in thick warmth. This senior sister with a sharp tongue but soft heart always expressed her sincerest care in her own way.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" He solemnly accepted them.
"Xiaoqi! Xiaoqi!" A slightly anxious voice came as Second Senior Brother Luo Feng ran over panting, his face still somewhat pale—obviously his severe injuries had not fully healed—yet his eyes shone brightly. In his hands he held a rather strange compass-like artifact covered with crooked runes and several trembling needles.
"You're finally going out! Quick, try my latest invention—the 'Fortune and Misfortune Compass'!" Luo Feng excitedly shoved the compass at Xiaoqi. "I've incorporated divination arts and spiritual energy sensing formations. Theoretically, it can point toward directions with concentrated spiritual energy (possibly blessed lands) or heavy yin energy (possibly dangerous lands or places of opportunity)... Of course, sometimes it might be interfered with by intense magnetic fields or high-level cultivator auras, and the needle might spin wildly, or even point backward... Try it more and record the data, then tell me the results!"
Xiaoqi looked at this extremely unreliable-looking "compass" in his hand, the corners of his mouth twitching, but he still carefully stored it away: "Thank you, Second Senior Brother. I will... make good use of it."
Luo Feng then pulled out a thick stack of paper covered with various strange runes: "These are the concept drawings for 'new-type combination talismans' I designed. You'll see a lot out there—help me keep an eye out for suitable refining materials or related ancient rune inheritances..." He rambled on, completely forgetting Xiaoqi was going out for training, more like assigning a research assistant on a business trip.
Eldest Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng shook his head helplessly, giving Xiaoqi a "please bear with it" look.
After bidding farewell to the two senior brothers and sister, Xiaoqi finally went to the main hall to take his leave from the sect master.
The sect master did not say much, only quietly listening to Xiaoqi finish his decision, his deep gaze seeming to penetrate everything. He gently patted Xiaoqi's shoulder and spoke only eight words: "The dao heart is subtle; maintain integrity and surprise."
Each word weighed a thousand jun, containing endless expectation and dao rhythm.
Xiaoqi knelt and respectfully kowtowed three times to the sect master, to this sect that carried so many of his memories.
When he stood up again, his eyes were clear and determined. He took one last look behind him—Eldest Senior Brother stood with hands behind his back, his gaze calm; Third Senior Sister forcefully waved while struggling to hold back tears; Second Senior Brother was still gesturing for him to remember to test the artifacts...
He turned and did not look back.
At the mountain gate, a small white figure flashed like lightning, precisely landing on his shoulder—the rabbit spirit. Its ruby-like eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation as it affectionately rubbed its small head against Xiaoqi's cheek, as if saying: "I've been waiting for you!"
Xiaoqi smiled slightly and stroked the rabbit spirit's fuzzy head. Having this little fellow who could find treasures, give warnings, and occasionally create some chaos traveling with him, the journey surely wouldn't be lonely.
The morning sun had risen above the sea of clouds. Golden light pierced through the thin mist, dyeing the entire Qingxu Temple in magnificent colors. Tang Xiaoqi took a deep breath, facing that myriad feet of morning glow, and took firm steps down the long stone stairs of Qingxu Temple that led outside the mountain.
His figure grew farther and farther, finally merging into that vast world between heaven and earth.
Behind was the protection and warmth of the past; ahead were unknown challenges and opportunities.
His legend truly began.