Chapter 2: Withered Courtyard, Spiritual Well, Breakthrough!
Therefore, Ye Yang remained silent, waiting for Bai Zizhen to continue speaking.
As expected, Bai Zizhen glanced at Ye Yang.
"My nephew truly lives up to his reputation for early wisdom. What I just said was merely on the surface; all the other details are right here! Take a closer look."
With that, Bai Zizhen waved his hand, and a white parchment scroll landed in Ye Yang's hand.
"Your trip to 'Chazi Zhang's' home is just an excuse. The real purpose is to wait for further arrangements at the Wind and Snow Tavern on your way back..."
"A Senior from the Sect is already waiting there."
"Are there any specific requirements?"
The Wind and Snow Tavern is subordinate to Wangyue Mountain, a dangerous Peak carved by the heavens and a mountain stream polished by water, hidden deep in the mountains and swamps, rarely visited by people.
"At that time, you just need to hand this item to the Elder of the Sect. You should keep this thing for now."
Bai Zizhen threw a white bag, tied with a red string, to Ye Yang; its contents were unclear.
"Although Wangyue Mountain has a harsh environment, there is a rather famous Loose Cultivator named 'Shao Yang Sword' Wang Sandao."
"Although this person is a solitary wanderer, he has already reached the Realm of refining Evil Qi and condensing clear light, and will soon Breakthrough to the seventh level of the Martial Human Realm."
"Could it be that the Sect wants to recruit this person?"
When Ye Yang heard Bai Zizhen say this, he knew that the Flying Heaven Gate probably wanted to recruit this Loose Cultivator, and that he was being sent to deliver something because it was inconvenient for the Sect's higher-ups to act.
"You are indeed intelligent. That is precisely what the Sect intends. Do this well, and after you complete the mission, there will be an extraordinary reward waiting for you!"
After speaking, Bai Zizhen smiled mysteriously: "It will definitely satisfy you!"
Ye Yang looked back, only to see that Bai Zizhen's figure was still gone in the distance. Amidst the swirling snow, he could only vaguely discern a figure treading on plum blossoms as he departed.
Junior Martial Uncle Bai's full name is Bai Zizhen. He is one of the Flying Heaven Gate's 'Three Elders and Four Jingang'. His cultivation has reached the sixth level of the Martial Human Realm, and his title is "Chasing Wind."
Although he has a crippled leg, he is known as 'Night Treading Plum Fragrance'. His True God is a Flying Heaven deer, extremely fast, hence he is also called Treading Plum Jingang.
A few years ago, when the Flying Heaven Gate was ambushed, Bai Zizhen rushed out at night, a streak of green light chasing the bright moon, treading on red plum blossoms as he went.
As a result, before the red plum blossoms landed, he had already left the Sect gate, leaving behind a pervasive plum fragrance and a great reputation.
...
After a day of wind and snow and gloomy clouds, Ye Yang saw Bai Zizhen off and pushed open the wooden door.
A creak sounded.
Some snowflakes fell from the doorframe. He brushed the snow from his collar and walked to a sturdy Old Persimmon Tree.
The Old Persimmon Tree had black, mottled, and cracked bark, like the skin of an old Dragon.
Only a few red persimmons still hung at the top, forgotten during the autumn harvest and thus remaining until winter.
Having endured frost, wind, snow, hail, and cold rain, they had become even more blood-red, making them particularly noticeable against the white snow.
Ye Yang raised his hand and shook it, dispersing the snow in the courtyard, revealing a thick stone slab.
He lifted the stone slab, revealing a dry bluestone well beside the tree. A fresh, clear scent rushed into his mind.
This Spiritual Well stood on a scattered Spiritual Vein node of the Flying Heaven Gate.
For many years, Ye Yang's cultivation had greatly benefited from the help of this Spiritual Well.
His father, Ye Hu, was also a high-ranking member of the Flying Heaven Gate, serving as the head of the Flying Heaven Gate's Protector Hall during his Peak.
He was in charge of the rewards, appointments, transfers, promotions, and pensions of over twenty Martial Person Realm Protectors.
It was a pity that he was killed a few years ago while guarding Peach Blossom Dock.
In previous years, to avoid drawing attention and unnecessary trouble, Ye Yang had covered the Spiritual Well with thick bluestone slabs to prevent Spiritual Qi from leaking out.
Ye Yang sat cross-legged by the well and diligently cultivated. As his body moved, a faint green light emanated from all around him.
The wind and snow were sparse. After an unknown amount of time, Ye Yang slowly opened his eyes.
He then realized that it was already nearing dusk.
"I've finally Broken Through to the Late Stage of Qi Channeling! I've reached the seventh level of Qi Channeling."
Ye Yang looked inward. After Breaking Through to the seventh level of Qi Channeling, strands of gas, as fine as spider silk, intertwined, flowed, and compressed within his five internal organs and Meridians.
After a few breaths, these strands of gas twisted together into spiral Qi currents, forming strong and resilient Qi.
"I hope to Awaken an Advanced True God during the Heaven Worship Ceremony so that my future cultivation will be a bit easier."
For many years, he had diligently cultivated, relying on his adult self-control to consistently surpass others.
However, the further he progressed, the more he felt a lack of stamina. He knew it was due to his limited Aptitude.
Sighing, Ye Yang's gaze immediately became firm again.
"The most taboo thing in cultivation is to practice for one day and neglect for ten. Daily persistence and daily progress are the right Dao."
He gently stood up and replaced the bluestone slab.
A short while later, the sky cleared in the evening, the snowflakes had lessened, and the night wind had also ceased.
Only the fine snow, like sleet, rain, and mist, dampened the windows covered with blue floral paper.
Ye Yang was about to light the charcoal fire when, unexpectedly, a soft knocking sound came from outside.
The sound was crisp. Although he found it strange, Ye Yang still got up and opened the wooden door.
Outside the door was a maid dressed in green, with a round face, fair skin, and two topknots, covered in snowflakes.
"Dongqing, what's wrong?"
The maid heard Ye Yang speak and quickly said, "Young Master, Bai Jingang said that a relative of yours has arrived at the Sect and specifically asked me to invite you!"
"What?"
Ye Yang was stunned, both surprised and delighted.
"Is she here to break off the engagement? Quickly, take me there."
Who knows how many Transmigration Seniors rose to power precisely by having their engagements broken off, subsequently becoming invincible against all odds.
Ye Yang had been living a tough life for years and had already felt that something was off. Only when the maid reminded him today did he realize where the problem lay.
It turned out he was missing a fiancée who was supposed to come and break off their engagement.
"Young Master, what are you saying? Miss Zhu was sent to the mountain gate a few days ago specifically to see you."
"Moreover, the Zhu Family also sent pearls and white jade, probably hoping you would look after them in the future."
"Furthermore, no matter how dilapidated our Flying Heaven Gate is, it is still a Sect. That Zhu Family is merely a declining, low-ranking Family; it is already a blessing for them to be able to associate with us. How would they dare to break off the engagement?"
Ye Yang cleared his throat. He then remembered that his deceased father indeed had an old friend, but later, his father died early, and the two families stopped interacting.
He himself had been focused on cultivation and hadn't taken this matter to heart, which was why he had forgotten about it.
Hearing that she wasn't there to break off the engagement, Ye Yang couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, waving his hand.
"In that case, take me there."