Zhiyu Country is located three thousand miles east, near the East Sea.
The mountains stretch endlessly, surrounded by clouds and mist, resembling a fairyland.
"Sir, up ahead is the border of Purple Bamboo Mountain." The monkey led the way, and upon seeing his homeland approaching, his excitement was palpable.
"A good place."
A gentle breeze blew by, and Ning Xunqiu felt currents of Spiritual Qi flowing around, lively and jumping within his body like tiny streams.
Though the Qingxu Realm was vast, Spiritual Qi was not found everywhere. The deserted islands he briefly visited had such thin Spiritual Qi, not even comparable to the Profound Dragon Pearl in Cyan Mountain Heaven and Earth.
Mortal matters need not be mentioned.
Breathing a few times, Dust Qi entangled oneself, ensuring rapid regression of cultivation.
Monkey's departure from the "East Sea" in search of the Dao, spanning a hundred years, seemed far away, but Purple Bamboo Mountain lay not far from Zhiyu Country.
Ning Xunqiu was touched, casting a glance at the monkey, "Purple Bamboo Mountain is within reach, you..."
Monkey gazed at the distant peaks: "Sir, after wandering for a hundred years, my moments of clarity have dwindled steadily."
"Recently, I feel that my days are numbered."
"I hope to return to Purple Bamboo Cliff Mountain before I completely lose consciousness, even if I become a stubborn rock atop the cliff, at least with old friends around, I wouldn't be lonely."
As he finished speaking, a smile appeared on monkey's face again: "Who would have thought a chance encounter would lead me to meet you right at my doorstep."
"Awooo—" He suddenly leaped to the treetop, skillfully flying through the woods, letting out a long howl from his mouth, "This must be fate! Awooo awooo awooo!"
"Sir, follow me!!" he shouted excitedly.
Amused, Ning Xunqiu smiled slightly and followed closely.
The scenery around changed rapidly, startled birds and beasts fled.
A man and a monkey leapt across a grove of purple bamboo.
Crack—
Suddenly, thick mist spread, and the mountain forest seemed to come alive, everything in the world appeared to rotate and change.
The path ahead was abruptly blocked by a stone wall.
"Watch out." Ning Xunqiu's instincts blared, quickly reaching out to grab the monkey mid-air, just before he hit the stone wall.
"Sir, what's this?" The monkey was puzzled, "There was no such thing at Purple Bamboo Mountain before."
"This is... an array?"
Ning Xunqiu stared at the ever-changing rocks.
Duan Hong's inheritanced island also had a similar array.
But...
Ning Xunqiu raised his hand, clenching tightly.
Cross Seven Swords·Wind Character Sword!
A powerful Sword Qi roared out like a tornado, charging at the mist.
Where the Sword Qi passed, it tore through the air, producing a piercing howl.
Boom!!
The surrounding mist, under the impact of this force, was blown away as if by an invisible giant hand, quickly dispersing all around, the mountain forest trees swayed violently in the storm.
The ground cracked a deep mark under the impact of the Sword Qi.
"Seems I've overdone it..." Ning Xunqiu looked at the mess around.
Crouble was caused.
He'd previously faced opponents like Duan Hong and Profound Flood Dragon, never held back, often causing landslides and tsunamis.
This time, he tried to restrain himself, using only thirty percent of "Celestial Human Realm" strength, yet didn't expect to cause such destruction...
"Stop—"
At that moment, a sound of a zither rose from the dense purple bamboo, abruptly stopping, followed by a harsh shout.
"What a thief?! How dare you trespass Purple Bamboo Mountain?!!"
Zizhu surged, murder intent appearing.
"Brother Xiong, it's me, Little Monkey!"
Monkey listened to the familiar voice, quickly shouting, "Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."
"Little Monkey?" The voice within the purple bamboo paused, the bamboo forest parted, and a figure slowly approached.
Ning Xunqiu looked towards the sound.
A plump body, white fur, bright black eyes, black ears, a simple face.
Wearing a wide cyan scholar's robe, the robe gently swayed, furry paws holding a zither made of purple wood.
This guy is Brother Xiong? Clearly a national treasure panda!
Brother Xiong's face still bore traces of anger, an "I'm super fierce..." look...
But unfortunately, such an expression on its adorable face lacked any intimidation, rather making one want to laugh.
"Really, it's you."
Brother Xiong saw the monkey, the angry expression on his face immediately turned to surprise, "Little Monkey, you've been outside with no troubles these years?"
He grumbled, tone accusatory.
"I told you earlier, how could 'Immortal Righteous Method' pass to outsiders like us, let Bailing'Er find out ways for you to open sense, you have no defense techniques yourself..."
"No trouble, no trouble."
Monkey waved his hand with a smile, then pointed to Ning Xunqiu beside him for introduction, "This is Mr. Ning, a deity I met outside, he didn't mean to."
"I'm not accustomed to fighting with others, unaware of such formidable swordsmanship power, many apologies, please don't take offense." Ning Xunqiu immediately clasped his hands in a courtesy gesture, expressing regret.
Pausing a moment, he took out a jade bottle from his sleeve.
"This is a pill I refined myself, called Dust-removing Pill, my apology to Daoist friend."
"A Pill Master?!" Panda took the jade bottle, sniffing at the mouth of the bottle, the Muddy Qi dissipated somewhat, "A fine Dust-removing Pill!"
Panda glanced at the verdant cloud-patterned Dust-removing Pill inside the jade bottle, a total of nine pills, hurriedly pushed it back.
"These pills are too precious, how can I accept them!"
Panda glanced at the ground crack, unable to sense any "Magical Power" fluctuating from Ning Xunqiu's body, this person must be like "Demon Master", a "Qi Cultivation Success" Qi Cultivator.
Yet there's no strong Evil Qi, a "good person"!
Seeing panda's apprehensive look, Ning Xunqiu realized the value of 'Dust-removing Pill' to Qi Cultivators.
He didn't take back the Dust-removing Pill, but feigned displeasure:
"Compensation offered, how can it be retrieved?"
"This pill's Dust-removing effect is marvelous, washes away 'Dust Qi', notably beneficial for Human Race to open sense and Foundation Establishment cultivation, saves Qi Cultivators from washing body, aids breathing Qi Cultivation, an invaluable Treasure Pill..." Panda clarified the value of "Dust-removing Pill."
"Please accept it, Daoist friend." Ning Xunqiu interrupted with a wave of his hand.
"This..."
Panda hesitated briefly, seeing Ning Xunqiu's sincerity, he accepted the Dust-removing Pill.
"If sir doesn't mind, you can call me 'Kongmingzi' like Demon Master does." Panda Kongmingzi looked at Ning Xunqiu.
"Demon? Demon Master?" Ning Xunqiu asked.
Panda Kongmingzi immediately explained: "Eight thousand miles Purple Bamboo Mountain is Demon Master's dojo, he often gives teachings to mountain creatures."
"Over time, several creatures gained awareness, received Demon Master's Dharma Transmission, became spirit monsters, naturally counted as his students."
"Demon Master isn't a demon, but a Human Race Qi Cultivator, also National Preceptor of Zhiyu Country." Panda Kongmingzi added a point.
National Preceptor? Demon Master? Ning Xunqiu pondered: "Favor of Mountains and Rivers achievement unlocks follow-up sequence, including '??Demon Master' Purple Achievement... This Zizhu Demon Master isn't simple."
Ning Xunqiu suppressed his thoughts, politely said:
"I've lived in deep mountains for a long time, traveled here, seeking to visit Demon Master, Kongmingzi Daoist friend, may I request an introduction?"
Lived in deep mountains?
Qi Cultivator retreats can last decades, a hundred years, mortal matters are mere changes over time.
Panda Kongmingzi only hesitated briefly, nodding in agreement.
"Sure."...