On the third day after Aunt Su's departure, Tang Xiaoqi was in his cave dwelling, tempering that Chaos Pill Fire seed obtained from the Heavenly Palace with his own Nascent Soul True Fire while simultaneously deducing in his sea of consciousness more possibilities for combining the Wandering Dragon Nine Turns body movement technique with spatial laws. The cave dwelling was filled with spiritual energy, hidden talismans glowed faintly, presenting a scene of peaceful harmony.
Suddenly, his mind stirred, sensing a gentle yet undeniable thought sweep across the restrictions outside his cave dwelling. It was Sect Master Xuan Xuan Zhenren.
Xiao Qi immediately gathered his aura, dispersed the true fire, and tidied his robes. He knew that if the Sect Master had no important matter, he would never directly touch his closed-door restrictions with spiritual sense.
He opened the cave door, where Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng was quietly waiting outside, his expression somewhat solemn.
"Little Seventh Junior Brother, the Master summons." Mu Qingfeng's words were brief.
Xiao Qi nodded and asked no further questions, rising together with the Senior Brother on their flying swords, heading toward the more secluded area behind the main peak where spiritual energy was most abundant. That was the secluded cultivation place of Sect Master Xuan Xuan Zhenren, where ordinary disciples and even elders were not permitted to enter casually.
Passing through a natural cloud and mist formation, the scene suddenly opened up before them. A simple ancient temple hall stood built against the mountain, half-hidden among verdant pines and cypresses. Before the hall was a clear cold pool whose water vapor rose, transforming into wisps of spiritual mist. The spiritual energy here was so abundant it almost became substantive. Simply breathing, one felt their cultivation subtly increasing.
Sect Master Xuan Xuan Zhenren was not inside the hall but sat cross-legged on a blue stone by the cold pool, holding a bamboo fishing rod, his gaze calmly watching the bottomless pool water, like an ordinary old man fishing. But Xiao Qi could sense that his Master's aura was seamlessly unified with this heaven and earth. Though appearing peaceful, it was unfathomably deep. His cultivation realm was probably at the peak of Nascent Soul late stage, only one step away from the legendary Spirit Transformation realm.
"Disciple Tang Xiaoqi, pays respects to Master." Xiao Qi and Mu Qingfeng stepped forward, respectfully saluting.
Xuan Xuan Zhenren did not turn around but simply lightly acknowledged, his voice peaceful yet carrying a penetrating power. His wrist slightly flicked, lifting the fishing rod. A fish with an entirely silver-white body, whose scales shimmered with spiritual light under the sun, was pulled out of the water, arcing beautifully through the air and landing in the fish basket beside him.
"Sit." The Sect Master pointed to two other smooth blue stones beside him.
Xiao Qi and Mu Qingfeng sat as ordered, waiting quietly for the Sect Master to speak. By the cold pool, only the rustling of pine trees in the wind and the occasional rippling sounds of the pool water remained, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and solemnity.
After a long while, Xuan Xuan Zhenren slowly set down the fishing rod, turned around, and his gaze fell on Tang Xiaoqi. That gaze was gentle yet seemed able to pierce through the heart and see through all falsehood.
"Xiao Qi," the Sect Master spoke, his tone unhurried: "Su Wan has left?"
"Yes, Master. She departed down the mountain three days ago for world travels." Xiao Qi respectfully answered.
The Sect Master slightly nodded: "It is good she left. Her heart knot has been untied. Though the road ahead is perilous, it is also her fortune. Forcing her to stay would be counterproductive." He paused, then shifted his gaze, his eyes carrying undisguised praise: "You handled the internal investigation very well. Thunderous means, merciful heart. Not only did you eliminate hidden dangers but also united the people's hearts. Now Qingxu Temple, from top to bottom, is of one mind, solid as iron, with a whole new atmosphere. This is all your merit."
Xiao Qi quickly said with humility: "Master overpraises. This was the joint effort of Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, and all the elders working together as one. Disciple dares not take the credit. Moreover, maintaining sect stability is precisely what disciple should do within his duties."
Mu Qingfeng beside him also spoke: "Master, Little Seventh Junior Brother is being too modest. If he had not proposed the Gentle Heart-Questioning strategy and personally participated, this matter would never have been resolved so perfectly."
The Sect Master waved his hand, indicating they need not defer to each other. His gaze turned again to the misty distant mountains, his tone becoming somewhat wistful: "Qingxu Temple, established for ten thousand years, having weathered storms, achieving such prosperity in this era, with disciples all striving upward, internal unity, external defense against demonic disasters, internal purification of evil... the Master is deeply gratified."
He withdrew his gaze, looking at Tang Xiaoqi once more, his eyes becoming profound: "Xiao Qi, do you know why all previous generations of ancestors, even this Master, have regarded protecting Qingxu Temple as their lifelong responsibility?"
Xiao Qi contemplated for a moment, then answered: "Because the sect is the root, the inheritance, the cornerstone that shelters our cultivators and continues our Dao lineage."
"Correct." The Sect Master nodded: "The sect is the root, the cornerstone. But above the cornerstone, there should be towering giant trees, eagles soaring above the nine heavens. If a giant tree is confined to a small place, or an eagle is bound in a golden cage, even with world-traversing abilities, they cannot display their full potential. They will eventually wither, or... break the cage and destroy everything."
The profound meaning in his words stirred both Xiao Qi and Mu Qingfeng's hearts.
"Your growth has far exceeded this Master's expectations." The Sect Master's gaze was like substance, falling on Xiao Qi, as if examining a masterpiece that had been sculpted into a vessel, its inner brilliance concealed yet extraordinary: "When you first entered the temple, your spiritual roots were chaotic, your cultivation low, your disposition pure yet timid. But in merely decades, with extraordinary encounters and steadfast will, you have actually reached the Nascent Soul realm, possess the Purification Origin, obtained ancient inheritances, and furthermore have the common people in your heart, with wisdom and courage combined. Now you, within Qingxu Temple, can be called a stabilizing pillar, and in the entire Southeast cultivation realm, you are famously renowned, with none able to surpass you."
His tone shifted again, becoming grave: "However, the deeper a pond, the more water it can hold, but there is ultimately its limit. Qingxu Temple, even this southeastern corner of the cultivation world, is already too small for you."
Xiao Qi's heart trembled. He raised his head to look at the Sect Master. Mu Qingfeng also showed contemplation.
"This Master does not ask you to abandon the sect." The Sect Master saw the flicker in Xiao Qi's eyes, speaking slowly: "On the contrary, precisely because your heart is set on the sect, this Master must remind you even more. Your Dao, your potential, should not and cannot be confined merely to this one corner of heaven and earth of Qingxu Temple. Continuing to stay here would indeed guarantee the sect hundreds of years of stability, but for you yourself, it would be like a dragon stranded in shallow waters. You need a vaster world, fiercer storms, to temper your Dao-heart, to pursue that higher Dao."
He extended his hand to point toward the boundless sky and the unending mountains beneath: "The path of cultivation is sailing against the current; not advancing means retreat. Nascent Soul is not the endpoint. Above it are Spirit Transformation, Unity, Fusion... even the ethereal realm of ascension. In the Southeast cultivation realm, resources, opportunities, opponents — all are already insufficient for your next breakthrough. You need to go to the Central Plains core where the cultivation civilization is more flourishing, to the ancient secret realms where opportunities and dangers coexist as legends, even... to the other shore of the stars, other realms."
The Sect Master's gaze returned to Xiao Qi, carrying earnest expectations and a barely detectable sense of release: "Xiao Qi, Qingxu Temple is your root, always will be. But the eagle must ultimately soar above the nine heavens. When affairs here are properly arranged and the sect has no worries, you may go. Travel the world, pursue your higher Dao."
"This is not exile, but inheritance, also... transcendence."
Tang Xiaoqi listened to the Sect Master's heartfelt words, his heart surging with emotions. He understood the Sect Master's profound intent. The Master did not undervalue him; precisely because he valued him too much, he was unwilling to let him bind his own growth for the sect's sake. Qingxu Temple needed him, but needed even more a him who could continuously break through and reach higher realms. A powerful protector was far more meaningful for the sect's future than a protector who was complacent.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, stood up, and deeply bowed to the Sect Master, his voice resolute and sincere: "Disciple... understands. Many thanks for Master's guidance! Disciple will not disappoint Master's expectations, nor forget the sect's kindness in nurturing me. When the time is ripe, disciple will travel for Dao-seeking. But no matter where disciple is, Qingxu Temple will always be disciple's home!"
Sect Master Xuan Xuan Zhenren looked at his disciple whose gaze was firm and Dao-heart pure, and finally revealed an incomparably gratified and relaxed smile. He lightly nodded and waved his hand: "Go. Prepare well. The road ahead lies beneath your feet."
Tang Xiaoqi and Mu Qingfeng saluted once more, then quietly withdrew from this restricted area.
Walking back, Tang Xiaoqi gazed at the flowing clouds in the sky. He had new understanding and plans. The Sect Master's words were like opening a new door before him. Beyond it was an even grander cultivation world, waiting for him to explore and conquer.
His Dao truly should not stop here.