56: assembly

Months later.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyue, Yixian Gorge is not far from here."

Four figures moved like lightning, circulating their magical power, advancing rapidly.

The four people, two men and two women, the one who spoke was a young man in his twenties, with an ordinary appearance, and his eyes constantly glanced at the plain-clothed female Cultivator among the four.

The Young Female Cultivator, called Mingyue, heard this and smiled slightly at the three of them:

"Thanks to meeting the three Fellow Daoists, otherwise, this journey would not have been so easy."

Mingyue was Zhou Liyue. After leaving Qingyuan Town, she met the three in a mountain forest.

After a brief inquiry, she learned that the three were Loose Cultivators from Yixian Gorge, and this trip out was merely to accept a commission to find certain Spiritual Plants.

Zhou Liyue calculated slightly in her heart. The strongest among these three was only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, not very strong, and they were familiar with Yixian Gorge.

If she could travel with the three, she would not only be able to learn specific information about Yixian Gorge but also reduce some trouble.

Therefore, Zhou Liyue disguised herself as a mortal who accidentally obtained a Qi Refining cultivation technique and stumbled upon the path of Cultivation.

She had accidentally heard from other Loose Cultivators that Yixian Gorge was a Holy Land in the hearts of many Loose Cultivators, so she yearned for it and wished to go to Yixian Gorge to seek the Dao. Thus, she met the three here.

These explanations were merely adaptations of her father Zhou Kaiding's personal experiences, naturally spoken with reason and evidence, making the three believe her.

Zhou Liyue's attitude was sincere, and she was a Young Female Cultivator. The three's guard in their hearts lessened. After some exchange, they found that Zhou Liyue had a profound understanding of Cultivation.

So, when Zhou Liyue proposed traveling together, the three only thought for a moment before agreeing.

As soon as Zhou Liyue finished speaking, the young man who had spoken waved his hands repeatedly, his face slightly flushed.

"We merely pointed the way; on the contrary, Fellow Daoist Mingyue has given us many pointers, which makes us feel ashamed."

Another male Cultivator spoke, taking over the conversation. This person was the Cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Layer, named Xu Hongyuan, the oldest, and could be considered well-traveled.

The other two generally called him Big Brother Xu, and Zhou Liyue followed suit.

"Big Brother Xu, you're overstating it. These are just my personal opinions, nothing much."

Zhou Liyue spoke seriously. This was intentionally done by her, considered a reward for the three.

She had been educated by Zhou Kaiding at home since childhood, and through immersion, she had a deep understanding of Cultivation matters such as Qi Condensation, Qi Refining, meridian circulation, and principles of magic.

Compared to the three who had no Legacy, she naturally knew more.

Furthermore, she had already reached the Mid-stage Qi Refining, so she could offer insights and opinions on many of the doubts the three raised, from a higher perspective.

This greatly benefited the three, and they admired Zhou Liyue even more.

Although Zhou Liyue's appearance was concealed, and her movements and demeanor were slightly altered, it was her first time traveling outside. After a long period of interaction, she inadvertently still exuded some of her inherent temperament.

The saying, "One should not meet someone too stunning in their youth," was also true for Chen Shuyun.

While Zhou Liyue was speaking, Chen Shuyun's gaze never left her. He completely failed to notice that this behavior had already fallen into Zhao Xuanfang's eyes.

Zhao Xuanfang felt a little jealous. Before meeting Zhou Liyue, she was the center of the three, and Xu Hongyuan and Chen Shuyun were also quite caring towards her.

However, now, in just over a month, things had changed.

"Hmph."

Zhao Xuanfang snorted softly in her heart, hurrying along on her own, no longer listening to the three converse.

Xu Hongyuan saw the changes in everyone's expressions. He felt a bit helpless about Chen Shuyun.

He wanted to say something, but the words stopped at his mouth. He thought it would be better to talk about it later when there was an opportunity.

After more than a month of getting along, Xu Hongyuan had already become suspicious of Zhou Liyue's origins.

However, Zhou Liyue had not brought them any trouble; instead, she had helped them greatly.

If it came down to it, Zhou Liyue should be considered a half-teacher to the three.

Therefore, Xu Hongyuan simply kept these thoughts to himself and did not expose Zhou Liyue.

Several hours later.

The four stopped, looking at the giant peak before them, split in two like a chasm. Zhou Liyue's heart was filled with incomparable shock.

"Yixian Gorge..."

Zhou Liyue subconsciously murmured.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyue, this Yixian Gorge, legend has it, was caused by a powerful Cultivator fighting here, splitting the sky with a single sword."

Chen Shuyun chuckled, feeling a little proud in his heart.

Even the usually calm Fellow Daoist Mingyue had a day when her mind was shaken.

Chen Shuyun thought to himself.

"Oh?"

"There's such a saying?"

Zhou Liyue heard this and finally came back to her senses, looking at Chen Shuyun with curiosity in her eyes.

Being looked at by Zhou Liyue like that, Chen Shuyun, who had just been secretly proud, actually flushed red, stammering for a long time without saying a word.

Xu Hongyuan watched from the side, sighing inwardly, and said:

"It's just a legend. At least in the more than ten years I've been in Yixian Gorge, I haven't found any traces of a powerful Cultivator."

"Right, right..."

Seeing Xu Hongyuan speak, Chen Shuyun quickly nodded in response, his tone urgent.

However, Zhou Liyue had no intention of laughing at him. She thanked the two.

"Thank you both, Fellow Daoists, for informing me."

The two repeatedly returned the greeting, indicating it was no big deal. Zhao Xuanfang, watching from the side, pouted, feeling a little annoyed.

"How will Fellow Daoist Mingyue arrange things next?"

"Do you have a destination?"

Xu Hongyuan asked.

Zhou Liyue pondered for a moment and said:

"I'm quite interested in Formations. I wonder where there are Formation Legacy transactions?"

This was merely a pretext from Zhou Liyue. Her purpose for this journey was to travel and broaden her horizons.

In the past month or so, along the way, the myriad aspects of human life and the rolling Mortal World had all entered her heart, which could be considered a fruitful harvest.

Having traveled with Xu Hongyuan and the other two for over a month, she also deeply experienced the difficulties of a Loose Cultivator's Cultivation.

She felt even more fortunate in her heart that the Zhou Family had Mo Xuan's protection.

However, even though it was a pretext, if there were unexpected pleasant surprises, that would also be good.

"Since that's the case, Fellow Daoist Mingyue, why not stay with us for now and attend the small valley gathering at the end of the month?"

"You can try your luck at this gathering."

Chen Shuyun spoke repeatedly, inviting Zhou Liyue.

Xu Hongyuan's lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, but he didn't. He had only asked symbolically, and who knew Chen Shuyun would make the invitation on behalf of the three?

He felt helpless in his heart, but since the words were already out, it was not convenient to undermine Chen Shuyun.

After all, the three of them had known each other for many years, supported each other, and had deep feelings.

Moreover, Chen Shuyun had always been reliable and wouldn't act so presumptuously; it was only after meeting Fellow Daoist Mingyue that he lost his composure.

"This gathering is where we Loose Cultivators exchange resources, trading by bartering, entirely voluntary, each taking what they need."

Seeing Zhou Liyue's confusion, Xu Hongyuan secretly glared at Chen Shuyun and explained.

"In that case, I shall impose."

Zhou Liyue's heart stirred, and she bowed to the three.