241: First time visiting the Daoist sect! Meet an old acquaintance!

The sky abyss flying boat pierced through clouds and mist at a moderate speed, allowing for a leisurely appreciation of the Great Qian's landscapes, with mountains and rivers below unfolding like a scroll and then receding.

Days after leaving the capital, the flying boat was about to depart the Central Plains and enter the southern regions.

Below, the spiritual energy of the earth veins was rich, and amidst the verdant peaks, grand architectural complexes with flying eaves and intricate Dougong brackets, enveloped in spiritual mist, occasionally appeared—these were the mountain gates of various sects, large and small, in the Central Plains.

On this day, the flying boat was passing over a mountain range shrouded in mist and dotted with peculiar peaks, where the spiritual energy was far more abundant than in the surrounding areas.

Li Shengyuan, feeling something, slightly reduced the flying boat's speed.

"Below should be the mountain gate of Questioning Dao Sect, one of the four great sects of the Central Plains," Li Mu said, walking to the bow and standing beside his son, looking at the magnificent mountains below.

Wenren Qingxuan also walked over gracefully and nodded slightly: "Questioning Dao Sect has a long history, excelling in exploring the ultimate truths of heaven and earth and tempering the mind and soul. Its Zongzhu, Luo Qingwan, is also said to be a remarkably talented individual, having reached a second-rank cultivation in her early years, her strength unfathomable."

Li Shengyuan's gaze swept over several spiritual energy nodes below and he nodded: "Indeed, it has profound foundations."

He quickly recalled a small incident in the capital before his trip to the Northern Territory.

At that time, Luo Yuzhu, a disciple of Questioning Dao Sect's Zongzhu, was still an instructor at Black White Academy, and she wanted to inquire about a Son of Destiny named Liu Xiu, but their initial interaction wasn't exactly pleasant...

In the end, Li Shengyuan even said that he would sooner or later seek guidance from her master, Questioning Dao Sect's Zongzhu Luo Qingwan. He hadn't expected to arrive near Questioning Dao Sect now, and he himself had reached the second-rank realm!

His hands had even been stained with the blood of a top-tier second-rank expert, and his strength was renowned throughout Great Qian.

However, Li Shengyuan still harbored the idea of seeking guidance...

Only by interacting more with masters of the same realm could he progress faster!

As they were speaking, a clear streak of light suddenly rose from the main peak below, moving neither fast nor slow, yet precisely heading towards the sky abyss's path. It clearly held no malice, seeming more like a polite interception and signal.

The light dissipated, revealing a young man in Questioning Dao Sect elder attire. He stood on a flying sword, cupped his hands from afar, and his clear voice penetrated the clouds:

"Is this Lord Li Shengyuan's carriage ahead? I am Zhou Yuan, an Enforcement Elder of Questioning Dao Sect, sent by the Zongzhu to welcome you. The Zongzhu senses that Daoist friends are passing by and sincerely invites Your Highness and all Daoist friends to rest at our sect and allow us to extend our hospitality."

Li Shengyuan and his parents exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of understanding in the other's eyes.

Given the conspicuousness of the sky abyss and the aura of their group, it was perfectly normal for the local master to notice them and extend an invitation.

Li Shengyuan's lips curved into a slight smile; it perfectly aligned with his intentions!

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Zhou, for leading the way," Li Shengyuan's voice was calm, yet it clearly reached the disciple's ears, "We shall impose upon you."

The sky abyss then adjusted its direction, and under the guidance of the Enforcement Elder, slowly descended onto the guest plaza of one of Questioning Dao Sect's main peaks.

Several sect elders were already waiting there, their manners impeccable.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group was led to the main hall.

Yue Xiyan and the other ladies curiously observed Questioning Dao Sect's serene yet magnificent environment.

Yue Xiyan, in particular, was most interested in this, having long heard that Questioning Dao Sect's Zongzhu was a powerful woman. Now, having broken through to the second-rank herself, Yue Xiyan was quite intrigued by her.

Upon arriving at Questioning Dao Sect's main hall, the interior was elegantly arranged yet grand, with Daoist charm naturally flowing.

On the main seat, a woman dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with a cold and lotus-like demeanor, sat quietly. Her face appeared youthful, but her eyes were deep and serene, as if they could see through all worldly matters. She was precisely Questioning Dao Sect's Zongzhu, Luo Qingwan.

Seeing Li Shengyuan and his group enter, she rose to greet them, a faint and appropriate smile on her lips:

"Your esteemed presence, Daoist friends, graces my Questioning Dao Sect with brilliance."

Addressing them as 'Daoist friends' meant setting aside their imperial court identities, indicating a relationship not between the court and the martial world, but one of friendship.

Her gaze lingered on Li Shengyuan for a moment, a barely perceptible hint of astonishment flashing in her eyes.

With her cultivation and discernment, she could naturally sense the vast, ocean-like power within Li Shengyuan, yet so perfectly contained, far exceeding the second-rank realm he outwardly displayed.

"Zongzhu Luo is too kind. It is we who have presumptuously passed by and disturbed your esteemed sect's tranquility," Li Shengyuan smiled calmly, his attitude humble.

The two parties took their seats as hosts and guests, and disciples naturally served spiritual tea and immortal fruits.

Luo Qingwan, Li Mu, and Wenren Qingxuan were considered peers, having met several times in their younger years, making their conversation quite harmonious.

The topics ranged from the scenery of the Northern Territory to the landscapes of Jiangnan, and from cultivation insights to the general trends of the world, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

During their conversation, a woman in a direct disciple's attire, with a beautiful and slightly cool demeanor, personally entered to refill their tea.

Her movements were elegant and her etiquette impeccable, but as she poured tea for Li Shengyuan, her fingertips almost imperceptibly paused, and her eyelashes lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with him.

Li Shengyuan, however, naturally looked up at her and smiled slightly: "Miss Luo, since our last parting in the capital, I trust you have been well."

This woman was none other than Luo Qingwan's direct disciple—Luo Yuzhu.