Seeking the Tao in the Mortal World

Qin Yi was obsessed with studying, and Ju Yunxiu started to feel uneasy.

Before this, she had never thought that she, who had lived in seclusion for thousands of years, would feel uneasy for not seeing a person for half a month.

Isn't half a month just the blink of an eye?

But when I’m playing the piano and painting alone, why do I always feel that something is missing? I just don't have the mood.

This isn't right. In terms of the traditional immortal way, falling into this state can be regarded as being possessed by 'inner demon'. Fortunately, the way of the Myriad Tao Immortal Palace has no special requirements. Even being obsessed with love can be considered a branch, although there is currently no such thing.

But it is still wrong, because it has affected my 'expertise'. Myriad Tao Immortal Palace values this.

If I remain in this state of uncertainty, I definitely can't make progress.

There are two ways to solve this situation.

One way is to simply become an immortal couple. If everything is clear, there will be nothing to worry about. The only difference is the mood before and after marriage...

One is... to stop seeing him, and it ends naturally as time passes.

Ju Yunxiu moved away from the piano and stood on the edge of the pavilion. Looking in the direction of Qin Yi Mount Passerby from a distance, she fell into deep thought.

But……

She closed her eyes, and divine thought shrouded thousands of miles in a radius. The bird chirps and whispers of people could be heard clearly.

She quickly heard the keyword she wanted.

"Why doesn't Qin Yi do anything after becoming the inspector? Everyone is so scared now."

"I think Qin Yi is a nice person. He won't mess around."

"I think he has completely lost track of time with Senior Ju… hehe."

"But don't you think... they are actually master and disciple rather than senior and junior?"

The atmosphere turned quiet.

Someone sneered and said, "Who doesn't know? Seniority is just an excuse. She is actually teaching him. Everyone is just turning a blind eye to it. In fact, they are more than that."

"Ju Yunxiu looks aloof, but actually... By the way, the last one who practiced this way was the Temple Great Joy, right? Our Myriad Tao Immortal Palace claims to be non-evil, but isn't it really just an extra layer of pretense?"

"Ahem, shh. Ju Yunxiu is at the Radiant Yang Stage and Qin Yi is the inspector. Do you want to die?"

"So what, they can stop us from discussing it, but they can't stop future generations from hearing about it. They are still the ones who wrote the book. Don't they know that their stories will be written down and passed on for thousands of years?"

Ju Yunxiu withdrew her divine thought and squeezed her delicate hands tightly. Her face turned pale.

She could ignore what they said. She knew people could make sour remarks about everything, so she wasn't bothered by their discussions.

But this last sentence really hit her sore spot.

She was a book writer, so she cared about this very much.

There were some inter-connections among the various sects of the Immortal Palace. Most people could write and draw, so they would definitely distort the truth. No one might dare to tell it now, but what about many years later?

What would Ju Yunxiu look like when others read the book?

In particular, this wasn't humiliating her, but it was based on facts.

The reason why she never wanted to open her heart to Qin Yi was not only her feelings for him wasn't enough, but she also worried about this.

She couldn't bear it, and this couldn't be overcome with cultivation.

She couldn't be indifferent to everything. If she was, she wouldn't even get started with Qin Yi.

Heartless and ruthless people couldn't specialize in the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting way because they were all about expressing feelings and emotions. Behind the superficial aloofness lies a delicate, sensitive, and slightly fragile heart.

"Passerby...he won't stay long. What am I thinking?" She whispered to herself. "His roots are in the South Li Kingdom, not here."

"Then… let's just let it fade away. It might be good for me and him to see each other less. Sooner or later… he will leave, and that will be the end."

"Master, Master." Qing Cha's voice sounded from behind. "Master's Junior is here."

Ju Yunxiu turned her head and saw Qin Yi approaching quickly from a distance on a handkerchief.

"Do you still know this place?" She obviously planned to avoid him for a while, but she seemed to have jinxed it. Ju Yunxiu turned away in shock and looked away.

Qin Yi lowered his head and said with a smile, "There is no sun or moon in the cave house, so I don't know how long I have been cultivating. I come to see Senior Ju after beating that damn monkey."

"The monkey is prettier than me?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Ju Yunxiu still didn't turn around and asked, "Your Mount Passerby is not in that direction. How did you come from that way?"

"Oh, I just went to see Yin Yigu and extorted two gourds of wine from him." Qin Yi walked to her side and handed over a gourd. "The mountain breeze is just right during this summer afternoon, so I thought it is a good idea to have a drink with senior Ju. It's a good moment to write poetry under the shade of the trees and warm atmosphere.”

Ju Yunxiu pouted slightly. His taste in literacy really fits mine.

It's not about whether I can write good poems, but about how palatable the meaning is.

Without him, the world would indeed be less colorful.

Ju Yunxiu took the wine gourd, weighed it, pulled out the cork, and smelled it. She shook her head and chuckled, "Do you know what kind of wine this is?"

"Well, Yin Yigu didn't say anything. He only said that the wine is absolutely good."

"Of course it's good wine. The name of this wine is Absurd Dream. Ordinary people will get drunk and have dreams of three lives. When they wake up, they may be enlightened. Even cultivators will gain insight after drinking it. This is the best wine of the drinking sect. He treats you well. It seems that you have gained some friendships in the Geo Secret Realm. "

Qin Yi smiled and said, "We don't have many topics, but his attitude is really good. The people of the drinking sect are also very interesting. Some of them recite poems in a drunken state. In fact, we should interact more. In some aspects, we complement each other well. After all, poetry and wine go hand in hand."

"I have thought of something to reward you." Ju Yunxiu turned her hand and took out a gourd. "This is for you."

"This is……"

"This is a wine that our two sects brewed together in the early years. It's called Drifting Poet Wine."

"... Just reward me with a gourd of wine?"

"Buying a casket and returning a pearl is what a fool does." Ju Yunxiu smiled slightly, "The gourd is a treasure, and it is called Endless Drinking. As long as a drop of wine is in it, it will fill up by itself and let you drink for a lifetime."

Qin Yi became interested. Yo, it's just cool to sing and drink while traveling the continents… I have long wanted to try it when I came out of the Immortal Track Village, but I can't bring a gourd with me. I gave up the idea after reaching the South Li Kingdom. Now I unexpectedly got it from her.

As he thought so, Ju Yunxiu said, "I think you will like it when you travel around the world."

Wait a minute. Why does she say that? I'm staying fine here. Why is she talking about this?

Ju Yunxiu turned around and returned to the pavilion, put away the piano, and said with a smile, "Come over. Let's see how ridiculous your dream is."

-

Qing Cha fetched two small cups and placed them on the stone table for them. Qin Yi laughed, "Why do you only take two? You should drink too."

Qing Cha shook her head, "Wine and I are rivals! What's so good about wine? Tea is the best!"

"Pff…"

"Qing Cha's cultivation is not enough. She will get drunk in one drop." Ju Yunxiu held the gourd to add wine. She slightly pulled up her right sleeve, revealing a small section of her white wrist. The wine flowed in the jade cup, and a clear water sound was heard. From the scene to the atmosphere, it was breathtakingly beautiful.

Qin Yi had always felt that Ju Yunxiu represented purity and elegance by sitting there. She had the most representative red sleeves of ancient scholars and the aloofness and the temperament of the sect master, which together added to the charm.

Therefore, drinking in the pavilion on this summer afternoon became even more poetic and picturesque. She was a poem just sitting there.

After filling the cup, Qin Yi raised his cup in toast. "Since I joined the sect, Senior Ju has been giving me selfless guidance. I don't know how to thank you, so I would like to take this opportunity to toast Senior Ju with a good wine."

Ju Yunxiu's beautiful eyes flashed, and there were some complex meanings in her eyes, but she didn't say it out loud. She just said, "Have you made another breakthrough in your martial arts? If I read it right, you were at the Muscle Alteration Stage level 3 before, but now you have stabilized at level 4. Are you progressing to level 5 now?"

"Yes, the trial space is really suitable for me." Others with different systems couldn't understand the martial arts cultivation, but the Radiant Yang Stage was too high level, so it wasn't strange that Ju Yunxiu could see through it at a glance. Qin Yi had no intention of hiding from Ju Yunxiu either.

At this point, their wine glasses clinked together, and they each drank from their glasses.

After taking a cup, Qin Yi immediately felt some heat exploding from his stomach. His blood surged upward, and his brain became dizzy. It was as if countless scenes were flashing through his mind like movie clips. He wanted to see them but he couldn't. He looked slightly tipsy.

After all, he had a good foundation in cultivation, so he wouldn't get drunk instantly. If he wanted to understand those scenes, he might have to drink more.

Ju Yunxiu also had a blush on her cheeks. It could be seen that the wine had some effect on her Radiant Yang Stage. She looked even more gorgeous. The summer flowers around her could not compare to her.

Ju Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief and filled his cup, then she brought back the previous topic. "The guidance I gave you is nothing. Everyone knows by now that your foundation is traditional immortal cultivation, but your main combat strength is martial arts cultivation. You have your own cultivation system, so you are just here for the complementary insight.”

Qin Yi said hurriedly, "Don't say that. Senior Ju's guidance has benefited me a lot."

This should be the most natural reply. There was no fault in it, but this answer was wrong at this moment. It emphasized the meaning of 'master and disciple', which Yunxiu didn't want to hear.

It wasn't Qin Yi's fault. No one else could figure it out.

The complications in Ju Yunxiu's eyes became deeper. She didn't reply, and she picked up the second cup of wine.

Qin Yi raised his cup and drank it all.

The second drink started to have some effect.

His mind was confused for a while as if he was having a lucid dream. He clearly felt that he was back in modern times, sketching and painting under the shade of trees in the afternoon. It was the same warm wind and the same fragrant flowers.

The beautiful Senior Ju sat beside him him, watching his every stroke. The two of them were so close.

It was exactly the same as when Ju Yunxiu taught him hand in hand.

Qin Yi turned his head slightly and saw the appearance of Ju Yunxiu.

She was dressed in a modern office girl outfit and wearing glasses, like a teacher.

The same intellectual elegance, but because of the modern clothing, it was a little less aloof and a little more friendly.

"What an absurd dream." Qin Yi quickly shook her head and got rid of the image. He was still in the pavilion with Ju Yunxiu in ancient costume sitting on the opposite. The aroma of wine blended with her fragrance, refreshing his spirit.

At this time, Ju Yunxiu's eyes were half-smiling. She had obviously woken up earlier than Qin Yi, but her face was even redder. What did she 'dream' of?

Qin Yi also understood the effect of this wine. It is not to create an illusion for one as I initially imagined, but it is to guide one's subconscious mind to see what one wants most. However, it is often unrealistic or even absurd to obtain it.

Just like a beggar dreaming of the golden palace. When he wakes up from a dream and witnesses the cruel reality, he may be enlightened.

If he can't be enlightened, he may fall into the dream and never wants to wake up.

This is wine but also poison.

I’m very slightly drunk after just two cups, and I'm already captivated. What if I'm drunk?

Can I escape from this absurd dream?

Ju Yunxiu suddenly smiled. "I drank this Absurd Dream in the early years, and the images I saw were very boring. Unexpectedly, there is something new today. How many more drinks?"

Qin Yi smiled and said, "Can I say no?"

Ju Yunxiu said while adding wine, "You said you could write poetry while drinking this afternoon. Is there any poetry now?"

Qin Yi blurted out, "In dreams, unaware I'm but a guest..."

Ju Yunxiu paused with her delicate hands and looked up at him.

Qin Yi knocked his head and found this sentence strange. Not because it did not match the original intention of being in a different world, but because he actually confused by 'who is the guest'.

Being in a modern dream, I'm a guest instead...

Which one is a dream or which one is reality?

He immediately changed the subject and made a joke. "What did Senior Ju dream about? Did you dream about me?"

Ju Yunxiu said calmly, "Stop your wishful thinking… I dream about others but not you."

As she spoke, the wine was refilled. Seeing her red face, Qin Yi didn't believe that she was just dreaming about others, but he didn't want to expose her. So he smiled and drank another cup.

After drinking this cup, Qin Yi exclaimed secretly.

Shit... I can't stand it any longer. How is this wine?

Before he could react, he fell into a dream.

The dream had changed. He seemed to be in an ancient tomb. He was sleeping on the cold jade, and Senior Ju was lying on a rope...

This is... the Legend of the Condor Heroes?

This is not a dream of three lives but it is forcibly generated based on the scenes in my memory that I think fit it!

The scene changed again. He was in the flowers. They stretched out their palms and faced each other.

Isn't this the scene of cultivating the Jade Girl's Heart Sutra? How could I have such a dream?

Wait… Isn't the sex scene happening shortly after this?

It won’t be long anyway…

Qin Yi was suddenly alerted. Is this a warning?

Do it means that if I don't take action, others will get her first? If Yang Guo was really reborn, he would definitely not wait until something happened to regret it. He would have taken the initiative to express his love to Xiao Longnu, right?

Am I not the same as him?

But...Ju Yunxiu is not Xiao Longnu. Xiao Longnu has fallen in love with Yang Guo for a long time, but what does Ju Yunxiu think about me...

No matter whether this is a dream or a reality. If I don’t even dare to dream, what’s the point of living?

Qin Yixin followed his heart and stretched out his hand to pull.

TL: Is this a dream though?

-

Ju Yunxiu was certainly not as drunk as Qin Yi after the third cup.

In fact, if she wanted to, she wouldn't even be drunk at all. It wouldn't affect her spirit at all. It was just that she was in a special mood today, so she simply let go and let the wine affect her.

Ju Yunxiu had a dream similar to Qin Yi's, but even more absurd.

For example, Qin Yi was playing Clouded-Mount Flute, and the flute suddenly turned into Ju Yunxiu, then he kissed her from head to toe.

Ju Yunxiu couldn't imagine how red her face was.

This 'Absurd Dream' will make me dream of the thing that I subconsciously think about... In other words, I'm thinking about this?

Well… this… must be an illusion.

The last one she dreamed about was also about teaching painting hand in hand. They touched and caressed each other ambiguously. Qin Yi was even bolder in the dream. When she wasn't paying attention, he put his hand around her waist.

The current at that moment seemed to be real.

Ju Yunxiu was awakened by the 'current' and stood up subconsciously.

Seeing Qin Yi sleeping across the stone table, Ju Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief, held her head, and walked a few steps away, wanting to stand by the pavilion and enjoy the breeze.

When she passed by Qin Yi who was sleeping soundly, he suddenly raised his head and pulled her over.

When she was pulled, she was caught off guard and didn't think about dodging. Ju Yunxiu had a thousand ways to break free if she wanted to. Qin Yi would never be able to force her.

But she couldn't react for a moment. Her cultivation that was several times higher than Qin Yi's was useless. She could only watch herself fall into Qin Yi's arms.

Ju Yunxiu's mind went blank.

Her hands moved subconsciously, trying to push away, but her mind was not very clear. Dreams and reality were intertwined. Otherwise, how could Qin Yi be so bold in reality? He seemed to hear a voice saying 'Stop pretending. I already told you in the dream. Isn’t this what your subconscious is waiting for?'

It could be seen that Qin Yi was still dreaming. Ju Yunxiu opened her eyes and stared for a while, then she slowly closed his eyes.

Anyway, he is just dreaming. He won't know.

Then... let's try this reality while he doesn't know.

Her hands moved, then she finally hugged Qin Yi's neck.

Not far away, Qing Cha covered her eyes, but then she moved her fingers to look secretly.

In fact, it was very beautiful. From a spectator's perspective, a couple was embracing each other at this cliffside pavilion with the gentle breeze. It was really a good painting.

It was a pity that this beautiful scenery only lasted for a short time.

'Thump', Qin Yi fell asleep again on the stone table.

Ju Yunxiu was very angry. He must be dreaming of that! It's not just kissing, but that!

"No more dreams!"

Qin Yi ignored her.

Ju Yunxiu furiously waved her sleeves and walked away. "Qing Cha! Throw this pervert down the mountain!"

Qing Cha refused to go. "I don't want to. I will definitely be assaulted if I go near him now."

Ju Yunxiu stamped her foot and hit Qin Yi directly in the face with a spiritual force. "No more dreams!"

Then she ran into the house like she was running for his life and slammed the door.

Qin Yi, who was ready to 'attack', was beaten awake. He opened his eyes in confusion and saw that Ju Yunxiu was nowhere to be seen.

"Ugh, Qing Cha, where is your Master?"

Qing Cha took a half step back cautiously.

"What's that expression? Ouch, my face hurts." Qin Yi rubbed his face and had a vague guess in his heart. It must be Ju Yunxiu.

Did something happen just now while I was drunk? Did I offend her?

His expression instantly became very interesting. He almost reached the last stage with Ju Yunxiu in his dream just now.

Running away at this time would be a loss to their relationship. Qin Yi ran to the door and knocked on the door. "Senior Ju..."

Ju Yunxiu's calm voice sounded from inside, "Are you awake?"

"Ugh, I just woke up. Did I do anything excessive while I was drunk just now?"

"No, everything is fine." Ju Yunxiu said calmly, "I'm going to bed. You can leave."

"Then have a good rest, Senior Ju..."

"Qin Yi..."

"Ah, please give me your instructions, Senior Ju."

"You have been cultivating in the Immortal Palace for about five months, right?"

"Yeah."

Ju Yunxiu was silent for a moment, then she said slowly, "You need to balance movement and stillness. It is not good to just cultivate in seclusion."

Qin Yi really wanted to say that he hadn't reached that point yet. The painting world trial was still useful to him. He could at least reach Muscle Alteration Stage level 6, maybe even level 7. As for the immortal cultivation, he had even more room to grow. He had no problem reaching the Cloud Riding Stage. In fact, the aura of this cave house was great. Even if he stopped the cultivation methods of the Immortal Palace and switched back to his own training methods, he could still make progress and gain insights into the Radiant Yang Stage.

But that might take many years.

"The path of immortal cultivation takes a lifetime. If you plan to cultivate to a certain level here as a standard, your idea is wrong." Ju Yunxiu said, "On the other hand, the Immortal Palace can't offer much help in your martial arts cultivation. When you reach the Muscle Alteration stage level 5 or 6, you should consider going out.”

Her words made sense, but Qin Yi felt abrupt.

"But Senior Ju, we are still in a game with Tian Jizi. I just become the inspector and prepare to have a game with them..."

"Our game has lasted for hundreds of years. Why rush now?" Ju Yunxiu said, "As the sect master, I have assigned you a mission, will you accept it or not?"

Qin Yi sighed. "What does Senior Ju want me to do?"

"I remember telling you that my Master once had a friend from Kingdom Qian and gave him a painting as a gift."

"Yes, you said that before. I think there is a chance that the painting is one of the set..."

"That friend of Kingdom Qian is the ancestor of the current Royal Family of Kingdom Qian. He once had some friendship with Master. Master promised him that he would not care if Kingdom Qian was overthrown by others, but if he encounters any extraordinary power, he can ask us for help. A few days ago when you were in seclusion, Kingdom Qian sent an envoy here, saying that Kingdom Qian encountered some troubles. I think... it would be good for you to go. You can also see if the painting is useful. "

Qin Yi breathed a sigh of relief. The nature of this kind of mission was fine. Once he resolved it, he would be back soon. So he said, "Since Senior Ju assigns this mission to me, of it's my duty to do it."

"Well, then go ahead and get ready."

Qin Yi said goodbye and left. Passing by Qing Cha, Qin Yi suddenly asked in a low voice, "Your Master must have some unresolved issues on her mind that are related to me. Can you give me a hint, Qing Cha."

Qing Cha glanced secretly at the room, then at Qin Yi. After hesitating for a while, she gestured with her mouth, "Master-disciple relationship."

Qin Yi's heart moved.

I see.

Combined with the hint that she once wanted to 'set the tone' with me, it's obvious that she is conflicted. So she sends me away for a while to let herself calm down.

The master-disciple relationship... She and I shouldn't be afraid of this. I'm afraid she is more worried about the terrifying power of public opinion?

The dreams of the Legend of the Condor Heroes came at the right time. Isn’t this the natural solution?

Qin Yi returned to his Mount Passerby, looked up at the word 'passerby', and suddenly smiled to himself.

The experiences in dreams won't lie. There is no need to deceive myself. It is better to face my heart honestly.

Not only am I no longer a guest, but I actually want to take up residence.

Men are indeed lecherous pigs.