Chapter Fifty-Four: The Priest Descends the Mountain
It was a tradition in the Ethereal Sect that, whether inner or outer sect disciples, upon reaching the age of sixteen and completing their coming-of-age ceremony, they would be assigned to leave the sect for at least a year of training in the outside world. Of course, those confident enough in their cultivation could also apply to venture out ahead of time. Just like the traitor Zeng Hu, who, after assassinating Elder Gongsun's beloved disciple and adopted son, Gongsun Shan, immediately petitioned his master, Elder Kong, to let him embark on his training journey early... This stroke of luck allowed him to live an extra year and a half... Naturally, had it not been for the exposure of the Puppet Sect’s black needle incident during the Top Ten Competition, he might still be living a comfortable life to this day.
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After bidding farewell to Mu Wan'er, whose large, crystalline eyes were already misty with tears, Gu Xiaopang gathered his gear and set off alone down the mountain. A beautiful junior sister, prone to blushing, quietly watched him leave from behind a spiritual plant in the distance.
Passing through an invisible barrier, Gu Xiaopang emerged among the overlapping mountains outside the sect. He patted the small storage pouch, less than five cubic feet, that Old Five Gu had given him before his departure, feeling reassured by the array of treasures inside.
After traveling for most of the day, a low-level Bristly Boar, which just so happened to be passing by, pitifully became Gu Xiaopang’s mount, with a string of five small bells fastened around its neck.
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“Jingle bells, jingle bells, I’m selling newspapers...” Gu Xiaopang, humming a childhood tune from his past life with mischievous delight, swayed along the road like a little vagabond, half sitting, half lying, as he made his way into the city.
“Top-grade healing pills at a bargain, only one low-grade spirit stone each!”
“Come one, come all! Ancient ruin treasure maps, just three low-grade spirit stones for a copy!”
“Freshly picked, thousand-year-old deep-sea crane coral—a perfect gift for a master or for a birthday celebration, absolutely outstanding!”
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“Young man, please wait! I can see from your bones that you are an extraordinary martial arts prodigy, a talent unseen in a hundred years. I have here a martial arts manual...”
“Elder, you have sharp eyes! Even though I tried so hard to hide my brilliance, you still saw through me?!”
“It is fate that has brought us together. I’ll even take a loss and sell you this manual for half price—what do you say?”
“No, thank you!”
“You little rascal! Are you just making a fool of this old man?!”
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Having never left the sect before, Gu Xiaopang found everything outside fresh and exciting. Compared to the dull cultivation life within the sect, he felt that now, at last, he was a true tiger returned to the wild...
This dazzling world was just waiting for him to roar across its rivers and mountains...
And at the same time as Gu Xiaopang’s departure, disciples from other powerful sects also began to leave their homes, scattering across the land.
...
At the center of the continent.
After the Grand Diviner of the Celestial Pivot Pavilion leaked word of a coming calamity, the pavilion—closed for years—finally saw several white-clad disciples, both male and female, descending gracefully from its heights.
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“Hey, innkeeper, isn’t your rate here a bit too steep?”
“Stay if you want, if not, then leave.”
Feeling the pouch at his chest and counting the few dozen mid- and low-grade spirit stones he’d brought, Gu Xiaopang couldn’t help but sigh—he had miscalculated; the money he brought wasn’t enough.
Never mind, he thought, I’ll just sleep in a big tree tonight. It saves money and I can enjoy the night scenery... With this, Gu Xiaopang consoled himself.
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Making peace with his slightly embarrassing situation, Gu Xiaopang, as night fell, found a secluded spot outside the city and sat cross-legged on a thick branch of a large, leafy tree...
Basking in the sparse starlight, he began his cultivation.
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