My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 351: Chapter 174: Guiyuan

This was a tranquil valley, enclosed by mountains on three sides.

Qin Fang had followed Elder Fan Zhengchu down the mountain. After walking for over an hour, they had finally arrived at this place.

Spiritual energy, rich and gentle, suffused the valley.

A few halls and pavilions built from dark wood and bluestone were scattered about, giving them an air of simple, steady antiquity.

A clear stream meandered through, its waters murmuring. Now and then, a silver-scaled fish would flick its tail, and a kingfisher would skim across the surface.

A light mist veiled the woods, where squirrels could be seen leaping between branches. Colorful butterflies fluttered about like living jewels, and from further away, the faint, crisp chirping of birds could be heard...

This beautiful scenery, so full of vibrant life, made Qin Fang’s eyes light up.

’This valley’s scenery... it’s a painting in itself, no need for any embellishment.’

Just looking at it calmed the heart.

"This is Guiyuan Valley, and it is also where the main hall of my Guiyuan Lineage is located."

Elder Fan spoke with a warm smile. "My lineage doesn’t favor extravagance or clamor. We only seek peace in our Heart Realm. You’ve just arrived and have only recently passed the Martial Arts Examination. Your first priority is to calm your heart. This place is indeed quite suitable for that."

Qin Fang let out a soft breath and nodded.

’Scenery like this really does make it easy to calm one’s heart.’

"Come with me."

Elder Fan smiled and led Qin Fang further on. Deeper in the valley, a different scene unfolded.

A tall, grand hall appeared in the deepest part of the valley, with a plaque hanging above its entrance that read: "Guiyuan Main Hall."

Before the hall was a vast, open plaza paved with bluestone. Dozens of disciples in simple blue and white robes were there. Some sat quietly, regulating their breath, while others slowly practiced a kind of continuous palm technique, their movements fluid and their auras deep and sustained.

"This is where the disciples of the Guiyuan Lineage conduct their daily cultivation. The side hall is Yangxin Hall, used for daily meditation and lectures. Ahead is the Hundred Refinements Platform, for practicing defense and combat techniques. As for your Cultivation Technique... when you dripped your blood on the Identity Jade Token to claim it, a mark of the Sect’s Divine Thought should have been transferred into your Sea of Consciousness, right? You will need to go to the Sect’s Scripture Pavilion to claim the technique yourself."

Qin Fang nodded upon hearing this.

Elder Fan said no more, his gaze sweeping gently across the plaza before the hall.

He happened to spot a woman with a serene disposition, dressed in a moon-white Disciple’s Robe adorned with blue patterns, who was guiding several young disciples in their breathing exercises.

"Suxin, come here for a moment."

Elder Fan called out gently.

Hearing his voice, the woman turned. Seeing it was Elder Fan, she whispered a few words to the disciples beside her and then walked over with a light step.

"Master."

She bowed in salute, her voice as soft as a stream flowing over jade.

"Mm."

Elder Fan nodded and pointed at Qin Fang. "This is the newly-joined Qin Fang, an Inner Sect Disciple of this term... and also the top-ranked candidate of this term’s Martial Arts Examination."

Upon hearing this, the woman looked up at Qin Fang, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"Master... you really managed to ’poach’ the top-ranked candidate?"

Elder Fan was taken aback for a moment, then replied speechlessly, "What kind of talk is that? My Guiyuan Lineage is upright and honorable, our Daoist Skill follows the course of nature. What do you mean, ’poach’? It was Qin Fang who had an Enlightenment of the Heart and Nature and chose the righteous path!"

The woman covered her mouth to hide a laugh. "Yes, yes, your disciple has misspoken."

After saying this, she revealed a gentle smile and said generously to Qin Fang, "Junior Brother Qin, I am Wen Suxin. I’m just a few years your senior, so you can just call me Senior Sister from now on. Welcome to Guiyuan Valley."

This Senior Sister Wen had delicate, beautiful features and a fair, gentle complexion.

Her eyes were clear, her gaze tranquil and warm, as if they naturally held a hint of warmth.

A waterfall of black hair was simply tied up with a Plain Jade Hairpin, the rest falling softly down. This, along with her moon-white Disciple’s Robe with its light blue patterns, gave her an air that was both reassuringly poised and serenely tranquil.

"Qin Fang greets Senior Sister Wen."

Qin Fang let out a soft breath and bowed in greeting.

The nearby Elder Fan cleared his throat before speaking, "Suxin, please take Qin Fang to handle the lineage induction procedures, collect his supplies, and get him settled in Jingxin Garden. He’s new here, so please explain the valley’s affairs to him."

"Yes, Master."

Fan Zhengchu then turned to Qin Fang and said gently, "I had originally intended to accept you as my disciple. However, I thought about it on the way here... You have, after all, only just arrived, and your understanding of me and the Guiyuan Lineage is limited to what I’ve just told you."

He stroked his beard and spoke slowly, "And my Guiyuan Lineage most values things ’happening naturally when the time is right.’ You have already entered the True Essence realm. Once you accept a master, you become a True Inheritance disciple of the Sect. If you are to take me as your master, you must genuinely agree with my lineage’s Daoist principle of ’Guarding the Original, striking second but arriving first.’ Only then would it be a fortuitous match."

"Therefore, first, go with Suxin and settle in. Cultivate our lineage’s basic Root Skill and familiarize yourself with the valley’s affairs. At the same time, you can also spend more time in the Scripture Pavilion reading the classics. If you have the leisure, it wouldn’t hurt to go and observe the training grounds of the other lineages."

"Wait until you truly understand the differences between the Sect’s Six Meridians and see clearly the strengths and weaknesses of each... If, at that time, you still feel that my Guiyuan Path is the one your heart has chosen, it will not be too late for us to hold the discipleship ceremony. What do you think?"

Elder Fan’s words made Qin Fang let out a long, soft breath. He bowed and said, "Yes. This disciple will follow the Elder’s arrangements."

’He had just confirmed in his heart that his master had met with a great disaster. At a time like this, it was truly difficult for him to sincerely take another person as his master.’

Elder Fan’s proposal was exactly what he had hoped for.

"Mm."

Elder Fan nodded, his gaze gentle. Only then did he say, "In that case, go on."

With that said, Elder Fan clasped his hands behind his back and entered the main hall.

"Junior Brother, come with me."

Only after they watched Elder Fan enter the main hall did Wen Suxin’s voice sound out.

Qin Fang turned to look at her. Her eyes were clear and held a touch of warmth. "Junior Brother, let’s go to the Council Pavilion first to register your name."

"I’ll have to trouble Senior Sister, then," Qin Fang said politely.

Wen Suxin just smiled and shook her head. She turned sideways to lead the way, explaining with a smile, "It’s just to the west of the main hall, not far... I can also give you a brief introduction on the way."

Qin Fang followed behind Wen Suxin at a steady pace, listening as she explained the affairs of the valley.

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