The only way

Chapter 937 The Free Spirit

"I wonder how things are on the battlefield ahead, and how many demons will flee in our direction this time?" Xiao Zhenjun, intending to befriend Ling Chu and Jiang Yanzhi, two cultivators from the immortal sect, took the initiative to bring up the topic.

The Nascent Soul cultivators outside the Five Great Immortal Sects only thought that this incursion into Yunzhou was a counterattack launched by the Eastern Continent Immortal Sects against the Demon Race, a major counterattack aimed at severely damaging the Demon Race and even driving them out of the Eastern Continent. Shenxiao City was the core of the battlefield, where the lowest level cultivators were mid-Nascent Soul cultivators, and most were late-Nascent Soul cultivators. One can imagine how fierce the battlefield must be.

Their job as peripheral cultivators was to stop the fleeing high-level demonic cultivators, while those on the outermost perimeter were responsible for wiping out any remaining demons.

"However, Fellow Daoist Yu is skilled in formations, and Fellow Daoist Jiang comes from the Sword Sect. I imagine our place is impregnable and invincible."

As a cultivator from a family of immortal cultivators, Xiao Zhenjun was clearly quite tactful. His flattering words flowed smoothly, and his face was full of warm smiles, seemingly very sincere.

As for how he knew that Ling Chu was skilled in formations, it was naturally because he had learned about it beforehand.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is too kind. I have heard that you are skilled in water magic. We should look after each other on this trip." Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, the attitude was sincere, and Ling Chu naturally would not refuse to give him face.

Jiang Yanzhi, standing to the side, remained calm, his eyes sharp. Upon hearing this, he first looked at Ling Chu, and then nodded to Xiao Zhenjun.

Most sword cultivators cultivate an indomitable sword intent, adhering to the principle that the sword is the only thing in their hearts, and the sword is what they say.

Therefore, he was often proud and taciturn, focusing all his attention on swordsmanship. It was not unexpected that Jiang Yanzhi did not reply.

However, Ling Chu was acquainted with Jiang Yanzhi and knew that although this sword cultivator had a strong sense of pride and was usually quiet and reserved, he was also quite elegant and reserved in his interactions with others.

If you don't know someone well, you shouldn't just nod indifferently when you first meet them.

Ling Chu's gaze fell on Jiang Yanzhi's eyes and brows. Those eyes, which were once as deep as stars and as clear as a stream, were now as deep as an abyss, like a cold pool and snow valley, containing a chilling sharpness and coldness.

Something seems wrong.

Ling Chu keenly noticed the subtle differences in Jiang Yanzhi, but couldn't quite put her finger on them. However, when Jiang Yanzhi looked at Ling Chu, the coldness in his eyes always softened slightly, revealing a familiar clarity, yet it seemed as if there was no difference at all.

Like a breeze leaving its mark, Jiang Yanzhi's subtle differences ultimately stirred a ripple in Ling Chu's heart.

However, Ling Chu did not intend to delve into it. As time passed, things often changed, and who could remain unchanged forever?
Since there was still no movement from Shenxiao City, the group could only wait patiently while guarding the strange fire.

Xiao Zhenjun seemed to be a carefree and open-minded person, and enthusiastically introduced the Xiaoyao City beneath their feet to the two of them.

"Speaking of this Free and Unfettered City, I once visited this place when I was still a Golden Core cultivator. Back then, Free and Unfettered City truly lived up to its name."

Looking at the dilapidated and crumbling city, Xiao Zhenjun's tone was full of regret.

At this time, nothing was happening, and the group was simply guarding the strange fire. Since they needed to keep an eye on the movements of Shenxiao City at all times, and it was not convenient to meditate and cultivate here, Ling Chu and Jiang Yanzhi pretended to listen attentively and discussed Xiao Zhenjun's Xiaoyao City below.

According to Xiao Zhenjun, this Xiaoyao City was not originally called Xiaoyao City. It was only later that a person emerged from this city who could distinguish sounds at the age of three, recognize music at the age of six, be skilled in music at the age of ten, be proficient in the Dao at the age of thirteen, and become famous throughout the world for his song "Xiaoyao You" at the age of fifteen.

At the age of eighteen, he entered the Dao through a single song, achieving a divine appearance.

And when that celestial being entered the Dao, the music he played was none other than the "Free and Easy Wandering" melody.

"The place where the music was played was originally a stubborn rock in the mountains, facing the stream and reflecting the water, secluded and deep. Who knew that after that 'Free and Easy Wandering' melody was played, every time the water was plentiful, the stream would flow over the rock and make a tinkling sound, just like the melody of 'Free and Easy Wandering'!"

"Therefore, the Listening Stone became a unique feature of Xiaoyao City, and the score of Xiaoyao You was spread throughout the world. It was regarded as a treasure by many music lovers, and even those who sought immortality regarded it as a celestial melody. Over time, this city was given the name Xiaoyao."

As expected of someone who had traveled to Xiaoyao City, Xiao Zhenjun's explanations were eloquent and well-reasoned, citing numerous classics and historical examples. Coupled with his folding fan, he resembled a storyteller from the mortal world as he gently waved it. "It's a pity that I only went to Fuyou Palace with my senior brother back then, and never had the chance to explore Yunzhou in detail."

Ling Chu was quite emotional. She had also been to Yunzhou before, but she hadn't seen much of the city. What she remembered most were the magnificent seascapes where the sea and sky met.

Now that Yunzhou is in trouble, those magnificent and wondrous sights are probably hard to reproduce, just like the Listening Stone in Xiaoyao City right now.

"It's a real pity. Because of this carefree journey, Xiaoyao City has become one of the most famous music and dance venues in Yunzhou. Every July, the Heavenly Music Ceremony is held, where all kinds of musical instruments can be played in Xiaoyao City. Anyone who enters Xiaoyao City in that month can get a music token. During the Heavenly Music Ceremony, they can use the music token to vote for their favorite music."

With thousands of melodies and enchanting music, it was truly a magnificent sight.

Xiao Zhenjun participated once, and even went on stage to play a long flute, winning over a hundred musical tokens.

I vaguely remember there were 193 musical tokens, and Xiao Zhenjun still keeps them intact in his storage ring.

Although Lingchu was not good at musical instruments, she had been listening to music since childhood, and Huanniang was the best among them. Over the years, she had also developed a love for music.

After listening to Xiao Zhenjun's story, I felt a genuine sense of regret for the loss of Xiaoyao City's former prosperity.

"I see that Fellow Daoist Xiao is carefree and at ease in his heart. Where in this world is there not carefree?"

The City of Leisure is desolate, but judging from what Xiao Zhenjun said, it is clear that the City of Leisure still exists perfectly in Xiao Zhenjun's heart. Thinking about it this way, isn't it also a kind of carefree existence?

Ling Chu's words startled both Xiao Zhenjun, who was still lamenting, and Jiang Yanzhi, who had been silent all along. Then, a flash of insight seemed to pass through their minds.

Especially Xiao Zhenjun, whose sigh was sincere and heartfelt, was deeply moved. Because it was heartfelt, he felt it even more deeply. For a moment, he felt his mind was clear and his spirit was bright. Unconsciously, his Dao heart made progress.

For Nascent Soul cultivators, accumulating magical power is only a matter of time; the real challenge lies in tempering their Dao heart.

Even this small step forward is a rare benefit. Although it cannot be called an epiphany, it can be considered a enlightenment. From now on, Xiao Zhenjun's Dao heart will retain this carefree spirit, and his cultivation will become smoother.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I will remember your kindness in understanding the Dao. If there is anything I or the Xiao family can do to help you in the future, please feel free to come and find me at the Xiao family!"

As Xiao Zhenjun's Dao heart improved, his aura became more and more stable, and a sense of freedom and ease appeared between his brows.

These changes naturally did not escape the notice of Ling Chu and Jiang Yanzhi, who were both Nascent Soul cultivators.

Ling Chu never expected that a casual remark would have such a great effect on Xiao Zhenjun.

The Daoist mind, the Daoist mind, is indeed the most elusive and elusive thing.

Xiao Zhenjun wasn't just talking; helping someone understand the Dao is a significant favor in the cultivation world. He directly handed Ling Chu a purple-gold token from the Xiao family, the highest-level token in the family, possessed only by Nascent Soul Ancestors. Seeing the token was like seeing the Xiao family patriarch.

With this token, the Xiao family can fully assist us once.

It's quite a generous thank-you gift.

Ling Chu didn't want to accept it; it was just a casual remark. She appreciated the gesture, but Xiao Zhenjun was adamant. He claimed that if Fellow Daoist Yu refused, it must be because he felt the gift was insufficient or because he looked down on Xiao Zhenjun and the Xiao family.

Having said all that, Ling Chu had no choice but to accept it. She might as well just take it and find some excuse to ask the Xiao family for a favor later, then return it.

Happy National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival! (Late but welcome!)