pdf-ebookys Chapter 44 Visiting the 31 Gates
Chapter 44 Visiting the 31 Gates
Zhuge Yan stopped and stood quietly in the shade of a tree not far away.
Although these children are young, their eyes are very focused. Even if they fall, they quickly get up, dust themselves off, and try again.
The faint Qi within their bodies was striving to operate along a specific trajectory, attempting to maintain the coordination and stability of their bodies.
This is clearly a foundational method of the Sanyi School, aimed at tempering the mind and character, while helping these children to initially gain a sense of Qi.
Just then, the San Yi Sect disciple in charge of the trial also noticed Zhuge Yan, this uninvited guest.
He frowned slightly, left the training ground, and strode over, his eyes filled with wariness and scrutiny.
"Fellow Daoist, this is the lower courtyard of the Sanyi Sect, a crucial training ground for disciples. May I ask what brings you here?"
Zhuge Yan composed himself and performed a standard Taoist kowtow to the young Taoist priest, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
"Greetings, senior brother. I am Zhuge Yan, from the Wuhou School."
I have come to your esteemed institution specifically to visit my cousin, Zhuge Yun. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
"The Wuhou School?"
The wariness in the young Taoist's eyes vanished almost instantly, replaced by surprise and a hint of respect.
The Zhuge family of the Wuhou School is a renowned name in the world of sorcerers and even in the entire circle of supernatural beings.
He quickly returned the greeting, his tone becoming much more polite.
"So you're a member of Junior Brother Zhuge's clan! My apologies! I am Zhang Tian, a disciple of the Sanyi Sect."
Zhang Tian looked Zhuge Yan up and down and saw that although he was young, he had a calm demeanor and clear, deep eyes, which made him feel more favorably toward him.
"Junior Brother Zhuge is currently at the mountaintop dojo, cultivating with the sect leader and fellow disciples."
"Since you've come to visit your cousin, please follow me."
"Thank you for showing me the way, Senior Brother Zhang."
Zhuge Yan nodded slightly in thanks.
Zhang Tian turned around and gave a few brief instructions to the children in the lower courtyard, telling them to practice on their own. Then he turned to Zhuge Yan and gestured for him to proceed.
"Fellow Daoist, this way please. The mountain path is still a while away, please follow me."
The two left the lower courtyard platform one after the other and continued along the bluestone steps toward the main peak of the Sanyi Gate, which was higher up.
The shouts of the children behind us gradually faded away, and the clear breeze and birdsong in the mountains once again became the main theme.
As they walked, Zhang Tian initiated a conversation:
"Junior Brother Zhuge has exceptional talent in the sect. In less than a year since joining, he has already mastered the basics and learned the first level of the Reverse Life Triad. He is highly regarded by our master."
"Fellow Daoist, your presence on this journey will surely delight Junior Brother Yun."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yan felt gratified for his cousin.
"It is Ah Yun's good fortune to be nurtured by the Left Sect Master and his fellow disciples."
The two walked and talked, and soon they arrived at a Taoist temple on the mountaintop.
The dojo's gates were tightly closed, and low shouts could be heard from inside from time to time, clearly indicating that the disciples of the Sanyi Sect were cultivating.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait here for now. I will go and inform my master first."
"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Zhang."
Not long after Zhang Tian went inside, the gate was reopened.
However, this time it wasn't Zhang Tian who came out, but two young faces beaming with surprise and joy—Lu Jin and Zhuge Yun.
"Brother Yan!"
Zhuge Yun rushed forward, his face showing undisguised excitement and affection.
He seemed to have grown a little taller than when they parted ways last time, and the childishness between his brows had faded, replaced by the serenity of a cultivator.
But upon seeing his long-lost brother, the youthful joy he once felt was fully revealed.
"Senior Brother Zhuge!"
Lu Jin followed closely behind, her voice clear and bright, conveying a sincere welcome.
He was dressed in a white Taoist robe from the Sanyi Sect, with an upright posture and bright eyes.
As Zhuge Yan looked at the two people who were hurrying to greet him, the fatigue from his journey seemed to be dispelled by their sincere greetings, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
"Ah Yun, Junior Brother Lu, it's been a long time."
Zhuge Yun grabbed Zhuge Yan's arm and looked him up and down:
"Brother Yan, why did you come so suddenly? Is everything alright in the clan? Did you encounter any trouble on the way?"
A series of questions were raised, revealing his deep concern.
"Everything is fine, don't worry."
Zhuge Yan patted his cousin on the shoulder and gave a brief response to the first two questions. As for the trouble on the way... he didn't plan to go into details for the time being.
"I went down the mountain to gain experience, but I didn't know where to go for a while, so I thought I'd come and see you."
Lu Jin smiled and said:
"Brother Zhang has just gone in to inform Master. Master is currently instructing his disciples on cultivation, so he asked us to show you around first."
"Brother Zhuge, welcome to the Trinity Sect!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother Lu."
Zhuge Yan nodded his thanks.
"Come on, Brother Yan, let me show you where we usually train!"
Zhuge Yun eagerly pulled Zhuge Yan into the training ground, and Lu Jin followed with a smile.
As the three entered the temple gate, a calm and solemn atmosphere enveloped them.
The first thing that catches the eye is an extremely spacious training ground paved with bluestone.
It was not time for group practice, and only a few disciples were practicing on their own.
Some moved with the speed of the wind, twisting and turning, practicing exquisite footwork and movements, their toes barely touching the ground.
Some stood still like pine trees, their bodies enveloped in a faint, white aura, like misty water vapor.
This is precisely the characteristic of the reverse-generation triple operation.
"Brother Yan, look, this is our daily training ground. It's no worse than the one in our Wuhou Sect, is it?"
Zhuge Yun pointed ahead, his tone tinged with pride.
"Master said that the most important thing in practicing kung fu is one's state of mind, and the tranquility of the mountains is the best way to nourish the mind and calm the spirit."
"The early morning and evening are the times for group practice, when there are the most disciples in the room."
Junior Brother Zhuge is exceptionally talented. Although he joined the sect late, he has made rapid progress in movement techniques and the cultivation of "Reverse Life."
Lu Jin patted Zhuge Yun on the shoulder in approval.
Zhuge Yun scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "Senior Brother Lu, you flatter me. I'm still far from being as good as the other senior brothers."
Walk to a corridor platform with a wide view, and you can overlook the winding path below the mountain and the town of Sanyi in the distance.
The mountain wind blew fiercely, fluttering the hems of the three people's clothes.
As Zhuge Yan gazed at the faint outline of the town below the mountain, the scene of his encounter with Li Muxuan and Wang Yaozu yesterday flashed through his mind.
He frowned slightly, but didn't mention it. Instead, he asked:
"Ah Yun, are you settling in well with your training here? How are you getting along with your fellow disciples?"
"I'm used to it! My master and fellow disciples treat me very well."
Zhuge Yun smiled brightly.
"Senior Brother Lu took special care of me, as did Senior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Li. They would patiently guide me on any issues I didn't understand during cultivation."
Although the rules here are stricter than in the clan, it feels very reassuring and peaceful.
His tone conveyed satisfaction and a sense of belonging.
"Junior Brother Zhuge is lively and quick-witted, and everyone likes him very much."
Sometimes when I'm meditating and practicing breathing exercises, it's easy for my mind to wander.
As he spoke, Lu Jin gave Zhuge Yun a mocking look.
Zhuge Yun chuckled and didn't refute.
"Senior Brother Zhuge, Master should already know you've arrived. Let's go to the side hall to serve tea and wait. We can pay our respects once Master has finished his instruction."
"it is good."