"Because I can’t afford to fail, I can’t act rashly. Otherwise, this Nine-Turn Profound Spirit Grass and the spirit within it will explode into a sky full of Spiritual Light.
That’s why I can only do it this way, bit by bit, completing the Spirit Awakening subtly, without a sound."
Upon hearing this, Fan Yunfei nodded in understanding. "Got it!"
With that, he began to quickly manipulate the various arrays around them.
Zhang Deming watched him for a moment, then shook his head. "That’s enough for today," he said. "I’ll be back once a month, or every few months.
This is bound to take a long time. Besides, I imagine preparing the materials will take you a while too."
"Alright, I understand," Fan Yunfei replied, still working on the arrays. "I’ll make the arrangements for the Secret Realm access and all that."
Zhang Deming nodded. He glanced at the preoccupied Fan Yunfei, shook his head once more, and turned to leave.
······
Outside the entrance to the small courtyard, Yang Guangfu was casually chatting with the gate guard disciple. Judging by their familiar rapport, it was clear they were both making an effort to get on good terms.
Zhang Deming walked over, and Yang Guangfu immediately greeted him. "Greetings, Master!"
"Greetings, Master!"
The disciple chatting with Yang Guangfu, who was also a Tai Chi Cultivator, immediately greeted Zhang Deming as well.
Zhang Deming nodded. "Let’s go."
Yang Guangfu fell into step behind him. The two quickly departed the core area, whereupon a vine shot out from Zhang Deming and coiled around Yang Guangfu.
Having been through this once before, Yang Guangfu was much calmer this time.
"Fly!"
The moment Zhang Deming spoke, the two of them shot into the sky.
A good while later, they exited the Secret Realm. Mounting Yoo Xiaoluan, they set off toward the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower.
As they neared their destination, Zhang Deming said, "Don’t speak of today’s events to anyone. That goes for your Secret Group as well. And that includes my identity."
Yang Guangfu looked up, a puzzled expression on his face. "What are you talking about, Master? Wasn’t I just waiting outside the entire time?"
Zhang Deming paused. ’Right,’ he thought. ’I’d almost forgotten this guy is a real smooth operator. He wouldn’t have made it this close to me otherwise.’
Zhang Deming smiled. "Good. Just as long as you remember."
By then, Yoo Xiaoluan was hovering over the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower. Zhang Deming spoke, "You can go return the mount yourself."
With that said, Zhang Deming leaped directly off the bird’s back.
"Of course, Master," Yang Guangfu said, watching Zhang Deming descend.
Yoo Xiaoluan turned its head and gave Yang Guangfu a reproachful look. Yang Guangfu just grinned. "What are you looking at me for? It’s your own fault for not working harder. If you don’t refine your Horizontal Bone soon, then no matter how talented you are, getting in here will just be for show. You’ll put in some time, gain a little seniority, and that’s it.
Xiaoluan, don’t you go wasting this golden opportunity.
With the support of the three Peak Masters, there are plenty of beasts in our Spirit Nurturing Peak’s Spirit Beast Garden who could give you a run for your money.
And as for our Flying Spring Waterfall Tower... I’ve only just realized that it’s every bit as good as the Cloud Pool Back Courtyard.
Well... not counting Master Guk’s place, of course!
If you think you can handle it, you could always go try your luck there. I can pull some strings for you; it shouldn’t be hard to arrange.
And don’t worry, Master Guk doesn’t need a mount anymore, so it’s not like he’d be thinking of you often. Hmm, then again, is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"SQUAWK..."
Yoo Xiaoluan’s gaze grew even more reproachful as it let out a cry.
"Haha, I’m not Senior Brother Yuan. I don’t have Beast Speech Mastery, so your squawking is useless on me!
You’d better refine that Horizontal Bone soon. With your talent and current cultivation, you can do it if you just put in the effort.
If you don’t hurry up, in a few years Master Zhang will have perfected his Flying Technique. Then you really will have wasted this golden opportunity, just coming here to go through the motions before heading back with nothing but a little seniority to show for it," Yang Guangfu said.
Yoo Xiaoluan rolled its eyes at Yang Guangfu and began to descend.
······
After leaping from Yoo Xiaoluan, Zhang Deming plummeted for a moment before Light Wings unfurled from his back. His descent slowed dramatically, and he drifted down like a feather.
As Zhang Deming neared the tower, a massive, glowing array barrier materialized before him.
With a flick of his wrist, Zhang Deming sent his Identity Card flying. It slapped against the barrier, which flickered and opened a gap. The card then began to fall.
Zhang Deming tucked in his wings and dropped down, sending out a thread-thin Jade Vine to snatch the card and pull it back to him.
Ever since his Ruyi Jade Demon Vine had advanced to Tier Four, it had brought him significant improvements, both in its utility and in other aspects.
Just before reaching the roof, he spread his wings again, landing gently atop the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower.
’In my past life, nearly every man had dreamed of flying. Now, I have all but achieved it.’
After landing on the roof, Zhang Deming clasped his hands behind his back and gazed out past the cliff’s edge. A gentle breeze rustled his Daoist Robe and stirred his hair. The many peaks of the Celestial Spirit Sect’s Inner Sect stretched out before him, filling his view. In that moment, a heroic ambition surged up from the depths of his heart.
’One day,’ he thought, ’a legend all my own will be etched into the annals of Hongmeng.’
Gazing at the peaks of the Inner Sect, flush with heroic spirit, Zhang Deming felt a rare, almost adolescent surge of grandiosity.
After standing in quiet contemplation for a long while, Zhang Deming flew down from the rooftop and settled onto the top floor’s split-level observation deck.
With a wave of his hand, a tea set materialized.
He hesitated for a moment, then rose and went to the third-floor storage room. From a small shelf, he retrieved a small pouch containing a few tea leaves that resembled jade and shimmered with a spiritual glow.
’This is Three-Star Enlightenment Spirit Tea. A type of Enlightenment Tea.’
Enlightenment Tea wasn’t a single type of tea, but rather a whole category. It came in countless varieties and many different tiers.