Riding a Crane to Fly to the Heavens and Descending on Danlan

Yanxuan Hall, inner hall.

The Boshan incense burner emitted fragrant smoke, and a cloud-patterned carpet was laid out along the steps to the front of the main hall.

Zhu Zhilan, draped in a moon-white fox fur cloak, slowly entered the hall. With each graceful step, a faint, cool aura emanated from her, as if the temperature inside the hall had suddenly dropped several degrees.

Zheng Bingqian was sitting diagonally in the hall, his eyes lowered, meticulously peeling melon seeds on the table. On the porcelain plate beside him, there was already a stack of melon seeds that looked like white jade.

In addition, there are also snacks such as peeled apples, orange segments, red dates, and rock sugar.

Upon noticing Zhu Zhilan enter the hall, Old Man Zheng quickly looked up, his face full of wrinkles, and smiled:

"Zhilan, you've come at the perfect time! The peeled ones are fresh!"

Zhu Zhilan glanced at the plate of melon seeds with her bright, clear eyes, then looked away and said in a calm tone:

"Why would you choose to leave the perfectly good Danlan Valley and come to my Molten Gold Valley? What's the meaning of this?"

Zheng Bingqian smiled憨厚ly and said:

"Of course I wanted to come and see you."

Zhu Zhilan coldly said:

"Is that so? Don't think I don't know, you're trying to poach some of my Gold Valley's talent again?"

"How is that poaching? It's clearly promoting talent so that my 'Internal Alchemy Method' can be passed down!"

Zheng Bingqian was quite indignant, blowing his beard and glaring at her.

Zhu Zhilan slowly sat down at the table, picked up a piece of rock candy, put it in her mouth, and said:

"The Zheng family of Yuanxi is, after all, a second-rank renowned clan. Many of its members are disciples of the Eight Veins Dao Transmission, and there is even a senior brother who is at the ninth level of Qi Refining and is about to ascend to the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"With such profound knowledge and skills, why do you painstakingly entrust your entire life's work of alchemy to outsiders for transmission?"

"I have long since severed ties with the Zheng family of Yuanxi, Zhilan, you know that, so why bring it up?"

Old Zheng stopped joking, slowly closed his eyes, and his eyebrows and beard trembled slightly.

"Among the renowned families of the second rank, which ancestor did not produce a Foundation Establishment True Person? It's just a pity that times have changed, the world has changed, and the old and new have been replaced, and each generation is not as good as the last."

After a pause, Zheng Bingqian looked at Zhu Zhilan and suddenly asked:

"Speaking of which, the Fengliangzhu family is pressuring you and Chiyihuo about your marriage again, isn't they?"

Zhu Zhilan remained expressionless and did not answer, but instead changed the subject:

"I have been stuck at the fifth level of Qi Refining for a long time. If I can achieve harmony between Yin and Yang and complete the construction of my residence before the 'Dao Struggle' begins, and enter the sixth level of Qi Refining to join the ranks of the Eight Meridians' 'Dao Transmission', then my hometown will no longer be a constraint for me."

"Now, only one final step remains."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Bingqian chuckled, seemingly transforming back into that kind old man. He popped a melon seed into his mouth and mumbled indistinctly:

"Then you can't stop me from selecting alchemy candidates."

"Don't forget, that resource land you've set your sights on, if planted with those kinds of spiritual plants, would be a 'devil's den' that would erode the cultivation of most 'Fire Path' and 'Earth Path' cultivators."

"If you want to resolve this, you must practice my 'Internal Alchemy Method'; otherwise, you will only end up with your cultivation fading away and your practice failing."

Zhu Zhilan sighed softly, her gaze fixed on the swirling clouds outside the hall, and murmured:

"Before that, we need to promote the manager of Cui Shu Lou."

"If we want to reclaim that resource-rich land from those 'heretical insects,' at least...

"It's time to refine your Qi to the second level."

……

……

Outside Yanxuan Palace.

As the sound of the bells slowly echoed, the dozens of mortal servants sitting cross-legged on the prayer mats all came back to their senses, their eyes filled with reminiscence.

Most of these ordinary people came from local clans, and a few came from Taoist schools. Even so, they were not very clear about the Taoist history and events from tens of thousands of years ago.

Now, having suddenly attained enlightenment, I feel my spirit cleansed and my body and mind clear, as if I have entered some kind of mysterious state, and I am lost in my own contemplation, unwilling to leave my seat.

Yan Chen, however, left the palace early.

It was because Senior Brother Wang Fu was standing at the end of the stone steps, waving to him.

Beside the other party stood a Taoist priest dressed in a gray-blue robe.

This attire doesn't seem to belong to someone from the Gold Melting Valley. Could it be that they come from one of the other two valleys?

In the blink of an eye, Yan Chen had already arrived in front of the two of them.

He first bowed to Wang Fu in greeting, then looked at the other person.

Before he could speak, the other person interrupted, smiling kindly:

"This must be Junior Brother Yan Chenyan, right? He is indeed handsome and extraordinary, a true talent!"

"I am a disciple of Danlan Valley, and Junior Brother Yan can simply call me 'Senior Brother Meng.' I am here on the orders of Steward Zheng to summon Junior Brother Yan to Danlan Valley. If it is convenient for you, you may depart immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen was immediately confused and bewildered.

Danlan Valley? Manager Zheng?

Why did the other person suddenly contact me?

Even if they value me as a talent and are considering promoting me, shouldn't it be the turn of Melting Gold Valley?

After a moment's consideration, Yan Chen asked:

"Senior Brother Meng, what are your intentions for going there this time? Could you perhaps reveal a few details to your junior brother?"

Unexpectedly, before Meng Lian could speak, Wang Fu's voice rang out first.

Said:

"Junior Brother Yan, don't worry too much. Melting Gold Valley and Danlan Valley have always been on good terms. The stewards and even ordinary servants in the valleys often exchange information and get along very well."

"This summons to Danlan Valley must be a good thing. Opportunities are fleeting, so don't miss them!"

At this point, Wang Fu grinned and patted Meng Lian on the shoulder.

Said:

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've been to your Danlan Valley. This time, thanks to my junior brother Yan, I can finally experience the thrill of riding a crane into the sky!"

Having said that, how could Yan Chen possibly have any room to deny it?

Fortunately, both valleys are under the rule of the Jade Sleeve Sect, and with Senior Brother Wang accompanying them, there shouldn't be anything unusual.

……

-

Cranes soar through the sky, their wings outstretched, stirring up the clouds and riding the wind!

Below, the peaks rise majestically, shrouded in mist and clouds, bathed in warm sunlight, as the snow and ice gradually melt...

Before long, they arrived above Danlan Valley. After circling a few more times, the crane folded its wings and landed, stirring up dust and smoke. Three figures slowly emerged from the dust.

Yan Chen looked up and saw a small courtyard made of blue bricks. There was a fence around the outside and a medicinal herb garden inside. Even in the dead of winter, tender green shoots were still growing from the soil.

"Junior Brother Yan, please come with me!"

Meng Lian nodded slightly to Yan Chen, then looked at Wang Fu, and shook his head with a smile:

"This time, however, I am too busy to entertain Senior Brother Wang."

Wang Fu waved his hand and said:

"It's alright, I'm just taking a stroll. Please take good care of my junior brother Yan!"

Yan Chen immediately said:

"Farewell, senior brother!"

After parting ways with Wang Fu, Meng Lian led Yan Chen into this rustic courtyard with its blue brick walls.

A plaque hangs under the roof tiles, bearing the three powerful characters "Zhiyutang".

Before even entering the house, Yan Chen could vaguely hear voices talking inside.

"Yet quite a few people are still gathered here?"

Yan Chen was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized.

However, he overlooked something. In the name of Chief Zheng, summoning a mere common servant was a huge honor for him alone.

But what is the purpose of gathering so many people together?

Could it really be a stroke of luck?

……

Meanwhile, behind the brick courtyard, two figures were talking in hushed tones.

"Third Uncle, will your method really work?"

"Don't worry, I'm the supervisor of the Hundred Herbs Institute. How could I not find out these inside stories?"

"If you simply follow my instructions to cultivate that spiritual seed to maturity, there's an 80% chance you'll get your hands on the 'Wood-Element Pill Technique' from Danlan Valley!"

"Excellent! Third Uncle, it seems Deacon Meng has returned. Please tell me about this method again!"

……

The two spoke in very low voices.

Completely unaware, a figure dressed in a black and red Taoist robe was passing by them across the wall.

Their conversation was heard clearly.

……