Chapter 197: Seeing Yi Fire Snake Again

Chapter 197: Farewell to the Winged Fire Serpent

In truth, the Wang family’s birthday banquet was far from just “two days”—it stretched on for several more.

But with guards constantly kicking over flowerpots at every turn, the young couple had no face left to continue their not-so-innocent dalliances. Having just tasted the sweetness of a kiss, Cui Yuanyang pouted exaggeratedly, storming off to Langya ahead of schedule in a huff.

There, amid the Wang family’s lavish hospitality, she made a grand show of taking up residence, as if to proclaim to the world with deliberate transparency: “I didn’t come with Brother Zhao, you know! I came straight to the Wangs!”

This trip also tasked her with the ceremonial role of discussing her brother’s wedding arrangements with the Wang family. For all her reckless, tomboyish demeanor—seeming more shameless than a wandering rogue—she knew her etiquette and rituals inside out. But those formalities weren’t meant for *her*; let her brother set the example first.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe returned to Mount Tai’s Taiyi Sect, sparring with Xuan Chong to broaden his knowledge of Daoist martial arts.

At the same time, he pondered breaking through to the fifth level of the Six Harmonies Divine Art.

He could have attempted the sixth level of the Blood Fiend Art long ago. The reason he hadn’t forced a breakthrough was mainly that the Six Harmonies Divine Art had fallen too far behind. In the early days, the two had been on par—a harmonious balance of internal and external cultivation, a pleasing symmetry. Zhao Changhe, with his perfectionist streak, always felt that his internal arts should be at most one level below his external arts; letting the gap widen too much would just feel wrong.

Unfortunately, his meridians were limited, and internal cultivation progressed slowly. Now that he was in a Daoist sect, a true orthodox school of internal arts, he wondered if there might be some insights to glean.

Since he sensed that something was about to stir in the Wang family, Zhao Changhe truly hoped to settle this matter within the next few days, boosting his combat strength before facing the changing tides.

“Young friend, your internal arts are also on the verge of a breakthrough,” the old Daoist said unhurriedly when Zhao Changhe sought his advice. “Logically, given your physical condition, you’re not really suited for internal cultivation. The fourth level of the Mystic Barrier may sound low, ill-fitting for your current reputation, but the fact that you’ve reached this level in less than a year is already astonishing. I suspect it’s because the technique itself is a divine art; if someone with a more suitable constitution had it, they’d probably be beyond the fourth level by now.”

Zhao Changhe: “…Just say I’m wasting a treasure outright. I can take it.”

“Your meridian limitations are not something your talent or comprehension can change,” Guichen said. “Young friend, you may have received guidance from a master. That inner calm and focus of yours is extremely conducive to internal cultivation. That you’ve managed to fully cultivate the fourth level and reach this threshold is all thanks to that. Otherwise, you’d still be far off.”

Zhao Changhe was startled. So Tang Wanzhuang’s painstaking efforts had this deeper meaning after all.

“Young friend, this is a divine art. In theory, it has no great barriers. But what is a minor hurdle for others becomes a major obstacle for you due to your physical condition. There is actually a simple auxiliary method to help push through.”

Zhao Changhe humbly asked, “Please enlighten me, elder.”

“For such a case, dual cultivation is an extremely fitting remedy—it can be of great help.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

“I have some pills here to aid in breaking through barriers. But the Daoist way is gentle and never forceful, so these pills are merely supplementary—not the fierce, coercive kind. Young friend may try them, but don’t expect too much. I can do no more than this.”

Zhao Changhe accepted the pills and bowed: “I am already deeply grateful.”

“The union of yin and yang is but the rotation of the two principles, and from the two principles arise the four symbols. The Four Symbols Sect, though not of this meaning, has studied it deeply. I see that young friend is acquainted with the Winged Fire Serpent. When you meet again, you might ask if they have any special insights.”

“…Very well.”

Having obtained the medicine, this consultation was not without gain. Zhao Changhe was not impatient. He practiced sword and blade techniques with Xuan Chong for a while, then leisurely returned to his guest quarters to digest what he had learned.

Don’t underestimate Xuan Chong. If Zhao Changhe didn’t break through, he couldn’t beat him in his current state.

The tenth on the Hidden Dragon List, at the seventh level of the Mystic Barrier—no pushover. Both were among the top prospects of the Hidden Dragon, on a similar level. Crossing ranks was nearly impossible; only when their cultivation was equal could they vie for victory or defeat within the same tier.

But that principle of overcoming hardness with softness was not unfamiliar to him. It was very close to Tang Wanzhuang’s Spring Water Sword Intent—different paths, same destination.

What was this talk of orthodox or unorthodox? In the end, all martial principles converge.

Sparring with someone of equal rank but slightly stronger was highly valuable. Zhao Changhe was tempted to pull out the Heavenly Book to review and learn, but he dared not.

This was the guest quarters of the Taiyi Sect; discovery would be troublesome. Besides, he had a feeling the Winged Fire Serpent might still appear.

So he left the Heavenly Book untouched.

The guest quarters had a zither and a chess set. Zhao Changhe sat down by the zither and played leisurely. It was both practice and a way to calm his mind.

According to Guichen, playing the zither was itself a part of internal cultivation—not necessarily requiring meditation. No wonder Tang Wanzhuang, so young, had time to practice martial arts, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In her system of cultivation, every activity was part of training.

Under the clear breeze and bright moon, in a Daoist temple playing the zither—if Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyuan could see this scene, they might drop their jaws.

Was this still the Zhao Changhe the world knew?

He had already taken the shape of an old woman…

Wearing the mask of the Winged Fire Serpent, Vermillion Bird stood atop the wall, quietly watching Zhao Changhe play. Under the mask, her lips curled almost imperceptibly.

His playing was mediocre.

But still… this was the carefree ease of someone genuinely wanting to play the zither—not forced practice, not playing for an audience. The music was filled with openness and freedom.

That intent could compensate for the lack of skill—rare in this mundane world.

“Ding!” The last note faded. Zhao Changhe pressed the strings gently and said calmly, “Since the guest has arrived, why not speak up?”

Vermillion Bird was startled. This mood, like moonlight reflected in water, was truly remarkable—he had actually detected her presence.

She didn’t dwell on it and floated down lightly: “That mood was so tranquil, I couldn’t bear to disturb.”

Zhao Changhe looked up at her snake-masked face with some surprise: “Does the Four Symbols Sect also appreciate elegance?”

“The Saintess grew up in hardship; she cannot be elegant. But that doesn’t mean she dislikes elegance, nor does it mean no one else in the Four Symbols Sect knows it,” Vermillion Bird said flatly. “The Four Symbols Sect is a sect, not a school that raises disciples from childhood. It gathers all kinds of people, each with their own tastes and identities, united only by a single ideal.”

“From what you’re saying, you still want to recruit me. Did the Vermillion Bird Venerable give you another task?”

“Yes.”

“The Venerable knows I refused. What use is it to pass the task to you?”

“Your refusal was not a firm rejection—just a lack of faith. That’s normal,” Vermillion Bird said. “If you join the sect, faith can be cultivated gradually. That’s not a problem.”

“But I don’t want to join.”

“That’s why I’m here. We can discuss what conditions would make you willing to join.”

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment, then laughed: “No wonder the Venerable didn’t speak to me herself. She’s too used to being high and mighty to lower herself to haggle with me, right?”

Vermillion Bird’s face under the mask was sour: “Exactly.”

Zhao Changhe paused, then said seriously, “If your sect can solve my meridian problem, I will join. Even without faith, I will work for your sect. You can trust my word.”

Vermillion Bird sighed: “We understand your condition, but we can’t do that either. However, we can promise that if we find any heavenly treasures, we will set them aside for you.”

Zhao Changhe nodded: “Then lower the bar—let Chichi be with me.”

“…No. We’d rather find you heavenly treasures.”

“Why so fussy? Chichi and I are already in love. And given my situation, dual cultivation suits me perfectly. Just let Chichi and me dual cultivate—problem solved.”

Vermillion Bird frowned slightly: “Relying on dual cultivation? Did that old ox Guichen teach you that? He deserves a slap.”

Zhao Changhe looked at her strangely.

Vermillion Bird realized that this attitude was hardly fitting for a mere Winged Fire Serpent. She quickly covered up: “Dual cultivation can be useful, but you mustn’t develop a dependency. That’s no good. If every time you want to break through, you think of doing *that*, what kind of martial path is that? Maitreya Sect or Harmony Sect? If you ask the Four Symbols Sect’s opinion, it’s best to forbid it altogether. That would actually benefit your Blood Fiend Art’s qi and blood.”

Zhao Changhe nodded: “I know the reasoning. I’m not saying I’ll rely on it every time. But I just want a Dao companion. Will the Four Symbols Sect allow it or not?”