Chapter 25 - The Purple Oriole Carriage
Ji Rufeng, Li Xue, and little Li Lin were swept up in a wave of exhilaration upon hearing that Bai Ruihua intended to escort them personally to the Yunjin Sect. To them, the journey across the vast reaches of the cultivation world was a daunting prospect that might have taken months, if not years, of perilous travel. With a Nascent Soul master as their guide, the distance that once seemed insurmountable now felt like a mere step away.
Daoist Ruihua wasted no time. After barking a few final instructions to the juniors waiting outside the gates, he led the trio out of the bustling East Beast Mountain Market. Once they reached a secluded clearing where the crowds thinned and the mountain air grew crisp, the old cultivator came to a halt.
With a practiced motion, Bai Ruihua tapped his finger against the center of his brow. A sharp, melodic cry pierced the air, followed by a flash of brilliant crimson light. In an instant, a small, violet-red bird materialized, alighting gracefully upon his outstretched hand.
Li Xue and the others stared, their eyes wide with wonder. The bird held its head high with an air of noble arrogance, its plumage a vibrant tapestry of violet and crimson that shimmered with an ethereal, metallic luster. To Li Xue, the creature bore a striking resemblance to the mythical phoenixes she had seen in the video games of her previous life, though it was significantly smaller in stature.
"Is that... a phoenix?" she whispered, her voice laced with awe.
Hearing her question, the little bird tilted its head and let out a friendly, trilling chirp directed at her.
Bai Ruihua chuckled, though his tone carried a hint of playful rebuke. "You certainly have high standards, little girl. Divine beasts like the phoenix exist only in the legends of the primordial era. This old man’s spirit beast is a Purple Oriole, a descendant of the Feng-Luan lineage." He then turned his gaze to the bird. "Zi’er, come and greet my new disciple!"
The Purple Oriole’s intelligent eyes darted around before it took flight, circling Ji Rufeng several times in a blur of violet light. It let out a satisfied chirp toward its master, prompting Bai Ruihua to laugh heartily. "See? This old man’s eye for talent is as sharp as ever!"
The bird then flitted toward Li Lin, leaning in to give the boy’s head a gentle, affectionate peck before returning to its perch on Bai Ruihua’s shoulder. "Zi’er is a fire-attribute spirit beast," the Daoist explained. "She is naturally sensitive to those with the Fire Spiritual Root."
The trio was fascinated. Though they had spent time near Beast Spirit Mountain, they had never truly interacted with high-level spirit beasts. To them, the intricacies of beast-taming were a profound mystery.
Without further preamble, Bai Ruihua murmured a command to the bird. The Purple Oriole took flight once more, its body expanding rapidly in mid-air. A beam of dark light erupted from its beak, and suddenly, a magnificent carriage materialized before them.
Bai Ruihua beckoned the stunned trio to board. As soon as they were inside, the Purple Oriole was harnessed to the carriage by shimmering spiritual ropes. With a powerful beat of its wings, the creature ascended into the heavens. The Purple Oriole Flying Carriage, a vision of solemn luxury, streaked across the sky above East Beast Mountain. Below, the cultivators of the market looked up in envy at the receding purple trail.
"Look! It’s the Purple Oriole Flying Carriage of the Bai family’s ancestor, Daoist Ruihua!" someone shouted. "The Ancestor is traveling!"
Inside the carriage, it took several minutes for Li Xue and the others to regain their composure. The interior was an architectural marvel of spatial expansion; it was as spacious as a grand suite, furnished with exquisite tables, chairs, and even comfortable beds. Every detail, from the silk upholstery to the jade-inlaid cabinets, spoke of immense wealth and status.
It was a display of grandeur that only a Nascent Soul cultivator could command. Li Xue couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at such a lifestyle.
Bai Ruihua cleared his throat softly, drawing their attention. "Do not be so easily swayed by envy. I only maintain such a display because I am traveling to visit the Five Great Sects. For a cultivator, the primary focus must always be the cultivation of the heart and mind. These external trappings are ultimately hollow."
Though their low cultivation levels meant they couldn't fully grasp the nuances of "mental state," the trio understood the core message. Cultivation was a pursuit of the self and the soul, a quest for longevity. If one merely sought worldly pleasures, they would have been better off remaining in the secular world.
As they flew, the carriage remained perfectly stable. Powerful protective arrays shielded the interior from the howling winds and torrential rains of the high altitudes; it was said the carriage could even withstand attacks from cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. Li Xue occasionally peered out the window, watching the clouds whip past like white silk. The speed was comparable to the airplanes of her past life, yet the experience was far superior—silent, smooth, and magical.
Bai Ruihua did not let the travel time go to waste. After inquiring about their progress, he tossed a jade slip to Ji Rufeng. "This is the Ice Cloud Art," he said. "It is a manual specifically suited for those with Water or Ice spiritual roots. Study it whenever you have a spare moment."
He then asked Ji Rufeng to show him his belongings. Feeling a flush of embarrassment, Ji Rufeng emptied his storage bag. The meager pile consisted of the Dragon-Binding Rope, a basic water-attribute flying sword, and about a dozen spirit stones.
Bai Ruihua stared at the pathetic collection, his eyes widening before he slowly shook his head. "Dreadful," he muttered. "Simply dreadful."
Ji Rufeng, Li Xue, and even little Li Lin turned bright red with shame.
The Daoist sighed. "Since we have met, it must be fate. I cannot let my disciple’s companions go empty-handed." He produced three large, shimmering eggs. "These are Purple Oriole eggs, bred through the secret techniques of my Bai family. They are famous throughout the Mangyun Mountains. Take them, hatch them, and establish a soul bond."
Li Lin cradled his egg, his eyes shining with curiosity. "Senior Bai, when this hatches, will it be able to pull a carriage like yours?"
Bai Ruihua’s lip twitched. "My Zi’er has undergone a thousand years of refinement and training," he said dryly. "Yours will be nothing more than a little fledgling at first. It won't be able to transform into a mount until it reaches the fourth rank. However, once it reaches the second rank, it will be strong enough to carry you alone."
He paused, leaning back into his seat. "As for spirit stones and pills, I don't carry low-grade trifles. You will receive those once you reach your sect." With that, he closed his eyes, entering a state of deep meditation and leaving the three to contemplate their new treasures.
