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The night in Longwen Gorge is dotted with stars and the breeze is gentle.
Following Xia Feng's breakthrough to the sixth level of his internal energy period, he soared to his feet, unleashing a powerful and unrestrained "Follow the Wind Fist" technique like mercury pouring down the ground. Quiet as a virgin, swift as a rabbit, his iron fists, accompanied by a low rumble like the air being torn apart, were steady and powerful. The surrounding air rippled in the wind, sometimes condensing, sometimes dispersing, as if echoing the artistic conception of each punch.
After completing a set of punches, Xia Feng felt relaxed all over, refreshed, and his internal energy flowed through his meridians, moving as he wished and releasing it freely.
"That's right, Feng'er, your internal strength has broken through to the sixth level. This is cause for celebration." Xia Qingyun stroked the short beard under his lips, looking pleased.
"Alas, all good things must come to an end. It is finally time for us, Master and Disciple, to part ways."
With a low sigh, Xia Qingyun said something that shocked Xia Feng.
"Master, you...you..."
Xia Feng was panicked, his face turned pale, and his speech began to stutter.
"Feng'er, you've grown up now, it's time to go out and explore the world."
Xia Qingyun gently waved his hand to calm Xia Feng down, then said, "Master and I have spent eighteen years together in this deserted Dragon Pattern Gorge. Now that you have mastered your skills, you should no longer be confined here. Master has never mentioned the outside world to you because he was afraid that your mind would be distracted and you would not be able to concentrate on your cultivation."
"Master, is the world outside bigger?" Xia Feng asked foolishly.
"Haha, Feng'er, the world outside is much bigger than this. Of course, it's also more complicated. You grew up with your master, and he knows you have a kind heart, a gentle exterior, and a strong character. The outside world is prosperous, but also full of dangers and strife. Compared to the peaceful years in the mountains, you will see more of the flaws in human nature and the corruption within prosperity. However, as long as you stick to your original aspirations and don't be corrupted by darkness and evil, you can still see the truth, goodness, and beauty in this world."
Xia Qingyun stared at Xia Feng and answered in a deep voice.
"But, Master, Feng'er wants to stay with you forever. Although this Dragon Pattern Gorge is small, it's home to all kinds of exotic flowers, plants, birds, and beasts. Why bother going to the treacherous outside world and adding unnecessary troubles to yourself?"
After all, he and his master had always depended on each other in Longwen Gorge. Xia Feng could not accept the idea of leaving his master and going out on his own.
"Wind, a man's ambition is to travel far and wide."
Xia Qingyun paused and continued, "In fact, Master had no choice but to bring you to this canyon. You have grown up, and there are some things you should know."
As he spoke, Xia Qingyun took out a jade pendant from the lining of his clothes and handed it to Xia Feng.
Xia Feng took it, bewildered. He felt a warmth and tranquility in his hands. The jade pendant was milky white, reflecting a faint green glow in the moonlight. It felt smooth and soft to the touch, engraved with a dragon and a phoenix, delicately carved. Surrounding the dragon and phoenix were fine lines, seemingly unremarkable at first glance, but these lines seemed to possess a certain magic, drawing the closer one looked, the more they drew deeper into the patterns. As one delved deeper, the lines seemed to form a wondrous picture. As the moonlight slowly filtered across the lines, the entire image came alive. The point where the light finally converged resembled a single location, shrouded in mist, barely visible. Xia Feng strained to see clearly, his expression becoming hazy and even grim, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
"Wind, you can't stare at it for too long!"
Suddenly, Xia Qingyun's powerful reminder pulled Xia Feng back from his trance.
"Ah, there seems to be something strange about this jade pendant."
Xia Feng, who woke up in shock, couldn't help but say.
"Yes, that's right. Feng'er, Master almost fell into the trap when you were young. However, after Master broke through to the eighth level of the Internal Strength Stage, the same problem never occurred again. This jade pendant is extremely uniquely designed. From my current understanding, only those who have reached the eighth level of the Internal Strength Stage can deeply examine the mirror image within the carvings. If you simply observe it, it won't cause any discomfort."
"However, Master's true purpose in giving you this jade pendant is not this. Of course, when you reach a higher level of cultivation, you can study it in detail. Although Master cannot fully understand the meaning of this carving, I believe that it must contain a secret. Unlocking this secret should become an opportunity in your life, and perhaps even solve the mystery of your own life."
Xia Qingyun looked at Xia Feng and said solemnly again.
"this..."
Xia Feng was surprised, "Master, could this jade be related to me?"
"Exactly!"
Xia Qingyun took over, "Feng'er, it's fate that we're master and disciple. Back then, due to family matters, I left my hometown and came to live in poverty in Longshan Town, not far from here. You were also an abandoned baby I found by chance in that town. I remember that year, I was destitute and disheartened, hoping to find a deserted place to end my life. It was your cry that woke me from despair. From then on, I brought you into Longwen Gorge, and it's been 18 years. When I found you, besides the swaddling clothes, all that was left was this jade pendant that was pressed against your heart. I think it must have been left to you by your parents."
"I, I have parents too? But why did they abandon me?"
Xia Feng gently stroked the jade pendant, his expression melancholy. Clearly, the fact that he was an abandoned child had left the eighteen-year-old boy deeply troubled and distressed.
"Feng'er, I don't know what exactly happened back then, but before I understand clearly, I can't conclude that you were cruelly abandoned by your parents. Maybe they also have their own reasons. And this is one of the reasons why I, your master, asked you to come out of the mountain. If you stay here, you will never understand your life experience, and maybe your parents are desperately looking for your whereabouts." Xia Qingyun comforted softly.
Xia Feng fell silent. It was undeniable that his parents' seemingly heartless abandonment had left him feeling resentful, but if what his master had said was true, then wasn't it premature to harbor hatred now?
Xia Qingyun quietly looked at Longwen Gorge in the night, without interrupting Xia Feng's thoughts. After all, this kind of family matter was not something that outsiders could influence. How to deal with it required Xia Feng's own judgment and choice.
After a long moment, Xia Feng sighed and said, "Master, you're right. I must first understand this matter thoroughly before I jump to conclusions. I'll listen to you and go out and explore the world, and at the same time, research my own background. But where should I start?"
"Master has also considered this matter. Although it seems like looking for a needle in a haystack at first glance, there is still a way. I think this jade should be the best jade, not an ordinary thing. In this case, you can consider asking some well-known jade shops. In short, hard work pays off. If there is a destiny, perhaps we can use this as a starting point to find more clues." Xia Qingyun said, stroking his beard.
This is indeed a good idea. Xia Feng suddenly felt as if the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining. He clenched his fists and straightened his waist, making the already handsome young man look even more upright and resolute.
"Okay, Feng'er, since you've made up your mind, before you leave, Master has a few words for you. Alas, I'm ashamed to say that Master hasn't left Longwen Gorge for over a decade, and I don't know what's happening outside. But you must remember this: people should never forget their roots, hearts should never forget gratitude, things should never be muddled, and emotions should never be confused. Those who are grateful will win the hearts of others, those who win the hearts of others will be respected, and those who are respected must have character. Remember this."
Xia Qingyun stared at Xia Feng, feeling deeply gratified as he watched him listen carefully to his teachings.
In the following time, Xia Qingyun briefly told Xia Feng some social knowledge and cultural customs from his memory, so that he could have some preliminary understanding of the outside world and not be completely in the dark when he arrived in the city.
The next morning, Xia Qingyun watched his apprentice, ready to depart, feeling a pang of reluctance. Yet, he also knew this young man was no pushover. As the saying goes, there's no rainbow without wind and rain. His path ahead would undoubtedly be filled with difficulties, but Xia Qingyun firmly believed that Xia Feng could ride the wind, break the waves, hoist his sails, and sail across the vast ocean to reach his ideal shore.
"Master, the wind has gone. You must take good care of yourself."
Xia Feng knelt on his knees, kowtowed three times, then stood up, turned around and strode away.
A tall and straight body, a resolute back, but what Xia Qingyun couldn't see was that tears were already streaming down that young and handsome face.
"A golden fish cannot be confined to a pond. Once it encounters wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon!"
Xia Qingyun muttered to himself with tears in his eyes.