At that moment, while Chen Yun was savoring it carefully.

    He felt a sudden surge of his "consciousness" rising automatically.

    From the mountain peak to the universe, and finally to seeing endless starry skies.

    The trajectory of those stars in motion.

    The structure of particles that make up all things.

    Scenes are embedded in consciousness one by one.

    From afar, or so close at hand.

    There are the "paths of the Dao running in nature" that he unintentionally integrated into nature last time.

    This time, Chen Yun saw it more clearly than the last time.

    He observed that in the operation of this Great Dao, it seems to move countless beams of light, which drag long streaks of light as they run along the path, yet dissipate in a short time.

    Chen Yun tried his best to remember it.

    The pity was that no matter how hard he tried to memorize it, he just couldn't remember.

    The next moment, a crackling sound of stone breaking gently echoed in his ears.

    Chen Yun suddenly woke up.

    He looked carefully and found that it was already close to dawn.

    "Hmm? I was just a bit distracted, how did it get so bright so quickly?"

    Chen Yun felt a bit strange.

    What's more, he felt that the Danqi in his body was exhausted.

    He turned his head to find Xie Ziran sitting calmly on a massive rock.

    He paid his respects and asked, "Teacher, have I been standing here all night?"

    Xie Ziran replied with a faint voice, "Seven days."

    "Aх?" Chen Yun was greatly startled, "Have I been standing here for seven days?"

    Xie Ziran nodded and said, "Understanding the ways of heaven and earth, seven days are not many. I sometimes spend a year and a half in understanding the ways of heaven and earth. I'm curious, what kind of scenes did you see with your shallow cultivation that allowed you to blend in with nature and understand the operation of the Dao?"

    Normally, Xie Ziran was like a stone, never curious and rarely inquiring about Chen Yun.

    Hearing the question, Chen Yun thought for a moment before answering honestly, "I felt my consciousness extending from the summit of the mountain to the expanse of the universe. I saw stars twinkling and flowing, and also saw the light emitted by the trajectory of the Great Dao."

    Xie Ziran looked at him with some surprise and asked with concern, "You... did you remember how those beams of light were moving?"

    Chen Yun shook his head helplessly, "No."

    Xie Ziran encouraged, "The next time you blend into nature, try to remember those beams of light and their patterns. If one day you can remember and apply them to yourself, it will be an opportunity for you to merge with the Dao."

    Chen Yun said, "Thank you, teacher."

    After a brief conversation, he suddenly remembered that he and Xie Ziran had come to listen to Laozi's teachings, which seemed to be coming to an end.

    In fact, Xie Ziran had arrived near Luoyang during the day.

    According to the time calculations, it should logically be impossible for the other party to have missed Laozi's teachings.

    Chen Yun immediately understood what had happened. It is not unlikely that Xie Ziran was originally listening to the Dao in Laojun Mountain, but then he sensed something wrong with Chen Yun, so he rushed over immediately, missing out on a good opportunity to listen to Laozi's teachings.

    This moved him somewhat.

    Although Xie Ziran usually appears indifferent and doesn't seem to care about anything, he is still very attentive and caring deep down.

    But when Chen Yun was in danger, Xie Ziran had saved him more than once.

    For example, when he was ambushed by Xuänzhenzi and Dongmiaofu, it was Xie Ziran who ordered his disciple Han Ziming to save him.

    This time, when Chen Yun was invaded by the demon king, it was Xie Ziran who came to help.

    To be honest, Chen Yun really didn't know how to thank Xie Ziran.

    Chen Yun was thinking about it when Xie Ziran suddenly stood up and walked to the edge of the cliff.

    A gentle breeze blew past, fluttering her white dress. The faint mist surrounded her ankles, as if a fairy standing triumphantly in an enchanted land.

    Chen Yun beheld this scene and couldn't help but praise again. Even without seeing Xie Ziran's perfect features, just watching her back, the aura of transcending secular life was so profound that it made people deeply submissive.

    At this moment, there were no malevolent thoughts in his heart; he was simply admiring Xie Ziran's ethereal temperament.

    Chen Yun walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xie Ziran at the cliff edge, "Teacher, are you leaving?"

    Xie Ziran looked forward and said, "Watching the sunrise in Laojun Mountain is a beautiful view. Let's watch it before we leave."

    Chen Yun was surprised by the other's leisurely mood. He nodded and said, "I'll accompany teacher to watch the sunrise before going back."

    Xie Ziran didn't say anything, just stood there gazing into the distance.

    At first, everything around was misty and dim, making the scenery a bit blurry.

    However, as time passed, the eastern dawn broke, one by one illuminating the horizon and chasing away the stars and the waning moon.

    As dawn approached, the sky turned pale blue with a few lingering stars embedded in it.

    The earth was dim and hazy, as if shrouded in a layer of silver-gray gauze.

    Everything is silent, occasionally a few morning birds flying across the sky, making people feel refreshed and exhilarated.

    Chen Yun glanced sideways at Xie Ziran, observing that her eyes were focused ahead, without any expression on her face, but it seemed as though she was saying something.

    He couldn't discern what it was, only knowing that she seemed to have merged into nature as if she never existed.

    It's right next to me, but I can't sense its existence at all.

    Chen Yun knew that Xie Ziran's cultivation was incredible and was not surprised by this.

    To be honest, Chen Yun had many things he wanted to say to Xie Ziran, but was constrained by their status and couldn't speak.

    Some things may be like Xie Ziran at this moment, present yet elusive.

    Chen Yun took his eyes off Xie Ziran and quietly awaited the sunrise.

    Suddenly, the sea of clouds in the distance began to roll and surge, a ray of golden light shone, rising from the eastern horizon.

    The earth and sky slowly became brighter.

    The sky, mountains, rivers, and everything in the world seemed to be covered by a layer of red silk.

    The rays of the rising sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the mountains, and the glow scattered in all directions.

    They shine in harmony with the ancient and exquisite architecture of the mountains, creating a magnificent view.

    Chen Yun exclaimed, "This scenery can only be found in heaven, and it's hard to hear about it in the human world?"

    Xie Ziran spoke a poem out of the blue, "One day, sitting in an empty room, clouds and mist arise among them. Like listening to the sound of sheng and yu (Chinese musical instruments), it comes from the faint sky. In the bright day, it becomes dim and cold. The scenery is desolate. The eaves and columns flicker momentarily, linked with five-colored light."

    Chen Yun turned his head and was about to praise the meaning of this poem.

    Who had thought that Xie Ziran's figure had already vanished along with the morning breeze.

    As if she had never appeared, only a trace of a strange fragrance remained.

    Chen Yun knew that Xie Ziran had left and could only helplessly shake his head.

    With today's departure, it's uncertain when I'll have the chance to meet again.

    He recalled a line from Li Shangyin's poem "Untitled": "Meeting is hard, and so is parting; the east wind has no strength left, and the flowers are withered." He whispered it.

    This poem is so similar to his own heart.

    Some things, he can never obtain, but yearn for them.

    Although this feeling is not good, Chen Yun knew one thing: not getting something is also a part of cultivation.

    He didn't linger to admire the beautiful scenery of the rising sun.

    Chen Yun had his hands clasped behind his back, riding the wind and drifting toward the city.

    ...

    When he returned to the Luoyang estate.

    Chen Yun found Zhao Kaeji still stubbornly kneeling at the door waiting.

    He saw that the young man's face was as pale as death, estimating that he had been kneeling here for more than one or two days.

    Chen Yun landed silently at the entrance and walked up to him, asking, "How long have you been kneeling here?"

    Zhao Kaeji was somewhat disoriented and could hardly think clearly. He heard Chen Yun's voice and hurriedly looked over, bowing his head and saying, "Greeting the immortal, this young man has been kneeling here for six or seven days."

    Kneeling here for six or seven days?

    No wonder, he has great perseverance.

    Chen Yun had some appreciation for his determination and decided to give him a chance.

    Of course, it's just an opportunity, not a guarantee of becoming a disciple.

    He said indifferently, "My house is in need of a long-term servant, if you are willing, you can start working here tomorrow. If not, you can return to be the son of a rich family and enjoy the pleasures of the world."

    Zhao Kaeji didn't expect Chen Yun would really give him a chance, he kept bowing and said in surprise: "This young man is willing, this young man is willing."

    Chen Yun reached out and took a pill out of his space. "Take this pill, and you will be restored to normal. Alright, go back and rest for a day. If there are things, we'll talk tomorrow."

    Zhao Kaeji thanked Chen Yun a thousand times before taking the pill and swallowing it.

    The next moment, the swelling in his legs that had numbed them was gone, and he felt a surge of strength throughout his body.

    This made Zhao Kaeji inwardly exclaim the marvelousness of Chen Xianren's pills.

    He stood up and respectfully bowed before taking his leave.

    Chen Yun stared at Zhao Kaeji's back for a moment, shook his head, and slowly walked towards the mansion.

    Just as he entered, he saw Wu Xingde was diligently practicing martial arts over there.

    Maybe this young man's talent is not very good, and there are many mistakes in his martial arts practice.

    Chen Yun went over to give some guidance, and then he went straight to the inner courtyard.

    As soon as he arrived at the inner courtyard, he was about to chat with Wang Siyan for a while.

    Suddenly, a ray of auspicious light flashed in the sky.

    Following that, a familiar voice from outside the estate called out, "Uncle Chen, the nephew has something to ask for an audience."

    Hm?

    What? How did Cai Ruojin come here?

    Chen Yun was rather surprised by this but still replied telepathically, "The door is open, come in."

    He turned and walked towards the outside.

    Just as he was walking to the place where Wu Xingde was practicing martial arts.

    He saw Cai Ruojin, looking much older than before, approaching.

    Cai Ruojin immediately bowed to Chen Yun, "Uncle Chen."

    "There's no need for formalities," Chen Yun said, looking at Wu Xingde, "He is your Zhaishu."

    Wu Xingde quickly stopped practicing martial arts and bowed respectfully, "Wu Xingde greets Zhaishu."

    Cai Ruojin nodded slightly and said, "No need for formalities. Who is your master... Wang Zishai?"

    Wu Xingde said, "That's right."

    Cai Ruojin "oh"ed and, without hesitation, took out a bottle of pills from his sleeve and threw them over. "This pill is made in my spare time, and it should help with your body refining."

    Wu Xingde took the pills and thanked repeatedly.

    Cai Ruojin didn't pay attention to Wu Xingde and turned to look at Chen Yun instead, saying, "Uncle Chen, I have come at the request of our teacher, hoping you can help us."

    Chen Yun asked, "What's the matter?"

    Cai Ruojin explained in detail, "A year ago, my master ordered me to join the current emperor's forces to build a career. Now, as I lead the army to attack Nanping, I have encountered a formidable cultivator who is beyond my match. After returning to ask my master for help, he said it's not yet time for him to come out of retirement and asked me to come to Luoyang to seek your assistance."

    Chen Yun listened in amazement, thinking to himself, "What's wrong with Zheng Wensun? Why didn't he want to come himself?"

    (End of this chapter)