Chapter 13 — Reunion
劍問蒼天 · Page 2 of 5
Tian Buhui nodded. His face showed little, but a flicker of joy still passed through his eyes. "And? How did it go?"
Du Biyan said, "It seems—it seems it moved a little."
A stir went through the room like a clap of thunder. Everyone was delighted and astonished. Old Five Lü Daxin, who sat beside him, clapped him hard on the shoulder, his face wreathed in smiles. Across from them Su Wan was beaming too. "Well, you rascal! Who would have thought you had it in you. When did this happen?"
Encouraged by the others, Du Biyan relaxed as well. "Only recently. A few days ago I was cultivating in my room when I suddenly felt that, under my thought-force, the water cup on the table moved a little. I wondered whether I had broken through to the third level." Here he gave a rather embarrassed laugh and added, "But I had no confidence in it and dared not believe it, so I kept testing it now and then. I never expected Master to notice."
Tian Buhui smiled slightly. "That is how it is. Between the third and fourth levels of the Jade Clarity Realm there is a world of difference in effect, yet when one first succeeds there is nothing obviously different. You are a nimble sort; late to enter though you were, I never thought you would come from behind to lead."
Everyone laughed and offered congratulations. In the midst of it Tian Lingsu put in, "Sixth Senior Brother, have you decided yet what magic treasure you will cultivate?"
Du Biyan said, "Not yet. I have only just had it confirmed from Master's own mouth that I have reached the fourth level. I have not had time to think about it."
Su Wan said with a smile, "No hurry. Take these few days to think it over slowly. But you all know your master's temper—he has never forced you to cultivate immortal swords. Whatever you fancy, once you have made up your mind, go and find the materials."
Zhang Qingyue looked on in sheer envy, watching his sixth senior brother grin from ear to ear, and then heard Tian Buhui say, "Old Six."
Du Biyan said, "Master."
Tian Buhui said, "By the old custom of our Canglan Sect, a disciple who has cultivated to the fourth level of the Grand-Vast Mystic Clarity Way must go down the mountain to travel the world, and at the same time seek fine materials and numinous things to cultivate a magic treasure. Whether you obtain some divine object that gathers the spiritual qi of heaven and earth depends on your own fortune and destiny. Make your preparations and go down the mountain in a few days."
Du Biyan was taken aback. There was reluctance in his eyes, and joy as well. He said softly, "Yes." Then something else occurred to him: "But Master, the meals here have always been your disciple's responsibility. After I leave..."
Beside him Lü Daxin chuckled. "What are you afraid of? Wasn't I here before you entered? Rest easy—no one will starve."
Du Biyan and the others all burst out laughing. Only Tian Lingsu said with a grin, "Fifth Senior Brother, you have some nerve bringing that up. The food you cooked gave me nightmares when I was little!"
Lü Daxin's face reddened, and the whole room roared with laughter. When the laughter had somewhat subsided, Tian Buhui said mildly, "From now on, let Old Seven handle the kitchen."
Everyone was startled. Lü Daxin said in surprise, "Master, our junior brother is still young..."
Tian Buhui cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Qingyue. Zhang Qingyue hastened to say, "Rest assured, Master. I often helped Sixth Senior Brother in the kitchen, so I know how to cook."
Tian Buhui nodded and said no more. He waved a hand: "Eat!"
Three days later, Du Biyan finished packing, handed over all the affairs of the kitchen clearly, and went down the mountain. In these three years, of all his senior brothers, Du Biyan was the youngest and the liveliest in temper,
and Zhang Qingyue had been closest to him. Now that he had gone, Zhang Qingyue felt a deep reluctance, and it seemed to him that Dazhu Peak had suddenly grown a shade lonelier.