Chapter 5: Kindred Spirits

The area where the inner sect disciples resided consisted of a total of 108 peaks. Residences had been carved out along the mountainsides and at the summits, each forming a small manor in its own right.

“Jiang Ning, junior brother!”

A streak of rainbow light split the sky, descending swiftly to land beside Jiang Ning. Once one reached the Aperture Opening Realm, they could begin to control the spiritual energy around their body and fly through the air. Jiang Ning, however, had always traveled honestly on foot, which was precisely why the other inner sect disciples believed he hadn't even broken through to the Spirit Gathering Realm.

“Senior Brother Li Zhenyu,” said Jiang Ning, cupping his hands in greeting.

He knew this man by reputation—said to be the most mysterious among all the inner sect disciples. Like Jiang Ning himself, he had never displayed his skills before others, yet while Jiang Ning was seen as useless, Li Zhenyu was regarded as unfathomably profound. Rumor had it he’d once crossed hands with Senior Sister Lin Qian and Yang Xiangtian, but these were only tales, never witnessed by anyone.

“Is there something you need, Senior Brother Li Zhenyu?” Jiang Ning was surprised. All the inner sect disciples looked at him with disfavor. Many sought to cause him trouble, but Li Zhenyu, with his folding fan and gentlemanly grace, did not seem the type.

“Nothing of the sort, Junior Brother Jiang Ning. I simply wished to ask if you had some free time, that we might discuss cultivation techniques together,” Li Zhenyu replied with a shake of his head.

“Discuss… cultivation techniques?” Jiang Ning was speechless. Was it because he’d become a direct disciple that Li Zhenyu wished to forge a connection with him ahead of time?

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Junior Brother. Might you have a moment to chat?” Li Zhenyu seemed to see through Jiang Ning’s thoughts and quickly denied it.

Jiang Ning found it odd, but he could think of nothing he’d done to offend Li Zhenyu, so he nodded in agreement.

“I need to go back first and check on Erhuang.”

“Erhuang?”

“Oh, just a little yellow dog I keep,” Jiang Ning admitted, a little embarrassed.

Sure enough, at the mention of a “little yellow dog,” Li Zhenyu’s eyes widened. “Is that the one always sticking to the junior sisters?”

Jiang Ning gave a dry laugh, unable to deny it. He hadn’t expected Li Zhenyu not to know that the dog was his. Erhuang had caused plenty of trouble. Many inner sect disciples clamored to have dog meat hotpot because of it. But Erhuang possessed a few innate abilities—he was slippery indeed, and Jiang Ning felt at ease leaving things to him. Still, many held Jiang Ning responsible for the dog's mischief; indeed, a good portion of the resentment his fellow disciples felt toward him could be credited to this little yellow dog.

“What a sin, what a sin…” Li Zhenyu shook his head. “Junior Brother Jiang Ning, I admire you more and more. Like master, like dog—only you could have raised such a creature. Remarkable, truly…”

Jiang Ning’s face darkened; he couldn’t tell if he was being insulted or praised.

At that moment, a small figure flashed from the horizon and leapt into Jiang Ning’s arms.

“Erhuang?!” Jiang Ning was startled; he hadn’t expected the rascal to show up on its own. The little yellow dog was intelligent, almost like a spirit. Though it couldn’t speak, it understood every word.

The dog blinked at Jiang Ning and licked its tongue, signaling that someone was following.

“You’ve caused trouble again!” Jiang Ning groaned.

“There it is! Catch it!” Someone came speeding from another peak, clearly a victim of the dog’s mischief, their fury barely contained.

“Run!” Jiang Ning had only one thought—he urged the little dog to flee. He had always kept a low profile and never flown before the other disciples, so his legs would never outrun those flying in the sky.

But Erhuang had its own talents: one was flying, and the other was traversing space within a certain range. These two gifts were formidable—especially the ability to cross space, ignoring all formations and restrictions. That was why Erhuang always managed to get away, and nobody could do anything about it.

Generally, if the dog brought back anything, unless it was some rare treasure it ate itself, Jiang Ning would return it. Still, Erhuang had caused plenty of trouble, especially in the sect’s herb gardens, which he raided often—sometimes even bringing back some herbs for Jiang Ning. Most of these were ordinary spiritual herbs, and the garden keepers never noticed; Jiang Ning simply stashed them away. Because of Erhuang, he’d made no shortage of enemies.

“This little yellow dog is too much. Last time, it even snatched my roasted lamb leg…” Li Zhenyu almost wanted to strike it himself. But seeing their pursuers, and Jiang Ning’s anxious face, he shook his head.

“Forget it. Let me help you resolve this calamity, Junior Brother Jiang Ning. Your mastery isn’t enough yet—watch me.”

His words were cryptic, and Jiang Ning was baffled. What did this have to do with mastery of the Dao? Li Zhenyu did not explain but simply fanned himself and turned to face the approaching disciples.

“Fellow disciples, is it really worth getting so worked up over a dog?”

The inner sect disciples arrived, panting and glaring at the little yellow dog in Jiang Ning’s arms, rage burning in their eyes.

“Senior Brother Li Zhenyu, since you’re here, help us judge! This dog stole our monthly allotment of Pure Spirit Elixir and even drank a whole bottle! Outrageous!” one of them said indignantly.

Several others looked on with hostility—not only toward the dog but toward Jiang Ning himself. Many believed he put the dog up to it. Jiang Ning was helpless; Erhuang truly had caused many problems. Who would believe he wasn’t behind it? He would never wash off this stain, even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Li Zhenyu remained composed, maintaining his air of mystery. “Everyone, how about this: I’d planned to invite Junior Brother Jiang Ning to discuss the Dao today. Why not let the dog return the elixir, and for my sake, let the matter drop?”

The disciples exchanged glances. In truth, they would love nothing more than to give Jiang Ning and the dog a beating.

“Let’s not forget, Junior Brother Jiang Ning isn’t just an ordinary inner sect disciple anymore…” Li Zhenyu reminded them. “And it’s only a bottle of Pure Spirit Elixir—you get one every month. Is it worth quarreling with a dog? Tell you what—”

He thought for a moment.

“I’ll personally deliver a bottle of Pure Spirit Elixir to you next month.”

The disciples’ anger did not abate, but at the sight of the dog in Jiang Ning’s arms, and after exchanging glances, they relented. “Fine, for Senior Brother Li Zhenyu’s sake, we’ll let it go this time.”

They didn’t want to offend Li Zhenyu, and Jiang Ning’s new status as a direct disciple made them wary, even if he still seemed incapable of flight or had yet to break through the Spirit Gathering Realm.

“Ahem… Junior Brother Jiang Ning, about that…” Li Zhenyu signaled to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning nodded. “Erhuang, spit it out.”

Erhuang seemed unwilling, squirming and pouting for a long time before finally opening its mouth. A small ball of light appeared, and several bottles of Pure Spirit Elixir emerged in Jiang Ning’s hand.

The disciples nearly lost control. Their own elixir, swallowed by a dog—how revolting.

After taking the bottles, they glared venomously at Jiang Ning and his dog before finally departing.

Erhuang whimpered in grievance; most of the things it brought back ended up being returned by Jiang Ning. It felt its efforts were all for nothing.

“You’re upset? I’m the one who’s suffered thanks to you…” Jiang Ning couldn’t help but want to give it a good thrashing. Man and dog had been together since their days in the Tianshan Mountains—like true brothers. Ten years of companionship had forged a deep bond; Jiang Ning regarded Erhuang not as a pet but as a friend. Yet this friend kept causing him trouble…

“Junior Brother Jiang Ning, now that they’re gone, there’s no need to pretend. After all, we’re kindred spirits…” Li Zhenyu smiled, leaving Jiang Ning once again confused.

“Senior Brother Li Zhenyu, I really don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“No matter. Let’s go somewhere else—how about my manor?” Li Zhenyu flashed his inscrutable smile once more.

“Very well,” Jiang Ning agreed. After all, the man had just done him a favor; it wouldn’t be right to simply walk away.

…

Half an hour later, Jiang Ning was utterly speechless.

“Now you understand what I mean, don’t you?” Li Zhenyu, holding a jade cup of what he called “celestial nectar,” smiled.

“This is what it means to have a certain aura. When you reach this level, people will see you as lofty and unfathomable. That’s the difference between you and me, Junior Brother Jiang Ning. You’re not bad yourself, but I think I do it better—at least I avoid plenty of trouble.”

“They all think I’m at the peak of the Aperture Opening Realm, but in truth, my cultivation is different from yours. I have none of the standard levels you speak of.”

For some reason, Jiang Ning found himself aching to punch someone right now.