Walking along the slightly narrow path ahead.
Zhang Tian's gaze unconsciously drifted upwards.
It was a forest that seemed to stretch endlessly.
The path ahead extended continuously, without end.
Soon, Zhang Tian sensed something was amiss.
"Master, there's a formation here, isn't there?"
Zhang Tian spoke.
The continuous path, no matter how far he walked, never seemed to reach an end, which meant there must be something creating this illusion.
"That's right, this is Maoshan."
"As the birthplace of our Maoshan Taoists, how could there not be formations?"
Said Yi Mei Dao Ren, picking up his pace with excitement.
Soon, following Yi Mei Dao Ren, they arrived at a clearing.
The clearing was not large, only about ten meters across.
Around the clearing, many plants grew.
There were even a few trees growing wildly.
It looked somewhat messy.
"Open."
Yi Mei Dao Ren placed his hand on his hip, and countless streams of energy flowed.
The trees and grass on either side seemed to obey a command, shaking incessantly.
At the same time, a path appeared before them.
"Look, obedient disciple, this is the first path into the mountain."
Yi Mei Dao Ren said, striding forward with an air of swagger.
His posture, his demeanor, his expression, were no less flamboyant than a fatty's.
"Is there a need to be in such a hurry?"
"And why is he so confident?"
Zhang Tian felt a bit depressed looking at Yi Mei Dao Ren's self-assured expression.
Stepping onto the newly opened path.
Flowers bloomed all around.
Simultaneously, many stones with talismans attached appeared before Zhang Tian.
These stones not only had talismans but were also etched with runes.
Zhang Tian knew that the primary supporting power of such formations.
The formations of Maoshan were not particularly strong.
Of course, they couldn't compare to those of Medicine King Valley.
Medicine King Valley used unique crystals as energy sources for their formations.
While these formations relied entirely on self-generated energy and were somewhat different from natural ones.
There were many steps.
Zhang Tian also saw many plants and flowers along the way.
After walking for nearly five minutes.
Zhang Tian saw countless statues.
The statues were arranged on both sides of the walkway, making the passage appear exceptionally solemn.
From the appearance and forms of the stone statues, Zhang Tian could clearly identify the corresponding figures.
"These are Taoist deities."
Zhang Tian exclaimed, looking at the line of Taoist figures.
Yi Mei Dao Ren nodded.
"Yes, these are all Taoist patriarchs, that one is the Heavenly God of Giant Strength, and that one is..."
Yi Mei Dao Ren explained as they went.
He was very familiar with these.
"Once we pass these patriarchs, we can enter the main gate."
Yi Mei Dao Ren said, seeming a bit impatient.
"However, logically speaking, someone should have come to greet me specifically upon my return."
"Alas, these junior disciples are becoming more and more unruly."
Yi Mei Dao Ren grumbled, and walked into the midst of the stone statues.
Zhang Tian looked at the surrounding stone statues.
Each statue was carved with lifelike detail.
Zhang Tian could even discern every subtle feature.
"As expected of a Taoist site, such things would be given utmost importance."
Zhang Tian sighed inwardly, then followed.
Soon, Yi Mei Dao Ren, followed by Zhang Tian, passed through this large area of stone statues.
It was replaced by a simple, ancient wooden building.
The entire Maoshan area was constructed entirely with wood and some tiles.
It looked very simple, and there were no imposing structures on the entire mountain.
Zhang Tian thought of Medicine King Valley.
This was in no way comparable.
There were no grand halls, only small wooden structures.
Extremely simple.
In fact, if you didn't look closely, you would think it was just a small village.
"This is too simple."
Zhang Tian murmured, looking at the houses before him.
"Hmm, something's wrong."
"Something is very wrong. Why is no one here to greet me upon my return?"
Yi Mei Dao Ren frowned slightly.
His expression also became a bit more serious.
"Swish swish."
The next moment, Yi Mei Dao Ren's body transformed into several black arcs.
In a flash, he had vanished from his original spot.
Zhang Tian followed suit.
The entire Taoist monastery appeared very desolate.
Beneath a poplar tree, fallen leaves and catkins littered the ground.
The entire courtyard, the entire monastery, looked very messy.
It was as if no one had lived there for many years.
And in the distance, near the houses, Zhang Tian even saw many sealing talismans.
Following Yi Mei Dao Ren, Zhang Tian arrived in front of the largest house.
There were two pillars in front of the house, supporting the entire structure.
And between the pillars, a red door appeared, with two tiger head door knockers on it.
The red door was covered with yellow sealing talismans.
The entire house looked exceptionally deserted.
"What's going on? Junior brother, where has Master gone?"
Yi Mei Dao Ren mumbled, now resembling a child without a home, feeling somewhat flustered.
And a little helpless.
Yi Mei Dao Ren waved his hand, and the talismans on top were torn off.
Immediately, the main door was opened.
Clouds of dust were stirred up.
The situation inside gradually came into view.
Although it hadn't been cleaned for many years, the interior was still very clean and tidy.
Upon entering, the first thing seen were the ancestors, the Three Pure Ones.
And then followed by many Taoist patriarchs.
Those statues were huge, generally five to six times taller than a person.
They were giant statues.
And beneath the statues, there were many cushions.
On the table, the fruits and offerings were already rotten.
Their appearance was indistinguishable.
There was still a bit of dust on the ground inside.
"The main hall is also empty."
Yi Mei Dao Ren muttered, then ran out again in large strides.
Zhang Tian paid no mind to the agitated Yi Mei Dao Ren.
He unhurriedly walked towards the Three Pure Ones before him.
The Three Pure Ones, the patriarchs of Taoism, and much of the Taoist methods Zhang Tian cultivated were created by them, albeit in greatly degenerated and simplified versions.
Zhang Tian took out some incense from his spatial storage.
He lit it and placed it in the incense burner on the altar.
Simultaneously, Zhang Tian removed the rotten fruits and replaced them with fresh, clean ones.
Zhang Tian knelt on the cushion, closed his eyes, and prayed.
Zhang Tian felt a sense of inexplicable comfort while sitting beneath the patriarchs.
"Thud."
As Zhang Tian meditated for a long time.
Something suddenly fell from the head of the Three Pure Ones statue.
It was a wooden box.
And the wooden box landed squarely on Zhang Tian's head.
Zhang Tian was startled awake. He looked at the statue before him, then at the box on the ground.
"Patriarch, have you manifested?"
Zhang Tian's eyes lit up.
This was clearly a sign of the patriarch manifesting.
He looked at the box.
This thing probably hadn't been touched for several years.
Had it been sitting on top of the statue's head all along?
"What is the Patriarch trying to tell me?"
"Is it about Maoshan as a whole? Why was it once prosperous, yet fallen into decline today?"
Zhang Tian thought, and picked up the box.
He wanted to see what Maoshan had gone through.