"Let me be brief. This traitor of Mount Mao stole our Qingping Sword, betrayed Shangqing, gathered the seventy-two sects of Lower Mount Mao, and established a sect in the south called the Biyou Palace."
As soon as he said this, Feng Menglong was the first to scoff,
"Biyou Palace?! He's read too much Investiture of the Gods and gone mad!"
"Even I know that's just a folk tale. Does he want to be the Lord of Heaven?"
The surrounding sect leaders immediately cast unfriendly glances.
The Eighth Sect Leader snorted coldly, "Mortal, shut your mouth. Allowing you in is a grace from the Mountain Master. Do you think we cultivators are as amiable to mortals as our outer disciples appear?"
"This is a matter of the Shangqing Sect. The Mountain Master is speaking, and you dare to interrupt. I'll have you thrown out later!"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao raised his hand, "Old Eighth, you are only a primordial spirit left. Speak less. This scholar has an extraordinary demeanor, and can travel with someone in the Ascended realm. He must have some remarkable qualities."
Ji Xiang: "Indeed, but whether his abilities are good or bad for Shangqing remains to be seen. Since we are discussing Investiture of the Gods, Mountain Master, please continue."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao gave a soft "oh," looking at Feng Menglong, trying to discern something. He indeed felt that this scholar was different from others, and his aspirations seemed unusually strong.
However, for now, he had to continue.
"The name Biyou Palace indeed originates from the book Investiture of the Gods. This is a folk tale. The author, Xu, was truly ignorant, using the White Lotus as a prototype to fabricate the Lord of Heaven, and then bestowing the Qingping Sword upon him. Furthermore, the name Hongjun, which is a mispronunciation of the Mongolian deity 'Hongjun,' is absurd. How can he be called the teacher of Heavenly Venerables!"
"Xu Zhonglin is merely a ridiculous fellow! A mere scribe, what does he know! If he didn't do it intentionally, then he is a fool!"
As these words were spoken, Feng Menglong lowered his head.
Ji Xiang, however, heard the phrase "intentionally," and it struck a chord. Perhaps this could be a side quest.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao continued,
"The Qingping Sword was Emperor Guangwu's sword. Emperor Guangwu wielded it by the lotus pond during the Han Dynasty, and this sword is Qingping."
Ji Xiang nodded, "Qingping, Haocao, the ultimate sharpness of refined steel. Its name originated in the Warring States period, and it indeed carries a fearsome reputation, not something ordinary individuals can wield. Ancient Daoist sages believed that using such a fierce weapon, even a slight misstep could lead to self-harm."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao: "This traitor of Mount Mao was originally a Daoist of Shangqing, the future Mountain Master of Mount Mao. We poured all our resources into cultivating him, only to have him abandon us..."
The young Daoist suddenly spoke,
"Because by following you, one could at most reach Pure Yang in a lifetime, while by following others, there is hope of ascension in this life."
"You yourselves cannot ascend to the heavens, so how can you expect him to believe your teachings? Your paths are all dead ends, impassable."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao fell silent for a moment.
Ji Xiang, however, was somewhat displeased, "Once a teacher, always a father. It's not about following whoever is stronger. I remember the last person who did that was Lü Bu. Lü Bu, who kept changing his 'father' figure, did not end well."
"Who are you? You've been announcing since we entered the mountain. I didn't expect you to speak so freely even in the Nine Heavens Palace of the Shangqing Sect, while the surrounding sect leaders dare not retort to your words?"
"Chirp!"
The Eighth Sect Leader, unable to contain himself, let out a sound. He seemed to harbor some resentment towards the young Daoist.
The surrounding sect leaders chuckled softly.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao said to Ji Xiang, "This child is the current Daoist of Shangqing."
Daoist, in Ji Xiang's memory, was not a good term. He recalled it appearing in Emperor Jiajing's descriptions of elixirs, where the mind and thoughts would gradually align with a certain "immortal" corresponding to the Daoist, eventually becoming a vessel for that immortal.
So Ji Xiang asked, "Which immortal does he correspond to?"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao showed an expression of astonishment, while the young Daoist's eyes lit up.
"Heh!"
Ji Xiang exhaled, smiling meaningfully.
"Are you perhaps a vessel for the descent of an immortal?"
The young Daoist nodded, "If the situation calls for it, I am a vessel for the descent of an immortal. But I am not the only vessel; the Mountain Master is too."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao fell silent again, then nodded.
"The inner and outer realms are connected. The existence of a Daoist is a means for the inheritance of the Dao lineage. However, the descent of immortals will not occur unless the sect is on the verge of destruction, and it is not without conditions."
"Becoming a Daoist grants access to a large portion of the sect's resources. The Daoist is the designated Mountain Master and can possess much of the wisdom and knowledge of the corresponding immortal, making cultivation twice as effective."
Ji Xiang was speechless, "I thought it was Lü Bu backstabbing, but I didn't expect... Is your Mount Mao perhaps Dong Zhuo?"
"Then this traitor who betrayed Shangqing actually has a point. He doesn't want to become an immortal's vessel..."
The Mountain Master remained silent for a long time, and no one in the Nine Heavens Palace spoke.
Finally, with the Mountain Master's breath, his eyes lowered:
"Mount Mao, Shangqing, is there something wrong with that?"
"Mount Mao is the ancestral home of the Shangqing Sect. To continue its lineage in the outer realm, without ascension, one must produce a Pure Yang cultivator in every generation. Without Pure Yang, it is like the Quanzhen Dao."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao looked at Nanyangzi and the Fallen Immortal, who both felt uncomfortable.
"When a generation lacks sufficient talent, they must accept the enlightenment of an immortal."
The surrounding sect leaders lowered their heads, remaining silent.
"The Daoist can refuse, but he cannot betray Shangqing. Upon entering the sect, one incurs obligations. Does the esteemed immortal not understand? The esteemed immortal is from Mount Wudang, so does Mount Wudang not uphold obligations?"
"With his betrayal, a third of Shangqing's sky has collapsed."
"Practicing within a sect is not child's play. You must bear a heavy burden, which is the Dao lineage. You can choose not to be the Daoist, but you cannot destroy it. Once a teacher, always a father. Even if not a father, at least, you have not done anything to wrong him..."
"Betraying Shangqing and abandoning the orthodox path to cultivate heretical methods has caused immeasurable negative impact on Mount Mao. At that time, three sect leaders were also misled by him, falling into the heretical path, descending into Biyou Palace, and then gathering the seventy-two sects of Lower Mount Mao to rally in the southeast, proclaiming him their master. They are now coveting Mount Mao."
"Should this not be purged?"
The old face of the Mountain Master of Mount Mao was filled with regret.
Ji Xiang remained silent, merely nodding slowly.
Indeed, pursuing freedom is not wrong.
But cultivation is not a game, nor is it work. It's not like you can quit if you don't want to do it and then destroy your former employer. This is about taking a master, and the Dao lineage is a weighty matter... Although Mount Wudang's Dao lineage, if we are to speak of the earliest orthodox lineage, should be the Five Dragon Temple of the Tang Dynasty... The Hidden Immortal sect of Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng is actually a latercomer.
Therefore, Mount Wudang doesn't have a single continuous Dao lineage. Each sect and faction has its own. After all, it's a gathering place for rogue immortals, but it's different from the traditional rogue immortal alliances. The rogue immortals who can live in seclusion in Mount Wudang are all famous figures in the world.
A gathering place for rogue immortals? No.
It should be a retirement home for the powerful.
Looking at the young Daoist, the Daoist formed a Heavenly Venerable hand seal.
It was clear that he had accepted his destiny, willingly becoming a Daoist enlightened by an immortal, and thus possessed the wisdom of an immortal.
"Those who follow the inner realm can achieve their own ascension. Following Mount Mao, one can only become a Pure Yang trapped in the mountains."
"Actually, he lacked confidence in himself, didn't he?"
Ji Xiang commented, saying no more. However, a trace of regret appeared on the young Daoist's face, as if reminiscing about the one who left Mount Mao and betrayed Shangqing.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao sighed,
"Biyou Palace is killing everyone related to our Shangqing Mount Mao. Aside from the disciples of Mount Mao itself, from ordinary mortal visitors to rogue cultivators, they kill all indiscriminately."
"They appear and disappear without a trace, like ghosts, making them difficult to capture. Even I have confronted them several times, but I have not managed to capture this individual, only killing some fierce men from Lower Mount Mao out of anger."
"This individual has cultivated the twenty-sixth chapter of our Mount Mao's foremost scripture, the 'Shangqing Great Cavern True Scripture.' By opening the immortal gate above and sealing the death gate below, and wielding the Qingping Sword, he can connect with the Shangqing Heavenly Law Realm. And our Mount Mao, having lost the Qingping Sword, is about to completely sever its connection with the Shangqing Heavenly Law Realm, turning that realm into his personal possession."
"From now on, he will be the orthodox lineage of Mount Mao, and we, having lost the Shangqing Law Realm, will be relegated to the lower tier!"
"And he truly possesses extraordinary talent. I myself have only learned up to the twenty-sixth chapter. His talent is such that I am deeply ashamed."
"Lower Mount Mao is greatly dissatisfied with our actions and has now gathered, posing a threat of war with Upper Mount Mao at any moment. Therefore, entering Mount Mao at this time is extremely dangerous."
Ji Xiang was not foolish. The other party had already made their intentions clear, and there were still hidden meanings in their words. Ji Xiang did not intend to probe further. As long as the other party was not an Ascended being, even a Pure Yang could be a worthy opponent.
So he asked, "So the threat you mentioned is that the Lord of Biyou Palace will kill me with the Qingping Sword?"
"It's truly strange. To gather all the magical teachings in the world to achieve a grand undertaking as a Heavenly Human, whether he was misled by the inner realm or betrayed Shangqing, the ultimate goal is to become an immortal and a patriarch. But why would he send so many people to kill those related to Mount Mao?"
"Both mortals and cultivators? What benefit does this bring him? He should know that to prove ascension, one must accumulate thirteen hundred good deeds. Without good deeds, killing indiscriminately will increase one's karma and negative connections. When the heavenly tribulation strikes, even if one avoids the demon king through a body-shedding method, one might be struck down by a lightning tribulation one day, turning them to ashes."
"Could it be that he is using Mount Mao's karma to achieve liberation?"
Ji Xiang voiced his guess. The Mountain Master of Mount Mao sighed, indicating that he also had this speculation, but lacked evidence and did not understand the origin or fundamental usage of the other party's techniques. Thus, thinking wildly was useless. They could only seal the mountain to prevent further bloodshed, creating a prison for themselves and waiting for the war.
Ji Xiang exhaled, "Now it's fine. Regardless of his past hardships, once he resorts to indiscriminate killing, there's nothing more to discuss. A thousand words of reasons are merely a cover."
"You want me to help you eliminate this traitor?"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao: "Although the matters of Mount Mao can only be handled by ourselves, I am ashamed to say that he stole Qingping and his strength is not inferior to mine. I cannot subdue him alone. Although you are not a complete Ascended being, your overall strength is still above mine."
"Furthermore, to reclaim the Shangqing Heavenly Law Realm, your assistance will be needed."
"As long as the Qingping Sword and control of the Shangqing Heavenly Law Realm can be recovered, Biyou Palace will inevitably collapse on its own. The rest will be Mount Mao's own affairs. It sounds simple, but Mount Mao currently lacks decisive strength."
"That wicked disciple has learned most of Mount Mao's inheritance, possesses supreme strength, and the wisdom of an immortal also resides within him. He may even be guided by another expert, completely turning our Mount Mao Patriarch's power to his own use..."
Ji Xiang's eyes suddenly shone with brilliance:
"Can he reach Pure Yang?"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao: "Almost."
Ji Xiang: "Then it's not bad. He's one of the peak figures in the mortal realm."
"But I still have the same request..."
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao: "No problem. As long as you agree, I will personally teach you as many of Mount Mao's formations as you wish!"
"Good!"
Ji Xiang readily agreed.
After all, the affairs of the Song Dynasty were more important.
"By the way, regarding the matter in Gusu, whether you believe it or not, it has already happened. You can send people to investigate. Pure Yang realm cultivators still cannot hear the sounds of the Nine Heavens or see for ten thousand miles, so you cannot be promptly informed of some external matters. I understand."
"These two from the Xuanmiao Temple are likely being targeted. Your Mount Mao is Shangqing. I have helped you this time. They will cultivate and reshape their bodies here. The Quanzhen Dao is all part of the Daoist family, so you should help each other?"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao quickly replied, "Naturally! The Quanzhen Dao has lost its physical bodies. If this is true, then the Quanzhen Dao in the south will be in trouble."
"However, this Yin Spirit Song Dynasty is truly perplexing. I have never heard of anything similar. If we encounter it, we will definitely act with all our might. Since most of the opponents are Yin spirits and ghosts, as long as a Pure Yang realm cultivator is present, under the sun's refinement, there will be no such thing as possession."
Nanyangzi and the Fallen Immortal immediately thanked Ji Xiang.
Ji Xiang did this to show respect to the Quanzhen Dao, as there was still the misunderstanding with the Tiger-Eyed Chan Master that needed to be resolved. Before the world turned against them, it was better to avoid conflict. Although he didn't take others seriously, they were still on the same side.
"Eighth Sect Leader, the power of your Baolian Lantern is quite good. I'll borrow it for a few days to examine it. I won't treat you unfairly, as these two will rely on your care. As the Master of the Daoist Registry of the Great Ming and the second Ascended being in the world, I can offer you some minor guidance in lightning techniques..."
The Eighth Sect Leader, who was still looking resentful, was stunned by Ji Xiang's words. Then, filled with surprise and joy, he readily said,
"Earlier, I was blind and offended the Dao Master. I thank the Dao Master in advance for your guidance."
Ji Xiang nodded, "It's nothing. You are also a straightforward person, and your style is very much to my liking. Regarding you calling me a 'Ba Ba' and a 'court lackey'... I will not pursue it, as I am indeed a court lackey."
The Eighth Sect Leader was dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond, and could only offer a dry laugh. Ji Xiang also offered guidance slots to the Tenth and Fifteenth Sect Leaders, who immediately bowed in thanks.
Ji Xiang's tone became serious, "Enemies should be reconciled, not made. I hope all fellow Daoists will watch out for each other in the future and refrain from speaking ill of each other. We are all Daoists. Today you help me, and tomorrow I hope others will help me."
The three trembled and immediately bowed again, "We shall remember the Dao Master's teachings! We dare not offend again."
However, the Eighth Sect Leader still had a doubt: the matter of the Baolian Lantern burning Ji Xiang earlier. But seeing that no one around mentioned it, although he was hot-tempered, he was not foolish, so he kept silent and acted as if it never happened.
Of course, Ji Xiang would not let this subtle glance pass him by, so he offered an explanation:
"The matter of the Baolian Lantern burning me is because I am hiding a finger of an Asura Hell ghost. This is a ghost at the peak of the Ascended realm. It is very normal for the Baolian Lantern to react..."
With that, he revealed the black finger, and a fierce power emanated from it. Just its appearance seemed to threaten to lower others' cultivation and damage their practice, causing many sect leaders to inwardly stiffen.
Now, there were no more doubts, and Ji Xiang's identity was clearly revealed.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao was about to invite Ji Xiang to inspect the formations with him.
However, there was still one more matter.
Ji Xiang pointed to his companion, "And this Lady Hou. She said earlier that someone found her, wanted to take her as a disciple, and taught her many magical techniques. And this person was from Mount Mao..."
These words caused everyone to pause.
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao was puzzled and asked Lady Hou, "What did the person who asked you to become a disciple look like? What were their characteristics, and what techniques did they use?"
He then looked at all the surrounding sect leaders, "Do any of you have disciples or followers who are wandering outside?"
The sect leaders all shook their heads.
Mount Mao had been sealed for some time, and all disciples outside had been recalled.
"It is likely someone from the seventy-two sects of Lower Mount Mao, disguised as Shangqing. The 'Summoning Spirits' technique of the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Arts is not used by anyone in our Mount Mao; we all summon divine generals through talismans."
Lady Hou was startled and quickly described the person's appearance, worrying, "Could it be the Lord of Biyou Palace you mentioned?"
The Mountain Master of Mount Mao remained silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying, but rather saying,
"Let us first invite these benefactors to temporarily reside in the Ten Thousand Blessings Palace. I will accompany the Dao Master to learn Mount Mao's formations."