Chapter 1 The Beginning
In front of Mount Wudang, the large-scale barrier erected by the cultivators to block those from the mountain from descending was also completely torn apart by the vast gale!
The sinful cultivators felt despair, unable to die, and could only beg Ji Xiang for forgiveness. Those who could still move prostrated themselves and cried, "Please, True Person, spare my life! In this life and this world, I will never do evil again, and will retreat to the wilderness to cultivate in seclusion until death!"
As pleas continued, Ji Xiang waved his hand, enveloping them all in the Tongtian Mingyan, and sweeping them up Mount Wudang!
On Wudang, the crowd was in an uproar. The leaders of various sects and factions had already gathered. Major events had occurred at the foot of the mountain; the auras of the hundreds of cultivators who had blocked the mountain gate suddenly became unstable, and thunder boomed in the sky, with dark clouds covering the heavens. These numerous anomalies made people uneasy. They naturally had to come and investigate.
Rumble!
A vast river of smoke surged up the mountain, causing a wave of exclamations wherever it went! The high-level cultivators of each sect had already taken out their magical artifacts, mostly swords. True Martial talismans were hung in their sleeves, with dozens of them in each sleeve, ready to be flung out like a galaxy collapsing if there was the slightest change.
As the smoke dissipated, in an instant, the sound of swords pierced the heavens!
Clang! A thousand swords were drawn simultaneously. Under the True Martial divine sound, the sword edges hummed and scattered in all directions, casting a great radiance!
Hundreds of sword cultivators gathered at the front, forming a circle, pointing their sword tips at the sinful cultivators, and shouting in unison:
"Who dares to trespass the mountain!"
The Great Emperor Zhenwu was skilled in wielding swords, hence there were many sword cultivators on Wudang.
The sinful cultivators dared not speak, bowing their heads in silence. Then, as if riding the wind and thunder, Ji Xiang rode up, causing the expressions of many Wudang cultivators to be filled with surprise and uncertainty.
"Esteemed senior brothers, mercy! We parted not long ago, how can you forget your junior brother?"
Ji Xiang moved forward, causing many sword cultivators to be surprised:
"Ji Xiang, junior brother Ji Xiang of the Tongyin Sect! Why are you dressed like this?"
A few sword cultivators familiar with Ji Xiang stepped forward to check, nodded, and said to everyone, "It is indeed junior brother Ji."
"Ji Xiang, what are you wearing, change it quickly!"
Someone spoke, seeing Ji Xiang's black attire, and quickly reprimanded him, but then felt something was not quite right. The aura emanating from Ji Xiang actually made them feel a sense of dread. Upon a slight inspection, what they could see was the "external realm" Ji Xiang was currently displaying, which had actually reached the "Earth Immortal" level.
This greatly surprised many.
He had no cultivation when he left, and returned as an Earth Immortal?
If he truly possessed such peerless talent, he couldn't achieve anything on Mount Wudang, yet succeeded in the Forbidden City?
Could it be that he secretly took Zhang Tianshi as his teacher for extra tutoring?
Having confirmed the identity of the person, the Wudang cultivators felt somewhat relieved, but the current situation was truly bizarre. Ji Xiang was merely an ordinary disciple of the Tongyin Sect. Because he had read many Daoist scriptures, and the founder of Tongyin, Lei Yunzi, had considerable prestige on Wudang, the sect leaders, in their combined deliberation, felt that since the Wanli Emperor trusted Buddhism and not Daoism, they would send someone to fool them for a couple of years. Thus, they sent this ordinary disciple, Ji Xiang.
Why did he dare to wear black Daoist robes upon his return?
"What kind of attire is this!"
Several senior brothers, familiar with Ji Xiang, quickly cautioned him: "Clothes for sacrificing to Heaven and Earth, how can mortals wear such garments."
"Except..."
"Except for imperial investiture, no one can wear them, right?"
Ji Xiang interrupted them, and his expression gradually shifted from relaxed to serious:
"Esteemed senior brothers and fellow Daoists, although we have not met for quite some time, I have something important to tell you here."
Immediately, he produced the token of the Daoist Registrar:
"This junior brother is untalented, but has been favored by the Sage Son of Heaven. I am now temporarily residing as the Lord of the Daoist Registrar of our dynasty, conferred the title of True Master of the Zhengdao Sect, and styled as the Northern Pole True Person, overseeing all matters of Daoist sacrifices and demon subjugation in the realm!"
While others might not recognize this token, how could Wudang not!
Immediately, several sect leaders stepped forward to examine it, their expressions shaken. They quickly cupped their hands and addressed him as Dao Master, then slowly retreated! This turn of events left other Wudang cultivators completely bewildered.
"These people are all sinful cultivators. First, they committed the great crime of rebellion..."
Ji Xiang briefly announced to the assembled cultivators the rebellion of Prince Lu in Ying Tian Prefecture, the gathering of millions of wishes, the placement of demons outside the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the infiltration of various sects by cultivators, and even the soldiers of the thirty-six Guards of Ying Tian obeying his commands, with some even joining the White Lotus Society.
As for infiltration, Wudang was certainly not exempt.
Ji Xiang's words were like heavenly scripture to the Wudang cultivators, making it difficult for them to accept so much information at once. However, they understood one thing: these cultivators from various sects and factions were now all guilty, and their fate would ultimately be decided by the imperial court.
The heavenly tribulation was merely a punishment for their past misdeeds. Ji Xiang had measured it carefully, so as not to give other sects an excuse to accuse them of private killing in disregard of imperial law.
He decided to bring these people back to Wudang and then send a message to the Heavenly Master in the capital. Before Emperor Wanli, during the reigns of Emperor Jiajing and Emperor Longqing, imperial envoys would enter Wudang annually to perform sacrifices to Zhenwu in the "Forbidden Palace" on the peak of Mount Wudang. This palace was built by Emperor Yongle and named after the Forbidden City, carrying profound meaning.
Ji Xiang planned to imprison these people in the Forbidden Palace. After all, he understood that places bearing the name "Forbidden" were extraordinary. However, other sect leaders voiced their objections. They had now understood some of the situation. Although they didn't quite understand how Ji Xiang had become an Earth Immortal in less than a year and achieved the status of the Dao Master of the realm, this was not important to them.
What was important now was that the imperial court was once again paying attention to Mount Wudang?!
Listening to the clamor of questions from the surrounding sect leaders, Ji Xiang was momentarily stunned. Then, he placed his hands in a pressing gesture, signaling everyone to calm down. As the noise gradually subsided and disappeared, seeing the hopeful eyes of the many white-haired old sect leaders, Ji Xiang said:
"I can guarantee that His Majesty will now revive the Wudang sect."
"In fact, you may not know, but not long ago, the Forbidden City experienced a great upheaval..."
Ji Xiang briefly recounted the events in the Forbidden City. Wudang was in the south and unaware of the northern news. Moreover, regarding the breach of the Forbidden City, the villains always knew fastest. As for the righteous path, they were like blind and deaf, unable to receive any news. Ji Xiang understood this very well.
It was understandable that Wudang did not receive the news, as their mountain gate was blocked, and there were no Daoist temples around the Forbidden City. It was normal for Buddhism to know, as Changchun Temple was nearby.
"So it is!"
The many old sect leaders were momentarily unsure whether to be happy or to feel sorry for Emperor Wanli.
Although you were assassinated, you indirectly caused the rise of Wudang. This was like finding a gold ingot on the road, a stroke of good fortune. However, such thoughts could only be kept in one's heart; speaking them aloud would surely bring disaster.
Regarding Ji Xiang's intention to bring the sinners to the Forbidden Palace, the old sect leaders again objected, believing that since the imperial court now valued Wudang, some of the previously abolished rules could no longer be used. The Forbidden Palace would surely undergo a thorough cleaning, and these sinners would naturally have a good place to go.
"Imprison them on Leizu Peak, with Patriarch Dongyun... that place is where the Soul Suppressing Palace is located..."
"This! They will be beaten to death by the疯 crazed Patriarch Dongyun?"
"Why are you panicking? Leizu Peak has four palaces: Soul Suppressing, Demon Locking, Demon Confinement, and Evil Dispelling... The Patriarch is in the Soul Suppressing Palace, and they, well, they can be confined in the Demon Confinement Palace."
The old sect leaders were immersed in the dream of Wudang's great prosperity, while the sinful cultivators were filled with astonishment and incomprehension!
The ones who captured us were heavenly demons, and you intend to imprison us in the Demon Confinement Palace?
Where else would the Demon Confinement Palace not imprison demons but ordinary cultivators!
What kind of sect is this, you are truly harming people!
Ji Xiang did not react to this. Instead, he sensed the auras of Feng Menglong and the little fox, which were fixed in one place and had not moved. After ascending the mountain, they became clearer, as if they were asleep with no fluctuations.
At this moment, the young girl Shen Yixiu saw a disheveled old Daoist beckoning. She immediately tugged at Ji Xiang's clothes. Ji Xiang looked over, and his eyes narrowed.
Then, after excusing himself from the other cultivators, he left these sinful cultivators and took the young girl to the side of the old Daoist Zhang Dayuan.
"Master."
Ji Xiang bowed, and the young girl also called out "Grand-master."
The old Daoist Zhang Dayuan chuckled and patted Shen Xiaogu's forehead twice, after which the young girl immediately fainted.
Ji Xiang's gaze shifted. The old Daoist picked up the sleeping young girl and then looked up and down at Ji Xiang, suddenly saying:
"Heavenly Demon, why have you occupied my disciple's body?"
"Do you know the consequences of doing this? It makes me very unhappy."
Ji Xiang raised an eyebrow: "Master, you know about heavenly demons? How can you be so sure?"
"Also, disciple, I previously sent four people to Mount Wudang, why..."
"The mountain gate was blocked, how did they get up the mountain? Since they came up, why are two missing? And why are the remaining two as if they are in a deep sleep, with no fluctuations in their aura?"
"Was it Master who did this?"
Zhang Dayuan said: "How would I know? It was this old Daoist who brought them up the mountain, but when they arrived, there were only two of them, and they were already in a comatose state. The Three Corpse Gods that had been protecting them were also yours."
"I only came out to receive them after seeing those three Corpse Gods. Those who blocked the mountain gate, although shameless, at least wouldn't stop two half-dead people from going up the mountain. Since the time of Emperor Taizu of Ming, if such people were to go anywhere, it would be to seek a cure for their ailments. Even in the Forbidden City, there would be no reason to stop them."
Ji Xiang's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. The Three Corpse Gods had protected them on their way to Wudang, so why were two missing on the road? Where had the two from the Quanzhen Sect gone, and how did Feng Xiucai and the little fox arrive as if dead?
"Are they in mortal danger?"
"I already said they are asleep. Am I the kind of irresponsible person? I originally thought they were your friends, but I didn't expect them to be heavenly demon friends."
Ji Xiang immediately clasped his fists: "Master, what are you saying? Your disciple died by accident, his bones and flesh turned to charcoal. This disciple is merely inhabiting his body and does not know many things. Your disciple called you Master, and this disciple naturally is also your disciple."
Zhang Dayuan scoffed: "You are good at forming connections, you had your eye on this old Daoist long ago, didn't you? What can you bring to this old Daoist?"
Ji Xiang: "A disciple who is not very well-behaved, but can fight to a certain extent."
"Master Sanfeng has lived for so many years, is he afraid of a heavenly demon from the lower realm?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Dayuan's expression changed, and he mumbled:
"You wicked thing, I am unhappy whenever I see you. Are you here to help me overcome my tribulation!"
Ji Xiang's Inner Scene Divine Tablet had already displayed many characters, the reason being that for a moment, the old man Zhang had emitted a trace of hostility.
As long as there was a trace of hostility, regardless of the reason, the Inner Scene Divine Tablet could react. It was just that if the hostility was not strong, the information provided would not be much, similar to the time with Zhang Tianshi. But this was already enough.
Zhang Dayuan then said to Ji Xiang:
"Alright! Let's go, let's talk inside the house."