Chapter 1 The Council at Longhu Mountain

　　On Longhu Mountain.

　　A hoarse, aged voice, low and tense: “Be careful!”

　　“Keep away, otherwise, there might be danger.”

　　“Understood.”

　　“Understood my ass, Old Lin, move aside, I'll handle these guys.”

　　“Damn, it’s a trap!”

　　Accompanying the shaking screen, Zhang Ruosu fell silent. Then, he silently put down his phone, picked up his teacup, blew on it, and said with an indifferent air:

　　“It seems that the modern youngsters are quite capable, not bad.”

　　Lin Shouyi sighed, watching the grayed-out screen on Zhang Ruosu's phone, and the fallen character once again, helplessly, "How did you die again?"

　　Zhang Ruosu chuckled and said, "No way, the opponents are too strong."

　　Lin Shouyi muttered, "You were playing against the AI."

　　Zhang Ruosu: "…………"

　　The old man of the Shangqing Sect sighed, unable to keep up with his old friend's train of thought, and said, "If you really want to feel the so-called excitement, why not try the real thing?"

　　Zhang Ruosu said with a smile, "The real thing isn't as stimulating as mobile games."

　　Lin Shouyi was speechless. Considering the other party's cultivation level, he could only say, "What you said makes sense."

　　"Now that you've relaxed as much as you wanted, shouldn't you go back and deal with that matter? If people find out that the higher-ups of the talisman lineages are all in dispute, and you, the Celestial Master, ran off here, you'll inevitably be gossiped about behind your back."

　　Zhang Ruosu sighed, "Let them talk."

　　"But, Old Lin, you really know how to make trouble for me."

　　The old Celestial Master stood up and slowly walked towards the discussion hall of the Celestial Master’s Mansion. Lin Shouyi chuckled, covering his hands in his wide Taoist robe, and followed behind the old Celestial Master. The atmosphere in the Taoist discussion hall was currently stagnant, with cultivators wearing different styles of Taoist robes sitting on both sides, looking at each other.

　　The Staff of the Nine Sections of Great Peace lay on the table in the center.

　　At the moment, they were arguing about where this treasure of ancient true cultivators should be stored.

　　Zhang Ruosu sat at the head, picked up the teacup next to him, took a sip, lowered his eyes, and looked peaceful. The other cultivators were still unyielding to each other, and among them, the most intense dispute was between the Lingbao Sect and another true cultivator from the Celestial Master’s Mansion.

　　The former believed that the Lingbao Sect and the Taiping Dao had always had origins.

　　The Staff of the Nine Sections of Great Peace should be stored in the Lingbao Sect altar.

　　The latter believed that the Taiping section had already been lost in the Song Dynasty, and there was no inheritance to this day.

　　Then this Taoist treasure should be stored in the Celestial Master’s Mansion on Longhu Mountain.

　　The others, such as the Shangqing Sect and the Shenxiao Sect, did not care much about this treasure.

　　The one who came from the Lingbao Sect was an old man in his fifties with white hair at his temples, named Ge Yanzhi. He was a direct descendant of the Ge family lineage. The Lingbao Sect was originally a Taoist sect founded by Celestial Master Ge Xuan, passed down from generation to generation, using the *Lingbao Jing* (Scripture of Numinous Treasure), one of the Three Caverns, as its fundamental method, and was one of the Three Mountains of Talismans.

　　The Lingbao Sect altar on Mount Gezao was also one of the three major altars, along with the Zhengyi Sect altar and the Shangqing Sect altar.

　　Ge Yanzhi's voice was calm and upright, and he said:

　　"Fellow cultivators should know that the Taiping Dao and my Lingbao Sect have always had origins. Among the Three Caverns and Four Supplements, the Taiping section assists the Dongxuan (Mysterious Grotto) , while the Dongxuan section is my *Lingbao Jing*. The *Taiping Jing* (Scripture of Great Peace) has been lost for thousands of years, and my Lingbao Sect has never been able to produce a true cultivator whose cultivation has reached the highest level of the *Lingbao Jing*. Now that the Staff of the Nine Sections has appeared, please let it return to my sect's altar."

　　Zhang Zhongxuan, the Taoist in charge of secular affairs in the Celestial Master's Mansion, said, "This matter is still under discussion."

　　"The *Lingbao Jing* can only reach the level of a true cultivator by practicing the Taiping section's methods, but it does not mean that the Staff of the Nine Sections of Great Peace needs to be sealed in the Lingbao Sect altar."

　　"Firstly, my Celestial Master's Mansion is the leader of the Taoist sect. Since the Taiping section's inheritance has been cut off, the Staff of the Nine Sections should naturally remain in the Celestial Master's Mansion, and reside in the Patriarch's Hall together with the Dragon and Tiger Swords, symbolising the union of Yin and Yang. Secondly, among the Three Caverns and Four Supplements, the Taiping section can assist the Dongxuan section, and the Zhengyi section can also assist the Taiping section, making the Taiping Dao even more refined."

　　"If the Taiping section can be comprehended from the Staff of the Nine Sections, then on Longhu Mountain, it will be beneficial to the Taiping section, but if it enters Mount Gezao, it will be beneficial to the Dongxuan section. One benefits others at the expense of oneself, and the other benefits oneself at the expense of others. The superior and inferior are naturally clear."

　　The two argued endlessly.

　　Because this involved true inheritance after all.

　　Being able to comprehend its methods would naturally be of great benefit to one's own cultivation.

　　Ancient Taoist texts once said that those who practice the *Three Caverns Xuanjing* are called the Great Vehicle scholars.

　　In this era, the *Dongzhen* section’s *Shangqing Jing* (Scripture of Highest Clarity), and the *Dongxuan* section’s *Lingbao Jing* still have their inheritance, namely the Shangqing Sect and the Lingbao Sect, while the *Sanhuang Jing* (Scripture of the Three Sovereigns), one of the Three Caverns, was involved in an incident during the Tang Dynasty and was burned by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. The Sanhuang Sect, the earliest of the three major Taoist sects, also declined directly.

　　As time went by, among the Four Supplements, the *Taixuan* was left with only the "profound mystery" of the *Daodejing* (Tao Te Ching).

　　The *Taiqing* also lost the legendary method of cultivating the golden elixir, which was considered lost.

　　Only the alchemist cultivators inherited some of its essence, combined with the martial arts, Confucianist breathing, and Chan Buddhist internal cultivation methods, and the three religions merged into the Quanzhen system.

　　Of the Three Caverns and Four Supplements, only two caverns and one supplement have been passed down to this day, transforming into the three mountains of talismans in China's Taoist sect.

　　Namely, Maoshan, Gezaoshan, and Longhushan.

　　This shows the status and importance of the orthodox Taoist canon.

　　Now that the treasure of inheritance from another section of the Three Caverns and Four Supplements has reappeared in the world, even cultivators who are accustomed to cultivating their minds will have the idea and desire to read the jade book and purify their cultivation. Instead, they are arguing about it. Lin Shouyi waited for everyone to argue endlessly, and once again brought up the matter he had said earlier:

　　"The Dao Lord of the Taiping section may have reappeared in the world."

　　"This time, when we return to the Celestial Master's Mansion with the Staff of the Nine Sections together, he once displayed extremely profound Taoist arts of the Taiping Dao, and also used the Staff of the Nine Sections to cast the thunder techniques of the Taiping Dao. The Staff of the Nine Sections was extremely obedient in his hands and did not show any resistance."

　　"Therefore, I think that perhaps the Staff of the Nine Sections should be returned to its original owner, to the hands of the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao."

　　The sound of argument stopped for a moment.

　　Everyone looked at each other and pondered.

　　Ge Yanzhi of the Lingbao Sect stroked his beard and said, "If he is really the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao, then the Staff of the Nine Sections should naturally belong to him. But, fellow Daoist Lin, can you really be sure that he is the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao, rather than just being able to wield the Staff of the Nine Sections because he has practiced the true scriptures of the Taiping section, such as the Arts of Great Peace?"

　　There was hesitation on his face, and he said, "It's not that I'm deliberately suspicious."

　　"But if that fellow Daoist is also a member of the current Taiping Dao, or a member of some hidden cultivation organisation in China, feigning a bitter trick to trick the Staff of the Nine Sections into his hands, wouldn't we be taken advantage of if we simply send the Staff of the Nine Sections over?"

　　Zhang Zhongxuan of the Celestial Master's Mansion, who was arguing with him, also expressed the same opinion on this point.

　　They were worried and did not believe that the person Lin Shouyi said was really the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao. They were worried that the Staff of the Nine Sections would be sent into the hands of the enemy, which would be tantamount to aiding the enemy. They were worried that the person was seemingly detached from the world, but secretly maintained secret contact with some existences.

　　Lin Shouyi was about to retort, but then he thought that some of what he said was based on inferences he had made after seeing the person's performance with his own eyes. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, even he himself would have found it hard to believe.

　　For a moment, he could not come up with any evidence and found it difficult to convince the two of them.

　　Just then, Zhang Ruosu put down his teacup and said, "Whether he is the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao of this generation, I don't know. But if you're saying he's that counterfeit, then you don't have to worry."

　　He paused slightly, then shook his head again and said:

　　"Furthermore, you're just unwilling to let the Staff of the Nine Sections fall into the hands of others, and you can't comprehend and cultivate it immediately. You've cultivated yourselves for so many years, cutting off external desires and inner demons, but in the end, you've fallen into attachment to this very 'cultivation'."

　　Ge Yanzhi and Zhang Zhongxuan were stunned, and their faces turned red.

　　Zhang Ruosu said, "Since you two want this thing, and fellow Daoist Lin said that it should be returned to its original owner."

　　"Why don't the three of you compete for it."

　　"Divine objects are spiritual, let's see who the Staff of the Nine Sections of Great Peace will follow."

　　Ge Yanzhi and Zhang Zhongxuan had both tried to pick up the Staff of the Nine Sections just now, but failed. They both knew in their hearts that if the so-called Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao really understood the Arts of Great Peace, then the Staff of the Nine Sections would most likely be more inclined towards the other party, but they immediately had other thoughts.

　　One was that his own sect, the Lingbao Sect, had a thousand-year connection with the Taiping section, and it might not be impossible to attract the Staff of the Nine Sections. The other thought that among the Four Supplements, the Zhengyi section could assist the cultivation of the other six sections, and it might not be impossible to attract the treasures of the Taiping section.

　　Therefore, they all agreed one by one.

　　Zhang Ruosu originally intended to retrieve his phone, but paused, and finally stopped, instead signalling Lin Shouyi to contact the Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao he mentioned. The latter did not know that this old Celestial Master also had Wei Yuan's contact information, but took out his phone, found Wei Yuan's contact number, and dialled it.

　　"Hello, Museum Master Wei?"

　　……………………

　　After contacting Nü Jiao, Wei Yuan had already sorted out his thoughts.

　　Having confirmed how to explain Yu Ji's matter to the Celestial Master's Mansion, he happened to receive a letter from the White Cloud Temple. He was stunned for a moment, saw the Taoist name Tian Chenzi on it, and after opening the envelope, he saw the pair of Jia Ma talismans, and then he realized that it was the old Taoist whom he had previously accepted an invitation to visit at the White Cloud Temple.

　　Previously, because of Bo Qi's matter, through the Taoist temple that Bo Qi had previously dreamed of, and the person he had transformed into in Yingtian Prefecture, Jiangnan Province, it could be basically determined that the Mountain Lord was also in a Taoist temple within the scope of Yingtian Prefecture. Wei Yuan had previously informed the Yingtian Prefecture Special Operations Team of this matter, and he did not know if they had gained anything.

　　Wei Yuan thought to himself as he placed the Jia Ma talisman aside.

　　As he was about to read the letter, his phone suddenly rang.

　　It was Lin Shouyi.

　　Wei Yuan was surprised, pondered for a moment, put the letter aside, picked up the phone and answered it. Lin Shouyi used concise language to explain the general situation, especially the question of the ownership of the Staff of the Nine Sections. Wei Yuan was slightly surprised when he learned that the old man had proposed to put the Staff of the Nine Sections in his custody.

　　The old man immediately turned on the speakerphone.

　　Even though Wei Yuan was not here, Ge Yanzhi still stood up and cupped his hands and said:

　　"Fellow Daoist Wei, I am Ge Yanzhi of the Lingbao Sect."

　　Afterwards, he repeated everything he had said to the old Celestial Master earlier. Zhang Zhongxuan also did the same. Immediately, Ge Yanzhi said, "After thousands of years, my Lingbao Sect only wants to obtain the Staff of the Nine Sections and comprehend the secret texts on it in order to make up for the part that my Lingbao Jing lacks. What we seek is not this treasure, but because the sect's orthodox Dharma is at stake, we have no choice but to compete with you, fellow Daoist.”

　　Zhang Zhongxuan also said, "This humble Daoist also wants to comprehend this treasure…"

　　Zhang Ruosu couldn't help but blink his eyelids.

　　Lin Shouyi next to him seemed to hear him mutter a sentence about being a disgrace.

　　Wei Yuan was surprised, then chuckled. His laughter echoed in the ears of the Taoists. Ge Yanzhi stopped when he heard his laughter, and then said, "Since you want the Taiping section's Dharma, why do you need to comprehend the Staff of the Nine Sections? In the beginning, it was just a walking stick for climbing mountains."

　　His voice paused, and he said naturally:

　　"As for the Taiping Dao, if you want to learn it, I'll teach it to you."

　　Ge Yanzhi and Zhang Zhongxuan were stunned.

　　The old Taoist couldn't help but say, "Fellow Daoist, this is the orthodox Dharma, and it contains the Great Dao…"

　　Wei Yuan said, "So what?"

　　Ge Yanzhi didn't know how to respond. He could hear the young voice answering, "What do you all think the purpose of Taoist methods is?"

　　Ge Yanzhi hesitated and said, "It is to be carefree and pure."

　　Zhang Zhongxuan answered, "It is to eliminate external demons."

　　The young voice replied gently, "Both are correct, but in my opinion, Taoist methods are for self-salvation and for the salvation of others. Save others first, then save yourself. This Taoist method is passed down from generation to generation, but if you hide it in yourself, you won't be able to cultivate the jade liquid golden elixir. If you hide it in the Five Sacred Mountains, you won't be able to produce a true person. What's the use of hiding it?"

　　"Of course, for the true Dharma of the Taiping section, I will only explain the general principles of cultivating *qi*, which should be enough to use the stone of other mountains to polish jade. If you want to ask for supernatural powers and various incantations, it will involve the secrets of each family. As you all know, that is not a method of saving people."

　　Ge Yanzhi and Zhang Zhongxuan were stunned. The young voice and the calmness and composure when talking about Taoist arts formed a huge contrast.

　　And Wei Yuan thought of that young Taoist, thought of the eight hundred fellow disciples, and the million Yellow Turban soldiers. By the end, Zhang Jiao no longer had the so-called sectarianism. Besides, how could the dignified and orthodox Three Caverns and Four Supplements have the air of cherishing what is old and secret? So he narrowed his eyes and said slowly:

　　"This method is for prosperous governance, proving the fruit of cultivation, and is used to clarify great chaos, with great merit and righteousness, hence the name Great Peace."

　　"Please listen quietly, everyone."

　　In the discussion hall of the Celestial Master's Mansion, the faces of the Taoists changed slightly. They subconsciously stood up, performed a long salute, and then sat upright and solemnly. Wei Yuan slowly recited the first part of the method of cultivating *qi* of the Taiping section, which was also the part that Zhang Jiao had widely taught.

　　However, after a long period of time, these parts had long been scattered and disappeared in the torrent of history.

　　This was the first time in thousands of years that someone had explained it in detail.

　　The Taoists in the discussion hall all listened attentively.

　　Only the old Celestial Master, seeing that everyone was listening attentively, took out his phone, casually clicked on it, and the sound of 'timi' suddenly rang out. He subconsciously covered the sound. Seeing that everyone had not noticed him, he quietly turned off the sound. With true scriptures and orthodox Dharma in front of him, he was still excited to play games.

　　Ge Yanzhi listened with rapture. Although the voice was young, his understanding of Taoist methods was undoubtedly deep enough. He explained it in a simple and clear way. Even the basic parts were still fascinating, showing sufficient Taoist cultivation.

　　After a while, until Wei Yuan stopped explaining, everyone slowly came back to their senses.

　　Immediately, they were somewhat surprised by the identity of this person.

　　Ge Yanzhi and Zhang Zhongxuan both felt that they had gained something, and felt that their fundamental cultivation methods had changed, but for a moment, they could not describe where this change was. They just sighed in their hearts, and their eyes subconsciously fell on the Staff of the Nine Sections, which was placed flat in the middle. They subconsciously felt a desire in their hearts.

　　Immediately, they were restrained by self-control, and instead felt ashamed.

　　Having obtained the true scriptures, they still craved this treasure, which was just greed.

　　Zhang Zhongxuan said, "This... fellow Daoist, do you need to return the Staff of the Nine Sections?"

　　Wei Yuan took a sip of water. Today's sermon was partly to take advantage of the situation, and partly to let the Taiping section return to the Three Caverns and Four Supplements, reopen the Taoist tradition, and form a good relationship. Hearing this, he said, "No need, thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist."

　　After thinking about it, he added, "Old Lin, please bring the phone closer."

　　Lin Shouyi was stunned for a moment before he realized that he meant to bring the phone closer to the Staff of the Nine Sections, and did as he was told.

　　Ge Yanzhi couldn't help but say solemnly, "... Senior, are you the contemporary Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao?"

　　Wei Yuan replied, "Contemporary Dao Lord? Naturally not."

　　"Moreover, I don't deserve the title of senior."

　　Ge Yanzhi was stunned, and his voice raised a few degrees slightly. He said:

　　"Senior... fellow Daoist, have you not practiced the art of maintaining your youth?!"

　　Wei Yuan said with a smile, "Naturally not."

　　As he spoke, the phone was brought closer to the box containing the Staff of the Nine Sections as instructed.

　　Everyone was curious, wondering what kind of Taoist method or altar would be used to drive this treasure.

　　The Staff of the Nine Sections was like a dead piece of wood, without any reaction.

　　But they only heard the voice pause, sigh, and say gently:

　　"Forget it, forget it, come back."

　　This inexplicable sentence made the thoughts of the Taoists slightly stagnate. Then, they heard a low sound. Everyone turned their heads and saw that the Staff of the Nine Sections, which was originally lying on the table and seemed to have no spirituality at all, suddenly leaped up and floated in the air. The secret texts on it lit up one by one, and then yellow flames appeared, carrying an extremely strong aura. It directly broke through the window next to it and flew into the sky.

　　The Staff of the Nine Sections happily howled, like a ball of yellow flames rising.

　　In an instant, it disappeared into the distance.

　　The faces of the several people in the room looked at the broken window and the distant yellow streamer, and they were silent.

　　ps: Today's first update, four thousand seven hundred words, another struggle to adjust the routine begins...

　　Thanks to Bear Child's Mask for the 10,000 reward