In this region, cultivators and mortals lived side by side, and cultivation wasn’t as mysterious as it was in the east.
The Qinglong Cave, located on a sacred mountain, had no restrictions around it, so the three of them arrived smoothly at the foot of Wangchun Mountain.
From a distance, Wangchun Mountain didn’t seem large, but as they approached, they realized how vast and towering it was.
Standing at its base, they felt as small as ants.
Under the cover of ancient trees and vines, numerous stone steps wound their way from the foot of the mountain to its peak.
The group now stood before a wooden archway at the mountain’s base.
The archway was about twenty feet tall and equally wide, with two plaques inscribed on top—one small and one large.
The smaller plaque bore four characters:
"Majestic in the Eastern Sky."
The larger plaque below also had four characters:
"Blessing the Southwest."
On either side of the archway was a couplet:
"The Azure Dragon coils, its spirit mighty; The cave hangs high, protecting the land."
Yun Qi read the words softly, feeling the imposing aura of the Qinglong Temple.
Looking at Wangchun Mountain, it truly resembled a coiled azure dragon.
However, the area was rich with wood energy, and the archway was adorned with vines and wildflowers, adding a touch of elegance to its otherwise majestic presence.
On either side of the archway stood a thatched hut, each with a caretaker.
Seeing the trio and their dog approaching leisurely, the caretakers didn’t stop them.
As they drew closer, a Taoist priest emerged from the hut on the left.
He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in a green Taoist robe.
He looked refined and scholarly, with a calm demeanor and steady breathing, making it hard to discern his cultivation level.
"Ancestor!"
Hu Jinliu’s eyes lit up when he saw the priest.
He rushed forward, knelt down, and kowtowed.
Yun Qi was startled.
The brash and reckless man from earlier was now acting so respectfully?
No wonder Hu Jinliu had casually mentioned entering both the Qinglong Cave and the Immortal Cave.
His roots were here.
It seemed he had insisted on bringing Yun Qi here to seek some favor.
Lang Shanliu also knelt and said, "Long life to our ancestor!"
The middle-aged priest chuckled and helped the two men up.
"Why have you come here?"
Hu Jinliu bowed and scraped, "It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you, Ancestor. We missed you, and it’s such a blessing to run into you while you’re on duty!"
The priest pointed at Hu Jinliu and laughed, "You’re always so informal."
At this point, Lang Shanliu spoke up, "Ancestor, we met a wandering Taoist from the east in the mountains. He said he wanted to register at our temple in Miaojiang, so we took the liberty of bringing him here to seek your guidance." Ancestor, this gentleman saved the lives of children from our Miao village.
Look, he even brought Bailong’er with him.
"Yun Qi stepped forward at this point. He placed his left hand horizontally across his chest, formed a mountain shape with three fingers of his right hand, and rested it on his left palm. He then said,"Greetings, Daoist Priest.
This humble Taoist is Cheng Qieqing, cultivating at the Biyun Temple on Qingshen Mountain.
"The middle-aged priest’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Yun Qi. For some reason, he seemed pleasantly surprised, which caught Yun Qi off guard. The priest then placed his left hand horizontally across his chest, palm up, with his index, ring, and little fingers curled, their tips touching his palm. His thumb and middle finger pointed diagonally upward to the left and right, forming a shape resembling bull horns. He then gently placed the back of his right hand on his left palm."
Qinglong Cave of Miaojiang.
This humble Taoist’s surname is Liu, and my Taoist name is Tianfang.
Greetings, fellow Taoist.
As disciples of the Three Pure Ones, all Taoist temples are places where we may rest.
"Lang Shanliu and Hu Jinliu didn’t understand the gesture, assuming it was some Taoist ritual. However, they were now certain of the outsider’s identity as a genuine Taoist and not some demonic cultivator in disguise, so they relaxed. Hu Jinliu whispered in Yun Qi’s ear,"Our Rongjiang Village is quite impressive.
We have connections not only in the Qinglong Cave but also in the Immortal Cave!
"Lang Shanliu grabbed Hu Jinliu’s ear and pulled him away, bowing to Priest Tianfang as he said,"Apologies for disturbing you, Ancestor.
We’ll take our leave now.
"He then waved at Yun Qi,"Feel free to visit Rongjiang Village when you have time.
It’s not far from here!
"Yun Qi nodded and thanked them with a smile. After the uncle and nephew left, Priest Tianfang smiled at Yun Qi and said,"Qingshen Mountain in Kuaiji—that name is quite renowned in the cultivation world today.
If you’re planning to travel under a different name, you might want to think of a new one.
"Yun Qi scratched his head. No one had told him about this."
Did Wen Sukong tell you to come to Qinglong Cave? She’s from the same lineage as you, so you should know her, right? Didn’t she tell you?
"Yun Qi’s eyes widened."
Priest, you know...
""Hmm?
""Wasn’t it her who sent you here?
"The priest was clearly surprised. Yun Qi shook his head. His arrival here had been entirely accidental. Priest Tianfang was silent for a moment before saying,"What a coincidence.
Wen Sukong has always been careless.
What about Chen Suxing? Didn’t he tell you either?
""Ah?
"Yun Qi was at a loss. What was this about?"
Never mind.
It seems I have a connection with your sect.
Come with me into the mountain,"Priest Tianfang said with a smile. He then turned to a young Taoist in the hut on the right and said,"Little one, I’m heading back to the mountain.
Please inform the Tianxuan Hall and have them rearrange the duty roster.
"The young Taoist quickly bowed in acknowledgment. Priest Tianfang nodded and led Yun Qi up the mountain."
So, whose disciple are you? What’s your relationship with Sukong and Suxing?
""Priest, I’m not yet formally registered.
For now, I’m a recorded disciple under Teacher Sukong.
""Oh!
"Priest Tianfang paused for a moment."
So you’re a disciple of an old acquaintance.
She’s taken on a disciple now, huh? That’s good, very good.
""What about Suxing?
He’s of the same generation as Sukong, so he should be your martial uncle.
Has he taken any disciples?
"Yun Qi’s mind raced, but he answered,"I haven’t been in the sect for long, and as a recorded disciple, I haven’t met Martial Uncle Suxing.
I’ve even seen Teacher Sukong only a few times.
"Priest Tianfang laughed."
She’s always been lazy, avoiding work whenever she can.
If you’re recorded under her, you’ll have your work cut out for you once you become a formal disciple.
"Yun Qi chuckled but didn’t dare to agree. Instead, he asked,"How did you and Teacher Sukong meet?
"Priest Tianfang fell silent for a moment before replying,"That was a long time ago.
""Back then, I had just entered the second realm, and my star apertures hadn’t yet differentiated.
In your inner alchemy path, it’s called refining gang to transform sha.
That year, Miaojiang and the Southern Wastelands were at war again, and the northern demonic sects were supporting them from behind.
The situation was critical.
I was sent down the mountain by my master to suppress the demons, and Sukong and Suxing were also traveling in the Southern Wastelands under the banner of Qingshen Mountain.
They were still at the first realm, not yet at the second.
""They got lost in the miasma forest and were surrounded.
I went in and brought them out, and that’s how we met.
We were around the same age, so we traveled together and became friends.
"The priest slowly climbed the steps, tilting his head slightly as he spoke. His fingers, clasped behind his back, twitched slightly."
It must have been sixty years ago now!
""Back then, we said we’d meet again.
I was supposed to go to Yuzhang, and they were supposed to return to Miaojiang.
But cultivation in the second realm was so demanding that we all got too busy and forgot! We parted ways sixty years ago and never saw each other again.
And now, I’ve met their disciple traveling here.
How amusing."--- Author’s Note: The gesture of forming bull horns in Qinglong Cave symbolizes the"Horns of the Azure Dragon." The first of the seven mansions in the eastern sky is the"Horn Mansion,"and the star chart of the second mansion, the"Neck Mansion," resembles a pair of horns.
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(End of Chapter)