Tiancheng Mountain is located in the remnants of the Huanyuan Mountains in the middle of Kunlun, more than 300 miles northwest of the imperial capital. Since ancient times, fairy sightings have often appeared here.
Because Mount Tiancheng is so tall and tall, the clouds and fog do not reach the top of the mountain, so there is no hindrance to the view of the three lights above, which attracts those who practice immortality to come here to think about the sun, the moon, and the stars.
In ancient times, monks did not have many sects. If they had enlightenment, they would refer to each other and confirm it. Over time, the method of the Three Lights of Shangjing gradually became complete, and the sect's inheritance was naturally formed.
Compared with those sects with clear ancestors of the Immortal Family who established the sect, the inheritance genealogy of Shangjing Sect in the early years was chaotic. Even the fundamental formula "Three Lights True Purpose" was not created by a specific ancestor, but a little bit by several generations.
Verified by detailed reference.
"That is to say, you don't know who left these stone carvings?" When Zhao Shui was traveling in Tiancheng Mountain, he accidentally found many ancient stone carvings on a cliff and asked about the feather medal next to him.
"It's not that we don't know everything." Yuzhang flapped his wings, came to a picture of time, and said in a clear voice: "This picture of Yuyi knotted with Yuchen was carved by the real person Yuchen. The ancestor on Xuanzhao Peak
In the hall, the memorial tablet of Master Yuchen is juxtaposed with the other four masters, all of whom are regarded as the founders of the Dharma by our Shangjing Sect. Even I can practice the Dharma passed down by him! I especially like to bask in the sun every morning, even with my feathers
Everything becomes shiny!”
Ignoring Luo Liba's fuzzy feather badge, Zhao Shu looked at the picture of the sun and moon shining together on the cliff. Due to its age, many details were difficult to identify, but he could still tell that it was a symbol used for contemplation.
After looking at it for a moment, Zhao Shu sat cross-legged on the ground, thought for a moment, gathered his spiritual energy, and then said: "It turns out that it is the practice of swallowing the essence of the sun and the moon to cleanse the soul, and it does not distinguish between refining the energy and preserving the spirit.
Sublime."
"Am I right?" Yu Zhang said proudly: "There are many techniques for swallowing the essence of the sun and the moon in this world, but I can guarantee that none of them can compare with our Shangjing Sect!"
Zhao Shu smiled and said, "If senior Han Yuanzi hears what you said, I'm afraid I'll punish you again."
It has been several months since Zhao Shu came to Tiancheng Mountain. During this time, Zhao Shu has mainly devoted himself to spiritual cultivation and consolidating his cultivation realm.
The mountains were quiet, and most of the Shangjing sect members were not in the mountains. Han Yuanzi asked Yu Zhang to accompany Zhao Shu and act as a guide, allowing Zhao Shu to travel around Tiancheng Mountain without any restrictions.
In the battle of Difeishan in the past, although Shang Jingzong intervened in it, Zhao Shui could not say that he had any deep hatred towards him. And when he asked Qian Shaobai to pass the message on his behalf, he did not intend to completely break up with Shang Jingzong.
Ever since he saw the abilities of the Four Immortals and Han Yuanzi, as well as what Shang Jingzong did in Youxiong Country, Zhao Shu really had no intention of pursuing them further.
More importantly, Zhao Shu is really confused now. Lingxiao's departure makes him not know what to do next, just like a baby thrown outside the house, forcing himself to face the world.
Only after losing Lingxiao did Zhao Miao understand how dependent he was on her in the past. He confided almost all his inner confusions to Lingxiao, as if she could answer all his doubts and questions.
Even after experiencing the battle of Difei Mountain, Zhao Shu suffered the pain of losing his mother and teacher, lost the courage to face reality, and indulged in self-made illusions, Lingxiao still enlightened Zhao Shu over and over again and dragged Zhao Shu out.
Quagmire.
But now that Lingxiao has left, Zhao Shui truly understands the feeling of being alone. Even though Han Yuanzi asked the noisy and well-spoken Yuzhang to accompany him, Zhao Shui still felt cold and lonely.
Leaving the cliff full of stone carvings, Zhao Shu took a leisurely stroll in the mountains, climbed a stone bridge, and crossed the Qingxi River. He saw a patchwork of pines and cypresses on the mountainside, with evergreen branches and leaves, and a faint wisp of smoke rising from a red furnace deep in the mountains.
"Where is that place?" Zhao Shu asked.
Yuzhang said enthusiastically: "That is the sole residence of Xia Huanggong. Do you want to go in and take a look? Xia Huanggong once went back to the mountain to peel pine nuts. I even went over to beg for some. They tasted delicious and crispy.
, I will never forget that feeling for the rest of my life! Mr. Xia Huang is such a kind-hearted old man, I will go in and inform you."
"Wait a minute." Zhao Shu quickly stopped him. He finally accepted this little bird: "I heard that Duke Xia Huang was injured in a fight with a powerful enemy before. He must be recuperating now. Let's not disturb him. To satisfy him,
If you indulge your appetite without caring about others, you will only bring disaster to yourself."
"Oh, okay." Yu Zhang said angrily.
"But Fellow Taoist Zhao Mi?" However, at this moment, someone in the pine trees heard a message, it was Duke Xia Huang: "I'm fine, I might as well go in for a while."
"Being respectful is worse than obeying orders." Zhao Shu replied with cupped hands, then walked through the pine trees and saw a small thatched cottage in the depths.
During his stay in Tiancheng Mountain, Zhao Shu had roughly understood that the Shangjing Sect rarely built palaces and towers. Even the hall dedicated to the ancestor of Xianzhen at the top of Xuanzhao Peak was built directly with polished mountain stones.
Compared with the palaces and pavilions built by Chongxuan Hall on Difeishan Mountain, Shangjing Sect can be said to be extremely simple, but rather has the style of living in seclusion on the mountain. The houses and living rooms only need to be protected from wind and rain, and there is no need to deliberately show off.
I saw Xia Huanggong going out to greet him: "Compared with the last time, Taoist friend Zhao Mi's appearance has changed drastically."
Zhao Ming smiled dully. After he came to Tiancheng Mountain, he did not change the description to Jiutian Yuntai, so he could only reply: "This face has long been unacceptable to the world. I have no choice but to change it and disguise it. Please forgive me."
Xia Huanggong led Zhao Mi into the thatched cottage, where there was a boy who skillfully made tea for the two of them.
"Xiaohuai, are there any pine nuts and almonds?" Yuzhang asked the boy impatiently.
The boy looked at Xia Huanggong, who stroked his beard and nodded and said, "Go and get some."
Xiao Huai went to the back hall and brought a large handful of pine nuts. Zhao Shu took a look and found that these were magical elixirs that could restore essence and replenish qi, warm and nourish the internal organs, and their potency was moderate, just right.
Suitable for monks to recuperate and heal their wounds.
Before Zhao Shu and Xia Huanggong took action, Yuzhang started to feast on himself like a chicken pecking at rice. Perhaps he also realized that his move was too presumptuous, so he giggled and said: "Oh, don't you want to eat?
"
Xia Huanggong smiled warmly: "Xiao Yuzhang, didn't you say last time that you hoped to blow out strong winds with a wave of your wings? I asked a Taoist friend from the Fuyao Sect to get a copy of "The Art of Breathing in the Wind". You can read it for details.
two."
"Really?" Yu Zhang said excitedly: "I want to see it, I want to see it! Grandpa is the best!"
Yuzhang has the nature of a child, and Xia Huanggong did not criticize him harshly. He said to the boy Xiaohuai: "Take him to the backyard to read a book. I want to talk to fellow Taoists."
After Yuzhang followed the boy and left, Xia Huanggong asked with a smile: "Has this bird annoyed fellow Taoist?"
Zhao Shu shook his head: "It doesn't matter, Yu Zhang's nature is like this."
"Natural nature?" Xia Huanggong poured tea and asked: "If you are so lethargic and willful without restraint, I'm afraid it will not be beneficial to your cultivation."
Zhao Shu picked up the tea bowl, looked at the tea, and said: "The so-called nature is the innocent and natural appearance without any pretense. Yu Zhang is good at talking, but every word reveals his true heart, and he never fakes it."
"Oh? Fellow Taoist, you still have this view?" Xia Huanggong said.
Zhao Shu sighed and said, "Actually, I quite envy him. He is carefree and speaks freely. He doesn't have to be like me, who often resorts to hypocrisy in order to save his life."
Xia Huanggong said: "Yuzhang lives in the mountains, does not cause trouble, and naturally has no worries. In the final analysis, he is just a young bird under the protection of his elders. He has not seen the cruelty of the world."
Zhao Shu couldn't help but ask: "Does Shang Jingzong plan to let Yuzhang go down the mountain to train like other disciples in the future?"
"If you want to achieve something on the immortal path, you can't just stay in the mountains and cultivate." Xia Huanggong said.
"With all due respect, Shangjing Sect allows its disciples to participate in the world on a large scale. This is not like tempering one's mind." Zhao Shu took a sip of tea and said: "I have been traveling in Tiancheng Mountain these days and learned that many Shangjing Sect members died in troubled times.
In the midst of a battle. If this can be considered a training, is it a bit ruthless?"
"Some things are not entirely up to us." Xia Huanggong said: "Fellow Taoists may have heard that as early as the Tianxia Dynasty, Shangjing Zong was often recruited by the emperor because of his proximity to the capital. Many courtiers and dignitaries were also called upon by the emperor.
Make friends with Shangjingzong.
At that time, the elders in the sect were the successors of Guangda Sect and accepted many powerful disciples as disciples, and Shangjing Sect prospered as a result. However, I did not expect that this move would completely involve Shangjing Sect in the great chaos in the late Tianxia years."
Zhao Shu nodded and said: "I heard that the Four Immortals came down to join the world because the Taizu of the Xiong Kingdom wanted to depose the crown prince. At that time, there were disciples of the Shangjing Sect who were occupying high positions in the court. Please four of you come down to assist the crown prince Zuo."
"That's not all." Xia Huanggong shook his head and said, "Xuan Tugong and I each have a disciple who is from the Xiong Kingdom's imperial family. As for other lay disciples who are from powerful families, there are countless others."
Zhao Shu asked: "Isn't this good?"
"Why do fellow Taoists ask questions knowingly?" Xia Huanggong tapped the eucalyptus on the table: "Shangjingzong's situation has been countered by the powerful people in the court. The old friends of the disciples are all over the court and the public, and they are connected with the same spirit. They are not for the purpose of cultivating immortals and enlightening the Tao.
If you are obsessed with pursuing worldly power, fame and fortune, do you think these things are unique to Huaxu Kingdom?"
Zhao Shu said: "The rich and powerful have invaded the country, stolen public affairs for personal gain, and harmed the people. If the Xiong Kingdom really wants to unify Kunlun, it must purge the government and the public and make a big rectification. But... the left prime minister He Qingchen is also the Shangjingzong.
Where are you from?"
"Yes, only this status can allow him to climb to high positions step by step without being hindered." Xia Huanggong said: "But He Qingchen is not a pedantic person. He does not mind any means to achieve his goals."
"Is it like he allowed the Rising Sun Cult to cause chaos?" Zhao Shu acknowledged He Qingchen's ability, but disapproved of his methods.
Xia Huanggong sighed silently: "This time the Rising Sun Sect caused chaos, many people were involved, including several of my lay disciples. He Qingchen showed no mercy and directly captured and imprisoned them."
Zhao Shu asked: "Didn't they ask you for help?"
"I am currently recuperating in seclusion and will not see any outsiders." Xia Huanggong replied.
Zhao Shu immediately understood and nodded: "What a good plan. As long as you don't show up, those disciples will have no one to rely on. As long as He Qingchen is punished according to the law, the follow-up events will unfold step by step."
"I feel bad too." Xia Huanggong said with a sad look on his face: "Everyone in the world says that I am loyal and mature, but in fact I am easy to talk to. In addition, I held Dharma meetings extensively in my early years and had many lay disciples, and I also helped many people seek fame and fortune.
In the past, I felt that this was an expedient measure to relieve the mundane, but it had far-reaching consequences."
"So in the name of seclusion to recuperate, you plan to completely cut off this mortal connection?" Zhao Shu asked.
Xia Huanggong smiled bitterly and said: "It's not all under false pretenses. When I faced Emperor Ruiding before, I was defeated and retreated."
"I heard from Senior Han Yuanzi that Emperor Ruiding has been taken away by aliens from the outside world." Zhao Shu said: "I briefly fought with him in Dunjia Mountain before. The method this person used was not the Taoist Immortal Way. It was strange.
Unpredictable.”
"Yes, it is still thrilling to think about it now." Xia Huanggong said: "In fact, we have known for a long time that the skills used by Qianji Pavilion are not owned by Kunlun, but the Xiong Kingdom has a lot of experience in the pottery and iron figurines made by Qianji Pavilion on the battlefield.
Because of my reliance on it, I never studied it in depth in the past.”
"Now that the Qianji Spirit Moment has been lost along with Emperor Rui Ding, can those clever creations still be used?" Zhao Shu asked.
"Even if it can be used, I don't dare to use it." Xia Huanggong said: "He Qingchen has ordered that all the creations in Qianji Pavilion be sealed up and guarded strictly."
"Without Qianji Pavilion's creations, it will be a great disadvantage to Xiong Country." Zhao Shu said.
"Every gain must come with a loss. If He Qingchen wants to use the Rising Sun Sect to cause chaos and rectify the court, Qianji Pavilion is not the only one who will be abandoned." Xia Huanggong said.
Based on Zhao Shu's understanding of He Qingchen, he must have a follow-up plan, but he is just a guest of the Shangjing Sect now. He is not in his position and does not seek political advice, so there is no need to ask more questions.
"Since you know that Qianji Pavilion's skills come from outside, why didn't you take more precautions?" Zhao Shu suddenly thought of this.
Xia Huanggong raised his eyes and said: "It's not just the Qianji Pavilion family who came from outside the world. Didn't the leader tell you?"
Zhao Shu shook his head slightly, and Duke Xia Huang continued: "You fought against the King of Baixiang of the Yaochi Kingdom back then, and the skills he practiced are said to have come from outside the world."
Zhao Shu recalled carefully that he originally thought that King Baixiang was also a monk who was proficient in immortal martial arts and had a strong body. Unexpectedly, he actually practiced the method of heaven.
"But the motives of extraterrestrial aliens are unpredictable. What if they want to harm all living beings in Kunlun Continent?" Zhao Shu asked again.
"Although many evil spirits are not aliens from the sky, they still do harm to all living beings." Xia Huanggong looked serious: "This matter should be considered based on actions. For example, Qianji Pavilion and Ruiding Emperor, before they commit treason, who can easily
To assert good and evil? The Nine Nether Snow Valley in Northern Xinjiang is said to be a descendant of the race outside the world, but it rarely interacts with the outside world. We can't kill them just because of this, right?"
"Nine Nether Snow Valley? I remember that this sect was also attracted by Xuanju, but did not follow him southward." Zhao Shu said.
"So you see, banished immortals like Xuanju can sometimes cause much greater chaos than aliens from the outer world." Xia Huanggong said calmly.
"But we can't take it lightly." Zhao Shu said: "As far as I know, there is an evil god from outside the world who has been coveting Kunlun Continent for a long time. His minions have already penetrated into the secular world, and they spread and expand through demon transformation, and they all turn into wolf-headed bodies.