manynovel Page 25
Page 25
When crossing the Yellow River, the turbid waves surged to the sky, like a struggling giant dragon emitting a deep roar.
Standing at the bow of the boat, Zhang Yunyuan looked at the vast scenery on both banks. The pure and otherworldly Daoist heart in his heart was being gradually eroded and tainted by the turbid atmosphere of the world.
Upon entering the Jin region, the mountains became increasingly majestic and precipitous.
His next stop is Mianshan.
The destination of this trip was the Daluo Palace, which is known as the "Number One Taoist Temple in the World".
Unlike renowned orthodox sect leaders such as Longhu Mountain and Wudang Mountain, Daluo Palace has always maintained a low profile.
His disciples rarely ventured into the martial arts world, and were almost completely cut off from the outside world. They also had no dealings with Longhu Mountain.
After much deliberation, Zhang Yunyuan decided not to reveal his identity as a member of the Celestial Master's Mansion.
He changed into an ordinary blue cloth short shirt, put his Taoist robe and bag into his mustard seed space, and disguised himself as an ordinary pilgrim who came to seek immortality and visit the Tao, and stepped into the territory of Mianshan.
Mianshan Mountain is steep and covered with ancient trees.
As you walk halfway up the mountain, you can see the palace and temple hanging on the cliff in the distance.
The buildings of the Daluo Palace are almost embedded in the cliff.
Countless palaces and pavilions are built along the mountainside, with flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, and connected to each other by suspended walkways.
The area is shrouded in mist, appearing and disappearing intermittently, resembling a celestial palace, its grandeur breathtaking.
Zhang Yunyuan climbed the steps and stepped into the palace gate.
A peculiar mood instantly enveloped his mind.
This artistic conception is different from the majestic righteousness of Longhu Mountain, and also different from the harmonious and restrained nature of Wudang Mountain.
It is gentle, yet carries an undeniable firmness.
It seems to be silently conveying three words: loyalty, filial piety, and truth.
Zhang Yunyuan immediately understood the source of this artistic conception.
This is the place where Jie Zitui, who famously "cut off his own flesh to serve his lord," eventually went into seclusion and became an immortal.
He didn't linger in the main hall of the Daluo Palace. Instead, relying on his keen perception of Qi, he followed the direction where the most intense atmosphere was, and searched all the way there.
After passing through layers of palaces and winding through several deep corridors, he finally arrived at a secluded stone wall in the back of the mountain.
Beneath the stone wall lies an inconspicuous grotto.
The entrance to the cave was small, only allowing one person to pass through at a time, and it was covered with moss, indicating that it had been neglected for a long time.
But Zhang Yunyuan knew this was the place.
The sense of "returning to one's true self" is so intense here that it seems to have solidified into a tangible form.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the cave.
The grotto is furnished very simply, with only a stone bed and a stone table.
Apart from that, there is nothing else.
But the walls were covered with dense writing.
It wasn't some kind of martial arts manual, but rather a record of a person's feelings and insights as they lived in seclusion in this place, day after day.
From initial resentment and unwillingness, to later calm and peace, and finally to transcending worldly concerns and returning to one's true self.
Zhang Yunyuan watched quietly, as if he had traversed a thousand years to witness firsthand how an upright man, in this small space, washed away all worldly impurities, saw through the ways of the world, and ultimately attained enlightenment and ascension.
He sat cross-legged on the stone bed, closed his eyes, and his mind gradually merged with the "return to truth" of this world.
[Ding! Check-in location detected: Mianshan Jie Zitui's Return to Truth.]
【Check-in successful! 】
[Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Return to Truth Mantra (Beginner Level).]
The moment the system notification sounded, a profound and mysterious torrent of understanding surged into his soul.
That is not a method of attack or defense.
Rather, it is an extremely gentle incantation that guides and promotes the body's return to its most primal state.
It can accelerate the healing of injuries, cleanse the body of fatigue, and allow depleted Qi to recover more quickly.
This is an auxiliary incantation, yet it points directly to the origin of life, and is extremely mysterious.
With a thought, Zhang Yunyuan immediately began to circulate the Return to Truth Mantra that he had just comprehended.
A warm current arose from the dantian, like a spring breeze and rain, instantly flowing through the limbs and bones.
The dust and fatigue accumulated from days of travel melted away and dissipated at an incredible speed under the wash of this warm current.
In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
He felt as if every pore in his body had opened up, filling him with an unprecedented lightness and vitality.
The Qi, which had been somewhat weak due to the journey, has become solid and complete again.
He was full of energy and vitality, as if he had just had a deep sleep that lasted for several days, and his condition had returned to its peak.
"What a wonderful mantra for returning to one's true nature."
Zhang Yunyuan slowly opened his eyes, a genuine admiration flashing deep in his pupils.
This spell is practically a divine skill tailor-made for someone like him who needs to travel around all year round as a "check-in person".
He stood up and bowed respectfully to the four walls of the grotto.
This is both a thank you to Jie Zitui for leaving behind this precious land and a thank you to the system for the generous rewards.
Having achieved his goal, he was unwilling to linger, lest he attract the attention of the cultivators from the Great Luo Palace.
He quietly left the grotto and, following the same route, departed from this secluded "Number One Taoist Temple Under Heaven".
A mountain breeze blows, causing clothes to flutter.
Having washed away the dust of his journey, he looked towards the northern sky, and his steps became lighter and more brisk.
Chapter 28 Smoldering Charcoal in the Fire Pit, Wildfire Spreads Across the Plains
Zhang Yunyuan was satisfied with his successful check-in and immediately descended Mianshan Mountain.
Shanxi is a mountainous region with rugged mountain roads.
Having mastered the Cloud Ladder Leap, he avoided official roads and instead chose to traverse treacherous, rarely traveled paths, using it as a way to familiarize himself with his new movement technique.
As he was traversing through a mountain range, he suddenly heard the sound of clashing weapons and angry shouts coming from the canyon ahead.
Zhang Yunyuan paused, landing atop a tall pine tree. He concealed his aura and looked down.
On the narrow mountain road, a convoy of more than ten people was surrounded by twenty or thirty ruthless bandits armed with weapons.
The convoy was carrying several heavy wooden crates, and the flags were embroidered with a burning flame, which was the symbol of the Huodezong sect.
The leader, a burly man from the Huode Sect, was wielding a heavy broadsword engulfed in flames as he engaged in a fierce battle with the bandit leader.
With a thought, Zhang Yunyuan brought up the system panel.
Name: Zhao Tieshan
[Supernatural Ability Level: Second-tier (Upper Level)]
[Techniques: Blazing Sun Blade Technique (Mastery), Burning Heart Technique (Beginner)]
[Note: A staunch disciple of the Huode Sect, known for his strong character and deep sense of loyalty and righteousness.]
Looking at the bandit leader again, he was a gloomy middle-aged man holding two hooks. The hooks were covered with a layer of chilling white air. His moves were ruthless, and he specifically attacked the gaps in Zhao Tieshan's swordsmanship.
Name: Han Dong
[Supernatural Ability Level: Near First-Class]
[Techniques: Mystic Ice Hook (Mastery), Cold Water Technique (Minor Success)]
[Note: These are ruthless bandits who roam the Jin region. Their methods are cruel, and their martial arts are precisely the counter to ordinary fire-based techniques.]
The situation on the field is clear at a glance.
Although Zhao Tieshan was fierce and fearless, his swordsmanship was wide and powerful, each strike carrying a scorching heat wave, making him incomparably mighty.
But the bandit leader Han Dong was much stronger than him, and his techniques were specifically designed to counter fire magic.
The chilling white air collided with the crimson flames, producing a series of hissing sounds, and white mist filled the air.
With each strike, Zhao Tieshan was corroded by the opponent's chilling aura, the flames on his blade grew weaker and weaker, and his movements gradually slowed down.
The other disciples of the Huode Sect were even weaker, and were surrounded by bandits who outnumbered them several times over. They were already in grave danger and unable to help themselves.
"Senior Brother Zhao, let's fight them to the death!"
A young disciple, his arm slashed, roared with bloodshot eyes.
Zhao Tieshan forced Han Dong back with a single slash, then turned around and roared angrily.
"All of you, protect your belongings and retreat! If you all die, how am I supposed to explain this to the sect leader!"
He cursed as he wielded his broadsword even more frantically, single-handedly withstanding most of the bandit leader Han Dong's attacks while also protecting his fellow disciples behind him.
His clothes were ripped in several places, and blood seeped out, only to be evaporated by the high temperature, making him look like a blood-soaked person.
But his imposing figure stood like a mountain, firmly blocking everyone's path.
From the pine tree, Zhang Yunyuan saw this scene and a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes.
This man named Zhao Tieshan is indeed quite responsible.
Seeing that Zhao Tieshan was already at his limit, if he didn't make a move soon, this group of Huode Sect disciples would probably be wiped out.
Zhang Yunyuan no longer hesitated.
With a sway of his body, he drifted down silently from the top of a pine tree, which was dozens of feet high, like a weightless leaf.
His appearance went unnoticed by anyone.
Until he landed in the middle of the battle and stood in front of Zhao Tieshan.
Han Dong, who was about to deliver the fatal blow, was suddenly taken aback when he saw a young man dressed in plain clothes standing in front of him.