Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”He asked me... ten years ago... that night, was I at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain...”

”Ten years ago? Dragon Tiger Red Moon?”

Zhong Changming’s brow twitched violently, unable to keep a look of surprise from appearing on his face.

Ten years ago, a great event occurred—at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, countless experts lost their lives, the air thick with bloody mist, and even the bright moon seemed crimson.

This matter had an enormous impact, yet remained shrouded in secrecy, only known among the upper circles of the Daoist sects; privately, it was whispered as the ”Dragon Tiger Red Moon.”

”Master, at that time, did you...” Zhong Changming hesitated, unable to finish his words, casting a glance toward Master Xuanji.

Dragon Tiger Red Moon was tangled with too many powers. It was rumored that many Daoist sects were involved, with the Wuwei Sect’s shadow within as well.

As to why that battle broke out, there are still countless opinions to this day.

”I was, of course, not present.” Master Xuanji shook his head with a soft sigh.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Changming let out a breath of relief.

Dragon Tiger Red Moon—who knows how many lives were implicated, how many secrets entwined? If Master Xuanji had had a hand in it, there would certainly be karma involved. Since he was not under Dragon Tiger Mountain that night, much trouble was avoided.

”Little Changming...”

At that moment, Master Xuanji’s voice rang out, pulling Zhong Changming’s thoughts back.

”Master...”

”Of late, your teacher often recalls old matters... In utter stillness thoughts arise, I fear my end nears.” Master Xuanji murmured quietly.

”Master, how could that be?” Zhong Changming’s expression changed dramatically.

”The world knows of the carefree immortals, but none knows the tribulation every millennium the immortals must endure...”

”In this Red Dust, life naturally leads to death...” Master Xuanji’s expression was tranquil as he spoke faintly.

”Master, your cultivation is unfathomably deep. You have yet to comprehend the Path of Infinite Pure Yang, how could...”

”Pure Yang... Pure Yang... Throughout the ages, how many Seekers of Immortality have aspired, yet how few attained Pure Yang...”

”Perhaps it’s but a dream.”

Master Xuanji’s gaze was unfocused, eyelids drooping; beneath his daoist robe, one leg blackened and scorched, the withered flesh dried over it like bark, and the bones inside already darkened.

”Little Changming, if I should leave, the Observatory of Profound Mystery shall be entrusted to you.”

”Master...” Tears shimmered in Zhong Changming’s eyes as he tried to speak further.

Dang... Dang... Dang...

Just then, the peal of a bell resounded from outside, echoing in the cold night, drifting into the silent Observatory of Profound Mystery.

”Let’s go. Come with me to the Scripture Treasure Hall.” Master Xuanji rose from his seat.

The Sealing Ceremony was now complete. Tonight, it was time to activate the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal, open the Dharma Jar, and refine the human-shaped Primordial Spirit.

...

Observatory of Profound Mystery, Scripture Treasure Hall.

The great hall doors stood wide open, incense rising in curling streams, misty and ethereal beneath the moonlight.

At this moment, within the hall, at each of the four cardinal directions, a Daoist presided at their respective magic altar, oil lamps shining bright, burning talismans in hand, smoke rising heavenward.

Among them, Zhong Changming held the eastern altar.

”Master, is there a Dharma Assembly at the Observatory of Profound Mystery tonight?”

Gu Jingqiu followed behind Hua Yixun just as they were about to step into the hall, already feeling something unusual.

On that day, after losing Su Shiyu on the high-speed train, he and his master came to Gusu City to visit the Observatory of Profound Mystery.

After all, Lao Mountain is one of the ten great Daoist mountains in the world, and their famous temples often have mutual exchanges.

Especially the master of this temple, Master Xuanji, who in his youth traveled the world visiting all the great mountains, and once practiced at Lao Mountain—a deep acquaintance as a result.

”Say no more.”

As soon as Hua Yixun entered the hall, he sensed something extraordinary.

Four altars standing at the four directions, the Scripture Treasure Hall encompassing the four images—this was the ancient Technique of the Four Sacrificial Spirits, reserved only for suppressing Great Demons, performed by those of exceptionally profound Dao Practice.

”Old Observatory Master, forgive our disturbance.”

Hua Yixun came before Master Xuanji and bowed his head in respect.

In terms of seniority and age, Master Xuanji could be considered his elder.

”If it’s inconvenient, this disciple and I can close our ears and take our leave...” Hua Yixun, mindful of propriety, quickly said.

”No trouble.” Master Xuanji raised his hand in response.

”In my younger days, this old Daoist also visited the famed mountains and befriended immortal friends; with Lao Mountain, there’s about three parts of incense affinity...” Master Xuanji said amicably.

”It is fortune that we meet on such an occasion.”

”If anything out of the ordinary should occur tonight, I ask that you aid as Guardian and Protector.”

At these words, Hua Yixun’s expression grew solemn; understanding the gravity, he hastened to respond, ”I will do as the Observatory Master commands.”

”No need to be so tense—treat it as ordinary.” Master Xuanji smiled faintly, but his calm, gentle gaze drifted to Gu Jingqiu at the side.

”Is this your disciple?”

”Indeed, youthful and eager, so I brought him out for some tempering.” Hua Yixun replied softly.

”Clinging to what remains, practicing Profound Skill; bright and full the moon ascends to the Toad Palace... The lineage of Lao Mountain does have successors.”

Master Xuanji regarded Gu Jingqiu, nodding slightly, admiration flickering in his eyes.

At these words, Gu Jingqiu was taken aback—he practiced the Inner Core Technique, which was none other than Lao Mountain’s secret Golden Toad Moon Gazing Technique.

Swallowing moonlight to gather Great Medicine, forging golden radiance of mingled Yin and Yang, inverting Kan and Li to refine the true form—such was a branch of the Reverse Immortal Technique.

The Golden Toad Moon Gazing Technique, a top-class Inner Core Technique, its mysteries were in no way inferior to Zhenwu Mountain’s North and South Sect Origin.

Gu Jingqiu was shocked; he had not expected this old Daoist to possess such keen insight, seeing through his foundations at a glance.

”Observatory Master flatters. The youth is yet unripe.”

Hua Yixun remained humble, though a trace of a smile showed on his face.

Gu Jingqiu truly was one of his proudest disciples—still young, yet able to comprehend the Reverse Immortal Technique, practice Inner Core Arts, and achieve the Golden Toad Moon Gazing Method.

This made him stand out among his generation.

For this reason, Hua Yixun had not hesitated to bring him out for experience.

”Lao Mountain’s Dharma Lineage is unique in its own right. With successors like these, the Dao shall flourish.” Master Xuanji gave another nod.

Truthfully, Lao Mountain deserved its name among the world’s ten great Daoist mountains. The disciples produced were indeed superior to those of the Observatory of Profound Mystery.

Though the Observatory was a thousand-year-old temple, there had always been few true cultivators, most being elderly scholars poring over scriptures, not adept in cultivation.

”Greetings, Observatory Master.”

At that moment, a group entered the hall, bowing respectfully toward Master Xuanji—led by Sui Chunsheng and others.

Zhang Fan stood at the very end, knowing that tonight was the Observatory’s Sealing and Spirit Refining Ceremony.

He looked up and saw an elder with immortal presence, garbed in a Daoist Robe, standing at the very center of the grand hall.

”Isn’t that the old man who draws water from the well? He’s actually the Observatory Master?” Zhang Fan darted a glance, hastily lowering his head.

A bottle of well water for fifteen yuan—Zhang Fan still remembered that night’s offer, nearly mistaking him for a charlatan.

”Why do all these elders focus on new revenue streams?” Zhang Fan grumbled to himself.

Just like on Zhenwu Mountain, when he first met Chu Chaoran, that guy had tried equally hard to sell him on the Zhenwu Meditation Class.

”Observatory Master, are these young ones also disciples of Xuanji Temple?”

Hua Yixun swept his gaze over the group. He recognized Zhang Fan and the others—they’d met on the high-speed train before.

Of the four, he only knew Jiang Hu, having met when the latter, as a child, visited Lao Mountain with his Maoshan elders.

”These two youngsters are up-and-comers from the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance.” Master Xuanji pointed to Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue.

At these words, Gu Jingqiu couldn’t help but take a glance.

The Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance represented officialdom—not ordinary status at all.

”Greetings, Seniors.”

Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue exchanged a glance; they had already met this duo from Lao Mountain in the temple yesterday.

”And this one...”

”A disciple of Maoshan!” Hua Yixun looked to Jiang Hu, stating his origin.

”I was, once.” Jiang Hu offered an awkward smile and bowed.

”And this one...”

Master Xuanji’s gaze shifted lightly, falling on Zhang Fan, his eyes growing slightly intent.

”This is Zhang Fan, disciple of Zhenwu Mountain!”

”Oh!?”

Hua Yixun raised his brows, regarding Zhang Fan with renewed interest.

Zhenwu Mountain, counted among the ten great Daoist mountains, named side by side with Lao Mountain—to meet a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain in Jiangnan Province was quite rare indeed.

”Zhenwu Mountain...” Gu Jingqiu’s gaze lingered on Zhang Fan for a moment, then withdrew.

He’d met most of Zhenwu Mountain’s well-known disciples; other than those, few warranted his attention.

”My friend, you may not know—this youngster not only hails from Zhenwu Mountain, but also...”

”He is a disciple of Transcendent Zhenren.”

Master Xuanji’s voice grew deep, his meaningful gaze falling quietly upon Zhang Fan.

At these words, the entire hall erupted; incredulous looks were cast upon Zhang Fan one after another.

”What?”

”A disciple of Transcendent Zhenren!?”

Hua Yixun’s face changed dramatically—he could no longer keep his composure!!!