Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Even for those of extraordinary innate talent, let alone becoming a disciple of the Living Immortal, just to glimpse him once is already the fortune of a lifetime.

However, Chu Chaoran secludes himself deep within Zhenwu Mountain, avoiding the mortal world. Regarding taking disciples, his last closed-door disciple was Xia Weisheng. Yet, she had a bond like no other with Zhenren Chaoran, being brought to Zhenwu Mountain while still in swaddling clothes.

Aside from that, Chu Chaoran has not taken another disciple in more than twenty years.

And yet, such a being has silently accepted a disciple!?

”How could that be possible?” Zhuang Xiaomeng still found it difficult to believe.

For Chu Chaoran to take a disciple, what a tremendous event that would be!?

”Every mountain and every sect has its secrets. The divine ever remain hidden; only thus in accord with the Dao.” Bai Buran said calmly, ”Those of true name rarely garner much renown...”

At this, Bai Buran paused slightly, casting a meaningful look at Zhuang Xiaomeng.

”Just like that Li Changgeng of your White Crane Temple—his name is little known, yet he has already mastered vast Divine Techniques.”

”Even you know about that?” Zhuang Xiaomeng spoke in a low voice.

”Heaven and Earth Stealing Fortune... This generation of White Crane Temple has produced one who has mastered one of the Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods.” Bai Buran intoned softly.

”Truly an eventful season.”

”Alas... Junior Brother Li’s [Heaven and Earth Stealing Fortune] has yet to reach Great Success. Otherwise, perhaps we might witness [Heaven and Earth Stealing Fortune] pitted against [Divine Demon Holy Embryo]...”

”Such a sight is not seen for a century, and when it is, it must be unprecedented.”

Within Zhuang Xiaomeng’s beautiful eyes shone a glimmer of rare luster, betraying irrepressible anticipation and yearning.

The Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods are all but legends.

In every era, should even one appear who has achieved mastery, it is already a rare fortune. For two contemporaries to perfect different legendary Inner Elixir Techniques is all but unheard of.

As a cultivator, to live in such an era and even witness the clash of two legendary Inner Elixir Techniques—that is an unattainable stroke of fortune.

Now, such dreamlike imaginings are about to become reality.

White Crane Temple’s Li Changgeng, with the bearing of a hidden dragon in his youth, has already mastered [Heaven and Earth Stealing Fortune] at such an age. Many say that, in the days to come, the leader of the Daoist Sect is destined to be him.

Moreover, more than twenty years ago, [Divine Demon Holy Embryo], also one of the Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods, emerged abruptly, its fierce reputation overwhelming the Daoist world.

That cultivator bore the title [Great Spirit Sect King].

”What a pity... He is over twenty years older than Junior Brother Li. Were they peers, their contest would ignite an even greater legend.” Zhuang Xiaomeng sighed in a low, solemn voice.

She had come to Yujing City this time exactly for the sake of the [Great Spirit Sect King].

Ten years ago, during the Dragon Tiger Red Moon, was the last time that man appeared. Everyone believed him already dead.

But recently, White Crane Temple has received most reliable information.

”He isn’t dead!?” Bai Buran’s face turned grave.

”Divine Demon Holy Embryo... Of the nine legends, how could it be so easy to perish?” Zhuang Xiaomeng whispered, lowering her voice.

”That year, at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he had already survived four Great Night tribulations. His methods were so formidable that even the most elite fell by his hand.”

Zhuang Xiaomeng revealed a hidden secret unknown to outsiders.

Within White Crane Temple itself, all files relating to the cultivator of [Divine Demon Holy Embryo] were strictly top secret.

Even so, possessing such top secrets, their clues are extremely few; apart from the moniker [Great Spirit Sect King], his origins remain virtually blank. Otherwise, with White Crane Temple’s oversight of the Daoist world, he could not have faked his death for ten years without detection.

”Divine Demon Holy Embryo... Is there truly someone capable of achieving this Technique?” Bai Buran could not but sigh softly.

Born of Zhenwu Mountain, he had of course heard of [Divine Demon Holy Embryo]. The profundity of this Inner Core Technique aside, simply that the practitioner must use intention as medicine and inevitably pass through the Great Night of Darkness Tribulation, was enough to make all cultivators balk in fear.

And yet, in this world, someone has truly cultivated this Technique, braving four Great Night of Darkness Tribulations.

Such a man has concealed his name for ten years. Heavens know what he might do—the mere thought makes one’s scalp tingle and leaves one restless.

No wonder White Crane Temple mobilized with such force this time. It is said they dispatched hundreds, more than a dozen task teams, across the nation, with the local Daoist Alliance assisting, unwilling to miss the slightest clue.

”He was forced into hiding... We’ve received confirmed intelligence: he has entered the fifth Great Night of Darkness Tribulation, and remains ensnared by it.” Zhuang Xiaomeng sneered coldly.

”The fifth!? Ten years ago...” Bai Buran, sharp as ever, immediately drew many inferences.

”Divine Demon Holy Embryo, truly terrifying...”

”The Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods each carry their own tribulation—once one takes this path, tribulations continue for life...” Zhuang Xiaomeng intoned gravely.

The greater the power, the greater the tribulation.

”Endless night eternal, with never a glimpse of daylight.”

This is the tribulation of [Divine Demon Holy Embryo].

”Now is when he is at his weakest...” Strange lights flickered in Zhuang Xiaomeng’s eyes.

Those who practice the Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods are no longer ordinary men. Their power is nigh unmatchable; their tribulation is their only flaw, and at the same time, their greatest weakness.

Now, with the Great Spirit Sect King trapped in the Fifth Eternal Night Tribulation, it is the prime moment to hunt him down.

Therefore, the most urgent priority is to confirm [Great Spirit Sect King’s] whereabouts.

This time, Zhuang Xiaomeng came to Yujing City precisely with trustworthy intelligence in hand.

That man most likely visited this city and stayed here for some time.

”So you followed the faintest trail here... Have you found any clues?” Bai Buran asked offhandedly.

”More or less.”

Zhuang Xiaomeng paused in thought, then said quietly, ”Years ago, there was unusual leakage of Dragon Qi in Yujing City, especially ten years ago...”

”Stealing Dragon Qi, pilfering Celestial Secrets!?” Bai Buran raised his brows; such methods are not common among ordinary folk.

”Now, the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance has already pinpointed a general area. Once we find the place, perhaps we can uncover more about the [Great Spirit Sect King]. So long as we can confirm his trail...”

Here, Zhuang Xiaomeng paused, a bright gleam flickering in her beautiful eyes.

Such a once-in-a-lifetime chance will not come again; White Crane Temple cannot possibly let it slip by.

”Looks like I’ll have to stay in Yujing City a while longer.” Zhuang Xiaomeng’s lips curled as she revealed a small smile.

”I’ll be troubling you for some time.”

”It’s nothing,” Bai Buran snuffed out the cigarette in his hand.

Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...

At that moment, a vibration sounded from Zhuang Xiaomeng’s pocket, white light glowing through the fabric.

”Hello...”

Zhuang Xiaomeng gestured for Bai Buran to keep silent and then picked up the phone.

”What!?”

In just a moment, Zhuang Xiaomeng’s expression changed; her eyes widened as if hearing something extraordinary from the other end of the call.

”The Celestial Master of Thunder Prison has already gone there? Good... good... very good...”

”Celestial Master of Thunder Prison!?”

Bai Buran, head lowered, caught this crucial name.

He is a grandmaster of White Crane Temple. After traveling once to Shangjing ten years ago, he has not taken a single step outside the temple since.

Such a figure, throughout all the Daoist sects beneath Heaven, holds immeasurable influence.

”I must go back immediately.”

The call ended. Zhuang Xiaomeng hung up, whole body brimming with excitement.

”What happened? You’re leaving?”

”Yes, I must depart Yujing City today.” Zhuang Xiaomeng nodded slightly.

”What happened? You’re giving up on probing the Dragon Qi disturbance? No longer seeking the Great Spirit Sect King?”

Bai Buran’s eyes were puzzled. She’d been so determined just now, how had she changed her mind in the blink of an eye?

”The Great Spirit Sect King has appeared.”

”He’s been found?” Bai Buran’s gaze narrowed to a thread.

”That’s right. He’s already been surrounded by top experts from Qingcheng Mountain, Zhongnan Mountain, and Laojun Mountain. He has no chance of escape... Even our White Crane Temple’s masters are on their way...” Zhuang Xiaomeng spoke in a tight, quiet voice.

Of the Ten Great Daoist Sects of the world, three are now arrayed; the Heaven and Earth Net is cast, and the Great Spirit Sect King remains trapped in the Great Night of Darkness. Not to mention, White Crane Temple’s grandmasters trail close behind.

In this moment, it seems the requiem for the Great Spirit Sect King has begun to resound.

”Where is he?” Bai Buran asked, seemingly offhand.

”The Great Spirit Sect King... He is trapped in Ailao Mountain!”