Chapter 149

Pines and cypresses before the hall are dark and gray, apricots surround the immortal altar, water circles the corridor. Where is the merit in seeking the Dao in the mountains? Bow and request the incense of truth to descend from the censer.

The three great barriers of cultivation: restoring the soul-aspect, descending the true life-fate, and crossing the disaster tribulation.

This second barrier, 【Descending the True Life-Fate】, is a hurdle that must be crossed to be promoted to the 【Gao Gong】 rank.

Descending the truth and returning the life-fate can only be achieved with the help of the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】, summoning the True Ones to baptize the soul-aspect, in order to sublimate to the extreme realm and achieve the realm of those with high Daoist merit.

"It was delivered so quickly? Huh? Something so important was sent by courier? That's too careless."

Zhang Fan looked at the damaged box and knew it must have been subjected to rough handling, so he hurriedly picked it up.

Just a moment ago at the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, he had been envious of Ma Buting receiving the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 and being able to join the 【Gao Gong】 rank today. He hadn't expected that in just an hour, his own 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 would also arrive.

"This is cash on delivery, thirty yuan, to be deducted from your salary," Bai Buran said indifferently.

"..."

"True Wushan shouldn't be short of this little money," Zhang Fan rolled his eyes.

As one of the ten great famous mountains of the Daoist world, their annual tourism revenue alone was over five billion; sending the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 by courier was one thing, but cash on delivery?

Their cultivation is a bit too calculating!

It's like an old lady crawling into a quilt—it made me laugh.

"True Wushan has a large plate; you don't know the cost of firewood and rice because you aren't the one managing the household," Bai Buran glanced at him and said indifferently.

"Fine, fine, fine, deduct it as you please."

Zhang Fan grinned, his mood greatly improved. He knew very well that true 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 was extremely precious, requiring seventeen types of rare spices and dozens of medicinal herbs of the right age, with each sect having slight variations, all refined using secret methods.

In ancient times, even if an ordinary family burned a single stick of true 【Incense of Truth-Descent】, it could ward off all evils and eliminate disasters and illnesses. It had always been a tribute to emperors, hence the poem: "Red dew wishes to pour the life-extending wine, white smoke thinks of burning the incense of truth. Beyond the five thousand words there is no text, what other words are there to gift the Martial Emperor."

Such a treasure couldn't be bought with money, so what was thirty yuan in shipping?

"Boss, I heard that for a practitioner, if they burn the incense of truth, the smoke reaches the heavens and can summon the True Ones to descend," Zhang Fan could not help but say.

"Will I really see immortals?"

The talk of immortals is ethereal; even among those who practice the Dao, no one has heard of anyone truly seeing an immortal.

However, from ancient times to the present, immortals have hidden above the heavens, which is why longevity has been passed down in the world. Ordinary people see the incense in temples and shrines never extinguished, and there are even vast Dharma lineages passed down continuously. As for today's practitioners, once the soul-aspect awakens, they produce supernatural abilities, already approaching the ranks of immortals, gradually hearing of the fruits of longevity.

Yet all of this remains like flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water; it seems close at hand, but is actually worlds apart.

It seems that only by achieving the Pure Yang Limitless Realm can one truly catch a glimpse of the earthly immortals.

It is precisely because of this that Zhang Fan asked this question; after all, Bai Buran had long since crossed the threshold of this second barrier, 【Descending the True Life-Fate】, and had rich experience.

"Sincerity brings efficacy; seeing is like the divine," Bai Buran whispered gloomily.

"My Daoist school is vast; if you have three parts of cultivation, you will have seven parts of response; if you have ten parts of cultivation, you will surely be visited at any time."

Bai Buran's expression was respectful as he raised his hand toward the sky.

Zhang Fan was lost in thought as he opened the courier package, revealing an exquisite wooden box with the words written on it: A gift from True Wushan tourism!

"..."

Zhang Fan squinted his eyes and could not help but say: "Couldn't you have provided a separate box?"

This clearly looked like a box randomly found among the tourism merchandise on the mountain.

Too careless!

"Frugality is a virtue; why bother with those flashy things? Do you want me to get you a pure gold box?" Boss Bai said indifferently.

"A poor student has too much stationery."

"No need, no need."

Zhang Fan laughed dryly and opened the box. A stick of incense appeared before his eyes, about three point three inches long, covered in cloud patterns, and surprisingly without any scent.

"Why is there no fragrance?" Zhang Fan could not help but ask.

"Great squareness has no corners, great vessels are slow to complete, great music is silent, great form is shapeless," Bai Buran whispered in a deep voice.

The most pleasant sounds are silent, and the most pleasant scents are faint and odorless.

The so-called practice of the Dao is to create something from nothing, to seek nothingness within existence, to borrow the false to cultivate the truth, and to transcend beyond reality's senses.

By then, perhaps he could even take out the 【Zhenwu Jade Tablet】 inside his body.

"It is yours now," Bai Buran waved his hand and said.

"Boss, how do I use this thing?" Zhang Fan asked.

"Burn the smoke to reach the heavens, and summon the True Ones to descend."

Bai Buran's gaze narrowed into a line as he looked at Zhang Fan: "You want to enter the 【Gao Gong】 rank!?"

"I want to try!"

Zhang Fan gripped the wooden box containing the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 tightly, a brilliant light flashing in his eyes.

"Excessive self-confidence is a fatal disaster," Bai Buran said in a deep voice.

He naturally knew that Zhang Fan was extraordinary, able to cross from the 【Qi Worker】 rank through 【Technique Disciple】 and 【Mystical Master】 to reach 【Spirit Commissioner】 in just over three months; such speed was enough to leave anyone stunned.

It is precisely because of this that Bai Buran had to warn him: haste makes waste. 【Gao Gong】 is different from the first four great realms. Burning incense to summon the True Ones and baptizing the soul-aspect is a hurdle, and countless people have fallen at this hurdle.

The soul-aspect involves life-and-death risks with every slight change; baptism and sublimation are not child's play.

He had seen too many people who were confident and calm, burning incense to be promoted, only to end up as lunatics or fools, and there were many who had lost their lives.

"That's why I want to ask you, Boss, to protect my Dharma; I want to try," Zhang Fan said in a deep voice.

Bai Buran did not speak, staring straight into Zhang Fan's eyes, only to see that his gaze was as firm as a rock, and finally, he sighed gloomily.

"Go to the Heavenly Terrace!"

As he spoke, Bai Buran stood up and walked out of the office.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan picked up the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 and followed closely behind.

"The industries under Xiao Xiaole in Yujing City... the old residence you mentioned is not on the handover list," Liu Xingyu said indifferently.

At this time, the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance.

In the backyard, the Dharma altar was finished, the banners were fluttering, the east wind had risen, and everything was ready.

"Senior Sister, this time I owe it all to you, not only for helping me recover so quickly but also for sending me the incense of truth."

Inside the office, Ma Buting had already adjusted his state to the best, looking at the stick of incense in the jade box beside him, his eyes revealing a deep longing.

Sitting opposite him was a woman with exquisite and pretty features, phoenix eyes containing light, skin as fair as mutton-fat jade, and a temperament that was dashing and peerless.

He Ningyan, a successor of the Three Sovereigns Sect and also Ma Buting's senior sister; this time, when he attempted the 【Gao Gong】 rank, it was this senior sister who protected his Dharma.

"I have other matters to attend to in Yujing City this time; sending you the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 was just on the way."

He Ningyan looked out the window, her beautiful eyes deep and hidden with light.

"You are lucky to have met an expert who is proficient in the True Fire of the Daoist school... This person's fire technique is extraordinary, and he seems to have obtained the true meaning of the Pure Yang Ancestor, which is why he could merge with the Three Yin Evil Qi in your body..."

As she spoke, He Ningyan slowly withdrew her gaze and picked up the teacup on the table, remaining calm.

"If there's a chance, I would like to meet this person."

"Zhang Fan!?"

Ma Buting laughed softly: "Senior Sister, once I am promoted to the 【Gao Gong】 rank, I will naturally find him to spar again."

At this point, the former confidence appeared in Ma Buting's eyes.

Having broken through the life-and-death barrier and about to be promoted to 【Gao Gong】, his strength would naturally be incomparable to before.

"Are Zhou Miao Yu and Zhou Miao Chan doing well here?" He Ningyan changed the subject and asked.

Zhou Miao Yu and Zhou Miao Chan were Ma Buting's junior sisters, and naturally also He Ningyan's junior sisters.

"They're fine; Zhou Miao Yu just graduated, after all, and lacks experience, but with her sister leading her, she's adapting," Ma Buting said indifferently.

"That's good!"

He Ningyan took a light sip of tea, put down the teacup, and said leisurely: "Once you are promoted to 【Gao Gong】, entering the organization is basically a sure thing."

Once these words were spoken, a look of joy could not help but appear on Ma Buting's face.

He had heard rumors last year that the top authorities were selecting the best talents from various Daoist mountains and sects across the world to establish an independent organization to slay the Wu Wei evildoers.

Such a feat was grand and unprecedented, no less than the 【Breaking Mountains and Felling Temples】 of the new era. If he could enter the organization, it would surely deal a devastating blow to the Wu Wei Sect, leaving his name in history and having a limitless future.

"Is it finally starting? Senior Sister, the Wu Wei Sect isn't causing too much trouble right now, are they?" Ma Buting could not help but ask.

"You aren't on the front lines, so you don't know the dangers involved."

He Ningyan looked deeply at this junior brother and then shook her head.

"Since the fall of the Three Corpse Daoist, the Wu Wei Sect has never been as resurgent as it is today..."

"In recent years, they have indeed produced quite a few talents and experts."

"The Thirteen Zodiacs!" Ma Buting said in a deep voice.

"The interior of the Wu Wei Sect is complex and mysterious. Since its existence, the Thirteen Zodiacs have been the protectors of the Wu Wei Sect, like a natural moat, independent of the other experts. Throughout the generations, only the true Sect Master can command them," He Ningyan said gloomily.

The Thirteen Zodiacs were extremely special existences within the Wu Wei Sect. They had a high degree of freedom and possessed their own absolute will; apart from the 【Human Zodiac】 leader, they only took orders from the Sect Masters of each generation.

"Don't always focus your attention on the 【Thirteen Zodiacs】; there are more experts in the Wu Wei Sect than you imagine."

As she spoke, He Ningyan's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, as if she were remembering unpleasant memories.

"Senior Sister, did you encounter an expert from the Wu Wei Sect?"

"This time in Dongshan Province, I met a young expert," He Ningyan said in a deep voice. "Even the Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang brothers from Mount Laojun fell at that person's hands when they joined forces."

"What!?"

Once these words were spoken, Ma Buting's expression changed drastically.

The Qi brothers of Mount Laojun were existences as famous as Xia Weisheng of True Wushan and An Wuyang of Mount Zhongnan, successors of the ten great famous Daoist mountains, and leaders among the rising stars.

Both of these brothers had achieved the 【Gao Gong】 rank before the age of thirty.

Most importantly, they were born of the same mother and had a very special talent from birth, able to sense each other. After practicing the Dao, they had refined a unique technique called the 【Soul-Aspect Fusion Great Method】, which could merge their souls into one, transcending common sense and possessing supernatural powers that were hard to rival.

"The Qi brothers' 【Soul-Aspect Fusion Great Method】 is no small matter; holding to the One and merging the aspects, the soul is vast. Even the Uncle-Master said that such soul-aspect profundity could probably only be suppressed by the legendary 【Divine Demon Sacred Fetus】."

At this point, a lingering fear appeared on He Ningyan's pretty face.

"Even so, these two brothers were still defeated by that man, and Qi Dongqiang nearly lost his life in Dongshan Province."

"So powerful? What is that person's background?" Ma Buting sensed the danger and could not help but ask.

"His name is Zhao Jiexuan. To have such cultivation at a young age, he is simply a ferocious evil spirit."

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"The Uncle-Master said that among the younger generation, perhaps only Li Changgeng of the Bai He Temple can suppress him."

At this point, He Ningyan paused slightly before saying: "The Uncle-Master speculates that this person is very likely to become a candidate for the Sect Master of the Wu Wei Sect."

"Sect Master of the Wu Wei Sect... candidate!?" Ma Buting's brow jumped, revealing a look of confusion.

The Wu Wei Sect is mysterious and unpredictable, and the most mysterious thing is naturally its Sect Master.

Not to mention the distant past, for the last hundred years, no one had even heard the name of the Wu Wei Sect Master. There was once a rumor that the 【Three Corpse Daoist】 was the Wu Wei Sect Master, and since him, this position had remained vacant.

"It's just speculation. I heard that the selection of the Wu Wei Sect Master is like raising a Gu, with its own mechanism..."

"There is another saying that the Wu Wei Sect Master is a matter of Heavenly Mandate, appearing naturally when the mandate shines... therefore, this position is not always occupied."

He Ningyan's explanation cast a mysterious veil over the existence of the Wu Wei Sect Master.

"Appearing naturally when the mandate shines!?"

Ma Buting murmured softly, chewing on these words.

"In any case, remember this: if you meet this person in the future, you must retreat three times, otherwise your life will be in danger," He Ningyan warned solemnly.

"Zhao Jiexuan!"

"I understand."

Ma Buting nodded, firmly remembering the name 【Zhao Jiexuan】 in his heart.

Clang... clang... clang...

The bell rang, the incense candles were lit, and the auspicious time had arrived.

Ma Buting took a deep breath, respectfully picked up the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 from the table, came to the courtyard, and walked to the Dharma altar.

"Junior Brother, today is your big day."

He Ningyan had absolute confidence in this junior brother.

Ma Buting took a deep breath, offered the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】, and placed it into the furnace fire. A point of his soul-aspect rose, three parts of True Yang ignited, and he recited the names of the Three Sovereigns ancestors, paying respects to the Heavenly Immortals and Divine Beings in his heart.

"A stick of true incense reaches the heavens, all demons and monsters are hidden, those with high Daoist merit participate in the mysteries, descending the truth and returning the life-fate to the Jade Emperor!"

Ma Buting murmured softly. He formed seals with his hands, and his soul-aspect left his body, acting like a guide, stirring the True Yang like fire, instantly igniting the 【Incense of Truth-Descent】 in the incense burner.

Suddenly, the banners fluttered in the wind, and a wisp of dark purple incense smoke rose, like floating clouds, actually supporting Ma Buting's soul-aspect as it shot straight into the sky.

Hum...

In an instant, Ma Buting felt his soul-aspect return to the state of a fetus in the mother's womb. Although he had left his physical body, he felt more at home returning to the sky, and the breathing of his soul-aspect became like that of an infant.

This is the wonderful state described in the Tao Te Ching: "Carrying the soul and embracing the One, focusing the Qi to reach softness, able to be like an infant."

"This is just the beginning."

In the courtyard, He Ningyan's gaze narrowed into a line, watching Ma Buting's soul-aspect supported by the incense smoke.

At this moment, his soul-aspect was like a handful of water, changing without form, reshaping itself.

This is the process of soul-aspect baptism, and also the process of sublimation to the extreme realm, just like a human gestating a baby; ten months of pregnancy, and if one is not careful, there is a risk of destroying the fetus.

Hum...

Gradually, Ma Buting's soul-aspect seemed to detach from his original consciousness, leaving only instinct. There seemed to be chanting resounding in his ears, echoing above the heavens, and many figures flickering before his eyes, coming from the clouds to watch the changes in his soul-aspect.

"It seems there is no problem."

He Ningyan's expression eased slightly, and she saw a white cloud appear above Yujing City, hiding inner rays of light.

This is the sign of 【Descending Truth and Returning Life-Fate】. Rays of light descend, washing the soul-aspect; once the transformation is complete, he will enter the 【Gao Gong】 rank.

"Huh!?"

At this moment, He Ningyan's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a strange look flashed in her beautiful eyes. As far as her gaze could reach, above Yujing City, another white cloud appeared, hiding inner rays of light.

"In this Yujing City, there is actually someone else attempting the 【Gao Gong】 rank!?"

He Ningyan's gaze narrowed into a line, staring fixedly at the white cloud that had suddenly appeared.

At this very moment, Taoyuan Square, on the rooftop.

Zhang Fan sat in meditation, his soul-aspect having left his body, having already lit the incense of truth sent by True Wushan.

However, his situation was somewhat different.

"What's the situation? How could it be like this?"

Bai Buran's expression was strange, staring fixedly at Zhang Fan's soul-aspect in the sky.

Ordinary practitioners of the Dao, when lighting the incense of truth, use the incense smoke to rise into the air, reaching the heavens and summoning the True Ones.

But right now, Zhang Fan's soul-aspect was actually swallowing the incense smoke in large gulps.

Such a bizarre scene, even for someone as experienced as Bai Buran, was the first time he had seen it.

"What's wrong with his soul-aspect?" Bai Buran's brow furrowed into a "chuan" shape.

At this moment, he shifted his gaze slightly and naturally noticed the other patch of white clouds and rays of light. With a little attention, he could see that it was the direction of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance.

Clearly, there was someone over there at the Daoist Alliance attempting the 【Gao Gong】 rank as well.

Screech... screech... screech...

At this moment, a high-pitched screeching sound came from the white clouds of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance. Within the faint rays of light, a phantom of a white crane actually flew out, circling in the air.

"【Descending Crane】 phenomenon!?" Bai Buran was slightly moved.

Only when a high-merit practitioner produces this incense can a crane descend from the incense.

Since ancient times, the white crane has not only been an immortal bird representing longevity but also a messenger between the immortal realm and the human world. The crane is ethereal and mysterious, connecting the immortal and the mortal.

The crane here is not a real crane but an external phenomenon.

Legend has it that only those who truly possess immortal affinity and high natural talent can attract the 【Descending Crane】 phenomenon when being promoted to the 【Gao Gong】 rank.

"The Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance still produces talents," Bai Buran whispered gloomily.

Screech... screech... screech...

In the sky, the sound of the crane's cry became even louder, audible only to the soul-aspect's observation. Another white crane flew out from the clouds and circled in the air.

"Good, Junior Brother is indeed extraordinary, actually attracting the double crane phenomenon."

He Ningyan's eyes lit up. Being able to attract the 【Descending Crane】 phenomenon was already extraordinary; the more white cranes, the greater the achievement. Being able to attract the double crane phenomenon was already one in ten thousand.

Conversely, the other patch of white clouds had dim rays of light and even signs of dissipating. Whether they could be promoted to high merit was still uncertain, let alone attracting the 【Descending Crane】 phenomenon.

"Is it over just like that?"

Bai Buran stared blankly as the incense of truth burned out, the last wisp of incense smoke being swallowed clean by Zhang Fan's soul-aspect.

He was dumbfounded. Looking up, Zhang Fan's soul-aspect sat under the sky, and the white cloud above his head was about to dissipate.

"Descending truth is not truth, incense smoke is scattered. True life-fate returns, intense and extraordinary."

At this moment, a mysterious voice sounded gloomily within Zhang Fan's soul-aspect's inner landscape, accompanied by the sound of chains colliding.

"This little bit of incense smoke is not enough!"

Rumble...

As soon as the words fell, a "rumbling" sound came from the sky. Immediately after, the white cloud above Zhang Fan's soul-aspect shook violently, and a piercing screech came from within, like rolling thunder, shaking the human world.

"That is..."

Immediately after, a huge sharp claw emerged from the white cloud, accompanied by fluttering feathers...

"Black feathers!?" Bai Buran's gaze shook.

"That... what is that thing?"

He Ningyan's eyes widened, her pretty face trembling violently, revealing an expression of disbelief.

"A black crane!?"

Hum...

That terrifying sharp claw reached out from the depths of the white cloud and grabbed the two white cranes circling the sky tightly under its claws!!

(End of chapter)