Chapter 270: The root cause of the destruction of the Southern Zhang

Early morning, Yujing Southern Suburb Airport.

A silver-white airplane soared into the sky like a great bird, gradually entering the clouds.

Zhang Fan sat by the window, watching the ground get further and further away, and couldn't help but marvel at the power of technology.

Even though he had now entered the Great Being realm, he could only have his Nascent Soul leave his body and ascend; as for his physical body, he still couldn't achieve so-called flight.

"Cultivation, cultivation, what kind of realm does it take to fly and burrow into the earth?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

The true path of cultivation was completely different from the legends.

"The Daoist gate has thousands of teachings. Predecessors once stated clearly that the chaos of the red dust is nothing but the phenomenon of the four great false combinations, and even this skin bag is just a boat to cross the sea; once the other shore is reached, it must be discarded," Bai Yujing said lightly.

Precisely because of this, many masters of alchemy throughout history believed that there was no need to cultivate the physical body, as cultivating to the end was just an empty dream.

Since it is an empty dream, no matter how one cultivates, it is impossible to be like the legendary immortals, riding the clouds and mist, carefree in heaven and earth.

"The Quanzhen lineage of the Daoist school advocates the dual cultivation of nature and life. When a certain realm is reached, this physical body has immortal means, and riding the clouds and mist is not a problem," Bai Yujing said solemnly.

Within the Daoist gate, there are thousands of sects, but the most famous and widely spread are the "Quanzhen" and "Zhengyi" lineages.

Mount Long Hu is the ancestral home of Zhengyi.

Mount Zhongnan is the ancestral home of Quanzhen.

The Quanzhen lineage emphasizes the dual cultivation of nature and life, although it is divided into the Southern and Northern sects, it is just a difference of "nature first, life later" or "life first, nature later."

Precisely because of this, throughout history, the Quanzhen Dao has produced many great figures, such as Ancestor Wang Chongyang, Ancestor Lu Chunyang, Ancestor Qiu Chuji, and so on.

"Mount Zhongnan, Quanzhen Sect..." Zhang Fan was thoughtful, looking out the window.

"Don't tell me 'Taishui Village' is in Chang'an; that's the territory of Mount Zhongnan."

Mount Zhongnan is ranked as one of the top ten famous Daoist mountains in the world, with a long history and deep foundation. Tracing its roots, in some periods, its reputation was even above Mount Long Hu and Mount Zhenwu.

The Zhang family ancestor Zhang Daoling once cultivated here.

Ancestor Lu also attained the Dao on Mount Zhongnan.

Even when Laozi went west out of Hangu Pass, Yin Xi built a grass tower on Mount Zhongnan, and when Laozi traveled west to this place, he taught the five-thousand-word Dao De Jing.

Precisely because of this, Mount Zhongnan has a very high status in the Daoist gate and is even called the "Number One Blessed Land in the World."

Zhang Fan did not believe that such an important place of the Wu Wei Sect would be hidden under the nose of Mount Zhongnan.

"What's strange about that?" Bai Yujing said lightly.

"You haven't been learning the Dao for just a day or two; you should know that China's dragon veins start from Mount Kunlun and have three great dragons. Chang'an is where the 'Middle Dragon' dragon cave is located. In such a geomantic treasure land, could it be that only Mount Zhongnan occupies it?"

Since ancient times, Mount Kunlun has been known as the ancestral dragon vein of China. Starting from it, three great dragons are derived, namely the North Dragon, the Middle Dragon, and the South Dragon.

Among them, the "Middle Dragon" goes east from Mount Kunlun, passing through the Qin Ling Mountains, Daba Mountains, and Dabie Mountains, finally extending to Mount Tai.

Chang'an is where the "Middle Dragon" dragon cave is located, with all four symbols complete, kingly energy vast, and it is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, with a foundation even more unfathomable than Yujing City.

After all, although Yujing City is also known as the ancient capital of six dynasties, they were all short-lived dynasties. Even when the Ming Dynasty established its capital here, it was overturned by the emperor's own uncle when it reached Jianwen, and later the capital was moved to Shangjing.

"A place like Taishui Village is hidden under the nose of Mount Zhongnan, and it hasn't been discovered for so many years?" Zhang Fan revealed a strange expression.

"You underestimate the Wu Wei Sect too much," Bai Yujing revealed a meaningful smile.

"The Daoist gate and the Wu Wei Sect have been fighting for two thousand years, and nine times of breaking mountains and destroying temples have failed to exterminate the Wu Wei Sect. If it were so easy to find, the Wu Wei Sect would have closed its doors long ago."

Zhang Fan nodded after hearing this, thinking that this made sense.

"Close your eyes and rest for a while; it will be a while before we reach Chang'an," Bai Yujing whispered solemnly. "Our path ahead is uncertain, and fortune and misfortune are hard to predict."

"Bai Yi, I want to ask you something."

Just then, Zhang Fan changed the subject and spoke suddenly.

"What is it?" Bai Yujing had already put on an eye mask.

"About my mother."

As soon as Zhang Fan's words fell, Bai Yujing's soft body clearly tightened slightly.

"Back then, the rebellion of the Thirteen Zodiacs was led by the 'Dragon.' What is his background?" Zhang Fan asked solemnly.

Previously, he was trapped in the Great Night Without Light, and Zhang Lingzong told him that his mother died in a car accident ten years ago. Now that he had woken up, he knew that was complete nonsense.

"This... you should know that even as members of the Thirteen Zodiacs, it is difficult for them to know each other's roots, especially their real-world identities. That is equivalent to handing one's life to the other party, so how could they be easily exposed?" Bai Yujing shook her head.

"Others might not know, but you definitely do," Zhang Fan pressed.

Bai Yujing was not only the Snake but also one of the Five Demon Great Monsters under Li Linglong.

Li Linglong, as the previous Human, must have known the roots of the other twelve zodiacs.

"Sigh, you shouldn't ask me about this kind of thing," Bai Yujing sighed.

"Why? Is there something you can't say?" Zhang Fan's brows twitched, puzzled.

"This is your family's business, it's not easy for me to say much. Ask your... your father later," Bai Yujing shook her head.

"What kind of talk is this? What do you mean it's our family's business? I can't even know the background of my enemy?" Zhang Fan's expression became increasingly strange.

The more Bai Yujing covered it up, the more suspicious he became.

"I can only tell you that the Dragon's position back then was recommended by your father himself," Bai Yujing said solemnly.

"What?" Zhang Fan's gaze sank. "You mean my father also knew the Dragon, and it was because of him that he became one of the Thirteen Zodiacs?"

"That's what I mean," Bai Yujing whispered.

"So I said, this is your family's business. It would be more appropriate for your father to tell you than me."

"To be honest, although there aren't many people left in your Southern Zhang lineage, your family's affairs couldn't be sorted out in three days and three nights. They really couldn't be sorted out."

"..."

Zhang Fan wanted to ask more, but saw Bai Yujing's breathing become long and steady, as if she had already entered a dream.

"Dragon..."

Zhang Fan whispered, Bai Yujing's words echoing in his mind.

Two hours later, the plane arrived at Chang'an International Airport.

Bai Yujing had already arranged a car. The two left the airport, got in the car, and arrived at a villa in the suburbs of Chang'an.

This was Bai Yujing's private property.

"The environment here is good, you stay here first," Bai Yujing instructed.

"I stay here first? What about you?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

"I need to scout the situation first... you should know that I haven't been back to Taishui Village for ten years. Even as a zodiac, it's not a place you can just sneak into," Bai Yujing said solemnly.

"Don't tell me you can't find the way," Zhang Fan said with a strange expression.

"Do you think Taishui Village is just a marked location on a map that you can find by following the map?" Bai Yujing glanced at him sideways and said lightly.

"If it were so easy to find, Mount Zhongnan would have turned it over eight times already."

"You, as one of the Thirteen Zodiacs, can't do it either?" Zhang Fan asked solemnly.

"There are special methods, but it is very difficult to find it actively. Otherwise... if there were a spy from the Daoist gate among the Thirteen Zodiacs, wouldn't they be wiped out in one go?" Bai Yujing said meaningfully.

"Has there been one before?" Zhang Fan's heart moved, and he asked subconsciously.

"Of course there has. You underestimate the Wu Wei Sect, and you underestimate the Daoist gate."

Bai Yujing whispered solemnly: "The Wu Wei Sect and the Daoist gate have been dealing with each other for so many years, and both sides know each other's roots. Conventional methods are useless."

"There were people in the Daoist gate who once ranked among the Thirteen Zodiacs, holding high positions and great power. Even... once, an expert became the Human."

"The Human!?"

Zhang Fan was moved upon hearing this. He suddenly remembered the memory he once saw in the Three-Corpse Primal Pill: the young Three-Corpse Daoist once invited the child-aged Chu Chaoran to be his Human when he ascended to the position of sect master.

"The first master of the Wu Wei Sect had foresight. He wanted to ensure that no matter who betrayed the sect, it would not affect the inheritance of the incense," Bai Yujing said solemnly.

Even if it were any one of the Thirteen Zodiacs, or the master of the three palaces, or even the deputy master of the Wu Wei Sect...

Even if all these people betrayed the Wu Wei Sect, there would still be a wisp of incense that would not be extinguished, passed down through the ages, always able to bloom with brilliance in the passage of time.

This is why the nine times of breaking mountains and destroying temples never completely exterminated the Wu Wei Sect. Even if they were knocked down into the mud, there would always be a day of resurgence.

Unless...

"Unless what?"

"Unless someone in the Daoist gate can sit in the position of the Wu Wei Sect master!" Bai Yujing said solemnly.

"Become the Wu Wei Sect master? That's too difficult," Zhang Fan couldn't help but sigh.

!

Not to mention people from the Daoist gate, even internal disciples of the Wu Wei Sect wanting to sit in the position of sect master was extremely difficult. Otherwise, the Wu Wei Sect would not have been leaderless for sixty years after the death of the Three-Corpse Daoist.

This possibility was almost zero.

"Although there is no possibility, there are people trying," Bai Yujing said faintly.

"Is there really a fool doing this? Who?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

In his view, the difficulty of sitting in the position of the Wu Wei Sect master was no less than cultivating to the Pure Yang Limitless realm, not to mention being an outsider. This was simply ascending to heaven; knowing it was impossible and still doing it, was there really such a fool in the world?

"Your father!" Bai Yujing looked at Zhang Fan and blurted out.

"..."

Zhang Fan remained silent.

Back then, Li Linglong achieved the position of Human precisely to protect Zhang Lingzong and help him sit in the position of the Wu Wei Sect master.

"Your father is not an ordinary person, it's just a pity..."

"His ambition was too great. Once he thought of this, he buried the root cause of the destruction of the Southern Zhang lineage," Bai Yujing sighed faintly.

"You mean?" Zhang Fan's brows twitched, revealing a look of surprise.

"Zhang Fan, don't think you've lived a bitter life. At least you had your parents protecting you before you were twelve, and your father blocking in front of you after you were twelve..." Bai Yujing sighed.

"But your father had it much harder than you. He encountered great changes when he was young, his relatives were all lost, his bloodline fell apart, and from then on he drifted in foreign lands, dying and returning to life several times. The slaughter he suffered was more than the path you have walked..."

"How many hardships and calamities did he experience to refine this ability?" Bai Yujing sighed.

She had known him since Zhang Lingzong was young, and she knew a thing or two about this man.

Nine deaths and one life, great calamities not falling, only then did the world's most ferocious Great Lingzong King come to be.

"Compared to your father, you are still too immature. Many people are sharing the burden for you," Bai Yujing's every word was resonant and deafening.

"Zhang Fan, you are indeed very special, but you are not special enough... your time is running out."

As she spoke, Bai Yujing slowly stood up.

"Bai Yi, I have a question I want to ask you," Zhang Fan said suddenly.

"Go ahead."

"You came to find me this time, just because Lin Jian asked you for help?"

Once these words were spoken, Bai Yujing's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a subtle, imperceptible brilliance flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"Of course."

Bai Yujing whispered solemnly and turned to leave.

"When will you be back?" Zhang Fan caught up and asked.

"Shouldn't take more than a few days."

"I'm just going to wait here?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but say.

He didn't want to stay in this villa and waste time.

"Don't be anxious, this is also a kind of tempering of the heart for you," Bai Yujing said with a light smile.

"If you are really bored, you can go out and play, visit the Datang Ever-Bright City, see the Terracotta Warriors, look at the Huaqing Pool..." Bai Yujing introduced.

"Chang'an is a tourist destination, there are many 5A-level scenic spots!"

"Do you think I'm here for sightseeing?"

Zhang Fan's eyes widened. Before he could finish speaking, Bai Yujing had already walked out of the courtyard, got into the car, the engine roared, and then she sped away.

"Come back early!"

Zhang Fan waved his hand behind her, shouting loudly until he couldn't even see the back of the car.

"Dad..."

Zhang Fan whispered, Bai Yujing's words echoing in his mind.

Perhaps children are all the same, always waiting until their parents are old to think about trying to understand them, care for them, and get close to them.

"Once everything here is resolved, I will go find you," Zhang Fan clenched his hands tightly.

He knew Zhang Lingzong had been hiding on Mount Ailao. Others saw it as a prison, but at this moment, he had an urge to rush over. Even if it were a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, he would break in.

"Go back and wait for news first," Zhang Fan sighed, gathered the complex emotions in his heart, and turned back to the villa.

He took a piece of skin from his pocket, blew a mouthful of True Yang into it, and Zhang Beijiang took shape.

"Protect me."

Zhang Fan instructed, then sat cross-legged in the living room and began to cultivate his Nascent Soul.

The moon rose and the sun set, until evening.

Zhang Fan slowly opened his eyes and heard a rustling sound outside the villa door.

"Someone!?" Zhang Fan's ears moved slightly, and a light, slow knock sounded in the quiet moonlit night.

"Who?"

Zhang Fan stood up, walked to the courtyard, and asked through the door. He could feel that the person outside had long, steady breathing, and their body was full of True Yang; they must have cultivated a genuine Daoist method.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The knocking sounded again. Zhang Fan hesitated for a moment, opened the door, and a familiar face came into view.

"Qi Delong!?" Zhang Fan was stunned and blurted out.

"I am Qi Dongqiang now, my brother's Nascent Soul is asleep."

The descendants of Mount Laojun, Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang, were brothers born of the same mother, but before they were born, the other body was absorbed, so two Nascent Souls shared one physical body.

Such an anomaly was unique even in the Daoist gate.

On the day of the battle at the Prison Immortal Temple, these two brothers were taken away by Zhao Jiexuan.

Zhang Fan did not expect to meet these... these two descendants of Mount Laojun here again.

"Why are you here!?"

"Brother Zhao asked us to come find you," Qi Dongqiang grinned.

"Zhao Jiexuan!?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 271 =====