Chapter 389

Two days later, Maoshan.

One of the Ten Famous Mountains of the Daoist sects, and also one of the Three Great Talisman Schools, countless alchemical masters throughout history cultivated here, such as Ge Hong, the ancestor of the Ge family, and the great Daoist Tao Hongjing of the Southern Dynasties.

"I've spent so many years in Jiangnan Province, yet I've never come to Maoshan before!"

Ascending Maoshan, Zhang Fan gazed at the distant peaks rising in tiers and couldn't help but sigh.

Maoshan's elevation isn't particularly high, but as a Daoist blessed land and a mystical cave heaven, though lacking towering, bizarre peaks, its aura remains extraordinary—clouds and mist like celestial robes, verdant greens like scattered pearls.

"This is a perfect chance to show you around," Fang Fang Changle murmured.

"We're pressed for time—we leave for Zhenwu Mountain the day after tomorrow."

Zhang Fan brought back the fragments of the 【Fire Seal】, and upon returning, entrusted Fang Fang Changle to use Maoshan's resources to refine the 【Weiling Weilin Zhenmo Golden Seal】, drawing upon the former's incense spiritual power.

A single fragment cannot elevate the 【Weiling Weilin Zhenmo Golden Seal】 to the level of a 【Qingyu Artifact】, but it can strengthen its foundation and save years of cultivation effort.

After all, aside from the 【Bai Gu She Li】, the only true artifact Zhang Fan can wield is the 【Weiling Weilin Zhenmo Golden Seal】, and moreover, it was originally the seal of Long Hu Mountain—certainly worth the effort.

"I have to wait until tomorrow?" Zhang Fan couldn't help asking.

Drawing incense spiritual power and refining artifacts—only a Tian Shi possesses such methods.

Thus, using external means to elevate an artifact is unimaginably difficult.

"Mm, yours is a minor task; tomorrow, it shouldn't take much time," Fang Fang Changle said casually.

Depending on the materials provided, the amount of incense spiritual power that can be drawn varies, and so does the difficulty; if the artifact's rank is to be elevated, even more effort is required.

Zhang Fan, bringing only one fragment with limited incense power, clearly cannot elevate it—this is merely a "minor procedure," at most a minimally invasive one.

Such "minor procedures" are typically beneath the attention of any Tian Shi; only because of Fang Fang Changle's favor could Zhang Fan take this backdoor route.

After the 【Weiling Weilin Zhenmo Golden Seal】 is reforged, Zhang Fan should depart for Zhenwu Mountain.

"Rest well tonight; you'll likely be called tomorrow afternoon," Fang Fang Changle said.

"Tomorrow afternoon?"

"Tonight, there's a major task," Fang Fang Changle's gaze sharpened as he looked toward the Artifact Refining Peak.

"Major task!?" Zhang Fan's heart stirred—he seemed to guess what it was.

"An Wuyang!?"

"Correct. The heir of Zhongnan Mountain is currently on the mountain," Fang Fang Changle nodded. "You know he brought two major items."

The Lei Cheng Demon-Imprisoning Golden Seal!

The Jingming Xi Dongyang Talisman Seal!

Both these broken seals are Long Hu Mountain's artifacts, now in An Wuyang's hands, to be burned as fuel and transformed into the material foundation for his artifact, saving him years of cultivation.

"After refining these two great seals, An Wuyang's artifact elevation is virtually assured," Fang Fang Changle sighed.

An Wuyang is a man of great renown, yet rarely seen abroad; some say his celestial talent rivals that of Li Li Changgeng of Bai He Guan.

"Have you heard…?"

Fang Fang Changle looked at Zhang Fan, hesitating to speak.

"Heard what?" Zhang Fan asked.

"Rumors say the Superlative True One will take An Wuyang as his final disciple," Fang Fang Changle's gaze darkened slightly.

Currently, Zhang Fan bears the title of Zhenwu Mountain disciple; had it not been for Xia Xia Weisheng's own confirmation that the Superlative True One's final disciple was not Zhang Fan, he might have already believed it himself.

"I know what you're thinking," Zhang Fan said softly but firmly. "But you know my origins."

Fang Fang Changle fell silent.

He certainly knew—Zhang Fan was a legitimate Long Hu Mountain Dao lineage, a direct disciple, the last ember of the Southern Zhang line, even more authentic than the Northern Zhang.

Such a background makes it unsuitable for him to join Zhenwu Mountain.

An Wuyang is different; though he is a Zhongnan Mountain heir, Zhongnan's Dao lineage has not been severed. If he inherits the Superlative True One's mantle, it would be one man carrying two sects, expanding the Daoist path—a glorious tale.

"Moreover, An Wuyang shares deep karmic ties with the Superlative True One," Zhang Fan shifted tone.

"You know that too?" Fang Fang Changle's heart stirred.

Zhang Fan nodded.

Many years ago, Chu Chu Chaoran wandered the world and took in many orphans; An Wuyang was one of them, sent to Zhongnan Mountain at that time.

Zhang Fan learned this when he was in Chang'an, trying to purchase the 【Lei Cheng Demon-Imprisoning Golden Seal】, from Xiao Ge Changfeng.

With such karmic ties, and this rumor surfacing now, An Wuyang becoming the Superlative True One's final disciple doesn't seem baseless.

"He received the true transmission of Zhou Kongchan Dao Ren, earned great favor from Ye Tian Shi, and if he becomes the Superlative True One's final disciple, the future Daoist world may well bow to him," Fang Fang Changle said solemnly.

Each generation produces its talents, each ruling the scene for centuries; the old must step down, and the new must rise.

The Battle of the Ten Thousand Mountains was the first clash of the new era's power—the future's shape is already emerging; the once invincible Li Li Changgeng perished in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

He was once regarded by the world as the future leader of the Daoist sects, yet ultimately vanished into the tide of changing times.

Now, An Wuyang is gradually emerging.

"Watch," Zhang Fan murmured softly.

At that moment, the two arrived before a hall, incense smoke swaying; above its gate hung a plaque bearing three large characters: 【Jiuku Hall】.

Inside, on the altar, three divine statues were enshrined—all in Daoist form; the central one wore a crown with hanging beads, draped in radiant robes, seated upon a nine-colored lotus throne, beneath which nine-headed lions spat flames—it was none other than the famed Taiyi Jiuku Yuanshi Tianzun.

Zhang Fan's Taiyi Dao practice takes 【Taiyi Jiuku Yuanshi Tianzun】 as its divine master.

The two Daoists beside him: one rode a dragon, majestic and solemn; the other sat upon a phoenix, awe-inspiring and dignified.

Taiyi Jiuku!

Zhuling Duming!

Huanghua Dangxing!

These are the famed Three Jiuku Tianzuns of the Daoist sects, also called the Three Jiuku Saints.

"Pay your respects," Fang Fang Changle took three sticks of incense.

Zhang Fan took them, summoned true fire with a flick of his hand, lit them, and bowed three times.

"Hearing cries, he saves from suffering—great compassion, great mercy…" Zhang Fan gazed up at the divine forms of the Three Jiuku, murmuring softly.

He had heard before that Maoshan's Jiuku Hall was remarkably efficacious; every year, many came to offer incense and prayers, especially those afflicted by illness or misfortune, who found the greatest blessings.

"When my master was young, he tended incense in the Jiuku Hall…" Fang Fang Changle recounted a memory.

His master was the current Maoshan abbot, 【Chen Zhuoqing Dao Ren】, Chen Chen Zhuoqing.

Back then, he was a young Daoist acolyte with low cultivation, serving in the Jiuku Hall for three full years.

One night, he fell asleep beneath the altar, and in a daze, heard fierce winds outside; he rose and stepped out, following the wind through the night, and saw a Daoist searching among the mountain's rock crevices…

The young Chen Chen Zhuoqing saw a dark shadow hidden deep within the crevice; he approached and asked, and the Daoist replied: "Sixty years of blossoms and falling petals—today, I finally see an old friend."

As he spoke, the Daoist turned and smiled faintly at Chen Chen Zhuoqing; only then did he realize the rock crevice held a colossal dragon coiled within—it now surged skyward, bearing the Daoist into the clouds, vanishing into the endless night.

At that instant, Chen Chen Zhuoqing snapped awake, finding himself still inside the Jiuku Hall, surrounded by an unusual fragrance; he looked up and saw the three Jiuku divine forms—especially the one riding the dragon, majestic and solemn, now strangely familiar.

"Zhuling Duming Yuanshi Tianzun!?" Zhang Fan's expression changed.

He had never heard of the Maoshan abbot having such an uncanny experience—it sounded like divine enlightenment, adding a layer of mystery to him.