Chapter 128

The first day of the 428th year of the Ming era.

As soon as the sky brightened, Cheng Xinzhan took the children in the village to paste the door god paintings.

This time, there was not only the Yuandan Daoist but also the Demon-Subduing True Lord. On each large gate, these two occupied one side each; one held a sword, the other drew a bow. Wherever thunder and fire were present, evil spirits would naturally be repelled.

The old village chief watched with a smile, saying that with these two gentlemen present, people felt at ease just looking at them.

After working for most of the morning, they finally finished pasting. Cheng Xinzhan handed the rest to the old village chief for safekeeping, explaining that he might not be able to come next year, so he should ask the people in the village to paste them themselves when the time comes.

The old village chief agreed and carefully hid the remaining door god pictures. These were good treasures; last year, no one in the village had lost their soul, and the old village chief believed this was the effect of the door god pictures.

After pasting the pictures, Cheng Xinzhan was surrounded by children asking for stories. The children already knew the story of the Yuandan Daoist by heart, so this time they wanted him to tell a new story.

Cheng Xinzhan naturally had no trouble, and the story of Zhang Shuye came right to his lips.

Just as he started, an order arrow suddenly darted out from the void and shot toward Cheng Xinzhan.

His gaze sharpened, and he grabbed it. This was a cyan jade order arrow, with a golden-edged silver cloud drawn on the end, and the following words engraved on the body of the arrow:

Upon seeing this order arrow, return to the sect immediately.

His expression changed. This was a recall order arrow issued by the sect. These eight words basically never changed; the urgency of the situation depended on that cloud.

If it were a golden-edged cyan cloud, it would be a joyous occasion, most likely the sect holding a grand Fa Hui, a grand celebration, or the like, summoning disciples abroad to return to the sect to participate. If one had other matters at hand and could not leave, one could ignore it.

The second type was a golden-edged yellow cloud, which meant the sect felt the sky was about to change and it was unsafe outside, so they wanted the disciples to return quickly to avoid disaster. If one was in deep seclusion or trapped in some mystical realm, one could delay slightly.

The third type was the golden-edged silver cloud that Cheng Xinzhan had just received, which was a signal that war was about to break out and the sect was summoning disciples to send troops for an offensive. But like the second type, if there was another emergency, one could delay slightly.

The fourth type was a golden-edged red cloud, which meant the sect was under attack, and all disciples abroad had to put down everything at hand and return to the sect immediately to support it.

There was another, the last type, a golden-edged white cloud, which meant the sect had already been overthrown, and disciples abroad did not need to return, but should hide their names and lie low. At that time, the eight words on the order arrow would be:

Wait for the opportunity to continue the Daoist lineage.

Cheng Xinzhan put away the order arrow and quickly said to the old village chief beside him, "Grandfather Munai, I have an urgent matter and must leave. We shall talk again another day!"

He touched the heads of several children and, without waiting for the old village chief to ask in detail, immediately transformed into a cloud and left. In the distance, Deng Ge'er saw this and immediately rode the wind to follow.

He had to fly at full speed, and Deng Ge'er still could not keep up. Now that Deng Ge'er had not yet learned the art of size transformation, he was ultimately not as convenient as the third sister to put in his bosom. He saw him exert his magic power to wrap Deng Ge'er, and then threw out a string of thunder talismans.

He stepped on the thunder talismans and traveled. Immediately, a series of thunder sounds echoed over the lands of Sanxiang and Yu Zhang in a straight line. When the thunder ceased, he had returned to Sanqing Mountain.

At this moment, various escape lights appeared on Sanqing Mountain, weaving back and forth. A jade talisman hung on the towering Yuhua Peak, repeatedly saying a sentence that echoed in every corner of Sanqing Mountain, rendering a tense atmosphere,

"All registered disciples are not allowed to leave the sect; all true disciples are to return to the mountain and wait for orders; all mountain masters, direct disciples, and Elders of the third realm and above are to come to the Qianjun Hall on Yuhua Peak for a meeting!"

Cheng Xinzhan went straight back to Wuyou Cave, his soul entered his physical body, his bamboo body transformed into a point of spiritual light and was collected into his heart mansion. The talismans accumulated in the cave were also all collected into the cave stone. He took everything he could carry, let the third sister and Deng Ge'er look after the house, and he went to the Hidden Bamboo Stele to wait for orders.

There was indeed no one here; presumably, his Master had already gone to Yuhua Peak.

Just after he arrived at the Hidden Bamboo Stele, the voice of the jade talisman on Yuhua Peak changed,

"Specially promote Cheng Xinzhan, a true disciple of Mingzhi Mountain, to a direct disciple; come to Qianjun Hall immediately for a meeting!"

The jade talisman suddenly called Cheng Xinzhan's name, but only this sentence, and immediately began to repeat the previous words again.

Cheng Xinzhan was very surprised, but he dared not delay and immediately flew toward Yuhua Peak.

Arriving at Qianjun Hall, this was the great hall for meetings, covering a vast area and shaped like a circular altar.

The hall doors were wide open, with no one on duty, so he walked in.

As soon as he entered, he was shocked by the scene inside.

The floor tiles here were like mirrors, or like a calm lake, reflecting the emerald and sapphire caisson ceiling and the dragon-carved and phoenix-painted beams and pillars above.

The ground was empty, but nine layers of cloud platforms hung in the void. Each layer of cloud platform was a ring, and the lower it was, the smaller the ring, like steps.

Each cloud platform grew various spiritual plants, some purple, some red. Each spiritual plant was the size of a meditation cushion, and people were sitting on them.

As soon as he entered, many gazes were cast over.

"Xinzhan has come, take your seat, go beside your Master."

A middle-aged man on the lowest and most central cloud platform said to him.

Cheng Xinzhan recognized him; this was one of the five Vice Sect Masters of the sect, the Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak, in charge of most of the mountains including Hanjing, Hua, and Xu within the Lotus Blessed Land. Emergency matters within the sect were managed by Yuhua Peak, so it was also within the jurisdiction of the Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak.

The Hong Jiaozhu had not appeared, indicating that the situation was not yet that critical.

This was his first reaction in his heart.

Then he glanced around and immediately found his Master,

He flew up and landed on the glossy ganoderma beside Wen Sukong.

"Master."

He said in a low voice.

Wen Sukong nodded.

"Weijian and Wuji have already taken fifty people each to go ahead. Let's discuss how many people to send later, how many batches to divide into, and how long the rotation time should be."

The Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak said.

Cheng Xinzhan recognized the two people the Vice Hong Jiaozhu mentioned; Gong Weijian was the master of Bai Hu Mountain, and Zhao Wuji was the master of Shuji Mountain, both of which were mountains where he audited the study of arts.

Taking advantage of everyone's discussion, Wen Sukong also explained to Cheng Xinzhan in a low voice:

"Last night, the Northern Sect Demonic Cult suddenly besieged West Kunlun Mountain, occupied the Kunlun Peak, and the West Kunlun Sect was annihilated."

Cheng Xinzhan was startled.

It was such a major event!

The righteous and demonic paths had finally been stable for a few hundred years; could it be that they were now going to fall into strife again?!

Cheng Xinzhan read quite a few books, especially loving history, and knew that between heaven and earth, either the righteous path suppressed the demonic path, or the demonic path suppressed the righteous path, and the strife of forces on the mountains often affected the mortal world.

Looking through the ages, the righteous path was generally dominant. When the righteous path suppressed the demonic path, each sect cultivated diligently, and there were few wars in the world, all managed by unified dynasties.

However, after a long time, the righteous path slowly relaxed its vigilance, and the mortal dynasties also headed toward decay in long-term peace. This was the opportunity for the demonic path to counterattack.

Sometimes the demonic path would be suppressed, and sometimes the demonic path would suppress the righteous path. Whenever this happened, with the demonic path in charge, losing benevolence and ritual, the mortal world would fall into chaos, either splitting apart and attacking each other, or having tyrants in power, levying heavy taxes, causing boiling resentment among the people, and the world would be filled with blood and resentment, which was exactly what demonic cultivators liked.

But this kind of chaotic era generally would not last too long, ranging from a few decades to one or two hundred years. The awakened righteous path would then counterattack the demonic path again, cleansing the filth and returning the world to clarity.

The demonic path killed the hen to get the eggs, so it could not last long.

The righteous path always relaxed its vigilance and was repeatedly caught by the demonic path.

The mortal dynasties were the same; under long-term peace, the rulers valued literature over martial arts, were arrogant and extravagant, and ruined their foundations, while those who relied on bravery and violence, even if they sat on the throne, could not last long.

Repeatedly, back and forth, it was always like this.

Thus, there were sages in the mortal world who said, "The people of Qin had no time to mourn themselves, and later generations mourned them; later generations mourned them but did not take them as a warning, also causing later generations to mourn later generations again!"

This statement, when applied to the mountains, was naturally the same.

Thinking carefully, the last time the demonic path counterattacked the righteous path was at the end of the Song Dynasty. The righteous path was suppressed for a hundred years, and by the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the righteous path had suppressed the demonic path again, which had been over four hundred years ago.

The West Kunlun Sect was also a Sanqing Daoist lineage, serving the ancient Golden Immortal True Person Du'e as the Ancestral Master. Its famous battle was the Demon-Subduing Battle four hundred years ago. The West Kunlun Mountain where the sect was located faced the Northern Sect Demonic Cult directly and was located in the Northern Frontier, which was also the force deepest within the Northern Sect Demonic Cult among the Daoist sects.

But never did he expect that the great sect that had suppressed the Northern Sect Demonic Cult for four hundred years would be occupied overnight.

The righteous and demonic paths had fought for so many years and both had experience. After the last time they repelled the demonic path, the righteous path had delineated their respective regions and responsibilities to guard.

The demonic path was divided into the Northern Sect Demonic Cult, the Southern Sect Demonic Cult, and the Overseas Demonic Cult according to their lairs.

The Northern Sect Demonic Cult's headquarters was in the Western Frontier, with forces affecting the Northern Desert, Western Sea, Longyou, Hebei, and other places, guarded by righteous forces in Jinyuan, Longnan, Heluo, Yanzhao, and other places. The Southern Sect Demonic Cult's headquarters was in the Southern Wilderness, with forces affecting the Snow Region, Dianwen, Miao region, Yu Yang, and other places, guarded by righteous forces in Yu Zhang, Jingchu, Sanxiang, Bashu, and other places.

Righteous forces in Qilu, Jin Ling, Kuaiji, Fujian, and other places were responsible for guarding the Overseas Demonic Cult.

And the reason why the Shu Daoist sects had become increasingly influential and domineering in recent years was that this place was sandwiched between the spheres of influence of the Northern Sect Demonic Cult and the Southern Sect Demonic Cult. Under such dangerous circumstances of being attacked from both sides, the Shu Daoist sects not only managed to protect the people of the region from disaster and guard the land, but also managed to suppress the Southern Sect Demonic Cult, making it difficult for them to move!

This was the power of Shushan!

The Eastern Daoist sects could not stand the domineering style, cliquish annexation, and cruel methods of the Shu Daoist sects, but no one had ever said they were incapable.

Although the region guarding the Northern Sect Demonic Cult did not include Yu Zhang, Yu Zhang, as the leader of the Eastern Daoist sects, naturally had to come forward since a tragedy like the annihilation of a sect had occurred. Moreover, the one bearing the brunt this time was the West Kunlun Sect, which was also under the Sanqing lineage, so Sanqing Mountain could not remain indifferent.

In addition, with such an event, the young disciples in the sect who had not yet experienced the strife of the demonic path would definitely have to be taken out for training.

"And this time, the Northern Sect Demonic Cult is coming aggressively. After taking West Kunlun overnight, they did not plunder and leave, but established a sect on the spot. This time, the Northern Sect Demonic Cult has also pushed out a figure, known as the Blood God Child, who has opened a sect on West Kunlun Mountain, calling it the Blood God Cult. This is something that we righteous sects absolutely cannot tolerate!"

Wen Sukong said coldly.

Blood God Child?

Cheng Xinzhan thought carefully about this name, confirming that he had never heard of it.

=9+Shu_ba

However, the West Kunlun Sect had also produced immortals, and it was actually overthrown overnight. He wondered what kind of great demonic head this Blood God Child was.

"The reason why you were called over is because Sanqing Mountain has a rule: when Qianjun Hall holds a meeting, each legal lineage must have no fewer than two people present. Only mountain masters, Elders, and direct disciples can enter here. According to sect rules, one is not an Elder without the third realm, and not a direct disciple without the second realm. However, Mingzhi Mountain only has the two of us, so we can only make an exception and specially promote you to a direct disciple."

Wen Sukong explained again.

Cheng Xinzhan finally understood; he had been wondering how he would be called over for such a grand meeting.

Wen Sukong did not express any opinion on the words of the Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak, but others were actively providing feedback. After a short while, everyone slowly stopped talking. The Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak nodded, synthesized everyone's opinions, and began to say,

"Then let it be so. Of the eight lineages of the Blessed Land, except for Shuji Mountain and Bai Hu Mountain which have already set off, and excluding Mingzhi Mountain, each mountain will send ten people, except for Danxia Mountain which will send twenty. Outside the Blessed Land, each mountain will send twenty people, except for Du Juan Valley which will send forty. All will be a three-to-seven ratio of the first and second realms, with the first batch led by Jingsong and Jingyan."

"Disciples who have already returned to the sect will not leave for now. We will wait for news from Wuji and Weijian to see if we need to send more personnel. If the war is long, the number of disciples for the second batch of rotation and the rotation time will be determined based on the situation. Are there any objections?"

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"..."

Everyone began to respond one after another.

Cheng Xinzhan looked at Wen Sukong.

Wen Sukong understood his meaning,

"You want to go?"

"This disciple wants to go."

"Although Mingzhi Mountain disciples participate in sect meetings, they are specially permitted not to leave the sect to face the enemy."

"This disciple wants to go."

Cheng Xinzhan repeated.

So Wen Sukong nodded and said loudly,

"Add one person from Mingzhi Mountain!"

The Vice Hong Jiaozhu of Yujing Peak looked over and then nodded,

"Cheng Xinzhan of Mingzhi Mountain enters the first batch of rotation."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"..."

Everyone agreed.

Subsequently, Huo Jingyan, the head of the External Affairs Institute, Ying Jingsong, the master of Toujian Mountain, Wan Wuwei, the vice master of Danxia Mountain, and Chang Jingyuan, the master of Du Juan Valley, were kept by the Vice Hong Jiaozhu to discuss the details, while the others returned to their mountains to muster troops.

It was agreed to set off from Yuhua Peak in two quarters of an hour.

With two quarters of an hour left, Cheng Xinzhan followed Wen Sukong back to Mingzhi Mountain.

"Although you have been to the Southern Wilderness and have dealt with those from Baiman Mountain, I must tell you that the Northern Sect Demonic Cult acts completely differently from the Southern Sect Demonic Cult. The Southern Sect Demonic Cult is insidious and despicable, but the Northern Sect Demonic Cult is bloody and cruel, all practicing methods of killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred. And this newly emerged Blood God Cult, just hearing the name, is a demonic sect that is bloodthirsty and refines blood. You must be extremely careful."

Wen Sukong exhorted.

"This disciple understands."

"Your uncle was the one who went missing in the north. You must not follow in his footsteps. If you encounter danger, do not be reckless. As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood."

Cheng Xinzhan suddenly raised his head; this was the first time he had heard his Master mention his uncle!

"This disciple understands."

He nodded.

"Did you bring your avatar?"

"I brought it."

"Hmm." Wen Sukong nodded, "Let the avatar scout the dangerous places, and discard it when necessary. Oh right, have you learned "Heaven's Edge at Hand"?"

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head. This was a secret technique in the "Secret Decree of the Longevity Fetal Origin Manifesting Spirit," a method for the soul to quickly return to the physical body after leaving, which was somewhat difficult.

"Learn this first. You are not allowed to enter dangerous places until you have learned it!"

Wen Sukong suddenly said sternly.

"This disciple obeys."

Cheng Xinzhan also replied seriously.

Regarding the "Heaven's Edge at Hand" secret technique, Wen Sukong mentioned several key points. After the guidance was almost finished, she said again:

"Bring that dog of yours. Since that demonic sect refines blood, a dog's nose will be useful."

Cheng Xinzhan thought it made sense, moved his lips, and used the wind art to convey the message to Wuyou Cave.

Soon, the dog and the cat both came up.

"You still want to bring the cat?"

Wen Sukong was somewhat puzzled.

"No, I want to ask Master to take care of it."

Wen Sukong nodded and agreed,

"Go now, and return whole and sound!"

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(End of chapter)