Chapter 163

Mount Siming is not high, with rolling hills, overlapping ridges, flat tops and steep slopes, and many streams, waterfalls, and pools.

Looking at Mount Siming from afar, it is beautiful and winding, but if you walk closer, you will find that the Mount Siming, which was clear from afar, gradually becomes blurred. I don't know when a pale red mist rose on the mountain, shrouding the entire mountain ridge, making people feel like looking at flowers in the mist, unable to see clearly.

This is the Great Mountain-Protecting Formation at work.

But there is one place: on the southern foot of the mountain ridge, there is a platform protruding, like a tiger's head. Here grows a huge red maple, over ten zhang high, and I'm afraid it's more than a thousand years old.

The red maple crown is like red clouds, with shimmering spiritual light, as if burning with fire. Even with the red mist reflecting, it can be seen clearly from tens of miles away.

When you walk closer, you can also see a small pool here. On the higher mountain top, a waterfall rushes out, hitting the small pool just right, splashing countless water flowers, and the mist is pervasive.

I think this small pool was formed by the impact of the waterfall for a long time. The small pool reflects the red maple, also turning vermilion red, and the pervasive mist is also reflected into red clouds. The exposed rocks on the cliff present an ochre red color, like cinnabar.

On the rock wall here are carved eight large characters, each over ten zhang high, saying:

Cinnabar Mountain and Beidou Beidou Chi Shui, the Sacred Realm of Siming.

Anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is the location of the gate of Mount Siming.

Cheng Xinzhan descended his cloud to this place.

A wooden house was built under the red maple, and someone was on duty. As soon as Cheng Xinzhan approached, a young Daoist stepped forward to greet him.

"I don't know which Daoist friend has come from where. This is Mount Siming; this Daoist bows to you."

Cheng Xinzhan got off the cloud, put away the cloud carriage, pinched the Mount Sanqing seal with his hand, and clear light appeared in his palm, the color of a clear sky after rain. The clear light formed a light talisman between the three raised fingers, and on the talisman were four characters, which were:

Three begets all things.

He nodded and saluted, saying,

"Daoist friend, you are polite. This Daoist comes from Mount Sanqing. My lay surname is Cheng, and my Daoist name is Xinzhan. I have come specifically to visit Daoist Cunsi of your sect, and I hope you will pass on the message."

The young Daoist looked at the clear light and was startled, "So it is someone from the ancestral court!"

This naturally could not be faked. Not to mention who would dare to impersonate a traveler of Mount Sanqing, just the upright and peaceful clear-Qi light talisman in this person's palm told the duty Daoist that this was the unique "Three Begets All Things Talisman" of Mount Sanqing, which others would not have.

This kind of talisman can only be concluded by those who practice clear spiritual Qi.

Not to mention anything else, just in the east, who doesn't know that the ancestral court only accepts disciples who can ingest clear spiritual Qi when they are in their mortal bodies? Everyone has practiced the ancestral court's guidance technique. It is slow and leisurely, and it has extremely high requirements for physical flexibility. Impatient people cannot practice it, people with stiff limbs cannot practice it, and people with weak hearts and livers cannot practice it. Moreover, combined with special breathing rhythms, very few people can practice it.

People who ingest clear spiritual Qi can strengthen the heart and promote blood, clear the liver and improve eyesight, clear meridians and activate collaterals, and prolong life. But after entering the mountain, combined with the secret methods of Mount Sanqing, it has other effects. It's just that people outside the mountain don't know the specific effects.

However, this "Three Begets All Things Talisman" concluded with clear spiritual Qi is common to people outside the mountain. They don't know what it specifically does, but it can be regarded as a credential for Mount Sanqing disciples to travel outside, just like the Zhengyi Talisman of Mount Longhu, the Shangqing Talisman of Mount Mao, and the Lingbao Talisman of Mount Gezao.

The duty Daoist picked up the sound-transmitting talisman and reported it to the mountain, but after putting down the sound-transmitting talisman, he realized it belatedly. Surname Cheng, name Xinzhan—isn't this Cheng Yifu who was very famous a few years ago! It's just that in recent years, I haven't heard of any new deeds, and at the same time, other geniuses have become famous, which led to me not reacting in the first time.

"Dare I ask if you are Cheng Yifu in person?"

The Daoist asked.

Cheng Xinzhan just smiled, "Fleeting fame of the past, not worth mentioning."

The Daoist led Cheng Xinzhan into the mountain gate. It would not be good to let someone from the ancestral court stand outside the gate all the time.

After walking ten steps, the red mist dissipated, and the scenery of Mount Siming was in full view.

I saw many maple trees planted on the mountain ridge, among which red maples occupied the majority, and there were also green maples, golden maples, and purple maples mixed in, which were very beautiful. Cheng Xinzhan's cave entrance was planted with persimmon trees, so he could naturally discover that there were also many persimmon trees here. Presumably, when autumn and winter arrived, it would also be a red piece.

No wonder it is called Cinnabar Mountain and Beidou Beidou Chi Shui.

No wonder the Green Lotus Lay Practitioner specifically came here to watch the glow. It is conceivable that when the sky glow was beautiful, the mountain was also a hundred acres of emerald red, and the sky and the earth were connected into one, reflecting each other.

The two didn't walk long before a Daoist descended from the sky and landed in front of them.

Cheng Xinzhan took a look and recognized that this was Daoist Cunsi, whom he had met once, so he stepped forward quickly and saluted,

"Daoist, I have come abruptly and disturbed you!"

Daoist Cunsi looked like he was in his sixties, in high spirits. Seeing Cheng Xinzhan, he was so happy that he laughed loudly,

"Li Xiaozu, Li Xiaozu, you have given this old Daoist a big surprise. A distinguished guest has come to the door; how can it be called a disturbance? My Mount Siming wishes that the Li Xiaozu would stay for a long time!"

Cheng Xinzhan stumbled under his feet and almost fell, smiling bitterly, "Daoist, please don't fold me; just call me Xinzhan."

The old Daoist laughed when he saw this, "My Mount Siming's founding ancestor was taught by the fifth-generation ancestor of the ancestral court, opening a sect here to promote the essence of all methods. After obtaining the permission of the ancestral court, the generation names are taken according to the ancestral court. The old Daoist is of the 'Cun' generation, and the Li Xiaozu is of the 'Xin' generation. This is almost a generation older; calling you Li Xiaozu is only right and proper!"

Cheng Xinzhan covered his face upon hearing this and only said, "Daoist! When I was in the sect, the elders all called me by my name directly. Please don't be polite. If you don't change your address, I will have to leave now."

He made a gesture to leave.

Daoist Cunsi hurriedly changed his address, "Xinzhan, wait a moment; the old Daoist will change it."

If the mountain knew that he had driven away someone from the ancestral court, and it was still a Daoist seed with a very special status in the ancestral court, then the crime would be great.

Cheng Xinzhan then turned around with a smile.

"Come, Xinzhan, follow me and see the scenery of our Mount Siming."

Daoist Cunsi led the way, and the young Daoist on duty at the mountain gate turned and returned to the mountain gate to continue his duty.

"How did Xinzhan think of coming over?" Daoist Cunsi naturally would not think that Cheng Xinzhan came specifically to thank him; that matter had passed for many years. Moreover, he didn't help much. At that time, people from the ancestral court had already thanked him on the spot, and after returning to the mountain, the ancestral court sent a thank-you gift again, which made him a bit embarrassed.

Cheng Xinzhan was also very frank when he heard this, saying with a smile, "I have been in the mountain for a long time, and my bones are itching, so I wanted to come out for a walk. I have never been to the southeast coastal area, so I came to see it. Since I came here, how can I not visit my senior?"

Daoist Cunsi was still a bit surprised. This person really came casually. He thought Cheng Xinzhan had something to ask for or had an order from the ancestral court to convey. He didn't expect that he really came to see him.

This made him very happy, so he said with a smile,

"Then this is the old Daoist's blessing. If Xinzhan is not in a hurry to leave, would you like to stay for a few days?"

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, "Then thank you, Daoist. This Daoist naturally wants to stay. Since I have arrived at Mount Siming, how can I not watch the glow? It is cloudy and rainy today, but it cannot be cloudy and rainy every day. Wait until I have seen the morning and evening glow, and then it won't be too late for you to drive me away."

Daoist Cunsi laughed loudly and led Cheng Xinzhan to his cave.

Daoist Cunsi was in the initial Golden Core Realm and was also the master of a peak in Mount Siming, with many disciples and grand-disciples. These people saw the peak master leading a young Daoist back with a loud laugh, and everyone was a bit curious.

This peak was called Frost Leaf Peak, with many red maples on the mountain, and its leaves were like clouds.

"Daoist, you have many maples on this mountain, and I have many bamboos on my mountain. Now I am watching the maples and enjoying the leaves, which is a feast for the eyes, but I cannot let you suffer a loss. Come, please taste the spring shoots I brought from the mountain, and return you a taste."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and took out a few Sweet Shoots frozen in the cave stone and handed them to Daoist Cunsi.

Daoist Cunsi's eyes lit up, and he was not polite, taking the ice to melt it, and then took a bite to taste the freshness.

!

The frozen shoot meat and juice had a unique flavor, which made Daoist Cunsi's eyes light up.

It was unexpectedly so delicious.

He thought to himself.

However, perhaps it was not that the shoot meat was how top-grade it was, but that a predestined friend came to visit, and this matter itself gave the shoots a different taste.

And seeing Daoist Cunsi's quite satisfied expression, the person who gave the shoots was equally satisfied.

During their conversation, Cheng Xinzhan learned how the founding ancestor of Mount Siming and the fifth-generation ancestor of Mount Sanqing met, knew that the mountain name of Mount Siming came from four huge stone windows on the main peak cave, and also learned that Mount Siming currently practiced fire methods, wood methods, earth methods, elixir methods, talisman methods, cloud glow, Qi observation, astrology, etc.

Frost Leaf Peak, where Daoist Cunsi was, was mainly practicing cloud glow.

Thus, Cheng Xinzhan stayed in Daoist Cunsi's cave, watching the red leaves and red clouds, and discussing the Dao of cloud glow.

The more they talked, the more surprised Daoist Cunsi was at Cheng Xinzhan's knowledge, because no matter where he talked, this young man could always keep up. His profound knowledge really couldn't be seen that he had only been practicing the Dao for ten years. But usually, he read so many books, so where did he have time to practice?

It's really strange.

Cheng Xinzhan also once, at the strong invitation of Daoist Cunsi, explained talisman methods and sword methods to the disciples on Frost Leaf Peak.

And under the introduction of Daoist Cunsi, he visited the Sect Master and other experts of Mount Siming.

Thus, seven or eight days passed. On this day, when the sun set, the two looked at the red clouds in the west.

"The sunset is infinitely good, but it is near dusk!"

Daoist Cunsi suddenly sighed and said.

These days, Cheng Xinzhan's innocent nature and high-spirited posture really infected him, but he felt that his Golden Core was flawed and it was difficult to go further, so he couldn't help but feel a bit low.

"Don't say the mulberry and elm are late; the glow is still all over the sky."

Cheng Xinzhan replied, saying in his usual high-spirited tone,

"Daoist, you have concluded the Golden Core; the road to longevity has just started. Why sigh at dusk? Don't say the Golden Core is flawed; I think it's just a matter of picking up leaks and filling gaps before going to the thunder tribulation a few more times.

"To tell you the truth, when I hadn't opened my palace, I encountered a true evil rushing into my acupoints, damaging my physical body, consuming my lifespan, and delaying a lot of time. However, the scenery should be viewed from a long-term perspective. How much does this period of time count for in the long journey to immortality?

"Look, the sun is about to disappear, but where does the evening glow shrink and sink because the sun is about to disappear?"

After hearing this, Daoist Cunsi looked blankly at the fire-like evening glow in the west.

The sun had reached the edge of the western mountain and seemed to be about to fall down immediately.

And the evening glow was emitted from the top of the western mountain, but it spread all over most of the sky, presenting a unique vitality, which really did not wither because of the sun's sinking.

Even in the last short time, the evening glow still wantonly painted the sky and bloomed with light.

The bold words entered his ears, and the red glow entered his eyes; his spirit was refreshed.

That's right, the Golden Core is dim, so why should my will to cultivate the Dao be low because of the dimness of the Golden Core? I should pick up leaks and fill gaps, complete the Golden Core, and then go to wade through the thunder tribulation. It should be that the Golden Core shines brightly because of my will.

He ignored Cheng Xinzhan's obstruction and saluted the young Daoist. He thought to himself that he had practiced cloud glow all his life, and perhaps he only understood the true meaning of cloud glow today.

The morning sun has not yet come out, and the morning glow comes first; the sunset is about to fall, and the evening glow does not go.

Perhaps this is the glow.

Looking at the evening glow again, his state of mind was completely different. The sunset is infinitely good, it is just infinitely good, and it has not faded by half a point because of anything else.

Eh?

It's just that,

It's just that in that northwest glow, why did a cloud of black smoke emerge?

(End of chapter)