Chapter 203: Xuanwu Shall Prosper for Five Hundred Years (Requesting Monthly Tickets

Mount Wudang rightfully stands as the ancestral seat of Daoism in this world; along the way, every scene is picturesque, and upon reaching the summit, the surroundings are shrouded in thick clouds and mist, with precipitous peaks and bizarre rocks.

Looking back, Zhenlong Temple, Niangzi Slope, Empress Ridge, and Leigong Ravine all come into view, while the eighty-one peaks to the east, west, south, and north resemble lotus petals, all bowing in submission.

Walking slowly, pausing often, Wu Xian strolled as if on a countryside outing, leisurely guiding Jun Pianqian to the mountain gate of the Wudang Sect.

Looking up, he could see the four-character plaque above: "Xuanwu Shall Prosper."

Wu Xian squinted, studying the four large characters closely.

Iron hooks and silver strokes, brushwork like coiling dragons—on first glance, they were merely fine calligraphy, but to one well-versed in sword Dao, an implicit sword intent could be sensed within them, exquisitely mysterious and beyond words.

Without doubt, these four characters were left by Wudang's founding master, Lu Dongxuan; over seven hundred years later, the sword intent had not faded, revealing the staggering depth of his sword Dao.

No wonder, whenever people mention Sword God Li Chungang, they always add that his sword Dao rivals Lu Zu's—because seven hundred years ago, Lu Zu was unquestionably the supreme master of sword Dao in this world.

Wu Xian grew increasingly absorbed, beginning to compare this sword intent with his own sword Dao and Li Chungang's Sword Opening the Heavenly Gate, seeking to learn from both and innovate.

Zzzzzz—

Suddenly, a deafening sword hum filled his ears; Wu Xian paused, turned, and saw Jun Pianqian also staring at the plaque, her expression slightly dazed, while a sword intent, similar to that of "Xuanwu Shall Prosper," faintly rose around her.

"This talent… should I say it's no surprise she's the mother of the Lord of All Celestial Swords, or is Jiang Ni's sword talent inherited from her?"

Wu Xian thought this, and found it entirely plausible.

After all, though Jiang Ni bore the mask of a reincarnated concubine of the First Emperor, her sword talent could not have arisen from nothing.

Emperor Jiang Ren was unlikely—he'd have been discovered long ago if he possessed such talent; he'd never be as useless as he is now.

In contrast, Jun Pianqian—during recent bone examinations Wu Xian performed on her—he unexpectedly discovered her talent and comprehension in martial arts were exceptional; she grasped and mastered even basic knowledge instantly.

The only regret was that her root structure had already solidified; she began training at nineteen, slightly late.

To achieve anything, she would need far greater effort and time, coupled with cultivation methods like the Yi Jing Duan Gu Pian or Yi Jin Jing, to enhance her root structure and physique—only then might she enter the First Rank.

Of course, if one wished to skip these tedious, slow steps, there was a simpler method: direct Qi infusion to the crown.

For instance, the original protagonist Xu Fengnian, on this very Wudang Mountain, received the Great Yellow Court cultivation of Wudang's patriarch Wang Chonglou, and from nothing, gained a foundation surpassing many First Rank martial artists.

Wu Xian had originally intended something similar for Jun Pianqian; now, seeing her extraordinary sword talent, his thoughts grew more active—he might truly cultivate a female sword immortal himself.

As he thought this, his gaze drifted to another direction.

A Daoist elder had appeared on the mountain path, dressed in cloud shoes and white socks, his hair tied with a purple sandalwood Dao pin carved with a Taiji pattern.

His wide-sleeved Dao robe, though worn, exuded nobility; two sword-shaped ribbons were sewn at the robe's buttons, named Lotus Wisdom Swords.

This was Wudang's unique adornment: seven hundred years ago, Lu Dongxuan rode a crane to Wudang and created these two Dao robe ribbons with his Immortal Sword Dao, symbolizing severing troubles and cutting worldly roots.

But in truth, it was all nonsense.

Whether severing troubles or cutting worldly roots, Lu Dongxuan achieved neither; instead, he became obsessed, like a heavenly emperor, treating reincarnation as a game, endlessly cycling between life and death, reborn into the mortal realm to seize destiny.

He claimed to cultivate the righteous Dao for heaven and earth, yet in the end, every turn was for that single red robe.

In a female-oriented novel, this would be romantic; in a male-oriented one, it was pure hypocrisy.

He did it all for the woman he loved—just say it outright! Yet he hid behind lofty pretenses. What Dao did he cultivate over seven hundred cycles of reincarnation?

On the other side, Wang Chonglou knew nothing of Wu Xian's inner scorn toward Wudang's founding master; he only saw this world's most reckless man standing still, shaking his head and sighing, and grew uneasy, fearing the man might erupt in fury on Wudang Mountain.

After hesitating for a long while, Wang Chonglou could no longer bear the pressure and bowed to Wu Xian:

"Your humble servant Wang Chonglou welcomes the State Preceptor's arrival. Wudang Mountain is honored by your presence. May I ask your purpose? If you have any needs, please inform me—I shall prepare at once."

Now, the unification of the Central Plains was inevitable; within half a year at most, Chu State would become the nominal sovereign of all under heaven, and Wudang Mountain would naturally fall under its domain.

As Chu State's officially recognized State Preceptor, Wu Xian held exalted status, theoretically overseeing all three teachings—in other words, he was Wudang's future superior; addressing him thus was timely.

"Master Wang need not worry. My purpose in coming to Wudang Mountain is simple."

Wu Xian turned his gaze from "Xuanwu Shall Prosper" and studied the old Daoist for a moment before smiling: "To meet one person, ask one question. Afterward, I shall leave Wudang Mountain immediately—and bring Wudang a great gift."

"Er… whom does the State Preceptor wish to meet?"

A dark premonition stirred in his heart, yet Wang Chonglou could not help asking.

Wu Xian smiled faintly: "Need I ask? Of course, the one destined to make Xuanwu prosper for five hundred years."

Hearing this, Wang Chonglou's hand trembled slightly beneath his sleeve, yet he smiled calmly: "State Preceptor jests. Is not the one destined to make Xuanwu prosper for five hundred years already before you?"

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Wu Xian raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity.

"Ha! I've recently heard of the events at Long Hushan. Thanks to your intervention, Long Hushan's Four Heavenly Masters are now reduced to one, and its two Heavenly Ancestors are dead or vanished."

"With Liyang's fall, Long Hushan's fate is tied to its destiny—thus, it suffers accordingly. This is precisely Wudang's chance to rise powerfully—is this not Xuanwu Shall Prosper?"

Wang Chonglou spoke fluently, lavishing Wu Xian with flattery: without him, Wudang might have remained suppressed indefinitely; all of Wudang would forever remember his grace, and so on.

Wu Xian listened, smiling silently, watching Wang Chonglou's performance until the man's face flushed with embarrassment, then spoke calmly: "Master Wang speaks truly—I have indeed bestowed great grace upon Wudang, and if I wished, I could indeed make Wudang prosper for five hundred years."

"But the person I seek today is not myself—it is the one who first foretold this prophecy: Wudang's founding master—Lu Zu, Lu Dongxuan."

No sooner had he spoken than Wang Chonglou's face turned ashen; the surroundings twisted and shuddered, as if space itself shifted, transporting them instantly from Wudang's gate to Little Lotus Peak.

Before them stood a young Daoist boy, riding a green ox backward, engrossed in reading a book.

Wu Xian chuckled softly, then raised his right index finger and flicked it lightly—a sharp sword qi shot forth, piercing the boy's third eye.

(End of Chapter)