[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-581":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317861,4532,"Chapter 581: Dread","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-581",581,"\u003Cp>The Nine Heavens’ Palace, clouds and mist rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, clad in purple robes and wearing a beaded crown, strolled along the clouded corridor; beneath his feet rolled an endless sea of clouds, while white jade lamp posts on either side glowed like a river of stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the past century, mortal Daoists have frequently attained true enlightenment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, if I recall correctly, there have been several already. Though I serve beneath the Purple Emperor, I am a deity of virtue and merit, and though I revere him, I walk half a step behind him naturally—not like mortal officials bowing and scraping before their sovereign, but conversing calmly. Logically, a single generation of mortals might produce but one immortal; even one every sixty years would be remarkable. Yet in the past century, auspicious auroras and strange phenomena have become unusually common.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think is the cause?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be that the mortal world has been unstable these past hundred years, plagued by great disasters and chaos. Whenever such times arise, if a Daoist willingly enters the world, they are rewarded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think it’s that simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity still walked beside the Purple Emperor, passing beneath white jade lamp posts embedded with stars, then paused before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the incense-based divine path flourished, it seized nine-tenths of mortal temples and shrines; those who practiced talismanic arts grew numerous, while those who cultivated spiritual methods dwindled. Moreover, a former Heavenly Elder, unwilling to let mortal cultivators cause chaos or lesser immortals disrupt the Nine Heavens’ order, issued an edict to confiscate mortal cultivation methods and suppress the spiritual school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the previous Heavenly Elder was negligent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, when the mortal world fell into chaos, talismanic methods proved useless, so the spiritual school rose again, drawing more practitioners. Second, his suppression of the spiritual school slackened—certain temples must have seized this breathing space, or discovered profound cultivation techniques.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You speak wisely,” the Purple Emperor nodded, smiling faintly. “But I think it’s still not that simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty believes…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the past century, those who attained true enlightenment all share a common trait.” The Purple Emperor turned. “Summon the Divine Lord of Heavenly Mechanism. Ask him, and you’ll know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity immediately turned and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the peak of Fengshan, a wooden path had been built, and two figures walked and spoke together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A giant serpent burst forth from the peak, ferocious beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer inspection, two tiny figures could be seen atop its head: a fox and a colorful civet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent surged upward like a tidal wave, then plunged down just as swiftly, vanishing into the ground within moments, slithering rapidly among the immortal trees on the peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox and the civet played joyfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men ignored them and continued forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sky above, Lin Jue and his junior sister’s five disciples each rode a strange steed, flying through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horses had crimson manes, white bodies, faint pale markings, and eyes glowing golden like molten metal. They trod upon clouds, moved swiftly, and when they opened their mouths, rows of sharp fangs were revealed—clearly not gentle, herbivorous beasts like ordinary horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenma were inherently violent and hard to tame, but Lin Jue possessed a technique called Gathering Beasts and Taming Birds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After playing seventeen games of weiqi, he won six of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His four disciples, plus Zi Yun, left one horse—he gifted it to Luo Gongceng, so he might recall his days of galloping with spear in hand, and gain the ability to ride the wind and tread the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, of the six Wenma, Lin Jue deliberately chose two males and four females; with proper breeding, they could produce offspring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wealth and power were amassed slowly, bit by bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this giant serpent guarding the mountain, those wicked spirits no longer dare sneak in to steal immortal fruits—we no longer need to stand watch.” Luo Gongceng’s voice, startlingly young, came from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It saves us a great deal of worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lin Jue looked at Luo Gongceng, he saw a young warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those eyes and brows were unmistakably familiar—just as they had been when they first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had retrieved the Crimson Spring from the Yuanqiu Immortal Realm. The old man had been stubborn—first claiming he was truly too aged, then lamenting that youth could never return. Only after repeated persuasion did he finally drink it. When he awoke, restored to his youthful visage, he stood before the mirror for long hours, staring, touching, staring again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even clothes he hadn’t worn in decades were dug out and donned once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who among mortals—man or woman, beauty or warrior—would not wish to retain youth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, Luo Gong, wear the Longevity Token,” Lin Jue reminded him. “Your original lifespan, even with the Yuanqiu fruit, has reached its end. If you wish to avoid early death, you must rely on my Longevity Token.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t this originally the power of the Eastern Queen Mother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. But now it’s mine,” Lin Jue said as he walked. “Rest assured, Luo Gong—the Eastern Queen Mother’s vitality and lifespan were drawn from the lives of mortals, thus tainted with impurities. Mine is drawn from heaven, earth, nature, and my own being—less in quantity, but purer and harmless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongceng nodded, then sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart held a clear mirror—he was no man who dwelled on regret. Yet humans are inherently contradictory, often harboring opposing thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his past choice had been right; he knew that a mortal founding emperor, though brief in life, was no lesser than any deity. During his reign, he had even challenged the Purple Emperor; many exalted heavenly lords and spirits had been subject to his control over incense and even existence, and his impact on the realm, the people, and the land was far greater. Yet he could not help wondering: if he had never become emperor, if he had not wasted those years on state affairs, if he had continued cultivating through martial means, might he now be a mighty True Lord, a martial deity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these were only fleeting thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongceng steadied his mind and quickly asked: “Tao Daochang has returned to the mountain. Why hasn’t Cai Lingyu come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Xinrong had returned to Fengshan before Lin Jue went to Feilai Mountain—he was confident, having found the path to true enlightenment. Tao Daochang returned while Lin Jue was at Feilai Mountain; he looked worn and defeated, saying his fortune and talent were insufficient, as if he had chosen to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Cai Lingyu remained alone, wandering in solitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each person has their own nature, their own thoughts and pride. Let him wander,” Lin Jue shook his head. “Perhaps one day he’ll find the path to enlightenment and return. Or perhaps he won’t, and like Tao Daochang, he’ll accept his fate and come back. If he never returns, when his lifespan nears its end, send Wan Gong to fetch him—I can still grant him some of my vitality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These people… I’m right here. Even if they can’t become immortals, living a few more centuries is no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each person has their own nature, their own thoughts and pride,” Luo Gongceng replied with the same words. “Perhaps they wish to help and repay you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue paused, then suddenly gazed into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tiny figure was driving a carriage toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure stood only a few inches tall, like the legendary Jiaoyao, or the rat spirit they’d met in Heixian—except it had no tail. It wore yellow robes and a yellow hat, driving a yellow carriage pulled by a yellow horse no larger than a palm—most amusing to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingji…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously, the giant serpent’s head reemerged from the peak, its two tiny riders—the fox and the civet—fixing all three pairs of eyes on the tiny figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This serpent was indeed alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A letter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiny figure halted his carriage in midair before Lin Jue, leapt down, and dragged from the carriage a letter far larger than himself, offering it to Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the spirit messenger of Yi Li Shenjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly the same role as Chen Niu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No trouble at all! I must go—I can’t be seen!” The tiny figure spoke and immediately drove off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From Jiang Daochang?” Luo Gongceng asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nodded as he unsealed the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A script of delicate floral characters, fragrant with ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It conveyed one main matter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past century, the number of mortals attaining true enlightenment had far exceeded the norm, alarming the Purple Emperor. Upon investigation, he discovered most were connected to Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Purple Emperor has grown wary of you, my friend. Please be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I humbly hasten to inform you of this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue finished reading the final line, then folded the letter away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Sixth Senior Brother had foreseen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his own cultivation advanced, his brothers-in- Dao successively attained enlightenment, and his preparations took shape, he would inevitably draw the Purple Emperor’s attention sooner, possibly bringing the Fuchi Shenjun ahead of schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no need for excessive worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Purple Emperor moved against Fuyao earlier than expected, he had not yet acted now—and even at this moment, their strength far surpassed what the old Heavenly Elder had foreseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one truly running ahead was himself; the Purple Emperor was merely stirred by the wind his movement had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo Gong, let’s return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Gongceng had guessed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Daochang often visited Fengshan to chat idly with Lin Jue and Liu Daochang. Today, however, she sent Qingji with a letter instead of coming herself—clearly, something extraordinary was afoot, and she feared being seen by deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two descended along the long corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue returned directly to the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out two envelopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to lay paper or pick up a brush—he thought for a moment, then pinched two glowing specks between his fingers, like fireflies, and placed them into the envelopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were not replies to Jiang Daochang—she had already written in her letter that she would visit in person, and they could speak face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuyao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind. Xu Yi, Pu Mei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two senior and junior siblings had just returned on their Wenma, stopping outside the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deliver two letters. One to Sixth Senior Uncle—and bring him two ‘Longevity Tokens’ as well.” Lin Jue handed one letter to Xu Yi, the other to Pu Mei. “The other, deliver to the cave of the Lady Yaohua in Qingyan County. Remember: the one residing there is not the true Lady Yaohua. Have her convey the message to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is urgent. Do not ride the Wenma—use Thunder Clouds. Go quickly and return swiftly. Do not delay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two immediately summoned thunderclouds and rode away on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the fox remained, tilting its head to stare at Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>",1837,"2026-06-20T14:45:37.804Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b05b09f17a164fa06532cd63b20462b59f1de726c8d2770159d9754cccab6f94","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-582","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-580",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]