Chapter 186: The Mystic Sect and the Mystic Realm

"Heaven be praised, you've finally arrived."

Upon seeing Li Yan, Shopkeeper Wan let out a long sigh of relief.

He looked around, shook his head, and whispered: "I led my men up the mountain, and news has been constant along the way. That bounty has attracted quite a few martial arts powerhouses who are searching for you everywhere."

"For the past few days, I've been on pins and needles, constantly asking people to keep an eye out for news. It wasn't until last night that I learned you had reached the mountain."

Li Yan apologized: "I was delayed by some matters yesterday and didn't manage to find Shopkeeper Wan in time. I hope you can forgive me."

"As long as you made it up the mountain safely, that's all that matters. We don't need to stand on such ceremony between us," Shopkeeper Wan said, shaking his head.

"Let's not stand at the door. Let's go inside to talk." Li Yan smiled slightly and gestured for them to enter the Wangxian Temple.

Inside the side chamber, the group met and naturally exchanged pleasantries once more.

Looking at the comfortable and elegant room, Yuan Ba clicked his tongue in praise, his eyes full of envy: "Brother Li, you all are living too comfortably. It's a pity for us; these past few days have been truly miserable."

Li Yan was surprised: "The scenery of Mount Huashan is beautiful and magnificent; how could you be suffering?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ba immediately complained: "There are too many people coming! Those from the orthodox sects and the Dharma lineages at least have a place to stay. We from the side-door sects aren't welcomed, so we can only pitch tents and sleep on the ground."

"Good heavens, every night we're frozen like ghosts, and my master's rheumatism has even flared up..."

As he spoke, his eyes rolled, and he fawned shamelessly: "Brother Li, I see your connections are quite extensive. Could you pull some strings and let us master and disciple stay in here too?"

His master, standing nearby, changed expression immediately upon hearing this and scolded: "Shut your mouth! You shameless thing."

Li Yan heard this and shook his head with a bitter smile: "To tell you the truth, we are only staying here because of the senior's kindness; it wouldn't be right to trouble them further."

Of course, he wouldn't say it was because of suppressing the Drought Demon. After all, the matter was of great importance, and the Pure Yang Palace certainly wouldn't want this leaked and be gossiped about.

Inside the front hall of the Wangxian Temple, Master Yufeng, who was burning incense and meditating, twitched his ears and heard every word of their conversation.

Seeing Li Yan covering up the matter, his favorable impression of him couldn't help but rise significantly.

Shopkeeper Wan took the opportunity to change the subject, his face showing difficulty: "I rushed to see Little Brother Li this time because something has gone wrong with one matter."

Li Yan frowned upon hearing this and asked: "What matter?"

Shopkeeper Wan said helplessly: "I had originally made an appointment with that old friend, but he suddenly fell ill and is bedridden. He can't make it up Mount Huashan, and I estimate he won't be able to fire up the furnace anytime soon."

"Please convey to that senior that his health is what matters most." Li Yan offered comfort, but couldn't help but frown slightly.

He had quite a few things to do on this trip up the mountain.

First was to purchase spiritual materials to help them remake their Dharma artifacts.

Second was to build a tower and temple with the help of the cave heaven's spiritual aperture.

Especially his weapon; after his family's heirloom saber was destroyed, he had been using the one snatched from Yao San's hands. Although it was forged from hundred-refined steel, it was always somewhat unhandy.

This time, he wanted to make a Dharma artifact treasure saber.

Ordinary craftsmen couldn't take on this job. Shopkeeper Wan had helped bridge the connection and invited one—the very elder from the Craftsman Sect who was there when the God-Raising Tower was lifted.

They had originally agreed to go up the mountain together, but he hadn't expected him to fall ill suddenly. Now, he feared the itinerary would be delayed.

But since this was someone helping out, how could he blame them?

Seeing Shopkeeper Wan still blaming himself, Li Yan offered a few words of comfort, then turned to look at Yuan Ba and his master, smiling: "Are you two here for something?"

He had only met these two by chance. Although he had obtained a treasure from Yuan Ba's hands, they had fought once before, so their relationship couldn't be called close.

Now that they had followed him here, there must be another reason.

Sure enough, Yuan Ba's master cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Quan Wanzhong, and I can be considered a branch of the Meishan lineage."

"I came to Mount Huashan this time for a type of spiritual material called white copper. I wish to establish a mountain gate ancestral altar and become a Meishan lower temple."

"Everything else is prepared, except for this item, which is in insufficient quantity. I came to visit presumptuously; in truth, I have an ungracious request, hoping you all can show mercy and let me purchase a bit more."

Yuan Ba, standing to the side, also cupped his hands and laughed: "My master is thin-skinned; he only came because I dragged him here."

"Once this treasure vault opens, the orthodox sects and Dharma lineages will take first. I estimate there won't be much left. If we scramble and fight, the price will definitely go up."

"My master and I can't afford it, which is why we beg you all to show mercy. Otherwise, I fear this ancestral Dharma altar will fall through."

"This matter... I can help with."

Li Yan smiled upon hearing this: "To tell you the truth, I am barely considered a member of the orthodox sects and will be among the first batch to enter and purchase. Whatever amount you need, senior, I will try my best to help you procure it."

Quan Wanzhong was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly said: "That would be even better! I will trouble Li Li Shaoxia then. I need fifty jin. I will go back now to get the money and have it delivered before the vault opens."

Having said this, he hurriedly took his leave.

After the master and disciple left the Wangxian Temple and hadn't walked far, Yuan Ba suddenly spoke up: "What exactly is Li Yan's background?"

"Not only does he live in this Wangxian Temple, where only inner-court elders can stay, but he can also enter in the first batch. Many orthodox sect disciples are still squeezed into large shared dorms."

Quan Wanzhong heard this, slapped his head hard, and scolded: "How many times have I told you? When walking the Jianghu, don't be a busybody."

"Especially regarding other people's privacy, don't inquire about it casually. Li Li Shaoxia has a way; that is a kindness. We'll find a way to repay it later. If you run your mouth again, this friendship might turn into enmity."

"Yes, yes, yes... Master's words are reasonable!"

Yuan Ba agreed with a cheeky face.

"Sigh~" Quan Wanzhong looked at him and shook his head.

To tell the truth, he wasn't good at dealing with people and had hoped that after establishing the ancestral altar, he would have someone who could talk well.

But he hadn't expected this disciple to be full of nonsense, and his skin to be getting thicker by the day.

He only hoped that after experiencing more in the future, he would be able to speak and act more steadily.

Inside the side chamber, after Yuan Ba and his master left, Shopkeeper Wan's expression turned solemn instantly, and he said in a deep voice: "There is another important piece of news I must tell Brother Li."

"That matter with the Fire Bear Gang, I'm afraid it's not over yet!"

"Although Xiong Baodong is dead, standing behind him are several Regional Military Commissioner officials. This Fire Bear Gang is, in reality, the private money bag for the Regional Military Commissioner's office."

"It is precisely because of this backing that the Fire Bear Gang has been able to act so arrogantly and domineeringly in Chang'an for so many years. Now that Xiong Baodong is dead and the Regional Military Commissioner's money bag is gone, they will definitely take it out on you."

"I accidentally heard some rumors that the Fire Bear Gang and the Qiao family have put out a bounty. Behind this, I fear those few officials are fanning the flames."

"Little Brother Li, you must be careful."

Li Yan listened, but his expression was relaxed. He smiled slightly: "No matter. After the trip to Mount Huashan ends, we will leave this place and travel to all parts of the Divine Land."

"No matter how long the Regional Military Commissioner's reach is, they won't be able to find us."

"That is excellent."

Shopkeeper Wan heard this and finally let out a sigh of relief. His eyes were full of envy as he sighed: "When I was young, I also thought about roaming the Jianghu, traveling ten thousand miles, and seeing all the beautiful scenery of this human world."

"It's just a pity, sigh..."

"When I was young, my heart was set on rising to prominence. In middle age, I had a family business and had to take care of a bunch of people. Now, I can no longer walk." "Brother Li, while you are young, go out and travel more."

After a sigh, Shopkeeper Wan took his leave.

He had brought a team of people up the mountain, all of whom were from the Chang'an Craftsman Sect. They had come this time wanting to purchase some spiritual materials, and there were many matters to attend to.

After Shopkeeper Wan left, Master Yufeng, who was meditating in the main hall, was lost in thought. He turned slightly and whispered a few words to Master Yuhan beside him.

Afterward, he got up and headed toward the side chamber.

Arriving at the door, Master Yufeng knocked lightly a few times. After a response came from inside, he pushed the door open and entered, cupping his hands and smiling, his eyes full of enthusiasm: "Lay practitioners, the vault opening is not until tomorrow."

"Since you've come all this way, why not let this poor Daoist accompany you to view the scenery of Mount Huashan?"

"That would be excellent."

Li Yan smiled upon hearing this and nodded without hesitation.

Now, on Mount Huashan, experts from the orthodox Mystic Sects, Dharma lineages, and side-door sects were gathered. They didn't want to cause trouble, which is why they were waiting here quietly for tomorrow's Dharma ritual.

!.

But if Master Yufeng accompanied them, naturally there wouldn't be any trouble.

Hearing that they were going to tour Mount Huashan, Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei both happily agreed; after all, it wasn't easy to come here.

Yan Jiuling was even more excited and hurriedly got up to prepare.

Mount Huashan is a vital pass for the Mystic Sects, guarded by the Pure Yang Palace, and is also a place where the troops of the Guanzhong region gather. Except for large-scale national sacrifices, on ordinary days, pilgrims are at most allowed to reach the North Peak and are not permitted to proceed further.

Especially now that the vault is opening, passage is prohibited starting from the Thousand-Foot Pillar. Following everyone for a tour is the only way to not waste this trip.

Only Lu San, upon hearing that there were many people on the nearby mountains, shook his head and refused directly. Compared to dealing with people, he would rather stay in the room and fiddle with his gourd and falcon.

Li Yan didn't force him and led the others to follow Master Yufeng away.

Not long after leaving the Wangxian Temple and bypassing a few stone slopes, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a vast platform.

Mount Huashan is a single giant rock, and the mountain terrain is bumpy and undulating, so the platform is not flat, with high and low points.

More than twenty young Daoist acolytes were practicing swordplay on it. They were all practicing the Pure Yang Sword. Their figures were flying, sword light was flickering, and they were leaping and jumping between the rocks with great speed.

In the distance were cliffs and a sea of clouds. It looked very dangerous, as if they would fall off the cliff at any moment, but these Daoist acolytes had already mastered the sword moves, and their footwork was extremely proficient; they were not afraid at all.

"Good!"

Li Yan couldn't help but cheer in a low voice.

The Pure Yang Temple is worthy of being a major sect of the Grand Void Gate.

This Pure Yang Palace on Mount Huashan is just one of them.

Before, at the foot of the mountain, those few Daoist acolytes had already amazed him. He hadn't expected there to be so many here. Any one of them, if they went into the Jianghu, would be a pillar-like existence capable of holding their own.

And practicing swordplay in such a dangerous place, their sword moves unconsciously absorbed the spirit of Mount Huashan—elegant and steep, and possessing the stern, killing aura of the West Peak's Geng Metal, which was truly extraordinary.

Master Yufeng smiled and stroked his beard: "They are all disciples who have just entered the sect. I hope Lay Practitioner Li will forgive their clumsiness."

After saying this, he lifted his feet and stepped forward, leading them onto a mountain ridge.

This is a dangerous path leading to other peaks. The terrain is extremely steep, like walking on a thin blade, with deep ravines a thousand feet down and seas of clouds surging on both sides, as if walking on the spine of a dragon.

At this moment, sunlight spilled through the thin clouds, plating the sea of clouds with a golden edge, dreamlike and illusory.

The wild wind howled, blowing everyone's sleeves, possessing both the extraordinary spirit of the immortals and making one's hair stand on end.

Just as Master Yufeng was about to introduce it, Yan Jiuling widened his eyes and said with pleasant surprise: "Could this place be the Azure Dragon Ridge?"

Master Yufeng nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting, his eyes full of appreciation: "Lay practitioner has extraordinary knowledge."

"I wouldn't dare."

Because his mother's illness had taken a turn for the better, Yan Jiuling was in high spirits. He smiled and explained to everyone: "Legend has it that when Han Yu toured here, he was so terrified that he could neither go up nor down, so he wrote a final letter and threw it off the cliff to seek help."

"Hahaha..." Sha Lifei laughed: "This Han Yu is a great literary master of a generation, but his courage isn't much to speak of."

Li Yan glanced at him sideways, the corners of his mouth lifting: "When Uncle Sha says this, can you stop your legs from shaking?"

"If you're afraid, you can go back first."

"What a joke! Would I be afraid?"

Sha Lifei stiffened his neck and pretended to be calm, but his body was very honest. He turned his head and avoided eye contact, not daring to look at the cliff below at all.

He had also climbed Mount Taibai, but for some reason, upon reaching this place, he felt a deep-seated fear from the bottom of his heart.

Surrounded by clouds and mist, bottomless, just by peeking, he had the feeling of wanting to plunge headfirst, which made his heart jump to his throat.

Master Yufeng saw this and didn't speak, a trace of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

After passing the Azure Dragon Ridge, the terrain suddenly became flat. After walking to a mountain peak, Master Yufeng smiled: "This place is Morning Sun Peak, an excellent place for viewing the sunrise."

"In the past, the ancestor Chen Tuan and Emperor Taizu of Song played chess here. He won three games in a row, and Taizu subsequently exempted Mount Huashan from taxes."

"Everyone, the path ahead is somewhat dangerous."

After saying this, he led the group to a cliff, leaped down, followed the ropes on the cliff, climbed to a desperate place, and then turned and flipped in mid-air.

At this moment, the clouds and mist were surging. Master Yufeng was truly like his Daoist name, his posture light and elegant, as if riding the wind in the clouds.

Yan Jiuling saw this, his scalp tingling, and his expression was somewhat uncomfortable: "This must be the 'Kite Flip', right? I really don't have the strength to pass. Forget it, forget it."

Sha Lifei poked his head out to take a look, then turned his head, waving his hands repeatedly, shouting: "Forget it, forget it, let's go back. It's just a mountain tour, don't throw your life away here."

This "Kite Flip" was far more dangerous than in his previous life, and the accumulated snow was slippery, so they could only rely on a few hemp ropes tied to the rocks.

Moreover, the famous mountains and great rivers in this world were all shrouded in innate Gang Qi, causing the sea of clouds to surge. Although it possessed the aura of immortals, it also looked more dangerous.

Li Yan shook his head and smiled: "The Daoist is just joking with you. Let's look around; there should be other paths to detour."

He had been to Mount Huashan in his previous life and had also walked the "Kite Flip". He seemed to remember there were other paths, but he didn't know if they had been opened in this world.

However, Sha Lifei shook his head like a rattle, determined not to go over, and clutched Wang Daoxuan tightly: "Daoist, let's just watch the sunrise here."

Although Wang Daoxuan was moved, seeing that Sha Lifei and Yan Jiuling were not going, he stroked his beard and smiled: "That's fine, this poor Daoist also feels dizzy looking at it."

"Then you all wait here for me."

Li Yan was helpless and had to jump down just like Master Yufeng.

He was agile and flexible, like a clever monkey, and easily passed the "Kite Flip", disappearing into the vast sea of clouds in an instant.

"Why did the Daoist have to tease us?"

After catching up with Master Yufeng, Li Yan asked with a smile.

Master Yufeng was standing on the cliff, the mountain wind blowing his Daoist robe's wide sleeves, and he smiled slightly:

"Lay Practitioner Li, don't blame me. It's just that there are some things I need to say in private..."

(End of chapter)