Chapter 244: The Legend of the Ascended Gods

"We discovered the demons, so we secretly followed behind..."

Inside the boat's mat shed, Wang Daoxuan took a sip of wine, bit off a piece of roast chicken, and continued, "The falcon led the way, and the Daoist and Brother Lu ran for a whole night, finally finding their lair."

"Where is it?"

"Right at the former Chu King City."

"The former site of the Chu King City was once the county seat of Zigui County. Later, a heavy rainstorm caused the mountain foundation to collapse, and the Chu King City turned into a marsh, becoming today's Chu King Lake, and the Zigui county seat was moved to Guizhou City."

"The Daoist deduces that under the original Chu King City, there should be a hollow large tomb, surrounded by an underground lake, and that fish monster was the tomb-guarding beast. But the movement of the earth veins caused it to escape, and after eating all the fish and shrimp underground, it didn't know where it crawled out from to cause trouble."

"The fish monster had a rusted iron spear on its body, ancient in age. It's estimated that it was the work of tomb robbers, and perhaps that disaster was triggered by them recklessly disturbing the large tomb. Now, the people of the Ghost Sect are gathering a large number of men to dig beside Chu King Lake..."

"Around Chu King Lake, there are still several villages, but they have long been infiltrated by the Ghost Sect, and the commoners in the villages have long since torn down the Earth God Temples, openly killing people to sacrifice to ghosts..."

"Those people have all gone mad, wanting to kill children for sacrifice. The Daoist and Brother Lu San couldn't bear it and took action to save people, but didn't expect that there were still Tusi City troops hidden nearby, and we were chased for a whole night..."

The two were clearly starved, Wang Daoxuan could still maintain his composure, but Lu San was wolfing down his food, unable to even speak, including the falcon and the little fox.

Of course, Li Yan also recounted their findings.

"The Nine-Headed Bird Feng Shui layout?"

Wang Daoxuan was clearly shocked, stunned for a long time, before shaking his head. "The Daoist's Western Profound lineage is not skilled in Feng Shui; I learned it when I was traveling in the martial world, apprenticing under an old gentleman in a village in Ganzhou."

"At that time, he was drunk and said that the way of Feng Shui lies in observing shapes and managing Qi. In the eyes of those powerful Feng Shui masters, the Shenzhou is a place where dragons and phoenixes are auspicious, and some ancient Feng Shui terrain can be glimpsed from the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas'..."

"There are dragons in the world; dragons can be large or small, can rise or hide. Large, they swallow clouds and fog; small, they hide their forms. Rising, they fly between the universe; hiding, they lurk within the waves."

"Dragon veins are like this; perhaps some of the divine beasts in the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' were also mysterious terrains of ancient times, only now they have hidden their forms and are hard to see."

"If these mysterious terrains are correct, then the scene of heavenly treasures everywhere in the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' truly existed in ancient times..."

Everyone listening couldn't help but feel a sense of yearning.

Just as everyone was chatting, they had already passed Xiling Gorge with the current, and the water surface ahead suddenly opened up, only to see war vessels lined up on the river, banners fluttering, the killing intent soaring to the sky.

"More reinforcements have arrived!"

Sha Lifei walked out to the deck and laughed loudly. "It seems the imperial court this time is going to completely resolve the turmoil in the Southwest."

Li Yan and the others also walked out to the deck.

They saw in the distance, ships of all sizes arranged in neat formations, the large ones like city towers, and even catapults on top, which of course could also be used to throw fire-caltrops.

Some ships had flat and wide hulls, with soldiers training on top...

Some had narrow hulls, moving fast and patrolling everywhere...

"Tower ships, Mengchong, fighting ships, and scout boats!"

Since Sha Lifei became obsessed with firearms, he had asked people to find all kinds of military books and records, and he was familiar with all kinds of ship types, laughing as he pointed to the most numerous war vessels ahead. "I said so, why did a treasure ship come yesterday? That's a ship for sea combat, likely used for temporary troop deployment."

"Those Jiujiang-style scout boats are more suitable for combat in river waterways, with stable hulls, fast and strong..."

Li Yan also looked out from afar, silent.

His attention was entirely drawn by the cannons on the ships.

Almost every ship had a large number of gun ports.

New-style gunpowder required heavenly treasures, and even casting cannons required spiritual materials; the price was expensive, so it was impossible to equip them in large quantities.

But even with one, its power was extremely astonishing.

No wonder the imperial court could firmly suppress the Mystic Sect.

No matter how strong the spells were, how could they be stronger than ten thousand cannons firing at once? Under the bombardment of a large army, whether it was an Orthodox Sect or a Dharma lineage mountain gate, they would be turned into rubble.

The decision to stay away from the battlefield seemed correct...

Of course, with the scale of this war, the imperial court's treasury, which had just recovered, would likely become empty again, and the pro-sea faction would completely occupy the upper hand.

Just as Li Yan was deep in thought, a fast boat in the distance came riding the wind and breaking the waves. Before it even approached, someone on the boat shouted angrily:

"The waterway is under martial law, stop for inspection!"

These were the fierce troops of the Great Xuan, not comparable to the ordinary garrison troops. The soldiers had an astonishing momentum, and some had already set up strong bows.

The boatman was terrified and hurriedly stopped the boat.

Sha Lifei wasn't afraid, taking a document from his bosom and smiling. "Everyone, don't be nervous. We just came from Zigui, and this is the passage document given by the imperial court."

*Swish! *

Before the words were finished, several soldiers on the opposite boat pulled on the cables and leaped down, landing on the deck.

Their eyes were sharp, two of them holding the hilts of their blades in defense, while the leading squad leader took Sha Lifei's document.

After checking it carefully, the suspicion in his eyes dissipated, and he nodded and cupped his hands. "So it's the martial world knights helping the imperial court. Disrespect."

Although Li Yan and the others couldn't stay, Assistant Prefect Zhou Kai was not stingy with words of praise, helping them obtain a high-level passage document.

The kind where you could ask the army for help if you encountered trouble.

Seeing the official seal of the Regional Military Commissioner's Office, the soldiers were clearly much more polite, saying in a low voice, "Everyone, there are troops patrolling and cruising at all important points on the Yangtze River, and the defense is strict; you must not break in randomly."

Saying this, he took a triangular green dragon flag from his subordinate. "When sailing, hang this flag; it can reduce many misunderstandings."

"Many thanks, Magistrate."

"You're welcome."

After the inspection, the scout boat left rapidly.

Hanging the triangular green dragon flag, sure enough, no more water soldiers came to block them, and they arrived at the Unlike Yichang ferry easily.

This water army was clearly there to intimidate the enemy.

On the Unlike Yichang ferry, merchant ships were still busy coming and going, but there were armored soldiers patrolling, and all the martial world people became much more honest.

Entering the city, the atmosphere had also changed.

The street was still lively, but armored soldiers walked by from time to time, and whether they were natives, Han people, or merchants from Bashu, their voices were much lower.

He remembered that when he came last time, people were still hot-tempered, and they would fight if they disagreed on the street; if pushed too hard, they would even draw blades.

But now, this phenomenon almost didn't exist.

When Li Yan and the others were stopped and checked several times in a row, and saw the people tied to the wooden stakes at the street corner, they immediately understood the cause and effect.

"This Unlike Yichang city cannot be stayed in."

After being stopped again, Sha Lifei was somewhat dissatisfied. "With so many eyes watching, we can't move at all."

"Hmm, finish the task and leave."

Li Yan also nodded in agreement.

Wartime laws were strict, which they could understand, but after all, they were used to freedom, and being checked again and again like this, they couldn't get anything done.

Fortunately, their various documents and Daoist documents were very solid, and after the soldiers finished reading them, they were all sensible enough not to cause trouble...

…………

"Haha, Little Brother Li, it was right to let you go."

Just as they arrived at the City God Temple, the fat old Daoist Yu Lingzi greeted them with a full face of smiles, leading several people into the temple with a fawning expression. "A few of you, you've made a great contribution!"

After personally pouring tea for Li Yan and the others, Yu Lingzi said with lingering fear, "The Ghost Sect reappeared, the ancient Chu land Feng Shui formation—if it had been someone else, they might have been killed by them, and Zigui City would have fallen."

"Several high-ranking masters of the Zhenwu Palace were quite shocked upon hearing the news and asked me to thank you on their behalf, and ordered that the Three Mystic Realms of Wudang Mountain be open to you at any time from now on!"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised. "No need for a token anymore?"

"That's for ordinary casters."

Yu Lingzi waved his hand, his expression solemn. "You few are afraid you don't know how serious this matter is. That Nine-Headed Bird Phoenix Vein, with thousands of years of accumulated resentment, might have already bred some kind of demon."

"It is located on the Great Dragon Vein of the Shenzhou; once it comes into the world, the Shenzhou will be in turmoil, blood will weep for a thousand miles, and resentment will permeate, who knows how many evil spirits will be bred."

"And by then, the Southwest will likely split the land and declare a country. Although the fortune will not last, the fierce killing nature will be quite great, and it will definitely be a thousand miles of red blood, with countless heads falling to the ground."

Li Yan furrowed his brow. "So mysterious, isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

Yu Lingzi shook his head. "It concerns the fortune of the Shenzhou and the transformation of humanity; there can be no half-heartedness."

!.

"In short, that blood-red Jade Cong has been sent to Wudang Mountain by an expert overnight. Even if the Ghost Sect finds other blood-red Jade Congs, they won't be able to open it."

"The war in Yunyang Prefecture is tense, but two experts have still been sent to Zigui County to handle this matter personally."

"That's good."

Li Yan nodded and took a letter from his bosom. "Senior Yu Lingzi, I would like to forward this letter to Luo Mingzi of the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect in the capital."

"Easy to say."

Yu Lingzi nodded and agreed. "The war in the Southwest is urgent, and the imperial court's power is mostly tilted here. The post stations are smooth all the way; using the Ministry of War channel, it can be delivered to the capital in four days."

Li Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your trouble."

What was said in the letter was naturally about Zhao Changsheng.

He and Luo Mingzi were on good terms; if the other party could successfully gain a foothold in the capital through this matter, it would also be good for them in the future.

It counted as a small layout.

The Great Xuan Dynasty was currently at its peak, and its fortune was astonishing; it was likely that for a long time, the power of the imperial court and the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect would be very strong.

Although he had no intention of entering officialdom, after all, it was easier to get things done with people in the court.

Thousand-Household Huang, Hundred-Household Yuan, Luo Mingzi... although these people were not in high positions, they were the backbone.

Helping them out would make it easier to speak up if there was anything in the future.

Of course, he didn't forget this Yu Lingzi, directly opening his mouth to inform him of the intelligence Wang Daoxuan had gathered at Chu King Lake.

"Little Brother Li is thoughtful."

Yu Lingzi was also an old slicker, naturally knowing what was going on, his face full of gratitude, and then his expression became solemn. "By the way, there is one more thing you need to pay attention to."

"When I learned the news of the Ghost Sect's appearance, I stayed up all night flipping through classics and past records, finding some clues."

"During the reign of Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song Dynasty, the leader of the Ghost Sect in the Ezhou area was named Huang Liushi. He set up altars in the Jingnan area, with countless disciples, and under his command were three great experts, named Tongtian Tongtian San Niang, Meng Gongshi, and Huang Sanlang."

"These three were extremely terrifying, rumored to have cultivation of six or seven floors, with divine spells, and were even worshipped by the surrounding commoners in living shrines. Even the County Lieutenant of Jingzhou at the time and Li Xuelun of the County School were his disciples."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "Ascended Gods?"

Yu Lingzi was stunned, saying meaningfully, "It seems Little Brother Li knows quite a bit."

Li Yan finally couldn't help but ask:

"Senior, what exactly is an Ascended God?"

Yu Lingzi was silent for a while, gritting his teeth. "Very well, this is a secret of the Mystic Sect, but Little Brother Li has astonishing aptitude and is a Living Yin Official, so you will come into contact with it sooner or later."

"The Daoist will tell you in advance, so you can have some precautions in the future."

Saying this, he sighed. "The 'Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon' says that there were ancient True Men and medieval Supreme Men, with long lives, even coexisting with heaven and earth."

"Although this was said by Pre-Qin alchemists falsely attributing it to the Yellow Emperor, there are records in the Mystic Sect that during the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, there were many who lived as long as immortals and gods."

"But since Great Yu, heavenly treasures have become increasingly scarce, and such people have become fewer and fewer. After the Investiture of the Gods, there have been no more immortals."

"Ancient events are long ago, and many records have become blurred. Qin and Han alchemists desperately sought immortality, not hesitating to secretly dig through all the ruins of the Investiture of the Gods, creating the 'Immortality Immortal Treasury,' which proved to be nothing but evil demon arts."

"However, in the Mystic Sect, there is no lack of those with extraordinary aptitude. The accumulation of their generation finally found a way to transcend."

"This method is to Ascend to God!"

"The Daoist only knows that many ancestors of Dharma lineages and sages of past generations are called by their names by their descendants, and can even be stored in the spirit, all because they are Ascended Gods."

"The most intuitive manifestation is the Heavenly Court's Record Soldiers and the Underworld's Yin Soldiers. I heard Little Brother Li borrowed Yin Office ghost soldiers to suppress and kill the 'Red Woman,' so you should have the deepest experience."

"You must know, the Great Emperor of Northern Yin Fengdu is called the Dating Clan, belonging to the Fuxi clan; although he does not appear in the human world, he has existed to this day."

Li Yan was shocked. "Senior's meaning is..."

"That is an Ascended God."

Yu Lingzi sighed. "The Daoist has practiced for many years, but my cultivation is average, and I have no chance to step into that stage, only occasionally hearing a scale or a claw."

"In short, the road to Ascending to God is difficult; one careless step and you will go astray. There are countless brilliant talents who have fallen on the road."

"And there are the rules of this heaven and earth—life and death have their destiny. Once the limit is approaching, some unwilling Ascended Gods will resort to crooked ways."

"Little Brother Li is a Living Yin Official, so you should know what the consequences of doing so will be..."

Li Yan remained silent upon hearing this.

This old Daoist was still being somewhat tactful.

He, as a Living Yin Official, was subject to even greater limitations; if he also went to disrupt the life and death of Yin and Yang, he would likely be even more miserable than others.

Fortunately, he was still young, and these things were too far away.

Seeing this, Yu Lingzi didn't say more, pulling the topic back and saying, "During the Southern Song Dynasty, the one who tried this case was Hu He Shi Bi, who destroyed all the temples and magic artifact scriptures built by these people."

"But that Huang Liushi didn't know what method he used, actually escaping the crime, only being caned one hundred times and assigned to a neighboring state, but he was rescued by his disciples on the way and turned to underground activities."

Sha Lifei was surprised. "Caned one hundred times, are you joking?"

Yu Lingzi shook his head and sighed. "At that time, the power of the Ghost Sect was not something you could imagine; even officials and wealthy gentry were involved in large numbers."

"If it weren't for this, why would the Mystic Sect attack in groups and assist Daxiang in destroying Song?"

"The demon in the river that Little Brother Li found in Zigui County has already been identified; it is Luo Xing, a disciple of Tongtian Tongtian San Niang under Huang Liushi."

"Huang Liushi and the others have all been suppressed and killed by the Orthodox Sect, only Tongtian Tongtian San Niang's whereabouts are unknown."

"Her disciple Luo Xing has survived to this day; I'm afraid this old demon hag has also used the Immortality Evil Method, hiding somewhere in Ezhou, waiting to stir up trouble."

"At that time, when dealing with these few Ghost Sect demons, the Orthodox Sect's Record Soldiers were useless; it was only when Master Sa of the Western River Sect used Thunder Magic that they were suppressed and killed."

"Little Brother Li, remember, if you encounter this demon, your Yin soldiers will likely be useless; turn around immediately."

"Run as far as you can!"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 245 =====