Chapter 354: Secrets of the Mystic Sect

The Mystic Sect has its own foundation.

This Iron Toad Ancestor was born during the Daxiang years. He was originally the son of a hunter at the foot of Mount Mount Wudang. He had a strange encounter in the mountains, awakened his supernatural powers, and began to practice.

It can be considered as bringing his own skills to apprentice, and he became a disciple of Master Sanfeng Master Sanfeng Zhenren.

The Great Da Xuan Dynasty has been founded for less than a hundred years, and he is now 110 years old. Although his cultivation is deep, his body has long been exhausted of blood and qi.

When mortals think, they need to consume their own vitality, so there is a saying that it hurts the spirit, such as feeling hungry after deep learning.

If one thinks too much, it will damage the body.

Form and spirit, as long as it is a living person, are inseparable.

And the Iron Toad Ancestor's spirit is too powerful. Even with the health-preserving secret techniques on Mount Mount Wudang and various pills refined from spiritual treasures, his body inevitably fell into decay.

You must know that when the Iron Toad Ancestor was young, he was a majestic man who once walked with a sword and killed several monsters born from the turmoil of the Daxiang years.

Now, he can't even perform a tour of the gloomy spirit.

It's not that his cultivation is not enough, but once the gloomy spirit leaves, the physical body will decay immediately, which means that his yang life is completely ended.

Looking at the Iron Toad Ancestor in front of him, Master Yulongzi bowed respectfully: "Master, I am afraid that Uncle-Master Wang still has dissatisfaction in his heart, thinking that you cut off his opportunity."

"No need to pay attention."

An old voice sounded, and the Iron Toad Ancestor's face was neither happy nor sad, "Senior Brother is a child, obsessed with alchemy. Although it is a strength, it is also the biggest weakness, being used by others without knowing it."

"These people on the mountain, although they are seniors, have already embarked on that path and are not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao, so we must always guard against them."

"Last year, Jingmingzi of the Pure Yang Palace on Mount Huashan would rather disintegrate his soldiers than stay to guard, isn't it because he was afraid that those seniors would have evil intentions and bring disaster to the Pure Yang Palace?"

"There are few who can succeed on this path, and there are always people who are unwilling. Do you know why the master suppressed those old dragons back then?"

Master Yulongzi bowed respectfully: "Please give me some pointers, Master."

There is a biggest secret in the Five Dragon Palace.

The "True Martial Dragon Cave" has not existed since ancient times, but was achieved after Master Sanfeng Master Sanfeng Zhenren practiced in it.

The reason is very simple,

The Five Qi Dragon Lords are suppressed inside!

You

No one could have imagined that it had already been suppressed in the Zhenwu Dragon Cave.

Within the Five Dragon Palace, besides the Old Ancestor Iron Toad, only Master Yulongzi, who serves as the abbot, is aware of this secret.

But why this was done, he is also unclear.

Old Ancestor Iron Toad looked around and said in a deep voice, "This Hidden Immortal Rock is the place where the Immortal Yin Gui attained the Dao. When he practiced Daoism here, there were five mountain pythons on Mount Mount Wudang that listened to the scriptures day and night. After they died, they dissolved into the earth's veins, merging with the dragon energy to form dragon fetuses. However, they are, after all, of the nature of monsters."

"During the Tang Dynasty, there was a great drought across the land. The five dragon fetuses emerged, stirring up wind and rain, and were worshipped as the Five Qi Dragon Lords, stepping into the divine path from then on."

"Originally, protecting the region was also the righteous path, but at the end of the Tang Dynasty, the world fell into chaos, demons rose while the Dao declined, and the Five Dragon Palace was destroyed by war for the first time. For decades, there were no incense offerings, and the Five Qi Dragon Lords' divine altars nearly collapsed."

"Fortunately, Old Ancestor Chen Chen Tuan came to live in seclusion here back then. The Five Qi Dragon Lords saw his extraordinary nature, met him in a dream, and taught him the Hibernating Dragon Method, helping Old Ancestor Chen Chen Tuan attain the Dao. Later, he discussed this matter with Emperor Taizu of Song at Mount Huashan, and the Five Dragon Palace was rebuilt."

"Although the incense was continued, the Five Qi Dragon Lords harbored thoughts from then on, attempting to lay out a plan to regain their physical bodies and ascend as gods. Their second target was none other than Perfected Man Master Sanfeng."

"Who would have thought that Perfected Man Master Sanfeng's divine powers were formidable? They labored in vain and were instead suppressed within the Zhenwu Dragon Cave, becoming the Mount Wudang Mystic Realm."

"However, the Five Qi Dragon Lords are, after all, righteous gods, and incense offerings can pacify a region. Perfected Man Master Sanfeng left them a glimmer of life, allowing them to shed their dragon fetuses, be reborn as humans, and walk the path to godhood once more."

"Now, the Five Qi Dragon Lords have already been reborn, waiting for the opportunity to arrive and awaken their past wisdom, but whether they can succeed depends entirely on fate."

Master Yulongzi was filled with shock, "Where are they now?"

Old Ancestor Iron Toad gave a faint glance, "They are right here in my Five Dragon Palace."

"It's Gu Yu Linzi and the others!"

Master Yulongzi understood instantly, his mind shaken.

He recalled that back then, Old Ancestor Iron Toad had personally gone down the mountain and brought back five youths, taking the Daoist names Scale, Claw, Horn, Whisker, and Tooth, and had him take them as disciples.

These five youths were all born with strange pupils and possessed extraordinary talent. Over these years, they had already cultivated to the Third Layer and were famous throughout all of Mount Wudang, collectively known as the Five Dragon Sons.

But strangely, Old Ancestor Iron Toad never let them go down the mountain. Even junior disciples far inferior to the five of them had already made a name for themselves down the mountain, yet the five remained in the Daoist temple to cultivate.

Seeing this, Old Ancestor Iron Toad spoke again, "When Grandmaster Master Sanfeng left back then, he made arrangements, so I helped you take the name Master Yulongzi, which is to have you suppress these five people."

"When the opportunity arrives and they recover their past wisdom, whether they make our Mount Wudang ascend to a higher level or bring about disaster depends entirely on your methods."

"Now that the human path is undergoing change, I estimate the opportunity has also arrived..."

"Wang Wang Jingxiu's situation is the same. When I cut off his opportunity back then, was it not also saving his life?"

As he spoke, he turned his head and said, "Senior, is what I said correct?"

Master Yulongzi felt a chill in his heart and looked behind Old Ancestor Iron Toad.

He saw a mural painted on the stone wall behind him. It was ancient and somewhat mottled, but one could vaguely see it was a landscape painting with dense forests, layered peaks, and towering, undulating mountains.

Hidden within this landscape painting was a Daoist temple.

And at the gate of that Daoist temple, there was strikingly a crack, only the thickness of a little finger, pitch black, with white mist vaguely rising, and one could not see how deep it was.

After waiting for a while, an aged voice came from within the crack, "If not for Zhang Master Sanfeng obstructing me back then, how could you have trapped me? I helped your Mount Wudang Zhenwu lineage establish its sect, but I never expected to end up in such a state..."

Old Ancestor Iron Toad remained unmoved and said faintly, "Senior has already become an Earth Immortal and can be considered to have attained longevity; why bother going out to stir up trouble again?"

"Hmph!"

A cold snort suddenly came from within the gap.

After saying these words, Old Ancestor Iron Toad seemed to have exhausted much of his strength and was even panting slightly. He continued, "Replacing that Zhenwu stone statue is fine too. I cannot hold on for many more years, so I will resolve my sword here, suppress this place forever, and stabilize the fortune of the Five Dragon Palace."

Upon hearing this, the existence within the gap became flustered and exasperated, "Little Daoist, you are harming others without benefiting yourself. Do you really think being an Earth Immortal is so good, here in the dark without a day, with no hope..."

Before the voice had finished, Old Ancestor Iron Toad waved his hand. A wild wind blew up, sweeping the dust on the ground, wrapping it in cinnabar mud to seal the gap shut.

Old Ancestor Iron Toad sighed, "Longevity is a tribulation. Going against the Heavenly Dao—how can there be a reason to eat meat without taking a beating..."

Seeing this, a flash of killing intent crossed Master Yulongzi's eyes, "Master, since he has already broken the precepts, why keep him? As far as I know, the Li Yan that Junior Brother Wang mentioned just now is an Underworld Official."

Old Ancestor Iron Toad shook his head, "It is not that simple."

"Across the Divine Land, there are many hidden old ghosts, and many are seniors of the Mystic Sect. The reason they dare not stir up trouble is because they fear the Heavenly Laws. The Mystic Sect gives them a place to stay, and they help the Mystic Sect continue its incense."

"This was an agreement made back then. If not for this, during the chaos at the end of the Tang Dynasty, with the Great Song Ghost Sect running rampant, how could the Mystic Sect have turned the tide?"

"In the Divine Land for thousands of years, the Qin King's Undying Palace, the Immortal Caves beyond the world, the Demon God Wuzhiqi, the Yunzhong Jun's Divine Palace... who knows how many things are hidden."

"If we were to use thunderous methods, I fear it would drive them to a dead end. Coupled with those who ascend to godhood, if they create chaos, when those in the heavens descend to be reborn in the mortal world, it will be another catastrophe for the Divine Land."

After saying this, he pondered for a moment and then said to Master Yulongzi, "Regarding the end of the Tang Dynasty and the Ghost Sect, the Underworld Officials of the Underworld were decimated, and I fear many traditions have long been forgotten, and those with ulterior motives intentionally do not mention them. Since there is an Underworld Official on the mountain, you can clarify this matter and tell him about the agreement made back then."

"The Mystic Sect shelters Earth Immortals, but it is also their cage; it is merely mutual utilization. As long as anyone goes down the mountain to cause trouble, they are the common enemy of the Underworld Officials and the Mystic Sect!"

"After I resolve my sword, I will seal this Hidden Immortal Rock. At that time, I will leave behind a Five Dragon Flying Sword. If the Five Qi Dragon Lords walk the path of evil, you will personally clean up the sect."

"Yes, Master."

Master Yulongzi prostrated himself, his eyes red...

…………

At the summit of Mount Mount Wudang, Taihe Palace.

This palace complex was built after the founding of the Great Da Xuan Dynasty, funded by the imperial court, and built into a massive palace complex located at the peak of Mount Mount Wudang, totaling over five hundred large and small buildings.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Wang."

"Greetings, Uncle-Master Wang."

!.

At this time, the sky was already dark, the bright moon shone, the mountain wind whistled, and the sea of clouds surged below. Wherever Wang Wang Jingxiu passed, many Daoists offered greetings one after another.

This is the residence of the Mount Wudang Mountain Abbot, and also the hub of the Zhenwu Palace, governing all the large and small palaces and temples on Mount Mount Wudang.

The hub of Taihe Palace is naturally the Golden Hall, which enshrines the copper-cast, gilded statues of Zhenwu and his subordinates, the Thunder God, Wang Lingguan, and others, so it is also called the "Pilgrimage Hall."

This hall is not open on ordinary days. Even for the Daoists of Zhenwu Palace, when worshipping the Great Emperor Zhenwu, they can only burn incense and kowtow from afar.

Only in two situations will this hall be opened.

One is the third day of the third lunar month every year, the birthday of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, when grand ceremonies are held throughout Mount Mount Wudang, and it will be opened for worship.

The second is when a great rainstorm arrives, and thunder breaks through the sky, like sharp swords falling onto the Golden Hall, with thunder and fire rolling. The golden summit of Mount Mount Wudang shines with ten thousand rays of golden light, and the red light can be seen rushing into the sky from the peak of Mount Wudang Mountain from tens of miles away.

This is the "Thunder Fire Refining the Hall."

Whenever this happens, people are allowed to enter to comprehend the Thunder Method, and it is also the most dangerous of the Three Mystic Realms.

The reason Wang Wang Jingxiu came up so late is that he went to Zixiao Palace on the way and met his father, "Old Ancestor Golden Toad," Wang Wang Daozong.

"Where is the Abbot?"

"Reporting to Uncle-Master Wang, he is in the Imperial Scripture Hall."

After inquiring, Wang Wang Jingxiu walked toward a large hall.

This large hall had red walls and high tiles, and the brackets and bricks were all carved with rare birds, strange beasts, and Daoist immortal stories. A giant plaque hanging high in the center in front of the hall read "Born in Heaven, Standing on Earth," and below it were written the three characters "Imperial Scripture Hall."

The main gate was wide open, and the candlelight inside was like stars filling the sky. The enshrined divine statues, sacrificial vessels, and ritual implements were dazzling, including not only dense soul jars but also golden plaques.

This is the place where the Daoists of Zhenwu Palace chant scriptures morning and evening and hold religious services, and it also enshrines the Mount Wudang troops and the Mystic Sect's talisman soldiers.

The large hall was deep, and the caisson ceiling above was pitch black, with only seven old Daoists sitting cross-legged in front of the massive altar table below.

These are the Seven Elders of Mount Wudang, the managers of Zhenwu Palace.

Wang Wang Jingxiu's father, Old Ancestor Golden Toad, and Old Ancestor Iron Toad of the Five Dragon Palace were both of the previous generation of Seven Elders, and now it is the second generation.

The leading old man had a tall and thin figure, a wide Daoist robe, narrow and long eyes, wore a sky-piercing crown, and had a white beard hanging to his chest.

In appearance, he was younger than Wang Wang Jingxiu, and more importantly, his white hair and beard had actually begun to turn black again.

This is a sign that Mount Wudang's body-cultivation method has reached a very profound realm; not only does the hair turn black, but even the teeth will grow back.

Of course, when age reaches its limit, the physical body will still decay.

This is the Mount Wudang Abbot, Yu Yu Chanzi.

Although Perfected Man Master Sanfeng did not manage the Zhenwu Palace lineage, everyone recognized him as the first Abbot, and Qiu Qiu Xuanqing as the second Abbot.

And this Yu Yu Chanzi was a disciple of the then-Vice Sect Leader, Sun Sun Biyun.

At that time, in terms of prestige and reputation, Sun Sun Biyun was not inferior to Qiu Qiu Xuanqing in the slightest, and he presided over the construction of the Mount Wudang Daoist temples and the deployment of formations, which could be said to be a contribution of great merit, and he was the first disciple of Perfected Man Master Sanfeng.

After Mount Wudang was completely built, Sun Sun Biyun said to his disciples: The sect is now prosperous, and I shall depart.

The next day, he changed his clothes, bathed, burned incense, bowed in thanks to the empty sky, and passed away while sitting upright.

It can be said that Yu Yu Chanzi being able to become the Abbot is half due to his master.

Of course, Yu Yu Chanzi is equally formidable.

Whether it is orthodox ritual ceremonies or the Thunder Method and flying swords, he has already mastered them, with a cultivation of the Seventh Layer, suppressing the fortune of Mount Mount Wudang.

The imperial court conferred upon him the title of National Master and summoned him repeatedly, but he declined each time, always sitting in command at Mount Mount Wudang.

"Paying respects to the Abbot."

Wang Wang Jingxiu bowed respectfully.

Seeing this, Yu Yu Chanzi smiled and said, "Junior Brother, coming up the mountain late at night, what is the matter?"

Wang Wang Jingxiu is the son of Old Ancestor Golden Toad. Although he is obsessed with medicine and his cultivation talent is average, with a cultivation of only the Third Layer, Yu Yu Chanzi loves this junior brother very much.

Not only because they are of the same sect, but also because he followed behind him since childhood, and after growing up, he treated illnesses and saved people, promoting Mount Wudang's reputation.

One might ask, who wouldn't like such a junior brother?

"There is indeed a matter..."

Wang Wang Jingxiu recounted the matter and then shook his head, "The Five Dragon Palace has already agreed to the exchange, but whether to accept that Tuolong, I must ask the Abbot to decide."

After listening, Yu Yu Chanzi laughed dumbly, "Junior Brother, you are honest, but you were almost deceived."

"I know that Tuoshi; his background is somewhat extraordinary, and the Zhenwu divine statue is far superior to the Dragon Pearl, but to enter Mount Mount Wudang, it is not enough."

"Look at this Mount Mount Wudang, from the Great Emperor Zhenwu to Perfected Man Master Sanfeng, and even the Five Qi Dragon Lords—which one of them did not go through tribulations before obtaining the opportunity?"

"Even you and I, if we did not have great merit, would not be worthy of being worshipped by junior disciples. That Tuoshi wants to enter the mountain, but he is still far from qualified."

"In the Battle of the Southwest, if it performs well, it will be enough for it to become a local Water God. Tell it: to be the God of the Han River and benefit humanity for hundreds of years, it will naturally be like General Yang Si, entering the imperial court's sacrifices..."

"Yes, Abbot."

Wang Wang Jingxiu was not surprised; his father, Old Ancestor Golden Toad, had already said that this matter basically had no hope.

He was just entrusted by someone and did not want to fool them.

After he left, Yu Yu Chanzi narrowed his eyes, looked toward the southeast, and muttered, "Junior Brothers, this human path change—could it be that Yunzhong Jun is also unwilling to be lonely..."

(End of chapter)