Chapter 355: Five Dragon Palace

"Dragon Pearl?"

The old Daoist heard this, first froze in surprise, then quickly shook his head, "You youngling, you dream too big. Never mind, I'll find someone else to help…"

Li Yan hurriedly said, "Senior, don't rush—I'm not asking for it free. We'll exchange equal-value spiritual materials. Helping you find the herb is our fee for arranging this."

"Equal value?"

Wang Wang Jingxiu looked at Li Yan as if he were an idiot, and shook his head, "You want the Dragon Pearl—do you even know what it is?"

Li Yan replied, "It's a bead formed by the True Wu Dragon Cave."

To be honest, he only learned of its existence on Mount Wudang Mountain from Master Tu.

The so-called Dragon Pearl is a bead formed at the convergence point of a cave heaven's dragon vein, naturally generating a "pattern."

If Master Tu possessed this, held it in his mouth during cultivation, and then obtained the position of Han River Water God, he might one day transform into a dragon—this would be the foundation of his Dao.

"Good, you know."

Wang Wang Jingxiu stroked his beard and shook his head, "Mount Wudang Mountain has three profound realms: 'Thunder-Fire Refining Hall,' 'Purple Xu Divine Lamp,' and 'True Wu Dragon Cave,' corresponding to technique, law, and martial arts."

"The 'Dragon Pearl' is the foundation of the 'True Wu Dragon Cave'—it takes five hundred years to form a single bead, its value incalculable. The Five Dragon Palace treats it as a sacred taboo. What do you need it for? And what equal treasure could you possibly offer in exchange?"

"At the request of a friend…"

This couldn't be hidden—Li Yan briefly explained Master Tu's situation, then added, "If Master Tu gains the position of Han River Water God, he will be willing to cultivate goodwill with Mount Wudang and obey your edicts."

"Moreover, in Yunmeng Marsh, he found a stone carving of Xuanwu from the Song Dynasty—a relic used in the state's ancestral worship of the Four Spirits. Though large, it is still a national treasure…"

As he spoke, Li Yan couldn't help but feel a pang of awe.

Though Master Tu was a spirit creature, he had deep lineage—he was a remnant of the ancient Chu Lord Yunzhong's worship, and he possessed many hidden treasures.

The Xuanwu stone carving stood about two zhang tall; though too large to carry like the Xue Mòhé or the Xuantian Talisman he'd found before, it could still be stored within a spiritual orifice to evade heavenly detection.

Such a treasure was no less valuable than the Dragon Pearl.

Add to that the other spiritual materials he'd gathered…

Master Tu was clearly planning his future.

Becoming a Water God, under Mount Wudang's protection, incorporated into the True Wu Palace's veneration system—if he could transform into a dragon, he might even one day serve under True Wu Emperor himself.

The worship of Yunzhong had grown far too ancient; the new state veneration system had already taken shape, and showed no sign of major change.

This was a complete switch of allegiance!

The Dragon Pearl was merely one part—

This was what they truly intended to accomplish!

Indeed, upon hearing of the Xuanwu stone carving and the national treasure, Wang Wang Jingxiu's expression turned grave. "Young friend, you're not being honest. This matter is too grave for me to decide alone—but tomorrow, when we ascend the mountain, I'll deliver your words."

"Whether it succeeds depends entirely on fate."

Li Yan immediately bowed. "Thank you, Senior."

Wang Wang Jingxiu shook his head. "Don't thank me yet—this won't be simple. If it fails…"

Li Yan smiled. "Even if it fails, we'll still help you find the herb. Senior, rest now—we take our leave."

With that, he bowed again and left with Lu San.

But as they reached the door, he suddenly turned back. "Senior, I have a suggestion about that thing on your table."

"Oh?"

Wang Wang Jingxiu chuckled. "This is my own refined water-fire alchemy method—unique in the world. Tell me, what suggestion do you have?"

He didn't believe Li Yan for a moment—alchemy was vast and profound; a mere youth thinking he could instruct him was laughable.

His refusal to scold him was merely due to his good temper.

Li Yan smiled. "Though I know little, I can see you're trying to vaporize with fire, then condense it with ice—similar to brewing wine, but far more complex."

"If you made a vessel from transparent glass, wouldn't the process inside become perfectly visible?"

Wang Wang Jingxiu's mind went suddenly blank. He whirled around to stare at the table, muttering, "Of course… why didn't I think of that…"

When he came back to himself, Li Yan was already gone.

The old Daoist didn't mind—he hurriedly fetched paper and brush, writing as he muttered, "Making glass isn't hard—the difficulty is achieving clarity and transparency, and making it withstand water and fire…"

"No one on Mount Wudang knows how to do this… The Mo Men invited me to Qiankun Academy—they have many extraordinary people. Perhaps they could manage it…"

…………

As dawn barely broke, the group set out.

Besides Li Yan's five-person team, there were over a dozen of Gu Yu Hanzi's fellow disciples, along with the old Daoist Wang Wang Jingxiu.

Mount Wudang Mountain was said to have seventy-two peaks, thirty-six cliffs, and twenty-four ravines—though not towering into the clouds, it had been a sacred site of the Daoist tradition since ancient times.

As early as the Spring and Autumn and late Han periods, the Zhou minister Yin Xi, the alchemist Ma Ma Mingsheng, and Yin Zhao Changsheng had cultivated here; after the Tang and Song dynasties, it flourished further, with countless temples and divine halls.

Since Master Master Sanfeng, its fame spread across the land.

The ascent to the mountain had four main sacred paths: east, west, south, and north.

Villages like Zhangjia Village were effectively outer disciples of Mount Wudang—there were at least twenty such villages encircling the mountain, forming the first line of defense.

After leaving Zhangjia Village, Li Yan's group soon reached the Eastern Sacred Path. Passing beneath a royal-issued mountain gate plaque, they entered Mount Wudang's domain.

Due to the southwestern war, many of True Wu Palace's top experts had joined the imperial army. To guard against attacks from the Ghost Sect and the Heavenly Holy Sect, additional defenses had been posted, and nighttime ascent was forbidden.

These defenses included patrolling disciples as well as military patrols through the forests—all to prevent incidents.

Since Wang Wang Jingxiu accompanied them, Mount Wudang disciples frequently appeared to pay respects as they entered the mountain—each bearing a sword, leaping through the woods like dragons.

This path was far less treacherous than Huashan. Along the sacred path, deep forests cast shadows, morning mist drifted, mountain streams flowed, and the scenery was pleasant.

Occasionally, they spotted macaques, golden leopards, wild deer, and white cranes darting through the thick woods, watching them curiously.

Yet Li Yan had no time to admire the scenery.

Because the old Daoist Wang Wang Jingxiu kept pestering him.

"Last night I thought about your suggestion—it's sound, but glass, when fired, is most beautiful when colorful and jewel-like, yet it's brittle. Do you know how to fix that?"

"The color of glass is hard to stabilize—there must be some impurity inside. If we could remove it, we might produce clear glass…"

"But it probably won't withstand water and fire…"

"I don't know about that…"

Li Yan sighed and gave vague replies.

No wonder Wang Wang Jingxiu was so respected on Mount Wudang Mountain yet refused to join the upper echelons—he was a true eccentric.

Once he encountered a problem, he had to chase it to the end.

Fortunately, realizing he couldn't extract more from Li Yan, Wang Wang Jingxiu finally fell silent—though he still walked as if his soul had drifted into the heavens.

Though the mountain path was steep and winding, everyone was a cultivator—even Wang Wang Daoxuan frequently scaled mountains and had excellent stamina, so their pace was swift.

Soon, they saw another stone archway—three bays, four pillars, five stories—carved with Fu, Lu, Shou, Xi, and the Eight Immortals, inscribed with the four large characters: "Govern the Mystical Peak."

The archway was new and impressively grand.

Gu Yu Hanzi explained, "This archway was granted by the former emperor. Seven or eight li westward lies the Jade Xu Palace—the place where Master Master Sanfeng cultivated." Behind the archway, on a cliff face, lay a wide open space, where incense curled and young Daoist acolytes practiced swordplay.

Before they drew near, many turned to look.

"Focus!"

The middle-aged Daoist seated on the rock immediately scolded.

Li Yan knew these were True Wu Palace's entry-level disciples—most had awakened their spiritual powers, hence they sensed their presence early.

The group continued forward. After another twenty minutes, a majestic palace complex suddenly appeared before them.

The palace followed a central axis layout: red walls, high-tiled roofs, gilded eaves, forming towering walls of solemn grandeur.

Within, ancient trees loomed, their layered eaves and bracket sets barely visible.

Gu Yu Hanzi whispered, "This is the Xuantian Jade Xu Palace—over two thousand halls and temples. Those who come from below usually offer incense here; beyond this point, entry is restricted."

Indeed, as dawn broke, many commoners and gentry arrived in groups, carrying elders and children.

!.

The group entered the main gate, avoiding the crowds of pilgrims, and took a side path instead.

Along the way, they passed over a dozen palaces; the number of gatekeepers increased, and lay pilgrims vanished entirely.

Li Yan remained expressionless, secretly observing.

Most of the Daoists here practiced martial arts, but they weren't true Daoists—they radiated the aura of gangsha, and only about two in ten were genuine cultivators.

Even Wang Wang Jingxiu, and even Gu Yu Hanzi and his disciples, were treated as senior elders by these Daoists, who bowed respectfully.

This was the true nature of the Daoist sects.

Even in a great sect like Mount Wudang, those with the opportunity to cultivate and who had reached the third level of Dao were far fewer than imagined.

Of course, this was merely the Jade Xu Palace below the mountain.

The true experts remained higher up.

Arriving at the rear courtyard's main hall, several old Daoists emerged immediately, bowing in unison to Wang Wang Jingxiu. "Greetings, Master Wang."

Li Yan inwardly marveled.

Wang Wang Jingxiu was one thing—but he hadn't expected Gu Yu Hanzi's seniority to be so high; he was on equal footing with these elders.

Wang Wang Jingxiu had now regained his composure. He flicked his dust whisk and nodded. "I've returned to the mountain on the Abbot's orders due to the southwestern war—many disciples have been injured."

"Immediately gather the sect's healers, prepare herbs and tools, and in a few days, accompany me to Yunyang."

After giving these orders, the group continued ascending.

The mountain path grew increasingly secluded; some ancient stone steps, laid during the Qin and Han dynasties, lay hidden among wild grasses, occasionally startling small beasts.

Wang Wang Jingxiu spoke gravely to Li Yan: "We'll head to the Five Dragon Palace first. Since you've received the Mount Wudang token, you must traverse all three profound realms—you may stay at the Five Dragon Palace for now, then proceed to the Purple Xu Palace and the Golden Hall."

"Remember—say nothing upon arrival. I'll go to the Purple Xu Palace first, inform my master, and then decide."

Li Yan immediately understood. "Senior, rest assured—we understand."

Gu Yu Hanzi also bowed and said, "Brother Li, we are escorting the Blood Jade Cong up the mountain; after we've arranged for you, we'll head to the Golden Hall as well."

"Yunyang is busy with affairs—today we'll deliver our charge and then descend the other side of the mountain and leave. Let's meet again when we reach Yunyang."

Li Yan also bowed and said, "Brother, travel safely."

Although Mount Wudang's Five Dragon Palace isn't at the summit, it lies on the northern slope of Lingying Peak, on the other side of Mount Mount Wudang. The group quickened their pace and didn't arrive until after noon.

Before them, a cluster of palaces was hidden among the woods, red walls and blue tiles reflecting against green mountains and clear waters, incense smoke curling, bells ringing softly.

Even before they drew near, they heard Daoists chanting scriptures and performing repentance rites.

Li Yan had already inquired before arriving.

This Five Dragon Palace boasts over eight hundred halls, temples, and shrines; though inferior to the Jade Xu Palace in grandeur, it is far older, built during the Zhen Captain Guan era of the Tang Dynasty.

Legend says that during a great drought across the land, locusts swarmed everywhere, and the people suffered terribly. Emperor Emperor Taizong ordered officials from every region to pray for rain at sacred mountains and great rivers.

Yao Yi Jian, the governor of Junzhou, was dispatched to Mount Mount Wudang, where on Five Dragon Peak he met five Confucian scholars who called themselves the "Five Qi Dragon Lords," claiming that Mount Wudang was guarded by the Black Tortoise God, and they had come at His command.

Immediately after, torrential rain fell, ending the drought. Emperor Emperor Taizong then ordered the construction of the Five Dragon Shrine, which gradually expanded into the Five Dragon Palace.

The Five Dragon Palace houses a shrine to the True Martial Emperor, beneath which lies a cave—the famed "True Martial Dragon Cave."

As they drew closer, they saw clearly: the Five Dragon Palace was unmistakably ancient. Though its outer red walls had been repainted, the densely packed stone dragon bases beneath still bore weathered, patchy marks.

The Daoists within the Five Dragon Palace clearly possessed far greater cultivation; most were from the Da Xuan Gate. On the uneven brick-and-stone courtyard, some were practicing martial arts techniques.

Upon arriving here, Li Yan and the others grew solemn.

Within the Five Dragon Palace, dragon carvings were everywhere, clearly forming a grand array that blocked spiritual probing.

More importantly, a disciple of Zhang Master Sanfeng himself was stationed here—who knew how high his cultivation truly was?

"Brother Wang, Brother Gu."

As they entered the mountain gate hall, a Daoist hurried forward—tall, pale-skinned, with a long black beard hanging to his chest, radiating an air of distinction.

More striking still were his eyes—they were golden.

"Greetings, Brother Gu Yu Linzi."

Gu Yu Hanzi quickly bowed and introduced Li Yan.

Gu Yu Linzi smiled and said, "I've heard of that matter. I never expected a young man like Brother Li to accomplish such great virtue."

He then turned to Wang Wang Jingxiu. "Brother Wang, you've come…"

Wang Wang Jingxiu stroked his beard. "I've come to have tea with my brother Yu Yu Longzi, and I've brought Brother Li along. Where is your master?"

Gu Yu Linzi bowed quickly. "My master is in seclusion at Yin Xian Rock. Brother Wang, please wait—I'll take you there at once."

He was inwardly startled, but gave no sign, glancing sidelong at Li Yan.

Gu Yu Hanzi's arrival didn't surprise him—he was in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall and frequently dealt with external cultivators, so social obligations were common.

But Wang Wang Jingxiu's status was anything but ordinary.

Just who is this young man…?

"Yin Xian Rock?"

Wang Wang Jingxiu shook his head. "Arrange lodging for Brother Li. I'll go myself."

"Hmm, very well."

Gu Yu Linzi paused, then watched Wang Wang Jingxiu and Gu Yu Hanzi stride away before smiling. "Brother Li, there are guest rooms within the palace—follow me."

"Wait."

Lu San suddenly spoke up. "I'll sleep outside, in the woods."

Li Yan turned and saw the little fox and the two rats trembling in Lu San's arms, their eyes filled with terror…

(End of Chapter)