Chapter 357: Ancient Covenant

"The same voice..."

Sha Lifei's eyes were filled with worry as he whispered, "Brother Li Yan, the winds from the four directions—could it be that a whirlwind is blowing?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Let's see when we head out."

Their two lines of underworld jargon were not difficult to understand.

Sha Lifei meant he suspected they had been set up without realizing it, while Li Yan was saying they should act according to the situation and not make any rash moves.

It was no wonder they were cautious.

Today's events looked rather strange.

Things were normal on other days, yet the moment they arrived, the True Martial Dragon Cave showed abnormalities. Especially that Five Dragon Child—could it be that an old ghost had possessed him...

With the situation unclear, they could only remain vigilant.

Li Yan gave a look, and Sha Lifei and Lu San understood immediately. They returned to their lodgings without drawing attention, preparing to pack their luggage first.

Li Yan and Wang Fu waited outside.

After all, the host of the Five Long Gong had said he had something to discuss with them after it ended.

Outside the True Martial Great Hall, a row of Daoists stood guard. They were very far from the hall, and since supernatural powers could not be used in this place, they could not hear any movement inside.

Li Yan looked up and couldn't help but feel curious...

…………

Inside the great hall, Master Yulongzi calmly lit three sticks of incense, placed them in the incense burner on the offering table before the statue of the True Martial Great Emperor, and bowed respectfully three times.

Behind him, Gu Linzi and the others had complex expressions in their eyes.

After Master Yulongzi finished the ritual, he turned around and looked at them with a calm gaze. "Everyone, do you have nothing to say?"

Among the five was a Daoist nun with silver pupils—it was the junior sister, Gu Zizi. Her temper was fiery, and she couldn't help but grit her teeth and say, "Master, why did you hide this? Since you were guarding against us, why did you take us as disciples?"

Master Yulongzi's expression was composed as he spoke, "As for this matter, I only just learned of it myself. Patriarch Sanfeng's actions naturally have deep meaning."

"In your past lives, you were the essence of dragon veins. Although you obtained human form, you came through possession; you could speak human language but did not understand human affairs. Though you performed meritorious deeds, you also harbored evil thoughts and nearly walked the path of evil."

"Patriarch Sanfeng left behind a glimmer of survival, not to let you escape, but to let you be reincarnated as humans and understand the principles."

"Gu Linzi, what do you think now?"

Gu Linzi felt a chill in his heart. Remembering what Master Yulongzi had said to him after returning this morning, he couldn't help but say solemnly, "Master, I understand."

"There are rules in this heaven and earth. If we had succeeded back then, that would have been walking onto a dead end..."

At this moment, he completely understood Master Yulongzi's meaning.

Just like how he had looked down on the little demon beside Lu San earlier, in this world, humans are ultimately the leaders of all things. From the very beginning, the Mystic Sect existed to protect the human race and pursue the Dao.

Therefore, some ancient gods have already disappeared.

Therefore, the Tuo Master tried every possible way to integrate into Wudang.

If they had succeeded back then, who knows how many people would have come to eliminate demons and defend the Dao; the "Heavenly Statutes" would likewise not have allowed it.

Reincarnating as humans was indeed Patriarch Sanfeng showing mercy.

The five were not fools, and they quickly understood the logic. They bowed in unison and said, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance."

This "Master" was a declaration of their attitude: no matter who they were in their past lives, they were now disciples of Wudang.

Master Yulongzi's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "You have followed me since you were young. You know many things, and you also know how difficult this path of cultivation is; it does not tolerate opportunism."

"The past lives are not a burden, but experience. Now that you are human, and your natural talents far exceed those of ordinary people, as long as you hold fast to your original heart, why wouldn't you have the chance to ascend to divinity in the future?"

"This is the glimmer of survival Patriarch Sanfeng gave you."

"Now that the transformation of humanity has arrived, all sorts of monsters and demons are emerging, and many forces are stirring. This is also the greatest opportunity in heaven and earth."

"Rest for a few days, and then you may descend the mountain to face the tribulation. How you walk this path depends on your own choices."

Having said this, he couldn't help but add one more sentence, "Remember well, you are no longer people without roots..."

Gu Linzi and the others looked at the tall True Martial statue behind Master Yulongzi, understood immediately, and bowed in unison:

"Disciples will strictly follow Master's orders!"

Having said that, the five turned and walked out of the great hall.

Watching their departing figures, Master Yulongzi's expression softened slightly, and he said loudly toward the outside, "Please invite that benefactor Li in."

"Yes, Master!"

A disciple immediately went to invite Li Yan.

Before long, Li Yan walked into the great hall and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior."

Master Yulongzi nodded slightly. "No need for formalities."

As he spoke, he took three sticks of incense from the offering table.

Li Yan understood immediately upon seeing this. He took the three sticks of incense, lit them, offered them to the True Martial Great Emperor, and bowed respectfully three times.

Only then did Master Yulongzi speak, "Junior Brother Wang has already told me about Benefactor Li's matter. Exchanging the Dragon Pearl is no problem, but as for other things, I cannot make the decision."

"However, that matter involves too much karma. I do not view it favorably, and I advise you all not to get too deeply involved."

Li Yan naturally understood what he was talking about. His heart sank, and he asked, "Does Senior feel that the Tuo Master has a problem?"

This matter had to be guarded against.

After all, Lu San had already signed an alliance with the Tuo Master, and they were tied together. If the Tuo Master had a problem, Lu San would also run into trouble.

Master Yulongzi said calmly, "You cannot be unaware of what that Tuo Master wants to do. Obtaining the position of the Han River Water God is already a massive stroke of fortune. To merge under the command of the True Martial Great Emperor and feast on incense—is that something a lowly water demon could think of?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan's brow furrowed immediately.

This matter was indeed somewhat strange.

The Tuo Master originally did not provoke trouble; it was only because he asked Lu San for help that they became acquainted. Otherwise, he would never have appeared before mortals.

Plotting for the Water God position was the path he had chosen.

After all, once the Tuo Master signed the alliance with Lu San, the stronger he was, the better. With this Water God position, he could also appear openly.

But binding himself to Wudang Mountain was something the Tuo Master had proposed.

You must know, this guy used to be a blockhead, and he was even bullied by that East Lake Patriarch, nearly being beaten to death.

If he had had this brain earlier, he wouldn't have ended up like this.

Behind the scenes, I fear there is someone else giving guidance...

Master Yulongzi shook his head. "This matter has nothing to do with me; I am just giving a reminder. I invited Benefactor Li here for another matter."

Li Yan said solemnly, "Please speak, Senior."

Master Yulongzi glanced at him and said calmly, "Since you are a Living Yin Messenger, I wonder if you cultivate the 'Six Paths Sutra' or the 'Luo Feng Sutra'?"

Li Yan's heart trembled upon hearing this. "What do you mean, Senior?"

This thing was a secret; he hadn't expected the other party to state it so bluntly.

"No need to guard against me."

Master Yulongzi shook his head. "Although this matter is secret, there are those who know of it. It just so happens that I heard my Master speak of it."

"After Buddhism was introduced to the Shenzhou, the structure of the Yin Office also changed. The original Living Yin Messengers cultivated the 'Luo Feng Sutra'. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, demons rose and the Dao declined; those who cultivated the 'Luo Feng Sutra' became fewer and fewer, and most were the 'Six Paths Sutra' which mixed Buddhist and Daoist methods... 'Luo Feng Sutra' is good at fighting and killing, but the world was chaotic at the end of the Tang, and Living Yin Messengers were hunted in large numbers. Those who cultivated the 'Six Paths Sutra' were better at dealing with Yin souls and fierce ghosts, as well as various soul-pacifying rituals..."

"So that's how it is."

Li Yan nodded. "This junior cultivates the 'Luo Feng Sutra'."

Since the other party had already brought it into the open, he couldn't hide it anymore.

Sure enough, although the matter of Living Yin Messengers was secret, some high-level figures in the orthodox Mystic Sects still knew many secrets.

This Master Yulongzi's Master, the Iron Toad Patriarch, was a direct disciple of Patriarch Sanfeng; it was not surprising that he knew these things.

"'Luo Feng Sutra'?"

Hearing Li Yan speak, a trace of a smile appeared on Master Yulongzi's originally cold and stern face. "Since you cultivate the 'Luo Feng Sutra', speaking of it, you have some roots with our Wudang."

Li Yan was stunned. "I ask for your guidance, Senior."

Master Yulongzi nodded and explained, "This matter involves some secrets of the Mystic Sect. It is rumored that the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor is the incarnation of the Central Northern Pole Ziwei Great Emperor. Under the command of the Ziwei Great Emperor are the Four Sages of the Northern Pole: Tianpeng, Tianyou, Yisheng, and the True Martial Great Emperor worshipped by our Wudang."

!.

"Although there is little interaction, we are branches of the same root in the Mystic Sect."

After hearing this, Li Yan was even more confused. "According to what this junior knows, the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor is the ancient Yan Emperor Dating Clan, and his methods cannot be separated from his taboo name. Could it be..."

Master Yulongzi shook his head. "This matter involves the secrets of the gods; it is not something we mortals can know."

"On our Wudang Mountain, there was originally an enlightened master named Yin Changsheng, a man of the Eastern Han, who studied under Ma Mingsheng. Ma Mingsheng attained the Dao in Langya and studied under An Qisheng. And Yin Changsheng had a disciple named Bao Jing, who was the father-in-law of Immortal Ge, and he passed down his methods..."

"It is rumored that this Yin Changsheng was not only proficient in the Fangxian Dao and Daoist methods, but was also a Living Yin Messenger. He traveled the world for three hundred years, was famous in Shu, and finally ascended in Fengdu County."

"Nowadays, practitioners of the 'Luo Feng Sutra' are nearly extinct. If you want to continue walking this path, finding Yin Changsheng's inheritance might allow you to know the mysteries within."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan stood up quickly and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior."

This news was of vital importance to him.

He had occasionally heard the great name of Yin Changsheng, but he hadn't expected the other party to also be a Living Yin Messenger, and one who had lived for three hundred years.

Moreover, the other party had actually ascended at Mount Fengdu, which had deep connections with Fengdu and was also a gathering place for Living Yin Messengers.

He had already accepted Wu Qu's invitation to go to Fengdu in the first lunar month to attend the Living Yin Messenger gathering; it would be just right to look for Yin Changsheng's inheritance along the way.

"No need for formalities."

Master Yulongzi said calmly, "Telling you this also has my own selfish motives. Since you are a Living Yin Messenger, do you know about the covenant from back then?"

Li Yan frowned. "What covenant?"

"Sure enough, you don't know."

Master Yulongzi shook his head and spoke, "At the end of the Tang Dynasty, demons rose and the Dao declined; the world was chaotic, the Mystic Sects killed each other, numerous hidden old monsters ran rampant, and the Living Yin Messengers also suffered heavy losses."

"The Shenzhou was in great chaos, which is why the Daoist sects joined forces to create the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect. Many Earth Immortals took action back then to stabilize the situation, and their contributions were not small. Therefore, when the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect was established, there was a covenant with the Living Yin Messengers."

"Earth Immortals hide in grotto-heavens and blessed lands; as long as they are on mountains managed by the Mystic Sects and do not provoke trouble, and take action to stabilize the situation when the Shenzhou is in turmoil, all parties must provide convenience."

"But if they descend the mountain to cause disaster, the Living Yin Messengers can conduct roundups. Even if they are seniors of our Daoist sects, the Mystic Sects cannot interfere. This is the bottom line."

"To this day, some forces have intentionally or unintentionally diluted this matter. Now that the transformation of humanity is approaching, if this bottom line is broken, a massive catastrophe will be unavoidable."

"These words were entrusted to me by my Master to convey. If Benefactor Li encounters other Living Yin Messengers in the future, you can pass this on, so as not to let some people take advantage of the loopholes..."

Li Yan was silent for a moment. "This junior understands."

Having said this, some doubts were completely resolved.

No wonder he felt the Mystic Sects' attitude was somewhat strange—they gave the necessary respect to Living Yin Messengers, yet kept them at a distance.

So there was this covenant.

Many people he had met, including Luo Mingzi, did not know about this, clearly because someone had intentionally diluted or even hidden it.

As for the reason, Li Yan also had a rough idea.

When the Mystic Sects set this up back then, it wasn't just to stabilize those Earth Immortals; clearly, they also harbored selfish motives, wanting those old ghosts who had escaped the Heavenly Statutes to become the foundation of their own sects.

Now it seems, they have the foundation, but they also have a group of retired emperors, so naturally, they are unwilling to mention this matter...

………

The mountain wind whistled, and the sea of clouds churned.

Li Yan and the others moved forward along the winding mountain path, occasionally turning their heads to look; the Five Long Gong had already disappeared from sight.

With the True Martial Dragon Cave ended, they naturally had to head to the next Mystic Realm.

The next Mystic Realm was named "Purple Heaven Divine Lamp," located in the Purple Heaven Palace, under Zhanqi Peak, northeast of Tianzhu Peak.

The "Purple Heaven Divine Lamp" Mystic Realm could assist in comprehending methods and was very suitable for building a tower. Wang Fu and Lu San would both build towers in that place.

As for Li Yan, he decided to build his tower in "Thunder Fire Refining Hall," as that place was beneficial for comprehending Thunder Methods.

Besides that, behind the Purple Heaven Palace was the Golden Toad Patriarch Wang Daozong, who was also Wang Jingxiu's father.

Just a moment ago, the old Daoist Wang Jingxiu had already sent someone to pass a message that there was a result for that matter, and they were waiting for them at the Purple Heaven Palace.

"Brother Lu San, did you ask in detail?"

Li Yan asked in a low voice while walking.

What Master Yulongzi said was indeed strange; he had to figure out who told the Tuo Master this method.

Lu San shook his head. "I didn't ask at the time, but I have already reached an alliance with the Tuo Master. If it wants to harm me, it will not be able to escape the curse. There must be another reason."

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "One must guard against others. After descending the mountain, we will find the Tuo Master and ask. If this matter isn't cleared up, we will immediately dissolve the alliance; we cannot continue to get mixed up with it."

Lu San hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

He knew that if Li Yan was doing this, the matter was definitely not small.

The group had extraordinary foot speed; after winding around, in less than an hour, they arrived outside the Purple Heaven Palace.

Looking up, they saw the mountain peaks were lush and green, resembling a winnowing basket, with a cluster of palaces wrapped within. It sat northwest facing southeast, with the aura of incense rising and spiritual charm abounding.

"Good feng shui."

Wang Fu's eyes lit up upon seeing this. He sized up the surroundings and said, "It is rumored that the late Emperor bestowed the 'Purple Heaven Blessed Land' plaque; it is indeed true. To the right of this place is the Thunder God Cave, and to the left is the Yu Trace Pool. Surrounded by mountain ranges, it is naturally a precious chair of two dragons playing with a pearl—what a divine land!"

"Hahaha..."

An aged laugh came from afar; it was none other than Wang Jingxiu. "Being able to gestate the 'Purple Heaven Divine Lamp', it is naturally a top-notch spiritual aperture."

"Greetings, Senior."

Upon seeing him, the group bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities."

Wang Jingxiu waved his hand. "Follow me."

As he spoke, he led the group to a nearby viewing platform. He looked around, and his expression became serious. "There is a result for the Tuo Master matter. Exchanging things is fine, but building a temple on Wudang Mountain is absolutely impossible!"

Second update at three o'clock.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 358 =====