Chapter 357: An Ancient Agreement

"The same sound..."

Sha Sha Li Fei's eyes were filled with worry as he asked in a low voice, "Brother Li Yan, with the wind blowing from all four directions, could it be a whirlwind?"

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

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

Sha Sha Li Fei meant he suspected they had been set up without realizing it, while Li Yan was saying to act according to the situation and not act rashly.

It was no wonder they were cautious;

today's events looked rather strange.

Everything was normal on other days, but just as they arrived, the True Martial Dragon Cave showed abnormalities. Especially those Five Dragon Sons—could it be that they were possessed by old ghosts...

With the situation unclear, they could only remain vigilant.

Li Yan gave a look, and Sha Sha Li Fei and Lu San understood immediately. They returned to their lodgings without a change in expression, preparing to pack their luggage first.

Meanwhile, Li Yan and Wang Wang Daoxuan waited outside.

After all, the host of the Five Dragon Palace 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 it was impossible to use divine abilities here, 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 altar table before the statue of the True Martial Great Emperor, and bowed respectfully three times.

Behind him, Gulinzi and the others had complex expressions.

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—the youngest junior sister, Gu Yazi. Her temper was fiery, and she couldn't help but grit her teeth and say, "Master, why did you hide this from us? If you were guarding against us, why did you take us as disciples?"

Master Yulongzi's expression was composed as he said, "I only just learned of this matter myself. Ancestor Master Sanfeng naturally had his deep reasons for this action."

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

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

"Gulinzi, what do you think now?"

Gulinzi's heart skipped a beat. Recalling what Master Yulongzi had said to him after returning this morning, he straightened his expression and said, "Master, I understand."

"There are rules in this world. If we had succeeded back then, that would have been the true dead end..."

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

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

That is why some ancient gods have already disappeared.

That is why the Tuo Master tried every possible way to integrate into Mount 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 not have allowed it either.

Being reincarnated as humans was indeed Ancestor Master Sanfeng showing mercy.

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

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

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

"The past is not a burden, but experience. You are now human, and your natural aptitude far exceeds that 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 Ancestor Master Sanfeng gave you."

"Now that the transformation of the human path has arrived, monsters and demons are emerging, and many forces are stirring—this is also the greatest opportunity in the world."

"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, "Remember, you are no longer rootless people..."

Gulinzi 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!"

With that, the five turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

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

"Yes, Master!"

A disciple went to invite Li Yan immediately.

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 altar table.

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

Only then did Master Yulongzi speak: "Benefactor Li, Junior Brother Wang has already told me about your matter. Exchanging the Dragon Pearl is not a problem, but I cannot make the decision regarding other matters."

"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, sharing the same fate. If the Tuo Master had a problem, Lu San would also run into trouble.

Master Yulongzi said calmly, "You must know what the Tuo Master wants. 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 mere little water demon could think of?"

Li Yan's brow furrowed immediately upon hearing this.

This matter was indeed strange.

The Tuo Master originally didn't provoke trouble; it only got to know them because it asked Lu San for help. Otherwise, it would never have appeared before mortals.

Scheming for the Water God position was a path it had thought of.

After all, the stronger the Tuo Master became after signing the alliance with Lu San, the better. With this Water God position, it could also appear openly.

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

One must know, this guy used to be a blockhead, and it had been bullied by that East Lake Ancestor, nearly being wounded to death.

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

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 merely offering a reminder. I invited Benefactor Li here for another matter."

Li Yan straightened his expression. "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 was a secret; he hadn't expected the other party to state it so bluntly.

"No need to be on guard."

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 Divine Land, the structure of the Yin Administration changed accordingly. Originally, 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' mixed with Buddhist and Daoist methods... The '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 cultivate the 'Six Paths Sutra' are better at dealing with Yin souls and fierce ghosts, as well as various requiem rituals..."

"So that's how it is."

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

Since the other party had already made it clear, he couldn't hide it any longer.

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

That Master Yulongzi's master, Ancestor Tie Chan, was a direct disciple of True Man Master Sanfeng; it was not strange that he knew these things.

"The 'Luo Feng Sutra'?"

Hearing Li Yan speak, a smile appeared on Master Yulongzi's originally cold and stern face. "Since you cultivate the 'Luo Feng Sutra', it can be said that you have some roots with our Mount 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 Emperor of Fengdu is an incarnation of the Central North Pole Ziwei Great Emperor. Under the command of the Ziwei Great Emperor are the Four Saints of the North Pole: Tianpeng, Tianyou, Yisheng, and the True Martial Great Emperor worshipped by our Mount Wudang."

!.

"Although there is little interaction, we are of the same branch of the Mystic Sect."

After listening, Li Yan was even more confused. "According to what this junior knows, the Northern Yin Emperor of Fengdu 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 gods, which is not something we mortals can know."

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

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

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

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

This information was of vital importance to him.

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

Moreover, the other party had ascended on Mount Fengdou, which had deep connections with Fengdu and was 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; he could just look for Yin Zhao Changsheng's inheritance on the way.

"No need for formalities."

Master Yulongzi said calmly, "Telling you this also stems from my own selfishness. Since you are a Living Yin Messenger, do you know of the agreement from back then?"

Li Yan frowned. "What agreement?"

"Sure enough, you don't know."

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

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

"Earth Immortals hide in blessed caves. As long as they are on mountains governed by the Mystic Sects, do not provoke trouble, and take action to stabilize the situation when the Divine Land is in turmoil, all parties must provide convenience."

"But if they descend the mountain to cause disaster, the Living Yin Messengers can surround and capture them. Even if they are seniors of our Daoist sect, 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 the human path is imminent, if this bottom line is broken, a massive catastrophe will be unavoidable."

"My Master asked me to convey these words. If Benefactor Li encounters other Living Yin Messengers in the future, you can pass this on to avoid letting some people take advantage of the loopholes..."

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

With this said, some doubts were completely resolved.

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

So there was this agreement.

Many people he encountered, including Luo Luo Mingzi, did not know about this, clearly showing that 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; they clearly harbored selfishness, wanting to let those old ghosts who escaped the Heavenly Statutes 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 howled, and the sea of clouds churned.

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

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

The next Mystic Realm was called the "Purple Heaven Divine Lamp," located in the Purple Heaven Palace, beneath the Exhibition Flag Peak, northeast of the Heavenly Pillar Peak.

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

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

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

Just a moment ago, the old Daoist Wang Wang Jingxiu had already sent someone to bring news 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 a bit strange; they 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 won't be able to escape the curse. There should 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 we don't clarify this matter, we will immediately dissolve the alliance; we cannot get mixed up with it anymore."

Lu San hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

He knew that for Li Yan to do this, the matter must be significant.

The group had extraordinary physical strength, and after wandering around, they arrived outside the Purple Heaven Palace in less than an hour.

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

"Good Feng Shui."

Wang Wang Daoxuan's eyes lit up when he saw it. He sized up the surroundings and said, "It is rumored that the former emperor bestowed a 'Purple Heaven Blessed Land' plaque, and it is indeed true. To the right 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 land of immortals!"

"Hahaha..."

An old laugh came from afar; it was Wang Wang Jingxiu. "Being able to nurture the 'Purple Heaven Divine Lamp,' it is naturally a top-tier spiritual aperture."

"Greetings, Senior."

The group bowed when they saw him.

"No need for formalities."

Wang Wang Jingxiu waved his hand. "Follow me."

As he spoke, he led them to a nearby viewing platform, looked around, and his expression became serious: "There is a result regarding the Tuo Master's matter. Exchanging items is fine, but building a temple on Mount Wudang Mountain is absolutely impossible!"

Second update at three o'clock.

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