Chapter 434: The Ghost City

"Yin Changsheng?"

The old man turned slowly, his face cold, that pure black ghost eye looking exceptionally terrifying, "Are you teasing me? Everyone in Fengdou County knows 'Yin Changsheng'!"

"Oh?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised and bowed, "The junior has come from afar and really doesn't know. I ask the senior to guide me."

The old man frowned, "It's very simple."

Saying this, he pointed to the high mountain north of the river, "This famous mountain is ranked as one of the blessed lands of the Daoist sect, precisely because of 'Yin Changsheng'."

"This mountain was originally called 'Pingdu Mountain'. During the Han Dynasty, the alchemists Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping cultivated on the mountain, and it is rumored that they ascended to immortality. Later, the common people praised them, and Yin and Wang were read together, mistakenly passed down as 'Yin Wang'."

"In addition, this mountain is indeed strange. Cultivators find it difficult to keep their spirits, and illusions arise at midnight. Over time, the name of the Ghost City spread."

"During the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Shi wrote the poem 'Pingdu is the most ancient famous mountain under heaven', and since then it has been called 'Famous Mountain'."

"It can be said that the origin of the Fengdou Ghost City is 'Yin Changsheng' and 'Wang Fangping'."

"So that's how it is..."

Hearing this, Li Yan was lost in thought.

He didn't expect Yin Changsheng to be so famous in this place.

And there was an extra Wang Fangping.

This Wang Fangping was also a character in the "Biographies of Immortals".

Ordinary people know little about him, but he is famous in the Mystic Sect and has several anecdotes widely praised.

One is that Emperor Huan of Han summoned him many times, but Wang Fangping ignored him. Emperor Huan sent people to pull his carriage and force him to enter the capital. After entering the capital, Wang Fangping wrote four hundred prophecies on the palace gate. Emperor Huan asked people to scrape off the handwriting, but the ink had already seeped into the board, and the more they scraped, the clearer it became.

The second is that when he traveled, there were servants with sealed mouths clearing the way, five dragons pulling the carriage, and flags and insignia following. Wherever he passed, mountain gods and water gods all came to pay homage, suspected to be some kind of escape technique, very majestic.

And there was the story of him and "Magu".

"Magu" was even more famous. Many places, including Mount Qingcheng, had Magu Caves, and Li Bai also wrote in "Short Song Line", "Magu hangs her two temples, half already turned to frost."

And Yin Changsheng was even more so.

He passed his teachings to Bao Jing, and Bao Jing was the father-in-law of Ge Xianweng, and the Daoist sect in the land of Shu was deeply influenced by Yin Changsheng.

But what Li Yan wanted to ask was not this.

Looking at the old man's appearance, he probably didn't know that Yin Changsheng had another identity—he was a living Yin official.

And he was a living Yin official who had successfully ascended to divinity.

Thinking of this, Li Yan probed again, "Senior, what I want to know is, are there any relics left by Yin Changsheng in this place, or places of cultivation, etc.?"

"There are too many of those."

The old man sneered, "On this famous mountain, there are not ten, but eight caves of Yin Changsheng. Anyway, if you find a cave, you say it's related to Yin Changsheng."

"I advise you not to waste your effort. For thousands of years, the famous mountain has long been turned over. It's better to think about how to pass the test tonight."

Saying this, he was somewhat puzzled, "Speaking of which, you kid were very arrogant just now, why are you so humble now?"

Li Yan was silent for a moment, looked at the boy in the boat cabin, and a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, "Using ghost energy to continue life, it won't last long..."

This was the reason he changed his attitude.

After getting close, he discovered that the boy was already terminally ill. He should have had his soul scattered long ago, but he used the Yin ghost energy to gather his soul.

Therefore, he didn't leave the boat cabin, wrapped in a cotton quilt, because he felt like he had fallen into the Netherworld at all times, and his whole body was cold to the bone.

The other party couldn't cultivate at all and could only use the official warrant to suppress the Yin ghost energy to continue his life, equivalent to a living dead person.

The righteous sect of the Mystic Sect could take action without even looking for a reason.

No wonder the old man's attitude was so bad.

This boy was the weakest kind of living Yin official, and that agreement was the guarantee that the grandfather and grandson would be safe and sound.

"Don't you meddle in other people's business!"

Hearing this, the old man was immediately furious, panting heavily, his voice trembling.

Li Yan was silent and didn't speak again.

This old man probably also practiced ghost arts, often inviting fierce ghosts to possess him to fight with others.

It was more likely that he was helping his grandson complete the mission.

After all, no expert was willing to protect this burden...

Is it pitiful?

Of course it's pitiful!

But there is no way at all...

After being silent for a long time, the old man looked at the river surface, and when the boat was about to dock, he suddenly said, "I come from the Yinshan Sect. I was once just like you, acting recklessly because of my magic techniques, and in the end, I suffered retribution."

"My son practiced ghost arts, greedy for success, so that the child born was born with a weak soul and entangled with ghost energy."

"The organization of living Yin officials is called 'Huangquan'!"

"I have no malice toward you, I just don't want this Fengdou to be turbulent, and I want to accompany my grandson on this Huangquan road for a few more years..."

"Go. When you arrive at the Reception Hall, someone will naturally take you up the mountain."

Li Yan nodded silently. After the boat docked, he leaped ashore, turned, and bowed, "Senior, rest assured. No matter what happens tonight, I will leave as soon as possible."

After speaking, he turned and went up the mountain in the thick rain and fog...

…………

Outside Fengdou City, by the river wharf.

It was already late at night, and the wharf was pitch black. Even if there were oil lamps lit in a few boats, in this dark and gloomy rainy night, they couldn't shine very far.

Clatter!

The river water surged, hitting the wharf.

Plop!

On the bluestone steps, a pair of footprints suddenly appeared.

Then, the footprints appeared again, already outside Fengdou City.

Outside Fengdou City, there was a bronze sculpture, ancient, with a very strange appearance—a huge ghost head.

Just as the footprints approached, faint white smoke suddenly emerged from the ghost head's mouth, and there seemed to be the sound of chains.

The footprints retreated rapidly, wandering back and forth by the river.

One of the small boats at the wharf was pitch black outside, but the boat cabin was lit with an oil lamp, dim as a bean, and two people were sitting at the table cross-legged.

"Did you find out?"

"It's at the Wangxiang Inn. Just as Master Lu said, leaking this news, they were indeed blocked."

"What about the Green Ox Temple?"

"People have already been notified. We found the West-Walking Beggar Gang in the city. They only take money and don't know anything, so they won't leak our identity."

"I still don't understand why Master Lu wants to go to such trouble. We spent so much money, and it's not like we don't have experts."

"You little brat, you don't understand. This is called killing two—no, killing three birds with one stone!"

Before the words were finished, the wet footprints appeared out of thin air outside the boat cabin, cold air spread, and the boat cabin planks quickly became rotten...

…………

The wind and rain swayed, and the outside of the mountain gate was dim and gloomy.

The archway stood tall, with the four characters "Famous Mountain Under Heaven" written on it. It was more ancient than later generations, and the stone materials used to build the archway all appeared somewhat mottled.

Just after approaching the archway, Li Yan found something wrong.

His body became inexplicably cold, not only was the official warrant in his bosom cold, but the Gang energy on this mountain was also somewhat special.

"Stop."

Behind the tall archway, a person suddenly flashed out, wearing a Nuo mask and a black robe, unable to see what he looked like.

Judging from the figure, he was a middle-aged man.

He spoke with quite a bit of majesty, "Since you have stepped into this place, don't regret it. The 'Huangquan Gathering' is not yet time. At this moment, only we are left to guard Fengdou." "Originally, with Wu Qu's recommendation, coupled with your status, you could have joined the meeting directly, but you have committed a taboo after all, so you can only walk the Huangquan road once."

"But rest assured, if you can pass the famous mountain, the matter of violating the agreement will not be pursued. Although only we are left to guard Fengdou, we will also testify for you."

"If the Wushan loose cultivators find trouble again, we will take action directly. It's nothing, after all, the righteous sect of the Mystic Sect has long been displeased with them..."

I'm afraid this is the reason.

Li Yan slandered in his heart.

Persimmons must be picked by the soft ones.

There are many Wushan loose cultivators, and even the righteous sect of the Mystic Sect has suffered losses, but the biggest nemesis is the living Yin official.

Not to mention anything else, if you get ten living Yin officials to perform the Gang order at the same time to summon Yin soldiers, the entire Wushan could be swept away, but it's just that they are afraid of too much commotion.

It seems that the "Huangquan" organization of living Yin officials has been silent for too long, and some people want to use his matter to establish some prestige.

In the blink of an eye, Li Yan had already figured out the reason.

Of course, he wouldn't say it clearly, and his expression remained calm.

!.

Seeing his appearance, the man in black seemed somewhat surprised, and then said, "Don't think this matter is simple. If it could be easily resisted, why would it be a test?"

"Especially living Yin officials, there are very few who can pass."

"Remember, after entering the mountain, go to the Reception Hall first, but before entering the Reception Hall, go to the Dongyue Temple first... By the way, what magic technique do you practice?"

"The 'Luo Feng Scripture'."

"The 'Luo Feng Scripture'?!"

The man in black asked casually, but Li Yan's answer shocked him, "Why do you practice the 'Luo Feng Scripture'? Who led you to the door? It's really nonsense!"

Li Yan frowned, "I have no guidance. Is there a problem with practicing the 'Luo Feng Scripture'?"

"That's naturally a problem!"

The man in black said in a deep voice, "The 'Luo Feng Scripture' is an ancient method, but the mortal world changes, and ancient methods are not necessarily better than modern methods."

"What we practice is the 'Six Paths Scripture', divided into three good paths and three evil paths—Heavenly Path, Human Path, Asura Path, Animal Path, Hell Path, and Hungry Ghost Path. Each person specializes in one, and it is more powerful against corresponding enemies."

"More importantly, the 'Luo Feng Scripture' is difficult to cultivate. Even in ancient times, few people succeeded, let alone now."

"Don't look at the Six Paths theory coming from Buddhism, but the Yin official organization has completed it because of this. We living Yin officials are also practicing both Buddhism and Daoism. Even if someone passes it on, for a living Yin official to practice the 'Luo Feng Scripture' is the worst choice!"

There is such a thing?

Li Yan was surprised.

He didn't expect that he, like Lu San, had practiced a technique that didn't fit the era.

But thinking of everything he had gained along the way, he still shook his head, "Ancient methods or modern methods, they are all methods. As long as they are easy to use, it's fine."

"Forget it."

The man in black seemed to be too lazy to argue and said, "Since you practice the 'Luo Feng Scripture', go to the 'Fengdou Hall' on the west side of the Reception Hall to worship, and then enter the Reception Hall."

"There are only ordinary people on the mountain. They have already been notified. The mountain gate will be wide open tonight, and no one will come out to disturb you."

"Remember, after entering the Ghost Gate Pass, don't look back no matter who calls you. After passing the Yuanjue Hall, it is the Huangquan Road. Just walk the right path, no matter what you see, don't deviate from the road."

"This is the experience of predecessors. The rest depends on yourself. If you fail, just lie in place and don't run around. If you can last until dawn, you can pass safely."

After speaking, he waved his hand, "Go. I'll wait for you under the Wangxiang Terrace on the back mountain. If you can arrive before tonight, it counts as you passing."

Li Yan bowed slightly, passed through the mountain gate, walked along the stone steps, and disappeared into the clouds and fog.

And the man in black shook his head and went around to the back mountain.

…………

In his previous life, Li Yan had also been to Fengdou Ghost City.

But the famous mountain at that time had experienced the flames of war and various destruction, and many were rebuilt later.

And this famous mountain in front of him had not been interrupted.

Stepping over hundreds of bluestone steps, a wide flat ground suddenly appeared above, with the Reception Hall in the center, and the Dongyue Hall and Fengdou Hall on both sides.

One worshipped the Great Emperor of Dongyue.

One worshipped the Great Emperor of Beiyin Fengdou.

They seem to be great gods in charge of the Netherworld, but their duties are different.

The Great Emperor of Dongyue is the head of the Five Mountains. There are many rumors about his origin, including the incarnation of Pangu, the Jinhong Clan, and Taihao.

According to the Mystic Sect, he is in charge of life and death, the good and evil fortune of the human world, and is also a bridge for communication between heaven, earth, man, and gods.

It is normal for living Yin officials to worship and pay homage.

But Li Yan just took a look and walked straight to the Fengdou Hall.

Because it was in advance, the doors of all the halls were wide open, with dim candlelight flickering in the wind and rain.

And Li Yan also quickly felt the anomaly.

The official warrant in his bosom became colder and colder, and he could also feel that the Yang energy on his body was constantly suppressed, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

I don't know when, thick fog rose around, dim and dark, and things were unclear. The three great halls stood in the thick fog, appearing even more eerie.

It was as if he had entered the Netherworld without knowing it.

This feeling was very much like the communication technique...

Li Yan looked around, lost in thought, and continued to walk.

He remembered the scene of performing the communication technique clearly.

Although now, his spirit was still in his physical body, he would probably see some things that were difficult for ordinary people to see...

Arriving at the Fengdou Hall, Li Yan looked up.

The Fengdou Great Emperor god statue here was exactly the same as the one he saw in that small sect back then—wearing a king's crown, solemn and majestic, with twelve tassels behind his back, his hands crossed in a seal, holding a precious talisman.

Li Yan worshipped respectfully, but there was no fear in his heart.

He already knew that gods like the Great Emperor of Fengdou, the Great Emperor of Zhenwu, the Buddha, and the Queen Mother had ascended to divinity very early.

These god statues in the human world, no matter how prosperous the incense offerings were, were all earthly deities, not the original bodies, and their power corresponded to the incense offerings.

But gods like the Guan Sheng Emperor and the Erlang True Monarch were the top ones among earthly deities. The incense offerings of the Divine Land were worshipped, and their power was unfathomable.

Thinking of that "Chengdu merchant," Li Yan felt his scalp tingle. This kind of thing had completely exceeded his understanding.

He lit three sticks of incense, inserted them into the incense burner, bowed respectfully, and after looking around and seeing nothing strange, he turned and left.

What he didn't discover was that after he left, there was a breeze swirling around the god statue of the Great Emperor of Beiyin Fengdou, blowing the candlelight in the hall to flicker.

Arriving at the Reception Hall, this place was also empty.

This place was usually a place for receiving pilgrims to eat and stay, and there were even rooms for accommodation and rest, but they were all ancient bricks and old wood, ancient, emitting a moldy smell.

But after passing through the Reception Hall, the situation was immediately different.

The fog around was thick, and the scene five meters away could not be seen clearly.

Li Yan raised his vigilance and walked along the brick road.

Hu~

Just then, the Yin wind rose, the thick fog around surged, and Li Yan smelled two rich incense smells, standing in the thick fog on both sides of him, their bodies extremely huge.

"Heng!"

A roar shook his head until it buzzed.

"Ha!"

Another roar made his chest feel stuffy, and he almost fell.

It was the Heng-Ha Generals!

The guardian generals of the famous mountain.

Li Yan was tense, his eyelids jumping.

How is the situation different from what the man in black said...

(End of chapter)