Chapter 534

"It has this ability too?"

Li Yan was quite surprised upon hearing this.

Fomen has the Four Heavenly Kings, and Daoism also has the Four Wang Hufa Gods, who are Wang Lingguan, Zhao Lingguan, Ma Lingguan, and Wen Lingguan.

There is no need to mention Wang Lingguan; he is the Great Lingguan of the Doutian Inspection, the head of the Lingguans, who controls thunder and fire, captures plagues, and absorbs toxins. He is known as "Three eyes can see the affairs of the world, one whip wakes the people of the world."

In most Daoist temple gates, the guardian is Wang Lingguan.

"Zhao Lingguan" is Zhao Gongming, also known as "Marshal Zhao of the Black Tiger Mysterious Altar," the deputy commander of thunder, as well as a commander of the underworld thunder department and one of the five plague gods. He is also the God of Wealth, in charge of the world's wealth.

This Zhao Gongming has nothing to do with the "Investiture of the Gods."

According to Mystic Sect and folk legends, he was originally a man from Mount Zhongnan who avoided chaos in the mountains during the Qin Dynasty, realized the Dao, cultivated truth, and successfully ascended to divinity.

Ma Lingguan is equally famous.

The Great Emperor Huaguang, "Lord Ma has three eyes," is not only venerated by the Huaguang Sect of the Mystic Sect, but also has very prosperous folk incense; many places have Ma Wang Temples.

"Wen Lingguan" is relatively less known.

But to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other three, how could he be ordinary?

His name is Wen Qiong, also known as "Earth Deity Zhaowu Upper General Marshal Wen," and he is the "Kangjin Great God" of the Heavenly Court, holding the "Unrestrained Xiaohan" gold medal.

This medal, according to legend, allows free entry and exit through the South Heaven Gate.

Not only that, he is also the first of the Ten Great Protectors of Mount Tai and one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals under the True Martial Great Emperor.

In the Jiangzhe region, every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Wen Lingguan's birthday, the common people carry his statue in a parade to suppress evil, dispel malice, and avoid disasters.

He also ascended to divinity from being a human and is quite remarkable.

Of course, these are all easy to talk about.

After all, the Mystic Sect venerates many great gods, each more fierce than the last.

What surprised Li Yan was that the Earth Deity Sect could summon Wen Lingguan.

In the Mystic Sect, restraining spirits and sending generals, and raising troops, although it sounds impressive, what is driven and summoned is essentially underworld objects.

Every major Daoist temple has Buddhas and immortals suppressing them, but they are only condensed from incense and are considered nominal secular gods, not even counting as avatars.

After all, the "Heavenly Law" is strict and cannot interfere with the human world at will.

But this matter is not absolute.

Some orthodox Mystic Sects have sufficient background and connections. When encountering demons they cannot deal with, they can submit a yellow petition and follow formal procedures to invite the power of the Great Luo Dala Fajie to assist.

To put it clearly, it is calling for backup.

But whether you can call them depends on whether your backing is strong enough...

"That is natural."

Seeing Li Yan's surprise, Ling Yunzi whispered, "The Earth Deity Sect was founded by Celestial Master Zhang Jixian on the basis of the Beidi Sect."

"The Beidi Sect is skilled in controlling the ghosts and gods of the six heavens and warding off evil and disasters, while the Earth Deity Sect mainly focuses on sacrificing to earth deities and practicing arts. Nowadays, many temple keepers base their methods on them."

"Moreover, Wen Lingguan's status was elevated to become a Wang Hufa God of the Daoist Sect, which is inseparable from the vigorous promotion by Celestial Master Zhang Jixian back then."

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

Saying it this way, Li Yan suddenly understood.

Changes in the sacrifices of the human world can affect the Great Luo Dala Fajie.

He is definitely not the only one who knows this secret.

If managed carefully, there will inevitably be gains.

But this kind of thing requires influencing the policies of the human dynasty and requires sufficient Mystic Sect power to push it; it is not something ordinary people can do...

…………

"That is the highest peak of Mount Qingcheng, Peng Zu Peak. No one is clear why this place is named after Peng Zu..."

"However, there is also a saying. Rong Cheng Gong, one of the Eight Immortals of Shu, was skilled in health preservation and cultivation arts and was once the teacher of the Huang Di, and Peng Zu is a descendant of the Huang Di..."

"There are records that Rong Cheng Gong hid in Hongmeng, which is today's Mount Qingcheng. There might be some connection between the two..."

"On Peng Zu Peak, there used to be an ancient palace, of unknown age. During the flourishing years of the previous dynasty, the faithful in Shu raised money to build this temple..."

Ling Yunzi, as the "Guest Greeter" of Qingcheng, is indeed eloquent.

Walking all the way, explaining the stories of Qingcheng, it didn't feel boring at all.

Following his finger, Li Yan looked up and observed.

They were almost at the summit. This place is far higher than other peaks, surrounded by clouds and mist, with vast snow-capped mountains and hidden peaks.

And at the summit, there was surprisingly a palace.

Most of the palace walls were hidden in the snow forest, and only a few golden roofs could be seen, appearing particularly prominent against the backdrop of white snow.

The road up the mountain was exceptionally steep.

The stairs built of bluestone were almost at a right angle, and with the slippery snow, one would fall off the cliff if not careful.

Even with the iron chains on the side, it made people tremble with fear.

Li Yan and his companion were naturally not afraid. They used their light-body techniques, brushing up along the white stairs, and reached the summit before long.

But seeing the white snow at the summit, red walls and golden tiles, green pines and green cypresses, a small Daoist boy wearing cotton clothes was sweeping the snow, his face and ears frozen red.

"Greetings, Uncle Master Ling Yunzi."

Seeing the two come up, the Daoist boy hurriedly stepped forward to salute, secretly sizing up Li Yan, and said, "Grand-Uncle Master has already given instructions that if you bring distinguished guests, you can go directly to the side courtyard to see him."

"Hmm, I know."

Ling Yunzi nodded slightly and led Li Yan into the palace.

This Laojun Temple mainly venerates Taishang Laojun; besides that, it also venerates Peng Zu and the Donghua Great Emperor.

Things built in the previous dynasty cannot be said to be very exquisite, but it wins by being located on the highest peak, with a beautiful environment, magnificent atmosphere, and is also very elegant and quiet.

Although this place is magnificent, Li Yan has seen many Daoist temples, and could even guess the regulations directly, so he had no interest in sightseeing.

But just as he entered Laojun Temple, he stopped in his tracks.

The official document in his bosom was actually trembling faintly!

This was not because he had discovered a mission.

But because he had found one of his own kind.

When he first arrived in Fengdu and discovered other living underworld messengers, this situation had occurred.

But this time, it was a bit different.

The source of the trembling was actually the thunder talisman on the back of the official document!

At this moment, Li Yan suddenly understood the reason.

That Daoist Juechenzi was likely the same as him!

"Young Hero Li, what's wrong?"

Seeing him stop, Ling Yunzi hurriedly asked.

"Nothing."

Li Yan shook his head slightly and continued to follow behind him.

Building a Daoist temple on such a high mountain peak was not an easy task in the first place, and this mountain is not a spiritual aperture of the earth vein; it was entirely donated by the faithful, so the area is naturally not large.

Passing through the main hall corridor, they soon arrived at the side courtyard.

Before the two got close, they saw an old Daoist wearing a bright yellow dharma robe walk out from the side courtyard.

This old Daoist had a hunched figure, white hair and white beard, and two long white eyebrows hanging down to his chest, looking as if he were already very old.

He was even leaning on a cane in his hand.

"Greetings, Grand-Uncle Master!"

Ling Yunzi saluted, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Juechenzi's dharma robe was very luxurious, embroidered with patterns of Yuluo Yuluo Xiao Tai, pagodas, cranes, qilin, dragons and phoenixes, and auspicious clouds.

The color of the dharma robe also has its own significance in the Mystic Sect.

Yellow represents nobility and sacredness.

It is either worn by Daoists in Imperial ancestral temples or by the leader of a sect, and it must be on specific occasions.

During the altar ceremony, most are still purple and red.

In short, yellow dharma robes are very rare.

Juechenzi has a very high seniority on Mount Qingcheng, so he naturally has the qualifications, but this was the first time Ling Yunzi had seen him wear a yellow dharma robe. Moreover, he was wearing a purple-gold jade crown on his head.

What is this about?

That old Daoist Juechenzi naturally saw Ling Yunzi's confusion, but he didn't explain at all. Instead, he looked at Li Yan with turbid eyes and said faintly, "Come in, I have something to say in private."

"Yes, Senior."

Li Yan saluted sternly.

He vaguely understood some things.

This old Daoist wearing a yellow dharma robe to see him likely represents his identity as an envoy of the Heavenly Court.

Ling Yunzi was not invited, but he didn't dare to be angry; instead, he carefully guarded outside.

After Li Yan and Juechenzi entered the courtyard, he felt a chill in his heart.

In this Laojun Temple, there is no way to prohibit supernatural powers.

But as the two entered, he couldn't feel anything at all.

Please... you... collect 6... 9... books...!

Obviously, there were some things he didn't want him to hear.

Ling Yunzi felt even more strange in his heart.

The sect leader said he wanted to pass on the dharma.

But now it seems there is something else.

What secret could there be that even the sect leader wants to hide from him...

………………

Juechenzi was very old, and his blood and energy were nearly exhausted. Although his Daoist practice was profound, he was trembling as he walked.

Leaning on his cane, he walked slowly in the snow.

"Slow down, Senior."

Seeing this, Li Yan wanted to step forward to support him.

However, Juechenzi waved his hand slightly and said faintly, "Slow has the benefits of slow, and fast has the benefits of fast. Are you impatient?"

Truly inexplicable...

Li Yan had a head full of question marks and didn't make any more trouble.

After entering the main hall, the old Daoist slowly closed the door and tremblingly poured him tea, dawdling for a long time.

"Thank you, Senior."

Li Yan couldn't figure out his meaning, so he had to follow the host's lead.

After doing this, the old Daoist shook his dharma robe, sat on the chair opposite him, raised his eyes again, and looked him up and down.

His turbid eyes seemed to want to see through Li Yan.

"If you have something to say, Senior, you might as well say it directly."

Li Yan couldn't stand being looked at and asked directly.

"I am a 'Heavenly Official'."

The old Daoist Juechenzi suddenly said, "The position of 'Heavenly Official' is somewhat similar to a living underworld messenger, but it is acting under the orders of the Heavenly Court, mainly to capture those who violate the 'Heavenly Law'."

"Heavenly Official?"

Li Yan was thoughtful upon hearing this.

The secret manual he obtained from Liu Gang said that "living underworld messengers" were called "Visitors from Mount Tai" and "Messengers of the Yellow Springs" a long time ago.

Orthodox Mystic Sects also have similar situations, but they are rarer.

Even Liu Gang had only seen it once and had no communication.

So this profession is called "Heavenly Official."

The old Daoist Juechenzi took a sip of tea and continued, "Most of those who hold the position of 'Heavenly Official' are from orthodox Mystic Sects, and people from orthodox Mystic Sects rarely can obtain official documents."

"I am a bit curious, how can you hold two positions at once?"

Since things had reached this point, Li Yan no longer covered it up and asked curiously, "I am not clear either. May I ask, Senior, how did you know my identity?"

The old Daoist Juechenzi was silent for a moment, "Some time ago, a golden-armored god appeared in a dream and told me about this."

"My life is not long, and I don't want to know why the Heavenly Court chose you, but you must have something extraordinary, and the things can be passed down."

As he spoke, he tremblingly stood up and carefully took out an exquisite wooden box from the antique shelf next door.

He used his withered right hand to tremblingly stroke the wooden box and shook his head, "My lineage is the Earth Deity Sect, and I have passed it on to some disciples, but they cannot inherit the essence."

"In your hands, it will likely be more useful."

As he spoke, he opened the wooden box and took out several books from inside.

The manuals were all wrapped in brocade, used thick yellow paper, and were written in cinnabar. The handwriting was neat and carried a trace of majestic aura.

The old Daoist said in a deep voice, "The Earth Deity Sect is a lineage of Beidi. And the Beidi Sect absorbed the essence of the Celestial Master Dao's method of summoning gods and sending generals, and the Three Emperors Sect's method of impeaching the names of ghosts and gods, and evolved from it."

"Among the Beidi methods, they are divided into Earth Deity Method, Tianpeng Method, Fengdu Method, Demon King Method, and True Martial Method. I received orders in a dream to pass two methods to you."

Li Yan's heart moved, "I wonder which two methods?"

The old Daoist Juechenzi shook his head, "The Beidi methods are broad and profound; how could I learn them all? I am just keeping them on behalf of others. As for what you want to learn, it depends on yourself."

Li Yan's heart was pounding.

The old Daoist's words, although inexplicable.

But he vaguely had a feeling that along his journey, he had obtained the position of a living underworld messenger and had been chosen by the Thunder Department, seemingly valued by many forces.

Choosing which method determines how he will walk in the future.

He hesitated in his heart and asked, "Can you explain them one by one, Senior?"

The old Daoist Juechenzi didn't seem to have any affection for him, but he didn't hide anything about this matter and said in a deep voice, "The Beidi methods naturally each have their own merits."

"Tianpeng is one of the Four Sages of the North Pole, governing the Big Dipper and Fengdu. The Tianpeng Curse is also the core Great Dharma of the Beidi Sect. In terms of killing, it can be called the first, and it is also the foundation of thunder methods."

"But this method is difficult to enter, and wanting to achieve results is even more difficult. I haven't mastered it either."

"The Ziwei North Pole Yuxu Great Emperor governs all stars above, controls all methods in the middle, and governs Fengdu below; he is the master of all heavenly constellations. The Fengdu Method is naturally also a key point."

"Since you are a living underworld messenger, what are you practicing, the 'Six Paths Sutra'?"

Li Yan shook his head, "No, it is the 'Luo Feng Jing' and the 'Northern Ghost Emperor Sutra'."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, the old Daoist finally had a good expression, "That's more like it; you haven't forgotten your roots."

So that was the reason...

Seeing this, Li Yan suddenly understood why the old Daoist had that expression just now.

It is rumored that people of the Beidi Sect are extremely disgusted with Fomen, and the current living underworld messengers mostly practice the "Six Paths Sutra," which is mixed with Buddhist methods.

The misunderstanding was cleared up, and the old Daoist Juechenzi introduced it in more detail.

"This Fengdu Method can complete your inheritance. If you master it, you can obtain the 'Fengdu Nine Springs Command Talisman' and the 'Seal for Inspecting Ghosts and Gods of the Three Realms'..."

Li Yan's heart moved, "May I ask, Senior, what kind of treasure is this?"

The old Daoist Juechenzi glanced at him and said meaningfully, "These two treasures are the treasures of the Ziwei North Pole Yuxu Great Emperor. If you obtain them, they will be Dala Fajie supernatural powers."

"It's a Dala Fajie supernatural power!"

Li Yan was stunned and stood up abruptly.

He naturally knows what a Dala Fajie supernatural power is.

The Soul-Snatching Rope is one of them.

The old Daoist Juechenzi stroked his beard and said, "Those who practice the Fengdu Method are also rare, only because they must follow the Fengdu Black Law. But since you have already become a living underworld messenger, this law can be avoided, and it can complete your inheritance."

"I know the 'Luo Feng Jing' requires building six palaces. If you practice as usual, you can only obtain ordinary underworld supernatural powers. If you obtain the Fengdu Method, when you build the latter two palaces, you can obtain the 'Fengdu Nine Springs Command Talisman' and the 'Seal for Inspecting Ghosts and Gods of the Three Realms'."

Li Yan's heart was pounding, "What is the difference between these two supernatural powers and ordinary 'Luo Feng Jing' supernatural powers?"

The old Daoist glanced at him, "Official and Clerk."

Li Yan had a flash of inspiration, "I will learn this method!"

(End of chapter)