Chapter 537: Treasure Hunting in Tianshi Cave

"Is this the Erlang Zhenjun Erlang?"

Looking at the stone statue, Wang Tianzuo was full of doubt.

"Perhaps it was just something the common folk made up in the past."

Sha Lifei gave a casual reply, then signaled to Lu San with his eyes.

This matter was of great consequence, involving the Great Lord Jiang Shen, descending immortals, and Erlang Zhenjun Erlang; the karma was complex.

Wang Tianzuo was a reliable friend, but he was, after all, a member of the Huang Ling Sect. To be safe, one naturally couldn't speak carelessly.

Thinking of this, Sha Lifei looked around and simultaneously changed the subject: "Search carefully and see if there are any clues."

By now, the sky was bright. The roof of the dilapidated main hall had a large hole, and as the light shone down, the situation inside could be seen clearly.

By the looks of it, it was just an ordinary temple.

The temple gate was mottled, the vermilion paint peeling off. Inside, the hall was crumbling, the beams and pillars were crooked, the murals were faded, and spiderwebs were everywhere.

But there were also some anomalies that could be seen at a glance.

Inside the broken, old stone incense burner, there were densely packed colored sticks—some red, some yellow—all with burn marks at the tips.

This was a relatively high-end type of incense, indicating that someone worshipped here year-round, yet the cold temple and broken altar were left untended, which seemed rather strange.

"It should be Feng Feng Shixiong Lu..."

Wang Tianzuo looked at the collapsed stone statue, his eyes full of confusion. "Even the statue isn't tended to. In a place like this, who are they worshipping?"

"It's not worshipping a god."

Lu San, deep in thought, stepped forward and lifted a piece of broken partition, revealing a small stone tablet.

Bai Cheng, Zhou Yuanhai, Tan Dongzhu...

More than a dozen names were densely carved, all of them unknown, with few in the martial world even aware of them.

Only the last line of text indicated their identity:

"Brothers of Meishan, perished here while protecting the Erlang Zhenjun!"

Seeing this sentence, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Sha Lifei clicked his tongue and shook his head. "It seems this organization, the Brothers of Meishan, met with disaster long ago, leaving only Feng Feng Shixiong Lu as the sole survivor."

As he spoke, his eyes rolled, and he turned his head to whisper: "Feng Feng Shixiong Lu San, ask this Old Huang if it knows what happened back then."

Lu San understood immediately. After a brief exchange with the old weasel, a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. "They take orders from Feng Feng Shixiong Lu, but they usually just look out for each other. They don't know about the affairs here."

"Oh."

Sha Lifei scratched his head and said nothing more.

The two of them already had their suspicions: the Brothers of Meishan meeting their end, and the mention of "protecting the Erlang Zhenjun," was very likely related to the reincarnation of Erlang Zhenjun Erlang.

Only they would have the most motivation to do such a thing.

Just like the Wushan Siming Society back then, which didn't hesitate to walk the path of evil to make the Wushan Goddess reincarnate and descend into the human world.

The difference was that one failed, while the other had already succeeded.

Wang Tianzuo was no fool. Hearing their words, he knew there were things being hidden from him, but he didn't ask further. Instead, he said in a deep voice: "It seems Feng Feng Shixiong Lu's murder is related to the Brothers of Meishan."

"Pity, I don't know what those people are plotting..."

Harboring various doubts, the group continued their search.

Unfortunately, this Guan Kou temple had been dilapidated for years; apart from that tablet, no unusual items were discovered.

With matters at this point, they had no choice but to return to Guan Kou County.

After all, since an incident had occurred before, to prevent accidents, the three of them moved out of the inn and stayed with the people from the Shunyuan Escort Agency.

In case someone launched another sneak attack, they could at least look out for each other.

After a busy day, night fell, and the cold moon climbed onto the branches.

Sha Lifei ate a mouthful of food casually, came into Lu San's room, and with a glance, Lu San immediately activated the Wish-Fulfilling Pearl.

A chill permeated the air, ensuring their conversation wouldn't be overheard.

"I roughly know what they are looking for."

Sha Lifei sneered: "The goal of this group is the Long Gong Water Mansion. Feng Feng Shixiong Li Yan once said that the Long Gong Water Mansion is special; one must hold a Dharma artifact passed down from within to enter it through a dream."

"Erlang Zhenjun Erlang suppressed the Great Lord Jiang Shen for years; the Brothers of Meishan must have had this Dharma artifact in their hands. They are looking for this thing!"

"I guess so too."

Lu San nodded in agreement, frowning: "It's one thing for people like Young Master Wuxiang to be interested in the Long Gong Water Mansion, but the Shu Prince's Mansion has countless rare treasures; they never participated in this before, so why intervene suddenly?"

"That goes without saying—there's something inside that the Prince of Shu wants!"

Sha Lifei's eyes lit up.

"Could it be... the Elixir of Immortality?"

After a discussion, the two gradually found the answer.

Many things are like looking at flowers through a mist, often due to insufficient intelligence. But having encountered many things along this journey, they had figured out the goals of all parties.

It was no surprise that they could guess it.

"Let's not intervene in this matter for now."

Lu San pondered for a moment and shook his head: "If there really is an Elixir of Immortality, the Prince of Shu would certainly have sent more than just these people."

"The most urgent task is still to find the reincarnation of Erlang Zhenjun Erlang."

"That's true."

Sha Lifei nodded, frowning: "But everyone in Guan County has been asked, and no one has seen him."

"This guy... where exactly is he hiding?"

Mount Qingcheng, Zhaoyang Cave.

It was another clear day. The sunlight pierced the firmament, passed through the dense forest, and scattered golden light onto the cliff walls.

Li Yan had woken up early. After finishing his boxing practice, he returned to his room, drinking tea while reading the scriptures in his hand.

This was the Fengdu Method passed down by the old Daoist Juechen.

Li Yan had originally practiced this path, and with the other's careful guidance, he had already mastered it.

What remained was to perfect it while building the tower.

About an hour later, Ling Yunzi came again, taking him and Wang Daoxuan toward Tianshi Cave.

"The spiritual treasures of Mount Qingcheng are all hidden there."

Ling Yunzi introduced as they walked: "Back then, when Celestial Master Zhang entered Sichuan, he preached the Dharma there. Later generations renovated the temples, and the incense has never ceased."

"If you all want to buy some talisman paper, incense candles, or Dharma artifacts, that's a good place to go. There are treasures that have been worshipped for hundreds of years. But if you want to buy Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items, the best opportunity is to wait for the cellar opening after the New Year."

"There's no help for it; time won't wait."

Li Yan felt a bit regretful upon hearing this.

At his rank, he couldn't do without Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items when building the tower. The deeper his cultivation, the less he could cut corners.

The cellar opening after the New Year would certainly have good things, but after descending the mountain, he had to head to Chengdu. Not only did he have to protect that Commandery Prince, but he also needed to plan for helping the Dragon Lady condense incense.

Li Yan had a premonition that this trip would involve a fierce battle.

The enemies they were facing now were becoming increasingly formidable.

Lu San had just reached the Third Layer, and Wang Daoxuan hadn't reached the peak of the Third Layer yet; the earliest would be next year.

Only by improving his own cultivation could he shoulder the burden.

Ling Yunzi nodded slightly upon hearing this. He didn't know why Li Yan was so anxious, but he didn't want to pry and cause displeasure.

Thinking for a moment, he whispered: "Li Li Shaoxia doesn't need to worry. Mount Qingcheng has had its fortune for thousands of years; naturally, it hides quite a few good things."

"The brothers at Tianshi Cave are mainly from the Zhengyi Sect. I'll speak with them; they should be willing to bring out the good things."

"In that case, many thanks."

Li Yan quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

He had also learned many secrets down the mountain.

This time, the struggle for the position of Mount Qingcheng Sect Leader mainly involved three parties.

The Cheng family, the Zhengyi lineage, and the Quanzhen lineage.

The Cheng family took the initiative to step back, and Chen Kongzi likely agreed to some conditions. Coupled with the fact that various sects from the Divine Land would be coming after the New Year, the Zhengyi lineage was made to step back. If Ling Yunzi wanted to have a say, he would certainly have to trade some favors.

The three walked down the mountain path, the scenery along the way beautiful, sometimes passing through small paths in the forest, sometimes crossing stone bridges over waterfalls.

"That over there is the Pen-Throwing Trough."

"Legend has it that back then, Celestial Master Zhang subdued demons, made a talisman, and threw his brush to create it..."

Ling Yunzi introduced it to the two as they walked.

The so-called "Pen-Throwing Trough" was a deep canyon. Not long after leaving it, a magnificent palace appeared before their eyes, hidden among towering trees. The sunlight shone on the golden roofs, and the sound of bells echoed.

"Tianshi Cave is the largest in scale on Mount Qingcheng."

Ling Yunzi pointed ahead: "On the right is the Three Sovereigns Hall, on the left is the Celestial Master Hall. If you come from the foot of the mountain, you must first go to the White Tiger Hall..."

There were clearly many more Daoists here.

Some were sweeping snow, some were passing by holding scriptures and incense candles. In the distant mountain forest, there were Daoists sparring and practicing swordplay, snow foam splashing everywhere, sword light flickering.

In the past few days, Li Yan and the others had seen very few people.

!. Read

Only upon arriving here did they feel the sensation of a famous mountain of the orthodox sect.

Before they even got close, the rich scent of incense rushed toward them. Li Yan could even feel the incense mixed with the Gang and Sha Qi of Mount Qingcheng, swirling in the sky, as if giant gods were looking down at the surroundings.

"Feng Feng Shixiong Ling Yunzi."

Just as they arrived outside the palace gate, a young Daoist walked over with long strides and cupped his hands respectfully: "Master asked me to wait here for you all, saying everything has been arranged; you may choose as you please."

"This is Daoist Bai Yu."

"Greetings, Daoist."

"Greetings, Li Li Shaoxia. Long heard of your name."

Ling Yunzi introduced them to each other.

Li Yan could clearly feel that although the other party was also enthusiastic, unlike Ling Yunzi, it was purely out of politeness.

"Inside each hall, there are Dharma artifacts worshipped with incense..."

"Although most have them, there are differences. For example, the best talisman paper is kept in the Three Sovereigns Hall, and some rare Dharma artifacts are stored in the Yellow Emperor Shrine..."

After Daoist Bai Yu gave a rough introduction, at Wang Daoxuan's request, they went to the Three Sovereigns Hall, bought some top-quality talisman paper, and also purchased one-time-use Dharma artifacts from various halls.

With their current cultivation and wealth, they were naturally willing to use the best.

Seeing this, a smile appeared on Daoist Bai Yu's face.

Dealing in Dharma artifacts was originally a major source of income for the orthodox Mystic Sect. He hadn't expected that in this freezing weather with the mountain sealed by snow, a big customer would come.

In a short time, they had spent five thousand taels of silver.

Although it pained them, it would likely be even more expensive to buy items of the same grade after leaving Mount Qingcheng.

After touring the halls, this Daoist Bai Yu led them to a remote palace outside.

The defense here was strict; not only were there Daoists patrolling along the way, but a Feng Shui array had also been set up for defense.

Before they even got close, Li Yan's supernatural powers were already suppressed.

The palace before them was not large, just a small building, but the windows and doors were tightly shut, and the walls were all inlaid with copper plates. Even the main gate was forged entirely of yellow copper, ancient in age, already turning somewhat green.

"This is the Celestial Master's Secret Pavilion."

Daoist Bai Yu smiled: "Inside are all precious Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items and Dharma artifacts. It is not open on ordinary days; even I rarely go in."

"Li Li Shaoxia is an honored guest, which is why you received Master's permission."

After speaking, he took out a token from his bosom. After a verification, the heavy copper gate opened with a rumble.

Not only that, but two Daoists holding swords followed behind them.

The first floor inside was clearly used for receiving guests, and the stairs leading to the second floor were also sealed by a thick copper door.

Li Yan looked around calmly.

The furnishings and layout here were very simple.

In the middle was a large yellow pear wood table with a few chairs, and all around were rows of antique shelves holding boxes of various sizes.

Because his supernatural powers were suppressed, he couldn't sense anything.

Daoist Bai Yu fetched a book and asked with a smile: "I wonder what type of Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items Li Li Shaoxia wishes to purchase?"

Li Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this: "To be honest, I don't have a count in my heart. Could you introduce them, Daoist?"

"That is only natural."

Daoist Bai Yu smiled: "So-called Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items are nothing more than things born of heaven and earth, condensing Gang and Sha Qi. According to material characteristics, they can be divided into metal, wood, water, fire, earth..."

"That is not what I am asking."

Li Yan quickly interrupted: "I mainly want to know what good things there are. May I choose for myself?"

Daoist Bai Yu laughed: "Of course."

After speaking, he came to an antique shelf and introduced: "These are all wood types. I heard Li Li Shaoxia is skilled in thunder techniques. There is a piece of Third-Turn Lightning-Struck Wood inside that should be suitable for you."

"And over here, there is a piece of Spiritual Spring Gold, full of vitality. If used when building the tower, it can nourish the spirit, achieving twice the result with half the effort..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan turned his head to look at Ling Yunzi.

Although these things were rare, he didn't think much of them.

Even the Cloud Thunder Divine Drum was made of First-Turn Lightning-Struck Wood. What use would Third-Turn be when building the tower?

Ling Yunzi understood immediately and stepped forward to pull Daoist Bai Yu outside the hall for a whisper.

Supernatural powers were suppressed here, so Li Yan naturally couldn't hear, but he could see that Daoist Bai Yu looked troubled, even somewhat displeased.

But Ling Yunzi clearly had significant influence. After saying a few more words, Daoist Bai Yu nodded slightly and left quickly.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan couldn't ask much and could only wait patiently in the main hall under the surveillance of the two sword-wielding Daoists.

After another stick of incense's time, Daoist Bai Yu returned. He first nodded at Ling Yunzi, then walked in, smiling broadly: "Li Li Shaoxia is truly extraordinary. I'm afraid these things couldn't catch your eye. Please follow me to the second floor."

After speaking, he took out a token from his bosom, had it checked by the supervising Daoist, and then opened the copper door to the second floor.

After they went upstairs, the layout was the same.

But the boxes used to store the Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items had all become exquisite, many even wrapped in red rope and pasted with yellow talismans.

"This is a piece of Black Mysterious Copper, discovered on an ancient battlefield. Sha Qi is gathered within. I heard that at the time, it caused fierce ghosts to run rampant on the ancient battlefield..."

"Inside this is a Dharma sword, born of heaven and earth. It is an excellent vessel embryo. When it wasn't suppressed, it would even cause trouble and ambush passersby..."

This time, the other party's attitude had clearly improved.

Although the boxes couldn't be opened, he would carefully introduce the origin of every item.

"Mount Qingcheng truly has a profound foundation."

Li Yan praised, but he felt somewhat disappointed in his heart.

It wasn't that these Heavenly Spiritual and Earthly Precious items weren't good, but they weren't suitable. When building the tower, the most critical thing was to match the cultivation method.

Clatter!

Just as they were inspecting, an antique shelf in the distance suddenly collapsed.

"That thing is acting up again!"

The supervising Daoist behind them felt somewhat helpless upon seeing this.

Li Yan looked toward the sound, his heart skipping a beat for no reason.

He saw that on the antique shelf in the distance, a wooden box had overturned onto the ground, revealing a massive stone covered in holes, smooth and delicate, and carved to form densely packed palaces.

"What is this?"

Li Yan's heart was pounding for no reason, and he quickly asked.

"This thing..."

Bai Yu quickly flipped through the book in his hand. After checking, he frowned: "Strange, why is there no label on it?"

"This was just found."

The supervising Daoist behind them spoke up: "This item came from an Eastern Han ancient tomb right at the foot of Mount Qingcheng. We don't know its origin, only its name."

"It's called Baiyujing!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 538 =====