Chapter 542: The Ancient Cave

Snow lay thick and white, covering mountains and rivers.

Mist curled through the hills, wind whipping residual snow through the trees like willow fluff, dreamlike and illusory.

The cold wind bit sharply; a group of travelers, cloaked and staffed, moved through the snowstorm, their forms flickering in and out of view.

"Zhao Gong Mountain was originally called Damian Mountain…"

Lingyunzi said as he walked, "During the Daxing era of the previous dynasty, it was suddenly renamed Zhao Gong Mountain. Li Shaoxia, do you know why?"

Li Yan shook snow from his hood and smiled back, "A mountain need not be tall to be sacred—if immortals dwell there, it gains spirit. It must simply be famous."

"Hahahaha… naturally."

Lingyunzi shook his head, "The Xuanyuan Records state that Zhao Gongming was originally from Zhongnan Mountain. During the Qin dynasty, he fled into the mountains to escape chaos, awakened the Dao, and cultivated—yet remained unknown."

"Later, during the Eastern Jin, he appeared as a 'Ghost General,' leading ghostly troops to claim lives—a fearsome deity…"

In the Southern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing's Zhen Gao designated him as the Spirit of the Underworld, charged with guarding tombs; his divine name could still be found inscribed on tombs of that era…

"Soon after, he became one of the Five Directional Plague Gods—until today, many folk exorcism rites still require straw effigies inscribed with 'Autumn Plague God Zhao Gongming'…"

"Later still, he was imperialy enfeoffed as 'Black Tiger Xuantan Zhao Yuanshuai,' commander of Thunder's Deputy General, governing both thunder and plague—and yet also the Zheng Cai Shen."

"In this world of dust and desire, how many can see through fame and profit? Thus Damian Mountain naturally became Zhao Gong Mountain, its incense smoke even thicker than that of Mount Qingcheng's main peak."

As he spoke, they reached a bend on the mountainside; Lingyunzi pointed toward the distance, "Li Shaoxia, look."

Li Yan looked up and saw, along the path leading to the summit, numerous pilgrims and travelers, starkly visible against the snow.

From afar, they looked like a line of ants marching in formation.

At the summit, the golden roof of the Zhao Cai Shen Temple shimmered like a sweet, delicious cake, drawing in the masses.

"Even heavy snow can't block them…"

Lingyunzi sighed, a hint of self-mockery in his tone.

"All mortals are like this—you and I cannot escape it."

Li Yan's expression remained calm as he offered comfort.

He could see Lingyunzi was a man torn—cultivator by title, yet bound to fame and profit, unable to transcend worldly ties, yet constantly pained by his own contradictions.

To be unable to let go, to be internally inconsistent—this too is the suffering of life.

Thinking of this, Li Yan changed the subject with a smile: "Lingyunzi, be honest with me—this cave on Zhao Gong Mountain isn't the best on Qingcheng, is it?"

"You're too sharp to be fooled, Li Shaoxia."

They were already familiar; Lingyunzi made no pretense, lowering his voice:

"The caves on Qingcheng Mountain are 'Cave Heavens'; those on Zhao Gong Mountain are 'Blessed Lands.' Together, they form the 'Qingcheng Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands.'"

"But Qingcheng is ancient—nearly half its Cave Heavens now store spiritual materials; the rest are occupied by elders. Even we cultivators train on Zhao Gong Mountain."

Next year's Opening Cave Assembly—first, because the seals since the Song era have endured long enough; second, to liberate some Cave Heavens…

"I see."

Li Yan understood: the caves likely held Earth Immortals—Qingcheng's depth was indeed profound.

But then again, it was also a constraint.

These Earth Immortals were ancestral masters of various sects—Qingcheng's trump cards, yet also a challenge to the Abbot's authority.

Otherwise, why would selecting an Abbot require such commotion?

And who knew if any among them harbored twisted ambitions, seeking to stir chaos amid the human realm's transformation?

The secret letter Li Yan carried for Chen Confucius included a warning from Wudang's Abbot Yuchan Zi: to watch for anomalies among these figures.

This was why Li Yan was in a hurry.

Along the journey, he had sensed currents stirring beneath the surface—future clashes were inevitable.

And with his dual roles as 'Living Yin Officer' and 'Heavenly Official,' he would stand squarely at the storm's center—no escape possible.

As they spoke, they reached the depths of Zhao Gong Mountain.

Here, the path grew harsher: deep gorges, bridges torn down, trails vanished, pines and cypresses thick and dense.

"The path was deliberately destroyed. The bridges, deliberately removed."

Lingyunzi smiled bitterly, "Zhao Gong Mountain's incense is thick. Rumors spread—some say the mountain holds the Treasure Basin of the Wealth God; shake it once, and stone turns to gold."

"Treasure-seekers flood here endlessly. The rear mountain's maze traps many; only by dismantling bridges and roads did we regain peace…"

These treacherous paths posed no challenge to the three.

They passed through pine forests, leapt over gorges, crossed bewildering bamboo groves—and before them loomed a stone cliff.

The cliff bore a cave entrance, its stone archway carved with ancient motifs, inscribed with the words: "Songyun Ancient Cave."

The cave's stone door was sealed shut; beside it stood a thatched hut, where two Daoists tended a fire, cooking.

Though dusty and grimy, their eyes burned with sharpness, swords strapped to their backs—clearly no ordinary men.

Seeing the trio, they hurried forward to bow.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

"You've worked hard, brothers. Any trouble these past days?"

"A few wild beasts wandered by yesterday—we drove them off. With snow blocking the mountain, no outsiders have intruded."

"Good. How about Guanlan Ancient Cave?"

"The wind's been strong these past few days."

After brief small talk, Lingyunzi led the two onward.

Watching their retreating backs, the two Daoists exchanged glances.

"Who's building a pavilion to cultivate at this time?"

"Possibly. From Winter Solstice to Start of Spring, yin energy peaks—we can't endure it, but certain special methods thrive in it."

"Never mind. Not our concern."

"Will you return to the mountain next year?"

"No. The noise and chaos here are quieter than that."

…………

"Here we are."

After passing through the gorge, the view opened wide.

Halfway up the mountain stood a stone platform; on the cliff face, a cave entrance, its stone door sealed, the surrounding carvings ancient, bearing a Han-era style.

Before the platform, a sheer cliff dropped away; fierce mountain winds howled, mist surged, and far off, a great river roared past, split in two by a stone dam.

"Dujiangyan?"

Li Yan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Correct."

Lingyunzi smiled, "This is where Zhao Lingguan once cultivated. Step outside, and you behold the river's myriad moods."

"The primordial qi and lethal winds converge here. Though a Blessed Land, it rivals any Cave Heaven on Qingcheng Mountain."

"Below lies Guanxian. Too bad you arrived out of season—if you'd come during Qingming, you'd see the people of Shu offering sacrifices to the River Lord, the entire river lit with fishing lanterns, burning all night."

Li Yan's heart stirred; he glanced at Wang Daoxuan.

He hadn't expected it to be so close to Guanxian.

Wang Daoxuan understood instantly, stroking his beard and smiling: "Since we're here, we must not miss it. After cultivation ends, we'll pay our respects to the River Lord. Is there a path down the mountain?"

"There's a hidden trail."

Lingyunzi, untroubled, nodded: "Ask the brothers guarding the mountain—they'll guide you."

He turned to Li Yan, his expression grave: "Li Shaoxia, yin energy is strong now. Your Fengdu Method suits this season—but there's one danger here you must heed."

"Please, enlighten me," Li Yan said at once.

Lingyunzi pointed ahead: "The water dragon's qi rises here—though magnificent, the primordial winds are fierce. Especially at night, it's unbearable—you'd freeze solid in one night. No guardian can be stationed."

"And during cultivation, you must endure the winds. But if you survive, it's like purifying your marrow and shedding your skin—your spirit-building becomes far more stable."

"No issue."

Li Yan thought a moment, then said: "Then Wang Daochang, you should descend ahead. I'll manage alone."

Wang Daoxuan nodded: "Agreed."

He knew Li Yan was uneasy about Sha Lifei—he wanted him to meet up sooner.

Lingyunzi, listening, was surprised.

He'd planned to have Wang Daoxuan stay overnight with the two guards in the thatched hut—but now Wang was leaving immediately.

Something else must be afoot.

Though suspicious, Lingyunzi was no fool—he wouldn't pry. After giving final instructions, he led Wang Daoxuan away.

After they left, the mountain platform grew silent, save for the howling wind, whipping snow into spirals.

!. ead

Li Yan glanced at Dujiangyan, then turned to the cave, heaved open the stone door with a rumble, and carried everything inside.

Indeed, an ancient cultivator's cave—small in area, yet naturally formed into a spherical space like a dantian furnace.

Its interior was simple: only at the center stood a Bagua Yin-Yang platform.

Li Yan arranged all items.

Sixty-four lotus lamps, placed at the eight trigram positions, arranged into the trigram patterns; yellow paper, talismans, incense burner—all present.

Most crucial was the "Baiyu Jing" figurine.

He placed it at the very center.

THUD!

As the stone gate closed, the wind diminished.

Darkness instantly enveloped all around.

Li Yan paid no mind; he sat cross-legged and entered meditative stillness.

Unaware, night descended.

As Lingyunzi had said, the night winds here were fiercer; even with the stone gate sealed tight, the howling wind outside could still be heard.

Moreover, wind began to stir inside the cave.

It was a chilling, icy wind—slow yet penetrating to the bone, and visible as frost began to form on the ground and stone walls.

Li Yan ignored it, still sitting with eyes closed.

With each breath, his sinews and membranes rippled, and faint thunder rumbled within his body; each exhalation sent forth an arrow-shaped wisp of white vapor.

This was the hallmark of advanced internal martial cultivation.

His body was like a furnace, impervious to bitter cold.

If his martial skill were even higher, he would not need to exert force at all—he could endure heat and cold alike, walking in snow wearing only a single robe.

By midnight, the cave grew even colder.

The ground was now coated with a layer of ice.

A cave of spiritual fortune naturally converged primordial gang-sha qi, forming a self-sustaining micro-arrangement.

At this season, yin qi in heaven and earth was strong, and the sha qi even denser; combined with the gang wind, such anomalies arose.

Each night, frost and ice appeared; each day, they vanished on their own.

Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes, lit a fire-stick, and ignited the Lotus Soul-Calling Lamp one by one; the cave instantly lit up.

But as the sha qi flowed, cold winds arose spontaneously, and the sixty-four soul-lamps flickered wildly.

Li Yan was not in a hurry; he rose, stepped the Nine Stars, formed talismanic seals, spat ritual water, and opened the altar.

Huh~

Instantly, fierce winds tore through the cave.

Frost on the walls and ground thickened rapidly.

The lotus lamps flickered, as if about to extinguish at any moment.

Famous mountains and great rivers naturally gather primordial gang-sha qi.

A cave of spiritual fortune forms its own arrangement through natural flow.

But to activate it, one must first open the altar, so that this cave becomes a micro-realm, a furnace.

Li Yan finally understood why few built towers in winter.

Yet he was not alarmed—he was delighted. He cultivated the Luo Feng Method; such dense primordial yin-sha qi suited him perfectly.

Yet as the array activated, the lotus lamps steadied.

These lamps were linked to his spirit-soul—both guardians and outward manifestations; he must complete the tower before all lamps went out.

Thinking this, Li Yan sat cross-legged again, his talismanic seals shifting constantly, symbolizing the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, as he closed his eyes and visualized his spirit.

Soon, he entered deep meditation within the spirit-visualization space.

Through this period of cultivation, his Luo Feng Mountain had grown taller; the surrounding soul-sea churned violently, and the three upper halls had merged into one.

Li Yan flashed into the divine hall, merging with the statue, becoming the sovereign of Luo Feng Mountain, chanting incantations as he observed the turning of heaven and earth.

This time, he would not only build a four-tiered tower, but also cultivate the Luo Feng Method to complete his own cultivation system.

Boom!

As he visualized, the cave's primordial gang-sha qi was drawn in; the space immediately changed—the sky churned with black clouds, and lightning flickered faintly.

Below, the dark soul-sea roared with storms.

Yet the effects of excessive yin-sha qi also emerged.

Above the soul-sea, biting cold winds blew, and ice began to form; soon, the entire soul-sea froze, spreading toward Luo Feng Mountain.

If the spirit-visualization space froze entirely, yin-yang balance would be shattered, meaning Li Yan had failed utterly.

The density of yin-sha qi surpassed Li Yan's expectations.

Yet he felt no worry—only watched coldly.

Soon, ice covered Luo Feng Mountain, then crept upward along the divine hall—the first tier, then the second.

Boom!

The thunder in the sky grew even more furious.

At that moment, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes.

Crack!

A bolt of lightning, connecting heaven and earth, struck down and shattered a vast expanse of soul-sea ice.

Then came more thunderbolts.

This was the opportunity Li Yan had been waiting for.

Yin-yang and gang-sha qi balanced and transformed into each other; thus, when yin reached its extreme, yang emerged. As long as the spirit-soul remained steadfast, yin-yang would always restore balance.

This was the essence of the Luo Feng Scripture.

Outside, anomalies continued.

Unaware, Li Yan's entire body had been encased in ice—but now the ice shattered, clattering to the ground.

The moment had come; Li Yan began chanting the ritual incantation.

"With sincere devotion, I take refuge and offer my life: dwelling in the Northern Court, serving under the Netherworld. Master of life and death, rewarding good and punishing evil without fail; governing merit and fault, punishing the wicked and praising the virtuous without bias; guarding the dark mountains and rivers of the north, observing the bright world of the middle cavern…"

This was the "Precious Praise of Luo Feng"; he chanted it to invoke the power of the Northern Yin, Great Emperor of Luo Feng, to rebuild the divine tower.

Boom!

As he chanted, thunder roared within the spirit-visualization space; the ice covering the soul-sea shattered completely.

Outside the cave, fierce winds surged again.

But at that moment, a strange phenomenon erupted.

The "White Jade Capital" ornament before Li Yan suddenly vibrated, and the surrounding gang wind seemed drawn in, pouring entirely through its holes.

Instantly, mist and clouds swirled around the "White Jade Capital."

Simultaneously, within the spirit-visualization space, a white jade mountain appeared faintly above the cloud-sea…

(End of Chapter)