Starting Cultivation During a Trip-Chapter 64: Shen Family Invitation, Immortal Realm
Dragon Tiger Mountain, once one of the Ten Great Daoist Mountains in the world.
In the past, the ancestral master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Zhang Daoling, comprehended the Dao at He Ming Mountain and established the Daoist sect. This lineage is also known as the Daoist Ancestral Court.
However, the true power of Dragon Tiger Mountain is only held by the Zhang Family, the only ones truly worthy of being called Dragon Tiger Daoists.
It is said that the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family, known as an Immortal Family, holds a unique status in the Daoist Sect.
Historically, nine times breaking mountains and attacking temples were almost all initiated by the Zhang Family, with their millennia-long conflict with the Wuwei Sect, never stopping until one perished.
"When I was at Maoshan, I heard from my teachers in the sect that Dragon Tiger Mountain has advanced far in this path. Their ’Celestial Master’s Talisman’ records the technique of the Combined Talisman. Although it hasn’t fully condensed, it is extremely profound," Jiang Hu commented leisurely.
In his view, if even the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family has not accomplished this, then no one in the world can.
This is the belief that Daoists hold about this lineage.
The Shen Family’s ’Profound Mirror Treasure Talisman’ has been practiced by three generations, but this has nothing to do with how many generations. Even if practiced for five generations, ten generations... it may ultimately just be a joyful illusion.
"Is Dragon Tiger Mountain really that impressive?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.
"Of course! Do you know that last year, in Shangjing City, the White Crane Temple held an internal Daoist auction..."
"A talisman passed down from Dragon Tiger Mountain, do you know how much it sold for?"
"How much?" Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.
"Two hundred and eighty thousand."
"That much?" Zhang Fan’s eyes widened, as he looked at the ’Rise-up Talisman’ in his hand, suddenly finding it less appealing.
"The extraordinary aspects of this lineage, we can only witness in legends." Jiang Hu sighed wistfully.
After the great calamity of the Daoist Sect, the incense of Dragon Tiger Mountain never rose again. Perhaps this lineage was too powerful, inviting Heaven’s jealousy, and brought upon this great tribulation, leading to its extinction.
"Well, since we’re here, let’s just enjoy the spectacle." Zhang Fan advised encouragingly.
This was indeed a great chance to skip class and play truant.
"You think you can see other people’s treasures just because you want to?" Jiang Hu sneered.
"Shen Qingli agreed..."
Zhang Fan glanced meaningfully and nudged Jiang Hu with his elbow, "She seems to have a thing for you..."
"Stop it..."
Jiang Hu quickly shook his head, avoiding it like the plague.
"Ah, love is truly the great demon on the path of cultivation."
"..."
"Then let’s stay and have a look... For the record, I’m only staying because of your face." Jiang Hu said, holding his head high.
"Alright, alright, thank you for showing me the courtesy."
Zhang Fan laughed heartily, dragging Jiang Hu along as they headed towards the Shen Family.
"Wait a minute, the car isn’t locked yet."
"With this crappy car, you could leave it by the roadside and see if anyone would even pick it up..."
"This is the boss’s favorite ride..."
"Might as well squeeze him dry then..."
The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the inner courtyard of the Shen Family. From afar, Zhang Fan saw many people gathered in front of the courtyard, coming in and out.
"Why are there so many people?"
"The Shen Family’s business is vast, naturally their connections are wide too," Jiang Hu said in a deep voice.
Like the Chuma He Family in Yujing City, they’re considered quite prominent, having made many connections with important people in both the political and business sectors. Yet, before the Shen Family, they’re at most considered nouveau riche.
"Moreover, refining the ’Profound Mirror Treasure Talisman’ requires a large number of Talisman Masters and resources... Over the years, the Shen Family has recruited a lot of talents..."
"Then why aren’t you seizing the opportunity?"
"Seizing what?" Jiang Hu asked instinctively.
"Grabbing onto Shen Qingli’s thigh... In youth, one doesn’t realize the sweetness of an easy life, don’t transplant your youth incorrectly," Zhang Fan reminded him.
"Get lost..." Jiang Hu glared hard, but inside he was muttering.
The easy life isn’t so easy to enjoy. In the early years, when he was on the mountain, he saw a senior brother who, by chance, connected with a wealthy woman. Their bond was tight and progress swift.
One day, the brother gathered his courage and told the rich woman, Auntie, I don’t want to try anymore.
In response, the rich woman said, If you don’t want to try, then go die!
Later, the brother committed suicide.
"In my view, undertaking such projects is a waste of resources, better to research more practical talismans."
Clearly, Jiang Hu did not favor the Shen Family’s ’Profound Mirror Treasure Talisman.’ Instead of spending so much manpower and resources, it’s better to deepen research on talismans like the ’Rise-up Talisman’ that can benefit the people, reducing talisman prices, lowering costs, and ensuring everyone can have access to good talismans.
That is the true good Talisman Master of the new era!!
"Is that person also a Talisman Master?"
At this moment, Zhang Fan’s voice pulled Jiang Hu out of his thoughts. He pointed to a well-dressed middle-aged man talking to Shen Qingli some distance away. The man seemed to be in his forties, looking upright, but his sleeves hung empty at his sides.
"His name is Qiu Zhengdao, one of the financial backers behind the Shen Family," Zhang Fan whispered.
"Financial backer?"
"The Shen Family’s three generations have aimed to perfect the ’Profound Mirror Treasure Talisman,’ but the required talent and resources to achieve this are immeasurable..."
"I’ve heard from Qingli that this Qiu Zhengdao was also from the Talismanic Sect in the early years. After a great change, his entire family was wiped out by enemies, only he survived, his arms were even severed..."
"Since then, he dedicated himself to business, yet his passion for the talismanic path remains undiminished... Over the years, he has provided the Shen Family with a great deal of funding and resources," Jiang Hu said in a deep voice.
Hands are a Talisman Master’s life root. Once lost, the path is essentially ended.
Even the Nine-Fingered Talisman Demon only lost fingers. Despite this, his achievements in the Talisman Dao were so remarkable, he was hailed as one of the Four Greats, a miracle among miracles.
"What kind of deep-seated hatred," Zhang Fan couldn’t help but muse.
"Jiang Hu... Zhang Fan..."
At this moment, Shen Qingli approached, greeting them.
"You’re really generous, letting someone see your family treasures on a first meeting," Jiang Hu said casually.
Shen Qingli gave a slight smile, not arguing, and immediately said, "Do you want me to show you around first?"
"Can we?" Zhang Fan blurted out.
Jiang Hu remained silent, but his eyes brightened.
"Of course."
Speaking, Shen Qingli led the two through the inner courtyard, heading towards the backyard, walking along a serene path, under towering trees that hid a palace and temple.
"How much did this cost?" Zhang Fan mumbled quietly.
Stepping into the front hall of the palace and temple, the temperature noticeably increased. With Primordial Spirit Observation, it appeared that deep within the palace and temple, there was a large fire burning, and peculiar sounds incessantly echoed.
However, at that moment, a large painting at the topmost area of the palace and temple drew Zhang Fan’s attention.
The painting took up nearly the entire wall. It depicted a towering mountain, horizontally stretching across the land, coiling like a rising dragon, ancient and like an Immortal Mountain, with two lines of a short poem inscribed beside it:
Viridian waters and crimson clouds coil like Dragon and Tiger, the first house of the Immortal Realm.
"This is..."
"The world’s Ten Great Daoist Mountains..."
"Dragon Tiger Mountain!!!"
