With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 516 - 474: The Two Saints Debate Past and Present in the Sanqing Hall; The Gathering of True Ones at Hè Míng Creek Determines the Dark and Bright Dates!
In the crowd, Zhang Jingshi smiled and said:
"I had quite the wait down the mountain some days ago. When I see the Old Celestial Master later, I must have a good spar with him. It’s been so long since we last discussed the Dao, my hands are itching."
"...Zhang Daojun, let’s discuss the serious matters first."
In the distance, a white-bearded old Taoist slowly approached, dressed in the robe of the Dark Eight Immortals.
The original Taoist robe could not be used due to the reformation of the Martial Temple.
Therefore, he could only wear the "Obscure Taoist Robe" representing the Magic Artifacts of the Eight Immortals.
This bit of authority, the Daojun still had.
When everyone saw him coming, their eyes lit up.
No one expected that Old Taoist Monarch Wuyang of the *Celestial Temple* would also come.
A few of them started comforting each other, after all, with the incense of the Eight Immortals broken, Wuyang’s Dao path was also mostly severed.
Zhang Jingshi said openly:
"Old Dao brother, why don’t you come to our Wudang to cultivate? We all share the Quanzhen lineage, a thousand years ago we were one family, you can treat Wudang Mountain as your own home."
Wuyang cupped his hands and smiled bitterly, shaking his head:
"Zhang Daojun is joking, Yong’an still has a pile of matters, how can I run off to the True Martial Holy Land to seek peace."
He is not only the current head of the Martial Temple but also the principal of the Martial Arts Academy, how could he just leave.
Although the incense of the Eight Immortals was broken, the fire in his heart had not yet extinguished.
Zhang Jingshi was about to say more when he suddenly lit up, looking towards the figure that suddenly appeared ahead.
"This old Taoist finally decided to show up."
Everyone also fell silent, looking towards the host in front, the initiator of this Grand Daoist Purification Ritual.
And there came the Celestial Master of the Dragon Tiger Mountain, smiling and cupping his hands as he walked into the crowd:
"Fellow Daoists, thank you all for responding to this Grand Purification Ritual, may the Celestial Lord of Unlimited Blessings protect us."
"Good!"
"Dao brother, please speak, if you need us to contribute manpower or resources, just say the word."
Beside them, the tall figure of Lu Ang, the Guardian of the Northern Lands, was also prominently present:
"Our military department will also support this operation. Whether it’s resources or money, Old Daojun, just say the word, the nation will have no objection."
"Our United University..."
After many factions spoke, the Old Celestial Master expressed his gratitude:
"Thank you all, we will discuss these matters in detail later. For now, there is a major matter, entrusted to us for decision by the Ancestor.
Now, the Three Purity Celestial Lords have already agreed to open the altar at this time. The Grand Purification Ritual approaches, and we need to agree on a specific schedule among you. We have two choices; everyone can express their opinion freely.
Presently, our Celestial Dragon Tiger Ancestor and Wudang’s Xu Daototal have chosen two times.
One is the last day of December this year, the [Dark Day], the other is a bit later, on next year’s [New Year’s Eve]."
These two days are when the earth’s qi connects, the turbid qi of the old year dissipates, and the clear qi of the new spring begins to arise.
At this time, holding the Grand Purification Ritual borrows the power of the alternation of yin and yang, reaches up to the heavens to pray for blessings, and sinks down into the earth to cleanse the dust.
It conforms to the law of the heavenly cycle, invoking the decrees of the Three Purities to suppress mountain evils.
After a moment of discussion, everyone felt both dates were suitable and preferred to do it sooner rather than later.
Suddenly, a dashing woman clad in the Red Flame Flying Dragon robes stepped forward.
The aura around her was formidable to the extreme, evidently a female Celestial King.
She slowly spoke:
"Celestial Master, let’s set the time for next year’s New Year’s Eve. By then, my senior brother should have broken through to the seventh stage, and he can come to Taihang to aid the battle with another Great Saint’s power."
Wearing the Red Flame Flying Dragon robes, her identity was the only daughter of the elder Sword Saint of Northern United University, and the junior sister of the current principal, Sui Chunqiu.
The newly crowned Celestial King—[Storm Sword Lord Yi Lan].
She didn’t understand much about these Daoist rituals, calling upon immortals and such mysterious things...
But she knew that ultimately, to deal with the mountain whispers, it depended on "people."
Senior Brother Sui Chunqiu was known for real combat, reputed as the number one Celestial King below the Great Saints.
After breaking through to the seventh stage and becoming a Great Saint, he would surely be a great help.
Beside her, Zhang Jingshi sighed upon hearing this:
"Principal Sui is about to break through the seventh stage? Truly impressive..."
Among the Celestial Kings, he respected only the other side.
During that River Gathering, he, as a favored seed of the Daoists, was defeated in a few moves by the other, an unforgettable memory...
Others also showed joyous expressions.
Having an additional top-level combat strength on their side was naturally a good thing.
"Such a significant matter, no wonder Principal Sui didn’t come, he must be in seclusion..."
In the distance, the representative of Shaolin, the Immaculate Divine Monk, also clasped his hands with eyes closed:
"Amitabha, Celestial King Sui has already taken this step; when can this humble monk attain the Mahayana fruit..."
...
Meanwhile, not far from the Valley of Cranes, within the rear mountain in the [Three Purity Hall].
Inside the hall, the sacred statues of the Three Purities sat on lotus platforms.
The Jade Purity Primordial Heavenly Lord sat in the middle, Upper Purity Numinous Treasure Heavenly Lord sat on the left, and Great Purity Virtue Heavenly Lord sat on the right.
The three Purities looked dignified and solemn, with an indescribable, indefinable aura of chaos filling the hall, adding to the statues’ majesty.
Moments later, two beams of light flashed past.
A purple and a cyan light emerged successively from the [Three Purity Dharma Realm].
The latter cyan light was precisely the Wudang Daoist Head [True Martial Great Saint Xu Daoxian].
The former appeared, wearing a Lotus Crown adorned with nine brilliant lights, draped in a multicolored danluo brocade robe, a Claret Cloud Valley fairy garment, a Soaring Phoenix Embroidered Skirt, Seven-colored Treasure Cloud Brocade Socks, and Jade Splendor Jeweled Textured Shoes.
The attire he wore was the orthodox Sanqing ceremonial robe, which only successive Celestial Masters of Dragon Tiger Mountain had the privilege to wear.
The purple glow faded, revealing a figure.
He is an even older martial arts living fossil than the ancestor Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang.
In the second year of Yongping, Zhang Daoling resigned from his official post to seek enlightenment and entered Sichuan.
On the peak of Crane Cry Mountain, he caught the thunderbolt with his bare hands, which struck the mortal world, and through this experience, he realized a divine skill ultimate art in the history of the Daoist sect.
[The Supreme Lord personally bestowed the Taiping Dongji Scripture].
Later, he founded the Celestial Master Mansion lineage at Dragon Tiger Mountain in Western Hunan and retired at the realm of Magic Artifact Celestial Monarch.
He further transcended beyond the ordinary into sainthood, inspired by the ancestor Sanfeng of Wudang.
He subsequently established three heavenly decrees: the disciples of Liuwei Dao of Zhengyi Alliance shall not lie, kill, or commit adultery.
From then on, he vanished as his original form ascended, leaving the world with the legend of the Ancestor Celestial Master’s ascension.
He is none other than the Grand Mage of the Three Days Servant Sect, the original Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Ancestor Celestial Master [Qingwei Great Saint·Zhang Daoling]!
After Zhang Daoling stepped out of the Dharma Realm, his body shone with light for an instant, and the ceremonial robe transformed into the Dragon Tiger Eight Trigrams attire.
"I’ve been in the Celestial Demon Realm for too long; it’s been ages since I wore this ceremonial robe, and I’m still somewhat unaccustomed to it."
Xu Daoxian smiled and said:
"This ceremonial robe of yours, senior, reminds me of the time in Demon Nest at Qingcheng Mountain, where you subdued the Eight Demon Kings.
That day, you were also enveloped in purple qi, and with a swing of the Three-Five Feminine-Masculine Demon-Slaying Sword, you caused thousands of celestial demons to transform into lotuses."
At that time, he was still a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
Seeing the legendary Ancestor of the Daoist sect appear was truly astonishing beyond measure.
Zhang Daoling smoothed his coat and shook his head, saying:
"Old things can’t withstand the wear of time, getting old. This time at the Luo Tian Great Ceremony, we must rely on you young ones."
"Senior, in the prime of your life, you must oversee the world’s large matters."
Xu Daoxian indeed spoke truthfully; Zhang Daoling, the Ancestor Celestial Master, is indeed the longest-lived Martial Arts Great Saint in the mortal world.
Having lived... for more than two thousand years.
Zhang Daoling was once the foremost Qi-Refining Alchemist, possessing profound Qi-refining skills, which allowed him to survive the long years.
Martial arts cannot compare to immortal paths; purely cultivating through martial arts, even a Great Saint power, finds it difficult to endure two thousand years of time’s sands.
Upon hearing Xu Daoxian’s words, Zhang Daoling waved his hand, saying:
"Xu Sage, praise me no further; on the path of martial arts, I still must rely on youths like you to proceed.
It is now the time for the rise of Qi Blood Martial Arts among humanity, with numerous young talents likely to soar with this eastern breeze. Hundreds of boats will compete, aiding our mortal world in overcoming this great difficulty."
Xu Daoxian nodded in agreement; the words of the Ancestor Celestial Master were indeed correct.
Currently, the strongest Martial Arts Family member in the Great Chu and even the world, Zhao Linyuan, has stood on the shoulders of countless seniors in merely over two hundred years of martial arts practice.
Now, he is only one step away from the legendary eighth grand limit.
The two faced the Sanqing statue and bowed three times, then turned and stepped into the peak of clouds.
Looking down at the Crane Cry Valley and the Martial Arts Celestial Kings discussing fervently, Zhang Daoling knowingly smiled:
"When we went to the Celestial Demon Realm, these were outstanding descendants of our human clan; they all have the possibility of Breaking Seven and even progressing further."
Xu Daoxian’s gaze fell upon the Pine Creek Sect headmaster Zhang Jingshi, who was eyeing the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master Mansion eagerly.
He shook his head and smiled helplessly, saying:
"The juniors are troublesome; it’s hard to undertake great responsibilities."
"One must experience to grow; this Luo Tian Great Ceremony is an excellent opportunity."
"Yes, senior, if the plan succeeds, it will indeed be immensely beneficial, providing extraordinary advantages to our human martial arts."
Zhang Daoling shook his head, saying:
"Xu Sage, it’s better not to be overly optimistic; we can only hope for final victory, as some bloody sacrifice in the process is inevitable.
The history of humanity’s Qi Blood Martial Arts is still too brief. Attempting to surpass these Celestial Demon Realm experts, and even the likes of Shanghao Demons, in such a short time is inevitably challenging."
Xu Daoxian nodded in agreement.
When he first entered the Celestial Demon Realm, he realized there were near three digits of predecessors.
Who sacrificed their lives for the human clan to establish a foothold in the Celestial Demon Realm.
The renowned Qi-refining Ancestor Pengzu, or the founder of the Northern Emperor sect who transmitted the Ziwei Scriptures, the ancestor of the Magu Northern Emperor sect, Deng Ziyang, or even the peerless Martial Saint of the Song era, Jintai.
Their sacrifices were all paving the way for future generations.
"Senior’s words are indeed accurate; the path of human martial arts, even counting the origins of ancient Qi-refining alchemists. Measuring by your prolonged cultivation, it barely amounts to these demon gods’ lifespans.
We humans now luckily have Qi Blood Martial Arts, which has truly marked the rapid development stage.
Breaking Seven is not the limit for us humans; Zhao Linyuan is about to Break Eight, and others will continue to advance, breaking Nine, Ten, eventually truly surpassing these so-called cosmic demon gods, heralding the ultimate victory belonging to humans."
"Good!"
Zhang Daoling smiled, both requiring the determination not to fear sacrifice, and a firm belief in future victory, is the demeanor of the human clan.
Xu Daoxian clasped his hands and said:
"Let’s go, senior, back to the camp, where all the Daoist friends are waiting for us to return and report good news."
The two stepped into the void, their figures vanishing into the horizon.
...
The next day, Meng Chuan sat cross-legged on the hard stone bed, chatting with family and friends from Yong’an.
This journey had already taken more than half a year to set off.
The new batch of United University Martial Extreme True Inheritance had already been decided, and he was still on Wudang Mountain.
This is cultivation, with a path full of the unknown.
In his original plan, he would have already visited Shaolin and returned to Lishan Mountain...
But in ancient times, martial artists considered the four seas their home, honed their martial arts by witnessing the world and all its beings.
Being long confined in one place cannot make one a grandmaster of the age.
