Chapter 302
True Martial Ancestor, Unrivaled Since Emerging from His Cave, Sweeping Across Three Pro
Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River, Beicang City!
Dark clouds piled up like mountains, forming a dense mass, with a faint rumbling sound, as if a storm was about to break.
At this time.
The young man, dressed in a purple sash and blue robe, with the Zhenwu seal at his waist, had eyebrows like mountain peaks and eyes like the universe. He lightly flicked his hand.
Before him stood the ancestral hall of the Dugu clan, with its vermilion railings, jade doors, and exquisite pavilions, on the steps that symbolized the incense offerings of the ancestral temple!
The old man, dressed in luxurious purple robes, exuded a terrifying aura, his hair and beard bristling like dragons and snakes dancing wildly.
A bloody hole was pierced right between his eyebrows, striking his primordial spirit and soul. He cried out that his life was over, his breath was gone, and he collapsed to the ground!
Just by looking at the lingering aura around him, one could tell that this old man was no ordinary person; he must have at least condensed the true essence of martial arts and reached the limit of Martial Saint!
Even if one grows old and frail, with declining energy and blood, no longer at their peak, and as limp as rotten wood, having lost the chance to once again strive for the title of 'Giant'.
Yet he is still a rare sight in the state!
Even so, the man in blue standing before him, and the protector beside him with his hands behind his back, died swiftly and decisively.
Even surrounded by powerful clans, leaders of influential families, and even martial arts masters who could hold sway over a region in the outside world.
But no one dared to utter a sound or step forward to stop them. They just stared intently, not daring to speak loudly for fear of startling the person in front of them!
Qi Nanke's eyes were indifferent.
He looked at the Dugu clan elder, who was on the list of those who "blocked the dragon and elephant" before the age of 60, and the famous martial saint Dugu Jing of Cangdu who died before his eyes. His eyes were indifferent and calm, without any ripples.
At his level, as long as the powerful figures don't intervene, even with a title of "Martial Saint" or the highest level of martial arts, he can still kill them head-on without Zhao Baijing having to lift a finger!
This is completely different from the gentle and warm demeanor she once displayed in front of Ji Xiu.
At this moment, Qi Nanke's eyes were sharp as swords and narrow as an eagle's. He looked around at the Dugu Clan members who dared not utter a sound, and spoke softly, yet with a firm and resounding tone:
"Adding this, along with the feudal lord's mansion and the garrison commander of the 'Northern Garrison Command' under the jurisdiction of the Black Ice Terrace in Baiyujing, it's just right, let's set off together."
"I, Ben Daozi, don't care what kind of bigwigs you are, what your long-standing influence is, or who's behind you."
"But as the saying goes, every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor, and karma is a cycle that will inevitably bring retribution!"
"Since you killed the disciples of the branch of my Zhenwu Mountain back then, today I, the Daoist, will come to your door and kill them one by one to pay the debt."
"If anyone disagrees..."
"Afterwards, just go up Zhenwu Mountain and look for me, Qi Nanke."
Having said that, he was unceremoniously and decisively about to step out of the gate, and no one along the way dared to stop him; they even spontaneously made way for him!
Even in front of the ancestral hall, which is of utmost importance to the powerful clans, to act so arrogantly and ostentatiously is unacceptable.
No one dared to look him in the eye or agree to his words!
"Why waste time talking nonsense with Daozi?"
"What is your status, what is your majesty?"
"These are nothing more than local tyrants in a single state, who are used to bullying others by relying on their power. Although they have some wealth, compared with the mighty and powerful families, they are like the faint light of a firefly trying to compete with the sun and moon."
"They should have known this day would come after they killed Xu Longxiang's only true disciple."
"It's not that Zhenwu Mountain doesn't want to report this, it's just that I didn't know that in this barren land of the far east, there could be someone so audacious."
Before the Zhenwu Golden Chariot, disciples bowed their heads, sprinkled water to clean the street, and served respectfully. The protector Zhao Baijing looked at the Zhenwu Daoist Qi Nanke, who was walking with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, and said in a calm tone.
Qi Nanke smiled at this:
"Before we came here, our ancestors said that our Zhenwu Mountain owes a great debt to our Grandmaster Uncle Xu Baxian."
“And since Grandmaster Longxiang was his only younger brother, he naturally had to make amends to him.”
"Furthermore, when a true dragon lies dormant, it hides among the mud and sand as a loach; when a phoenix is young, it looks like a chick. Even in remote places, there are still unparalleled heroes like Junior Brother Ji Xiu, who have developed a precious body and whose Daoist skills are on par with others. They should not be underestimated."
"It wouldn't be surprising if some extraordinary figure emerged from among these state warlords. After all, fate is mysterious, and rises and falls are normal."
Qi Nanke narrowed his sword-like eyes, his long, dark pupils flashing with a sharp, piercing light, as if they held the ambition to devour the universe.
"But if that really happens, I'll just tell them my name today and have them come looking for me."
"This debt"
“I will take the blame for my grandmaster Longxiang and my junior brother.”
"As a Daoist disciple and the leader of the Young Dragon Stele, it is my duty to shoulder the responsibility of protecting Zhenwu Mountain and upholding the sect."
"The martial arts of the immortals are revered for their qi and blood. Even after nine dynasties, there were still forces like the Nine Clans and Ten Pillars, which vanished like rain and wind."
"But as long as Qi Nanke is alive..."
"When all the heroes of the world see me, they can only bow their heads."
These were words that couldn't be more arrogant than they could possibly be.
As Qi Nanke spoke calmly, word by word, even Zhao Baijing, the protector on the side, who was at the pinnacle of power, clapped his hands in admiration and was extremely pleased.
Normally, no Taoist priests are set up on Zhenwu Mountain.
Once a Daozi is born
He must be the leader of the Great Xuan Sect, the pinnacle of the world!
The contemporary Daoist Qi Nanke is even more extraordinary. Born into the direct lineage of the first ancestor, Qi Xuanzhen, he was born with extraordinary signs and was chosen by Heaven.
Thirteen ranked among the masters. After three years of honing his skills, he broke through the Treasure Body, entered the Young Dragon Stele, fought against the Nine Surnames and Ten Pillars, and the White Jade Capital, and won the top prize in the Grand Examination. Once he was on a roll, he was unstoppable!
Once he reached the rank of Young Martial Saint, he traversed the Great Wall of the Realm, traveled through the heavens and the sky, and rose to fame in the Realm Heaven, distinguishing himself and earning a seat at the Peach Banquet!
Along the way, how many enemies have been incredibly talented and brilliant? We still hate them with a vengeance, but we can only swallow our anger and keep quiet.
What's even more commendable is that such a prodigy values his sect immensely. Given time, he could dispel the rumor that "the Dao Child is short-lived."
He is another pillar of Zhenwu Mountain, with the style of his ancestor, the first ancestor of Zhenwu Mountain, Qi Xuanzhen!
As Zhao Baijing was secretly admiring him, he heard Qi Nanke speak:
"But no matter how things change in the future, once this matter is settled, I think these so-called state lords will be terrified in a short time."
"In this way, we won't resort to any dirty tricks to prevent Junior Brother Ji, who is ranked first in Cangzhou, from making any mistakes."
"Before entering Baiyujing and the Grand Examination, we should send Junior Brother Ji to Zhenwu to study the true teachings and cultivate in seclusion for a period of time. We just don't know if Grandmaster Uncle Longxiang will let him go."
Thinking of this, Qi Nanke fell into deep thought, while Zhao Baijing smiled upon hearing this:
"Daozi has filtered it out. I have known Xu Longxiang for quite some time. I met him when he was a teenager. He values blood relatives the most, and I imagine he treats his disciples and grand-disciples the same way."
"Although he was still resentful about his brother Xu Baxian's matter, it concerned the secrets of Zhenwu. Not to mention him, even we don't know much about it."
"Only you, Daozi, the Ancestor, and the current Lord of the Heavenly Pillar know this."
"So many years have passed since this incident, he probably figured it out by now, and the resentment shouldn't be as deep as it was back then."
"In addition, with the turmoil in Cangdu coming one after another, Xu Longxiang naturally knew that he could probably still deal with these local warlords and orthodox figures and ensure the safety of his disciples and grandchildren."
"But when Ji Xiu reached a higher level and became involved with the behemoths in the White Mountains and Black Waters, such as the Yu Huan Xie, Qi Shan Jiang, the Divine Weapon Altar, or even the Wang Quan family, which was inferior to the Nine Surnames and Ten Pillars but still had the ultimate suppression, he paled in comparison."
"And the only place that can guarantee his safety and even enable him to comprehend the supreme secrets is my Zhenwu Mountain."
The two spoke to each other, their conversation revealing their true feelings for Ji Xiu, all of which stemmed from considerations for his future.
He was about to board the golden carriage and head to the Dragon Elephant Gate to find Xu Longxiang and Ji Xiu to discuss the matter. Immediately...
Then a gilded talisman, branded with the character "玄" (Xuan), flew to the front of the Zhenwu Golden Chariot amidst the dark clouds filling the sky.
Seeing this, Qi Nanke paused in his act of boarding the carriage, then raised an eyebrow:
"Oh?"
"To be able to wield such magical and supernatural abilities in the Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River region, one can only rely on fate."
"Looking across the three prefectures, it seems that only the 'Prince Yan's Mansion,' where the new official makes a big splash upon taking office, can compare."
Zhao Baijing, standing to one side, also narrowed his eyes slightly:
"The Prince of Yan, Jiang Shentong, is a man of clear mind. For decades, the various princes and vassals have been fighting and scheming against each other for the Xuan Ding, but in the end, none of them have been able to gain the approval of the ancestral lineage."
"With a great upheaval imminent, he knew that his power was the weakest and that he had no hope of contending for the throne. So he simply gave up on that idea and came here to carve out his own territory. It was a good way out."
"After years of operation, no matter how turbulent and unpredictable the situation may be, it should not be difficult to protect oneself."
"We have just beheaded several elder statesmen and also the garrison commander of Cangdu, who is in charge of patrolling the area. As the Prince of Yan, who is in charge of the White Mountains and Black Waters, does he want to hold us accountable?"
That being said, it's just speculation.
But Zhao Baijing was not intimidated by the 'Prince Yan's Mansion' at all.
Although he was no match for the Prince of Yan, who relied on fate to obtain a false claim of supreme skill, even a vassal king would be in awe of this True Martial Daoist.
In an instant, the hidden trick that the ancestor of Zhenwu Mountain left on Daozi will make him clearly understand the difference between pretending to be a peerless cultivator and being a true 'peerless cultivator in the human world'!
"When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it."
"If this Prince of Yan truly intends to stand up for those powerful clans..."
"That would mean making an enemy of my Zhenwu Mountain."
"Zhenwu Mountain is located in the Central Plains, connecting the north and south, and running east and west. Our ancestor was once known as the invincible one below the Ten Ancestors, and was said to be 'unrivaled since he came out of the cave, and could sweep across thirty states with his palms.' He could go anywhere in the north and south of the country with a single step!"
Although he is currently facing the "death of heaven and man", he has not made a move for many years, but his remaining power is still there.
"If that last Xuanjun were still alive, when the Great Xuan Dragon Vein was at its peak and its destiny was at its zenith, his forceful approach would be understandable, but now..."
Qi Nanke chuckled and shook his head, flicking his finger to retrieve the talisman. After examining its intricacies, he pointed to its contents and addressed Zhao Baijing, the protector beside him:
"Look, this Prince of Yan is quite clever. He knows that fighting to the death will not bring any benefit. He just wants to stop us from killing, so that the entire Beicang will be stained with blood and that those with titles who have a grudge against the Dragon and Elephant will be terrified."
"In this envelope, he wanted to act as a peacemaker, to stop the various clans from making things difficult for Junior Brother Ji, and to appoint Junior Brother Ji as the top Xuan official, granting him a spot to 'attend the Grand Examination,' and promising him a great benefit."
"Since that's the case..."
"It might be worthwhile to meet him. Instead of rushing to find Junior Brother Ji, let's see what kind of opportunity this Prince Yan of the Xuan Chamber can offer my junior brother."
"It can also serve as a gift for my next visit, can't it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Baijing smiled and nodded.
"What Taozi said is true."
"good."
At this time.
Amidst the cluster of temples in the far west, one could almost hear the chanting of Buddhist hymns, as if a Bodhisattva were manifesting.
Inside the Eastern Crimson Primordial Palace, seven days and nights alternated, and the Heavenly Medicine was nearing completion!
However, Zhenwu Jinche, unaware of the inside story, took the talisman and headed straight for the Prince of Yan's residence.
Cangdu, Chiyuan Palace.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, with hidden lightning and thunder; there was not a cloud in sight for thousands of miles.
This phenomenon, which affects the entire city of Cangdu, is not a celestial occurrence, but rather a result of human intervention.
Ji Xiu, Xu Longxiang, and Marquis Xiao Pingnan of Beicang were completely unaware of the outside turmoil.
Because it lasted for seven days and nights.
They were all located on the back mountain of the Crimson Origin Palace, beside the 'Alchemy Platform' which was isolated by talismans, forbidden spells, and supernatural techniques. They sat upright, watching intently as the Lord of the Crimson Origin Palace, this master of alchemy, used the Sumeru Immortal Fruit to refine the celestial medicine [Spring Before Illness]!
A master of Taoist alchemy.
One must cultivate their mind to the level of a 'Supernatural True Man' and successfully refine a celestial medicine to receive this honorific title, which is quite demanding.
Within the Great Xuan Realm, they are extremely rare, their status comparable to that of a giant, and they are always honored guests wherever they go.
The Heavenly Medicine [Spring Before Illness] is listed in the precious ancient book "Scroll of Heavenly Medicines for Immortals" of the Orthodox Heaven, belonging to the [Wood Element], and has the effects of bringing the dead back to life, restoring flesh and bones, and prolonging life!
Among them, it can cleanse the physical body, transforming residual illnesses into spiritual essence to enhance cultivation. The longer and more stubborn the illnesses accumulate, the more they can be transformed into astonishing divine assistance, possessing the ability to turn decay into wonder!
To refine this celestial elixir, one must bring forth a cauldron, alchemical artifact, and precious elixir that are comparable to a 'titled artifact'. Furthermore, a master craftsman must be completely focused, with his divine thoughts never ceasing, and must also manipulate celestial phenomena in order to succeed.
For example, right now.
Li Qianyuan, with his hair disheveled, stood cross-legged in front of the cauldron, continuously refining the 'Sumeru Immortal Fruit' with the true flames of earth fire. He then poured twelve kinds of earth-treasure auxiliary ingredients and rare treasures over it to preserve its properties, thus forming the prototype of the heavenly medicine.
A full seven days and eighty-four hours!
Finally, the work was nearly complete, only lacking the blessing of a celestial phenomenon and Daoist charm that arose from the refining of a celestial medicine, which would transform into a cinnabar pattern, indicating its rank and endowing it with the ability to turn decay into wonder.
This time, with the altar set up and the cauldron set up to refine the celestial medicine, the task can be considered complete and the mission accomplished!
"The wind is coming!"
Behind Li Qianyuan, yellow banners fluttered, and true flames burned the vacuum before his eyes. Looking at the 'Spring Before Illness' celestial medicine prototype hovering above the cauldron, his eyes shone with divine light, and his divine thoughts reached the heavens, seemingly connecting the sky and the earth. Suddenly, he let out a loud shout!
Then suddenly a gust of wind blew down, creating a tiny ripple that adhered to the medicine, adding to its beauty.
"Rain is coming!"
Another stern shout rang out, and the dark clouds suddenly parted for a moment, revealing a drop of jade-like dew, like a precious nectar, adding a rain-like pattern to the heavenly medicine!
Seeing that the cinnabar pattern had been blessed by the 'Heavenly Essence' and had taken shape, Li Qianyuan, whose divine sense was exhausted and whose face was pale, finally showed a look of joy:
"【Spring Before Illness】. Completed!"
"Moreover, it was imbued with two Heavenly Dao Pill patterns, making it of extremely superior quality!"
Li Qianyuan muttered to himself, then immediately took a breath, intending to blow away the 'Spring Before Illness' that was entirely emerald green and crystal clear, which had been refined into pills by the Sumeru Immortal Fruit.
Then, finally, all its mortal essence must be blown away, leaving only its spiritual essence and cinnabar patterns, to create a miraculous elixir.
Suddenly, from the westernmost point of the Crimson Origin Palace, on the other side of the clouds, came the chanting of Buddhist hymns. Bodhisattvas appeared and disappeared, like a strange sight. It seemed to be far away, but it was just as Li Qianyuan was about to succeed in his alchemy!
The message arrived suddenly!
In an instant, the Heavenly Medicine Pill pattern originally engraved on it suddenly became unstable, and was about to be shaken away by the Sanskrit sound, scattering some of its spiritual essence, and was forcibly reduced from a Heavenly Medicine Pill to a mortal pill!
The shout startled Li Qianyuan.
"Great Vehicle Boundless Temple, how dare you!" (End of Chapter)