557. Chapter 541: Re-descent, Blockade
This place, as the head of the Green Cloud Seven Peaks, is also where the Qingyun Sect's spiritual energy is most concentrated.
In front of Tongtian Peak was an extremely vast Square. The Ground was entirely paved with white marble, shining brightly, making one feel insignificant at first glance.
In the distance, clouds drifted like light gauze, actually floating beneath their feet.
In the center of the Square, a bronze giant cauldron was placed every few dozen zhang. They were arranged in three rows, three in each row, totaling nine, placed in an orderly manner.
From the cauldrons, light smoke occasionally rose, its scent clear and lingering.
At the end of the Square was a stone bridge, without supports or piers, rising into the sky. One end rested on the Square, extending straight upwards into the depths of the clouds, like a soaring dragon leaping into the sky, its presence proud and solitary.
A faint sound of water flow could be heard. Under the sunlight, the entire bridge emitted a seven-colored radiance, like a rainbow from the horizon descending into the Mortal Realm, vibrant and stunningly beautiful.
Water flow continuously streamed down the sides of the bridge, incredibly clear, but the central part remained untouched by water.
Sunlight shone on the bridge through the clouds, and was refracted by the water flow, thus forming a magnificent rainbow.
At the end of the rainbow bridge was the main hall of Qingyun Temple on the summit of Tongtian Peak, the "Yuqing Hall".
Green mountains held emerald hues, and the Palace stood majestically. Yuqing Hall was situated on the peak, surrounded by cloud mist. Occasionally, several auspicious cranes would cry out as they flew past, circling in the air, like an immortal's spirit realm, inspiring reverence.
At this time, the doors of Yuqing Hall were wide open. Inside, the light was ample. In the Great Hall, stood dozens of People of the World, both Taoists and laymen, all disciples of the Qingyun Sect.
In front of the crowd were seven sandalwood armchairs, three on the left, three on the right, and one in the very front center. Seven People of the World sat on them, four Taoists and three laymen. The one sitting in the center, wearing a dark green daoist robe, with an ethereal and refined appearance and warm, bright eyes, was the renowned Sect Leader of the Qingyun Sect, True Master Dao Xuan.
On the pearwood low table beside True Master Dao Xuan's hand were neatly placed ten palm-sized white jade waist tokens.
Although the crowd in the Great Hall tried their best to restrain themselves, their gaze couldn't help but drift towards those reincarnation jade talismans.
This was an opportunity to achieve immortality and the Dao bestowed by Immortals! True Master Dao Xuan looked around, taking in the expressions of the crowd one by one. His knuckles tapped on the low table surface, rousing the distracted crowd.
"My purpose for calling everyone here is simple. These are the reincarnation talismans bestowed by those Heavenly Empresses. How do you think they should be distributed!? Feel free to speak your minds!"
The crowd looked at each other, but no one spoke a word.
At this moment, True Master Dao Xuan pondered for a moment, then turned to the short, stout Taoist sitting in the first seat on the left and asked, "Junior Brother Tang, what is your opinion?"
Tian Bu Yi, as the Peak Master of the Big Bamboo Peak lineage, was part of the Qingyun Sect. Big Bamboo Peak originally had the fewest disciples and the weakest presence, but who could have predicted that a disciple with immortal destiny would emerge from their branch?
If it weren't for Zhang Xiaofan, these reincarnation jade talismans might not even be here. That's why True Master Dao Xuan sought his opinion.
Tian Bu Yi frowned, and after a moment, said:
"Xiaofan told me about the reincarnation jade talismans. Although it's immortal destiny, the Cycle World isn't entirely a benevolent place. We need to select outstanding disciples to maximize the effectiveness of this immortal destiny! I think we should hold another seven branch martial arts competition."
Shang Zhenliang, the Peak Master of Chaoyang Peak, then said, "Junior Brother Tang is right. This immortal destiny belongs to the entire Qingyun Sect. Only by maximizing its effectiveness can we be worthy of the patriarch!"
True Master Dao Xuan nodded and said, "Both Junior Brothers are absolutely right!"
The Peak Masters of the other five branches also nodded in agreement.
Since the Qingyun Patriarch founded the Qingyun Sect two thousand years ago, their pursuit has been to achieve immortality and the Dao and attain immortality. Now, the opportunity is right before them. If they were to waste this immortal destiny, they would indeed be unworthy of the patriarch.
"Since that is the case, each peak shall prepare for another seven branch martial arts competition!" True Master Dao Xuan looked around! Early in the morning, the crowd from Big Bamboo Peak sat around the dining hall. Song Daren and his fellow disciples looked at each other, their gaze falling upon Zhang Xiaofan and the two women beside him, one in white and one in a green dress, their eyes filled with teasing and envy.
"Ouch!"
Song Daren was so engrossed that he didn't notice the tigress beside him whose complexion had turned sour. Wen Min grabbed Song Daren's ear and pulled, causing the Senior Brother of Big Bamboo Peak to let out a wailing cry.
The Junior Brothers beside them burst into laughter.
Zhang Xiaofan watched this scene, a happy smile appearing on his face.
He looked at his Senior Brothers, then secretly glanced at the two girls sitting to his left and right, a feeling of having no regrets in this life rising in his heart.
"Hmph! Zhang Xiaofan, how does it feel to be embracing two girls?"
The one who spoke was Biyao, sitting to his left. At this moment, Biyao still looked like she was sixteen or seventeen, just like decades ago.
She wore a water-green dress, her appearance beautiful, with delicate eyebrows and snow-white skin. Her pair of bright, large eyes were extremely lively, making one's eyes light up. Even compared to Lu Xueqi, she didn't lose out much.
Her complexion turned serious, looking somewhat angry.
"Biyao, I..." Zhang Xiaofan looked at her, as if he had done something wrong. Biyao looked at Zhang Xiaofan's expression and burst into laughter.
"Alright, silly. Senior Sister Lu and I have discussed it. We'll compete fairly!"
Zhang Xiaofan looked at Biyao, then towards Lu Xueqi beside him, meeting her eyes that were like water ripples.
"Zhang Xiaofan, who is prettier, me or Senior Sister Lu?"
Biyao's face suddenly moved close to his. Zhang Xiaofan was startled, feeling extremely awkward as if caught red-handed, with nowhere to escape:
"I... you... she... uh, you, this!"
Zhang Xiaofan was instantly caught in a dilemma. Even with his dull personality, he knew this was a death trap question.
He looked towards his Senior Brothers beside him for help.
"Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother's cooking is really good, try some!"
"Mm-hmm, it's still that taste. Haven't eaten it in decades. What kind of life have we been living these past few decades, sigh!"
"Wife! This dish of shredded bamboo shoots and chicken is good!"
The Senior Brothers clearly didn't want to get involved in this awkward situation. Some were picking up food, others were chatting.
Song Daren's chopsticks flew, and under the resentful gaze of his Junior Brothers, the food in Wen Min's bowl was almost overflowing.
"Squeak squeak squeak..."
"Woof woof woof"
Just as Zhang Xiaofan was at a loss, the sound of a monkey's cries came from the entrance, mixed with a few barks.
"Xiao Hui, Da Huang!"
Zhang Xiaofan pleasantly surprised stood up. A grey shadow flashed past and pounced towards Zhang Xiaofan, landing in his arms.
"Hmph!" Biyao looked at Zhang Xiaofan playing with Xiao Hui, a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth: "Consider yourself lucky!"
Biyao turned and quietly said something to Lu Xueqi. The two left the dining hall one after the other.
Zhang Xiaofan used Da Huang and Xiao Hui to escape the predicament, enduring until his Master and Master's Wife arrived at the dining hall.
After Tian Bu Yi and his wife sat down, Zhang Xiaofan brought up the idea of leaving.
"You want to go to that Cycle World!?" Tian Bu Yi hesitated, saying, "Xiaofan, thanks to you, those Heavenly Empresses left behind ten reincarnation jade talismans before leaving This World. For the Qingyun Sect, that is immortal destiny!"
"Sect Leader Senior Brother has decided to restart the seven branch martial arts competition to determine the ownership of these immortal destinies. The seven branch martial arts competition is about to begin, why don't you leave after participating in it!"
Zhang Xiaofan gave a wry smile: "Master, I won't participate in the seven branch martial arts competition. People will say I'm bullying the younger generation!"
"What are you thinking?" Tian Bu Yi said irritably, "Senior Brother Dao Xuan meant for you to be a judge and incidentally give pointers on the disciples' cultivation bases. We have no intention of letting you, a great immortal, compete! With your current cultivation base, I'm afraid even a few of us old fellows together wouldn't be your opponent!"
Zhang Xiaofan quickly said, "This disciple would never dare to fight with Master and the Senior Uncles!"
Du Bishu suddenly interjected, "Seventh Brother, how high is your cultivation base now? Have you become an immortal?"
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head: "According to the Heavenly Realm's classification, my cultivation base has just reached the level of Nascent Soul Great Perfection, just one step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm. As for achieving immortality, it's still very early!"
"Nascent Soul?" Tian Bu Yi, Su Ru, and the fellow disciples were somewhat confused. They felt very unfamiliar with the realm classification Zhang Xiaofan spoke of.
But hearing the name, it sounded quite formidable.
Zhang Xiaofan explained the Heavenly Realm's realm classification in detail to his Master, Master's Wife, and Senior Brothers.
"Seventh Brother, you're only one realm away from achieving immortality!" Tian Bu Yi, Su Ru, and the fellow disciples were greatly shocked after hearing this. Even the most composed Song Daren's mouth hung open upon hearing Zhang Xiaofan's words. The word "immortal" not only represents a realm but also longevity/immortality, and it represents the lifelong pursuit of generations of Cultivators in the entire Zhu Xian World over millions of years.
Wasn't the entire Zhu Xian plot, the suffering of Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu, caused by the pursuit of the mystery of longevity/immortality? Puzhi of Tianyin Temple, as one of the four great divine monks of Tianyin Temple, was revered by the world and held in the highest esteem. But his great vow to unravel the mystery of life and death and untie the knot of longevity/immortality led to Zhang Xiaofan's lifetime of suffering.
At that time, when he realized that no matter how diligently he cultivated Buddhist Sect daoist techniques, he could only increase his power and cultivation, but not unravel the mystery of life and death, he pondered bitterly.
Decades later, he actually came up with an unprecedented method. In the world today, the Buddhist Sect, Taoist School, and Demonic Sect were the most prosperous, with the highest and deepest attainments in magical techniques.
The Demonic Sect had a bad reputation, their evil arts cruel and immoral, not adopted by people; while Taoist School's wondrous arts were profound and mysterious, each excelling in their field alongside the Buddhist Sect. If they could join forces to study, they would surely achieve a breakthrough in the stalemate.
However, he never expected that his three Senior Brothers, who were always open-minded, would unanimously oppose him, considering it heresy and wild fantasy, and instead advised him repeatedly with earnest words. Unwilling to give up, he visited famous Taoist School sects several times, even ascending Qingyun Mountain multiple times, but each time he was politely refused by the sect leader of the Qingyun Sect, True Master Dao Xuan.
By chance, at Caomiao Village, he encountered Taoist Cangseng who had strayed onto an evil path, and also met Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu. At that time, for the great vow of longevity/immortality in his heart, he not only passed on the unique techniques of Tianyin Temple to Zhang Xiaofan. Furthermore, so that Zhang Xiaofan could become a disciple of Qingyun, he, as a generation's divine monk, actually slaughtered everyone in Caomiao Village, committing a heinous bloody case. And all of this was for the mystery of longevity/immortality, for immortality.
Tian Bu Yi took a deep breath and asked in a daze, "Seventh Brother, are you really close to achieving immortality?"
Zhang Xiaofan thought for a moment and said, "From Nascent Soul to Nascent Divinity, and then to Pure Yang True Immortal, I still need to undergo at least a hundred years of ascetic cultivation!"
Tian Bu Yi was silent. He let out a long sigh: "People of the World have foolishly sought for thousands of years, never expecting the path to achieving immortality would come from Outside the World!"
After this conversation, everyone at the dining table was absent-minded. After hastily finishing their meal.
Tian Bu Yi and Su Ru left directly and headed to Tongtian Peak using sword control.
Zhang Xiaofan ultimately didn't have time to participate in the seven branch martial arts competition.
"Large-scale team reclamation mission, Journey to the West: Demon Subduing! Detected that you are an Agent. This mission is mandatory. Please proceed to the Mission Hall within three days to accept the mission!"
Beneath the sala tree, the young monk in a plain white monk's robe looked at the hundreds of light beams rising from the lotus flower. The string of beads in his hand paused, and a compassionate smile appeared on his face.
"The three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, even a Sage cannot avoid the mundane. Fellow Daoist, you truly couldn't bear to lose face. My dao is complete!"
An extremely thin golden light, seemingly several times thinner than a strand of hair, slowly descended from the flower petals. The golden light was extremely thin, but the surrounding golden radiance and auspicious energy were incredibly rich. A strange fragrance faintly drifted from the golden light, accompanied by enchanting Sanskrit chanting.
"Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, while practicing the profound Prajna Paramita, saw that the five skandhas are all empty, and was delivered from all suffering and hardship.
Shariputra! Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is precisely emptiness, emptiness is precisely form; feeling, cognition, formation, and consciousness are also like this.
Shariputra! All dharmas are empty of characteristics, not produced, not destroyed, not defiled, not pure; and they neither increase nor diminish.
Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, cognition, formation, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no sights, sounds, smells, tastes, objects of touch, or dharmas; no field of the eyes, up to and including no field of mind-consciousness.
No ignorance, nor the ending of ignorance, up to and including no old age and death, nor the ending of old age and death, no suffering, no accumulating, no extinction, no path. No wisdom, nor attainment.
Because nothing is attained, a Bodhisattva, through reliance on Prajna Paramita, has a mind without hindrance. Because there is no hindrance, there is no fear, far from inverted dream-thinking, attaining ultimate nirvana.
All Buddhas of the Three Times, through reliance on Prajna Paramita, attains Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi."
The young monk was the Buddha Venerable's Second Personal Disciple, with profound dao cultivation and the great compassionate Buddhist dharma. He was the Sect Master of the Consciousness-Only Sect in the Pure Land. He achieved the dao through the merit of the eastward transmission of Buddhist dharma, attained Daluo Golden Immortal status, and was titled Chandana Meritorious Buddha, holding a very high status on Spirit Mountain.
One jiazi ago, Great Master Xuanzang was evolving his world of enlightenment, but unexpectedly, the qi signature of This World was captured by the Samsara Palace.
Many Reincarnators were converted by him into Bhikshus and novice monks under his seat. Superman Clark, Iron Man Tony Stark, and others would have also nearly been converted by Great Master Xuanzang if they weren't Agents of the Heavenly Emperor Tang Song.
When the few of them returned to the Samsara Palace, Great Master Xuanzang exchanged several blows from afar with the Twelve Capital Heaven Avatars guarding the Samsara Palace.
Great Master Xuanzang naturally couldn't break through the mysterious Samsara Palace, but one of Tang Song's incarnations was lost and entered This World.
For so many years, Great Master Xuanzang has been evolving This World while also trying to achieve the deliverance of Tang Song's clone. He had a premonition that his path to enlightenment would depend on this benefactor Tang.
As expected, just as he predicted, after a jiazi passed, this benefactor Tang came again! Watching the strange light beams carrying outsiders descend into his Palm Buddha Kingdom, Great Master Xuanzang chanted the Heart Sutra.
In the Buddha Kingdom, forty-eight thousand zen masters, Bhikshus, upasikas, upasakas, divine monks, Great Gods, ding jia, gong cao, and garan in the Pure Land all chanted sutras together, reciting "Namo Chandana Meritorious Buddha"!
"Main Quest One: Meet the Grand Governor!"
"Mission Description: One day, you wake up! You find yourself in an unfamiliar world, realizing the entire world has changed.
You hear the Heavenly Emperor's decree in your ear, and feel that everything has become different. You walk towards the Sun, only to see Heaven displays killing intent, shifting stars and altering constellations. Earth displays killing intent, dragons and snakes rise from the land. Man displays killing intent, heaven and earth are overturned."
"At this time, you suddenly hear someone say that in the past few days, the Grand Governor of the Demon Extermination Bureau has come here to subdue demons and monsters and will soon pass through this place. Your heart stirs, perhaps this Grand Governor can help you."
"Mission Requirement: Meet the Grand Governor! Mission Reward: C-level clearance +1, 3000 contribution points!"
"Is this the Cycle World?"
Three figures inexplicably appeared in a Wilderness. The green-clad girl holding a white flower looked at the virtual interface screen that appeared before her, observing her surroundings with some surprise.
"Something's wrong!" Lu Xueqi, wearing a plain white long dress, held her sword in hand and wary swept her divine sense around.
"What's wrong?" Biyao looked at her, puzzled.
"The Samsara Palace has never set a precedent of issuing missions immediately upon entering a Cycle World!" Zhang Xiaofan grabbed Biyao's hand, pulled her behind him, and looked at her with a solemn expression: "If there's danger, you leave this world immediately!"
Zhang Xiaofan didn't want to bring Biyao to experience a dangerous reclamation world, but no matter how he tried to persuade her, Biyao refused to stay in Tai Ming Yu Wan Heaven.
Helpless, he could only bring Biyao to This World. "Senior Sister, you too! Be careful!" Zhang Xiaofan's gaze turned to Lu Xueqi.
Lu Xueqi, however, shook her head at him and delivered news that made his complexion change: "The option to leave is gone!"
"Journey to the West: Demon Subduing World, mission one: Meet the Grand Governor. Completing the mission rewards C-level contribution authority! 3000 contribution points.
Mission two: Subdue the pig demon Zhu Ganglie. Completing the mission rewards B-level contribution authority! 10000 contribution points."
In front of Fuling Mountain, several Ninjas wearing black robes with red clouds appeared out of thin air in the Wilderness.
"Zhu Ganglie? Journey to the West: Demon Subduing, this is the world of Journey to the West!" After seeing the panel's prompt, the complexion of the only female Ninja changed drastically.
"Konan, what world of Journey to the West? Do you know the situation of this world?!"
A young man with eyes different from the others looked at the woman speaking, "I once read a book called 'Journey to the West' in a Cycle World. If this is truly that world, we are in big trouble!" Konan suddenly seemed a bit disheartened, muttering.
"Who cares about Journey to the West? We've even killed over a dozen Immortals from the Otsutsuki Clan, are we afraid of some pig demon!" The young man with a yellow ponytail wore a careless smile on his face: "Explosion is art! Even if there really is some pig demon, with my Explosion Fruit ability and the explosives I brought, it's enough to turn any carbon-based lifeform into ash!"
"Deidara! Don't be careless. If this is really the world of Journey to the West, this pig demon called Zhu Ganglie we're facing might be a true Immortal, not an imposter like the Otsutsuki!"
Konan looked at the ponytail young man with a serious complexion, while also sweeping her gaze around. Just as she was about to say something, suddenly, the gaze of several People of the World changed simultaneously.
"Who's there? Come out!"
Konan quickly formed hand seals with both hands. Countless paper cranes flew out from behind her back, densely flying towards the Forest/Woods not far away.
Faster than her paper cranes were swimming snakes with wings... A figure slowly walked out from the Forest/Woods. The person was a Middle-aged Man wearing a cloth robe. Seeing the paper cranes and swimming snakes approaching him, a green light suddenly erupted from his body, transforming into a circular light barrier.
The hundreds of paper cranes made of stacked detonation talismans landed on the green light barrier held up by the Middle-aged Man, resulting in boom boom boom boom boom—
Violent explosions echoed, instantly filling the entire mountain forest with smoke and dust, sending countless birds flying.
In this Barren Mountain area, at least dozens of groups of People of the World were attracted by the commotion. Some sent out drones, while others, bold due to their skill, flew directly towards this mountain forest.
The Middle-aged Man withstood the detonation talismans released by Konan. The commotion from the explosion truly startled him. Looking at the swimming snakes constantly hitting his protective shield, he raised a hand, and a radiance appeared on his fingertip, then transformed into talismans.
Those talismans shot straight out from his fingertip, instantly sending the black and white striped swimming snakes flying away.
"I am Wanrenwang, also a Reincarnator. I just happened to descend near you all, I didn't intentionally eavesdrop on your conversation!"
The Middle-aged Man saw the Akatsuki members subtly surrounding him. His complexion remained unchanged, and the hand he had withdrawn into his sleeve subtly gripped a short awl!
"You're also a Reincarnator!?"
Nagato raised his hand, and the Akatsuki crowd stopped their steps.
"What is your mission?"
"Meet that Grand Governor, and subdue a pig demon named Zhu Ganglie!"
Orochimaru's pale face showed a hint of fear. These gu snakes were nurtured by him using the witchcraft and gu arts he had exchanged for. These gu snakes were not only swift as wind but also had incredibly tough skin, able to resist divine weapons in the traditional sense. Yet, the dozen or so gu snakes he released were all killed by this man in a single encounter.
(end of chapter)