Techniques and Dao

Chapter 114 The Seven Sages of the Realm (2)

Tai Shang Xiao Jun also winked at Hua Sheng, signaling him not to speak recklessly.

Then Taishang Xiaojun said, "Although Li Jing came at the time, Dao Ling Xingjun went with him on his own initiative. Perhaps Xingjun also wanted to protect the Daoist Academy to avoid causing trouble for the immortal masters and disciples."

Hua Sheng knew she should be mindful of the occasion, but her heart was filled with resentment, so she remained silent.

At this moment, Immortal Master Qingmiao said, "If we don't go to Dao Ling Xingjun, could we summon all the disciples of Quanxi Academy to compare these purple-gold threads one by one?"

Master Yu Ran said, "Although this method is inefficient and a poor choice, it's not entirely unacceptable. However, there are two problems. After all, the Academy of Arts and Sciences has over 30,000 disciples. First, the speed is too slow; it's uncertain whether it can be completed within three days. Second, it can only compare disciples currently in the Academy; those who have temporarily left cannot be verified. As everyone knows, in the Battle of Qiankun..."

At this point, Master Yu Ran stopped talking and did not continue.

Immortal Master Jueguang said, "Immortal Master Yuran's words are indeed true. It seems that we should not delay and should first use the method suggested by Immortal Master Qingmiao. If it exceeds three days, we will think of another way to deal with it. At the same time, we should also inquire about the background of this Klin Demon School. In any case, as long as we are prepared, even if they come out in full force, our Academy may not be afraid."

"I'll also go watch the news again to see if I can find any clues..." said Immortal Master Yu Ran.

Hua Sheng was worried that Master Yu Ran would waste his time, so he quickly said, "Master, you definitely won't get any clues from watching the news. It would be better to find another way."

“Oh, I just forgot that you come from the mortal realm. Perhaps your suggestion makes some sense. Let me think about it some more…” Master Yu Ran nodded.

Having said this, Immortal Master Jueguang concluded the meeting at the Lake Star Pavilion. All the immortals and attendees dispersed.

Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun returned to their bedroom.

Although he hadn't returned for a hundred days, Hua Sheng still vividly remembered the state of his room. Because of the pleasant climate and environment of Lingzhou, where the Academy of Arts and Sciences was located, Hua Sheng's room was as clean as if it had just been swept. The desk, the bedside, and the floor were all spotless.

Although Hua Sheng was moved by the sights and sounds upon returning to the Xiyuan Academy, he hadn't expected to encounter trouble so soon after his return. Furthermore, the fact that Dao Ling Xingjun's arrest was somehow related to him made Hua Sheng feel guilty for bringing trouble upon the Xingjun.

He had barely settled into his room when he returned to the main hall and said to the Supreme Lord Xiaojun there, "Xiaojun, I don't think comparing these purple-gold thread ends one by one is a good solution..."

"I think so too. Fortunately, I managed to cut off a piece of the thread just now..."

As he spoke, Taishang Xiaojun actually took out a small piece of purple-gold thread from his bosom.

"Hey? Where did this purple-gold thread come from? Did that magician Jane bring it?"

“That’s right!” Tai Shang Xiao Jun said, raising a thread that was barely longer than a mosquito’s leg. “When I got it from Jian, I knew that keeping some evidence would be useful, so I cut off this small piece.”

Hua Sheng exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Jun, you asked others for their contact information, and you also left your own contact information for Jian. You even thought of leaving a clue! Your multitasking is too meticulous!"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun looked quite pleased with himself and said, "That's right! This immortal never neglects important matters!"

Hua Sheng quickly said, "If we can find Dao Ling Xing Jun with the thread, wouldn't that give us a way to verify whether Xi Yuan and the lost Jupiter thread are related?"

"Logically speaking, it is indeed good, but Dao Ling Xingjun is currently imprisoned in the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison. Moreover, he is guarded by Erlang Shen, unlike when we go to visit Xuanwu Spirit Mountain and come and go as we please."

Hua Sheng thought this made sense. No matter what kind of prison it was, if it was really under the jurisdiction of Erlang Shen Yang Jian, even immortals probably couldn't get in or out.

Although his magical powers are now far greater than before and he possesses the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), his cultivation level is still no match for Sun Wukong's. If he were to encounter Erlang Shen, he would likely not gain the slightest advantage.

Besides, Dao Ling Xingjun is imprisoned in that place called the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison, and Erlang Shen is handling the matter impartially. Logically speaking, Hua Sheng would have no chance to see the imprisoned prisoners.

Just as he was fretting, he saw Taishang Xiaojun taking a piece of paper on the table and drawing various tree-like lines.

"Supreme Lord, what are you doing? It's covered in lines and words... Oh! I get it, are you trying to draw some kind of super powerful invisibility talisman so we can sneak into the Blazing Heavenly Prison?"

“It’s not a talisman.” Tai Shang Xiao Jun thought to himself while writing, but then realized something was wrong, so he tore up the paper on the table and took out another one to draw.

He would draw, then tear it up, then draw again.

"No way? Are you trying to forge some kind of travel permit? That won't do. Just think about it, it's a serious crime of forging state documents! And with just these few strokes, do you think you can get into the Blazing Heavenly Prison?"

Hua Sheng said with some concern, "What if we get caught up in this too? What's the point of just getting in if we can't get out?"

"Don't bother me, what I drew isn't a pass to the gate..."

"What is the purpose of all those vertical and horizontal characters?"

"This is a talisman for claiming kinship!"

"...Sounds like a spell that allows you to get in through connections? You're not thinking of using magic to get closer to Erlang Shen, are you? Can he fall for your spell?"

"This isn't magic; do you understand a family tree chart?"

"I should understand family relationships. But what's the use?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun did not answer, but stared at his chin with the handle of the brush in his hand.

Suddenly he slapped his thigh and shouted, "I've finally managed to get in as a relative of Erlang Shen! I'm guaranteed to get in!"

Hua Sheng gasped and asked, "Xiao Jun, you actually managed to get connections? Then you're a 'connected' person! Tell me about it!"

Taishang Xiaojun took out a piece of white paper, wrote the four characters "Hongjun Laozu" on it, and then wrote the three names below: "Taishang Laojun", "Yuanshi Tianzun" and "Tongtian Jiaozhu".

Hua Sheng said, "This means that the following three are the disciples of Hongjun Laozu..."

"apprentice."

"And then?" Taishang Xiaojun wrote Yuding Zhenren under Yuanshi Tianzun, and then Yang Jian's name under Yuding Zhenren, saying, "My grandfather, Taishang Laojun, and Yuanshi Tianzun were fellow disciples. Yuanshi Tianzun lived in Yuxu Palace, and his disciple was Yuding Zhenren, who was Jiang Ziya's fellow disciple. Yang Jian was Yuding Zhenren's disciple. In other words, he was Yuanshi Tianzun's grand-disciple."

Hua Sheng looked at the chart and pondered, "It seems that you do indeed have some connection with Yang Jian..."

Taishang Xiaojun said smugly, "That's right! Moreover, because Taishang Laojun is the eldest brother, and Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu are my grandfather's junior brothers. To be more specific, I am the eldest brother's grandson, and Yang Jian is the second brother's grand-disciple. Although I was born three thousand years later than Yang Jian, we are not only of the same generation, but I am also a whole generation older than him!"

"Is this even possible?" Hua Sheng was instantly filled with admiration.

"Since ancient times, those with connections and influence have always been invincible!" Tai Shang Xiao Jun laughed heartily, hands on his hips. "Hahahaha! I admire myself so much! I admire myself so much! My intelligence and wisdom are truly boundless!"

Hua Sheng then asked worriedly, "Xiao Jun, do you think this is okay? I think you're probably not the only relative of Erlang Shen. Besides, Dao Ling Xing Jun is, after all, a high-ranking official who has fallen from power in the mortal world. He'd be imprisoned in the strictest jails. It's not like a distant relative like you can just visit him, is it?"

Taishang Xiaojun put away his smile and said seriously, "So my strategy is that I will go and find a way to stall Erlang Shen and talk about some trivial matters. You take this purple-gold thread and find a way to see Daoling Xingjun."

"But even if I can go to jail, I won't be back for a while. Wouldn't Yang Jian become suspicious?"

“So we need to find another accomplice… no, a comrade-in-arms. When you leave, your comrade-in-arms can impersonate you.” Taishang Xiaojun thought for a moment, “Xuanwen, no, his magic isn’t good enough, and he’s a big mouth. He might expose us after just a few words with Erlang Shen.”

"How about Tianjizi..."

"Are you crazy? If I'd known you'd spout such nonsense, I shouldn't have rescued you from that mental hospital. You'd be perfectly suited to stay there. Tianjizi has a long-standing grudge against us; there's no way he'd help us!"

"Who else?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun tilted his head and thought for a while.

"I've got it! It's Shadow Extinction! Shadow Extinction! She's worth nine of them! She's incredibly powerful!"

“Mieying…” Hua Sheng recalled the slap he received from Mieying in front of Wei Yu after the Tianmu Trial, and the memory still stung.

He couldn't help but say, "I'm worried that Mieying is too emotional. Our actions are basically skirting the edge of the law. Would it be reliable to let her participate?"

"It's not like I'm dragging Mieying to rob a bank!" Taishang Xiaojun patted Huasheng and said, "Besides, do you have a choice? To prove the innocence of the Magic Dao Academy, I think Mieying can understand."

"I've noticed, Xiaojun, you're really good at making excuses for yourself..."

"A just cause is essential for success! A good reason is half the battle!"

"A good start is half the battle..."

“Same here.” Tai Shang Xiao Jun turned to go inside. “I need to pack my things first. I have some things to take care of. You and Mie Ying go ahead. I’ll catch up with you shortly.”

"Oh... I'll go ask Mieying. Do you know where the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison is?" Hua Sheng quickly called out.

"Can't you use navigation? Use the Ruihua Treasure Mirror to check the route! Have you ever used it? How could such a famous place as the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison not be on the map!"

"Oh..." Hua Sheng pressed, "So what are you going to do later?"

"Erlang Shen has a troublesome helper. I need to go prepare some things to deal with him..."

"What helper?"

"Haven't you heard of the Celestial Hound? It's incredibly fierce! Back in the day, even Zhao Gongming, Bixiao Niangniang, and even Sun Wukong, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, wielding his golden cudgel, suffered at the hands of this divine dog! How could I not prepare something to bring with me!"

"It's really dangerous. What should we do? What kind of magical artifact are you planning to bring?"

"Dog food! Treats! And I need to buy the really expensive kind! Cheap stuff won't catch the eye of Xiaotianquan. I need to go to the market. You guys go first!"

With that, Taishang Xiaojun turned and went into her room.

"Alright then." Hua Sheng remembered something and called out to Xiao Jun, "Oh, right, there's something else..."

"You're so annoying!" came Taishang Xiaojun's voice from inside the room.

"Xiao Jun, thank you for bringing me back!"

Hua Sheng looked down at the ground and said, "What I mean is, thank you for waking me up in that hospital and giving me another chance to come to Saint Pingning and return to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Because it's been a while since we last met, I haven't had a chance to thank you in person."

The Supreme Lord Xiaojun at the other end of the room did not answer.

Hua Sheng assumed he was busy, so she said again, "Xiao Jun, thank you..."

"Isn't that cheesy? Stop talking nonsense! I brought you back to the academy to cultivate, but look, you're planning to skip class again, aren't you?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun's voice sounded completely unconcerned.

"That's true..."

"Don't bother me, I'm already worried about the money I need to buy dog ​​food later!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Sheng burst into laughter, laughing so hard he could barely stand up straight, almost bringing tears to his eyes.

He hadn't felt this happy, like a child, in a long time.

(End of this chapter)