Xianye

Chapter 474 Abacus
When the name Luzhuang was mentioned, apart from the monk Zhihun and a few others, Chen Shoushi and Miao Yishanren couldn't help but frown.

A sharp light suddenly burst forth from the eyes of the Great Sage Zhulong. He leaned forward slightly on the stage, and his aura subconsciously changed, as if the sun had collapsed and the nine luminaries had reversed their course.

An indescribable sense of oppression soared into the sky, causing the thousands of golden fire bells under the palace eaves to shake in unison, spewing out rosy light and instantly filling the air with a loud clatter!
Lu Zhuang, the former ruler of the Lu Wang Realm, Sheng Long Zhen Tong Fei Jun—

When Chen Yu subdued Luzhuang, although he had not yet attained enlightenment, it did not take much effort.

As Zhulong Dasheng, Chenghuang Jun, and others watched Chen Yu unleash his killing technique, Lu Zhuang, though still possessing some strength, wisely conceded defeat and avoided being struck by that great divine power.

For this reason, Xu Huangtian and his group occupied Luwang Realm almost without bloodshed, taking Lu Zhuang and his million ghost generals and Yin soldiers under his command into their own hands, thus gaining a place where they could settle down and make a living.

From this perspective, it seems that the two sides do not have any unspeakable grudges.

After surrendering to Chen Yu, Lu Zhuang did not harbor any disloyal intentions.

This person not only exerted great effort in the battle against the divine, nearly being surrounded and killed, but is still guarding the gradually desolate Lu Wang Realm alone, protecting the Hun Tian Di Dong Yi that is still being refined for Chen Yu.

With such performance and achievements, Chen Yu naturally reciprocated.

While bestowing upon Lu Zhuang titles, honors, and a new life, and returning the Lu Wang Realm to him, the Emperor also specially bestowed upon him the "Heavenly Chu Ghost-Swallowing Axe" to aid Lu Zhuang's progress in his Taoist endeavors.

Back then, under the command of the God of Disaster, there was a great virtuous ghost named Ancestor Tianchu. He attained enlightenment as a lowly yin spirit and possessed strange and powerful abilities. As a result, he was highly valued by the God of Disaster and was entrusted with the post of governor of Menglou Prefecture to control the group of fierce and unruly ghosts and monsters.

At the end of the period, the spirit and soul of the Heavenly Ancestor Tianchu perished. The "Heavenly Ancestor Ghost-Swallowing Axe," which made countless ghosts and gods in Menglou Prefecture envious and terrified, was also taken by Chen Yu. In the final reward ceremony, Chen Yu bestowed it upon Lu Zhuang.

The reason why the Lu realm is now devoid of life.

Besides the Hun Tiandi Dongyi (a type of celestial instrument), there is another reason behind it: the "Tian Chu Tun Gui Yue" (a type of celestial weapon used to devour ghosts).

Even though this precious artifact of the Ghost Path is restrained by Lu Zhuang, it is constantly absorbing the Yin energy of the void, like a whale sucking up the sea.

The creatures of the mortal world are alright, but the ghosts and spirits of the underworld have always been the favorite food of this treasure. Lu Zhuang could not suppress its nature and had to divide the gold to send away the remaining ghosts. In the end, he simply sent away the female servants and palace maids sent by Chen Yu, leaving only Lu Zhuang in the realm of the dead to amuse himself.

“I know that Fellow Daoist Lu Zhuang has a mysterious background, but over the years, he has never done anything unusual. For the sake of serving in the same court, why don’t you put aside your prejudices, Brother Yuan?”

After a moment of contemplation, Lord Xian first offered his advice.

“It’s not that I’m being paranoid, but this person’s background is not simple. When His Majesty subdued him, Lu Zhuang inadvertently revealed his true form. He was not some white bone ghost body, but only half a skull.”

From the moment I saw this person's true form, I felt something extraordinary; I imagine it wasn't just me, but also His Majesty and the Zen Master.

The Great Sage Zhulong shook his head and slowly said:

"With just half a skull, he became the ruler of a vast underworld, suppressing ghosts and gods. What kind of person was Lu Zhuang at his peak?"

Then there's the 'Tianchu Ghost-Swallowing Axe'. This treasure was personally crafted by the Tianchu Ancestor, and it was practically bound to his heart and soul. After the Tianchu Ancestor's death, the spirit within the axe willingly followed Lu Zhuang to his side.

Although the beings of the Lu Wang Realm have been forced to flee, it is only because Lu Zhuang's cultivation is slightly inferior and he cannot suppress the spirit's true nature; it is not that the 'Tian Chu Devouring Ghost Axe' is intentionally opposing him.

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.

The Great Sage Zhulong's gaze first fell on Chen Shoushi, then swept over Chenghuang Jun and Xian Gong, and finally landed on the smiling but silent monk Zhihun.

"I'll say it again: we shouldn't get too involved with this person. The Hun Tiandi Dongyi, which is almost perfect, should be taken back from the Lu Wang Realm and placed in another Yin Si Great World for refining."

Judging from this person's usual speech, he probably had some connection with the ancient Dao Court. Although I couldn't find any connection to him with the Zhengxu Ji clan, countless eras have passed since the collapse of the ancient times. Who can find all those past events in ancient history?

The Great Sage of Candle Dragon said in a deep voice:
"As for the Zen Master, you once used your supernatural powers to see the five aggregates and borrowed your immeasurable wisdom to explore the man Lu Zhuang. What did you finally discover?"

When the monk Zhihun heard the Great Sage Zhulong suddenly mention him, he thought for a moment. Although the conversation had been somewhat swayed from his original intention by the Great Sage Zhulong, he still clasped his hands in reverence and offered a sincere word of advice:
"Like clear turbid water stored in a still container, it is initially sandy and foul, but later becomes clear and still. However, if it is disturbed, the turbidity and stillness will change again."

Sand rises and sinks, if all things arise from causes and conditions and are empty of inherent existence… how can anything be predetermined until the very end?

The Great Sage Zhulong was clearly not satisfied with this answer.

Just as he was about to speak, Chen Yu, seated on the golden throne, suddenly shook his head slightly, his voice coming from above:

“I know you are always cautious in your actions, so it is understandable that you have doubts.”

However, Lu Zhuang had helped me conquer the Yin World in his early years and had risked his life with us when we fought against the enemy. Although his origins are unknown, I will not distance myself from him or let him feel cold if he has no intention of doing so.

If he wanted to rebel, he would have done so long ago, not now. Moreover, I have now unified the Void Emperor Sea and Land, and have made further progress. The Hun Tiandi Dongyi (a type of celestial instrument) is no longer as useful to me as it was before.

As the saying goes, "If you employ someone, don't doubt them; if you doubt someone, don't employ them." I won't worry about him looking after this thing.

In Chen Yu's view, the "Tianchu Devouring Ghost Axe" alone was not enough to repay Lu Zhuang's contribution.

Lu Zhuang, however, did not yet understand and was only half-believing.

However, Chen Yu speculated that on the day the Hun Tiandi Dongyi was perfected, Lu Zhuang, as the person in charge of the Lu Wangjie, would also receive some benefits. This was Chen Yu's true intention.

The Great Sage Zhulong frowned. Although somewhat helpless, seeing Chen Yu speak up again in front of everyone, he could only bow and agree without saying anything more.

The celestial sphere deep within the Lu Wang Realm is no ordinary object.

It is not an incomplete object that Miao Yishanren and others deduced from the fragmented map, nor is it any other clumsy imitation.

Rather, it was one of the thirty-six original Hun Tian Di Dong Yi (a type of ancient Chinese instrument) that was truly created by Tian Yi Yan and many other immortals and gods!

Before being defeated by the combined efforts of the Heavenly Venerable of the Dao Court and the great masters of the Eight Schools and Six Sects, and even his primordial spirit was banished to the Cave of the Three Realms, Tianyi Yan was once a true minister of the Dao Court, holding a high position and noble rank. He could confide in the Heavenly Emperor, and his words could uphold the righteous law of heaven and earth.

Legend has it that he was ordered by the Heavenly Emperor at the time to gather the wisdom of the masses, which took countless years, and finally ordered someone to bring the thirty-six Hun Tiandi Dongyi into the Gate of Myriad Wonders.

Nearly ten thousand years later, those treasures that he had personally crafted were brought back and then copied by the Heavenly Crafts Department of the Dao Court, thus becoming a powerful weapon for attack.

Now, what exactly were the Heavenly Emperor's instructions to Tianyi Yan, and was Tianyi Yan's and the monk Dahuisheng's rebellion related to this?

The many secrets are now difficult to ascertain.

The only known fact is that after defeating Fa Chishen, Chen Yu found a true Hun Tiandi Dongyi (a type of celestial instrument) on him.

Although this treasure was made by Tianyi Yan himself, it was severely damaged and lost all its mysteries and wonders. Otherwise, Fa Chi Shen would not have kept it without using it until he died and his country was destroyed, thus benefiting Chen Yu for nothing.

Because of Lu Zhuang's mysterious background, the Great Sage Zhulong never let his guard down towards him. Although Lu Zhuang was a humble person and naturally sincere in his dealings with others, the two had little personal interaction.

Later, because Chen Yu placed the Hun Tiandi Dongyi (a type of celestial instrument) in the Lu Wang Jie (a place in the realm of the dead), the Great Sage Zhulong frowned secretly and offered advice to Chen Yu several times, but he did not receive a satisfactory answer.

Today, the monk Zhihun mentioned Luzhuang by chance. Although I know that the monk had something in mind, he was just using Luzhuang as a pretext to bring up Chen Heng later.

But once the thought arose, the Great Sage Zhulong was too lazy to hide it any longer and simply revealed the matter.

Although the outcome was expected, the Great Sage Candle Dragon still felt helpless.

He was determined to be even more vigilant around Luzhuang, in case of any unforeseen circumstances...

After discussing the matter of Luzhuang and finalizing the strategy for dealing with the Corpse-Binding Sect and completely eradicating their branch altar from Ququan Heaven, Chen Yu, seated on the golden throne, suddenly glanced around and said:
"I have summoned you all here today not only to discuss the extermination of the Corpse-Holding Cult, but also for another matter."

After saying that, he pointed his finger, and a jade letter tied with a yellow rope floated down from the sky, heading straight for the Great Sage Zhulong.

The Great Sage Zhulong took the letter and, upon seeing the name at the beginning, his expression became somewhat amused. After carefully scanning it, he said nothing more and simply passed it on to the next person to read.

"Is this a letter from Daoist Tongxuan of the Jade Emperor Sect?"

After taking it, the monk Zhihun glanced at it and couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

After he read the letter from beginning to end, the monk Zhihun's eyes flickered, and he roughly understood Tongxuan's intention.

He smiled slightly, seemingly pleased, nodded, and then passed the letter to Xian Gong, who was standing to the side, looking rather puzzled.

This item was passed around among the people in the hall before finally ending up in the hands of Chen Shoushi.

After reading it, the latter's expression didn't show much emotion. He just sighed inwardly and stopped the thought from fermenting. He kept his eyes closed and his mind at ease, without saying a word.

Chen Yu raised his hand to retrieve the jade slip, looked down at him, and said:

"Before Chen Heng came to Xuhuangtian, Tongxuan had mentioned this matter in his correspondence with me, and now it has been formally put into writing."

He said he was willing to offer the details of the Gate of Myriad Wonders and two pairs of hidden dragon fungus as a price in exchange for my help in refining the Thunder Root Sect.

To show his sincerity, this person had already sent the items used in the exchange, along with the Thunder Root Sect.

The previous words were alright; although everyone had different thoughts upon hearing them, no one showed any unusual reaction on their faces.

But only one sentence remained before the sentence was spoken.

Even the two court leaders, the Great Sage Zhulong and the Monk Zhihun, couldn't help but take a second look, let alone the others.

As the crimson and golden light behind Chen Yu churned like a surging sea, a fiery cloud, about an acre in size, leaped out amidst the gentle chanting of prayers, radiating a dazzling light.
The crowd saw a stone box and two pairs of dragon-shaped medicinal herbs, almost indistinguishable in form, floating in the fiery clouds.

With a sudden realization, he understood that this was the detail of the Gate of All Wonders and the Hidden Dragon Fungus that Tongxuan had mentioned.

But the most mysterious thing was not these, but the thunder tablet, about half the size of a fist, deep within the fiery clouds.

The front of the Thunder Plate is completely empty, yet it shines so brightly it reflects a person's image. On the back, various things are depicted, such as the rising and falling of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon, the forms and shadows of yin and yang, and the life of birds and beasts.

It was clearly only half the size of a fist, yet it seemed as if endless variations emerged from it, like wind and fire clashing and lightning raging, dazzling the eyes.

As the monk Zhihun focused his gaze, the various wondrous images behind the thunder plaque became faintly visible, with only a lightning mark slowly moving on the plaque.

Only the front half of the lightning mark was brightly colored, while the back half was dull and lifeless, clearly indicating that it had not been fully refined and was currently just a rough prototype.

"Is this the Thunder Root Sect of the Jade Emperor Sect? Even true disciples might not have such a life-protecting treasure, except for their Dao disciples."
I've heard that this item is specifically designed to ward off witchcraft, curses, and divination, and is connected to the eternal fortune of the Jade Emperor Sect. It was created by the Great Immortal, who expended boundless effort, specifically for a few of his disciples. Looking at it this way, it certainly seems miraculous.

The monk Zhihun pondered for a moment.

Since the ancient times, Yu Chen, as Tong Xuan, has had many people to choose from if he wanted to find someone to help him refine the Thunder Root Sect specially made for Chen Heng.

But Tong Xuan specifically targeted Chen Yu, offering generous gifts in exchange.

Regardless of Tong Xuan's true intentions.

However, it was obvious that this person seemed to approve of Chen Heng's dealings with Xu Huangtian and did not object to them.

In that case...

Once this thought crossed his mind, the slight helplessness he felt when the Great Sage Zhulong interrupted him was immediately forgotten.

However, no matter how eloquently the monk Zhihun spoke, he ultimately failed to get the answer he wanted from Chen Yu.

Before long, after the monk Zhihun and the others had taken their leave, Chen Yu and the Great Sage Zhulong exchanged a glance and shook their heads with smiles.

"The Zen Master is moved. He wants to support a second Dragon Court in order to perfect his Bodhisattva fruition. In all these years of knowing him, I have rarely seen him like this!" The Great Sage Zhulong stroked his beard.

Chen Yu shook his head: "I told him long ago that this method is not the right path. Although it leads to rapid progress, it also has great potential for future troubles. I am willing to do my best to restrain the dragon energy of all living beings, so that the monk will not be trapped in the Dragon Court and will be able to have a pure and unhindered body."

But if he were to establish a second Dragon Court, would the ruler of that Dragon Court grant him freedom?

The Great Sage Zhulong seemed to be deep in thought when Chen Yu spoke again:

"However, there is one thing that the monk said correctly."

"May I ask who you are?"

"Luzhuang".

Upon hearing the name Lu Zhuang, the Great Sage Zhulong's eyes flickered.

Chen Yu said calmly, "Although Lu Zhuang is straightforward, this is the first time I've seen him get along so well with a junior he just met, and it's genuine, not pretentious."

"And considering Lu Zhuang's background and identity, this is quite interesting..."

After saying this, Chen Yu's gaze suddenly fell on the distant cave, lingering for a moment on Chen Heng, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, before returning to the Thunder Root Sect, which was not yet fully refined.

"Tongxuan, you've got a good plan."

He secretly thought.

……

……

Time flies like water, passing by in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, three years have passed in the mortal world, while in that "pure yellow expanse of void gathering cave heaven," a full thirty years have passed.

On this day, Chen Heng returned the last of his innate essence to the divine chamber in his brain.

Suddenly, countless rays of light slowly rotated from the acupoints all over his body, emitting faint, clear sounds that emanated from his body, illuminating the deep mountain belly as if it were made of crystal-clear jade, like a clear, glassy world.

Chen Heng opened his eyes, and two beams of divine light suddenly shot out, like rainbows emerging from the sea, before gradually fading away after a long while.

"The Ninefold Divine Chamber took more effort than the previous ones... Now that I have reached the second level of the Golden Core realm, the next step is to cultivate the inner vision."

He examined the changes within his body and smiled.

(End of this chapter)