Xuanjian Xianzu

Chapter 1303 Mausoleum
Upon hearing this, a chill crept into Li Jiangqian's eyes. After a long silence, he said:

"The Tantai family indeed has a long history and a profound family tradition of learning... I only heard that Emperor Mingyang suddenly perished, and then Emperor Gong died, but I did not know that he was buried beneath the Taihang Mountains..."

He raised his eyebrows and said:

"I wonder... now that Emperor Gong has passed away, how will the eastern tour be reversed? And who will succeed to the throne?"

"It was a great chaos... a chaos that no one could have predicted."

Tantai Jin's gaze dimmed slightly as he said:
"As you probably know, during the Wei-Li dynasty, the officials were all from the Mingyang faction. My ancestor cultivated in the Jielin realm and once saw the Wei emperor's demeanor. He said... [The supreme of the Three Yangs, unchanged since ancient times, ruling the world and controlling the Mingyang, making the world dependent on him]. Since he has encountered trouble, it has caused changes in almost 70% of the officials, and 30% of them have died suddenly."

"The higher one's supernatural cultivation level, the less one needs to rely on official positions during cultivation, and the less influence they will have. Conversely, one's life is in danger. It wasn't just Emperor Wei who died suddenly upon landing; the accompanying officials also perished. Two of the Three Dukes were killed, leaving only the Grand Commandant. The other Left and Right Ministers of the Palace Secretariat and the various Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel all died, severely wounded and vomiting blood, dying within days..."

"At that time, our Tantai clan had ancestors in Guanzhong. When they heard of the upheaval, the world was already in chaos. Although the crown prince was still overseeing the country in Guanzhong, he did not declare himself emperor, but rather acted as the ruler in his place..."

He said quietly:
"After all... no one knows whether the next person to ascend the throne will suffer the same fate as Emperor Gong of Wei."

Li Jiangqian's gaze darkened slightly, and Tantai Jin said softly:

"At that time, my Tantai family was not deeply involved. However, after the establishment of the Great Liang Dynasty, some members of the Tantai family cultivated in the court. When the Liang Emperor was compiling books for the previous dynasty, my ancestors read one or two volumes and returned with some感慨 (gǎnkǎi, sighs/remarks). He said..."

He said quietly:

"When Mingyang died, the Hengzhang River swelled, the gods were lost, Youyan rebelled, the central ruler fled to Weijun, the generals of Chuhuan suddenly rose up in the river valley, the vast land of Jin was suddenly seized by Qi, the mighty Liaoguan Pass refused to submit, and then Chongyang died and Changming died. Those who went south to invade Wei were the Sixteen Hu tribes... and even the land of the Eastern Kingdom was completely subjugated by the barbarians."

"Gao Hun is loyal and brave, Yin Zheng is wise and intelligent, and both are willing to give their lives. They led their troops across the southern desert, understood the situation, and Cui E made the first decision. They dared to lead the cultivators and quickly occupied Mianchi. The people of Wei still held their old lands to prepare for the Jie rebellion. Their troops marched out of the old Yonglong region, intending to swear an oath at the Xiaolu Mountains. Unexpectedly, they encountered the Xuandao Pass before them..."

"Qi Li dared not govern the people, and the emperor ascended the throne but could not stay long. As a result, the world longed for change. Therefore, although Wei perished, it did not lose the ruler of the world. Thus, Xun Quan was re-established, and the Jianghuai region underwent several changes. When the emperor died, Gao Jun, Ping Zhang, and their ilk rebelled, and the divine throne was restored."

After listening to this, Li Jiangqian realized that everyone was a familiar face, and he couldn't help but sneer, saying:
"What was sung and recited on stage a thousand years ago is still here today."

Tantai Jin gave this son of the Qilin a deep look, then bowed and said:
"After all, the main character is still here, and the glory of the founding emperor has not been fully sung. He deliberately left a breath for everyone, so that this song could come to an end."

Li Jiangqian turned to look at him.

The Tantai family deliberately left the Taiyin Spiritual Treasure untouched, which was their modest effort. This direct descendant of the Tantai family had quite a bit of knowledge about the situation in the world, so Li Jiangqian couldn't help but pay more attention and said softly:

"【Dalingchuan】...Fellow Daoist Tantai, do you have any interest in exploring this place?"

Tantai Jin smiled and said:

"[Dalingchuan] has penetrated deep into the northern border and is now being encroached upon by many parties, which is quite rare. Unfortunately, I cultivate 'Yinghuo' and my elders in my family are not interested in the water element, so I will not get involved—I will only guard this place."

"Oh?"

Li Jiangqian asked with doubt:

"Multiple parties involved? [Dalingchuan] is said to have suffered some damage, but can it withstand so many real-person battles?"

The man seemed to have anticipated his doubts and smiled:
“What you say is true, young master. The Chen family originally had a grotto-heaven, which was the Da Ling Heaven of the old Da Ling Kingdom. Later, something happened and it was taken over. Strictly speaking, it is no longer a grotto-heaven. It's just that the True Lord is very clever and wants to leave behind his legacy. There are also treasures inside to suppress it, so it still has the prestige of the past.”

"As long as the means remain, what does a little bit of fighting in the Purple Mansion matter? Once it is activated, the inheritance inside will be taken away, and the damage to Xuan Tao will not need to be touched to communicate with the outside world. It is only a matter of time before it falls into the Netherworld."

Li Jiangqian glanced at the distant Badger County and smiled:

"I wonder how many forces and masters are coming to this place."

Tantai Jin whispered:

"There seem to be quite a few, and there's more than one high-ranking cultivator from the Buddhist sect..."

"After all, Master Xiao is different from others. He has experienced many vicissitudes, maneuvering among various forces to reach where he is today. To be able to ride the wave of change in the world is no ordinary person... and Da Lingchuan is even more extraordinary..."

"And this opportunity related to seeking gold allows one to see figures at the pinnacle of the world seeking gold. Some people covet the former, while others simply want to witness the enlightenment and understand the world situation for future needs. I'm afraid that any great cultivator of the Water Virtue who is interested in seeking gold will come to see it... The few great Water Virtue masters in the world will all show up to meet you."

'A Water Virtue cultivator?'

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangqian felt a little strange, and his first thought was a name:
'Chi Buzi…that green-eyed demon will probably show up too…'

Tantai Jin's words were half astonishment and half chill:

“Since these people have come, they can’t possibly go back empty-handed… They don’t care about the odds and ends, but the intensity of the battle at the very center is evident.”

He casually began to introduce things, and Li Jiangqian pretended to observe, but only used his conversation as a cover, secretly counting on his fingers.

[Investigate the Ghost!]
A chill quickly surged into his mind, his eyes turned slightly cold, and Li Jiangqian's gaze suddenly soared up to the boundless sky, where the distant East changed in an instant.

The void shifted, golden light flickered, and a golden body stood suspended in the sky, reaching deep into the heavens. Its enormous palms were clasped together high above, like a white peak suspended in the void, with distinct ravines.

Under the celestial gaze, the radiance of the Buddha's land was faintly visible behind this Mahayana, connecting to the sky. It must be the Mahayana power of the Great Desire Path - Tian Langzhi!

The two golden statues of Maha on the left and right are slightly smaller. One of them is standing on a jackal, and the other is holding a black jar. They are Ren Shi Jia and Xiao Di Sa!
'The pillar of the Great Desire Path today…'

The fact that Tian Langzhi, a being of great power, came with the two great protectors demonstrates the importance that the Great Desire Path places on this matter!

Li Jiangqian moved his gaze as if he hadn't noticed anything, and sure enough, in the opposite direction, he saw a bronze chariot, floating in the undulating dark and gloomy aura, almost above everyone else, displaying a unique nobility.

It's the underworld, of course!
'Yang Ruiyi's sudden disappearance was indeed to bring him here for a standoff…'

The North may seem peaceful, but in reality, it is already teeming with powerful figures and turbulent undercurrents!

'strangeness…'

He glanced around and indeed saw traces of many familiar supernatural abilities, but after counting them, one was still missing, which aroused his suspicion.

'This place is right in front of the gate of the Great Dharma Realm, so why don't we see this family's Maha...'

His sharp eyes gleamed, and he saw that the forests on Mount Daling were ablaze with color, with fallen leaves rustling in the wind, presenting a vibrant scene. On the mountain path, a monk stood out!

The monk, dressed in black and looking quite young, had a smile on his face and his hands clasped together as he quietly strolled through the mountains. Although he seemed to blend into the natural world, he was like a striking illusion that immediately caught Li Jiangqian's attention.

Of the seven types, only the Great Aspiration Dharma Realm and the Precept Path prefer to walk in mortal form. The Precept Path almost never appears in public. The monk in front of us should be a member of the Great Aspiration Dharma Realm!

What's even more peculiar is that this monk Kongshu is completely different from the many monks Li Jiangqian has met!

This person appears to be an ordinary mortal, but under the [Cha You]'s vision, he is shimmering with a wondrous, radiant light, neither demonic nor evil, pure as snow, connecting heaven and earth, and penetrating deep into the boundless void.

Behind him floated an illusory figure, with flowing light and shadow and a moving Bodhi tree. This figure looked like an ordinary person, sitting upright under the Bodhi tree with his chin resting on his hand, and his face was exactly the same as that of the black-robed monk!
'Even considering one's own strength, there's no way to generate such momentum!'

Li Jiangqian observed carefully, and a question lingered in his mind:
'Could it be Jindi? But even the Cicada King back then didn't have this kind of aura.'

'This feels so familiar…'

Upon seeing the monk, he was suddenly reminded of a guest in his family when he was young.

'Liaohe Temple…[Kongheng]!'

This guest elder was the first person he met after his birth, and he left a deep impression on him. Back then, this monk once had people from the Wrathful Path come south to invite him. The Buddha himself appeared and took him away as the Maha of the Wrathful Path without him needing to cultivate. At that time, Li Ximing was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the Li family had not yet truly grown strong, but the shock he left behind is still amazing to this day!
'Later, when my two younger brothers were born, they were both delivered by him…'

Not only did the black-robed monk have a similar temperament, but his behavior was also somewhat similar. If Li Jiangqian had not seen Kong Heng with his own eyes, he would have even suspected that this person was the guest minister!

The monk, Master Changli, seemed to be deep in thought. He saw the mountain wind rustling as he reached the summit, where a table and two chairs were placed. With a slight flick of his sleeve, the monk sat down in the cold wind.

He was dressed in flowing black robes. Although he was a monk from the north, he had no trace of decay or evil aura. Instead, he appeared fresh and natural, with a fair complexion and a handsome appearance.

In front of him, a real person sat opposite him.

This man was tall and slender, with a thin face and eyes that shone like stars. He wore an unremarkable Taoist robe and sat upright on the mountaintop. Before him was a golden cup. Seeing the black-robed monk approach, he smiled and said:

"Fellow Daoist Kong Shu!"

The name did not cause much of a stir. It seemed that all the supernatural beings in the world already knew of this person. However, all eyes were focused on this mountain peak, but Li Jiangqian was shocked.

'A difference of just one word.'

Li Jiangqian remembered that when Fu Yan from Beifumo Temple came to the lake, he provoked Kong Heng with words. Kong Heng had mentioned that Fu Yan, the abbot of Beifumo Temple, was his senior brother Kong Yan!

'Five of Kong Heng's senior brothers were lured away. Since they all belong to the Kong generation, Kong Shu must be Kong Heng's senior brother, the one who entered the Great Mu Dharma Realm!'

Li Jiangqian already understood:
'Back then... if Master Kongheng had agreed, he would have become the son of the Manifestation Emperor, sitting in the heavens where Mandarava flowers rained down. He would be like Kongshu today, his aura far surpassing that of Maha, becoming a first-rate supernatural cultivator in this world, even beyond Maha's reach...'

'He remained unwavering…'

Back then, Li Jiangqian's cultivation level was low, and even the entire Li family did not fully understand the temptation Kong Heng was facing—only now do they truly understand how resolute a Buddhist monk must be to resolutely refuse such an opportunity!

He pondered for a moment, and the monk Kongshu from the mountain returned the greeting, replying:
"Senior Qu."

These three words, as plain as water, caused the faint, flickering light of the Great Desire Releasing in the sky to slowly fade away, and Li Jiangqian, far away, felt a jolt in his heart:
'Bend.'

The Li family now understands very well that back then, the Shaoyang True Lord had the Xiyang Temple, and the people inside were surnamed Qu. The Tao family was able to live in Yinling for a long time, relying on their noble status and even breaking away from the situation to act independently, and one of their biggest advantages was their connection with the Qu family!

'I don't know if this Qu is from the mountains or from the mortal realm... Ultimately, it's because the Daling River is too precious that it has alarmed these people...'

Hearing what the monk Kongshu said, Master Qu smiled slightly and said:
"No, no... Fellow Daoist Kong Shu is now a figure before the Realm Lord, a person who has not yet received the title of Baitan Weijie Liangli and a person who has received the title of Guangxiang Tanjiazi. How can you call me a senior!"

Kong Shu faced him, seemingly silent, but after hearing this, he gently shook his head and replied:

"Senior Qu, you are too kind. It has been a century since we last met, and your abilities have only grown more extraordinary!"

Master Qu looked at him with a smile, his gaze unfathomable, and quietly said:

"It's better to have an empty pivot."

An eerie silence fell between the two, but the wondrous power of heaven and earth was gradually intensifying. Finally, a hazy gray color swept in, transforming into a black cloud on the mountaintop.

A man in a long robe sat upright in the clouds. His hair was disheveled, but his robe was very special. The cuffs on both sides were covered with dense scriptures, and it was impossible to tell whether they were Taoist or Buddhist texts. They shimmered with a faint light.

As he watched the supernatural powers manifest one by one, Li Jiangqian felt an ominous premonition rise in his heart. Just as he was about to take a closer look, he vaguely sensed something and received various supernatural reminders from his main body. In an instant, he broke through the [Chayou] barrier and returned to his main body!

"And there's another one... a Grand Master from the Yan Kingdom named Murong Weidian. He's a renowned female cultivator, quite old, and apparently doesn't have much interest in coming this time. He's mainly here to see Master Xiao's enlightenment..."

Tantai Jin also stopped abruptly at the same time. As if investigating, he indeed saw golden light flashing in the void, and a cloud flew in, revealing a dashing young man dressed in golden robes. He slightly bowed and smiled:
"Could it be Master Changli? What a coincidence!"

Li Jiangqian recognized him instantly.

'Heavens!'

'The people of the Golden Dao lineage have arrived!'

A thoughtful look flashed across his golden eyes, then a warm smile immediately appeared on his face. He returned the greeting and said:

"So it's Senior Tianhuo!"

This direct descendant of the Golden Dao lineage arrived riding on golden clouds, and his appearance here was hardly a coincidence. Before Li Jiangqian could say anything more, he had already approached him rather warmly, smiling:

"I met Su Yun earlier and thought she was a celestial being. I heard that you and your brother are both outstanding talents. Now that I see you, Chang Li is indeed a dragon among men!"

His gaze was intense as he said:
"I wonder... what has King Wei thought of the matter I raised with Fairy Su Yun?"