Xuanjian Xianzu

Chapter 1382 Guardian
'Good heavens!'

Upon hearing this, he seemed to have heard something utterly unbelievable, and for a moment he stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the celestial official before him.

Dangjiang had certainly considered the other party's intentions—his mind was quick, and even after only a brief encounter, he had some guesses. Perhaps they wanted to transfer him to another place, or perhaps the celestial official before him had other duties to perform for him…

But he never expected that the other party, who had been gone for many years without a word, would return with such a great opportunity as a promotion!

He felt a sudden heat before his eyes, stood up, and true to his nature, now that he had something to gain, he forgot all his past grievances, even that so-called Immortal Official Li. He looked up at the sky and wept:
"May the Lord protect us!"

He uttered four words heavily, his eyes filled with emotion as he looked at me, and said:
"After all these years of hard work, it turns out the adults... have seen it all!"

"It's natural!"

Liu Xianguan smiled, stroked his beard, and shook his head, saying:
"This matter is complicated... It wasn't supposed to be this early, but the descendants of Li Xianguan made great contributions and were relieved of many positions. When the news reached Lord Zhengao, he happened to have a position that had a great connection with you. I persuaded him from the sidelines and got it for you!"

He paused, then looked at him with a smile:

"It's still the mortal walker position you wanted most!"

"This is true!"

Dangjiang had expected the other party to help, but he hadn't anticipated such a dedicated effort. He, Dangjiang, was practically going crazy with longing to descend to the mortal realm! Overjoyed and deeply grateful, he stammered:
"My lord... since I ascended to the mortal realm, you have repeatedly shown me kindness and guidance. I, a humble cultivator... truly have no way to repay you..."

Liu Xianguan shook his head and said:
"You're not in a hurry to thank me. I heard that this whole mess was caused by you... and it's something that can't be left to anyone else."

Still filled with joy, Dangjiang saw no sign of impending doom. He shook his head repeatedly, eager to learn, and said:
"What are you saying... Sir, please stop keeping me in suspense and explain yourself clearly so I can be prepared when the transfer order comes!"

Liu Xianguan nodded immediately and said solemnly:
"My Dao governs all realms, including the Mysterious Court and the Wonderful Land, all of which obey me. The Water Palace where you once resided is also within it. In the past, due to a change in the cycle of reincarnation, you were sent to the mortal realm, falling into a lake and remaining shrouded in dust for a thousand years. When you finally awakened, you caused widespread disturbance, and the karmic consequences have yet to be resolved..."

He sighed and said:
"I have heard that among all realms there exists a [Great Crow Boundless Wonderful Land], originally a pure and tranquil holy land, but it was disturbed by your karma, causing many changes. The Dharma Protectors, Heavenly Kings, Sangharama, and Jieti have all dispersed... and a great virtuous person has even disappeared..."

He raised his head and scrutinized the person before him with a complex gaze. Dangjiang felt quite uneasy under his gaze, and listening to his flowery words, he secretly felt a little guilty and said:

"Xiao Xiu was ignorant... He woke up on the lake years ago, and countless years had passed... He was left with only a remnant soul, wandering in the mortal world... He never knew he would commit such sins!"

Liu Xianguan sighed:
"This is not your crime. It was caused by the upheaval of heaven and earth, but it is your karma and also your opportunity... The official position you have been given this time is not small. You should be carrying out the order to go there and guard that realm for heaven, to revitalize the Dao and promote the Xuan Gui."

'Guarding a realm? By the Lord of the Realm! Guarding a realm!'

He was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

This is the responsibility of overseeing an entire realm! In his memory, even ordinary Golden Core cultivators don't receive such a celestial position. Even Shao Hui, who is addressed as an adult, doesn't enjoy such treatment!

Even if it's just a temporary act of atonement to guard the place—that's still being a top figure in the Free Realm. In the heavens, their position might not be high, perhaps only on par with Shao Hui. But the valuable thing is that they are far away in the heavens, yet they have real power. They can act like tyrants in their own territory, become immortals and ancestors, which is much more interesting than writing about the Hidden Treasures in the heavens!
For a moment, he felt as if he were in a dream.

'Damn, is this for real?!'

The joy that Dangjiang had just suppressed surged up again. His face was full of remorse, but he almost couldn't hold back his laughter. To hide his unease, he said in a trembling voice:
"How...how can Xia Xiu be entrusted with such an important position...what should we do!"

Liu Xianguan nodded and sighed:
"That's what the adults thought too... They were even thinking of writing a letter to ask on your behalf. It turns out you yourself are quite aware of this..."

Dangjiang never expected him to say such a thing. He was greatly shocked, feeling both regret and pain. He couldn't decide whether to answer or not. He opened his mouth, but his lips moved only to empty air.

Seeing that he was immediately filled with regret, Lu Jiangxian chuckled inwardly and decided not to tease him any further, sighing:

"But... no one in the world is willing to give up their immortal duties to provoke the karma of that wondrous land. And since you caused this, you will have to resolve it in the end. Just remember one thing."

Lu Jiangxian didn't want him to ruin things, so she solemnly reminded him:

"If things go well, it will be your good fortune, and you might even be able to fulfill your duty as an agent, just like today. But if you don't do it well... all of this will become your fault, and that would be more than just losing your immortal status!"

"Yes, yes!"

Upon hearing the first half of his sentence, Dangjiang breathed a deep sigh of relief, quite agreeing with the statement that it was indispensable. However, the second half, a warning and a hint of manipulation, made him reconsider. Finally, he had some space to calmly consider the matter and said:
"Who are the owners of this wonderful land?"

Seeing that he had finally begun to think, Lu Jiangxian secretly praised him and said seriously:
"The master of this realm is a friend of the Lord of the Prefecture, a man of profound and mysterious lineage. He has now gone elsewhere, and his name remains unproven and he keeps it hidden. However, two virtuous men have responded to his call. If you go there, you can go and pay your respects yourself."

Dang Jiang first noted it down, then secretly pondered it:

"Lord Liu is, after all, a celestial official. Although his position is higher than mine, it's not by much. He only heard these things from other officials; he doesn't have any way to find out for himself, so it's difficult for him to help me!"

Thinking about the celestial position he was about to assume, which might not be lower than that of this Lord Liu, he immediately straightened his back, feeling proud, and nodded pretentiously, sighing:
"The heavy burden of an entire realm has fallen upon my humble self!"

This guy was ambitious and eager for quick success, so Lu Jiangxian ignored him and quietly got up. Dangjiang followed suit and jumped up as well. Sure enough, they heard a loud noise outside:

"Fellow Daoist Dangjiang! There is an imperial edict in the manor! Please come with me!"

It was clear that someone from the manor had come to fetch him. Dangjiang was momentarily at a loss, overjoyed, when he heard the person before him say solemnly:

"I've taken the time to give you some pointers. You'll be entering the palace by imperial decree soon, and you'll have your own immortal registration token. If you exchange information with any fellow cultivators, be careful not to speak carelessly or inappropriately..."

For the past few days, Dang Jiang had been using Liu Xianguan's token, which had been quite inconvenient. Now that he was a big shot himself, his face lit up, and he nodded with a smile, saying:
"That sir..."

The one that Dang Jiang currently possessed was originally intended to communicate with Chi Buzhi, but it was no longer of much use. After careful consideration, Lu Jiangxian decided it was worth keeping as a memento, and said:
"You can keep it for now."

So Dangjiang nodded repeatedly, turned and left, then looked back reluctantly. He was a grateful man; he bowed deeply and said:
"Xiao Xiu is off to take up his post now... I will remember your kindness. If you ever need my help in the future, please send someone to let me know!"

Liu Xianguan watched him leave with a smile, then turned around gracefully and stepped out. Sure enough, he saw the heavenly soldiers on both sides, but in the center stood an unfamiliar figure, dressed in noble clothes, with his hands behind his back. Beside him stood a palace maid bowing, holding a jade plate in her hand.

"Meet the adults!"

Dang Jiang, full of vigor, bowed to the surrounding crowd. The celestial general before him merely nodded, slightly turned his body, and spoke in a detached tone, even carrying a faint, thunderous force:

"Your immortal name has been recorded in the [Register of Officials]. I have brought your Xuan Token with me, so there is no need for you to make another trip. Please take this item to verify your identity and come with me to the hall to assume your post!"

Even though he was mentally prepared, Dangjiang couldn't help but burst into tears at this moment. He carefully took the Xuan Token and felt that it was warm to the touch, as smooth as skin, and then put it in his sleeve.

He tried his best to remain calm, and as the group ventured deeper into the area, he pondered for a while. A surge of intense curiosity arose within him:
'I heard that this token has a surname on it…'

His memory was fragmented, leaving only a remnant of his soul. His recollections were hazy and indistinct, sometimes clear, sometimes blurry. He only knew that he had once worked in Dangjiang, and that no one he met knew his name, so they all called him Dangjiang…

At that moment, his heart fluttered. Between his outward reserve and his intriguing past, he chose the latter after only walking a short distance, unable to resist for even a moment, and secretly looked down to take a look.

Then one sees that the jade tablet is pure white, with mysterious and profound patterns, like a supreme treasure, and the two seal characters on the top shine brightly.

[Pavilion].

……

The Jade Palace is bright and clear.

On the jade bridge, which was radiant with light, Li Ximing walked on it with a slightly restrained expression. His gaze swept over the backs of the people in front of him, and his unease grew. He hesitated to speak several times.

'[Heaven]...'

The Li family has many cultivators, and now there are quite a few in the Purple Mansion realm, but the only one with this opportunity is Li Ximing. He was the one who saw the True Scripture before, and now that he has achieved success, after all the twists and turns, it is still him who has arrived in this heaven.

He stood in the sea of ​​clouds for a while, and then heavenly soldiers came to guide him. This time he did not see any important figures. He simply crossed the jade bridge and saw a small pavilion in the sea of ​​clouds.

He didn't dare raise an eyebrow, knowing that everything around him was terrifying and he dared not underestimate them in the slightest. Only when he stepped onto the pavilion did he glance around briefly, and a slight thought crossed his mind:
'This design and style are somewhat similar to the Shanghuan Pavilion…'

In the blink of an eye, he had arrived at the pavilion, where he saw white mist drifting and green robes fluttering, like a fairyland.

Li Ximing, standing here, felt only fear and unease. He believed that the heavens had many schemes at play, and while his family was important as a link in the Mingyang line, he was probably not part of the main plan. He was filled with confusion.

'Now my family is different too... I've actually seen great figures from all the major sects and paths of the Three Profound Paths, but none have ever been as terrifying, transcendent, and detached from the world as those in the heavens...'

If the terror of the great powers in the world lies in their solid foundations and long history that can be thoroughly investigated, then the power in the heavens seems to be maintained out of thin air, yet it has been able to propel the world's situation to its current state using only a few talisman seeds… Li Ximing felt this deeply:

'It's like...like a visitor from outer space, looking down upon all realms, without cause or effect, yet unfathomably deep...'

Then a laugh was heard coming from the empty pavilion:

"Master Li!"

The sound woke him up, and Li Ximing quickly responded. However, the one who appeared was not the immortal general from back then, but a woman who gracefully descended from the height. She was dressed in a tea-colored dress, with a deep white circle mark between her eyebrows, and her appearance was extremely beautiful.

Li Ximing dared not look any longer and whispered:
"I've seen an immortal!"

The shout startled the woman, who waved her hands repeatedly, got down to help him, and said:
"I dare not! I am Shao Hui, the Fairy Maiden of Lesser Yin Wu Gui. Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

Li Ximing's heart finally calmed down a little. He glanced at the person in front of him and found that the light of the Lesser Yin was extremely terrifying. He had seen the Great Master before, but they were worlds apart and he could not compare with the woman in front of him at all!
'Her radiance wasn't dazzling, but rather primordial, like a single point, not radiating outwards like supernatural powers. It was as if everything had a source, a beginning…'

'Could this be the legendary... [divine elixir]?!'

He seemed slightly dazed, but Shao Hui was still shaken. She invited him to take his seat and said:
"It's terrifying! I'm just a fairy maiden, and now I can't even enter the palace. I'm stuck here guarding the gate. It's fine if I talk to mortals in the mortal realm, but I dare not call myself an immortal in heaven..."

'Watch the door from the outside…'

Even though Li Ximing had anticipated this, he was still slightly shaken at this moment.

'The so-called divine elixir is merely a gatekeeper in heaven…'

Only now did he realize the true power behind Mingyang after his success. He breathed a sigh of relief without showing any emotion, but became even more respectful, saying:

"I am but a humble cultivator, please forgive me... please forgive me..."

Shao Hui shook his head repeatedly and said seriously:

"No wonder. Since the Heavenly Gate is closed now, most of the people who have connections to the heavens come to my area. I knew you had been here before, and Dangjiang was the one who received you back then... It even alarmed the lord... But now this chatterbox has been promoted and is on duty inside, and the lord is in seclusion, so I personally sent someone to pick you up."

Li Ximing had been warned years ago that he couldn't get to this place unless it was a special day, and he had long understood this:

'It must have been because it repaired the fragments of the immortal artifact and sensed something, which is why it connected to the upper realm... As for the Dangjiang River...'

Of course he remembered the name—not only because he had seen the person in the heavens, but also because back then on Wangyue Lake, this celestial official forcibly possessed a Purple Mansion True Person, allowing the still-infant Li family to escape a calamity!
'Although it was supposedly unintentional, the Li family should thank him…'

Judging from the other party's tone, it seemed he had arrived at an inopportune time. For a moment, Li Ximing was quite at a loss and said:

"So it was an offense..."

"Eh."

The woman in front of me shook her head and smiled:
"How could it be considered an offense? My lord has already instructed me that if you appear here again, it must be because you have done something meritorious. He has already told me to prepare something to give to you, fellow Daoist... Otherwise, I would have to report to him, how could I bring you in immediately!"

Shao Hui knew the person before her was no ordinary person, so her smile became exceptionally gentle. After a slight pause, a palace maid came forward to pour tea before she spoke:
"The master said that Fellow Daoist has made great contributions since coming to the upper realm, unlike the few times Chi Buzi came. He has to come to the heavens repeatedly to confirm even the smallest merit, which shows a complete lack of self-awareness!"

Her words were like a gentle breeze, yet they froze the person before him in place. The Master Zhaojing's pupils dilated instantly as he stared blankly at the woman before him, his heart overflowing with emotion, as if some long-held suspicion had finally been confirmed. He murmured:
"Fellow Daoist said..."

"Chi Buzi?"

(End of this chapter)