Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"Go back and tell your master that I'm just traveling in the mortal realm, there's no need for such a large-scale surveillance!"

The sea of ​​clouds churned, and several golden rays fled in panic.

Lin Zhu chuckled and casually brushed off non-existent dust from his sleeves.

He was indeed fearless.

The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West personally promised that the Western high command would not interfere with his actions.

Moreover, even if some fool dared to block his way, his Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique was no joke.

Within the Three Realms, apart from the elusive Lu Ya Daoist, there are very few who can rival him in speed.

"Oh, human world, here comes your young master!"

With a long roar, Lin Zhu transformed into a golden rainbow, piercing the sky and plummeting to the mortal realm.

Its speed was so great that it left a long trail of flames behind it, just like the legendary golden crow descending upon the world.

Jambudvipa, at the summit of Mount Tai.

As the golden rainbow landed, Lin Zhu revealed his form.

The rich aroma of everyday life instantly filled my lungs.

Unlike the cold, ethereal atmosphere of the Heavenly Court, the air here carries the fragrance of earth, the freshness of grass and trees, and the aroma of cooking smoke drifting from distant towns.

"This is the human world."

Lin Zhu opened his arms as if to embrace the whole world.

"It's much more interesting than the Heavenly Court!"

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing your first mortal realm check-in mission! Reward: 10 million years of cultivation!]

The system's mechanical voice rang in his mind, and Lin Zhu immediately felt the spiritual energy within his body surge like a river, his cultivation level rising steadily.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter echoing through the pines on the mountaintop.

"Awesome! This is what a system should be like!"

[New mission issued. Establish a Daoist temple in the mortal realm. Rewards: Heaven-Covering Array (Enhanced Version), Spirit Gathering Pearls x10, Taiyi Spirit Gathering Array Blueprint (Note: Rewards are only valid for use in the mortal realm Daoist temple)]

Lin Zhu's eyes lit up.

An enhanced version of the Heaven-Covering Array? This is a real treasure! Back then, he set up a regular version of the Heaven-Covering Array in the Star Palace of Heaven, and even Yang Jian with his Howling Celestial Dog couldn't find the entrance.

As for the Spirit Gathering Pearl and the Taiyi Spirit Gathering Array, they are excellent solutions to the problem of scarce spiritual energy in the human world.

"Interesting, interesting!"

Lin Zhu rubbed his chin.

"This is to allow me to create a blessed land in the mortal realm that rivals the Star Palace!"

As he was pondering where to build his temple, he suddenly sensed three familiar streams of immortal energy approaching from afar.

Looking up, I saw three beautiful figures riding on clouds, their colorful robes fluttering. Who else could they be but the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao?
"Lin Zhu! It really is you!"

Before Bixiao arrived, her voice preceded hers, filled with surprise and delight.

"We sensed your presence on Three Immortal Islands, but we thought it was just our imagination!"

Qiongxiao followed closely behind, descending from the clouds and looking Lin Zhu up and down with her beautiful eyes.

"Why did you come down to the mortal realm? Rumors are spreading throughout Heaven that you're going to cause trouble on Earth, and those people in the West are keeping a close eye on you!"

The last cloud to fall was the most composed, she said with a slight frown.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, isn't this too risky? Although you have the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique to protect you, the Western forces are powerful."

"Hahaha!"

Lin Zhu waved his hand dismissively.

"You three fairies are overthinking it! The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother have personally assured us that the Western high-ranking officials will not intervene. As for those insignificant figures..."

His eyes held a sharp edge.

"I'll take care of as many as they come!"

Bixiao, being the most lively, clapped her hands and laughed immediately upon hearing this.

"This is the Lin Zhu I know! Staying in Heaven is so boring, the mortal world is so much more fun!"

As he spoke, he reached out to tug at Lin Zhu's sleeve.

"Tell me quickly, what are you going to do on this mortal journey? Take us sisters with you!"

Qiongxiao helplessly pulled her younger sister back.

"Bixiao! Fellow Daoist Lin has his own plans, don't cause trouble."

Yunxiao looked at Lin Zhu thoughtfully.

"Fellow Daoist Lin's descent to the mortal realm this time is probably not just for leisure, is it?"

Lin Zhu grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth.

"You understand me best, Fairy Yunxiao! To be honest, I am planning to build a temple in the Southern Continent."

"A dojo?"

The three immortals spoke in unison, their faces showing surprise.

Bixiao was the first to react and jumped up excitedly.

"Great! Does that mean we can come and play here more often? There are too many rules in Heaven, it's much more carefree in the mortal world!"

Qiongxiao frowned.

"But the spiritual energy in the human world is scarce. If we establish a temple here, our cultivation will be much less effective."

Yunxiao nodded in agreement.

"That's true. Unless we can find an ancient, preserved paradise, otherwise..."

"Don't worry about that."

Lin Zhu smiled mysteriously.

"I have my own way of making the spiritual energy within this temple even more concentrated than that of the Heavenly Court. The problem now is..."

He looked around.

"What are some good places in Jambudvipa suitable for building a temple?"

The three immortals looked at each other in bewilderment. Bixiao tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"If we're talking about a good place, our Three Immortals Island is quite nice! Lin Zhu, would you like to consider it?"

"Bixiao!"

Yunxiao gave a soft rebuke.

“The Three Immortal Islands are my sisters’ Daoist temple, how could we allow that? Besides, Fellow Daoist Lin probably needs a larger territory.”

Lin Zhu nodded with a smile.

"Fairy Yunxiao understands me. If I'm going to build something, I'll build a huge one!"

Yunxiao pondered for a moment.

"The Southern Continent indeed boasts numerous treasure lands. Besides our Three Immortal Islands, there are also Skull Mountain, White Bone Cave, Fire Dragon Island, Nine Dragon Island, and others—all ancient sacred sites for cultivation. However…"

"Just what?"

"However, many places have been abandoned since the Investiture of the Gods."

Yunxiao sighed softly.

"The Kunlun Mountains are currently the place with the most abundant spiritual energy. What a pity."

Lin Zhu's eyes lit up.

"Kunlun Mountain? The Daoist temple of the Primordial Celestial Venerable?"

Yunxiao shook his head.

"It's not like that anymore. Since the Investiture of the Gods, Kunlun has been incorporated into the West. Dipankara Buddha, Manjushri, Samantabhadra and others have established their temples there, and ordinary immortals dare not approach it at all."

"Oh?"

Lin Zhu did not back down; instead, he showed excitement.

"If the West takes it, that's even better!"

The three immortals changed color upon hearing this. Qiongxiao hurriedly said:

"Lin Zhu, don't be impulsive! Kunlun Mountain is now a vital area in the West. If you build a temple there, it's tantamount to directly provoking the entire Western Religion!"

Bixiao also stopped joking and nervously tugged at Lin Zhu's sleeve.

"Yes, yes, although you're strong, even two fists can't beat four hands."

Yunxiao remained the calmest, looking directly into Lin Zhu's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this matter is of utmost importance. Although the West has promised that its high-ranking officials will not intervene, if you provoke them, I'm afraid..."

Lin Zhu laughed heartily, his laughter filled with pride.

"Rest assured, my three fairies! I know what I'm doing."

His eyes gleamed.

"Since we're going to build a temple, we should naturally choose the best location. Kunlun Mountain suits my needs perfectly!"

Fairy Yunxiao gripped the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron tightly in her slender hands, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, are you really going to choose Kunlun Mountain? That's..."

“The former dojo of Master Yuanshi has now been usurped by the Western religion.”

Qiongxiao took over the conversation, her emerald green skirt fluttering even without wind.

"Not only are there disciples and grand-disciples of Jieyin and Zhunti in the mountains, but also cultivators from the lineage of Zhang Tianshi of the Heavenly Court."

Lin Zhu stood with his hands behind his back atop the clouds, his green robe fluttering in the wind.

He gazed at the majestic mountains in the distance, his eyes reflecting the ever-present glow of the Kunlun Mountains.

"That's precisely why it's all the more worthwhile to explore." He smiled slightly.

"A sacred site, a ancestral vein of heaven and earth—how could we miss such an opportunity?"

Bixiao stamped her foot in frustration, the Golden Dragon Scissors buzzing at her waist.

"Are you out of your mind? Those two Buddhas have been sitting atop the mountain for a hundred years, even my eldest brother Duobao..."

He suddenly fell silent at this point, clearly having touched on some taboo.

"Bixiao!"

Yunxiao gave a soft shout, then turned to Linzhu, his tone gentle but containing hidden worry.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, since Master Yuanshi left, Kunlun Mountain has become a place of trouble. Those bald monks of the Western Sect appear compassionate on the surface, but in reality..."

"What is the reality?"

Lin Zhu raised an eyebrow, and a faint blue light appeared in his sleeve.

Little Qiong, standing beside him, tilted its head, its nine snow-white tails swaying gently as it curiously observed the three fairies.

Qiongxiao and Yunxiao exchanged glances, and finally sighed.

"After that upheaval a century ago, Huang Zhongli of the mountains disappeared without a trace, but the Western Religion has always sent people to guard the area. We have our suspicions."

She lowered her voice.

"They are looking for the whereabouts of the Heaven-Turning Seal."

Lin Zhu's pupils contracted slightly. The Heaven-Turning Seal was a supreme treasure forged by the Primordial Celestial Venerable using the remains of Mount Buzhou.

He suddenly chuckled.

"In that case, I absolutely must go to Kunlun Mountain."

"you!"

Bixiao's pretty face turned red with anger, and the Golden Dragon Scissors transformed into two golden rays that swirled around her.

"Eldest sister, second sister, I think there's no need to persuade them! They're so ignorant and arrogant!"

Yunxiao held his sister's shoulder and looked intently at Lin Zhu.

"Since you have made up your mind, fellow Daoist, we cannot stop you. However..."

She flipped her hand and took out a jade talisman.

"This is a Shangqing Spirit Talisman bestowed by my master, which can withstand an attack from a Great Luo Golden Immortal."

Lin Zhu was about to decline when he saw Yunxiao slap the talisman into his palm.

The warm jade talisman feels cool to the touch, and faintly emits a divine light.

"Thank you for your kindness, fairy."

He accepted it solemnly, but secretly wondered why the Three Immortals of Sanxiao were taking such good care of him.

"Bixiao, go to Penglai Island to find Senior Sister Wudang."

Yunxiao suddenly gave an order.

"Qiongxiao and I are secretly following Fellow Daoist Lin. If anything unexpected happens..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Qiongxiao already understood and summoned the Dragon Binding Rope.

Bixiao said urgently:

"I also need to go!"

"obedient!"

Yunxiao became unusually stern.

"Senior Sister Wudang possesses a projection of the Qingping Sword left behind by our master, which can be used in crucial moments."

The words abruptly stopped, for Lin Zhu had already taken Xiao Qiong away on a cloud, leaving only his clear laughter echoing in the air.

"My three fairies need not worry, I will be right back!"

Amidst the churning sea of ​​clouds, Xiao Qiong perched on Lin Zhu's shoulder, its nine tails gently brushing against his neck.

"Master, those three older sisters seem very nervous."

Lin Zhu rubbed her head.

"The Kunlun Mountains are indeed dangerous. Stay close to me and don't wander off."

A glint of green light flashed in his eyes, and the Shangqing Dongxuan True Scripture quietly began to circulate within his body.

Ever since he obtained the half of the scroll from the ruins of Biyou Palace, he had a vague feeling that he had some kind of connection with this mountain.

The Kunlun Mountains stretch across Jambudvipa, their peaks piercing the clouds like swords.

Lin Zhu descended from the clouds and landed at the foot of the mountain, where he was immediately jolted back half a step by the overwhelming spiritual energy.

This spiritual energy was strangely mixed with Buddhist sandalwood, Taoist pure energy, and even a faint demonic aura, creating an eerie yet harmonious atmosphere.

"Indeed strange."

He muttered to himself.

Xiao Qiong had transformed into human form, dressed in snow-white robes, and warily surveyed her surroundings.

"Master, there are footprints over there."

Lin Zhu looked in the direction she pointed and saw that the lotus pattern imprinted on the bluestone slab was clearly the footprint of a Buddhist Vajra.

But what's even more surprising is that there are still remnants of the Bagua diagram next to the traces, indicating that there was no conflict between the Taoist and Buddhist forces here.

As you climb the steps, exotic flowers and rare herbs bloom in profusion on both sides of the mountain path.

A thousand-year-old vermilion fruit tree was laden with bright red fruit, yet it was unguarded by any demonic beasts.

"Something's wrong."

Lin Zhu squinted.

"How could such a spiritual object..."

Before he finished speaking, the clouds in front of them suddenly parted, and two young novices emerged.

They were not surprised to see strangers; instead, they put their palms together in greeting.

"Is this benefactor here to attend the Dharma assembly?"

"A Dharma assembly?"

Lin Zhu returned the greeting without making a sound.

"I am a wanderer who has come here by chance. May I ask what kind of grand event is being held in the mountains?"

The older novice monk smiled and said:

"Today marks the centenary of the discussion between the Medicine Buddha and the Jade Cauldron Immortal, and all the immortals and immortals are gathering at the former site of the Jade Void Palace."

He spoke casually, yet it sent a jolt through Lin Zhu's heart.

Jade Cauldron Immortal? Isn't that one of the Twelve Golden Immortals under the Primordial Heavenly Venerable? How could he be drinking and chatting with the Buddha of the Western Paradise?
Seeing his hesitation, the young novice monk extended a warm invitation.

"Since you are a Taoist practitioner, why not come up the mountain with me? There are also celestial officials from the Heavenly Court here today, it's quite lively."

Just as Lin Zhu was about to decline, he suddenly noticed that the Shangqing Spirit Talisman in his sleeve was slightly warm.

His mind raced, and he smiled:

"Then it's annoying."

The mountain road winds its way up, and the spiritual energy becomes stronger the higher you go.

Lin Zhu noticed the traces of formations along the way. Some were authentic Jade Purity Immortal Techniques, while others were Buddhist Sanskrit. Some even combined the two to form an unprecedented restriction.

"Owner."

Xiao Qiong transmitted her voice secretly.

"Behind that pine tree three hundred paces away, there are fluctuations of Jie Sect magic."

Lin Zhu nodded slightly.

He had long noticed that Yunxiao and Qiongxiao were secretly following him, but he never expected them to be so bold as to approach the old site of Yuxu Palace.

You know, that place is now...
My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of the bell.

Looking up, one could see the mountain peak radiating golden light, and a dilapidated palace could be vaguely seen floating in the clouds.

Even more shockingly, in the square in front of the palace, dozens of monks and Taoist priests were exchanging toasts, with the two in the leading seats being the Buddha, who was radiating light, and an old man in a Taoist robe.

"That's... Jade Cauldron Immortal?"

Lin Zhu squinted.

The legendary hot-tempered Golden Immortal of the Chan Sect was now drinking with the Buddha with a radiant face, showing no sign of tension whatsoever.
The novice monk proudly introduces himself.

"Since the Medicine Buddha and the True Man resolved their misunderstanding a hundred years ago, our Western Sect and the Chan Sect have jointly governed Kunlun. You see..."

He pointed to the medicinal herb garden in the distance.

"The lotus seeds planted over there are from the Eight Treasures Merit Pond, while the peaches next to it are from the Jade Void Palace."

Atop the Kunlun Mountains, amidst swirling clouds and mist, a magnificent golden palace stands on the edge of a cliff.

The hall was brightly lit, with people clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, creating an outwardly peaceful atmosphere.

"Haha, Master Huiming, this jar of thousand-year-old snow lotus wine is a treasure of our Zhengyi sect. We have specially taken it out today to share with you all."

A middle-aged Taoist priest in a blue robe raised his cup and laughed, but there was a subtle glint in his eyes.

The old monk, known as Huiming, clasped his hands together and smiled broadly.

"Master Zhang, you are too kind. Our Western Sect and the Zhengyi Sect both reside in Kunlun, and we should live in harmony."

He turned and winked at the young novice beside him.

"Go and present the Bodhi fruits we brought from Mount Ling."

In a corner of the hall, several young Taoist priests were discussing in hushed tones. (End of Chapter)