Knife splashing

Chapter 352 Five Dragon Palace

"Dragon Ball?"

When the old Taoist heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head, "You young man, you have a nice idea. Forget it, I will find someone else to help..."

Li Yan said quickly: "Don't worry, senior. We are not asking for it for nothing. We will exchange spiritual materials of equal value to help you find medicine. Just consider it as the reward for matchmaking this matter."

"equivalence?"

The old Taoist Wang Jingxiu looked at Li Yan as if he was looking at a fool, shook his head and said, "You want the Dragon Ball, but do you know what this thing is?"

Li Yan replied: "It is a bead condensed from the Zhenwu Dragon Cave."

To be honest, it was only after he listened to Master Tu that he knew about the existence of this thing on Mount Wudang.

The so-called dragon ball is the ball that is condensed at the dragon vein in the blessed land, and it generates its own "situation".

If the crocodile master had this thing, and held it in his mouth to practice, and then obtained the position of the water god of Han River, he would have the opportunity to transform into a dragon in the future, which would be the basis for achieving enlightenment.

"It's good to know."

Wang Jingxiu stroked his beard and shook his head, saying, "There are three major mysterious realms on my Wudang Mountain, the 'Thunder Fire Refining Hall', the 'Purple Sky Divine Lamp' and the 'True Martial Dragon Cave', which correspond to magic, law and martial arts respectively."

"The 'Dragon Ball' is the foundation of the 'Zhenwu Dragon Cave'. It takes five hundred years to condense one. It is priceless and the Five Dragon Palace regards it as a forbidden delicacy. What do you want to do with it? What treasure of equal value can you exchange it for?"

"A friend asked me to..."

This kind of thing could not be concealed, so Li Yan briefly explained Master Tu's situation and then said, "If Master Tu obtains the position of the water god of Han River, he will be willing to befriend Wudang in the future and obey the imperial edict."

"In addition, it also found a stone sculpture of a basalt from the Song Dynasty in Yunmeng Lake. It was used as a national offering to the four spirits at that time. Although it is a bit large, it is also a national treasure..."

Speaking of this, Li Yan couldn't help but feel emotional.

Although the Crocodile Master is a monster, he has a lot of roots. He is considered a descendant of the ancient Chu Yunzhongjun sacrifice and has hidden many good things.

The basalt stone sculpture is about two meters tall. Although it is a bit big and cannot be carried around like the Xue Mohe and Xuan Tiantian Talismans found before, it can also avoid the detection of heaven and earth if placed in the spiritual orifice.

The value of this treasure is no less than that of dragon balls.

Plus the spiritual materials that were found...

The crocodile master is clearly planning for his own future.

Become a water god, be protected by Wudang, and be included in the worship system of Zhenwu Palace... If you can transform into a dragon, you may have the opportunity to serve under the command of Zhenwu Emperor.

The belief in Yun Zhongjun is too old, and the new national sacrificial system has been formed. It seems that there will not be much change in the future.

This is a complete change of attitude!
Dragon Ball is just one of them.

This is what they really have to do!
Sure enough, Wang Jingxiu's face turned serious when he heard about the basalt stone sculpture and the national treasure. "My friend, you are not being honest. This matter is of great importance and it is beyond my power to make the decision. But I can help you pass on the message when I go up the mountain tomorrow."

"Whether you can succeed or not depends entirely on chance."

Li Yan quickly bowed, "Thank you, senior."

Wang Jingxiu shook his head and said, "Don't be so quick to thank me. This matter is not that simple. If it doesn't work..."

Li Yan smiled and said, "Even if it doesn't work, we will help you find medicine. Please take a rest first, and we will take our leave."

After saying that, he bowed again and left with Lu San.

But when he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said, "Senior, I have a suggestion for that thing on your desk."

"Oh?"

Wang Jingxiu was delighted. "This thing is my improved water and fire refining method. It is the only one of its kind in the world. Tell me what you think of it?"

Of course he didn't believe what Li Yan said. After all, alchemy was a profound art. It would be a joke if others knew that a young boy wanted to teach him.

The fact that he didn't get angry or scold her also shows that he has good self-cultivation.

Li Yan smiled and said, "Although I don't know much, I can see that you want to use fire to vaporize it, and then condense it when it encounters ice. It's similar to brewing wine, but it's more complicated."

"If we use transparent colored glass to make a vessel, wouldn't it be clear what's going on inside?"

After hearing this, Wang Jingxiu's mind went blank. He quickly turned his head to look at the table and muttered, "Yeah, why didn't I think of that..."

When he came to his senses, Li Yan had already left.

The old Taoist didn't care. He hurriedly took out a pen and paper and wrote while muttering, "The method of making colored glaze is not difficult. The difficult part is that it needs to be clear and transparent, and it also needs to withstand the changes of water and fire..."

"No one on Mount Wudang knows this... The people from Mo Sect want to invite me to Qiankun Academy. There are many talented people there, maybe I can do it..."

…………

As soon as the sky was getting light, everyone set out.

In addition to the five members of Li Yan's team, there are also a dozen of Gu Hanzi's fellow disciples and the Taoist master Wang Jingxiu.

It is said that Wudang Mountain has seventy-two peaks, thirty-six rocks and twenty-four streams. Although it is not towering into the clouds, it has been an important place of Taoism since ancient times.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the end of the Han Dynasty, there were Zhou official Yin Xi, alchemists Ma Mingsheng, Yin Changsheng and others who practiced cultivation here. After the Tang and Song Dynasties, it became increasingly prosperous, with numerous palaces, temples and sacred pavilions.

Since the rise of Master Sanfeng, his name has spread all over the world.

There are four main ways up the mountain: east, west, south, and north.

Villages like Zhangjia Village are equivalent to Wudang outer disciples. There are at least twenty of them surrounding the outer perimeter of Wudang Mountain, which is equivalent to the first line of defense.

Li Yan and others left Zhangjia Village and soon reached the East Shendao Road. They passed through a mountain gate plaque bestowed by the imperial court, which was equivalent to entering the gate of Wudang Mountain.

Because of the war in the southwest, many masters of Zhenwu Palace joined the imperial court. In order to prevent sneak attacks from the Ghost Cult and the Tiansheng Cult, additional defenses were deployed on the mountain and people were prohibited from going up the mountain at night.

These defenses are not only guarded by disciples patrolling the mountains, but also by soldiers and horses patrolling the mountains and forests. In order to prevent accidents, prohibitions are set up.

After all, with Wang Jingxiu following him, once he entered the mountain gate, Wudang disciples who were looking for the mountain would show up to pay him respects from time to time. Each of them carried a sword on their back and jumped in the mountains and forests like a dragon.

This place is far less dangerous than Mount Huashan. Walking along the sacred road, the forest is deep and dark, the morning mist is floating, and the mountain streams are flowing. The scenery is very pleasant.

Occasionally, you can see macaques, leopards, wild deer, and white cranes flying around, hiding in the dense forest and watching them curiously.

Li Yan had no time to appreciate such a magnificent scene.

Because the old Taoist Wang Jingxiu was always disturbing them.

"I thought about it last night, and the method you proposed is indeed good, but the burning of colored glaze is colorful and gorgeous, just like jade, and it is also thin and brittle. Do you know of any way to solve this problem?"

"The color of colored glaze is difficult to fix. I guess there is something inside. If we can find a way to remove it, we should be able to burn out transparent colored glaze..."

"I'm afraid it can't withstand the water and fire..."

"I don't know about this junior..."

Li Yan had no choice but to deal with it casually.

No wonder Wang Jingxiu is highly respected in Wudang Mountain, but is unwilling to become a senior official. He is a complete fool.

Once you encounter a problem, you must get to the bottom of it.

Fortunately, seeing that nothing could be gotten out of him, Wang Jingxiu finally calmed down, but he seemed to be in a trance when he walked.

Although the mountain road was rugged and winding, most of the people were martial artists. Even Wang Daoxuan often climbed mountains and crossed ridges and had good leg strength, so the speed of the group was quite fast.

Not long after, everyone saw another memorial archway with three rooms, four pillars and five floors. On it were carved the five characters of Fu, Lu, Shou, Xi and the Eight Immortals, and inscribed with the four large characters "Zhi Shi Xuan Yue".

The archway is very new and looks very grand.

Gu Hanzi introduced: "This memorial archway was given by the late emperor. Seven or eight miles to the west, you will reach Yuxu Palace, where the Taoist master Sanfeng practiced." Behind the memorial archway, there is a large open space on the rocks overlooking the mountain. The space is filled with incense and many little Taoist children are practicing swords.

Before they got close, many people turned their heads and looked over.

"concentrate!"

The middle-aged Taoist priest sitting cross-legged on the stone immediately scolded.

Li Yan knew that these were all new disciples of the Zhenwu Palace, and most of them had already awakened their supernatural powers, so he was able to discover them early.

The group walked forward, and after another two incense sticks of time, a towering palace suddenly appeared before their eyes.

This palace is laid out along the central axis, with red walls and high tiles, flying gold and green, forming tall palace walls that are majestic and solemn.

There are dense ancient trees in the palace, and faintly visible layers of flying eaves and brackets.

Gu Hanzi introduced in a low voice: "This is Xuantian Yuxu Palace. There are more than 2,000 temples and shrines of various sizes. People from the foot of the mountain basically burn incense here. People from higher up are not allowed to enter at will."

Sure enough, as soon as it got light today, there were many common people and gentry coming and going at the door, in groups of three or five, with the elderly and children accompanying them.

The crowd entered the main gate and did not crowd with the pilgrims, but went directly through the side passage.

We passed more than a dozen palaces along the way. There were more and more Taoists guarding the gates, and almost no ordinary pilgrims.

Li Yan remained calm and looked at him secretly.

Most of the Taoists here practice martial arts, but they don't look like people from the Xuanmen sect. Twenty percent of them have evil spirits on their bodies.

Not to mention Wang Jingxiu, even Gu Hanzi and those fellow disciples were regarded as senior brothers and elders in the eyes of these Taoists, and they all bowed to greet them.

This is also the true expression of Xuanmen.

Even in a big sect like Wudang Mountain, the number of people who have the opportunity to practice and reach the third level of Taoism is far less than imagined.

Of course, this is just the Yuxu Palace at the foot of the mountain.

Those real masters are still in the mountains.

Arriving at the main hall in the backyard, several old Taoist priests immediately came out and all bowed to Wang Jingxiu, "Greetings, Uncle Master Wang."

Li Yan was secretly shocked.

Wang Jingxiu was fine, but I didn’t expect that Gu Hanzi’s seniority was also so high, and he was a fellow disciple with these old Taoists.

Wang Jingxiu had also come back to his senses by this time. He shook his Buddhist dust and nodded, saying, "I am following the order of the headmaster to return to the mountain this time because of the war in the southwest, and many of our disciples were injured."

"You should immediately gather the doctors in your sect, prepare the medicines and instruments, and follow me to Yunyang in a few days."

After some instructions, everyone continued to climb the mountain.

The roads on the mountain are becoming more and more quiet. Some of the ancient stone steps were even built during the Qin and Han Dynasties. They are hidden among the weeds, and small animals may jump out at any time.

Wang Jingxiu said to Li Yan in a deep voice: "Let's go to the Five Dragon Palace first. Since you have obtained the Wudang token, you must travel through the Three Mysterious Realms. You can stay in the Five Dragon Palace first, and then go to the Purple Sky Palace and the Golden Palace."

"Remember, don't say anything when you get there. I'll go to Zixiao Palace first and tell Master about this matter before making a decision."

Li Yan immediately understood, "Don't worry, senior, I understand."

Gu Hanzi also bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, we will escort the Blood Jade Cong up the mountain. We will also go to the Golden Palace after we have arranged for you."

"Yunyang is very busy. After completing the task today, I will go down the mountain from the other side and we will meet again in Yunyang another day."

Li Yan also bowed and said, "Be careful on your journey, fellow Taoist."

Although the Five Dragon Palace is not on the top of the mountain, it has to go around to the foot of Lingying Peak on the northern slope of the other side of Wudang Mountain. Everyone quickened their pace and arrived at their destination after noon.

I saw a palace hidden among the mountains and forests, with red walls and green tiles set against the green mountains and green waters, curling up with incense smoke and melodious bell sounds.

Before I got close, I could hear the Taoists chanting scriptures and repenting.

Li Yan had already inquired about it before coming.

This Five Dragon Palace has more than 800 palaces, temples and shrines. Although it is not as old as the Yuxu Palace, it is much older and was built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty.

According to legend, there was a severe drought that year, locusts were everywhere, and the people were suffering. Emperor Taizong of Tang ordered officials from all over the country to go to famous mountains and rivers to pray for rain.

Yao Jian, the governor of Junzhou, was ordered to go to Wudang Mountain. On the Five Dragon Peak, he met five Confucian scholars who called themselves "Five Dragon Lords" and said that Wudang was protected by the god Xuanwu and they came to visit him at Xuanwu's command.

Afterwards, heavy rains poured down, relieving the drought, so Emperor Taizong of Tang ordered the construction of the Five Dragon Temple, which was later gradually expanded into the Five Dragon Palace.

There is a temple of Zhenwu Emperor in the Wulong Palace, and there is a cave hidden underneath, which is the famous "Zhenwu Dragon Cave".

As we got closer, we found that the Five Dragon Palace was obviously much older. Although it had been renovated and the red walls outside the palace had been repainted, the densely packed dragon stone foundation below still looked mottled.

The Taoists in the Five Dragon Palace were obviously much more advanced, and most of them were from the Xuanmen sect. Some of them were practicing martial arts on the uneven brick and stone square.

When they arrived here, Li Yan and others became obedient.

In this Five Dragon Palace, dragon carvings can be seen everywhere, which clearly forms a large formation that cannot be detected by magical powers.

Of course, what is more important is that there is a disciple of Sanfeng Zhenren here, who knows how powerful he is.

"Uncle Wang, Junior Brother Gu."

As soon as I entered the main hall of the mountain gate, a Taoist priest came quickly. He was tall, with fair skin, long black beard hanging down to his chest, and he had an extraordinary demeanor.

What’s more important is that its eyes are golden in color.

"Meet Senior Brother Gu Linzi."

Gu Hanzi quickly bowed and introduced Li Yan.

Gu Linzi smiled and said, "I have heard about that incident as well. I never thought that Mr. Li, at such a young age, could do such a great deed."

Then he looked at Wang Jingxiu again, "Uncle Wang, please come..."

Wang Jingxiu stroked his beard and said, "I came here to have tea with Junior Brother Yu Longzi, and I also came to send Li Xiaoyou here. Where is your master?"

Gu Linzi hurriedly bowed and said, "Master is in seclusion in Yinxian Rock. Uncle Wang, wait a moment. I will take you there right away."

He was a little shocked and glanced at Li Yan calmly.

He was not surprised that Gu Hanzi came to see him off. After all, he was in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall, and he could not avoid dealing with outer sect monks, and had a lot of personal connections.

But Wang Jingxiu’s identity is not ordinary.

What is the origin of this young man...

"Hidden Immortal Rock?"

After hearing this, Wang Jingxiu shook his head and said, "You can arrange for Li Xiaoyou to stay. I will go by myself."

"Well, that's fine too."

Gu Linzi was stunned for a moment, and when he saw Wang Jingxiu and Gu Hanzi walking away, he smiled and said, "Donor Li, there are guest rooms in the palace. Please follow me."

"and many more."

Lu San suddenly said, "I'll live outside in the woods."

Li Yan turned his head and saw the little fox and the rat, Rat Er, shivering in Lu San's arms, their eyes full of fear...

(End of this chapter)