After returning to the village, start chasing the mountain from binding Emei

Chapter 1034 The Origin of the Black Lotus, Juechen Explains the "Three Ones and Five Teeth Scripture"!
"Well, that's a long story."

Juechen sighed, seemingly recalling something and organizing his thoughts.

After a long pause, he said, "You know how the Nine Elders Cave came to be, right?"

Jiulao Cave?

Chen Yang didn't know why Abbot Juechen would suddenly ask this, but he still nodded, "It is said that it was first established by the Emei founder Situ Xuankong, and then by many Celestial Realm experts from the Emei Buddhist and Taoist sects, step by step, over the generations..."

"good."

Juechen nodded slightly, "The ancestors of the Emei Buddhist and Taoist sects put in a lot of effort to create this grotto-heaven. In fact, there are records of 77 Celestial Realm experts who passed away here. After their deaths, their physical energy returned to heaven and earth, giving birth to the life-giving wonders of this place..."

"To the outside world, the Nine Elders Cave is merely a secluded cultivation place for high-level Emei cultivators. In fact, before the secret realm opened, the Nine Elders Cave was indeed just a place for secluded cultivation..."

"Legend has it that when Situ Xuankong, the founder of Emei Mountain, was comprehending the Dao in the Nine Elders Cave, someone brought a lotus seed into the cave, and the seed took root and sprouted there..."

"This lotus flower, imbued with the Daoist essence of the Patriarch, gradually developed sentience over time, which can be considered a blessing. In his spare time from cultivation, the Patriarch would impart the Dao and preach to it. The lotus flower was indeed worthy of creation, and gradually grew into a white lotus with 72 petals..."

"After the patriarch passed away, this white lotus cultivated in the Nine Elders Cave. Later, it even broke through to the Celestial Realm and was revered as a sacred flower by both the Emei Buddhist and Taoist sects..."

"This white lotus has a unique ability: it can absorb the accumulated negative karma, negative emotions, and even obsessions and inner demons of a cultivator..."

"This is why, since the time of the founder, many cultivators from both the Buddhist and Taoist sects of Emei have preferred to come to the Nine Elders Cave for quiet cultivation..."

"With this white lotus, there's no need to worry about going astray in cultivation. Under its influence, even if your mind is muddled, you can remain clear-headed and undisturbed by negative emotions, which greatly helps your cultivation..."

"It can be said that this white lotus made a very significant contribution to the early rise of Emei..."

"Unfortunately, in this world, everything has its cause and effect, and all things have their consequences. Finally, one day, our ancestors discovered that this white lotus seemed to have changed; its body was gradually turning black..."

"It has lived for too long, absorbing too much evil karma and negative energy. This energy comes from countless disciples of Emei with outstanding cultivation throughout the ages. It is too vast, and the white lotus simply cannot digest it..."

"These negative energies ultimately affected Bai Lian's mind; her original great compassion and wisdom gradually began to develop in an evil direction..."

"Starting with Ye Huai'an, the ninth generation mountain lord of Emei, after discovering the strange phenomenon of the white lotus, he issued a prohibition forbidding his disciples from entering the Nine Elders Cave to cultivate..."

"But this ban was broken during the reign of the tenth generation mountain master, Zen Master Wuding. Firstly, it was during the chaotic period at the end of the Han Dynasty, when many powerful figures emerged, and Emei had to cultivate top-notch combat power to protect itself. Secondly, after assessment by both Buddhism and Taoism, they felt that the situation of the White Lotus was still within a controllable range..."

"After all, back then, Emei could still field several Celestial Realm experts. If something happened to Bai Lian, these powerful figures could handle it..."

"In addition, it is said that at that time, it was also at the request of the white lotus, which craved more negative energy in order to continuously improve its own cultivation."

"Strictly speaking, it was a win-win situation. However, after the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, there were several more upheavals in the world, and Emei inevitably got involved. One generation of masters died after another, and even the Mountain Lord changed several times over the centuries..."

"From the tenth generation mountain lord, Zen Master Wuding, to the seventeenth generation mountain lord, Chen Tianyang, nearly a thousand years have passed, with the mountain lords passing through seven or eight generations, and the average reign lasting only about a hundred years..."

Perhaps realizing he had gone off-topic, Monk Juechen quickly steered the conversation back on track, saying, "Since the time of Zen Master Wuding, the top combat strength of Emei has been significantly weakened by the war, and as a result, the role of the White Lotus has become increasingly important..."

"It absorbed more and more negative energy, and its lotus body became darker and darker. Eventually, when people realized that they could not continue like this, things were out of control."

"The White Lotus is growing stronger and stronger, and its mind is being infected by negative energy. Since no one is entering the cave to cultivate, it leaves the Nine Elders Cave on its own and takes the initiative to attack..."

"Finally, one day, the white lotus transformed into the black lotus, and the situation became uncontrollable. By manipulating negative energy, it even instigated a battle between the Buddhist and Taoist sects of Emei, almost causing a major disaster."

"But it did serve the sect well, and our ancestors, mindful of past friendship, sealed it in the Nine Elders Cave. As a result, the Nine Elders Cave was sealed for more than three hundred years."

"But it was not resigned to its fate. Nearly a thousand years ago, the seal loosened, and it escaped once again..."

"At that time, the ruler of Emei was the sixteenth mountain lord, Tan Jue. When Lord Tan chased after the fleeing cultivator, he was unexpectedly bewitched by the black lotus and fell into the demonic path, which then brought a calamity to the cultivation world of Shu..."

……

Hearing this, Chen Yang was quite surprised.

Is Tan Jue involved in this?
Back then, Tan Jue killed many cultivators to extract their blood, intending to refine a Rejuvenation Pill to save his wife, thus falling into the demonic path.

Is this related to black lotus?
Tan Jue was bewitched by the Black Lotus and fell into the demonic path, turning from a revered mountain lord into a sinner hated by everyone.

Chen Yang felt something was wrong from the beginning. In ancient times, a mountain king was not someone that just anyone could take the position of. He had to be recommended by the masses, and not only did he have to be strong, but he also had to be of noble character.

Tan Jue committed such heinous acts and killed so many innocent cultivators for the sake of a woman. This is too extreme and unbelievable.

He can't pass the test of character no matter what. Even if he's good at pretending, what's the purpose of his pretense? There are so many eyes on Mount Emei, surely they're all blind?
Therefore, Tan Jue was greatly stimulated. The pain of losing his wife gave Hei Lian an opportunity to take advantage of his weakness and amplify his negative emotions, causing him to lose his adherence to certain things, and thus become possessed by evil and commit many evil deeds.

Back in the Bottomless Cave, Tan Jue didn't mention this matter to Chen Yang, probably because he felt ashamed to bring it up.

Chen Yang felt a pang of regret.

Juechen continued, "Later, in the second year of Qingyuan, Shan Jun Tan Jue was surrounded and killed at the Golden Summit by Chen Tianyang of Qitian Temple, Zen Master Fulong of Wannian Temple, and others..."

"A considerable price was paid at the time; Black Lotus was also captured, but what happened to her afterward is not recorded by the sect..."

"In retrospect, it seems that Chen Tianyang and Zen Master Fulong probably thought that the Nine Elders Cave couldn't contain it, so they brought it into the cave's secret realm and sealed it under Dragon Tooth Mountain..."

"In this way, it won't affect the opening of the secret realm. Moreover, the secret realm is a world of its own. Once the secret realm is closed, even if the black lotus breaks the seal, it won't be able to leave and won't have any impact on the outside world..."

……

Juechen recounted the entire story in one breath.

Chen Yang listened carefully, his expression quite serious.

“As the master said, this black lotus has an extraordinary origin and is incredibly powerful. If what was taken away by Cang Gou just now was indeed that black lotus, then…” Chen Yang handed over a bottle of water; he could no longer imagine the consequences.

Juechen took a sip of water and said, "Four hundred years ago, the Heavenly Path was severed. That Black Lotus was also a Celestial Realm being. Even if it was suppressed here, it couldn't have escaped that Great Purge. Its demise was inevitable..."

“If it were the real body, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here chatting peacefully. That black lotus was most likely a manifestation of its lingering attachment, and its strength shouldn’t be that great…”

……

"Obsession?"

Chen Yang paused slightly. "Even if it is a dharma body of obsession, we cannot be careless. Master, such an evil thing is something that others would avoid like the plague. What does Canggou Daoist want with it?"

"Ha, Cang Gou is always extreme in his actions."

Juechen shook his head and said, "Based on my understanding of him, this guy probably wants to find a host for his second primordial spirit..."

"Oh?" Chen Yang was somewhat taken aback.

“I have dealt with him for three hundred years, and I know him too well.”

Monk Juechen sighed, "This fellow has already cultivated a second primordial spirit, but he has never found a host for it. His standards are too high; he looks down on ordinary hosts. But this black lotus's Dharma body is a Celestial Realm existence. With his cultivation, it's still possible to extinguish its obsession and seize its Dharma body..."

"Once the Black Lotus Dharma Body is cultivated into the host of the second primordial spirit, not only can one master the abilities of the Black Lotus, but also absorb the remaining essence of the Black Lotus Dharma Body to nourish the main body, and perhaps even extend one's lifespan..."

“This old Taoist priest, like me, is nearing the end of his life. He wants to live even more than I do, so even though he knows that possessing the Black Lotus is very dangerous, he will still do it without hesitation…”

……

Chen Yang said, "Judging from the situation just now, he has clearly succeeded in possessing the body. Master, the increase in Cang Gou's lifespan after obtaining the Black Lotus is a minor matter; his increased strength is what's truly worrying. We probably need to find him as soon as possible and eliminate him before he fully grasps the power of the Black Lotus after his possession..."

"Amitabha."

Juechen remained calm and said, "There's no need to think of things as so bad. Although Black Lotus is only left with his obsession, neither you nor I know how strong that obsession is. Judging from his appearance just now, he should have successfully possessed someone, but who possessed whom is still uncertain..."

"Oh?" Chen Yang was taken aback. "Master, are you saying that Cang Gou was possessed by the Black Lotus?"

Juechen nodded and said, "I was just saying that it's possible. After all, this black lotus has a fearsome reputation. Even if it's just an obsession, it shouldn't be powerless against Cang Gou..."

"Of course, it's also possible that Black Lotus was possessed by Cang Gou. Either way, it's not a good outcome for us. He's probably somewhere hiding, fusing with his Dharma body..."

"Cang Gou is determined to hide; there's no way we'll find him..."

"Then what should we do?" Chen Yang asked.

"Not urgent."

Juechen, on the other hand, seemed confident. “After possessing a body, merging with the Dharma body is not something that can be accomplished in a day or two. We don’t need to look for him. This guy is eager to get out before this secret realm closes. If he misses this opportunity, he will have to wait another hundred years. Moreover, there is a lot of uncertainty about the future. Whether the Nine Elders Cave will reopen after a hundred years is a question.”

"So, we'll wait for him at the exit?" Chen Yang asked.

"good."

Juechen nodded. "As long as he still wants to go out, he will definitely show up. When that happens, if you and I work together, along with the water monkey you raised, we might be able to get rid of him."

Chen Yang hesitated for a moment, "What if he doesn't show up then?"

"Mercy, mercy."

Juechen clasped his hands together, "That means he has given up on leaving. I will stay here and deal with him. After you leave, tell Xuantong and the others that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Nine Elders Cave will remain closed for at least two hundred years before it can be reopened..."

"If the Heavenly Road is not continued within two hundred years, no matter how capable Cang Gou is, he cannot live for another two hundred years. At that time, dust to dust, ashes to ashes, and the hidden danger will naturally disappear..."

……

Chen Yang sat there, unsure of what to say.

This Master Juechen wasted his entire life trying to prevent a mere ghost from wreaking havoc on the world.

This is a truly virtuous and eminent monk.

Chen Yang stood up and bowed deeply to Juechen.

"It doesn't have to be this way."

Juechen laughed heartily, "If I don't go to hell, who will? Some things have to be done by someone. If you don't do it, and I don't do it, then how can the thousands of years of heritage of Emei exist..."

"Moreover, the Black Lotus incident itself is a karma sown by our Emei sect, and it is our descendants who should bear the consequences..."

"Of course, the most important point is my personal conflict with Cang Gou. I really dislike him, and I'm determined to take him away no matter what..."

……

Chen Yang was embarrassed and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Juechen looked at Chen Yang and saw his worried expression. He then smiled and said, "Young man, don't look so gloomy. You should be more carefree. Let's not talk about these heavy topics. Tell me about yourself, and while you're at it, tell this old monk about your experiences outside, about that different world you mentioned..."

"I……"

The bonfire flickered.

The voices of an old man and a young man echoed through the mountains and forests, sometimes filled with laughter, sometimes with sighs.

As night deepened, neither of them felt sleepy.

One rarely hears news from the outside world and is curious about it; the other rarely encounters a senior from their sect with such profound cultivation, so naturally they would seek guidance on cultivation.

For Chen Yang, this was a very rare opportunity to ask for guidance.

He has now entered the Dao True Realm, and if placed in Emei, only the three great monks can guide him.

The person in front of them was clearly more senior than Xuan Tong and the others.

Juechen clearly liked Chen Yang, his junior, and generously explained difficult problems to him.

Especially the "Dharma Image Golden Body Technique," Chen Yang had been exploring and cultivating it on his own before. Although Xuan Jing had given him some guidance, Xuan Jing himself had not cultivated this divine skill, so his guidance was bound to have some errors and omissions.

Now, with Juechen's guidance, Chen Yang felt that many obscure points had suddenly become clear and he could fully understand them.

Geniuses need great teachers to guide them, and great teachers need outstanding students to complement them.

Juechen was very satisfied with Chen Yang's comprehension in martial arts. Although time was short, he grasped many things very quickly and could often apply what he learned to other situations without much effort.

……

Before we knew it, a glimmer of light appeared on the horizon, and dawn was approaching.

"Your current physical condition—physical strength, mental power, and primordial spirit—has already surpassed the level of an ordinary early-stage Dao True Realm cultivator. In fact, the strength of your physical strength and mental power is likely already above the thousandth grade, comparable to the mid-stage Dao True Realm. It seems you laid a very solid foundation when you were in the Creation Realm, and the cultivation technique you practiced must have been quite advanced. A 108th-grade Golden Lotus cultivation is truly a rare and exceptional achievement..."

"However, your primordial spirit is clearly lagging behind your physique and mental strength, but that's alright. You've just broken through and are still in the transformation period. Seize this time, take more medicine to enhance your primordial spirit, and with a stronger cultivation technique for your primordial spirit, you should be able to catch up quickly..."

“Cultivation is very different from before once you reach the Dao True Realm. There are not many cultivation methods for this realm, and most of them are controlled by major sects and forces. You have just broken through, so you must be careful in choosing a cultivation method. I just don’t know if you already have any ideas?”

After carefully examining Chen Yang's condition, Juechen talked to Chen Yang about cultivating the Dao True Realm.

"I have no shortage of techniques for body refining and qi cultivation, but I'm still a bit hesitant about methods for cultivating the primordial spirit. I wonder if the patriarch has any suggestions?" Chen Yang immediately asked for guidance.

Juechen said, "I observe that your primordial spirit is purple-gold in color, so you must have cultivated the Nine Revolutions Lotus Technique, right?"

“Yes.” Chen Yang nodded.

Juechen said, "This technique is indeed a miraculous skill. The quality of the primordial spirit cultivated is indeed much stronger than that of normal cultivation. However, cultivating this technique also means that your cultivation of the primordial spirit at the Dao True Realm will be more difficult than that of ordinary people. After all, high quality means high consumption..."

"In my Emei sect, there are cultivation methods for the primordial spirit, such as the 'Golden Summit Rainbow Transformation Technique,' the 'Tathagata Meditation Technique,' the 'Pure Bodhi Sutra,' the 'Yoga Consciousness Method,' and so on. Among these, there are also methods specifically for cultivating the primordial spirit. You can choose any one of them, but..."

At this point, Juechen hesitated for a moment, "If I'm not mistaken, your basic cultivation technique in the spiritual path should be the 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Divine Skill' of the Emei Mountain lineage, right?"

"The patriarch's wisdom is evident."

Chen Yang nodded, "It is indeed the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Divine Art, however, this technique is no longer of much help to the cultivation of the primordial spirit..."

Upon hearing this, Juechen smiled slightly, "That makes things easier. The Emei Mountain Lord lineage has its own tradition, and the cultivation method they practice is ancient, the pinnacle of all Emei lineages, progressing from shallow to deep, with limitless potential. Since you have cultivated the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Divine Skill and have now entered the Dao True Realm, it is natural for you to continue your cultivation along the Mountain Lord lineage's cultivation method..."

Chen Yang said, "I also wanted to, but the Mountain Lord lineage's cultivation method, the 'Three-One-Five Tooth Scripture,' has long been lost. I spent a lot of effort collecting fragments, but I'm still missing the general outline. I thought I would find something in this secret realm, but..."

He shook his head and looked at Juechen.

Juechen, however, wore a smile.

Chen Yang's eyes brightened slightly. "Grandmaster, do you perhaps possess this technique?"

Juechen stroked his long beard. "I don't, but you do!"

"I have one?" Chen Yang asked in surprise.

Juechen said, "Have you ever considered that the general outline of the 'Three-One-Five Tooth Scripture' is actually the 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Divine Skill' that you have been cultivating?"

(End of this chapter)