If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1423 The Gathering of Ten Thousand Immortals

The young swordsman was somewhat dissatisfied, "You guys are being way too casual!"

"It's not that it's casual, it's that we don't need to be too strict. Today is a gathering of fellow disciples, not a military operation to catch spies."

"When you enter the 'Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering' venue later, you'll see many familiar fellow Daoists. Everyone knows each other!" the short Daoist said with a smile.

The young man looked down at the register, hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Didn't you say that everyone who comes will receive three Heavenly Merits? Without a detailed Daoist name and background, how will the Heavenly Merits be distributed to us in the future?"

The short Taoist priest shook the bronze mirror in his hand and laughed, "This is the 'Mirror of Wisdom and Fate,' a treasure of merit. Just by looking at you, it can distinguish your true form, confirm that you are not the old demon Yu in disguise, and can directly transfer heavenly merit or the merit of heaven and earth to you."

The young man was overjoyed, "There's also the merit of heaven and earth?"

"Ah, I'm just explaining its function so you can understand why it can bestow heavenly merit upon you even though it's anonymous."

The merits of Heaven and Earth are invaluable treasures; even our ancestral masters lack them, so how could they possibly share them with us?

"Two Heavenly Skills in total, please check them, fellow Daoist." With that, the dwarf held up the mirror and waved it at the young man's face.

The young man looked at himself in the mirror and seemed momentarily dazed.

There was a sense of unease and shame in my heart that my true spirit was being exposed to others.

However, since the dwarf had clearly stated that he would use the Mirror of Wisdom to reveal his true form, although he felt uncomfortable, he did not struggle or get angry.

After the dwarf put the mirror away, the young man did a quick calculation and found that he had indeed gained two more Heavenly Merits.

"Why are there only two? I received the 'Flying Edict of Profound Mystery' from the Ancestor, which clearly states that as long as one is an immortal, one will have three Heavenly Merits!"

He looked at the two Taoists with suspicion. "Do you want to charge a personnel fee? There are only three Heavenly Merits in total, and you dare to charge a personnel fee for one Heavenly Merit? That's too much!"

"What are you saying, fellow Daoist!" The dwarf became agitated and said in a low voice, "We are not in a dark room!"
Now, standing under the clear blue sky, surrounded by a crowd, how could I dare to accept personnel fees?

Besides, this Wisdom Mirror was borrowed by the patriarch from the Heavenly Emperor.

Fellow Daoist surely understands the principle of 'Heavenly Official Bestows Blessings'.

Tian Gong first borrowed money from the Heavenly Official Emperor and transferred it directly to you, without going through our hands at all.

As the saying goes, you only get the oil and grease after you've handled it.

"How can I collect personnel fees if I haven't even handled anything?"

"But how come I only obtained two Heavenly Skills?" the young sword immortal asked.

The fat Taoist leaned forward, bringing his head close to the young swordsman. He looked apologetic and said in a gentle tone, "Fellow Daoist, please bear with us. Our ancestor has always been a prominent figure in the Three Realms."

Today, Fei Zhang Chuan Xuan has invited disciples, fellow practitioners, and immortal friends to join him in this grand and spectacular event.

As a result, quite a few people came. In any case, as disciples and grand-disciples of the patriarch, we all hope that he is happy and at ease, right?

To put it bluntly, if you, fellow Daoist, get into trouble in the future and need the Ancestor to save your life, will the Ancestor reward you with a Heavenly Merit?

These three... Oh, these two are divine favors, not wages, but a reward from the Ancestor. Don't worry about them too much.

The young swordsman stopped pursuing the one merit point that had been deducted, but couldn't help muttering to himself, "In order to learn the 'Great Unraveling Book,' I actually offered eighty-five Heavenly Merits to my Uncle-Master Sanye."

"I've been an immortal for almost three hundred years, and I still haven't finished repaying my debts. I still owe fifteen Heavenly Merits!"

Although his voice was soft, everyone was an immortal with sharp ears and eyes, so they could hear him.

The dwarf Taoist priest said with a fawning smile, "Fellow Daoist, there is a celestial banquet before the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering. Today, our ancestor has prepared many top-grade celestial treasures!"
It has everything from peach wine and fairy wine to Yaochi flower cake, fried dragon liver, fresh phoenix marrow, purple ganoderma and jade grass, and lotus root and golden pill.

A banquet can add at least a hundred years to one's lifespan.

"If we forgo a hundred years of Qi cultivation and spirit preservation, and instead dedicate all our time to accumulating merit, how many Heavenly Merits could we earn?"

Immortals have only obtained the qualification of longevity; they cannot remain unchanged and immortal by doing nothing.

Even the Pangu world is constantly changing. To live as long as the heavens, one must first "synchronize with the heavens." This is the purpose of harmonizing the dragon and tiger, and capturing Kan and filling Li.

The young swordsman immediately shook off the gloom on his face, smiled again, and cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoists, I'll be going now."

"Fellow Daoist, you must remember that from the moment you arrive here until you leave, you must silently recite the 'Heart-Cleansing Mantra' and be ready to activate the 'Thirteen Divine Curses of the Rebellious Feather Demon' at any time," the dwarf Daoist instructed.

“I know! It’s very clear in the 'Flying Chapter Transmitting Mysteries' of the Ancestor. Actually, there’s no need for the Ancestor to remind me.”

Nowadays, among the cultivators of the Three Realms, as long as they go out and there is a possibility of encountering that old demon, who doesn't understand the principle of 'one key point, two preparations'? The young sword immortal said dismissively.

The two Taoist priests smiled and nodded, watching him leave. Then they immediately looked at the next guest, who had become a terrestrial immortal, Grand Master Yu.

"Where do you cultivate, fellow Daoist?"

The fat Taoist priest asked a question, but his hand had already gripped the pen, ready to quickly take notes.

"Two Daoist masters, I am not a guest, but a local, a Qi cultivator practicing in this area."

Xiao Yu adopted the humble demeanor of a rogue cultivator, while secretly using the Seven Emotions Spell to dull the emotions of the two Taoists.

“The once desolate and barren Dayu Ridge is suddenly filled with celestial light and celestial guests. I am both puzzled and amazed, so I have come to inquire about the reason.”

The Great Destruction Father is triggered, and the debuff is maximized. Immediately find "Mirror of Wisdom" in the Dwarf Taoist's skill bar.

The Dream Erosion Demon Art secretly activated. Although the person was present, the main consciousness of the Dream Erosion Demon Ancestor drifted into the dream dimension and activated the Wisdom Mirror to break the illusion.

The next instant, the main consciousness returned, and some of the functions of the Wisdom Mirror had been deciphered.

"So you're a fellow Daoist from Da Geng Ridge."

The portly Taoist priest wasn't particularly surprised, and simply asked, "Does fellow Taoist know Fairy Baiyun?"

"Who doesn't know Lady White Cloud of the Moon-Hanging Immortal Mansion? But even if I want to get close to her, she might not know me! By the way, my Daoist name is 'Landmine,' could you two help me register it?"

"Landmine is willing to lend a helping hand to the ancestor," Xiaoyu said with a smile.

“Fellow Daoist Landmine~~~” The fat Daoist searched his memory and found a vague impression of it.

"Could it be the landmine expert known as the 'King of Landmines in the North'? I've heard of him before, and I'm extremely fortunate to meet him today."

Distractions are eroded into demonic thoughts, which then disguise themselves as distractions. These disguised distractions enter the "sea of ​​memories" and transform into a vague idea.

The corrosive effects of Dream Erosion are truly terrifying!
"You flatter me, you flatter me. 'Thunder King' is just a term of endearment from a fellow traveler." Xiaoyu bowed modestly.

The dwarf Taoist asked, "Fellow Daoist Landmine, do you know why we have gathered at Da Geng Ridge?"

Xiao Yu shook his head and said, "I didn't know at first, so I came to check. I just overheard a conversation between some fellow Daoists. It seems that the Great Immortal of the Deer Cauldron has sent out a letter of invitation to heroes throughout the Three Realms, inviting fellow Daoists and disciples to come and do something important?"
What great thing is the Great Immortal of the Deer Cauldron planning? This humble Taoist has no idea.

I have often heard of the unparalleled fame of the Great Immortal of the Deer Cauldron since the day I began my cultivation, and I admire him greatly!
Besides, with tens of thousands of immortals gathered here, it's a grand event unprecedented in the North for a thousand years. Who could resist participating?

The dwarf Taoist said, "That may be true, but this year's Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering is quite extraordinary."

Our ancestor planned to have a battle with Yu Fengxian, the Grand Tutor of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, in Wuzhong County.

The purpose of summoning the immortals was to rely on them for assistance.

It does not discriminate based on personal connections or past relationships; all virtuous individuals from the Three Realms are welcome to participate.

"Do you dare to oppose Yu Fengxian?" he asked meaningfully.

Xiao Yu's expression changed several times, and he said in a hoarse voice, "I already knew about Grand Tutor Yu's arrival in the North."

But she didn't seem to have done anything significant, so why did the Deer Cauldron Immortal have a confrontation with her in Wuzhong County?

"Old Demon Yu defies Heaven and defies fate! Our Ancestor must eliminate him and uphold justice!" said the dwarf Taoist. After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Yu nodded firmly and said, "Since we've come, there's no reason for us to turn back."

“Alright, Da Geng Ridge, Earth Thunder Taoist!” The fat Taoist immediately picked up his pen and wrote down her name.

The dwarf also held the Wisdom Mirror and looked it up at Xiaoyu's face.

However, the image on the mirror did not show Xiaoyu's current appearance, but rather a ball of lightning.

The dwarf was somewhat surprised, but refrained from asking any questions.

"Thank you!" Xiao Yu did a quick calculation and sure enough, two Heavenly Skills had landed on him.

After she left, the dwarf asked, "That Landmine Taoist was actually a thunder spirit, he must have an extraordinary background! How come I've never heard of him before?"

He didn't ask because he knew the fat Taoist.

The fat Taoist looked somewhat confused and said, "I've only heard of the name 'Northern Thunder King,' but I just learned that his true form is a thunder spirit."

“However, since he is willing to join the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, he is our friend,” he added.

At this moment, several more streaks of light flew in from beyond the sky.

The two greeters immediately put the Landmine Taoist out of their minds and prepared to welcome the new guest.

Upon learning that the Great Immortal Luding was gathering immortals at Da Geng Ridge, Fairy Baiyun lent out her own Hanging Moon Immortal Abode to serve as a temporary meeting place for the immortals.

Walking down the bluestone mountain path for less than a hundred meters, you will see the gate of the fairy palace shaped like a cave.

The words "Hanging Moon" are engraved in ancient seal script on the door, and the mountain walls around the stone cave are covered with moss.

A few cypress trees provide shade at the entrance, while weeds and wildflowers grow haphazardly, even spreading onto the bluestone mountain path.

If it weren't for the shimmering light and bustling activity inside the cave, one might easily mistake it for a desolate ancient temple.

Once inside the cave, you are immediately transported to another time and space: a bright moon hangs in the dark gray night sky, seemingly within reach, and you can almost see the moon palace and the fairy Chang'e.

Under the moonlight, the small bridge over the flowing water, the fence surrounding the garden, the green bricks and black tiles, all resemble an ordinary family home.

At this moment, all five large tile-roofed houses had their doors wide open, and the rooms were brightly lit and filled with distinguished guests. Laughter and conversation mingled with the aroma of the immortal wine, filling the air.

There were two or three hundred people standing or sitting in the courtyard outside the house.

Many more people went to the pavilions and hills in the distance.

Especially the hilltops, which offer the best views and attract the most people. Standing on the hilltop to admire the moon, you don't even need to look up; you can look straight ahead and see the bright moon floating in front of you.

Those at the foot of the mountain looked up at the hillside and seemed to see immortals on the mountain in the moon.

Such a mysterious and magnificent sight captivated Grand Tutor Yu for a moment.

"The White Cloud Fairy is just an ordinary wandering immortal, yet she has managed to create such a beautiful immortal abode and possess such a vast fortune."

The profound heritage of China is not only reflected in its earthly dynasties. The immortals of China are even more extravagant and wealthy!

After making a remark, Xiaoyu lined up to receive the divine delicacies.

Yes, in the spacious "threshing ground" outside the fence, there were about a dozen square tables lined up side by side, and the tables were filled with celestial wine, celestial fruits and delicacies from heaven.

The food was distributed by two fairy children.

There were about seven or eight ordinary immortal guests queuing up at the immortal abode.

For example, the young swordsman who entered before her has already joined the team.

The fairy boy was quick and efficient, and soon it was Grand Tutor Yu's turn.

"Immortal Master, greetings. Each immortal can choose twenty kinds of celestial treasures. What would you like?" the celestial boy asked politely.

Grand Tutor Yu looked around at the treasures on the square table, and indeed, as the Taoist priest had said, they were dazzling and had everything one could want.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "I want Immortal Peach Wine, Dragon Liver, Mica, Pear, and Fire Dates."

She only ordered sixteen items.

Because when previous customers ordered food, none of them actually chose twenty items.

Firstly, if the host says there are twenty dishes, the guests shouldn't appear too greedy; secondly, the plate is only so big, the total amount remains the same, so having more varieties is meaningless and can easily cause flavors to mix.

The two celestial attendants busied themselves, picking up the jade pot and pouring a 400-milliliter cup of peach wine into the luminous glass. They used a jade knife to cut off a pound and a half of dragon liver, a wooden knife to slice a thin slice of pear, and wooden chopsticks to hold an eighth of a fire date.
Uh, that's right. The high-end products like pears and jujubes weren't whole; they were all thinly sliced.

Grand Tutor Yu really wanted to make a sarcastic remark.

When she first came in, she did mutter to herself: So stingy, only giving guests a thin slice of pear, they've completely wasted the fairy's face.

Now she was calm and composed, as the other immortals were used to it and remained indifferent.

Clearly, it wasn't that Lu Dingxian was truly stingy; such feasts were common among immortals.

Grand Tutor Yu is indeed a bit rustic; he has never attended a celestial banquet and is quite ignorant.

Today, the fact that all the immortals share a single celestial fruit is actually a sign of a high-class celestial banquet.

Just like in Journey to the West, when Zhen Yuanzi held a ginseng fruit banquet, his dozens of disciples shared a single ginseng fruit.

Truly precious treasures of heaven and earth are rare to begin with. Given their limited quantity, what good is it if the owner is generous?

The only fruits available for guests to eat freely are ordinary spiritual fruits. Ordinary immortals can only share the finest celestial delicacies if they wish to taste them.

For example, pears and jujubes.

There are many rare and precious plants in the world that are named "Jiaoli" and "Huozao," but their innate spiritual roots are unique in the Three Realms.

During the Journey to the West, the Barefoot Immortal's gift to Buddha consisted of only two pears and a few jujubes.

The Buddha was delighted to see this.

That was a true innate spiritual fruit.

At this moment, the pears and fire dates that Lu Dingxian took out, as well as other immortal delicacies to share, were not innate spiritual roots from the Pangu world, but innate spiritual roots from the Middle Thousand World, probably considered to be T1 level spiritual fruits.

Compared to the rare and precious treasures of the world, dragon liver and phoenix marrow have become commonplace commodities.

The fairy boy cut a large piece of pan-fried dragon liver for Grand Tutor Yu, weighing almost two pounds.

Grand Tutor Yu, carrying a white porcelain tray, sat down on the artificial rockery by the fence.

While glancing out of the corner of his eye at the immortals who were qualified to "enter the hall" (inside the blue brick and tile house) and listening to their conversation, he used chopsticks to stick up a piece of dragon liver, chewed it in big bites, and ate until his mouth was full of sweet oil.

"I haven't seen such a grand scene in many years. The Great Immortal of the Deer Cauldron is indeed impressive!"

Before anyone knew it, the young swordsman from before also sat down next to Grand Tutor Yu with a plate of food.

He had already finished eating the top-grade immortal fruit on his plate.

At this point, all that remained was a large piece of roasted, golden-brown, oily dragon liver, a walnut-sized piece of marrow, a five-hundred-year-old ginseng, and three golden pills (elixirs of immortality).

Having probably lost interest in eating, he put the tray on the ground and looked around excitedly.

(End of this chapter)