Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 449 A Heart-wrenching Revelation, A Wake-Up Call

"To attain the Dao?!"

Upon hearing this, You Gaomin seemed somewhat at a loss, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes. However, the old Taoist priest quickly composed himself, regained his composure, and then said,

"Although Qinglong Cave is secluded from the world, it has not completely severed ties with the outside world. If someone is not deliberately deceiving this old Daoist, Master Guangfa should have achieved the fourth stage of the embryonic development in Yuyang five years ago, which is known throughout the world. Now he is talking about merging with the Dao. Is he just making fun of this old man?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan did not say anything more. With a thought, three bright mirror-like halos naturally appeared behind his head.

These three mirror wheels are concentric and identical, differing only in diameter and color. The innermost is a cyan mirror wheel, spinning rapidly, yet appearing slow at first glance due to its incredible speed. The middle one is a crimson mirror wheel, its edges displaying burning flame patterns that ripple and ignite the void. The outermost is a purple mirror wheel, within which lightning crackles and flashes of silver electricity occasionally burst forth, tearing the void and revealing fine, black fissures.

Cheng Xinzhan looked up at You Gaomin. At this moment, his eyes were filled with boundless emptiness, like the desolate cosmic sky, while the three-colored mirror behind his head shone brightly, like the only light at the beginning of time. Reflected in the mirror, this young Taoist in green robes seemed to have transformed into an ancient deity, possessing boundless magical power, so majestic, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

Yu Gaomin stared in horror at the scene before him. He felt as if his soul was about to be taken away by that void, while the three mirror wheels transformed into calamity winds, calamity fires, and calamity lightning, threatening to place him in a place of eternal damnation.

My life is over!

Yu Gaomin watched in despair as the boundless void enveloped him.

However, in the next instant, he found that it had all disappeared. Mr. Guangfa's eyes returned to calm, and the mirror behind his head was gone. The suffocating life-or-death crisis he had just felt seemed to be just an illusion.

Yu Gaomin broke out in a cold sweat.

At this moment, when the old Taoist looked at Cheng Xinzhan again, his eyes were filled with shock and awe.

Treasure Image Mirror Wheel!

He truly survived the three calamities!

The shock in You Gaomin's heart was indescribable. Having survived the Three Calamities, with a flawless body, fearless mind, and flawless Dao, the Mirror of Precious Image naturally condenses. This can also be seen as a life-sustaining supernatural power, capable of both protection and deterring enemies; it is a unique mark of a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Fourth Realm. Moreover, the Mirror of Precious Image doesn't manifest with each calamity; it only appears simultaneously after all three calamities have been overcome, when body, mind, and Dao are perfectly intact. Such a great cultivator's next step is to merge with the Dao…

He actually reached the stage of attaining the Dao...

No wonder, no wonder he forced the elephant dragon back with just one sword strike.

But it's only been five years!
He only reached the Nascent Soul stage five years ago! How could he have already survived the Three Calamities?!

Yu Gaomin simply couldn't understand it.

"Would Fellow Daoist You believe this?"

Cheng Xinzhan said calmly.

Upon hearing this, You Gaomin clenched his hands tightly behind his back, his nails digging into his palms, trying to force himself not to panic, to focus his thoughts, and to respond more appropriately.

"Sir, you are truly a divine being!"

After adjusting his breathing and thoughts, the old Taoist priest gave a heartfelt exclamation.

After speaking, the old Taoist priest raised his own question.

"But sir, someone of your stature, with such a high level of cultivation and prestige, would the Azure Dragon Cave be of little use to you if you wanted to exorcise demons? Why would you make a special trip to persuade them?"

Hearing You Gaomin ask this question, Cheng Xinzhan felt even more disappointed.

The person in charge of Qinglong Cave actually thought that Qinglong Cave was dispensable in the matter of exorcising demons! This is truly unbelievable. Qinglong Cave is not some hidden sect; Qinglong Cave has the words "Protecting the Nation" written on its mountain gate! How could he have such a thought? How dare he have such a thought?
Humans are truly something else; once they take a step back, they can take a thousand steps back. They can even forget ancestral teachings if they close a mountain!
In Cheng Xinzhan's mind, Qinglong Cave was certainly not dispensable. Qinglong Cave was a major sect in Miao territory, deeply rooted for thousands of years, and its influence in Miao territory was undoubtedly far greater than that of an outsider like himself. A single move by Qinglong Cave could stir up a new atmosphere, invigorating the righteous path in Miao territory and suppressing the demonic forces in the south. Moreover, Miao territory had a unique geographical location, bordering Hunan to the east and Yunnan to the west. If the righteous path in Miao territory rallied and united with its allies, it would be enough to encircle the southern wilderness. This would be beneficial for Qinglong Cave, the Miao Taoist sects, and the righteous path of the world.

However, Cheng Xinzhan had no intention of discussing these matters with this old Taoist priest. He nodded and stated directly,
"Exorcising demons doesn't necessarily require the Azure Dragon Cave, but the flourishing of Taoist practices does require the Azure Dragon Cave."

"Oh?"

You Gaomin's expression shifted, his interest piqued, and he inquired further.
"Sir, what do you mean?"

Cheng Xinzhan said calmly,

"In this era, the star veins are not prominent, and there are no more than seven major sects. In Miao territory, there is only Qinglong Cave, and only Qinglong Cave cultivates the Four Directions Star Gods. The lineage has already withered to this extent. How can we continue to hide from the world? Fellow Daoist You just said that Qinglong Cave has never closed its mountain or interrupted its lineage for three thousand years. Do you know how much harm it would do to the lineage if the mountain were closed? It seems that the lineage has been preserved for the time being, but its vitality has been dissipated. Unless there is great fortune and great opportunity in the future, and a restorer emerges, the gradual decline of the lineage is inevitable."

"Fellow Daoist You, please stop talking to me about the people of Miao territory. If all the sects in Miao territory turn a blind eye and allow the Demonic Sect to rule, will the people of Miao territory still be the people of Miao territory after a hundred years? In a hundred years, a first-realm cultivator will be old, a second-realm cultivator will be in their prime, a third-realm cultivator will only have to endure two tribulations, and for a fourth-realm cultivator like Fellow Daoist You, it will only take up one-tenth or one-twelfth of their long lifespan. But for ordinary people, this is enough for them to go through four generations."

“When you emerge from this place a hundred years from now, the mountain will still look the same, but will the people at the foot of the mountain still be Miao? Since the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, when the Qinglin Temple in Guilin was destroyed, the Southern Wilderness has become a paradise for demons. Now, hundreds of years have passed, how many good families are left in the Southern Wilderness? How many are still well-versed in poetry and literature? You say you are helping the Miao people escape the world, but when you come out, will there still be Miao people left?”

"Of course, you could say that you'll educate the people down the mountain again after you leave. However—"

At this point, Cheng Xinzhan shook his head and chuckled.

“You call it escaping the world, but we all know perfectly well that it’s just a nicer way of putting it; to put it bluntly, it’s about seeking refuge. How can I expect people like you who hide in times of trouble to re-educate the people?”

At this point, You Gaomin's expression had become extremely unpleasant.

But Cheng Xinzhan didn't care. His repeated questioning outside Wangchun Mountain, which he had tried to awaken the Azure Dragon's will among the people in the mountain, was useless. Even the old sect leader himself felt that the Azure Dragon Cave was no longer needed for exorcising demons. So now he could only tear off the mask of the Azure Dragon Cave and let them see whether they had the Azure Dragon's heart that they had inherited for thousands of years.

"Doumu Pavilion's situation in Dianwen is no better than yours. They face both the rampage of the Demonic Sect and the coercion of the Xuanmen, yet they have persevered for thousands of years. Even though the Left Sect Leader perished, his back never bent. Therefore, I say, the unyielding Doumu is the true Doumu, while the cowardly Qinglong is not!" You Gaomin clenched his fists tightly, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
"Right now, in Yuyang, Sanxiang, and Dianwen, the Taoist forces are launching a counterattack against the Demonic Sect. This is a crucial moment in turning the tide of the war, and it is also the only opportunity for Qinglong Cave and the various sects of Miaojiang. Emerging from seclusion at this juncture to fight the demons can be seen as a way to lie low and accumulate strength, so their reputation and lineage can still be salvaged, and there is still hope for their continued existence. If we wait until we have completely recovered the territory, then there will be nothing left for you. I only came to invite you because Qinglong Cave is the only remaining branch of the Miaojiang Star Lineage. Otherwise, as you said, can we not eliminate the demons without you?"

Cheng Xinzhan spoke slowly, his words sharper than knives.

The young Taoist's string of words was tantamount to ripping out You Gaomin's heart and lungs and spitting on them. So even though the old Taoist dared not make a move because of Cheng Xinzhan's level of cultivation, he was still so angry that he was panting heavily, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

The old Taoist priest's face flushed red. He held his breath for a long while before finally suppressing the anger in his chest, and then squeezed out a not-so-harsh but rather harsh word through gritted teeth.
"So, it seems that Mr. Guangfa cares more about the Miao people than we Miao people do, and cares more about Qinglong Cave than we Qinglong Cave do?"

Cheng Xinzhan glanced at him without changing her expression and said,
"First, as I have already stated, I intend to unite with the Miao people. Second, I am a disciple of Sanqing Mountain, and it is my path to continue the lost teachings of the sages. I do not wish for any of the myriad things in the world to have their lineages decline."

Upon hearing Cheng Xinzhan say the words "Hedao Miaojiang," You Gaomin immediately calmed down. The following words, "Sanqing Mountain," completely dissipated any remaining anger he had. He fell silent, as if he had turned into a withered, decaying stone.

Looking at You Gaomin's appearance, Cheng Xinzhan couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"Fellow Daoist You, technique is the outward appearance, while the Dao is the inner essence. The root of a lineage or a great sect lies not in Mount Ling, but in its doctrines. As long as the Dao and righteousness remain, the lineage will endure. Even if Mount Ling is destroyed, there will eventually be a day when the sect is rebuilt. But if the Dao and righteousness are gone, then preserving Mount Ling will be of no use."

"I'll ask you this question now: 'The Azure Dragon coils, the spirits rejoice; the grotto-heaven hangs high, protecting our homeland.' Is this still the doctrine of the Azure Dragon Cave? Should the Azure Dragon Cave continue to practice it? If you still don't understand, let me put it more bluntly: the Azure Dragon Cave must emerge into the world; the only difference is who will lead it!"

As a great cultivator who had lived for seven hundred years, being reprimanded and threatened to his face by a young man who was only in his seventies was naturally unpleasant for You Gaomin. However, upon further reflection, if this seventy-year-old young man were a dual-titled master of the Eastern Daoist tradition, the contemporary leader of the Myriad Laws Sect, or a great cultivator who had already reached the perfection of the fourth realm, it wouldn't seem so unacceptable. In addition, You Gaomin also thought of something else: five years ago, the commotion caused by this young man's breakthrough was so great that he had even heard about it in his cave heaven. When this young man broke through, it directly triggered a celestial phenomenon in broad daylight, bestowing upon him the "Purple Star Chariot Gang," the foremost of all celestial gangs in the world, which could only be obtained by those without the mandate of the Purple Star Emperor.

The Purple Star shines upon the Great Horn, and the Emperor rides in his chariot.

The appearance of this astral star signifies the arrival of an imperial star, requiring all other celestial bodies to protect it, and also implies the return of all stars to their proper places and the fulfillment of their destiny. Could this be a manifestation of divine justice, suggesting that this Master Guangfa is not merely the master of the myriad methods of the Wanfa School, but also the current master of the celestial veins?

He keeps talking about the Azure Dragon and the Star Vein, and he's even saying he's coming to Miao territory to join the Dao. Could it be that he really wants to revive the Azure Dragon Cave?
But why did he come to Miao territory to join the Dao?

The Land of Dao Integration is the lifeblood of the Five Realms and the ladder to immortality. It should be approached with utmost care. How could he make such a decision?

Then You Gaomin asked again,

“Mr. Guangfa, who are you? There are so many famous mountains and rivers, blessed lands and spiritual places in the East. Why would you choose to come to our Miao region, a poor and desolate place, to achieve enlightenment?”

Cheng Xinzhan smiled gently upon hearing this and replied,

"A life of lofty ideals and tranquility is all there is to it; why bother seeking out the finest scenery?"

"Without seeking the Tao, one naturally attains enlightenment; with intention, one seeks the wondrous, yet the wondrous remains elusive."

Upon hearing Cheng Xinzhan's reply with such a short poem, You Gaomin remained silent for a long time. He carefully looked into the young Taoist's eyes, but could not detect a trace of pretense. This made him feel somewhat bewildered, and he thought to himself:
Do such people really exist in the world?

After a moment of confusion, You Gaomin cupped his hands in reply.

"Gao Min has learned a lot."

Then he asked,

"Where in Miao territory do you intend to attain enlightenment, sir?"

This time, Cheng Xinzhan didn't answer, but instead asked a question in return.

"Fellow Daoist You has asked quite a few questions, and I have answered quite a few. I wonder if Fellow Daoist You intends to lift the ban and enter the mortal world?"

You Gaomin nodded and said seriously,
"Since we have come to this point, there is no need to say more. As long as you achieve Dao in Miao territory, that is truly a noble and lofty act, and my Azure Dragon Cave will naturally follow suit. The day you achieve Dao will also be the day Azure Dragon Cave is unsealed."

"It's a word."

"It's a deal. However—"

You Gaomin frowned, a deep worry on his face.

“Master Guangfa, when the time comes for my Azure Dragon Cave to emerge from the mountains and exorcise demons, what about the others? With only us, we are but a drop in the ocean compared to the demonic forces in Miao territory. In that case, Azure Dragon Cave will be the one to stick its neck out, and it will likely become a warning to the Green Robe Ancestor in Miao territory, incurring his wrath. Besides, compared to the others, my Azure Dragon Cave is located right on the edge of the Southern Wilderness!”

In response, Cheng Xinzhan said,

"You don't need to worry about that. I have my own plans. I have no grudge against Qinglong Cave, and I won't do anything in vain. What good would it do me to invite you out of the mountains and then hand you over to the Demonic Sect?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Two thousand miles northwest of Wangchun Mountain lies the heart of the Miao region, a place of rolling mountains, ancient trees, and a wild, untamed landscape.

Nestled among the mountains, there lies a sacred place, shrouded in clouds and mist that pile up into mountains that never disperse, regardless of wind or rain. Locals call it Cloud Mountain, and because immortals once lived on it, it is also known as "Immortal Cave."

At this moment, a crack appeared in the void, and Cheng Xinzhan stepped out of the crack. After taking only one or two steps, he disappeared into the vast clouds and mist without a trace.

Note: While reviewing the Miao region's power structure today, I discovered a major error in the previous text. The Three Kings Temple was one of the three powerful forces in western Hunan, and before the Heavenly Child entered the fourth realm, it was considered one temple and one temple alongside the True Martial Temple. The ancient Miao secret realm deep within Miao territory is the Chiyou Cave. I mistakenly wrote Three Kings Temple instead of Chiyou Cave several times later; I sincerely apologize. All previous corrections have been made, and this is a clarification.

　Requesting monthly votes and recommendations! Comments and messages are welcome!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)