This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 240 Doesn't care at all

Since Xiong Xuguang's video call ended, the news about the contemporary cultivation world has caused a stir no less than a major earthquake.

Although I had been mentally prepared, the reality far exceeded my expectations.

The possibility that immortals still exist has been discussed before, but all previous inferences suggested that the probability was extremely low. It was even believed that even in ancient times, true immortals were extremely rare.

However, in this degenerate age, there is still an immortal residing in the world, and the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations and the higher-ups of the Great Yan Dynasty have to reassess many things.

Within a few days, several more meetings were held, and Xiong Xuguang even made a special trip from Jingzhou to Kyoto via connecting flight.

First of all, the changes that Xiong Xuguang underwent after he started cultivating surprised many people. Not only did his nearsightedness disappear, but various indicators and bodily functions also seemed to have undergone positive changes, which also indirectly confirmed the wonders of cultivation.

Then comes the most crucial question: just how powerful are cultivators? What are the limits of their power? And what kind of being is that legendary living Confucian immortal?

Xiong Xuguang himself only had a vague understanding and could only try to explain what he knew. Many of his colleagues from the Bureau of Investigation also accompanied him to explain to the higher-ups.

One point that many in the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations agree on is that practitioners, at least those of the Tai Chi Observation, are very peaceful, or rather, this is not just a consensus among some members of the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations.

Regardless, even a massive state apparatus like the Great Yan, faced with an existence far exceeding expectations, still felt considerable apprehension towards the existence of an immortal.

Ultimately, however, further in-depth contact and guiding the relationship towards a more honest and friendly direction have always been the basic principles of the Bureau of Investigation and the higher-ups of Da Yan.

Therefore, even though conservatives and radicals had heated arguments at several meetings, everyone knew that this was not a choice.

Conversely, Xiong Xuguang's request was discussed seriously many times.

The conclusion reached was actually similar to what Xiong Xuguang had hoped for.

Maintaining a state of deception to gather information is more akin to espionage.

Immortals possess incredible power. Even if they don't understand it now, as people of the Great Yan, they can imagine some of the details from the legends they've heard throughout history. So it's almost certain that their secret will be exposed; it's just a matter of sooner or later.

Rather than sowing seeds of suspicion in the end, it's better to be more sincere, as Xiong Xuguang suggested.
-
It's Friday again, and Xiong Xuguang plans to spend the weekend at Taiji Temple.

At this moment, Xiong Xuguang was sitting on a flight from Kyoto to Jingzhou, and he felt much more relaxed than when he went to Kyoto.

Just last night, many bigwigs who had only been seen on video conference screens before appeared at a special meeting. Everyone was there in person, and some of them even came back specifically because they were visiting abroad.

Whenever Xiong Xuguang thinks of that moment, he still gets excited. Duan Kang, the former director of the Imperial Observatory, gave a concluding speech that truly laid the foundation for the attitude of the Great Yan side afterwards. Those words still seem to echo in Xiong Xuguang's mind.

"We always think from the perspective of threats, and we always worry about things that we cannot control. But the truth is, for a long time in the past, they have not had any negative impact on our nation, nor have they ever tried to control us. The one who truly has a strong desire for control has always been us!"
We should certainly remain vigilant, but perhaps we should consider the issue from a more benevolent perspective so as not to miss any potential opportunities.

The dean said a lot at the time, some of which Xiong Xuguang has forgotten, but he understands that there are many people who support the dean, and he has also obtained the authorization he wanted.

The next morning, Xiong Xuguang went to Taiji Temple again, this time alone, without his usual friends who often went with him.

The chirping of insects and birds in the mountains was very pleasant. The closer Xiong Xuguang got to Taiji Temple, the faster he walked. After crossing a certain boundary, he felt that even his breathing became smooth.

However, when Xiong Xuguang arrived at Taiji Temple, he found that the Taoist temple, which rarely had outsiders, seemed to have guests today.

A man wearing a scholar's cap and loose ancient clothing stood beside a peach tree. The advisor seemed to be talking to him, while the master and senior uncles stood further away, standing in a row looking over there, which looked somewhat comical.

While Xiong Xuguang was still in a daze, his master noticed.

"Hey, Xuguang, come here quickly!"

When Qingping Daoist called out, Xiong Xuguang hurriedly ran over. His master, senior uncle, and senior brother all looked over, making him nervous.

He couldn't care less about being honest with each other for the time being. Just as he was about to ask a question, he saw his master gesture for him to be quiet.

"Don't say anything more, just listen, you'll understand in a moment!"

Xiong Xuguang quickly calmed himself down and stood aside. However, the three Taoists were all wearing Taoist robes, while he was still wearing short sleeves and jeans, making him look somewhat out of place. At the same time, he was also full of doubts.

Who is this person? Why is he dressed in ancient costume? This costume is definitely not for fun; he's probably a cultivator. Why does the advisor feel like he's facing his master when he's in this situation?

Yes, it's that kind of cautious and reserved feeling that younger people have when facing their elders.

The two people by the peach tree did not try to hide from outsiders or lower their voices, so the four people standing a little further away could hear them clearly. Xiong Xuguang, who had arrived halfway, was naturally seen by the two people there.

Zhuang Lin glanced at Xiong Xuguang, and their eyes met briefly, which gave him a slight jolt.

That kind of gaze makes you feel inexplicably small, like looking at the sea from the shore or gazing at the peaks from the foot of a mountain, or like a gentle breeze or drizzle that nourishes things silently, or even like a simple black-and-white distinction that is hard to describe.

Is this an illusion? No, it's not!
"It seems that Daoist Qingping has finally found a disciple she truly desires. Congratulations!"

Zhuang Lin asked the question knowingly, his words laced with obvious amusement. Master Xu Ming also glanced at Xiong Xuguang over there, his face also beaming with an undisguised smile.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. His name is Xiong Xuguang, and he is a good boy."

Zhuang Lin nodded and looked at the peach tree again.

"The wood spirit veins stimulated by this wood spirit root have become increasingly stable over the past year. It's just a pity that they can't extend to many places due to the limited spiritual liquid, but they seem to have a deeper connection with the earth veins, which confirms what we thought before!"

Master Xu Ming's expression also became more serious, and he nodded slightly with emotion.

"Although the end of the world is approaching, the will of heaven and earth, or the way of heaven, has not completely disappeared. Beneath the mountains and rivers, the earth veins are merely deposited and still have the possibility of revival. It can be seen that the spirit of resistance of all things in heaven and earth is still there!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Xuguang's heart skipped a beat. Was this referring to a great calamity of heaven and earth?

"Let him rest and recover a bit more. If he succeeds in breaking through the limits in the future, he will definitely be able to use this opportunity to completely reactivate the underground spiritual veins sooner!"

Xu Ming stroked his beard and nodded, feeling quite pleased. In that case, the Taiji Temple would surely become a truly blessed and extraordinary place. "However, sir, the Black Tortoise carrying the map is still nowhere to be found. Have any fellow Daoists in other directions searched for it?"

Xiong Xuguang's heart skipped a beat again. So they really were looking for the Xuan Turtle?
However, Zhuang Lin shook his head.

"There's no need to search anymore. We need the Xuan Turtle because we hope to use the traces it left behind as it traversed countless mountains and rivers over two thousand years, and with the power of its shell, to calculate the precise time of the end of the universe. Now..."

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin looked up at the sky. The weather was really nice today.

After a slight pause, Zhuang Lin looked at the peach tree.

"Now that the time for the extinction of the universe is visible to the naked eye, there's no need to search anymore. According to my calculations, the Xuan Turtle should have perished more than sixty years ago."

"Sigh, has Senior Turtle really perished?"

Master Xu Ming's voice was filled with loneliness. He had never acted much before, but his current state made Zhuang Lin look at him in a different light.

"All things have a lifespan, including the black tortoise. Even I cannot live forever!"

"gentlemen."

The old Taoist priest's voice carried a hint of fear.

"Sir, you absolutely mustn't be hurt!"

Zhuang Lin chuckled to himself.

"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile. Even if I die, I will surely die during the ascension process!"

These words were not reassuring at all, but he pretended not to say anything more and looked in the direction of the group of people over there.

"Since Daoist Qingping has taken on a disciple, why don't we go with Daoist Jingwen this time?"

"Is this appropriate? Xu Guang has only just begun cultivating."

Master Xu Ming looked delighted, and the others also looked happy.

"Hahaha, there's nothing wrong with it. Rules are important, but after all, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

Xiong Xuguang's heart was pounding faster than when he had become an apprentice. He had a vague idea of ​​who the person who came today was. This person was very likely the only remaining Confucian immortal in the world!
In fact, Zhuang Lin already knew about the several meetings in Kyoto. He even understood Xiong Xuguang's complicated mentality and the dilemma of some people in Da Yan.

Rather than having to confess his identity to the masters of Taiji Temple and then face another period of anxiety in Yinxian Valley, it would be better to just go through with it all at once.

As Zhuang Lin spoke, he walked towards the four people, with Xu Ming following beside him.

At this moment, Xiong Xuguang's face was covered in sweat, and he was extremely nervous. It was one thing to be frank with his master and the others, but it was another thing to face Ru Xian directly. He was struggling internally and even considered more than once whether to keep quiet this time.

"Xuguang? Xuguang? What's wrong?"

When Qingping Daoist's concerned words came, Xiong Xuguang still couldn't control himself. Although the Confucian Immortal looked kind and ordinary, he brought him an invisible but enormous pressure.

Zhuang Lin seemed to have noticed Xiong Xuguang's unusual behavior and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Young friend, why are you so nervous? Is there something wrong with me?"

Zhuang Lin asked with a smile, while Xiong Xuguang's breathing trembled slightly. After a strong internal struggle, he still chose to speak.

"Sir. My master, grandmaster, senior master, senior brother."

In his nervousness, Xiong Xuguang called out to everyone. Calm, confused, and astonished looks all came his way, making the sweat on his forehead even finer.

"Actually, I had a purpose when I first came to Taiji Temple. I am not an ordinary civil servant; I am a member of the National Bureau of Astronomical Observation and Investigation."

Xiong Xuguang disregarded everything else and blurted out everything he had to say, fearing that he would lose the courage to speak again after this.

After he finished speaking, Xiong Xuguang was panting heavily, as if he had just experienced a severe physical exertion, but he didn't dare to look up at anyone else.

"This?" "Is that so?"

The Taoist priests of Taiji Temple sounded somewhat astonished, as if they wanted to say something but couldn't. Xiong Xuguang stood there helplessly, seemingly waiting for judgment.

"Oh? I see."

Zhuang Lin's voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of a smile.

"Well, the current imperial court is indeed extraordinary. Hmm, I understand. You don't need to be anxious. Just focus on your cultivation at Taiji Temple. After a while, you can go to Hidden Immortal Valley with your senior brother!"

Xiong Xuguang looked up in surprise and saw Zhuang Lin's calm expression.

"Sir, I am..."

Zhuang Lin smiled.

"Don't worry about it. Just focus on your cultivation. Your character and destiny are obvious at a glance. If you are of poor character, Master Qingping will not accept you as a disciple. Nothing else matters!"

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin glanced at Du Jinxuan again and nodded.

"Young Daoist Jingwen, your cultivation has achieved great success. We will meet again in Hidden Immortal Valley someday. Oh, and don't forget to bring your junior brother along. Alright, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!"

Soon, Zhuang Lin departed with the farewell of the Taoist priests of Taiji Temple. He flew away on the wind and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

Xiong Xuguang was somewhat dazed. He had considered many reactions, including rebuking and cursing, but he did not expect that Ru Xian seemed to not care about these things at all.
(End of this chapter)