This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 243 Immortal Cave Heaven
Zhuang Lin made a special trip to Taiji Temple again this time, and of course he had similar intentions. It was almost inevitable that the current imperial court would send someone to make contact.

Zhuang Lin thought of officials from the Bureau of Investigation, at most Duan Kang himself, since Duan Kang's current rank was indeed not low, but he did not expect someone of that level to come in person.

Sincerity is often recognized as sincerity because it produces positive results that exceed the expectations of the parties involved.

It has to be said that this wave of sincerity was felt not only by Zhuang Lin, but also by the few old Taoist priests of Taiji Temple who were not sensitive to external affairs.

The main reason is that cultivators are sometimes much more sensitive than ordinary people. They can detect many abnormalities just by observing the qi. In the Dharma-ending Age, how many people can still influence the changes in the qi in the mountains?
There weren't many people who came, and there were very few guards, just a few close by, who were more like assistants.

Even the youngest of the group, who were in their fifties or sixties, climbed the mountain on their own.

Although they had seen Tai Chi Temple many times in photos and videos, they were still somewhat surprised to see how dilapidated this unique old Taoist temple was when they first came to the site.

Of course, their attention was mainly on the two immortal cultivators who were dressed in ancient costumes but not in Taoist robes.

There seemed to be a special power around Zhuang Lin that dispelled all tension and unease. He looked at the group of people who had come with a hint of surprise.

Xiong Xuguang's eyes widened in disbelief, because he only knew that the dean would be coming, but he didn't know that several other heavyweight figures would also be there.

If someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect. In this regard, Zhuang Lin also showed sufficient respect.

There was no pomp and circumstance, and there were no communication barriers that either side had anticipated.

Inside the still-unrenovated courtyard of Taiji Temple, they chatted like ordinary people, except that they weren't talking about mundane things like firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, or tea, nor were they discussing entertainment gossip.
Zhuang Lin showed some surprise at the fact that the current imperial court knew so much and was willing to take on some responsibility, but at the same time he acknowledged it but did not completely accept it.

However, this result was already considered one of the better outcomes the court had anticipated, and it was a very positive and encouraging sign.

As envisioned in the previous meeting, the Confucian immortal is likely a reasonable person, and the fact that he was willing to give up his once smooth path to immortality for the sake of a glimmer of hope for future generations at least shows that he belongs to the category of cultivators with lofty ideals.

Then there's a high probability that positive communication is possible.
-
This contact was very successful, at least that's what Duan Kang and everyone else thought.

Perhaps on the surface it is only a preliminary recognition between the two parties, but the achievement of any great cause and result begins with the smallest steps.

Receiving a positive response has already achieved the basic goal of breaking even, and the fact that the response was relatively clear is even more of a pleasant surprise.

The direct result was that Xiong Xuguang, who originally planned to travel light with Du Jinxuan to Yinxian Valley, ended up with more luggage this time.

That afternoon, at Taiji Temple, amidst the farewells of many, Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu, along with Xiong Xuguang and Du Jinxuan, rose into the air on the wind, transforming into a sword rainbow high in the sky and disappearing from sight.
-
Xiong Xuguang had been on airplanes many times and even parachuted, but this was the first time he had ever actually flown in the air. Not to mention him, even his senior brother Du Jinxuan had never experienced this before.

If the initial flight on the wind could be described as extremely exciting, then the subsequent rapid assailing with sword light transforming into rainbows was definitely beyond breathtaking.

In Xiong Xuguang and Du Jinxuan's eyes, the environment seemed to be changing drastically. There was no impact from strong winds, but the impact on their minds was like a raging storm. Flying at high altitude sometimes felt like flying close to the ground.

It's like a child's first time riding a roller coaster, and if the thrill and excitement were magnified tenfold, it would feel like an ordinary person being carried on a rainbow and flying on a sword.

Of course, it would have been much better to just close their eyes, but how could Xiong Xuguang and his senior brother miss any details of such a rare opportunity? So they forced their eyes wide open and stared intently all the way to Shennongjia.
Above the national nature reserve, a flash of sword light appeared, and several figures appeared in the sky.

"Oh, you two have quite the nerve, your eyes are wide open like saucers!"

Liu Hongyu joked that back then, Leng Zhiheng often closed his eyes and didn't dare to look.

Zhuang Lin glanced at the two still-shaken people, and with a thought, a cloud appeared beneath his feet, making the two feel more at ease. Then, the wind and cloud worked together to fly downwards.

Looking at the surrounding mountains and forests, Xiong Xuguang couldn't help but ask a question.

"Where are we? Have we entered the grotto-heaven?"

Although he tried to keep his eyes open when he arrived, the speed was too fast, and he couldn't determine the exact direction at all. He only knew that the scenery on the ground was constantly receding, and Liu Hongyu would deliberately twist the sword light from time to time, so he had long lost his sense of direction.

However, as soon as he asked the question, Xiong Xuguang felt that he had been presumptuous. It was not good to ask about the location of the Immortal Cave directly, especially since both sides seemed to have tacitly avoided mentioning it in the Taiji Temple.

Just as Xiong Xuguang was about to apologize, Zhuang Lin calmly said something.

"This place isn't a paradise yet, but we'll be there soon. This is Shennongjia, or, to use a popular term, it should be considered part of a primeval forest reserve, right?"

As soon as the words fell, the crowd parted the clouds and looked down, revealing a magnificent and ethereal fairyland with beautiful mountains and clear waters.
Xiong Xuguang's already turbulent heart pounded even faster. He glanced beside him; Du Jinxuan was equally excited, clearly indicating that his senior brother was also visiting for the first time. Shennongjia, Shennongjia! It was actually in Shennongjia!
Moreover, the Confucian immortal actually said it directly, so why didn't he say it at the Taiji Temple earlier?
Yes, we didn't ask him just now. If we had, he probably would have told us!

This idea was somewhat absurd, but Xiong Xuguang understood that this must be the truth. So, in addition to being excited, he also felt a bit of amusement and exasperation. The Bureau of Investigation and the higher-ups were very cautious in many things, which was certainly a good thing. But with such a good start for both sides, perhaps they needed to change their mindset!
As they pondered, a peculiar feeling arose in Xiong Xuguang and Du Jinxuan's hearts, as if they had entered the water and swam through some kind of boundary.

And the surrounding spiritual energy suddenly became richer and more active.

Xiong Xuguang couldn't help but take a deep breath. Everything seemed to become so vivid, but having already gained some basic knowledge, he understood that this was a subtle resonance between the spirituality of living beings and the heavens and earth.

"Junior brother, hurry up and take the picture! Don't miss the chance!"

Du Jinxuan boldly offered a reminder, and Xiong Xuguang paused for a moment before looking to his side. Zhuang Lin seemed to have no reaction, while Liu Hongyu nodded with a smile.

There was no time to hesitate. He immediately opened his suitcase and took out the most advanced imaging equipment to start filming.
Each of the peaks in the Immortal Abode has its own grandeur, and the valleys, herb gardens, and pools are all beautiful. Amidst the flowing spiritual light, the Questioning Cliff appears out of nowhere, and the chapters on the Questioning Cliff on it also impact the soul. For some time to come, we will be cultivating and living here!

Xiong Xuguang and his senior brother were extremely excited, especially the former.

If the Taiji Temple initially disappointed Xiong Xuguang somewhat about places for cultivating immortality, then seeing the Hidden Immortal Valley now, which had already lowered his expectations, far exceeded his imagination, as if he had entered a true immortal realm!
-
In Hidden Immortal Valley, Zhuang Lin had already left before landing, and Xiong Xuguang and Du Jinxuan didn't dare to ask what it was. They simply followed Liu Hongyu down and were then arranged to stay temporarily at an old farmer's house.

In front of the old but bright main room, the old farmer and the two men bowed and saw Liu Hongyu off. After the old farmer turned around, only the two somewhat embarrassed and nervous young men were left standing there.

"Oh, you two are both Taoists. From which blessed land in the outside world do you come?"

The old man asked a question with a kind expression.

"Oh, we are disciples of the Taiji Temple on Liuyun Mountain in Jingzhou!"

Du Jinxuan replied, and the old man nodded, then seemed to have thought of something.

"Oh, come, come, let me show you around the room! I live alone, it's been so long since it's been this lively!"

The old man walked ahead and offered to help Xiong Xuguang with his luggage, but Xiong Xuguang naturally refused. The old man just smiled and said nothing more.

The room was certainly not luxurious, but the bed and table were antique and very clean.

"Come on, let me show you around. Remember the kitchen and the outhouse."

Xiong Xuguang had many questions, and as he followed along, he couldn't help but ask the one he was most concerned about.

"Grandpa, do you know when this place was originally built?"

The old man paused slightly upon hearing the question, then smiled and looked at the two of them.

"To escape the chaos of the Qin Dynasty, our ancestors led people to this land. I can't count the exact number of years, but I know that generations have lived here in peace."

The old man spoke with a smile, his face etched with the marks of time. The two people behind him stiffened slightly, and when they looked at each other, they could see the shock on each other's faces.

"Peach Blossom Spring?"

Du Jinxuan couldn't help but mutter this under his breath. Clearly, while the Taoists of Taiji Temple knew quite a lot, there were still many things they didn't know, at least for him, a junior.

Xiong Xuguang couldn't help but nod.

The old man in front turned around and said with a smile.

"Oh, indeed, someone called him that. Mr. Tao Yuanliang once wandered into this place by mistake. So many years have passed, I wonder how he is now."

Tao Yuanliang? Tao Yuanming!
Du Jinxuan was quite cultured, while Xiong Xuguang was a former official of the Imperial Observatory and a learned man, so naturally, that person was the first person that came to mind.

I felt excited but also a little confused. The Peach Blossom Spring is real!

But wasn't that something that happened during the Eastern Jin Dynasty?
Could this old man have lived for so long? Are all the people in the valley immortals?

(End of this chapter)