This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 258: The True Shape of the Five Mountains

Around the same time, Zhuang Lin was sitting in the Hidden Immortal Valley Academy, writing something.

In fact, Zhuang Lin rarely teaches classes personally at the academy under normal circumstances now. The children of Hidden Immortal Valley have already achieved a certain level of academic success and can go to the Scripture and Skill Transmission Towers to find books to read on their own.

I only go to Zhuang Lin when I encounter something I really don't understand.

Or, when Zhuang Lin has a major breakthrough in certain insights, or when he senses that some students' cultivation has reached a critical point, he will give them a special lesson to explain.

The courses in the previous two months were mostly for Taoists who were visiting Hidden Immortal Valley for the first time. Although they already had some basic knowledge in the Taoist temple, it was obviously not enough.

However, whenever Zhuang Lin taught a class, as long as they were in the valley and had no missions, their students, including Liu Hongyu, would come to listen.

Now that Xiong Xuguang and the others had left the valley, the academy was naturally quiet for the time being.

Over the course of two months, Zhuang Lin himself has also made progress. Through teaching others, his own insights into cultivation have gradually increased, so he is now recording his reflections.

Zhuang Lin knew that every book he wrote would provide directional guidance for those who came after him on the path of cultivation. Therefore, whenever he had a breakthrough insight, he would always calm his mind, concentrate fully, and be meticulous.

A gentle breeze blew into the school, revealing a beautiful figure in the wind. Xi Miao, who had not appeared for a long time, was here.

In the early stages of contact with the modern imperial court, Xi Miao deliberately avoided certain aspects of the situation. Of course, her absence was not entirely due to this; she also had her own things to do.

At that moment, Xi Miao walked lightly to the edge of the school, glanced inside, and then leaned against the railing in the corridor for a while.

Zhuang Lin's feeling of enlightenment through Confucianism was accompanied by a subtle sense of light and warmth, as well as a special Daoist meaning, which made Xi Miao somewhat engrossed in watching him.

Not long after, Zhuang Lin suddenly stopped writing, then looked up at the school gate and caught a glimpse of Xi Miao's slightly evasive figure.

Behind the pillar, Xi Miao couldn't help but punch her head twice. What are you dodging for?!
"Excuse me, sir, I just arrived myself."

Xi Miao emerged slightly embarrassed from behind the pillar, and Zhuang Lin then frowned slightly as he looked at the pen in his hand.

"It's not you. It's just a strange feeling."

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin put down his pen and did some calculations with his fingers.

But this was just a feeling. Even though Zhuang Lin had done some calculations, he didn't know exactly what changes had occurred. He only understood that it was a positive change.

"Could something good be about to happen?"

Xi Miao walked curiously into the school and went straight to Zhuang Lin's side. She looked down at the books on the table and then put down the scroll of paintings she was holding.

"But what are you calculating? Do you need my help?"

Zhuang Lin shook his head.

"It's just a feeling, hard to describe, but it should be a positive variable, not a bad thing."

Xi Miao smiled, then thought for a moment and pointed to the painting she had put down.

"Perhaps my arrival is the good thing?"

"That might sound a bit ambiguous," Xi Miao quickly added.

"What I mean is that bringing back this painting might be helpful to you, sir, and perhaps even to your future aspirations for ascension in the afterlife!"

"Ok?"

Zhuang Lin looked down at the side of the table, and Xi Miao sat down next to him and slowly unfurled the scroll.

The scroll depicts mountains, showcasing the Five Elements and Five Sacred Mountains. However, Zhuang Lin immediately recognized that the key was not the scenery itself, but rather the several unique symbols appearing in the center of each mountain.

"This is."

Zhuang Lin looked at Xi Miao, who smiled slightly from the side.

"The True Form Map of the Five Sacred Mountains! Hmm, a fake. Although it's a fake, it's still extremely rare. It's a treasure of Qingqiu Grotto-Heaven. I borrowed it during the celebration on my way back from this perfect transformation opportunity, and brought it here specifically for you to see!"

Zhuang Lin smiled.

"I was wondering why you weren't there for such interesting things these past two months. It turns out it wasn't just a matter of timing, that you were temporarily avoiding things, but rather that you were back in your hometown celebrating your transformation?"

"What a pity! I, Zhuang, have long admired the Kingdom of Qingqiu and would very much like to visit it!"

Upon hearing this, Xi Miao revealed a strange smile, bit her lip slightly, and playfully raised her eyes at Zhuang Lin.

"Sir, your visit might not be appropriate; it might stir up a pool of lovesickness, hehehehe."

Zhuang Lin immediately understood Xi Miao's strange laugh. He grinned but said nothing, looking down at the scroll in his hand.

"This is just a fake?"

Xi Miao's expression turned serious again, and she nodded slightly.

"Indeed, it's just a fake, but since it's collected and treasured by Qingqiu, it's certainly not an ordinary fake."

"Won't there be a problem if you take it out?"

"No problem, my perfect transformation has a bright future, I'll take this picture! Besides, there's another one in Qingqiu!"

So it wasn't borrowed at all?
Zhuang Lin didn't say much, but instead carefully examined the painting, showing the utmost respect for Xi Miao. He now knew how rare perfect transformation was, and the fact that he only took this painting spoke volumes about its value.

As Zhuang Lin looked at the picture, Xi Miao explained its wonders to him.

"The true copy of the Five Sacred Mountains True Form Map is currently missing. Legend has it that the true copy of this map is based on the power of the five colors and five elements of heaven and earth, and has the effect of suppressing the earth and expanding the sky. It can transform between forward and reverse, and can open up yin and yang. It also hides the mysteries of array formation and cultivation."

"What I mean is that if we, in the future, live in the Dharma-ending Age and comprehend some of the mysteries based on one of the Five Sacred Mountains True Forms Diagrams, then with your ability to set up formations, you could temporarily activate a Void-Breaking Formation based on the Five Sacred Mountains in the future, thus increasing your chances of ascension."

Zhuang Lin couldn't help but glance at Xi Miao. She really dared to think, but her bold ideas and directions were worth exploring. They might be feasible, but they would require even greater cooperation from modern people.

Just thinking about it tells you it's a massive undertaking.

The Hidden Immortal Valley Cave Heaven Grand Array had already undergone a major upheaval, let alone the Five Sacred Mountains True Form Array.

Thinking this, Zhuang Lin looked at the painting again. As he looked at it, he picked up a pen, took out a piece of white paper, and tried to copy one of the symbols.

Xi Miao looked slightly surprised, but didn't say anything immediately. Instead, she watched quietly.

As Zhuang Lin's brushstrokes turned, Xi Miao's eyes grew brighter and brighter, her expression revealing obvious surprise, and her body involuntarily moved closer and closer.

When Zhuang Lin drew the symbol of the true form of Beiyue in one go, Xi Miao held back and took a deep breath.

It's finished!

Zhuang Lin frowned slightly, feeling that his drawing wasn't good enough, but then he glanced at his side and saw that Xi Miao was almost pressed against him.

"Fellow Daoist Ximiao?"

"Oh my! Sir, you've finished drawing it!"

Xi Miao seemed to only then realize what was happening, looking at Zhuang Lin with surprise, which also made the latter slightly taken aback.

Is that difficult?

"What do you mean by this?"

"Sir, the reason this painting is so precious is not so much the scenery, but the true form of the Five Sacred Mountains on it. If it could be drawn so easily, how could even a fake be so rare?"

"Is it really that hard to draw?"

Zhuang Lin looked down at the true form of Beiyue he had drawn on the paper. It did lack a certain feeling, but it didn't seem too difficult for him.

So Zhuang Lin calmed his mind and gathered a portion of his Daoist aura. Following the feeling he got from looking at the scroll, he picked up his brush and closed his eyes slightly.

Xi Miao, who was standing to the side, seemed to sense something. She could feel a refreshing aura rising from the person next to her, like a gentle breeze or a refreshing rain. There was also an indescribable fragrance that was very comfortable and pleasant.

The next moment, Zhuang Lin opened his eyes and resumed painting.

This time, the brushstrokes flowed more smoothly, and the feeling was clearer, capturing the true form of Mount Heng in one go.
"hiss"

Xi Miao took a deep breath, feeling as if an electric current was coursing through her body.

It worked again, and
Xi Miao glanced at the paper, then at the scroll she had brought.

Moreover, they are almost identical, full of spirit and charm, and even more vivid than those in the master's writing!
This is the only immortal in the world!

So this is what cultivators are like!

"Sir, Xi Miaozhen is speechless at this moment. You..."

Xi Miao's breathing became slightly rapid. She, who was usually quite calm, now clearly showed a feeling of almost worship in her eyes.

"So, it's really that difficult?"

Zhuang Lin asked this question with a smile, partly out of genuine doubt and partly out of a rare moment of pretense.

The feeling that comes from showing off is not limited to any particular situation. For example, Zhuang Lin is now completely unmoved in front of his students and disciples.

However, Xi Miao, a genuine powerful demon, is different; it's quite satisfying to surprise the other party.

As expected, Xi Miao reacted very strongly.

"It's more than difficult! In all my years, I, Qingqiu, have failed to produce a decent copy of the true forms of the Five Sacred Mountains, yet you, sir..."

"Not only did you write it down, but the spirit of it is just as good as the picture I brought."

In fact, Xi Miao thought Zhuang Lin's painting was better, but she knew that this was her own subjective opinion.

"You really haven't done this before?"

Zhuang Lin shook his head. Xi Miao was still having trouble breathing and her chest was heaving violently.

"If the real thing were here, if the real thing were right in front of you, wouldn't that be..."

"This painting lacks spirit and charm, which is why I was able to copy it in one go. The original might not be so accurate!"

Zhuang Lin said modestly, but in his heart he was already thinking about where the real thing was.

(End of this chapter)