Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 804 Back to the Mountain
In late March, the long river flows through Fushan Mountain.

The sky and the earth are vast, the mist is boundless, the mountains surround the flying island, hidden in the clouds, accompanied by the long river, stretching away, with no end in sight.

Among all the mountains, Tianxing is the best.

As the Taoist temple of his ancestors, there are palaces and halls with carved railings and painted buildings. From time to time, there are cranes crying and Taoist children walking around. It can be said that every step is a scene. When you enter it, you feel like you are in a fairyland.

However, these are peaceful scenes of the immortals that only existed in the past.

Since the Jiazi year ago, Tianxing Mountain seemed to be in decline, the atmosphere of life gradually died down, the ancient temple was only vaguely visible, and it had almost become a forbidden area at the mountain gate.

The reason behind this is also unspeakable...

However, on this day, bursts of loud shouts suddenly rang out from Tianxing Mountain, which had been quiet for who knows how long.

"Ancestor, Ancestor!"

A wisp of white mist passed over the deep palace wall and headed straight for Tianxing Cave.

The few Daoist children who were sweeping the floor were startled when they heard the noise, and huddled together, muttering, "What's wrong with Master Guan? Doesn't he know that the ancestor hates being startled?"

"Who knows? However, Master Guan is a disciple of the ancestor. Although they don't have the official master-disciple relationship, everyone in the mountain treats him as the ancestor's personal disciple. Even if he breaks a taboo, the ancestor will probably not punish him."

"As for us, we should get busy and stop talking or looking around, lest we lose the cleaning task..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the group of Taoist children nodded in agreement and immediately dispersed.

Working under the ancestor is quiet and well-paid. I wonder how many people are eyeing these vacancies. They can't afford to displease the ancestor...

……

"Ancestor, ancestor..."

The mist dissipated, revealing a middle-aged Taoist with a beard and a handsome face. His aura was at the early stage of the Golden Elixir. He was usually a calm person, but now he looked anxious and hurried, wishing he could take two steps as one.

"rumble……"

The palace gate in front slowly opened, and a dark voice rang out: "What's the commotion?"

"Ancestor, this is a big event, a great joy!"

The middle-aged Taoist rushed into the deep palace and saw the Taoist Tianxing sitting cross-legged on the golden platform and jade cushion.

At this moment, Taoist Tianxing's hair and beard were completely white, his face was haggard, his eyes were dull, and he looked like his end was approaching.

But when he heard the happy event mentioned by his disciples below, he still forced a smile and said softly: "I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you are also a real person in this area, and your Qi cultivation skills are pretty good. What kind of happy event could make you lose your composure like this?"

After saying this, without waiting for the Taoist to explain, he couldn't help but look along the palace gate to the distant sky, muttering to himself: "Thinking back to the past, even when our Beiyuan won the grand prize at the Zhongzhou event, I remained calm and composed."

"Guan Tong, you still need to practice more on this point..."

Guan Tong couldn't help but curl his lips in his heart, thinking that everyone knew that you were the one who lost your composure the most at that time, and now you are using it to criticize me.

But even though he thought so, he would not really refute the old man.

"Monks are human beings too. Once they get old, they tend to talk nonsense about the past..."

He smiled secretly, as he was already familiar with this situation of his ancestor.

"Grandmaster, it's not that my Qi-cultivation skills are inadequate, it's really this joyous event... I dare say that even if you heard it, you would be overjoyed!"

Taoist Tian Xing shook his head and sighed, saying, "You, you don't even think about it. I am a dying man. What else in this world can disturb my mind?"

He wanted to wave Guan Tong away, but seeing the other party's confident look, he couldn't help but pursed his lips and said, "Well, tell me about it. By the way, I'll teach you what it means to be calm and composed, what it means to remain calm even when facing a disaster."

After saying this, he waved his sleeves and gently closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Guan Tong could imagine the ancestor's reaction later. He almost couldn't hold it in and coughed several times. Then he straightened his expression and said with a bow, "Ancestor, at 3 p.m. today, news came from the East China Sea about ancestor Chen..."

"Uh-huh?"

In an instant, Taoist Tianxing suddenly opened his eyes, and the cushion under him moved forward slightly, as if to show that he was exerting all his strength.

But in just a moment, he quietly relaxed his strength and returned to his original appearance, with only a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Since he failed to rescue Chen Mu, he sent his disciples to spread throughout the Taiyi Xuanling Realm to carefully search for any possibility.

There were various rumors about Chen Mu during this period. At first, he was very excited and went there in person to investigate, but he returned empty-handed every time. Those rumors were either false rumors or someone was using Chen Mu's fame to gain benefits.

Although some people with ulterior motives no longer dared to impersonate Chen Mu after being ruthlessly dealt with by him several times, it was still difficult to prevent rumors from spreading.

Therefore, after sixty years, unless he had definite news, he would no longer be as excited as before...

"When did it happen? Can anyone confirm it?"

Taoist Tianxing lowered his voice and asked in a deep voice.

Even at this moment, he was still worried about the bold words he had just said and did not want to lose his composure in front of the younger generation.

Guan Tong also saw through it but didn't say anything. He laughed and immediately replied, "If it's not confirmed, how can I dare to call it a great joyous event?"

“So…?”

Taoist Tianxing stood up and subconsciously took a few steps closer.

Guan Tong nodded heavily, cupped his hands and said loudly: "This time, Patriarch Chen really showed up in the East China Sea!"

"Not only did the people sent by the mountain gate bring back news, but even Senior Han from the Zhao Kingdom has returned and personally brought back news about Elder Chen. He said he went to visit Senior Longgong first and will be returning to Beiyuan soon!"

The sound was so loud that it echoed in the deep palace.

Guan Tong had finished speaking, but he still didn't get the reaction from the ancestor he had imagined.

He looked up and saw that the emaciated old ancestor seemed to be frozen in place, with his mouth half open and half closed, motionless.

"Ancestor?"

Seeing that no response was given, Guan Tong's heart trembled, and he immediately thought to himself: "Oh no, the ancestor's life span is not long. Could it be that he was too surprised and distracted, giving..."

Putting aside his daydreaming, the sun was setting at that moment, and a ray of rosy light pierced through the clouds, passed through the open palace gate, and fell right on the golden platform.

Taoist Tianxing stood there stiffly, his eyes turning red.

"I actually... I actually waited for this day."

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly as if waking up from a dream, seemingly talking to himself, but also as if speaking to Guan Tong.

Guan Tong didn't bother to analyze the meaning. When he saw that the ancestor spoke and it was not what he thought, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Old Ancestor, you are right. According to the news from Zhao State, Old Ancestor Chen was indeed trapped in a secret place. He practiced hard for sixty years before breaking through the barrier and returning."

"It's fitting, it should be so... That kid is so lucky, how could he die in a small secret realm?"

Taoist Tianxing repeated this, and then his eyes lit up as he laughed, "He's quite filial. He didn't wait until I died before returning, thus saving him from lifelong regrets."

Guan Tong smiled and bowed, saying, "Thinking back to the past, when I was just a Daoist boy, Patriarch Chen never looked down on me and even gave me a pot full of spiritual pearls."

"Since then, I have known that Patriarch Chen is far superior to ordinary people. Now that he has gone through this calamity, I believe he will be able to break through the calamity and reach a higher level!"

"Ha ha……"

Taoist Tian Xing brushed his beard and smiled, "You've hit the nail on the head. As the saying goes, those who survive a great disaster will surely have good fortune in the future. This time, young man Chen has returned, and great fortune is waiting for him."

Having said this, he clapped his hands and shouted "Hi", then quickly stepped down from the golden platform and strode out of the palace gate.

Guan Tong quickly asked, "What are you doing here, Old Ancestor?"

"Didn't you just say that kid Chen will be back soon? I have to go and make some arrangements, otherwise he will come back unexpectedly with no one to greet him warmly." Tianxing said without turning his head.

Guan Tong laughed out loud: "Old Ancestor, are you confused? No matter what, Old Ancestor Chen is from Zhao State. Besides, when Senior Han returns, he must have gone to Zhao State first. Why are you so anxious?"

Hearing this, Tian Xing slowly stopped, reached out and patted his head, muttering, "Yeah, am I really confused?" After a moment, he reacted, glared at Guan Tong and scolded, "You kid are getting more and more unruly. You dare to say that I am confused? Why don't you report this to your uncle Zhuang!"

Guan Tong was not afraid at all. He bowed his head with a smile, then took the order, turned around and walked out of the palace. He rose up into the air and flew towards the Hexu Taoist Temple.

When he was about to leave Tianxing's range, he looked back and heard the sound of long and unbridled laughter coming from the majestic palace under the afterglow of the setting sun.

For a moment, the cranes flew away in fright and the ancient leaves fell.

The Taoist boy sweeping under the tree didn't understand what was going on, so he quickly stepped forward to sweep up the falling leaves...

……

Zhao State, Shuiyunjian.

The mountains are undulating, with peaks upon peaks, and the trees are lush and green. Between the towering peaks, there is a gurgling spring. The sky is filled with vast smoke and rising mist.

In front of the mountain gate, there were crowds of people. The Shuiyun disciples were lined up in an orderly manner, following their master, silently waiting for the legendary figure to arrive.

Niu Dali is now the ancestor of the mountain sect, so he naturally stands at the front.

He was filled with excitement as he paced back and forth, gazing at the sky from time to time. He turned around and asked, "Xiao Qi, how far is it?"

Xiao Qi closed his eyes and sensed it, then smiled slightly and said, "Master has not concealed his aura. Judging from the fluctuations of my soul consciousness, I think he is only ten thousand miles away."

Hearing this, Niu Dali clapped his hands and laughed heartily, then turned around and ordered the disciples beside him: "Shuiyun boys, hurry up and have some fun with me!"

At the command, all the disciples in the mountain agreed.

There were clear-headed men playing the flute, the zither, the harp and the flute, producing ethereal music.

There were strong disciples with bare upper bodies, waving colorful flags.

There were also graceful girls who used willow branches as swords, dancing like fairies...

For a time, Shuiyun Mountain Gate was filled with flowers and music.

Seeing this, Han Jing thought to himself, "Shuiyun...boy? Since the death of Patriarch Qin, the sect under Junior Brother Niu's leadership has gained a lot of martial arts spirit..."

She shook her head and smiled, then stepped forward to advise, "Junior Brother Niu, you know that Junior Brother Chen has always disliked such scenes. In my opinion, we should ask all the disciples to leave."

"How can that be done?"

Niu Dali smiled and pointed at the disciples, saying, "They have only been here for a short time, and none of them even know their own ancestors. They should be greeted here."

Seeing him say this, Han Jing had no choice but to give up. He nodded and smiled, "Since Junior Brother has such thoughts, fine."

Not long after, Xiao Qi's eyes lit up and he suddenly said, "Here I come!"

Everyone perked up and looked up.

Then, a ray of light flashed between heaven and earth, and a figure in a black robe stood with his hands behind his back, looking down with a smile.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Niu Dali laughed several times towards the sky, then rushed forward, looked Chen Mu up and down for a few times, and then punched Chen Mu on the left shoulder.

"I knew it!"

There is no need for much words between brothers. Niu Dali, who has always believed that men don't shed tears easily, couldn't help but have tears in his eyes at this moment.

Chen Mu also laughed out loud, pretending to be naughty and said, "Brother Niu, I haven't seen you for a long time. Why are you acting like a woman?"

"You kid..."

Niu Dali waved his hand and turned sideways: "Come, follow me home!"

go home……

Chen Mu was stunned for a moment, then smiled with emotion.

Yes, ever since he dedicated himself to the Dao, only the small Shuiyunjian where Niu Dali and Han Jing were both present could be called "home"...

"Disciple Shuiyun, I pay my respects to Ancestor Lingyuan!"

After Niu Dali made way, nearly a thousand disciples, extremely excited, bowed down and kowtowed to this legendary figure.

"Xiao Qi greets the master."

Xiaoqi and Han Jing also stepped forward and stood aside with Chen Mu.

"Junior brother..."

Chen Mu nodded one by one, looking down with a smile in his eyes.

The old people are in groups of three or two, while the new people are everywhere.

It can be seen that Shuiyunjian has become increasingly prosperous since the Three Kingdoms War.

"Everyone get up." He said with a smile.

After all the disciples bowed again and stood up, Niu Dali took over the conversation, waving his sleeves and shouting, "The ancestor has returned to the mountain, the clouds and waters are rising and falling, and a ten-day banquet will be held!"

The sound was like thunder rolling in the sky, spreading across the sky and earth.

Almost at the same time, the remaining five sects of Zhao State all felt the same and turned their attention in this direction.

"Ancestor Chen is back!"

"A banquet will be held in ten days... Quickly prepare the gifts and follow me to the audience!"

……

Chen Mu was unaware of the movements of other sects and was now being escorted into the Shuiyun main hall by the crowd.

He looked around but still didn't see that familiar face. Although he had expected it, he still sighed and turned his head to ask Niu Dali, "Where is Uncle Zhang?"

Upon hearing this, Niu Dali's smiling face froze, and then he shook his head and sighed, "Uncle Zhang failed to form the elixir, and died not long after you disappeared..."

"Are you feeling at ease leaving?"

"I feel at ease..."

The two asked and answered each other, and both knew the last word clearly.

How can the old Taoist priest rest in peace when his most proud disciple is missing?

However, they didn't say anything, instead they nodded and said, "That's good."

After saying that, Chen Mu picked up the wine cup, clinked it with Niu Dali's from a distance, and then drank it all...

"Zou Yongyi!" he suddenly spoke.

Zou Yongyi, who was drinking with his fellow disciples, stood up subconsciously and shouted back, "Disciple is here!"

"Let me see, have you neglected your cultivation over the years?"

Zou Yongyi's face lit up with joy. How could he not hear that this was the ancestor trying to guide him in his cultivation, so he hurried over.

A cultivator who knew about the relationship between the two couldn't help but secretly envy: "Why am I not from the same hometown as the ancestor?"

Not long after, the sounds of pointing and laughter came out of the hall, faint and vague, rising to the top of the clouds, and then drifting with the wind, reaching the mountain behind Shuiyun.

There stood a stone tablet with the three characters "Zhang Zhenhe" on it...

……

(End of this chapter)