I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 244 The Art of Leaping, the Gods Open Their Eyes

"The mad monk said to avoid temples and retreat from temples. Part the clouds and mist, and you will see the bright moon."

"And my path lies in that bright moon."

Xu Qing recalled the sixteen-character prophecy of the mad monk and was filled with inexplicable surprise.

The location of the immortal destiny indicated by the Immortal Seeking Technique was precisely in the stream reflected by the bright moon.

Is it a coincidence, or does the mad monk truly possess divination abilities comparable to the Heavenly Divine Power?

Xu Qing recalled the mad monk's words, but then dismissed this possibility.

In Abbot Dingguang's memory, the mad monk had repeatedly used feigned madness to enlighten or satirize the monks at Cizhao Temple.

In the end, only a young monk and a foolish monk heeded the advice, left Cizhao Temple, and became wandering monks.

Through the mad monk's prophecy, Xu Qing could sense that the other party clearly knew about the problems existing in Ruyi Temple and Cizhao Temple.

But instead of confronting these sordid things, he chose to avoid them altogether.

This also shows that the Mad Monk did not have extraordinary abilities. If he could really see through Xu Qing's deception and use his immortal-seeking supernatural power comparable to the Heavenly Rank, he would not be so wary, nor would he have said things like telling him to avoid temples and retreat from temples.

As a zombie who has survived the lightning disaster and possesses five hundred years of cultivation, is it hard to guess who will avoid whom?

There is only one possibility for this outcome: the mad monk failed to see through his true nature, let alone uncover his deception.

"A predestined connection to the divine lies in the bright moonlight."

Xu Qing sorted out his thoughts and made a decision immediately.

Regardless of the truth, he only needs to go to the place indicated by the Immortal Seeking Technique to naturally understand the whole story.

However, he still needs to do some cleanup work before that.

Ruyi Temple has been reduced to ruins after two natural and man-made disasters, but this does not mean that the sins committed by the evil Taoist priests within the temple have been completely absolved. Some things must be remembered.

Xu Qing borrowed Xuan Yu's precious sword and carved a few lines of words on a stone wall not far from Ruyi Temple—

Yellow buds are originally the marrow of infants, and mercury and lead are originally produced from the sea of ​​blood.

Now I open the three-foot sword from its sheath, to show Heaven and to the righteous.

Located on the southern slope of Yunmeng Mountain, amidst chaotic mountains and deep marshes.

The young man and the girl made their way forward under the cover of night.

"What is Xu Xian looking for?" the little girl asked.

"The moon!" Xu Qing held a map of Baiyun Cave in one hand and searched along the directions in his memory.

Passing through ancient trees and vines, and around red cliffs and strange rocks, Xu Qing felt the path was becoming more and more familiar.

It turns out that the path to Mingyue Ravine and the direction to Baiyun Cave are on the same line.

"The old fox of Baiyun Cave is a demon, and the Heavenly Calligraphy Sect he spreads is all tampered with evil magic, unworthy of being called a celestial destiny. Mingyue Ravine is so close to Baiyun Cave, so what kind of celestial destiny can it be?"

Filled with doubt and anticipation, Xu Qing continued along the path. He encountered a high mountain blocking his way, but in order to catch up with the moon and reach Mingyuejian before sunrise, Xu Qing did not choose to cross the mountains.

He took out the Cloud Climbing Talisman, intending to restore Xuan Yu to its original form so he could ride it through the clouds, but then he heard the little girl beside him say:

“Without talismans, I can carry Xu Xianjia over this mountain.”

"Fly?" Xu Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Could it be that Xuan Yu can already fly through the clouds?"

The little girl nodded proudly: "Once a demon condenses its demon core and has five hundred years of cultivation, it can ride the demon wind and mist to travel across mountains and ridges."

"Doesn't the Xu family know this?"

Xu Qing really didn't know!
Even if a human cultivator has sufficient cultivation, they still need to learn the corresponding methods and supernatural abilities in order to be able to fly on clouds or ride the wind. If they have supernatural abilities, it is not difficult to travel by light or fly on clouds.

Without these, one can only leap about or resort to some low-class cloud-climbing tricks.

Even a simple skill like climbing clouds is difficult to learn on one's own without guidance.

In contrast, the demon race is different.

All things have spirits, and demons inherit their nature. The essence of demons is the cultivation of bloodline inheritance. Many spells originate from bloodline instincts. As long as one's cultivation reaches a certain level, one will naturally comprehend some supernatural powers and spells.

Demons will only choose to become apprentices when they need to further improve themselves.

Humans are different. From the moment they are born and begin to speak, to the moment they begin to read and write, they need human guidance and instruction. If they want to cultivate themselves, they need to find a famous teacher to learn the Dharma and practice according to the scriptures.

This is the impartial way of Heaven. Because humans are too wise, they lose some abilities. Although it is difficult for demons to enter the Dao, they retain the inheritance in their bloodline.

One positive and one negative, one yin and one yang, the waxing and waning are predetermined.

Xu Qing, being a zombie, is the corpse of a living person after death. Without the enlightenment of the Scripture of Salvation, he would not only lack intelligence, but also lack the bloodline and origin of demons.

Zombies have nothing to rely on except their bloodlust. Even if they evolve into wandering zombies or lying zombies, it is only a change that happens after birth.

Today, Xu Qing has broken through the Corpse-Hidden Pass and survived the Thunder Calamity, but he has never learned the art of flying through the clouds.

Meanwhile, most of the other cultivators or demons with five hundred years of cultivation had already learned the art of leaping.

Without proper instruction, zombies can only control the wind and mist after they become immortal and attain the status of flying zombies.

A thousand-year-old flying zombie, a ten-thousand-year-old beast; it takes a thousand years to learn to leap, and only after ten thousand years can a zombie possess the ability to roam the heavens and earth, slay dragons and devour clouds.

However, Xu Qing can only rely on the four flags to achieve a brief escape, and he cannot carry anyone else with him.

On the contrary, Xuan Yu, who was a step behind him and had just survived the calamity, comprehended the method of soaring before him.

Xu Qing clicked his tongue. There was nothing he could do but let Xuan Yu carry him over the mountain in front of him.

Thinking of this, Xu Qing naturally put his arms and hands on Xuan Yu's shoulders.

It was almost instinctive, like a zombie.

Why are you pulling me?

Xuan Yu was completely bewildered. The feeling of Xu Xianjia running behind him and supporting his shoulder made her feel a chilling aura rising from her back, as if she had been possessed by some kind of underworld entity.

"Of course it's flying! Didn't you say you'd take me flying with you?"

Xuan Yu turned her head, and the two stared at each other, one stiff and the other cat.

“It’s about riding the wind, not carrying Xu Xianjia on my back! Besides, Xu Xianjia is so big and heavy, how could I possibly carry him?”

"What if I get injured one day and can't walk? Would the Immortal Xuanyu be unwilling to carry me?"

"Well"

In the end, Xu Qing obeyed Xuan Yu's command and stood in front of the valley where the mountain winds gathered.

Xuan Yu was riding the wind for the first time, and her face turned bright red with excitement, clearly overjoyed.

Seeing this, Xu Qing felt a little uneasy.

This is the cat's first time learning to fly, and it's also its first time carrying a person. He's so heavy, I hope he won't be able to fly.

Xu Qing was never afraid of falling from a great height. He had the support flag and the Cloud Climbing Talisman, so even if he fell, he would be fine.

Even without these, if he, a corpse that is currently condensing into an incorruptible body, were to actually fall to the ground, the only things that would be injured would be the flowers and plants on the ground.

Fortunately, the cat was clever. When the wind in the valley blew through her dress and made her long, silky hair flutter, Xuan Yu lightly touched the ground with her toes and her light figure suddenly took off into the air, like a feather.

The swirling, howling mountain winds, like invisible giant hands, lifted Xuan Yu's body. At the same time, Xu Qing also felt the lifting force coming from all around.

He did not resist, but simply relaxed his body and let the wind and mist envelop him.

Once the demonic energy was fully released, Xuan Yu stretched her waist, touched the surging clouds with her toes, and gracefully rose into the air.

In the blink of an eye, the two had climbed over the thousand-foot-high mountain wall. Amidst the clouds and mist, the pine trees and rocks below came into full view.

Standing amidst the clouds and swirling winds, Xuan Yu finally felt the vastness of the world.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two finally landed in the Yunmeng Mountains.

Not far in front of Xu Qing, there was indeed a stone bridge spanning the deep ravine.

Before Xu Qing could take a step, he heard Xuan Yu ask him, "What does Immortal Xu think?"

Xuan Yu had just withdrawn her demonic aura and was looking at him with great anticipation.

Looking down from thousands of feet in the air at the sound of pine trees and clouds, and the various unique and magnificent mountains, is an experience that ordinary people cannot have.

"It's amazing, a feeling I've never experienced before. The night view of Yunmeng Mountain is also beautiful."

Xu Qing paused, then added, "Most importantly, we can experience this unique experience together with Immortal Xuan Yu."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yu's large eyes narrowed into a beautiful arc, and even his face revealed a joyful emotion.

This was the second time Xu Qing had seen Xuan Yu smile.

He assumed the cat simply enjoyed praise; even the most capable officials of the Great Yong Dynasty couldn't resist the temptation of sweet words, let alone a cat.

However, at this moment, Xuan Yu was thinking:

"I helped Xu Xianjia again."

"Xuanyu isn't a useless cat."

"So happy!"

Standing on the edge of the cliff in front of the familiar stone bridge, Xu Qing gazed at the White Cloud Cave across the way.

At the entrance of Baiyun Cave, a broken mountain peak is embedded in the cave entrance, completely blocking the cave.

Xu Qing opened his Heavenly Eye and Yin Pupil, and immediately discovered something unusual.

On the mountain peak blocking the cave entrance, a faint blue light flickered. Although it was only a thin layer, it contained a terrifying aura of restriction.

That kind of restriction is definitely not found in the mortal world.

Why did the old fox in Baiyun Cave usurp the throne? And where did the cave's owner, Master Yuan, go?

Xu Qing didn't dare approach Baiyun Cave. Although he had killed the old fox in his dream, it was just an incarnation of the old fox. Perhaps his attack had injured the other party, but he understood the principle that even a centipede with a hundred legs cannot die easily.

What's more, that old fox is still alive.

If he were to forcibly open the White Cloud Cave with the Heavenly Gang Axe, putting aside any possibility of immortality, Xu Qing would not be able to bear the consequences of releasing the fox demon.

Even while the other party was barely clinging to life in the cave, he was still able to bewitch others and murder thousands of people. If he were to escape, who knows how many more people he would harm.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to maintain the seal on Baiyun Cave and wait until he is fully confident before dealing with this old hag!
Turning his gaze away, Xu Qingfu looked at the stone bridge in front of him again.

This stone bridge spans a wide ravine, more than three zhang long and only about one chi wide. The ravine water rushes under the bridge, constantly crashing against the surrounding rocks.

The Bright Moon Stream that Xu Qing saw when he used the Immortal Seeking Technique was the stream under the stone bridge in front of him!
"Bright Moon Stream, but the swift river washes away even the finest moonlight, so how can the bright moon be reflected here?"

Just as Xu Qing was deep in thought and puzzled, Xuan Yu suddenly asked, "Immortal Xu, are you looking for the moon?"

Xu Qing nodded.

Xuan Yu blinked and tilted his head, saying, "Xu Xianjia isn't very smart. The moon is currently obscured by clouds and mist, so how can you see it?"

"."

Xu Qing looked up at the night sky and saw that the moon was indeed hidden by clouds above the mountains. With the thick fog blocking the view, even if Mingyue Ravine was truly worthy of its name, it was now just a pool of black water!

"Mount Yunmeng is shrouded in mist all year round. How easy is it to clear away the mist and see the moon?"

Since immortal opportunities are hard to come by, Xu Qing wasn't in a hurry. If it were easy to glimpse the secrets of immortality, he would worry that such opportunities were just commonplace.

Just like the Heavenly Book of the Old Fox of Baiyun Cave, no one can say for sure how many people besides Daoist Baiyun and Abbot Dingguang have obtained that so-called immortal destiny.

However, just as Xu Qing was pondering, a bright moon suddenly appeared reflected on the dark, rushing stream.

As soon as the full moon appeared, the surging stream below calmed down and became as still as a well.

Xu Qing was astonished. He hurriedly turned around and saw the little girl behind him spit out the demon core. The round demon core was now radiating a bright white light, just like a bright moon hanging in the sky.

"Xu Xianjia, look! There's a shadow in the water!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing immediately took out his axe and looked into the stream.

At this moment, the water in the stream began to swirl, as if the thing inside had discovered that the moon above was a fake one and wanted to go back.

Xu Qing frowned. Sensing that the other party's aura was not strong, he decisively jumped off the stone bridge and landed right next to the rocky beach.

"This junior has come seeking a path to immortality, so please, senior, do not be in such a hurry to close the door and send me away!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qing reacted quickly, instantly switching to water-stiff mode and riding the swirling currents to the very center of the stream.

"Senior, please stay!"

As he spoke, Xu Qing reached into the stream and very politely pulled out the huge, shadowy figure!
"Is it a big fish?!"

A slightly excited girl's voice came from above.

"It's a rock! A huge rock!"

Xu Qing told the truth that what he was holding in his hand was indeed a huge stone head.

It looks like it's part of a Shinto statue.

Xu Qing felt the statue looked familiar. He threw it onto the rocky beach behind him and then reached out to retrieve it again, this time pulling out a stone leg.

Next came the stone hands, stone feet, and stone body.
After retrieving everything, Xu Qing returned to the rocky beach and frowned as he looked at the scattered statues in front of him.

The statue looked familiar. He suddenly remembered that when Daoist Baiyun was refining the Nine-Turn Profound Pill in the alchemy room, just as the pill was about to be completed, a majestic and angry shout rang out:

"This is a secret technique of the Nine Heavens, cherished by the Heavenly Emperor. I am ordered to protect it, how can I allow you to use it for wicked and immoral purposes!"

After that, a bolt of lightning shattered the alchemy room, destroying the pills that were about to be formed.

Also destroyed was the statue of Lord Yuan enshrined in the Ruyi Temple Incense Hall.

Looking at the statue in front of him, Xu Qing felt more and more that it was the same statue of Lord Yuan in Ruyi Temple!

“Senior, I have been guided by the heavens and have come here to fulfill my destiny with the immortals. I humbly request your guidance.”

"."

"Senior? If you can't speak, even blinking would be helpful."

The statue remained silent.

Left with no other choice, Xu Qing had to jump ashore with the statue.

Why did Xu Xian bring back a bunch of stones?

Xu Qing pondered for a moment and said, "This is no ordinary stone; it is a statue of Lord Yuan. Back then..."

"I'll tell you about this later."

When the statue of Yuan Gong was in Ruyi Temple, he was dissatisfied with Baiyun Daoren's killing and murderous methods of refining elixirs, so he destroyed the elixir furnace, and Xuan Yu was able to escape alive as a result.

In fact, the statue of Lord Yuan unintentionally saved Xuan Yu's life.

Xu Qing felt a certain fondness for it, so he took out the needles used for sewing corpses and, using the mother-child stitch technique, began to sew up the shrine statue in front of him.

The Mother-Child Needle Technique can bring broken objects back to life and mend a shattered mirror; it is a divine skill that approaches the Tao and is as divine as the divine.

Xu Qing's fingers flew, threading a mother needle through the crevices and using several smaller needles to stitch them back together, quickly restoring the scattered stone fragments to their original positions.

Xuan Yu watched Xu Qing quietly as he did his needlework, afraid of disturbing him.

Soon, the statue of Yuan Gong was restored to its original state. The huge statue was smooth to the touch, without a single crack or trace of repair or glue!
Xu Qing held a stick of incense and respectfully said:

"I greatly admire Lord Yuan for his hatred of evil. In the past, Daoist Baiyun of Ruyi Temple used the Nine-Lives Spirit Cat to refine the Nine-Turn Profound Pill, which was truly heinous. It was thanks to Lord Yuan's help that Xuanyu was able to escape."

After saying this, Xu Qing summoned Xuan Yu, and the two of them, one big and one small, stood in front of the statue and offered two sticks of incense to Lord Yuan.

As the incense from the two folk deities, Baosheng Temple and Maoxiantang, began to burn, the statue of Yuan Gong, whose eyes had been closed the whole time, suddenly opened them.

(End of this chapter)