The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 217 You guys (4k)

Master Yiqing Mountain was furious.

In order to survive, he had long since abandoned all pretense of decency and was willing to resort to any underhanded means.

Not only did someone beat them to it, but that guy went to such extremes—selling them all out and not even asking to live himself!

Is this guy here to ask for a way to survive, or is he here specifically to cut off their escape route?

In an instant, the patriarch of Yiqing Mountain almost blurted out a question to Du Yuan: Could that person be pretending to be one of them, but in reality an old enemy who has come to wipe out their entire family?
But the words stuck in his throat for a while before he finally didn't dare to say them. He knew in his heart that the person was most likely one of them.

Du Yuan gently shook her head and said, "So, let's stop here."

These words made Master Yiqingshan's heart skip a beat.

That's it?

This unnamed ancestor had already broken their sect's supernatural power. Logically speaking, that supernatural power was meant for transmitting messages and had no power to harm anyone.

Given this person's cultivation level, who knows if he might use this supernatural power to kill people?
Moreover, his attempt to surrender failed; the other side simply wouldn't accept him.

So, does that mean he's definitely not going to escape now that he's delivered himself to us?

Thinking of this, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head—now that he knew someone had surrendered, how could this ancestor allow him to leave alive?

They came here hoping to make a living, but how did it turn into a death sentence in the blink of an eye?

With a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, he gritted his teeth and said with extreme bitterness, "Great Master, this junior... this junior no longer wishes to live!"

The two young Taoist priests behind him were startled and looked up sharply at the figure in the smoke—even the Patriarch was asking for death?!
Du Yuan smiled and asked, "Is it that you truly don't want to live, or is it just an excuse?"

Master Yiqing Mountain felt as if his heart was bleeding.

Who doesn't want to live? But he really had no other choice!

"This junior knows his sins are grave, unable to escape the Grand Master's grasp, nor can he evade the clear justice of Heaven." His voice trembled, yet he forced himself to speak, "I only ask for a next life, and more..."

Du Yuan stood with her hands behind her back, quietly pressing for an answer: "Anything else?"

The gaze of the Ancestral Master of Yiqing Mountain fell upon the Ancestral Hall behind him.

He didn't want Du Yuan to preserve the lineage of Yiqing Mountain; his gaze finally settled on the bronze incense burner in front of the ancestral tablet.

That was a magical artifact specially crafted by Yiqing Mountain to prepare for the tribulation. Besides serving as the core of the great array to evade the Heavenly Judgment, it also had a secret purpose: it was reserved specifically for those disciples who could only face the tribulation.

In the future, all that is needed is to find their reincarnated bodies and have them offer incense before this incense burner, and they will be able to "see" their past lives.

Although this method is not as perfect as the reincarnation of a living Buddha, it is still considered by some to be a "second chance at life".

"This junior wishes to ask the Great Master to allow me to retain this Ancestral Hall and my memories of this life, so that after my reincarnation, I can retrieve my past life through these memories?"

Upon hearing this, Du Yuan shook her head resolutely, her tone calm yet leaving no room for argument: "Cause and effect should end with life and death. If you still remember, then how can the karma you owe be considered 'settled'?"

These words struck Master Yiqingshan like a heavy hammer, making his throat tighten and leaving him with nothing but bitterness.

It really won't work.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, he asked:
"Then may I ask, Great Master, what did that person ask for?"

Du Yuan said:

"It asks to leave its cave dwelling behind, where it will leave its magical treasures, hoping that its reincarnation can find it through this cause and effect, thus gaining an advantage in cultivation."

Master Yiqingshan thought he had already accepted everything calmly.

But who would have thought that the beast would go to such extremes!

What's the difference between that and not asking at all? You sold us all out, cut off all our paths, and all you want is some empty promise?

Throughout history, very few people have had this opportunity!

At this thought, Master Yiqingshan felt a sweet taste in his throat.

I subconsciously looked down and realized that I was so angry at a beast whose name I didn't even know that I was practically vomiting blood.

"So, do you have anything else to say?"

If all you ask for is this, Du Yuan will certainly agree.

The patriarch of Yiqing Mountain turned pale, then even paler, and finally said in a trembling voice:

"This junior, this junior, this junior truly does not seek a way to survive! I only beg the Great Master to spare the incense and lineage of Yiqing Mountain for the sake of our ancestor."

Since I have no hope of my own, I might as well hope that the tradition will not be lost.

That would be a way of doing right by my master.

In any case, Yiqing Mountain is indeed a legitimate Taoist sect, not some heretical sect. It's fine to purge the mountain sect and its members, but the Taoist lineage itself is definitely pure and legitimate, there's no problem with that.

They are the ones who have the problem.

Du Yuan nodded slightly:

"can."

"This junior thanks the Great Master!"

Inside the Ancestral Hall of Yiqing Mountain, the old Taoist priest bowed deeply, filled with regret. After rising, he took out the document listing the various magical treasures from his robes.

"This is the memorial; I wonder how I should deliver it to you?"

Du Yuan originally wanted to say that it would be fine to have someone deliver it, and that he could wait.

But then I thought about it again and felt that it was a bit unbecoming of his status.

So, he quickly thought it over in his mind.

He then said with a smile:

"I possess a supernatural power here called the Alchemy. Its uses are boundless. Do you believe I can retrieve it for you across the threshold of your ancestral shrine?"

"This junior would naturally not dare to question the Great Master's abilities, but something about what you're saying doesn't quite sound right to me?"

The patriarch of Yiqing Mountain did not doubt that the Grand Master with the remaining position could accomplish it, but he felt that the name of the spell seemed unrelated to this matter.

The Midas touch sounds like something that ordinary, foolish people dream of.

All he could imagine about this was a technique of warfare; he didn't really think he had that ability.

But since it was a great master who spoke, it's probably true; I'm just genuinely curious.

Therefore, he offered it with both hands, widening his eyes and saying:
"I humbly request that the Great Master enlighten this junior!"

Hearing this, Du Yuan knew that this guy was pretty much convinced.

However, just to be on the safe side, Du Yuan asked one more question:
"What did you say your grandmaster's background was?"

"My grandmaster is Xuan Gu Zi, the gatekeeper of the ancestral court's Star Gazing Hall. He was fortunate enough to guard the star chart for thirty years. His cultivation level is also above mine!"

"Even Master Yunmiao of the Star Gazing Hall once said that if my master had been able to cultivate diligently in the ancestral temple and not be distracted by worldly matters of establishing a sect, he would surely have reached his level! Of course, he was far inferior to you, sir."

He was still very proud when talking about his grandmaster.

These words stirred a sense of emotion in Du Yuan as she looked at the two young Taoist priests.

Logically, he should be competing alongside these younger generation. Instead, he's the one they address as "you, sir."
After a few moments of introspection, he glanced at Du Yuan in the ancestral hall behind the old Taoist priest and said:

"Then remember to tell your grandmaster for me that I will preserve your lineage."

The sound traveled across mountains and seas, echoing over the Ancestral Hall of Yiqing Mountain for a long time. Then, Du Yuan stepped forward and pointed at the figure projected from the smoke.

The next moment, the smoke turned into gold and fell.

Upon seeing the gold leaf lying on the ground, the two young Taoist priests exclaimed in surprise.

"Is it really done?"

"It's so awesome!"

Is this how the Midas touch is used?!

The patriarch of Yiqing Mountain was completely bewildered. Had it already been accomplished?

Then why is the memorial still in my possession?

Immediately, his heart sank, his pupils contracted sharply, and the fingertips gripping the folded document trembled uncontrollably. He exclaimed in shock and fear, "This, this could be 'the meaning is conveyed before the form moves'?!"

He finally realized—although the memorial was still in his hand, Du Yuan had already taken the 'fundamental document' and left!

Such a method, which is not bound by material things and goes straight to the source, is beyond his comprehension at his level. Just thinking about the other party's ability to see through the fundamentals with a wave of his hand, he felt a chill run up his spine to the back of his neck.

His so-called attempt to atone for his sins is probably a complete joke in this person's eyes. The fact that he nodded in agreement is probably just out of consideration for their shared lineage.

Thinking about it this way, my strategy of frantically building connections does have some effect.

After all, if they can see through such insignificant things, how could they not see through the magical treasures that each family is hiding?
It's like this: you might not be able to find the ring lying in the grass, but can't you find the mountain lying on the plain?

Is this the fundamental principle of my Taoist school, which occupies the remaining space?!
Are these truly celestial beings who can rival the heavens themselves?
To have met such a person in this lifetime is truly a blessing.
Overwhelmed with shock, without any other thought, he bowed deeply in front of him.

"I have no regrets at being able to glimpse even a fraction of the Great Dao!"

He cultivated the Tao every day and sought the truth every day, boasting that although he was not as high as the heavens, he had gained a lot. But now it seems that he was just a frog in a well!

Du Yuan chuckled softly before turning the page to the document she had inspired.

Yes, although it has turned into an object that looks like gold leaf, it is indeed clearly written all over it.

Okay! You've put on an act again!
After closing the folded document, Du Yuan pointed at him and said:
"Remember, you must do your best to help restore the celestial secrets of the southwest and re-establish humanity!"

After what just happened, how could Patriarch Yiqing Mountain dare to utter a single word?

He quickly bowed down, almost touching the ground, before saying:

"I understand, I understand!"

Du Yuan then turned and left with her hands behind her back.

After watching the venerable patriarch depart, the patriarch of Yiqing Mountain sighed and said to the two young Taoists:

"You two, although you did some dirty work for me, you didn't really get your hands dirty, only your eyes and hearts were tainted."

He waved his hand, his tone weary: "Leave the Southwest now, and never come back in this lifetime. The same goes for the sect!"

After saying that, he shook his head and extinguished the incense on the incense burner.

Looking at the ancestral hall before him, he said:
“Grandmaster, perhaps those two are the lineage of Dao left to us by the Great Master.”

That damned beast's request was clearly impossible, and he wasn't willing to waste such a precious opportunity.

Then they only sought to preserve the orthodox tradition.

This left the two young Taoist priests at a loss, and they could only tentatively cup their hands and say:
"Master, do we really not be able to return to the sect?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old Taoist's eyes widened suddenly, his neck stiffly turning as he looked at the empty Taoist who, though devoid of any figure, seemed to emanate a voice:
"No, no. Why are you still here? I... I put out the incense!"

The two young Taoist priests were quite embarrassed, and after a long while, they managed to whisper a reminder: "Perhaps, perhaps the Great Master's supernatural powers are a little more mysterious than you think? Or maybe your incense burner wasn't extinguished completely?"

The old Taoist priest choked on his words, unsure whether to be angry or sigh. His face flushed and paled for a long time. Finally, he could only utter one sentence:
"Enough talk, leave the southwest immediately!"
-
Du Yuan, on the other side, had been gone for quite some time.

When he reached a small hill, he finally saw the main camp of the chaotic army!

The General of Yingtian, who has been leading hundreds of thousands of disaster victims in their standoff with the imperial court until now, was also among them.

It can be said that this is one of the people Du Yuan most wanted to see when she came to the Southwest.

Because his identity is just too special!

A Taoist priest who couldn't bear to see starving people die violently in chaotic times led a rebellion, and even his subordinates wore yellow turbans. If he hadn't been called "General of Heaven," Du Yuan would have almost thought she had stepped into the late Han Dynasty.

As Du Yuan gazed at the large camp with a sigh in her heart, she suddenly frowned slightly.

His eyes can see many supernatural phenomena.

From the official's rank, the scholar's literary talent, the merchant's fortune, to even the karma of those old fogies.

He can see everything clearly.

Therefore, he was shocked to see that the sky above the chaotic army camp was filled with an extremely chaotic aura.

Among them, a wisp of dark gray-white golden energy is the most obvious!
After staring at him for a moment, Du Yuan guessed the answer—this General Yingtian was probably going to die of illness.

After sighing, Du Yuan strode towards the central army camp.

The devastation in the southwest is no one's fault but the fault of the imperial court and others.

Just looking at those two memorials, plus what was seen along the way, one can see that the imperial court really did its best, but it was no match for the underhanded tricks those old fogies used behind the scenes.

Under such circumstances, it's understandable that the people of the southwest rose up in rebellion. After all, they hadn't even seen any sign of the imperial court providing disaster relief, and they truly couldn't survive.

This was exactly the situation Du Yuan least wanted to see—neither side was at fault, yet this horrific tragedy had still occurred.

With a sigh, Du Yuan decided to visit the terminally ill General Yingtian to see if she could do anything to help.

What Du Yuan didn't expect was that before he even got close to the central army camp...

Then a fast cavalry came galloping towards us.

Upon seeing Du Yuan, the leading soldier leaped off his horse and knelt before him, saying:
"May I ask, sir, are you the immortal who refines elixirs to save the people on Cold Pine Mountain?"

"Indeed, it is I, a humble Taoist priest."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers couldn't help but secretly scrutinize this living deity.

"But something?"

Upon hearing Du Yuan's question, they quickly suppressed their thoughts and stood up in unison, saying:

"The Left General wishes to meet the Immortal Lord. I wonder if the Immortal Lord would do him the honor?"

After saying that, they pointed to the left side of the central army camp.

Du Yuan initially wanted to say that he needed to see General Yingtian first, but then, a thought struck him and he said:

"Is it your Left Route General who wants to see me, or someone else?"

The leading soldier hesitated for a moment before saying:

"All of them!"

Du Yuan shook her head repeatedly as she listened. Well, she had pretty much guessed what it was.

“I will not go. If they really want to, then let them come to see me.”

(End of this chapter)