National Division

Chapter 99 Shen Xian: Shen Gongbao it is...

Qingxuan Cave Heaven, Tianji Peak, Dayan Divine Palace—

After listening to Murong Yue recount the situation of the enemy state, Da Rui, Shen Xian's heart stirred slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

If he were to go to Da Rui and become a plagiarist, wouldn't he be able to write books and become a saint on the spot?
Li Bai, Du Fu, and the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties haven't emerged yet, have they?

What about the Four Sentences of Hengqu and the Philosophy of Yangming? They made him a great Confucian scholar of his generation.

Seeing Shen Xian's slightly stunned expression and the glint of a dark light in his eyes, Murong Yue assumed that he was worried about the power of Da Rui and said, "You don't need to worry. The northern grasslands are shrouded in miasma between immortals and mortals. Ordinary immortals cannot cross them without the protection of treasures. Moreover, there is a Great Wall of sword energy cut down by powerful beings to separate the enemy's army."

Shen Xian frowned and asked, "But it's not certain when they'll retaliate, right?"

The miasma between immortals and mortals is something that will dissipate at any time, and the Great Wall of Sword Qi cannot last forever.

Murong Yue said, "In recent years, immortals have occasionally sneaked over to check the enemy situation of our Great Jing. However, the two sides have only sent spies to spy on each other. For example, the Great Rui sent people to collude with the Khitan chieftain, wanting to rebel against the court."

"Within our Great Jing, there are numerous internal and external troubles. If one day the Sword Qi Great Wall and the Immortal-Mortal Miasma dissipate, and Great Rui attacks again, can the Grand Preceptor, based on his understanding of the national strength of Great Rui and Great Jing, withstand it?" Shen Xian asked solemnly.

Because he had never been to Da Rui, he did not know what the enemy country was like.

Murong Yue's face, free of makeup, showed a noticeably more serious expression. She shook her head and said, "It's very difficult to resist. The Great Rui is governed by Confucianism, and the Jixia Academy has many Confucian scholars. They fight using their literary talent and abilities, which are no less powerful than Taoist magic and supernatural powers."

Shen Xian said, "Taoist scriptures are easy to learn but difficult to master, and the threshold is relatively high, unlike Confucianism which has a wider audience."

It is impossible for the Great Jing to turn to Confucianism to govern the country and learn from the barbarians' superior techniques to control them, as that would undoubtedly undermine the foundation of Taoism.

Murong Yue’s voice was soft yet cool as she comforted him, “But don’t worry, they won’t be able to defeat us in a short time. Besides, our Daoist sect has many powerful figures with formidable combat strength, which Da Rui also fears.”

Shen Xian nodded, understanding. In terms of high-end combat power, the Daoist sect was even more superior.

That Great Wall of Sword Qi was cut down by a powerful Taoist master!
To stop an entire nation with a single sword—what unparalleled skill!

Thinking of this, Shen Xian picked up the blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip of the immortal tea, and gazed into the distance with a leisurely and wistful look.

Although the general trend of the world is captivating, it is still relatively far removed from his life.

There's no need to worry about things that haven't happened yet. The most pressing issues right now are dealing with the counterattack from the Cui and Lu clans, and achieving something in the immortal path and martial arts.

"Senior brother is back." Murong Yue put down her teacup and stood up.

Shen Xian also stood up and looked at the Shangqing Sect Leader, who had arrived outside the Dayan Divine Palace in just a few steps.

His flowing white hair was quite eye-catching, but it did not appear withered or unhealthy.

"Master Brother," Murong Yue said to Sima Zongxian as she quickly approached.

"Master, Master..." The white crane transformed into a streak of pure white light, approached, and spoke in human language.

Xue Zhihua said angrily, "How dare you act so recklessly in front of the sect leader?"

Sima Zongxian smiled, looked at the white crane that was spreading its wings and came, and said, "Ling'er, the apricot tree I planted on the back cliff bore thirteen fruits the day before yesterday. This morning, I found that there were still ten left. Did you eat the other three?"

"I didn't eat it." Upon hearing this, the white crane shook its head like a rattle drum, folded its wings, and vehemently denied it.

Sima Zongxian glanced meaningfully at the crane, the panda with its head down behind it, and the deer Youyou who was dodging to the side, and said with a faint smile: "Immortal Apricot contains the power of thunder. In three days, its physical body and spiritual aperture will be reshaped, and the wind and thunder will change. I'm afraid it will transform into a human."

Upon hearing this, the crane fluttered its eyelashes, its bright and clear eyes darting around, and it asked in a soft voice, "Master, Master, is there a tribulation of transformation?"

"Since you didn't steal any food, why are you asking this?" Xue Zhihua tugged at the crane's wing and said angrily, "Master Master has important matters to attend to, so don't be naughty anymore."

At this moment, Murong Yue's maid, Biluo, approached Baihe, her face stern, and scolded, "Why aren't you coming with me to the duty room to do your homework? If you keep fooling around, I'll pluck your feathers!"

The white crane shuddered in fright, and followed Biluo, giving it one last, reluctant look.
Then, Huiyao, holding onto Lu Youyou's little antlers, called to the panda and headed out of the hall, leaving the conversation space to the Heavenly Mystery Peak Master and the others.

Murong Yue said, "Senior brother, you spoil the three of them too much on a regular basis."

"Children are innocent and mischievous, but they also add vitality to my Heavenly Mystery Peak, don't they? Life and death." Sima Zongxian's eyes flickered with a smile, his black and white eyes seeming to become two yin-yang fish, but it vanished in an instant. He walked into the hall, sat down, and then his gaze fell on Shen Xian's face. After studying him for a moment, he asked, "Scholar Shen, did your Senior Sister Murong just recount the details of our sect?"

Shen Xian said, "I have a general understanding of the situation."

Sima Zongxian didn't waste any words and nodded, saying, "Then today you will have your Daoist certificate recorded and your Daoist talisman conferred, and you will become a disciple of my Tianji Peak."

Then, he looked at Murong Yue and said, "Junior Sister Murong, take Shen Xian with you to the Ancestral Shrine in the back hall."

Murong Yue responded, her gaze falling on Shen Xian's face, and said, "Come with me."

Xue Zhihua said, "Master, I'll go help."

The ancestral hall in the rear hall enshrines the portrait of the Qingxuan Ancestor, as well as the disciples of the Tianji Peak lineage. By the time of Sima Zongxian, it was already the third generation.

As Shen Xian spoke, he followed Murong Yue and Sima Zongxian to the rear ancestral hall.

The rear hall is an independent palace courtyard, spacious, solemn, quiet and dignified.

Inside the ancestral hall, the fragrance of sandalwood incense rose in wisps. In front of the shrine was a square tripod with three incense sticks about the thickness of a finger inserted into it, their embers flickering and their aroma filling the air.

A portrait hangs in the center of the shrine, depicting the Qingxuan Ancestor in a blue Taoist robe, standing before a giant black tortoise, one hand behind his back, the other calculating the secrets of heaven, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sea meets the sky.

On the dark wood shelf below, there are thirty or forty spirit tablets, each made of a five-element spirit stone, arranged in three rows, on the left and right.

Each memorial tablet is placed with a blue glass lamp; some lamps are lit, while others are extinguished.

Shen Xian couldn't help but recall what Murong Yue had told him about the great masters of Tianji Peak throughout the ages.

The ancestral halls enshrine immortals of the fifth realm [Divine Illumination] and above, one on each peak, mainly to worship eminent figures who have achieved immortality throughout history.

Because only a divine light can separate a divine thought and inject it into the Glazed Life Lamp; if the original body perishes, it will be extinguished.

After several generations of disciples, there are only thirty or forty people. It can be seen how few disciples of Tianji Peak have reached the Divine Illumination level or above!

Sima Zongxian's gaze fell on some of the extinguished lamps, some of which were even his own teachers and fellow disciples. His eyes filled with complex emotions as he said, "When flesh and blood are ashes, the lamps are still warm; when immortal remains are gone, thoughts leave no trace. It is easy to rekindle the spark and pass on the torch, but a single thought can drift away into the dust of eternity."

As Shen Xian listened to Sima Zongxian recite his poem, he felt the sorrow and the spirit of passing on the torch of Daoist teachings.

Murong Yue sighed softly, her voice clear and cold: "When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out, the flame flickering and then reigniting. After the immortal bones are destroyed, the spirit dissipates into smoke."

Shen Xian couldn't help but recall Murong Yue's brief explanation of the various realms of immortality:
"The path of immortality seizes the creation of heaven and earth. After reaching the third realm [Danxia Realm], my fate is in my own hands and no longer in the hands of heaven! When I reach the fifth realm [Divine Illumination], I must reclaim my two souls from heaven and earth. The three souls of heaven, earth and man are combined to form the primordial spirit, which illuminates the spiritual platform. This is called [Divine Illumination]. Once I perish, I will never have the chance to be reincarnated again."

This is the price to reclaim the souls of Heaven and Earth.

"Junior disciple Sima Zongxian greets all the ancestral masters, seniors, and fellow disciples." Sima Zongxian walked up and muttered some words. He bowed to the memorial tablet at the head of the table, accepted the incense sticks handed to him by an old man in a gray robe who appeared out of nowhere, and lit one.

Murong Yue also stepped forward, accepted the incense, and bowed: "Junior disciple Murong Yue greets all the ancestors, seniors, and fellow disciples."

Xue Zhihua also bowed: "This junior disciple greets all the ancestral masters and seniors."

Then, he took the incense stick from the old man in the gray robe and lit it.

Shen Xian stood still, thought for a moment, then bowed and said, "Junior Shen Xian greets all the immortal seniors."

He hasn't yet entered the sect, so that's the only way to address him. However, the gray-robed old man didn't offer any incense sticks.

Shen Xian lowered his eyes slightly, his thoughts unfathomable.

So far, there has been no situation where the spirit tablets were completely broken and people dared not accept his bow.

It seems he is not some powerful being reincarnated.

The thought flashed through Shen Xian's mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

The origin of the millstone is hard to guess at the moment.

Sima Zongxian said, "Esteemed Ancestors and Seniors, Tianji Peak has recently accepted a disciple named Shen Xian. He is exceptionally intelligent and of steadfast character. He will be temporarily registered under Ancestor Qingxuan and listed alongside this junior. He will be granted a Daoist title at a later date. His name will now be recorded in the Jade Records and the Genealogy."

As he spoke, the old man produced a seven-colored lotus-shaped glass cup, a genealogy book compiled from jade slips, and a writing brush.

Sima Zongxian stepped forward, took the pen, opened the genealogy, and wrote Shen Xian's name on it.

Then, the seven-colored lotus glass cup flew into the air, and in an instant, seven-colored spiritual light shone brightly, like fairy lotuses blooming, which was very dreamlike and beautiful.

As it slowly turned, a purple lotus leaf flew out, like a purple rainbow, and landed on Shen Xian. The rainbow light flickered slightly, remembering Shen Xian's life essence and other auras. Then, with a buzzing sound, a purple spiritual light condensed in the void into a crystal-clear talisman and flew towards Shen Xian's lower dantian.

Immediately, the seven-colored lotus glass cup lost its dazzling brilliance and returned to the hands of the hunched old man in gray robes.

Shen Xian felt a little strange, but he didn't think there was anything unusual.

But that talisman... it should be a Daoist seed, right?
"The talisman you just used is a seed of the Daoist talisman from the Heavenly Mystery Peak lineage. Once your spiritual energy reaches its peak, you will be able to condense the Immortal Lotus Platform, connect the two bridges of Heaven and Earth, and then open the Heavenly Gate," Murong Yue explained.

Shen Xian breathed a slight sigh of relief.

If the millstone doesn't react, it means there's no harm in it.

No wonder the three religions never worry about others stealing their cultivation techniques. This seed of the Dao talisman directly differentiates from the seven-colored glazed lamp and corresponds to a person.

Where will you go to study?
In Shen Xian's mind, everyone left the ancestral hall and came to the white marble square in front of the hall.

Perhaps because Shen Xian had completed the apprenticeship process, Sima Zongxian's expression became noticeably more friendly, and his gaze was no longer distant. With a flick of his wrist, a jade slip appeared in his palm: "I will be going into seclusion to comprehend the secrets of heaven soon. I will have your Senior Sister Murong guide you in your cultivation first. This jade slip is the 'Shangqing Lingbao Tianjing' passed down by Ancestor Qingxuan. It is profound and full of profound meaning. It contains a trace of your life soul's aura. You can place it on your forehead to read it."

Lately, the secrets of heaven have become increasingly obscure. Taking advantage of the contrast between accepting Shen Xian as a disciple, Sima Zongxian wanted to divine the future of the Shangqing Sect.

As he spoke, he looked at Shen Xian and added, "Although this jade slip is not forbidden to be copied, the Daoist teachings should not be passed on lightly. When it is written down, there will be textual damage and omissions. Therefore, try not to lose the jade slip."

Watching this scene, Shen Xian thought to himself, if the martial arts of the three religions are passed down in this way, then the great master Huang Sheng back then must have summarized them from the copies made by the disciples of the three religions.

However, without the seeds of the Daoist talisman, even if it is lost, it will be an incorrect or incomplete version. In the method of cultivating the Dao, a slight difference can lead to a huge error.

According to Murong Yue, almost everyone in the Shangqing Sect had a copy of the "Shangqing Lingbao Tianjing" as a basic course.

Sima Zongxian nodded and explained, "The specific Qi refining method is also attached separately in the jade slip. If you have any questions, you can ask me and your Senior Sister Murong."

Xue Zhihua said in a clear voice, "Master, I can teach Scholar Shen."

Before reaching Danxia Realm, she had no pressure teaching her students on behalf of her master.

Seeing Sima Zongxian pause for a moment, Murong Yueying parted her lips slightly and said, "Junior Brother Shen has been appointed by the Empress as the Commander of the Vermilion Bird Division. Zhihua will be protecting him for the time being."

"I see." Sima Zongxian nodded, then became serious and said, "However, my sect values ​​inheritance the most. Nephew Zhihua should be addressed as Uncle Shen."

Xue Zhihua: "..."

How could she possibly call her "Uncle-Master"?
Murong Yue seemed to sense her disciple's unease and considerately changed the subject, saying, "Senior Brother Headmaster, I will later pass on the cultivation techniques jade slip from Tianji Peak to Junior Brother Shen."

"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Sister Murong." Sima Zongxian nodded, then looked at Shen Xian and said, "You are a third-generation disciple of the Shangqing Sect, and your status is similar to that of the peak masters. This is your identity jade token."

As he spoke, a purple jade tablet radiating seven-colored light appeared in his palm, floating in the air under the power of immortals.

Shen Xian looked at the identity jade token, and a thought stirred in his mind.

In fact, he never expected to gain such a special status in the Shangqing Sect.

Although it was just a title, it brought him many benefits.

Seeing that Shen Xian had accepted the jade slip and identity jade token, Sima Zongxian said, "The cultivation notes, Taoist arts and supernatural powers summarized by the predecessors of Tianji Peak are in the East Pavilion of the Dayan Divine Hall. You can go there to read them with your jade token. Of course, Tianji Peak never prohibits disciples from other peaks from studying the secrets of heaven. There are far too few disciples of the Tianji Peak lineage among the twenty-eight peaks."

Shen Xian nodded and said, "Understood."

The secret passage reads: "It seems the sect leader is very confident in the Heavenly Mystery Peak's techniques. Take a look, and if you can master them, then you're truly capable."

In his view, the Great Derivation Numerology of Tianji Peak is actually somewhat similar to basic disciplines such as mathematics and physics in later generations.

These are all fundamental disciplines that transcend national boundaries.

Sima Zongxian looked at the thoughtful-looking young man and said, "If you are interested in the immortal techniques and Taoist arts of other peaks, you can go to the scripture repositories of other peaks to read them. If other peaks have relevant prohibitions, you can then seek my help to coordinate. However, in the path of cultivation, the Tao is the foundation, and techniques are merely means to protect the Tao. Do not put the cart before the horse or be greedy for more. Only by serving the Tao with sincerity can you achieve longevity and freedom in the future."

It is clear that they also know the disciples of the Shangqing Sect, most of whom are interested in alchemy, weapon crafting, treasure crafting, and other cultivation arts.

Shen Xian composed himself, his gaze sincere, and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Headmaster."

The merits accumulated in the past should be able to deduce the proficiency of Taoist techniques, right?

I originally thought that hundreds of thousands of merit points would be enough, but now I realize that... no matter how many merit points you have, they can all be used up.

Sima Zongxian met Shen Xian's sincere gaze, thought for a moment, and said, "I have cultivated for many years and have nothing of value. Since we are meeting for the first time, I have no spiritual treasure to give you. This jade bracelet is a protective spiritual treasure that I had before I became an immortal. I haven't used it for many years, and it contains the power of water. It just so happens that you have cultivated water-based martial arts techniques, so you must be destined to have this treasure. I am giving it to you now, hoping that you will uphold the righteous path in the future and carry forward the Shangqing lineage in the secular world. You can experience its wonderful uses for yourself."

As he spoke, a jade bracelet appeared in his palm, its clear green light emanating from it. One could faintly hear the surging sound of waves, clearly indicating the immense power of water.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian was somewhat moved and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Headmaster."

Giving him cultivation techniques and jade slips is a disciple's treatment; giving him an identity jade token makes it easier for him to browse immortal cultivation techniques. It's more about being beneficial without costing him anything.

But giving him a protective amulet shows that you consider him family.

Even considering it was an initial investment, it was quite a show of sincerity.

Shen Gongbao it is.

Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain...

But, is this "not yet attained enlightenment"? Is it before the Danxia Realm or before the Shenzhao Realm?
Sima Zongxian said, gazing intently at Murong Yue beside him: "Junior Sister Murong, next, you will guide Junior Brother Shen to familiarize himself with the cultivation techniques and Daoist arts."

He clearly wanted to go into seclusion to divine the future.

Murong Yue said, "Senior brother, please go and attend to your business."

Sima Zongxian nodded slightly, gave Shen Xian a deep look, and then gracefully departed.

(End of this chapter)