Chapter 71
Chapter 71
In the vast expanse of the Nine Provinces, land-dwelling immortals survived for five hundred years, and their numbers weren’t few.
The First Emperor commanded Qin, subtly dominating the Nine Provinces, with capable generals and mighty warriors capable of subjugating immortals!
“Zhao Gao, do you believe immortality is achievable?”
Ying Zheng gazed upward, his eyes filled with hope.
Zhao Gao vaguely understood that the First Emperor’s admiration stemmed from their shared obsession with immortality. The First Emperor himself sent Xu Fu to seek immortality overseas.
But could immortality truly exist?
Zhao Gao himself did not believe so.
With all ancient myths and legends of immortals, gods, Buddhas, and ghosts, it was almost concluded that such spiritual beings were perhaps peak martial masters with supernatural abilities. If immortality was achievable, why no one remains till this date?
Considering his words carefully, Zhao Gao replied,
“Your Majesty, favored by the heavens, may indeed one day find such an opportunity.”
The First Emperor remained silent.
As one perched atop the Nine Provinces, he knew better than anyone the elusive nature of immortality, but he remained unyielding.
Slowly descending the Ascension Pavilion, his voice lingered in Zhao Gao’s ears.
“Have Luo Network assassins observe Wudang.”
Not a shred of hope was to be missed.
A shiver ran through Zhao Gao, his grateful head bowing low and respectfully, remaining motionless.
…
In the vast grasslands.
Endlessly expansive, bridging several kingdoms, housing soaring eagles, rushing wolf packs, and the fiercely wild people of Mongolia further demonstrated their prowess.
The Mongol Empire, founded on horseback, nurtured warriors from a young age, with a militant spirit emerging strong leaders.
The Mongolian emperor, Temujin, a rare ruler appearing once every few centuries, was revered as Genghis Khan.
An ever-watching eye towards the kingdoms of Central Plains, his ambitions ever restless.
In the Mongol capital, KudyarAlan.
A swift horse galloped into the solemnly majestic Vajrayana temple, and monks’ chants filled the air, enveloping the temple in deep sorrow.
A tall, thin young monk resembling a bamboo rod, tears streaming, cried out in despair.
“My teacher, has passed!”
Kneeling repeatedly towards Ming, his eyes filled with agony.
Having been once an abandoned infant near death, saved by an old Vajrayana monk, who meticulously nurtured and trained him in supreme martial arts.
Witnessing the young monk’s immense pain, an old Vajrayana monk chanted a Buddhist mantra, eyes closed,
“Jinlun, relinquish grief. Dalzhi chose this path to Wudang, his passing was honorable. May he be reborn in as a Living Buddha.”
The Living Buddha, akin to a land-dwelling immortal in Vajrayana, as the Buddhas of Shaolin.
“Though they failed to acquire the dragon-slaying sabre, they uncovered Wudang’s true strength. Ming’s foundations are undoubtedly formidable. Genghis Khan will make his move.”
“Dalzhi’s ascension to Nirvana shall be remembered.”
The elderly monks whispered.
Yet the young monk, Jinlun, remained consumed by sorrow, unable to extricate himself.
“Jinlun, awaken!!”
An elder detected something wrong, his Buddhist chant thunderously echoing, capable of enlightening the bewildered.
But in this instance.
It was ineffective.
The young monk continued mumbling, mourning his teacher’s demise, an ominous aura of dragon and elephant roars encircling him. Originally gleaming with golden Vajrayana energy, now hinted at specters’ presence!
The surrounding elders were alarmed, shouting in unison:
“Jinlun, awaken!!”
Jinlun, submerged in sorrow, refused to wake.
His face progressively contorted with ferocity, edging towards a demonic path.
A gentle sigh suddenly broke the tension.
Unbeknownst, an aged monk with loose skin and clouded eyes appeared by Jinlun’s side, his frail hand gently passed over Jinlun’s head, immediately calming his expression.
“Foolish child, wake up.”
His words infused with Vajrayana chants, surrounding monks respectfully greeted him.
“Great Dharma King!”
The old monk waved them off, restoring Jinlun’s clarity, but tears flowed freely.
“Why so stubborn, Dalzhi embraced his fate to Wudang. You, with your extraordinary talent, aligning perfectly with Dragon Elephant Wisdom Power, hold promise of physical ascension to the Living Buddha. Let go, and follow my austere practice. This is the best tribute to your master.”
Jinlun respectfully bowed, but his head shook persistently:
“My teacher perished at Wudang, with a deep-seated obsession in my heart. Without resolving it, I cannot achieve the Living Buddha’s realm. Please, Great Dharma King, I beg for your help!”
He kowtowed thrice, fervently.
All surrounding Vajrayana monks were moved.
The Great Dharma King remained silent, finally sighing deeply,
“Very well, very well, so be it. Perhaps Vajrayana fate with the Living Buddha is severed. Jinlun, follow me.”
Determination flashed in Jinlun’s eyes.
Wudang, he vowed to someday revisit!
At the very least, reclaiming his mentor’s remains.
The Heaven-Man Tomb represented legacy for Wudang, shame for him.
…
With time’s passage.
Throughout Jianghu, movements brewed.
Within Ming’s martial world, everywhere abuzz discussing Wudang’s events, factions trembling in the wake of Ning Changge, the young true immortal’s rise becoming well-known throughout Jianghu!
Those who witnessed Wudang’s events were esteemed guests, many others lamenting not attending, missing such an earth-shattering sight.
No second-hand account compared to firsthand experience.
The third young master of Divine Sword Manor, Xie Xiaofeng, secluded himself upon return, deeply affected by Ning Changge’s swordsmanship and dual-spirit sword aura.
The Flower Palace master, Yao Yue, often stood lost in thought upon the rear mountain.
Pondering what Ning Changge’s Immortal Path truly entailed?
Inadvertently passing nights in contemplation.
Though unable to fathom, she sensed Ning Changge’s Immortal Path differed from common understanding.
Gazing towards Wudang, immersed in confusion.
Beyond Ming, Ning Changge’s fame grew, many aware that Wudang housed Zhang Zhenren and the rising young true immortal.
Yet outside Ming, his renown wasn’t as profound.
…
Atop Wudang.
Atop the Celestial Pillar Peak.
Ning Changge quietly sat within the Sutra Pavilion, reviewing Daoist scriptures, now and then smiling. Unconcerned with Jianghu’s commotion, he wished only to study Daoist texts in peace, advancing his Immortal Path step by step toward longevity.
Recently, Song Yuanqiao and others resolved issues with Yuan Yue Manor and Shaolin, acquiring a batch of Daoist texts, delightful for Ning Changge, further enriching his foundation.
Additionally, numerous spiritual items were obtained, useful ones resting within his storage ring.
Jinling respectfully offered spiritual tea before retreating.
This enlightened golden monkey, having shone brightly the other day, now more composed, his Taoist aspirations deepened with Ning Changge’s demonstrations.
Merriment with Wudang disciples declined, dedicating more to cultivation.
Ning Changge nodded with satisfaction.
Pursuing the Dao is arduous, requiring persistent diligence. Even with superior spiritual resources, without solitude and insight, progress is futile.
A sip of spiritual tea elicited a delighted smile from Ning Changge.
Thanks to time constraints and the assistance of the Qi-Gathering Spirit Furnace’s essence, this batch of spiritual tea matured to superior quality.
A single sip amplified spiritual awareness, purifying the mind, nearly entering an enlightened state, heightening his joy.
Appreciation for his spiritual tea cultivation techniques grew.
Optimizing batch after batch, it might evolve into sublime spiritual tea.
“One day, it could become Enlightenment Tea!”
Gazing at the lush, emerald leaves, Ning Changge smiled.
Enlightenment Tea benefiting him, let alone others.
A gleam of hope ignited within him.
Although it wasn’t achievable overnight.
With his state of mind stabilized and peak condition courtesy of the spiritual tea, Ning Changge finally began an essential task.
Forging spiritual swords!
The golden wood essence from refining the dragon-slaying sabre earlier was saved to craft two spiritual swords.
Originally, this should have commenced immediately.
However, turbulent emotions rendered an imperfect state, additionally requiring auxiliary spiritual materials, only after Song Yuanqiao delivered items from Shaolin, preparations were complete.
Now, it was time for forging.
With a pinch of his fingers, Pure Yang True Fire hovered mid-air, its blue hue intensified.
After refining two golden statues, Ning Changge’s understanding of Pure Yang True Fire deepened, enhancing its power.
Suspended in the fire, the dragon-slaying sabre’s essence liquid was purified of impurities, splitting into two distinct streams.
With a wave, numerous spiritual minerals flew from his storage ring, some old stocks, others recently acquired.
Refined over Pure Yang True Fire, merging into respective streams, they amalgamated with the essence liquid.
As the sun dipped and the moon rose.
Ning Changge’s eyes sparkled; benefiting from daily practice of Celestial Forging Technique, his spiritual awareness brimming, formidable spirit empowering simultaneous dual sword forging without strain.
“Condense!”
With deft fingers, he cast restriction after restriction within.
The golden essence formed a golden sword, the blue essence a blue sword, now embryonic.
Eyes closed, lips curled with contentment.
The hardest step complete, the next was embedding restrictions to transform them into divine artifacts.
Time elapsed.
Hours flew by, the crescent moon high above.
Ning Changge’s eyes suddenly opened, aglow, casting the final restriction.
“Complete!”
Instantly.
Golden-blue beams soared skyward, illuminating Wudang!