Chapter 11: On the World
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Mount Emei is also known as Shu Mountain. The mountain has many strange peaks and ancient temples, where the legendary Sword Immortal and Chivalrous Sage have been said to appear since ancient times. In Taoist legend, this mountain is one of the 36 small grotto heavens, ranking seventh among them. It is surrounded by the sea and its majestic scenery is breathtaking. The highest peak is always shining with a rainbow light, hence the name: Golden Summit of Mount Emei.
The Taoist sects originated from the Southern Sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain, founded by Zhang Daoling. During the late Eastern Han dynasty, Zhang Jue from Julu received the three volumes of "Taiping Jing" from the Old Immortal of South China and established the Northern Sect of Taiping Dao. Later, during the Eastern Jin dynasty, Sun En merged the Southern and Northern Sects to establish the Tian Shi Dao, which was later renamed Zheng Yi Dao. The sect built the Temple of Mount Emei's Golden Summit, claiming to be the orthodox school of Taoism.
The so-called Southern Dynasty's 480 temples, how many towers and pavilions are shrouded in misty rain. In fact, after the turmoil of the Five Barbarians' invasion over several hundred years, the religious forces of today, whether north or south, can be said to have a significant impact on who owns the rivers and mountains. When Yang Jian first ascended to the throne, the Buddhist and Taoist forces in the north were divided into two factions, with the Taoists having a slight upper hand. Therefore, Yang Jian, in order to consolidate his position, appointed the newly appointed leader of the Orthodox Unity Sect, Chongyangzi, as the Heavenly Master. The Orthodox Unity Sect became the largest sect under heaven, and its influence was boundless, with everything going its way.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. In the ninth year of Kaihuang, Yang Guang, as the King of Jin, led his army south to conquer Chen, and succeeded in one battle. At that time, many Buddhist temples in the Southern Dynasty also received his protection, so Yang Guang's power expanded greatly, and the calls for him to become the crown prince grew louder and more urgent. Later, the Pure Land sect rose to prominence, and Mahayana Buddhism gained increasing influence within the imperial court. Although the orthodox Buddhist sects were often rejected and declined day by day, Emperor Yang of Sui became increasingly devoted to Buddhism, eventually sincerely converting to it.
Yang Jian's eldest son, Yang Yong, was originally a devout follower of Taoism. At that time, he also felt that his position as crown prince was precarious, so he joined forces with the Heavenly Master of Chongyang and launched a series of open and secret struggles against Yang Guang and the powerful Xilei sect behind him. Finally, in the 20th year of Kaihuang, Yang Jian decided to depose Yang Yong as crown prince and replace him with his second son, Yang Guang. Seeing that the situation was not good, whether for the sake of the Orthodox Taoist sect or other reasons, the Heavenly Master of Chongyang felt that he could no longer coexist with Mohaye. To turn the tide, the two great masters of Buddhism and Taoism finally engaged in a earth-shaking battle on the sandy banks of the Wei River.
The magical power of the six gods' tactics, which was practiced by Mohe Ye, was indeed earth-shaking and heaven-startling, worthy of being called a divine technique that made demons tremble. The pure Yang skill of the Orthodox One sect was also extraordinary. It is said that once one reaches the peak of practice, they can ride swords to fly and become an immortal on the spot. Although Chao Yang Tian Shi had not yet reached such a realm, his skills were already refined to perfection, and he had long been known as the number one orthodox martial artist in the world.
Unexpectedly, the two great masters engaged in a fierce battle, first with words and then with fists, first competing in literature and then in martial arts. The Chaoyang Tiān Shī was surprisingly surpassed by Mohé Yè in every aspect and ultimately fell into the Wei River, his life or death unknown. Three months later, when Chaoyang Tiān Shī returned to Mount Emei's Golden Summit, Yang Yong had already been demoted to a commoner, while Yang Guang smoothly ascended to the throne as the crown prince. The situation was settled, and everything returned to normal.
After that, the Chaoyang Tian Shi declared to the outside world that he was closed and vowed never to set foot on Mount Emei again. The forces of Zhengyi Taoism in various places were uprooted by the Xile Chongzong with overwhelming force, and their power declined rapidly, making it hopeless for them to recover. Now they can only shrink to the Sichuan and Hanzhong areas, barely clinging to life.
Tai Shi first year, January 1st, Yang Jian held a grand banquet for officials and foreign envoys in the imperial palace of Daxing City. However, the Emei Golden Summit Tuoluo Palace was quiet and deserted, with hardly any festive atmosphere to be found. The Heavenly Master of Chongyang also did not sit in the palace as in previous years, presiding over the annual year-end examination of disciples. Instead, he appeared on the outside at the Star-Plucking Pavilion.
This Zhāi Xīng Tái is a solitary peak on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Its shape is steep and sharp, like a high tower standing alone. If one didn't possess the lightness skill of the highest level, it would be absolutely impossible to climb up. And yet, on the platform at the top of this Zhāi Xīng Tái, which was only about three or four meters in diameter, there was a mat and a zither laid out. On the zither were placed a wine pot and cups, two people sat facing each other drinking.
Under the starlight, the person sitting opposite Chaoyang Tian Shi appears to be about forty years old. He has a high crown and wide belt, with five long mustaches, an ancient and elegant face, wearing a thick silk robe. Although he is seated, he is not much shorter than others standing up. His demeanor is elegant and refined, with a sense of detachment from worldly affairs. Seeing Chaoyang Tian Shi finish three cups in succession and then reach for the wine jug again, he furrows his brow and advises: "Tian Shi, excessive drinking can harm your body. Your injuries have not yet fully healed, it's not suitable to drink too much now."
Chao Yang Tian Shi's face was gloomy, but he didn't listen to advice. He continued to drink until the end, and sighed in a hoarse voice: "If I don't drink, what else can I do? Take care of my injuries? Ha ha, can these injuries be cured? Even if they are cured, what's the use?"
"That brocade guest shook his head and said, 'Victory and defeat are nothing but common occurrences in the military, and even if the Heavenly Master suffers a temporary setback, there's no need to be overly concerned. As the leader of our sect and the orthodox master, you bear the weight of the world's fortunes and misfortunes on your shoulders; you must not take yourself lightly, lest you fulfill the evil intentions of those heretical monks from the Extreme Bliss Sect. As for the Heavenly Master's injury, although it is a tricky one, there is still hope for recovery.'"
Chao Yang Tian Shi's hand trembled, spilling wine and water, wetting the front of his robe. He didn't even bother to wipe it clean, hastily asking: "Ning Dao brother, do you have a way?"
He nodded and smiled: "Over the past few months, I have been studying the secret classics in the Tiānrán Palace, combining what I learned before, and diagnosed the root cause of Tiānshī's injury. It lies in the damage to several main meridians. Ordinary medicine is ineffective in treating this wound. However, if we can refine the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, the highest achievement of the Taoist school, not only will Tiānshī's injuries be healed, but it may also lead to further progress, reaching the legendary state of flying ascension with a sword. At that time, let alone one Móhēyè, even ten Móhēyès would be insignificant."
Chao Yang Tian Shi was taken aback, his face revealing a disappointed expression. He sighed and said: "To refine the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is truly not an easy task! Since Guang Cheng Xian Shi's time, all the wise and capable predecessors of our Daoist school have exhausted their efforts but ultimately achieved nothing. More than 200 years ago, Ge Hong Xian Shi personally concocted the 'Dan Jie', and later Dan Wang An Shi Qing refined the 'Dan Du'. The two were meant to be combined into one, which would have led to the true completion of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir. But unfortunately, it was absorbed by that barbarian surnamed Yan due to a fortuitous coincidence, what a waste of precious materials!"
The brocade guest smiled and said, "Yan Daxia is a rare talent of his generation, with a heart for the common people. Although it's a pity that he took away the Dan Jie and Dan Du, it can't be said to be a waste. Moreover, in the palace of Tushita there is the eight trigrams furnace left by Jiang Shang Xiansheng, and Tian Shi's third brother, Huan Wangzi Daoren, has been immersed in this way for many years, his attainments should not be lower than Dan Wang. As long as Tian Shi is willing to let go of past grudges and asks Huan Wangzi Daoren to return to the mountain, then to recreate the Dan Jie and Dan Du, and further refine them into golden elixir, it's not entirely hopeless."
Chao Yang Tian Shi sighed: "I'm afraid it's the only way. But even if we succeed, it will be a matter of many years from now. Distant water can't save nearby fire."
That brocade guest also nodded, saying: "The way is exhausted and the demon is long, this is the natural course of things, not something that can be changed by human power. The Taoist school follows the natural law, at this time it is suitable to temporarily hibernate and cultivate one's strength for the future. In any case, the Extreme Joy Demon Sect goes against heaven, within ten years they will surely rise to a peak and then decline. We feathered scholars have achieved success in our practice, although we dare not say that we are immortal. But wanting to prolong life and maintain youth is as easy as turning one's hand over. This short period of time, we can still wait."
Although the brocade guest tried to comfort him in many ways, the Dawn Sky Master was still depressed and sighed: "It's just that. Alas, Crown Prince Yang had a deep understanding of me back then, and we also had a teacher-student relationship. Today he is unfortunately demoted, but that's okay. But Yang Guang, that beast, has no fraternal affection at all, and I'm afraid he will secretly plot to harm his own brother."
Jin Pao guest sneered and said: "Ning certain had seen ten years ago, Yang Yong has no emperor's appearance. If there is no fate of the throne, even if forced to ascend to the throne, it will not last long. With the ability of the heavenly master, it is naturally not difficult to see this point. But why bother to go against heaven and do things?"
Chao Yang Tian Shi was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke in a condensed tone: "To have the fate of 95, it is not impossible for human effort. Yang Guang at first, wasn't he also without the fate of an emperor?"
The guest in the brocade robe was shocked by the words and said: "Tian Shi, could it be that you..." The Tian Shi didn't wait for him to finish speaking and nodded his head saying: "That's right. In the past, when Nüwa refined the stone to repair the heavens, she used her strength to hold back the chaotic tides of heaven and earth. Although she succeeded, she also left behind in the place where she refined the stone a power that could reverse the universe, making that place a land of perfection. Ordinary people only need to enter this land and use the "Stealing Heaven and Replacing Day, Nine Turns of the Universe" technique, then even if their fate is ordinary, they can still achieve the status of a supreme ruler. Since Yang Guang can rely on the land of perfection to ascend to the throne as emperor, why can't Yang Yong do the same?"
"The Taoist guest hastily said: 'Heavenly Master, absolutely must not do this. Going against heaven and changing fate, disturbing the universe. Although it can achieve the Nine-Five destiny, it must be at the cost of usurping the vital energy of all living things. Yang Guang's actions back then have already reduced the luck of the Great Sui by half. If the Heavenly Master does this again, I fear...I fear...Alas~~~"
Chao-yang Tian-shi shook his head and said, "The Divine Land has been in chaos for hundreds of years, and it's not easy to reunify. If it weren't for the circumstances, I wouldn't want it this way either. But Yang Guang is frivolous by nature, and though he has many plans, he lacks determination - truly not a suitable choice for the throne. The Crown Prince is kind-hearted and benevolent, although he doesn't have the imperial mandate, he has the imperial bearing. If he were to ascend to the throne, it would be a blessing for all living things."
The brocade guest also shook his head repeatedly, saying: "The true dragon heavenly son appears once every 500 years, and it is not something that can be forced by human power. In my humble opinion, it's better to follow the natural course of things." After a pause, he continued: "In fact, when Yang Jian usurped the throne from the Zhou dynasty and established the Sui dynasty, I knew that the Yang family would not last long in power. Whether it was Yang Yong or Yang Guang who succeeded him, the Sui dynasty would surely perish after two generations. So over the past decade or so, I have been traveling around the nine provinces, observing the stars and searching for the dragon's pulse. Finally, two years ago when I passed through Taiyuan, I saw a purple aura surrounding the residence of the governor. At that time, I inquired about it from others and found out that it was the second son of Tang Guogong Li Yuan, named Shimin. I tried to obtain his eight characters and repeatedly performed divinations. Afterwards, I carefully examined the ancestral graves of the Li family and finally confirmed..."
Chao Yang Tian Shi didn't wait for the brocade guest to finish speaking, and burst out laughing, waving his hand: "How can this be? That little brat from the Li family is still wet behind the ears, how could he possibly be a true dragon son of heaven? Moreover, the Yang family's fortune is at its peak, even if the Great Sui dynasty's luck was reduced by half due to Yang Guang's rebellious actions against heaven, it should still last for a hundred years. It can't be that we have to wait until that little brat from the Li family is a hundred years old before he becomes emperor again? Haha, haha, hahaha!"
Brocade guest saw the dawn of heaven, the master did not believe, also had no choice. Knowing that their opinions differed, further discussion would be futile. He immediately stood up and bowed his hands: "Ning certain talent is shallow, perhaps the inference is not accurate, it's hard to say. The heavenly master's cultivation is ten times better than Ning's, but the fortune of all living things still rests on the heavenly master's shoulders. I hope you will take good care of yourself and not..."
Just as the words were not finished, a loud thunder suddenly rang out. The two people involuntarily raised their heads to look up, but at the same time, they changed color! Only to see that in the clear night sky, a huge purple lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the space between heaven and earth with a snowy brightness. After the thunder, the purple lightning not only did not disperse, but instead condensed into a dragon, twisting and turning on the night curtain, flying straight from east to west towards the direction of Daxing City. Chao Yang Tian Shi exclaimed in disbelief: "A loud thunder in the sky, a dragon's roar echoes for ten thousand miles. The Emperor's pearl is spit out, shining brightly in our divine country. The true Dragon Son... has actually been born at this moment!?"
As soon as the words fell, the western sky was indeed radiant. The purple mansion star, symbolizing the emperor of the human world, appeared proudly, emitting an inviolable and majestic aura. However, it was not one, but three! Three stars shone brightly, their light so dazzling that the night sky's countless stars paled in comparison.
Chao Yang Tian Shi stared blankly, muttering to himself: "How can this be? How can this be? Since ancient times, there has never been two suns in the sky, nor two rulers among the people. There is only one true ruler... But... but..."
The guest in the brocade robe had a solemn expression, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed upwards, calculating with his fingers for quite some time before slowly saying: "The blue giant star above is the most radiant and has a strong imperial aura, but it's unnatural and overly powerful, seemingly intentionally so. It should be Yang Guang's birth star. The red star on the right side appears weak, but in reality, its potential is limitless. According to Ning's estimation, it should be Li Shimin's auspicious star. If he encounters favorable winds and clouds tomorrow, he will naturally soar through the nine heavens and rule supreme. As for that small purple star closely following Yang Guang... how strange! This star seems to have appeared out of thin air, with no signs of its existence beforehand..."
"This star has arrived in a strange and suspicious manner, with great anomalies within." The Dawn Heaven Master's face sank like water as he said: "I'm afraid it's another one of those evil demons from the left path playing tricks. For the sake of the fortune and misfortune of all living things, we cannot but investigate clearly. Ning Dao brother, this Heaven Master is restricted by his previous oath, and at this moment, he cannot descend the mountain. Everything will have to trouble Dao brother."
"This matter concerns the fate of all living things, and Ning will naturally take full responsibility." The guest in brocade robes had a solemn expression and said: "The matter cannot be delayed, Ning will set out immediately, farewell." With a flick of his sleeve, he leaped off into the air from the Star-Picking Tower. In just an instant, he was already gone without a trace.
Yesterday, I released 10 chapters at once and was scolded by the editor... Moreover, I was strictly ordered not to release so many again, and to control the quantity. Helpless, I can only drag it out a bit longer, so today there will only be 2 updates...
