Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Great Dao Discussion Assembly at South Mountain

In truth, the reputation of Master Lingxu in Mount Taiyi was neither particularly high nor low. It was not high because even some disciples and elders of Mount Taiyi had never witnessed him in action; it was not low because his fame in Lingzhou remained considerable, and after all, he was one of the three dominant figures of Lingzhou and the head of Mount Taiyi.

The Taiyi Platform was silent, everyone waiting for Master Lingxu to speak.

He rose and cast a glance over the platform before speaking leisurely, “A few days ago, Mount Taiyi reached an agreement with the West River Martial Hall and the Wang family of East Ridge to hold the Nanshan Taoist Forum on the fifteenth of next month.”

The words “Nanshan Taoist Forum” indeed stirred a great commotion on the Taiyi Platform.

“They’re really lucky to have caught the Nanshan Taoist Forum.”

“If they can show their prowess there, it’s a chance to make a big name for themselves in Lingzhou.”

“No use envying—it’s not like we have the strength ourselves!”

“Since it coincides with our Mount Taiyi’s Inter-Branch Martial Gathering, let the four champions from this event represent Mount Taiyi at the Nanshan Taoist Forum!”

As expected, the matter moved in that direction.

At these words, all eyes turned to Wang Yuncheng, who, though a disciple of Mount Taiyi, was also the young master of the Wang family of East Ridge.

Wang Yuncheng remained silent, but then Master Huanglong spoke for him: “Wang Yuncheng will naturally represent Mount Taiyi as well.”

Though many felt uneasy, they could do nothing; his position was legitimate.

“The Nanshan Taoist Forum?” Qin Yi murmured. He had participated once before but did not claim the top spot; that year, Wang Hong also attended, but the champion was actually Jiang Yao. Qin Yi was intrigued by the Forum, a gathering of Lingzhou’s finest talents. Taoist Forums were common throughout the Divine Continent, as cultivation required exchange, and the Forum provided an excellent opportunity for such.

Though Qin Yi believed he understood these matters better than the participants this time, he still looked forward to surprises.

After the Inter-Branch Martial Gathering concluded, Master Lingxu spoke no more, and the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only some light-hearted chatter to be remembered in days to come.

The legend of the Purple Mystery Master’s disciples winning the championship at the gathering would surely continue.

In the days that followed, Qin Yi remained as bored as ever. Since the gathering’s end, Zhu Chunfu had gone to Yuling Peak; Li Ding seemed eager, visiting Tianxuan Peak frequently. Zhang Chen, however, was still unconscious, and helplessly, Qin Yi wandered through Tianxuan Peak to observe its talisman path. There were some small gains, for since Tianxuan Peak’s two disciples had only reached the top eight, upon seeing Qin Yi—the champion—many wanted to challenge him with talismans, as he was a supreme Dao embryo.

It was quite like the Taoist Forum, so he gained something from it.

Still, most of his time was spent on Tengyun Island, where his master secluded himself in the study, researching the mysterious Qimen Dunjia, occasionally rushing out and back in again. Qin Yi had no interest in these matters, so only Jiang Yao came to relieve his boredom. During this period, he began to study the Great Dao Golden Body, a divine power in the “Great Dao Scripture” that had long fascinated him.

Qin Yi felt that perhaps the most precious part of the “Great Dao Scripture” was the Great Dao Golden Body, rather than other internal cultivation methods. Indeed, his intuition proved correct, for upon seeing the latter volume of the Scripture, he discovered it focused primarily on this divine power.

What disheartened him was that this technique was quite difficult to enter, at least from his perspective. When trying to comprehend it, he felt that cultivating this divine power required a fundamentally different approach from his previous methods. Previously, whether cultivating the Taiyi Qingxuan Dao or the One Qi Transforms Three Pure Ones technique, he used the meridians throughout his body to sense the Qi of Heaven and Earth, with energy circulating inside to out and back in a perpetual loop.

But the Great Dao Golden Body’s method was different; it seemed to treat the self as the entire cosmos, with all meridians cut off from external communication, as if everything must be born from within — a concept reminiscent of the Buddhist and Taoist Three Thousand Worlds.

Hence, Qin Yi suspected that the Great Dao Golden Body might be related somehow to the Western Region’s Pufan Temple, though he did not know how.

On the Cloud Viewing Platform, Qin Yi lay lazily on the blue stone slab, enjoying leisure, though only he knew he was still meditating on the Great Dao Golden Body. That was his nature: the more unfamiliar something was, the more curious he became; the more unattainable, the more he was drawn in. He was locked in battle with this divine power, though he disliked exerting himself too much.

Suddenly, Qin Yi opened his eyes and looked toward the distant Cloud River, where a blue light flickered. As it drew near, he saw a person riding a censer flying toward him. Qin Yi watched silently, almost not recognizing the visitor. The figure seemed less plump than before, and his once chubby face now appeared somewhat gaunt—though perhaps Qin Yi was just accustomed to his round cheeks.

“Is everything settled?” Qin Yi rose and asked curiously.

He saw the obvious fatigue on Zhu Chunfu’s face, but Zhu was grinning from ear to ear. “Is Master here? This time I can finally leave Mount Taiyi for a while.”

“When do you plan to leave?” Qin Yi inquired.

“Tomorrow,” Zhu Chunfu replied with a smile.

“So soon? The Nanshan Taoist Forum is just a few days away; why not go together?”

Zhu Chunfu’s voice grew urgent. “I’ve waited over twenty years—I can’t wait any longer. If I didn’t know Master wouldn’t allow me to leave now, I would have run off already.”

Qin Yi understood; indeed, when he first left Mount Taiyi, he had felt the same way.

“Master should be on Tengyun Island now, though I don’t know exactly where. Go find him,” Qin Yi said.

Zhu Chunfu chuckled and hastened away.

But shortly after, Zhu returned, his face beaming with joy. It seemed Master had agreed to let him leave tomorrow; Qin Yi suspected he might not sleep a wink tonight.

“Junior brother, when the eldest and second brothers return, be sure to tell them I’ve gone out into the world on behalf of Mount Taiyi to uphold justice. If Master’s name becomes famous, you must tell them it’s all because of me,” Zhu bragged.

Qin Yi replied flatly, “What if I’m no longer at Mount Taiyi by then?”

Zhu immediately shut up, knowing that was inevitable—just a matter of time.

Qin Yi smiled. “Brother, remember to bring back a beautiful sister-in-law.”

Hearing this, Zhu shook his head, “No way! What about junior sister Yu Xiao?”

Qin Yi rolled his eyes; Lin Yuxiao hadn’t even expressed her feelings for you yet.

Early next morning, Zhu Chunfu rose, looking exhausted with large dark circles under his eyes, resembling a national treasure.

Qin Yi planned to see him off at the mountain gate, as it was his third brother’s first journey far from home.

Master Zixuan did not appear—perhaps preferring out of sight, out of mind—but Qin Yi and Zhu were unaware. When they reached the gate, Zixuan Master was on the Cloud Viewing Platform, gazing into the distance alone, accompanied only by the vast Cloud River, looking somewhat solitary.

“Go! Go all! Go see the outside world, only then will you know how good this place is. But why haven’t the eldest and second brothers returned? The fourth might leave again without coming back to visit—I’m afraid we’ll miss him once more.”

The old immortal, with white hair but youthful features, had actually lived for centuries. His murmured words seemed to age his youthful face slightly.

“Junior brother, you must take good care of Master, understand?” Zhu said solemnly outside the gate, standing alone and looking at Qin Yi inside.

Qin Yi nodded but sighed, “Besides you, who among my brothers can care for Master so well? You entered third, yet you’ve stayed by Master’s side the longest. Besides, I’ll be at Nanshan for the Forum in a few days.”

Zhu felt his worries were unfounded and smiled, “Think about it—Master needs no care from us! He’s always been the one taking care of us. What is there to fear?”

With a broad smile, he added, “Just wait—I’ll come to the Nanshan Taoist Forum. Then I’ll shine and let everyone know you have a genius brother.”

Qin Yi smirked, “Keep dreaming! Don’t come begging me for money then, and see if you still have any shame.”

Zhu bragged, “Among our brothers, I’m the most talented. How could I fare worse than you?”

Qin Yi grew impatient, waving his hand, “Go already, stop dawdling. I think you’re reluctant to leave.”

Not wanting their farewell to drag on, Qin Yi urged him to go.

Zhu chuckled, then turned resolutely, his radiant smile reflecting his dream come true. He raised his hand, waving back to Qin Yi.

Qin Yi stayed behind to watch Zhu depart, recalling years ago when he and Jiang Yao left Mount Taiyi to make a name for themselves. Zhu had watched him leave then, though he didn’t know if Zhu had stayed until he disappeared from view. This time, Qin Yi would see him off until he vanished.

After a long while, Qin Yi turned back and found Jiang Yao.

“Zhang Chen has awakened,” she said.

Qin Yi nodded and flew on his sword toward Tianxuan Peak.

On the way, gliding above the Cloud River, Qin Yi smiled and asked, “How long do you think my third brother will last out there?”

Jiang Yao answered seriously, “Less than a month.”

Qin Yi’s lips twitched. “Is my brother really that weak?”

She replied earnestly, “He’s too kind—more so than you.”

Qin Yi was speechless. In truth, he hoped Zhu would return rather than struggle alone.

Seeming to see through his thoughts, Jiang Yao said, “Even if he can’t survive outside, he won’t come back so soon.”

Surprised, Qin Yi asked, “You know him that well?”

She shrugged, “You four brothers share the same temper; Zhu is just the most typical.”

Qin Yi smiled, “Thinking back, when we first ventured out, you were the one in charge, which made me feel quite embarrassed.”

Jiang Yao smiled faintly, “If only you’d listened to me back then like when you first left Mount Taiyi.”

Qin Yi chuckled, “That’s all past now; cherish the present.”

“Do you know what pill your brother and Uncle Li Ding refined this time?” Jiang Yao asked.

Qin Yi shook his head, smiling, “That arrogant fellow didn’t boast this time, so I didn’t ask or hear anything.”

She said calmly, “The Ninety-Nine Double Yang Pill.”

Qin Yi nearly faltered mid-flight, nearly falling into the vast Cloud River. After a moment, he asked in astonishment, “No way—that legendary pill that can revive the dead and flesh on bones? Isn’t that brewed only by great alchemists?”

Jiang Yao teased, “I heard it from your Master. Your brother told him, but why he didn’t tell you, I don’t know.”

Qin Yi was puzzled; could Li Ding and Zhu Chunfu really refine such a pill? He found it hard to believe. Perhaps Yuling Peak harbored some hidden master.

But no use overthinking; why trouble oneself needlessly?

The two walked through the ancient black pavilions of Tianxuan Peak, stopping finally before a modest black pavilion.

Tianxuan Peak’s buildings were some of Mount Taiyi’s oldest, as successive peak masters preferred to keep their residences unchanged. To them, the more rustic, the better.

“Senior Uncle,” Qin Yi and Jiang Yao bowed together before the kindly old immortal clad in pale starry robes.

The deeply lined face of Qing Fuzi broke into a warm smile, “Come in.”

Qin Yi bowed again, then entered alone, while Jiang Yao remained outside.

“You’re awake,” Qin Yi smiled at Zhang Chen, who sat on the bed, still pale.

Zhang Chen grinned, “It’s nothing serious—just a bit embarrassing!”

Qin Yi teased, “He’s an old hand; you were just unlucky to meet him.”

Zhang Chen rolled his eyes, “I heard someone later beat him unconscious.”

Qin Yi laughed it off.

Zhang Chen continued, “I really want to beat him half to death! Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

His expression and tone were utterly sincere.

Qin Yi shrugged, “I’ll help you then.”

Zhang Chen rolled his eyes again, “No way! You beating him unconscious alone would ruin the fun.”

Then his face grew somewhat guilty. “I’ve brought shame on Master and let him down.”

Qin Yi smiled, “Senior Uncle Qing Fuzi treats you well. Don’t worry about it—we’ll have more chances.”

Zhang Chen smiled, “No, no, maybe I’ll even reach the Golden Core stage soon.”

Qin Yi grumbled, “Keep boasting! Do you think reaching Golden Core is that easy?”

Zhang Chen retorted, “Look at Brother Zhu—he plays around all day and is already Golden Core. By the way, I heard he went out today; I didn’t get to see him off.”

Qin Yi laughed, “Stop comparing yourself to him. I bet our combined talents don’t equal his.”

Zhang Chen smirked, “Yeah, right!”

Qin Yi smiled, “You’ll see eventually. But I bet he won’t last a month out there—ha!”

“By the way, the Nanshan Taoist Forum starts in a few days. Want to go broaden your horizons?” Qin Yi asked.

Zhang Chen’s eyes gleamed, “Definitely! I have to tell everyone you’re my brother.”

Qin Yi laughed, “Good luck convincing Senior Uncle Qing Fuzi. If he agrees, we’ll go together.”

He added with a smile, “To save you embarrassment, I might have Jiang Yao bring some sisters from Piaoxue Peak.”

Zhang Chen’s eyes lit up, “That’d be great!”

Qin Yi said, “You should heal properly first. I’ll talk to Senior Uncle Qing Fuzi.”

Zhang Chen nodded, and Qin Yi left the modest room, returning outside to see Qing Fuzi and Jiang Yao.

“Senior Uncle,” Qin Yi bowed.

Qing Fuzi smiled, “Enough with the formalities. Tell me more about that elder.”

Qin Yi was not surprised and smiled, “Senior Uncle, Zhang Chen explained it well, didn’t he?”

Qing Fuzi turned to Qin Yi and asked, “Do you think that elder knows anything about the ‘Tongtian Register’?”

Qin Yi smiled, “I believe he does. That elder is truly unfathomable, though sometimes fond of boasting.”

Qing Fuzi looked to the distant sky with a pleased smile, “It seems Tianxuan Peak and Mount Taiyi still have a chance to make a great name.”

Then he paused and added, “No, rather, Mount Taiyi has a chance to gain renown among humans and throughout the Divine Continent.”

At these words, Qin Yi saw the gleam in his eyes.

With a serious tone, Qin Yi said, “If such a chance arises, we disciples will not disappoint our masters’ expectations.”

That was also his dream.

Qing Fuzi smiled, “I’ve agreed to the Nanshan Taoist Forum. With the two of you by his side, I feel more at ease than if he were here with me.”

Qin Yi and Jiang Yao exchanged smiles.