At the foot of the famous mountain, a green stone archway stood tall, with wind chimes hanging on either side, swaying in the breeze and producing a clear, melodious sound.
The archway was engraved with the two grand characters “Chongxu,” exuding a sense of Daoist charm.
Ahead was a long green stone path, leading straight into the misty peaks, where the outlines of scattered temples could be faintly seen through the clouds.
“Is this the Daoist site of Chongxu Zhenren? Is the senior you mentioned Chongxu Zhenren?” Upon seeing the characters “Chongxu,” Ji Yutang immediately reacted, turning to gaze at Li Jingyu.
Chongxu Zhenren was the thirty-second generation successor of Taishi Palace, so how could Li Jingyu dare to come here? Was she not afraid of being discovered by the Immortal Sect?
“Exactly,” Li Jingyu nodded and smiled, “But this is another Daoist site of the senior, and even within the Immortal Sect, few know about it.
Besides—” Li Jingyu stopped mid-sentence, glancing at Ji Yutang, who had a hint of curiosity in her eyes, and said leisurely, “Let’s go inside first.”
Inside what? Ji Yutang frowned, but seeing that Li Jingyu had no intention of continuing, she had to suppress her curiosity.
After passing through the archway with the “Chongxu” characters, they flew a distance until they passed through a gilded bronze hall, finally sensing the operation of Primordial Qi within the Daoist site.
However, Ji Yutang’s expression quickly changed.
The “Primordial Qi” here was actually split, with the clear and turbid rotating like the two poles of yin and yang.
If this were the Daoist site of a great power from the Tai Shang lineage, it should primarily be filled with clear spiritual energy.
So what was going on now?
“Isn’t it?” Ji Yutang murmured, puzzled.
Li Jingyu turned to Ji Yutang and smiled, “Did you feel it?” Ji Yutang nodded.
Li Jingyu said, “Here, the clear and turbid energies are free-flowing.
Any cultivator entering here would think this ‘Chongxu’ is not the same ‘Chongxu,’ but in reality, it involves a secret that few know.
Although Chongxu Zhenren is a successor of Taishi Palace, his Daoist arts are a dual cultivation of the mysterious and demonic.”
Ji Yutang asked, “Did he use some kind of artifact? Like you?” Li Jingyu shook her head, “No.
He used the Twin Birth Pool to cultivate the ‘Two Elephants Heavenly Heart,’ cutting out an ‘I,’ and finally the two elephants became one.”
Ji Yutang’s mind stirred slightly, and she gazed at Li Jingyu, “Did Senior Li tell you this secret? Do you also need the Twin Birth Pool?” Li Jingyu smiled slightly, “Indeed, my mother told me.
As for the Twin Birth Pool, there’s no need to acquire it.”
“Daoyin Wuming” is a supreme treasure of the Dao, aligning with her path.
As her cultivation progresses, this artifact will also change.
Although it is not as good as the Twin Birth Pool now, it will be different when she reaches a higher realm.
Ji Yutang responded with an “hmm,” silently pondering Li Jingyu’s words.
She dared not fully believe what the other said now, only taking it at face value.
For instance, she said she didn’t need the Twin Birth Pool, so why was she so knowledgeable about this place? Was it because of her that she was willing to back down? If so, why didn’t she say it directly? Did she not want to be involved with her?
“Chongxu’s Legacy Mansion” is just a secondary residence of Chongxu Zhenren, not retaining the Tai Shang lineage’s arts, only housing some heavenly treasures, so it does not restrict the entry of junior cultivators.
As for the things inside, they are naturally for those with fate to obtain.
Ji Yutang followed Li Jingyu into the mountain.
At first, they didn’t encounter anyone, but as they went deeper, they sensed changes in the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth, indicating someone was fighting, stirring the surrounding spiritual energy.
Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang, “Shall we go take a look?” Ji Yutang pondered for a moment and nodded.
The Twin Birth Pool is a heavenly treasure, even if she can’t use it herself, she can sell it on the market.
Anyone inside is a potential competitor.
With the decision made, the two turned into a beam of light, flying towards the area with the most intense spiritual energy fluctuations.
Ahead, indeed, two cultivators were fighting, one manifesting a demon form, clearly a demon cultivator, while the other wielded a brush, with ink strokes flowing like a dragon, graceful as a startled swan.
“Is he a disciple of One Stroke Across Past and Present?” Ji Yutang exclaimed in surprise.
The three lineages of the righteous path, Langhuan Fairyland, and Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace disciples had already been encountered, but this was the first time meeting a disciple of One Stroke Across Past and Present.
Ji Yutang’s eyes moved from the young man to the giant catfish dharma form, her brows slightly furrowed, deliberately releasing a trace of dragon might.
The fish demon’s expression changed immediately, looking around, and after being hit by a character spell from the young man, it turned into a black smoke and fled.
“Which fellow Daoist helped?” The young man raised his eyebrows and shouted.
Ji Yutang glanced at Li Jingyu, seeing her retract the turbid evil energy around her, transforming into a masked snow-clad fairy, she breathed a sigh of relief and revealed herself.
She raised her sleeve towards the young man, returning a salute, “It wasn’t really assistance.” After a pause, she added, “Are you a disciple of One Stroke Across Past and Present?”
The young man replied, “Indeed, I am Wang Jingzhi.
I heard about this man-eating Chongxu Legacy Mansion and came to investigate.”
“Man-eating”? Ji Yutang silently noted these words in her heart and said, “I am Ji Yutang.” She turned to Li Jingyu, frowning, unsure how to introduce her.
Although she operated under the name “Ji Yue” in the Demon Sect, she had already revealed her real name while pretending to be “Ran Guzhu.” Who knew if this disciple of One Stroke Across Past and Present was aware?
While Ji Yutang hesitated, Li Jingyu spoke with a faint smile, “Nameless.”
Wang Jingzhi didn’t ask further, scratching his head, he continued, “Did you two also come because of the Chongxu Legacy Mansion? This mansion is extremely mysterious, few know about it.
I’ve been wandering inside for three years, and I’ve only encountered about twenty cultivators.”
Li Jingyu lifted her eyelids, “We were just traveling around and stumbled in by accident.”
Wang Jingzhi suddenly understood, “I see.” After a pause, he said seriously, “If you just entered by accident, it’s best to leave quickly.
This mansion is very unsafe.”
Li Jingyu feigned surprise, “Why do you say that?” Wang Jingzhi pondered for a moment and explained, “There’s a pond in this mansion, and everyone who goes there dies.
I came to see what was so strange about it.”
A pond? Could it be the Twin Birth Pool? Ji Yutang’s eyelids twitched, and she transmitted her voice to Li Jingyu, “Is he trying to stop us from finding the pond? Is it as he says, or does he have another purpose?” Li Jingyu replied, “Would you be deterred by this?” Ji Yutang naturally wouldn’t give up her path because of a few words from others.
Even if there was something strange, she would still venture in.
She lowered her eyes, pretending to ponder, then looked up and smiled at Wang Jingzhi, “In that case, we should definitely go take a look.”
Wang Jingzhi frowned, “But it’s dangerous there.”
Li Jingyu smiled, “Since Wang Daoist is willing to take the risk, we naturally can’t fall behind.”
Having wandered the mansion for three years, Wang Jingzhi was very familiar with the location of the pond.
As they walked, he kept talking about the horrors of the pond, trying to drive Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang away.
Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang exchanged a glance, both sensing something strange about Wang Jingzhi.
Li Jingyu casually asked, “No traces of other cultivators here?” Wang Jingzhi’s body suddenly stiffened, and after a moment, he pursed his lips, “They either left or perished at the pond.”
Ji Yutang said calmly, “No matter, since we’re here, we must resolve this matter.”
Wang Jingzhi didn’t respond, his pace suddenly quickened.
The branches and leaves of the trees were large like umbrellas, swaying and rubbing in the wind, making a rustling sound.
The surroundings were silent, not even the sound of insects could be heard.
Ji Yutang’s steps slowed, she fell behind and signaled to Li Jingyu, mouthing silently, “The balance of clear and turbid is off.”
The clear and turbid energies rotated like a Taiji diagram, but now the surging turbid energy overwhelmed the clear spiritual energy, almost swallowing it.
The deeper they went, the more it felt like stepping into a demonic land.
The Wang Jingzhi leading the way also underwent a mysterious change, and when they reached the pond, he suddenly turned around, his eyes becoming deep and sinister, “Why didn’t you listen? Why did you have to come?”
Ji Yutang ignored Wang Jingzhi, her gaze falling on the Twin Birth Pool, the aura of the pond inexplicably unsettling.
“Is this the Twin Birth Pool?” Li Jingyu asked nonchalantly.
Wang Jingzhi sneered coldly, the turbid evil energy around him swirling, the grass and trees behind him twisting, blocking the way.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “Dual cultivation of Dao and demon? No, just influenced by the Twin Birth Pool.” She had been wary of Wang Jingzhi, and when he suddenly attacked, she calmly summoned the Jewel of the Rising Tides.
Ji Yutang, traveling with Li Jingyu, despite any inner grievances, still stood with Li Jingyu in times of crisis, immediately reaching out and unleashing several Dragon Thunders.
Both of them were at the Golden Core stage, more than enough to deal with Wang Jingzhi.
Seeing he couldn’t defeat them, Wang Jingzhi sneered, his figure rapidly retreating.
The pen in his hand moved in the air, instantly sketching a “turbid” character.
As the character fell, the turbid energy surged more fiercely, driving away all the clear spiritual energy.
But Ji Yutang was a strength cultivator, drawing on the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth, unaffected by the clear and turbid energies.
Li Jingyu, with her dual cultivation of Dao and demon, became even more powerful as the clear spiritual energy dissipated, her turbid evil energy surging.
“You’re a demon cultivator? You’re actually a demon cultivator?” Wang Jingzhi exclaimed, his voice becoming sharp and piercing, completely different from his previous calm male voice.
“Aren’t you?” Li Jingyu asked, tilting her head, and before Wang Jingzhi could respond, she smiled, “Oh right, you’re not, you’re a Corpse Minion.”
“Corpse Minion” is a creature born from corpses, requiring the right amount of spiritual energy to form, extremely rare in Jiuzhou.
This Corpse Minion is considered a ghostly creature, and even if it can enter the path, it is an aberration that Immortal Sect cultivators must eliminate.
After Li Jingyu exposed its origin, the “Wang Jingzhi” let out a strange cry, its body elongating like a wriggling worm.
It still maintained “Wang Jingzhi’s” appearance, but soon its face was covered with rotting spots, even exposing white bones.
Li Jingyu didn’t even look at the Corpse Minion, several Heavenly Heart Thunders fell, directly hitting the creature and dispersing it completely.
The flowing water washed away the floating evil energy, and Li Jingyu lowered her gaze, looking at the large tree not far away, saying to Ji Yutang, “Over there.”
“Why don’t you do it?” Ji Yutang glared at Li Jingyu, drawing the Falling Moon Bow, releasing several green arrows with a thunderous sound.
After a series of explosions, the towering ancient tree shattered, revealing a large pit several feet deep, hiding broken white bones.
Ji Yutang frowned, “This Corpse Minion harmed many people.”
Li Jingyu nodded, “But it was influenced by the Twin Birth Pool, with dual aspects of Dao and demon, good and evil.
If you had listened to its advice to leave at the beginning, nothing would have happened.”
Ji Yutang frowned, “What are you saying? Are you blaming these seekers?” Li Jingyu: “…” After a moment, she tugged at the corner of her mouth, “I didn’t mean that, don’t overthink it.”
Ji Yutang snorted, her gaze sweeping over the exposed bones, just about to give them a proper burial when she suddenly noticed a jade token.
“What’s that?” she asked, reaching out to capture the jade token in her hand.
The jade token, wrapped in spiritual energy, was warm to the touch.
The front of the jade token had smooth lines, faintly outlining the character “書.” Li Jingyu leaned in to take a look, “It’s from One Stroke Across Past and Present.” After a pause, she added, “Could it be Wang Jingzhi’s?” Ji Yutang said, “This should be returned to Senior Wang.”
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, giving Ji Yutang a mocking smile.
She reached out to take the jade token, casually removing the restriction on it, and infused her power into it.
“It’s a memory talisman,” Li Jingyu said, and as soon as she spoke, the time shadow hidden in the jade token appeared before them.
The pavilions and towers in the image were unfamiliar, but the face that appeared was shocking.
“Isn’t that—”
“Ran Jingri,” Li Jingyu finished Ji Yutang’s unfinished words, her eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.
“Senior Brother Ran, why did you choose her?” Wang Jingzhi’s voice in the image was urgent.
Ran Jingri replied calmly, “Because her surname is Li, because she is a successor of Taishi.
Junior Brother Wang, don’t you think she’s excellent?” Wang Jingzhi continued, “What about Junior Sister Wang? Where do you place her?” Ran Jingri: “To achieve great things, one must not be constrained by trivial matters.
How can we indulge in love? Now that the prophecy of heaven has fallen, the Demon Sect is welcoming the birth of the Demon Ancestor, we must also prepare for the return of Tai Shang.
Only Li Qingxun, with her Tai Shang bloodline and talent, can give birth to the Tai Shang Dao Mother.”
Wang Jingzhi: “You—you really disappoint me!” … After Wang Jingzhi’s words, the remaining image turned into a stream of light and returned to the jade token.
Li Jingyu remained silent, her face expressionless.
A gust of wind blew, and Ji Yutang suddenly felt a chill.
She looked at Li Jingyu, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say, only lowering her head in silence.
The matters of the Ran Family were extremely complex, and they were actually connected to the Supreme Dao Ancestor.
She suddenly remembered that her marriage contract with the Ran Family was also sworn before the Supreme Dao Ancestor.
Could it be part of this as well?
Li Jingyu suddenly spoke, “What are you thinking?” Ji Yutang looked up at her, “Supreme Dao Ancestor, do you know?” Li Jingyu shook her head, “I don’t know, I only know to stay away from the Three Supreme Palaces.” Her lips curled into a mocking smile, “Did my mother really fall into demonic ways?”
Ji Yutang didn’t know how to respond, only managing a forced smile.
“Is your mind troubled?” Li Jingyu quickly calmed down, looking at Ji Yutang with a gentle voice.
Ji Yutang nodded and then shook her head, speaking softly, “Recently, when I went back, the voices urging marriage suddenly increased, even with traces of Taiyuan Dao Palace.
In the past, I never understood why the marriage between the two families had to be sworn before the Supreme Dao Ancestor.
Now… I really don’t want to speculate with malice.”
Li Jingyu sneered, “But people in this world are just that wicked.”
Ji Yutang pursed her lips, meeting Li Jingyu’s gaze, and then pretended to be nonchalant, “You and Ran Guzhu are twins.
In this matter, is it you or Ran Guzhu who is involved?”
Li Jingyu retorted, “What do you think?”
Ji Yutang’s eyes flickered.
The marriage was initially set for “Ran Gutong,” but now it fell on Ran Guzhu.
She wasn’t sure if there was any change in the situation.
She wanted to bring it up with Li Jingyu but feared her ridicule and scorn.
She didn’t want to experience the embarrassment of being self-indulgent.
“Did Senior Li only tell you some things?” Ji Yutang asked.
“Do you want to know about me, about my family?” Li Jingyu said softly.
Seeing a hint of annoyance in Ji Yutang’s eyes, she smiled again, “I am my mother’s daughter, so naturally, she would leave things to me.”
Ji Yutang said, “After leaving here, I want to return to Tianshui for a while.” If things were really that bad, staying away might be the best choice, but her parents were in Tianshui, and she couldn’t easily let go.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “If you want to go back, just go.
Why do you need my permission?”
Ji Yutang looked at her face, her calm mood disrupted, and couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed and annoyed.
Li Jingyu was unpredictable, and once she left, she must completely sever ties with her! “Can you dissipate your presence in my Mind Palace?” Ji Yutang pretended to be calm.
“Isn’t that your business?” Li Jingyu said in surprise, the amusement in her eyes very clear.
Ji Yutang: “…” Of course, she knew it was her business, but didn’t she have no way? It must be the special technique of Huoxin Palace that constantly disturbed her mood.
Li Jingyu said nonchalantly, “Senior Wang Jingzhi did do some good things.
One was preserving those images, and the other was the Corpse Minion born after his death guarding this Twin Birth Pool.”
Ji Yutang frowned, “He is still a senior.”
“Senior?” Li Jingyu curled her lips, mocking, “He was in cahoots with Ran Jingri.” Not just him, but the Three Supreme Palaces and the righteous path were all accomplices.
“Are you planning to take the Twin Birth Pool and then go back?” Li Jingyu suddenly asked, quickly changing the topic.
Ji Yutang shook her head decisively.
Once she returned to Tianshui, it would probably be hard to find peace.
It would be better to find a secluded place to cultivate.
Once the “Two Elephants in Harmony” technique was mastered, she would have more confidence.
Li Jingyu nodded, smiling with satisfaction, “Good.”
The two were well-prepared and naturally had a method to take the Twin Birth Pool.
After obtaining the treasure, they did not leave Chongxu Daoist Temple but found a talisman, refined it, and entered a main hall.
Once it had a master, this hall would not appear before treasure seekers.
After planting the Twin Birth Pool in the pool in the hall, Ji Yutang did not transform into a dragon but noticed the damaged, mottled colorful murals on the wall.
“What is that?” she couldn’t help but ask.
Li Jingyu observed for a moment, countless fragmented lights flashing in her mind, but after a few breaths, those lights dissipated because, at her current level, she couldn’t see the deeper meaning.
“It might be a change in the future,” Li Jingyu guessed, looking at Ji Yutang and smiling at her, “Do you want to take a look?” The Heart of the Great Dao connects to Gao Miao’s Path, borrowing the intent of the great Dao.
Nothing in the world can surpass the great Dao.
If it’s Ji Yutang, she might be able to see some clues.
Ji Yutang thought for a while and nodded, as she was also curious about the mural.
As her intent connected with the great Dao, the Moral Heavenly Dragon’s form slowly appeared behind her, and her eyes turned into dragon pupils glowing with brilliant golden light.
After a stick of incense, Ji Yutang’s intent withdrew from the mural.
Communicating with Gao Miao’s Path removed her burden with heaven and earth, but it also dissipated her power.
Fortunately, Li Jingyu knew Ji Yutang would have this change and immediately reached out to catch her, half-holding her in her arms. “How was it?” Li Jingyu leaned close to Ji Yutang, almost whispering in her ear.
The warm breath brushed like feathers, and Ji Yutang suppressed the strange feeling.
After resting for a while and regaining some strength, she broke free from Li Jingyu’s embrace and solemnly said, “Tai Shang descends, Three Palaces unite, eliminating all changes and anomalies.” In this extermination, the Demon Sect does not exist, demons do not exist, anomalies do not exist, only Tai Shang’s pure spirit remains… But the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth has yin and yang, positive and negative, how could one side be completely eradicated? “What Tai Shang passed down is the Pseudo-Moral Scripture,” Ji Yutang added.
“It seems the fate doesn’t entirely fall on the Immortal Sect,” Li Jingyu’s eyes flashed with a strange light.
This era is the Tai Shang Dao era, logically speaking, the Dao should prosper and the demons diminish, with the Three Supreme Palaces overseeing Jiuzhou.
After the heavenly calamity, the demonic fate would further decline.
The Tai Shang Dao era might continue for a long time, but in Chongxu Zhenren’s “future change,” the Tai Shang Dao did not occupy a high position as expected, and the entire world tended towards collapse.
But to say the demonic path gains the world’s fortune is not necessarily so.
Chongxu Daoist calculated the result long ago when the heavenly secrets were not yet obscured, proving that what she wanted to do had a great chance of being accomplished.
“You seem very happy?” Ji Yutang glanced at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu nodded, “Of course.
I am a demon cultivator.
If I want revenge, I must destroy the Three Supreme Palaces, right?”
Ji Yutang said, “But in the future changes, the Demon Sect did not achieve that, and the Three Supreme Palaces were integrated by the Supreme Dao Ancestor.”
“Future changes are infinite, and what is left on the mural is just one of them,” Li Jingyu asked back, “Do you want to reach that point?”
Ji Yutang pursed her lips.
Naturally, she didn’t want the world to collapse.
If what Tai Shang passed down is the Pseudo-Moral Scripture, can he still be called Tai Shang? Is the scripture practiced by the Three Palaces the true scripture? How did the Supreme Dao Ancestor return? Is it the same as the Demon Ancestor of the Demon Sect? No, earlier Ran Jingri mentioned the “Tai Shang Dao Mother,” is it the mother body that gave birth to Tai Shang? Then what about her?!
