The Winter Solstice Day is here.
In Huixian Guan, Chen Yun presented offerings in front of the triad deity ancestors statue of the Hall and lit three sticks of jiànzhēn incense.
He performed the kowtow ritual with respect, shouting aloud: "Salutations to the One Qi transforming into the Three Pure Ones, residing in the Pure Primordial Sky, Saint who ascends to the Pure Primordial Realm, created by the Initial Qi, known as Day Tianbao King, Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Wonderful No-Emperor God; Salutations to the One Qi transforming into the Three Pure Ones, residing in the Upper Pure Realm, Yu Yu True Immortal who ascends to the Upper Pure Realm, created by Primordial Qi, known as Lingbao King, Lingbao Tian Zun, Wonderful God; Salutations to the One Qi transforming into the Three Pure Ones, residing in the Greater Pure Realm, Fire Red Celestial who ascends to the Greater Pure Realm, created by Supernal Qi, known as Shenbao King, Taoist Celestial Master Hunyuan God."
After kowtowing to the Three Pure Ones, Chen Yun recited the scripture of Yuan Shi Tian Zun: "With heartfelt devotion, I offer my reverence to the Three Realms above, where the divine energy fills the multiverse. At its highest peak, there is no limit. Among all beings, it is the highest in heaven. In its vastness, there is a divine mountain that extends into the celestial realm. On its summit stands a celestial city of unparalleled splendor. Its palace shines like gold amidst a sea of pure light. In its core lies the primordial energy that was the source of all things. Within its precious gem lies an even deeper secret. With the opening of its three apertures, it brings forth all kinds of heavens and nurtures them into existence. There are countless innocent beings among them all. They revolve around stars and correct their orbits in accordance with five virtues and perseverance."
Behind them stood the white ape, the flying snake, Qin Liang and Jixing God Guards and troops, all following him in reciting the scripture.
The Primordial Emperor opened the heavens and earth, evolved all things, and is revered by the people of the world.
It is said that reciting the scripture of Yuan Shi Tian Zun on the Winter Solstice Day can bring infinite blessings.
It's unclear if it's just an illusion, but after Chen Yun recited the scripture with his spirit pets and troops of gods and generals, he felt a subtle sense of calm as if he had received some kind of blessing.
After reciting the scripture of the Primordial Emperor, Chen Yun, accompanied by his spirit pets and divine troops and generals, came to the side hall.
Immediately, he offered offerings to the divine troops and generals, and lit jiànzhēn incense for them to worship.
Of course, Chen Yun didn't forget to "look after" the white ape and the flying snake.
After a round of busy preparations, Chen Yun finally drank some mountain spring water and then sat in front of the window sill to quietly read Taoist scriptures.
As today is the Winter Solstice Day, he did not engage in cultivation.
In ancient times, the Winter Solstice Day was considered the last and most severe hurdle in the year-long marathon, "The hidden vitality that accumulates throughout the year reaches its zenith on this day."
Therefore, "before and after the Winter Solstice, gentlemen should seek peace for their bodies and tranquility, and officials should suspend their affairs."
As a cultivator, Chen Yun naturally should "follow the will of heaven," and he arbitrarily decided to take a day off for himself.
In the evening, he went to bed early.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't practiced cultivation today, allowing his body to stretch out greatly, which made his sleep that night particularly sweet and restful.
...
The next day, it drizzled outside.
The pitter-patter of the rain began to resonate through the mountains just past midnight.
At dawn, Chen Yun woke up on time to prepare for his morning exercises as usual.
Unexpectedly, when he opened his eyes, he saw a female Daoist sitting at the table in the middle of the room.
It was Xie Ziran, whom he had not seen for a long time.
"Woken up?"
Xie Ziran's voice still carried no emotion, as if the millennium ice mountain of the North Pole.
Chen Yun quickly got off the bed and bowed, "Teacher, you've returned?"
Xie Ziran nodded lightly, "Go and freshen up first, and then come talk to me."
"Here you go."
Chen Yun went out with a homemade toothbrush and refined salt to brush his teeth and wash his face.
After grooming himself clean, he returned to the room and saw Xie Ziran sitting there like a stone statue, devoid of life, or more accurately, merged with the universe.
Even though the person was clearly sitting there, Chen Yun had a sensation that if he closed his eyes, he couldn't detect anyone with either his spiritual perception or true qi.
"I wonder what level of cultivation Xie Ziran has reached that he can just sit there and seem to merge with heaven and earth."
Chen Yun pondered quietly to himself as he put away his grooming tools.
Chen Yun then approached Xie Ziran's side, stood still, and bowed respectfully, "Teacher, I'm all washed up."
Xie Ziran turned his head and looked at him, greatly satisfied and praised him, "It's been over a week since I last saw you. You have improved to be immune to fire and water, very good."
Having lived with her for so long, Chen Yun roughly understood how Xie Ziran would convey her level of praise through words.
For example, "not bad" usually means "very good," and "so-so" indicates that it has met the requirements.
As for the word "very good," Chen Yun had never heard it from Xie Ziran during their long-term interaction.
However, from past compliments, he could tell that this was an extremely satisfying evaluation of his cultivation progress.
He was secretly pleased in his heart and said, "Teacher, your profound methods are extraordinary; it's only because of them that I've reached this level."
Xie Ziran looked at him calmly and said, "Regardless of how refined my methods may be, without sufficient talent and effort, it is difficult to reach this level. You indeed have great perseverance in cultivation. Why should you attribute your achievements solely to me? Cultivators seek truth, hence the term 'Taoist cultivation' also means 'true nature cultivation'. I hope you can maintain sincerity, rather than dressing up your appearance with false faces and empty words."
Chen Yun said: "Confucius was educated."
Xie Ziran grunted, "Come here, I'll check you out."
Chen Yun moved closer to her again, and the fragrance once again hit his face.
Xie Ziran stood up naturally, reached out to examine every part of Chen Yun's body, including his arms, chest and back, sending in divine energy from time to time and circulating through Chen Yun's four limbs and one hundred vital points.
Because they were quite close, Chen Yun several times wanted to indulge in daydreams, but he never dared to move. He merely controlled his wandering mind and tried his best not to let his thoughts wander aimlessly.
After a while, Xie Ziran finished her examination, her hands behind her back, "The spiritual qi is full throughout your body, muscles, skin, bones and even your five internal organs and six viscera. They are all like jade luster. The flying jade charm has been refined to a small success and it's time to trigger the Dao qi."
Chen Yun was overjoyed, "Teacher Xie."
Xie Ziran turned and walked out, speaking directly in her mouth, "If you dare to have any other thoughts about me, I'll tear off your skin and pull out your intestines!"
Chen Yun: "..."
Alright, let's not think about those nonsensical things.
...
The two of them, one in front and one behind, quickly arrived at the canyon on that day.
This time was different; as Chen Yun followed Xie Ziran, they hadn't even reached the canyon when they saw a person and four beasts waiting under the rain sheltering rock wall outside.
...
It can't be said to be a person.
It looks very much like a person, standing about ten feet tall, with a human face and long arms. Its body is black and covered in fur, its feet are turned backward, and its face seems to wear a smile.
In addition, it only has one foot.
Without a doubt, it is a mountain demon.
To their surprise, the mountain demon and his fellow monster brothers knelt down from a great distance away, speaking in human words and loudly saying, "The Great Fear Extreme respectfully greets the East Pole Immortal."
"I have seen the East Pole Immortal."
"I have seen the East Pole Immortal."
Also, the brown bear monster, the leopon monster, the monkey monster, and the rhinoceros monster whom Chen Yun had seen before were all kneeling and bowing to him.
Xie Ziran stepped on the cloud qi and moved forward, with her hands behind her back and a faint voice saying: "Please rise."
The Great Fear Extreme and the four monsters stood up, and it was filled with smiles as it said, "I just saw the purple qi clouds surging towards my cave, knowing that the East Pole Immortal had arrived, so I led my brothers to wait respectfully."
Xie Ziran nodded slightly and said, "You mountain king have excellent eyesight."
"Thank you for the compliment, immortals," the Great Fear Extreme bowed and said: "I heard that the master and his disciples came the other day. At that time, I was not in the cave, and my four brothers may have been too impudent. I hope the true immortals will forgive us."
The rain continued to fall, and puddles of water were scattered all over the ground.
As Chen Yun had cultivated to the level of being immune to both water and fire, his body was surrounded by "qi" that could completely separate him from both. Therefore, he had come in a hurry without being affected by the water on the ground.
Seeing the mountain demon display such politeness, Chen Yun felt goodwill towards it. It was a monster with good manners.
At the same time, he could tell that the mountain demon was very eager to please Xie Ziran, probably wanting to give up his position as the mountain king and seek admission into the orthodox sect of Taoism, in hopes of attaining enlightenment and becoming an immortal.
"It's not my disciples, but the one I entrusted with teaching me," Xie Ziran rarely explained. "I brought it here to see the mountain king. There is something I need to ask of it."
The Great Fear Extreme's eyes lit up, and he said, "What is the true immortals to ask for? As long as it is within my power, I will go down knives and fire without hesitation."
"Not so serious," Xie Ziran waved her hand and pointed at Chen Yun, first introducing him, "He is named Chen Pu, a disciple under the True Yang Immortal of the Ningshan Congyang Temple in the Southern Mountains."
"Ah?"
"Is the young monk the high disciple of the True Yang Immortal?"
"Oh my, how come we didn't recognize a mountain of jade before?"
The monkey monster and the leopard monster, etc. Four monsters sighed slightly in regret.
The Great Fear Extreme's attitude underwent a one-eighty turn upon hearing about Chen Yun's "background." What started with not giving him a second glance had now turned into a direct bow and obeisance: "I now know that Mr. Chen is an esteemed disciple of the Sacred Gate, and that I have been disrespectful in the past. I beg Mr. Chen to forgive my previous lapses in etiquette."
Chen Yun was surprised that a mountain demon could be so astute, and quickly bowed back in return, "Mountain King, you have my respect."
As the Great Fear Extreme still wanted to make small talk, Xie Ziran interrupted and explained their purpose, "I brought Chongyong today to challenge you to a physical fight. If you are willing, I am willing to offer some spiritual treasures."
The Great Fear Extreme was very astute, laughing and saying, "Master doesn't need to be so polite. My cave is adjacent to Master's Taoist temple, and we are neighbors. How can I take money for my neighbor's troubles?"
Chen Yun thought that this matter was settled.
Who knew that the Great Fear Extreme's next words would change direction, "However, my martial arts skills are not very skilled in terms of weight and force, and I am afraid that when I fight with Chen Xianchang, I may accidentally hurt him..."
Here, it quickly apologized to Chen Yun, "Mr. Chen, I'm not looking down on you, but I'm a mountain demon that has become a spirit. My body is extraordinarily strong. Most cultivators who refine their bodies to the extent of being immune to knives and guns, or water and fire, may suffer from light skin injuries when hit by my light punch or severe fractures of bones if hit by a heavy one. It's also possible that they could die and lose their cultivation path. As a monster in the mountains, I dare not offend the Holy Gate."
Chen Yun nodded and said, "Never mind, I know that you, Mountain King, don't want to harm anyone."
"Chen Xianchang's understanding is very good," the Great Fear Extreme replied, looking at Xie Ziran again. "Master, can you let Chen Xianchang and my four brothers sparring? If he can subdue my four brothers, I will wait for his victory before proceeding, how does it sound?"
The brown bear monster hastily spoke up: "Big brother, I have fought with Chen Xianchang and lost. Please let me..."
"Eh," the Great Fear Extreme looked up to stop the brown bear monster from continuing, "Of course, I know that Chen Xianchang's magic skills are amazing. Since you are not his match alone, I want you all to team up and accompany the immortal in practicing."
This matter Chen Yun has no say in it. He only knows that the level of the mountain demon is similar to that of a high-level master practitioner, and he really doesn't know how strong the other party's physical body is. Therefore, he looked over to the side.
After a moment of hesitation, Xie Ziran said, "It's true. Let's first see if Chongyong can hold his own against your four brothers."
The Great Fear Extreme hurriedly said, "Xie Dongji Immortal understands."
As it spoke, it turned to look at the four monsters behind him, "You four monsters, accompany Chen Xianchang and train him. Don't be too rough and hurt anyone."
Chen Yun could hear from its words that although the other party was respectful because of his identity, it actually did not recognize Chen Yun's strength. It thought that four monsters working together might be able to hurt Chen Yun.
To be honest, Chen Yun had only fought with the brown bear monster before, and he really didn't know if he had the ability to deal with four monsters who were equivalent to intermediate magicians working together.
However, as the Great Fear Extreme said, if he couldn't defeat four monsters who were equivalent to intermediate magicians, how could he even talk about challenging the Great Fear Extreme, who is like a high-level master practitioner?
Alright, let's fight to see if I have the qualification to challenge the mountain demon!
Today is the Winter Solstice, the birthday of the Yuan Shi Tian Zun, so I have taken the trouble to write a short passage, hoping that everyone will understand.
(Chapter complete)
