The realm has been honed for a while, and the cultivation has grown.
Chen Yun turned to his side and said, "Comrade, how long have I been cultivating?"
The external manifestation of Chen Yun quickly responded, "Replying to the master, you have cultivated for a full three days."
Oh?
Have I been cultivating for three days?
Chen Yun originally thought it was only a day or so, but he never expected it to be three days.
He quickly asked again, "Where are Wu Kedish and Qin Ming?"
The external manifestation said, "Because the Buddhist monk and the demon clan's great saint are still engaged in a fight, and everyone saw you cultivating, so they stayed here inactive. Now it's probably time for some to sleep and others to be on patrol around."
Chen Yun nodded slightly and took a sip of Life-giving Water to soothe and integrate the dark injuries caused by the overload of refined water snake blood. "These days, everyone has worked hard to patrol, but I haven't fulfilled my responsibility. Let someone else take over for a while, and I will patrol in the late hours."
He said, looking at Wu Kedish, who was anxiously watching the Buddha light and demon qi fight on the shore nearby.
He flew there instantly using the Wind Controlling Technique.
As the refreshing night wind blows towards them, Chen Yun and Wu Kedish stand side by side, "Wu Master, rest for a while. I will take over from here and patrol later."
"Wu Master, have you come out of seclusion?" Wu Kedish quickly turned his head and looked over, but as soon as he finished speaking, his expression turned to suspicion. "Hmm, why do I get a feeling that is immeasurable? Could it be that Mr. Chen has made a new breakthrough in cultivation?"
Chen Yun smiled as he looked over, "I've managed to reach the middle stage of superior magician."
Wu Kedish took a deep breath, "Your cultivation speed is truly shocking. Only a few months ago, you just broke through to superior magician, and now you've reached the late stage? I've been a superior magician for fifty years and haven't even reached the middle stage yet."
Chen Yun smiled modestly and said, "The spirit blood of the water snake helped a lot. Otherwise, it would have taken much longer to reach the middle stage."
Um, that statement is purely modest.
In fact, he was already on the verge of the middle stage of superior magician. Even without the spirit blood of the water snake, with persistent cultivation for a few more days, he could have reached the middle stage.
Although Chen Yun said this, Wu Kedish was still amazed.
After chatting for a few more sentences, Wu Kojiu finally went back to the camp to rest.
Chen Yun stood by the shore and looked towards the rising Buddha light and demon qi. He furrowed his brow and muttered to himself, "These two powerful cultivators, what will they fight until when?"
Just as this thought occurred, the Buddha light and demon qi on the distant water surface rapidly receded and dissipated.
Chen Yun was taken aback, Is it over?
This time, the fight seems to be less exciting than the last time.
Just as he was hesitating a bit.
Suddenly, a burst of demon qi shot rapidly through the sky towards himself!
Chen Yun lifted his head in a hurry, but the demon qi had already landed and turned into an ancient demon, wearing ragged armor, with unkempt bovine hair and cowhide, standing about ten feet tall, with a human body and a cow's head!
It was indeed the demon clan's great saint!
Although the demon clan's great saint's lips still oozed a stream of bright red blood, and the trident in his hand was broken, Chen Yun was scared stiff and immediately tensed up.
This is a true cultivator-level supreme demon, if it attacks, I might be able to save my own life with the Saving Life Jade Flowing Spring, but my companions might not be so lucky.
The demon clan's great saint seemed to have noticed Chen Yun's nervousness, and he chuckled lightly, "Little boy, don't be afraid. I know you are a real master from the Mystic Gate School. As a demon, I dare not challenge the supreme authority of the Mystic Gate School without regard for my own life."
He has quite an interesting way of speaking.
Who doesn't know that the Yueyue Lake Cave is isolated from the outside world? Even if something happens, no one can know about it.
Chen Yun knew that the demon clan's great saint had no ill intent. He bowed and greeted, "I am Chen Yun, a disciple of the true master Zhengyang of Zhongnanshan Jinyang Cave Taodao. I greet you, senior."
"Young master of the Zhengyang True Master, my deepest respect. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier," the demon clan's great saint said with a look of respect, bowing in return. "I am the descendant of Qingniu, the mount of the Qingniu True Master. My name is Niu Dali. It is truly an honor to meet you, Comrade Chen."
Qingniu True Master.
Chen Yun immediately recalled a person, and if he didn't get it wrong, the Qingniu True Master that the demon clan's great saint mentioned should be Feng Jun.
As the legend goes, this person is often seen riding a Qingniu (a mythical ox) to provide aid to the world, and hence is respectfully called the Qingniu Taoist by people.
It is said that Feng Jun was a Weijin (another name for the Three Kingdoms period) figure. He was a disciple of Wei Wu and mastered the martial arts of Wu's spear. He went into battle without suffering any wounds and later ascended to the immortals with no trace left behind.
From what Niu Dali said, it seems that Feng Jun has become an immortal.
However, Chen Yun had not heard of this person in the records of the positions held by the immortals.
He guessed that Feng Jun might not have obtained a divine position and was more of a wandering immortal.
However, the demon clan's great saint is the descendant of the mount of Feng Jun, and it can be seen that even without obtaining a divine position, Feng Jun's cultivation must not be too low. At least, he is at least a level-three immortal.
Chen Yun's mind quickly changed, and he quickly bowed again, "I'm truly sorry for my rudeness. I didn't know that the senior was my Daoist ancestor."
"Ha ha, you need not be polite, comrade."
Niu Dali casually sat on a rock near the shore and pointed at the other side with his finger, saying, "If you don't mind, you can sit down and chat with me?"
Chen Yun didn't refuse, walked over to the side of another rock, and sat down, "Alright."
Niu Dali blinked and said, "Zhengyang True Master is renowned throughout the world. As a disciple of Elder Zhengyang, why did you still dare to adventure to the Yueyue Lake Cave?"
Chen Yun said, "I urgently need a few ingredients that are not available in the Taodao of the Jingtian Lingshui Tree Roots, so I came here with some friends I just met."
"Oh, I see," Niu Dali nodded slightly and sighed, "Actually, as members of the orthodox school of Taoism, you don't have to go to such extremes. Master Zhengyang's cultivation is astonishing throughout history, and you also have Grandmaster Dongwanggong. As long as you cultivate sincerely and steadily, you are sure to attain enlightenment and become an immortal. Later on, by accumulating some good merit, obtaining a divine position will not be difficult at all. Unlike us mountain spirits and monsters, we are not only subject to heavenly regulations but also the various paradises and abodes are controlled by the orthodox school of Taoism. There is no way for us to get the celestial and terrestrial roots needed for cultivation, so we can only search for them in the sea of heavens."
Chen Yun fully believes this.
He believes that even if he does nothing, as long as he cultivates sincerely and steadily, even if he is unable to reach the level of true cultivator in the future, his master will find a way to let him attain enlightenment and become an immortal. Afterward, he will gain a divine position as well.
This can be seen from the situation of his master's other disciples and granddisciples.
Who hasn't attained immortality among the likes of Lu Dongbin, Zheng Wensun, Cao Guanguo, and others?
Wang Laozhi, although not yet enlightened, will certainly have a way to refine a Golden Pill for him if he is unable to become an immortal even when his lifespan is almost up.
However, the Golden Pill refined in such a way is always somewhat uncertain, with little potential for future development.
Chen Yun remembered that his teacher had always said that everyone has their own path.
So, he thought that the saying "The teacher can lead the door, and the practice depends on the individual," was absolutely correct.
If he wants to attain enlightenment and become an immortal, how can he rely on his sect all day long?
Every time he goes on an experience, it's a kind of improvement for himself.
This improvement is not only in cultivation, but also in vision, mindset and so on.
Therefore, he came to the Yueyue Lake Cave for "adventure," seeking to find his own path.
Of course, Chen Yun would not say these things to outsiders.
He smiled and changed the subject, "Senior makes a good point. I observed that Senior has been engaging in battle with Buddhist monks for several days. Are there any grudges between you?"
"I have no grudge with that old monk in the robes," Niu Dali said with a slight disdain. "But this time, I came to the Yueyue Lake Cave to look for a top-grade immortal root and a few ounces of ginseng. It so happens that the old monk also needs it, so after we met, we had to fight a few rounds. Well, that was last time. As for this time, it was purely because I was annoyed by seeing him taking treasure, so I deliberately challenged him."
Although it is ginseng, it is not ordinary ginseng, but one of the nine immortal roots recorded in the Tao Canon.
Chen Yun does not know the specific effects.
He looked at Niu Dali with interest, thinking to himself, "You're a great demon at the level of a true cultivator, yet you still get into arguments and fights with Buddhist monks?"
However, Chen Yun quickly changed his thought, as a true cultivator is still a realm and not completely emotionless. Getting angry and having disputes with others is quite normal.
He asked curiously, "Have you ever won?"
Niu Dali seemed to have a good personality, and he laughed heartily, saying, "The old monk's cultivation of Buddhism was indeed very controlling for me, but my cultivation is slightly superior. Of course, I fought him into a state of retreat."
Chen Yun paid him a compliment, "Senior, your cultivation is extremely strong. I am truly in awe."
Niu Dali was delighted and looked very satisfied. He also reminded Chen Yun, "Buddhists, most of them are somewhat rigid but still have a kind heart. However, some of them are not as simple as they seem on the surface. Especially those who worship the Bodhisattva Mōlìzhītiān, they tend to be very resentful and have strong desires. They may well be very ruthless and you should try to avoid them if possible. The old monk I fought with earlier was from the Bodhisattva Mōlìzhītiān lineage, and his reputation is not very good."
The famous name of Mōlìzhītiān is something that Chen Yun naturally knows very well.
This deity is not only well-known in Buddhism, but also has important positions in Taoism. He is known as the Lord of Battle and is also called the Queen Mother of Immortals.
It is said that Mōlìzhītiān is the incarnation of Píliúzhēnàfó, and possesses incredible magical powers.
Chen Yun was surprised that such a revered deity's line of cultivators seemed to be somewhat trivial in Niu Dali's words.
Although he doesn't know if what Niu Dali said is true, he nodded and said, "Thank you, Senior. I will definitely be more careful."
"I did it out of consideration for my position as someone who comes from the Daoist sect. That's why I felt it necessary to warn you," Niu Dali looked up at the night sky, "The God of Divinification has already begun, and the main characters of this conflict are likely to be the disputes between Buddhism and Daoism. Although Laojun is revered as the supreme deity of Daoism, he also once transformed into a Buddha. On the surface, Buddhism and Daoism appear to be two separate entities, but in reality, they are both vying for the one true legacy. Once you exit from the Yueyue Lake Cave, Master Zhengyang might dispatch you to participate in this Divinification War. At that time, you must pay close attention to some methods employed by Buddhism. They are particularly skilled in confusing people and can easily lure you off your path with their enchantments. If you're not careful, you may fall prey to their tricks and lose your resolve to follow your original path."
Chen Yun watched him speak with a certain air of authority and guessed that even if he hadn't experienced the War of Deification himself, he must have seen something similar.
He memorized all of this information, looked at him with a serious expression, and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I will definitely not be led astray."
At that moment, endless Buddhist light suddenly enveloped the sky.
Niu Dali looked up and glanced at the sky, "The old monk is chasing after us. I will take my leave now, Senior. We'll meet again when the time is right."
Chen Yun stood up and said, "Goodbye."
Niu Dali did not say anything else and his form gradually dissipated into the air.
The next moment, at the spot where Niu Dali had just disappeared, a senior monk with a beads in his hand and looking equally disheveled appeared. It was the Buddhist monk they had encountered earlier.
Chen Yun looked at him with a guarded expression.
The Buddhist monk looked him over for a long time, his smile blooming and his tone very polite as he said, "Seeing that your qi is boundless, I assume you are an adept of the Daoist school who practices the Daoist internal alchemy art. May I introduce myself as Dao Yuanyuan."
Hm?
Dao Yuan, the second ancestor of the Xiantian branch of the Buddhist Chán school?
Chen Yun only then understood why Niu Dali had said that about Buddhism earlier.
So it turns out that the old monk in front of him is from the world of the little days.
When he saw the old monk with kind eyes, he had a small amount of goodwill for him. Now, that goodwill has vanished completely.
However, the old monk was indeed a true cultivator, and Chen Yun couldn't afford to show any signs of displeasure. Otherwise, he might get slapped to death by the old monk.
He merely nodded slightly, "Met Master Dao Yuan."
Dao Yuan's tone remained very polite as he asked, "I sense a strong presence of demonic qi around here. Have you seen a demonic beast with a bull head and human body?"
That's something that can't be concealed.
Chen Yun told the truth, "I just saw a large demonic beast."
Dao Yuan pressed further, "May I ask, Senior, do you know where that demonic beast went?"
Chen Yun shook his head, "I don't know."
Dao Yuan looked disappointed but did not hassle Chen Yun, "Although there are some unresolved matters between me and Niu Dali, I will not trouble you further. Please excuse me for now."
Chen Yun casually nodded, "Goodbye. We'll meet again when the opportunity arises."
Dao Yuan said no more, and with a flash of Buddhist light, he disappeared abruptly.
Looking at the spot where the other two had disappeared, Chen Yun couldn't help but shake his head. He muttered to himself, "Fortunately, neither Niu Dali nor Dao Yuan had any malicious intent. Otherwise, my companions and I would have suffered a miserable fate."
But he felt somewhat strange. Niu Dali had cultivated to a level comparable to that of a true master, and should not be the kind of person who enjoys boasting wildly without foundation.
Then why did Niu Dali say he subdued Dao Yuan earlier, and now he seems to be going out of his way to avoid him?
This, he couldn't figure out for the moment.
Chen Yun gradually shifted his thoughts to another matter.
As Niu Dali had said, this time, after leaving the Yueyue Lake Cave, he would likely be sent by his teacher to participate in the War of Deification.
He had heard before that the War of Deification is vastly different from everyday Daoist battles, with an incredible level of danger. Even those who have attained enlightenment could still be killed in such a battle.
Chen Yun felt a sense of crisis for the first time, realizing that he needed to raise his cultivation level to that of a high-grade Daoist practitioner as soon as possible before participating in the War of Deification. That way, he would have the strength to defend himself.
"Hoping the essence of the water adder and the flesh of the centipede's foot can help me reach the level of a high-grade Daoist practitioner."
He looked at the stars reflected in the water, "In fact, the fastest way to improve is to gather the ingredients required for the high-grade version of liàn jīn huà qì dāng, according to my previous experience. If I take the high-grade version of liàn jīn huà qì dāng with my current cultivation level, I'm sure I will experience a surge in my cultivation and reach a high-grade Daoist practitioner level within a short period of time. It shouldn't be a problem."
But the three herbs needed for the high-grade version of the Refining Essence to Create Qi concoction are not easy to find.
At least, he hadn't seen them for nearly half a year since entering the Yueyue Lake Cave.
If he can't gather even the treasures within the cave, once he returns to the outside world, it will be even harder to find them.
The Chen Yun, who had planned to relax because he had the essence of the water adder and the flesh of the centipede's foot, once again ignited the hope of gathering the three missing herbs for the high-grade version of the Refining Essence to Create Qi concoction.
"Hoping to collect all the missing herbs before leaving the Yueyue Lake Cave."
Even though the chances of obtaining them may be slim, Chen Yun still harbors hope that he will be able to gather the missing herbs.
(Chapter Ends)
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