In the evening, I returned to Qingcheng.
As Chen Yun just walked to the entrance of the Taoist temple, he saw his previous steed, the tiger spirit, lying pathetically.
The tiger spirit, upon seeing him return, immediately spread its paws and ran up, its eyes glistening as it said, "Master, have you forsaken me?"
Chen Yun was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What kind of words are these?"
The tiger spirit pointed to inside and said in a grievous manner, "You have brought back a new mount. Is it not that you no longer need me?"
Oh, so it's about a competition for favor.
Chen Yun chuckled and said, "How could I possibly abandon you? Tiger child, I care about your low cultivation and worry that you might not be able to protect yourself in battles. That's why I ask you to work hard on your cultivation. Otherwise, how can you accompany me in conquering the world and defeating evil spirits?"
The tiger spirit, transformed by Erlangshen, had a relatively low IQ. Hearing this, its eyes immediately sparkled with excitement, and it nodded vigorously in agreement, saying, "Yes, Master! I will work hard on my cultivation to live up to your kindness."
Chen Yun casually pulled out a pill and threw it over, "Hm, here's a pill of elixir for you. If I'm not around, Siyan will need transportation. You must give your all."
The tiger spirit opened its mouth to receive the pill, gratitude filling its eyes as it said, "I will definitely listen to your words and obey your aunt's orders."
Chen Yun reached out and patted the other's head, "Is it alright now?"
The tiger spirit grinned, "All good, all good."
Chen Yun nodded and said, "Go in then."
Saying this, he took his leisurely steps forward, with the tiger spirit following behind.
This was supposed to be a minor incident, but Chen Yun felt that he had overlooked something.
The Taoist temple on Dàmiāofēng was his "foundation." As the leader of the institution, he had been away from home for long periods, neglecting the emotions of his disciples and apprentices.
This issue goes beyond mere emotional concerns; it also involves the transmission of cultivation techniques.
Chen Yun has always been letting his avatar and the Jiao Taoist handle things, which is quite unbecoming of a leader.
Without realizing it, he couldn't help but recall the circumstances when Wang Zaixi, Zhong Liouquan, and Xie Zenren taught him. Those people were much more responsible than him.
"However, with the upcoming Battle of the Shengwu, I really have no time to teach."
Chen Yun secretly pondered, "Perhaps I can take advantage of tonight and tomorrow's opening of the altar to teach each of my disciples a customized cultivation method tailored to their needs. If they can gain enlightenment from it, even if they don't have a heavenly lineage and can't understand it, I can offer them some silver coins to leave the mountain and become a wealthy gentleman, without holding them back from their future prospects."
As for why he would teach law but not technique, it's because that's how he himself advanced. He knew that techniques might not be suitable for every disciple, and only the "law" he had cultivated himself could lead to greater achievements.
Chen Yun made a silent decision on what to do, and he walked towards the inner courtyard.
Just as he arrived at the door, flying snakes and long-armed white apes peeked out of their heads one after the other.
Especially the long-armed white ape, despite decades passing, it remained as innocent as a child, hiding behind the wall and poking out its two eyes from the top of its head, wide open, as if a bit hesitant to recognize Chen Yun after not seeing him for decades.
Chen Yun waved at the flying snake and the white ape, "Little ones, come here."
The flying snake darted over to Chen Yun's left arm and coiled around it, hissing as it seemed to be communicating something.
The white ape, on the other hand, hollered and jumped around Chen Yun's body incessantly.
Chen Yun had reached the level of the Earthly Immortal realm, and with his near mastery of the "Tài Píng Qīng Lǐng Shū," he naturally could communicate with beasts and understand what the two little creatures were expressing.
The meaning of the flying snake was very straightforward - it wanted Chen Yun, pure and simple.
The white ape also shared a similar sentiment, but with the additional context that it was drooling and hoping for some qingling fruit that Chen Yun had brought back from the inner world of the Yueyuantan cave. It found them very delicious.
Chen Yun laughed, "There's no qingling fruit, but I'll give you each one of these pills to satisfy your cravings."
As he spoke, he pulled out two more pills and threw them to the flying snake and the white ape casually.
The flying snake and the white ape danced excitedly with joy.
Chen Yun then said to them, "Go play by yourselves; I still have some things to do."
The flying snake and the white ape were very obedient and ran in the direction of the outer courtyard.
"Just remembered the flying snake and the white ape," Chen Yun continued walking towards the bedroom, mulling over in his mind: "These two spirit beasts haven't been seen for decades, and their strength has definitely increased. The flying snake is comparable to an early-stage upper-level mage, while the white ape is on par with a high-level mage. They truly live up to their lineage as celestial beasts."
These two spirit beasts have never practiced cultivation, yet they've improved so much.
Chen Yun secretly pondered, "If I were to design a cultivation method for them, perhaps their improvement could be even greater."
This time, he wasn't going to teach law but instead was planning to pass down the cultivation technique.
The main reason is that the flying snake and the white ape have relatively low IQs.
"Celestial generals don't need to cultivate; as long as they have incense offerings, they'll be fine."
Chen Yun secretly calculated and found that he had devised more than ten cultivation methods for his disciples.
As for the disciples who joined later, they could be taught by the "senior brothers" already in the temple.
The workload wasn't too great.
He came to the bedroom and pushed the door in.
At this moment, Wang Siyan was making the bed.
She heard the noise and turned her head, saying, "Brother Yun, wait for a moment. I'll finish making the bed shortly."
Chen Yun flicked his sleeve, and the door closed automatically.
Chen Yun asked with concern, "Siyan, do you still find the art of cultivation suitable for you?"
Wang Siyan said, "It's quite suitable. My ancestor once told me that if you ever want to pass on the law, I should never agree. He said that the art of accumulating vitality is the most suitable for me."
Oh, so Master has already arranged it.
Then there's no need for me to design a special cultivation method for Wang Siyan.
After so many years, Chen Yun gradually understands why his Master didn't teach internal energy cultivation techniques to Wang Siyan.
The reason is very simple: she has average talent.
While internal alchemy is easy to learn, it is difficult to master.
If Wang Siyan really practiced internal alchemy, it would be very likely that she wouldn't be able to make any significant progress before her lifespan runs out.
The art of accumulating vitality is different. Although its upper limit is lower, it's easier to grasp and has a higher probability of helping Wang Siyan become an immortal.
Chen Yun had originally intended to pass on some of his own summarized internal alchemy techniques to Wang Siyan.
After this conversation, he realized both that it was unnecessary to do so and the significant gap between himself and his Master's teaching methods for disciples.
Master would adapt the cultivation method for each disciple according to their talent, ensuring that all under his tutelage could achieve enlightenment and immortality.
What about himself?
Chen Yun only thought about making the disciples' potential higher, but he neglected the most basic thing, that is whether they could actually achieve it or not.
"Not everyone is suited for practicing internal alchemy."
Chen Yun sat down next to the small round table and casually said, "Siyan, bring me the four treasures of the study."
"Okay, wait for a moment." Wang Siyan turned her head and walked towards the bookshelf to fetch the four treasures of the study. She placed them on the round table, "I'll grind the ink for you."
She began to grind the ink.
Chen Yun didn't object.
Once the ink was ready, he picked up a brush and began designing cultivation methods for each disciple according to their innate talent levels on the paper.
To be honest, for someone like the Jiao Taoist, who possesses exceptional talent, simply passing on some cultivation methods can significantly boost their cultivation level. Logically speaking, practicing internal alchemy would be the most suitable choice for them.
The only thing is, the other party is a dragon. Although it has transformed into human form, its physical structure is fundamentally different from that of humans.
So, simply passing on internal alchemy techniques isn't quite suitable.
Chen Yun recalled some cultivation methods from the "Zhēnlónhǔ Jiǔxiānjīng," which seemed very suitable for non-human beings to practice.
But the "True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic" was not something he owned, and he definitely couldn't leak the other person's cultivation methods.
Therefore, Chen Yun took some cultivation methods from the "True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic" as a reference.
Then, according to his own understanding, he designed some genuine methods suitable for spirit creatures to cultivate.
The process was quite complex, and he sat there, thinking back and forth, and trying out his own designed cultivation methods non-stop.
Until midnight, he finally came up with a set of cultivation methods.
At that time, Chen Yun still wanted to continue designing.
Suddenly, he felt the transmission from Lv Dongbin, telling him to go to the Pure Yang Dragon Scale Mountain to retrieve the Pure Yang Fire Dragon Pill.
Chen Yun was surprised. He originally thought that Lv Dongbin would spend a lot of time refining the pills, but he didn't expect to be ready so soon.
He thought about it for a moment and realized that since Lv Dongbin had already reached the level of a celestial immortal, the speed at which he refined pills was entirely natural.
He remembered how, back then, when the other party was refining the Xiaoquan artifact for him, he had casually spat out a pill fire to complete the refinement.
Chen Yun immediately put down the task in his hands and said to Wang Siyan, who was already lying in bed, "Siyan, I'm going to the Beiqi Mountain. Watch over the things on the table and don't let anyone touch them."
Wang Siyan nodded, "I will, your room is empty and no one will come over, you can rest assured."
Chen Yun thought about it and realized that it would only take him one or two teleports to finish his business, and he would have to continue designing cultivation methods when he returned. Therefore, he did not put away the "True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic."
Chen Yun immediately activated the teleportation technique and instantly appeared at the Beiqi Mountain.
...
After the announcement, he arrived at the Daoist Temple.
At this moment, Lu Dongbin was alone in the courtyard, admiring the moon.
By his side, a stone table was still placed with a pot of murky wine and a large bottle of pills.
Chen Yun bowed and greeted, "Chen Piao greets Master Lv."
Lu Dongbin pointed to the stone bench across from him, "Brother, sit. The porcelain bottle there contains five hundred and two Pure Yang Fire Dragon Pills. Take them away."
Chen Yun walked over and took the porcelain bottle, thanking him, "Thank you, Master Lu, for helping me refine the pills."
"Not a problem," Lu Dongbin waved his hand and said, "Sit down, what are you standing around for?"
Chen Yun smiled and explained, "Brother, I have to prepare for the lecture tomorrow and I'm designing suitable cultivation methods for the disciples. I'm afraid I won't have much time to bother you."
Lu Dongbin seemed to be deliberately delaying the time, "What's the difficulty? The last time I went to Qingcheng Mountain, I met your disciples. Well, since I am considered as their uncle in this Daoist sect, I naturally have to give them some preferential treatment. As for the cultivation methods, I'll help you figure it out."
Saying this, he waved his hand, and a stack of thick books instantly appeared on the table. "These cultivation methods here should all be suitable for your disciples. You don't need to hurry back now, do you?"
Since Lu Dongbin had already done so much, and was offering to help him refine the pills, Chen Yun couldn't decline his kind offer.
He had no choice but to sit down on the stone bench and then asked, "Master Lu, is there anything you want to discuss with me?"
Lu Dongbin seemed to be in a very relaxed and poetic mood, "Nothing much, just want to have a pot of murky wine with you and recite poems together."
Chen Yun helplessly said, "Brother, you can't even write poetry."
Lu Dongbin didn't take it seriously at all and said in a half-smile, half-joke manner, "Just listen to me compose poetry, you don't have to write one."
Chen Yun said, "Very well, then I'll listen to see how master's literary talents are."
He picked up the wine jug and poured a cup for Lu Dongbin's cup, and then poured another for himself.
Lu Dongbin took a sip of the wine, then asked with a hint of meaning, "I heard before that the Eastern Extreme Immortal has been looking for you to take a disciple and pass on the art of internal alchemy. Is there any truth to this?"
Chen Yun's wine cup was just by his mouth.
Upon hearing this, he didn't immediately drink.
Chen Yun replied, "There is indeed such a matter. I declined politely, and I don't know who she originally wanted me to take as a disciple."
"Refusing or accepting is of no great importance," Lu Dongbin seemed to be unconcerned, "She originally wanted you to take her descendant from the She family as a disciple. She knew the complexity of internal alchemy, so she wanted you to help cultivate her descendant."
Chen Yun felt a wave of shame. Xie Ziran had once taught him so meticulously, and now she wanted to help the descendants of the Xie family, but he had turned her down politely.
However, he truly didn't have the time to teach a disciple. The most crucial part of the sealing gods battle was about to commence, and he had to give his all to prepare.
Lu Dongbin continued, "Brother, I've always wanted to ask you something."
Chen Yun took a sip of the bitter murky wine, "Master Lu, please go ahead."
Lu Dongbin turned his head to look at him, "You now only have two nominal disciples. Don't you plan to take any more formal disciples?"
Chen Yun smiled and said, "I haven't yet undergone the same training as you, Master Lu, and my teacher is still imprisoned in the Heavenly Jail. How can I take disciples?"
Lu Dongbin spoke in a mysterious and profound manner, "Then what if there's a disciple you have to take?"
Chen Yun was puzzled, "What disciple do I have to take?"
Lu Dongbin laughed loudly, "Look at the current situation of your Qingcheng mountain."
Chen Yun quickly turned his attention to Qingcheng Mountain, where everything else remained unchanged.
Only in the bedroom where he and Wang Siyan were staying, there was a monkey that looked somewhat like a human, flipping through the "True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic."
As for Wang Siyan, at this moment, she was chatting with He Xinggu in the hallway outside, completely unaware of the situation inside the house.
Chen Yun was a very intelligent person, and naturally, he could deduce that both he and Wang Siyan had fallen for Lu Dongbin's trick.
Chen Yun was speechless, looking over and said, "Master Lu, if you want me to take that monkey as a disciple, there's no need to do it like that."
Lu Dongbin's gaze was deep and profound, "Some things you may not understand as your current cultivation level is still shallow. Master Lu's actions are meaningful and you will understand them a few hundred years later."
Chen Yun helplessly said, "Tell me about the origins of this monkey, then. If you want it to be my disciple, you can't just keep me in the dark, can you?"
Lu Dongbin blinked and said, "He is your son."
Chen Yun almost swore, and he and Wang Siyan had only practiced double cultivation. They had not leaked their essence and vitality, how could they possibly have a son?
Besides Wang Siyan, he had not had any intimate contact with any other woman.
Moreover, he is a human being himself. Even if he had a son, it would be a human son, not a monkey.
Just as Chen Yun's eyes turned black, Lu Dongbin explained, "Do you remember when you were ambushed by Shen Xiu in the Flower Fruit Mountain?"
Chen Yun was suddenly startled, "You mean, this spiritual monkey is the result of my bloodline and spiritual energy, born and grown naturally?"
Lu Dongbin nodded slightly, "That's right. There was a strange stone that absorbed your blood and all your spiritual energy when you were ambushed by Shen Xiu in the Flower Fruit Mountain. After ten years of incubation, it became a spiritual monkey. Yes, since there are many monkeys in the Flower Fruit Mountain, it took on their appearance. Now do you know why I said it was your son?"
Chen Yun smiled bitterly and said, "According to this, he is truly my son."
Lu Dongbin laughed heartily, "So, it seems you can't avoid taking this disciple after all."
Chen Yun couldn't help but sigh, indeed, he had no choice but to take this disciple, as it was the result of his own bloodline.
But he really didn't understand why Lu Dongbin had to let that spiritual monkey steal a glimpse of the "True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic."
He asked this question.
Lu Dongbin's tone was somewhat ethereal, "You should know that my disciples, except for the newly-recruited Li Xuanying, have all become immortals."
Chen Yun said, "I know."
Lu Dongbin hummed in agreement, "Then you should understand how skilled I am in teaching my disciples, right?"
Chen Yun nodded in agreement, "Exceedingly high."
Lu Dongbin said, "The 'True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic' is the most suitable cultivation method for that spiritual monkey. If I hadn't done it this way, would you pass on this mysterious art to it?"
Chen Yun shook his head, "No, even for my closest people, I would not pass on the 'True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic,' because it is the method of Ye Immortal and Luo Immortal."
Lu Dongbin said, "That's right. Now that you are not here, and Wang Siyan has been called out by Xiu aunt, the 'True Dragon Tiger Nine Immortals Classic' was secretly learned by that spiritual monkey while you were in the dark. You can apologize to Ye Immortal and Luo Immortal when you return, but there will be no other sins."
It's been learned, besides apologizing and acknowledging the mistake, what else can be done?
One can't just kill the monkey as it is their own bloodline.
Chen Yun said, "Alright, I understand."
Lu Dongbin added, "Hasn't the Dragon King of the East promised you the Defining Heaven Needle?"
Chen Yun looked puzzled, "Yes, Master Lu, what do you want to say now?"
Lu Dongbin smiled and said, "Go and fetch it. It will be a weapon for the monkey."
Hold on!
That's not right!
This plot is a bit similar to "Journey to the West."
Chen Yun thought in his heart that this spiritual monkey should be the prototype of Sun Wukong written by Wu Cheng'en.
Lu Dongbin said with a meaningful look, "Brother, you should believe that I wouldn't harm you. In the future, you might even need him to ward off disasters for you!"
