pappabearbooks Chapter 460 - 425: Dark Eight Immortals, Five-Miracle Fan, and the Yellow Millet Dream!
Chapter 460 - 425: Dark Eight Immortals, Five-Miracle Fan, and the Yellow Millet Dream!
Hurriedly tidying up his Daoist robe, he cupped his hands and said:"So it’s the great Meng. The Daoist is currently at the Martial Hall... giving a sermon. I shall inform the elder, please wait for a moment."
As his words fell, his expression abruptly changed.
It turned out to be a message from the Daoist in his mind:
"Let him come to the office in the West Wing."
...
Within the West Wing, abbot’s office.
Following the instructions of the gatekeeper Daoist, Meng Chuan made his way here.
As soon as he stepped into the building, he sensed a faint warmth in the air, even his body started to feel warm.
He halted at the doorway, this sensation was somewhat akin to Principal Yin’s "Fire Dragon Cave."
Knocking lightly on the door:
"Junior Meng Chuan, here to pay respects to Daoist Wu Yang."
"Young friend, please come in."
The voice manifested in his mind; it was a form of spiritual transmission skill.
Principal Sui had used it before, very skillful, not something mastered easily.
The door opened automatically, and Meng Chuan walked in, glancing at the scenery within the office.
Old wooden desk, yellowed scriptures, and all the beams and pillars faded, leaving only faint engravings of the "Dark Eight Immortals" patterns.
If it weren’t for Meng Chuan’s sharp eyes, others might not even notice.
The Dark Eight Immortals, referring to the artifacts held by the legendary Eight Immortals, subtly indicating their existence.
In the Celestial King’s room, even such discreet things can’t exist, showing the strict reform of the Martial Shrine.
"Greetings to Daoist Wu Yang."
Meng Chuan cupped his fists in martial salute towards the elder at the desk.
At a glance, Daoist Wu Yang’s face resembled an ancient jade with a patina, his silver-white eyebrows exceptionally long, almost connecting with the white hair at his temples.
Overall, he looked like an old Taoist with a sallow complexion.
He had more of the Daoist demeanor than Taoist Qi, fitting Meng Chuan’s "stereotype" of a high Daoist perfectly.
"Sit down first."
With a wave of the hand, a branch from the old tree by the window seemed to revive like a dead tree in spring.
A branch extended into the room, weaving into a rattan chair.
"Daoist, I weigh nearly a ton now..."
Currently, Meng Chuan’s bone density and muscles were both incredibly heavy.
Even if reduced by 20%, the rest was all concentrated essence, not reducing much weight.
"... Don’t worry about sitting."
Meng Chuan obliged, the rattan chair creaked strangely, as if complaining to Wu Yang...
"Sit still and don’t move around, this old pine is much older than me, don’t add any more pressure on it."
Hearing this, Meng Chuan said sheepishly:
"Should I just stand..."
As soon as Meng Chuan’s words fell, the tree vine chair wove a dense net around his waist, preventing him from standing up.
As if saying, "Who do you think you’re looking down on?"
He was surprised in his heart, realizing that this ancient tree was so spiritually aware.
Having just stepped out, not even leaving Yong’an, he was indeed gaining insight.
Wu Yang smiled and said:
"Haha, it seems the old pine is being stubborn with you, just sit tight."
Meng Chuan decided to comply respectfully, as even the Celestial King had said so, and leaned back in the rattan chair completely relaxed.
Wu Yang said solemnly:
"The old Daoist first thanks the young friend for helping Lu Zu expel the poison in Fucheng, which also protected Lu Zu’s reputation.
If young friend needs anything, please feel free to mention it."
Meng Chuan could tell, Daoist Wu Yang held immense respect for Lu Zu among the Eight Immortals.
Even though the Eight Immortals Temple had completed the Martial Shrine reform, this was still the case.
Perhaps, this is the manifestation of "Dao residing in one’s heart."
"Daoist, my visit is not for rewards, and any related compensation, the state has already paid."
Meng Chuan continued with fists cupped:
"I only have one unresolved question in my heart; during my practice of Qi Observation Skill at home yesterday, I sensed something..."
He recounted the sudden incident during his practice the night before, tactfully mentioning his suspicion of "Lu Zu’s spirit" or such...
He didn’t dare to mention remnants or split souls directly.
Worried that the pious Daoist Wu Yang might slap him to death...
Wu Yang’s two silver eyebrows knitted together, and after some thought, he hesitated and said:
"Qi Observation Skill... you’ve also practiced the Qi Refinement method?
Demonstrate it for me; let me take a look."
Meng Chuan practiced once, and the rattan chair beneath him stretched its branches in coordination with his breathing, seemingly moving in rhythm together.
At the end of his practice, that familiar thought once again emerged.
"It’s here."
He moved his expression, only to see Daoist Wu Yang’s silver eyebrows suddenly lift, as his withered palm lifted into the air, and drew forth a dense mist of clear air from the void.
The clear air roiled and swirled, gradually solidifying in the elder’s hand.
The veins as clear as plantain leaves became visible, the clear air outlining edges, condensing into the contour of a fan.
Finally, a small line of words appeared at the end of the fan handle, [True Monarch of Zhengyang Enlightenment and Propagation]!
"Master Zhengyang!"
Wu Yang’s heart trembled!
He never thought it would be this ancestor manifesting, why would he seek out this young boy?
Seeing Meng Chuan’s puzzled face, he held the small fan and explained upon regaining his composure:
"This is the [Five Bright Fan], an invaluable treasure of Master Zhongli’s hand, though it’s not as mystical as you just described, just the divine power of incense fire manifesting."
Meng Chuan nodded to show he understood.
Just like a wisp of Brahma Heaven’s split soul back then, both being manifestations of incense fire.
But why would Immortal Zhongli seek him out?
Could the fact that a split soul was sent mean it wasn’t completely tainted by demonic influence?
Similar to the situation with Brahma Heaven back then, currently on the verge of collapse?
Hoping to seek help from him...
But across sat the old Daoist king, a devotee of its, with strength surpassing thousands of Meng Chuans.
Why not seek him out...
He inquired about the conjecture regarding the precarious state of Patriarch Zhengyang.
Wuyang also frowned, uncertain what the apparition of the patriarch signified?
"Moreover... the manifestation concerns this little fellow..."
With this thought, he composed his Heart Spirit and decided to bestow a "Fortune" upon Meng Chuan.
Patriarch Zhengyang contacted the other party, not him.
Clearly, this fortune has nothing to do with him.
Even if he forcibly entered, he would be likely unwelcome by the patriarch.
To know what the patriarch intended, if there were any instructions, or... an entrusted legacy.
Sending this kid in would make everything clear.
With a thought, an object flew over from somewhere unknown.
It had an ancient color, resembling a large urn.
Upon closer inspection, Meng Chuan found it identical to the container of the Great Brahma core inheritance he received initially.
With a wave of Wuyang’s hand, the box was brushed open by a wisp of Qingfeng.
Aside from an ancient-form banana fan, there was an egg-sized purple pill glimmering with golden sand.
The former, Meng Chuan knew what it was.
Like the awareness just now, an aged enlarged version became tangible.
It resembles the Magic Artifact of Han Zhongli from the Dark Eight Immortals, the [Wuming Fan].
As for the latter, Wuyang pointed out:
"This is the [Purple Gold Pill] of Patriarch Zhengyang, once placed within the Eight Immortals Hall, refined over a millennium by Incense Fire, embodying the concept of [Harmony of Yin and Yang, Dual Cultivation of Life and Nature]."
Meng Chuan took the Purple Gold Pill in his hand to examine it.
He didn’t perceive anything mystical...
He knew what harmony of Yin and Yang, dual cultivation of life and nature meant.
The former speaks of the duality and unity of matters.
For instance, merging hot with cold of the body and mind, like harmonizing water and fire;
While the latter emphasizes tempering the mind for serenity, and training the body for strength, achieving a harmonious state.
How it related to the purple pill in his hand, Meng Chuan, due to his limited knowledge of Daoist concepts, could not fathom.
Sitting there, Wuyang’s aura gradually ascended, making Meng Chuan somewhat at a loss.
"Patriarch Zhengyang wishes to see you, using this Wuming Fan as a guide, I will send you within.
Similar to the discovery of a temple, you can seek a fortune bestowed by the patriarch.
Just hope, young friend, after you come out, you can inform this old Daoist of the patriarch’s current state."
As the words fell, not waiting for Meng Chuan’s reply.
His right fingertip burst into a crimson-golden glow, pointing at the phantom Wuming Fan in his left palm.
The entire room suddenly fell into absolute silence.
Even the branches of the evergreen pine froze motionless in mid-air.
Before Meng Chuan could speak, changes gradually occurred around him.
In his perception, the world seemed leveraged by the Wuming Fan, a sense of "illusion" filled his eyes.
Filaments of "Dao Rhyme" aura spread, and in an instant, heaven and earth flipped.
His will and spirit formed a [Heart Intent], as if traversing through time.
Vaguely, he heard a murmur from Daoist Wuyang:
"Connecting Heaven and Earth Technique!"
As the echo faded, after not a long wait, Meng Chuan slowly opened his eyes.
He looked up and saw the plaque — [Zhengyang Cave].
Meng Chuan composed his expression, immediately knowing where Daoist Wuyang had sent him.
"This place, similar to back then, the site of meeting the Great Brahma, should be the [Dharma Realm] of Patriarch Han Zhongli..."
The scene before him, compared to the Dharma Realm of the Great Brahma, appeared of much lower grandeur.
The magnificent reversal of stars by the Great Brahma back then, akin to the lord of the universe, was genuinely impressive.
However, this had nothing to do with the amount of incense power each held.
But was a manifestation of different doctrines among the two sects.
Meng Chuan speculated that the Daoist school felt, focused more on introspected practice.
Therefore, they didn’t mind the formalities within the Dharma Realm environment.
Simply put, the Buddhist Sect represented by the Great Brahma, might love showing off more...
Having been to a Dharma Realm before, he quickly acclimatized.
Not indulging further in fanciful thoughts, Meng Chuan composed his face and stepped into the cave.
A Daoist was leaning against the rock wall, dressed in a rough robe, with a bare chest and belly, round face, large ears, and bristly beard like needles.
He squinted, smiling at Meng Chuan at the cave entrance, inherently holding a mix of naivety and a celestial aura.
"Patriarch Zhengyang..."
Meng Chuan was a bit nervous initially, but upon seeing the Daoist’s smiling face, he immediately steadied his mindset.
The patriarch, being concise and unwordy, did not engage in small talk, directly said:
"Young friend, please enter a dream for a view."
Each Incense Fire Immortal has their means, each with their focus.
Han Zhongli, one of the Eight Immortals, is said to have apprenticed under the Emperor Donghua Wang Xuanfu.
With powerful Daoist magic, he has faintly earned the title as the leader of the Eight Immortals.
He once enlightened Lü Dongbin and Cao Guojiu, two of the Eight Immortals, with the dream of a yellow millet.
Returning to his senses, Meng Chuan saw the Wuming Fan lightly swaying in the hands of Patriarch Zhengyang, the cave wall rippling.
His heart was racing, and unknowingly, his Heart Spirit descended into a dream.
...
In his youth, Lü Dongbin had not yet been called "Patriarch."
Still wearing a dusty blue robe, his sword-like brows furrowed over the word fame and fortune.
His eyes held the untouched sharpness of youth, yet concealed confusion and obsession with the fleeting splendor of the mortal world.
Crackling...
The sound of firewood from the kitchen occasionally sounded, Lü Dongbin picked up and put down a small bowl of rice, unable to eat.
Han Zhongli said:
"Eat something warm first, then talk about fame and fortune."
Lü Dongbin clenched the county examination list, frowned at the words:
"Daoist, I wonder if this trip to Chang’an will fulfill my wishes..."
Just as he finished speaking, his eyelids weighed down, heavy and drowsy.
Meanwhile, Meng Chuan, who was watching, experienced the same.
Both fell into the dream of yellow millet together.