owlsbooks Chapter 56 Huh? Why is it a bald monk?
Chapter 56 Huh? Why is it a bald monk?
"Disciple understands," she replied softly, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her sleeve. "Then...Master, when shall we begin?"
Xu Changqing glanced at the sky outside the window. The moon was beginning to set in the west, and a faint gray-white tinge appeared on the horizon.
"No rush," he said gently. "You've made several breakthroughs today, so take some time to regulate your breathing and stabilize your realm. Traveling through the underworld is no small matter. Once you've mastered the 'Taiyin Xuntian Yuanjun Scripture' more deeply, we can discuss this further."
He changed the subject, his smile fading slightly: "Now that you can refine Yin energy, this day every year will no longer be a calamity, but rather a good opportunity for cultivation. However, you must remember that when your cultivation is not yet deep, you should not absorb too much; you must proceed step by step."
Su'e felt a warmth in her heart and nodded in agreement.
Xu Changqing gave a few more instructions on cultivation precautions, then turned and left the west wing.
Pushing open the door, I saw Awei and Aling dozing off under a pillar in the courtyard. They hurriedly stood up when they heard the noise.
Xu Changqing waved his hand, signaling them to go and rest, and walked back to the quiet room alone.
After closing the door, Xu Changqing sat down cross-legged, a multitude of thoughts flooding his mind.
Su'e's ability to travel between the two worlds was indeed an unexpected and brilliant move.
If used properly, it can be a key to rapid growth in the future. Whether it's acquiring resources, gathering information, or even serving as a fallback plan in critical moments, it has great potential.
However, opportunities always coexist with risks.
The underworld is not a benevolent place. Su'e's cultivation is still shallow, and her ability to travel is limited. Once she is discovered or encounters a powerful enemy, the consequences will be unimaginable. This is one reason.
Furthermore, the exchange of resources between the two realms inevitably leaves traces over time. If someone with ulterior motives discovers that Qingyang Temple has a stable way to obtain special products from the underworld, it would be bad if it attracted covetousness.
Possessing a treasure is a crime; this has been true since ancient times.
"We must proceed with extreme caution, as if walking on thin ice," Xu Changqing sighed softly, then shook his head and chuckled. "But then again, some people worry about having no rice to cook, while others worry about having too much grain to hide. Ultimately, it's a troublesome but wonderful thing."
......
A day passed in the blink of an eye.
Xu Changqing, disguised as the monk Huanxi and holding the Thousand Transformations Banner, headed east from Qingyang Mountain. Blood lotuses appeared and disappeared beneath his feet. His steps seemed unhurried, but in reality, each step covered several feet, and he was already not far from Qinghe County.
The mountains here gradually slope down, and there are occasional carriages and pedestrians on the official road.
In the distance, the outline of Qinghe County was blurred in the afternoon sun, and tiny figures of soldiers seemed to be patrolling the city walls.
As they were walking, a voice suddenly entered their ears, drifting and seemingly both near and far: "Young brother..."
Xu Changqing paused, the Thousand Transformations Divine Banner swayed almost imperceptibly, his aura was contained, and his gaze swept around like lightning.
The official road was flanked by sparse woodlands, and there was no one in sight.
"Who called me?" he asked with a hint of surprise. After all, in this place, anyone called by a stranger would instinctively become wary to avoid being taken advantage of.
"Young brother, don't panic, this humble Taoist has no ill intentions." The voice sounded again, still indistinguishable from its source, as if it came directly from the mind.
Xu Changqing's heart skipped a beat: "Damn it, what bad luck! How come I, a Daoist, have encountered such a bizarre situation the moment I stepped out of the mountain?"
He dared not linger. A phantom of a blood lotus flashed beneath his feet, and his pace suddenly quickened, his figure sweeping forward like a wisp of smoke.
"Young brother, don't worry, I'm here."
Before the words were finished, a figure swayed and fell straight down from the sky about ten feet above the official road ahead, his feet not touching the ground. He staggered a couple of steps before regaining his balance.
Xu Changqing looked closely and saw that the newcomer was a middle-aged Taoist-looking man with a dignified face, slightly yellow skin, and a flowing beard.
He wore a faded blue Taoist robe, the hem still stained with bits of grass and dirt. His Taoist bun was slightly loose, with a few strands of hair hanging down his forehead. At first glance, he had a somewhat travel-worn look, yet he also exuded an indescribable air of refinement.
At this moment, the Taoist priest was breathing slightly, one hand on his chest, his eyes half-closed, as if he was a little dizzy from the jolt just now, or as if the wind had blinded him and he had not yet fully opened his eyes.
"Huff... Huff... Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable, this humble Taoist greets you." The Taoist caught his breath and then opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Xu Changqing.
But the man before them was fat and greasy, wearing a brocade robe and holding a flag with a sinister aura; he was a monk.
The Taoist priest suddenly frowned, a clear look of gloom flashing across his face, and muttered under his breath.
"Huh? Why is it a bald monk... I clearly sensed a pure and peaceful flow of Xuanmen Daoist intent below, so I came down to find a fellow Daoist to keep me company... Strange, very strange."
Although his voice was low, Xu Changqing heard it clearly, and alarm bells immediately went off in his heart. This Taoist has amazing eyesight. He had activated the Thousand Transformations Divine Banner to simulate the aura of the Joyful Buddha, and he thought he had concealed it to a great extent, yet the Taoist could still vaguely sense his foundation from a great distance. This person's cultivation was probably unfathomable, or at least his spiritual sense was terrifyingly sharp.
Thoughts raced through his mind, but Xu Changqing plastered a shrewd smile on his face, raised one hand to his chest, and bowed, saying, "Amitabha, this humble monk greets you. May I ask what brings you here, Changqing?"
The Taoist waved his hand dismissively, but since he had already spoken, he couldn't just turn around and leave. So he casually asked, "Are you also heading to Qinghe County, monk?"
Xu Changqing's heart stirred, and he followed up the conversation, saying, "That's right. I've heard that Qinghe County has been quite turbulent lately. I've been traveling here and wish to see for myself."
"Oh?" The Taoist raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Thousand Transformations Divine Banner in Xu Changqing's hand. The banner's surface had an obscure aura, with faint fluctuations of living souls, indicating it was definitely not a benevolent entity.
He curled his lip in a half-smile: "You've probably heard that Qianjinfang has set up a temporary gathering in Qinghe County, and you want to try your luck there, right?"
Xu Changqing's face showed a mixture of surprise and curiosity, which, combined with his appearance as the Buddha of Joy, made him seem particularly mercenary: "【Qianjinfang】? The Taoist priest is talking about 【Qianjinfang】, which is under the control of the unorthodox sect giant 【Sihaige】? It actually set up a gathering here?"
Seeing the fat monk's ignorant yet eager-to-learn appearance, the Taoist's eyes flashed with smugness. He raised his hand to stroke his beard, his movements unhurried, as if he were enjoying being asked for advice.
"That's right." He spoke slowly, with a hint of boasting in his tone, "About half a month ago, a Sea Envoy from the Four Seas Pavilion came to this place and placed a rare treasure called Ruyi Tower directly on the wasteland in the eastern suburbs outside Qinghe County."
He paused deliberately, glancing sideways at Xu Changqing's reaction.
Xu Changqing cooperated by widening his eyes and leaning forward slightly, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.
The Taoist priest, satisfied, cleared his throat and continued. He raised his right hand, gesturing a distance of about an inch between his thumb and forefinger: "Speaking of the Ruyi Pavilion, it's truly remarkable. I've heard that its actual form is merely a jade pavilion model the size of a palm."
He flipped his finger and made a throwing motion, "But once activated, it grows in the wind, takes root, and in an instant can transform into a real pavilion with nine stories high, flying eaves and brackets, and a solemn atmosphere."
He gestured with his hands to outline the famous pavilion, his eyes shining: "The interior space expands, revealing a hidden world. It has shops, meditation rooms, auction houses, and appraisal rooms, and even comes with its own defensive restrictions, making it impossible for ordinary cultivators to spy on or damage it."
As the Taoist priest got excited, he put one hand behind his back and gestured in front of him with the other: "This time, Qianjinfang will use this Ruyi Tower as a temporary base to spread the word and gather people from all walks of life in the vicinity for a three-day secret gathering."
He shook his head and clicked his tongue twice: "Only a powerful and influential figure like the Four Seas Pavilion could produce such a display."