Chapter 21: Zhao Gongming (Seeking Recommendations and Favorites)

  Mount Emei, Luofu Cave, all around the spiritual energy is lingering, the fairy mist is floating, the apes and deer are seen everywhere, the immortal flowers and auspicious grass are all over the ground, it should be a superior place for the immortals to live.

  At this time, a Taoist was sitting cross-legged in the cave, frowning and thinking to himself: "It's been a long time since I've seen my three sisters, I miss them so much. Why not go to the Three Fairy Island to visit them?"

  This Taoist had thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a gentle and auspicious appearance that attracted wealth. His Taoist robe was also shining with golden light, dazzling to the eye. He was indeed Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth revered by countless people in later generations. With a whisk in hand, he lightly swept it once, and instantly closed the cave, rose to the clouds, and headed towards the Three Immortal Islands.

  Zhao Gongming was a gentle breeze outside the Purple Mist Palace who had attained enlightenment, while San Xiao was three colorful clouds that took shape outside the Purple Mist Palace. They naturally got along well and referred to each other as siblings. Moreover, anyone who came into contact with the Purple Mist Palace, whether it be mountains, rocks, clouds or mist, were all extraordinary individuals with exceptional talents. Observing these four people would reveal that they were all Golden Immortals in their cultivation.

  The immortal Taoist, was no ordinary person. He only saw Zhao Gongming tread on auspicious clouds, and in an instant, he traveled a thousand miles. Unexpectedly, when Zhao Gongming had reached halfway, he suddenly felt a strong fishy smell rushing towards him.

  Jin Xian was injured, but he wouldn't be so easily wounded. After a quick dodge, he realized that the attacker was a huge black tiger with sharp teeth and a foul odor, its eyes staring at Zhao Gongming like lanterns.

  Zhao Gongming was not surprised, but instead delighted. He snapped his fingers and calculated, exclaiming: "So that's how it is! You have a predestined relationship with me, and you shall be my mount from now on, haha!" Zhao Gongming laughed with joy, then waved his duster, shooting out a ray of light that sent the black tiger tumbling to the edge of the clouds.

  Hei Hu was easily knocked down by Zhao Gongming's single swipe of his dust-sweeping broom, and only then did he realize how powerful this man was. Just as he wanted to escape, he heard Zhao Gongming burst out laughing: "You attacked me first, but under the law of cause and effect, you should become my mount!"

  After finishing speaking, he took out a talisman from his treasure bag and swung it out. The talisman turned into a yellow light and entered the forehead of the black tiger that was about to escape. The black tiger suddenly stiffened its body and stood still on the spot, unable to move.

  Zhao Gongming walked closer to the black tiger, observing it carefully, and found himself liking it more and more. The black tiger's entire body was covered in shiny black fur, its physique strong and sturdy, with four powerful claws and a majestic gaze that still held an unyielding spirit.

  "For my sake, it's also beneficial for you. I think you must have opened your spiritual wisdom, so listen to me slowly tell my story. If after I finish telling, you still don't yield, I won't make things difficult for you, and will let you leave instead. How about that?" Zhao Gongming said with a smile, full of confidence.

  "Hoo-hoo" The black tiger listened, and a very human-like thoughtful color flashed in his eyes. Afterwards, he let out two earth-shaking tiger roars, indicating that he agreed.

  Zhao Gongming waved his hand and smiled repeatedly: "I am Zhao Gongming, the Heavenly Master of Biyou Palace on Jinting Island. Do you know?"

  The Black Tiger is also a spiritual beast that opens up spiritual wisdom, but unfortunately, it was born in a short year and has not yet transformed. However, as one of the Three Purities, the Holy Master Tongtian knows its name, and this person is a disciple of the Holy Gate of Tongtian. If he were to become his mount, it would be a gain, and perhaps he could hear the great Tao of the Holy One. In that case, why not do so?

  At this point, the Black Tiger let out a few low growls, got down on all fours and indicated with its body for Zhao Gongming to get on its back. Already sincerely obedient, Zhao Gongming saw this and laughed loudly, saying: "I won't make things difficult for you either, once you successfully transform, I will definitely return your freedom!"

  Hei Hu let out two excited roars and was about to fly up into the clouds with Zhao Gongming, when a voice came from the air: "Fellow Taoist, please stay your step!"

  Zhao Gongming heard the words and took a closer look, only to see that the man had a long, thieving brow and mouse-like eyes, with a rather unsavory appearance. However, Zhao Gongming didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, because under the Tongtian Seat, most of the spiritual beasts that had attained enlightenment and transformed into human form looked even more unsavory than this man. For example, he had once seen a mouse daoist among his third-generation disciples, who was actually a heavenly mouse that had attained enlightenment, with an appearance that truly fit the description of "thieving brow and mouse eyes", with green-bean-like mouse eyes that were extremely unsavory. In comparison, the daoist in front of him could already be considered a handsome man.

  Who is in front of you? No one else, it's Shen Gongbao who has just subdued the Year Beast!

  But it is said that after Shengong Bao subdued the Year Beast, he was in a great mood and went to the small town where he had previously spoken to those people. Those ordinary people were all grateful and also spread the story of Shengong Bao's deeds, and from then on, the phrase "over the year" may have been passed down through the ages.

  Shen Gong Bao had just settled the matter, and since there was no particular goal in mind, he drove the Nian beast to fly randomly. Unexpectedly, he happened to meet Zhao Gongming capturing the Black Tiger.

  Zhao Gongming's appearance of giving birth to wealth, a discerning person can tell at a glance. Shen Gongbao immediately recalled Zhao Gongming's information: "When I was born, the sky was dark and the earth was dark. When I came down, the stars were not yet complete. In this life, all gods and ghosts are afraid of me. Cultivation is on Mount Emei. Taishi heard that Zhong will move me, riding a black tiger to leave Xianshan. Arrived at Xiqi and fought with Zi Ya, seven arrows determined my fate to return to heaven."

  After thinking back, Shen Gong Bao immediately stopped at a distance and waited for Zhao Gongming to subdue the Black Tiger before descending from the clouds to meet with him.

  "Your humble servant is Shen Gong Bao, I have met you before, Brother Gong Ming!" said Shen Gong Bao with a bow and a smile.

  "Zhao Gongming had met Shen Daoyou before, but he was nearsighted and hadn't recognized the person in front of him as his friend." Zhao Gongming looked at the unfamiliar face of Shen Gongbao with suspicion.

  Shen Gong Bao heard this and said, "I've just come down from the mountain, but I haven't been to the vast wilderness yet. Just recently, I met three sisters of yours - the three fairy maidens from Sanxian Island. They mentioned letting me visit Sanxian Island, and I was about to go when I encountered Brother Gongming's excellent mount. Congratulations, Brother Gongming! It seems that I have a good affinity with you and your siblings."

  Shen Gong said with a thick face, in fact, he was thinking that he would first get along with Zhao Gongming, for future considerations. Moreover, he observed the route Zhao Gongming took, which seemed to be heading in the direction of Sanxian Island. If so, if he could go to Sanxian Island with Zhao Gongming to visit Sanxiang, it wouldn't be too abrupt.

  Zhao Gongming smiled and said: "So that's the case. I was just about to go to the Three Immortals Island to visit my three sisters. If you don't mind, we can go together."

  "So excellent, brother Dao, please!" Shen Gongbao said with a calm and collected expression, but his heart was filled with wild joy, "I can see Yun Xiao again, her beauty"

  Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger. The black tiger's feet are treading on auspicious clouds, and its speed is extremely fast. Shengong Bao is also riding on the back of the Nian beast, with a speed that is not inferior in any way. Both of them are rushing towards the Three Sages Island with a whooshing sound.

  "Haha, the mount of a fellow Taoist is quite majestic and powerful, but I wonder what its legs are like?" Zhao Gongming gazed at Shen Gongbao's year beast form, which was even more majestic than his own black tiger, and couldn't help but ask.

  Shen Gong Bao smiled and said, "This is a mount that I recently subdued. It was originally the only Year Beast in the world, but after its spiritual wisdom opened up, it had no one to guide it, so it cultivated on its own. Previously, it caused trouble and frightened the local mortals. I happened to be passing by and subdued it, using it as a temporary substitute for my feet, and also gaining some merit."

  Zhao Gongming nodded and said: "Fellow Taoist has good fortune, this mount is no ordinary one!"

  "The mighty Black Tiger of the Taoist's hanging eyebrow is indeed extraordinary!" Zhao Gongming burst out laughing and said no more, flying swiftly towards the Three Immortals' Island with Shen Gongbao.

  Three Immortal Island, located on the East Sea, not far from Golden Turtle Island, with Zhao Gongming displaying his Taoist magic all the way. Before long, Shen Gongbao and others arrived at a misty and mysterious immortal island.

  But amidst the misty clouds, one can vaguely see the luxuriant growth of auspicious grasses, and occasionally catch a glimpse of cranes, deer, and other rare animals. The scenery is picturesque and extremely beautiful, matching the description in the book: "Although it's a different kind of heavenly landscape, it surpasses the beauty of Penglai Paradise".

  But it is said that in the Eastern Sea, there are many immortal islands and blessed lands. Not to mention the Golden Turtle Island, which is a thoroughfare for heavenly immortals, but also the Three Immortal Islands, namely Penglai, Dongyong, and Fangzhang, which are also located in the Eastern Sea. It is said that these three immortal mountains are mysterious and beautiful, ethereal and elusive, coming and going with the wind, sometimes hidden and sometimes visible, their faces hidden by clouds and mists, their forms concealed by sea waves. Only immortals with deep cultivation and upright character can ascend to these three islands. Shen Gongbao did not believe in this before, but he once borrowed the opportunity of searching for his favorite Golden Hoop Rod to search for the Three Islands, intending to find one as his own Daoist temple. However, the time had not come yet, so he could not find them.

  However, when the time came to seal the gods, when the great demon king Yu Hua appeared, it was Shengong Bao who found the opportunity to go to the three islands. In this way, Shengong Bao was no longer anxious and went down to the cloud with Zhao Gongming together. Only a child's voice was heard from inside the island: "It turned out that Master Zhao had come to visit, please hurry up and invite him."

  Zhao Gongming often came here, and the child naturally recognized him. However, seeing Shen Gongbao was unfamiliar, he brought a hint of doubt. But since he came with Zhao Gongming, he must not be a bad person, so he didn't stop Shen Gongbao from entering the island.

  As soon as he entered the island, Shen Gong Bao felt the thick and rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushing towards him, and the fragrance was lingering in his lungs. Along the way, there were many rare birds and beasts, some of which were fierce birds, but they all coexisted peacefully, very serene. He couldn't help but exclaim: "Indeed, this is the dojo of the three fairy ladies, a true blessed land of immortals!"

  "Thank you for your kind words!" Suddenly, a familiar soft and pleasant voice came from beside his ear, it was Yun Xiao, the first of the Three Xiao.

  Shen Gong Bao heard the words and involuntarily looked forward, indeed, the three fairy maidens were walking towards him with their celestial robes fluttering, taking delicate steps, and approaching slowly. Shen Gong Bao couldn't help but stare straight ahead, his mouth watering profusely, fortunately, Zhao Gongming's loud laughter woke him up, just in time to prevent another embarrassing situation.

  Zhao Gongming just laughed and said: "Three sisters, I don't know if you've been well lately? Your brother has come to bother you again!"

  (Updated at dawn with a new chapter, please vote for recommendations and collect them, thank you Qingfeng!)