Chapter Sixteen: Shadows Dispersed, Wine Gone Cold, People Scarce, Fallen Leaves Above

  Chapter Sixteen: Shadows Dispersed, Wine Gone Cold, People Scarce and Fallen

  These days, the Taishang Daode Palace is bustling with excitement, competing in skills, the True Person lectures on the Tao, and everyone is busy but joyful.

  This time, the Tianhai Old Man from Yunzhongju came to challenge Mount Tai, with a majestic momentum. His three disciples were all mysterious and unfathomable, with exceptional talents that left the guests of Zhengdao in awe. However, just as the great test had begun, the Tianhai Old Man hastily descended the mountain, giving off an air of flustered defeat. Witnessing this scene, the outcome of the intense struggle between Yunzhongju and Daodezong, everyone was a discerning person, naturally having their own thoughts.

  Thus, from the day that Elder Tian Hai left, the flattery and sycophancy that De Shang heard from top to bottom increased several times over.

  On one side, it's bustling and endless; on this side, it's quiet and isolated.

  In these days, Ji Ruochen spent his days in quiet study and bitter reading, never leaving the house, and didn't even know that time was passing. One day he happened to see the snow flying outside the window, felt something in his heart, and only then did he realize that another month had passed.

  Ji Ruochen shook off his clothes and walked out of the house, pacing in the courtyard, letting the fluttering snowflakes pile up on his shoulders and hair. At this moment, he finally allowed himself to have some idle thoughts, and so he thought again of those chaotic five days, and thought of that spotless white shirt.

  His mind was like a tide, actually he didn't know how to get along with her from now on. Later on, in his heart there was only one sentence "A seven-foot-tall man should have the courage of ten thousand decisions", turning over and over again.

  He suddenly stopped in his tracks, a surge of hot blood rushing to his head, and then let out a loud shout, its sound like thunder! The scattered jade and flying snowflakes were all shaken away by this one shout. In the courtyard, ancient trees twisted and turned, strange rocks flew through the air, green grass grew thick, and ripples shimmered like scales. In an instant, not a single flake of snow could be seen falling again.

  The heavy snowfall had stopped, but the remaining thunder still echoed back and forth without dispersing. The scattered snowflakes in the sky all paused for a moment before falling down in profusion.

  Clap! Clap! Clap!

  A burst of applause came from outside the courtyard, and then Yun Feng Dao Chang pushed open the door and entered, praising: "With a subtle and powerful tone, its might is self-evident! What a great shout! Ru Xuan, it seems you've gained some insight again."

  Ji Ruocheng hastily paid his respects and said: "Cloud Wind Shixiong is too modest, I didn't know you were visiting, what brings you here?"

  Yun Feng Dao Chang chuckled and said, "I've come to find you, indeed there's something. You'd better tidy up, follow me to the Tai Shang Dao De Palace, several true immortals have important instructions."

  Ji Ruochen changed his clothes and followed Yun Fengdao, hurrying away.

  In Songting Hall, all eight immortals had arrived, seemingly waiting just for him. Such an array immediately startled Ji Ruochen.

  "Descend the mountain?" Ji Ruochen was taken aback after hearing Zi Yang Zhenren's instructions.

  "Not bad." Zi Yang stroked his long beard, speaking slowly, as if every word had to be carefully considered: "You've already made some progress in your cultivation, and with all sorts of magical tools protecting you, ordinary disciples from other sects can't really pose a threat to you. Going down the mountain and traveling around shouldn't be too much of a problem. My Dao De Sect has always had a bit of a reputation, so if you encounter any difficulties, just reveal your identity, and I'm sure there won't be many people who will dare to cause trouble for you."

  Ziyang Zhenren paused for a moment, then said: "Ruochen, the main reason I sent you down the mountain this time is that you are not a monk who has been cultivating since childhood. You came from the red dust and should return to it. Going down the mountain to travel and gain experience will be very beneficial for your cultivation."

  Although Ji Ruocheng felt a sense of shock and dismay, he saw that the other true immortals present were all silent, indicating that they had already reached a verdict. He therefore also acquiesced to it. At this moment, his Taoist practice was making rapid progress, and he had originally planned to retreat for another month to further refine himself. However, descending the mountain to gain experience also had its advantages. By then, he would be like a fish returning to the vast ocean; if one day the secret were to leak out, he could easily escape and roam freely, which was far better than his current life in the Daoist sect on Mogan Peak, where there was no way up to heaven and no door to enter the earth.

  Ziyang Zhenren flipped his palm, and a ring appeared in the center of his palm. The ring was dark and heavy, with a hint of golden light emanating from it. The base was wide and ancient, with an irregularly-shaped black gemstone embedded in it that seemed to be bottomless.

  "Zi Yang Zhen Ren said: 'Ru Chen, your Taoist practice is somewhat lacking. When you go down the mountain, you must have a magical instrument to protect yourself. The stone embedded in this ring is called Xuan Xin. Its function is to create something out of nothing and to help you achieve your goals. Xuan Xin was discovered by our sect's ancestor when he ascended to heaven from Guang Cheng Zi. There are only two pieces, which have been the treasure of our sect for three thousand years. One piece is now given to you as a token of our trust, and it will be kept by Zhi Wei Zhen Ren. The other piece is this one, and I will teach you the incantation later. Besides, all the other Taoist practitioners have also prepared gifts for you, go and receive them first.'"

  Ji Ruochen took the lead, one by one, and accepted the treasures bestowed by the True Person. This time, the precious artifacts and immortal materials bestowed by the True Person were different from before, and Ji Ruochen was now certain that he was indeed going to descend the mountain to gain experience.

  The true person bestowed a multitude of precious instruments, each category complete, and added the need to separately impart usage incantations. As a result, it took nearly two hours for Ji Ruochen to finish collecting everything. These instruments were not cumbersome, and when stacked together, they only occupied about one square foot, clearly suitable for traveling alone, all carefully chosen for him.

  After bestowing the magical artifact, the true people left immediately, and only Ziyang True Person and Ji Ruochen were left in the grand hall.

  Ziyang Zhenren first taught Ji Ruocheng the oral method of Xuanxin's finger counting, and had him practice it on the spot until he was proficient. The only effect of Xuanxin's finger counting is that it can use the power of the mysterious to store objects, magical instruments, and treasures within, and then take them out when needed. However, this type of Taoist method requires a great deal of spiritual power, which is why Xuanxin's finger counting, although it is a treasure of the Dao De Sect's mountain town, can only hold down objects that are about one foot square in size. It seems that the various Zhenren had already taken this into consideration and gave him magical instruments that could basically fit inside the finger counting device.

  Ji Ruocheng deeply understood the value of this ring. The relics left behind by Guang Chengzi after ascending to immortality, even a single needle or thread, are treasures that cultivators dream of obtaining, let alone such a mysterious and precious object, how can its value be described as worth a city?

  This thing comes out of the mountain, and it will inevitably attract people from all walks of life to covet it. Even if the Eight True Men are single-minded, there may be greedy ones who take risks. Ji Ruochen's Taoist practice is only at the beginning, how can he keep this precious treasure? He had been staying at the Longmen Inn for several years, and although he hadn't read any books at that time, he already deeply understood the principle of "hiding one's guilt". If there are only a few taels of silver in his pocket, how can he be considered a fat sheep?

  This ring, though light as a feather, felt like an unbearable mountain when it landed in Ji Ruoxuan's palm, causing his fingers to tremble slightly.

  Ziyang Zhenren saw him and knew what he was thinking, then took out three red copper-bodied firecrackers with black gold edges and handed them to him. "If you encounter something difficult to resolve, just light one of the firecrackers and within a radius of 500 miles, all disciples of our sect will know about it. Someone will come to assist you soon. On your journey, you must also pay attention to heavenly materials, earthly treasures, spiritual grasses, and immortal medicines. Previously, you obtained various materials from different veins, which can be said to be inexhaustible. However, these are not things that can be obtained out of thin air; collecting these materials is a necessary lesson for our sect, and it's essential to know about them. Moreover, rare objects in the world must have spiritual nature, and their paths often have fixed numbers. If you encounter one but don't take it, that would be going against heaven."

  Rujin carefully collected the three firecrackers, and Ziyang True Person stood up, strolling slowly around the hall before saying: "Rujin, people generally think that those who cultivate immortality and seek the Tao do not eat worldly food or get involved in mundane disputes. However, this is not necessarily true. If one were to live like a hermit in the clouds, that would be acceptable too. But that is a path of preserving what has been achieved, not one of pioneering new endeavors. Therefore, on your trip down the mountain this time, you must also attend to some worldly matters. In my Taichang Palace, there is a disciple named Xu Zekai who is currently serving as a staff member in the mansion of Li An, the Grand Governor of Luoyang and Henan Prefecture, and has earned his trust. I have written a letter which you will give to Zekai; he will take care of everything for you. Once you arrive in Luoyang, apart from not neglecting your daily cultivation, all you need to do is experience the world, without avoiding anything, and learn about governing the country according to the classics. Apart from that, there's no need to do anything else. As for subsequent matters, when the time comes, I will send someone to inform you."

  Ji Ruocheng took over the letter and carefully put it away.

  Ziyang Zhenren said, "Ruofeng, you were originally registered under the gate of my Taichang Palace. After this big test, you would have chosen a door to enter on your own. However, that was the rule set four years ago. Now that time has passed and circumstances have changed, this matter will be put off for further discussion. From today on, you will still be taught by the eight vein true people together."

  Ji Ruocheng replied, and then asked: "Master, this time when I go down the mountain, who should I travel with?"

  "Only you."

  Ji Ruochen was stunned again. Regardless of the level of Taoist cultivation, once one cultivates the Great Dao, they are no longer ordinary people. Many ordinary people see as a smooth path, but Taoist practitioners fear it like a heavenly moat. With such lowly Taoist cultivation, and carrying an unparalleled treasure, this journey to Luoyang is no different from a sheep walking among wolves. This bit of logic, Ji Ruochen still understood.

  He asked him again.

  Ziyang Zhenren took a few more steps and stood in front of the window, saying lightly: "What's wrong, are you afraid?"

  Ji Ruocheng was initially stunned, but after all, he was still a young man with a strong temperament. When Zi Yang Zhenren provoked him like that, a surge of hot blood rushed up in his chest, and he immediately said: "Of course I'm not afraid!"

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren smiled slightly and said: "Since you're not afraid, then let's prepare to set off."

  Three days later, leaden clouds hung low, snowflakes fell like cotton, Ji Ru dust alone with a sword, floated down the mountain.