Chapter Seventeen: Xuan Yi's Dilemma

  Above the clear sky, Xuan Yi sat in the pavilion, gazing at the cloud color that had remained unchanged for thousands of years, his face calm and serene.

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang's greatest hobby is designing courtyards, so his private residence has a changing scenery with every step, the clear sky without four seasons, and here it is always full of flowers like brocade, full of life.

  He looked at Xuan Yi's expression and knew that his new design had been recognized, so he was very happy and personally poured him a cup of tea.

  "I knew you had good taste, it seems my efforts over this period of time haven't been in vain."

  Xuan Yi politely declined the tea and said, "The Heavenly Lord's thoughts are profound and subtle, naturally not to be captured by ordinary writing. Every time Xuan Yi comes here, his heart can calm down."

  The tone of this remark was slightly negative, and seeing his pale face, Yu Chen Xuan Huang thought he had been embarrassed by the Northern Emperor. He ordered someone to replace his cup with warm water: "The Beijie Fumo Institute attaches great importance to rules and order. Some things don't need to be taken seriously, as long as you're safe now."

  "Please be at ease, I'm fine."

  He knew he was consoling himself, but it was a bit heartbreaking. However, thinking of this calamity, Yu Chen Xuan Huang still advised seriously: "You and I have been working together for over a hundred years to select useful talents for the Heavenly Realm, and cultivators look up to you as a role model. After achieving enlightenment, you are naturally considered my disciple. Now, there is a subtle competition between immortals and gods, although it ultimately benefits the Heavenly Realm, but the momentum is too strong and not auspicious. You did well this time by not pursuing Tian Yu's responsibility, and in the future, you should continue to restrain your sharp edges and handle things with flexibility, setting a good example for cultivators, in order to gradually improve the relationship between immortals and gods."

  Xuanyi knows.

  Looking at Xuan Yi's face, Yu Chen Xuan Huang felt a little dazed, and only felt that it was different from the young and handsome appearance when they first met. But where is the difference, he couldn't tell. After careful consideration, perhaps it was that people hadn't aged but their hearts had already grown old.

  "Has Dao Jing been found?"

  Her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, revealing a comforting smile, and she nodded slightly: "Found it."

  "Excellent, excellent......" Yu Chen Xuan's worries disappeared, and he was overjoyed.

  "How is he? Is he injured?"

  "I've been hurt, but I'll find a way."

  "Alas, kids won't grow up if they don't experience some things. If you need any help, just ask. He's like a half-grandson to me, and I must say, I do miss him a bit. I wonder if he has memorized the 'Lingbao Wupian' that I taught him last time? When he recovers, bring him over and I'll test him."

  Xuan Yi lost his smile and shook his head slightly: "He's only fifteen years old, such profound Taoist principles are probably difficult for him to comprehend."

  "What's wrong with that? You were only seventeen when you first understood the Tao..."

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang's words were cut off before he could finish, and his experiences in the mortal world were something that Xuan Yi was most unwilling to mention. Today, he got carried away with excitement and forgot about it.

  Xuan Yi didn't show any expression, but his smile gradually faded. Looking at Yu Chen Xuan Huang's self-reproaching appearance, he said in a warm voice: "Jing Er is more fortunate than me, and I also have high hopes for him. With your guidance and care, even if... Xuan Yi were to leave one day, I could rest assured."

  He stared blankly at the clouds stretching across the horizon, and that last sentence was extremely soft, obviously something he didn't want to think about, yet it made Yu Chen Xuan's heart skip a beat.

  "Alas, how can you teach me what is good..."

  Xuan Yi's eyelashes trembled slightly, and suddenly her eyebrows curved into a smile without saying a word.

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. Looking at him sitting there calmly, she really wanted to give him a good scolding.

  Although he thought so, he didn't dare to do it, Xuan Yi's behavior today made him uneasy.

  At this moment, he stopped him who was about to bid farewell: "I heard that you wanted to pass on the position of the main god to Dao Jing when you were ill, is it true?"

  Xuan Yi turned his head and looked at Yu Chen Xuan Huang. In an instant, the clouds in his eyes churned: "Xuan Yi indeed had this thought."

  "Alas! Let's not discuss whether Daojing can bear this heavy responsibility, just the imperial edict of accession alone would be unbearable for him now!"

  The ranking of the heavenly gods has a strict evaluation procedure, and all virtues must be verified one by one, converted into "merits". Saving 100 people can be converted into one "merit". Those registered in the immortal book who accumulate half a merit are eligible to enter the ranking level. Each promotion has a certain number of years and merit requirements. Before, Tian Tai Mountain was unknown, so the requirements for the main god's rank were not high. However, with Xuan Yi's administration, Tian Tai Mountain's territory expanded, absorbing the rich Wu Yue region and the Donghai Islands on the Tian Tai mountain range. Xuan Yi serves in the Heavenly Pivot Institute, currently holding the position of Right Chancellor of the Ninth Heaven Golden Gate from the first rank. With greatly increased authority, apart from governing Tian Tai Mountain, he also needs to take care of water and drought affairs throughout Wu Yue, evaluate the merits of cultivators all over the world, and due to his high position, he is responsible for important matters in the Heavenly Pivot Institute.

  So for now, it seems that even if he doesn't take over Xuan Yi's immortal position, the qualifications of the main god of Tiantai Mountain must at least reach Grade 2.

  Man is an element of Nature, Nature is an element of Heaven, Heaven is an element of the Way, and the Way is an element of Spontaneity.

  Humans become immortals, they must go through heavenly tribulations. To seek the position of an immortal, one must go through Daoist tribulations. Tian He is a kind of Daoist tribulation.

  Tian He, in essence, is an examination of the moral character and conduct of immortals who meet certain standards. Those who pass are qualified to receive appointment decrees and enjoy corresponding ceremonial treatment and benefits. If they fail, they may be required to re-cultivate or even face destruction of their spirits.

  Therefore, many immortals, when first appointed, will proactively request a demotion of half a level to one level, in order to be on the safe side.

  Although Dao Jing Gong's achievements were numerous, he was after all still very young. In the past, Xuan Yi had never formally appointed him to a rank. If one really had to calculate it, he should be able to make it to fifth rank at most.

  This means that if he accepts the imperial edict of the main god, he must cross the test that far exceeds his own tolerance.

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang thinks that just because things are not going smoothly for a while, he has the idea of giving up. This kind of thinking is somewhat irresponsible.

  He flatly refused, saying with emphasis: "Neither for the public nor for personal reasons will I agree to this. Let's discuss it at least a hundred years later. If you insist, I'll have to consider letting other higher immortals take over."

  Xuan Yi's eyes were deep and profound, gazing at the distant clouds in the sky. His voice was low and slow as he said: "Xuan Yi understands his responsibilities, but let's just say it for now. However, Heavenly Lord, even though I have cultivated a immortal body, when I am hovering between life and death, there are still many people and things that I cannot bear to part with in my heart. The deeper the cultivation, the heavier the responsibility, and the more helpless than ordinary people. Until today, why cultivate immortality? What is eternal joy? It will still make me feel confused.

  "I thought I was at the end of my rope that day, but unexpectedly, we parted ways without a clear goodbye. As master and apprentice, we didn't get to see each other one last time. All I could do was leave him the home where he grew up as a keepsake. That's all."

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang thought he was just having a bad day and his mood was down, so she comforted him by saying: "The one who can truly have no desires or demands is not an immortal, but a stone. You can't let go of Dao Jing, and he can't leave you either. Having attachments doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing."

  Suddenly thought of something, raised his hand to stop Xuan Yi and said: "You can't go yet, I'll have someone call the doctor right away. We must make sure you're really okay."

  Xuan Yi was almost helpless: "I promised Jing Er that I would pick him up this afternoon, how can I miss the appointment?"

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang remained unmoved, and immediately called over the guards to help block off Xuan Yi: "No matter what you say, it's useless. Dao Jing, I'll send someone to pick you up. Your worrying nature is something I don't trust, so from now on, you'll stay here and rest your injuries. I'll personally keep an eye on you until you fully recover. Other matters can be discussed later!"

  “……”

  The immortal doctor acted quickly and brought four assistants with a large number of immortal pellets and spiritual medicine, transforming the originally spacious room into a temporary clinic.

  Actually, when Xuan Yi was injured, he was ordered to go to Tiantai Mountain, but at that time there were countless famous doctors and it wasn't his turn to diagnose. Now it seems that although Xuan Yi's wound has healed, the poisonous gas is still deeply sealed inside. The injury is on his heart, the immortal doctor doesn't dare to act rashly, and quickly comes out to report to Yu Chen Xuan Huang and ask him to make a decision.

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang was impatient with his lengthy argument and immediately waved her sleeve, saying: "What strategy does the immortal doctor have? Speak directly."

  "The first: break open the wound scab, release the toxic blood and find a way to expel the evil Qi..."

  Before he could finish listening, Yu Chen Xuan Huang's eyelid twitched and he said decisively: "This won't do!"

  "Then... secondly: use the Fu Mo magic array to urge the elixir to suppress the poisonous gas, and then seek a way to resolve it. This process will take a long time, and may not necessarily be able to eradicate it."

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang thought for a moment: "This won't work either."

  The immortal doctor neither condescended nor showed arrogance, with both hands spread out: "Even if you search through the three realms and six paths, there are only these two methods. I can see that the superior immortal had borrowed the power of the heavenly and earthly spiritual objects to revive, but this object can assist in cultivating immortality as well as prolonging one's lifespan. However, it can also lead to internal demons entering the meridians. His cultivation is deep and profound, so for a short time, there may be no problem, but if it drags on for too long, the internal demons will invade the meridians, and his own clear and pure energy will inevitably resist. Comparing the two, the superior immortal will suffer greatly from internal exhaustion. If light, his cultivation will be severely damaged; if severe..."

  "How?"

  "The difference between a saint and a demon lies in just one thought!"

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang gazed at the distant garden scenery they had just admired, made up his mind several times, but still couldn't say it out loud.

  Finally, he let out a long sigh and said: "In the hundred or more years I've known him, have I ever seen him so wretched? To go forward is suffering, to retreat is pain. What can I do...?"

  The immortal doctor had also seen this situation before, and tried to ask: "Actually, it's better to let the upper immortal rest for a short time, and then treat them after their body has further recovered. Why not let the upper immortal make their own decision?"

  Yu Chen Xuan Huang resolutely refused: "If he were to choose for himself, he would certainly say: 'Xuan Yi has nothing to worry about, please rest assured, the matters of Tiantai Mountain are not yet settled, it's better to return early, thank you for your concern, farewell!' By then he will be far away in the lower realm, I won't be at ease."

  "This immortal really can't understand anything."

  "Let's go with the latter!" Yu Chen Xuan Huang calmed his mind and finally made up his decision.

  "Yes, sir!"

  The healing formation has been activated, Yu Chen Xuan Huang stands stiffly in the courtyard with his back to the door, silently reciting a blessing spell. Wave after wave of attendants tried to persuade him to rest and even offered to hold an umbrella for him, but were all chased away by him.

  As the last of his most trusted guards reluctantly withdrew, he suddenly remembered something and called them back.

  "You, go to Dongyue Xuwu Chang and bring Dao Jing over immediately!"

  "Yes, I obey!"

  Xuan Yi sat steadily in the midst of the formation, surrounded by a halo of mysterious light. The immortal doctor and three assistants were positioned at the four cardinal directions, activating the formation. A young apprentice named Cheng Suo stood guard at the entrance.

  "Luò Tiān Dú Shòu, bèi jù sì mén, tūn liú gē dǎn, shān chǒu wàn qún..."

  Translation: "The Luò Heavenly Poisonous Beast, with four massive gates, swallowing the flowing and cutting the gallbladder, a mountain of ugliness among ten thousand groups..."

  In the sound of chanting, the formation was slowly operating, and Xuan Yi was also very cooperative in concentrating his breath. But as the formation changed, a hint of pain appeared between his eyebrows.

  The power of the elixir was driven by the law array, gradually approaching the heart pulse along the source of the evil energy. Xuan Yi's own immortal power was very strong and should have been guided by the medicinal power of the elixir to actively suppress the evil energy. Unexpectedly, it did not cooperate at this time, but instead gradually showed signs of resistance.

  The immortal doctor suddenly felt a great deal of effort, in order to stabilize the law array, he sped up his recitation: "Body wearing heavenly book, proclaiming orthodox text, cleansing nine airs, clarifying three primes, mysterious elevation of heavenly truth, merging with nature..."

  Dark energy as if with a will of its own, taking advantage of the moment when the law array was shaking, suddenly burst out!

  "Not good!"