Chapter 308 - 168: Dinghu Mountain, Jin Yuanzai (2)

Chapter 308: Chapter 168: Dinghu Mountain, Jin Yuanzai (2)

The Cyan Sky Realm and the Guangyuan Realm were said to be extremely close, while the Profound Yellow Realm was somewhat farther from them both. As a result, interactions with it were less frequent than those between the Cyan Sky and Guangyuan Realms.

The Eastern Celestial Realm, however, was even more distant from the Guangyuan Realm, making exchanges rarer still. To cultivators who had not yet reached the Zhenren level, it was utterly mysterious.

However, Cen Fenghong’s status meant he was always well-informed. He knew a thing or two about many secrets, which only made him more curious about the Eastern Celestial Realm.

"Precisely," Changxin replied. "Your statuses are no lesser than Jin Yuanzai’s. It would reflect poorly on my martial brother and me as hosts if we were to neglect proper etiquette."

Cen Fenghong laughed. "You should save such words for Fellow Daoist Zhong and Fellow Daoist Xu. I am not worthy of them."

Cen Fenghong didn’t actually come from a major sect. He was the secular nephew of Jide Taoist and, through a fortunate turn of events, had become a disciple of an Independent Practitioner True Spirit Zhenren from the Cyan Sky Realm. In the Cyan Sky Realm, his status might be considered impressive, but compared to the Taiyi Palace of the Eastern Celestial Realm... they were in completely different leagues.

From what he knew, to call the Taiyi Palace of the Eastern Celestial Realm the single dominant power was an understatement. "Hegemon of an entire realm" was a more fitting description.

Even the various factions within Taiyi Palace were likely on par with, if not stronger than, the major sects of the Cyan Sky Realm.

Zhong Shenxiu raised an eyebrow slightly and slowly replied, "You jest, Fellow Daoist. We are merely here on a private visit. How could we possibly warrant such a grand reception?"

"Now that you’ve all arrived, let’s not dwell on it," Changhua said, cutting Changxin off with a smile. "The True Monarch Dojo opens in two days. Before then, why don’t you join us at our temple for a while?"

"Excellent." The group agreed in unison and followed Changhua out of White Deer Hall. A cloud carriage was waiting for them. It had two wide compartments, one in front and one in back, spacious enough for a dozen people. Hitched to the front were two magnificent white deer, standing patiently before the hall.

"Here on Dinghu Mountain, disciples must rely on the sect’s formations to fly; we are not permitted to use our own movement arts," Changhua explained apologetically. "However, the sect has prepared this carriage for our honored guests. We hope you will not find it beneath you."

The group readily accepted and boarded the cloud carriage, accompanied by Changhua and Changxin. With a soft cry, the white deer pulled the carriage and galloped into the sky.

Riding through the clouds in the carriage had a certain leisurely elegance, and their conversation continued unabated. Cen Fenghong was the first to give in to his curiosity, asking Changxin, "Jin Yuanzai is visiting Dinghu Mountain... could it be that he also plans to attend the lecture at the Guangcheng Dojo?"

A hint of pride touched Changxin’s face. "If all goes as expected, that is indeed the case."

It was no wonder he was a little proud. Across all the realms, only True Monarch Guangcheng held public lectures on the Dao. Countless experts from every corner had benefited from True Monarch Guangcheng’s teachings; it was a truly unique honor.

...

A waterfall like a bolt of white silk plunged a thousand zhang, kicking up a hazy mist. Submerged in the pool below were swords of every kind—some of gold, some of jade, some of iron, some of wood; some long and slender, others broad or hooked. There were over a hundred blades in total, each one radiating a chilling aura and possessing an impressive quality.

"So this is the Sword Washing Pool where you cultivate, Brother Zhuo?" A young Daoist, led by Zhuo Hansheng, stepped onto the path. He wore a golden crown and wide-sleeved robes embroidered with nine stars. Glancing around, his eyes filled with admiration. "You should have brought me here long ago, Brother Zhuo. This is far better than any scenic spot."

A barely perceptible smile touched Zhuo Hansheng’s lips. "I wouldn’t have thought such an austere place would suit your tastes, Brother Jin," he said politely.

Jin Yuanzai replied, "You’re mistaken, Brother Zhuo. I’m not one for a life of idle luxury."

Zhuo Hansheng gave a faint smile and led him to a stone table by the pool. With a flick of his sleeve, two bowls containing black and white playing pieces appeared. "Brother Jin," he said, "care for a game?"

"Oh? A contest of swords and a contest of Go? I’m certainly interested." Jin Yuanzai’s interest was piqued. He took one of the bowls and said, "Brother Zhuo, you first, please."

Zhuo Hansheng had no objections. He casually placed a piece, and Jin Yuanzai immediately followed suit.

Though they called it a contest of swords and Go, they had only just begun placing pieces, revealing none of its profound mysteries. They played with great speed, leaving plenty of time for idle chat. Zhuo Hansheng suddenly asked, "You mentioned earlier, Brother Jin, that besides attending the True Monarch’s lecture, you had a small matter to attend to in the Guangyuan Realm. I wonder if I might be of any assistance?"

Jin Yuanzai paused to think for a moment, placed a piece on the board, and then said casually, "I was entrusted by a senior to attend a meeting. I’m only staying in the Guangyuan Realm for a short while, so I won’t need your help, Brother Zhuo."

"Oh?" Zhuo Hansheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. "The senior expert you speak of... could it be Da Ji Zhenren?"

Jin Yuanzai paused in the middle of placing his piece. He chuckled, unsurprised. "That’s right. With your talent, Brother Zhuo, Da Ji Zhenren certainly wouldn’t have overlooked you. But I take it you refused his offer?"

Zhuo Hansheng said coolly, "I thought such a wager was tedious and uninteresting, so I refused. I never expected it would attract someone of your stature, Brother Jin."

Jin Yuanzai smiled. "Not at all. I admit I felt the same way at first. But after getting involved, I realized it’s nothing like what we imagined."

"Oh?" Zhuo Hansheng asked. "I’m listening."

Jin Yuanzai said, "Among the helpers Da Ji Zhenren has invited, there is one named Li Chengzhen. Do you know of him?"

Zhuo Hansheng’s expression flickered. "Li Chengzhen... I’ve heard his name, but we’ve never met."

Jin Yuanzai nodded. "I’ve met him. We only exchanged a few words on the Dao, but I could tell his cultivation is exceedingly profound. He is not to be underestimated."

He placed a piece and smiled. "In my opinion, Li Chengzhen is already quite formidable. However, I’ve heard that the helpers invited by Da Ji Zhenren’s rival are also extremely capable."

A thought struck Zhuo Hansheng. "What are their backgrounds?"

Jin Yuanzai mused, "I heard about a man named Xuzhuang. In an Immortal Mansion in the Cyan Sky Realm, he single-handedly fought six ’True Inheritors’ from four major sects and actually defeated them, seizing an immortal opportunity right from under their noses."

"Mm, his name has been on everyone’s lips recently. So that’s the reason he’s come to the Guangyuan Realm..." Zhuo Hansheng replied coolly, then suddenly trailed off. A thought struck him. ’Zhong Shenxiu and Xuzhuang are traveling together... could it be?’

Jin Yuanzai asked, a note of confusion in his voice, "Brother Zhuo?"

Zhuo Hansheng toyed with a playing piece between his fingers, tapping it lightly against the board. "Brother Jin," he asked suddenly, "do you know if the helpers invited by Da Ji Zhenren’s rival include someone named Zhong Shenxiu?"

"Yes, I was just about to mention him." Jin Yuanzai’s brow smoothed. "I hadn’t heard of him myself, but Li Chengzhen told me this man is the very reason he agreed to the meeting. I imagine he must be no ordinary character."

"Why? Are you familiar with him, Brother Zhuo?"

Zhuo Hansheng suddenly smiled and shook his head. "Here on Dinghu Mountain, is there anyone whose ears don’t ring with his name?"

"For the past three hundred years, we at Dinghu Mountain have been inexplicably spurred on by the mention of his name. In the eyes of our founding masters, our entire generation of brilliant disciples somehow fails to measure up to an outsider... To be honest, I was once extremely unconvinced myself."

Jin Yuanzai listened intently, his eyes flashing with interest.

"However," Zhuo Hansheng said, suddenly placing a piece on the board, "after I met the man myself, I realized his reputation is well-earned."

"So, your interest in him has only grown." Jin Yuanzai laughed heartily. "So that’s how it is!"

Zhuo Hansheng frowned slightly. "What are you laughing about, Brother Jin?"

"There’s something you don’t know, Brother Zhuo. Before I came to Dinghu Mountain, Da Ji Zhenren found me." With a flick of his wrist, Jin Yuanzai produced a Jade Talisman. He smiled. "Da Ji Zhenren told me that this was the invitation reserved for the final helper."

"I didn’t understand his meaning at the time, but he told me that all would become clear when the time was right... I imagine this Jade Talisman is meant for you, Brother Zhuo."

Zhuo Hansheng was taken aback. He accepted the Jade Talisman, suddenly recalling the day he had refused Da Ji Zhenren’s offer. The man had been cryptic, muttering that he had already foreseen that Zhuo Hansheng would eventually accept his invitation.

Zhuo Hansheng gave a wry smile. "So that’s how it is."