Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 179 - 127: True Monarch_1

Chapter 179: Chapter 127: True Monarch_1

Translator: 549690339

Before the Mana Altar, the Mysterious Light Mirror appeared.

Looking at the scene within the mirror, Xu Yang’s brows slightly furrowed.

His frown was not due to the aggressive approach of the opponent but because the situation was abnormal and tinged with eeriness.

It was quite normal for someone to set their sights on the Guo Bei Academy, as a tall tree catches the wind, and the temptation was astonishing.

However, three Demon Kings simultaneously breaking through and achieving the body of a Demon Emperor, and finding a True Monarch Cultivator with unclear background to collude with them—all four acting in collusion like a nest of rats and snakes—this was somewhat abnormal.

There must be another force behind this!

Xu Yang hesitated for a moment but eventually did not use the Heavenly Eye to investigate.

His current level was merely of a True Man.

Fifth Stage of True Human Realm, equivalent to Foundation Establishment.

Demon Emperor is of the sixth realm, comparable to Golden Core.

Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, a difference of one realm, as vast as the difference between the clouds and mud.

Logically speaking, even if he had cultivated the technique of the Xuan Guang to the “Heavenly Eye” stage, it would be difficult to surveil without alerting the other party due to the disparity in realms and levels, a gap that cannot be bridged.

But this was only in terms of conventional methods; relying on the Skill Traits, Xu Yang made up for the difference between them. With the Heavenly Eye’s oversight, even the likes of Chu Gonghou who had now become Demon Emperors, could not sense it.

However, just because Chu Gonghou and the others could not detect it did not mean that the one pulling the strings behind the scenes could not detect it.

It would be better not to act rashly and startle the snake by hitting the grass.

Xu Yang withdrew his mana, the Mysterious Light dissipated, and along with it the Heavenly Eye closed, transforming into a talisman that vanished between his brows.

Afterward, Xu Yang raised his hand and motioned. A person approached him.

“Master!”

“Prepare the Mana Altar, set up the rite!”

“Yes!”

The disciple took the order and left.

Xu Yang also turned around, his brilliance flickered, and his shape changed, already assuming the appearance of “Shi Jian”.

Then, with a sweep of the duster, mists rose by themselves, and he mounted his body and went straight up into the sky.

Should mortals witness this scene, they would surely exclaim at the methods of the immortals.

Xu Yang rode the clouds, traveling far away, and soon left the lands of Guo Bei County.

North City is part of Jinhua; beyond North City lies Jinhua.

Within Jinhua Mansion, there’s a forbidden name that changes the color of people’s faces when spoken.

It’s called—Orchid Temple!

As Xu Yang rode the clouds, in just a moment, he saw a desolate wilderness.

In the middle of the wilderness, the forest was dense, with solitary graves.

Above the ridges, peaks were steep, locking the four directions.

From a high vantage point looking down, one could see a formation that subtly conformed to the Principle of Yin and Yang, trapping this desolate place within it.

At the center of the formation, under the seal, there was a dilapidated and secluded ancient temple situated between the wild forest.

The ancient temple was dilapidated, with secluded paths and eroded by a large amount of vines and moss; but overall, it still retained the facade of the structure. Inside the temple, stone pagodas stood tall—whether or not Buddha bones were still enshrined was unknown. Outside the temple, everywhere was adorned with steles, dried graves, and tombs; even during the day, it felt eerie.

However, all these eerie scenes were merely illusions to cover up the reality.

Xu Yang’s gaze became sharp, and between his brows, the sacred light flickered, faintly forming into a talisman, outlining the contours of the Heavenly Eye.

With the Heavenly Eye opened, just one glance shattered the ghostly illusions instantly—a splendid, brightly lit ancient temple stood amidst the darkness, with shadowy figures inside, singing and dancing in peace as if indulging in enjoyment.

Yet with a flash of the Heavenly Eye’s Mysterious Light, a second layer of illusion shattered. The splendid, brightly lit temple disappeared in an instant, leaving only a dark, desolate temple about to collapse. It was like a giant tree rooted in darkness, with countless corpses, skeletons, ghosts, and demons howling ceaselessly beneath it.

Darkness—where does it come from?

How can there be darkness under the bright sky?

A common person cannot understand; only Cultivators can perceive.

The darkness is not a play of light and shadow but made up of Yuan Qi.

Yin Qi, the darkness composed of boundless Yin Qi, like a massive vortex, lies within this desolate land.

It is the overlap between the Dual Realm of Yin and Yang, the gateway from the world of the living to the Netherworld.

Even if the sun is in the sky and the sunlight is shining brightly, it cannot dispel this boundless Yin Qi.

Within it, shadowy figures loom, countless Evil Ghosts roaming, wishing to enter the world of the living and consume the living.

The Dual Realm of Yin and Yang is a peculiar aspect of this world.

However, Xu Yang did not come for this, so let’s leave that aside for now.

With a thought, the clouds descended, landing on an isolated peak.

Within the solitary peak, there was a simple reed shed. In front of the shed sat a Taoist Man with white hair and beard, full of immortal energy and Taoist bones, undoubtedly a true practitioner of Taoism.

Seeing Xu Yang descending from the clouds, the Taoist Man also stood up to greet him, smiling lightly and saying, “Has Taoist Friend Liuxian arrived?”

“Greetings, True Monarch!”

Xu Yang nodded, performing the proper courtesies.

This person was none other than the master of the White Cloud Taoist Temple, highly respected, transcendental, and a Grandmaster of Taoism—True Monarch Changrong!

Several decades ago, as the Orchid Ghost Realm fiercely expanded, no one within Jinhua Mansion could restrain it, and it seemed that Mansion City would be swallowed by the Ghost Realm.

At the critical juncture, True Monarch Changrong came from White Cloud Temple, single-handedly repelling the multitude of ghosts and demons. Afterward, he led cultivators from both Taoism and Buddhism, more than a dozen True Men, to suppress the area around Orchid, preventing the Orchid Ghost Realm from expanding further.

He maintained this suppression for several decades, rarely leaving the area.

This displayed the height of his morals.

Although Xu Yang frequently wielded sword and spear, destroying the Doctrines of the Three Sects within both Great Zhou and Great Tang, it was because most of the Three Sects in Great Zhou and Great Tang were pseudo-Buddhists and pseudo-Taoists—devoid of virtue and conduct. They claimed to be gates of enlightenment but were in fact local tyrants.

For such bastards lacking in virtue and use, only good at causing trouble and frustrations, Xu Yang naturally intended to eradicate them root and branch, scouring the court and sweeping the den.

However, this world was different. Taoist magic was honored, cultivators sought the truth, and the Three Sects had extremely high standards for their own moral character. While not everyone could be considered saints, on the whole, they were still part of the Righteous Path.

Righteous Daoist cultivators all saw it as their duty to slay demons and eradicate evil spirits, often willing to sacrifice their lives for righteousness, with those dying to defend the path being far from rare.

While this did have some connection with their cultivation, judging by actions rather than intentions, what was done was done. Regardless of the motivation, it did not affect their nature.

Take True Monarch Changrong here, who spent decades suppressing the Orchid Ghost Realm and protecting the peace of the land; even though this was part of his cultivation, it still did not change the fact that he brought great benefits to the common people and accumulated vast merit.

Xu Yang’s respect for such genuine cultivators of the Way was sincere and unfeigned.

“Taoist friend is still as courteous as ever.”

True Monarch Changrong smiled, inviting him to sit down and brewing a pot of Immortal Tea: “This is the newly arrived Baiyun Mist Mountain Tea. Please, taste it and see how it is.”

Xu Yang raised his cup and drank, commenting, “Baiyun Immortal Tea truly lives up to its reputation.”

“If you like it, then take some back with you.”

True Monarch Changrong smiled and then got right to the point: “Now is not yet the time for rotation, Taoist friend must have important matters to attend to by coming here, right?”

“Indeed!”

Xu Yang nodded and said, “I, along with Brother Dao of Yin Mountain Way and Sword Minister, need to take a leave of absence for some time and won’t be able to come for the rotation. I must trouble the true monarch to make alternative arrangements.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, True Monarch Changrong couldn’t help but frown: “Could it be that Taoist Friend Liuxian has got into some dispute with others again, sigh… Liuxian is a sword cultivator, decisive and straightforward, unbending, which is understandable. However, actions need not always result in confrontation with drawn swords. How about I mediate as a middleman and everyone sits down and talks it over?”

There was an unmistakable helplessness in his words.

Over the years, Guo Bei Academy had been constantly developing and growing. Although there was no expansion of a conquering nature, the “plundering style” of recruiting students and moving populations had brought about conflicts with various forces.

For this, duels with blades and spells, and battles with curse skills were quite common, making the already unstable Jinhua Mansion even more tumultuous.

As the only Taoist True Monarch within Jinhua Mansion and also the master of White Cloud Taoist Temple, a highly esteemed figure in Taoism, he had no choice but to step in and take control of the situation.

But these matters were always one in which every party felt justified. Additionally, with Guo Bei Academy conducting their affairs flawlessly and Li Liuxian and his two companions possessing extraordinary strength, forming a sworn brotherhood with strong ties…

Binding the three together, not to mention ordinary people, even he, the master of White Cloud Taoist Temple and a True Monarch of Taoism, might not be able to withstand them.

Thus, he had no choice but to be partial to Guo Bei Academy to keep Jinhua peaceful.

But to his surprise, this approach made others perceive bias, thinking that he, as a True Monarch of Taoism, was taking sides.

Heaven have mercy, if not for his partiality, those three would have already embarked on a slaughter.

A sword cultivator, a thunder cultivator, and an atypical Yin Mountain Way who commanded ghost gods.

Did they really think he could suppress them?

Being caught in an extremely difficult position, True Monarch Changrong still hoped Xu Yang could give him some face.

Looking at the True Monarch of Taoism, who had suppressed the Ghost Realm for decades but was essentially a pushover, Xu Yang shook his head with a smile: “It’s indeed a matter concerning the academy, only it’s not personal affairs but rather an issue with demons.”

“Oh?”

“Demons?”

Hearing this, True Monarch Changrong immediately changed his expression: “What demon is so blind as to dare provoke the three of you?”

“You jest, True Monarch.”

Xu Yang shook his head, calmly saying, “Several Demon Emperors from Mount Mang have gathered a host of demons, evil spirits, and malevolent entities, aiming to attack Guo Bei Academy.”

“Mount Mang?”

“Demon Emperor?”

“Several?”

Upon hearing this, True Monarch Changrong was also taken aback, then his demeanor became more solemn: “Is what Taoist friend says true?”

Xu Yang nodded: “I have seen through them with Heavenly Eye Mysterious Light, there’s no possibility of falsehood.”

True Monarch Changrong fell silent for a moment, then seriously said: “I can’t be in two places to deal with the Orchid Ghost Realm, but I can send a letter inviting fellow Daoists from all around to come and lend you a hand, ensuring Guo Bei’s safety.”

Xu Yang shook his head: “There’s no need for True Monarch to trouble yourself. The three of us have our own methods to cope. My visit was to ask for leave, and second, to remind the True Monarch that the movement of the Mount Mang demons may also involve other schemes. Perhaps it could also implicate Orchid Temple. Therefore, I ask you to be wary of the Black Mountain Old Demon, and to remain vigilant against their colluding misdeeds!”

“This…”

True Monarch Changrong pondered for a moment, then agreed: “What Taoist friend says is quite right. The Black Mountain Old Demon is a giant of the Netherworld, half-demon and half-god. If the demons of Mount Mang intend to act against Guo Bei Academy, they will undoubtedly seek his alliance. I must reinforce the defenses. No, to be safe, I will still send a letter inviting a few friends over to bolster our forces.”

Hearing this, Xu Yang did not say more: “True Monarch, you arrange as you see fit. Once I’ve dealt with those demons, I’ll return to face the Black Mountain Old Demon with you.”

“Oh?”

His words seemed to make True Monarch Changrong sense something, looking him over: “Could it be that Taoist friend is about to make another breakthrough?”

Xu Yang smiled, unassumingly: “If all goes well, it will be in this very place!”

“This… alack!”

Even True Monarch Changrong could not help but let out a long sigh: “Taoist friend is truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius, I am no comparison!”

“You are too modest, True Monarch.”

Xu Yang stood up: “There are still many preparations to be made, I shall take my leave first.”

“Taoist friend, take care.”

True Monarch Changrong nodded, then remembered something else: “By the way, which method does Taoist friend plan to use to deal with this?”

Xu Yang smiled: “I have ordered my disciples to set up a Mana Altar, to perform the ceremonies, preparing to hold the Luotian Dajiao within Guo Bei County.”

“Luotian Dajiao?”

True Monarch Changrong’s eyes sharpened, then he understood and smiled: “No wonder Taoist friend is so confident. With the potential of Guo Bei County, if you hold a Luotian Dajiao ritual, it’ll naturally be easy to deal with the Mount Mang demons. With such a plan, I can rest easy. I’ll write a letter later, calling for cooperation from all the surrounding areas.”

“Thank you, True Monarch!”

“Taoist friend, you are too polite!”