Starting Cultivation During a Trip

He is now racing against time with the Wang Family for Qin Ergou’s slim chance of survival.

"Someone saw Qin Ergou at Zhongnan Mountain," Meng Qiwu said flatly.

"Zhongnan Mountain? Has he returned to the sect?" Zhang Fan asked.

"You might not be familiar with Zhongnan Mountain."

In the car, Meng Qiwu said solemnly.

Among the ten great Taoist sect mountains under heaven, Zhongnan Mountain is the most unique. Besides the main peak where the sect is located, Zhongnan Mountain has long been known for its "thousands of peaks in layers," with five great valleys, over a hundred small valleys, countless mountain relics, stretching for several hundred miles.

Because of this, ever since ancient times, all hermits have entered Zhongnan Mountain to avoid worldly affairs.

During the Tang Dynasty, the trend of entering Zhongnan Mountain to become a hermit was at its peak.

When Zhang Fan was a child, he learned an ancient poem called "Seeking but Not Finding the Recluse," which tells of asking a boy under a pine tree if the master had gone out to gather herbs, and he answered only that he was somewhere deep in the mountain, beyond the clouds.

This poem metaphorically referred to Zhongnan Mountain as the Penglai Immortal Realm.

Even today, many people still leave the big cities to enter Zhongnan Mountain, seeking a peaceful place to build huts and become reclusive practitioners.

When Meng Qiwu mentioned Zhongnan Mountain, she meant it in the broad sense.

"He is clever, indeed, a place where myriad peaks and mountains truly form the Hidden Dragon in the Abyss," Zhang Fan whispered with his eyes slightly closed.

"I’m just afraid that before the dragon’s power is fully developed, he might be slain by the mundane." Meng Qiwu’s voice was tense.

Since she received the news, the Wang Family would naturally know as well. It all depended on who acted more swiftly.

If the Wang Family found Qin Ergou first, it would be certain death.

Rumble...

An hour and a half later, the car drove into the Zhongnan Mountain Range, where the mountains rolled continuously, rising like dragons, with a majestic atmosphere. From a distance, a high peak rose among the mountains like a pillar to the sky, grand and imposing.

"That is Taiyi Mountain, the main peak of Zhongnan Mountain, also home to the sect," Meng Qiwu said softly.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan couldn’t help but sigh, "This is truly a blessed land of the Daoist sect, with an aura of immortality lingering around."

In fact, this was his second visit, but last time he only caught a glimpse. Now, looking again, he felt differently.

Zhongnan Mountain is part of the important three-thousand-mile Qinling, one of the three major Dragon Veins of Hua Country, originating from Ancestor Kunlun, with nature’s splendor.

In ancient times, it was considered the foremost of the seventy-two blessed lands of the Daoist Sect. Historically, figures like Ancestor Qiu, Ancestor Wang, and Ancestor Lv have all practiced here.

Thinking of this history, Zhang Fan suddenly had a thought and couldn’t help but ask, "Back then, Chongyang Zhenren dug a tomb under Zhongnan Mountain, secluded himself, practiced the Profound Refining Technique, and eventually became an Earthly Immortal..."

"Is that Living Dead Tomb also hidden among the peaks of Zhongnan Mountain?"

"Indeed," Meng Qiwu nodded, "However, the Living Dead Tomb is extremely mysterious, and throughout history, only people from the Wang Family have been able to find it. Without a great destiny, one cannot enter."

"As far as I know, even for people from the Wang Family, it’s not easy to locate and delve into the grand tomb."

"However, from ancient times to now, those who practiced Jia Sheng Gui Si seem to have this opportunity."

As she spoke, a hint of reverence appeared in Meng Qiwu’s eyes.

"This is out of Ancestor Wang’s compassion, opening a dharma lineage for future generations, leaving a way out."

In those days, Chongyang Zhenren comprehended Jia Sheng Gui Si, understood the secret of life and death, broke through the Profound Void Technique, achieved Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, Five Qi Chaoyuan, and ultimately became an Earthly Immortal.

"Living dead, dead living... Jia Sheng Gui Si, the great secret of life and death..."

Zhang Fan looked at the scenery outside the window, murmuring, "Old Li, if you’re around, just give a sign."

Buzz...

A moment later, the car stopped at the entrance of a mountain pass.

"Can’t drive any further, we’ll have to go on foot."

Meng Qiwu got out of the car, and Zhang Fan followed.

The terrain in Zhongnan Mountain is much more open than the Hundred Thousand Mountains. As Zhang Fan walked, it was like treading on flat ground, full of ease. The surrounding valleys were empty, exotic stones nearby, birds and beasts far off, streams gently winding around, ancient trees tall and shading, far from the hubbub of human disturbance, indeed a perfect place for reclusion.

"Here, one’s thoughts dwindle, Consciousness settles, and the Primordial Spirit is greatly nourished, truly a wonderful place for cultivation," Zhang Fan remarked.

"Do you want to reside here long-term? I can find a good spot for you," Meng Qiwu laughed softly.

They also offered such services on Zhongnan Mountain. Many secluded ancient caves were under their control, offering more solitude and blessings, generally rented only to members of the Daoist sect.

"No need," Zhang Fan shook his head.

"Tribulations are the Elixir of Immortality. The Red Dust, though filthy, is the fire that tempers the Primordial Spirit into steel, the machine of myriad transformations," Zhang Fan stated solemnly.

Being in the Red Dust is the greatest tribulation, but also the greatest opportunity.

Avoiding such tribulations is to forfeit those opportunities. How would my path flourish? How would my Divine Techniques greatly increase!?"

"You..."

Listening to Zhang Fan’s words, Meng Qiwu froze, becoming dazed.

Such statements, neither righteous nor evil, meet disaster without evading, meet tribulation without dodging, hinting at the demeanor of a Grandmaster.

"Pure Yang... does your presence grace this path?" Meng Qiwu mused as she watched Zhang Fan’s back.

She suddenly recalled the words of her predecessors from the sect, how to pursue the Pure Yang Realm is not about elevating one’s Realm. To comprehend that realm, one must achieve eight words.

"Master Ancestor, which eight words?"

In days of old, images danced in Meng Qiwu’s mind. At the incense burning place, the bony hand of the ancestral master slowly lifted, descending on her forehead, those eight words resonated like a morning bell and evening drum, echoing in her ears, reverberating in her mind.

"Fearless of Heaven and Earth, Profoundly Subtle Doctrine."

"Only by achieving these eight words can one seize that thread of opportunity between heaven and earth, achieving myriad immortal fates."