Wet viviparity

Chapter 717 Tribulation, A Brief Chat
The wooden gate opened silently, revealing a corner of the small courtyard.

The master seemed quite familiar with the master and gestured for me to follow him inside.

The furnishings in the courtyard were extremely simple, with only stone benches and tables, all spotless.

On a prayer mat in the courtyard sat an old man in coarse linen robes. His hair and beard were silver and casually draped over his shoulders, but his face was rosy like that of a baby. His eyes were clear and peaceful, without the slightest ripple or sharpness.

"Golden Boy!"

The Taoist had heard this title many times within the mountain gate, and of course, he heard it even more often from Master Lingxu.

The title of "Master" is reserved for those who, among the four realms of the Golden Core stage, possess magical power, cultivation, reputation, and virtue far surpassing their peers in the sect, and who are largely undisputed within both orthodox and unorthodox sects.

This is just like the current Li Zhu Shang Zhen, who has been transformed into an infant and has re-entered the Upper Palace to serve as its acting head.

The man on the futon looked over with a smile, his gaze falling on the Taoist priest. His gentle gaze was as warm as the spring sun. The restraint and unease that had arisen in my heart due to the unfamiliarity were silently soothed and melted away by his gaze.

"Junior brother, your immobilization technique is becoming more and more proficient, but what's with this strange appearance of yours?"

"Haha, Senior Brother has a discerning eye indeed."

Ji Ming chuckled twice on the futon, his beard and hair trembling wildly. After a flash of clear light, the wondrous Daoist cultivator appeared on the futon—wearing a golden crown, dressed in a black-edged, fiery-red robe, carrying a basket in his left hand and a fire-enhancing fan for the stove in his right.

"Just now I wandered in the mountains in my mind, picked old herbs, and refined a batch of elixirs."

"Then my senior brother came over, and I was instantly struck by a divine response. In my haste to return to my senses, I didn't even have time to put down the basket and fan."

As Ji Ming spoke, he noticed that Xinghua was still standing by the path beside him. So he raised his hand, and a rough pottery pot was automatically suspended. The spout tilted slightly, and a stream of clear, green water poured into the pottery bowl on the stone table. "Sit down. The mountain wind is chilly. Have a cup of rough tea to warm yourself up."

"This is my youngest disciple, Shen Yang. He was taken in from the Central Plains when I went to Huangting Palace to congratulate Master Xie on his birthday twenty-three years ago. He has decent potential, but he is good at being diligent, honest, and has a good understanding of the big picture."

"Shenyang of Taiping Mountain pays respects to Martial Uncle Lingxu!"

Shen Yang tried his best to hide his nervousness, bowing with his hands clasped in greeting, then became reserved and carefully sat down.

Do you know my disciple?

Ji Ming asked Shen Yang.

"Brother Ding has been cultivating in seclusion in Guhe Prefecture for a long time. He occasionally comes to the mountain gate to report on his duties. We have met a few times and can be considered acquainted."

"Let me ask you again, has this kid slacked off in his cultivation all these years?"

"I don't know." Faced with the half-smile on his Uncle Lingxu's face, Shen Yang had no choice but to say again, "It is said that Senior Brother Ding occasionally meets with celestial maidens, and all the fellow disciples in the sect are extremely envious."

"What nonsense."

Master Xinghua's expression turned stern, almost turning into a rage. He scolded, "You dare to bring up such baseless accusations in front of your martial uncle? When has my Taiping Mountain ever had such a reputation? Get down the mountain now!"

Shen Yang looked bitter. He had only added the word "it is said" because he was worried about getting into trouble, but he didn't expect his master to still catch him. He regretted not saying it and left the mountain in a huff.

"Senior brother, you're as protective of your juniors as ever!"

“I know that you, junior brother, have always been very strict with your students and set an example for them. Ding Ruyi and Green Flower Fairy have a deep bond and have gone through life and death trials in the Hua Tui Cave of Fengqun Mountain. Their love is stronger than gold.”

Now that the fairy maiden has completed her cultivation, she has been able to return to the True Maiden Palace. The two are separated by the Milky Way, separated by heaven and earth, and rarely have time to meet. Fortunately, thanks to the guidance of the reclusive master Zhen Taigong, they have had occasional days to reunite. Junior brother, you must not try to separate these lovers. Senior brother is now old and cannot bear to see such suffering.”

Ji Ming was both amused and exasperated by Xinghua Zhenren's childish and shameless words, so he decided not to bring it up again.

He also knew that when he assigned Green Flower Fairy to participate in the rescue of Red Intent Gentleman, he was not entirely sure about it, so he felt indebted to her.

After all, that Chi Yi Lang Jun had been suppressed for a long time, enduring hardship and suffering. His concentration and wisdom had become increasingly profound, and his spiritual cultivation must have increased. In addition, he was burdened with a thousand Winged Constellation Tribulations. With quiet contemplation, he might not be unable to break through and establish anew.

With the other party suddenly released, even with Ji Ming's best efforts, it was difficult to fully plan for such a variable as Chi Yi Lang Jun.

Even after careful analysis, Ji Ming could hardly recall the details of that great rescue operation, and even now he only knows a fraction of it.

During the rescue, Lü Hua and the reclusive Hua Tui Gu Huagong from Fengqun Mountain worked together from the inside and outside. After several twists and turns, they rescued Chi Yi Lang Jun and prepared to lay low in Hua Tui Cave. During this time, Gu Huagong and Chi Yi Lang Jun fought each other for some unknown reason. Lü Hua was implicated in the battle and was almost put in danger.

If it weren't for Lu Zhenjun's skillful arrangements and Ding Ruyi's support from outside Fengqun Mountain, the Green Fairy's fate would have been uncertain.

The whole incident ended with the disappearance of both Gu Huagong and Chiyi Langjun. However, Ji Ming knew that Lu Zhenjun must have made many arrangements in the process. Otherwise, Lu Zhenjun would not have sent Ji Ming an ancient interpretation of the Divine Star Chapter of the Taiyi Jiabu True Scripture a few years later as a form of compensation.

This book of interpretation is a manuscript by Qian Zu, the very Qian Zu who descended to earth as a literary star and first created the Xuanming Star General.

This interpretation book did indeed save Ji Ming a lot of hard work, and gave him some ideas about the increasingly profound cultivation of the true method. The method of inviting the statue of Xuanming Star into the temple to receive incense offerings was inspired by the interpretation book.

After chatting briefly with Master Xinghua, they finally got to the main topic of his visit.

Before getting to the main topic, Master Xinghua's gaze fell on the gnarled ancient willow. Seeing the willow branches swaying in the wind, a strange melancholy appeared on his face, as if there were undercurrents surging beneath a deep pool.

"Beneath the sea of ​​clouds, turbid air gradually rises, like raging subterranean fire, and this has been going on for more than a day."

"Junior Brother Jintong, although you reside in a secluded immortal mountain, you possess the ability to recall the past; you must have some insights."

Ji Ming straightened his back almost imperceptibly, and a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes: "In recent years, there have been few unusual movements in the four directions of Tiannan, which is quite different from before. It can be seen that the demonic atmosphere is stirring up, and their behavior is more unpredictable than before."

"When the heavens unleash their killing intent, stars shift and constellations change; when the earth unleashes its killing intent, dragons and snakes rise from the land."

Master Xinghua slowly chanted, each word like gold and jade falling to the ground, saying: "This is not a calamity of a single mountain or pond, but the beginning of the collapse of the universe in the south. The turbid air rises to the heavens, polluting the pure source. Only with thunderous means can the world be cleansed."

"What decree does the True Lord have?"

Ji Ming asked solemnly.

"There was no imperial edict, only a verbal instruction."

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Ji Ming made a hand seal and said, "Lingxuzi respectfully obeys the imperial edict!"

"Some mountain gates have been eroded by the turbid air, their surfaces are shiny, but their interiors are rotten and worn."

If you encounter such a situation, you must cut ties decisively. Do not show womanly compassion, lest you suffer the consequences. Sacrificing the minor branches to save the main trunk is not heartless, but rather a display of unwavering resolve in upholding principles.

"He Shan is rampant. Please give me your advice, senior brother."

"Baiqin Mountain, Shenzhu Temple, and Shuangshen Temple."

(End of this chapter)