Day and night tour

Chapter 442 Celestial Envoy
"Zhou Housheng, let me introduce you."

When the Taoist priest saw Zhou Xuan, he greeted him warmly. An old friend is an old friend, and the proper courtesy should still be shown.

Zhou Xuan waved his hand and said with a smile, "The Longevity Cult Leader, the Otherworldly Ghost in the Torn Robe—the Heavenly Crippled Monk, I have made twenty-four paintings of deities before, so I know a bit about you and there is no need for an introduction."

"Since you know that, that's good too."

The Taoist priest led Zhou Xuan to a square table and made him sit down.
The face of the crippled monk was covered in rashes resembling the blisters on a toad's back, making him look rather repulsive.

He glared at Zhou Xuan and then said nothing more.

As for the leader of the Longevity Cult, he cupped his hands to Zhou Xuan as a greeting, although he seemed somewhat reluctant to do so, he still showed courtesy.

These two people were somewhat displeased with Zhou Xuan, but that was all.

However, neither of them questioned the legitimacy of Zhou Xuan's "placement at the table" from beginning to end.

One table, two deities, one celestial being, and the last seat is not for mortals.

But the fact that the two did not object to Zhou Xuan sitting at the table shows that they also acknowledged Zhou Xuan's transcendent status—different from the other disciples of the mortal world.

“Zhou Housheng, before you came, I made a bet with those two that you would definitely get into this layer of fog.”

"They think you don't have the guts."

The Taoist priest, offering his opening remarks, tried to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.
“But he dared to enter this blue-red mist not because of courage,” said the crippled monk, twirling a string of prayer beads in his hand.

"The ability to manifest the form of a 'day and night wandering deity' is far more powerful than mere courage."

The leader of the Longevity Cult was not speaking in Zhou Xuan's favor, but was stating the facts.

The land of Jing is vast and boundless. Finding a few fearless people is easy, but finding someone who manifests the "Day and Night Wandering God" form has been impossible in the last two thousand years.

"Zhou Xuan, to be honest, I, the leader of the Longevity Sect, have a good impression of you... When seventeen god-level beings joined forces with Bifang to curse you to death with the 'Book of Willpower,' I didn't participate."

The words of the Longevity Cult Leader remained cold, but their content subtly hinted at a gesture of goodwill towards Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan nodded with a smile and said, "Master, I have seen Bifang's Heavenly Book with my own eyes. It does not contain your name, but it does contain the name of the Heavenly Crippled Monk."

"Killing you was not my intention. You are a god in heaven. Call us snakes and rats or collude with each other, but we are indeed in the same boat."
"Sitting on the same boat, there are many things to consider—I am the most Buddhist of the Outer Demons, and I have a close relationship with the Azure-Robed Buddha in the heavens. He signed his name on the Heavenly Book, so I must sign mine as well."

Above the sky, it's not just about fighting and killing.

The social niceties and reciprocal courtesy are no different from those in the human world.

"Therefore, the leader and I have no prejudice against you. Although we find it hard to accept that you, a mere mortal, are qualified to participate in this matter and discuss the ownership of the blue and red fish, we have no choice but to accept it now."

While the words of the Heavenly Crippled Monk were sharp and witty, they essentially acknowledged Zhou Xuan's involvement in the scheme.

"The blue and red fish are of great importance."

The Longevity Cult Leader said, "Zhou Xuan, you've caused a huge disaster this time. You've disrupted the celestial business and killed the Fish Monk. You should know where those human pills that the Fish Monk refines every day are sent."

"The sky, you know."

Within the blue-red mist space, there could be no outsiders. The Longevity Cult Leader did not shy away from discussing the "Human Pill," and Zhou Xuan also openly discussed the business of the Heavenly Vault.

"You beheaded the alchemist of the Heavenly Firmament, how do you think the Heavenly Firmament should punish you?"

The leader of the Longevity Cult tilted his head slightly to the right, glancing sideways at Zhou Xuan, his imposing aura quite intimidating.

Zhou Xuan, however, was not afraid of the pressure and said very easily: "Killing the fish monk is not considered causing trouble. In a sense, it actually helped Tianqiong optimize the structure of the 'Human Pill Factory'."

The leader of the Longevity Cult and the crippled monk remained silent. They had long heard of Zhou Xuan, this great master, whose thinking was extraordinary and who always managed to do some truly astonishing things.

Examples include using four tattoos, combining them into one, to create a fake god and deceive the entire Bone Elder Society.

Having finally made it to the mortal realm, the two naturally wanted to see and hear firsthand the unusual behavior and mannerisms of Zhou Xuan, satisfying their curiosity.

Zhou Xuan continued, "Judging from what the monk Yu told us, he was the first mortal alchemist that Tianqiong contacted, right?"
The business of Ren Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine) started with him.

"Doing business is always difficult at the beginning. The first deal, the first partner, often requires a huge investment and a great deal of energy. If I'm not mistaken, Tianqiong has placed quite a bet on Fish Monk."

"What did they get in return for all the huge sums of money they invested?"

"In return, the fish monk worked diligently for thousands of years, constantly refining human pills for the heavens. He was a good alchemist."

The monk Tiancan closed his eyes and concentrated, leisurely refuting the "Fish Monk".

Zhou Xuan shook his head and said, "It's true that Monk Yu is diligent, but this monk is not very skilled in alchemy. He is definitely not a good alchemist. Otherwise, he wouldn't only be qualified to refine pills for Li Shanzu and Daoist Tianyan."

He was already a piece of chicken rib in the sky, neither worth eating nor worth discarding.
Now, I've acted swiftly and decisively, making the decision for the heavens and eliminating this worthless piece of meat. The heavens should rightfully pay me a service fee.

"Heh...haha...heh."

The crippled monk had been trying to suppress his laughter, but he couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into laughter.
The leader of the Longevity Cult showed even more appreciation for Zhou Xuan in his eyes.

This Master Mingjiang, in such a short time, has managed to rise to prominence; he is truly a remarkable figure. He even beheaded the celestial alchemist and spouts so many fallacies and heresies.

Moreover, whether it's crooked or evil is not important; what's important is that it makes a lot of sense.

When the two of them descended to the mortal realm, the figures in the heavens did indeed give instructions—to retrieve the blue and red fish.

The text only mentions taking the fish, but doesn't mention capturing the "fish-killing monk," which is enough to explain Tianqiong's attitude towards the fish monk.

Tianqiong didn't care at all whether the fish monk lived or died.

The mention of "Fish Monk" by the Eternal Life Cult Leader and the Crippled Monk was merely an attempt to intimidate Zhou Xuan and gain some momentum.
But now it seems that Zhou Xuan's response was swift and clean, showing no signs of being intimidated at all.

"We two can cover up the matter of the monk who killed the fish for you, as a way of showing respect to the incense and Taoist gods."
However, we're taking the blue and red fish with us; you have no choice.

The position of the Longevity Cult Leader was subtly higher than that of the Crippled Monk, so he was the one who made the final decisions.

However, just as he was about to make a final decision, Zhou Xuan didn't give him the chance and immediately said, "The Azure-Red Fish must be left to me; Tianqiong can't take it away."

"Master, I advise you not to use force against what Tianqiong has set his sights on. The Dao God of Incense Offerings has some connections with you, and even if the two of us join forces, we naturally cannot defeat him."
However, we are not just two people; we have descended to the mortal realm representing the will of the entire heavens. The heavens do not fear the Dao Gods.
"Sir, some things cannot be forced."

The leader of the Longevity Cult advised Zhou Xuan, knowing that Zhou Xuan was a man who dared to defy the heavens. If he went against Zhou Xuan's wishes, this young man might actually draw his sword.

If Zhou Xuan were to draw his sword towards the heavens, he would surely die.

He didn't want to see this young man perish.

He then said, "I am a shaman of divine rank. There are many wild immortals in the world, and they all acknowledge me as their master."
Among them, the fox clan is my favorite wild immortal clan. The Great Master helped the fox clan a lot, even bestowing upon the King of Xishan a divine title while in a mortal body. This is a debt of gratitude I will always remember.
The more they talk about gratitude, the more I need to advise you, Master. The Azure and Red Fish are highly valued by the Heavenly Firmament; you, Zhou Xuan, must not harm these two fish.

"I'm taking these two fish." Zhou Xuan's attitude was firm.

This time, not only the leader of the Longevity Cult, but even the Taoist priests who offered incense also helped to persuade him: "Zhou Housheng, the blue and red fish is a good thing, but the power of the Heavenly Vault is too great. They have their eyes on it. You should give it up... At worst, I will find you another magic weapon in the future, which is no worse than this blue and red fish."

"No need for that. The blue and red fish is quite nice; it suits my taste."

Zhou Xuan said calmly.

"You're a bit stubborn, aren't you?"

With a gentle wave of his hand, the Heavenly Crippled Monk conjured a tattered robe. On this robe appeared numerous "White Bone Buddhas" and "Demon Buddhas," instantly filling the bamboo forest with a mingled aura of ghosts and Buddhas.

An invisible sense of oppression suddenly rose up.

"Do not resort to force."

The incense-burning Taoist priest's whisk fluttered in the wind, and Taoist runes appeared on every bamboo stalk in the bamboo forest.

The runes looked very natural, as if they were the natural patterns formed on the bamboo. When a breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, the runes swayed slightly.
With just a gentle shake, the ghostly and Buddha-like power of that crippled monk was silently and imperceptibly dissolved.

"Daoist God, your methods are truly remarkable. I am ashamed to admit my inferiority. However, can you protect this young man for a time, or for a lifetime?"

The monk Tiancan spoke in a very forceful tone.

"Do not resort to force."

Zhou Xuan said the same thing, then changed the subject and said, "If Tianqiong wants to expand and improve the pill business, then this blue and red fish must be left to me."

"Ok?"

The leader of the Longevity Cult, sensing a hidden meaning in Zhou Xuan's words, asked, "Why do you say that?"

"The blue and red fish is a treasure for alchemy and also a magic tool. Since it is a magic tool, it depends on the level of cultivation of the user."

Zhou Xuan coldly laughed: "For example, the City God Armor of the past was worn by Lu Yusheng. How did it fare when he wielded his sword against me?"
"Didn't I remove their armor and kill them across borders?"

"If the Azure-Red Fish were taken away by the Heavenly Vault, it would be no different from trash. Only in my hands can it shine brightly and restore the glory of the Ancestor of Alchemy in the mortal world."

The other three understood what Zhou Xuan meant: he looked down on the alchemists in the heavens.
He believed that even if the alchemists in the heavens took the blue and red fish, the pills they refined would be worthless and rotten.

"On my sixth incense stick's time, I joined the 'Nine Provinces Alchemists,' a special branch dedicated to alchemy. Only by following me can Qinghongyu refine the most dazzling elixirs."

Zhou Xuan's words were extremely arrogant.

The Heavenly Crippled Monk sneered, "What makes you so sure that all the alchemists in the heavens are useless, while you are a genius at alchemy?"

"Do the alchemists in the heavens know how to refine Qi pills?"

"The power of human will is not even enough for the gods, let alone the extra power to refine Qi pills. Since Qi pills cannot be refined, the method of refining Qi pills has been almost lost after thousands of years of change."

"Heh, I can refine Qi pills. My willpower is inexhaustible."

"Qi pills are an outdated product; human pills are the mainstream," said the Longevity Cult Master.

"What kind of 'human pill' is the best 'human pill'?"

Zhou Xuan asked again.

"Of course, the best human pill is the one made from human emotions and desires. This kind of pill can only be made in a human hearth."

"I don't need a big fire pit. I have already grasped the laws of destiny and control the seven emotions and six desires of humankind. What makes a big fire pit compare to me?"

Zhou Xuan was once again full of confidence.

His confidence was not unfounded; every word he uttered was based on reason and evidence, making it difficult for anyone to have any doubts.

"You possess the laws of destiny and a vast amount of human goodwill, but... why should we believe you can walk so smoothly within this incense stick's duration, and comprehend the supreme Dao of alchemy in such a short time?"

The leader of the Longevity Cult asked about the last hidden concern.

Zhou Xuan had the ingredients for the elixir, both human and qi-based pills. But what about the skill?

Alchemy is a complex art. It's not as simple as just throwing all the alchemical materials into a furnace and waiting for a bunch of radiant, high-quality pills to pop out all at once.

Without the supreme alchemy method, one can only turn those rare and precious materials into pot after pot of coal ash.

"Cult Leader of the Immortal Cult, I'll tell you right now, on what grounds!"
Of the four halls I visited, the storyteller's hall was the one where I comprehended the "Book of Will". After Bifang died, I became the only holder of the book.

In my second temple, I comprehended the "Landscape Map," a single map containing the aura of twenty-four deities—something never before seen.

My third and fourth halls, working together, comprehended the "True Scripture of the Valley," allowing this supreme Taoist scripture, which had been obscured for thousands of years, to see the light of day again.

"Every branch I've come to understand is the best... What reason do you have to doubt that my 'Fangshi Incense' can't flow smoothly and effortlessly?"

Zhou Xuan's words highlighted the fact that his "battle record is verifiable." Presenting the facts and telling the truth is not just "reasonable and well-founded," but rather irrefutable.

"What the heavens truly need is someone who can refine excellent pills, so does it matter who owns the Azure and Red Fish?"

After Zhou Xuan finished speaking, he left the bamboo forest shrouded in mist without looking back, leaving behind a message as he went.

"I'll give you half an hour to discuss this. If I don't hear who owns the blue and red fish by then, I'll give up on them and return to Mingjiang Prefecture with my men."

"Think it over carefully, and don't make a mistake."

As Zhou Xuan left with an air of grandeur, the Heavenly Crippled Monk flew into a rage, casually knocking down the entire bamboo forest with a single palm strike, truly furious.

He'd been the Heavenly Emperor's "Imperial Envoy" more than once, and he'd never been treated like this before. Not only had the roles of offense and defense been reversed, but he'd also uttered some utterly ridiculous "Don't make a mistake" nonsense.
This wasn't just "words," it was a slap in the face, utterly disgracing this imperial envoy, leaving him with nothing but utter disgrace.

The Taoist priest who offered incense was secretly delighted.

When it comes to the descent of celestial deities to the mortal realm, there are two categories: those sent by the government and those who descend privately.

If one descends to the mortal realm without permission, like the three gods during the Mingjiang Hongbo era, or Gongzheng and Bifang, they would have to behave like gods with their tails between their legs—they are simply people with slightly higher levels of cultivation.

However, if it's a government-sponsored mission, then it represents the entire celestial realm, just like the current Longevity Cult Leader and the Crippled Monk.

With someone protecting them, even the dogs start baring their teeth and claws.
These deities sent to the mortal realm by the government are truly deities—let alone the nine sticks of incense offered in the human world, even the celestial beings guarding the mortal realm would be treated with disrespect.
Taoist priests who worship incense find these people the most annoying.

Now, Zhou Xuan is "aggressively confronting the gods," which can be considered as indirectly venting the anger of the incense-burning Taoist priests.

How could he not be secretly pleased?

The leader of the Longevity Cult managed to suppress his temper and turned to the crippled monk, saying, "Crippled monk, go and tell the people in the heavens what Zhou Xuan said verbatim."

"Are you really going to pass on a message?"

"Zhou Xuan's tone made me uncomfortable, but what he said did make sense. Pass it on."

The leader of the Longevity Cult sighed and gritted his teeth, accepting this humiliating journey.

Normally, he would have had many dirty tricks up his sleeve to punish Zhou Xuan for his "disrespect for the gods".
But now, with incense-offering Taoist priests present, and this Taoist deity being in cahoots with Zhou Xuan, he can't use his tricks and can only handle things officially.

"Useless, truly a useless person this time."

After cursing a few times, the crippled monk beckoned with his right hand to his tattered robe and threw it into the air.

The tattered robe flew an unknown distance and height before finally disappearing into the bright sunlight like a wisp of starlight.

Then the monk Tiancan closed his eyes and muttered incantations, as if he were talking to someone.

After speaking for about ten minutes, he finally stopped, suddenly opened his eyes, and looked listlessly at the leader of the Longevity Cult.

"How should the heavens respond?"

The leader of the Longevity Cult asked.

"The blue and red fish will remain in the human world, and the heavens have believed Zhou Xuan," said the Heavenly Crippled Monk.

"As expected, Zhou Xuan is a man of great ability."

The leader of the Longevity Cult sighed.
What is skill?

No one has ever dared to go against the will of the heavens, but Zhou Xuan did, and the heavens even admitted defeat. That is true skill.

"However..." the Heavenly Crippled Monk changed the subject, saying, "But the Heavenly Vault doesn't quite believe it. After the Azure-Red Fish possesses the body, there's a seven-day fusion period."

Within seven days, Zhou Xuan must produce more convincing evidence to convince Tian Qiong that he is the most capable sorcerer in the world.

Only then will the heavens truly leave the blue and red fish to him.

If Zhou Xuan cannot produce evidence, we will kill him and take his fish.

"Seven days, is that enough?"

The leader of the Longevity Cult asked to himself.

"That's not good enough. I've already thought of all the ways I can humiliate him," the crippled monk thought bitterly.

With incense and Taoist deities present, there are some things that cannot be said aloud.

This feeling of frustration made the disabled monk even more miserable.

The Taoist priest smiled and said, "Seven days is enough, based on my understanding of Zhou Housheng."

"Humph."

The Heavenly Crippled Monk snorted coldly, turned around and disappeared, showing absolutely no manners.

The Longevity Cult Leader, however, remained composed. He bowed to the incense-offering Taoist priest and said, "Taoist God, you and Zhou Xuan are old friends. You will be responsible for informing him of the ownership of the Azure and Red Fish. I will take my leave now."

"Where are you going? If you leave, how will the blue and red fish return to Zhou Housheng?"

The incense-offering Taoist priests hoped that the Longevity Cult Leader, in his capacity as "Celestial Envoy," would go to the streets and tell those who were secretly or openly plotting to steal the fish—the will of Heaven intends to allocate the blue and red fish to Zhou Xuan.
Once the higher-ups gave the order, the fish-stealing men dared not attempt to steal the fish anymore.

But now that the Crippled Monk and the Longevity Cult Leader have turned and left, without their permission, won't those people outside still have to fight?
A human brain is beaten into a dog's brain!
Besides, there are plenty of experts outside, and the incense-burning Taoist priest is under a protective barrier, so he can't easily take action and can't help Zhou Xuan.
Therefore, Zhou Xuan might not be able to snatch those two fish.

“That’s Zhou Xuan’s own business. Lao Can and I have no obligation to help.”

The figure of the Eternal Life Cult Leader immediately disappeared.

"These government officials are really good at putting on airs."

After pondering for a moment, the Taoist priest finally came up with a solution and turned to leave the fog.

……

After Zhou Xuan emerged from the fog, Zhao Jinjia, Ji Mu Daoren, Wan Zangshan, and others all eyed him covetously.

"What happened? Zhou Xuan is neither dead nor has he guided the blue-red fish."

"Did the people inside kick him out?"

"How about we join forces and take a walk through that fog?" Zhao Jinjia suggested.

He thought that since Zhou Xuan, with his meager cultivation, could escape unscathed from the blue-red mist, there was no reason why the three of them, each possessing the power of nine incense sticks, couldn't walk out of the mist alive.

Just as they were starting to plot,
An old Taoist priest riding a donkey emerged from the blue and red mist.

"The past cannot be changed, so regard it as fate; the future can be changed, so regard it as impermanence."

The old Taoist priest sang a familiar song, looking every bit the otherworldly being.

Zhao Jinjia, Wanzangshan, and Jimu Daoren were all nine-stick incense masters of the Daoist sect. How could they not know the origins of this old Daoist?

"Greetings to the incense-offering deity."

The three of them bowed and kowtowed to the Taoist priest amidst the purple clouds.

The incense-burning Taoist priest remained silent and aloof, simply flicking the whisk in his hand, and a dozen white clouds appeared in the air.

There were many figures in the clouds, numbering in the dozens.

"Are all these people here to steal the blue and red fish?"

Lu Xingzhou asked Zhou Xuan, who was standing to the side.

He initially thought only people from the Taoist sect had come, but he never expected that this small patch of sky would be filled with so many skilled individuals.

"So the Earth Child was here too."

While still in the clouds, Zhou Xuan spotted Mr. Ye's leader—Di Tong.

Di Tong smiled at Zhou Xuan and waved.

Many skilled practitioners from various sects arrived, and the whisks of the incense-offering Taoist priests made them nowhere to hide.

Then, the old Taoist priest said loudly, "In the blue and red mist, I discussed with the gods of the heavens the ownership of the blue and red fish."

These blue and red fish are a priceless treasure, and the hope of the Jing Kingdom. Therefore, we have devised a plan: hope must be entrusted to hope.

"May I ask the God, what does it mean to entrust hope to hope?"

Zhao Jinjia asked.

The Taoist priest, stroking his whisk, said, "It's simple. Many of your various halls have young disciples nearing the age of eight or nine. These disciples are the future hope of our Jing Kingdom. I'll set up this arena here..."
All disciples nearing the eighth or ninth rank are welcome to fight! The final victor will claim the Azure-Red Fish.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuan almost burst out laughing—it felt like I had already decided on the championship?
He is currently at the level of six incense sticks; if he were to use the Heavenly Divine Spirit Technique, he would have the combat power of eight incense sticks.
Within eight incense sticks' time, it was all about who had the better skills, and Zhou Xuan was not convinced by anyone.

This suggestion piqued everyone's interest, but some members of certain gangs were unhappy, especially Zhao Jinjia.

He said loudly, "Dao God, none of my disciples, who are eight or nine years old, have come. Does that mean my disciples of the Dunjia School have lost their qualification to compete for the Azure and Red Fish?"

“You can suppress your cultivation level to below nine incense sticks' worth and participate in the competition.”

The incense-burning Taoist priest said coldly.

"What if I failed to suppress my cultivation level and won the competition at the level of nine incense sticks?"

"Don't worry, I will provide everyone with an absolutely fair competition venue."

At this point, the Taoist priest shouted at the young butcher, "Xiaoshan, stop pretending and show your true colors."

(End of this chapter)