Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 441 Proceeding with measured pace, neither arrogant nor impatient

By the time of Hai (9-11 PM) that day, the sky was filled with brilliant stars.

Inside Chunyang Palace, Cheng Xinzhan was still busy with his paperwork.

"Presented to the Emperor of Yuanyin Palace for his perusal:"
Fang Wuyai of Ziyan Mountain reports:
Master, I recently planned to lead a group of disciples at the second realm of the mountain realm on a study tour to the north, to witness the majestic beauty of the great rivers, to discuss Dao with the Northern Sect, and to broaden the horizons of the younger generation. Currently, I've identified two locations: Qi-Lu and He-Luo. Qi-Lu is coastal, offering views of the sea; He-Luo has the Northern Mang Mountain of the Demonic Sect, but the overall situation is manageable, so it would be better for the younger generation to first interact with the Northern Demons. Which do you think is more suitable?
Looking forward to your return.

Cheng Xinzhan frowned. The duties of the vice-leaders of the Pure Yang and Yuan Yin Halls were to resolve problems that the eight mountain peaks of the Blessed Land could not solve, and to assist the leader in handling all religious affairs. Generally speaking, these duties involved either the coordination and mediation of multiple mountains within the Blessed Land, the decision-making of major matters, or matters concerning external forces and demons. However, it was clear that the matter Fang Wuyai had reported did not fall into any of these categories; it was something he could decide on his own.

With patience, Cheng Xinzhan picked up his pen and replied:
"I suggest visiting Shandong, where you can climb Mount Tai for panoramic views, observe the Yellow River flowing into the sea, and admire the boundary between the Bohai and Yellow Rivers. The Taoists of Laoshan have a broad perspective, and the area boasts stunning natural scenery, making it another good destination. The northern Mangshan Mountains in the Heluo region are powerful and possess unpredictable methods; do not attempt to provoke them lightly. If you wish to guide your disciples to understand the Northern Demons, I suggest going to Jingchu (Hubei), traveling west of Wudang Mountain, and encountering the demons of the northern Wuling Mountains and southeastern Gansu."

Furthermore, Master Fang, in the future, you may make your own decisions on similar matters, or consult with the Foreign Affairs Office; there is no need to come to me again.

After replying, Cheng Xinzhan shook his head and released the divination slip in his hand.

Then, he picked up the last divination slip on the table. Including this one, he had interpreted a total of 213 divination slips today.

The last divination slip reads as follows:

Presented to the Emperor of Chunyang Palace for his perusal:
Gong Weijian of Baihu Mountain reported this matter.
Master, the head of the Puppet Academy is retiring. There are two candidates, Jiang Jingguan and An Jingzhi. I wonder if you are interested?
Pending judgment.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Xinzhan finally lost his temper, and furiously wrote in reply,

"Master Gong! You are the true master of this mountain! From now on, please handle such matters yourselves; there's no need to report them!"

That's it again!

If this continues, I'll want to retire too!

Cheng Xinzhan was furious. He had already noticed this trend in various mountains. They felt that he could reply to the divination slips much faster than the previous vice-teachers, basically replying on the same day, and in more detail. Therefore, they liked submitting the documents more and more, wishing they could make all the decisions and decisions in the mountains themselves.

How is this possible!

After giving a stern reply, Cheng Xinzhan released the divination slips in her hand, finally finishing up all the day's work.

However, he was very angry at the moment, and anger breeds rage, so he felt it was not appropriate to immediately extinguish the fire. At this time, he picked up the "Three Essentials of Thunder Talisman Explanation" on the table and began to read it carefully to calm his mind.

As soon as he opened the book, a smile immediately spread across his face. After turning a couple of pages, he picked up a red pen and began to draw and make marks on the talisman book, offering his opinions and suggestions.

The Jade Rabbit flies westward, and time passes by little by little.

After reading the entire book, Cheng Xinzhan nodded, still wanting more, and wrote on the last blank page:

"This book contains simple and clear symbols and pure and correct meanings. It simplifies complex matters and directly points to the key principles. Beginners who follow this book step by step can avoid the pitfalls of going astray and gain insight into the essence of thunder talismans. The author's merit is immeasurable."

—Respectfully recorded by Guangweizi at Chunyang Palace

After finishing writing, he closed the book and set it aside, waiting for the people from Moyashan to come and pick it up. But then he suddenly remembered that the people had sent the book not only for him to review, but also specifically asked him to write a preface. He had almost forgotten about that.

So he picked up the book again, turned to the front page, and found that someone had already left a blank title page at the beginning of the book, presumably for him to write a preface. Without needing to think about or draft anything, he simply picked up his pen and started writing:
「序
Thunder is the pivot of heaven and earth; symbols are the manifestation of principles. Beginners are often intimidated by them, either by their profound mystery or by their complexity, and thus cannot find the way.

Having read "The Three Essentials of Thunder Talismans Explained," I am deeply comforted. The author, with a benevolent heart, dissects the profound and subtle, transforming the mysteries of thunder into a stepping stone; condensing the essence of talismans into easily understandable language. The discussion of the three essentials directly addresses the elements of thunder talismans, explaining profound concepts in a simple and concise manner, and is further enhanced by numerous talisman illustrations, making it clear and easy to comprehend. It is an excellent choice for beginners in thunder talismans.

As the saying goes, "A single spark of inspiration is a talisman." You, dear readers, who have received this excellent guidance, should contemplate the principles behind the techniques, recognize the forms but not be limited to them, and only in this way can you enter the Great Dao of Talismans and obtain the True Method of the Five Thunders.

May future scholars, when holding this scroll, always cherish a heart for saving the world and helping people, and a sense of awe for heaven and earth. Use thunder as your command to punish evil and promote good; use talismans as your bridge to reach the heavens.

This serves as the preface.

—Respectfully inscribed by Guangweizi in the second month of the Gengzi year.

Reading good books is like drinking sweet spring water, and observing profound teachings is like bathing in a gentle breeze. At this moment, Cheng Xinzhan felt no anger at all, only peace and contentment.

It's time to extinguish the fire.

he thinks.

At that moment, he looked up at the sky.

It was already the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), with only one hour left until dawn. Cheng Xinzhan didn't know exactly how long the fire would last, but he didn't want to delay until tomorrow. Just in case, fearing that some reckless person might barge in and make a scene at dawn, Cheng Xinzhan flicked his finger towards the door, closing it. The sign on the door flipped from "No Entry" to "Closed and Do Not Disturb."

Although Cheng Xinzhan was relatively relaxed during the fire, he still felt that since this was a disaster, he should not be distracted by other matters and should wait until the ordeal was over.

Like typhoons, fires are also divided into three types: one is called "burning anger," another is called "burning lust," and the third is called "consuming jealousy."

These three kinds of calamity fires are even stranger than the three kinds of calamity winds. Although the calamity winds are internal winds, they are still real winds that blow on your skin, your flesh, and your bones. But these three kinds of fires are not even real fires; they are all "fires of the mind," or some call them "yin fires." These three flames can ignite a person's thoughts and feelings, amplify their inner ideas, and stir up the three negative and restless emotions of anger, desire, and jealousy.

If one is ignited by any of these three flames, the flames will first burn from within the Purple Palace, burning the primordial spirit and soul into nothingness, and then transforming the illusory fire into a real fire. It will then spread throughout the entire body, turning the five internal organs to ash and the four limbs to decay, burning away hundreds of years of hard work to nothingness.

This calamity fire is as strange as the calamity wind; wherever the person seeking salvation has a weakness, the calamity fire will bring down the corresponding tribulation. The easily angered will be struck by the fire of anger, the indulgent by the fire of lust, and the jealous by the fire of jealousy. When emotions are out of control, the calamity fire will ignite, and even the greatest immortals cannot save them.

This is precisely why most unorthodox cultivators who do not cultivate their minds and evil demons stop here; they either fear to save others, or few who dare to save others survive. In this respect, righteous cultivators who cultivate their minds and character are much better off, but no one is perfect, and it is still extremely dangerous.

This time, Cheng Xinzhan didn't know if the fire would find his weakness or if the three types of flames would take turns attacking.

He closed his eyes and entered a meditative state, which started a fire.

Flames immediately rose from the Purple Palace.

The crimson flames, like a radiant sunset, filled the entire Purple Palace, enveloping the primordial spirit and yin essence within them, and the leaping of the flames sounded like a roar.

It's anger.

Cheng Xinzhan understood.

Immediately afterwards, images flashed through his mind amidst the surging flames, like mirages, making him feel as if he were there.

First, there are those petitions and divination slips that should fall under someone else's responsibilities but require my judgment, which is truly infuriating. However, these things are best left unsaid; the anger passes quickly, and it's something to laugh off, not something to be discussed openly.

Therefore, the flames in Cheng Xinzhan's Purple Palace remained unchanged. Then a series of images flashed by: himself being imprinted with the Heavenly Master's Seal of the Netherworld Spirit, the shattering and reshaping of Master Lu's primordial spirit, the Soul Loss Valley luring souls, the people of Longhu Mountain spying on Wufu Mountain... a series of shameful deeds committed by Longhu Mountain.

This indeed ignited Cheng Xinzhan's anger, and the flames within his Purple Palace surged forth, igniting flames on his primordial spirit as well.

However, he quickly suppressed this rage. Just yesterday, after receiving Xiao Lu, Cheng Xinzhan had given it serious consideration and concluded that the matter of Longhu Mountain could not be rushed and required careful planning. At this moment, the past or even the imagined scenes surfaced one by one, only deepening his ugly impression of Longhu Mountain, but not causing him to lose his rationality.

Then, the scene flashed again, showing the scheming, cruelty, and bloodlust he had witnessed within the demonic path when he was infiltrating Yellow Sulfur Island, Heavenly Sheath Mountain, and Fire Dragon Island. However, these failed to ignite his anger, because these places were now all under the control of the righteous path.

Of course, the evil lords have not been completely eradicated yet, and many evil lords are still running rampant. But Cheng Xinzhan firmly believes in his heart that they will not be able to run rampant for long.

Then, the scene changed again, this time showing Bai Yongliang teaching his junior sister, who had just taken human form, a mortal book like "Admonitions for Women".

Cheng Xinzhan chuckled. Yes, that was true; this was indeed one of the few times he had truly lost his temper. But he had already burned those books, and he had already reprimanded Yongliang. His junior sister was now living like a little sun; where would he find any anger? Besides, how long had it been since then? It was only thanks to the fire that these things had come to light.

what else?
Cheng Xinzhan was somewhat curious.

However, no matter how much anger surged within him, he could no longer conjure anything.

Huh, are these really all the things that make me angry and upset?
He was very surprised.

Then, he began to reflect on his past, and upon careful consideration, it seemed true. Aside from the vile Dragon Tigers and the tyrannical Demonic Sect, there was nothing else in this world that could truly infuriate him. Heaven had been kind to him; in the mortal realm, he had loving parents and friendly neighbors. After ascending the mountain to cultivate, he received care from his teachers, was deeply supported by his fellow disciples, and loved by his juniors. His friends were all loyal and devoted, and the entire sect could be said to have granted him everything he needed.

I'm so glad I have this kind of life, how much anger must be accumulating in my heart?
In less than fifteen minutes, the anger subsided on its own.

However, the crimson anger had barely subsided when the multicolored lust ignited once more.

Then, images reappeared in the sea of ​​desire.

In the very center of the picture is Sanqing Mountain. Sanqing Mountain is peaceful and harmonious. Everyone is doing their job and is conscientious. Communication is very fast. There are very few spiritual divination sticks in Chunyang Hall and Yuanyin Hall. Several deputy teachers even have time to come out of the hall and play chess together.

The scene continues to expand, and not far from Sanqing Mountain, the newly appointed Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain is an upright man who is carrying out sweeping reforms. The evil Zhang Yuanji and his son, along with all their accomplices, are imprisoned in a large iron furnace and put to the test.

Looking further afield, peace has returned to the Miao region, and laughter echoes through the mountains. In the verdant south, the Li River's hundred-mile-long scenic gallery teems with tourists. The Yunnanese Taoist community is flourishing, with countless schools of thought rushing in, preaching and performing rituals on every mountaintop, attracting devout men and women.

Further afield, they reached Sichuan and Xikang, but at that moment, the burning desire could no longer evolve and extinguished itself.

How is this going?

Cheng Xinzhan was somewhat unhappy. Although these were all illusions and expectations in her heart, the sensual scenes conjured by lust were still very real and vivid. Why not let herself see them more? Maybe she would soon become intoxicated by them and unable to extricate herself?

This calamity is truly detestable.

The vibrant lust vanished quickly, and soon, the dark purple flames of jealousy ignited.

However, this time, no images appeared in the fire.

Since he could remember, he had never felt jealousy, nor did he know what jealousy was.

The flames burned for only two or three breaths before suddenly going out and disappearing without a trace.

In less than 15 minutes, he had overcome the three difficulties of the fire. It was much faster than he had imagined, and Cheng Xinzhan even felt a little unsatisfied.

However, the extra 180 years of lifespan served as a stark reminder that the fire was indeed over.

It was still a while before dawn, but he broke out of his meditative state, opened his eyes, and did not continue to unleash the lightning disaster in one fell swoop.

This decision was based on his understanding of the three types of lightning calamities recorded in previous notes and his own assessment of his own situation. Just as he judged that he could easily handle the wind and fire calamities, and thus decided to calmly activate them at night, he believed that among the three calamities, the lofty and subtle lightning calamity was his greatest challenge. This had little to do with whether he faced the calamity early or late, but he felt that he needed to be fully prepared when facing it. He didn't need anything grand, like a ritual or bathing, but he needed at least a secluded place. In any case, it certainly wouldn't work in the Chunyang Palace office.

He stood up, marking the first time his true form had moved in nearly three years. He pushed open the palace door, stepped out of the main hall, and gazed up at the starry sky. A sparse star and a waning moon hung in the heavens. The west was still pitch black, but a faint light had already appeared in the east, illuminating the night sky with a dark blue hue.

"what happened?"

As soon as Cheng Xinzhan's true form moved, Ji Hehe immediately noticed. His Qi body walked out of the Sanqing Palace and came to Cheng Xinzhan's side. He also looked up at the stars and asked a question.

The summit of Pingdingshan Mountain is extremely smooth and flat, as if it were cut out by a sword. The night mist in the mountains falls on the rocks, moistening their surfaces, so the smooth summit looks like a lake, reflecting the starry sky, and also reflecting the two most talented people in Sanqingshan in the past five hundred years.

The two stood in the same posture, hands behind their backs, gazing up at the starry sky.

"I want to take a vacation."

Cheng Xinzhan said confidently.

"allow!"

Ji Hehe immediately agreed, and then quickly asked,

"where are you going?"

"We're not going anywhere, we're just in the mountains."

"That's good, then there's no problem."

Ji Hehe breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face.
"It's time to take a break. I can't stand it anymore. Those people are really going too far. If you ask me, you're just too amiable. You have the seniority, the status, and the level of understanding. You should know when to be firm."

Ji Hehe imparted the secrets of being a cult leader to Cheng Xinzhan, and then asked,

"How long will you need to take the break?"

"Let's report three months first. I don't know how long it will take exactly. I'm going to be in danger of lightning strikes, so I need to find a quiet place."

Cheng Xinzhan said.

"No problem, I can manage on my own for three months... Hmm?"

Ji Hehe stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, slowly turning his neck to shift his gaze from the starry sky to Cheng Xinzhan's face, and asked,
"What disaster?"

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(End of this chapter)