From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 226 True Lords Fall Like Rain (Part 2)

Chen Xuan stood beneath the Goddess Shrine, his clothes fluttering in the wind. His gaze was deep as he looked at the distant mountains, lost in thought.

Did the Mountain Demoness do something wrong to him?
What could it be?

Emperor Jiang was a majestic figure with broad shoulders. He looked calmly at Chen Xuan, as if observing Chen Xuan's reaction.

However, although Chen Xuan's mind was racing, his expression remained as still as a mountain, unchanged.

In fact, Chen Xuan's memories of the Mountain Spirit Goddess were pitifully few. The only time he had close contact with her was in that cold, ancient, and highly structured underground palace, where he did some outrageous things but didn't say a word.

Later, when Chen Xuan brought out the Shangyang relics from the Peach Blossom Spring secret realm.

The Mountain Spirit Goddess once spoke to him in her heart, saying that she could not see where Chen Xuan's abilities came from, and therefore had deep doubts.

“Nanmian of Xiaoqingtian, Niutou and Mamian of Xiaoyinjian, and even Baicao Zhenjun of Qingqiu all seem to firmly believe that I am Xinzhai,” Chen Xuanxin thought.

however.

The Mountain Spirit Goddess, this innate deity, once came into contact with a true Xinzhai and, along with some other innate deities, killed him... There are probably few people in the world who understand Xinzhai better than her.

“Mountain Spirit Goddess does not consider me to be Xinzhai,” Chen Xuanxin thought.

The reason why the mountain spirit took a liking to Chen Xuan... The old tortoise once hinted that it was because Chen Xuan had outstanding comprehension and extraordinary talent, and was qualified to be used by a big shot once.

But the things that the mountain spirit gave Chen Xuan were far too many, exceeding anyone's imagination.

"My Lord, please speak frankly," Chen Xuan asked Emperor Jiang.

"The Mountain Spirit Goddess didn't say anything more." Emperor Jiang shook his head, paused, and continued, "But I can see that she feels guilty towards you..."

The Mountain Spirit Goddess dislikes killing and has a gentle nature.

But in the end, she was a born deity... and had a grudge against Xinzhai.

Chen Xuan sighed inwardly. The Mountain Spirit Goddess had always been overly fond of him, inexplicably too kind.

He once thought that it was because he had a bright future and would help the Mountain Goddess in the future, and the worst possibility was that he would become her food... He never expected that the Mountain Goddess was making amends for the wrong she had done to him.

But what else can we do?

Chen Xuan thought to himself... "I'll forgive her this once."

The Empress certainly didn't make the mistake on purpose. As long as she doesn't repeat it, she won't be taught a lesson in the future... An absurd idea.

"The Mountain Spirit Goddess went to great lengths to teach the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas: Guyao' a lesson. This relic from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, which has hated Xinzhai for an entire era of immortals and ghosts, will temporarily belong to you."

Emperor Jiang spoke quickly about some things, and solemnly warned, "But you cannot trust True Lord Baicao. If she offers to exchange the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas: Qingqiu' with you, do not agree to it."

He didn't have much time left to stay conscious, and he was giving Chen Xuan some final instructions, as if it were his last words.

"Okay." Chen Xuan nodded.

The first person to break the Classic of Mountains and Seas was Xinzhai. This matter concerned the survival of the era of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. How could he not hate the fragment of the most spiritual artifact in the world?
They will definitely hate Chen Xuan because of his house and crows.

But because of the Mountain Spirit Goddess, they dared not hate her!

Just as Chen Xuan had guessed, the Mountain Spirit Goddess knew he would enter Guyao Mountain, and this fragment of the Classic of Mountains and Seas was left for Chen Xuan to retrieve!

Even if not today, it will happen someday in the future... As long as Chen Xuan knows about the Xinzhai and knows that there are fragments of the Classic of Mountains and Seas in Guyao Mountain, he will definitely choose to enter Guyao Mountain in order to become stronger.

"How long will it take for the Mountain Spirit Goddess to go into seclusion?" Chen Xuan asked.

This is one of the things he cares about most.

"As difficult as ascending to heaven!"

Emperor Jiang said this, and he continued, "In the past six or seven thousand years in the Southern Region, among all those who cultivate Qi, including humans, demons, and ghosts, the one who came closest to becoming an immortal was Senior Tai Xuan."

Emperor Jiang paused for a moment, his expression melancholy, and sighed:
"In fact, even if the demons didn't interfere, the chances of Tai Xuan Zhenjun becoming an immortal would still be so slim as to be unrealistic."

The True Lord is the master of this world.

As for the immortals, they belong to ancient history. Each immortal is a legend of extreme glory. From the era of mountains and seas to the era of immortals and ghosts, there are countless such figures... In the world of immortals and ghosts, among all realms, it is rare to find one like them even once every ten thousand years.

Only in those magnificent and turbulent eras can extraordinary figures emerge.

In times when the immortal energy was depleted and the Daoist arts were in decline, there were no immortals in the world.

"This..." Chen Xuan was taken aback upon hearing this.

"From this day forward, the Mountain Spirit Goddess will be in seclusion and will no longer be able to protect you. Her reputation will gradually lose its power."

Emperor Jiang smiled and continued, "Little fellow, you've progressed too fast. Many True Lords weren't as good as you when they were young."

More than two years ago.

Emperor Jiang was slightly moved. When he first met Chen Xuan, Chen Xuan had only just entered the Daoist canon, yet he had already achieved the level of a cauldron. Such extraordinary talent was unparalleled in the entire province…

This was a very shocking thing, but what truly impressed Emperor Jiang was that Chen Xuan's cauldron body, formed by the unification of the five elements, was too stable.

This is no simple furnace. Just mastering five kinds of true scriptures means it will take five times longer. Add to that the conflicting true scriptures, the incompatibility of the Daoist canon, the secrets of Shangyang, and other factors, and the difficulty will be dozens of times greater.

Emperor Jiang sighed, even if he were to retrace his youthful path of the cauldron, it would be difficult to achieve the same level of excellence as Chen Xuan, who had almost pushed the Daoist Canon to its limit.

therefore.

Emperor Jiang's admiring gaze toward Chen Xuan was not without reason. How could he not be overjoyed that the Chu people had such an outstanding young descendant?

Chen Xuan remained silent. The old monster had indeed not lied... After taking away the "Classic of Mountains and Seas: Guyao", the Mountain Spirit Goddess could no longer protect him because she needed to concentrate fully and went into seclusion.

Even a figure like Tai Xuan Zhenjun, who meticulously planned and mobilized the entire power of his sect, exhausting the resources of the Southern Region, ultimately failed.

How could the Mountain Spirit Goddess, a solitary woman, possibly be distracted by worldly affairs?
As time goes by, the mountain spirit may be reborn.

But more likely, she was never heard from again, dying silently in Shangyang Cave, her life extinguished like a fragrant flower.

"Little one, the Mountain Spirit Goddess has made a careful decision to entrust you to the Qingnang Sect," Emperor Jiang said with a smile. "You may follow Senior Tai Xuan to Yunmeng Prefecture to explore. That vast land, where stars shine brightly, will be your blessed land."

"This..." Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment. The Supreme True Lord Zhang Tianshi was a bit unreliable.

Immediately, he prepared to secretly tell Emperor Jiang about the suspected ascension of the True Lord Tai Xuan.

But Chen Xuan glanced down at the white fox spirit in his hand. When True Lord Baicao left, he didn't deal with it. It was as if in the eyes of a great True Lord, the life and death of a wandering spirit was not a serious matter.

"Hehe..." White Fox smiled shyly, her lips red and teeth white, giving Chen Xuan a delicate and charming smile. But in reality, her hair stood on end, and a bad premonition rose in her heart.

But seeing Emperor Jiang standing right there, she didn't dare to be presumptuous at all, completely cowering and resigning herself to her fate.

"..." Chen Xuan prepared to take the Human Emperor Banner and temporarily seal the soul of the White Fox God.

But that's it.

Emperor Jiang turned his head and gazed at the beautiful Guyao Mountain landscape, his eyes dimming slightly. Then, he spoke in a loud voice:

"The mountains and rivers are magnificent and so beautiful, how can one not linger and miss them..."

Emperor Jiang patted Chen Xuan on the shoulder and laughed loudly, "If all of these belong to the human race, that would be even better. Little fellow, strive forward, so as not to waste this life! The glorious era of immortals emerging is about to begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his imposing figure vanished without a trace.

The emperor's encouraging words still echoed in Chen Xuan's ears, but Emperor Jiang had vanished from Mount Guyao, leaving no trace.

"Your Highness, who are you speaking to? The ghost of Emperor Jiang? Or a powerful being from Qingqiu?" In the distance, a group of great ghosts and monsters from the Southern Wilderness who were watching were all terrified and dared not approach.

The fiery clouds in the sky gradually subsided, but the external imagery continued.

The vast imagery stretching across hundreds of thousands of miles evokes sorrow for heaven and earth, obscuring the sky and the sun, and will last for at least nine days.

……

In the capital of Chu, an old, ancient beast, the roc, let out a heart-wrenching cry, and two streams of bloody tears flowed from its cloudy eyes.

"Howl!"

The second emperor of Chu was a middle-aged man in his fifties, at the low-level cauldron stage. He stood at the entrance of the main hall, tears streaming down his face, as if all his strength had been drained from his body. He slowly knelt down and prostrated himself on the dark black floor tiles.

"Our ancestor has fallen..."

Outside the towering vermilion palace walls, Ninth Princess Jiang Qinghuang had just returned from the front lines. As she raised her face, a glistening tear rolled down her cheek, and then a more resolute expression appeared on her pale face.

With the fall of Emperor Jiang, the situation in the State of Chu became even more perilous, and the moment of national destruction and annihilation was approaching.

"I will live and die with my country, and I will never retreat." Jiang Qinghuang turned around and refused to enter the imperial city. She wanted to return immediately to the front lines where something unexpected might happen, to die of old age or in battle on the frontier.

"..." A figure in an imperial phoenix robe stood in the sky, his eyes filled with admiration as he watched the girl's departing figure and nodded slightly... A bright crimson light streaked across the sky and caught up with the girl.

Soon after.

The world is pure.

The whole country is sad.

……

……

Outside the entrance to Guyao Mountain.

The question uttered by Ao Zhenjun of the Little Dragon Palace echoed through the heavens, accompanied by rolling thunder, shattering all imagery.

"Fox, what happened?" "After investigating, it turns out that Tai Xuan failed to become an immortal and is barely clinging to life. He won't live for more than a few years."

The enchanting voice of True Lord Baicao resonated as he whispered, "The Qingnang Dojo is no longer viable... True Lord Zhuzhao of the Jiang Clan has stepped in to mediate. After much deliberation, I've decided not to push too far and will give the Jiang Clan face."

In the matter of Tai Xuan's demise, the demons gained too much benefit. It would not be worthwhile to exterminate them all, as it would arouse the indignation of many major human forces and lead to a counterattack.

Bai Cao Zhenjun paused for a moment, then said helplessly, "Besides, Guyao Mountain is ultimately the territory of the Mountain Spirit Goddess. She is a born deity, and once she holds a grudge, she will not forget it for thousands of years."

Since the Great Mysterious True Lord has lost his threat, he is nothing more than a stray dog ​​on the roadside or an ant underfoot. Whether to kill him or not is no longer the most important thing.

After all, becoming an immortal is not something that can be achieved overnight. If the True Lord Tai Xuan makes any unusual moves, they will have enough time to react.

Ao Longjun remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"Tai Xuan...a genius of unparalleled talent, a rare find in ten thousand years. Now that he is dead but not stiff, we still need to be careful and guard against him. We cannot completely trust Jiang Zhuzhao's words."

He warned Qingqiu not to play with fire and get burned.

"It's natural."

Bai Cao Zhenjun smiled and said, "Twenty years, no, ten years later, if Tai Xuan still has not been annihilated... I will personally send him on his way."

Qingqiu's willingness to show leniency was contingent on Zhuzhao Zhenjun intervening and asserting that Taixuan wouldn't live for more than a few years.

A true lord never speaks lightly.

Similarly, almost all true rulers disdain lying and scheming.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, Baicao Zhenjun, greatly admired the magnanimity and heroism of Zhuzhao Zhenjun, a strong-willed human being.

However, if Jiang Zhuzhao is petty, ungrateful, and engages in despicable acts...

Bai Cao Zhenjun would not feel angry about this, only deeply regretful and disappointed. The human race had lost another true hero, nothing more...

"What's the deal with Xinzhai who suddenly appeared?"

Ao Longjun suddenly asked Chen Xuan, "How many times has Xinzhai been born?"

Although Xiaolong Palace is also a powerful demon force inherited from ancient times, its connection with Xinzhai is not as deep as that with Xiaoqingtian and Shangui Niangniang. Therefore, it seeks out Qingqiu, which is inquiring about the secrets of the world.

"Probably the ninth incarnation," said True Monarch Baicao, feigning deep thought, though she herself was equally curious and itching to know what to do.

But True Lord has pride and will not easily snatch the snacks from other True Lords' mouths... unless Chen Xuan takes the initiative to beg her.

"Nine generations?"

Ao Longjun's voice wavered slightly, and then he sneered, "Legend has it that the first Xinzhai of the Mountain and Sea Era was an immortal... Now he is the ninth incarnation, it can't be a coincidence."

"..."

Bai Cao Zhenjun smiled but remained silent, not taking up the topic. Instead, he said, "Soon, Yunmeng Prefecture will reopen the Qingnang Dojo, and the inheritance will be open to the demon race... Qingqiu will send its fox members to learn the essence of this inheritance and make it their own."

"Humanity is willingly relinquishing its interests, a grand event of dividing up the Qingnang once again... Hmm? Who?"

The conversation between the two powerful figures abruptly ended, disappearing into the clouds.

……

……

In the mountains of Guyao, Chen Xuan stood beneath the stone pillars and archway in front of the Goddess Temple, gazing into the distance at the mountains and forests.

In the lush forest, Hua Liuli chased the old monster all over the mountains and fields.

"Stop chasing! I'm utterly disheartened; I'm truly incapable of great things!" The old monster, having somehow found a dilapidated wooden coffin, placed the body of Tai Xuan Zhenjun inside. He carried the coffin on his back as he fled, shouting as he went:

"Your Highness Hua Xuan Nu, go find Chen Xuan. That kid's got guts, go and force him!"

However, the old monster was too weak, and Zhang Dongxuan, a divine traveler, was also in pursuit. The old monster was quickly captured by Hua Liuli and bound into a rice dumpling with copper coins and red thread.

"You are Tai Xuan Zhenjun, or you are not!" Hua Liuli rebuked, stepping on the old monster who was pretending to be crazy, and binding the ropes tightly.

The old monster has the inheritance of the Qingnang Daoist Temple hidden in his mind, and he is also carrying the priceless remains of a True Monarch. How could he let it go so easily!
"Very well! I acknowledge that I am the True Lord Tai Xuan. I hereby bestow upon Chen Xuan the title of Qing Nang Dao Child, and upon you, the legitimate Qing Nang Mystic Maiden. You two shall become Daoist partners and consummate your marriage tonight! I will now bestow upon the naive and cowardly Zhang Dong Xuan the title of Mountain Guardian Beast. Then, the three of you shall immediately go to Yunmeng Prefecture, reopen the Qing Nang Daoist Temple, and dedicate yourselves to its service!"

The old monster lay on the ground, turned his head and shouted, immediately issuing a series of extremely foolish decrees.

"Hmph!" Hua Liuli was furious. She said that she was too soft-hearted and could not support the Qingnang Dojo. She thought that the two big figures of the Qingnang Dojo in the past were not as good as her in character!
"Lords of the two realms, please show some respect to my master. He has gone mad." Zhang Dongxuan couldn't bear to look at the scene and secretly shed tears, wiping them a few times with his tattered sleeve.

He had no way to deal with what was happening before him and could only passively accept it.

The place where Zhang Dongxuan ascended to godhood was destroyed a thousand years ago, and he lost eight or nine tenths of his divine power. After being ravaged by the passage of a thousand years, he was no match for powerful cauldrons like Chen Xuan and Hua Liuli.

“My master is a near-immortal True Lord, and it seems that Chen Xuan beat him up twice. I was beaten up by Chen Xuan once when I was in a divine journey... But I am just a novice, and I cannot break my master’s record.” Zhang Dongxuan could only console himself by standing by and watching.

Chickens and dogs were running wild in the mountains, creating a lively scene.

It's a truly absurd scene of a "tiger" fallen into the plains being bullied by "dogs".

In the distance, a group of Qingqiu foxes who were secretly eavesdropping were all dumbfounded... This Qingnang Dojo was truly dilapidated and decayed beyond recognition.

"Your Highness, it seems that Lord Bai has left," Hu Qing whispered from the side.

"Don't worry, my father is familiar with her, and the Bai family's true lord will surely make proper arrangements for us." Zhao Shenhu was confident and reassured his fox followers. Then, he smiled faintly and said, "The Southern Wilderness is not a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, but rather a shallow place with many turtles. It's not worth mentioning."

"..."

Chen Xuan's communication talisman vibrated, and Hua Liuli's voice came through, asking him how to deal with Lao Zhang and Xiao Zhang.

Just as he was about to answer, the figure of the little mountain dog, Shan Jun, caught up on the stone steps of the mountain path: "Woof!"

Previously, in the underground river, the mountain lord encountered the feng shui secret technique set up by Zhang Dongxuan. One wrong step sent him drifting thousands of miles away.

"What happened?" Shan Jun asked Chen Xuan. Although he did not know what Chen Xuan's "fasting of the heart" was, he could deduce that Chen Xuan had a conversation with Emperor Jiang.

"How is the Mountain Spirit Goddess doing lately?" the little earth dog asked anxiously, as if he had truly become a pet dog.

"Her Majesty defeated the other four True Lords and is now in seclusion," Chen Xuan answered frankly without hiding anything.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, the mountain king's expression changed, and then he sighed softly, "If I do not achieve the ability to travel in spirits to prolong my life, I am afraid I will never have the chance to see the goddess again."

Becoming an immortal is fraught with peril, often taking hundreds or thousands of years.

But at this moment, the mountain king made up his mind that once he came out of the mountain and resolved all matters, he would sever all ties and attempt to ascend to godhood through seclusion.

Ascending to godhood is equally perilous, a journey fraught with peril and death.

"Lord Mountain Lord, when was the last time you saw the Mountain Demoness? Where was she? What did she say?" Chen Xuan suddenly asked casually.

"Last time?"

The Mountain God pondered for a moment before replying, “It happened more than five years ago. I saw the Goddess once in the wasteland outside the Southern Wilderness. At that time… she was looking you over outside Xiahe Village. You were quite ill, almost to the point of death. Later, your illness suddenly improved. Perhaps it was the Mountain Goddess who treated you.”

He has always firmly supported Chen Xuan for this reason: he believes that the Mountain Spirit Goddess has long had her eye on Chen Xuan.

Xiahe Village.

This is the place where Chen Xuan awoke five and a half years ago.

"This……"

Chen Xuan opened his mouth, and then a chilling feeling crept into his heart. He suddenly understood the meaning of what Emperor Jiang meant when he said that the mountain spirit had done something wrong to him.

that time.

"Killed Xinzai..."

Chen Xuan thought to himself, at that time, in that scene, the Mountain Spirit Goddess saw it.

He really is a bad person.

The Mountain Spirit Goddess is the same.

There is no woman worse than her in this world.

A knowing smile gradually appeared on Chen Xuan's face. Then, he looked at the little mountain dog and said softly:

"Lord Mountain Lord, let's hurry up and clean up Guyao Mountain. Then, it's time to leave Guyao Mountain... From now on, there should only be one voice in the Southern Wilderness."

"Deal with the Golden Crow God?" Mountain Lord was somewhat taken aback.

"Is that alright?" Chen Xuan asked with a smile.

On this day, three great True Lords perished, and in the present world of Yaoguang Prefecture, there were no more True Lords.

On this day, the old era came to an end, and a magnificent new era began.

……

Meanwhile, in the sky outside Guyao Mountain.

A blood-stained gray robe bulged out, empty inside, and floated in the clouds beside the Candle Dragon Sun, gazing across the endless sky at Yaoguang Prefecture. Beside him were other blood-stained creatures.

"Where are the two True Lords of Qingqiu and Xiaolong Palace? Shall they descend to the mortal realm and explore the depths of Guyao Mountain?" the man in gray robes asked.

(End of this chapter)