This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 176 Let's think about something normal.
At the location of Liuke Peak of the Yanzhen Sect, Xunyangzi and other members of the Qianren Sect had been waiting there, hoping that the sect leader, Chang Ruoyu, would come to them again to discuss the Dharma Manual.

This way, one could casually mention the urgent matter from before and subtly inquire about the person suspected to be a master of the Lingxiao realm.

However, reality differed considerably from expectations. The people from Qianren Sect waited at Liuke Peak for three whole days without seeing any key figures from Yanzhen Sect. Only the younger disciples of Yanzhen Sect came to entertain them.

On the fourth day, an elder from the Yanzhen Sect finally arrived.

He first expressed his apologies upon meeting, and then said that he could continue to study the "Taiyi Record, Volume Two" with the fellow Daoists of Qianren Sect, still at the Immortal Palace.

Not long after, inside the Immortal Palace, the group from the Thousand Blade Sect sat down once more.

However, Xun Yangzi and the others noticed that this time was clearly different from the solemn display of the Yanzhen Sect last time.

After both sides sat down again, only two elders and a few juniors from the Yanzhen Sect were present for the discussion. Many of the core disciples were not there, and even the sect leader of the Yanzhen Sect did not appear this time.

The Immortal Palace was already quite large, which made it seem even more spacious.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xun Yangzi and the others seemed to realize that there were only so many people, and that Chang Ruoyu would not be present.

Although Xunyangzi and the others roughly understood what was going on, they still had to pretend to be surprised. He first unfolded the "Taiyi Record, Volume Two" and then asked a question with a look of astonishment and doubt.

"Why did your sect leader not appear this time? Is there something else important to discuss? As mentioned before, if you need the assistance of the Thousand Blade Sect, please just ask!"

“Indeed, since we are all from the same righteous path of the immortal sects, we will never stand idly by when trouble comes. If we had pretended not to know when we heard the three tolls of the mountain-suppressing bell, others would have thought that the Thousand Blade Sect was nothing more than a group of people who only wanted to protect themselves!”

Xunyangzi's senior brother also asked the same question, and his words were somewhat loaded with hidden meaning. It could be said that Qianrenmen did not want to stand idly by, but it could also be said that Yanzhenzong's way of treating guests was inappropriate.

The Second Elder of Yanzhen Sect smiled and said.

"Thank you all for your concern, but this is a private matter of our Yanzhen Sect, and we can handle it ourselves. There's no need to trouble you all! Our priority is to study the scriptures!"

This kind of statement is a clear indication that they have no intention of revealing any information.

Xun Yangzi and the others exchanged glances and could only give up for the time being, but they had already made up their minds that they could come to Yanzhen Sect a few more times.

"Alright, studying the classics is the priority."
-
Meanwhile, inside the Ancestral Hall of the Yanzhen Sect, Dao Yanzi and the current sect leader Chang Ruoyu, along with a group of others, had already decided on a relatively appropriate direction.

At this moment, almost all the true disciples and core disciples of the Yanzhen Sect were present in the Ancestral Hall. Among the elders, only the two who had left the mountain gate earlier were absent, except for those in the Immortal Palace. The total number of people was about one hundred, who were also the foundation of the sect.

As the sect leader, Chang Ruoyu held a brush adorned with gold lacquer, with a pale gold scroll floating in front of him. He looked at everyone present, and finally at his uncle, Dao Yanzi.

Seeing that Dao Yanzi also nodded slightly, Chang Ruoyu immediately put down his pen and began to write on the scroll. As he wrote, a solemn voice came from beside him.

"The Ancestral Master has manifested, and the True Spirit has left behind a dream. The hatred of that year has been resolved today. Since the Ancestral Master has entrusted us with this task, from this day forward, all disciples of the Yanzhen Sect must investigate the demons in the Taihang Mountains and find the treasure that our sect's Ancestral Master lost when he was inspecting the Taihang Mountains!"

As he finished speaking, Chang Ruoyu completed the last stroke of his pen, but instead of lifting it, he looked at everyone in the Ancestral Hall.

"We, the disciples of the Yanzhen Sect, accept the order!"

As he spoke, Chang Ruoyu made a stroke with his brush, and beams of golden light shot out from the scroll. Each beam of light corresponded to a person, and they landed in the hands of all the disciples and followers, forming a pale golden ethereal scroll.

"Disciple accepts the order!"

All the disciples of the Yanzhen Sect agreed, and even Dao Yanzi referred to himself as a "disciple" at this moment.

Afterwards, most of the disciples of Yanzhen Sect left the Ancestral Hall, leaving only a few people such as Chang Ruoyu inside.

Watching the sect members leave, Chang Ruoyu also looked at Dao Yanzi.

"Is that alright?"

"It should be fine!"

This is a more serious approach, and it's based on evidence. Of course, the so-called "ancestral master's true spirit's dream" and the like are all fake, but who says that immortal cultivators can't lie?
"Furthermore, the insights gained from previous exchanges with seniors should be recorded as soon as possible, and the disciples should do the same. Through mutual exchange, future disciples will at least avoid some detours."

The Yanzhen Sect's trust in Zhuang Lin began with Dao Yanzi, and was subsequently verified by several highly skilled members of the Yanzhen Sect.

The question of right and wrong is sometimes like being awakened from a drowsy state. Although it is accompanied by some pain, and some people cannot even change it, at least it leaves a clear direction and gives one a sense of enlightenment.

"Senior Brother Headmaster, what about the people from the Thousand Blade Sect? They don't seem to have any intention of leaving!"

"What does Uncle-Master think?"

Chang Ruoyu looked at Dao Yanzi, but the latter waved his hand, completely unwilling to pay attention to such trivial matters, and took a step out and flew out of the Ancestral Hall.

Just a moment later, Dao Yanzi had already left the sect's training grounds and returned to the Taihang Mountains.

Meanwhile, many disciples of the Yanzhen Sect had already left the mountain gate. While Dao Yanzi was still gazing at the Taihang Mountains, some disciples from other sects appeared on the lake. After addressing their masters as "Grandmaster," they mostly headed directly to various parts of the Taihang Mountains.

Some of these disciples had been cooped up in the sect for a long time, while others were eager to make a name for themselves. Overall, they naturally felt a sense of mission from the sect's orders and were looking forward to what was to come.

Dao Yanzi watched as his disciples left, some riding the wind and others using magical artifacts. He then rode the wind again and rose into the air, gazing at the Taihang Mountains in all directions.

The Taihang Mountains here are so vast that they resemble a giant dragon spine that stretches for thousands of miles across the earth. If you include the entire mountain range and the area covered by the earth's veins, it extends vertically for nearly ten thousand miles from north to south and spans two thousand miles at its widest point, making it one of the most magnificent mountain ranges in the world.

The territory it covered, if calculated, might even surpass the current territory of the Southern Jin Dynasty.

The areas covered by human habitation are actually only a small part of the entire Taihang Mountains. There are many hidden places, teeming with demons, monsters, and strange beasts.

Although Dao Yanzi was very enthusiastic in front of Zhuang Lin, he was still aware that this matter was extremely difficult, to the point that even a highly skilled person like the senior needed to come specifically to ask for help.

Fortunately, thanks to the sect's geomantic map, at least we have some clues and a relatively most likely target area.

Otherwise, if it really were the entire Taihang Mountains, the Yanzhen Sect's small force would be insufficient, and they might even clash with some powerful entities.

"I wonder if Senior is only seeking help from my Yanzhen Sect?"
-
Zhuang Lin was not in Hidden Immortal Valley at this moment, but appeared in a restaurant in Xiangyang City, in a private room on the third floor in the north corner.

Downstairs, street performers were singing, while upstairs, besides Zhuang Lin, there was Liu Hongyu and several students, and of course, Xi Miao was also there.

A long table was set up in the room, covered with a scroll. Zhuang Lin picked up a brush and sketched on the paper. Although it was not detailed, it roughly depicted the direction of the Taihang Mountains and even pointed out the information obtained from the geomantic map of the Yanzhen Sect.

When Zhuang Lin finished drawing, he put down his brush and glanced out the window. In the distance, on the street, Shen Qingyou, leaning on a wooden cane and limping, carried a basket of vegetables into the clinic. When she came out, the basket was empty.

At that moment, another person suddenly appeared in the room, seemingly out of sight, and it was none other than Nameless, who had come with an umbrella.

As his original essence gradually recovers, Wuming is now like some gods and Buddhas who claim to have countless incarnations. He can create separate bodies to move, but without a spiritual statue or a special painting as a support, it is difficult for him to exist for long.

Of course, the one present at this moment is the real person holding the umbrella, not just a wisp of thought.

"This is probably the place. There's likely a blessed land or similar place here!"

Everyone present understood what Zhuang Lin was saying, including Liu Hongyu and his classmates.

Although Wuming arrived late, he knew very well what Zhuang Lin had been doing, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Can the people of the Yanzhen Sect be trusted? The remnants of the Zhenyi Sect in my era were all incredibly mad; it was hard to tell whether they were human or demonic."

Xi Miao played with a strand of her hair as she spoke.

"That's just how times are. If someone truly believes in you, they truly believe in you, and they're at least more reliable than some petty people."

As she spoke, Xi Miao smiled at Zhuang Lin, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Moreover, you should understand that although the people of the True Dao Sect can be a bit eccentric at times, they can also be quite adorable when they're being eccentric!"

Zhuang Lin agreed wholeheartedly, but did not agree. However, one of Liu Hongyu's students couldn't help but speak up.

"Besides the Yanzhen Sect, can other True Dao cultivators borrow their strength?"

"Don't be greedy. Let's see what the fellow Daoists of Yanzhen Sect do next. You few stay in Xiangyang to gain more experience, which will make it easier for you to lead others through this mortal world in the future. If the fellow Daoists of Yanzhen Sect have any information, they should be able to find you!"

As they spoke, Zhuang Lin took out the jade pendant from his sleeve. Everyone else was confused by it, but Xi Miao looked at Zhuang Lin with a strange expression.

After the people around Liu Hongyu took the jade pendant, Zhuang Lin noticed that Xi Miao was still looking at him, and he immediately felt a little embarrassed, so he could only pretend to be puzzled.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Fellow Daoist Ximiao?"

"Uh, sir, did Dao Yanzi give this to you?"

"Yes, but is there a problem?"

"Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing!"

Xi Miao looked at Zhuang Lin with a grin, her gaze shifting elsewhere, but she would occasionally glance back at him, her biting lip suggesting a rather ambiguous expression.

This left the others, including Liu Hongyu, somewhat puzzled. Some even looked at Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao with strange expressions, almost wondering if there was something going on between the Master and Senior Xi Miao.

Only Zhuang Lin's eyes twitched as he watched. Xi Miao was clearly suppressing a laugh; she definitely recognized that thing. Her gaze was exactly the same as her sister's when she was obsessed with BL novels.

Think of something normal!
Zhuang Lin really wanted to say that to Xi Miao, but Xi Miao was trying her best to restrain her imagination. "No, I didn't think of it, absolutely not!"

(End of this chapter)