Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 953 Wanfu Terrace

Guo Zizhe and Qingshan Zhenjun were both taken aback upon hearing this, and their gazes involuntarily turned to Xu Rong.

Fellow Daoist Fu... you actually came here specifically to find that Daoist Chen?
Xu Rong felt a little embarrassed when he was caught in their gazes, but he was still a well-informed and tactful rogue cultivator. He reacted quickly and immediately replied, "Fellow Daoist Chen is currently cultivating here. Does Fellow Daoist Fu have something important to discuss with him?"

Fu Danian shook his head, his smile gentle: "It's nothing serious. I just went to see Fellow Daoist Chen before returning to the mountain gate. I wanted to invite him to come along, but Fellow Daoist Chen had already set off. So, I thought I'd come and see him one last time..."

Upon hearing this, the three were even more astonished.

Judging from his words, he was afraid that Fellow Daoist Chen wouldn't come, so he specially came to personally invite him again.

"This Fellow Daoist Chen... could there truly be some mystery I cannot fathom?"

While Guo Zizhe and Qingshan Zhenjun were still pondering, Xu Rong had already begun to have doubts and couldn't help but examine her own judgment.

With a quick thought running through her mind, Xu Rong put on a smile and stepped aside to lead the way: "Fellow Daoist Fu, this way please."

The group politely yielded to each other and walked along the road to a quiet bamboo building, which was Chen Mu's place of meditation.

Before anyone could announce his arrival, the bamboo building's restrictions silently dissipated, the door opened slightly, and Chen Mu slowly stepped out.

"Hahaha!"

Fu Danian laughed loudly, stepped forward quickly, and bowed respectfully: "Fellow Daoist Chen, it has been ten years since we last met. Your Daoist aura has become even more refined and profound."

Chen Mu had already noticed their movements, so he was not surprised by their arrival. He smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Fellow Daoist Fu's brows are full of joy, so your trip must have been quite smooth."

Fu Danian waved his hand, his tone modest: "It's just that my fellow practitioners are showing me kindness and giving me face..."

Strangely enough, after meeting with Senior Brother Yan, several fellow practitioners he visited in succession readily agreed to attend the meeting.

He was originally worried that if the time for the discussion came, his side would be outnumbered and outmatched.

However, it now appears that our side has quietly amassed considerable momentum, and at least fifteen True Lords will come to our aid.

If such a number of cultivators seeking enlightenment are properly managed, they may well be able to rival the Liangyi Temple.

With the situation greatly eased, he was naturally overjoyed...

After exchanging pleasantries, Fu Danian spoke again, his tone slightly concerned: "Now that Fellow Daoist Chen has arrived, why didn't you send someone to inform him?"

"I had already informed the temple and specially reserved a quiet retreat for you, fellow Daoist. I went to visit you just now, but found the retreat empty. I wondered if something had gone wrong. Only after speaking with other fellow Daoists did I learn that you entered the mountain with Fellow Daoist Xu..."

At this point, he seemed to have some concerns, and turned to Guo Zizhe, Qingshan Zhenjun and Xu Rong with a smile to explain: "Fellow Daoist Chen is the first distinguished guest I have invited this time, so the arrangements are a bit early."

Upon hearing this, the group responded with a soft "hmm," their minds free of any other thoughts, but they were increasingly surprised by the "standards" Chen Mu was enjoying.

"A private, secluded room..."

The group raised their eyes slightly, looking at the misty mountain peak, and couldn't help but marvel at it.

They clearly remembered what the steward had said: the mountaintop retreat was reserved for the most honored guests, and wasn't that the True Lord Zhong of the Fire God Palace residing there? They never expected that Fellow Daoist Chen would also enjoy such an honor.

Xu Rong, quick-witted, immediately smiled and replied, "It's quite a coincidence. I met Brother Chen by chance on the way, and that's why we traveled together. I never expected that because of me, Brother Chen's peace and quiet would be delayed."

Chen Mu smiled calmly and replied, "If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Xu's efforts in socializing and dealing with people outside, how could I have been able to cultivate in peace and quiet here without being disturbed?"

Although this is a mutual compliment, it also points out the truth.

If he truly lived alone in a secluded hermitage atop the mountain, cultivators from all directions would inevitably flock to visit and befriend him.

Unless Chen Mu completely shuts himself away from guests, having a small drink every three days and a large banquet every five days would be a nuisance to him.

Seeing that Chen Mu had given her ample face in his words, Xu Rong was secretly pleased and quickly said with a smile, "Brother Chen, you are too kind. We came together, so we should naturally look after each other and act according to the circumstances..."

Although he couldn't see through Chen Mu's true nature, the fact that he was so highly regarded and treated with such courtesy by someone like Fu Danian meant that he must have something extraordinary about him. It would be very beneficial to form a good relationship with such a person.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mu nodded slightly, showing no aversion to Xu Rong's opportunistic move to "resolve the situation."

Guo Zizhe and Qingshan Zhenjun had wanted to interject earlier, but they couldn't find an opening several times, so they could only watch anxiously from the side. Now that they finally found an opportunity to speak, Fu Danian cut them off again.

Fu Danian said to Chen Mu, "Fellow Daoist Chen, the hermitage on the mountaintop is still empty. I wonder if you would still be willing to make the trip?"

Upon hearing this, Guo, Qing, and Xu Rong all tensed up, their gazes immediately focusing on Chen Mu's face.

After a moment's thought, Chen Mu shook his head and politely declined, saying, "This place is quiet and elegant; I would be quite content to stay here."

The phrase "cold moon and green stone" he mentioned earlier was not an exaggeration; he truly preferred this quiet place to the bustling, prosperous city.

Seeing this, Fu Danian did not insist. He nodded in agreement, exchanged a few more pleasantries with the others, and then hurriedly took his leave.

Upon his return to the mountain gate, if he hadn't been worried about any oversights on Chen Mu's side, he would have already been dealing with numerous unfinished matters...

After Fu Danian left, Chen Mu smiled slightly and took the initiative to ask Guo Zizhe and the other person, "May I ask how these two fellow Daoists are addressed?"

Without Xu Rong's introduction, Guo Zizhe and his companion introduced themselves: "Brother Chen, I am Guo Zizhe, a rogue cultivator from Yuzhou..."

"This humble Taoist is Qingyu..."

……

At the summit, the hermitage stands majestically, appearing like a celestial palace in the clouds from afar.

The entire building is constructed of warm and lustrous jade and rare immortal wood. Under the sunlight, it flows with a soft and lustrous light. The glazed tile roof is layered, like golden scales shining in the sun. The eaves are high and pointed straight to the blue sky, as if they want to break through the sky and fly away.

Although it is named "Jing She" (精舍, meaning "refined abode"), its magnificent atmosphere is comparable to that of an imperial palace.

A monk dressed in brocade robes hurried through several corridors and moon gates before entering a spacious and quiet room.

Inside, a Taoist priest in a red robe and bare feet sat cross-legged on a piece of fire jade, surrounded by wisps of smoke, seemingly comprehending the profound Taoist principles.

Sensing someone had intruded, he inhaled sharply, and the swirling smoke instantly transformed into two condensed, long snakes that vanished into his mouth and nose.

"What's the matter?"

The red-robed Taoist opened his eyes, and deep within his pupils, layers of mysterious fire rings appeared.

The cultivator in brocade robes dared not look directly into that burning gaze, bowing deeply and respectfully reporting, "Reporting to True Lord, it is the master of the North-facing Abode whom you instructed me to keep an eye on—"

Before he could finish speaking, the red-robed Taoist's eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked with a hint of inquiry, "Oh? Have you already shown yourself?"

There are four hermitages on the mountaintop. He knows the owners of the western and southern hermitages and feels that their status is worthy of being on the same level as his own.

The master of the North-facing Abode had yet to appear. He racked his brains trying to figure out who it was, but he couldn't. He couldn't help but be curious, so he instructed his disciples to keep an eye out so that he could find out as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, the monk in the brocade robe slightly raised his head, but his brows furrowed tightly, and his face showed some difficulty, as if he did not know how to express himself.

"This... can hardly be considered a true appearance."

He carefully considered his words and replied in a low voice, "When Master Fu returned to the mountain earlier, he did not immediately assist Abbot Tao in preparing the banquet. Instead, he went to an ordinary ceremonial hall at the foot of the mountain to visit a Taoist named Chen Mu."

"According to my humble information, that north-facing hermitage was specially reserved by Master Fu for this Daoist Chen, and Abbot Tao also gave his approval... However, I don't know why this person didn't come up the mountain to stay there, but instead shared a place with a rogue cultivator from Changzhou..."

"Chen Mu?"

The red-robed Taoist slowly rose, a thoughtful expression on his face, and paced to the window. He dared not say that he knew all his fellow Taoists in Xuandu, but he believed that he had all the prominent figures in Xuandu in his mind. However, after searching through his memory, he could not find even the slightest trace of the name "Chen Mu".

"Could it be... a cultivator from outside the country?"

A thought flickered in his mind, and he felt that his guess was very likely.

"Foreign cultivators have also become embroiled in this conflict..."

He shook his head slightly, his initial enthusiasm instantly waning.

"Let's investigate this person's background and origins. If we can find out, that would be best. If not... there's no need to force it..."

After giving his orders, the red-robed Taoist was about to dismiss his disciples when his gaze swept over the brocade-robed cultivator. His eyes flickered and his lips trembled, clearly indicating that he wanted to say something but hesitated.

His brow furrowed suddenly, and he said with displeasure, "Speak plainly! What's the point of all this stammering?!"

The cultivator in the brocade robe trembled, cold sweat pouring down his body. He immediately prostrated himself and kowtowed, reporting in a trembling voice, "This humble one... this humble one is terrified, I fear I may have offended that True Lord earlier!"

"At that time, I was sent by the True Lord to deliver the gift list, but I never expected... that True Lord Chen was living with that rogue cultivator from Changzhou, so I... I went along with him..."

His voice grew increasingly low, almost inaudible, clearly indicating that he knew his master's temperament well. If he ruined something important because of his own mistake, he feared he would not be able to live, nor would he be able to die.

To his surprise, the red-robed Taoist priest did not get angry upon hearing this. He only pondered silently for a moment before asking in a deep voice, "And then? Did that Taoist priest Chen take the opportunity to cause trouble?"

The monk in brocade robes felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly shook his head: "I kept a close eye on the movements in the mountains, and that Taoist Chen didn't even step out of the door once from beginning to end..."

Upon hearing this, the last trace of doubt in the red-robed Taoist's heart vanished, and he became even more convinced that Chen Mu was also a person who "would rather avoid trouble."

"True Lord, should I go and apologize immediately?" the brocade-robed cultivator asked cautiously.

The red-robed Taoist waved his hand, a cold smile on his face: "It's alright. If he really dared to cause trouble, he would have come to our door to demand an explanation long ago. Why wait until now? You may leave now."

The monk in the brocade robe felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. He hurriedly kowtowed, rose, and retreated backward out of the meditation room.

……

Several days later, Yan Rongmu also returned to the mountain gate. Thus, the "Three True Lords" of Fusheng Temple were finally reunited, and the fellow Daoists they had invited to help them had all gathered at Zhuoguang Mountain.

Seeing that the number of fellow practitioners who came to help was far beyond his expectations, Yan Rongmu was pleasantly surprised, and the tension he had been feeling for days couldn't help but ease a little.

However, after careful consideration, he ultimately decided to leave the matter of the Yuan brothers unresolved.

"Brother Tao is upright and inflexible. If he finds out about this, it might cause unnecessary trouble and ruin the whole thing..."

After pondering for a moment, he and Fu Danian began preparing for the upcoming grand banquet.

Time flies, and before we know it, it's the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

On this day, auspicious clouds swirled and mists flew over Zhuoguang Mountain, and the phantom image of a celestial maiden scattered thousands of golden flowers. In front of the palace, more than a hundred maids dressed in colorful clothes and the stewards of Fusheng Temple stood solemnly, waiting for guests from all directions to arrive.

The many restrictions that used to conceal the mountain gate have long been removed, and only a towering three-story platform, over a thousand feet high, stands majestically amidst the misty spiritual fog.

This platform, radiating golden light and shimmering with colorful glow, is called "Wanfu Platform." It was once the place where the founding patriarch of Fusheng Temple gathered immortals and entertained guests, and it is also the origin of the temple's name "Fusheng" (meaning "blessing life").

Since the opening of Fusheng Temple, its disciples have dug a lake beneath Wanfu Terrace, which is over 10,000 hectares in size. In the lake, stones were piled up to form a mountain with three peaks. The mountain itself is called Zhuoguang Mountain, and the peaks are named Muxia, Yueqi, and Jianxi.

The three peaks embrace Wanfu Terrace in a posture of worship, and a jade bridge spans between the peaks, ultimately creating the magnificent scene of "Futai Terrace shining brightly, jade cong overlooking the mountain" that Fusheng Temple presents today.

Chen Mu and his group of four arrived on clouds. Looking down, they saw the emerald lake reflecting the glow of the sunset, the bronze palace bathed in the sunlight, pavilions and waterside terraces, winding paths and corridors—a scene of celestial beauty, magnificent and ever-changing.

Guo Zizhe clicked his tongue repeatedly: "This kind of sect atmosphere is indeed much more impressive than the temples of us independent cultivators."

The True Lord in Green Robes chimed in, "Looking at this magnificent scenery, who would have thought that Fusheng Temple has declined with each generation and is no longer what it used to be?"

As the group chatted, a white light flashed below, and a disciple from the temple stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Distinguished guests, would you like to take your seats now?"

They had arrived quite early, which is why the disciple asked this question.

The group exchanged glances, realizing they had nowhere else to go, and nodded in agreement.

The disciple said respectfully, "Please follow me."

Those who are qualified to ascend the Wanfu Terrace are all True Lords of the Dao, while many of the junior disciples who accompanied them can only go to the Three Peaks for the banquet.

Even on the Wanfu Terrace, there are subtle distinctions of rank.

This platform is divided into three levels, separated by thirty-six jade steps. Those with stronger strength and background naturally have higher seats.

However, Fusheng Temple itself does not intend to deliberately distinguish the seats according to their status. After all, all the guests are distinguished guests who help the Tao. If they are treated with disrespect in terms of seating, wouldn't that be impolite?
Therefore, the meaning of the abbot Tao Fengbian was to hold the banquet only in the upper hall, with everyone gathered on the first floor, to show equality.

However, most people have their own reasons.

Take Zhong Zhenjun, who has recently gained notoriety, for example. With his unscrupulous behavior and openly soliciting bribes right under the nose of his master, who would be willing to risk sitting in front of him?

Everyone here is discerning; it would be unwise to cause trouble over a mere matter of seating arrangements.

Therefore, when Chen Mu and his group stepped onto the platform, they found that most of the cultivators who had arrived earlier had already gathered in the central hall.

Seeing that the disciple leading the way was about to take them to the main hall, Xu Rong and the other two quickly said, "Brother Chen, let the three of us sit here."

Chen Mu glanced around and smiled slightly: "This place is very nice."

He was about to take his seat with the three when the disciple who had been nodding hurriedly said, "True Lord Chen, Elder Fu specifically instructed me that your seat... is right next to the Elder..."

Seeing the troubled look on their faces, Chen Mu nodded slightly to Xu Rong and the other two, and calmly raised his hand to indicate, "Then let's go up."

The disciple, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly stepped aside to lead the way.

Watching Chen Mu's calm figure ascend the steps, Xu Rong and the other two exchanged glances, thinking to themselves, "Brother Chen... is indeed no ordinary person."

The ability to remain calm and composed in such a turbulent arena of fame and fortune precisely demonstrates the profound confidence one possesses in dealing with any changing situation…

After taking his seat, Chen Mu looked around.

The main hall is extremely spacious, with an unobstructed view and a panoramic vista. Sitting here, one can gaze at the mountains where hundreds of flowers are falling and the rain, like jade dust, is drifting in the wind, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

He glanced around the room, and there he was, the only one already seated in the large hall, apart from the maids and disciples who stood by.

There were already seven or eight cultivators seeking enlightenment in the central hall, but most of them were at the initial stage, and their spiritual energy was somewhat mixed, obviously indicating that they came from small sects.

In reality, within this Xuandu Realm, aside from disciples of major sects, reaching the Dao Inquiry Realm is already quite an achievement.

Moreover, many cultivators are already quite old when they advance to this realm. If they go any higher, their cultivation will only increase slightly. Without an extraordinary opportunity, they will never have a chance to explore the mysteries of the Dao realm. They will then be content with the status quo, indulging in sensual pleasures and having no further ambition.

The people in front of us, including Xu Rong and the other two, are mostly of this type.

Their willingness to lend a helping hand to Fusheng Temple is mostly for the sake of creating good karma for themselves or their descendants, so that they will have more support in the future, whether it is for reincarnation or to bring blessings to their descendants...

……

(End of this chapter)