Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 190, 189 Choices (6000 words)
Taiyi Zhenren?!
'No wonder. Dongwang Mugong is actually Taiyi Zhenren. That means that from the moment I took the Wind Wheel, I was already noticed.'

'So that explains Master's strange reactions after his wife gave birth. Master knew all along.'

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck Li Cunxiao, and countless fragments of memories flashed through his mind, making all his past doubts suddenly clear.

But along with it came tension and apprehension.

Pingdingshan is the mountain mausoleum of Li Qingtong.

And the role I played in my dream was undoubtedly that of the long-deceased deceased.

What exactly does this Senior Taiyi mean?
"No need to be nervous," Taiyi's radiance suddenly faded, and the strange phenomena that had spread throughout Pingdingshan vanished instantly, as if everything just now was an illusion.

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but swallow, looking at the old Taoist priest who had returned to his ordinary appearance, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Senior, do you know my master?"

"Yes, decades ago, Zhang Lishi was just a young boy who happened to come to the entrance of my cave."

"It was fate that led me to pass on the Tiger Demon Fist and the Demon-Seducing Elixir to him."

"I never imagined that decades would pass in the blink of an eye. Although he didn't amount to anything, he brought me a good apprentice."

"He not only made rapid progress in martial arts, but also has talent in alchemy."

Taiyi's expression was a half-smile, as if he were subtly hinting at something.

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao couldn't help but think of all the benefits he had received recently, and secretly groaned.

The Samadhi True Fire and numerous secret manuals of alchemy alone are already priceless treasures;

Moreover, he had learned the Burning Wood Blade technique from others and acquired a pair of top-grade magical treasures, the Wind and Fire Wheels.

I used to think it was just a fleeting dream and didn't take it to heart.

Now that Taiyi has laid his cards on the table, to put it seriously, he has learned the secret teachings of Louguan Dao.

This is a huge debt!

"You flatter me, senior," Li Cunxiao said, not being a naive young man, and shamelessly agreed.

"You have given me much guidance and help, and I truly don't know how to repay you."

"Why repay me? Just become my disciple, won't that be enough?"

Taiyi immediately added a comment, making Li Cunxiao even more embarrassed.

"Senior, I have already received the Buddhist teachings."

"Just switch to repair!"

With a wave of his sleeve, Taiyi lifted Li Cunxiao up before he could answer.

An old man and a young boy floated into the cave.

'I'm in a bind.'

Li Cunxiao was quite helpless. How could he not understand that, whether it was being brought from the hermitage to Pingdingshan or now, he had no right to refuse a master like Taiyi Zhenren.

The cave wasn't deep, but the deeper you went, the colder it became, even colder than the mountaintop in late autumn.

He quickly figured out the source of the chill.

At the end of the narrow passage, a huge cave suddenly appeared before them.

On one side of the cave, white mist rises from a cold pool the size of an artificial mountain pond, but is bound by an invisible membrane.

Amidst the clouds and mist, one can vaguely see a golden lotus flower the size of a human head, its bud about to bloom.

A faint golden glow floated and danced, like a person's breath. With just one glance, Li Cunxiao knew that this thing was absolutely extraordinary.

'Master once said that the Immortal Taiyi would come every year on the Ghost Festival. Besides the rituals, could the golden lotus also be a reason for this?'

With the allure of his surroundings fading, Li Cunxiao felt that he had regained his freedom of movement.

Jinlian caught his attention at first glance, but he didn't look at her for long. In the blink of an eye, his gaze was drawn to the more conspicuous tombstone next to her.

"The Tomb of Li Nezha, the Beloved Son of Li Nezha?!"

Taiyi looked at Li Cunxiao, who was speechless with shock, and his expression had changed to one of grief and remembrance.

He slowly stepped forward, stroking the smooth, rounded edges of the bluestone tombstone, his eyes flashing with a mix of indescribable emotions.

After several breaths, he slowly spoke:
“My secular name is Li Yaoshi. I was born into the Li family of Longxi. Later, I entered Louguan Taoist Temple to study Taoism.”

“Li Qingtong’s nickname is the same as yours, Nezha. He is my only son.”

"Unfortunately, he fell into demonic possession and died when he was breaking through to the true form."

"After he left, I set up a cenotaph for him here. Later, I met your master, and you know what happened after that."

Li Cunxiao had a bad feeling and wanted to say something, but the old Taoist priest didn't give him a chance to interrupt:
"Don't get me wrong, I know you're not him."

Taiyi Zhenren revealed a bitter smile.

He is impulsive and hot-tempered, while you are cautious and composed;

He often argued with and complained about me, but he always dared to speak his mind.

"You are filial and obedient in serving your teachers and elders, but you are cunning and slick in your dealings with others."

"The bigger difference is that he is already dead. How can a dead person be brought back to life?"

"So you don't need to worry. I don't want you to be my son, but my apprentice."

Li Cunxiao could hear the sorrow in the other person's words. While he breathed a sigh of relief at having escaped the fate of being a substitute, he also became nervous about the other person's words about taking on a disciple.

"I have no way to repay your kindness, senior."

He carefully considered his words, but before he could finish speaking, Taiyi Zhenren interrupted him once again:
"I know what you're worried about, and I'm not the kind of person who forces others to do things against their will."

"I will explain the pros and cons to you before you make a choice."

Li Cunxiao could only listen attentively.

"As I just told you, I come from the Li family of Longxi, a family with five prominent clans and seven prestigious families. You should have heard of that."

"And Louguan Taoism goes without saying. Among all the sacred Taoist sites in the world, only the Celestial Master lineage of Magu Mountain and the Shangqing lineage of Maoshan can rival it."

"Besides the sect leader, Louguan Dao has four lineages: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. I am the head of the Azure Dragon lineage and the leader among alchemists."

"If you become my disciple, upon returning to the sect, I will immediately have the sect leader promote you to a true disciple."

"At that time, whether it is a unique skill or a divine weapon or elixir, I will prepare all the resources you need."

"Your younger brother, as well as Zhang Lishi and the others, can also join the sect."

"No matter how chaotic the world becomes, it won't affect the Louguan Dao."

“When Li Mucha grows up a bit more, I can allow you to take on disciples on behalf of your master. His future achievements will at least be no less than those of a head monk at Tiangu Temple.”

"And if you can master the alchemy I have taught you, you will be able to become a grandmaster in the future."

"At that time, even if the warlords are fighting for supremacy, they will still treat you as an honored guest."

As the incredibly tempting conditions entered his ears, Li Cunxiao looked at the Taiyi Zhenren speaking in a gentle and detailed manner, and for a moment felt that the other party was very kind to him. He couldn't help but feel an urge to bow down and worship.

That's the true essence of Louguan Taoism!

With such generous promises, it would be impossible not to be tempted.

The key point is that the other party is very understanding. They provided solutions for not only him, but also his younger brother Mucha and the people from the escort agency.

If one goes to Louguandao, it will not only affect one's own future, but the future of a group of people.

When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven—isn't that exactly what this saying means?
Li Cunxiao almost couldn't resist opening his mouth to agree, but his long-standing habit of caution held him back.

One should not make decisions when acting impulsively.

Taiyi Zhenren could tell that the other party was already tempted, but for some reason, he stopped himself at the crucial moment.

He was somewhat disappointed, but he remained outwardly composed and continued:

"And the bald monk who taught you martial arts, whose Dharma name is Qici, is also a world-renowned top-tier master, whose strength is comparable to mine."

Li Cunxiao's attention was immediately drawn.

"However," came the expected turn of events from Master Taiyi.

"This man committed too many killings in his early years, making many enemies, and he has no powerful backing. Although his strength is about the same as mine, in terms of wealth, hmph, he is not worth mentioning."

Seeing the old Taoist's arrogant expression, Li Cunxiao did not suspect anything.

The ability of alchemists to make money can be seen from De Cong's recent situation.

This is only in one state. If it were in the capital region, the powerful and wealthy there would each own tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, countless estates and properties, and the total amount of rare and precious materials they possess would probably be astronomical.

With Master Taiyi's alchemy skills and illustrious status, he could probably afford to run one batch of pills every year, which would be enough to cover the expenses of Tiangu Temple for the entire year.

Seeing that the atmosphere had been built up sufficiently, the old Taoist priest finally unleashed his trump card:

"As for the issue of switching to repair, you don't need to worry, I've already made preparations."

As they spoke, their fingers formed a hand seal, and the thick fog above the cold pool dispersed, revealing a golden lotus that looked like amber or glass.

Without that invisible barrier, a delicate and unique fragrance wafted into my nostrils.

Just by smelling it, Li Cunxiao immediately felt completely relaxed, as if every pore on his body had opened up, his mind was clear, and he felt like he was floating on air.

"This golden lotus is a seventh-tier spiritual herb. Do you still remember what I taught you?"

“I remember,” Li Cunxiao stared intently at the golden flower bud, as if he could see the agate-like stamens through the petals.

"Whether it's rare and precious natural treasures or demons, the highest level they can reach is the ninth rank."

"Only martial artists, who inherit the spirit of heaven and earth and possess the power of creation, can transcend this boundary. Therefore, humans are the most intelligent of all beings."

In other words, this seventh-tier golden lotus can be considered a top-tier natural treasure, a truly rare and precious object.

Once discovered, no one would be willing to bring it out.

"With this golden lotus, you can not only dissolve the Buddhist martial arts on your body without any damage, but you can even use these demons as sacrifices."

"Like the 'Supreme Secret Nana Sutra,' one will be reborn as a celestial being, gaining an even more solid foundation than before."

"However, in Buddhism, the lotus flower gives birth to celestial beings, while in Taoism, the lotus flower gives birth to beings that can be called innate Taoist bodies."

"It is a peerless talent that truly understands heaven and earth and is in harmony with the Great Dao!"

As Taiyi spoke, his eyes grew increasingly eager, and he added only at the very end:
"You don't need to worry about the drop in your cultivation level after rebuilding. The medicinal power of the Golden Lotus is enough for you to reach the Great Perfection of the Yellow Court, and it's even possible for you to break through to the True Form stage in one go."

"The Golden Lotus is the essence of spiritual energy, and it can ward off demons with spiritual power. You don't need to worry about your cultivation progressing too fast and going into demonic possession."

"Also, the Qi-boosting pill that Qi Ci gave you, and the Qi-restoring pill that your senior brother Shi Tie ate, were both made by me."

what? !

The previous words, which were so tempting, had almost numbed Li Cunxiao. It was the last sentence that made him lose his composure and snap him back to reality.

'Is this Senior Qi really that poor?' Li Cunxiao was a little incredulous, but when he thought about it, just in terms of magic treasures, Taiyi gave two high-grade ones, while Qi only gave one mid-grade one.

As for the pills, if the Rejuvenation Pill was a creation of Taiyi, then it was clear that he did not find it in the Ming Cult's camp, but rather that the monk Qici deliberately placed it there.

He remembered that afterwards, when he went to the government office, he learned that the Ming Cult had actually sent not just one vanguard, but five in total. It was said that the remaining four camps had been wiped out long ago, and the whereabouts of those medicinal resources were unknown.

'Those Qi-building pills, could they have been taken from the Ming Cult's camp?'

Li Cunxiao was at a loss for words.

Although it's just speculation for now, given that senior's righteous indignation and his willingness to plunder resources from the Ming Cult to train disciples, he's probably quite capable of doing it.

Looking up at Taiyi Zhenren, the old Taoist priest stopped speaking after saying these words, his gaze fixed intently on him, awaiting his choice.

'It's a tough choice.'

Li Cunxiao was extremely conflicted. If only material conditions were considered, the choice would be very simple: Taiyi Zhenren was wealthy and had a strong background, so there was no need to think of anyone else.

But it was precisely because the choice was so easy that he began to hesitate.

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but ask himself:

Are there any choices in the world that are entirely beneficial and without any drawbacks?
Why is Master Taiyi so good to me?
Even if someone is exceptionally talented, how can they be so open and honest with someone they've only known for a short time?

Is Taiyi Zhenren's affection truly because of himself, and not because of others?

Li Cunxiao subconsciously looked at the tomb behind the other party. The bluestone tombstone was not made of any special material, but it was very smooth and rounded all over, as if it had been carefully polished.

With his eyesight, he could see every dent and bump on the stone tablet, as well as the layers of patina on it. In his mind, he seemed to see the image of a heartbroken father, stroking the stone tablet again and again with tears in his eyes.

Li Cunxiao suddenly understood.

Taiyi Zhenren loved his own son, Li Qingtong. No matter how much he claimed to be able to see the difference between the two, he still couldn't help but look for traces of his deceased son in others.

Recalling the Eastern King Mu Gong's excessive doting on his only son in his dream, Li Cunxiao suddenly realized a more crucial issue:

If I become Taiyi's disciple, will the Vajra Pestle still have a use?

Without the Vajra Pestle, would my cultivation efficiency still be as high as it is today?
the answer is negative.

Li Cunxiao's inner turmoil was suddenly resolved, and he began to calm down from the generous conditions offered by the other party.

He began to recall his journey from Chuqiu County to Songzhou City, reflecting on each important milestone.

"I am not some prodigy; it is the Vajra pestle that has made me who I am today."

"If I go to Louguandao, given Taiyi Zhenren's feelings for his 'son' who was lost and found, he will definitely not let me have any chance to come into contact with danger."

"On the contrary, if I follow Senior Qi, although his wealth cannot compare to that of a master alchemist, he can still guarantee my safety and will give me more freedom."

"Just like these past few encounters. He wants me to punish evil and promote good, to eliminate demons and defend the righteous path, so he uses rewards to guide and encourage me to face danger, letting me do it freely without interfering too much in the process, allowing me to gain experience."

"In the dream, Senior Taiyi only hoped that I could inherit his alchemy, and he always imposed many restrictions on fighting in the Linglong Pagoda."

"And then there's the golden ring that appeared in my dream, as well as the fire wheel and the Horned Wood Dragon Elixir that I 'picked up'. Now that I think about it, even the Cloud-Stepping Shoes were probably the work of Senior Taiyi."

"Senior Taiyi's desire for control is too strong."

"Therefore, if I choose Louguandao, I might gain a lot of resources in the short term, but in the long run, I might lose the Vajra Pestle, my fundamental reliance."

"On the other hand, if I choose to swear an oath to Senior Qi, life might be tight, but I can maximize my strengths. As long as my killing energy is sufficient, what does it matter if I don't have any elixirs?"

Since his debut, besides his personal efforts, he has relied on only five words:
Vajra, add some points!

Having thought this through, Li Cunxiao no longer hesitated. He adjusted his expression and tone, and slowly began to speak:
"Senior Taiyi, I will always remember your kindness."

Upon hearing this, Taiyi suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Wait! Are you really sure?"

"I've thought it through. Although we don't have the formal title of master and disciple, our relationship is one of master and disciple."

Taiyi suddenly became a little anxious.

Having the substance of a master-disciple relationship but not the name of one is tantamount to rejection, isn't it?

"Sanlang, you're foolish! That bald thief Qici is honest and upright, and has made many enemies. Following him will only ruin your future!"

Li Cunxiao could tell that the other party's feelings were genuine, and while silently apologizing, he became even bolder in speaking:

"But senior, once you go to Louguandao, can you really rest easy?"

"The world is in turmoil, and this is something that anyone with eyes can see."

"Louguandao is located in the capital region and has had close ties with the Li imperial family since the founding of the Qin Dynasty."

"If one day, the feudal lords vie for supremacy, wouldn't the capital region become the center of the vortex?"

“I believe you care about and love the younger generation, but what about my brother and my master?”

Taiyi was speechless.

Li Cunxiao's words were not untrue. In fact, not only Louguandao, but the Longxi Li clan also had close ties with the Li clan.

In this period of fierce competition before the change of dynasties, one's own place will undoubtedly become the center of the vortex.

As for Li Cunxiao's relatives and friends, to be honest, Taiyi Zhenren was far less concerned about Li Cunxiao than he was about his family and friends.

He was a selfish person to begin with, and the promises he made were all out of love for the person he loved.

If forced to choose between the two, Taiyi Zhenren would undoubtedly choose Li Cunxiao.

However, Li Cunxiao's words were not entirely from his heart.

He himself said that with the world in chaos, nowhere will be peaceful; the key is yet to come:

"Of course, I am not asking you to make any promises. From beginning to end, it has been the junior who has been unilaterally receiving your favors without giving anything back."

"That is why if a junior were to acknowledge you as his master for personal gain, it would be nothing more than a pursuit of profit."

“Although I am not a gentleman, I do not want to make choices solely for the sake of profit. I cannot live with myself doing so, and it would be unfair to you who have such a sincere heart.”

"I have never actually met Senior Qi in person, but he was the first to teach me the fundamental techniques, allowing me to cultivate into my true form, and then he guided me through repeated trials."

"I cannot let down Senior Qi's good intentions, nor can I let down your care and concern. Therefore..."

Li Cunxiao reached out and summoned Feng Bo and Zhu Que from his dantian.

Birds with white feathers and black stripes, and red feathers and gold stripes, chirped and circled joyfully, singing and dancing in the cave after a long absence.

"Please take back your Wind and Fire Wheels."

The fiery wheels swirled and danced, and the expression on the young man's face overlapped with that of his deceased son in his memory.

However, the former's eyes showed calmness and determination, while the latter's eyes showed hatred and stubbornness.

"you you."

Taiyi hesitated, his fingers trying to rise several times, but ultimately falling back down helplessly.

Finally, he let out a long sigh.

"You go."

Li Cunxiao was stunned for a moment. The Wind and Fire Wheels were still hovering around him. Before he could say anything, the other party turned around with a flick of his sleeve, and a strong force propelled him out of the cave.

Is that all? Aren't you going to take back the Wind and Fire Wheels?
The moonlight shone on me, and as I looked up, all I could see was the stillness of Pingdingshan.

Li Cunxiao remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply several times in front of the thatched hut before putting away his Wind and Fire Wheels and turning to walk down the mountain.

Not long after, Taiyi emerged from the thatched hut, his expression complex as he watched the figure descending the mountain.

For some reason, although he felt somewhat disappointed, he also felt inexplicably relieved and at ease, as if he had put down a heavy burden.

"That's enough. Qici, this time, you've won."

Before the words were finished, footsteps began to sound, and a plump, white-skinned monk appeared out of nowhere.

There's no such thing as winning or losing when taking on apprentices.

Qi Ci shook his head, walked to Taiyi's side, and together they watched the figure walking down the mountain.

"You don't seem surprised that I'm here?"

"True essence differentiates, souls are locked for thousands of miles, what's so strange about that?"

Taiyi's expression returned to that of a rebel, and he glanced at the person next to him.

"You sent an avatar to Xiayi County, didn't you? What, aren't you afraid of delaying the rescue?"

"That avatar contains fifty percent of my true essence, so it won't cause any problems."

Qi Ci smiled broadly, but in reality, he had been quite nervous just now.

Although we don't know what Taiyi and Li Cunxiao said inside, everyone's conditions were the same, so we can guess most of it.

Having met Li Cunxiao more than once, he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on. This young man was the kind of person who matured early in troubled times, yet he was quite opinionated, tactful and cautious, and had a hidden sharpness.

Such a person would not want to be bound by others.

And their laissez-faire approach just happened to meet the other party's needs.

However, speculation is speculation. After all, self-interest is a powerful motivator; otherwise, he wouldn't have pretended to be on one side while secretly on the other, and would have deliberately stayed in Pingdingshan.

Fortunately, the result wasn't bad.

Judging by the time, his avatar should be finished by now.

Just as Qi Ci was about to catch up with Li Cunxiao and strike while the iron was hot, Taiyi suddenly spoke up:
"Take it."

"What?! Explosive Qi Pill?! And Stone Marrow?!"

Qi took a look, and his expression immediately turned strange.

"Let me make this clear first, Li Cunxiao is already my apprentice, and I'm not returning these things I've taken."

"Stop talking nonsense, just take it!"

Taiyi cursed under his breath, then turned to leave, but the monk Qici called out again:

"Your marrow isn't right either; it's not enough to reach the Great Perfection of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians."

"I fucking..."

The old Taoist priest's forehead veins bulged, and he turned around and delivered a whip kick. A muffled thunderous sound rang out in the air, and the big monk was sent flying like a ball.

"You've given away half of your true essence, yet you still dare to be arrogant in front of me."

Taiyi snorted, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up, revealing a hint of pleasure.

"When there's not enough stone marrow, won't people have to come back again?"

"Boy, my things aren't so easy to take."

(End of this chapter)