The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 156 Do you recognize this thing?

Flipping through the Tao Te Ching?

Xiweizi immediately realized what Zhou Yan wanted. He originally wanted to refuse, but then he thought about what Zhou Yan had in his hands. Once exposed, the entire Louguandao would be completely drawn into the vortex.

The old Taoist priest had to think carefully and consider the matter thoroughly. After pondering for a while, he said:
"This is just an ordinary copy of the Tao Te Ching, which I suppose this envoy wouldn't care about. But if he wants to peruse the treasures of my Louguan Dao, it involves far too much. Even an old Daoist disciple wouldn't be qualified to touch it without decades of cultivation."

"Hehe, this matter really needs careful consideration. However, young friend, you can also study the Daoist canon and scriptures, as well as various methods, in Louguan Dao. Our Louguan Dao has ten branches, which have the superior Daoist canons of all the major Daoist sects in the world. You can see whatever you want."

"As his cultivation grew, he received the true teachings from my Louguan Taoist sect."

"Then you are naturally qualified to read the original version of the Tao Te Ching, how about it? As for other matters, you don't need to worry, young friend. My fellow disciples and I will protect you together."

The meaning of Hippowdon is quite clear: this thing interferes too much.

Louguandao is willing to protect you and give you face, but you should forget about this treasure. It's impossible. He can give you whatever else you want, but this is absolutely unacceptable.

Zhou Yan said, "Only members of the Louguan Daoist sect can comprehend this?"

Xiweizi said, "They are not ordinary disciples of the Louguan Daoist sect."

The old Taoist stroked his beard and smiled, then swept his whisk and said, "Even if I wanted to see this scroll of treasure, I would need the approval of my fellow disciples and discuss it together before opening the secret chamber. If anyone is qualified to browse through it at will, it would only be my grandmaster and great-uncle."

"Unfortunately, most of the Taoist elders of that generation have already passed away."

"Or perhaps he could retreat into seclusion in the back mountains."

"There's nothing I want to see."

Zhou Yan said, "Only the patriarch can read this?"

Xiweizi affirmed, "Only the Patriarch."

Zhou Yan reached out and took out a scroll of imperial edict from his bosom. He placed it on the table and gently pushed it toward Xiweizi. Xiweizi sensed something was wrong, opened the edict, and looked at it. His expression changed several times before he could only manage a helpless bitter smile.

"This, huh?"

"I...sigh..."

Xiweizi felt that the sage Sanlang was really being ridiculous.

However, as an old Taoist priest who had truly experienced the peak of Li Longji's reign, he had a natural trust in Li Longji's majesty and unfathomable nature. Looking at the young Taoist priest in front of him, he had no choice but to put down the imperial edict.

The old Taoist priest with gray hair said:

"So, Grandmaster..."

He was somewhat conflicted. He would only regard Zhou Yan as a 'lucky charm inserted by the Third Sage to protect the royal princess' and treat him with kindness, but it was absolutely impossible for him to be regarded as the true patriarch.

But this guy also has the imperial seal.

It belongs to both soft and hard, and has something both overt and covert.

Xiweizi pondered for a moment, then said, "I still can't show it to you."

Zhou Yan saw that Xiweizi was extremely determined to protect the treasure of Louguan Dao. This old Daoist, as the leader of the number one Daoist sect in the world, was most likely a fourth-rank True Person, a level that was just one step away from the realm of immortals and gods.

Moreover, this is the main Taoist temple of Louguan.

Zhou Yan was not a novice in cultivation. He knew that these cultivators often had various home-field advantages in their own cultivation grounds. Moreover, at the level of cultivation lineage, he could only guess the opponent's strengths and how to exert power.

Whether it's the level of mastery of supernatural powers or the level of combat experience, it's impossible to judge who is stronger or weaker; we'll only know after we've fought.

No one knew just how terrifying the fighting power displayed by this kind and amiable old Taoist priest was.

After all, the Imperial Seal was just a dangerous hot potato. Xiweizi was only wary of what it represented, not Zhou Yan himself. Zhou Yan said, "If that's the case, then I won't force it. However, the inheritance of other lineages..."

Seeing Zhou Yan take a step back, Xiweizi smiled slightly and said:

"You may peruse the Daoist scriptures of the ten lineages of Louguan Dao as you see fit, Grandmaster."

"The Louguan Sect will do its utmost to help with the injuries of Hero Shen Cangming, as well as the soul of the immortal's daughter, Qinglian, in accordance with your status as Grandmaster. What do you think of this?"

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

His goal was to heal Shen Cangming, then improve his strength amidst this turbulent situation, and help his elder brother Li Taibai's daughter stabilize her soul. Even without the original Tao Te Ching, the various lineages of Taoism should have a method.

There are sufficient methods to enhance Zhou Yan's own Daoist aura.

He entered the seventh rank by combining the power of Buddhism and Taoism.

It is unknown whether a third of the Imperial Seal of the State has enough power to deduce the path to the sixth rank. If the incomplete Imperial Seal of the State also has this divine power, then the moment Zhou Yan stepped into the seventh rank and put on the seal, he would be at the sixth rank.

As a sixth-rank official, one is entitled to wear the same set of armor as those in Taishan Prefecture.

While not necessarily able to act with impunity, at least they can protect themselves in this world.

However, that also means that he would have to confront the Four Sacred Mountains True Lords.

Xiweizi was unaware that Zhou Yan could wield this treasure. However, a glint flashed in his eyes, and with his profound magical power and high cultivation, he discerned the hidden earth vein energy within Zhou Yan. He smiled and said, "So, Grandmaster is the [Yisheng Protector of the Realm Spirit Manifestation Mountain Lord] who possesses the [Kunlun Relic], right?"

Of course he knew what the Kunlun treasures were.

The Kunlun Jade Disc will definitely reflect the Kunlun Relics. Rather than letting this thing cause even more trouble outside, it's better to let Louguan Tao, the royal Taoist temple, take responsibility for it.

This is also what puzzled Xuanzhuzi: why such a big matter?

The reason why the mountain gods of the Zhongnan Mountain lineage do not intend to participate.

If the mountain gods of the Zhongnan Mountain lineage who knew a thing or two knew what this little Taoist was thinking, they would definitely grumble in their hearts—that the peaceful life of a mountain god was too boring and they wanted to find some excitement for themselves.

This young Taoist priest, instead of cultivating himself, thinks only of romantic love and wants to see mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

No wonder Sun Simiao threw you onto this mountain!
Therefore, in the eyes of Xiweizi, who was in the know, Zhou Yan's appearance became somewhat subtle.

The Taoist priest, who was the mountain lord of the Zhongnan Mountain lineage, helped Li Longji resolve the disaster at the Wofo Temple and most likely witnessed the birth of the Taishan Prefecture Lord. Now that the emperor has ascended the throne and the retired emperor is imprisoned, this Taoist priest, as the patriarch of the Louguan Taoist sect, has come to the Louguan Taoist sect with the Imperial Seal of the State.

Putting all of this together, even the most discerning person would overthink it.

If it weren't for Xiweizi's profound cultivation and steadfast faith...

With all these matters being thrown at him, the Taoist priest was losing sleep.

All of this combined practically slaps a conclusion squarely in Hippiecki's face: the turbulence and whirlpools of the world are so intense that even Hippiecki almost arrives at this conclusion—

Louguandao is doomed!
In this situation, one wrong step could throw Louguandao into the vortex.

Therefore, he had no choice but to treat this person and this matter properly.

Upon hearing the old Taoist's tentative inquiry, and that familiar name, Zhou Yan's expression softened slightly, tinged with complex, nostalgic emotions. 【Yisheng Protector of the Realm, Manifesting Majesty of the Mountain Lord】

Back in the beginning, when he was being hunted down, with the Shuofang Army behind him and the Qingmingfang Master's men in front of him, in a state of despair, the most dangerous step he took was the name given to him by that scholar.

Now, the mountain god is real.

The scholar, however, had already passed away, following his wife.

The experiences of those years, the absurdity of sharing life and death and fighting to the death in desperate situations, are now only contained in this title that sounds absurd even now. Zhou Yan paused for a moment and smiled, "It is me."

Xiweizi felt relieved.

Just then, a series of sounds came from outside. Zhou Yan turned his head and saw that on one side of the sky above the Zhongnan Mountain Tower, a faint light was flowing. A huge peacock bird, as big as Ao Xuantao's true form, spread its wings, which were hundreds of meters long, and swept across the mountains and rivers.

Large swaths of dark clouds descended, whipping up layers of fierce winds.
The sound of bells echoed through Louguan Road.

On the earth, grass and trees were broken.

Golden ripples appeared in Zhou Yan's eyes as he sensed the power emanating from this giant peacock. He knew Ao Xuantao, being outside the water element, would likely be no match for him. Though wary, he remained composed and asked, "And this is…?"

Xiweizi said, "He is the Noble Scale Officer under the command of the True Lord of Mount Hua in the West."

"He is in charge of the Golden Jade Destiny and is considered one of the left and right assistants of the True Lord of Mount Hua."

According to legend, when the Kunlun Mountain pantheon collapsed, the ninth head of the Kaiming Beast transformed into a peacock bird, which held the Kunlun treasure, the Heavenly Destiny Scale. This scale could, to a certain extent, alter one's fate, making a mortal's life noble and a noble life lowly.

“Represents one of the powers of the True Lord of the Western Mountain – the punishments for the noble and the lowly.”

West Mountain?

Zhou Yan's pupils contracted slightly as he recalled the sharp and noble warrior-like deity he had seen on Mount Tai that day. Xi Weizi said, "The Western Mountain God is not far from here. The west belongs to metal. That True Lord holds three great powers."

"There are sharp weapons, punishments for the noble and the lowly, and gold and jade mines."

"This noble official has come here because of the calamity at the Reclining Buddha Temple. The Lord of Mount Tai was born, and the Reclining Buddha Temple ultimately fell under the control of the Western Mountain faction. Therefore, many of the Three Offices and Nine Camps of the Western Mountain faction were mobilized. I wonder what they are looking for."

Zhou Yan watched intently as the peacock flew away.

Xiweizi looked at Zhou Yan and asked, "Does Grandmaster wish to meet with him?"

Meeting with the Left and Right Assistants of the True Lord of the Western Peak? Forget about it.

Zhou Yan didn't want to be eaten by the peacock so soon after arriving here. Besides, the True Lord of the Western Peak had a great treasure with Zhou Yan. If it were discovered, he would suffer the consequences.

Zhou Yan had considered whether to skip Louguandao because of this, but then he thought about it. The Four Sacred Mountains True Lords' control covered almost every place, and there was no way to avoid them. And Mount Tai...

Zhou Yan's logic told him that the Four Sacred Mountains True Lords must have planted spies around Mount Tai at this moment. Going there now would be suicide. In comparison, Louguan Taoism, being the number one Taoist sect and protected by Li Longji's imperial edict, was safer.

However, things don't always go as planned.

There are also [Kunlun Jade Disc] and [Ministers of the Western Mountain] here.

Zhou Yan remained expressionless: "No need."

Zhou Yan looked at Xiweizi and said calmly, "I am here on orders, and it is not appropriate to spread this matter. I will not see this subordinate of the True Lord of the Western Peak." Xiweizi smiled and said, "Then so be it, Master."

Xiweizi thought to himself—

As expected, the appearance of the Lord of Mount Tai was related to the retired emperor.

Therefore, this "imperial envoy" who came on a mission was absolutely unwilling to meet the True Lord of the Western Peak. After all, the Four True Lords had been craving the title of the head of the Five Peaks for far too long, and indeed...

Hippiezi sorted everything out.

However, the Imperial Seal of the State was too important, and Li Longji's fifty years of peace and prosperity were too unfathomable. These two things naturally occupied most of Xiweizi's attention, causing this Taoist master to overlook the 'lucky charm' in front of him.

However, the Holy Protector of the Realm, the Manifesting Mighty Mountain Lord, provides yet another layer of misleading information.

Under the influence of these three factors, even a Taoist master with a clear understanding of the Tao would never have made such an absurd and ridiculous prediction. He never imagined that the slightly gray-haired young man before him was the Lord of Mount Tai, who could move all the mountains in the world.

How can it be?

Xiweizi suppressed the thought that had surfaced in his mind, but as a Daoist master, he couldn't completely ignore it once a thought arose.

So he reached out and placed his hand on Zhou Yan's shoulder, finally feeling completely at ease, because this young man did not possess the [Taishan Fairness Fruit] that all the mountains and rivers were currently craving.

It wasn't true after all; I was overthinking it.

This lineage belongs to the military school, the military school, the maidservant, the princess...

Are you the legendary Imperial Guards? Are you here to protect the Princess?
The white hair at his temples—is it because he was loyal to the royal family and used a secret method to burn away his lifespan?

Is that why the Imperial Seal of the State was entrusted to him?
It turned out to be the case.

Reasonable!

Everything before him was completely unobstructed, which led Xiweizi to a completely wrong conclusion. Thus, Zhou Yan took on a new identity in Xiweizi's eyes.

The harmless young soldier, who served as the imperial mascot, the jade seal-shaped stretcher, and was most likely a princess's bodyguard, smiled at him:
"Master Daoist, do you have any advice for me?"

Xiweizi smiled and said, "It's alright. I was just thinking that it's time to get some things for my master. As for Master Shen and the others, I will take care of their arrangements. There are some things that need to be given to my master. Please come with me."

Xiweizi led Zhou Yan to the Ancestral Hall, behind which was a pavilion filled with artifacts left by the successive Xuanguan officials of Louguan Dao. The treasures shone brightly in Zhou Yan's eyes, almost dazzling him.

Xiweizi said, "Since he is the patriarch of the Louguan School, he must possess the teachings of the Louguan School."

"The Taoist robes at Canxia Tower are not in accordance with the rules. Come here and get a few for me to take a look at."

He took out several Taoist robes, each of which shone with a precious light.

Zhou Yan's divine eyes swept around and he saw a box next to him. He asked, "What is this?" Xiweizi swept his whisk and the box flew out and landed in front of Zhou Yan. He said, "This is something left behind by the patriarch."

Zhou Yan asked, "Also at the Grandmaster level?"

Xiweizi said, "No, not Grandmaster, but Ancestor."

"However, this box is not something an ordinary person can open. When I was young, I also wondered if I could open this box. Everyone has thought about it. Come on, Grandmaster, you should try it too."

He handed the box to Zhou Yan, stroking his beard with a smile. Then he saw Zhou Yan rub it, reminiscing about his first time in this pavilion, when he was also overwhelmed by the sight and couldn't open it.

Then a cracking sound was heard, and the smile on the old Taoist priest's face froze.

The box was opened.

"Um???"

(End of this chapter)