The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 167 Dongyue, the altar is opened!
Zhou Yan looked at the peacock feathers floating in front of him.

Emitting an indigo light, it slowly rotated, and the illusory figure of an old Taoist priest appeared in front of the feather, chuckling, "It took several days to complete, Grandmaster Uncle. This old Taoist has set up a small spell in this feather."

"It's nothing special, just something to protect yourself."

With a flick of his whisk, the phantom of Xiweizi sent a feather into Zhou Yan's hand, causing it to ripple slightly, revealing the magic within the feather.

It's an early warning.

Once the peacock appears near Zhou Yan, its feathers will naturally glow with light, reminding Zhou Yan to leave quickly. It will also immediately release a unique communication method of the Daoist sect to alert Xiweizi and the others.

In truly dangerous situations, one can infuse magic power into it and then throw it out, unleashing a powerful divine ability.

Xiweizi and the others are already seasoned veterans.

Even from a rational perspective, the peacock wouldn't break off relations at this time, but Xiweizi wouldn't rely on the peacock's rationality to ensure Zhou Yan's safety. The old Taoist priest applied pressure while also preparing some protective items for Zhou Yan.

The phantom of Xiweizi laughed and said, "The things have been delivered to Grandmaster by the Jinghe Dragon Lord, so this old Taoist will not disturb you any longer. Daoist Yuan Danqiu seems to have already prepared the ritual for determining the soul of the banished immortal's daughter. This old Taoist casts a divination, but there may be some twists and turns."

"If Grandmaster Uncle has some free time, why don't you go and take a look at [Shangshan Pond]?"

"Perhaps we can turn the crisis into an opportunity."

The figure of Hippiezi disappeared.

Zhou Yan put away the peacock feathers, thinking about what Yuan Danqiu had said about Li Pingyang's three souls and seven spirits, as well as that blue lotus flower. It seemed that Yuan Danqiu intended to use the Louguan Taoist treasure land [Shangshan Pond] to condense Li Pingyang's three souls and seven spirits into one.

It seems to be in three days. If I have time then, I can go and take a look.

Ao Xuantao had already used the water flow to send the two treasures of the Giant Spirit General to Zhou Yan. One was the extraordinary-looking Mo Dao (陌刀), and the other was the pendant hanging from his waist. The former was the weapon used by the mountain gods of Yuntai Peak, the North Peak of Mount Hua, throughout the ages.

The second pendant appears to be the one used by the blind girl in the story. The giant spirit, having lost all his past memories and emotions, still instinctively transformed his treasure into this form: a stone lotus flower, which can only be activated by the power of the earth's veins.

If you take this object and throw it, it will transform into six stone peaks of varying sizes, resembling lotus peaks, which will attack the enemy in turn. It also contains the secrets of Li Yaoshi's Six Flower Formation and will automatically adjust itself based on the feedback from the peaks hitting the enemy.

It's powerful and heavy; once it's launched, you don't need to worry about it anymore, as it can track and adjust itself automatically.

It has powerful attack capabilities and a wide range of coverage.

Disadvantage – High mana cost.

It is a magical artifact that a mountain god at the peak of the sixth rank would like to use after connecting to the earth veins. Even the Cloud Platform Giant Spirit General only uses this method after connecting to the earth veins of Cloud Platform Peak and having the earth veins provide magic power.

However, Zhou Yan calculated that using the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclination as a connector for the earth veins could also be used to smash it out.

At worst, the mountain peak will be smaller.

It works!

He happily hung the pendant on his waist, glanced at the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), reached out his palm, grasped the blade, and tried to lift it. The Mo Dao didn't budge. Zhou Yan exhaled and circulated the power of the earth's veins before he was able to lift the sword.

"So heavy..."

Zhou Yan needed both hands to grip the three-pointed, double-edged sword and lift it, but such a weapon, requiring seventy to eighty percent of his maximum strength to lift, was only suitable for honing his strength; it was impossible to use it for actual combat.

Ao Xuantao said, "This three-pointed double-edged sword was forged from the gold essence of Mount Hua. Among the Five Sacred Mountains, the gold essence of Mount Hua is the sharpest, and it has the artistic conception of weapons and killing, but it is a bit heavy."

Zhou Yan exhaled, and the three-pointed, double-edged sword slid down.

With a loud crash, a large crater appeared in the floor of the house. Zhou Yan said, "What a pity, I can't use this three-pointed double-edged sword, it's too heavy."

This weapon is not of the highest rank, but unlike the Earthly Soul and Heavenly Inclined Blade, it cannot adjust its weight according to the user's cultivation level. It seems that the forging techniques of King Yu in the past were still better. Looking at this Mo Dao, Zhou Yan could feel its sharpness and edge.

I couldn't help but say, "What a pity!"

"Unfortunately, the Earthly Soul and Heavenly Collapse can only grow larger, but cannot change its shape."

"If the Earth's Soul and Heaven's Collapse could also transform into this Mo Dao, I wouldn't need to think about having a long weapon."

As he spoke, the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined Blade at his waist suddenly emitted light and hummed softly. Zhou Yan sensed the will of the divine weapon, drew the horizontal blade, and the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined Blade emitted a blade cry. In an instant, it turned into a ball of light and merged directly with the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade.

Zhou Yan said, "This is..."

Zhou Yan and Ao Xuantao both saw that the white-gold color representing the golden soul of Mount Hua on the three-pointed double-edged sword collided with the yellow light representing the earth soul and the sky's collapse. They rose and fell, with the white-gold light sometimes gaining the upper hand and the yellow light sometimes shining brightly.

Finally, the power of the earth's veins, represented by the Earth's Soul and Heaven's Collapse, took over the Mo Dao.

This three-pointed, double-edged sword ultimately represents the golden spirit of Yuntai Peak, while the earth spirit and heavenly tilt are equivalent to the earth veins of a famous mountain and river, and also possess the weight of Yu the Great's flood control and the slaying of the great demon in the water.

Both being part of the earth's veins, the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined has been in the Earth Lung Mountain for thousands of years, carrying a bit of earth fire energy. Fire overcomes metal, and the earth vein energy between the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined and the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade eventually merged, with the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined as the main body.

Zhou Yan reached out and grasped the Earthly Soul and Heavenly Inclination.

I could feel that the knife seemed to have become heavier.

It seemed that the Earth Soul Heavenly Collapse had devoured the Golden Soul Earth Vein of Yuntai Peak, thus improving its own foundation. Zhou Yan sensed the changes in this weapon, pondered for a moment, flicked his wrist, and slashed horizontally with the blade, the sound of it cutting through the air sharp and fierce.

Zhou Yan then displayed his swordsmanship right there in the room.

His swordsmanship was based on the border army swordsmanship of Anren Army, and he improved it in actual combat. In the Battle of Wofo Temple, he stepped into the level of a battle-hardened elite.

When dealing with the Giant Spirit General, Li Zhiwei prayed for Zhou Yan with a scroll containing a portion of the spirit of the Door Gods. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Yan used the Iron Mace Technique of Qin Shubao contained within the spirit.

He is not in the state of [Yisheng Mountain Lord] now, so he cannot use Qin Shubao's supernatural martial arts. However, the battle with the Giant Spirit General at the time left some traces.

The swordsmanship displayed here was heavy, sluggish, and seemingly touching upon the realm of "sword intent." Ordinary swordsmen, even if they practiced swordsmanship for a lifetime, would find it difficult to even reach the threshold of this level.

Ao Xuantao couldn't help but sigh, "The Prefect is indeed the Prefect."

At such a young age, he has already achieved such mastery of swordsmanship.

Just as they were marveling at this, Zhou Yan suddenly changed his stance and spun around, slashing horizontally. At that moment, a stream of light appeared above the Earth Soul Sky Collapse. The horizontal blade spread out along with this slash and instantly transformed into a long-handled, three-pointed, double-edged sword.

The blade's attack range expanded instantly.

The two forces of earth and fire above the Earth Soul and Heaven Collapse transformed into earth metal.

The sharpness of the blade surged instantly, and Ao Xuantao could vaguely feel the blade scraping his face. Zhou Yan held the three-pointed double-edged sword in both hands, with a spiral-shaped awl on the handle, and stepped out of the house into the courtyard.

Following his instincts, he unleashed his swordsmanship, drawing upon the remaining techniques and experience from Qin Shubao, as well as his combat experience at the Wofo Temple and the legend of Shen Cangming. He wielded his long-handled Mo Dao with great force, culminating in a final, powerful strike.

The power of the Zhenrong Xuanguan gathered on the blade, transforming into a stream of light that shot towards the sky. Ao Xuantao exclaimed, "My lord, what skill you possess!"

Zhou Yan said, "It is a good weapon." With a flick of his wrist, the seven-foot-long, three-pointed, double-edged sword with a three-foot-long blade transformed back into a horizontal sword and was worn at his waist. As a divine weapon from ancient times, the Earth Soul Heavenly Inclined Sword had no fancy features.

It is sturdy and heavy enough to devour the earth veins of the same origin and transform itself.

In other words, as long as it is a weapon of the earth vein system, Dipo Tianchong can devour and assimilate it. After devouring it, it will have the ability to transform into that weapon. It will also gradually transform and improve as it devours and collects.

Zhou Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "What a treasure!"

However, this also means that the family heirlooms of the generals of Yuntai Peak under the command of the West Mountain True Lord throughout the ages have been eaten by Zhou Yan's sword. This grudge is only not yet resolved, but once it is, it will be a fight to the death.

However, Zhou Yan didn't care anymore.

Xi Yue almost ransacked the entire fortune of the Taishan lineage, so isn't it reasonable for him to slowly recoup some interest now?

However, the enormous peacock, along with the Kunlun Divine System's Enlightened Beast, the Four Sacred Mountains True Lords, the Six Paths Figure, and Emperor Li Heng of Tang, all brought immense pressure to Zhou Yan. He studied the Taoist classics with a more serious attitude than before the college entrance examination.

Especially the Xuan Tan method.

In this respect, Li Zhiwei learned from him.

Therefore, Yang Taizhen would occasionally offer some guidance. Yang Taizhen seemed to have come from Penglai Island, one of the Three Mountains, which was different from the Taoist lineage in the Central Plains, but many things were the same. When she explained things, she could make complex concepts easy to understand.

Zhou Yan understood the basic principle of the altar, which was basically about 'calling people'.

They prayed and sought help from all the gods and spirits of the four directions.

Borrowing all sorts of forces.

Then, different effects are produced according to the characteristics of different altar rituals.

Why is it that only Taoist priests with lineage and lineage can achieve the effect of the altar?
Of course! Whether it's the various primordial energies of heaven and earth or the mountain gods of all directions, they are all people who have earned the favor of the Taoist predecessors of past generations. If you have a master and follow the proper etiquette, that is, the rituals of the altar, and submit your application, the primordial energies of heaven and earth and the mountain gods of the four directions will help you.

After all, it's no problem for someone to help out as a descendant of an old friend.

But if there is no master, then why should the four primordial spirits or the various mountain gods respond?
Therefore, Zhou Yan understood why the Taoist priests in the temples near Mount Tai couldn't stay after the death of the Duke of Tai and were driven down by demons and monsters. Since they were cultivating on Mount Tai, the methods they knew were most likely to be praying to the Duke of Tai.

Now that the Lord of Mount Tai has collapsed and his Dao fruits have scattered, there is no way to respond.

Centuries of accumulated goodwill were completely wiped out.

The Taoist priests of the Xuantan lineage were completely at a loss. They had the lineage and the power, and they submitted applications, but they couldn't find any divine generals. Only those who cultivated the Taoist magic had some ability and were able to protect them all the way out.

Zhou Yan stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

"In other words, if someone can still respond, can the Tai Mountain range along Xuantan Road be restored?"

However, this was just a fleeting thought.

These past few days, Zhou Yan has been quite relaxed, studying and figuring out how to use the [Mountain God's Edict]. He found it normal that Li Longji and the others were surprised that Zhou Yan, a living person, possessed the authority of a mountain god.

Even a top-tier holder of malevolent energy like Shen Cangming could not be granted a title by the Mountain God.

This thing is either a spirit or the soul of a dead person.

Is there anything special about the human soul?

Zhou Yan suddenly realized that perhaps his soul was special because it was not from this world.
On the third day, they went to Shangshan Pond and chatted with Yuan Danqiu while preparing the Qinglian ritual. The old Taoist carefully set up the altar and took out the exotic Qinglian.

The azure lotus slowly rotated, emitting flowing light. Yuan Danqiu guided the lotus into the Supreme Goodness Pool according to the magic. Yuan Danqiu breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"The Shangshan Pond is a secret realm of the Louguan Taoist sect. The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contention. No matter what lineage you follow, entering the Shangshan Pond will bring you great benefits."

“Pingyang was a tragic child. He inherited a wisp of his father’s innate sword intent, but lacked the balance of immortal energy, and died at the young age of seventeen. I hope Shangshanchi can help this child…”

Zhou Yan and Yuan Danqiu waited, and everything was going smoothly until suddenly, a stream of dark light emanated from the blue lotus, faintly carrying a golden Buddhist aura, which instantly disrupted the ritual!
Yuan Danqiu's expression changed slightly: "Oh no, as expected, there are still some left!"

"These bugs!"

Yuan Danqiu gritted his teeth and cast spells, but the ritual altar seemed unable to withstand the change. Yuan Danqiu panicked; if this continued, Li Pingyang would be annihilated. Zhou Yan, looking at the radiant blue lotus, sensed something and said:
"Master Yuan!"

Yuan Danqiu raised his head and asked, "What is it?"

Zhou Yan said, "Master Yuan, go find True Person Xiweizi. Leave this to me."

Yuan Danqiu said, "You, young friend, you..."

Zhou Yan stared intently at the Xuan Tan ritual objects that were shimmering with light, and said, "I might have a way, at least to hold it up for a while." Yuan Danqiu looked at the light that was being gradually absorbed by the Xuan Tan, gritted his teeth, and said, "Alright, it's up to you!"

So he hurriedly fled. Zhou Yan looked at the Shangshan Pond, which was rippling with waves, and at the blue lotus that was shimmering with light. He exhaled and stretched out his palm. A stream of light slowly flew out. It was the [Mountain God's Edict] left behind by the slaying of the giant spirit general.

[Mountain God's Edict], Soul?

Looking at the blue lotus in front of him, Zhou Yan thought of the elder brother who taught him sword techniques and helped him overcome the first few difficulties, as well as the heroic spirit of that immortal.

Zhou Yan closed his eyes.

"Li Bai's daughter must be saved, and the Weaver Girl's plan must be thwarted."

"...Saving lives is the priority, so I'll make you my first guardian deity."

Zhou Yan raised his hand and made a hand seal. The Mountain God's command flew into the Shangshan Pool and instantly stabilized the Green Lotus. The Green Lotus, which was gradually collapsing due to the residual intent of the Insect Buddha, and the three souls and seven spirits contained within it, were instantly fixed.

Then, extending his hand, the young Taoist's sleeves billowed, his sideburns flew back, and purple energy, representing the supreme power of Mount Tai, flowed between his fingers. He wrote the three characters "Li Pingyang" on the blank edict of the mountain god, and then personally recited:
"In the name of this humble Taoist, I summon the spirit of the Supreme Lord of the Eastern Peak, the Lord of Mount Tai."

"Mount Tai stands tall, guarding the East."

"The nine fortresses of the Netherworld shall all obey the imperial edict."

"Mount Tai—"

With his five fingers clenched together, a ball of mysterious light spread out from this point in an instant.

"Open the jar."

(End of this chapter)