Dao Cheng Gui Xian

Chapter 286 Mustard Seed Ferry Crossing, Eerie Fog Cleared

A month or so passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, people on both sides of the Hengyang River either gathered at the City God Temple or burned incense and kowtowed before a clear pond in their homes.

The once bustling city of Wangxian was now much quieter.

Five days ago, a large number of cultivators from the Seven Views and Twenty-Four Clans had already traveled by boat to various cities, and were being managed by the City God.

Some of these important cities even had guardian angels appointed.

The remaining elders and Golden Core protectors gathered in front of the floating hall of the Suspended Mountain.

Above the main hall, the patriarchs of the two floating lineages, the Dragon King, and Chi Xiu were all present.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Chi Xiu took a step forward, his figure suddenly transforming into a sixteen-foot-tall silver giant, looking down at the crowd and slowly speaking:
"The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, and it's time to put everyone's hard work and preparations to the test!"

Chi Xiu's voice was loud, carrying the unique buzzing sound of a deity.

The crowd below was invigorated upon hearing this, their spirits soaring and their spiritual energy surging.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Chi Xiu nodded to himself, realizing that Suspended Mountain wasn't entirely composed of corrupt individuals.

Having survived the perilous ordeal at Mount Immortality, I've been inspired with a renewed sense of courage.

"Let me emphasize this one last time: the purpose of this operation is to unify Huazhou and spread the influence of the Suspended Mountain and the faith in the Heavenly God as quickly as possible. All merit calculations will revolve around these two points. Simply put, we need not only land but also manpower. Do you understand?"

"I will obey the decree of the Heavenly God!"

"In that case, enjoy the hunt!"

Chi Xiu stretched out his arms, and a three-headed, six-armed Dharma body suddenly appeared in the sky. At this moment, the Dharma body was several times more solid than it had been a month ago.

If it weren't for the incense smoke swirling around him, he would be almost indistinguishable from a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The two lineage masters and the Dragon King were also greatly surprised when they looked at this Dharma image; Chi Xiu's progress was somewhat beyond their expectations.

The Dragon King, in particular, who had just switched from the path of gods to the path of immortals, gained a deeper understanding of this.

But at this moment, what the three of them were thinking about more was how Chi Xiutian would dispel the eerie fog in the Land of Misfortune in an instant.
Even now, the only notification they've received is that they'll have to wait until the eerie fog dissipates.

The founder of the Fu lineage and the Dragon God, along with the elders and protectors of the Fu lineage, went straight into the source of the sea and directly captured Yunxu Sanren, a Nascent Soul True Monarch who was entrenched there.

Then, they awaited Chi Xiu's message and proceeded to eliminate high-ranking cultivators who refused to surrender.

The remaining elders and guardians, led by the founder of the Void lineage, went directly to Linhai City in the Misty Land on the north bank, using tactics similar to those employed by the founder of the Floating lineage and the Dragon King on the south bank.

The three had no objections to the plan. After all, the Suspended Mountain was a major sect with a long lineage. If it weren't for the interference of forces like the Immortal Mountain, the two lineage masters of the Suspended Mountain would be able to overwhelm the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Misty Land.

To put it bluntly, the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Land of Misfortune are nothing more than some lucky rogue cultivators. Even if they have some talent, how strong can they be with the inheritance here?

As for reaching the Nascent Soul stage? That's even more impossible!

The two founders of the Floating Void lineage were extremely confident about this.

But the prerequisite is that the eerie fog dissipates!

If the eerie fog doesn't dissipate, they won't be able to venture deeper into the maze and linger there, so let's put everything aside.

Besides that, what is the High Priest doing at this moment?

They only learned from the Heavenly God Chi Xiu that the High Priest had already ventured deep into the Land of Misery earlier today.

This made them even more curious!

They weren't too worried about the High Priest's safety, after all, a few days ago, a powerful aura suddenly erupted in Wangxian City, which even startled them, who were high in the sky.

The two patriarchs, Fu and Kong, urgently descended upon Wangxian City to stabilize the sky. If the sky were to break down carelessly, the Hengyang River would pour down, and Wangxian City would be instantly submerged.

Fortunately, this aura came and went quickly.

The two had intended to visit the High Priest, but Mu Tong stopped them, saying that the High Priest had made some breakthroughs and was still in seclusion to consolidate them. Unable to do so, the two had no choice but to return.

Even at this point, neither of them could determine which realm the High Priest had broken through to.

Having learned from Chi Xiu that the High Priest had already fallen into the maze, the two instantly felt that Chi Xiu's confident assertion that he could clear the strange fog in one fell swoop was most likely related to the High Priest.

The two exchanged a glance and suddenly felt that the debt that Suspended Mountain owed the High Priest was growing ever larger.

South Shore Mystery Land
On the southwest coast of Wufang City, towering waves constantly crash against the land, forming a sea cliff.

The sea cliff face is smooth, with man-made holes on top, each less than four feet in size, totaling forty-nine.

In the very center of these forty-nine holes is a large hole, about ten feet high.

On the cliff face on either side of these holes, the following words are written in bold, flowing strokes:

May you live as long as an immortal and never grow old.

"Life is more precious than heaven and weighs an immeasurable weight."

Upon closer inspection, each of these openings has a series of small steps leading down to a large, long platform.

Three blue-and-white porcelain sailboats are moored above the platform. Upon closer inspection, it can be seen that these sailboats are made entirely of ceramic, including the canvas.

Not far away, ceramic figurines were brandishing ceramic bone whips, lashing them repeatedly at black donkeys in an attempt to drive them onto the blue-and-white porcelain sailboat.

These black donkeys were all brimming with vitality, their fur gleaming, and their energy was even more vigorous than that of many flesh-and-blood monsters.

Li Wushou sat cross-legged on the underwater reef on the side of the cliff, taking in everything on the platform.

At this moment, his Dharma Domain emanated from his body, with Tai Chi rotating and the Five Elements converging. The Dharma Domain seemed to form its own world, keeping the seawater outside.

Five days ago, when Master Xuan Yang and the old snail planted the last tree in the Misty Land on the south bank and met up with the White Bone Cicada, they learned that the sacred tree that Li Wushou had planted in the Luotou clan was gone.

Helpless, the three had to find a few more flesh-and-blood evil spirits and kill several Foundation Establishment cultivators. Finally, two days ago, they planted another sacred tree twenty miles west of the Luotou clan. The old snail even used Yin spirit to guide the Luotou clan to worship it.

Only then did the tree-planting project come to a close!

Just as the three were about to return, the White Bone Cicada, while hunting for food, unexpectedly discovered several ceramic figurines leading a dozen or so black donkeys towards the sea cliff shrouded in mist to the southwest.

Before they planted the trees, Li Wushou reminded them to be careful of Mount Bulao.

Li Wushou also shared the characteristics of the Porcelain Venerable and the Food Venerable with the three of them.

After all, with their strength, as long as they don't encounter the Immortal Mountain or the other people in the Land of Misfortune, they should be in no danger.

Unexpectedly, their unintentional act actually led them to discover traces of the Immortal Mountain Sect.

Upon learning this, Li Wushou took it very seriously. Yesterday, after lighting up all the Renpan of the Starry Incense Array that Chi Xiu had created, he rushed to this sea cliff.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Mount Immortal.

These ceramic figurines should be from the lineage of the Porcelain Venerable. The black donkeys they are transporting are most likely the ingredients chosen by the Food Venerable.
Judging from the qi and blood alone, Chen Gou'er was already quite tempted. This was much higher quality than the donkeys that the Daoist had created. In fact, these black donkeys might have originally been cultivators.

Li Wushou looked at the black donkeys and ceramic figurines, but his mind was more focused on the void above the platform.

Just now, these three blue-and-white porcelain sailboats suddenly appeared in that void and then landed on the platform.

The old beggar said it was the Mustard Seed Ferry or the Gate of the Holy Realm, a gateway from the Holy Realm to the heavens and earth. To open such a gateway, one needs to anchor their positions to each other.

It could be a ritual, a magic array, or something similar.

Li Wushou was very interested in the so-called Holy Domain and God Realm. He also wanted to know how the power of Great Venerables and True Gods was constructed. But unfortunately, even if he concentrated and used his special vision, he couldn't see a single clue.

Truly worthy of being called "Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed, a world in a speck of dust!"
The old beggar rolled his eyes inside the Three Immortals Pavilion.

He had already told Li Wushou that the Mustard Seed Ferry, though seemingly right in front of him, was actually hidden deep in the void, so looking at it was pointless.

If one of the entrances to a sacred realm were so easy to find, there would be far fewer Great Venerables and True Gods in this world.

A moment later, the ceramic figures on the platform finally loaded dozens of black donkeys onto two blue-and-white sailboats, and then one by one they returned to the pit in the cliff face along the steps.

These pits were small, but just the right height for them.

So this was actually their cave?
Upon careful counting, there were exactly forty-nine ceramic figurines, no more and no less.

Li Wushou forcibly suppressed the urge to act. The eerie mist had not yet dissipated, and rashly taking action could easily lead to unforeseen complications.

Not long after, Li Wushou suddenly had a thought: Chi Xiu's side was finally ready.

With his eyes closed, Li Wushou entered into Chi Xiu's mind.

Hanging Mountain

Chi Xiu's Dharma Body raised its six arms high, and the Heavenly Destiny Star shone brightly.

Even though it is difficult to see with the naked eye during the day, the starlight shines on the believer's mind the moment they close their eyes.

Chi Xiu's mind stirred, and the Ren Plate in his hand slowly floated up.

The Ren Pan rose with the wind, transforming into a deep, clear pool, suspended above the six arms of the Dharma Body.

In the next instant, the mountains and rivers of Huazhou, including both banks of the Hengyang River and the land of Mie, were all reflected in the deep, clear pool in the sky.

A crimson full moon appeared between Chi Xiu's brows, radiating intense red light.

Suddenly, he spoke and issued a decree:
"Thirty-six City Gods, heed my command: Light the incense!"

The divine voice resounded far and wide, clearly echoing in the ears of every City God, even from thousands of miles away.

"As the heavenly decree commands!"

All the city gods responded in unison, and then, with the power of the Yin spirits, they lit the incense.

Thirty-six lights simultaneously illuminated the dark pool, like torches lighting up the water. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the positions of these thirty-six lights were slightly off from the original location of the City God Temple.

The city gods temporarily set up incense altars here!
This is already the result after Chi Xiu made as many adjustments as possible.

Since the locations of the thirty-six cities were already set, Chi Xiu could only adjust the locations of the incense array bases in the Misty Lands on both the north and south banks.

Fortunately, they are all within the scope of the City God's Seal.

After the incense from the thirty-six cities illuminated the secluded pool, Chi Xiu shouted once more:
"Wangxian City God Temple offering incense!"

"As the divine decree commands!"

Outside the Dragon Palace of Wangxian City, Mu Tong stood solemnly, his golden dragon scales gleaming. He formed a mudra with his hands in front of his chest, and suddenly a large amount of incense smoke rose from the Wangxian City God Seal, which was then absorbed into Chi Xiu's Destiny Star.

The star of destiny shone brightly, and a beam of starlight fell above the secluded pool.

In the perilous lands on both the north and south banks, thirty-six points of light simultaneously illuminated both above and below.

At first glance, the thirty-six points of light on the north bank are quite dazzling, not much different from the thirty-six cities with pure faith.

The ones on the south bank were of varying quality; apart from a dozen or so that were not bad, the others were barely lit up.

Upon seeing this, Chi Xiu smiled slightly.

Fellow Daoist Li did indeed succeed!

In his vision, even if the entire Suspended Mountain were mobilized and it succeeded, it would still result in huge casualties, and many people would have their foundations destroyed by the erosion of the eerie mist.

Unexpectedly, Fellow Daoist Li accomplished this all by himself in less than a month!
Therefore, we must not let down Fellow Daoist Li's hard work.

With a thought, a large amount of incense from the star gathered along the starlight on the points of light on the north and south banks.

The North Bank and the Thirty-Six Cities saved Chi Xiu a lot of incense offerings, so the main distribution of incense offerings was done at the Light Point on the South Bank.

The sacred tree that was originally rooted in the village store of Huangmao Village was transplanted to a field near Huangmao Village.

At that moment, a ray of starlight pierced through the mist and suddenly shone on the sacred tree.

The villagers of Huangmao, who got up early to worship, all thought that the Corpse Willow God had reappeared and hurriedly began to kowtow.

However, the sacred tree grew rapidly under the light of the incense fire.

The tree trunk, which was originally only the size of several people who could hug it, soon became even larger than the original body of the Corpse Willow God.

From a distance, the tree canopy looks like a mountain.

What's even more astonishing is that the entire tree trunk shimmers with a crystalline light, filled with a sacred aura.

The old snail was guarding not far from the sacred tree.

Li Wushou was also somewhat surprised to see this scene from the other party's perspective.

It should be noted that Chi Xiuke was still on the Suspended Mountain at this moment, and the firelight of his incense could actually illuminate the entire continent. The divine path is truly mysterious in some aspects. If it were not for the restraint of the immortal sects, it might not be a path to heaven.

Just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out above the sacred tree:
"The Starry Incense Array has arrived, and the eerie mist has dissipated!"

The sacred tree suddenly burst forth with a dazzling fluorescence, its entire trunk appearing as if it had been etherealized, so radiant that it was almost blinding to look directly at it.

Li Wushou quickly switched to Chi Xiu's perspective. One hundred and eight points of light, like nails, were firmly fixed on the land of Huazhou, cutting the sky full of strange fog into pieces.

At the same time, the thirty-six City God seals suddenly rose into the air and exploded, creating two gusts of incense smoke that swept across the banks of the Hengyang River towards the north and south coasts.

The eerie mist that had enveloped the Land of Misfortune thinned instantly until it slowly dissipated without a trace!
One hundred and eight points of light intertwined to form a star-shaped incense barrier. The eerie mist was dispersed into the sea, swirling with waves, trying to rush back to Huazhou, but was firmly blocked.

After a long while, it finally and reluctantly dissolved into the vast ocean.

Seeing this, Chi Xiu smiled slightly and turned to the two patriarchs of the floating lineages and the Dragon King behind him, saying:

"Gentlemen, the eerie fog has been lifted; it's time for you all to show your skills!"

The three of them stepped forward in unison, their fighting spirit surging.

They were amazed by Chi Xiutian's methods of clearing away the strange fog, and they would not disappoint him either.

Once everyone was assembled, they headed to Haiyuan City and Linhai City respectively, according to the plan.

At the same time, the southwestern sea cliffs.

Li Wushou composed himself, slowly rose from the seabed reef, and took a step forward, finding himself already on the long platform.

The eerie fog has dissipated, but this Mustard Seed Ferry Crossing must not be left behind either!
Just then, the ceramic figures, sensing the dramatic change in the world, poked their heads out of the pit one by one.

Upon seeing Li Wushou on the platform, their expressions changed slightly, and they all returned to the pit at the same time.

Li Wushou calmed his mind and was about to throw a punch at the cliff face.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine, and I saw that the forty-nine small pits on the mountain wall suddenly burst forth with blue-and-white light.

Then, a blue-and-white porcelain figure slowly emerged from the large cave in the middle!
(End of this chapter)