White Bone Demon Trail

Chapter 51 Apprenticeship
The rain poured down, and muddy yellow torrents rushed towards the cities and villages, the cries and wails of the people echoing in the flood.

Hua Yi couldn't bear to watch the scene before him and asked softly, "Master, can you save these people...?"

"Alas, mortals have their own destinies. I am no longer a mortal, and cannot interfere."

Master Yigeng looked at the raging torrent of water and calmly said, "Everything has a cause and effect. In Zhangyang, there was once a dragon that fell from the sky. When the mountain people saw it, they ate its flesh and blood, vainly seeking the path to immortality."

That dragon had already survived the Heavenly Tribulation and was ready to transform into a dragon after sixty years of cultivation.

Unexpectedly, the greed of the local people destroyed the spirit of nature that had bestowed such beauty upon this place.

The dragon's fortune brought three hundred years of peace and prosperity to Zhangyang, but now it is being condemned by natural disasters because of this evil dragon.

Who can say that today's evil dragon is perhaps the wronged soul of the dragon that fell three hundred years ago, coming to settle this karmic debt?

Everything in this world, from the smallest sip to the most precious meal, is preordained. We who cultivate the Tao have already renounced worldly life, and therefore cannot rashly interfere in worldly affairs.

"I see, thank you for your teachings, Master! I will keep them in mind," Hua Yi said with a sudden realization.

"Alright, in three to five years you should return to the mountain after your training." Master Yigeng pinched his sword fingers and left three streams of sword energy to flow into the dimly lit sword. "The human world is the most dangerous place. You should experience it for yourself."

Having said that, the enlightened old master's figure transformed into a wisp of golden energy and departed from the sky.

After watching his master leave, Hua Yi looked at the people in the raging flood and couldn't bear it any longer. So he made a hand seal and incantation and went to save them.

Above the clouds, Master Yigeng did not leave. Standing in the mist, he looked at his disciple and shook his head, saying, "Foolish child, you are saving them from their karmic obstacles, but you are diminishing your own blessings."

"Hehe, old Taoist, why don't you scold this disciple a bit more? Maybe then he won't dare to disobey his master's orders again!"

A hearty laugh rang out, and a refined, long-bearded man stood atop the auspicious clouds, holding a whisk and with his right hand behind his back, speaking to Master Yigeng.

Above the clouds, Master Yigeng smiled calmly, “He is still young. There are many principles and truths in this world that one cannot understand without experiencing them firsthand.”

"Let's go first, come with me to the Dharma assembly of those old Taoist priests at Sanqing Mountain."

"Oh dear, I heard that this time it was Elder Xuanming from Sanqing Mountain who summoned the Seven Mountains, Twelve Immortal Caves, and Thirty-Six Mysterious Gates."

"This person cultivates the path of ruthlessness; I'm afraid he'll face many hardships in the mortal realm." The refined Taoist shook his head helplessly.

"You don't know, when Xuanming was young, he was the most affectionate and righteous of the Seven Mysteries. It was probably because of this that he was cut off from love and affection by the wickedness of this world and cultivated this path of ruthlessness."

Yi Geng sighed, seemingly recalling past events, his expression somber.

Two figures slowly rode the clouds away, riding the wind and mist, and in the blink of an eye, they crossed mountains and valleys and disappeared without a trace.

……

Black Stone Village, White Bone Cave.

In the dim and cold stone cave, Bai Wuxiang returned, having swept away the dust of his journey.

He has now seen many powerful demons, whether it is the Xuanjiao, the monk, or the old Taoist of Qianyuan Mountain, they are all beings whose strength far surpasses his own.

After this brief peek, Bai Wuxiang was able to roughly deduce the structure of the world outside Yunze Mountain.

The Xuanmen and Buddhist sects were not the enemies he thought they were, and the Three Mountains and Six Caves were also quite powerful outside the human world.

The aura emanating from the Blood Demon Cave Master was comparable to that of Tiger Mountain Lord, the most powerful and mysterious being he had ever encountered.

The Yunze Mountains are located in the human world, yet they can exist amidst the surrounding forces of Taoism and Buddhism, mostly due to the strength of the Mountain Lord.

From this perspective, what governs the order of mortals in this world is the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak.

Above the pool, the mist was hazy, making Bai Wuxiang's figure indistinct and unclear. His body, clad in human skin, vaguely resembled a skeleton.

Bai Wuxiang calmed his mind, closed his eyes and concentrated, and sensed that the aura on his body was different.

But if he really had to put it into words, he couldn't describe the feeling.

The dragon energy that was entangled with him may have unintentionally altered his own energy.

He could only keep this matter to himself, because he was too weak and knew too little.

A mysterious needle emerged from between his eyebrows, hovering silently in mid-air. This needle was sharpened with the blood of a dragon, making it extraordinary from birth. The blood of ordinary creatures could no longer satisfy it; on the contrary, it would only taint its spirituality.

The Xuan creature only develops an intense bloodlust for the blood of extraordinary beings; ordinary blood can no longer satisfy it.

Thinking of this, the image of Tiger Mountain Lord suddenly popped into Bai Wuxiang's mind—the blood of such a divine being…

A chill ran through him, and he stopped any inappropriate thoughts. The might of the mountain lord was not something he could provoke!
Bai Wuxiang frowned. As he absorbed more and more death energy, even though the resentment was suppressed by the Resentment Spirit Pearl, more and more evil thoughts would still arise in his heart.

Fortunately, he possessed extraordinary wisdom and was able to suppress these evil thoughts.

Bai Wuxiang calmed himself down and returned to his daily cultivation.

Although the Xuanjiao did not die, it suffered such a severe injury, and being captured by that demon, it is unlikely to have a good end.

At least for now, I don't have to worry about the other person anymore.

……

As dawn breaks, the green mountains are tinged with ink. Thousands of mountains stretch endlessly, and ten thousand peaks resemble a sea.

At the foot of the mountain, mist shrouded the jade-like grass, and dew clung to the mossy stones. In the woods, a disheveled figure stood, gazing blankly at the beautiful mountain scenery.

Flocks of birds flew through the forest, wild rabbits darted through the grass, mountain monkeys leaped from tree branches, and cranes gracefully traversed the clouds.

The creatures here seem utterly unafraid of humans.

A melodious mountain tune drifted from afar, its weathered sound carried on the mist and clouds, soothing the soul.

"In the vast heavens above, in the magnificent white jade palace."

Emptiness and nature, the Three Pure Ones and the Three Realms.

The Great Luo Three Treasures Heavenly Venerable, the Vast Purple Gold Palace, the Majestic Jade Capital, the Four Emperors and Four Sovereigns...

Upon hearing this moving Taoist melody, Wei Zhengshan was overjoyed. He murmured, "This is the Three Pure Immortal Mountains, the Eastern Court of the Xuanmen."

I've finally arrived!
Master! I will soon learn immortal techniques to avenge you!

On the Three Pure Immortal Mountain, within a Purple Smoke Platform, Xiao Qianli, dressed in cloud-like gauze, respectfully bowed and addressed the figure seated amidst the purple smoke and clouds: "Disciple greets Master! May I ask what brings Master here?"

The purple aura suddenly dispersed, transforming into purple lightning threads that scattered in all directions in an instant.

Outside the Purple Smoke Terrace, there were bamboo groves. These purple lightning bolts tempered the leaves in the bamboo groves, causing them to turn into smoke and disappear.

Standing on the platform was an old Taoist priest dressed in a purple robe. He had a full head of white hair, a high forehead, and slightly dark skin. Lightning flashed in his narrowed eyes, which gradually subsided.

"Li'er, a predestined person has come to pay respects at the foot of the mountain."

Go and bring this person here; I wish to take him as my disciple.

This person looked quite old, but his voice was full of energy, which gave off an invisible sense of pressure.

"Taking on disciples?" Xiao Qianli was taken aback. "Master, you haven't taken on disciples for decades!"
Why are you suddenly taking on apprentices?

"This person was born with extraordinary talent and aptitude. Even if he cultivates the Dao halfway through his life and breaks free from worldly distractions, he will surely soar to the highest heavens!"
Senior Brother Xuanming has already convened the Luotian Dharma Assembly, and all the sects of the Xuanmen will be closed to the mountains for a hundred years, which is enough time for me to teach him a skill of the Purple Gold Thunder Technique. After the mountains are reopened, he will be able to descend the mountain to eliminate demons and evil, cross this cycle of reincarnation, and inherit the destiny upon himself.

"His cultivation might even surpass yours in the future!" The old Taoist in purple robes said with a smile, pointing his finger, and the purple mist gathered into a picture, in which the figure was Wei Zhengshan, who had stepped into the territory of Sanqing Mountain and was looking around.

"Now that you mention it, Master, I'm curious too." With curiosity in mind, Xiao Qianli accepted his master's order and went down the mountain.

Down the mountain, Wei Zhengshan, who was somewhat lost, wandered back and forth in the fog, unable to find a way out.

Just as he was becoming increasingly anxious, a golden light descended from the sky and landed in front of him, causing the vast fog to disperse.

He looked up and saw a beautiful woman in a light blue gauze dress descending from the sky, like a fairy from heaven. Her skin was like jade, her lips were like cinnabar, her eyes were bright, and her eyebrows were like dark blue, with her hair tied up in three thousand strands.

"Fairy... Fairy..."

Having only drunk some water for several days and nights, Wei Zhengshan was somewhat delirious as he stared at the scene before him, muttering to himself.

"What's your name?"

The fairy before him smiled at him, her voice as soft and clear as spring water, and said...

"Ah, I... I am Wei Zhengshan, and I have come to the Three Pure Immortal Realm to seek immortality and ask questions." He hurriedly replied, regaining his composure in a panic.

"Oh, Wei Zhengshan, from now on you will be Junior Brother Wei." Xiao Qianli smiled and pointed, the golden sword falling down. "My name is Xiao Qianli, and I am currently the only disciple under my master."

No, from now on there will be only two.

"Come on up, I'll take you to see your master."

"Oh, yes, Senior Sister!" Wei Zhengshan stood on the giant golden sword. Xiao Qianli activated her magic, and the golden sword soared into the sky, carrying him up the mountain.

Wei Zhengshan nervously clenched his fists, gazing at the scenery high above. For a moment, he was in a daze, the delicate fragrance of the woman in front of him wafting to his nose. Looking at the beautiful scenery of the fairy mountain below, he felt as if he were in a beautiful dream.

After a long and arduous journey, everything suddenly went smoothly when they arrived at Sanqing Mountain. They had planned to beg the immortals to take them as disciples, but to their surprise, the immortals came to them directly.

On the Purple Smoke Platform, a golden light flashed, and Xiao Qianli returned with Wei Zhengshan. "Master, the person has been brought here."

"Hmm, you don't look too well."

The old Taoist priest in purple robes stroked his beard and smiled as he looked at the person in front of him.

"This humble one pays homage to the Immortal Master! I humbly request that the Immortal Master accept me as his disciple and impart to me the immortal arts!"

Looking at the immortal master's figure amidst the purple mist, Wei Zhengshan bowed down without hesitation.

"Hehe, I am Xiao Jingzhi, the Elder of the Sanqing Mountain Punishment Department. The fact that you have come here after going through so many hardships shows how strong your will is."

From now on, you will be my fourth disciple.

The old Taoist priest in purple robes said solemnly, "Since you have entered my sect, you should remember to respect your teachers and elders, be kind to your fellow disciples, subdue demons and monsters, and follow the laws of heaven. These are the rules that we cultivators must abide by."

……

"

After he finished speaking, he stopped and said, "Li'er, take him and settle him in the mountains."

"The formal apprenticeship ceremony will be held nine days later!"

"Yes! Master!"

Xiao Qianli responded.

As the purple mist gently wafted, the figure on the Purple Smoke Platform vanished without a trace.

After she left, Wei Zhengshan asked curiously, "Senior Sister, didn't Master take in four disciples? Where are the other two senior brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qianli's expression darkened slightly. "They have all entered the cycle of reincarnation. Do not mention this matter in front of Master in the future."

"Yes, yes! I was too talkative!" Wei Zhengshan's heart tightened. He was not a stupid mortal who knew nothing, and naturally understood that entering the cycle of reincarnation meant death.

In a secluded hall, Xiao Jingzhi, dressed in purple robes, looked at the memorial tablet on the table, blew out the incense stick in his hand and placed it in front of the tablet, and sighed, "Disciple, you have finally come."

……

Yunze Mountain, Tiger King Village.

A light mist drifted in from the window, where Shan Jun, dressed in a pale yellow robe, stood quietly reading a book.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a handsome young man exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty! I've found it for you!"

"Oh? How come so fast?" Shan Jun put down the scroll in his hand and chuckled curiously. "Don't try to pass yourself off as someone else. I'm looking for someone with an extraordinary destiny!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! What a coincidence! I just finished watching the grand spectacle of catching the dragon outside the mountain, and then I ran into this person!" The handsome young man took a sachet from his waist, poured it on the ground, and white mist surged, revealing a man lying on the ground.

"Look! Although I don't have Your Majesty's ability to read auras, I can tell at just one glance that this person must be extraordinary!"

Tiger Mountain Lord glanced at the man on the ground and chuckled, “Not bad. Although he has a noble destiny that he changed later in life, he is no ordinary person.”

With a little help, one might just become a general, minister, or king in the future!

But why does this person have a trace of Zen magic about him?

Xu Dabai? That's too light a name; it can't suppress good fortune or calm one's spirit.

It still needs further refinement before it can be truly useful.

Tiger Mountain Lord turned around, took a pen from the desk, and wrote a square "王" (king) on ​​the forehead of the unconscious man!

As soon as the character "王" (Wang) appeared, the ink disappeared. Although Xu Dabai on the ground did not change his appearance, his entire face seemed to be different.

"Your Majesty, I've heard that the Luo Tian Dharma Assembly is being held at Sanqing Mountain. I'm afraid all the Taoist sects will have to retreat from the world and close their mountains. With demons and evil spirits descending upon the world, should we be careful to select two or three of his most trusted generals?"

The handsome young man asked with a grin.

"The evil spirits and malevolent energy down below the mountain are too heavy, and they are burdened with karmic obstacles. It would be best to use the spirits and monsters from Yunze Mountain." Lord Hushan shook his head and rejected the idea.

"I think that guy named Wuxiang from the south side of the mountains would be quite suitable. He's good at bewitching people, so he could probably help him gain popular support!" The young man mentioned something with great interest.

"Formless? Heh, this Yin Spirit is no ordinary demon. If it's released from the mountain, it will only cause chaos and bring trouble upon itself." Tiger Mountain Lord remembered something interesting. "I'll keep it for now; I may have another great use for it!"

……

With the arrival of April, spring is coming to an end and summer is on its way.

In the more than 200 acres of farmland not far from Skull Mountain, the figures of mountain villagers are busy at work.

The mountains are once again covered in lush greenery, flocks of birds from the south have returned, and insects chirp and birds sing in the wilderness, with wild animals roaming freely. It is another summer as if life is reaching its peak.

That night, Bai Wuxiang was concentrating on his cultivation in the cave when, in a daze, he suddenly heard some faint sounds.

The sound echoed in the quiet of the night, like the crisp sound of chains clashing, approaching Bai Wuxiang slowly and steadily from afar.

(End of this chapter)