The Ferocious God in the Celestial Master's Mansion

On the day he left Longhu Mountain, the morning light pierced through the clouds, bathing the winding mountain road in a golden-red hue. Zhang Yulei carried a sword on his back, a Celestial Master's Mansion token hanging at his waist, and his black outfit accentuated his tall and straight figure. The young man's face still held a touch of naivety, but his eyes were bright and resolute. He did not choose to take a carriage, but instead walked down the mountain—his master had said that the path of training lies in personal experience; the more firmly one walks the path, the clearer the path in one's heart will become.

His first stop on the way down the mountain was Sanyi Gate.

The Sanyi Sect and Longhu Mountain are both orthodox Taoist sects. Although they belong to different schools, they have always maintained contact, especially in combating evil spirits and maintaining order in the world of supernatural beings, where they have always been of one mind and one heart. Zhang Yulei had heard about the Sanyi Sect's "Triple Rebirth" from his master, knowing that this technique is based on "going against the current and returning to simplicity." When cultivated to a high level, it can reshape the physical body and has boundless power. Now, the Sanyi Sect is led by Zuo Ruotong, an elder who will later be known as the "Great Abundance Immortal." At this time, he is in his prime, and his cultivation is already unfathomable.

It was afternoon three days later when they arrived at the Sanyi Gate. Nestled among the mountains of southern Anhui, the Sanyi Gate was ancient and simple, with the three large characters "Sanyi Gate" inscribed above it, written in a vigorous and upright style, exuding an air of integrity. Seeing Zhang Yulei's extraordinary bearing and noticing the Celestial Master's Mansion token at his waist, the gatekeeper immediately bowed respectfully: "We were unaware of the arrival of a fellow Daoist from the Celestial Master's Mansion; we have failed to greet you properly. May we ask your esteemed name and the purpose of your visit to our Sanyi Gate?"

"Zhang Yulei from Longhu Mountain, having been ordered by my master to descend the mountain for training, has come to visit Master Zuo, firstly to establish friendly relations, and secondly to seek further instruction." Zhang Yulei returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone humble yet measured.

The disciple dared not delay and hurriedly went inside to report. A short while later, a middle-aged man in a moon-white Daoist robe, with a square face, strode out to greet them, followed by several core disciples of the Sanyi Sect. The man had sharp eyes, yet a gentle smile; he was none other than Zuo Ruotong, the sect leader of the Sanyi Sect.

"Hahaha, Senior Brother Zhang's last disciple is indeed a handsome and talented man!" Zuo Ruotong laughed as she stepped forward, grasped Zhang Yulei's hand, and a gentle aura flowed through her palm, both a test and a gesture of goodwill. "I've long heard that Senior Brother Zhang has taken on a disciple with extraordinary talent, and seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."

Zhang Yulei could sense Zuo Ruotong's pure and peaceful Qi, and secretly praised him, saying that he was indeed worthy of being the leader of the Sanyi Sect. On the surface, he quickly said humbly, "Sect Leader Zuo is too kind. This disciple is new to the field and has shallow knowledge. I have come here today to ask for guidance from the Sect Leader and my fellow disciples."

"Of course, of course!" Zuo Ruotong was very fond of the young man's composure and humility, and immediately led him inside. "Longhu Mountain and Sanyi Sect are one family. Now that you're here, feel free to settle in. If there's anything you want to ask or learn, just ask."

Zhang Yulei's time at the Sanyi Sect was very fulfilling. Zuo Ruotong was indeed very generous, not only explaining the core principles of the "Reverse Life Triple Technique" to him, but also letting him observe the Sanyi Sect disciples' cultivation, and even personally instructing him in martial arts. Zhang Yulei, in turn, shared his defensive insights from the Longhu Mountain "Golden Light Mantra," allowing the two Taoist techniques to complement each other, greatly benefiting both.

During this time, he met several core disciples of the Sanyi Sect, among whom he got along best with a young man named Lu Jin. Lu Jin was two years older than Zhang Yulei, with a cheerful and upright personality, and his cultivation was among the best of the younger generation in the Sanyi Sect. The two were of similar age and both were passionate about martial arts, so they quickly became close friends who could talk about anything.

One afternoon, the two sparred on the back mountain. Lu Jin unleashed the "Triple Reversal of Life," displaying astonishing physical strength and powerful, fierce punches and kicks; Zhang Yulei, on the other hand, protected himself with the Golden Light Mantra and supplemented it with thunder magic, achieving a balance of offense and defense. The two exchanged blows, fighting fiercely and evenly, their fists whistling and their qi clashing, attracting many disciples of the Sanyi Sect to stop and watch.

"That was exhilarating! That was exhilarating!" After a fierce battle, the two stopped fighting at the same time. Lu Jin wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed loudly, "Yu Lei, your lightning technique is truly domineering! That move, 'Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens,' almost forced me to retreat!"

Zhang Yulei was also panting, but a smile appeared on his face: "Brother Lu's Reverse Life Triple Realm is truly amazing. His physical body is as hard as metal and stone. You almost broke my Golden Light Spell."

The two sat down to rest on the rocks. Lu Jin looked at Zhang Yulei and asked curiously, "Yulei, I heard from the sect leader that you were able to withstand thirty moves from Senior Brother Zhang (Zhang Zhiwei) when you were fifteen. Is that true?"

Zhang Yulei nodded: "Senior brother was just showing mercy."

"That's already incredibly impressive!" Lu Jin's eyes were filled with admiration. "Senior Brother Zhang's reputation is known to everyone among the younger generation in the world of supernatural beings. To withstand thirty moves from him is enough to demonstrate your strength. By the way, besides visiting our Sanyi Sect, where else do you plan to go this time you come down the mountain?"

"Next, I'd like to visit Wudang Mountain and the Quanzhen School," Zhang Yulei said. "My master said that Wudang's Tai Chi and Quanzhen's internal alchemy are the essence of Taoist esoteric arts. Learning from them will greatly benefit one's cultivation."

"That's right!" Lu Jin nodded in agreement. "The Tai Chi Chuan created by Zhang Sanfeng, the patriarch of Wudang Mountain, uses softness to overcome hardness and has endless variations; the internal alchemy of the Quanzhen School focuses on cultivating both body and mind, and is extremely profound. However, as you travel west, you will pass through the western Henan region, which has been quite turbulent recently."

Zhang Yulei's heart skipped a beat: "Oh? How is it not peaceful?"

"It is said that the Quanxing people are active in that area, plundering resources, harming otherworlders, and even killing ordinary people." Lu Jin's face darkened. "Moreover, there are also some so-called 'righteous sects' that are taking advantage of the chaos in that area, using the name of exorcising demons to seize territory and plunder wealth. Their actions are no different from those of evil demons."

Zhang Yulei's eyes sharpened instantly. He was familiar with the name Quanxing. In his previous life, from anime, he knew Quanxing was the most infamous sect in the world of supernatural beings, advocating "preserving one's true nature and not being burdened by material possessions," but in reality, they committed countless evils and were the common enemy of all reputable sects. And those hypocritical, reputable sects held him in even higher contempt.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Lu. I will be more careful," Zhang Yulei said in a deep voice.

After staying at the Sanyi Sect for half a month, Zhang Yulei bid farewell to Zuo Ruotong and Lu Jin and continued his journey westward. Before leaving, Zuo Ruotong gave him a token of the Sanyi Sect, instructing him that if he encountered trouble on the way, he could ask the disciples of the Sanyi Sect for help with the token; Lu Jin, on the other hand, gave him a talisman that he had personally crafted, repeatedly reminding him to be careful.

With the blessings and concerns of his friends, Zhang Yulei embarked on his journey to Wudang Mountain.

Wudang Mountain, located in northwestern Hubei, is a majestic mountain shrouded in mist and clouds, and is known as the "Number One Immortal Mountain Under Heaven". The Wudang School is famous for Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi Sword. Its techniques emphasize using softness to overcome hardness and stillness to control movement, which is completely different from the fierce style of Longhu Mountain.

When Zhang Yulei arrived at Wudang Mountain, it coincided with the Wudang Sect's annual "Wudang Sword Tournament," where Taoist disciples from all over and extraordinary individuals from friendly sects gathered to exchange skills and techniques. Zhang Yulei's arrival was warmly welcomed by the Wudang Sect leader.

The Wudang Sect Leader was an elderly man with white hair and beard, whose Taoist name was "Master Xuanxu." He possessed profound cultivation and a gentle nature. After hearing that Zhang Yulei was Zhang Qingjing's last disciple and witnessing his skills, he greatly admired him. He not only allowed Zhang Yulei to participate in the sword competition but also personally instructed him in the essence of Tai Chi.

"Tai Chi Chuan is not about strength, but about intention." Master Xuanxu taught Zhang Yulei how to circulate his qi, "Use intention to control qi, and qi to control form. It may seem slow, but it is actually full of hidden secrets. The thunder magic of your Longhu Mountain is fierce and domineering. If you can integrate it with the gentle way of Tai Chi, combining strength and gentleness, its power will surely reach a higher level."

Zhang Yulei diligently studied and quickly gained insights. He discovered that the gentleness of Tai Chi Chuan and the defensive techniques of the Golden Light Mantra shared a similar essence, while the agility of Tai Chi sword gave him new understanding of his own swordsmanship. In a sword competition, he sparred with young disciples of the Wudang School, combining thunder magic with Tai Chi, displaying a blend of power and gentleness, sharpness and agility, winning thunderous applause.

Here, he met Zhou Ye, a core disciple of the Wudang Sect. Zhou Ye was calm and meticulous, and had mastered both Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi Sword to perfection. The two hit it off immediately, often talking all night long, exchanging cultivation insights and discussing the situation in the world of supernatural beings.

"Yu Lei, are you aware of the chaos in the world of supernatural beings?" One late night, as the two sat on the Golden Summit of Wudang Mountain, gazing at the starry sky, Zhou Ye suddenly asked.

Zhang Yulei nodded: "I've heard a little about it. After the Jia Shen Rebellion, all the major sects were severely weakened and people were in a state of panic. Quanxing took the opportunity to cause trouble, and many petty people also took advantage of the chaos."

"That's not all." Zhou Ye's voice lowered. "As far as I know, some powerful families and so-called righteous sects, under the guise of maintaining order, are actually colluding in secret to fight for resources and territory. This is especially serious in western Henan and southern Shaanxi. They even secretly trade with the Quanxing sect, harming those small sects and independent individuals who are unwilling to submit to them."

Zhang Yulei frowned. He hadn't expected the darkness in the world of supernatural beings to be even more severe than he imagined. Those hypocritical, supposedly righteous sects were even more hateful than the members of the Quanxing Sect.

"I came down the mountain this time to see the truth of this chaotic world with my own eyes," Zhang Yulei said in a deep voice. "My master taught me that a cultivator must not only cultivate himself but also help the world. How can we sit idly by and watch injustices unfold in this world?"

A hint of approval flashed in Zhou Ye's eyes: "Well said! It's a pity that my Wudang Sect is located in a remote area and we have to guard the mountain gate, so it's difficult for us to leave. You must be careful on your journey west. If you encounter those hypocrites, avoid them if you can, and don't fight them head-on. Your primary task is to gain experience and grow, not to show off your courage."

Zhang Yulei nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Zhou. I know what I'm doing."

After staying in Wudang Mountain for more than 20 days, Zhang Yulei set off again for the final stop of this training trip—the Quanzhen Sect.

The Quanzhen School, located in the Zhongnan Mountains of Shaanxi Province, is one of the mainstream Taoist sects, boasting a long history and profound cultural heritage. Its practices primarily focus on internal alchemy, emphasizing the cultivation of both mind and body, and its methods are extremely profound. Zhang Yulei had long admired the internal alchemy of the Quanzhen School, and his visit was aimed at learning its essence to refine his own cultivation system.

Master Qiu Chuyi, the leader of the Quanzhen School (this is a fan fiction setting, distinct from the historical figure), personally received him. Master Qiu was a man of refined and unconventional character, and an old acquaintance of Zhang Qingjing. Upon hearing Zhang Yulei's purpose, he readily agreed and imparted to him the fundamental mental techniques of Quanzhen School's internal alchemy.

"The art of internal alchemy uses the dantian as a cauldron, qi as medicine, and spirit as fire to refine essence into qi, refine qi into spirit, and refine spirit to return to emptiness," Master Qiu explained to Zhang Yulei. "Your internal qi is abundant, but it is somewhat restless. If you can learn the breathing techniques of internal alchemy and harmonize them, you can not only make your qi more refined, but also calm the violent energy within you."

Zhang Yulei's heart stirred. He knew that a malevolent energy lurked within him, which he could usually suppress with Taoist mental techniques, but it remained a hidden danger. The Quanzhen School's internal alchemy emphasized calming the mind and cultivating one's character; perhaps it could truly help him resolve this problem.

During his time at the Quanzhen Sect, Zhang Yulei devoted himself to cultivating internal alchemy. He discovered that although the breathing techniques of internal alchemy differed from those of Longhu Mountain, they could complement each other. When practicing internal alchemy, his mind was exceptionally calm, the Qi within his body became more gentle and pure, and the latent malevolence seemed to have subsided considerably.

During this time, he met Li Zhichang, a disciple of the Quanzhen School. Li Zhichang was gentle and learned, with a deep understanding of Taoist classics. The two often discussed scriptures and exchanged insights on cultivation, getting along very well. Li Zhichang also took him to visit various scenic spots in Zhongnan Mountain, explaining the history and culture of the Quanzhen School to him.

"Yulei, do you know what the 'Dao' is?" One day, as the two sat in the courtyard of Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain, Li Zhichang suddenly asked.

Zhang Yulei pondered for a moment and said, "The Dao is the origin of heaven and earth and all things, and the law of nature. Those who cultivate the Dao must follow the Dao, cultivate themselves, and pursue the state of oneness with nature."

Li Zhichang nodded: "That's right. But the Dao is also divided into Yin and Yang, good and evil, hard and soft. You have both fierce thunder magic power and hidden ferocity within you. This is the mutual generation of Yin and Yang. You don't need to deliberately suppress the ferocity, but should learn to guide it and let it balance with your good intentions and your cultivation. This is the true 'Dao follows nature'."

Zhang Yulei suddenly felt enlightened. He had been deliberately suppressing the malevolent energy within him all along, but had never thought of guiding it. Li Zhichang's words gave him a new understanding of cultivation.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Li." Zhang Yulei bowed respectfully.

"We've been friends for a long time, so there's no need for thanks," Li Zhichang smiled. "However, I must remind you that guiding malevolent energy is no easy task. If you're not careful, it can backfire. You have a resilient will and are supported by the martial arts techniques of Longhu Mountain and various other sects, so you should be able to overcome this tribulation. But in the future, if you encounter anything that causes your emotions to fluctuate violently, you must remain calm and not let malevolent energy take advantage of your weakness."

Zhang Yulei kept it in mind.

After a month-long stay at the Quanzhen Sect, Zhang Yulei's training journey was drawing to a close. He not only visited the three major sects on good terms with Longhu Mountain, learning the Threefold Reversal of Life from the Sanyi Sect, the Tai Chi Way of Wudang, and the Internal Alchemy of Quanzhen, but also made three like-minded friends: Zhou Meng, Chen Yunting, and Li Zhichang. His horizons and cultivation had been greatly broadened.

He was no longer the naive young man he once was. After months of training, his posture had become more upright, his eyes more profound, and his demeanor more composed and reserved. His Golden Light Mantra had become thicker and more resilient, his Thunder Technique more powerful and refined, and his fist and sword techniques had incorporated the gentleness and agility of Tai Chi. His cultivation of internal alchemy had made his Qi more refined, and his mind more peaceful.

After bidding farewell to Daoist Qiu and Li Zhichang, Zhang Yulei began his journey home. Returning via the same route, he would need to pass through western Henan again. Remembering Zhou Meng and Chen Yunting's warnings, he became cautious and decided to avoid densely populated areas and take a detour.

However, some things are simply unavoidable.