Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

Mount Tai, atop the South Heavenly Gate.

Today, the ancient mountain trails are bustling with tourists and filled with the smoke of incense.

Li Chenzhou walked slowly up and learned the reason from the pilgrims passing by.

Today is the day that the Taishan Longmen School holds the "Invitation to Mount Tai Ceremony".

The term "inviting the mountain" is not literally what it sounds like, but rather an ancient ritual of the Longmen School, in which the mountain is invited into a specific array point to guard the mountain gate and harmonize the fortune.

During this grand ceremony, the Longmen Sect intends to introduce the "Eastern Peak Purple Dragon Qi" into the mountaintop altar.

Li Chenzhou's heart stirred slightly: "This is quite rare. Mount Tai Longmen is known for connecting with the earth's veins and foundations, worshipping the Eastern Peak Emperor, and holding power over mountains and rivers. Although it belongs to the same Taoist sect, it is quite different from the Longhu and Maoshan lineages. This time, inviting the mountain is no small matter."

He shook his head. The internal affairs of the Longmen Sect were irrelevant to his purpose for this trip, so he didn't delve into it further.

As you ascend, the number of tourists gradually decreases.

Upon reaching the Fengchan Terrace beneath Jade Emperor Peak, ordinary pilgrims were politely persuaded to turn back by Taoist disciples.

The core area of ​​the grand ceremony needs to be quiet and undisturbed.

Li Chenzhou moved like smoke, his aura blending with the mountain wind. How could the disciples guarding the pass possibly detect him?

He stepped onto the ancient stone platform.

At the center of the Fengchan Terrace is not a statue of a deity, but a nine-aperture altar built of lapis lazuli, a unique material of Mount Tai, with cloud patterns and mountain and river symbols carved on its surface.

At this moment, dozens of Longmen sect Taoists are wandering around the altar in specific directions.

An extremely powerful force was subtly emerging, stirring the entire Jade Emperor Peak.

Li Chenzhou did not linger at the Fengchan Terrace.

He swayed slightly, but finally stood atop the Jade Emperor Peak.

Here, the wind was even stronger, but the view was extremely clear.

Looking down, one sees a cluster of peaks guarding the view, a sea of ​​clouds churning, and the distant sound of a Taoist bell echoing between heaven and earth.

The weight of emperors throughout the ages has gathered the purple aura from the east.

Mount Tai is named not because its shape resembles a dragon or a tiger, but because it stands majestically in the east, governs the growth of all things, and was the place where emperors of past dynasties performed the Fengshan ceremony to inform Heaven.

It symbolizes the eternal stability of the state and the divine right of emperors.

At this moment, Li Chenzhou gazed at the contours of Mount Tai, feeling the invisible power surging from the earth, and understood.

This place truly deserves to be the foundation of the Longmen lineage.

In Li Chenzhou's eyes, Mount Tai presents a unique atmosphere, quite different from other famous mountains and rivers.

It is not just about beautiful scenery, nor is it solely about a long history of cultural heritage.

This is a unique aura formed by the intertwining of the power of heaven and earth and the "divine" spirit of humanity.

In essence, Feng Shui is about conforming to and even guiding the energy field between heaven and earth.

Those who are skilled use secret methods to harmonize these energy fields and nourish all things; this is what is meant by "a blessed land."

Mount Tai is an energy hub formed by heaven and earth, vast and magnificent.

For a thousand years, the Longmen Sect has guarded and continuously harmonized and guided the earth's veins, ensuring their endless vitality and nourishing all things.

At the same time, as a sacred site for imperial sacrifices and the ancestral home of Taoism, the spiritual imprint embodied here is immeasurable.

Imperial ambition, the people's prayers, the Taoist's piety, the warrior's awe...

These spiritual values, like incense smoke settling, merge with the natural energy field of Mount Tai.

A thousand years of sedimentation, a communion between heaven and man.

Ultimately, this led to what Li Chenzhou was perceiving at this moment:

The majestic earth veins and the profound and solemn humanistic spirit intertwine to form an unparalleled aura that suppresses all wilderness.

Grand, profound, and ancient.

It not only nourishes the physical body, but also greatly benefits the tempering of the spirit and will.

Li Chenzhou stood atop Jade Emperor Peak, his mind immersed in the aura surrounding him.

The unique aura of Mount Tai, like a whetstone, is nurturing his "Havoc in Heaven" boxing spirit.

He stood there quietly, feeling the pulse of the earth, listening to the echoes of history, his mind resonating with it, and the martial intent in his chest seemed to reveal an unprecedented inspiration under the nourishment of this "momentum".

However, when Li Chenzhou descended the mountain and passed by the solemn and majestic Fengchan Terrace again...

A gaze locked onto him.

Li Chenzhou didn't stop walking; he looked back at the past.

The figure in sight was an old Taoist priest standing beside the altar.

He had white hair but a youthful face, with a rosy complexion like a baby, and his dark blue Taoist robe billowed slightly.

It was none other than Mo Qingcang, the leader of the Longmen Sect!

This is a character who did not appear in the original story, but Li Chenzhou, having traveled the world, would certainly know something about this person.

Seeing Li Chenzhou looking at him, Mo Qingcang slowly spoke, as if resonating with Mount Tai beneath his feet: "Your divine will is restrained, your blood and qi are profound, reaching the pinnacle of humanity. I admire you."

Li Chenzhou was not surprised that Mo Qingcang had seen through his cultivation level. He had always followed the righteous path and never concealed his true intentions. With his reputation, it was obvious that he didn't need to see it.

However, he also sensed that although the old Taoist did not show any killing intent, the "Golden Core" in his body was perfectly integrated and full of vitality, and his realm had reached the perfection of Dan Jin.

The Taoist Golden Elixir is the same as the Dan Jin of Chinese martial arts, only the goals are different.

The Taoist school seeks longevity and freedom, avoiding killing and regarding fighting as a drain on one's vital energy.

"Master Mo, is something the matter?" Li Chenzhou's tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

Mo Qingcang's gaze was gentle, yet scrutinizing: "I am Mo Qingcang, the unworthy head of the Dragon Gate Sect. Your martial arts are unparalleled, and your presence at Mount Tai compels me to ask, what brings you here?"

Li Chenzhou's gaze swept over the Fengchan Terrace and the distant clouds and mist, understanding perfectly, and he said calmly, "Climbing Mount Tai to observe the weather, that's all."

Mo Qingcang pondered for a moment and said, "Your fist intent is vast and encompasses the universe. In my opinion, it is close to perfection. However, the killing intent is hidden within and the sharpness is too obvious. I'm afraid this is not a sustainable path."

He abruptly changed the subject, directly pointing out Li Chenzhou's cultivation state.

Upon hearing this, Li Chenzhou's lips curled into a slight smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives: "Is the Master questioning my path in martial arts?"

Mo Qingcang's expression remained unchanged, his tone still calm: "This is not a question, but a piece of advice. We cultivate the Dao to nourish our Qi and spirit, to communicate with heaven and earth, and to enjoy carefree tranquility. Slaughter and fighting consume the most essence and damage the foundation. Even with extraordinary power, it's like cooking oil over a raging fire—intense but unsustainable, ultimately destroying one's own foundation and severing the hope of immortality. You possess astonishing martial arts skills; why not emulate Mount Tai, cultivating virtue and protecting the land, instead of pursuing this path that harms both yourself and others?"

These words were extremely malicious, practically accusing Li Chenzhou of "ruining his future."

Li Chenzhou suddenly laughed, a clear laugh carrying an air of arrogance that seemed to look down upon the world: "The Master speaks well of 'tranquility and carefree life'! Then I must ask, if one does not engage in acts of killing and breaking through obstacles, how does one slay inner demons and overcome constant external tribulations on the path of cultivation?"

Mo Qingcang shook his head, his tone indifferent: "The essence of my Dao lies in sincerity moving the gods and aligning one's heart with heaven and earth. Only then can one sense warning signs before calamities arise and demonic obstacles arise, walking on thin ice and taking precautions in advance. Mount Tai stands tall and unmoving since ancient times, not because it can withstand the weight of ten thousand jun, but because its foundation is deep and it conforms to the timing and terrain. Why should we break it with force? Avoiding its sharp edge and waiting for it to dissipate on its own is the best strategy."

His theory aligns with the concept of "the cicada senses the autumn wind before it blows" in traditional Chinese martial arts, but it leans more towards avoidance and resolution.