Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

The bamboo door opened silently.

A refreshing sandalwood scent, mixed with a subtle herbal fragrance, wafts over, isolating you from the noise and hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Master Zhenzhi straightened his robes and bowed as he entered.

The interior is quite spacious and has a simple, rustic style.

A bamboo bookshelf against the wall holds a few volumes of Taoist scriptures, while the four walls are adorned with diagrams of Tai Chi, Bagua, and the celestial constellations.

The most eye-catching feature is a bronze alchemy furnace in the center of the room, sitting firmly in the Bagua position with three legs on the ground.

The furnace body has subtle cloud patterns flowing around it, and it is now quietly placed on a Dharma altar.

A bluish-white smoke escaped from the holes in the stove lid, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.

A Taoist priest sat cross-legged on a futon in front of the stove.

The Taoist priest wore a bright red crown with gold trim, a black Taoist robe, a yellow silk sash around his waist, and green cloud-patterned shoes.

His face was dark and dull like iron, his eyes were clear and bright like cold stars, his nose was high and prominent, and his lips were thick and square, exuding an air of authority even without anger.

Indeed, his Daoist heart was like a hidden thunderclap, a true Taoist who subdues tigers and dragons.

It was none other than the abbot of Huanghua Temple—the Golden Light Immortal.

His eyes were slightly closed, his hands forming a mudra, his expression focused, his mind completely immersed in the changes of the furnace fire and the interaction of the medicine.

Only after Master Zhenzhi entered and paid his respects did he slowly open his eyes and look at his disciple:

"Has the message been delivered? What does the land deity of Yangquanling say?"

Daoist Zhenzhi dared not delay. He stepped forward a few paces and stood three steps away from the alchemy furnace, explaining the matter of conveying the talisman and the completion of the land transfer.

He then recounted his encounter with Xuan Ling on the ridge, from their first meeting with Xuan Ling and the giant tiger, to Xuan Ling inquiring about his master's lineage, and finally Xuan Ling revealing his name.

He recounted everything in detail, without daring to conceal anything, even briefly mentioning the tiger's imposing presence and his own inner turmoil.

"Clang!"

Zhenzhi's words had barely faded.

Then, the Golden Light Immortal, who had been sitting steadily on the futon and controlling the elixir fire, suddenly stood up.

He moved too hastily, and his sleeve flipped over a jade medicine dish beside him. Several unprocessed red pills rolled to the ground, clattering.

However, Master Jin Guang seemed oblivious, his bright, star-like eyes suddenly shining with an alarming intensity as he stared intently at Zhen Zhi.

"Xuan Ling? He really calls himself Xuan Ling? Did you get a good look at him? He's wearing black clothes?"

Jin Guang Zhenren's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, filled with an eagerness to confirm.

Zhenzhi was startled by his master's rare loss of composure and took a half step back. Since he had entered the sect, he had never seen his master so out of control. He hurriedly nodded and said:

"Yes, that senior did indeed refer to himself as such."

The disciple saw clearly that he was indeed dressed in black, with a cold and aloof demeanor and extraordinary bearing. The tiger beneath him possessed an inner demonic aura and concealed ferocity; it was no ordinary mount either.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Master Jin Guang exclaimed "Good!" three times, paced around the room, and his face, usually impassive, showed even greater joy.

He clapped his hands and said, "I never imagined that I, a humble Taoist priest, would have the good fortune to encounter a true cultivator in this desolate place!"

Seeing his master's expression, Zhenzhi became even more puzzled and couldn't help but ask:

"Master, this name sounds familiar, but I can't quite place where I've heard it before."

Who exactly is that senior, that Master has gone to such lengths for him...?

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

The one who can move his master to tears upon hearing his name and hastily leave his prayer mat must be no ordinary person.

Upon hearing this, Master Jin Guang looked at his disciple Zhen Zhi and slowly said:

"Your cultivation is still shallow, and you usually spend most of your time in seclusion, rarely hearing about outside affairs. It's normal that you might only occasionally hear their names and not remember them."

This fellow Daoist Xuanling has risen to fame in recent years.

Its power and prestige are so great that who in Xiniu Hezhou with even a modicum of knowledge is unaware of it?

He paced back and forth beside the alchemy furnace, his black robe sleeves fluttering, creating a subtle whirlwind of medicinal fragrance.

After a moment, he slowly composed himself and nodded to Zhenzhi, who stood with his hands at his sides, saying:

"Your encounter with him this time was handled reasonably well; you were polite and respectful and did not act rudely. This can be considered a fortunate encounter."

Otherwise, if one's words are inappropriate and offend this person, that would be unpleasant.

Hearing his master's praise, Zhenzhi felt a little relieved and quickly bowed, saying:

"This disciple is terrified, but will keep in mind Master's teachings and dare not be disrespectful in front of others."

The Golden Light Immortal's face lit up with joy, and he exclaimed:

"This Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling is the master of Qingchi Ridge in the East Sea, a Nascent Soul Great Demon Lord, known as the 'Jiao Demon King'."

His supernatural powers are vast, and his Taoist cultivation is profound; he is truly a virtuous cultivator. What's even more remarkable is that he acts with discipline and order, unlike ordinary, willful individuals.

"The Flood Dragon Demon King!"

Upon hearing this name, Zhenzhi gasped in shock, his mind reeling as fragmented rumors flashed through his mind.

Master Jin Guang noticed the change in his disciple's expression, nodded slightly, and then asked further:

"Did he say anything else? Is he still in Yangquanling?"

Zhenzhi snapped out of his daze and hurriedly said, "Master Xuanling only gave his name and said nothing more. I was flustered at the time and dared not stay any longer. After explaining, I took my leave."

At this moment... they should still be in the mountains.

Upon hearing this, Jin Guang Zhenren's expression relaxed.

"It is only right that your master has established this Huanghua Temple and opened up a Taoist temple around Yangquan Ridge, inviting Taoist friends from all directions to come and pay their respects."

"However, in this Xiniu Hezhou, demon cultivators abound, the water palaces are intricate, and various forces are deeply entrenched."

Without a highly respected and powerful guest to oversee things, it's unlikely that the temple will remain peaceful after its opening.

Master Jinguang paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the bamboo door as he looked up at the ridge, and continued:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling has come from afar, and we are fortunate to meet you here."

If we could invite him to attend the ceremony, it would certainly add much prestige to my newly established temple.

Upon hearing this, Masashi felt somewhat relieved, but a new worry arose within him:

"Master, will Xuan Ling really accept the invitation? My status is too low, I'm afraid..."

Master Jinguang waved his hand slightly, stopping him from speaking:

"It's alright. Fellow Daoist Xuanling has shown great magnanimity by allowing you to approach and ask questions without blaming you. Moreover, among us cultivators, sincerity is the most important thing in our interactions, not empty formalities."

His gaze fell upon the purple-tinged alchemy furnace, from which crimson light flickered, hinting at the interplay of dragon and tiger, and the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang, clearly indicating that a critical juncture had been reached.

"The batch of Jade Flower Cleansing Pill that I am currently refining is prepared for the opening ceremony of the temple, to entertain fellow Daoists from all directions."

Now that the time is almost right, and yin and yang are in harmony, it is precisely the time when one should be most wary of interference from yin people or external influences, otherwise all previous efforts will be in vain.

Therefore, it is truly regrettable and disrespectful that I am unable to personally pay my respects to Fellow Daoist Xuanling.

Having said that, Master Jin Guang said no more.

He turned and walked to the wooden table in the corner of the quiet room.

The table was simply furnished with an ancient blue-green inkstone, a purple jade wolf-hair brush, and a stack of plain-colored calligraphy rubbings with cloud patterns.

Master Jin Guang dipped his brush in ink and wrote with great flourish. With each stroke, a faint golden light flowed, and the Daoist spirit was contained within them.

The post was short.

It was nothing more than the words, "Jin Guang, a hermit of Yangquan Ridge, is overjoyed to hear of Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling's arrival from the west. On the occasion of the newly established temple, we have prepared a small feast and sincerely invite Fellow Daoist to take time out of your busy schedule to come and discuss the mysteries of the universe. Jin Guang bows respectfully."

He finished writing, and the golden light at his fingertips faded, leaving the characters deeply imprinted on the plain calligraphy paper, their brilliance contained within.

He then took a small, warm, pale gold seal with a knob shaped like a centipede raising its head and gently pressed it onto the end of the post.

The four characters "金光通妙" (Jin Guang Tong Miao) on the seal flashed with a faint light and disappeared into the paper, instantly enveloping the entire calligraphy scroll in spiritual energy.

Golden Light Immortal gently flicked his sleeve.

The scroll, faintly glowing with spiritual light, rolled up on its own and fell into a wooden box that had been prepared beforehand.

He closed the wooden box and handed it to the Taoist Zhenzhi who was standing to the side.

"However, etiquette cannot be disregarded. My disciple, you must immediately return to Yangquan Ridge and personally present this calligraphy scroll to Fellow Daoist Xuanling."

Make sure to clearly explain my intentions. State that I am preoccupied with controlling the fire in the alchemical furnace and cannot be distracted.

"Remember, your attitude must be respectful and your words must be extremely sincere."

If Fellow Daoist Xuanling has any questions, answer truthfully without any concealment or falsehood.

If he is unwilling to come, you should not force him; simply apologize on behalf of your teacher.

Go quickly and return promptly, do not delay.

Master Jin Guang gave his instructions with a solemn expression.

Zhenzhi's hands trembled slightly as he quickly bowed and accepted the gift with great care.

Knowing the gravity of the matter, and feeling the weight of the responsibility, he took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"Your disciple will obey your instructions and will certainly not fail in your trust!"

Master Jinguang nodded slightly, said no more, and waved for him to leave quickly.

Zhenzhi, holding the calligraphy copybook, left the quiet room and gently closed the bamboo door.

Standing in the quiet courtyard, he felt the gentle Taoist charm emanating from the calligraphy scrolls in the box.

Thinking of the figure in black robes and the terrifying tiger on the ridge, I felt both heavy pressure and a vague sense of anticipation.

Master Zhenzhi took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and without further hesitation, rode away in his escape light.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, which disappeared into the vast twilight.

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