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

The Pine Moon Sword Sect of Qingxu Mountain is founded on the sword.

With a history spanning over a thousand years and numerous virtuous deeds, it is one of the few orthodox Xuanmen lineages in the surrounding countries, enjoying a high reputation, unlike those wild and ephemeral sects that rise and fall rapidly.

The founder of the school once received the blessings of an immortal, who passed down the true method and allowed him to glimpse the superior way of swordsmanship. He then established the lineage with the eight-character motto: "Keep your heart in the pine and bamboo, let your path reflect the bright moon."

At the height of its power, the sect produced a person of extraordinary talent.

Not only did he reach the pinnacle of his cultivation, but he also assisted a ruler in governing a region, managing the mountains and rivers, and quelling chaos in all directions, thus embarking on the path of immortality.

Therefore, he was revered as the patriarch of the sect's revival, which made the sect's prestige unparalleled for a time, almost the leader among the surrounding countries.

However, the path to immortality is elusive, and its rise and fall are predetermined.

Since that revitalizing patriarch, although the sect's lineage has not been severed, no one like that pillar of strength has ever emerged again.

The current sect leader is highly skilled in Taoism, but has been stuck at the Golden Core stage for a long time and has been unable to open the Nascent Soul gate.

Therefore, this trip to Tongyou City is of great importance to the Songyue Sword Sect.

The fact that Master Shouyue, a woman, was able to condense a golden elixir at less than a hundred years old and become an elder of the sect demonstrates that her talent and temperament are truly outstanding among her peers.

She brought two elite disciples from the sect with her this time, precisely on the sect leader's orders, to go to that place where the netherworld meets and strange things gather.

They sought out one or two rare spiritual objects or ancient formulas that could help them break through realms and condense their nascent souls, hoping to find a way out for the sect leader and the sect.

If it weren't for the fact that the founder of the Zhongxing sect and this mysterious shopkeeper had some past ties, ordinary Golden Core cultivators would probably never have even heard of such a hidden sect.

Thinking of this, Master Shouyue's heart tightened even more.

At this moment, as she gazed at the composed and serene Taoist priest in crimson robes before her, her thoughts churned.

The name "Jiangxiao Zhenren" has gradually gained popularity in recent years.

The Songyue Sword Sect has its own eyes and ears, and naturally it will not overlook such a newly emerging rogue cultivator with extraordinary skills.

The sect's stewards reported that this person was elusive, possessed superb swordsmanship, and was especially skilled in fire magic, but his background and origins remained a mystery.

Some of the young female disciples in the sect had heard some rumors from somewhere, and they couldn't help but feel curious and dream about this "ethereal and gentle, swordsmanship masterful" True Person Jiangxiao.

As a teacher, Master Shouyue had heard of this but dismissed it as mere youthful sentimentality and paid it little attention.

Now that I am in his presence, observing his inner spirit and composed demeanor, I realize that he is indeed different from the sharp and outwardly aggressive swordsman I had imagined, yet he possesses a profound and unfathomable air.

She secretly became alert.

This journey carries the heavy responsibility entrusted by the sect, and the obstacles are numerous.

In this chaotic place, encountering the mysterious yet suddenly renowned Master Jiangxiao is a blessing or a curse; it remains to be seen.

He was calculating in his heart, but his face remained calm and composed, and he performed his duties with utmost courtesy.

"It turns out to be the Immortal Jiangxiao in person. I have long admired your esteemed name, and I am fortunate to meet you today."

The Songyue Sword Sect's main gate is located nearby at Qingxu Mountain. If you have some free time, we hope you will not hesitate to visit. The entire Songyue Sect will be happy to welcome you.

Chen Jiao returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone gentle: "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Shouyue's kind invitation."

"Qingxu Mountain is a place of outstanding natural beauty and spiritual energy. Your sect's swordsmanship is elegant and profound, which I have long admired. If the opportunity arises, I will certainly pay you a visit."

His words were not entirely polite.

Qingxu Mountain is adjacent to the Black Pine Forest, not far from here, so Chen Jiao naturally knew about the Songyue Sword Sect.

In the past, when he traveled under the alias Jiao Daoren, he had a brief encounter with the then sect leader of the Sword Sect.

That sect leader did not cultivate the celestial immortal path; instead, he followed the path of a mortal sword immortal, assisting the nation in attaining enlightenment.

He comprehended a profound sword technique from the way of the sword, and later chose to serve as an advisor in a mortal kingdom.

By borrowing the fate of the nation and harmonizing the wishes of all beings with the turbidity of the mortal world, one can cultivate the path of human immortality.

It was quite unique and impressive.

Chen Jiao once discussed swordsmanship with him over tea, and they had a pleasant conversation, so they had a period of friendship.

Judging from the atmosphere at the time, there should have been an opportunity to accumulate merits and be guided to heaven to join the ranks of immortals.

Unfortunately, I later heard that something seemed to have gone wrong, but the details are unknown since Chen Jiao had already left by then.

Although the incense offerings are few, they are still there.

When Shouyue heard that Jiangxiao Zhenren seemed to know something about his sect's swordsmanship, he felt that this Zhenren was very knowledgeable and not like an ordinary rogue cultivator.

The innkeeper sat opposite him, poured himself another half cup of wine, and slowly turned his gaze to Shouyue and the other two, especially lingering on Songyan and Songan for a moment.

His voice was dry and emotionless as he asked indifferently, "The Netherworld is not as clear as the mortal world; it is filled with turbidity and teeming with demons and monsters."

Even those with Golden Core cultivation need to be cautious and protect themselves while venturing into this realm. Are you truly going to take these two little ones with you?

Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation crossed the cold expression on Master Shouyue's face.

She was well aware of the risks involved.

However, the sect had ordered that this trip, besides searching for spiritual objects for the sect leader, also aimed to give these two most promising disciples in the sect some experience.

The Songyue Sword Sect's inherited "Moonlight Reflecting Pine Trees Nourishing Sword Technique" not only allows one to absorb the essence of the moonlight, but also to selectively refine certain pure Yin energies to temper sword intent, creating unique and profound mysteries.

Song Yan and Song An are both outstanding disciples of this generation in the sect. They have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage at a young age and are regarded as seeds of the Golden Core.

This trip to Tongyou City on the edge of the Netherworld is partly to refine some suitable Yin energy and solidify my foundation, and partly to broaden my horizons and temper my character.

Master Shouyue pondered for a moment, but had not yet spoken.

Song Yan, who was standing to the side, stepped forward, bowed to the shopkeeper, and said softly:

"Senior, you are wise. Although my junior brother and I have shallow cultivation, our sect has given us orders and we also have cultivation techniques to protect us."

"On this journey, I must always remain dutiful and follow closely behind my Uncle-Master Shouyue, and never dare to act recklessly or hinder the trip."

Song An quickly followed suit and bowed. Although he didn't say much, he also put away his playful demeanor and showed a bit of solemnity.

The shopkeeper listened quietly, offering no comment, only letting out a soft "hmm" through his nose, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

He opened his withered palm, facing the three of them.

Master Shouyue understood and quickly took out three green locust leaves from his sleeve. Songyan and Songan also took out their own leaves and respectfully placed them in the shopkeeper's palm.

The shopkeeper loosely clenched his five fingers, just as he had done when he made the order for Chen Jiao. With a soft crackling sound, the three locust leaves transformed into three locust wood tokens in his palm.

These three tokens are similar in style to those obtained by Chen Jiao, and are all made of locust wood.

However, its color was noticeably lighter, and the wood grain was not as ancient and profound as Chen Jiao's piece, and the cool, shady aura it exuded was also much weaker.

The most noticeable difference is that both sides of the token are spotless and without any writing or runes.

The shopkeeper didn't say much. He held his fingers together like a pen, without dipping them in ink. A faint, dim light emanated from his fingertips as he made a few strokes in the air on the front of the three tokens.

As he moved his fingertips, four ghostly characters, each with a cold, sinister aura, appeared on the front of the three tokens.

"Walking in the Underworld".

The three tokens had identical handwriting. The moment the handwriting appeared, the tokens trembled slightly, and the chilling aura intensified a little, but that was all.

It is far removed from the ancient and unrestrained nature of that "unfettered" one.

The shopkeeper pushed the three tokens forward and said:

"Keep this safe. Holding this token will protect you from the erosion of Yin energy and will also serve as proof in the Netherworld."

Remember, don't overstep the bounds.

He spoke the last four words calmly, yet they carried an undeniable air of authority.

Master Shouyue accepted the tokens with both hands and distributed them to Songyan and Song'an, solemnly saying, "This junior will remember them."

Chen Jiao observed quietly from the side, understanding the situation perfectly.

His own ancient token was probably extraordinary.

Na Song'an took the token, but he was still somewhat absent-minded, his eyes constantly glancing at the bowl of richly colored meatballs on the table.

His Adam's apple twitched slightly, clearly indicating that he was preoccupied with something.

Chen Jiao watched quietly from the side, taking in the boy's entire demeanor, and couldn't help but smile to himself.

Ordinary cultivators, unless they have special cultivation methods, must go through the process of fasting and absorbing qi when they first enter the path of cultivation, in order to remove the impurities of the mortal world, purify their body and mind, and lay the foundation for their cultivation.

Otherwise, the Wood Mother will cause trouble, leading to a multitude of distracting thoughts and making it difficult to establish a solid foundation.

I wonder how this young man cultivated to the Foundation Establishment stage; his temperament is quite interesting.

Thinking of the past camaraderie with the sect leader of Songyue Sword Sect, and observing that although this junior was unconventional, he still retained a childlike innocence.

After a moment's thought, Chen Jiao smiled and said:

"The ingredients for this dish are decent, and the cooking time is acceptable. If the three of you don't mind, you might as well try some."

For cultivators newly entering the Netherworld, consuming a little nourishing food can be beneficial in stabilizing their spirit and strengthening their courage.

Upon hearing this, Master Shouyue was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Master Jiangxiao to take the initiative to invite them to dine together.

Song Yan also showed surprise, his gaze shifting between the bowl of richly colored meatballs and the calm-looking Jiang Xiao Zhenren.

Song An's eyes lit up, and he almost cheered, but he forced himself to remain silent and looked longingly at his martial uncle.

Master Shouyue was meticulous and knew that people in the cultivation world were unpredictable.

Having only just met this Master Jiangxiao, it would be unwise to rashly accept something of unknown origin.

You should politely decline immediately, but when the words are on the tip of your tongue, you hesitate to choose the right words so as not to be impolite.

The shopkeeper, who had been silently drinking, raised his eyelids and glanced at Chen Jiao, interrupting the words that Master Shouyue had not yet spoken: "I made it myself, so naturally it is not bad."

Upon hearing this, Master Shouyue's heart stirred.

She knew that this shopkeeper, though seemingly ordinary, was actually unfathomable.

This seemingly strange dish was actually cooked by the shopkeeper himself!

Furthermore, since the innkeeper was willing to cook for Master Jiangxiao and even sit and drink with him, their relationship was clearly extraordinary.

I was too cautious just now, and almost offended the other party's good intentions and neglected the shopkeeper's skills.

With this in mind, Master Shouyue immediately abandoned his previous refusal and bowed to Chen Jiao, his tone becoming more sincere:

"Since it is the kind intention of the real person and the shopkeeper, it would be impolite to refuse."

"Songyan and Song'an, why don't you quickly thank the master for his kindness?"

A glint flashed in Song Yan's eyes; he had clearly discerned something unusual from the few words exchanged between the shopkeeper and Jiang Xiao. He immediately bowed respectfully.

"This junior thanks you, Master."

Song An was overjoyed and almost burst out laughing. He hurriedly followed his senior brother in bowing, his eyes fixed on the bowl of braised lion's head meatballs.

All the previous restraint and anxiety were instantly dispelled by this unexpected joy.

Following instructions, Master Shouyue picked up his chopsticks, took a small piece from the bowl, and put it in his mouth.

The meatball looked ordinary, but it wasn't greasy at all when it entered my mouth. Instead, it instantly transformed into a warm, smooth current that slid down my throat and into my lower abdomen.

The meat was rich and creamy, and what was even more surprising was that this warmth did not clash with the cold sword energy she cultivated.

Instead, it's like spring water thawing, slowly seeping into your limbs and bones, bringing a rare feeling of warmth and comfort.

Master Shouyue was secretly astonished. This seemingly ordinary dish actually had such effects.

She dared not be greedy and savored it carefully. She felt a slight warmth on her face, and her cheeks, which were originally pale due to practicing the technique, were flushed with a faint blush, adding to her color.

Song Yan and Song An also tasted it.

Song Yan took a small sip, and then a look of surprise appeared in his eyes, clearly realizing that this thing was extraordinary.

Song An, on the other hand, was much more eager.

The meatballs tasted far better than he had imagined, and the warmth he felt brought him indescribable comfort.

His aura involuntarily rose slightly, emitting a faint white mist. He couldn't help but praise:

"It's so delicious! And it feels warm and cozy, so comforting!"

As he spoke, his chopsticks unconsciously reached into the bowl again.

Chen Jiao reached out his chopsticks, gently separating them, and shook his head with a smile, saying:

"Although this substance has some nourishing effects and can slightly improve your cultivation, you should not be greedy for more."

Too much of a good thing is bad; it will damage the foundation of one's path.

Song An was stopped, staring longingly at the bowl, yet daring not to disobey, he could only awkwardly put down his chopsticks and whisper:

"Yes, I know I was wrong. Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Master Shouyue had already adjusted his breathing slightly, channeling the warm current into his meridians. He felt his spirits lifted and even his slight fatigue dissipated.

The blush on her face hadn't faded, making her even more radiant and beautiful.

Seeing Song An lose his composure, she glanced at him with her cool eyes and scolded him in a low voice:

"The True Man kindly bestowed upon you spiritual food and offered you guidance; you should always remember this and never act rashly."

He then turned to Chen Jiao, his expression becoming more solemn and grateful, and said in a clear voice:

"The gift from Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao is indeed extraordinary. Shouyue and her two junior disciples have benefited greatly. Thank you for your kindness."

She paused, then added, "Song An is impulsive and often rude; I hope you will forgive him, fellow Daoist."

Suppressing his shock, Song Yan couldn't help but ask:

"May I ask, senior, what is the name of this delicacy? It has such a mild yet miraculous nourishing effect."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao did not explain, but simply smiled and uttered five words: "Braised Lion's Head Meatballs".

Upon hearing this, the three of them silently recited these five words in their hearts.

Song An looked at the richly brown meatballs in the bowl, then thought about the name, and muttered to himself:

"Round and plump, dark red...it really does resemble the embroidered ball lion head from traditional operas."

Although his voice was low, everyone present could hear him clearly.

Master Shouyue glanced at him but did not reprimand him.

Just then, the innkeeper, who had been sitting quietly drinking, suddenly put down his cup.

That dry, hoarse voice, spoken flatly, seemed to lower the temperature in the store by several degrees.

"The time has come."

As soon as he finished speaking, the water clock outside the shop went silent, but everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

At midnight, Yin and Yang alternate, with Yin energy at its peak.

At this moment, the ever-changing doorway of the midnight lamp began to swirl violently with light and shadow, rippling out in circles of dark waves.

The scene inside the door was no longer the night view of the black pine forest outside, but had transformed into a bottomless, misty, dark place, with faint sounds of whistling wind and flowing water, carrying a chill that penetrated to the bone.

A chilling and silent aura, so different from that of the mortal world, quietly spread out.

Master Shouyue whispered a few important words to Songyan and Song'an, and then checked the talismans, pills and the locust wood token they carried with them to make sure they were all in order.

The three looked at each other and nodded, no longer hesitating.

They stepped into the portal where light and shadow shifted and the aura was eerily ever-changing. Their figures were instantly swallowed up by the ripples and disappeared.

The store returned to silence, with only the light and shadow on the doorway still shimmering slightly.

After the three people's presence completely disappeared behind the door, Chen Jiao also got up from his seat.

He didn't say much to the shopkeeper, just nodded slightly, then gripped the ancient longsword and stepped calmly into the ripples of light and shadow.

The midnight lamp was now completely empty.

All that remained were a mess of cups and plates and the faint lingering aroma of food.

The shopkeeper sat alone in the same spot, with a bowl of braised lion's head meatballs that was still half full and a pot of Yunye wine that was almost empty in front of him.

He picked up the wine pot, held the spout towards the cup, and slowly poured it out, leaving only a few drops of liquid falling into the cup with a soft sound.

The shopkeeper raised the almost empty cup to his lips, took a slow sip, and seemed to be talking to himself:

"What a pity, such a pure Yang body."

I wonder when I'll finally find a suitable one...

His words were mumbled, the latter half of which was almost inaudible, as if they had melted away between his lips and teeth.

He shook his head, put down his cup, and then used his chopsticks to pick up the last bright red meatball from the bowl, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

Then a smile that looked more like a grimace appeared on his face.

"Your craftsmanship is really good."

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