A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 123 Starting with a Small Taoist Temple

The eleventh year of the Zhiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty.

In early March, the mountain climate remained damp and cold.

As night faded, the daylight was bright, but the sun had not yet risen. The entire mountainside and fields were covered with white frost on every branch and blade of grass.

In this mountainous area, there are hundreds of mounds that have been dug up. Looking around, one small mound after another occupies the ground for miles around. Beneath the stench of the soil, there is a faint, even more pungent smell.

"Hmm—"

A very long breath broke the silence.

The person, shrouded in a black robe and sitting cross-legged on the ground, looked almost indistinguishable from the surrounding mounds of earth until he uttered this sound, which made him clearly distinguishable from the lifeless soil.

He looked up, and in the void before him floated a few lines of text that only he could see.

[Note: Another group of reincarnators has been detected arriving in this world. Hostile missions have been generated.]

The original mission deadline has been extended, with an additional requirement: arrive in Chang'an City before August of this year and remain there until the last day of August.

Those who oppose the cycle of reincarnation will also receive this request.

Additional mission objective: Slay at least two enemy Reincarnators.

"What an unexpected surprise!"

Su Mu sighed again, then casually took out a small wooden comb and began to comb his beard.

His beard and hair were jet black, so thick that they seemed not to be a natural color growing from a human body. His beard reached down to his chest and abdomen, and the long hair on his head was secured with seven wooden hairpins with sharp ends, leaving two strands at his temples hanging down in front of him.

The black, antique-style robe appears to be a solid color, simple and without any embellishments. However, under certain angles of light, subtle patterns appear on it, resembling the outlines of centipedes or long snakes, soaring and unrestrained.

"Master Daoist, Master Daoist, have you received the message?"

Sun Ling rushed over with a blur of motion. He was dressed in a short-sleeved tunic, and the muscles on his arms and neck, though concealed by his clothing, still revealed a strong sense of power.

"We've been here for almost a month, why are we suddenly given an additional mission, and they haven't revealed anything about the enemy's situation?"

Compared to the obvious dissatisfaction he displayed, there was a hint of unease hidden beneath.

Su Mu was much more serious, calmly saying, "These unconventional team battles are usually initiated between different bases."

"Don't worry, if they're assigned to team battles, then their overall assessment of us before entering this mission should be similar."

"On this basis, we have an extra month compared to them. Whether it's personal progress or leveraging the advantages of this mission world, we can say that the advantage is on our side."

Sun Ling frowned and turned her neck: "That's one way to put it, but there are now mandatory requirements and another opponent coming straight for us. We'll have to make some changes to our original plan."

"No need."

As the time approached and the sun was about to rise, Su Mu tossed up a chain, a dark chain over ten meters long, which coiled around the two of them.

From those hundreds of mounds of earth, thick, inky black smoke rose in a twisting motion, gradually forming the shape of tall, majestic horses, which then simultaneously neighed and charged towards this direction.

The galloping horses were quite frightening from all directions, but as soon as they touched the chain, the black smoke and horses were instantly absorbed into it.

The chains trembled more and more violently, as if conveying a sense of joy.

"The previously drafted plan basically doesn't need to be changed; it's just that some additions are needed in the final step."

As the neighing of the horses grew fainter, the last sound of hooves disappeared on the chains, leaving only wisps of black smoke.

Su Mu raised his hand, put the newly forged "Five Horses Pagoda Lock" in his hand, stroked it with satisfaction, and spoke with a smile.

"That's good. With the timeframe extended, we can go to Chang'an City in person and take a look at the final part of the plan with that cult leader."

………………

Current World Context:

The Tang Dynasty has been established for generations, with its iron horses and wars still raging. People from all walks of life, from the common folk to the imperial court, roam freely, tirelessly immersing themselves in prosperity, song, intrigue, and strife.

The task has a time limit of six months. Task details are as follows.

Standard one: Destroy the main forces of the Western Regions Fire Luo Road.

Standard Two: Defeat three or more Grandmasters in this world.

Standard Three: Interfering with the life and death of more than 10,000 people, or interfering with the life and death of more than ten world-class masters.

Standard Four: Within the timeframe of this mission, complete the promotion from three-star to four-star.

Standard Five: Defeat the enemy Reincarnator team "White Bones, Red Heart, Honest and Trustworthy" by killing more than half of the team members.

An additional requirement is that you arrive in Chang'an before August of this year and remain there until the last day of August.

Those who oppose the cycle of reincarnation will also receive this request.

To be considered qualified, you must complete three or more of the above tasks. The higher the completion rate, the richer the task reward.

Please note that this is a temporary team mission. All mission standards can be completed by the team as a whole. Individual contributions will be calculated upon mission completion. Failure to meet the requirements will result in a deduction of points equivalent to the passing reward, which will be shared equally among the remaining members. If the account balance is less than zero, the player will be teleported to a Hell mission.

Note that this is a temporary team task with implicit rules.

If all members survive this mission without injury and are promoted to four stars, there is a chance to achieve the "Instant Acquaintance" achievement, and the temporary team contract can be automatically converted into a formal team contract.

If only one Reincarnator remains on either side after this mission, there is a certain possibility of achieving one-fifth of the "Lone Star" achievement, and four more temporary team contracts will be arranged in succession.

Note that basic identity information, the local common language and script have been transmitted to the consciousness of the reincarnator.

Dear reincarnator, may you pass through joyful strife!

Mission begins!

After the teleportation was completed, Guan Luoyang and the other two found themselves in a simple room.

The ground is paved with dark blue bricks, the joints are not very neat, and there are many places where the brick joints are loose and the corners are missing. Moss has also grown near the corners of the walls.

The paper pasted on the door has turned yellow, and you can see with the naked eye that a layer of rough edges has formed on the thick paper. The wood used as the door panel has also been painted with mottled paint, revealing the original color of the wood underneath.

There were four bamboo mats and quilts in the room. Three of them looked newer and the quilts were neatly arranged. On the bamboo mat closest to the corner, there was a small child wrapped in a quilt.

Guan Luoyang and the other two are now disciples of the old abbot of this Snow-Sweeping Taoist Temple.

The old abbot, Xuelongzi, only accepted four disciples: his eldest disciple An Feiyu, his second disciple Guan Luoyang, and his third disciple Gu Lanxiang. All of them had already graduated and were traveling around.

While the three of them were away, Xue Longzi took in his fourth disciple, Xia Qing, the little Taoist priest who was still sleeping over there.

The three of them looked around, but without disturbing the young Taoist priest, they pushed open the door and went out.

"So this is what team battle missions are like. Apart from having a group of reincarnated opponents, they don't seem to be much different from other regular missions."

Gu Lanxiang said in a low voice, "I thought this kind of mission would only have one requirement: as long as you kill the opponent, you've succeeded."

An Feiyu seemed to agree: "The location that both sides are required to go to is practically the dueling arena, but it's actually the size of the entire city of Chang'an. Luckily, Guan Luoyang bought a location service beforehand, otherwise, just finding people would have been a huge problem for us."

Guan Luoyang was already walking around in the courtyard.

This Taoist temple is really small. The courtyard in front of the gate is so small that an average person can walk across it in less than twenty steps.

This courtyard connects a shrine to the Three Pure Ones and two houses; the left side is the kitchen and woodshed, and the right side is the living quarters.

If you need to use the outhouse, you have to go out through the back door of the woodshed.

Guan Luoyang walked into the main hall. The statues of the Three Pure Ones were each about half a person's height. The painted sculptures were relatively intact and clean, but they inevitably showed some signs of age.

In front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones, there was a thin coffin with two white cloths hanging on it.

The three white candles were not lit, and there was a fruit plate and incense burner nearby.

The thin, frail Taoist lying in the coffin was Xue Longzi.

According to the settings in the basic identity information, Xue Longzi only called back his three disciples who he had taken in in his early years when his time was coming to an end. As soon as the three disciples arrived, he passed away.

The Taoist temple was poor and had no great reputation in the area. They simply arranged Xuelongzi's funeral. The burial was to take place on the ninth day of the third month, which is today.

Guan Luoyang placed his palm on the coffin. It was indeed a thin coffin, just a thin wooden board with some cheap paint on it. The brownish-red paint was applied very unevenly.

An Feiyu glanced over from outside the hall and said, "Since it's an ancient setting, I need to change into something less conspicuous. Second Junior Brother Guan, would you like to come along?"

Gu Lanxiang stretched her sleeves and said, "I'm used to wearing ancient costumes, so I don't need to change. Let's go find a tavern or teahouse first and see if we can find out more information about this mission world."

"I don't need it anymore, my clothes can transform."

Guan Luoyang was originally wearing a white sweater on his upper body and black trousers on his lower body. At this moment, he gently tapped his temple with one finger of his right hand, and his clothes seemed to float with a layer of light and shadow, and he twisted slightly.

Wow!

His long sleeves fell down, and his clothes had transformed into a white robe with ink patterns of clouds and cranes.

The Thousand Illusions Robe is a two-star item that can change its style according to the wearer's will. Although it is named Thousand Illusions, the changes are based on the extension of matter, not on the effect of illusion.

It provides some defensive capabilities, remains dry in water, and does not attract dust.

The defensive capabilities of this clothing might not even be comparable to the strength of Guan Luoyang's own body, but its transformation function is truly convenient.

Guan Luoyang slightly controlled his qi and blood again. Since hair is the tip of blood, his short hair quickly grew long and fell down.

"Huh!"

Gu Lanxiang jumped over, grabbed his sleeve to confirm that it was real fabric, and her eyes lit up instantly. "Wow, your clothes have this function? Where did you buy them? I want to go there when I get back."

An Feiyu waved his hand: "Then I'll go by myself. Second Junior Brother, you can stay in this Taoist temple for a while."

"Wait a minute." Guan Luoyang replied to Gu Lanxiang, then walked over to An Feiyu, took out two gold beads the size of longan, and said, "If you're going out, buy a coffin and a tombstone while you're at it. After all, you're taking on this identity, so you might as well do something."

This gold was prepared during their pre-mission discussions.

In most mission worlds, gold is considered a hard currency.

Anfeiyu nodded and went out the door.

Gu Lanxiang also went to gather information.

Guan Luoyang stayed in the main hall for a while, then his ears twitched and he turned his head to look. The young Taoist priest was already dressed and had walked to the door.

"Second Senior Brother."

Xia Qing is fourteen years old this year. Her appearance is not particularly outstanding, but her doe eyes, with clear black and white, make her look quite cute.

The Taoist robe he wore was also a formal Taoist robe, more like a dark blue cotton coat, somewhat bulky, with narrow but thick sleeves, which would keep him warm in this kind of weather.

Guan Luoyang carefully observed the young Taoist priest, and his perception of mental power revealed a feedback from the young priest that was distinctly different from that of ordinary people.

When Xia Qing was fast asleep, he didn't really notice it, but now that he's awake, he can hear that there are some deliberate signs in his breathing rhythm.

Guan Luoyang had a sudden inspiration, beckoned, and said, "Come here. The three of us have been back for several days now, and we've been busy with things. Today we have some free time, so let me see how your kung fu is progressing."

Since the mission information mentions terms like "jianghu" (江湖, the martial arts world) and "grandmasters," this world is most likely a martial arts world.

As expected, Xia Qing didn't show any doubt when she heard this. She obediently came closer, clenched her fist, and said, "In the past, when Master checked my homework, he always made me hit his palm."

Guan Luoyang smiled and opened his right hand: "Then let's use the same method. Slap my palm."

Xia Qing nodded, her breathing quickened, her face tightened slightly, and she exhaled loudly, punching Guan Luoyang in the palm.

Guan Luoyang immediately sensed a chilling aura, aggressively trying to penetrate his body through the skin of his palm.

The young Taoist priest withdrew his fist, and several wisps of icy white aura, visible to the naked eye, emerged from around it.

Guan Luoyang flipped his palm over and looked at it. His palm was icy white. Although for him, he could easily dispel the coldness by simply spreading his fingers slightly and using the force of his skin.

But if it were any other target, even a water buffalo, it might freeze the buffalo into shock.

Looking at the young Taoist priest, after throwing such a punch, he only gasped for breath for a moment before fully recovering.

Guan Luoyang asked, "How many years have you been practicing?"

"It's been more than three years, almost four years now."

Xia Qing was a little embarrassed. "Sometimes Master scolds me for being stupid, and other times he says I'm above average. Second Senior Brother, how am I doing in my training?"

"Hmm, it's alright."

Guan Luoyang thought to himself: A minor has reached this level in just three years.

If his aptitude is truly only above average, then is it that the overall level of martial arts education in this world is higher, or is this small Taoist temple actually not as ordinary as it seems...?

(End of this chapter)