Born Saints: Starting from Liaozhai

Looking at his father Zhang Shanhai, mother Xu, younger brother Zhang Xing, and others in the Zhang family mansion outside the east wing, Su Chen's eyes were filled with complex emotions.

For a moment, he was at a loss as to how to explain it to them.

After a long pause, he sighed, "Well, let's take it one step at a time. First, I'll try to understand the breathing technique..."

……

Time slowly passed.

Three days later.

early morning.

At the foot of Jinshan Mountain, the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

A damp, chilly river breeze blew slowly from the foot of the mountain, carrying a faint, salty smell, as it swept across the stone steps and the forest.

From a distance, Jinshan Mountain stands majestically. Although its terrain is not steep, it exudes a sense of profound weight and stability.

The ancient temple is partially hidden halfway up the mountain.

The vermilion gate is mottled and faded, and the three gilded characters of Jinshan Temple on it have been worn dark by the years, but still exude a solemn and dignified air.

The stone steps outside the temple wind upwards, flanked by towering pine and cypress trees. The scent of incense mingles with the damp air, making one's mind tense and unconsciously become more cautious.

At the foot of Jinshan Mountain.

Xu Zhen, Zhao Liuzi, Officer Feng, and four other Black Tiger Gang members, slightly out of breath, slowly walked up the mountain.

Soon, they finally stepped onto the last set of stone steps.

The group had been traveling for days and was exhausted. Their clothes were covered in dust, their boots were muddy, and their faces were etched with fatigue.

The old scar on Xu Zhen's face looked even more ferocious in the morning light, but he unconsciously restrained his fierceness and looked towards the gate of Jinshan Temple.

"Master Xu, this is it!" Zhao Liuzi said in a low voice, his tone unusually tense.

Looking at the gate of Jinshan Temple in front of him, Officer Feng's eyes were full of anticipation.

Soon, they will be able to meet Master Fahai and bring that wicked eldest son of the Zhang family to justice!

Since it was early morning, the gates of Jinshan Temple were not yet open.

Inside Jinshan Temple, the faint sound of wooden fish drums, one beat after another, brings a strange sense of peace.

The group exchanged glances, and finally, Officer Feng stepped forward and knocked on the mountain gate.

"Knock knock knock..."

The heavy wooden door trembled, the echo reverberating through the mountains.

A moment later, the mountain gate creaked open and was pushed open a crack from the inside.

A young monk in a grey robe peeked out, his gaze sweeping over the group before he asked, "Gentlemen, what brings you to Jinshan Temple?"

Xu Zhen stepped forward, about to speak, but the moment the fierce look on his face appeared, the young monk instinctively took a half step back.

Seeing this, Officer Feng quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Young master, please don't be offended. We didn't come here to cause trouble!"

"A great event has occurred in my hometown, Guobei County, and I have come here specifically to seek an audience with Master Fahai!"

"Guobei County? Something big?" The young monk was taken aback, and his gaze immediately became more serious.

Zhao Liuzi said urgently, "That's right! A very powerful demon has appeared in our Guobei County, harming people's lives. Even the most respected Taoist priests are helpless and have no choice but to come and ask Master Fahai for help!"

"Demons?" The young monk's expression changed drastically, and he quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Please wait a moment, everyone."

After saying this, he closed the mountain gate and hurriedly sent word inside the temple.

Xu Zhen and his companions stood outside the mountain gate, waiting quietly.

Before long, the mountain gate opened again.

This time, however, more than one person came out.

Two elderly monks walked out one after the other, their gazes steady. When they saw the group of people clearly, they revealed a hint of scrutiny.

"Which one of you has come to report something?" one of the old monks asked.

Officer Feng immediately stepped forward and briefly explained the situation.

The old monk's expression turned serious. He exchanged a glance with his companion and said, "Follow me."

The group was led into the temple.

The moment you step into the temple gate, the aroma of incense fills the air, and the halls are grand, with ancient bells hanging high and solemn Buddha statues.

Finally, they were taken to a side hall.

Incense smoke curled gently inside the hall.

A monk was sitting upright on a yellow prayer mat.

He wore an old-fashioned kasaya, his eyes were lowered, and his expression was serene. He seemed ordinary, but at first glance, no one dared to be disrespectful in the slightest.

"Master Fahai."

The old monk who was leading the way bowed softly.

Is this the old monk Fahai?!

Officer Feng and his men were startled, and a look of astonishment appeared in their eyes.

They had heard that this Fahai was an old monk, but they never expected him to be so young.

They didn't see him as an old man with white hair at all; on the contrary, he looked very young!

"As expected of a master with such high magical power!"

They were both startled and overjoyed.

Then, they quickly bowed in unison, even unconsciously lowering their heads.

Fahai slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly falling on the group of people.

"This humble monk is Fahai. May I ask what brings you all from afar?"

His tone carried an air of unquestionable authority.

"Master Fahai, it's like this, a powerful demon has appeared in our Guobei County, causing great harm to people..." Officer Feng took a deep breath and quickly told the whole story.

On their first visit to the Zhang family, several people inexplicably fell into a coma.

The second time they went to invite Master Xuanqingzi, the master was so frightened when he saw the eldest son of the Zhang family that he knelt down and kowtowed on the spot, losing his composure in fear, and even scolded them harshly.

Furthermore, since Guobei County often loses face, they also suspect that it was the work of that monster, the eldest son of the Zhang family!

In the end, silence returned to the hall.

Fahai frowned slightly, gently twirling his prayer beads with his fingertips, and murmured, "What a demon, it seems to possess some magical abilities."

Xu Zhen, standing nearby, hurriedly said, "We beg the master to have mercy and come down the mountain to subdue this young master Zhang for us!"

Xu Zhen and the others knelt down, their foreheads touching the ground.

Fahai gave them a deep look, stood up and nodded, "Alright, this humble monk will go with you."

He could tell that Xu Zhen and his companions were probably not good people, but compared to demons and monsters, they were nothing.

These words were spoken.

Officer Feng, Zhao Liuzi, Xu Zhen, and the others showed great joy and excitement in their eyes.

Zhao Liuzi couldn't help but think of the scene when he went to the Zhang family last time and left feeling utterly humiliated.

"Hmph, young master of the Zhang family, I'd like to see how you plan to escape this calamity this time!"

"With Master Fahai here, you're sure to die this time!"

The thought that the eldest son of the Zhang family would soon be subdued by Master Fahai, or perhaps his true form would be revealed and his soul scattered, filled him with excitement.

Not only him, but also Officer Feng, Xu Zhen and the others beside him were all looking forward to it. They couldn't wait to get to Guobei County and see Master Fahai subdue the eldest son of the Zhang family.

Soon, Fahai instructed the disciples in the temple to prepare their luggage.

Before long, the group left Jinshan Temple and headed towards Guobei County along the same route they had come from.

……

Time slowly passed.

In the blink of an eye, another ten days have passed.

That morning.

In the east wing of the Zhang family residence.

Su Chen's gaze fell on the breathing technique displayed on the panel.

Breathing Techniques (Mastery 98%)

"At most one day..."

Su Chen murmured.

As he spoke, his expression was complex.

Once he perfects his breathing technique, it will be time for him to ascend to immortality.