Techniques and Dao

Chapter 113 The Seven Sages of the Realm (1)

Enchanted by the lake. In the Lake Star Pavilion.

After the disciples dispersed, Hua Sheng was instructed by Master Yu Ran to wait in the Lake Star Pavilion. He had participated in the Qiankun Defense War related to the Jupiter Silk, and was also summoned to discuss the countermeasures for the loss of the Jupiter Silk at the Klin Demon School.

Besides him, the other attendees included Immortal Master Jueguang, Immortal Master Qingmiao, Supreme Lord Xiaojun, and Tianjizi.

Just as everyone sat down in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Immortal Master Yu Ran arrived on a cloud.

When Master Jueguang saw that everyone had arrived, he said, "Those foreigners are quite capable. They actually managed to break through the Hunyuan Dao and cause such a commotion at the Xiyuan Academy."

Master Yu Ran nodded and said, "I see that they are about the same age as the disciples of the Xiyuan Academy. They can control Yin and Yang, water and fire with just a magic weapon that looks like a bamboo chopstick, and even summon monsters to help them. It is really puzzling."

He slowly said, "That's why I arrived a little late just now. I took the time to watch the world-famous 'News Broadcast' and learned a little about it. I never imagined that the people of Europe and America are living in such dire straits. How can they compare to the peace and stability of our human world?"

"From this, I deduce that the reason why the disciples of the Klin Magic School are all so skilled in magic is indeed due to the old saying, 'A fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.' In the future, we should send our disciples to barbaric and backward places like France, England, and America, so that our juniors can experience the hardships of others and avoid becoming spoiled and useless in this place."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun bowed and replied, "What the Immortal Master says is absolutely right! This is the only way to benefit the young juniors of the Academy in their cultivation and development!"

Hua Sheng wanted to say something, but felt it wasn't the right time to bring up the topic. He simply admired Yu Ran's extraordinary way of thinking and then bowed to Tai Shang Xiao Jun, saying, "Immortal Master's thinking is ingenious and makes sense. This disciple will remember it."

Immortal Master Yu Ran asked, "After the Battle of Qiankun, Hua Sheng, you disappeared without a trace. Where did you go?"

When asked, Hua Sheng reported to Yu Ran and Master Jueguang what he had seen when he struck the Star Veil. However, he did not mention the matter of the Star Veil spell reaching the hospital.

Master Yu Ran was quite surprised by the origins of the Jupiter Veil and the Netherworld.

"If what you saw is indeed the origin of this thing, I really didn't expect that such a magical treasure still exists in the world. However, the fact that Mingyou Weiyu came from a thousand years in the future does explain the erosion of the immortal array during the Heavenly Eye Trial. Weiyu may have been carrying some kind of future immortal curse, which unknowingly eroded the Xuanwu Immortal Array of my Academy."

Master Jueguang agreed, and asked, "Zhaohuasheng, you said you should return to Shengpingning after this. So where will you be for the next hundred days?"

"I've fallen into a place called Daqian Temple," Hua Sheng said.

Upon hearing the words "Daqian Zen Temple," everyone present looked puzzled.

Hua Sheng quickly recounted his experiences at Daqian Temple.

After listening, Master Jueguang asked, "Does Master Ruokong have anything else to say?"

“Master Ruokong is quite amiable…” Hua Sheng felt something was amiss at this point, so he stopped talking about Master Ruokong and said, “He didn’t say anything, he just told his disciples to do nothing and just sit around in a daze every day.”

"Does that mean you recite Buddhist scriptures and copy them every day?" Master Jueguang asked.

“No, that’s not true.” Hua Sheng told the truth. “Master Ruokong didn’t force me to do anything…but…”

"how?"

“This disciple once borrowed the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the Victorious Fighting Buddha, but this magic weapon seems to be useless against Master Ruokong.”

Hua Sheng recounted how he almost accidentally injured Master Ruokong and had his golden cudgel taken away by him.

After pondering for a moment, Master Jueguang replied, "After all, he is the last successor of the Cien Sect of the Sandalwood Merit Buddha, so the Golden Cudgel cannot harm him."

Hua Sheng asked, "Could it be that Abbot Ruokong's magical power is unfathomable?"

Master Yu Ran said, "Not only is he unfathomable. When you saw him, was he wearing a red cassock?"

"Yes. What does it matter?"

Master Yu Ran: "That is no ordinary kasaya. It is the robe of the Buddha, often called the brocade kasaya. It is inlaid with seven treasures, impervious to water and fire, and can protect you from evil spirits. Back then, the Buddha entrusted this brocade kasaya to Tang Sanzang through the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. After Xuanzang became a Buddha and took Ruokong as his disciple, he passed this kasaya on to his last disciple."

Taishang Xiaojun added, "So now you know why the Golden Cudgel couldn't hurt Master Ruokong..."

Hua Sheng then suddenly realized what was going on.

After the matter of Hua Sheng came to an end, Immortal Master Yu Ran asked Immortal Masters Jue Guang and Qing Miao, who were standing to the side, "What do you all think of what Demon School Director Klin did today?"

"This disciple has never heard of the Klin Demon School. It's possible that someone with considerable cultivation is here to cause trouble," Hua Sheng said seriously. "This is a typical case of illegal assembly and disturbing public order. I think we should call the police..."

The air suddenly fell silent.

After a long pause, Immortal Master Yu Ran, having disregarded Hua Sheng's opinion, asked, "What insightful opinions do you two immortal masters have?"

Master Jueguang said, "I believe that the Ministry of War of Shengping Ning will not interfere in this matter. Even if it is reported, it will most likely be left to the Academy of Arts and Sciences to handle it on its own." Master Qingmiao also nodded and said, "Although I have never heard of this Kelin Demon School, I feel that although the other party acts recklessly, he would not be so prone to making baseless accusations. Moreover, since he has taken out the purple and gold thread from the Academy's robes, it cannot be purely for the purpose of causing trouble."

At this moment, Tianjizi said, "Although it is not yet confirmed, the other party does have evidence. It is clear that the other party did find the thread, which is why they came to confront us with such confidence."

Master Yu Ran stroked his long beard: "Do you know which disciples of the Academy have ever been to Brazil?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun corrected, "Immortal Master, that place is called Paris."

“Oh…the names of those wild and desolate places are really hard to remember,” said Master Yu Ran. “Although they are certainly not easy to find, we still need to hurry up and investigate who from the Academy has been to those places.”

Master Qingmiao replied, "If this was done by a disciple of the Xiyuan Academy, it should not be tolerated. It must be thoroughly investigated."

Master Yu Ran said, "How can we find the thief with just this half of a purple-gold thread?"

"There are still ways," said Master Jueguang.

Immortal Master Yu Ran quickly asked, "Oh? What insightful opinion does Immortal Master Jue Guang have?"

Master Jueguang replied, "However, only Dao Ling Xingjun can recognize it."

Immortal Master Yu Ran pressed further, "Immortal Master, please elaborate."

Master Jueguang said, "All the Taoist robes in the Taoist Academy were made by Dao Ling Xingjun. I once heard Xingjun say that he can distinguish the subtle differences in the stitching of each robe."

Master Yu Ran sighed softly, "But as you all know, Dao Ling Xingjun has been taken away by Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to escape from the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison in the short term. The three-day deadline given by the Demon School is even more impossible to achieve."

When Hua Sheng first heard the words "Biao Nu Tian Yu" (熛怒天狱), it sounded like a heavily guarded prison. However, he had no idea where this place was.

He quickly stood up and asked, "Esteemed Immortal Masters, I was not in the Academy before. What crime did Dean Dao Ling Xingjun commit to warrant his arrest?"

Master Yu Ran replied, "The Star Lord is being questioned because of the Qiankun Defense War a hundred days ago. According to Li Jing's list of the Heavenly Laws the Star Lord violated, there are three offenses. First, the Qiankun Defense War resulted in casualties among the immortal masters and disciples of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, failing to fulfill the responsibilities of the academy's director. Second, he recklessly recruited the disciple Mingyou, who endangered the safety of Shengping Ning..."

Immortal Master Qingmiao suddenly interrupted, saying, "Mingyou was recommended by this humble Taoist, and it has nothing to do with Dao Ling Xingjun."

"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext." These were the words of Tianjizi.

"Moreover, there is a third charge," said Immortal Master Yu Ran. "Thirdly, before the Battle of Qiankun, in order to successfully execute the Moon Control Technique, Mingyou secretly attacked the Moon Palace and seriously injured the Moon Palace Master Chang'e. His sins are truly heinous."

Upon hearing this, Hua Sheng immediately recalled the time when Ming You Wei Yu appeared; the ribbon she wore did indeed resemble Chang'e's attire. It must have been a fusion of the Moon Palace's magical treasures and Ming You's power, which explained why no one could withstand her back then.

But how can all of this be blamed on Dao Ling Xing Jun?
Unable to bear it any longer, he said, "These accusations are not the fault of the Star Lord! It is the disciples of the Seeking Arts Academy who are protecting the human world! How can you arrest the Star Lord?"

The three immortal masters remained silent. Taishang Xiaojun said, "We have Taishang Laojun's token. Therefore, the blame cannot be placed on us."

Hua Sheng said indignantly, "Then we should find Dao Ling Xing Jun to take the blame?"

Taishang Xiaojun said, "It is a fact that Shengping Ning and the Immortal Realm have suffered losses because of this matter. If we really investigate, it is impossible to cover it up. Someone must come forward to take responsibility."

Immortal Master Yu Ran continued, "The Immortal Realm will not let this go so easily. Moreover, among the Seven Sages of the Founding Realm, Dao Ling Star Lord has always remained outside the Six Sages, so no other Immortal Sage will stand on his side and intervene in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Hua Sheng asked, "I have often heard of the Seven Sages of Jianjing. Besides Dao Ling Xingjun, who are the other six deities?"

Master Yu Ran explained, "You should have heard of most of the other Immortal Saints in Shengping Ning. Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King who took away Dao Ling Xingjun before, is one of them. Besides Li Jing, there is also the True Immortal Yun Zhongzi."

"I have indeed heard of Yun Zhongzi."

"In addition, there is Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals; Erlang Shen Yang Jian; and Zhiyuan Zhenjun. The Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison, where Daoling Xingjun is imprisoned, falls under the jurisdiction of Erlang Shen Yang Jian. And the last one is Taibai Jinxing!"

"Ah! The name Venus is indeed legendary!" Hua Sheng nodded in agreement. "Are all these immortals and saints in Shengpingning?"

"Most of them are here. But sometimes they are busy with matters of the Heavenly Court, so they travel back and forth between the two places."

Hua Sheng asked, "Then why are the other six at odds with Dao Ling Xing Jun?"

"We are all like-minded people, so there's no question of disagreement. It's just that our understanding of the Dao is not entirely the same."

"So they can just stand by and watch someone die?" Hua Sheng asked, puzzled. "Of those six Immortal Saints, one was responsible for capturing Dao Ling Xingjun, and another for imprisoning him. These Seven Saints of the Foundation Establishment Realm really don't seem like fellow immortals! Is anyone among them taking this opportunity to retaliate?"

"Shut up! You little brat, don't judge a gentleman by your own petty standards!" Master Jueguang shouted. "The Heavenly Court has its own laws and regulations, and Shengping Ning also has its own rules and laws. How dare you, a mere child, make such comments and chatter!"

(End of this chapter)