Techniques and Dao

Chapter 130 The Head of the Eight Immortals
The hour of Hai (9-11 PM) has passed.

The midnight sky is filled with stars.

Inside the Taoist Academy, lanterns were already hanging from branches or floating on the bridge.

It was late at night, and most of the disciples had already fallen asleep, leaving the entire academy in complete silence.

The moonlight silently spilled onto the stone path, casting dappled shadows from the trees. And this light and shadow also fell upon Tianjizi.

Tianjizi was traveling at a fast pace, heading alone to a place called Yingyantang.

Today, the Daoist Academy has compared the robes of thousands of disciples regarding the purple-gold thread at the Klin Magic School, but has found nothing.

Just as Tianjizi was about to rest, he suddenly heard that the immortal masters were heading to the welcoming hall, "Yingyan Hall," to gather, saying that a distinguished guest had suddenly arrived at the academy.

He became somewhat concerned about this matter.

Yingyan Hall is located in the western part of the Academy of Arts and Sciences. From the dormitory, cross the Lingtian Sacred Path and pass through the four tall pavilions of Sixian Pavilion, Huixian Pavilion, Qixian Pavilion and Yuxian Pavilion to reach the hall that can accommodate more than a hundred people.

From afar, Tianjizi observed that Yingyan Hall was nestled within a grove of trees, surrounded by lush greenery. Adjacent to it were several garden landscapes with small bridges and flowing water.

Although located in a quiet and somewhat secluded spot within the Xiyuan Academy, Yingyan Hall was brightly lit late at night.

Accompanied by the sound of flowing water, Tianjizi quickly crossed an exquisitely crafted wooden bridge, guided by the light of lanterns on both sides.

Tianjizi had no time to admire the vividly carved ancient legends on the wooden bridge; the battles between immortals and demons from a thousand years ago were long gone. Even those tragic tales that had put an end to the word "demon" over the centuries were now just historical portraits.

The world has long since lost those clear-cut conflicts of right and wrong. For the celestial realm or the Holy Court, the enemies are no longer demons and monsters; even if there are enemies now, they are merely things called "demonized."

Smoke swirled outside the main gate of Yingyan Hall, with a male disciple dressed in the robes of the Xiyuan Temple standing on either side.

Tianjizi stepped forward, but the disciple on his left reached out to stop him, saying, "Chief Clerk, the immortal masters are discussing important matters in the hall and have instructed their disciples not to be disturbed by outsiders."

Tianjizi said, "I can't go in either?"

The disciple on the right said, "I'm sorry, but you can't go in either, Chief Clerk. Only the Immortal Master is inside."

No sooner had the disciple finished speaking than the door opened a crack, and Master Yu Ran and a female disciple walked out of Yingyan Hall.

Upon seeing Tianjizi, Immortal Master Yuran quickly said, "Immortal Master Jueguang was just about to look for you. Your arrival is perfect."

Upon hearing this, the two Dharma protectors on the left and right immediately stepped aside.

Master Yu Ran pointed to the female disciple beside him and said to Tian Jizi, "I will go and greet the guest first. She will take you inside."

After saying this, Immortal Master Yu Ran rode away on a cloud. Tianjizi bowed to Immortal Master Yu Ran and then followed the female disciple into the hall.

Inside the Yingyan Hall, candlelight filled the room, and the Taoist masters dressed in various colored robes sat on either side. Two grand chairs were placed in the center in front.

Master Jueguang sat on the right, leaving the grand master's chair on the left for the upcoming guests.

Tianjizi bowed to the immortal masters.

When Master Jueguang saw that Tianjizi had arrived in the hall so quickly, he exclaimed, "Zhiyun is truly extraordinary; he arrived so soon after we were looking for him."

He then pointed to the front row seats on the left and said, "Sit down first, and we'll discuss this together. This matter concerns you."

Tianjizi stepped forward and asked, "Is the arrival of the immortal masters here so late at night related to the purple-gold thread from earlier in the day?"

Master Jueguang said, "Several immortals have suddenly visited, and I'm afraid it's not just this."

"Anything else?"

"You are familiar with the guests tonight, which is why we called you here."

After hearing this, Tianjizi nodded and sat down to the side.

Tianjizi pondered that the sudden attack on the Magic Academy by the Klin Magic School was clearly not as simple and straightforward as it seemed.

The fact that the Demon School was able to reach the Academy must have come to Shengping Ning through the Hunyuan Path. And since outsiders have come to the Hunyuan Path, the Holy Court of the Immortal Realm will certainly not remain indifferent.

Could it be that tonight, an envoy has been dispatched to Xi's residence to investigate the incident that occurred during the day?
Since Dao Lingxingjun was imprisoned, the Shudao Academy has been in a state of leaderlessness.

Although the Star Lord often goes into seclusion, the daily operation of the Academy is still discussed and decided by the Immortal Master Jueguang and the other Immortal Masters. However, the position of Dean is not a long-term solution.

Once the guilt is proven, the Holy Court will surely strip the Star Lord of his position. At that time, the Holy Court will also appoint a new Dean to replace the founder. No, perhaps the Holy Court has already taken action.

The Holy Court has refrained from touching the Star Lord for so many years, likely due to concerns about his contributions to the creation of the realm. If the Star Lord were merely a dean, he would have been replaced several times over by now. Even the position of dean of the Holy Peace Ning First Immortal Arts Academy would have long since become a stepping stone for the Holy Court to train immortal officials, rather than a place purely for studying immortal arts as it is now.

Although Dao Ling Xingjun rarely intervenes in affairs, Jueguang Xianshi has always followed Xingjun's orders. Once the head of the Academy changes, the "traces of Xingjun" since the Academy's founding will be erased, and Jueguang Xianshi, who currently holds real power, will be sidelined.

In that case, even if Xiyuan's future cannot be said to be bleak, he would at least be unable to control his own destiny.

As the head of the student clerks, Tianjizi only needed a few more years of cultivation before leaving the academy, so he didn't need to worry about this matter. However, he couldn't stand idly by. Besides, if his own good fortune could bring some protection to the academy, why not do it?
Just as Tianjizi was pondering, the door of Yingyan Hall was suddenly opened, and the two guardian disciples who had been guarding the door entered the hall and stood respectfully on both sides of the door.

At the same time, a wisp of bluish-white celestial energy drifted into the room, and the whispering immortal masters immediately ceased their conversation. The entire Yingyan Hall fell silent.

Immortal Master Yu Ran stepped forward and stood to one side, bowing respectfully towards the door and saying, "Please come in, three venerable immortals!"

Immortal Master Jueguang hurriedly stood up from his seat and walked quickly to the door to greet him. All the immortal masters present also immediately stood up to welcome him.

"I am Jueguang, a junior immortal of the Daoist Academy, and I respectfully welcome the three venerable immortals, Medicine King, Pure Yangzi, and the Primordial Sovereign of the Great Compassionate Dharma, to the Academy!" Jueguang said while bowing.

As the ethereal aura outside the door dissipated, the figures of two men and one woman gracefully entered the room.

On the left was a middle-aged man in a blue robe, with a dignified appearance. He carried a long sword on his back, and his eyes were bright and piercing, indicating that his immortal power was unfathomable.

Compared to the middle-aged man, the woman on the right appeared to be a few years younger. She wore a white and pink dress, with a lotus flower draped over her arm, and glanced around the hall with a hint of arrogance on her face.

Not only that, this woman's imposing aura was so overwhelming that even highly skilled immortal masters would feel ashamed and bow their heads after just one glance at her.

Although the man and woman were undoubtedly immortals, they still treated the man in the wheelchair between them with utmost respect.

The man in the middle sat in a worn wooden wheelchair, clearly indicating he had difficulty walking. The wheelchair itself wasn't particularly well-made, and a small gourd hung from the handle. Although the wheelchair could be driven by magical power, the man with the longsword still held onto the handles with both hands as a sign of respect for the bald man.

Surprisingly, compared to the two people behind him, he was not only unattractive in appearance, but also looked like he was in his sixties or seventies, and his clothes were tattered.

Looking further up, the man in the wheelchair had a unkempt beard and thinning, bald patches of hair.

After paying his respects to the three immortals, Master Jueguang went to the man in the wheelchair and bowed deeply to him.

The man in the wheelchair simply nodded and waved, seemingly as a polite greeting.

When the man in the wheelchair saw Tianjizi behind Immortal Master Jueguang, he smiled and said, "Nephew, how have you been? Have you been well?"

Tianjizi hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Nephew Tianjizi respectfully welcomes the three immortals, Uncle, Uncle, and Aunt." The wheelchair-bound man whom Tianjizi called Uncle said, "Nephew, I know a little about Caihe's matter. You have suffered."

Master Jueguang stepped forward and said, "Please take your seats, three immortals, and let's catch up slowly."

The man in the wheelchair waved to the man in the long robe carrying a sword behind him, and the man pushed the wheelchair to the front of the armchair. Then the woman on the other side helped the man in the wheelchair to stand up.

After the man in the wheelchair stood up, he pulled an iron cane from the armrest of the wooden wheelchair.

At the same time, the wheelchair seemed to trigger some mechanism, and began to shrink and deform. After a series of wooden collision sounds, it folded into a pendant about half the size of a palm and hung on the dragon head handle of the iron crutch.

After regaining his footing, the man, leaning on his iron crutch, walked to the armchair on the left and sat down.

Immortal Master Yu Ran pointed to the seats in the front row and said to the man with the sword on his back and the woman holding a lotus flower, "Please take your seats, you two immortals."

The two men did not respond, but stood respectfully behind the armchair on the left. Seeing this, Master Yu Ran said nothing more.

Immortal Master Jueguang stepped forward and sat down in the armchair on the right, saying, "I was unaware that the three immortals would visit so late at night, and I had no time to make any preparations. Please forgive me, Medicine King."

The man with the cane, known as the Medicine King, took a deep breath and replied, "Jueguang, I, Tieguai Li, would not visit the Three Treasures Hall in the dead of night without a reason. If it weren't for Taibai Jinxing's last-minute dispatch, I, a person with inconvenient legs, would not have troubled Lü Dongbin and He Xiangu to come and disturb the Xi Academy."

"Not at all, not at all. The presence of Tieguai Li, the leader of the Eight Immortals, is a great honor for our academy. It is a pity that we did not have enough time to prepare, and we beg the Immortal Master's forgiveness." Master Jueguang replied respectfully. "Since it was directly dispatched by the Holy Court's Grand Eunuch, Venus, there must be something important."

Tieguai Li scoffed and said, "Everyone says that Lord Lingxing has a discerning eye, and you, Jueguang, are the immortal master who manages the training academy for tens of thousands of disciples on his behalf. Haven't you guessed Taibai Jinxing's intentions?"

Master Jueguang replied, “This humble Taoist dares not presume to know the Immortal’s intentions, but since you are in such a hurry tonight, it must be because I have failed in some way in my duty to the Academy. I humbly request the Medicine King to offer some guidance and encouragement.”

Tieguai Li's voice was somewhat deep as he said, "Your Academy must be very busy today."

Master Jueguang replied, "To be honest, something did happen at the academy today."

"Go ahead and tell me."

Master Jueguang said, "At noon, a group of mortals broke into the Academy of Arts and Sciences and caused a bit of trouble."

"I'm afraid it's more than just a commotion," Tieguai Li said. "The Academy of Arts and Sciences had been relatively peaceful before, but recently things have been going on and on. So even Venus has some doubts."

"I should indeed reflect on my actions for causing trouble for Venus."

Tieguai Li said, "Your esteemed Dao Ling Xingjun has been imprisoned in the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison for nearly a hundred days. Whether it is a real or nominal position, this vast Daoist Academy cannot be without someone to fill the position of Dean."

The entire Yingyan Hall was completely silent; the only sound was the faint crackling of the burning candles.

Tieguai Li said, "Therefore, Venus has sent me to inform all the immortal masters that He Xiangu will temporarily assume the position of Dean of the Academy starting tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Master Jueguang showed no surprise whatsoever.

Instead, Immortal Master Yu Ran asked, "The change of the head of the academy, even if it is temporary, requires official documents. Moreover, Immortal He Xiangu is busy helping people every day, and the academy is also very busy with trivial matters. How can she take care of both?"

Tieguai Li waved his hand and said, "The immortal masters need not worry about this. However, He Xiangu was also a mortal before she was enlightened. You immortal masters who are spirits and immortals should not look down on her."

"Not at all. The Academy of Arts and Sciences can indeed not be without a leader for even a day. If the famous He Xiangu of the Eight Immortals is willing to condescend to come here and manage some of the Academy's affairs, then we immortal masters will gladly welcome her."

“Since no one objects, that’s good. If Venus knew, he would be at ease,” Tieguai Li said. “There’s no need to worry about the official document I mentioned earlier. The appointment document will arrive in three days. The reason I came with the fairy tonight is that she can start getting familiar with the daily routine of the Magic Academy starting tomorrow.”

Master Jueguang replied, “Of course. This humble Taoist will certainly do his best to assist the Primordial Sovereign of Great Compassion and Wondrous Dharma in managing the Academy.”

Tieguai Li laughed and said, "Very good. By the way, that's one thing. To be honest, besides this official matter, I, Tieguai Li, have come here tonight for another matter that is half official and half private."

Immortal Master Jueguang said, "Please speak freely, Immortal."

Tieguai Li glanced at Tianjizi and said, "Jueguang, you should know who my nephew Tianjizi's patriarch is."

"How could I not know? That is Lan Caihe."

"Caihe has been missing for months, did you know?"

"Lan Caihe is kind-hearted and often descends to the mortal world to save people. I have heard of this."

Tieguai Li said, "He loves freedom. Although he has been in the celestial realm for many years, he still hasn't changed his barefoot immortal habits. Wandering around is nothing special for him, but before he disappeared, I, Tieguai Li, heard that you have a disciple here named Hua Sheng who has Cai He's celestial magic mark on him. Is this true?"

Master Jueguang pondered for a moment and replied, "Indeed, but this is a long story."

Tieguai Li pointed at Tianjizi and asked, "Nephew, do you know the details? Why don't you tell me?"

Tianjizi stood up and said, "Although some time has passed since the Lingxiao Flame incident, the late Fire Thunder Immortal Master mentioned that the Samadhi True Fire within Hua Sheng's body did indeed contain my father's mark."

Tieguai Li said, "Therefore, that disciple of Hua Sheng must be related to Lan Caihe's whereabouts. Previously, you were busy with the Qiankun Guard War and had no time to attend to Lan Caihe's matter. But now that the dust has settled, have Hua Sheng come and investigate this matter as soon as possible. So that my nephew can have an explanation!"

Immortal Master Yu Ran rose and said, "Esteemed immortals, to be honest, Hua Sheng did indeed return to the academy today, but this afternoon Immortal Master Qing Miao asked for leave and took him out again..."

"That's unreasonable!"

Lu Dongbin, who had been standing silently behind them, suddenly shouted, "How do you manage your immortal masters and disciples in this Taoist academy? Hua Sheng is carrying the mystery of Lan Caihe's whereabouts, yet you let him go out and disappear without a trace! With such indifference, what kind of people do you take our nephew for!"

Master Jueguang explained, "Please calm down, Chunyangzi. I will immediately send someone to recall Qingmiao and Huasheng."

Lu Dongbin angrily said, "I have long heard of this Qingmiao's name. She became a master of the academy at such a young age, not only bringing the scourge Mingyou into the academy but also harming innocent people. Now, at this critical juncture, she dares to take her disciples out without permission. She has no regard for the law! She should have been held accountable long ago!"

Master Jueguang looked troubled and replied, "Master Qingmiao was indeed young and inexperienced, but at that time, Mingyou's magical power was so great that no one in the academy noticed, not even Daoling Xingjun. During the Qiankun Defense War, I and other immortal masters personally experienced it. Mingyou's magical power was so strong that even a Great Luo Immortal would find it difficult to match. Therefore, it was only by chance that Master Qingmiao recommended him. I'm afraid any other immortal master would have found it difficult to see through."

Lu Dongbin snorted and rebuked, "It seems that this so-called 'Master of Arts and Techniques' from the Immortal Realm is nothing special!"

Master Jueguang replied, "Chunyangzi and Daoling Xingjun are both among the Seven Saints of Shengping Ningjian. I'm afraid you, Great Immortal, have witnessed Daoling Xingjun's abilities. The matter of the Netherworld was indeed for a reason."

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Tianjizi stepped forward and said, "It's alright, this disciple is willing to go and summon Qingmiao Immortal Master and Huasheng, and ask them to return quickly."

Master Jueguang nodded. “Very well! Then we’ll have to trouble you, Registrar. If you go tonight, you can find it tomorrow. We will then report back to the esteemed immortals.”

"This disciple will go immediately!" Tianjizi immediately got up and walked towards the door.

Just as he reached the door, a loud bang was heard, and a large hole was smashed in the ceiling in front of Tianjizi!
Bricks, tiles, and wood chips were scattered all over the ground.

The entire Yingyan Hall was astonished, as three figures resembling disciples rose from the smoke.

"Where did this strange wind come from! It hurts so much!"

"Hua Sheng, what are you grabbing at! If it weren't for your pig-headedness, would I have fallen down!"

"Shadowbreaker, I'm a bit dizzy after a long day. Who knew that we'd encounter wind shear during landing after arriving at the Xi Academy! So unlucky!"

(End of this chapter)