From a Zhengyi Taoist Child to a Master of All Laws

Chapter 602 The Abbot's Immortal Traces
"We still haven't found those three ants. The Dao Alliance must have hidden them and is working against us!"

It was the time when the bright moon rose over the sea, its clear light shimmering across the vast expanse. The dark night sky, along with the starlight and moonlight, were reflected on the sea's surface. Three black dots seemed to ride the wind across the sea, their sounds growing clearer and clearer.

"Given the current situation, the Dao Alliance is backed by a powerful Earth Immortal. If we force them to hand over three ants, it might cause a conflict."

"What's there to be afraid of? That guy named Zhang Daoling has been hiding ever since he came out of seclusion. His strength is only average, and he may not have the guts to fight us!"

Among the three people flying over the sea, the leader was Jiang Huan, with a middle-aged man and a woman dressed in feathered robes beside him. The woman's face was filled with resentment, and her eyes revealed a sense of superiority.

Jiang Huan and the woman were both dressed in fine clothes, shining like gods under the moonlight. In contrast, the middle-aged man behind them was dressed in simple coarse clothes and had an expression that said "keep away."

Jiang Huan and the woman in feathered robes exchanged heated words, showing no regard for the Dao Alliance, while the middle-aged man stood behind Jiang Huan with his sword in his arms.

After a long silence, the middle-aged man hesitated before speaking:
"Young Master, Miss Ji Chengyue, the Dao Alliance is, after all, the orthodox official organization of the Nine Provinces. It is full of hidden talents and experts. We should be careful."

Before he could finish speaking, the icy-faced middle-aged man was impatiently interrupted by Jiang Huan:
"Feng Yun, the island lord's orders to you were to protect and serve the two of us. Who gave you the audacity to lecture us!"

A woman named Ji Chengyue standing nearby also frowned, stopped, and angrily rebuked, "Feng Yun, Jiang Huan and I are very disappointed in you. If you hadn't shown mercy last time, how could those three bastards and that true dragon have escaped!"

"You were born a lowly commoner. We have shown you the greatest favor by allowing you to learn the fundamental techniques. Your life is meant to protect us. You should kill anyone who offends us!"

Ji Chengyue was enraged. She stopped on the sea, and the silver light emanating from her feathered robes pierced towards the middle-aged man behind her.

The middle-aged man remained silent, not even activating his defenses, letting his flesh be corroded and mangled by the silver light.

"Chengyue, what are you doing? We're about to go back to the island, and I don't want to get scolded by the island lord!"

Jiang Huan quickly grabbed the woman in the feathered robe's wrist and pulled her aside.

"What good will going back to the island do? Slaves who don't obey deserve to be beaten. Even if we get to the island, I can kill them with just a word!"

Ji Chengyue smiled arrogantly, not feeling that she had done anything wrong.

Jiang Huan shook his head, then turned to look at the middle-aged man who was silently healing his wounds: "Feng Yun, it's not that Cheng Yue and I want to punish you, it's just that you haven't fulfilled your duty as a slave. If you had drawn your sword even once in the last battle, those three bastards wouldn't have been able to escape unscathed."

The middle-aged man pursed his lips, his expression remaining unchanged despite his wounds, as if he had lost all feeling of pain.

"The island lord has instructed that the Candle Shadow Sword is incredibly powerful and is the island's most precious treasure. It should not be drawn unless absolutely necessary."

Upon hearing this, Ji Chengyue, clad in a feathered robe, instantly flew into a rage, drew her soft sword from her waist, and lashed out at Feng Yun, leaving another bloody wound on Feng Yun's face.

"What do you mean by 'absolutely necessary'? Do you mean I have to be on the verge of death for it to be absolutely necessary?!"

"You lowly slave are indeed a lowly slave! You clearly wanted to see me make a fool of myself in front of those three ants!!"

Enraged, Ji Chengyue became increasingly ruthless with her soft sword. Feng Yun simply pursed her lips and remained silent until Ji Chengyue grew tired, at which point she began to silently circulate her internal energy to heal her injuries.

After venting her anger, Ji Chengyue put away her soft sword, her brows furrowing with relief, as if the punishment she had just received was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Alright, alright, Chengyue, calm down. We're about to return to the island, so don't let the island lord and the others notice anything amiss."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Huan hurriedly went to comfort Ji Chengyue, not caring that Feng Yun, who was still holding his sword, no longer had a single piece of intact flesh on his body.

This whole ordeal took another half hour.

After Feng Yun finished healing, he stood behind Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue like a stone, his face expressionless.

At this moment, Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue each took out a jade pendant and chanted incantations on the sea surface where the bright moon hung high, as if they were performing an ancient ritual.

A few minutes later, wisps of mist slowly rose from the sea, condensing and growing thicker. In the center of the mist, a towering, indistinct island gradually emerged, becoming increasingly solid.

Feng Yun pursed his lips, expressionless, watching Jiang Huan and the other open the entrance to Fangzhang Island, feeling a slight sense of loss in his heart.

This was the first time in Feng Yun's entire life that he had ever left this secluded island.

No one told him that he was highly talented, very powerful, and a supreme immortal, nor did anyone tell him what life should be like.

Among the three outsiders he dealt with this time, one named Liu Ming told him that cultivating immortality is about being carefree and unrestrained, and that even if the emperor himself came, one should live for oneself.

Another person named Wang Shuhuan told him that the techniques he practiced with the sword in his hand were all for protection.

Feng Yun was puzzled. The concept he had been instilled with since childhood was also about protection—protecting his master, protecting Jiang Huan, protecting Ji Chengyue…

However, Feng Yun had a vague feeling that his protection was different from the protection Wang Shuhuan spoke of.

He did not respond to the outsiders, but during the battle, he held back, allowing the three people and the true dragon to escape.

This was a very serious act of disobedience on the island, so he calmly accepted the punishment from Ji Chengyue and Jiang Huan.

"I don't know when I'll be able to come out again next time."

Feng Yun thought to himself for no apparent reason.

Above the Bohai Sea, the fog grew thicker and thicker, obscuring the starlight, moonlight, and even the spying of extraterrestrial satellites.

"Now that we're on the island, I think you should know what you should and shouldn't say!"

Faced with the threats from Ji Chengyue and Jiang Huan, Feng Yun nodded.

With a rumble, as the fog almost solidified, an incredibly huge and ancient stone gate slowly rose up in the thick fog at sea.

Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue walked ahead, stepping over the stone gate and disappearing into the thick fog.

Feng Yun followed closely behind, and saw a cloud of mist entering the stone gate with Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue. He frowned, but ultimately sensed nothing. After entering the stone gate, he made a hand seal to dispel the thick fog.

As the thick fog dissipated, only the bright moon remained high in the sky above the sea. The stone gate and towering islands that had stood in the fog had all disappeared. The space between the sea and the sky was vast and desolate, and the night wind blew through the silence.

After the three of them crossed the stone gate, it was as if they had entered another world. They stepped onto the ground of an island. The bright moon still hung high in the sky. The island was covered with exotic flowers and herbs. Brightly colored phoenixes sang from the cliffs and peaks. Under the ancient trees, a mythical beast with long horns, resembling a qilin, lay soundly. The rare herbs and flowers never faded, and the green pines and cypresses remained evergreen, just like a fairyland from legend.

Every blade of grass and every animal here would be a rare treasure in China, but the three of them seemed to take it all for granted, continuing their journey toward the center of the island.

Above the island, a white cloud, stirred by the wind, silently followed the three. After traveling several kilometers, they encountered a gathering of people. Their houses were simple wooden or brick structures built from local materials, and they wore coarse linen clothing. Upon seeing Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue arrive, they knelt tremblingly by the roadside, not daring to raise their heads.
Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue were used to all of this from childhood. They walked over with their heads held high. After the two had walked for almost ten minutes, the people kneeling on both sides dared to raise their heads and slowly get up.

Feng Yun watched all this, pursing his lips. If the island lord hadn't dug him out, he would be one of these kneeling people right now.

The further they went into the center of the island, the more luxurious the houses became, illuminated by luminous pearls. The people gradually began to wear more shell and gemstone decorations, and when they saw Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue, they simply bowed in greeting.

At the very center of the island stands a grand palace rising from the ground, covering a thousand square meters. Its carved beams and painted rafters give it a magnificent and imposing appearance. Every brick and tile there would be a rare and highly sought-after material for refining weapons.

Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue flew to the floating palace, followed closely by Feng Yun. In the center of the palace, an old man with white hair and wearing a purple robe was waiting for them.

"Ji Chengyue, Jiang Huan, you're back."

The old man spoke, in an extremely strange tone, as if to assert his authority.

"Reporting to the island lord, as expected, we have made contact with those outside the island and reached a cooperation agreement."

Jiang Huan stepped forward to claim credit, his face showing smugness, as if waiting for the old man's praise.

"Good, good, Huan'er, you did well." The old man nodded, stroking his beard kindly.

Ji Chengyue stepped forward, her face equally arrogant: "Island Lord, the cultivation world outside is too weak right now. There are only a handful of big cats and small cats. Even Jiang Huan and I are among the strongest in the outside world. The cultivation civilization is extremely backward!"

"However, it was somewhat unexpected that these people from outside the island managed to block the first invasion of the Realm of Ultimate Truth. They were quite lucky."

The old man sitting in the center of the hall shook his head: "Cheng Yue, do not underestimate those outside the island. Although they are not orthodox cultivators, they are numerous and some of their techniques and artifacts were left behind. They should not be underestimated."

"I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. Jiang Huan and Cheng Yue have made meritorious contributions in the handover of the island this time, so I will reward them each with a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill."

Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue immediately showed surprise and delight. With a flick of the old man's finger, two green pills fell into Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue's hands.

"However, with rewards come punishments!" In the midst of the conversation, the old man's expression suddenly changed, his originally kind face now filled with majesty, and he suddenly struck Feng Yun Ning Kong, who was holding a sword, with a palm strike on the altar.

The overwhelming momentum and immense spiritual power were like a tidal wave, and Feng Yun, who was holding the sword, was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting out blood.

"As a war slave, you were unknowingly led onto the island by outsiders, and even brought them step by step to the council hall. Feng Yun, after tonight, go down and receive your punishment!!"

Suddenly, the old man sitting in the main seat stood up, squinted his eyes, and walked out of the hall.

"Outsiders, coming to the island?" Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue exchanged a glance, then looked shocked and followed the old man out of the hall.

Feng Yun staggered to his feet and walked out of the hall as well.

Outside the hall, the bright moon hung high in the night sky, with a few clouds drifting by. Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue tried to sense the outsiders the island lord had mentioned, but they could not detect them at all.

"Friends from outside the island, isn't it a bit disrespectful to Fangzhang Mountain to come here uninvited?"

The island master of Fangzhang Mountain had a slightly cold look in his eyes. Just as Jiang Huan and Ji Chengyue were wondering what was going on, a white cloud slowly descended from the sky and gradually revealed the figure of a young Taoist priest as it landed on the ground.

"Li Yang!"

Jiang Huan opened his mouth wide, looking as if he had seen a ghost, and pointed at the young Taoist priest, almost speechless.

Three years ago, he had met Li Yang once on Mount Qingcheng. He intended to force the dying Li Yang to hand over the inheritance of the root method, but was scolded by Li Yang and kicked out of Lao Jun Pavilion. He still remembers it vividly. Now, seeing this familiar face, he was completely dumbfounded.

"Li Yang? Is he the legendary Li Zhenjun from outside the island? Wasn't he long ago? How come he's on the island!"

"No, his cultivation level is very weak. Didn't Li Yang say before he died that he had already attained the Earth Immortal realm?"

Ji Chengyue was also taken aback, then activated her feather robe and looked at Li Yang warily with her soft sword in hand.

"Friends from outside the island, it seems we haven't invited you to the island."

The old man squinted, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked Li Yang up and down.

"I wanted to go up, so I went up."

Li Yang remained calm, showing no panic at being discovered, and met the gazes of the four people opposite him with a composed expression.

He was the ever-changing cloud, following Jiang Huan and the other two all the way to the island.

The old man said in a deep voice, "This island is a secluded paradise and never receives outsiders. That's the rule."

"There is no private land between heaven and earth. I can come and go as I please. This is my rule."

The two exchanged words, each testing the other.

At this moment, Jiang Huan suddenly jumped out excitedly, pointing his long sword at Li Yang, and shouted, "Li Yang, this is not your Baiyun Mountain! You came to the island without permission with ulterior motives, you asked for this!"

Jiang Huan had recovered from his shock and, upon sensing the cultivation aura emanating from Li Yang, immediately jumped out.

Wasn't his relentless pursuit of Wang Shuhuan, Liu Ming, and the other two all for the sake of inheriting the two root cultivation techniques from Baiyun Mountain? Now that the source of those two techniques had appeared before him, and their cultivation level had plummeted from Earth Immortal three years ago to Seed Dao, how could he not be overjoyed?
He thought Li Yang was foolish; since he wasn't dead, he didn't know to hide and recuperate, but instead rushed to the island to die!

Unexpectedly, the island lord, whom Jiang Huan had always considered invincible, stopped him at this moment, looking at Li Yang with a surprised and uncertain expression.
"Cultivator from outside the island, what exactly do you want by coming to my island?"

Jiang Huan looked at the island lord in shock, because the island lord's question was clearly an admission of weakness, indicating that he did not want to start a war with the other side.

Li Yang raised his head slightly, then calmly pointed at Jiang Huanji, Cheng Yue, and Feng Yun: "These three have been bullying and killing my disciples in the outside world. I need them to cripple their own cultivation and cut off one of their arms."

"Furthermore, I need to review all the ancient books and records on the island, including those passed down on your Abbot's Mountain."

The old man frowned, furious at Li Yang's condescending and commanding tone. He had never been threatened like this in thousands of years!

"What if I don't?"

Li Yang stared calmly at the island master of Fangzhang Mountain without flinching: "Within ten sword strikes, I will reduce Fangzhang Mountain to nothing but legend."

(End of this chapter)