Pure Yang!

Chapter 419 The Abbot of Qingyun Temple! The Three Corpse Taoist and the Talisman-Swallowing Technique

Xijiang Province, Hongzhou City.

Late at night, a silver-white car was driving on National Highway 502.

Inside the car, the lights were dim and yellow. Zhang Wuming looked down at his phone. The screen was covered with dense text, and he didn't know what kind of Taoist classic or mystical text it was.

He stood upright, his eyes focused, his mind completely absorbed, forgetting himself and the world around him, as if he no longer knew what heaven and earth were.

Such a mysterious and profound state made Zhang Fan take a second look.

Taoist texts say that the human heart naturally desires stillness, but desires pull it away. By constantly dispelling desires, the heart will naturally become still; by purifying the heart, the spirit will naturally become clear.

Those who can purify themselves will surely enter the realm of pure Yang and limitless.

Although Zhang Wuming was not deified or had his image erected in Beizhang, his talent, temperament, and sincerity and seriousness towards cultivation already surpassed that of the vast majority of people.

Thinking of this, Zhang Fan couldn't help but wonder what kind of scriptures or classics could immerse him in them, allowing him to become focused and forget himself.

"What are you looking at?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Wuming seemed not to hear anything; he was as if he had entered another world, where he could neither see nor hear, and there was nothing in front of him.

"What a good heart," Zhang Fan thought to himself, and then said nothing more.

Just then, Zhang Wuming seemed to return from another world, put down his phone, and rubbed his temples.

"What were you looking at just now? The classics of Longhu Mountain? Or the alchemy methods of Bei Zhang?" Zhang Fan asked again upon seeing this.

"You mean this?"

Zhang Wuming held up his phone, and Zhang Fan stared at the screen before him, momentarily stunned.

The screen displays the bookshelf of the reading app, prominently featuring...

"Transmigrating to the Middle Ages During the Black Death, I Awakened the Divine Healer System"

Saving Kennedy: Start by Giving Him a Level 3 Helmet

"The Rich Young Master Falls in Love with Me, the Stay-at-Home Grandson"

……

"..."

Zhang Fan rolled his eyes, then looked at Zhang Wuming with a strange expression.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Wuming asked.

"No...it's okay."

Zhang Fan shook his head and gently patted his cheek.

"Where are we going now?" Zhang Fan changed the subject and asked.

“Qingyun Temple!” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

The Zhang family of Longhu has been away from Xijiang for eighty years, splitting up in the north and south. Countless people are watching them closely, and any move they make could have far-reaching consequences. It's impossible for them to just return whenever they want.

Moreover, the ancestral precepts still apply, and no member of the Zhang family may ever set foot on their ancestral land again.

"Does the ancestral precept mean that the Zhang family should kill each other?" Zhang Fan sneered.

Zhang Wuming pondered for a moment, then said, "The great calamity of the Daoist sect has a huge impact."

"This is the place where the Zhang family was destined to suffer calamity, so the clan is very wary of it and attaches great importance to this ancestral precept."

"But they can't give up Xijiang. After all, the Zhang family will eventually come back."

"Over the years, Bei Zhang has secretly supported and cultivated many experts."

"Throughout the entire Xijiang Province, there are thirty-six Grand Views and seventy-two Small Views..."

These Taoist temples are naturally incomparable to the behemoths with thousands of years of history, such as Sanqing Mountain, Gezao Mountain, and Magu Mountain, but together they still constitute a considerable force.

In ancient times, before the end of the Dharma era, there were many masters of alchemy.

At that age, only those who truly reach the level of "Master of the Temple" can become the master of a temple and occupy a blessed mountain.

Now, in this degenerate age, the Dao is difficult to transmit, so there are no longer so many rules and regulations.

The abbot has long since blended into the world, becoming an ordinary position.

In some bustling downtown areas, there are Taoist temples. Wearing a Taoist robe, one becomes the abbot of a temple, bewitching worldly believers and earning money from incense offerings.

It must be said that this is the end of the road for cultivation, and a tragedy for the Taoist community.

Bei Zhang cultivated abbots of Taoist temples of all sizes, with varying levels of strength. The weak ones couldn't even reach the level of high-ranking Taoist priests, while the strong ones included great masters at the level of head of the temple.

Zhang Wuming's purpose in setting foot in Xijiang this time is to integrate the various Taoist temples, large and small, to participate in the Danyuan Dharma Assembly, and to lay the foundation for the Zhang family's future return to Xijiang and Longhu.

"It's not a good job," Zhang Fan said solemnly.

Leaving aside the question of whether these Taoist temples, when combined, can compete with major sects like Sanqing Mountain and Gezao Mountain for business, simply integrating these loosely organized Taoist temples is no easy task.

People's hearts are easily scattered, and it's hardest to unite them. Even the Zhang family of Longhu Mountain has a north-south conflict, let alone these outsiders who have come to attach themselves to them!

“You’re right. The Zhang family has been gone for too long. People’s hearts are hard to fathom. These people who occupy this place are like regional officials. It’s inevitable that they will have other ideas.” Zhang Wuming nodded.

"If one can be the leader, who would willingly remain subordinate to another?"

"So we'll go to Qingyun Temple first."

Pang Qingyun, the abbot of Qingyun Temple, was the most loyal of the many masters cultivated and supported by the Northern Zhang.

Almost every year, he would personally travel to Beizhang to pay tribute and offer his regards.

Therefore, the people in Beizhang had a high opinion of him and provided him with a lot of help and convenience.

"Pang Qingyun's aptitude was already at its limit, as he could only cultivate to the high level."

“I heard that last year, he had already entered the [Great Master] realm, and his primordial light had already been generated,” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

"It seems that Bei Zhang values ​​him highly," Zhang Fan said calmly.

“Pang Qingyun is a talented person. He has a lot of influence. In his early years, he was involved in smuggling and was well-connected in both the legitimate and criminal worlds,” Zhang Wuming said calmly.

Pang Qingyun is capable and loyal enough. By using him, we can understand the current situation of Taoist temples of all sizes in Xijiang Province, which will facilitate integration.

Zhang Wuming's first step back to Xijiang was naturally extremely steady.

"Treating others and restoring order... that is also a form of spiritual practice."

Zhang Wuming slowly closed his eyes, and a composure and magnanimity that seemed beyond his years were faintly revealed in his body.

……

It was late at night, and the bright moon hung high in the sky.

In the suburbs of Hongzhou City, in a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, a Taoist temple is nestled on the shore of a lake, ancient and solemn, with a long-standing charm.

Inside the temple, incense smoke curled continuously, and the faint sound of bells could be heard.

Qingyun Temple is located in the South Bank Scenic Area. It is usually very popular with worshippers, especially on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month. Many worshippers line up before dawn to enter and offer the first incense as a sign of their sincerity.

"I've wanted to get off this dilapidated ship in Beizhang for a long time."

Inside the quiet hall, a sound as resounding as a great bell rang out.

Below the altar, a man dressed in a Taoist robe held a whisk, wore two gold rings inlaid with gemstones on his right hand, had a ruddy complexion, and a scar at the corner of his eye that extended to his ear.

Pang Qingyun rubbed his palms together, slowly put down the whisk, and turned to light an incense stick.

“Brother Ming, with the Three Pure Ones above, my heart is as clear as day.”

As he spoke, Pang Qingyun burned incense and offered prayers, his eyes revealing a hint of piety.

Just then, a man emerged from the corner. He appeared to be in his thirties, with his long hair tied up in a topknot.

"Those who understand the times are the heroes," Ming Shenxiu said calmly.

"The Zhang family is a thing of the past, Brother Pang needs to find a way out for himself."

"Brother, you hail from Gezao Mountain and have honed your skills at the Dao Alliance Headquarters for many years. Now you hold an important position in the [Divine Power Association]. With you acting as matchmaker, of course I know how to choose," Pang Qingyun chuckled. The Zhang family has been away from Longhu Mountain and Xijiang Province for far too long, especially during the North-South conflict, which cost them countless resources and strength.

But Ming Shenxiu, standing before us, represents more than just the local power of Gezao Mountain; behind him are the Dao Alliance Headquarters and the Baihe Temple…

Even a fool could figure out the right choice.

Although Pang Qingyun was a cultivator, he was a businessman at heart. He knew how to weigh the pros and cons and knew when to advance and retreat.

“Brother Pang, this is the wisest choice you’ve ever made in your life,” Ming Shenxiu said in a deep voice.

"I will help you stand out at this Dan Yuan Dharma Assembly, and naturally I will also let your Qingyun Temple get a share of the benefits."

"If you can poach all the forces that Bei Zhang has cultivated over the years, the more you poach, the more benefits you will naturally receive."

Ming Shenxiu painted a big picture.

Pang Qingyun grinned, clearly not a naive chick who could be fooled by a few sweet words.

"Brother Ming, I heard that the higher-ups are going to reopen Longhu Mountain. When that happens..."

Pang Qingyun was worried. If Longhu Mountain were to reopen, the Zhang family would likely return, and what if they were to settle scores then…

“The Zhang family…” Ming Shenxiu’s lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile.

"Things are not like they were eighty years ago now. They're just yesterday's news, not worth mentioning. No matter how powerful the Zhang family is, can they be bigger than the Dao Alliance?"

Eighty years ago, Longhu Mountain was indeed the leading Taoist sect in the world, having ruled the Xuanmen sect for dozens of generations.

However, eighty years can change many things.

After the founding of the nation, everything was renewed; now, everything has changed.

“Don’t even mention that the Zhang family is no longer the Zhang family it used to be, even if it is…” Ming Shenxiu said calmly.

"The Dao Alliance will not allow such an awesome person to exist."

“I understand.” Pang Qingyun nodded.

He suddenly realized that the Dao Alliance might have played a role in the Zhang family's conflict between the North and South more than 30 years ago, since that incident had indeed greatly weakened the Zhang family's power.

This lineage is indeed vastly different from what it used to be.

“Brother Pang, as long as your heart is loyal, no one can make things difficult for you,” Ming Shenxiu promised again.

"Brother, I understand."

Pang Qingyun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

The key to long-term success lies in assessing the situation and being resourceful in all aspects. As circumstances change, people must also adapt to change in order to achieve success and overcome all obstacles.

The abbot of Qingyun Temple now had a clear understanding of the path ahead and how to proceed.

“Master… Senior Brother…”

Just then, a weak and feeble voice came from outside the main hall.

Immediately afterwards, a man and a woman were helped in by two young Taoist disciples; they were none other than Wan Renshan and Zhong Ningyan.

The two men were pale and weak, as if they had just recovered from a serious illness; they were listless and their eyes had lost their luster.

"Um!?"

Ming Shenxiu's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly stepped forward to check.

"what happened?"

"us……"

Wan Renshan had just opened his mouth when he suddenly seemed to freeze, standing there blankly, his eyes vacant and seemingly detached.

"What exactly happened?" Ming Shenxiu raised an eyebrow and pressed for an answer.

Wan Renshan and Zhong Ningyan exchanged a glance, stammering and completely bewildered.

Their memories seemed to be fragmented into countless pieces, impossible to piece together. Even when they tried to visualize them with their primordial spirit, they could only stammer out a vague outline after a long time.

"Brother Ming, what's going on with these two fellow disciples of yours?" Pang Qingyun asked in a deep voice.

In his eyes, Wan Renshan and Zhong Ningyan were like people suffering from mental illnesses, just pulled out of a mental hospital, with hazy memories, and even occasional blanks and pauses, standing there motionless.

“Their primordial spirits have been tampered with,” Ming Shenxiu said in a deep voice.

"You tampered with it?" Pang Qingyun's expression changed slightly.

The Dao of the Primordial Spirit is a profound and mysterious spiritual force. Adding or subtracting even a fraction of it will have a tremendous impact. In the world today, there are very few methods that can manipulate the Primordial Spirit.

Those who are not proficient in this art cannot accomplish this task.

“They’ve encountered a master, and not just any master,” Ming Shenxiu said solemnly.

Although Wan Renshan didn't give a detailed account of the details, he did describe the process of his fight with others.

"The Great Fire Divine Talisman is the ultimate technique of our Gezao Mountain. Junior Brother Wan has cultivated it for many years and has already mastered three-tenths of its power," Ming Shenxiu analyzed.

"That person's methods were rarely strange. His primordial spirit was empty, yet he was able to forcefully suppress the seals and talismans."

"This method seems familiar..."

Ming Shenxiu frowned, revealing a thoughtful expression.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and a look of sudden realization dawned on him.

"Swallowing Talisman Technique!?" Ming Shenxiu said thoughtfully.

"The Swallowing Talisman Technique? Isn't that..." Pang Qingyun's expression changed slightly, clearly indicating that the abbot of Qingyun Temple had also heard of the great name of this technique.

The talismans of the Three Mountains all return to the Dragon and Tiger.

The ways of talismans and incantations throughout the world cannot escape the confines of the Three Mountains.

Longhu Mountain, Gezao Mountain, and Maoshan Mountain have the deepest attainments in the art of talismans, and throughout history, they have nurtured countless masters of this art.

A hundred years ago, a disciple emerged from Longhu Mountain. He was not deified or given a statue, but he created a talisman technique. His primordial spirit was empty, yet he could devour all the talismans in the world.

This talisman is the method of swallowing talismans.

As for that disciple, he later became the famous number one martial arts master in the world, the Three Corpses Taoist.

"Brother Ming, could this really be the Devouring Talisman Technique?" Pang Qingyun asked solemnly.

He had traveled to Beizhang many times, where he knew firsthand how terrifying the Three Corpse Taoist was. Even after a hundred years, anything related to him still terrified people.

The technique of swallowing talismans alone is enough to make all other talisman-related arts pale in comparison.

"It's still uncertain. If we could fight this person, we might be able to see his true strength," Ming Shenxiu said, shaking his head.

"Brother Pang, you don't need to worry too much. Not to mention that it's still uncertain, even if the successor of the Three Corpses reappears in the world today, or the Wuwei Sect Master is resurrected, he won't be able to cause any trouble."

Ming Shenxiu's words were too grandiose, even bordering on arrogant and unrestrained. Of course, it's also possible that he knew such a possibility didn't exist, which is why he could utter such outrageous words.

“Brother Pang, our agreement is settled,” Ming Shenxiu suddenly said.

“I’ll take them back first; maybe that will help me find out their origins and whereabouts.”

As he spoke, he looked at Wan Renshan and Zhong Ningyan with some pity. He knew that these two junior brothers and sisters were ruined. Their primordial spirits had many problems. If this continued, although their cultivation would not be ruined, they would forget more and more things, such as cultivation secrets and sect spells... They would forget everything.

Now, their greatest value lies in finding each other's whereabouts.

"Don't worry, brother, I will never go back on my word."

Pang Qingyu smiled slightly, held a whisk in her hand, swept it in the air, and was about to get up to see the guest off.

He knew that the grand plan was set, and it was a major turning point in his life, enough to open up at least fifteen years of great fortune for him.

"Bei Zhang..."

"Zhang Wuming pays his respects to the Abbot of Qingyun Temple."

Just then, a loud voice came from outside the door, echoing in the dark night and landing inside the ancient and simple hall.

(End of this chapter)