Pure Yang!

Chapter 427 The First Blessed Land! The Investiture of the Gods Ceremony, Transcending Mortality and Entering Sainthood
The Zhang family of Longhu is a family of immortals. The most mysterious thing about them is the method of "Investiture of the Gods". Some people once called it the "tenth method" that is independent of the nine supreme inner alchemy methods.

According to the rules, any Zhang family disciple who turns sixteen can participate in the "Investiture of the Gods Grand Ceremony." Once they receive the approval of the ancestral master, they can be enshrined as gods, have their images erected, and be given names and titles. From then on, the distinction between immortals and mortals will be clear, and they will never be the same again.

After the great calamity of Taoism, the Zhang family split into the north and south, and changed the rules. Anyone who was twelve years old could participate in the "Investiture of the Gods" ceremony. If they failed, they would have another chance to make amends at the age of sixteen.

Throughout the history of the Zhang family's northern and southern branches, only Zhang Sheng [Zhang Jiuzhen] broke this rule. When he was born, his primordial spirit was still present, and he was favored by the ancestral master. He was granted the title of god without even participating in the [Investiture of the Gods Grand Ceremony], and was named Jiuzhen.

He was blessed with the fortune of Nan Zhang and was born with the potential to cultivate immortality.

“You should know that to be deified, one must participate in the [Grand Ceremony of Deification], which is a closely guarded secret of Longhu Mountain. Performing this grand ceremony will surely open the [Altar of Ten Thousand Laws],” Zhang Fan said in a deep voice.

The Wanfa Zongtan is one of the four major ancestral altars of Taoism.

To open this altar, one of the three treasures of the Zhang family of Longhu Mountain, the Yangshen Tiandu Treasure Seal, is required, which shows the high level and difficulty of the Fengshen Grand Ritual.

“Of course I know that after the sect split between the North and South, the Wanfa Sect Altar remained in the North, while the Three Treasures fell into the South,” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

"But as you also know, although the Myriad Laws Sect Altar is hailed as the core of a lineage, it cannot be opened without the [Yang God Seal]."

"So that's why Bei Zhang is dissatisfied?" Zhang Fan said coldly.

This is like a rich man who leaves his treasure vault to one son, but gives the key to the vault to another son.

The son guarding the treasure trove would naturally harbor resentment and grow increasingly dissatisfied.

As desires and ambitions grow, internal strife can erupt in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Wuming remained silent. The Three Treasures of Longhu Mountain:
Three or five swords!
Yang Shen Seal!
Supreme Talisman!
This practically represents the authority of the sect leader and the orthodoxy of the sect.

With the destruction of the Southern Zhang, the Yangshen Seal ultimately fell into the hands of the Northern Zhang.

As for the Three-Five Swords and the Supreme Talisman, their whereabouts are unknown.

“When I was very young, my dad took me to the north once,” Zhang Fan suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wuming's brow twitched, and he looked up at Zhang Fan.

“I was young then…” Zhang Fan said in a deep voice.

"That trip must have been very important. I've forgotten what happened, which has made my memory a bit confused."

Logically, after successfully merging with the gods, Zhang Fan should have been able to remember everything from the past. However, there were only a few memories that were extremely vague, including this trip to the north.

"You went to the north for the purpose of bestowing titles upon gods?" Zhang Wuming pressed.

"Even in the north, opinions on destroying the Southern Zhang are not entirely unified," Zhang Fan said in a deep voice.

At that time, the Nan Zhang lineage was mobilizing the entire clan to create a master who had mastered the Three Corpses Illumination Technique, so that the world could be unified and the millennia-old feud between the Daoist sect and the Wuwei sect could be completely resolved.

The pro-war faction in Beizhang naturally did not want to see such a possibility become a reality, as they were the true orthodox lineage of the Dao Ancestor.

The peace faction, however, believed that since they were all of the same origin, this act was a great good, which would change the world order, end future conflicts, and benefit future generations.

The debate ultimately ended with the pro-war faction emerging victorious due to the intervention of Baiheguan.

“Many people in the north sympathize with the south,” Zhang Wuming murmured.

"I know."

"Those people were later purged to varying degrees," Zhang Wuming said, bowing his head.

His parents were pro-peace faction members of the Northern Zhang lineage, and later...

“At that time, Nan Zhang still had many old friends in the north, and some people defied public opinion and extended a helping hand,” Zhang Fan said solemnly.

"You mean, someone helped you and your son open the Myriad Laws Altar and perform a grand conferment ceremony?" Zhang Wuming asked in shock.

Because he was a disciple of Zhang Fei, he knew how incredible, crazy, and risky this action was...

Neither the Wanfa Zongtan nor the Yangshen Seal are things that ordinary disciples of the Northern Zhang sect can access, let alone perform a Investiture of the Gods ritual.

“That Investiture of the Gods ceremony was incomplete and had significant flaws,” Zhang Fan said, shaking his head.

"That's hard to imagine." Zhang Wuming's gaze darkened slightly. "What kind of person could your father trust so much?"

Logically speaking, Zhang Lingzong, having experienced the annihilation of his clan and undergone countless trials, should not have been so easily trusting of others.

You must understand, taking one's offspring to Beizhang is like throwing oneself into the lion's den. If it's a ploy to lure the enemy, then the lineage of Nanzhang will truly be extinguished there.

"I don't know, I don't remember very clearly..."

Zhang Fan shook his head and said, "I only remember that when we came back, there was one more person with us."

"Who?"

“My brother!” Zhang Fan blurted out.

“Zhang Jiuzhen!?” Zhang Wuming’s eyes trembled slightly. He was from Bei Zhang and had naturally heard of this person’s great name.

“He was already dead…” Zhang Fan said in a daze.

He had a vague memory of it and had heard his family mention it.

Back then, when he was born in Qin Gu Town, Zhang Sheng died. In order to save Li Linglong and his unborn son, he stood in front of many powerful enemies, his primordial spirit shattered and turned into essence scattered throughout the world.

But on the way back from that trip north, Zhang Sheng was alive and well by his side.

Zhang Fan knew that something very important must have happened on that trip, but he couldn't remember it.

"So, did you succeed in becoming a god?" Zhang Wuming brought the topic back and pressed for an answer.

"I don't think so," Zhang Fan said uncertainly.

That grand ceremony for the investiture of gods was inherently imperfect and had significant flaws. Moreover, he was still too young at the time and had not yet met the requirements.

"No?!" Zhang Wuming murmured softly, a strange light flashing in his deep eyes.

"That's alright..."

"Once this Dan Yuan Dharma Assembly concludes and the foundation of the mortal sect is established, I will give you a great gift," Zhang Wuming said in a low voice.

"A grand gift!?" Zhang Fan was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What grand gift?"

"You'll know then."

"An extraordinary gift, an unprecedented blessing."

Zhang Wuming's lips curled up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile. The more he did this, the more curious Zhang Fan became, a curiosity that gnawed at his heartstrings.

"Tell me about it," Zhang Fan said, leaning closer.

"I won't say, because there won't be any surprises if I do now."

"No way, I don't want any surprises, just satisfy my curiosity," Zhang Fan pleaded.

"Alright, it's getting late, let's go to sleep."

Zhang Wuming slipped away like an eel.

"No... I'm refining a divine and demonic embryo, what's the point of sleeping?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but say.

"I haven't practiced yet, and I have to get up early tomorrow," Zhang Wuming said.

Why get up early?

"I'll accompany you to Tongluo Mountain." Zhang Wuming waved his hand and turned to leave.

"Hey, let's chat a little longer."

"What surprise is it?"

"I don't want it anymore, can't you just tell me?"

Zhang Fan shouted from behind, watching Zhang Wuming descend the small building.

Zhang Fan didn't sleep a wink that night.

……

The next day, it was just dawn.

The roar of cars echoed through the mountains in front of Xiaoxiang Villa, breaking the tranquility of the early morning.

"Awesome! The Divine Demon Holy Embryo is indeed one of the Nine Laws. You haven't slept all night and you're still so energetic."

Zhang Wuming greeted Zhang Fan with a smile as he walked out of the building.

"A master like you wouldn't die even if you worked overtime every day. You're a natural-born beast of burden," Zhang Wuming joked.

"Tell me," Zhang Fan said, staring at Zhang Fan Wuming with a mournful expression.

"tell you what?"

"What surprise? What incredible fortune?"

"..." "Why are you still thinking about this?" Zhang Wuming pursed his lips and said, "Being too curious is also a sign of restlessness of the mind."

"Your cultivation is still not up to par."

"What surprise is it?"

"..."

"boarding."

Zhang Wuming shook his head, pushed Zhang Fan into the car, and then the engine roared through the mountains. The small blue jeep sped away and gradually disappeared on the long mountain road.

Two hours later, a high mountain gradually came into view. From a distance, it was lush and green, like a cloak, with peaks rising one after another like a fairyland. The mountain was high and reached into the clouds, with a magnificent and awe-inspiring appearance.

"This is Tongluo Mountain!?" Zhang Fan murmured softly.

This is the first blessed land in Xijiang, besides the major Taoist temples and famous mountains.

“Tongluo Mountain is located at the junction of three provinces and is the starting point of Wuyi Mountain, so it is regarded as the place where the southern dragon vein converges,” Zhang Wuming said in a deep voice.

The dragon veins of the world, starting from the ancestral Kunlun, have only three branches in total. The northern branch dragon belongs to the Yinshan system, and the most crucial node is Shangjing, which is the "gap" of the northern branch dragon, and has been rich in imperial aura since ancient times.

The central dragon belongs to the Qinling system, located between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Since ancient times, many dynasties have originated from this area, such as Chang'an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng.

The Southern Dragon belongs to the Nanling system, running along the Yangtze River through Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangdong, and across the sea to Southeast Asia. It is associated with scholars, talents, and merchants. Places like Lingyujing and Shanghai are places where wealth gathers.

Tongluo Mountain is the "burial site" of the Southern Dragon, which is why it has been avoided by dynasties throughout history.

“From the Tang Dynasty onwards, the imperial court sent troops to guard this place strictly, and it was not until the Qing Dynasty that the ban was lifted,” Zhang Wuming said calmly.

"This place is truly extraordinary, a place of outstanding natural beauty and hidden secrets." Zhang Fan was increasingly alarmed as he looked around.

“Of course it’s extraordinary. Since ancient times, the creation of heaven and earth, the essence of mountains and seas, all originate from the dragon veins,” Zhang Wuming said in a deep voice.

"A hundred years ago, this Tongluo Mountain was also a gathering place for demons and ghosts, and was one of the most mysterious mountain and sea realms in the world..."

"The Secret Realm of Mountains and Seas?" Zhang Fan's heart skipped a beat.

In the secluded mountain and sea realms such as the Qinling Mountains, the Ten Thousand Mountains, and the Ailao Mountains, many demons and ghosts are hidden, far from the mortal world, cultivating Taoist arts.

Tongluo Mountain is so special that the demons and ghosts it nurtures are naturally extraordinary as well.

"That's probably not the case now."

Zhang Wuming saw through Zhang Fan's thoughts and grinned, saying, "A hundred years ago, this place went through a catastrophe."

“Someone once entered this place and killed all the demons and ghosts in Tongluo Mountain. Even the demon king of the mountain was not spared.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan was deeply moved.

Such a secluded mountain and sea realm harbors countless demons and ghosts, and hides countless masters, not to mention the mountain demon king, who is the strongest in the world.

"Who is so powerful?"

“The Three Corpse Taoist!” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

"You should know that the Three Corpse Taoist was originally a member of the Zhang family. Many years ago, he returned to the Xijiang region and was chased by Longhu Mountain to Tongluo Mountain."

At that time, the Three Corpse Taoist was not yet the number one expert in the world, but his cultivation had gradually reached a state of perfection.

That incident was a life-or-death ordeal for him, with the Copper Gong Secret Realm ahead and the Dragon and Tiger pursuers behind.

With his unparalleled supernatural powers, he slew all the demons and ghosts in Tongluo Mountain, devoured their primordial spirits, and transformed them into one, thus achieving that unparalleled profound skill.

"Those who survive countless calamities must be in a divine realm," Zhang Fan exclaimed.

"So, this Tongluo Mountain is no ordinary place," Zhang Wuming said meaningfully.

Once a hidden realm of mountains and seas, a place of slaughter among the three corpses, and the site where the Southern Dragon formed its lair... all these things make this treasure mountain exceptionally significant.

"This is the only way we can drive. We'll have to walk."

The two got out of the car and hiked into the mountains.

With Zhang Fan and Zhang Wuming's cultivation levels, even cliffs and precipices were like flat ground to them. In less than half a day, the two of them had penetrated deep into the heart of the mountains.

"There is no signal here."

Zhang Fan took out his phone and found that there was no signal at all, and even the picture on the screen became a little blurry.

“Don’t you even know where you are?” Zhang Wuming said in a deep voice.

The Central Plains are home to many such hidden mountain and sea paradises, which ordinary people are never allowed to set foot in, and there are reasons for this.

In layman's terms, when an ordinary person enters such a place, the magnetic field will become disordered, or even undergo drastic changes.

Some people who are not sick develop illnesses, while others who are sick can heal themselves quickly.

The poor may become rich.

The rich can become poor in the blink of an eye.

Fortune and misfortune, luck and calamity... always change quietly without warning.

That's why this kind of place is not for ordinary people to set foot in.

“This kind of environment affects the primordial spirit of cultivators,” Zhang Fan said meaningfully.

"Therefore, Tongluo Mountain is known as the number one blessed land."

Suddenly, Zhang Wuming raised an eyebrow. As they went deeper, a thick fog rose up around them, a vast expanse of white, thick and billowing.

"nameless!?"

Zhang Fan's expression changed slightly, and when he turned his head, he could no longer see Zhang Wuming's figure.

"That brat... he's hiding something from you."

Just then, the sound of heavy chains clanging echoed in Zhang Fan's mind.

Within Mount Tongluo, the deepest fluctuation of his primordial spirit slowly rose.

"His body contains a Three Corpse Essence Pill..."

"An extremely important Three Corpse Essence Pill!"

The clanging of the chains grew heavier and more intense.

Zhang Fan's brow twitched, and his primordial spirit suddenly trembled, its strange frequency seemingly resonating with the surrounding environment.

Suddenly, countless images of light and shadow leaped out from the deepest part of that primordial spirit.

The night is long and the mountains are deep and secluded.

An ancient altar stands within an abandoned Taoist temple, where figures flash and surge about, and the surrounding environment, though obscured, is filled with an atmosphere of violence and bloodshed.

"Zhang Lingzong, you have some nerve! Your entire clan has been wiped out, yet you still dare to bring your brat to Bei Zhang?"

"Li Cunsi, your [Jia Sheng Gui Si] technique is not yet fully developed, yet you dare to wade into this muddy water?"

"The Divine and Demonic Embryo, born of Jia and dying of Gui... Today, they will all remain in Beizhang!"

A series of fierce roars echoed like thunder, and a terrifying aura descended from the clouds, stretching east and west, pressing down on the ancient altar.

Rumble…

Suddenly, a burst of flame shot into the sky, its power profound and all-encompassing, capable of burning heaven and earth, and actually blocked the ominous and menacing aura.

"Samadhi True Fire!? Nan Zhang's luck is really strong."

A series of sharp shouts rang out, and horrified gazes were cast toward the ancient altar.

Just then, a frail figure slowly emerged. It was a child, still innocent and childlike, yet surrounded by Samadhi True Fire, and its ethereal gaze was terrifyingly inhuman.

At that moment, the child's spirit sat cross-legged three feet above his head.

Amidst a chorus of incredulous gazes, the child's spirit began to crack apart inch by inch.

"Xiao Fan..."

The shattered primordial spirit scattered around like fluorescent lights, and a bizarre scene unfolded.

The child's primordial spirit breathed softly, swallowing the shattered primordial spirit into its belly. With each breath, the Samadhi True Fire around its body dimmed a little.

When the true fire dissipated, the child's primordial spirit suddenly opened his eyes, and when he opened his mouth, he actually spat out another primordial spirit.

That primordial spirit was slightly older than him, and nine layers of divine light converged behind him, creating a terrifying aura that soared into the sky and shook the northern lands.

"Nine True Saint King!?"

"These two brats from Nanzhang... they're defying the heavens!?"

(End of this chapter)