Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 228: Changyun's Past
Luo Qing.

It was early spring, the time of Jingzhe. In the mountains, monks in dark Taoist robes traveled back and forth between the peaks, blowing away the clouds and carrying colorful streams of light. It was a very lively scene. The most people came to the Alchemy Room and the Sutra Library.

In the clouds, a fire crane flapped its wings, stirring up gusts of fiery wind. It was as tall as a person, with streaks of fire on its long crimson feathers and a long beak like a sword. It was now half-lying above the clouds.

The three women stood beside the crane, each with a different expression.

Fan Huayan looked a little worried. Her cultivation had already broken through the sixth level of Qi Refining. Beside her was a maid, Xianghe. She had been sent to the north to gather information over the years, and now she was recalled.

On the clear white water was a woman in a green skirt. It was Fan Qingzhu, who was at the initial stage of foundation building. She was looking at the spiritual peak where the sect leader was, waiting patiently.

On the Tianqing Peak, thousands of silver warriors gathered and concentrated on the Juzhen Palace. Thunder roared and bombarded down one after another. A figure appeared and absorbed all the lightning from above, leaving not a drop behind.

It has been over a month since Xu Xuan returned from Taiping Mountain. He has been contemplating the "Explanation of the Sword of the Two Qi of Life and Death". This sutra points directly to the secrets of the Taoist tradition and uses the two energies of life and death as swords. According to legend, the King of Yue dreamed of entering the underworld and his soul was captured. The Yue girl then took advantage of this to enter the underworld alone to find her king.

This sword manual is extremely obscure, and the difficulty of comprehension is almost the same as that of the [Thunder Gripping Technique]. If it is divided into grades, it is also the sixth grade. In addition to describing the great principles of life and death, it also contains some theories on the art of flying swords.

Xu Xuan's main focus in comprehending this sutra was the [Xuan Qi Lei Mu] in his body. This spiritual object given by his senior brother was no longer of much use nowadays. It fell into his qi sea and was just an embellishment, but its nature was somewhat related to the changes of life and death.

This tree was struck by lightning, and its spirituality was destroyed, but a little vitality was born inside it, which was extremely precious. What he was thinking about was how to recreate this process.

Over the past few months, he has been holding an altar to draw in heavenly thunder, and has been struck nearly a hundred times. He even mobilized the [Heavenly Ring Divine Bombardment Formation] to help, but gained very little. The reason was that his body was too strong now, and his blood was surging. If he fully displayed the [Jade Blood Heavenly Heart Technique], his body would probably be almost the same as that of a blood-qi cultivator.

Thunder struck down, but his vitality was still strong. He recovered after consuming some blood and energy, but he could not grasp the feeling of coming back to life.

After absorbing all the lightning, three people and a crane descended from the sky on the wind. Xu Xuan was a little surprised. He glanced at them and had some guesses in his mind.

The green pine in front of the hall is still as old, swaying slightly in the wind. The warm spring sun shines through the pine needles and branches. Three different sword energies flow slowly around the ancient tree and pour onto the ground.

"Master Fan, I wonder why you came to my peak?" Xu Xuan stood down and looked at the other party with deep eyes.

Fan Qingzhu looked at Xu Xuan, bowed slightly, looked hesitantly at the middle-aged Taoist priest with a sword on his back, and said in a deep voice:
"Master, I came here today to say goodbye."

In fact, Xu Xuan understood as soon as he saw the fire crane. Liu Xiaowen had originally entrusted this fire crane to Fan Huayan for care, and now that it had been sent back, it must be leaving.

"Why are you so anxious? Everything is stable in the mountains now. We have no shortage of spiritual veins and food. Why not let Hua Yan build his foundation before leaving?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Huayan's face showed some embarrassment. She looked at her master, and the two of them exchanged glances. The woman then slowly spoke:

"Senior, you may not know that my physique is different from that of ordinary people. I am afraid that I cannot build my foundation safely."

"Why?"

Xu Xuan was a little confused, but then he saw Fan Huayan whispered:
"My master and I are originally from the Yunxiang Prefecture in the north. We belong to the Changyun Sect, which is the Huashui Daoist sect. As for my physique, there was a name in ancient times called it 'Hua Xiang Nu'."

"My mother didn't have a Taoist partner, so she used the essence of water to give birth to me. If it were ancient times, I would have an excellent physique, similar to a noble species among monsters, but my cultivation speed is faster than that of monsters."

"If that's the case, doesn't it mean he has an excellent physique? Is there any change now?" Xu Xuan frowned slightly. Fan Huayan's cultivation speed was not very fast, just average.

At this time, Fan Huayan nodded slightly and looked at Fan Qingzhu beside her. She took a step back and let her master speak.

"Master, this is difficult to explain. Let me briefly discuss it." Fan Qingzhu's eyebrows furrowed, a hint of worry appearing on her beautiful face. "The ancestors of the Changyun Sect came from the South China Sea and were already established during the Qi Kingdom."

"At that time, our sect, through our bloodline, gave birth to two generations of [Transformation Girls], all of whom became Purple Palaces and flourished. Moreover, at that time, the water transformed into the world to show the Dao, and the South Sea Dragon Seed retreated, becoming the Daoist place of [Cihui] Yuanjun."

"However, later on, someone unknown happened to this person, and he split into two. One was called [Holy Mercy Yuanmu] and fled to the extreme south, while the other was called [True Demon Bodhisattva] and widely spread Buddhism in Liao land."

Xu Xuan saw that he was involved with Shi Xiu and asked softly:

"To be called a Bodhisattva, what kind of realm is this?"

"As immortals cultivating the Golden Elixir realm, one can actually be called an enlightened being at this level. But for some reason, this person still considers himself a Bodhisattva."

Fan Qingzhu frowned slightly and continued:
"Since then, problems have arisen in the bloodline of the Fan family of Changyun Sect. The [Transformation Girl] also showed signs of being in two stages. Moreover, the great Bodhisattva was nearby, and the two of you were inspired to go and pay your respects."

"That person's path is not a good Dharma. It has the appearance of gathering all desires and loving only oneself. The world worships him as a benevolent being and pleads with him in every way, but he receives no love from the lower world. In the end, all are absorbed into his Dharma appearance and become one with him."

"If Hua Yan wants to establish his foundation now, he will probably have to go to the South Sea, close to that Yuan Mu. If he makes preparations early, he can achieve his immortal foundation and rebuild Changyunmen."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan understood that Fan Qingzhu did have his reasons, and he had never said at the beginning that he would always serve in the sect, so it was reasonable for him to leave now.

"Over the years, Master Fan has participated in battles of all sizes, risking his life in battle. Now that he's leaving for some reason, I naturally won't stop him."

"Since we are leaving and rebuilding the mountain gate, we should go to the spiritual storehouse to get some magical instruments and spiritual objects. This will make things much easier."

Xu Xuan gave a letter to Fan Qingzhu, asking her to go to the Spiritual Treasury and retrieve something with the letter.

"How can this be possible? The sect has already refined a foundation-building magic weapon for me. If I take it again, it will be a bit..."

Fan Qingzhu was a little surprised. She had saved up some money over the years. As a worshipper, she received a lot of spiritual supplies and food. She even asked the sect to refine the [Pure Jade Yuan Bottle] into a mid-grade foundation-building magic weapon for her.

But before she could finish her words, Xu Xuan said in a deep voice:
"I have witnessed all of Protector Fan's actions over the years. He has saved the lives of many of our disciples. Now that he is leaving, please consider it as our help in rebuilding Changyun."

Fan Qingzhu, a look of deep emotion, nodded anxiously. He thanked Xu Xuan along with the two women beside him. Fan Huayan looked at Huo He, who was standing beside him, and asked him to step forward and approach Xu Xuan. "This Huo He will be returned to the sect today. He has now reached the sixth level of Qi Refining and has shared a life-or-death bond with Fellow Daoist Xiao Wen. He is currently in good condition."

"Can you have a name?"

Xu Xuan was about to ask, but he was only paying attention to the life energy of the fire crane to see the condition of his disciple, and did not ask for the name.

"Reporting to the headmaster, my name is Liu Yanyu, a name given to me by Master Xiaowen in the past."

The flaming crane suddenly spoke in a childish voice, looked up with its black eyes, and lowered its head slightly.

"Can you speak?"

"Since I broke through the sixth level, I can speak human language."

Fan Huayan, who was standing by, had a look of reluctance in his eyes. After all, he had been with this Fire Crane for a long time. At this moment, Fan Qingzhu spoke first, saying in a deep voice:
"Since that's the case, we will obey the Sect Leader's orders. As for the magical instruments and spiritual objects, if Changyun is rebuilt one day, I will return them."

Xu Xuan just smiled slightly. Fan Qingzhu was a smart man who knew his limits and was easy to get along with.

"Speaking of which, can you let me retrieve the jade pendant that was left behind? It was passed down from my ancestors and has no magical properties, but it means a lot to me."

Fan Huayan had a pleading look on her face, and lowered her voice to the lowest level. Xu Xuan remained silent for a while. The jade pendant had already been completely integrated into the ancient stele, so how could it be returned? He replied:
"Originally, Xiao Wen kept this item. He took it with him when he went to the East China Sea. I'm afraid it will be difficult to exchange it now."

"Then leave it with him first. I'll ask about it when we meet again."

Fan Huayan's expression relaxed a little at this time, and for some reason, he lowered his head.

The three of them thanked Xu Xuan again for his kindness over the years, then flew away on the wind. The fire cranes beside Xu Xuan cried out a few times to bid farewell.

"Changyun Sect, Cihui Yuanjun, where did this jade pendant come from?"

Xu Xuan thought for a moment. If that was the case, there might be fragments in the two inheritances he had divided out. He should be careful in the future. Besides, Fan Qingzhu was going to the South China Sea, and his dragon body was there, so he had many means at his disposal.

"When I traveled the world, Cihui Yuanjun was also well-known for his kindness. When the countries were in turmoil, he, despite being a golden elixir, saved many mortal lives. But now he has ended up like this."

Tian Tuo sighed softly. Xu Xuan remained silent. He looked at Liu Yanyu beside him and said in a deep voice:
"Yanyu, you are already at the sixth level. Have you ever thought about any affairs in the sect in the future?"

There was some doubt in the flamingo's dark eyes. It opened its long beak slightly and whispered:

"Yan Yu doesn't know. During these years of daily training, I was either thinking about my master or not. I don't know what I can do."

"In that case, I will take you to a good place."

Xu Xuan smiled as he rode the wind straight up, his body transformed into a flash of lightning, heading towards the direction of the heavenly strike, with the fire crane following closely behind him.

On the top of Huangqi Peak on Tianli Mountain, there are several magnificent palaces made of black copper and iron. Over the years, Wen Guang picked and chose, and moved all the treasure rooms, formations and furnishings related to refining equipment in Chi Ming Mansion here.

Nowadays, all the standard magic weapons in the sect are refined in the Houhuo Hall of Dangxia Peak, and are used to arm disciples and sell them. However, the main wife Duan is dedicated to the research of various magic weapons, focusing on refined research.

Xu Xuan landed in the open space in front of the palace. He had recast Dan Ting here, and it was almost finished, so he brought Yan Yu with him.

A fierce quarrel was heard in the weapon room, which made Xu Xuan frown slightly. The fire crane beside him stretched his neck and listened sideways.

"Are you crazy? You're moving this soul flag. Aren't you afraid that the master will punish you?" Wen Guang's voice sounded loud and he seemed a little guilty.

"Wen Guang, don't say anything yet. I feel like it's almost done." This was Cheng Yan's voice.

Xu Xuan's forehead was immediately covered with black lines. The several magical instruments left by Ci Hai, the Jinlan cassock, the Karma Fire Ring Knife, and the most precious Soul Banner, all had the aura of the devil. They were still there, and now they were asked to take them out.

He gestured for silence, asked Huo He to wait outside, and then he restrained his breath and walked inside.

In the weapon room, a large black banner was hung in the air, filled with demonic energy and surrounded by raging red fire. At the very top was a sky roc transformed from lightning, showing off its might and emitting sword intent, trying to hold the banner in place to prevent the demonic energy from escaping.

Wang Chengyan was concocting various spiritual liquids and pouring them onto the large banner, causing demonic energy to surge. Wen Guang stood aside, operating the Yangyang Furnace with a dazed look in his eyes.

The man, the sword, and the fire were all frightened when they saw someone coming from outside. They hurriedly put away the big banner. Wen Guang shrank behind and nudged Wang Chengyan with his elbow, pushing him in front of Xu Xuan.

Then the fire spirit quickly dived into the Yangyang furnace, and the sword spirit transformed by Dan Ting immediately dissipated.

"You two." Wang Chengyan's eyes darkened, and he forced a smile. He looked at the head master uncle in front of him and said softly:
"Master, you have come out of seclusion, congratulations."

"Ah."

Xu Xuan patted Cheng Yan's shoulder gently and said softly:

"You've made it big."

Wang Chengyan's face suddenly darkened and he looked worried. Xu Xuan looked behind him and angrily shouted:
"Wen Guang, Dan Ting, both of you, get out here!"

Outside, a crane head slowly poked its head in, its black eyes full of confusion.

(End of this chapter)