Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 40 Apprenticeship
It has been more than ten days since Xu Xuan last entered [Dongyuan].

[Jade Blood Heavenly Heart Technique] He was still contemplating this secret technique, which originated from ancient times and contained many wonderful theories. It imitated the extraordinary behavior of ancient saints.

Among the ancient ancestors, there were many supernatural beings. They were born by the inspiration of heaven. They had double pupils on all four sides, dragon faces and sun horns, broad heads and ox bodies, and jade bowls in their chests. The so-called saints had extraordinary appearances and were inspired by the changes of heaven and earth. This is what they meant.

[Blood Qi] is a sect that is hated by everyone nowadays and is almost equated with the practice of demons, but this [Jade Blood Heavenly Heart Technique] is a grand way that directly points to the key secrets of the human body and follows the example of the ancients.

Although the strange appearances achieved through this method are merely borrowed from the ancients' magical powers, each one has a function, and when multiple ones are added together, they are still very powerful.

Xu Xuan has only just begun to enter the realm of enlightenment, having been born with a Jade Blood Heart. He can then cultivate this to become one of the Eight Great Daos, many of which are truly miraculous. The Nine Symbols becoming one is even more profound. According to Tian Tuo, if one cultivates from the Blood Qi lineage, they can even achieve a special Dharmakaya.

With his current level of Qi training, he could cultivate at most one more extraordinary form. He would take a long breath and end his training. He would be not far from cultivating the next extraordinary form, but he didn't know which one it would be.

There was a signal from the mountain gate formation that someone was visiting.

No one has visited Luo Qing for some time. Wen Xiuyun from the Qiuhu Sect came here once before to discuss how to resist the monks.

Her mountain gate is also close to Dapan. Some monks went there but they only made small moves. Baohu Mountain is barren and Lotus Temple has no interest in it. The main pressure was borne by Dachiguan.

The person who came to visit today surprised Xu Xuan a little. It was someone from the Liu family.

Dajingyuan and Qingwei have always had an ambiguous relationship. Although Xu Xuan is also involved in some affairs of the yuan, he does not need to face these disputes directly. Now that someone from the Liu family has come, there is something interesting about it.

Liu Xiaowen had already come down the mountain to greet them. Seeing that the visitor was Liu Baiyuan, he smiled and welcomed him into the mountain. The two had known each other when the underground palace was being cleansed. Now that they met again, they felt a lot of emotion.

Behind Liu Baiyuan followed a young man who seemed to be his junior, no more than thirteen or fourteen years old, with a handsome appearance and a somewhat frightened look in his eyes. He followed behind Liu Baiyuan and said nothing more after bowing.

Liu Xiaowen saw this and asked about their purpose. He then led the two of them to the guest hall, while he went to question Xu Xuan.

At Tianqing Peak, Liu Xiaowen had arrived in front of Juzhen Palace. He was about to ask his master, but saw Xu Xuan had already come out.

"How many people from the Liu family came?"

"There are two of them, Liu Baiyuan and his junior, who is about thirteen or fourteen years old."

Xu Xuan got the answer and had some guesses in his mind, so he ordered Liu Xiaowen to lead the two of them here.

After a while, Liu Baiyuan arrived at Tianqing Peak. Seeing Xu Xuan, he hurriedly bowed and said in a deep voice:
"Greetings, Senior. I have come here on my father's orders to pay my respects. I wish you a speedy attainment of your immortal foundation and may your sword spirit flow as you desire."

Liu Baiyuan was humble in his speech, quite like a scholar, and as handsome as his father, but he was somewhat different from the dissolute young man Liu Qiuci.

"No need to be polite. Bai Yuan has achieved great success in Qi training at this age and can be considered a talented person. I am also happy to see the friendship between our two families."

After saying that, Xu Xuan invited a few people into the hall. After all, Liu Baiyuan was visiting on behalf of the Liu family, so etiquette must be maintained.

After a few people exchanged pleasantries for a while, Liu Baiyuan stated his purpose of coming, his voice somewhat hesitant:
"Senior, I came here this time to send a young member of my clan to join your temple, so that our two families can have a closer relationship. What do you think?"

Xu Xuan had already noticed the young man standing behind Liu Baiyuan and had some guesses, but he did not raise any questions.

"Become a disciple? But the tricks involved are a bit difficult."

Xu Xuan thought about everything, especially knowing Chi Yunnan's plan, and saw some unusual meaning in the Liu family's behavior.

At the moment, Xu Xuan did not agree directly, but looked at the young man. Liu Baiyuan on the opposite side understood and said with a smile:

"Xingfang, come forward and let the senior take a look."

The young man named Xingfang stepped forward with a hopeful look on his face, and his manners and words were respectful.

Xu Xuan took a look and found that the young man in front of him actually had an eight-inch spiritual root. This was a qualification that had reached the threshold of foundation building and was extremely extraordinary.

If he found someone like this among mortals, he would naturally have no doubts and would just bring him back to the mountain gate. However, the Liu family is a foundation-building family, and their background is much deeper than what he has. If Liu Xingfang enters the mountain gate, it would be difficult to know how to teach him and how to treat him.

Judging from what Liu Baiyuan meant, he wanted this junior to become his disciple, practice in the temple, and finally come to Qingwei. Although Xu Xuan was good friends with Liu Qiuci, this behavior was indeed a bit sensitive.

If Liu Xingfang entered the mountains and imparted his true teachings, what would happen if the young man still cared about the Liu family? If he deliberately ignored him, it would inevitably damage the friendship between the two families.

Xu Xuan hesitated for a moment. Liu Baiyuan, who was standing beside him, was very smart and naturally figured out this key point. He smiled and said,

"Senior, rest assured. Xingfang grew up in my small clan. He has a very good temperament and has longed for the way of the sword since he was young."

"After that, my family didn't interfere much in this matter. Senior, you can teach on your own."

After saying that, Liu Baiyuan took out a green wooden treasure box, opened it and handed it over.

A thumb-sized ginseng man crawled out from inside, very agile, bowing to all directions.

"This is the [Ghost Cover Boy], a foundation-building-level [Ji Mu] spirit essence. It has the wonderful effect of cultivating spirits and nurturing them. It can gradually improve the earth's energy and enhance the quality of the spiritual fields."

"This is the gift from my family as a token of my apprenticeship. I hope you will accept it."

Xu Xuan thought about it and decided to agree to this matter. He had already made some agreements with Liu Qiuci. If anything unexpected happened in the future, the two families would always have contact. If Xu Xuan successfully established his foundation, these would just be trivial matters.

After all, Chi Yunnan is about to face a demonic disaster, so it would be a good thing to get closer to the Liu family.

"Bai Yuan is indeed thoughtful. I'm worried that my cultivation level is not high enough and I'm afraid I won't be able to teach the nobles' children well enough."

"Since Bai Yuan is so concerned, then this matter is settled."

Liu Xingfang stepped forward and performed the ceremony of becoming a disciple, with an unconcealable smile on his face.

Liu Baiyuan thanked Xu Xuan and seemed to have something else to say, but was a little hesitant. Xu Xuan saw it clearly and asked Liu Xiaowen to take Liu Xingfang to Luoqing for a walk and see the scenery.

At this moment, only Xu Xuan and Liu Baiyuan were left in this side hall.

Liu Baiyuan stood up and saluted with a serious expression, as if he was finally going to tell the purpose of his visit. His voice trembled slightly as he whispered:

"Senior, I came here this time because I have other matters to discuss."

"Senior, what do you think of the current situation?"

Xu Xuan's face darkened slightly, he looked up at the sky and whispered:

"If the building is about to collapse, we will be sitting underneath it, and we don't know when the rolling logs and rocks above us will crush us to pieces."

Liu Baiyuan on this side was slightly startled, as if thinking about something, and continued: "My family has another source of information, and I have some speculations about what will happen next."

"What happens next is related to one's cultivation, but also has nothing to do with it."

The words were vague and seemed to hint at something. The other party whispered:

"As for what happens next, if one's cultivation level is as high as Chen Changqi, Zhu Yucheng, and your clan's Chongyang Sword Immortal, as long as one doesn't violate any taboos, self-preservation will be absolutely possible."

"But if you want to protect the mountain gate and preserve the bloodline, it depends on whether there is a lord in heaven to guarantee it."

Xu Xuan understood what the other party meant, but he was still unclear as to why he was saying this to him. He only saw Liu Baiyuan in front of him speaking cryptically as he continued to speak in a low voice:

"Back then, Chongyang Sword Immortal was favored by a great master. I wonder if he has given your sect any orders in recent years."

The decree, these words touched Xu Xuan's sore spot, but he really didn't know this. His master deliberately concealed these plans, as if he wanted to get rid of everyone in the mountain gate, but in the end he ended up miserably.

He didn't know which Purple Mansion had good intentions, nor did he know which Immortal had ordered the death of his master. Over the years, he and Senior Brother Xi Wei had each made inquiries, but they had never been able to uncover the origins of this family. They only knew that it was a Taoist lineage from the North.

"Master has never told me about these things. I'm afraid that even if that person had good intentions, he only wanted to protect Master and it had nothing to do with the mountain gate."

Liu Baiyuan on this side showed a hint of disappointment, but quickly concealed it and whispered:
"Do you know which family is the most stable on the plain right now?"

"It's not the Chen family, it's not the Zhu family, it's the Duan family."

"Duan Pingdu of this family was born with knowledge and his origins are very extraordinary. When he was born, there were many strange phenomena, the feng shui was in harmony, and the stars were shining. This made a great figure take a fancy to him and become a guarantor for the Duan family."

Xu Xuan recalled the incident in the underground palace that year. This family seemed to be centered around that period of Pingdu. Even though this person had swallowed the opportunity of Changsheng Temple, he was still able to escape safely.

"Bai Yuan means, who should we connect with to get some help in order to survive?"

The two spoke vaguely, but both understood each other's meaning. Liu Baiyuan on this side had a somewhat sad expression and said softly:
"If you only want to protect yourself, then you can improve your cultivation. But if you want to protect those around you, the price will be high."

"Senior, it's better to make plans early so that you have a way out when the time comes."

Liu Baiyuan looked a little depressed. Apparently, there were some things in his clan that had been compromised and buried deep in his heart. Now they were brought out and covered in blood.

Seeing that the other party was in a bad mood, Xu Xuan stopped talking. After a while, Liu Baiyuan took his leave and left some supplies for cultivation, saying that they were prepared for Liu Xingfang, enough for him to cultivate to the peak of Qi Refining. He was very generous.

After seeing Liu Baiyuan off, Xu Xuan sighed a little. He had some guesses about this with his senior brother Xi Wei before, but the cruelty of the truth still made him feel confused.

"We need to think about how to discuss this matter with our fellow disciples."

Wang Xiwei and Wen Sian had both experienced demonic disasters, and they actually had their own plans in mind. Even if they knew about this, they would not act rashly. Liu Xiaowen was actually a bit impulsive, so this matter needed to be explained to him slowly.

"How do I tell Junior Sister Si'an how Master died? She asked me who killed her. How should I answer?"

Xu Xuan had kept this matter a secret from Wen Si'an for a long time, fearing that she would be upset. Xu Xuan saw clearly that although his junior sister looked aloof, she was actually sentimental. She would definitely not be able to accept the absurd death of her master.

Sometimes when Xu Xuan thought about this at night, he would feel a heart-wrenching pain and anger rushing through his internal organs, blaming him for his incompetence.

"Which adult are you trying to get in touch with now?"

This is a difficult matter and it is not something he can plan. A real person is like a dragon flying in the sky, invisible to ordinary people. The only Purple Mansion Xu Xuan has seen in his life is the one in Tifeng Mountain and the half-dead Tiantuo.

They are not easy to deal with. If you meet them once, you will lose half your life.

"After that, we will go to Shanyan City. When we enter the several palaces where the scriptures are stored, there will definitely be immortals coming. We can spy on the situation and see which family we can be of use to."

Having made up his mind, Xu Xuan continued to practice hard in seclusion. The agreed day was approaching, but Tiantuo still did not make any movement, and no one knew what he was doing.

Elsewhere, on the north bank of the Li River, a distinguished guest came to the "Xiao Lian Yin Pure Land" of the Lotus Temple.

It is called a pure land, but in fact it is just a ruined place. The ancestor of Lotus Temple had a monk who wanted to break through to [Sattva] but failed and did not become Vajra. This pure land is only in a half-completed state.

Ci Hai has returned to the temple from Dapan just to entertain the distinguished guest from the north.

A young monk with a handsome appearance and wearing a moon-white monk robe has already reached the perfection of the Arhat level. I'm afraid he can easily ascend to the position of a master.

This pure land is supported by the Lotus Temple, half of it extends into the sky, and half of it is sunken into the mortal world. Five-colored precious light flows around it, and it looks a bit like a fetus in difficult labor.

Ci Hai and the distinguished guest stood at the entrance of this small pure land, looking at Qing Wei on the other side of the Li River.

"Ci Hai's actions are too complicated, and I can't figure out the connection."

"Master Jingyan comes from the Great Moonlight Temple and follows the ancient Buddha's ascetic methods. Can't you see that?"

Ci Hai sighed, his old face twitching slightly.

"Master Ci Hai is too scheming, with a thousand calculations and a million grudges. The three poisons of greed, ignorance, and anger have converged. Why won't you turn back?"

The monk Jingyan beside him looked over with a look of pity and chanted the Buddha's name.

"Master Jingyan, there's no need to persuade me any further. This matter is the only chance for those of us who haven't heard the true teachings to get a glimpse of the position of bodhisattva."

"[Da Yueguang Temple] has a Bodhi seat waiting for the master to ascend. How can you understand our sorrow?"

The old monk looked over with a somewhat indignant tone, and it looked as if a pair of horns were growing on his forehead.

Jingyan said no more, but just chanted the Buddha's name for a long time and walked forward barefoot.

There was no precious light behind him, nor any followers. He did not use any magic along the way, but just headed south.

The direct descendant of the Immortal Sect wants to fight with him, the demon king in the mountains wants to capture him to make elixirs, and ordinary people want to ask him for wishes. Along the way, all kinds of worldly affairs and the plans of the immortals are inseparable from the word "desire".

The few remaining spiritual objects on him had already dissipated. When he first arrived, a woman with her young child came to him to ask for a wish, but he had nothing to give. The woman cursed him angrily:
"What a shitty fake monk! Compared to the master of Lotus Temple, he is nothing."

So he came here to take a look, but everything was different from what he expected.

Continuing forward, Jingyan stepped on a green bamboo and crossed the river.

Look at the people here, are they a little different?
(End of this chapter)