I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 8 Breath Turns into Flames
His tone was leisurely, his voice was old, and he exuded an air of authority without anger, carrying an indescribable divine aura.

Who knows, he might really be a celestial master.

The guests exchanged glances after hearing this.

Lu Sheng's eyes lit up, and he quickly got up and walked to the courtyard gate, bowing to invite him, "What brings you here?"

The courtyard gate was not closed to begin with, and an old man in a blue robe with wide sleeves walked in slowly. His hair was jet black, and only the fine wrinkles on his face and the wrinkles on his neck, which revealed his skin, made him look like an old man.

Her clothes were luxurious, a pure blue, adorned with a string of crimson beads that dangled from her neck to her waist. White jade was also interspersed among them, jingling as she walked, giving her an exceptional air.

Two children followed behind the old man.

They were all dressed as Taoist boys, with bright, stand-up collars and long lapels, and blue jackets worn over them.

The three were led in by Lu Sheng, whose imposing presence was overwhelming.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

No wonder the guests and servants kept quiet, even the butler who had been shouting the loudest earlier remained silent, secretly observing the three people who had entered.

No wonder Lu Sheng felt he had encountered a celestial master.

Even they, if they were to encounter such a person, would consider themselves to have a predestined connection with the immortals.

From a distance, he truly resembles a celestial being.

Lu Sheng bowed and helped the blue-robed immortal master to the table, brushing away non-existent dust with his sleeve, his expression respectful.

Turning around, Lu Pei frowned at the stunned servants in his house and ordered them in a deep voice to sweep the floor, sprinkle water, and bring tea, snacks, fruits, and delicacies.

When the tea was served, I could smell its aroma and savory flavor.

Take a sip.

After moistening his throat, the old man slowly uttered his first words upon entering, answering Lu Sheng's question from earlier.

"Is it okay not to come? You'll be called a pig, a dog, or a rat for that."

Everyone remained silent, except for the two young Taoist boys in blue robes who were observing the guests around them, clearly dissatisfied with what they had overheard outside the courtyard wall.

“You used those filthy words to curse my master.”

The young Taoist boy, thirteen or fourteen years old, was sharp-tongued: "No wonder everyone says the true Dharma is hard to find; it turns out that the area down the mountain is full of people like this."

Another young Taoist also said:
“My master doesn’t easily pass on his teachings, much less easily lead people into the path. He wouldn’t even allow someone to sweep the floor or clean the dust for him. Now, with such a great opportunity, you still curse him like this. You are truly vulgar and ignorant people.”

Everyone remained silent.

Originally, they were here cursing the unknown "immortal master" because they hated these swindlers who cheated people out of their money, causing the Lu family to go from being a wealthy family in the county to having to sell off their property and only having a few meager fields left.

They never imagined that a celestial master would come knocking on their door while they were cursing.

Not only did they come to our door, but they also looked so impressive.

Unlike ordinary people.

All those harsh words I just said now seem frivolous, improper, and extremely impolite.

"Immortal Master, please forgive me, please forgive me..."

“It is my fault that we mortals do not know reverence.”

"That's right, that's exactly it. I was narrow-minded and wronged the Immortal Master."

Some of the guests, hands clasped in apology, repeatedly begged the old man to forgive their transgressions and not pursue the matter further. After all, the wrath of such a celestial master was something they, mere mortals, could not bear.

Some people in the room admired his refined demeanor and envied the old man's leisurely and contented appearance.

While apologizing, he also subtly indicated his willingness to donate money to the cause.

The old man held his teacup, smiled slightly, and did not agree.

This echoes what the boy had just said: even if someone wanted to offer their family wealth to this immortal master, or do chores like sweeping and cleaning, he would not allow it.

Lu Sheng was favored by this man and offered him gold and silver.

That's good fortune.

When Yuan Danqiu heard their tentative offer of alms, his eyebrows shot up, and he glared at the local gentry, almost cursing them out. He then stared at the old man sitting leisurely in the chair.

He was pulled back by Meng Haoran from behind before he looked away.

A few breaths passed.

I heard a whiff of flattery.

Yuan Danqiu asked, "The Lu family's fortune is the result of a hundred years of accumulation and more than ten generations of family business, which is no easy feat. Why do you want him to sell off his property, even the last remaining meager ancestral land, to fund your gold and silver needs?"

"I wonder if this matter is in accordance with the Way?"

The question was like a knife, and the child could not answer it.

The old man put down his teacup and gave a wry smile.

The book *Baopuzi* states, "Without resources, the elixir cannot be made. How can one cultivate the elixir and achieve enlightenment without resources?"

“Offered with gold and silver, and sustenance with copper coins.”

"What use is it to me?"

He looked at Lu Sheng.

"It's only useful to him." "But what do ordinary gold and silver mean to us cultivators once we attain enlightenment? No matter how much we spend today, tomorrow it will just be copper and iron, nothing more."

"They're readily available."

"Let alone a few hundred strings of cash, even a thousand or ten thousand strings, one can become an official or prime minister, and marry a wife."

"Isn't it simple?"

"Why be stingy with money?"

Lu Sheng's eyes lit up at what he said. That was exactly what he thought, but he couldn't reason with the old women and servants in his household. Every time they sold off their property, the steward would wail and cry, looking like he couldn't go on living.

Those around Lu Pei looked at him with a hint of envy in their eyes.

It's unclear what makes Lu Da different from the others, that he could be chosen by such a high-ranking immortal. As long as he raises enough money, he can be selected as a disciple and follow him to cultivate the Dao.

The guests in the courtyard asked themselves, what if they were in their shoes...?

pity!

Unfortunately, there are too many mundane matters at home, and many things to worry about.

Otherwise, they would inevitably follow the path of immortality, travel with their master, learn the methods of immortality together, and spend their days in seclusion in the mountains, living a carefree and leisurely life.

That Lu Da is really lucky!

Yuan Danqiu listened to the reply but couldn't find a reason for it. While he was pondering, Meng Haoran whispered a few words to him.

Suddenly enlightened, he nodded.

Yuan Danqiu then asked again.

"May I ask what profound immortal techniques you possess, and if you could demonstrate them to us?"

“Lu Da was, after all, the only son in his family. His father had died early, and his grandmother was old and ill. He should not have given up his family fortune to go and study immortality.”

"If the person worshipped is not the right one, wouldn't he regret it for the rest of his life?"

Meng Haoran's suggestion, which prompted him to express his desire to witness the other party's true abilities, was perfectly reasonable.

The guests and servants also found it strange. The immortal master seemed to be a deity. Although they did not take Yuan Danqiu's words seriously, they were also eager to see the immortal master's profound immortal techniques and what powerful methods he had.

The old man didn't need to say anything more.

The boy straightened his back and said with a touch of pride:
“My master is two hundred years old and is now one hundred and forty years old. He has lived through two cycles of sixty years and his hair is still as black as ever.”

Yuan Danqiu asked:

"How can we see this lifespan? Is there any other profound method?"

"My master can exhale breath that turns into flames, which burn away all impurities and filth." The boy disliked the Taoist who kept asking questions, glared at him, and continued:

"Mortals eat grains and cereals, and their minds are impure. If they are touched by this fire, they will be burned to ashes in an instant."

This is the breathing technique of immortals; their breath can form flames.

A young servant gasped in surprise, but was noticed by the guests on either side and quickly covered his mouth.

Some people sighed.

"That's amazing!"

"May we have a look?"

The boy looked at Yuan Danqiu and then whispered a few words to the old man.

A few moments.

He turned around and said proudly, "Of course it's possible."

"When my master uses this magic, ordinary people must stay three zhang away to avoid getting into trouble."

Jiang She watched with great interest.

Hearing the man speak so powerfully, Li Bai felt worried for Yuan Danqiu, and he frowned.

"If he's really that powerful, why does he insist on extorting money from a poor scholar? How much money could the Lu family possibly have? Why doesn't he go to the prefecture and be offered tributes by those officials?"

Jiang She scrutinized the middle-aged man.

The other person looked relaxed, sipping tea and savoring its salty and savory flavor.

He looked at it carefully.

He let out a soft "Eh".

When Li Bai turned his head and looked over.

Jiang She had already figured out some of the tricks involved.

He smiled and said, "They're quite clever not to go to the prefectural government or associate with those officials of the imperial court to seek favors."

Li Bai was beginning to have doubts and wanted to ask.

Then I heard several heavy, hurried footsteps.

"The doctor is here! The doctor is here!"

(End of this chapter)