Mount Mao โ at the mention of it, many people think of the Daoist priests of Mount Mao, subduing ghosts and capturing demons, for such tales had long since taken root in the popular imagination.
And because of this, in the eyes of many, Mount Mao was not regarded as particularly sacred. Daoist priests were seen as people who wielded peach-wood swords, carried bowls of black dog’s blood, and deployed yellow talismans.
Yet the reality was quite different.
Mount Mao โ because its mountain formation curves and twists in a shape resembling the character “ๅทฒ,” it was originally called Juju Mountain, and also known as Jinling Lung Mountain. The Daoist faith describes it as “Juju of Jinling โ a blessed realm for the cultivation of truth, a numinous abode where one becomes divine.”
It is the birthplace of the Pure Clarity sect of Daoism, known as the Supreme Altar of the Pure Clarity lineage. Most importantly, it has borne the name “The First Blessed Land Under Heaven” since time immemorial.
The Daoist faith encompasses countless branches and sects โ well over dozens, even hundreds โ yet they can be divided into two great systems. In the north stands the Complete Reality school; in the south, the Orthodox Unity Dao. And the Pure Clarity sect, the Sacred Treasure sect, and the Celestial Masters sect together form the Orthodox Unity Dao.
The Pure Clarity sect venerates the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, and since time immemorial has cultivated the Dao in pursuit of longevity. It is the most celebrated Daoist lineage through the ages โ the First Blessed Land Under Heaven, with nothing to compare to it.
Ye Fan came from the north, traveling by no vehicle whatsoever, using the divine art of land-shrinking to cover thousands of li on foot in the blink of an eye, arriving in Jiangsu province.
Mount Mao was not tall. Its woods were lush and verdant, with nine peaks, twenty-six caves, and nineteen springs. The peaks and ridges layered one upon another were enchanting and alluring, concentrating the spiritual essence of heaven and earth.
“So this is the place โ venerated as a sacred site of Daoism.” Ye Fan murmured to himself.
It was venerated as a sacred site of Daoism, bearing a solemn and sacred significance โ naturally it was without equal, jointly guarded by Daoist sects throughout the world, not to be profaned.
This lineage stretched back across the ages. As early as the era of ancient Gaoxin Shi, people had already been cultivating here. Ancient texts record that a figure by the name of Zhan Shanggong once practiced breathing exercises on a place called the Crouching Dragon Ground.
Ye Fan entered the mountain, walking at a measured pace, carefully observing the mountain formation and examining each scenic view in turn, seeking to identify extraordinary sites โ for this sect had originally venerated the Primordial Heavenly Venerable first of all.
Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, standing before a mountain stream, gazing at a low peak not far ahead. Dimly, he sensed a kind of Dao-resonance within it โ a return to simplicity and to the true nature of things.
He could not help but walk toward it. Several people were already standing on the low mountain โ young men and women โ and from their conversation Ye Fan learned the name of this place: Baopo Peak.
His spirit stirred at once. This was a renowned place. Ge Hong โ the dazzling and brilliantly gifted leader of Daoist thought โ had once lived in seclusion here for a time and composed the Master Who Embraces Simplicity, a work of tremendous influence on Daoist circles throughout later generations.
“The ancients have become smoke.”
Ye Fan stood not far away and heard these words, a faint smile touching the corner of his lips. These people had come here to pay homage to the past and were moved to sighs and reflections.
“Elder Brother was born in the wrong era. Had this been in the time before heaven and earth’s spiritual energy dried up, he would without question already have become the master of a faction. But perhaps there will still be a turn of fortune in the future.”
Among the group of young men and women, one of the men was surrounded by the others, who fawned upon him, all taking him as their leader. He appeared to possess unusual divine arts.
“We are nothing but disciples of a branch lineage โ what does that amount to?” That Elder Brother shook his head, his spirits low, addressing the few men and women of the same clan.
“We have heard that a truly heaven-defying prodigy has emerged from the main lineage, by the name of Long Xiaoqu. Young in age, yet already given exceptional importance by the ancestral elders of the sect, who pour every resource into cultivating him,” one of the young women said.
“The main lineage is flourishing indeed. Long Xiaoqu’s current cultivation is unfathomable, said to be on par with senior figures of the older generation. Truly and breathtakingly extraordinary โ he is certain to shine brilliantly at this gathering.”
Ye Fan was surprised. These few individuals turned out to be disciples of the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow, descendants of the ancient demon-god lineage โ from the same four branch lineages as the clan in Jiujiang.
“Do you think that great master of divine arts will come? The main lineage was very displeased over what happened last time, and has been searching for that person. Who knows what will come of it.”
“Never mind โ there is no need for us to say anything more. Among the younger generation of our clan, only Long Xiaoqu of the main lineage has any standing to speak. He holds that kind of position.”
“The main lineage stands above us all. They have passed down word this time that several branch lineage disciples are to be brought into the ancestral sect. Do not say anything reckless at such a critical moment.”
The several young men and women left thereafter. Ye Fan stood on Baopo Peak for a brief moment, rubbing his chin in thought, then also made his way further into the mountain.
Along the path, he encountered no small number of cultivators. Though dressed in modern clothing, they all had a bearing clearly different from that of ordinary people, each with a current of refined energy circulating around their bodies.
“Have you heard? The Great Xia Dragon Sparrow has produced a supremely gifted prodigy โ already capable of contending with senior figures of the older generation.”
Along the way, people frequently discussed the prominent figures of the day and commented on the top experts of each sect. Many young men and women mentioned Long Xiaoqu.
“In that lineage, anyone whose name contains the characters for ‘dragon’ and ‘sparrow’ is always an extraordinary figure. No one is permitted to take such a name unless they are โ which means this person has a very strong chance of becoming the foremost expert among the demon-beast clans in the future.”
Ye Fan was surprised. The Dragon Sparrow clan had indeed produced a true talent โ otherwise there would not be so many people discussing him. It seemed his natural gifts were exceptional.
“Do not underestimate the other clans. You have not heard? The Crimson Phoenix lineage has produced a Heavenly Phoenix Maiden. Her cultivation has reached its peak โ she defeated her own grandfather in battle.”
“Is that so? A heavenly maiden of that caliber โ her natural gifts must be terrifyingly extraordinary.”
“Indeed. This maiden is of incomparable beauty, endowed with extraordinary gifts, and her power looks down upon all of her contemporaries. She has proclaimed that she will follow in the footsteps of the ancient demon-gods and enter the star-filled heavens, seeking the Dao and ascending to immortality.”
“Truly a daughter favored by heaven. One wonders if she has a husband yet.”
“Ha โ do not even dream of it. What kind of figure is she? How could she possibly look upon the likes of us? Even Long Xiaoqu would stand little chance, I think. Unless a body of the Human King manifests โ the Heavenly Phoenix Maiden is exceedingly proud and unbending.”
Across Mount Mao, many people discussed these matters. Long Xiaoqu was regarded as a prodigy, while the Heavenly Phoenix Maiden was an even greater focal point of conversation, with people everywhere speaking of her.
Mount Mao, with its clear springs and lovely peaks and graceful rocks, drew the crowds โ yet none of them moved toward the main mountain. Instead they made their way toward the outskirts and, before long, vanished one by one.
Clearly, the true First Blessed Land Under Heaven was not the mundane Mount Mao visible to ordinary people, but a place concealed by an ancient formation โ accessible only to cultivators.
It was a world of floral fragrance and birdsong. The mountains here were likewise not tall, yet they possessed a kind of vast and majestic quality โ grand and expansive without sacrificing their elegance. Layers of peaks rose behind one another as mist and rosy haze wreathed the mountains, with many azure peaks standing side by side. Though not tall, clouds still drifted across them, and Daoist temples and sanctuaries were situated among the peaks half-shrouded in swirling mist, with clouds billowing and evening glows shimmering.
This was the Pure Clarity sect โ and also the site of the gathering of cultivators. Of course, this was not their innermost sacred ground; a place such as that ancestral land would never be opened to outsiders.
The Little Pine Squirrel poked its head up from Ye Fan’s pocket and peered about inquisitively, its large eyes like two black gemstones, rolling around as it curiously surveyed its surroundings in every direction.
When there were many people nearby, Ye Fan would press it back down. The small purple creature had by now become nearly his calling card โ whenever this little one appeared, certain people were certain to recognize him.
“Look โ that is Zhang Qingyang, the Young Celestial Master from Dragon and Tiger Mountain. He is one of the most celebrated young figures of the present day.” Someone whispered nearby.
In the distance, a young man and several elderly Daoist priests rode the wind and descended before a Daoist sanctuary, entering within.
“The Young Celestial Master from Dragon and Tiger Mountain โ the birthplace of Daoism. Though he has never fought in public, one can only assume his abilities are exceptional.”
“Of course. Daoist sects proliferate today and there is no shortage of masters, yet he has already been honored as the Young Zhenren of the younger generation of Daoism by common acclaim.”
Swiftly, a burst of astonished cries rose up. A dozen or more beams of sword-light split the sky, slicing through the heavens and descending โ then being escorted by elderly Daoist priests of the Pure Clarity sect into a grand and imposing sanctuary.
“Those are people from the Immortal Sword sect of Sichuan. The young man in their midst must certainly be the renowned Zhan Yifan โ for a time there were widespread claims that he was the foremost expert of the younger generation. With a single sword strike, the mountains and rivers lose their color; none can find an equal. A true prodigy.”
“The foremost expert may be too strong a claim โ but among his contemporaries he should be counted among the very strongest of a handful. Truly a gifted individual, praised by many senior figures of the older generation.”
Ye Fan walked amid the crowd, quietly listening to their words, learning a great deal. He even unexpectedly learned that a supreme-level expert of this world might be in attendance, and that practitioners of the Western tradition might also appear to observe this gathering of cultivators from the central lands.
Petals drifted and fell, a crystalline shower of blossoms, as a jade vessel passed through the sky and descended upon a distant immortal peak. More than a dozen men and women disembarked.
“Those are people from the Kunlun lineage โ they have come as well!”
The moment these figures appeared, a great stir immediately spread through the crowd. The people of Kunlun were all exceptionally powerful โ that place was uncommonly blessed, the primordial main dragon vein slumbered there and the spiritual energy had not fully dried up. The cultivators who emerged from it inspired awe in all who encountered them.
The one leading them was the presiding master of Kunlun, known as Xue Chen. His cultivation was unfathomably deep, and he had remarkably descended in person on this occasion. A handful of senior figures who recognized him were greatly moved.
“The Presiding Master Xue Chen once shook all the world with his power โ yet here he has appeared again. And that young man and woman behind him… could they be the Twin Fish, whose fame resounds throughout the world today?” Someone’s expression shifted to one of astonishment.
Since time immemorial, Kunlun’s standing had always been supremely exalted. Whenever their disciples and followers appeared, they naturally drew extraordinary attention.
In the present age, Kunlun had produced two disciples of breathtaking talent โ such that the whole world sighed in admiration. Had this not been an age of the Dharma’s decline, these two would certainly have become saints, which tells one all that needs to be said about their natural gifts.
You Wei Fish was the elder disciple โ his bearing compelling, filled with a heroic energy, cultivating an unparalleled profound art. He was a figure of renown in the present day. Yan Xiao Fish was the younger disciple โ her figure elegant and graceful, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her delicate brows gently arched, her beauty capable of toppling cities and nations. She drew even more attention, and was known as the Kunlun Immortal Maiden. The number of those who admired her could not be counted. She was one of the most captivating women in the world today.
These two walking together could be said to stand invincible among the younger generation. Even if others combined their numbers, two people acting together could not defeat them.
“The most gifted young talents of the present age have all come. Long Xiaoqu, the Heavenly Phoenix Maiden, Zhan Yifan, and the Kunlun Twin Fish โ together they dominate an entire era.” Someone sighed.
Among them, the Heavenly Phoenix Maiden and Yan Xiao Fish drew the highest interest. Two figures like immortal maidens received focused attention wherever they went and in whatever they did, for humanity by nature shares an instinct to appreciate beauty.
Ye Fan formally entered the Pure Clarity sect’s sacred ground, moving about freely, listening to the discussions around him on one hand, and on the other looking to see whether any objects connected to the Primordial Heavenly Venerable were present.
Suddenly, he became aware of a gaze fixed upon his back. He turned involuntarily, and saw a young man staring at him with deep hostility.
His heart stirred. He asked several of the young people nearby who this person was, and was told: Long Xiaoqu. He was momentarily taken aback.
Those few people retreated from him like avoiding snakes and scorpions, not wishing to be entangled in any trouble. Long Xiaoqu was at the height of his power today โ who would dare to invite misfortune?
In the present age, who could contend with the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow clan? Long Xiaoqu had inherited that clan’s Dao lineage, and in the future would certainly become a towering figure of the demon-beast world. No one wished to make an enemy of him.
“Could it be that the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow clan is the one who wishes to kill me?” Ye Fan murmured to himself.
Long Xiaoqu turned his body abruptly and strode away, ceasing to look at him, disappearing into one of the Daoist sanctuaries.
Boom!
In the distance, grey mist surged and billowed like a supreme demon-beast breaking free from the earth, a vast grey haze blotting out the sky, brimming with an unsettling and intimidating aura.
Several elderly Western cultivators appeared, grey wings growing from their backs. All were very aged, and even their pupils were a leaden grey โ deeply unsettling.
“These few are tremendously powerful โ like several chasms in the earth, as though capable of swallowing a person’s soul. My primordial spirit nearly left my body!”
The crowd was startled, all turning to look.
“Hmm. I have heard โ they came to kill someone. They seek a great master of divine arts. How utterly brazen, coming to our central lands to throw their weight around!”
Many people discussed it, keeping a cautious distance from these figures.