Jiangzhou, besides Shen Zhou, is the second largest state among the nine states, with an extensive territory, a large population, and abundant prosperity. Merchants travel its roads without end.
Located within the territory of Wuyang Mansion, Jiangzhou, Dragon Tiger Mountain is a majestic peak towering at thirteen hundred zhang. It is also Jiangzhou’s most remarkable mountain.
It is rumored that the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master, the founder of the Celestial Master faith, once practiced alchemy here. The moment the first batch of Dragon Tiger Zijin Pills was successfully created, visions of dragons and tigers appeared in the sky above, hence the mountain’s name.
At the highest point of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the winds howl, and clouds enshroud; the air is pure, the vegetation lush, and the Heavenly Earth Essence Qi somewhat dense, making one feel refreshed and at peace.
Standing here, looking up, the great sun in the sky almost seems within reach.
Atop Dragon Tiger Mountain sits a large medicinal herb farm where a simple-dressed, kind-eyed, ruddy-faced old man with pure white hair and beard is diligently tending to the plants.
At this moment, Gu Chen is standing by as is the young Celestial Master Zhang Chengxuan. It was he who had brought Gu Chen here to meet the old Celestial Master. Experience tales with freewebnovel
Yes, the old man, dressed plainly and with a benevolent appearance, laboring in the herb farm, is the world-renowned contemporary old Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, a top-tier grandmaster who had reached the completion of the Communication with Gods realm and lived for over one hundred and fifty years!
Returning to simplicity and truth, this truly was returning to simplicity and truth.
This was Gu Chen’s first impression upon seeing the old Celestial Master.
In Gu Chen’s view, the old Celestial Master seemed truly at one with the nature around the mountaintop. Although it appeared he was merely laboring, each motion seemed in line with the natural laws of the world, containing a profound significance.
This was something outsiders could never perceive; only someone with a cultivation realm like Gu Chen’s could feel this way.
"Perhaps, the old Celestial Master isn’t as the world says, nearing the end of his lifespan. I’m afraid he is not far from the Coagulation Field realm!" Gu Chen mused to himself. Not to mention combat capabilities, just the realm of this old Celestial Master and his comprehension of the world were far beyond Gu Chen’s reach.
The so-called returning to simplicity and truth, becoming one with the world, of an early-stage martial arts grandmaster paled in comparison to what the old Celestial Master here embodied; there was simply no comparing the two.
"Lord Gu, please be patient and wait a little longer," the young Celestial Master Zhang Chengxuan, fearing that Gu Chen might grow restless, whispered.
"It’s fine," Gu Chen nodded slightly, not minding in the least and instead keenly observed every move of the old Celestial Master.
Before he knew it, Gu Chen’s mind seemed to be influenced by the old Celestial Master, gradually becoming serene and tranquil.
Half an hour later, the old Celestial Master in the herb farm seemed to have finished his work. He straightened his stooped body, discarded his soil-stained coat and gloves to the side, and turned his head to see Gu Chen and the young Celestial Master Zhang Chengxuan.
The old Celestial Master had a ruddy complexion and vitality of a youth, betraying none of the signs of advanced age that were the talk of the people; he appeared capable of living another few decades without trouble, at least in Gu Chen’s perception.
"This must be the famous Lord Gu Chen, who is celebrated throughout the world and the most prodigious figure in the martial arts world of the nine states, right?" The old Celestial Master’s smile was kind, resembling that of a friendly old neighbor.
"Gu Chen of Da Xia’s Jing Tian Department pays his respects to the old Celestial Master," Gu Chen said earnestly, saluting the old man with a clasped fist.
No matter what, the old Celestial Master deserved Gu Chen’s respect for his strength and reputation.
After all, the elder before him was nothing like Gu Chen’s enemies.
The old Celestial Master walked over slowly, smiling and waving his hand, "There’s no need for such formalities, Lord Gu. I’m but a mere mortal; there’s no need for Marquis Wu’an to give me such great honors."
While he spoke, the old Celestial Master motioned for Gu Chen to sit on a stone bench nearby and personally brewed a pot of tea for him.
"Chengxuan, come here." After making the tea, the old Celestial Master beckoned for the young Celestial Master Zhang Chengxuan to stand behind him.
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"I’m old now, and the future belongs to the young. It’s a pity that Dragon Tiger Mountain doesn’t have a young genius as exceptional as Lord Gu. I can only entrust the future of Dragon Tiger Mountain to Chengxuan’s hands. I trust you don’t mind him listening in?" the old Celestial Master asked with a smile.
"Of course, there is no problem," Gu Chen nodded, with no reason to object.
The old Celestial Master poured Gu Chen a cup of tea and said, "People say nothing beats meeting in person, and today I find it to be true. Lord Gu is indeed extraordinary. Being just over twenty years old, you already rival over a hundred years of my cultivation. Meeting you today truly astonishes me."
"You flatter me, old Celestial Master. You need not be so modest. Just now, watching you plant herbs, every action was in harmony with the natural laws of the world. I presume the old Celestial Master must be close to reaching the Coagulation Field realm?" Gu Chen remarked.
"Lord Gu truly has a discerning eye, truly worthy of being the foremost prodigy in the nine states’ martial arts world," the old Celestial Master laughed heartily, not hiding anything. Being pointed out by Gu Chen, he openly acknowledged it.
Hearing that the old Celestial Master was about to break through to the Coagulation Field realm, his disciple, young Celestial Master Zhang Chengxuan, immediately showed a deep joy on his face.
If the old Celestial Master achieved the Coagulation Field realm, then Dragon Tiger Mountain could be considered the premier power in the martial world of the nine states, able to lead the martial fraternity.
Moreover, the old Celestial Master’s lifespan would be greatly extended, and he could live at least another fifty or sixty years.
But soon, the old Celestial Master’s smile faded, and he shook his head with a sigh, "Over the years, I have distanced myself from worldly affairs, wholeheartedly staying atop Dragon Tiger Mountain, tending the flowers and plants. Indeed, I have gained some enlightenment and my state of mind has improved, resonating more deeply with the world.
However, attempting to break through to the Coagulation Field realm, to condense my own ’field’, is still exceedingly difficult."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chen also nodded subtly. The Coagulation Field realm was also his goal in the near future, and of course, he understood this realm.
To harness the power of heaven and earth and coalesce it into a "field" of one’s own is an exceedingly challenging feat. Even now, for the old Heavenly Master, who is just half a step away from the Coagulation Field realm, breaking through smoothly is not guaranteed. It may take a year, two years, or even a lifetime to never advance beyond this point.
Otherwise, over the years, there wouldn’t have been only so few Coagulation Field realm masters in the Nine Provinces.
At the same time, this also shows how extraordinary the masters of the Coagulation Field realm are. Just consider the many Spirit-Transcending realm masters in the rivers and lakes of the Nine Provinces, and why Da Xia was able to dominate the world more than twenty years ago. It was because Da Xia’s top-tier combat power far exceeded that of the entire Nine Provinces.
In front of a Coagulation Field realm martial arts supreme master, no matter how many Spirit-Transcending realm top masters there are, they are not enough. At that level of martial arts cultivation, quantity is no substitute for quality.
It is hard to imagine just how prosperous Da Xia’s destiny was back in the day that it produced four such individuals: the Emperor of Xia, the Grand Commander of the Jing Tian Department, the Tower Supervisor of the Mingjing Department, and the Tower Supervisor of the Qintian Monitor.
Of course, there is also King Huai, whose strength is incredibly formidable and has been verified as being within the Coagulation Field realm.
At this moment, Gu Chen looked at the old Heavenly Master in front of him and got straight to the point, "Old Heavenly Master, I am someone who is very direct in speaking and acting. Since we’re meeting this time, I might as well speak frankly."
Upon hearing this, the old Heavenly Master nodded slightly and said, "Lord Gu, speak your mind. There’s no harm in being direct."
Gu Chen nodded and said, "My purpose here is quite simple, and I presume the old Heavenly Master has guessed it. I wish to suppress the world and take control of the rivers and lakes."
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Chengxuan, who stood behind the old Heavenly Master, was instantly shaken, and a hint of shock emerged in his pupils.
So, it turned out that Gu Chen’s reason for seeking out the old Heavenly Master was precisely this ambition. He had thought Gu Chen merely recognized the old Heavenly Master’s strength and thus sought to win over Longhushan.
"What does Lord Gu need me to do?" asked the old Heavenly Master of Longhushan.
Gu Chen replied, "Wait for my notification, old Heavenly Master. Should I need your presence, I shall inform you. However, once the matter of Wang Ling Manor spreads, I believe the whole world will know the specifics. Perhaps you won’t even need to leave the mountain."
At this, Gu Chen smiled lightly, having already anticipated the ripples that would spread throughout the world upon learning that the old Heavenly Master had pledged allegiance to Da Xia.
It may not be much less sensational than the uproar caused when he broke through to the Spirit-Transcending realm.
After all, the old Heavenly Master was famous for over a hundred years, considered among the rare Spirit-Transcending realm top masters, wielding considerable prestige.
But then, the old Heavenly Master said with a faint smile, "There is one thing that Lord Gu seems to have misunderstood."
"Oh?" Gu Chen responded, a bit startled and unclear about what the old Heavenly Master meant, "What do you mean, old Heavenly Master?"
The old Heavenly Master shook his head and said, "I have no intention of pledging allegiance to Da Xia."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chen immediately furrowed his brows and said, "If you have no intention of pledging allegiance to Da Xia, then why did you send a message to me, and why are you meeting with me now?"
Indeed, the letter that Uncle Zhang received initially came from the hands of the old Heavenly Master; it was because of this that Gu Chen learned of the situation at Wang Ling Manor.
The old Heavenly Master, with a gentle smile, said, "For over a thousand years, since the founding of the Heavenly Master Sect of Longhushan, we’ve never had much to do with any court, whether it was the current Da Xia or any court before. So, it’s unlikely for this generation, at least unexpectedly, to pledge allegiance to the court either."
Gu Chen knitted his brows, not understanding the old Heavenly Master’s implication.
The old Heavenly Master continued, "Lord Gu, I have lived for over 150 years and have seen many kinds of warriors. I have seen so-called geniuses and exceptional talents, but a person like Lord Gu, this is truly my first encounter. When I said I was shocked before, there wasn’t a shred of falsehood or exaggeration in my statement."
"And so, after learning that Lord Gu has broken through to the Spirit-Transcending realm, I pondered for days and nights, and ultimately made a decision."
As he spoke, the expression of the old Heavenly Master, who was over 150 years old, suddenly turned solemn, and the atmospheric pressure around seemed to grow heavier with his words.
The old Heavenly Master’s gaze was fixed on Gu Chen as he spoke word by word, "From the beginning to the end, I never planned to pledge allegiance to Da Xia. What I intend is to pledge allegiance to you, Lord Gu!"
With these words, the old Heavenly Master’s aura suddenly intensified, and the space itself seemed to be frozen, an immense pressure surfacing in the area, causing Gu Chen to feel an immediate heaviness in his body.
The old Heavenly Master’s expression became even more solemn, watching Gu Chen intently and stating in a deep voice, "Just as Lord Gu once said, chaos is imminent in the Nine Provinces, and no person or power can remain uninvolved. Thus, I am prepared to hand over Longhushan, with its thousand-year legacy, completely to you, Lord Gu.
From now on, at your single command, the entire Longhushan, including myself, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"I would like to ask, can Lord Gu take on this thousand-year legacy, this vast Longhushan?"
As the old Heavenly Master finished speaking, his voice suddenly rose, and the heavens and earth seemed to boom with thunder, with faint sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling echoing, creating a powerful deterrence.
Zhang Chengxuan, the junior Heavenly Master, also stood there, staring unwaveringly at Gu Chen, his clenched fists betraying his inner tension at its peak.
Gu Chen was visibly shocked; he had never expected the old Heavenly Master to make such a decision.
But quickly, Gu Chen’s expression regained calmness. In that moment, his eyes sparkled brilliantly, a hint of a smile appearing on his handsome face. The smile grew richer until Gu Chen finally burst into hearty laughter.
After a moment, Gu Chen’s smile subsided, and he gazed deeply at the old Heavenly Master, his demeanor radiating immense confidence. His words echoed firmly, uttering just four words.
"It suits me well!"