Chapter 361: Chapter 360: Taoist Jing Feng Encounters Demonic Qi Again
Gu Zhao was aware that people from Silent God Mountain were visiting Taoist Jing Feng, and people from Chaoyang Island were visiting Taoist Shen Hao.
This was both a gesture of goodwill from the two factions and a probing attempt.
However, Gu Zhao didn’t mind. He let Taoist Jing Feng and Taoist Shen Hao handle them as they normally would. There was no need to hold back when discussing profound principles and techniques. Apart from keeping the specific Cultivation Techniques secret, they were to disseminate all other Taoist Sect philosophies. This was, after all, their goal for coming here.
If Silent God Mountain achieved something by absorbing the principles of the Fengyue Sect, it would naturally be considered a legacy of Emperor Fengdu and the East Mountain Emperor. It would also mean the Taoist Sect was branching out and flourishing in this realm.
Just as Gu Zhao was thinking about the Fengyue Sect and Silent God Mountain, Taoist Jing Feng was hosting Lu Yu, who had traveled from afar.
「Qianshan Prefecture, Daluo Temple.」
Taoist Jing Feng was explaining the Technique of Fengdu to Lu Yu.
"Fengdu Mountain lies in the northern Kui region. The northeast is the gateway for ghosts, the root of the aura of death. The mountain is 2,600 li high and 15,000 li in circumference. Both its upper and lower reaches are filled with palaces of Ghost Gods. There are twelve palaces on the mountain that lead ghosts, and twelve palaces below that command gods. Each palace is one thousand li in circumference. The upper palaces have six palaces to their left and right, and the lower palaces also have six palaces to their left and right, making twenty-four palaces in total."
"The Northern Emperor cultivated diligently, experiencing great industry. He paid respects with incense and lamps, chanted offerings to The Three Pristine Ones, and his pure sincerity never wavered. Demonic obstacles were vanquished, and his merits and virtues were fulfilled, allowing him to ascend to the imperial throne. When he travels, he is accompanied by a ceremonial canopy, illuminated by starlight, and the radiance of the seven treasures shines up to the heavens and down upon the myriad nations. On the twenty-seventh day of each month, he descends to the mortal realm to observe the sins and fortunes of the world, filial piety and rebellion, good and evil. To practice the Fengdu Great Technique, one must wear the Black Law on their person in the mortal world and hold the charter, which is the command Talisman of the Nine Springs."
Taoist Jing Feng saw that Lu Yu had little Evil Qi on him and didn’t hesitate to inform him, "You carry Evil Qi and your Divine Soul is not pure. You might be able to cultivate techniques, but you do not understand the Dao. You can only run rampant in the world, and once your lifespan is up, all your techniques will vanish."
Lu Yu respectfully clasped his hands. "I implore the Mage to enlighten me."
"Cultivation is cultivation. ’Cultivating’ comes first, ’acting’ comes second, but neither can be without the other," Taoist Jing Feng said. "Cultivating the Dao and walking the Dao, one is internal and one is external. They complement each other. This is the unity of knowledge and action."
"Cultivate the righteous technique of the Divine Soul, and walk the righteous path of heaven and earth," Taoist Jing Feng emphasized.
Lu Yu looked at Taoist Jing Feng and felt as if a colossal deity, whose presence was as imposing as a prison, had appeared behind him. That aura of Yin Qi seemed more righteous and brilliant than the aura of a god.
Lu Yu seemed to have an epiphany. "Actually, it’s not just your lineage, Mage. The other Dharma Gates of Daluo Palace must also require this."
Taoist Jing Feng smiled. "Precisely. If one has Evil Qi on their body, it means there is a heart-devil in their soul. How can they achieve Ascension?"
Lu Yu couldn’t help but ask, "How can I remove the Evil Qi from my body?"
Taoist Jing Feng raised his cup. "You already have an answer in your heart, my friend. Why ask me?"
Lu Yu gave a wry smile. "I still hope for the Mage’s explicit guidance."
Taoist Jing Feng nodded. "For the Divine Soul to be pure, one must follow the book of the Black Law."
Lu Yu asked, "What is the book of the Black Law?"
Taoist Jing Feng smiled faintly and casually recited a few of the precepts.
Lu Yu was speechless.
’No wonder his Divine Soul is so pure he can achieve Ascension!’
"This is a method to discipline disciples who have just entered our sect. It is to help them form good habits from the very beginning."
Taoist Jing Feng smiled faintly. "In truth, as long as you enact justice on behalf of heaven and practice Doing Good Deeds and Accumulating Virtue, the Evil Qi on your body will naturally weaken. Eventually, you will achieve Heart and Mind Penetration, and with a single thought, you can purify the Evil Qi, transforming it into a Pure Yin Divine Soul."
Lu Yu bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance, Mage."
Next, the two exchanged knowledge. Taoist Jing Feng told Lu Yu about some of the Techniques of Fengdu, and Lu Yu, in turn, described some of the Dharma Gates from Silent God Mountain that specialized in Cultivating the Divine Soul.
Although the Dharma Gates of Silent God Mountain couldn’t compare to the Fengyue Ghost God Dao, they were still the culmination of thousands of years of experience. They helped Taoist Jing Feng draw parallels and improve his own cultivation efficiency.
Just as the two were deep in conversation, the voice of a disciple suddenly came from outside. "Reporting to the Observatory Master! This disciple has something to report!"
Taoist Jing Feng waved his hand, and the door to the quiet room swung open on its own. "What is it?"
"A River Demon has appeared in Xinwu County and has already devoured dozens of people," the disciple reported as he stepped forward. "Senior Brother Lu and Senior Sister Mao joined forces to subdue the demon, but they were no match for it and returned injured!"
Taoist Jing Feng frowned slightly. The Senior Brother Lu and Senior Sister Mao this disciple mentioned were a Spirit Monarch couple in Harmony, each with over a hundred years of Dao Practice. They were already considered experts in the Qianshan Prefecture branch of the temple.
If even they were injured and forced to retreat while fighting together, sending anyone else would likely be useless.
"Where are they?" Taoist Jing Feng asked.
"They are healing in the rear hall," the disciple outside replied.
Taoist Jing Feng looked at Lu Yu. "Please wait here for a moment, Brother Lu. I will go take a look."
Lu Yu rose decisively. "I will go with you, Brother Jing Feng."
’We just finished discussing how enacting justice for heaven and Doing Good Deeds and Accumulating Virtue can reduce one’s Evil Qi. Now we’ve coincidentally run into a demon causing mischief. If not now, when?’
Taoist Jing Feng smiled faintly, not minding at all. "Then let’s go together."
The two then arrived at the rear hall of Daluo Temple, where they saw a young woman with a pale face and a middle-aged man with blood seeping from his back.
"Observatory Master!" The man stood up to bow, which pulled at the wound on his back, causing him to grit his teeth in pain.
"Meow... Observatory Master!" The young woman also scrambled to her feet. She looked at Taoist Jing Feng and said pitifully, "That fish is very strong. My husband and I couldn’t defeat it."
Taoist Jing Feng transferred a sliver of Taoist True Qi to the two of them, helping to stabilize their injuries. Only then did he stroke his beard and ask, "Where is this fish?"
"Two hours ago, it was still in the Qingshui River north of the county," the middle-aged man said. "That fish is incredibly arrogant. It said it got tired of eating people in Pingjiang Prefecture and came to Qianshan Prefecture for a change of pace, telling us not to meddle in its business."
"Pingjiang Prefecture?" Taoist Jing Feng’s eyes narrowed.
Lu Yu also raised an eyebrow. Although he was from Yongzhou’s Silent God Mountain, he had heard of the Jiangzhou Ink Flood Dragon. The Ink Flood Dragon held dominion over Mo Lake, and most of the Demons in Pingjiang Prefecture had some connection to it.
"Yes, Pingjiang Prefecture," the young woman nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Could this Demon have some connection to the Ink Flood Dragon?"
Taoist Jing Feng waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "Whether it has a connection to the Ink Flood Dragon or not, since it dared to come cause chaos in Qianshan Prefecture, it won’t be going back."
"Qingshui River, north of Xinwu County, correct?"
"Yes!"
"Good." Taoist Jing Feng nodded, then turned to leave. Seeing that Lu Yu had followed him out, he turned back and said, "Brother Lu, please wait here. This old Daoist will be right back."
Lu Yu chuckled. "Are you afraid I can’t handle the consequences, Brother Jing Feng?"
"That fish might be related to the Ink Flood Dragon. This matter is a grudge between Daluo Palace and the Ink Flood Dragon. There is no need for you to get involved, Brother Lu," Taoist Jing Feng said, shaking his head.
Lu Yu smiled upon hearing this. "Brother Jing Feng, I am from Silent God Mountain."
Taoist Jing Feng raised an eyebrow, looked at Lu Yu, and nodded with a smile. "In that case, I’ll ask you to stand guard for me, Brother Lu."
Lu Yu laughed heartily. "Please!"
As soon as the words fell, the two shot into the air, transforming into two streaks of light that flew straight to the north.
「A moment later...」
"Who are you? How dare you meddle in my business?"
"Wait, this is all a misunderstanding!"
"Lord Mo Ao will avenge me!"
After a bloodcurdling scream, a large, black-scaled fish lay beached on the bank of the Qingshui River. Taoist Jing Feng sensed the Demon Qi lingering in the air, but within it, he detected something unusual.
"Is this... Demonic Qi?"
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