Chapter 108: Contending for Dao Across the Lands

In the Lanruo Temple World, near Mount Kunlun, at Qingzhou Prefecture—the location closest to it.

On this day, Dongmen Hong sat meditating as usual.

Qingzhou Prefecture was situated in an area with abundant spiritual energy, gathered from the surrounding mountains and rivers. A geomancer had identified auspicious dragon veins here, leading to the establishment of the city. With its thriving populace, the region exuded vibrant life force, deterring even ordinary minor demons from harming souls within Qingzhou Prefecture. Additionally, two prominent Daoist monasteries, Changchun and Baiyun, were located there. These monasteries, led by genuinely skilled hosts who cooperated with the Qingzhou Prefect to subdue demons and eliminate evils, ensured further peace and security for the region.

However, beyond Qingzhou Prefecture, the situation was less certain.

For instance, upon his arrival, Duan Wenxuan encountered a tree spirit controlling a woman’s soul to deceive lone travelers and absorb their vital essence. Similarly, Hu Dali and Hu Xiaoli, known as Two Tigers, coexisted within human villages. Fortunately, they remained relatively benevolent; otherwise, entire villages might have suffered greatly under their influence.

It wasn’t that the monastery hosts of Changchun and Baiyun Monasteries didn’t want to combat evil spirits. However, in a world rampant with malevolent entities, ensuring safety for one region alone was already challenging enough. Attempting to protect the entire realm would be an overwhelming task.

Setting those aside for now, let’s focus on Dongmen Hong, the monastery host of Baiyun Monastery. Recently, he had exchanged insights on talisman techniques with Tuo Wenjing, the host of Changchun Monastery. Inspired by their discussion, Tuo Wenjing decided to leave Qingzhou Prefecture, claiming he would visit a friend and return in about a year. Before departing, he entrusted Dongmen Hong with overseeing Changchun Monastery during his absence.

After Tuo Wenjing left, Dongmen Hong also sequestered himself within Baiyun Monastery for cultivation. However, midway through his practice today, he suddenly heard a resounding proclamation echoing through the air: someone had established a Daoist assembly, intending to deliver sermons at Mount Kunlun for forty-nine days without distinction between mortals or supernatural beings—all who shared affinity were welcome.

While malevolent spirits often caused harm, individuals practicing cultivation with impure intentions could be equally destructive. Moreover, the mastery of magical arts heavily relied on one’s innate talent, leading each sect to closely guard their cultivation methods and rarely share them freely. Dongmen Hong was initially taken aback by the openness inviting all with affinity, followed by astonishment at the immense magical power behind this announcement.

As Dongmen Hong exited his meditation chamber, he looked up to see vast clouds of purplish-gold emanating from the northwest direction. These auspicious clouds blossomed intermittently, accompanied by an immense and boundless aura stretching for thousands of miles without end.

Now thoroughly astonished, Dongmen Hong initially thought it might be some eminent cultivator at work. However, considering the magnitude, it was clearly beyond the capabilities of any known mortal master.

Without hesitation or even instructing his disciples, Dongmen Hong swiftly departed Baiyun Monastery and raced towards the northwest, heading towards Mount Kunlun—an area previously unheard of to him.

Deep within, he sensed that his destined opportunity had arrived.

For over forty years, Dongmen Hong had cultivated alongside Mr. Pauli, merely existing amidst worldly affairs. The grand path to immortality seemed as elusive as ever, with not even a hint visible to him. Yet today, he felt profound change looming before his very eyes.

While Dongmen Hong hurried away, let us turn our attention to the Sishui River flowing past Qingzhou Prefecture. Though its surface appeared tranquil, beneath the water, all was far from calm.

The vast expanse of Si River, stretching as far as the eye could see, harbored countless minor demons and creatures within its waters. Beneath the surface lay an underwater abode resembling human dwellings. Constructed primarily from seafloor stones, the gaps were filled with various gemstones and pearls, creating a splendid and ornate appearance.

Within this mansion, a massive golden python, roughly ten meters long and as thick as a grown man’s embrace, suddenly emerged. Upon closer inspection, two distinct bulges protruded from its forehead, setting it apart from ordinary snakes.

As the serpent burst out of the mansion, it unexpectedly coiled up to shed its skin. In the end, it transformed into a strikingly handsome young man, appearing to be in his twenties. With a wave of his hand, the discarded snake skin instantly morphed into a regal golden python robe, further enhancing his majestic aura when draped around him.

Once he steadied himself, a large, shimmering white shell slowly drifted towards them. As it approached, the shell opened, revealing a woman also in her twenties who gracefully stepped out.

The woman had an oval face with bright and spirited eyes. With a wave of her hand, the giant seashell shrank to half the size of her palm, which she promptly tucked away.

“Shixiong, why have you emerged from your immortal’s cave? Didn’t you plan to remain in seclusion until cultivating dragon horns?” The woman noticed his forehead immediately and asked with concern, fearing some unforeseen complication.

Looking at the worried woman, the man smiled gently. “Zhu’er, did you hear the decree from the powerful being that just echoed from the northwest?”

As he spoke, he lifted his head.

They were hundreds of meters beneath the river, where sunlight would typically not penetrate. However, this man was no ordinary individual; he could see clearly despite the depth. Through the shimmering water, he glimpsed faint purple dawn light on the river surface, indicating that the powerful being must be truly exceptional.

Originally, the woman belonged to a rare species of clams found deep within rivers. After nurturing it for a hundred years, her body produced a ‘Crystal Blood Pearl.’ Consuming this pearl granted mortals extended longevity, while cultivators experienced rapid advancements without any harm to their cultivation base.

Bivalves were known for nurturing treasures within them, yet their own offensive capabilities were incredibly weak, often making them easy prey for other aquatic monsters. However, when Pang Zhu was young, she encountered a dying baby snake and took it under her care to save its life. Initially intending only mutual comfort, she discovered that this small serpent possessed a trace of dragon essence, enabling his cultivation to progress rapidly.

With the serpent’s assistance, Pang Zhu eventually transformed into human form and adopted the name Pang Zhu. Although she was about two hundred years older than Hui Xiuran, the man who once was the baby snake, adhering to the common mindset among female creatures, she called him “Shixiong” (Senior Apprentice Brother). As quasi-senior siblings with lingering feelings between them, they chose to cultivate together.

Hearing Hui Xiuran’s words, Pang Zhu sighed softly, “Of course I heard about it, but what does this renowned cultivator’s teachings have to do with us? We’re mere minor demons; stepping out from these waters would likely mean certain death.”

Pang Zhu and Hui Xiuran had never harbored any malicious intentions. In fact, whenever fishermen came to fish at the Sishui River, if they offered modest libations or seasonal fruits as tributes, Pang Zhu and Hui Xiuran would drive schools of fish towards them, ensuring a bountiful catch for those who revered them as ‘river gods’.

Regardless of what people say, humans still fear creatures like us, these demons and monsters. Upon discovering one, they invariably scream and flee; there’s no chance for peaceful coexistence.

Humans have a saying: “Those not of our kind bear alien hearts.”

No matter where we go, we’re unwelcome. Due to this, even though Pang Zhu heard about the sage, she had no intention of venturing ashore to seek him out.

However, Hui Xiuran shook his head, “Zhu’er, I plan to go ashore. In all my life, I’ve never encountered true divine dragons or immortals. Our origins being humble, further cultivation might yield little change.

Now, with a sage offering guidance equally to scaled beings and those born from water, such an opportunity must be seized. I don’t believe the sage would make empty promises, but even if it turns out to be so, I’m prepared to accept that fate.”

Pang Zhu hesitated, knowing well Hui Xiuran’s resolute nature - once he made up his mind, nothing could deter him until he faced a dead end. After much deliberation, she finally spoke, “Alright, then I’ll accompany you.”

With their decision made, the pair began preparations for their first journey away from the great Sishui River.

Hui Xiuran was aware that humans often valued items like pearls and coral found at riverbeds as precious treasures. Thus, they prepared several such objects, hoping they might prove useful when needed.

As they busied themselves to reach the shore, hundreds of miles away along the banks of Sishui River, a young man around fifteen or sixteen years old fled from his home, dressed hastily in crude wedding attire.

This youth’s name was Yuan Daoyuan, the only son of a village hunter with modest means but relatively well-off compared to others in the village.

Yuan Daoyuan was entirely different from his father, who was tall and robust, excelling in hunting deep within the mountains. In contrast, Yuan Daoyuan had always been physically frail since childhood, though intellectually sharp and precociously wise for his age.

His father had hoped he would follow in his footsteps, but seeing Yuan Daoyuan’s physical limitations, he considered spending some money to apprentice him at a pharmacy in Qingzhou Prefecture. Ideally, if he could become a physician, it would be even better.

However, Yuan Daoyuan showed no interest in these pursuits; instead, he yearned wholeheartedly to cultivate and retreat from the world. It was akin to finding a large white goose among chickens, so distinctively unusual that his father began doubting whether Yuan Daoyuan was truly his own flesh and blood.

In an attempt to make Yuan Daoyuan abandon his aspirations, his father hastily arranged a marriage over the past few days, urging him to wed quickly. Hoping that experiencing the pleasures of marital life might dissuade him from seeking cultivation and seclusion.

Coincidentally or not, it seemed that Yuan Daoyuan truly had destiny with the Dao.

Yuan Daoyuan was already reluctant and unhappy to begin with. On his wedding day, he witnessed an extraordinary display of purple-golden clouds shimmering across the sky, while various trees, blooming out of season, exuded their fragrant blossoms—a scene befitting celestial beings. Inspired by this sight, Yuan Daoyuan seized the moment. Before even completing the marriage ceremony, he left a note and swiftly jumped out the window, escaping.

Fleeing northwest all the way, Yuan Daoyuan feared pursuit and never dared to look back. Only when his face turned pale, gasping for breath on the verge of fainting, with his heart pounding as if about to leap from his chest, did his legs finally give way, collapsing onto the ground.

After resting briefly, Yuan Daoyuan slowly crawled up, rubbing his sore ankles, determined to continue his journey.

He still had hundreds of miles to go before reaching Kunlun Mountain, as mentioned by the immortal. Whether he would make it in time remained uncertain, but inexplicably, Yuan Daoyuan’s resolve was unwavering—he must reach Kunlun Mountain at any cost.

Just as he prepared to set off again, Yuan Daoyuan stumbled suddenly, feeling something nudge him from behind. Turning around, he found himself confronted by a tall, old ox standing there.

“Moo, young man,” the old ox unexpectedly spoke.

Startled, Yuan Daoyuan exclaimed, “Monster!”

In this world filled with monsters, many people were aware of their presence. Consequently, few dared to travel at night.

“Don’t be afraid, young man, this old ox means no harm. Tell me, are you heading towards Kunlun Mountain?”

Perhaps it was due to the old ox’s gentle, black eyes devoid of any malice that Yuan Daoyuan gradually relaxed. “Yes, and you, this monster…no…you also wish to go there?”

The old ox nodded its sturdy horns up and down, affirming, “Indeed, indeed, I too desire to go. However, I fear along the way, humans might mistake me for a creature to vanquish or take me as a plow ox. So, how about we journey together? With your help, you can conserve some energy. If anyone asks, just say I am your mount, ensuring they won’t try to capture me.”

Yuan Daoyuan found this arrangement agreeable and readily consented with a nod.

Meanwhile, Hu Dali and Hu Xiaoli, the two tigers closest to Kunlun Mountain, had recently lost their mother, who had been frail and nearing her end. Sensing significant changes in their forest home, something stirred within them. Leveraging their proximity, they too set off towards Kunlun Mountain.