Chapter 19

Yue Qing asked Mingyizi and Liu Quan, "Have the two of you ever heard of the Hanxu Immortal Mansion?"

Mingyizi replied in surprise, "Is it the grotto that was opened by the Pure Yang Immortal back in the day?"

Yue Qing nodded, "The Pure Yang Immortal opened seven grotto-heavens and blessed lands in his time. Later generations only found six of them, and the Hanxu Immortal Mansion is the only one that has yet to appear. When my master was still alive, he mentioned the immortal residences in the world, and he spoke of this place a few times. Therefore, I have some knowledge of it. Over the past few decades, I have often used the先天神卦 (先天神卦, a divine divination technique) to deduce and reason, and I finally found some traces of it not long ago."

Mingyizi and Liu Quan exchanged glances, their eyes revealing barely contained excitement. They were both wandering immortals without a sect, and the cultivation techniques they practiced could only take them to the level of Earth Immortals, with no method for ascending to heaven. Although they had endless lifespans, wandering immortals faced a major tribulation every five hundred years, and Earth Immortals faced a great calamity every thirteen hundred years. These tribulations grew more severe each time, eventually leading to the destruction of both body and soul! If they could truly find the Hanxu Immortal Mansion, the mansion itself would be one thing, but more importantly, the Pure Yang Immortal would surely have left behind some Daoist texts. Even if they couldn't achieve the level of Celestial Immortals, obtaining some of the Pure Yang Immortal's techniques and insights into the Dao would be immensely beneficial!

Yue Qing said, "My nephew Huang was almost crippled when he broke his arm for me, and it triggered his old injuries. My other nephew Wei also lost his treasure sword. I have nothing to offer in return, so I will take the two of you to search for the Hanxu Immortal Mansion. If we are fortunate enough to find it, and if we can obtain some of the legacies left by the ancients, I will share them with the two of them. It will be a way to repay them for their suffering on my behalf."

Hearing this, Mingyizi and Liu Quan felt a bit embarrassed. Yue Qing didn't wait for them to decline, "The Hanxu Immortal Mansion is in the Taihang Mountains. The two of you should come with me!"

Wei, lying on the bed, struggled to sit up, "Master, take me along too!"

Liu Quan glared at him, "The journey to the Taihang Mountains is a thousand miles away, and you are injured. How can you endure it? Stay home and rest; no nonsense!"

Wei pleaded, "I have taken Master Yue's elixir and am much better! Besides, if you all leave, what if the Emei Sect comes to seek revenge? With only Huang and me at home, won't they slaughter us like chickens? Master, please take me along!"

Hearing this, Huang also wanted to go. Mingyizi and Liu Quan thought about it and realized that Wei's concerns were valid. Although they had always believed the Emei Sect to be composed of virtuous gentlemen who upheld justice and punished evil, they were now unsure after today's events. Moreover, Liu Quan had killed Wenchai Master's disciple, Wu Wenqi, and had thus formed a deadly enmity. Who knew if the Emei Sect would seek revenge? Therefore, they agreed. Each of them protected their own disciples, with Yue Qing leading the way, still carrying Situ Ping bound to his chest, who was hugging his neck. Mingyizi and Liu Quan followed behind, and the three of them flew out of the Zhongnan Mountains toward the northeast!

After less than an hour, they arrived at the northern foot of the Taihang Mountains. Yue Qing led the way, following the mountain's undulations and turns, and finally landed on the Three-Fold Cliff.

"Is the immortal mansion here?" Huang couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, it's right below!" Yue Qing said, then released the Taiyi Five Smoke Net, which enveloped them all in a colorful mist, allowing them to descend gracefully as if riding a cloud.

The Three-Fold Cliff had a unique terrain, with three folds from top to bottom, forming a series of cliffs. The surface was covered with vines and grass, completely concealing the entrance.

Yue Qing led everyone to the second fold of the cliff, using his sword to clear the grass. Below was a flat rock about an acre in size, facing the northwest mountains. Below was a deep ravine, with waterfalls on both sides, cascading down a hundred feet into the mountain stream, flowing endlessly.

Yue Qing used his flying sword to cut through the vines and walked inside. After just a few steps, a grotto appeared. The entrance was made of two neatly polished blue stones, with four ancient characters carved into the rock above: "Hanxu Immortal Mansion."

"Indeed, it's here!" Liu Quan exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement, and pushed open the stone door, leading the way inside.

The grotto was spacious, with the stone walls and ceiling polished smooth. Inside were stone tables, stone benches, jade pots, silver bowls, and various utensils. In the back of the grotto was a bronze alchemical cauldron, inscribed with the Pure Yang Immortal's signature.

Everyone was delighted to have found the immortal mansion. Mingyizi asked Yue Qing, "Did you calculate in advance whether there are any legacies left by the Pure Yang Immortal in this grotto?"

Yue Qing nodded, "There is a book of alchemy, a sword manual, two demon-slaying swords, a medicinal shovel, and a bottle of Pure Yang Golden Elixir, but they are not inside the grotto." He led everyone to a dangerous rock outside the grotto, lifted his sword, and cut downward. The sword cut through the rock like butter, revealing a hollow space below. He then bowed to the sky, "Great Ancestor Lü, your humble descendant has the good fortune to receive your legacy today. I am deeply grateful..." He sincerely recited for a while before reaching into the rock, first taking out the two swords and two medicinal shovels, then a white jade bottle, and finally a colorful jade box.

Returning to the grotto, he placed the treasures on the table. Yue Qing could feel Mingyizi and Liu Quan's breathing become heavy. He smiled, "Now that the Pure Yang Immortal's legacy has been obtained, the two of you should decide how to divide it."

Mingyizi and Liu Quan exchanged glances and said with embarrassment, "The immortal mansion was found by you, and the treasures were obtained by you alone. How can we have the audacity to take these unearned benefits?"

"Ha ha ha." Yue Qing laughed heartily, "Both of you are wandering immortals without a sect. I understand your difficulties." He picked up the two swords, each three feet and three inches long, glowing with a warm yellow light. When he lightly swung them, they produced pale golden sword beams, illuminating the entire room. He handed the swords to Wei and Huang, "These two swords are named Dragon Chant and Tiger Roar. Dragon and Tiger are terms used in the Pure Yang Sect's alchemy, such as 'The white tiger of the West is rampant, the green dragon of the East is unstoppable, when the two are caught and made to fight, they turn into a purple golden frost,' and 'The tiger roars and the dragon chants, absorbing mercury and lead, and achieving the state of utmost simplicity.' These swords are specifically effective against evil spirits and can injure a person's soul and spirit, resisting any evil. You must use them well and not misuse them for evil."

Neither of them expected Yue Qing to give them such excellent flying swords. Although they had limited experience, they could tell that these swords were stronger than even their master's flying swords, and even stronger than the ones Yue Qing used. They were momentarily stunned and hesitated to look at their masters. Mingyizi and Liu Quan were also surprised but happy for their disciples, "When an elder gives, you must not refuse. Take the swords from Master Yue."

The two quickly knelt down and received the swords with both hands, "Thank you, Master Yue, for the swords!"

Yue Qing smiled, "These swords were forged by the Pure Yang Immortal. You receiving them is your own good fortune. I merely facilitated it. If you want to thank someone, thank Ancestor Lü." He then took out the jade bottle, "This contains the Pure Yang Golden Elixir, which can strengthen the foundation and cultivate the five qi in the chest, and nourish the three flowers on the head. You both have injured lungs. Each of you should take one pill. Not only will it heal your internal injuries, but it will also increase your Daoist power, making your future cultivation more efficient. I originally wanted to give you the混元金丹 (混元金丹, a different type of golden elixir), but the Pure Yang Golden Elixir has similar effects, so this will do."

Finally, he picked up the jade box and used the Dragon Chant and Tiger Roar swords to split the lid. He took out the alchemy book and the sword manual, each in two volumes, a total of four Daoist texts: "This sword manual is the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique that Ancestor Lü learned from the Fire Dragon Immortal, a rare technique that we can all practice. As for the alchemy book..." He sensed that Mingyizi and Liu Quan's hands, hidden in their sleeves, involuntarily clenched, "This alchemy book is a direct transmission of the Pure Yang Sect. There is a reason for this. In the divination, Ancestor Lü left this alchemy book and sword manual with the intention that someone would inherit his Dao and expand the Pure Yang Sect. I am a disciple of the Wutai Sect and cannot establish a new sect. Moreover, the Daoist techniques we practice in the Wutai Sect come from the lineage of Master Chentuan, which differs from the Pure Yang Immortal's. I can only use this alchemy book for reference. But I wonder if either of you can take on this great vow, inherit Ancestor Lü's Dao, and establish the Pure Yang Sect?"

Mingyizi and Liu Quan exchanged glances and remained silent for a long time.

Lü Dongbin had ascended to immortality in his physical body at the level of a Golden Immortal, the highest existence in the immortal world. His alchemy techniques were of utmost importance to cultivators, especially wandering immortals like them!

In this world, Daoist sects were numerous, scattered in deep mountains, old forests, and undersea volcanoes. But the true major Daoist sects were few and far between.