Chapter 19

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The animal skin seemed somewhat peculiar; after washing, it showed no signs of damage. There were several lines of writing on it, though they were ancient and obscure, they were still recognizable.

What does the Heavenly Punishment Talisman Scripture say?

Wujiao, having filled his stomach, lay on the grass, blowing the cool mountain breeze while carefully examining the animal skin.

From the literal meaning of the four characters, "Heaven" refers to the heavens; "Punishment" refers to law; "Talisman" is a symbol of the great way; "Scripture" is the eternal law.

Hmm, this is a scripture about the laws of heaven.

It says: Heaven has punishment, Earth has virtue, but above is not the punishment of heaven, below is not the virtue of earth... Observe the way of heaven, follow the way of heaven... The universe is in your hands, all transformations arise from your body...

Wujiao read the scripture several times, understanding some parts but not others, and found it rather boring. He simply covered his face with the animal skin to block out the sunlight. The scripture was only a few hundred words, and with a bit of attention, he could memorize it. It seemed to make sense, but he didn't know its practical use.

At that moment, the animal skin covering his face suddenly floated up.

Wujiao didn't pay much attention, only opening his eyes slightly.

The animal skin continued to rise, reaching over ten meters in the air in an instant.

Wujiao was slightly startled, feeling very curious.

Strange, the mountain breeze is gentle, it shouldn't be this bizarre, to blow the animal skin into the sky. Even more strangely, someone spoke: "Heavenly Punishment Talisman Scripture?"

Wujiao suddenly sat up, but saw no one around.

The voice continued: "Above is not the punishment of heaven, below is not the virtue of earth. This means that to align with the way of heaven above and the advantage of earth below, the seasons must follow their order, and the law must be constant. Observing the way of heaven and following the way of heaven, heaven covers all, earth supports all, it is wondrous..."

Is this a ghost in broad daylight?

The animal skin remained suspended in the air, not falling. Who was speaking? He seemed to have a deep understanding of the scripture, and continued: "This scripture seems ordinary, but it is profound and unique, the only one I have ever seen, and I don't know where it comes from..."

Wujiao sat on the ground, eyes wide open, but still saw nothing. The voice was gentle, perhaps not a ghost. He calmed down slightly: "Return my scripture..."

"Ha ha, your scripture?"

With a counter-question, a light flashed, and a figure slowly materialized, revealing a middle-aged Taoist in a blue robe, standing in the air. He had fine eyebrows and long eyes, a thin face, a goatee, and a Taoist bun, with flowing sleeves, looking very dignified. He held the animal skin in his hand. From his demeanor, he seemed lazy and casual.

Wujiao nodded quickly, his eyes fixed on the sword light under the man's feet. Could it be that he was seeing things, and today he had encountered a flying immortal?

The man looked down and asked: "Are you a cultivator?"

Wujiao didn't think much and nodded vigorously.

As the man spoke, his figure slowly descended, the sword light disappeared, and his feet landed gently on the grass. Seeing the young man sitting there in a daze, with a short sword and wild fruits beside him, he looked around and smiled: "You are a mortal..."

Wujiao, not wanting to be impolite, hurriedly put on his long robe, tucked the short sword into his chest, and picked up a few fruits to hide. He then bowed: "I am Wujiao, meeting you, great master. The scripture belongs to me, please... hehe..." He extended his hand with a forced smile, everything unspoken. I don't care if you're a cultivator or a mortal, just return my scripture!

"Oh, so you are a mortal scholar..."

The man's expression changed, and he said to himself: "I am not a great master, you can call me Daoist Changxian..." He walked a few steps on the grass, looked at the lake ahead, and said to himself: "A thousand streams form a lake, like a mirror, called Mirror Lake. The salmon in the lake have delicious meat. I came here to fish, but someone intruded..."

Wujiao, seeing that the man didn't return the scripture, didn't dare to demand it. He thought: His name is Changxian, a Taoist, he seems very powerful but is easy-going, much better than Gu Li and the others. He came to Mirror Lake to fish, could he be upset that I entered without permission?

The middle-aged man, calling himself Changxian, muttered to himself, then turned and raised the animal skin: "Is this scripture a family heirloom or did you find it by chance? Can I borrow it to study for a few days..."

Wujiao was caught off guard, not knowing how to respond.

Why do you care if it's a family heirloom or something I found? You can't just take it by force, that's unreasonable. But what can I do if you really do...

Changxian, understanding his thoughts, smiled apologetically: "I just got excited and acted rashly. I live on Red Mist Peak of Spirit Mist Mountain, I won't deny it later."

Wujiao's expression changed, and he said: "You come from Spirit Mist Mountain..."

Changxian countered: "Is there something wrong with that?"

Wujiao suddenly became more open and said straightforwardly: "Since you ask, how can I refuse! However..." He paused, then bowed: "As you said, I am going to Spirit Mist Mountain to seek immortals and learn the way. Please take me up the mountain..."

Thinking about it, he probably won't return the scripture. If so, he shouldn't suffer in vain.

Changxian was slightly surprised, pointing at his nose, his tone threatening and ambiguous: "You, a mere mortal, dare to bargain with me?"

Wujiao felt a sudden chill, shivering. The scenery around him was the same, the breeze was gentle, and there was nothing unusual, but why did he feel like he was falling into an ice pit? He tried to remain calm and said awkwardly: "To be honest, I have been wandering for half a month, always stuck, and if I keep getting lost, I might die in the Cloudy Ridge..."

Changxian nodded, his long eyes flashing with an indeterminate look. After a moment, he said generously: "Fine, I will take you out of the Cloudy Ridge, as compensation for borrowing the scripture. From now on, we are even..." He suddenly waved his sleeve, and the animal skin scripture slowly flew out.

Today I met a good person! He will not only take me out of the Cloudy Ridge but also return the scripture?

Wujiao was secretly delighted and reached out to catch it. But the animal skin, still a few feet away, suddenly caught fire and burned. He quickly waved his sleeve to put it out, but the intense flames disappeared in an instant. At the same time, seven faint rays of light appeared and disappeared in the blink of an eye!

He thought he was a good person, but it turns out he was just playing with him?

Wujiao was flustered, his face full of shock and anger: "Master, why did you burn my scripture?"

Changxian, like a deaf person, ignored the question and looked up into the sky, as if searching for something. Surprised, he muttered to himself: "The scripture, though written on animal skin, is actually made through alchemy, and will self-destruct if anything goes wrong..."

Burning the animal skin and not admitting it, that's too much!

Wujiao interrupted: "You clearly destroyed it with your own hands..."

Changxian turned around and laughed dismissively: "Even if I stole your spirit stones and talismans and killed you to cover it up, what could you do..."

Wujiao's face changed, and he instinctively covered his waist. He could see through him even through his clothes, how despicable!

Changxian laughed even more easily: "I am helping you..."

Wujiao shrugged, at a loss for words. Selling him and making him count the money, this was not just bullying, but outright humiliation! How can all cultivators be like this, I have learned a lot! Under threat and temptation, what can I do!

Changxian continued: "If I am not mistaken, the scripture is extraordinary. If you keep it, it will bring you disaster. Although I destroyed the scripture, I saved your life. There is a saying in the mortal world: a man without virtue is not guilty, but a man with virtue is guilty... Do you understand the essence of the scripture?"

Wujiao, feeling unhappy, but not wanting to be overly dramatic, thought for a moment and said pitifully: "No..."

"Ha ha, that's right, what use is the scripture to you? Destroying it to avoid disaster is the right thing to do!"

Changxian, as if he had found a bargain, laughed proudly and waved his sleeve, saying: "Let's go, I will take you out of the Cloudy Ridge..."

A small sword light shot out of the air, landing on the ground, transforming into a sword about four to five feet long and three inches wide, shimmering with light. At first glance, it seemed like a magical illusion.

Wujiao, staring at the sword light, couldn't help but take a few steps back.

That's a flying sword, and I will be flying on it? What if I fall and die!

However, at this point, arguing was futile. Besides, the animal skin scripture was not legitimate, and destroying it might indeed avoid trouble, as this Daoist Changxian said.

Changxian stepped onto the blade of the flying sword, pointing to the hilt: "If you don't come, I will leave..." Before he finished speaking, the nearly five-foot-long sword light slowly rose off the ground.

What's there to be afraid of, I am brave! If he had bad intentions, why would he do this!

Wujiao took a deep breath, put on his backpack, and jumped onto the sword light. As soon as his feet touched the ground, a force from below bound him tightly, and he couldn't move. At the same time, the wind howled, the surroundings suddenly opened up, and white clouds floated nearby. He was surprised and looked down, only to find himself high in the air, and immediately closed his eyes in fear...

A sword light carrying two figures sped away, and half an hour later, landed in a mountain hollow.

Wujiao, trembling, gradually calmed down, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a vast expanse of clouds and a picturesque landscape. This is flying on a sword, how exhilarating! Just as he was enjoying the view, he felt the descent and the change in scenery. His feet touched the ground, and he was gently pushed, losing his balance.

Someone laughed: "Farewell..."

Wujiao, barely standing steady, looked around in confusion.

The place was overgrown with wild grass, with steep mountains, no flying immortals, and no exotic flowers or plants. It was clearly a desolate wilderness, with no trace of a spiritual mountain. The flying immortal just now seemed like a dream!

Wujiao, not having time to look around, hurriedly shouted: "I want to go to Spirit Mist Mountain, why did you leave me here..."

Changxian, about to leave, turned and circled a few yards away. The sword light under his feet and his flowing sleeves gave him a divine and Taoist appearance, but his words were chilling: "I considered the favor of lending you the scripture, so I took you this far, but I never said I would take you up the mountain. Now we are even, what more do you want?"

Wujiao, speechless, stared.

Changxian, seemingly compassionate, said honestly: "This place is at the foot of the spiritual mountain, and non-cultivators are not allowed to enter. I could take you up the mountain for a tour, but I don't want to leave a bad impression. You can either try to join a sect or leave. Whether you stay or go, it's up to you! However..." He shook his head and sighed: "You are not a cultivator, why waste your youth? Why not enjoy life to the fullest, so as not to waste your life!" As he spoke, he stepped on the sword light and rose into the clouds, turning back to laugh: "Ha ha! What a stubborn scholar..."

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