Chapter 002: First Encounter with the Heavenly Path (Part One)

Where is this, where am I? Jingfeng murmured as he rubbed his eyes. The first thing that caught his eye was a strange room, with simple wooden tables and chairs, basic tea utensils, and beams of sunlight streaming through the window into the room, giving the entire space a simple and rustic feel

Such a heavy injury, Senior Brother Lingku, who is the child in your arms, and how did they sustain such a serious injury? The one speaking is the youngest among the disciples, Master Lingzhu, who has been cultivating for three thousand two hundred years. Master Lingzhu has white hair and beard; although he has a frail physique, he exudes an air of celestial grace and Daoist demeanor.

"The meridians are completely destroyed, the bones are all broken, and the five internal organs have shattered and shifted. How is it that there is a mass of spiritual energy protecting the vital pulse, preserving the last breath of life, to the extent that even my spiritual power cannot penetrate? It seems this child is not one of our cultivators; how strange, how strange," said Master Lingyun with a puzzled expression.

"Do not save him. The preciousness of the Nine Turns Immortal Spirit Pill is something I believe you and several fellow disciples are aware of. Regardless of the severity of the injury, the Nine Turns Immortal Spirit Pill can heal it. Recalling the past, when Master Yuanfeng was undergoing the Nine-Nine Immortal Tribulation, he sacrificed his physical body to save us a single immortal pill for the sake of our Tiandao Sect. To use one of our last two Nine Turns Immortal Spirit Pills for a child of unknown origin, I find it unacceptable" said Master Lingfeng loudly.

"Save!" The real person Lingku first spoke, and although he only uttered one word, it was said with unwavering determination

Ling Feng, do not be anxious. The reason I have summoned everyone here today is because of him. Master Ling Yun pointed to the unconscious Jing Feng in the arms of Master Ling Ku.

Yunlong Mountain consists of seven towering peaks. These seven peaks, naturally formed and encircled like the Big Dipper, constitute a natural defensive formation for the mountain. However, at present, due to the destruction of the heart of the formation, the protective divine stone of the mountain, the overall power of the defensive formation is only one-third of what it was during its peak.

Suddenly, a sound of Sanskrit broke the tranquility of the world. "Junior Brother Lingku, you have returned. Your journey this time was quite swift. Did anything significant happen during your travels?" The speaker was Lingyun Zhenren, the leader of the Tiandao Sect, seated in the center of the grand hall. Lingyun Zhenren, the head of the Tiandao Sect, exuded an air of immortality, dressed in a long blue robe, transcending the mundane. He has been cultivating in the Tiandao Sect for over 3,800 years.

"As for food, I have completely forgotten. You are but a mortal, and eating and drinking are necessities. Unlike us cultivators and scholars, who can go for hundreds of years without food or drink. Ning Shi, go see if there is anything that can be used to stave off hunger, and bring some back." Master Ling Ku said with a smile

"Senior Brother Zhangmen, what has happened that summoned the four of us?" exclaimed Master Lingfeng anxiously. Master Lingfeng, the third in the Ling lineage, is known for his irritable temperament and has harbored a lifelong aversion to evil. He has practiced in the Tiandao Sect for over 3,500 years.

Meanwhile, Ling Ku, the true man, pressed his hand against his chest, closed his eyes in deep thought for a moment, and then said: "Master Zhangmen, this mysterious child was brought back by me. I will take full responsibility for all future consequences. I hope Master Zhangmen can accept this child under my tutelage, allowing me to teach and observe him. I trust my intuition; this child will surely bring blessings to the Tiandao Sect."

Heaven has a benevolent nature, and as practitioners of the Dao, we should align ourselves with the will of Heaven. I believe the three junior brothers and sisters would not object. Senior Brother, could you please summon them to the Heavenly Hall now so that we can discuss this together

What is going on? How could this happen? It seems that this child's background is becoming increasingly mysterious. I hope that our unintentional act of kindness this time does not go against the natural order and does not bring catastrophic disaster to the Heavenly Dao Sect.

The four cardinal directions are represented by Yunwu Peak, Yuping Peak, Lianhua Peak, and Yanyun Peak

"Disciple, do not argue any longer; there is nothing worth debating. Perhaps this is simply fate. The immediate priority now is to save this child; let everything else take its natural course," sighed Master Lingyun.

Master, I know you are a good person. I can tell you about my background and everything I saw that day, but Master, could you please get me something to eat before I speak? I am a bit hungry; anything to eat will do, as long as it fills me up. I currently have no strength left in my body.

The Hall of Creation is exceedingly spacious, furnished with simple tea sets and tables. On the central wall of the hall, the four large characters "Understanding the Way of Heaven" are displayed, exuding an imposing presence that inspires admiration

The Hall of Heaven, the central hub of the Heavenly Dao Sect, boasts a dazzling white light atop its roof, resembling a majestic eagle spreading its wings, looking down upon the mountains. Below, eight ancient divine trees support the roof, each intricately carved with eight fierce dragons, their claws and fangs bared, lending the entire hall an air of solemnity and grandeur. Tianlong Peak is shrouded in mist year-round, appearing from a distance like a dragon coiling around the mountaintop.

Well, it is rare for you, junior brother, to express the intention of taking on a disciple. Since you have said so, let this child become your apprentice. Among us brothers, your character and cultivation are the highest, so I am at ease entrusting this child to you. I now bestow upon him the Dharma name Mu Yu. You may take him back to your place of cultivation to train.

"Yes, yes, it's delicious, delicious. I have never eaten such delicious fruit before; it is truly exquisite." Jing Feng swiftly devoured the wild fruits on the plate.

"Senior Brother, have you thought this through? Is it worth it?" said Master Lingfeng, shaking his head.

"Well, what do you think?" Master Lingyun turned to Masters Lingfeng and Lingzhu.

"Yes, good." Jing Feng sat on the bed and recounted his background and the events he witnessed that day to Ling Ku and Ning Shizi without missing a word

On the following day, early in the morning, the gentle morning light slanted across the spacious edge of the bed. A beam of sunlight awakened the sleeping Jingfeng

Jing Feng rubbed his pair of soulful big eyes, took a careful look at the real person Ling Ku, and said: "It’s you, old immortal. How did I end up here? Where is this? Were you the one who saved me that day?"

With a creak, the door opened again. Ning Shizi brought over a plate of wild fruits he had gathered and placed it in front of Jingfeng, saying: "Junior brother, I picked some wild fruits. As cultivators, we rarely eat, so I don't know what you like. Just make do with these wild fruits." Ning Shizi said with a smile.

Thank you! After saying this, Jingfeng grabbed the wild fruit and stuffed it into his mouth

"Master Zhangmen, let us first save this child. I will explain what has happened shortly. This child is a poor soul, as his hometown was destroyed by the demon dragon of Black Dragon Island, and he was also injured by the residual energy from my battle with the dragon. He is already on the brink of death, yet despite such severe injuries, he still has a faint breath of life, which can only be described as a miracle. Heaven has a benevolent nature towards life. Master Zhangmen, please save this child. I feel that this child may have a connection with our Tiandao Sect. I earnestly request you to lend your aid." Ling Ku, the True Man, said earnestly.

"Alright, Master, I will be right back." Ning Shizi felt very happy upon seeing the Master take in another young apprentice, thinking to himself: "Finally, in the days of cultivation to come, I will have someone to talk to and share stories with to alleviate my boredom."

"Ling Ku, take this child to the back hall. I will go fetch the Nine-Turn Immortal Spirit Pill to treat his severe injuries. Ling Ku, I will need your assistance shortly, as I fear the spiritual energy of the Nine-Turn Immortal Spirit Pill is too strong for this child to absorb" said the Real Person Ling Yun in a low voice

Ling Ku, the true person, said gently: "Child, I am not a deity; I am a hermit of the cultivation world. What is your name? Can you tell me about what you saw that day and your background? I mean no harm."

In the Zhaoming Platform within the Hall of the Heavenly Sovereign, the Celestial Being Lingyun stood before the Heavenly Dragon Bell. With his right hand gently placed on the bell, it instantly erupted with a white spiritual light, radiating outward in ripples, yet not producing a single sound. All of this appeared so ethereal and miraculous

Alright, child, since you are full, please tell me about your background and what you saw that day, Ling Ku Zhenren said softly

In the grand hall, only the Real Person Lingyun sat within, making the entire hall appear desolate. "Junior Brother, who is the child in your arms? How did they sustain such serious injuries? What exactly happened?" the Real Person Lingyun asked anxiously.

The main peak, Tianlong Peak, is the highest peak of Yunlong Mountain and serves as the hub of the entire Yunlong Mountain range. The Hall of Opening Heaven, the main hall of the Heavenly Dao Sect, is located on Tianlong Peak

This matter is of great importance and should not be taken lightly. This child has suffered such severe injuries that an ordinary person would have long since perished. However, this child possesses a mysterious force that protects his last breath, and he was saved by Senior Brother Ling Ku, bringing him to our Heavenly Dao Sect. I believe this child is destined to be connected with our sect, and I think we should save him. " Master Ling Zhu said slowly. Master Ling Zhu is tall and slender, with a radiant demeanor, having practiced for over three thousand two hundred years.

"Master Zhangmen, I have returned," said the real person Ling Ku in a low voice

"I will also save." The cold and frosty Ling Yu Zhenren said. Ling Yu Zhenren is the only surviving female of the Ling lineage, appearing to be around thirty years old, yet she has been cultivating for over three thousand four hundred years. With a beautiful face, snow-white skin, and a tall figure, she gives off an aura of coldness and frost, which can be quite unsettling. Upon hearing Ling Yu Zhenren's firm declaration to save, Ling Ku Zhenren cast a grateful glance at her.

While Ning Shizi went to find food, the real person Ling Ku narrated the general situation of mortals and cultivators to Jing Feng. Jing Feng listened with great interest, completely forgetting the hunger in his stomach.

"Hmm, to save this child, we can only use our supreme elixir—the Nine-turn Immortal Spirit Pill. Junior brother, you are aware of the significance of the Nine-turn Immortal Spirit Pill to our Heavenly Dao Sect. Currently, there are only two Nine-turn Immortal Spirit Pills left. Each Immortal Spirit Pill represents a life. Although I am in charge of safeguarding the Nine-turn Immortal Spirit Pills, the decision to use them must be discussed with several junior brothers and sisters. I do not have the authority to decide on my own," said Master Lingyun, furrowing his brow in resignation.

The Astonishing Cave within the Broken Cloud Peak is a forbidden area of the Heavenly Dao Sect. It is said that the spiritual energy inside the Astonishing Cave is ten times that of the outside world and contains methods for cultivation and refining artifacts. However, there is a forbidden formation outside the Astonishing Cave, and disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect must reach a certain level of power to enter the cave for cultivation. The highest mental method of the Heavenly Dao Sect—Heavenly Dao—is also inscribed on the Heavenly Dao Cliff within the Broken Cloud Peak, guarded by the mountain's spiritual beasts, the Stone Beast and the Thunder Leopard. Only disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect who have attained a certain level can comprehend it on their own.

I am full, thank you, brother.

Tianya Peak is the mountain closest to the mountain gate. Due to the influence of the entire mountain protection formation, to outsiders, Tianya Peak appears as an unfathomable cliff, instilling a sense of dread. Thus, it is named Tianya Peak.

"What do you think, Junior Brother Ling Zhu?" asked Master Ling Yun.

In the inner hall, Jing Feng lay on the bed after taking the Nine-Turn Immortal Spirit Pill. "Junior Brother Ling Ku, help this child sit up. You and I will work together to assist this child in digesting the effects of the spirit pill," said Master Ling Yun slowly.

"Child, you are awake. Are you feeling better?" asked Ling Ku, the real person, in a concerned whisper.

"Alright, let me first take a look at this child's injury." Master Lingyun took two steps to the side of Jingfeng, and his right hand slowly pressed against Jingfeng's chest, instantly radiating brilliance.

"Junior Brother Ling Zhu, this child is a wretched one." Master Ling Ku must recount everything that transpired that day in Luoxia Village to several other masters. After Master Ling Ku finished speaking, the Hall of Creation fell into a profound silence, with each person lost in deep thought.

Well, since three of us have agreed, we shall use the Nine-Turn Immortal Spirit Pill to save this unfortunate child. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, if it is a curse, it cannot be avoided. Let us see whether our decision aligns with the will of heaven or goes against it said Lingyun Zhenren calmly

The most mysterious peak of Yunlong Mountain is Poyun Peak, which is also the shortest and least prominent peak, located on the backside of the main peak, Tianlong Peak

Yunlong Mountain, with its towering peaks, is magnificent and grand. From a distance, one cannot even see the summit. The entire mountain is shrouded in mist year-round, and the valleys are filled with lush, towering ancient trees. Various verdant vines grow on these ancient trees, resembling coiling dragons that playfully twist and turn, showcasing the ethereal aura of Yunlong Mountain.

"Alright, Senior Brother, let us begin now; I will follow your lead," said Ling Ku, as a mass of spiritual mist enveloped Jing Feng like a silkworm cocoon. Time passed second by second, and suddenly, the spiritual mist erupted in a burst of colorful light, which then instantly converged into Jing Feng's body. Even the cocoon-shaped spiritual mist was absorbed along with the colorful light, disappearing without a trace, creating a most bizarre scene. With two 'puff' sounds, both Ling Yun and Ling Ku spat out blood, clearly suffering from severe internal injuries. Time passed second by second, and suddenly, the spiritual mist erupted in a burst of colorful light, which then instantly converged into Jing Feng's body. Even the cocoon-shaped spiritual mist was absorbed along with the colorful light, disappearing without a trace, creating a most bizarre scene. With two 'puff' sounds, both Ling Yun and Ling Ku spat out blood, clearly suffering from severe internal injuries

At that moment, the door creaked open, and Master Ling Ku entered, followed by a tall and handsome middle-aged man. This middle-aged man was Master Ling Ku's only disciple, Ning Shizi, who had been following Master Ling Ku in his cultivation for over 2,800 years

"Since everyone is aware of what happened that day, and the fact that this child has suffered such severe injuries is inextricably linked to our Tiandao Sect, yet everything that has transpired with this child is so mysterious, I believe this child may not be destined to perish. The principle of our Tiandao Sect is to follow the will of heaven. I would like to ask all my fellow disciples, should we use our sect's treasured elixir—the Nine Transformations Immortal Spirit Pill—to save this child's life?" Master Lingyun was the first to break the silence and pose the question.

"If a person does not eat or drink, wouldn't they starve to death? Master, what kind of people are the mortals and the cultivators you speak of?" Jing Feng asked with a puzzled expression.

"Have you eaten enough? If not, I can go gather some more for you," said Master Ning Shi with concern

Before long, the main hall of the Kaitian Temple gathered the five remaining true practitioners of the Ling lineage from the Kaitian Sect—Ling Yun, Ling Ku, Ling Feng, Ling Yu, and Ling Zhu. Thus, the Six Immortals of the Heavenly Path convened together, a rare occurrence in nearly a hundred years.

"Alright, Ling Ku, you and this child wait for me here; I will return shortly." As soon as these words were spoken, Master Ling Yun had already vanished from the great hall

Tian Dao Sect, three thousand years ago, was the foremost sect in the realm of cultivation. It is located deep within Yunlong Mountain, with the endless sea behind the Tian Dao Sect