Chapter 6: The Pursuit of Taoism at Maoshan

The journey up the mountain was exceptionally smooth, so smooth that Hua Qiangu felt a bit apprehensive. This was the first time she had ever climbed such a desolate mountain, where not a single sound could be heard, and the air was filled with a kind of oppressive heaviness that made it hard to breathe.

Additionally, may I take on a master?

I am Qing Xu, a humble practitioner, and my inability has led to the destruction of the entire Maoshan sect... It seems that I can no longer provide refuge for the young benefactor...

Wuwuwu, please no, she worked so hard to reach the top of the mountain, how could there be no one there?

Hua Qian Gu nodded slightly: "I will inform him to retrieve the Heavenly Chain and clear the portal"

It is said that there are many secular disciples in Maoshan, and most of them rely on worldly experiences for their cultivation, spending little time in secluded practice on the mountain. Therefore, there should not be many people left behind in the faction. However, it is impossible that there isn't even a single person to guard the mountain gate! What on earth has happened? Could it be that everyone has gone down the mountain to slay demons and eliminate evil?

I, a humble practitioner, have completely destroyed my inner alchemy and lost all my vital energy; I can no longer hold on for much longer. It is solely my fault for being blind and failing to see that my eldest disciple, Yun Yi, has long since fallen into the path of darkness! In order to seize the ancient artifact, the Heavenly Chain, he has colluded with the demons of the demon realm, nearly bringing the thousand-year foundation of Maoshan to ruin. May I ask, how old are you?

Hua Qian Gu began to feel anxious, increasingly sensing that the entire Maoshan was ominously dark.

Who is this young benefactor

Is anyone there? The disciple has come to Maoshan to seek the Dao! May I ask if anyone is present? The only response she received was a series of empty echoes.

Daoist priest, please speak; I will certainly do my utmost to accomplish it

The next objective is also very clear: first, to inform everyone at the Gathering of Immortals on Kunlun Mountain about the massacre of the Maoshan sect and the seizure of the Heavenly Chain. Furthermore, I will pass the position of sect leader to Qingxu Daoist's disciple named Yunyin. After that, I will seek to become a disciple of the esteemed Bai Zihua and finally follow him back to Changliu Mountain to diligently practice.

However, there are basically no signs of fighting in the surroundings; most of these individuals were killed with a single blow, competing to be slaughtered

Hellish battlefield

"Qingxu Laodao! I, Luo Hedong, am sending a disciple to you. Even if you do not wish to accept him, please take him in. I have been busy lately, so I will come to find you for a drink next time"

How did you manage to ascend the mountain? That wicked being has cast spells all around, and those of ordinary skill cannot break them at all. I have concentrated my spirit and gathered my energy for a day and a night, yet I still cannot send any news outside

After walking for an unknown duration, Hua Qian Gu became increasingly fearful, for she realized that this mountain was essentially a dead mountain, seemingly devoid of any signs of life.

Master, you may now see the palace feather at my waist

The old Daoist Qingxu nodded slightly, using one hand to form a seal and tapping Flower Qian Gu's forehead. The sect leader's mark flashed and vanished. Flower Qian Gu only felt a surge of vital energy and internal power rushing into her body from her forehead.

For some reason, Hua Qian Gu always has a vague sense of foreboding, yet it feels different from the usual sensation of encountering a ghost.

Not a single person can be seen, not even a bird.

Master Qingxu

At first, I couldn't make it up, but later I sought out Yiqiu Jun, who gave me a Heavenly Water Drop. On my way up the mountain, I encountered an elder brother named Xuanyuan Lang and his master, Luo Hedong. Elder Luo even gave me this sound transmission conch, saying that if I showed it to you, you would understand and accept me as your disciple

Hua Qian Gu trembled uncontrollably: "I... I am Hua Qian Gu... I originally intended to come to Maoshan to seek apprenticeship and guidance from Daoist Qing Xu. Here... what on earth has happened?"

Countless corpses piled layer upon layer filled the entire bottom of the pit. Clad in Taoist robes, there were hundreds of people of all ages. Moreover, among the heap of bodies, the majority were dismembered limbs, soaked in blood. Intestines, eyes, and fingers were scattered everywhere. It was a sight too horrific to behold

... ...

Please take this down and keep it safe. This is the token of the sect leader. Additionally, beneath the incense burner in the main hall, there are two secret texts: one contains the essentials and essence of the Maoshan Daoist teachings for you to pass on to the next sect leader, and the other is the Comprehensive Book of the Six Realms that I have authored, which you should keep well. If there is anything you do not understand, you can refer to it. As for the matters that follow, I entrust them to you; I can finally close my eyes.

What should she do now? What should she do? Who can tell her what she should do?

Straining to hold back, yet afraid to touch his still seated form, fearing that a single touch would cause him to topple over.

Steeling himself, he walked into the grand hall, only to find that the once resplendent hall was now empty, with the fireworks extinguished and not a single soul in sight

Following the main hall inward, I could not spare the time to admire the magnificent architecture, and while glancing around, I arrived at the square in front of the Hall of Ten Thousand Blessings. To my surprise, I found that a vast pit had been artificially created in the center of the spacious square, equivalent in size and depth to another Hall of Ten Thousand Blessings, as if it had been formed by a meteorite impact.

The stone steps at the summit wind and spiral downwards, and looking down reveals a depth of a hundred fathoms; one can almost reach the floating clouds nearby

Hua Qian Gu, while vomiting, tried to crawl away with her limbs, but faintly heard some sound. Although weak, it was clear. Could there still be survivors?

Finally, they arrived at the front of the Hall of Ten Thousand Blessings in the Nine Heavens, where the surroundings were so quiet that even the sound of breathing was distinctly audible

Hua Qian Gu nodded slightly, as if she understood but also did not fully comprehend

Hua Qian Gu then saw the pure white feather, which was completely untainted by any blood. However, it had clearly not been there just a moment ago. Could it be that she had gained a little bit of magical power?

"Master, Master..." Hua Qian Gu knelt down, preparing to bow and pay respects. His intention was to express his willingness to become a disciple, wasn't it

Master Qingxu

I see it

In contrast to the lush greenery found elsewhere, the vibrant green of Damaofeng appears so thick that it seems like the oil paint on a canvas is about to peel off, creating an uncomfortable sensation of stickiness all over one's body

Qing Xu, with a pale complexion, smiled: "So you have encountered them! You should tap twice at the third thread on that narrow end."

Hua Qian Gu was knocking loudly, when suddenly a roar like that of a lion echoed from within the spiral.

Although the disciples within the sect have suffered heavy casualties, Maoshan has not perished. Benefactor, I temporarily confer upon you the position of the Maoshan sect leader. At that time, you shall issue the Maoshan decree at the gathering of the immortals, summoning all external Maoshan disciples to return to the mountain, to reorganize our sect and reclaim the Heavenly Chain.

There was not a hint of wind, and Hua Qiangu felt increasingly anxious, beginning to feel a heat rising within her. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, her breathing becoming inexplicably chaotic, as a faint, barely perceptible scent of blood gradually spread through her nostrils to her brain cells

At the end, the tail of the transmission horn is slightly reddened

Indeed, Changliu Shangxian, with his ice-cold demeanor and frost-like appearance, is currently the most accomplished individual in the celestial realm. Bring the sound transmission conch, and I will entrust you to him. However, I am uncertain about his character; he is quite strict and never takes on disciples. I wonder if he will grant this humble Taoist a favor this time. Additionally, I will inform him of other pressing matters and request his assistance in tidying up the aftermath.

Hua Qian Gu, disregarding the many falls and struggles, slid into the pit and began to climb laboriously among a pile of corpses. Her hands touched the sticky blood, flesh, and tissue fluid, nearly making her vomit bile, yet she still desperately crawled to the front of the old man

Why is this the case? Is it possible that the legendary fairyland is just like this?

Qing Xu raised his eyebrows and smiled: "How wonderful, I can still hear the voice of an old friend before I die. www.hetushu.com, it is a pity that there will be no more opportunities to drink together."

Is anyone there? Is there anyone present?

"Qing Xu Daozhang, please do not say that. Why has it come to this? Is it due to sect disputes? Or is it the work of demons? How could it be so cruel, to kill so many people! I... Is there anything I can do? What about your injuries?"

I shall impart the remaining teachings to you, which can be considered a small token of gratitude

Hua Qian Gu slowly crawled out of the deep pit, and then saw red flames rising from the body of Qing Xu Daozhang in the pit, yet it was clearly not fire, and there was not the slightest sensation of heat.

On the thirteenth of next month, please ensure that you attend the gathering of immortals at Kunlun Yaochi on my behalf, and inform the other immortals about the massacre at Maoshan and the theft of the Chained Heaven. The six realms are currently in chaos, with many barriers in the human world being opened, leading to an increase in demons and monsters. I hope that the other immortals will safeguard the remaining ancient artifacts; otherwise, if the demon gods emerge, the common people will suffer greatly, and there may be no means left to suppress them.

As she spoke, Hua Qian Gu saw Qing Xu muttering incantations, one symbol after another flowing from his mouth and drifting into the sound transmission shell, though it was unclear what he was saying

Everything in the pit gradually turned to ashes, and countless small red dots emitting light slowly floated upwards.

Recently, the world has been thrown into chaos. He must have returned because of the matter concerning the divine artifact. Young benefactor, may I entrust you with a matter of great importance

No scene of bloody horror she has witnessed compares to this hell on earth

The old man tightly closed his eyes, with two streams of blood tears on his face, as if his eyes had been gouged out. However, his face seemed to still bear a faint smile, devoid of any pain.

Hua Qian Gu knelt before the pit and bowed twice. Suddenly, it began to rain from the sky, washing away the bloodstains on her body. The atmosphere remained heavy, but Hua Qian Gu felt much better, and her energy became incredibly abundant.

Twelve years old in nominal age

I dared not approach, only feeling that something bad would happen. Yet my feet could not help but move little by little towards the pit.

Forcing himself to turn his head, he saw the old man with white hair and beard lying atop a pile of corpses. One hand had been brutally torn off, and there was a large hole in the center of his chest, completely penetrating through, with his heart and lungs having been removed. Yet, there was still a faint sound of moaning that lingered.

The overwhelming wave, carrying the stench of blood and heat, instantly engulfed her. Hua Qian Gu let out a piercing scream of extreme fear that echoed in all directions, and then she knelt on the ground, covering her face.

Although he did not pay his respects to a master and is not a disciple of Maoshan, he inexplicably became the leader of Maoshan, which is truly astonishing. Hua Qian Gu took the two secret books, wrapped them up, and tucked them into her bosom before beginning her descent from the mountain

Is that the Yuan Dan of a cultivator? With high Dao attainment, the Yuan Dan should be intact enough to allow for corpse dissolution, while those with lower Dao attainment should be able to reincarnate. ... I wonder where Daoist Qingxu has gone ...

Master, please rise. I am but a dying man and can teach you no more. It would be better for you to seek another enlightened teacher and find a new path. In this vast world and among the realms of immortals, there is no place like Changliu. If you can receive teachings directly from Zihua, it would be a great fortune in life. Thus, our fateful encounter here would not be in vain.

It is of no concern, I am merely acting in a temporary capacity. If you are unwilling to pass the position of sect leader to another disciple of my sect at that time, my second disciple, Yun Yin, is a worthy candidate to entrust.

"Grandfather... how are you?" Hua Qian Gu had never witnessed such a tragic scene in the world, and her nose felt sour, nearly bringing her to tears.

I? I ... ...

Go! Kunlun Mountain, the gathering of immortals, find Bai Zihua

The Daoist priest Qingxu sighed, feeling a deep sense of regret. "It's a pity he suddenly had an urgent matter to attend to, saying he had to rush back to some place; otherwise, we could have gone up the mountain together"