The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1645 - 834: Seeking Immortals (Part 2)

"Thunder Ancestor, Mazu, Huang Daxian, Zheng Xian... there are quite a few names that can be called out, not to mention in the countryside, every village has its own local Mortal God. I only know a little."

"Zheng Xian?"

Li Yan frowned upon hearing this, "Could it be Zheng Anqi?"

Zheng Anqi is An Qisheng, revered by the Mystical Sect as the North Pole Master, the Thousand-year-old Immortal, who was taught by the River Master and is widely known.

More crucially, it is rumored that when Emperor Qin Shi Huang traveled east, he met with him for three days and offered him gold and jade, which he refused.

At that time, Xu Fu was also sent to sea to find An Qisheng as one of his objectives.

During the era of Emperor Wu, the Fangshi Li Shaojun and Luan Dai claimed to have associated with him, which sparked the emperor’s interest in seeking immortals across the East Sea, showcasing his status.

Everyone’s spirits were lifted upon hearing this.

Sha Lifei glanced around and whispered, "Brother Yan suspects he is connected to the Three Immortal Mountains?"

The great calamity of the world concerns the Daluo Law Realm. It’s unsafe to reveal things without confirmation, but the search for the Three Immortal Mountains has been discussed with the companions.

"Yes."

Li Yan nodded and said, "Some rumors about the Three Immortal Mountains also came out of his mouth. I suspect he practiced in the Secret Realm of the Three Immortal Mountains overseas. At the very least, he has been inside, otherwise Emperor Qin and Emperor Han would not have believed."

"Unfortunately, it’s been too long, and it’s hard to verify."

"Though the immortal’s traces are elusive, they may not be without clues."

Wang Daoxuan pondered and led everyone to a teahouse, then took out an old, yellowed Guangzhou gazetteer map from his sleeve, spread it out on the table, and pointed to the mountainous area in the north of the city, "I just browsed some ancient texts and remembered an old story widely circulated in Guangfu, which may have some connection."

His fingertip landed on the characters "White Cloud Mountain," "Zheng Xian is An Qisheng, who, according to the ’Records of the Grand Historian,’ ate enormous dates, wore the Red Jade Shoes, and was elusive like the Divine Dragon, claiming to be from Penglai Immortal Mountain, which neither Emperor Qin nor Emperor Han could obtain."

He pointed to the area of Pu Jian on the map, "The ’Lingbiao Lu Yi’ records that An Qisheng was not only active in the East Sea. It is said that during the Qin Dynasty, he traveled south to this White Cloud Mountain area to practice medicine and help the world. To heal the people injured by poisonous miasmas and insects in the mountains, he risked entering the dangerous mountain ravine to collect a Spiritual Medicine called ’Nine-Sectioned Acorus.’ However, during the collection, he accidentally stumbled and fell off a cliff named ’Jade Slipper’..."

"Strangely, when the people looked for him at the bottom of the cliff, they found no body, but instead, Auspicious Clouds swirling and Immortal Cranes chirping, claiming he had ’ascended after falling off the cliff.’"

"Ascended after falling off the cliff?"

Li Yan was speechless and shook his head, "An Qisheng is at least an Earth Immortal. How could he fall off a cliff? There must be more to the story."

Kong Shangzhao furrowed his brows and pondered, "I have read many ancient books about him. It is said that An Qisheng was from Qin Langya Fuxiang, studied under the River Master, and became an immortal. Both the ’Records of the Grand Historian’ and the ’Han Shu’ say he ’communicated with Penglai, appearing when united, hiding when not,’ with Yan Shigu annotating that ’united means Daoist platform,’ meaning he could freely enter and exit the Secret Realm."

"Such a person naturally wouldn’t fall to his death; perhaps it was a Blinding Technique to enter the Secret Realm."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard, "Daoist Kong is right. I also suspect that beneath the ’Jade Slipper’ cliff, there might be a portal to the Secret Realm of Immortal Mountain, or a hidden cave of cultivation for An Qisheng. The tale of his ascension is likely a story made up by the people."

These words refreshed everyone’s spirits.

Sha Lifei slapped his thigh, "Hey! If we can find the old immortal’s lair, we might uncover clues to the Three Immortal Mountains!"

Li Yan’s eyes lit up as he stood up briskly, "Time is of the essence, let’s explore that ’Jade Slipper’ right away!"

In his heart, he thought that if An Qisheng indeed had connections to Penglai, his relics might hold clues to finding Penglai Immortal Mountain.

...

It was early May, and the heat in Lingnan was increasing, with rampant growth of vegetation.

They left the bustling and noisy Guangzhou City and headed for the foot of White Cloud Mountain.

The mountain paths became steeper, ancient trees rose to the sky, and dense canopies filtered fragmented light, with the atmosphere thick with the scent of decaying leaves and fresh vegetation. Occasionally, distant birdcalls added to the deep and quiet ambiance of the mountains.

Dusk lay like light ink, quietly soaking through the layers of the forest, blurring the outlines of the distant mountains.

Following the vague guidance of a woodcutter, they climbed to a rarely visited valley on the mountainside.

Sure enough, they saw a small shrine, nestled forlornly amidst the greenery, in complete disrepair.

Ivy covered the crumbling walls, and the rotten wood plaque of "Anqi Master Temple" hung askew, entangled in cobwebs, creaking in the wind.

The incense burner was overturned on the ground, filled with accumulated rainwater, covered in green duckweed.

The offerings had long since molded into mud, with only a few bundles of withered, dew-drenched mugwort and acorus left.

"The incense is thin; it has been abandoned for a long time."

Kong Shangzhao bent down and picked up half of a broken stele from the base next to the toppled stone stele, wiping away the thick moss with his fingers to reveal mottled inscriptions, "Hmm... reconstruction records from the previous dynasty... ’Donated by believers to honor the Master’... it seems later generations only knew the superficial story and didn’t understand the True Intent and mystery within, leading to the fading of incense and its ultimate disappearance."

Everyone shook their heads; the sacrifices here were simple, clearly unworthy of a True Immortal’s presence.

By this time, the sunset had set behind the winding ridges, dyeing the horizon in dark golden orange-red.

Should they head back now, the city gates would certainly be closed.

Sha Lifei felt his larger packs and cursed, "No wonder Lingnan is a place of exile; the mosquitoes here could devour a person. Why don’t we just head back? At worst, Miss Long can use a technique to daze the guards, and we can climb over the walls."

"Hold on!"

Kong Shangzhao looked around, "Something’s not right. The place An Qisheng ascended is called ’Jade Slipper,’ located in the depths of Pu Jian. But here is only a small temple, a false temple resulting from later generations’ mistaken claims!"

He borrowed the map from Wang Daoxuan, "Based on the legends, the true location should be in a remote cliff or secluded valley, places where spiritual medicines grow."

"Let’s keep searching."

Li Yan looked towards the darkening depths of the mountain forest.

He felt that the clues regarding An Qisheng were essential, and he was unwilling to give up easily.

Since the leader had given the order, everyone lit torches and continued deeper into the mountain.

Fortunately, Long Yan’er released the aura of the Qin Insect, causing rustling sounds as mosquitoes and Poison Insects quickly retreated.

At the same time, Lv San performed with the Bone Flute.

In a moment, the previously silent forest was stirred, and the rustling sounds burst forth.

Several deer leapt out from the underbrush, gracefully leading the way; night owls in the treetops let out short calls, indicating directions; even the colorful Poison Snakes in rock crevices sensed the majesty and retreated quietly.

Lv San’s current Dao level was at the peak of the Three-story Tower, and his spells were even more profound. Under his guidance with the Beast Taming Technique, the beasts of the mountains followed like scouts, carving a path towards deeper and more secluded areas of White Cloud Mountain amidst the thickening twilight.

Moonlight rose, its clear sheen spreading everywhere.

Following the guidance of the animal herd, they ventured to the heart of a solitary peak, where human traces ceased.

Initially, they found several spots that were hunters’ temporary resting places.

Finally, a colossal cave mouth, hidden by vines as thick as a wrist, revealed itself.

The natural stone patterns at the cave entrance interwove, subtly forming a Taiji Yin-Yang symbol, exuding an ancient vibe.

Lv San swept aside the wet tangled vines, and a strong stench mixed with wild beast musk assailed them.

The sight inside the cave made them frown: mounds of animal dung piled high like a mountain, with broken pottery and jars scattered like stars, the cave walls clawed into deep ruts by sharp claws, clearly the long-abandoned lair of large fierce beasts like bears, wasted over time.

Sha Lifei endured the stench and ignited a pine torch from his belongings.

The flickering firelight dispelled the darkness at the cave entrance and immediately illuminated an unusual cave wall in the depths.

Majestic murals outlined in ochre and lapis lazuli emerged in the firelight!

The murals depicted towering waves, with the angry sea seemingly ready to burst forth.

Amidst the surging deep blue ink-colored waves, five mountain-sized black turtles with clearly etched shell patterns like ancient landscapes were majestically lifting from their heads, solidly supporting a paradise of palatial architecture and immortal mountain scenery.

Immortal pavilions and graceful bridges floated amidst the clouds and mist, with their flying eaves seemingly reaching for the stars, where exotic flowers and rare grasses adorned the peaks, at the center stood a grand archway with its ancient strokes boldly inscribing two characters—"Penglai"!