Capital City, Records Department
In the eighth month, it rained several times in a row, the sun scorched the ground until the sand rose, the official road emitted white smoke. Although watermelons, melons, pears and other fruits, as well as fans, cattail mats and cool pillows, were all sold out as soon as they were on the market.
Even honeysuckle, chrysanthemum and other medicines were sold very quickly.
Moreover, because the streets and alleys were packed with people, it made one feel even hotter. Fortunately, not far from the entrance of the department was a large locust tree, sprinkling down a cool and refreshing feeling. Not only that, there was also a continuous stretch of large trees inside, with exotic flowers and strange grasses everywhere, faintly looking at it made one feel cool and refreshing.
Some alleys led to a pond. In the middle of the pond was a statue of a tortoise, looking up at the sky. Under the rays of the sun, steam rose up from the tortoise.
Not far away, someone was ordering, "Boil a few pots of mung bean soup for the people on duty to relieve the heat …"
A middle-aged Daoist official took a look before hurrying towards the Tipping Hall. When he reached the door, he knocked, "Your excellency, this lowly official has something to report."
Inside the hall, Feng Min was reading through the documents, categorising them and making decisions. When he heard the Daoist official's voice, he placed his brush down and shouted, "Come in."
The moment the middle aged Daoist entered the room, he felt a chill run down his spine. The entire room was filled with ice cubes, which were emitting white steam. He then took a deep breath and reported to Feng Min, "Your excellency, the Daoist official we sent to fight against Dark Altar Sect with True Sovereign Pei has reported back with the latest intelligence reports. He also has a request from True Sovereign Pei. I don't know what's gotten into True Sovereign Pei, but he issued an order to transfer all the books and records that our Dao Records Department had previously acquired."
"It's all here, take a look."
Feng Min looked through it once before pacing around with a sullen face. After some time, he sighed, "Let's talk in the main hall."
"Yes, Tipping Hall." The Daoist acknowledged before pushing the back door open. They walked along the corridor and passed through a courtyard before arriving at the main hall. He then pushed the door open.
Inside the main hall, there were dozens of Daoists busily working. The entire hall was lined with copper cabinets and rows of bookshelves. The bookshelves were not filled with books, but were filled with documents.
From time to time, someone would bring in documents, check, categorize and label them. After Feng Min entered, she sat down at the main seat and instructed, "People from the six divisions, come up and take a look before filing them."
Following Feng Min's words, seven or eight people from the Six Divisions, who were busy, stepped forward and saluted. The leading Daoist official was wearing an eighth-ranked official robe. His thin face was expressionless as he received the report and began to read it. After reading it, he silently passed the report to the next person. After several officials had finished reading the report, they placed it to the side.
"Members of the Six Divisions, if you have any opinions, feel free to voice them."
Feng Min looked on as she asked. Hearing these words, the eighth ranked Dao official paused for some time before replying, "It's normal for them to request for books, and we can understand that. These books are useless to us. However, to Free Cloud Sect, which has a weak foundation, these books are valuable resources."
"However, Free Cloud Sect is considered a middle tier sect. Even if we are lacking in resources, we wouldn't be too far off. Although these manuals have some similarities, it isn't too important. Commoners may think that Dao arts have their own unique and miraculous qualities, but we all know that they are all similar. A single Dao meridian is even more complete."
"This lowly official thinks that we can give them to them."
Feng Min nodded her head, this was very pertinent. She then paused for some time before replying, "That's true. It's fine if we request for these manuals. It's normal for us to use them for our own purposes. However, what's so special about asking for these old items?"
Feng Min was suspicious as she asked, "Have you checked these old items? What's so special about them? "
Another middle-aged Daoist official stood up and reported, "It's a reminder. These old items are stored in our Dao Records Department's storeroom. Not to mention this dynasty, even the previous dynasties have studied them. Most of them don't have any spiritual energy. Even if they do, it's very weak. They wouldn't be of much use to True Lord Pei."
When Feng Min heard this, she frowned. The middle-aged Daoist official then said, "But there's something strange going on. Since Pei Zi Yun has asked for them, there must be something wrong with them. Or perhaps there's something we haven't understood."
"Ai." Feng Min heard this and her face darkened. She then took several steps forward before sighing, "I have the same suspicions as well. Tell me, should we give them to them or not?"
The Daoist officials of the six divisions discussed amongst themselves. The eighth ranked Daoist official stepped forward and bowed, "I feel that we should give them some advice."
"Oh? Why don't we listen to your reasoning? "
The eighth ranked Daoist official replied, "There's no such thing as a reason in this world. Since True Lord Pei wants these old items, he might be looking for them. Or perhaps there's something we don't know about them."
"These items are useless to us, but we cannot give them to him without knowing why. If something were to happen, we wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility. Hence, we can give them to him, but only in batches. Every batch must be recorded in a book. The shape, size, and other characteristics of the items must be recorded. Then, the Daoist officials who are following the items must keep a close eye on them."
"As for those items that True Lord Pei is particularly interested in, we shall investigate them further."
"Perhaps we can find out why True Lord Pei is so interested in them."
Feng Min listened to the eighth ranked Daoist official's explanation and stood up, "Alright, let's do it this way. Give them to him, but in batches. Arrange for the following Daoists to keep a close eye on them, and see what they can be used for."
"Yes!" Everyone present bowed in acknowledgement.
Feng Min then patted the document in her hands, "As for this one, the Emperor has already given his approval. It's not something we can handle. Just record it down."
"Yes!" Everyone acknowledged as they used paste to stick a small note on the document, and recorded it down. Everyone took the note and placed it on a bookshelf. When they looked closer, they could see that the bookshelf was filled with countless documents. On top of the documents, there were labels such as Free Cloud Sect, Golden Island, Pei Zi Yun, etc.
"Zhang Ling, follow me." Before they left, Feng Min called out to the eighth ranked Daoist official.
Zhang Ling followed behind without a word. Feng Min walked a few steps before standing in the middle of the corridor. She then spoke in a heavy tone, "Pei Zi Yun is different from the previous Daoists."
"In the past, no matter how profound the Daoists' Dao arts were, they didn't know much about politics. However, this person is well-versed in both literature and martial arts. Once he's up against the Daoists, he won't be able to kill them in a single strike. Otherwise, he'll be in big trouble."
"The sixth division is in charge of capturing and killing Daoist bandits. You shall be in charge of Pei Zi Yun. You have to do this well. I know this will be difficult, but this is a secret order from the Emperor."
"Your humble subject understands." Zhang Ling bowed slightly, her skinny face was expressionless, "I've already placed men in Slow River County, Free Cloud Sect and Golden Island. I'm currently investigating. I want to find out who Pei Zi Yun is. This is my first step."
"Next, I want to find out who his relatives are. Once there's an order, take them down immediately."
"As for Pei Zi Yun himself, the Sixth Division is no longer able to complete this task. It's up to the Imperial Court."
The rules of the Imperial Court were to control the family members of the Daoists. These words were spoken normally, but as soon as they were spoken, a gust of wind blew in, causing the windows to rustle. Feng Min shivered uncontrollably. After some time, she then said, "I understand what you mean. We'll follow your rules. If there's any progress, report back to me immediately."
"Yes!"
Relay Station
The relay station was in good shape, and was only a few hundred meters away from the streets. Since it wasn't a market day, and it was the height of summer, there weren't many people on the streets. However, there were medicine shops, tea leaves, porcelain, and even a tavern.
The sun shone through the window into the room, as Pei Zi Yun woke up.
An indescribable feeling washed over him. He fell silent for some time before exhaling heavily. Although this wasn't the first time, every time he experienced life, he felt as though he was somewhere else.
"In the future, it's best not to use such dreams, as it affects myself."
"If I use my experience, the side effects will be much smaller."
"However, this is the legacy of the Daoist of Dark Altar Sect. Only by experiencing it personally can I absorb the most experience and Dao Arts. I had no choice this time."
Pei Zi Yun closed his eyes. He didn't need to think about it, nor did he need to think about it. The 'dream' from yesterday appeared in his mind in a vivid and lifelike manner.
The child. His parents patted his head, "Li Chang Sheng, I've heard that there are Immortals on Dark Altar Sect's mountain. When you go up there, you must cultivate well. Who knows, you might become an Immortal in the future."
"Mm, alright." The child replied in a childish voice. He then saw his parents dressed in rags. Their faces were sallow and emaciated. Time passed day by day. Pei Zi Yun continued to cultivate on Dark Altar Sect's Dao arts and sword techniques.
All of a sudden, someone came from the foot of the mountain, "Chang Sheng, your parents have been severely injured by the bandits. They are on the verge of death. Hurry and go take a look."
"Chang Sheng, Chang Sheng, you must take good care of yourself …." Pei Zi Yun rushed down the mountain. His parents didn't even have time to speak before they passed away. Before they died, they held onto Li Chang Sheng's hands tightly.
"Ah!" Li Chang Sheng screamed out in agony. It was a heart-wrenching cry. After a long time, he finally calmed down and wiped his tears away. Without saying a word, he buried his parents.
Li Chang Sheng became quiet. Every day, he worked hard and cultivated hard. Finally, he opened the gates of heaven and mastered his sword techniques. He was promoted to the Inner Sect and went down the mountain to raze the bandits to the ground.
For decades, he silently cultivated and comprehended the Dao. Year after year, he gradually became an old Daoist.
"Longevity, cultivation, Dao Arts." Gradually, he grew old. Finally, he was given a place to live and became the leader of a Daoist monastery. If he didn't become an Earth Immortal, he would only have a lifespan of a hundred years.
Pei Zi Yun opened his eyes and sighed, "Dark Altar Sect's Dao Arts are indeed exquisite. They are much better than Free Cloud Sect's. However, many of the principles are the same. It's just that Dark Altar Sect's Dao Arts are much more profound."
"These are all resources." Pei Zi Yun exhaled before shouting out, "System!"
A Plum Blossom appeared before his eyes as it grew bigger and bigger. It then transformed into a translucent information interface. It carried a faint sense of light as it floated in front of his eyes.
"Yin Master: Level 9 (11.2%)"
"Sword Techniques: Master (66.1%)"
"Dao Arts Principles: Advanced (87.3%)"
"Dao Arts: 85 Types, Advanced (53.1%)"
"Stars Transposition: Level 3 (76.7%)"
"Cloud Wind Form: Level 3 (33.9%)"
He then thought to himself, "After obtaining the Dao Arts from Dark Altar Sect, my Dao Arts Principles have finally reached 87.3%. If I could reach 100, I would immediately become a Master. The Dao Arts of this world would no longer be mysterious to me. I could even transform them into my own unique divine abilities."
"The Dao Records Department inherited the previous dynasty. I wonder how many of these items they have accumulated. Even if only one out of ten of them were Legacies, I would still be able to become a Master."
Just as he was about to stand up, an official approached him and asked, "We've reached Wen Yang County. Are we going to fight?"
"Of course we are. Why wouldn't we?" Pei Zi Yun replied casually. Before he left, he had given them the information he had obtained from the demonic beast dimension, as well as his conjectures. He then made it seem like the Earth Immortals would be scared witless. This could be the basis for their cooperation.
However, before the Earth Immortals could respond, they were still enemies. Why wouldn't they fight?
Weakening the Dark Altar Sect was a matter of course and right!
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