King Ying and his entourage entered the mountain by flying carriage. Two days later, they arrived at a large hill. The carriage stopped in front of a tall decorated archway that reached the clouds.
As soon as they entered the Shen Wu Mountain, the School of Deep Abyss had already received the news. Hence, there was already a disciple on duty waiting at the archway. At this moment, the disciple walked out slowly and bowed. He asked, "Are you King Ying of Chu?"
King Ying came out of the carriage, tidied his clothes and said, "Yes, I am. May I know how I should address you?"
The disciple smiled, "I am just a disciple guarding the mountain, I am not worthy of the title of Celestial Master."
King Ying cupped his hands and said, "I am here under the orders of the Sect Leader of Zhongtai to pay a visit to Zhenren Zhang. Please inform him."
The disciple then understood. He took out a talisman and drew it in the air. He then flicked his finger and the talisman flew into the sky. He then said, "King Ying, please wait for a moment. I have already sent a message to the mountain. I will receive a reply soon."
King Ying agreed. He turned around and saw a lake at the foot of the hill. The lake was clear and blue, the water level was like a mirror. There was a row of purple bamboos by the side of the lake, swaying with the wind.
Close to the edge of the forest, there were quite a number of palaces and pavilions, with warm terraces and high pavilions, hidden in the clouds and mist, like a fairyland. Only the highest palace was grand and majestic, with a solemn atmosphere. He pointed and asked, "Daoist, is that the abode of Master Zhang's abode?"
The disciple smiled, "King Ying is mistaken. That place is under the jurisdiction of the Lower House. Elder Zhao lives there. The Sect Leader's abode is at the top of Cang Zhu Peak. You have to cross the bridge at the back of the path and walk for about a hundred miles before you reach it."
King Ying listened and nodded his head. It was the same for the Zhongtai Sect. The main peak of Hope Voice Mountain was the place where the Sect Leader and a few Elders cultivated. The rest of the disciples were stationed at the two sides of the mountain. They were not allowed to go there without permission.
He pointed to the foot and asked, "Does this mountain have a name?"
The disciple was stunned and then shook his head, "This hill was made by the Sect Leader using his strength. It has not been given a name."
When the King of Ying heard that the mountain below him was actually formed from soil, he couldn't help but jumped in shock. He took two steps back and looked at it again and again, a sense of reverence gradually grew in his heart.
Although he had not entered the Dao. However, he was surrounded by Profound Cultivators. He knew that no one in the Zhongtai Sect could do such a thing. He thought to himself, "No wonder Madam Zhao repeatedly warned me not to take this opportunity to befriend Zhang Zhenren. This Immortal Master is indeed very powerful."
Suddenly, a whistle sounded in the sky. A green figure flew over from afar. The managing disciple stretched out his hand. It turned out to be a straight, slender bamboo arrow with an intricate copper nose at the end. It was only the size of a thumb. He took out a roll of silk and opened it. He looked up and said, "King Ying, the Sect Leader has ordered for you to enter the mountain."
The King of Ying agreed and was about to return to the workshop when the managing disciple stopped him. Just as he was puzzled, he saw the disciple taking out a bell and shaking it in the air. A clear cry of a crane was heard and a giant crane with bright feathers and a red crown flew over. The disciple went forward to comfort him and said, "King Ying, please ride on this crane."
The King of Ying looked at it and hesitated. Although the crane was majestic, it had no saddle or rope. He was afraid that if he was not careful, he would fall down.
The managing disciple could tell what he was worried about and laughed, "This crane is intelligent, King Ying can ride on it without worry."
The King of Ying braced himself and flipped onto the back of the crane. Before he could sit properly, the white crane spread its wings and suddenly there was a sound of wind. Without spinning, it had already soared into the sky.
Looking at the people below him like ants and the mountains like bowls, he felt the world spinning. He could not help but be shocked and subconsciously hugged the crane's neck, not daring to let go.
At this moment, he heard a bell-like laughter. "You are such a coward."
The voice was like that of a young girl. The King of Ying was shocked. After searching for a while, he realized that it was coming from the crane. He asked curiously, "You can speak?"
The white crane laughed lightly, "I was enlightened by the Sect Leader and got rid of the bone in my throat. Only then can I speak."
The King of Ying sighed, "Your supernatural powers are mysterious and unimaginable."
Although he knew that all living things in heaven and earth had spirituality and demons were not surprising, he had been in the palace for a long time and had only heard of them. He could not help but take a few more glances out of curiosity.
After thinking for a while, he asked, "I heard that there is a giant python on the North Mo Sea, I wonder how does Fairy He compare?"
The white crane laughed and replied, "I am not worthy of the title of 'Fairy'. The Luo family of the North Sea is one of the eight main tribes under the Ancestral Court of the demon race. We are the descendants of the ancient Sky Demon. Before I took human form, I was just a wild crane that knew how to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. How can I be compared to a firefly?"
This was the first time the King of Ying heard about the eight main demon tribes. He was puzzled and wanted to ask about it in detail. At this moment, the spiritual crane flapped its wings and flew down rapidly. For a moment, he felt a cold wind blowing against his face. He could not open his eyes and his mouth could not speak.
After a while, he felt his body sinking slightly. When he opened his eyes, he realized that he had landed on a mountain peak. This place was the highest among the mountains. Not far away, there was a cave with a wide entrance. On both sides of the cliff walls, old vines climbed and twisted. In front of the entrance, the floor was paved with green stones and white jade steps. At the bottom of the steps stood a big-headed boy.
At this moment, the white crane said, "Honored guest, we have arrived."
The King of Ying gave an 'oh' and flipped down from the crane's back. He was looking around when he suddenly heard the sound of wings flapping. When he looked back, he saw that the white crane had turned into a girl with bright eyes and white teeth. The girl smiled at him and flew away on a cloud. In a glimpse, he only had time to see a beautiful back view. He could not help but stare blankly.
Jing You curled his lips and thought, "Isn't it just a crane demon, what's so special about it." Although he was cursing in his heart, he was still polite on the surface. He came up and greeted, "Is it Your Highness, the King of Ying? Please follow me."
The King of Ying cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Fairy Boy."
He tidied up his clothes and followed him into the cave.
After about thirty steps, the two of them passed through a cave, went around a stone screen, and walked a few dozen steps to the left before they arrived at a spacious cave hall. A young Taoist with eyes as deep as a serene pond and an extraordinary bearing sat on the seat of honor. A middle-aged Taoist with a kind face and big ears sat on the seat of honor beside him.
Before he came, he had done his homework and knew that the person in the middle was Zhang Yan and the person beside him was the Elder of Hanyuan, Chu Mu Ran. He took a few steps forward and respectfully greeted, "This little King Xiang He greets Master Zhang and Elder Chu."
Zhang Yan raised his hand and smiled, "The King of Ying is too courteous. Please take a seat and talk."
The King of Ying bowed and thanked him. He straightened his body and sat on a stone stool at the side.
Chu Mu Ran chuckled and asked, "Your Highness, the King of Ying did not stay in Chu and instead traveled thousands of miles to come to my Hanyuan. May I know the reason for your visit?"
When the King of Ying came out, Madam Zhao had specially reminded him that he should avoid the formalities in the court if possible. Therefore, he did not try to be secretive and said straightforwardly, "I am here for three matters."
Chu Mu Ran asked, "May I know what those three matters are?"
The King of Ying said, "The first matter is to repay Master Zhang. Master Zhang killed Rong Junzhong at the Dragon Pillar and also killed the Golden Spirit Elder, Guardian Xuan Yue and the Elder Envoy, a total of five people. According to the contract, Zhong Tai should be rewarded with eight celestial cities. This time, I have brought the Shrewdness Jade Plate, Flag Seal and Golden Booklet. Master Zhang, please take a look."
He took out a jade box from his sleeve and presented it to Chu Mu Ran with both hands above his head.
Chu Mu Ran waved his hand and received it. He removed the lid of the box and took out the Golden Booklet. He opened it and saw that the eight celestial cities were all south of the Shen House. They were not separated from each other and could be connected to the Shen House and the celestial cities. He was overjoyed and nodded at Zhang Yan.
Seeing that he accepted it, the King of Ying calmed down and stood up from the chair. He nodded and said, "The second matter was ordered by Sect Master Qiao to apologize on his behalf."
Zhang Yan raised his eyebrows and asked, "What does Sect Master Qiao mean?"
The King of Ying did not get up from the ground. He lowered his head and said, "When I came out, Sect Master Qiao had instructed me that Cong Quan did not know the gravity of the situation and acted on his own. He dared to make all sorts of excuses to stop Master Zhang from obtaining the elixir. Now, he has ordered his execution. If Master Zhang wants to see his head, I can bring it over immediately."
How could Zhang Yan not see that Cong Quan dared to do so because there must be someone behind him? Most likely it was one of Sect Master Qiao's favorite concubines. However, since he had already obtained the elixir and moved the entire Ox Horn Hall's treasury here, he had no intention to pursue the matter further.
He waved his sleeve and smiled, "There's no need. I did not take this matter to heart. King of Ying, please get up. You can bring back the head the way you brought it."
The King of Ying nodded and bowed before he got up and heaved a sigh of relief.
When Madam Zhao returned to her residence, she found out that the treasury was taken by Zhang Yan. She was surprised and immediately started investigating the matter.
Later on, when he found out that it was Lian Niangzi who did it, he wanted to capture her. But who would have thought that the news was accidentally leaked, and she escaped first. After searching several times, he did not find anything, and he did not know where she went. When Sect Master Qiao returned, he had no choice but to behead Quan Cong as an explanation.
As for the treasury, the items inside were originally meant to be rewarded to the cultivators from outside the sect. Since it was taken away by Zhang Yan, he might as well treat it as an apology.
As for the treasury, the items inside were originally meant to be rewarded to the cultivators from outside the sect. Since it was taken away by Zhang Yan, he might as well treat it as an apology.
The real treasures of the past generations were hidden in the belly of the mountain. Even with the Sect Master's token, it was not something that could be taken away easily.
At this point, he revealed a look of gratitude. "If it weren't for Immortal Zhang, I'm afraid I would still be shackled and unable to see the sun. I can only give you a treasure map left by my ancestor."
He opened his mouth and took out a wax pill. After crushing it, he pulled out a foot-thin piece of silk cloth and handed it over, "Zhenren, please take a look."
Zhang Yan took it and looked at it. His eyes shone with curiosity. He put it down and asked, "How did the King of Ying obtain this treasure map?"
The King of Ying cupped his hands towards the sky and said, "The royal family of Great Chu is the descendant of Grandmaster Zhongtai Jinzhong. This map was passed down by the grandmaster. When it was passed down to my father, because he doted on the youngest son of the King of Ying, he bestowed this map to him.
Chu Mu Ran interrupted, "Other than the King of Ying, does anyone else know about this?"
The King of Ying thought for a while and said, "It seems that Imperial Tutor Hui Xuan knows a little and tried to ask me a few times. I was afraid that he would covet it, so I made a fake map. After this map was stolen, he never mentioned it again."
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