socalfunplaces Page 8
Page 8
In the blink of an eye, the entire mountain was cleansed.
The strength of an absolute powerhouse is terrifying.
After doing all this, Zhang Jingqing's figure slowly appeared in front of the Sanqing Hall.
He didn't look at the captured demons, but immediately flashed to Zhang Yunyuan and Tian Jinzhong's side and put his hand on their wrists.
After confirming that the two were not in mortal danger, his tense expression relaxed slightly.
But the oppressive aura emanating from him was still suffocating.
His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the chaotic mountain gate and the injured disciples, and finally, a cold rage ignited in his eyes.
"Take all the thieves to the Demon-Subduing Cave and keep them under strict guard!"
Without a moment's rest, the old Celestial Master took his seat in the Discipline Hall and personally ordered a thorough internal investigation.
He knew very well that without an inside man, it would be impossible for the Quanxing gang, this rabble, to break through the outer defenses so easily from multiple points at the same time.
Under the swift and decisive action of the Old Celestial Master, several low-ranking servants who had been lured by Quanxing with large sums of money and evil magic manuals, as well as a pleasure-seeking peripheral disciple, were quickly pulled out from the crowd.
Taking advantage of their trip down the mountain to make purchases, they secretly placed coded messages in designated mailboxes at the foot of the mountain, thus revealing the patrol and defense patterns on the mountain.
Behind this, there is a one-way connection with an elder of the Quanxing sect who is skilled at bewitching people.
The witnesses and physical evidence are all there.
"According to the sect rules, your cultivation is revoked, and you are expelled from the sect!"
The old master's voice was devoid of any emotion.
The following day, the crimes and fates of these traitors were publicly announced, which had a great deterrent effect.
Taking this opportunity, Longhu Mountain carried out a thorough purge from top to bottom, making its rules even stricter and increasing the intensity of patrols several times over.
At the same time, it was announced to the world of supernatural beings that the Quanxing masters "Painted Skin" and "Heart-Destroying Poison Hand" who led the team yesterday had been severely injured by the Old Celestial Master, and their cultivation had been completely destroyed.
The news spread, causing a stir in all directions.
After the turmoil subsided, in a quiet room.
Zhang Yunyuan has woken up and is otherwise unharmed, except for some weakness.
The old Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing summoned him privately.
"Tell me, what exactly happened yesterday?"
Zhang Jingqing's tone was calm, but her eyes, which seemed to see through everything, made Zhang Yunyuan feel immense pressure.
In particular, where did that "golden armor" that far surpassed his current cultivation level come from?
Zhang Yunyuan had already prepared an excuse, and he showed a look of lingering fear and some confusion.
"Master, I...I don't know either."
"When I saw that Senior Brother Tian was beaten until he vomited blood while protecting me, I was terrified and furious."
"Then I felt a sudden rush of heat to my head, and the Qi in my body went berserk on its own, as if... as if it was going to turn into something very hard and envelop me."
As he spoke, he gestured, trying to imitate how a child describes something they cannot understand.
"It feels a bit like when you practice thunder magic, Master, the feeling of thunder in the sky, very majestic... Maybe, in a moment of urgency, I wanted to imitate you, and that's how it turned out?"
This explanation is full of flaws, yet it also carries a touch of childlike whimsy and plausibility.
Zhang Jingqing was skeptical.
He reached out again and carefully examined Zhang Yunyuan's body meridians.
The meridians are wide and strong, without any damage. Although the Qi in the Dantian is weak, its foundation is extremely stable, without any trace of being stimulated by external forces or eroded by evil methods.
In the end, the old master could only attribute this situation to an unrepeatable miracle and Zhang Yunyuan's unfathomable potential, which even he could not fathom.
He withdrew his hand, sighed, and his expression became even more complicated.
There were concerns, but more than anything, there was a strong desire to protect.
Such a gem must not be allowed to suffer any more accidents.
"From now on, you shall not leave your residence alone, not even half a step, without my permission."
The old master's tone became extremely stern.
"Yes, Master." Zhang Yunyuan nodded obediently.
This attack had a profound impact on the three senior brothers as well.
A few days later, Zhang Zhiwei found Zhang Yunyuan, who was standing in the courtyard in a daze.
He abandoned his usual laziness and wore a half-joking, half-serious smile.
"Junior brother, come here and give your senior brother a hand."
"Don't be afraid, just try your Golden Light Mantra."
Without waiting for Zhang Yunyuan's agreement, he pulled him to the center of the courtyard.
"You defend with all your might, I'll attack. Let me see just how tough your 'golden armor' really is."
Zhang Zhiwei spoke casually, but as soon as he made a move, an extremely sharp golden Qi needle condensed at his fingertips and gently pierced towards Zhang Yunyuan.
Zhang Yunyuan dared not delay and immediately activated the Golden Light Mantra.
A thick layer of golden light shielded him.
Zhang Zhiwei's Qi needles easily pierced the light shield.
But he didn't go any deeper; instead, he withdrew his force the instant he pierced the skin.
"No, no, it's too scattered."
Zhang Zhiwei shook his head. "That golden armor you wore the other day wasn't like this. Next time, draw all the light into your body and don't let it out."
Zhang Yunyuan had no choice but to do as he was told, trying to conceal the golden light.
The two of them then took turns teaching and learning, and began to "spar" in the courtyard.
Half an hour later, Zhang Zhiwei stopped. He looked at Zhang Yunyuan, who was panting heavily, with a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
He discovered that Zhang Yunyuan's understanding of the Golden Light Mantra had reached an unbelievable level, and many of his innovative ideas were astonishing to him.
However, due to limitations in Qi, it cannot be fully utilized.
"Monster..."
Zhang Zhiwei muttered something under his breath, patted Zhang Yunyuan's head, and turned to leave.
From that day on, the disciples of Longhu Mountain were surprised to find that their senior brother, who was always sleepy, seemed to spend a little longer in the training ground than before.
The changes in Tian Jinzhong are the most obvious.
The previous incident left him terrified; he had almost lost the treasure his master had entrusted to him.
From then on, he took care of Zhang Yunyuan so much that he was almost inseparable from him.
"Junior brother, these are some freshly made pastries from the kitchen. Please try them."
"Junior brother, make sure you're well covered up with your blanket tonight, don't catch a cold..."
He spent all day fussing over Zhang Yunyuan, his eyes filled with guilt for "almost failing to protect his junior brother" and determination to risk his life to protect him in the future.
Zhang Huaiyi's changes were the most subtle.
He remained the same quiet, hardworking senior brother with big ears.
But Zhang Yunyuan could sense that he had changed.
He will take a more proactive approach to the responsibility of "protecting" Zhang Yunyuan.
For example, when Zhang Yunyuan was cultivating in the courtyard, he would quietly move a stool and sit not far away to wipe his tools, seemingly doing his own thing, but in fact focusing all his attention on Zhang Yunyuan.
This kind of protection carries a heavy sense of responsibility, but it is also mixed with an indescribable sense of comparison and urgency.
Zhang Yunyuan's "golden armor" that day, and his master's special regard for him, were like a needle, deeply piercing Zhang Huaiyi's heart.
He concealed himself even more deeply, and his cultivation became even more arduous, even bordering on obsessive.
In the dead of night, Zhang Yunyuan could occasionally hear extremely suppressed, faint sounds coming from Zhang Huaiyi's bed next door, as if he were refining his own Qi.
Zhang Yunyuan sighed inwardly.
He knew that he, this little butterfly, had completely stirred up the wings of a storm.
Chapter 9 On the Cliff of Inquiry, Lightning First Appears
The turmoil surrounding the Quanxing sect's attack on Longhu Mountain quickly subsided under the strict discipline of the mountain.
But the mark left by that day is deeply etched in everyone's heart.
For the next year and a half, Longhu Mountain entered a relatively peaceful period of reflection.
Zhang Yunyuan's life in Longhu Mountain also became increasingly harmonious.
He has a delicate, innocent-looking face, and is usually well-behaved and sensible. He is so sweet-talking that he can make his several senior uncles smile from ear to ear.
However, when discussing Taoist cultivation with his master or fellow disciples, his mature understanding far beyond his years and his insightful and unique perspectives will make everyone take notice.
This peculiar "contrast" between his childlike appearance and mature soul made him deeply loved by everyone in the sect, and he became the "little junior uncle" cherished by Longhu Mountain.
For Zhang Yunyuan, this past year and a half has been a golden period for him to accumulate strength and develop rapidly.
He strictly adhered to the monthly check-in rule, like a shrewd treasure hunter, meticulously planning his "treasure hunt route" on Longhu Mountain.
The first place he went to was the Tomb of the Celestial Masters of All Dynasties, located outside the forbidden area in the back mountain.
The cemetery was solemn and dignified, filled with the profound atmosphere of time.
Zhang Yunyuan respectfully performed the three bows and nine kowtows in front of the cemetery before silently checking in.
[Ding! Check-in location detected: Tomb of the Celestial Masters of All Dynasties. Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: "Insights on Meditation" (Insights from a Taoist master specializing in spiritual cultivation).]
The moment the reward arrived in his account, Zhang Yunyuan felt as if his soul had been cleansed by a clear spring.
Countless insights about concentration, tranquility, and introspection flooded my mind.