Daoist Master of Qing Xuan

With Shen Lian’s high level of techniques, he could see clearly where this five-colored clouds appeared from. It was evidently from the Ming Wang temple. But the previous Da Ming Wang had already transcended beyond the mortal world and secluded himself within the stars long ago. So this individual which did the same, who was it, he wondered. Though one thing to be sure of, this individual might have escaped from Ming Wang temple, but its dharma will was not pure Buddhism, more like a certain sect, which gave out a strange yet familiar feel.

At this moment, Qianmo flapped its wings on Qing Xuan Hall, looking confused and finally wrapped its head in its wings, seemingly thinking of something.

Shen Lian regularly allowed it to enter the Taixu aura, connecting both of their spirits. He felt the confused emotion within it, so he thought, “Could this saint who transcended the mortal world, has any connection with Qianmo?”

Even the strange and familiar stench, was rather identical to those from Qianmo’s body as if they were of the same origins.

As for those in the Qing Xuan Hall, today was a day full of surprises. Those below the Huandan level had witnessed Yan Bugui achieved Huandan, whereas the Doyens saw someone who could really transcend the heaven and earth.

This scenario was truly once in a thousand years, the view of someone transcending the mortal world.

The deeper the cultivation, the more they would have felt.

Initially, Lu Jiuyuan was the most recognized almighty to have the ability to transcend heaven and earth. Never would they have thought there was someone who did so before him.

Yet, with Lu Jiuyuan’s unpredictability, no one could tell if he was not as good as the saints who had transcended.

After Yan Bugui had achieved Huandan, Shen Lian stayed in the mountain for half a month. He made some excuses to meditate, delegating the administration of the sect to both Hong Qianya and Yan Bugui, before leaving discreetly.

The single leaf raft rode the winds and pierced through the waves. Shen Lian stood at the front of the raft, while Zuo Shaoqing did the rowing.

Shen Lian did not wear his Daoist robe. He had a square scarf on his head, armed with a green robe with exquisite materials, dressing up like a traveling wealthy young master. Zuo Shaoqing was donning pitch black attire, with his sword by his waist, very much like a bodyguard.

He looked older than Shen Lian, which in fact he was ten years younger.

Five years passed, the Qingjiang Sword sect had become part of Qing Xuan, to whom they offered exclusive Nanjiang medicinal materials from the southern border. The ten thousand miles long coastal area around Qing Xuan was considerably peaceful. Five more miles towards the west, there was there the heavy fogs and many savage creatures could be found. There was a large continental land beside the thick layer of the ocean, which was explored by very few Daoist masters.

Yuan Zhou itself had a coverage area of hundred thousand miles, making the cultivator as small as an ant. There was nearly no concern as to what lied within the eastern land across.

Shen Lian’s sight was deep in the Eastern Sea. He said, “We do not know what lies beyond the oceans, whether the cultivation process there is similar or different from ours.”

The boat’s oar was in Zuo Shaoqing’s hand, silently splitting the water surface. Accompanying the rise and fall of the waves, Zuo Shaoqing learned his way of swords from the clouds and water.

His mana did not increase throughout the five years serving as Shen Lian’s sword servant, but it got refined, expanding the realms of his swords skills.

Speaking of Meng Xunzhen, his cultivation level was rather well among the rest, but his understanding of cultivation was still miles away from the actual Xuanmen sect.

Shen Lian did not train Zuo Shaoqing intentionally. Just like if someone was to serve alongside Lu Jiuyuan, even just serving him tea could help them understand the theories of Doa and enjoy a lifespan of one hundred years. Previously in the mortal world, there was a scholar whose maids were all well versed in poems and scriptures, not subpar to any ordinary scholar.

Zuo Shaoqing asked, “Do you want to go, Young Master?” Since he was not a disciple of the Qing Xuan, he could not address him as Supreme Chief. Since he was Shen Lian’s servant, he addressed him as Young Master and not Old Master.

Shen Lian smiled, “Maybe, when the opportunity comes in the future. I am rather not free now. But I heard that Taishang Daoist Sect, the most mysterious sect amongst all four, had moved here from the eastbound lands.

In terms of mysteriousness, this Taishang Sect would be top amongst all four. Very few people knew of this Taishang Sect. Its Dao techniques were also not as extensive. Nevertheless, its foundation Dao technique “Taishang Detection Chapter” was recognized as the most relatable to a great way of Dao.

It could be comparable to the ‘Taixu Strategy’ and the ‘Enlightenment Scripture’ of Xuantian Sect, even surpassing these two in certain areas.

In the literature that Shen Lian inherited as chief, there was very little information about Taishang Sect. This sect was rather mysterious, but all the people who came out from this had earth-shaking cultivation levels. They just rarely fight with others, standing on high ground and avoid the worldly fights.

The raft suddenly stopped, rolling up some waves. Some seawater was about to splash up onto Shen Lian’s robe, when an invisible shield appeared and blocked away the water, not letting a single drop on the raft.

Zuo Shaoqing looked front and saw a towering column of water of undetermined height, almost entering the clouds and eventually splattered down like a shower of rain.

Below the column lied a black piece of desert island, which looked very shiny.

At the same time, an unknown humming was heard as the water column thinned down, passing through the ocean.

The closer they got to it, all the Qi of heaven and earth had gone chaotic like the raging waves, rising and falling.

Shen Lian’s had the high skill level and awareness so he would not be affected. If it was a normal Daoist, they would have lost their mana in such environment.

A gleam of light descended in front, and there appeared a fresh looking cultivator in a grey robe, who said, “I advise you to take the long route and go around this area. The Mystical Whale is breathing Qi. If you come too close, you will get hurt”.

Shen Lian muttered, “How did this Mystical Whale appear here?”

That desert island was actually a large sea creature. It was the back of the Mystical Whale. Many years ago, Shen Lian was dragged to a stranded island, where he killed a demon snake, who turned out to be Mister Sea’s concubine.

This would make these two considered as old acquaintances.

The cultivator in grey replied, “No one knows. This creature used to hang around one specific place, taking in the ocean’s Qi. Once it had sucked into its content, it would fall in deep sleep for few years, even multiple ten years. However, five years ago, this creature had appeared from the sea level once and sucked in countless cultivators into its belly. I am here on a task from the Temple of Longevity, to patrol this area. When I see someone passing here by mistake, I will stop them from getting hurt.”

Shen Lian laughed because this Temple of Longevity was a branch of Qing Xuan set up by his apprentice sister, Gu Caiwei.

It was named Temple of Longevity to oppose Chen Jianmei’s Temple of Killings. Life versus death, still considered as Yin and Yang, which really brought some good to the cultivators and people around the area.

These non-formal cultivators merely practiced in seclusion, working behind closed doors. The Temple of Longevity had provided them a platform, taught the Dao teachings every month. So, they managed to attract many cultivators and delegate them tasks at the same time, subtly gathering all the cultivators around the coast.

Shen Lian would not depend on the help of these foreign non-formal cultivators, but no harm making new friends and exploring good seeds.

If Qing Xuan wanted to rise quickly, they must not follow the rules by the book. They had to tap their talents using unconventional methods.

Of course, for one to be a core disciple of the sect, one must still be harsh.

Shen Lian grinned, “No harm for me to go up and ask him what has happened, is there?”