Chapter 920: The Road Is Beneath Our Feet

This matter had become a lingering concern for Daoist Sanyuan.

First, Quanshan was weak and unable to weather great storms. Second, having learned from past mistakes, the sect now kept a low profile and dared not offend anyone of unknown origin.

Let alone a demonic cultivator. Ever since that demonic cultivator's visit, Daoist Sanyuan had lived in constant anxiety, terrified that Quanshan might suffer some unprovoked calamity.

Though enough time had passed to ease his immediate terror, a knot of worry remained in his heart.

In the midst of their conversation, Daoist Sanyuan suddenly stood, cupped his hands, and offered a respectful plea. "To be frank with you, Mister, this poor Daoist has a request. This matter has robbed me of sleep and appetite. For an entire year, I have fretted without a countermeasure. I have no choice but to beg for your help."

Chen Changsheng had somewhat anticipated his intentions. "Priest Sanyuan, say no more," he replied. "Quanshan now shares karma with this Chen. I shall lay down a formation to temporarily protect the mountain. How does that sound?"

Daoist Sanyuan was overjoyed. "Mister's kindness will never be forgotten by anyone in Quanshan. From now on, we are at your disposal."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "Priest, your words are too heavy. I only hope that from now on, you will remember the lessons of that tribulation and not repeat the mistakes of the past."

"All of Quanshan shall certainly remember."

"Very well, very well."

That afternoon, Daoist Sanyuan ordered his disciples to turn away the pilgrims on Quanshan. They blocked the mountain gates and announced that no visitors would be received for the next few days.

The crowds gradually dispersed, and those still arriving on the path were turned back.

Quanshan was left with only a few dozen disciples and three elders.

Daoist Sanyuan opened the main hall and summoned the disciples.

"Quanshan has grown like wild grass, swaying in the wind and rain. Its roots are in the earth, yet they remain shallow."

"Now, Mister Chen has firmly planted those roots, ensuring that wind and rain will no longer shake Quanshan. This deep and secure foundation is a great grace. We Quanshan Disciples must strictly follow our sect rules: do not flaunt your abilities, do not bully the weak, and clearly distinguish right from wrong. Let goodness endure in your hearts endlessly, and the Dao's laws will last forever."

Daoist Sanyuan sighed, his voice echoing through the hall with the resonance of the Dao.

Below him, the seventy-odd disciples looked confused.

The young Priest who had earlier led Chen Changsheng through the gates saw the man's face and was instantly shocked.

'This Mister is actually so powerful...'

Meanwhile, many of his fellow disciples were full of doubt.

"Do you know this Mister Chen?" a senior brother asked.

The young Priest shook his head repeatedly. "No, I just went to notify the elders when he arrived earlier."

"I see. Still, you have to admit, this Mister truly has the bearing of a true immortal."

"Yet we've never heard of him."

"Right, right."

Someone else, however, recognized Chen Changsheng. "It's this Mister..."

"You recognize him?"

"Of course I do."

He had been present during Quanshan's tribulation back then. He had seen the Mister's face with his own eyes and witnessed that boundless heavenly tribulation.

Just recalling it now made his heart tremble.

"Tell us about him?"

"You wouldn't know, but several years ago, our Quanshan was criticized by the commoners and despised by our peers. It was entirely because of this Mister that Quanshan returned to the Righteous Path and became what it is today. Back then... back then..."

He let out a heavy sigh.

"Anyway, don't ask what shouldn't be asked. You just need to know that our Quanshan now truly has roots."

The disciples were curious, but seeing his hesitation, they understood. This was likely an unspeakable past, something they could only inquire about in private. It was not meant to be discussed here.

Chen Changsheng gazed at the disciples in the hall. While they could not be called extraordinary, they were relatively outstanding among ordinary people. Over the years, Daoist Sanyuan had turned away many prodigies; no matter how good a person's innate talent, if their character was flawed, they were not allowed through the mountain gates.

Daoist Sanyuan let out a long breath and cupped his hands. "Please bestow your magic, Mister Chen."

The disciples snapped to attention, cupping their hands in unison.

"Please bestow your magic, Mister Chen!"

Chen Changsheng stepped forward and returned the gesture. "Quanshan is thriving now, and Daoist Sanyuan's contributions are undeniable. I hope you will all remember Daoist Sanyuan's words: do not flaunt your abilities, do not bully the weak, clearly distinguish right from wrong, keep unending goodness in your hearts, and let the Dao's laws last forever."

With that, Chen Changsheng raised his hand.

Using his finger as a brush, he took the mountain stream's dew as his ink.

"Splash..."

An illusion of flowing water appeared before their eyes.

The disciples stiffened, their eyes going wide.

In their daze, the entirety of Quanshan seemed to turn into a painted scroll, serving only as a canvas for the Mister to splash his ink.

"Scatter."

The dew scattered outward, transforming into ancient runes.

They landed on the painted scroll, only to fade away in the blink of an eye.

"What kind of divine abilities are these..."

One disciple exclaimed in awe. Looking up at the Mister and witnessing such a profound art filled his heart with absolute admiration.

In the blink of an eye, a thunderous rumble echoed through the air.

The hidden traces of dew suddenly emitted a dazzling, eye-catching golden light.

The obscure ancient characters landed around Quanshan, encircling the entire mountain word by word.

In an instant, the mountain quaked.

Vegetation swayed wildly as beasts roared within the mountain.

The sudden change breathed a bustling vitality into the mountain.

The wind finally settled.

The golden runes sank into the mountain, disappearing without a trace.

Yet, faintly, the elders and disciples could feel a hidden killing intent lingering in the air around Quanshan.

The heavy stone in Daoist Sanyuan's heart finally fell away.

He let out a long sigh of relief.

"All of Quanshan shall remember Mister Chen's grace today. Mister, please accept this poor Daoist's bow."

Daoist Sanyuan fell to his knees in the hall and pressed his forehead to the floor.

The terrified disciples snapped out of their stupor and knelt down, one after another.

"We Quanshan Disciples will remember Mister Chen's great kindness!"

With a chorus of rustling robes, all the elders and disciples of Quanshan knelt before him.

Chen Changsheng looked over them. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

Until the wind dispersed, until the magic ceased.

"I only hope you all remember those teachings."

"This Chen is leaving."

Daoist Sanyuan stared blankly. Suddenly, he felt a light breeze brush past him.

When he looked up again, Mister Qingshan was nowhere to be seen.

When the disciples raised their heads and found the immortal gone, their eyes filled with momentary bewilderment.

"Where is Mister Chen?"

"Why is he gone?"

"How could he disappear in the blink of an eye..."

Daoist Sanyuan exhaled deeply and murmured softly, "Boundless Heavenly Honored One..."

Today's events had given the Quanshan Disciples a massive shock.

It overturned their concept of an immortal, making them realize the immense gap between themselves and a true cultivator.

This was a great blessing for Quanshan.

...

By this time, Chen Changsheng was already hundreds of li away.

He sighed softly and muttered to himself, "This Chen really cannot handle such scenes."

Fortunately, he had slipped away fast enough.

He only hoped that Quanshan would walk the Righteous Path and thrive in the future. For the Mortal World, that would be a good thing as well.

Chen Changsheng nodded silently and looked ahead at the brightly lit official road.

The road lay right beneath his feet.