Chapter 1977 - 1509: Tracing the Turtle and Snake, Level III Command!

The majestic mountains rise as if ready to charge, their peaks reaching the Heavenly Gate alongside the Five Mountains.

Wudang Mountain, Golden Summit.

It was the time when the red sun was rising high, with the first rays of sunlight shining upon the sea of clouds, resplendent and colorful like splendid embroidery. The rolling clouds surged over the mountains, pouring straight into deep valleys. Jiang Dali stood on the cliff edge of the Golden Summit, with his hands behind his back, admiring the clouds swirling like snakes and turtles, and couldn’t help but recite aloud.

"Though the divine turtle has longevity, it too faces eventual demise. The soaring serpent rides the mist, destined to become dust and ashes. The old steed lies down with aspirations of a thousand miles. The hero at twilight, their ambitions undying... What a poem, what a scene, what a Wudang Mountain."

Listening, Zhang Sanfeng who was seated on the green rock at the edge of the cliff, smiled lightly and said, "Brother Jiang uses the famed piece ’Turtle’s Longevity’ by Eastern Han’s Cao Cao to praise our Wudang Sect, hahaha... It is indeed well-fitting. The mighty Wudang has been established for over a hundred years now, truly like an old turtle, but whichever hundred years, it surely isn’t the end..."

Jiang Dali laughed heartily, turned his back to the sunlight, and looked at Zhang Sanfeng, speaking boldly, "Master Zhang, you’re wrong. Compared to this mighty Wudang, you, Master Zhang, are the true divine turtle, worthy of my praise.

In these hundreds of years, amidst the vassal states, it’s only you as Wudang Sect’s Master that can rise prominently, to be as renowned as the Shaolin’s tallest masters. All this fame, strength, and breadth of mind were not accomplished by your disciples; only you, Master Zhang, could have achieved it."

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanqiao and others not far away couldn’t help but look somewhat ashamed, even a bit embarrassed, but upon reflecting slightly, they deeply agreed.

The vastness of Wudang, to be equal with Shaolin in name, but truly among those in Wu who could compete with Shaolin’s top divine monks, or even excel them, there’s only one Master Zhang. Perhaps only Shaolin Dharma could claim to stand above Master Zhang.

Yet, looking at the subsequent generations within the sect, Wudang indeed is full of talent, but since the time of establishment hasn’t been as extensive as Shaolin, it truly falls short of Shaolin in many ways.

"Life spans a hundred years; such fleeting fame is no more than transitory clouds."

Zhang Sanfeng slightly shook his head, gazing kindly and serenely at Song Yuanqiao and the others, encouraging them, "My disciples, though not world-renowned, nor top-ranked in the Martial World, each harbors a sense of righteousness and a humble heart. Our Wudang does not strive for power or dominance in the Martial World, but only seeks to care for the world and uphold justice, and that is enough."

"Master!"

Song Yuanqiao and others all felt both embarrassed and moved.

Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand, saying, "All right, you all may go! I have important matters to discuss with Master Jiang."

"Yes!"

Song Yuanqiao and the others immediately bowed to Zhang Sanfeng, then respectfully bowed to Jiang Dali and retreated.

Zhang Sanfeng rose from the rock, composed, and looked at Jiang Dali with a smile, saying, "Brother Jiang, you always visit the Treasure Hall only if there’s something significant. Yet, with your current power and skill, this old man truly wonders what matter you’d need his assistance with?"

"Master Zhang’s eye is as bright as a torch."

Jiang Dali nodded, leisurely with hands behind his back, saying, "Indeed, this time I’ve come especially because there’s an extremely important matter requiring Master Zhang and Wudang’s help, it’s not something solely my power and strength can accomplish."

"Oh?"

Zhang Sanfeng raised his eyebrows, looking eager to hear more.

"Master Zhang, are you aware of the cause of death of the Dragon Turtle, one of the Ancient Four Spirits? Or do you know the state of the Dragon Turtle after its death?"

Jiang Dali first posed a question, then continued without waiting for a response from Zhang Sanfeng, pacing with hands behind his back, recounting the experiences following the Dragon Turtle’s demise.

Zhang Sanfeng, even having lived over a hundred years, was hearing for the first time of such ancient secrets from more than four thousand years ago. Upon hearing how the Dragon Turtle before its death used its last bit of strength to shield a baby with its spiritual soul, ultimately allowing that baby to possess Dragon Turtle’s blood and live over four thousand years, he was visibly shocked.

As he continued hearing that the Dragon Turtle’s final corpse formed into a mountain resembling a turtle and snake, he couldn’t help but shudder, understanding yet not understanding.

"It is well known that Wudang reveres the Emperor Zhenwu as the Main God, who is the Northern Xuanwu becoming a deity. The North symbolizes water, and the form of the Xuanwu God is precisely a combination of turtle and snake."

Jiang Dali spoke freely, "In the past, I heard Master Zhang yourself observed the form of turtle and snake and researched Wudang Martial Arts. So upon hearing how the Dragon Turtle’s body transformed into a turtle and snake-shaped mountain, the first thought was Wudang, and you, Master Zhang..."

After speaking, Jiang Dali’s gaze turned towards many mountains below, looking puzzled, his eyes then meeting Zhang Sanfeng’s, saying, "I’ve been here for more than half the day yet haven’t seen a turtle and snake-shaped mountain, could it be the years have changed the landscape of Wudang’s mountains? Please, Master Zhang, point me to it."

Zhang Sanfeng’s expression grew more perplexed, pacing as he looked towards the mountains below, hesitantly saying, "To say our Wudang indeed worships the Emperor Zhenwu, because in ancient Taoism records, it’s noted that Emperor Zhenwu ascended on Wudang Mountain’s Ascension Cliff, hence named Wudang Mountain, meaning ’Only Zhenwu could manage’.

This old man indeed once observed the form of turtle and snake and attained enlightenment in Martial Arts and life philosophy, but in these hundred years of Wudang, there actually hasn’t been a mountain shaped like a turtle and snake."

"Oh?"

Jiang Dali’s expression was one of astonishment.

Zhang Sanfeng said, "However, behind the Great Hall of Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, there are indeed two generals carved from green stone, in the form of a turtle and snake. They are the generals of Emperor Zhenwu, dressed in black robes with hair unbound and feet bare, stepping on turtle and snake.

As for the turtle and snake, in Taoist lore, it’s said that when Emperor Zhenwu came to Wudang Mountain to cultivate, he sat day and night, calmly cultivating, not eating, nor drinking. But this tormented his stomach and intestines, which complained to each other, bickering incessantly, causing Emperor Zhenwu unease, unable to cultivate with a calm mind.