Chapter 659: The New Qianmu Temple

True Yang Mountain.

This mystical region had endured a century of turmoil and had only now found a semblance of peace. Nominally, it was under the jurisdiction of the Datong Court. In reality, however, the local county and Prefecture Magistrate’s Offices were all controlled by powerful local clans, with only the top-level Governors being exceptions.

These powerful clans were allotted a significant number of slots for Scholars in every imperial examination. By imperial decree, their members could directly become Scholar Masters and then serve as the Chief Officials of various prefectures and counties.

On the northern face of True Yang Mountain’s main peak, over a dozen county towns were built into the mountainside. Due to historical grievances, these towns harbored animosity toward one another, leading to frequent armed brawls. Each time, the Single Saber Sect from True Yang Mountain had to intervene to quell the disputes.

The Single Saber Sect was based in front of where the gilded statue of the Xiao Shan Lord once stood.

The once-magnificent statue had been destroyed in the turmoil over a century ago. The spot where it stood was now a massive reservoir. Flanked by mountain springs flowing down from the peak of True Yang Mountain, it served as the primary water source for the area.

The Single Saber Sect was a small city built around the reservoir, encircling the mountain. It housed several thousand disciples, and including their families, the city’s population was nearly fifty thousand, making it one of the largest cities in the region. To feed so many people, vast terraced fields stretched out near the mountain springs on either side of the city.

Early this morning, the bells at the mountain gate echoed throughout the city. Soon after, all the Inner Sect Disciples of the sect gathered in the central square. The new Sect Leader, Qiu Qing, personally went to the mountain gate to welcome a disciple wearing the Inner Sect Daoist Robe of Qianmu Temple, leading him to the discussion hall at the city’s highest point.

Upon entering, the disciple stood beside the main seat, looked at Qiu Qing, and asked, “Has the old Sect Leader Qiuwang returned?”

“He has not!”

Qiu Qing’s expression darkened at the mention of his master.

The Qianmu Temple disciple showed little reaction to the news. He produced an invitation, bowed toward Qianmu Temple, and said, “The Old Ancestor came out of seclusion on the sixteenth of this month. He has successfully ascended to the Fourth Realm and will formally take control of the Southern Daoist Lineage on the sixteenth of the ninth month. Grandmaster Liu Shuang specifically invites you all to attend the ceremony!”

“The Old Ancestor has ascended to the Fourth Realm?”

Qiu Qing’s face was a mask of shock, mixed with a hint of disbelief.

The Qianmu Temple disciple looked quite pleased with Qiu Qing’s reaction, but his tone was sharp. “Would I lie about this? Do you think the Old Ancestor was incapable of a successful breakthrough?”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

Qiu Qing quickly denied it.

The Qianmu Temple disciple didn’t press the issue. He carefully took an invitation from his robes, handed it to Qiu Qing, and said, “Do with this invitation as you see fit.”

As Qiu Qing accepted the invitation, the Qianmu Temple disciple took his leave, explaining he had several more invitations to deliver. Qiu Qing saw him to the mountain gate. Upon returning, he headed straight for the back mountain, beyond the terraced fields to the south of the city.

There was a secluded Dao Field on the back mountain. This was where Leng Kezhen practiced his Pure Cultivation.

Upon entering the main hall of the Dao Field, Qiu Qing first offered incense to a memorial tablet on display. The tablet belonged to Qiuwang. The old Sect Leader hadn’t simply failed to return; he had perished during his failed attempt at a breakthrough.

But with the situation in True Yang Mountain being unstable these past few decades, Qiu Qing didn’t dare publicize this news. Of course, the main reason was Leng Kezhen’s advice.

“Is there good news?”

Leng Kezhen’s voice, exceedingly cold, drifted out from an inner room.

Hearing Leng Kezhen’s voice, Leng Qiu’s face lit up with joy. He cupped his fist toward the inner room and said, “In response to Martial Uncle, news has come from Qianmu Temple. The Old Ancestor has successfully ascended to the Fourth Realm…”

Before he could finish, a powerful gust of wind rushed toward him. A moment later, Leng Kezhen appeared before him.

Leng Kezhen’s aura surged magnificently. The qi and blood in his body, accompanied by a dense demonic qi, emanated endlessly. He had clearly broken through to the Third Realm!

…

「Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the ninth month.」

The area around Zhonghui City was bustling with the planting of the year’s third rice crop. Flatbed carts shuttled back and forth constantly. As the common folk toiled in their fields, they would occasionally look up, feeling as if something were flying overhead. Yet, whenever they did, they saw nothing.

For the Dharma Assembly organized by Qianmu Temple, Qi Cultivators didn’t even qualify to enter Zhonghui City. Entering Cultivators were permitted to observe, but were forbidden from flying within Zhonghui County Town. Among Second Realm Cultivators, only a select few could fly in the sky. As for Third Realm Cultivators, while there were no specific rules, they dared not fly about carelessly.

Therefore, to the ordinary people of Zhonghui City, the arrival of the eighth month simply meant there were more outsiders around. This was of no great concern to them, as Zhonghui City already saw a great deal of traffic from outsiders.

On Qianmu Temple’s Ascension Platform.

After presenting the invitation with Qiu Qing, Leng Kezhen couldn’t help but survey the people coming and going. The scene felt somewhat surreal. With just a single glance, he had spotted at least two Third Realm Cultivators, yet here they were, registering in an orderly fashion like commoners.

“Leng Qianhu!”

Suddenly, a familiar yet strange title rang in his ears, and for a moment, Leng Kezhen didn’t react.

When he turned toward the voice, he saw a slender, middle-aged man in a blue, narrow-sleeved Daoist Robe. He had thick hair, a long beard that reached his chest, and wore a black Daoist Hat.

Leng Kezhen’s memory was instantly pulled back to his days serving in Mozhou Road. The details about the man before him became crystal clear, as they were tied to a case that had left a deep impression on him. He remembered everyone involved in that case vividly!

“Daoist Wenhai!”

Leng Kezhen’s initially cold demeanor suddenly warmed. He took the initiative to step forward, cup his fist, and say, “It’s been a long time. I never expected to run into you here.”

He knew that although this man had initially been at odds with Changqing, he later came to serve under him. He was one of the first to follow Changqing, so Leng Kezhen knew he had to be polite.

“In the blink of an eye, over four hundred years have passed. I still remember finishing my daily practice and going to the tea house for a drink, where I would always see the Qianhu. What was the name of that tea house again?”

Wenhai was also very enthusiastic. As he spoke, he gestured for Leng Kezhen to walk with him into the mountain gate, as the disciple receiving them was already urging them forward.

“Qingjiang Tea House!”

“Right! I especially liked their aged tea. I’ve never tasted that blend of spices again.”

“It was a fine taste, indeed. A shame the tea house was later destroyed!”

As they chatted, the two ascended the steps before the mountain gate. However, what they saw was not the familiar Front Hall Square, but another Ascension Platform. The Foundation Establishment Disciple leading the way said, “You may fly from here. Please, both of you seniors, follow me.”

With that, the Foundation Establishment Disciple rose into the air on a cloud. Following a faint Array shimmering in the air, he sped toward the mountains ahead.

Qianmu Temple had been completely transformed. The location of the Mountain Peak Dojo was now a towering mountain range. The range pulsed with a dense Earth Vein aura, a clear sign that it contained an Earth Spirit Vein.

Passing through this mountain range, they were hit by a wave of dense Spiritual Qi. The familiar Qianmu Mountain finally came into view. It was taller and larger than before, surrounded by sprawling forests. It seemed to echo the four other mountain ranges spread across the vast land.

This was the result of the past few months of renovations, personally led by Wu Quan and two other Three Realm Earth Vein Cultivators!

Before long, the two were led to a massive open-air plaza situated between the five mountain ranges. The plaza was surrounded by rolling hills, upon which sat countless pavilions and towers.

A crowd had already gathered in front of a grand hall to the north of the plaza. As Leng Kezhen landed, he spotted an acquaintance. The other person’s gaze met his at the same moment, and Leng Kezhen immediately bowed in respect. “Greetings, Ninth Prince!”

It was none other than Jiangcun of Lishui Prefecture!