Master

Celestial Master Xujing, Zhang Jixian!

Hearing this somewhat familiar name, a ripple appeared in Zhou Sheng's eyes.

He remembered that even on his previous life's Earth, Celestial Master Xujing, Zhang Jixian, was a renowned figure in Taoism.

Among the successive Celestial Masters of Longhu Mountain, if one were to talk about fame, besides Ancestor Celestial Master Zhang Daoling, it would likely be this Celestial Master Xujing.

According to Longhu Mountain's rules of "establishing the elder, not the younger; establishing the legitimate, not the illegitimate," Zhang Jixian's elder brother should have inherited the position of Celestial Master.

But in the end, it was the nine-year-old Zhang Jixian who became the head of the Celestial Master's Mansion, and all the High Officials were convinced and wholeheartedly agreed.

There was only one reason: the talent Zhang Jixian displayed was already comparable to a reincarnation of a True Immortal.

He was born with extraordinary abilities. Before the age of five, he hadn't spoken a word. One day, he happened to hear a rooster crowing outside and suddenly let out a laugh, actually reciting a poem.

"The spiritual rooster has five virtues, its comb and spurs never leave its body; at the fifth watch, it opens its great mouth, awakening those in slumber."

The next day, seated on a lotus, everyone marveled, calling him a True Immortal.

In the second year of Chongning during Emperor Huizong of Song's reign, a flood occurred in the salt ponds of Xie Prefecture. The thirteen-year-old Zhang Jixian "wrote an iron talisman and threw it into the pond, the furious thunder struck and killed the flood dragon, and the salt tax returned to normal."

With a single iron talisman, he subdued the flood dragon and cured the disaster.

There are many similar records. Zhang Jixian later had a disciple named Sa Shoujian, one of the Four Great Celestial Masters in the Heavenly Realm.

And Sa Shoujian had a disciple named Wang Lingguan.

In his previous life, Zhou Sheng enjoyed collecting antiques, including various ancient books. He loved to read, delving into Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. He was particularly impressed by records with such legendary elements.

However, these were records from his previous life. In this world where Ghosts and Gods exist and Cultivation is possible, Celestial Master Xujing was undoubtedly even more extraordinary. According to his Master, he had survived eight heavenly tribulations and was a Grand Master whose achievements shook the past and present.

Yet, he ascended and dissolved his form because he tried to forcefully pry into the Heavenly Realm.

Did it start from when Huang Chao declared himself Emperor and established the Great Qi Dynasty...

Zhou Sheng's heart stirred. This was precisely the diverging point where the historical trajectories of the two worlds differed. Coincidentally, around that time, the response from Gods and Buddhas in the Heavenly Realm to the human world also gradually disappeared.

No wonder that Lu Pan was so audacious, daring to smash even the statue of King Ma.

"So, to survive the Ghost Festival of the Ghost Festival in two months, you kid need to improve your strength as soon as possible!"

His Master's words pulled Zhou Sheng's mind back from the Heavenly Realm to the human world.

He nodded silently. He didn't feel too apprehensive, because six days had passed since his last dose of medicine, and he would soon be able to take the second Mica Formula!

His cultivation would undoubtedly increase greatly then. He would then use the Luoshu to deduce and restore the true Immortal's Cloud Mica Pill. After a few doses, by the time of the Ghost Festival in two months, he might be able to give Lu Pan a considerable "surprise."

Sorry, I have a cheat.

"Dao cultivation cannot be rushed, but the stage performance skills must be accelerated."

Yu Zhensheng looked at his disciple and said, "Your fundamental skills are already very solid. It's time to find you some pillars and beams to officially perform on stage."

"Perform on stage?"

Zhou Sheng was a little surprised. Hadn't his Master said that Ghost Opera Performers couldn't perform in ordinary opera troupes? Otherwise, it would not only bring misfortune to the people in the troupe but even the audience might suffer.

Ghost Opera was different from ordinary opera. Although it also involved singing, speaking, acting, and martial arts, the Four Skills and Five Methods, it was performed for the dead.

Once the opera began, it easily attracted departed souls, ghosts and gods, and demons. Ordinary living people who listened to Ghost Opera were prone to attracting unclean things.

Perhaps nothing would happen during the performance, but upon returning home, they would find an extra person.

"Nonsense, of course, you have to perform on stage. For a Ghost Opera Performer who doesn't perform, their skills can only reach that point at best. It's just that this stage..."

Yu Zhensheng gave his disciple a deep, meaningful look. "It's not that easy to get on."

Zhou Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he had a premonition of something ominous.

It seemed that the "performing on stage" his Master mentioned was definitely different from what he imagined, and it involved unknown dangers.

"There's a shortcut in martial arts called stealing heavenly secrets, which is like practicing martial arts on a cliff's edge, allowing one's skills to advance a thousand miles a day. For us who perform Ghost Opera, every time we perform on stage, it's like stealing heavenly secrets."

"Danshan, if you want to survive the Ghost Opera of the Ghost Festival in two months, you have to experience... the terror of performing on stage in advance."

After saying this, Yu Zhensheng silently repeated in his heart.

"I hope you don't blame your master for being ruthless."

Zhou Sheng suddenly smiled, his voice steady and powerful, appearing more confident and composed than before.

"Master, as long as I can become stronger, no matter how bitter, tiring, or dangerous, your disciple is not afraid!"

As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement.

Although the Luoshu could provide him with a shortcut to heaven, if he couldn't undergo tempering through hardship, if he didn't possess the heart of a true powerhouse, even with great Dao cultivation, he wouldn't achieve the true Great Dao.

Zhou Sheng's vision had never been limited to that three-foot opera stage; he harbored greater ambitions and higher pursuits.

Like the eternal clear sky with a single moon.

He looked up at the bright moon in the night sky, and the stars that still shone brilliantly after billions of years, his heart burning with passion.

Master said Celestial Master Xujing, Zhang Jixian, was a Grand Master who had survived eight heavenly tribulations. This indicated that after passing six stages, there were even higher realms.

Perhaps as high as that bright moon...

Although the path of Ghost Opera was dangerous, it gave him the qualification to ascend and gaze at the moon. Therefore, he was very grateful to his Master who led him into this path.

The little boy who was on the verge of starving to death back then was gently picked up by him, like a mayfly at the bottom of a well, finally able to see the sky.

The temple fell into a brief silence. Aside from their breathing and the cicadas chirping outside the window, no other sounds could be heard.

Suddenly, Zhou Sheng's voice broke the quiet.

"Master, you heard what the Judge said, about borrowing a corpse to return the soul—"

He seemed to have struggled with this for a long time, but finally decided to bring it up.

Transmigration was his secret, something he had never told anyone. But since it could no longer be hidden, he might as well be open about it, to avoid any rift between master and disciple.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he started, he was interrupted by his Master's voice.

"I'm old, my ears aren't what they used to be. I didn't catch much of what the Judge said, and I'm not interested."

Yu Zhensheng leaned against a pillar with his eyes closed, a carefree smile on his face.

"All I know is, you brat, you haven't let me rest easy since you were five years old, yet you're like a stubborn mule, impossible to get rid of..."

Hearing this, Zhou Sheng felt instantly relieved. He leaned against the pillar and slowly closed his eyes.

"Master, why did you use your own life as collateral to buy me three more years?"

This was the second time he had asked this question. The last time, his Master had insisted Lu Bingyuan was lying and refused to admit it. This time, he couldn't possibly say the Judge was lying too, could he?

"Heh heh, Lu Bingyuan and Lu Pan, no wonder they both have the surname Lu. They're the same even when they lie!"

"Don't overthink it. To pay for you, you annoying brat, with my life, and only get three years? Is my life really worth so little? Ridiculous!"

Zhou Sheng managed a faint smile.

Yes, this was his Master, that stubborn, cantankerous old man.

He stopped talking, his breathing gradually becoming slow and steady. Relaxed, exhaustion and sleepiness washed over him like a tide.

First, he had shot down Daoist Xie and the county officials, then performed Zhong Kui battling Guardian Soldiers, followed by Wu Song's Blood Splatters on Mandarin Duck Tower, and finally, he had fled for most of the night under the Judge's pursuit.

Even an iron body couldn't withstand such fatigue. He soon fell into a deep sleep.

Yu Zhensheng slowly opened his eyes. Looking at his disciple's sleeping face, he wanted to say something, but suddenly reached out to slap his face.

Seeing no reaction, Yu Zhensheng was still uneasy. He extended a finger to check Zhou Sheng's pulse. Finding that he was indeed asleep, he finally let down his guard.

His gaze gradually softened.

"When I first met you, you reeked of death. Your yang energy was severely depleted, your blood essence drained. You were like a... hollowed-out little clay figure. Forget cultivation, surviving was a challenge."

"It took me a full three years, bathing you in medicinal oils and feeding you medicinal meals, to nurse your body back to health. But it also meant your starting point was later than everyone else's."

He paused, then looked up at the moon, an indescribable emotion flowing in his eyes.

"My disciple, Yu Zhensheng's disciple, cannot be at a disadvantage."

Since he was three years behind, he would fight to get three years back for him.

Dying in a ghost opera was due to your lack of skill. But if your disciple were to enter the Ghost Gate Pass unprepared, that would be my failure.

"You performed Ghost Opera for Old Xu, seeking a clear conscience."

"I fought for three more years for you, also seeking a clear conscience."

Thanks to a handsome guy for the 100 reward, sending virtual hugs!