Immortal Source Temple Old Daoist Preaches Scriptures (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Senior Brother!

"Senior Brother!"

The girl, about fourteen or fifteen, was climbing the mountain. The slope was so steep that she used both her hands and feet. She lacked the demureness of other girls her age, nor were they as frail as them. She shouted as she climbed quickly up the mountain, surprisingly fast.

Suddenly, the view opened up before her; she had reached the summit.

"Senior Brother!"

The girl straightened up and looked around.

Although the peak of Floating Hill Peak wasn't as narrow as some other treacherous peaks, it also didn't have a large area. She could see everything at a glance—

There were only some miscellaneous trees and rocks around, and one particularly large and peculiar ancient pine tree. Nothing else.

Oh, but there was something else.

It was a fox cub the size of a palm sitting on the ground. Such a small cub grew quickly, changing a lot in just a few days. Right now, it was sitting obediently, its tail wagging left and right, looking up at her.

"Not here?"

Didn't they say it was here?

The girl was a little confused. Just as she was about to head down, she saw the little fox cub sitting on the ground and became even more puzzled.

"Where's Senior Brother?"

As soon as she spoke, a person emerged from the ancient pine tree.

It was the junior brother she was looking for.

"Huh?"

The girl froze, looking at Lin Jue, then at the ancient pine tree that was thicker than a person: "Senior Brother, how did you... how did you come out of the tree?"

"Wood Escape technique."

Lin Jue told her plainly.

If he had just arrived at this Taoist temple, he might have avoided this girl, or perhaps cautioned her not to tell their master or senior brothers. However, after staying for a few days, he had a good grasp of the temple's traditions and the personalities of his master and senior brothers.

These Taoist priests were too lazy to bother with such things.

Leisurely and free-spirited, their own peace was the most important thing.

Furthermore, Floating Hill Temple had no rules preventing disciples from practicing other magic, or from learning magic from elsewhere. Otherwise, Cloud Crane Taoist wouldn't have let him learn magic from the master of Immortal Source Temple, nor would Floating Hill Temple have any magic beyond the initial seven.

Lin Jue could roughly guess that after joining Floating Hill Temple, he would probably spend most of his time on the mountain. He wouldn't have many opportunities to come into contact with other magic in the coming years, so this one was really no big deal.

This magic also required practice and continued comprehension.

Lin Jue had only just learned it. His control was unstable, and his usage wasn't yet smooth. He needed to adjust his state of mind before he could escape into a tree. At the same time, perhaps due to the "Earth Wood Essence" and the Spiritual Charm in the Peach Gum, Lin Jue could initially shuttle freely between living and dead wood. However, his movement within the tree wasn't smooth; there was resistance, it was strenuous, and if he wanted to hide in a tree, the tree had to be wider than him, otherwise, the part of his body that extended out would be visible.

It was said that once one reached a high level of mastery, they wouldn't need to worry about the difference in shape between the tree and their own body. Even a tree as thick as a bowl or a flat plank or wall could be used for concealment.

The most crucial point was that if Lin Jue hid in a tree now, he couldn't breathe inside.

Therefore, he couldn't stay for long.

This point was quite critical.

In fact, Lin Jue now understood that this magic was related to both talent and nature, and wasn't something that could be practiced smoothly just through effort. Even though he was usually careful when chopping firewood and never harmed plants or trees without reason, he could at most reach a high level of mastery. Reaching the legendary state where one could move through the root systems of plants and their interconnected branches and leaves was almost impossible.

This was normal.

There were countless magic techniques in the world, and countless people. Each person had their strengths. How could one person be top-tier in every aspect? Moreover, time and energy were insufficient.

Lin Jue was already content.

But he still had to practice.

And this kind of practice, over the long term, couldn't be hidden from the senior brothers in the temple or Cloud Crane Taoist.

In that case, why bother concealing it?

"Junior Sister, did you consume the 'Earth Element Spiritual Charm' I gave you?"

"I did. After consuming it, I had some wonderful sensations, like having many dreams. Master said that when I start learning 'Crushing Stone,' these insights will prove beneficial."

"That's good."

"Senior Brother, I came to tell you that Master just told me the master of Immortal Source Temple, Taoist Priest Wang Ji Zi, will be lecturing his new disciples today, and he wants us to attend."

"Great! When?"

"Master said we don't need to go back; we can go directly. He has already spoken with the master of Immortal Source Temple," the Junior Sister quickly said. "He's invited a crow to guide us and told me to come get you."

She patted her satchel:

"I've brought snacks for the journey. It's quite far, so we need to hurry."

"Then let's go."

Lin Jue glanced back at the fox cub, then followed his Junior Sister down the mountain.

As expected, a crow was perched on a branch below. Seeing the two people and the fox descend, it immediately flapped its wings and flew up, flying along a path that humans could walk, leading them towards Immortal Source Temple.

Mount Yi was vast, dozens of miles wide from east to west, and nearly a hundred miles from north to south. There were over a hundred named peaks and quite a few Taoist temples. Immortal Source Temple was relatively close, but with uphill and downhill sections and difficult roads, it would still take considerable time and effort.

The two of them and the fox practically ran.

The young girl was extremely lively and had already grown familiar with her senior brother. Even though they were moving so quickly, she still had plenty to say.

"Senior Brother, look! There's a pine tree over there, green on one side and red on the other! Do you know, Third Senior Brother told me yesterday that it was touched by a mountain god's messenger. Places touched by a messenger turn red."

"He might have been drunk."

"Oh, right..."

The mountain path was steep, and they were soon out of breath.

Immortal Source Temple appeared before them.

It was a precipitous and breathtaking mountain peak, like something an ink wash painter would freely splash onto a landscape scroll. Yet, in this weather, with the rain just stopping, the mountain seemed to step out of the mist and into reality. Whether it was often like this or if the two of them were just lucky, the sun overhead was adorned with a halo, making it look even more like a celestial realm.

There was a cluster of buildings on the mountain. Unlike Floating Hill Temple's courtyard style, these were palaces and pavilions scattered across the mountainside, connected by stone steps. It was quite grand.

At this moment, incense smoke curled up from the temple, mingling with the clouds and mist, making it impossible to tell them apart.

"So big."

Junior Sister couldn't help but exclaim.

After speaking, she turned her head and explained to her senior brother beside her:

"Master said Immortal Source Temple is Mount Yi's largest hidden Taoist temple, and they've taken in many disciples. However, they mostly just cultivate and rarely have pilgrims from below the mountain come to offer incense."

"Then let's go."

Lin Jue strode forward.

The main gate of Immortal Source Temple was open, with Taoist priests in robes entering and exiting. Lin Jue and Junior Sister hadn't had their robes made yet and were wearing ordinary clothes. The Taoist priests saw them and looked surprised, not taking them for pilgrims visiting the temple.

Mount Yi was already remote, and this place was deep within it. These Taoist priests had established their temple here for peaceful cultivation. Forget pilgrims; even those who loved mountain scenery would find it difficult to reach this place.

"Who are you two...?"

"Merciful Daoist friend." Lin Jue saw that the Taoist priest who spoke was also young and returned the greeting. "We are new disciples of Floating Hill Temple, and we are on good terms with your esteemed temple. We heard that your temple's Abbot is giving a sermon to new disciples today, so our Master sent us to visit and listen in."

"Daoist friends from Floating Hill Temple, the Abbot's sermon is this way. I'll take you there."

"Thank you, Daoist brother."

Since the other person was enthusiastic and polite, Lin Jue changed his form of address.

"Thank you, Daoist brother!"

Junior Sister almost mimicked his tone.

So, the two followed the young Taoist priest for about thirty feet, then went up a stone staircase on the left, arriving before a large hall.

The hall door was also open, with wisps of blue smoke curling inside.

The hall floor was covered with more than a dozen prayer mats, and over a dozen young Taoist priests were seated on them. Most of them were teenagers, with two or three in their early twenties, all wearing brand-new Taoist robes. In front sat an old man, calmly answering the questions of the many young Taoist priests.

"The Dao is profound, yet not profound. The principle of all things is the Dao itself. Since you descended into this world, the Dao is everywhere in what you see and hear, yet understanding it is difficult."

The old Daoist priest looked younger than Cloud Crane Taoist.

"Abbot, can we begin the sermon?"

"You rascal! How can you be impatient in your cultivation? You must know this is the most counterproductive endeavor in the world." The old Daoist priest said, looking outside at the three people. "I said disciples from other temples might come, so what if you wait a moment? Besides, aren't they here now?"

The young Taoist priest who had led Lin Jue and Junior Sister stood at the door, bowed, and addressed the Abbot. "Two Daoist friends from Floating Hill Temple have come to visit, saying they are here to listen to the Abbot's sermon."

Lin Jue also quickly stood at the door and bowed inward.

"Greetings, Dao Master Wang Ji Zi."

"Greetings, Dao Master Wang Ji Zi."

The old Daoist priest's brow furrowed, and he asked, "Are you two the only ones who came?"

His voice clearly carried dissatisfaction.

"It's just the two of us."

Lin Jue answered from outside.

"Hmph! In the past, when disciples from your Floating Hill Temple came to listen, at least the Abbot would come along the first time and be polite. Does that old Daoist Cloud Crane not even want to walk this short distance now?"

Junior Sister listened with her head lowered, feeling something was amiss. She stood at the door, unsure of what to do, and could only roll her eyes and secretly glance at her senior brother.

"Master isn't feeling well."

Lin Jue was also a bit unsure.

"Hmm? What's going on? Since you're here, why are you standing at the door talking? Come in and sit down!"

The old Daoist priest waved his sleeve, stirring the blue smoke in the hall.

The dozen or so young Taoist priests all turned around to look at the two visitors from other temples whom they had kept waiting for so long. Some were curious, some displeased, some wondered why they weren't even wearing robes, and some, due to their Abbot's attitude, were inevitably unfriendly.

Lin Jue then led Junior Sister into the hall.

There happened to be two empty prayer mats.

Lin Jue knew they were reserved for them, so he and Junior Sister walked over and sat down.

"Why did your temple take in two disciples this time? Didn't you usually only take one?" Dao Master Wang Ji Zi continued to ask.

"I don't know either, it must be fate."

"What fate? Isn't it just having a pair of good eyes? How is your master's health now? Is he really unable to even walk a few steps?"

"To be honest, Dao Master, since Master returned to the temple, his health has indeed been getting worse."

Lin Jue chose to tell the truth.

Perhaps sincerity was the best approach. Originally, Wang Ji Zi's voice held some dissatisfaction, but upon hearing this, he merely fell silent for a moment before sighing:

"He truly brought this upon himself!"

"..."

"He was too impatient in his cultivation when he was young, causing an imbalance between Yin and Yang. Yet, he was greedy for progress and refused to spend time adjusting. Naturally, he developed chronic illnesses in his old age. I heard he visited an old friend a few months ago and likely forced himself to muster some Vital Energy. Now that he's back at the temple, his Vital Energy has depleted, and after seeing his old friend, his worldly desires have been fulfilled, so he's simply waiting to die.

"This is also why he asked you to come here to listen to my teachings.

"If you can't cultivate yourself properly, how can you teach others?"

Wang Ji Zi paused as he spoke, and he didn't forget to admonish the young Taoist priests below:

"Among you, some are also impatient. You must take this as a warning. Remember, no matter what, Yin and Yang must not be imbalanced. Know that the imbalance of Yin and Yang is the path of cultivation for demons and spirits. If humans learn from it, it will surely lead to future troubles."

A chorus of agreement rose from below.

Lin Jue couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Junior Sister. Coincidentally, Junior Sister was also turning to look at him. Her complexion was fair and clean, her features delicate, and her eyes were wide open, yet she always seemed a bit dazed.

Their eyes met. They now understood the reason for their master's poor health and had taken Wang Ji Zi's warning to heart.

"Enough talk. Today, I will speak to you about the Five Qi of Heaven and Earth and the Spiritual Charm of Yin and Yang. You two from Floating Hill Temple, listen carefully. How much you gain is entirely up to you."

Wang Ji Zi sat down and waved his sleeves.

The young Taoist priests below, who had been unable to resist glancing at Lin Jue and Junior Sister, immediately sat up straight upon hearing his voice, putting on an appearance of focused listening. However, some still shifted their attention towards them, unsure if they were looking at Lin Jue or the rather delicate and fair-skinned Junior Sister.