In the third year of Zhenyu, the emperor led Great Vehicle Dragon Tower experts to besiege your younger brother, Jiang Yu. You intervened to save him and survived the siege of numerous experts, escaping a deadly calamity. You received a survival reward—Dharma treasure "Golden Scale Jade Leaf."
Inside the room, Jiang Changsheng looked at the line of words and smiled.
A Dharma treasure!
He had struck it rich!
The Kirin Whisk was merely a magical artifact, at most a transforming weapon capable of carrying spiritual power. A Dharma treasure had to be even stronger.
Jiang Changsheng immediately took out the Golden Scale Jade Leaf, and inheritance memories concerning it flooded into his mind.
The Golden Scale Jade Leaf was a Dharma treasure forged from the scales of a divine beast. It contained nine layers of restrictions and could kill enemies or ward off their attacks. Its precise uses would only become clear after he tested it.
To bind a Dharma treasure to its owner, one had to refine its restrictions. Following the inheritance memories, Jiang Changsheng began refining the restrictions within the Golden Scale Jade Leaf.
The sun set, and the moon rose.
Night descended.
After successfully refining the Golden Scale Jade Leaf, Jiang Changsheng tucked it into his sleeve and walked out of his room. At that moment, Jiang Yu, Zong Tianwu, Huang Chuan, Ling Xiao, and Wang Chen were chatting in the courtyard.
Jiang Yu had already paid his respects at his mother's grave, while Zong Tianwu's injuries had been bandaged. They planned to rest for a day before descending the mountain tomorrow, so as not to bring trouble upon Dragon Arising Temple.
Seeing Jiang Changsheng approach, Jiang Yu and Zong Tianwu quickly rose and clasped their fists in salute. Zong Tianwu had put away his arrogance and was completely convinced by Jiang Changsheng.
"No need for such courtesy. What are the two of you planning to do from here on?" Jiang Changsheng asked as he approached. Huang Chuan yielded his seat to him.
Jiang Yu smiled bitterly. "I plan to leave Great Jing. As for Zong Tianwu, he'll return to his own sect and retire."
Having offended the emperor, they would find every step difficult in Great Jing. They might as well stay far from the imperial court.
Jiang Yu had also come to terms with it. His strength was insufficient, and there was no need to drag Zong Tianwu into further danger. Now that all his family was gone, he had seen many things clearly.
Wang Chen did not reveal his identity. Since he had decided to forget the dust of the past, Jiang Yu did not recognize him either.
Jiang Changsheng said, "You were once a prince. Can you get used to a dragon falling into the mortal dust?"
Jiang Yu shook his head. "Even if I can't, I have to. How can life always go as one wishes?"
Zong Tianwu remained silent. After today's battle, he felt that he still needed to continue pursuing the martial path.
Jiang Changsheng accepted the tea Wang Chen poured for him and suddenly said, "Why not seek refuge with Prince Wei? I'll personally write you a letter. Once Prince Wei ascends the throne, I'll have him preserve Prince Qin's title. As for Zong Tianwu, returning to his sect with the merit of following a dragon—would that not bring glory to the sect?"
Jiang Yu frowned. "Prince Wei is the current emperor's son..."
He recalled meeting Jiang Ziyu at the Northern Border. Jiang Ziyu had been warm and respectful toward him. Setting aside Jiang Ziyu's connection to the emperor, he was indeed someone Jiang Yu could rely on.
Zong Tianwu suddenly came to a realization. "So that's how it is. Dragon Arising Temple supports Prince Wei. That is why, even though you are Prince Wei's master, Daoist, you dared to strike against the emperor. It is said that the emperor established his illegitimate son as Crown Prince, and Prince Wei was dissatisfied. So it was true."
Jiang Yu hesitated. "Even if Prince Wei ascends the throne, I'm afraid..."
Jiang Changsheng smiled. "There is no need to worry. Even if his temperament changes drastically in the future and there is nowhere in the world for you to hide, Dragon Arising Temple can shelter you. Besides, I taught Prince Wei from childhood. I understand his character. Compared with personal feelings, he cares more for the realm and righteousness. He greatly admires your achievements over these years and will not treat you unfairly."
Jiang Yu looked at Zong Tianwu.
Zong Tianwu's gaze flickered as he said, "Prince Wei is sincere by nature. When I met him before, I could not see a shred of falsehood in him. Why not give it a try? The emperor will surely remember today's enmity. He simply has no crime to pin on us now, but that may not remain so in the future. If we follow Prince Wei and continue earning merits, with the people's hearts on our side, the emperor will not dare touch us."
Jiang Yu drew a deep breath. "All right. I'll listen to you, Daoist!"
Jiang Changsheng chuckled. "Wang Chen, bring paper, brush, and ink."
Wang Chen immediately set off.
Zong Tianwu began asking Jiang Changsheng about the martial path. Having become the Martial Arts Supreme, he was naturally obsessed with martial arts. Jiang Changsheng admired his spirit of fighting to the death, so he did not brush him off and instead gave him earnest guidance.
Though Jiang Changsheng cultivated immortality, he had also cultivated many supreme martial arts. By drawing inferences from one instance to another, he could guide Zong Tianwu with attainments comparable to the Universe Realm, more than enough for the task.
Early the next morning, Jiang Yu and Zong Tianwu descended the mountain to seek refuge with Prince Wei.
Though Zong Tianwu had lost an arm, he was still a God Heart Realm expert. With his aid, Prince Wei's forces would become even stronger.
Dragon Arising Temple's peace was not disrupted by the two men. Only some disciples noticed that Hero's Graveyard had gained another tombstone.
Tiangang Taoist!
It was Zong Tianwu who had brought his corpse up Dragon Arising Temple. Though they had been enemies, Zong Tianwu revered martial strength and asked Jiang Changsheng to bury him in Hero's Graveyard.
Most Dragon Arising Temple disciples did not know Tiangang Taoist's name. Yet martial arts experts often came to offer incense, and some recognized it. Within less than two months, news that Tiangang Taoist, foremost among the Grandmasters, had been buried in Hero's Graveyard spread across the land.
Of the five Grandmasters, two had already been buried in Hero's Graveyard!
The martial world was in uproar!
Jiang Changsheng knew nothing of the affairs of the martial world. He cultivated within the temple every day. Jiang Yu did not come looking for trouble again and even sent people bearing candied fruits, fresh fruit, tea leaves, and other gifts. It was obvious that he was trying to curry favor.
Jiang Changsheng did not think much of it. Whether Jiang Yu was sincere or not made no difference. Once Jiang Ziyu reclaimed the realm, the throne had to be yielded to Jiang Ziyu.
He often flew to the forests beyond the city to familiarize himself with the Golden Scale Jade Leaf. This Dharma treasure was truly too powerful; it finally gave him the feeling of cultivating immortality.
Over two months, Jiang Changsheng completely mastered the Golden Scale Jade Leaf. He could use it to perform all manner of supreme arts and had brought every one of its abilities under control.
He could not imagine how strong he would be if he fought with all his strength.
When he had previously rescued Jiang Yu, he had used only the Taiqing Sword Art. One sword had ended the mass of enemies. Even then, he had restrained himself as much as possible, afraid that the destruction would spread too far and harm innocent passersby in the distance.
This day, Jiang Changsheng was refining pills. Besides the essential Spirit Enhancing Pills, he wished to try refining other kinds of pills.
Huang Chuan's voice sounded outside the courtyard. "This is the Daoist's residence. Idlers are not permitted to barge in."
"I'm only taking a look. I'll leave after one glance."
An elderly woman who appeared to be in her fifties stood some distance away, leading a little girl by the hand as they looked toward Jiang Changsheng.
When the old woman saw Jiang Changsheng refining pills beneath the tree, her entire body trembled and a complicated expression appeared on her face.
"Just like thirty years ago... He truly is an immortal..."
The old woman murmured to herself. The little girl she held was extremely nervous, for Huang Chuan wore an impatient expression and looked fierce.
Huang Chuan said in a low voice, "All right, you've seen enough. Time to leave."
After watching Jiang Changsheng for a while, the old woman led the little girl away. Huang Chuan followed close behind, afraid they might turn back.
The old woman took out a pouch of money from her robes and handed it to Huang Chuan. "Could your temple take in my daughter?"
Huang Chuan squeezed the money pouch and hesitated. "That would not be appropriate. Dragon Arising Temple only takes in orphans."
The old woman smiled bitterly. "I do not have much longer to live."
Elsewhere.
Jiang Changsheng, who was refining pills, had naturally noticed the mother and daughter's arrival and heard their conversation. However, he did not care. Dragon Arising Temple had already grown, and whether to accept disciples was up to Meng Qiushuang.
As for the old woman's identity, he did not dwell on it. Over the years, there had been countless pilgrims. There were also quite a few pilgrims who secretly came before the courtyard, most of them nobles and dignitaries. They paid too generously and did not truly cross the line, so he usually turned a blind eye.
Jiang Changsheng's title had already changed.
He was now known as the Immortal Master Changsheng.
To catch even one glimpse of the Immortal Master Changsheng was something many people dreamed of.
In the fourth year of Zhenyu, Prince Wei captured twenty-seven cities in succession and successfully reclaimed Great Jing's Northern Border, driving the Jin Dynasty beyond the border. His fame spread throughout the realm, and a steady stream of Great Jing men came to join him. The troops under his command had already reached three hundred thousand.
Now, only the Jin Dynasty remained at war with Great Jing. Gu Han also feared being swallowed by the Jin Dynasty, so he took the chance to conserve his strength and build up his forces.
Great Jing, Northern Border. An endless wasteland stretched beneath skies filled with yellow sand, and a lone city stood there in isolation.
Within a courtyard in the city.
Ping'an was swinging a pair of hammers. Each hammer in his hands was as large as a water vat, its surface engraved with divine beast patterns and gleaming gold-bronze. As they whistled through the air with tiger-like force, none of the soldiers in the courtyard dared approach, all wearing wary expressions.
Zong Tianwu sighed. "This fellow is suited for heavy divine weapons."
Xu Tianji was also tongue-tied with amazement. "Ever since this little monster saw blood, he has become more and more monstrous. Sometimes I'm even afraid of meeting him on the battlefield and getting torn apart by his bare hands."
The other soldiers also began discussing the matter in awe.
Jiang Ziyu, clad in armor and looking heroic and extraordinary, smiled in satisfaction. He turned to Four Seas Sage at his side and said, "I am very satisfied. Tell me, how much gold?"
A weapon like this could only be measured in gold.
Four Seas Sage stroked his beard and smiled. "No money. A divine weapon should be paired with a fierce general. Only then does it have meaning."
Jiang Ziyu smiled. "Then what do you want?"
"Ha ha ha, Prince Wei truly is remarkable. Then this old man shall not stand on ceremony. I am willing to help Prince Wei conquer the realm. I ask only that, after Prince Wei ascends the throne, you give this old man one son. I will take him to the sacred land of martial arts and raise a peerless expert for Great Jing." After laughing, Four Seas Sage spoke earnestly.
Jiang Ziyu fell silent.
Jiang Yu came over and asked, "What sacred land of martial arts could compare to Dragon Arising Temple?"
At the mention of Dragon Arising Temple, Four Seas Sage's expression became rather unnatural. He gave a false cough and said, "A very distant sacred land, farther even than Gu Han. Prince Wei need not agree in haste. This old man will accompany you for several years. Once Prince Wei has witnessed this old man's abilities and character, it will not be too late to agree."
Jiang Ziyu smiled without smiling. "And you are not afraid that I will refuse?"
Four Seas Sage shook his wine gourd and smiled. "You certainly will agree, because this realm is a realm of martial arts. If imperial authority wishes to be passed down, it must have a martial arts inheritance. If the Great Jing imperial family gains another martial arts inheritance, would that not be even better?"
Jiang Ziyu gave him a deep look.
From nearby, Xu Tianji muttered, "This old man is not simple at all. I cannot see through him whatsoever."
Zong Tianwu nodded. "Even if you and I joined hands, we might not defeat him."
Since the chaotic age had arrived, all sorts of demons and monsters had truly emerged throughout the realm. It had even made him, the Martial Arts Supreme, lose some confidence.
Within Dragon Arising Temple, Jiang Changsheng refined pills beneath a tree while White Dragon lay beside him, constantly flicking its forked tongue.
Eunuch Li sat in meditation on Jiang Changsheng's other side and smiled. "Since last year, the emperor has been indulging in wine and women. He shows a growing tendency to neglect state affairs. At this rate, Prince Wei's hopes of ascending the throne in the future will be even greater."
Jiang Changsheng stared at the Medicine Cauldron before him without speaking.
Seeing that he was uninterested, Eunuch Li's eyes shifted as he said, "Recently, a force called Burning Heaven Pavilion has appeared in the martial world. It has been attacking sects everywhere and has already taken the Devil Sect and Seven Peaks Mountain Gate. Rumor has it that it was founded by the once-famous Emperor Yang Zhao and harbors ambitions of unifying the martial world."
Jiang Changsheng raised a brow. The Devil Sect was gone?
Huang Chuan suddenly ran over and asked, "What happened to the Devil Sect? Where is the Devil Master?"
Eunuch Li turned to him and shrugged. "Naturally, he submitted. The Devil Master should not be dead, though at his age, he probably does not have many years left."
After speaking, Eunuch Li turned back to Jiang Changsheng. "Burning Heaven Pavilion is growing more powerful by the day. It may set its sights on Dragon Arising Temple in the future. Hero's Graveyard's reputation is simply too great. Experts seeking to become number one under heaven will surely come to test themselves."
Jiang Changsheng chuckled. "Then let them come. I only hope they are not too weak."
Thanks to Heath Iced Tea for the 1,500 Qidian Coin tip, and White-Clad Chicken Farmer for the 1,500 Qidian Coin tip, among others~
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