Zhongnan's Old Temple

Luoyi West City

The city tower was a hundred feet high, built of blue bricks, with crenellations like teeth. The red flag on the city wall fluttered in the west wind, its corner curling over Su Yao's shoulder before loosening again.

He stood on the eaves of the city tower, a Pear Blossom Return hanging at his waist, his Qingyi robe billowing slightly in the wind, his gaze sweeping over the boundless plains outside the city and looking toward the Zhongnan.

Thirty miles outside the city lies the great river. Its waters are muddy and yellow, rushing in from the western horizon. It makes a bend north of Luoyi and then flows eastward. Further west, the plains gradually narrow, and a gray-blue mountain shadow faintly appears on the horizon. Behind that lies the Mount Zhongnan.

He gazed at the mountain silhouette, his expression unreadable.

At this moment, he secretly peered through the Prism and saw that in the Great Void leading to Zhongnan, dozens of Law Treasure of various paths were hidden, their spiritual light faint and their aura heavy.

Purple Qi, Yellow Talisman, Wu Earth, Jade Pure One, Human Dao, Heavenly Thunder... layer upon layer, completely blocking that path.

These adults probably weren't sure if Su Yao possessed some unknown Qixia secret, since there was no Dao that could restrain Rainbow Clouds.

Everyone hopes that Rainbow Clouds will ascend to the throne, making Immortal Dao cultivation easier.

But they were also afraid.

They feared that Su Yao might gain benefits in Zhongnan and achieve instant Golden Core; they also feared that the Old Devil suppressed at the foot of Mount Zhongnan might secretly make a move, causing Su Yao to fail at the last minute and ruining everyone's plans; they were also afraid that something might happen to Su Yao in Zhongnan, and in the end, Qixia Mountain would be safer.

But none of this could stop him.

He has Prism.

This is his biggest trump card.

Otherwise, even if Qixia Temple supports him, and True Lord Xicheng, Qizhenzi, Qingzhu all support him, he still wouldn't be able to oppose the whole world.

So he could only rely on himself and the Prism.

Su Yao withdrew his gaze and looked towards the outside of Luoyi.

The plains stretched as far as the eye could see, with waves of wheat rippling across the landscape, villages dotting the landscape, and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys in the twilight.

A year ago, he parted ways with Yang Xiu at the mouth of the Yellow River and traveled upstream for more than 200,000 miles, witnessing all walks of life along the way. The previous dynasty was ruled by the Northern Hu Barbarians who invaded the Central Plains. They were tyrannical and cruel, and nine out of ten houses in the north and south of the Yellow River were empty.

More than 60,000 years ago, Taizu rose up in rebellion and overthrew the rule of the Northern Hu. Because there was no one left in the north, Taizu enfeoffed his sons as kings and relocated the people from the south. Artisans followed the kings to their fiefdoms. More than 60,000 years have passed, and the prosperous lands of the north are now comparable to those of the Jiangnan.

Looking at the boundless plain, a surge of pride welled up within him, and he recited aloud:

"The mighty river surges to the sky, its flow reaching the heavens; the vast plains stretch as far as the eye can see. Six generations of officials and commoners have traveled this road; a century of war has raged on the city walls. The west wind sweeps away the lingering clouds; the setting sun hangs in the empty sky, a sorrow for the lost homeland lingers. Ask not where Zhongnan is, but let our hearts shine like the sword of Wu."

As soon as the word was finished, a mysterious voice suddenly sounded behind him, and it was familiar; it was none other than the True Lord Zique. He said:

"Su Yao, it's not a good time to go any further north now. Beyond that lies Zhongnan Mountain, and that person down there won't let you off the hook. It's time to return to Qixia and prepare to seek the gold."

Su Yao was stunned for a moment, then turned around. He saw a purple figure appear three zhang away. Although it was right in front of him, it felt like it was far away. He couldn't see the figure or face clearly, only a purple outline that was faintly visible, filled with Purple Qi.

Su Yao did not bow, but simply clasped his hands and said, "Greetings, True Lord." His aura was already extremely strong, and he was unwilling to lower his head, fearing it would affect his pursuit of gold. After a pause, he added, "I wish to stay in Luoyi a little longer, to explore famous mountains and rivers, and to visit the place where the Dao Ancestor Supreme Purity preached."

As soon as he finished speaking, another yellow light shone beside the purple figure. Like the former, its face was obscured, only yellow talismans swirling and a mystical sound resounding:

"Su Yao, don't be reckless. You must not go to Zhongnan now. Returning to Qixia to prepare for the gold is the right thing to do. Jade Void Palace has prepared three Purple Mansion Peak Pure Qi Golden Nature cultivators—one Pure Qi cultivator, one Immortal Truth, and one Purple Qi cultivator—who will travel to Qixia Mountain in the next thirty years to seek the gold, and then perish. After their deaths, they will achieve the spiritual aura ' Cast Off Form and Preserve the Dao ' in the Nanyue region. This spiritual aura is beneficial to immortals. When you begin to seek the gold, with your current aura and cultivation, once you begin, you will trigger the spiritual aura of heaven and earth to transform into ' Cinnabar Firmament Begins Immortality.' This spiritual aura is most beneficial to Rainbow Clouds. Do not miss this opportunity, or you will be betraying Jade Void's good intentions."

Sensing the aura of the newcomer, Su Yao Cloud Talisman his hands in a fist salute once more and said:

"I have met Celestial Master Ge. I would be grateful if you could inform me that I only wish to visit the place where the Dao Ancestor Supreme Purity once preached, to comprehend the Dao Ancestor's teachings, and have no other intentions."

As soon as the words were spoken, another mysterious voice came:

"No, Su Yao, no!"

A figure with an earthy Wu Earth aura suddenly appeared beside the purple figure.

The previous Celestial Master Ge hurriedly said:

"True Lord Xuanbin, you've finally arrived. Su Yao absolutely cannot continue north and cross Luoyi, otherwise... After all, Jieshi and Qixia have a close relationship, so you should speak for him."

Before He could finish speaking, the mystical voice of True Lord Xuanbin rang out:

"Su Yao, do not underestimate that Old Devil. We have been guarding the Central Plains all these years to prevent that Old Devil from splitting into a Blood God to come to the Central Plains and suck Blood Qi. You should know that this is still reinforced by the immortal array of two Heavenly Venerable Venerables, Yunzhong and Caiche, on Mount Zhongnan. If you cross Luoyi, we cannot guarantee that we can protect you. If something happens, how are we supposed to face Xicheng, Qizhenzi, Qingzhu?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yao knew that these people meant well. However, his mind was already made up. He possessed too much of an imposing presence, and he knew that no one would let him go to Zhongnan.

So he came to Luoyi —a place nearly 100,000 li away from Zhongnan —but he was confident that no one could stop him, not even True Lord, Immortals, Dao Lord, or even Heavenly Venerable Venerables who secretly intervened.

He simply couldn't tell them that he was going to Zhongnan to seek gold. These adults wouldn't allow something uncontrollable; they would only let him seek gold in Qixia, which was the safest option. Now, three True Lord had come to advise him, but that wasn't enough. Moreover, he was still missing one final step in his method of seeking gold—the four directions of the world couldn't encompass the entire world; Luoyi, being the center of the world, was the most suitable.

After a moment's thought, he looked at the three True Lord ahead and said firmly:

"Three True Lord, I, Su, ask for nothing more than to visit the place where the Dao Ancestor Supreme Purity sought the Dao. I have no other requests..."

Before the three True Lord could utter a sound, thunder rumbled across the heavens and earth, and a profound voice reached Su Yao's ears:

"Don't be foolish. I shouldn't have to personally descend to the mortal realm for your sake."

Su Yao remained silent, only gazing at the projections of the three True Lord.

Even though the three True Lord were already angry and their true forms were about to descend, and bloodshot veins like rosy clouds appeared at the corners of Su Yao's eyes, he remained unfazed.

At this moment, the ethereal aura of Jade Pure One Purity floated up, blocking the path between Su Yao and the three True Lord.

At the same time, Su Yao's familiar voice rang out:

"Su Yao, when I met you in Nanzhao, you were sensible and polite. But why are you so stubborn today, faced with such a crucial matter?"

Hearing the words of the young master Mianning, whom he hadn't seen for many years, and watching his figure slowly materialize, Su Yao smiled and said, "I haven't yet congratulated young master Mianning on becoming Heavenly Immortal." He paused, then continued, "But this disciple only wishes to visit the place where the Dao Ancestor Supreme Purity sought the Dao. Is that not even allowed?"

"Just bring them back to Qixia; why waste words with this brat?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure with a distinct aura of Human Dao appeared not far from the three True Lord.

The True Lord's aura surged forth, and the aura of Human Dao permeated the air, almost blinding Su Yao.

The Jade Pure One aura in the center once again permeated the air, obscuring the Human Dao aura, and Mianning's figure emerged.

Upon seeing Mianning, Su Yao smiled and said, "Young Master, your charm remains as undiminished as ever."

Mianning had a head of white hair, his gray robe swayed in the wind, and his face was still covered up as it had been back then.

He said:

"Su Yao, stop fooling around. Come with me in the Seven Fragrances Carriage back to Qixia Mountain to prepare for the gold-seeking."

Su Yao did not respond to these words, but instead glanced at Mianning, the three True Lord, the heavenly Heavenly Thunder in the sky, and the last True Lord of the Human Dao to arrive.

At the same time, he connected his Law Power in his dantian with the prepared Prism and laughed:

"That's enough. I doubt anyone will attack me now, lest they ruin my reputation. After all, the Immortal Dao must ultimately elevate the cultivation of all beings, preparing for the future. I hope you will all be able to find me later—and I hope the various Law Treasure you have prepared can stop me."

After saying this, before the eyes of the True Lord, his figure transformed into a ray of light and flew towards Zhongnan.

The next moment, Purple Qi, yellow talisman, Wu Earth, Jade Pure One- pure immortal qi, Human Dao aura, and rolling Heavenly Thunder rushed towards the rosy light that Su Yao had transformed into. In the blink of an eye, they had already surpassed the rosy light and were about to block it. But the rosy light changed its path, dodging all the interceptions, and increased its speed. In the blink of an eye, it had already disappeared into the Great Void and headed towards Zhongnan Mountain, leaving the other auras completely behind.

But then, six beams of light suddenly appeared in front of them. These were the Three Yin and Three Yang: the milky white Lesser Yin Qi, the moon-white Greater Yin Qi, the white with a hint of red Jueyin Qi, the bluish-white Lesser Yang, the golden-red Greater Yang, and the dim yellow Bright Yang.

The six Law Treasure were gone in the blink of an eye, and the radiant light that Su Yao had transformed into had already crossed them.

Then, the eleven Twelve Qi excluding the Turbid Qi appeared one by one—Qing, Zhen, Zi, Han, Xi, Suo, Rui, Gang, Sha, Heavenly Chaos, and Heavenly Order.

The Four Winds and Five Thunders, the Five Virtues and Five Manifestations, the Eight Essences of Daoist Gate, the Four Devil Artifact of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, the Azure Firmament Demonic Dao Immortal Hazy Clouds, the Heavenly Governance, the Myriad Spirits, the Mystic Body, the Three Sovereigns Human Dao Path, the Mohist School, the Name School, the Law School, and other magical Law Treasure of various schools and paths, with all kinds of flowing light appearing one after another.

With the power of the Prism, Su Yao was able to capture even though many True Lord and Immortals personally used Law Treasure or took action themselves—after all, the Prism's status was unprecedentedly high.

However, just as Su Yao was about to reach the Zhongnan region, four auras rose up in front of him—the immortal auras of the Jade, the Supreme, and the Upper Three Pure Ones, as well as the aura of Human Dao, completely blocking the way.

A mysterious sound emanated from the Jade Pure One Purity Immortal Qi:

"Qingyan, don't let the whole world follow your foolishness."

After Su Yao transformed into a radiant glow, he spoke for the first time, his voice emanating from within the glow:

"My lords, I apologize. I will apologize after I have successfully ascended the throne."

After saying that, he secretly manipulated the Prism.

The rosy light accelerated, quickly passing over the celestial aura of the Three Pure Ones, and then the aura of Human Dao.

The last branch appeared in front of Su Yao.

Seeing this Su Yao said:

"Just as I thought."

The Turbid and Clear Branch at Qixia Temple was transformed from the arm of the Primordial Lady Heavenly Turbidity, and is Law Treasure artifact. This one, presumably transformed from the Primordial Sovereign's heart, and residing in the Jade Void Palace, is undoubtedly a celestial artifact.

At the same time, as he spoke, Turbid Qi surged from the tree branches, completely blocking his path.

But Su Yao was not afraid.

After the Investiture of the Gods, apart from Rainbow Clouds and Wu Earth, there was no Dao Path that was not afraid of Turbid Qi. However, even if Rainbow Clouds and Wu Earth encountered Turbid Qi, they would be two points weaker.

Previously, they were afraid of hurting Su Yao and affecting their plans, so they dared not go all out. Otherwise, Su Yao alone, not to mention the presence of those True Lord or the use of multiple Law Treasure, would not be able to escape if any True Lord sent down a little divine thought.

Although Prism's rank is high, his cultivation level is too low.

Seeing the Turbid Qi surging, Su Yao did not hesitate and continued to pour his Law Power into the Prism.

The next moment, the rosy light intensified and accelerated.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment, but returned to normal the next moment, and the radiant light that Su Yao had transformed into appeared behind the Turbid Qi.

Upon seeing this, a mysterious voice roared from within the Great Void:

"How could this be! What exactly did Yun Zhongzi and Caiche leave behind?!"

At this moment, a mysterious voice rang out:

"Is the Laurel-Breaking Household still unwilling to make a move?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a soft sigh came from in front of Su Yao.

Immediately afterwards, a book appeared out of thin air and slowly unfolded.

The pages are yellowed, the ink is ancient and unadorned, each stroke seems to be carved into the paper, carrying an indescribable sense of solemnity.

A single word slowly emerged from the page.

The characters were written in extremely simple strokes, just a horizontal and a vertical line, neat and tidy, looking utterly ordinary.

But Su Yao only glanced at it, and his aura suddenly froze—there was clearly nothing in front of him, empty and desolate, even the wind could blow through, but when he urged the light of the sunset forward, it was as if he had hit an invisible wall, and he was stopped in place.

The Spring and Autumn Annals style of writing can determine praise or criticism with a single word.

The characters looked ordinary, but the heavens and earth recognized them simply because they were written there:

This road is blocked.

He tried to the left, he tried to the right, he tried to the top, he tried to the bottom—all four sides were empty, but that word was like a preordained judgment, writing away the entire path.

It's not about hiding, it's not about blocking; it's like a single stroke of "stop" has appeared out of nowhere in the world.

The rosy glow vanished for a moment.

At this moment, many streams of light quickly caught up from behind, Turbid Qi tried to envelop the rosy light.

Seeing this, Su Yao murmured:

"So it really won't work in the end?"

But he hesitated for only a moment, and the next instant he had already set up the rosy clouds and continued forward.

Just as the rosy dawn was about to collide with the Spring and Autumn Period, Su Yao suddenly realized that he had lost control of the Prism.

The Prism rattled on their own, like a wild horse breaking free of its reins.

Then, the rosy light that Su Yao had transformed into suddenly changed, and the seven colors of the rainbow intertwined and reflected each other, transforming into rainbow light.

The next moment, to the disbelief of all the important figures watching this place, a rainbow flashed, and suddenly appeared after the Spring and Autumn Period.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the rainbow light had flown into Zhongnan.

The expected sea of blood did not appear.

Rainbow Light flew unimpeded all the way to the old gate of Qixia Temple.

This former site of Qixia Temple, which had not been visited by the abbot of Qixia Temple for over eight thousand years, was finally visited by the Qixia Temple again after eight thousand years.

Su Yao manifested his form, first bowing towards the mountain gate, and then without hesitation, headed towards the thatched hut he had visited more than three hundred years ago when he was still the Qixia Daozi.

Fifteen minutes later, Su Yao arrived at the small hill.

The thatched cottage is located on the mountaintop, with a pond of white lotuses standing gracefully in front of it.

At this moment, two figures stood in front of the pool.

One of them was in front, wearing a purple Daoist robe, a Three Powers crown, and a peach wood sword at his waist.

One was at the back, dressed in black, the black clothes resembling strands of black feathers shimmering with rainbow light, dazzling and eye-catching. His face was extremely similar to the one in front wearing a purple Daoist robe, equally handsome.

Looking ahead, Su Yao suddenly smiled.

He laughed for a moment, then looked at Him in front of him, who was dressed in a purple Daoist robe.

More than three hundred years ago, when Su Yao first set foot on Mount Zhongnan, True Lord Xicheng concealed his face, but here it is revealed, expressionless.

Gui Hong, dressed in black, saw Su Yao from behind, his expression a mixture of joy, anger, and surprise.

Seeing this, Su Yao clasped his hands in a fist salute and said:

"Qingyan, Abbot of Qixia Temple, greets me, Dao Rainbow Clouds Xicheng Crimson Firmament True Lord."

After speaking, True Lord's lips parted slightly, as if he had a thousand words to say but didn't know how to express them.

Finally, he said:

"Since you dislike the path I've set, then let me see what you've accomplished."

After saying this, Su Yao fell silent, his aura suddenly erupting.

Ten years ago, he traveled south from Qixia Mountain to the South Sea. Ten years later, he finally arrived at Zhongnan. Previously, he had dominated all directions, and his aura was no longer that of an ordinary Purple Mansion. No Purple Mansion in the world was his match. But today, as he stepped onto Mount Zhongnan, intercepted by many True Lord wielding Law Treasure, his aura had increased several times over.

As he displayed his meteorological display, eighty-one rays of light and seven rainbows intertwined in the originally plain sky, as if a brocade woven with Rainbow Clouds had been spread across the heavens, enveloping the entire Mount Zhongnan in a splendid glow. The rays of light layered upon layer, spreading from the mountain peak to the foot of the mountain, from the thatched hut to the sea of clouds. Each ray of light faintly revealed a hint of rainbow, with seven colors flowing and turning, like seven colorful dragons weaving through the glow.

True Lord Xicheng gazed at the Heavenly Clouds and remained silent for a long time. Gui Hong stood behind him, his lips moved, but he ultimately did not utter a sound.

Finally, True Lord Xicheng spoke, his voice lower than before, yet clear as if etched in the wind:

"Eighty-one rays of light, seven rainbows... Qingyan, do you know that before each abbot of Qixia Temple sought gold, even I only received seventy-two rays of light?"

Su Yao did not answer.

True Lord Xicheng continued, "Your aura surpasses mine in its prime. But the stronger the aura, the more perilous the pursuit of gold. Do you know why?"

Su Yao raised his head, his gaze meeting that of True Lord Xicheng, and replied without flinching, "This disciple understands."

True Lord Xicheng looked at him and suddenly sighed softly.

The sigh was very soft, as soft as a ripple caused by the wind blowing across a lotus pond, but it sounded so heavy to Su Yao that his heart tightened.

"Since you know," True Lord Xicheng slowly, "Then let me see how you use these eighty-one rays of light and seven rainbow rays to complete the step that no one has been able to take in Qixia Temple for hundreds of thousands of years."

As soon as he finished speaking, He raised his hand and waved it.

In the white lotus pond in front of the thatched cottage, a white lotus slowly bloomed, and a Jade Slip emerged from the lotus heart. It was completely translucent and contained a wisp of extremely fine rainbow light, as if a ray of light had been condensed into a thread and hidden in the jade.

"These are the 8,312 records of the abbots of Qixia Temple's successive generations' experiences in seeking gold," said True Lord Xicheng. "I originally planned to send Gui Hong to deliver them to you after you returned to Qixia. But since you insist on coming to Zhongnan first—"

He paused for a moment, then gently pushed the Jade Slip toward Su Yao.

"Then look around here. After you've looked, tell me whether you still want to take that road."

Su Yao reached out and took the Jade Slip. It was warm to the touch, and the rainbow light within it flickered slightly, as if in response to the resonance of the seven talismans in his dantian. He gripped the Jade Slip tightly and bowed deeply to True Lord Xicheng.

"Your disciple obeys."

Gui Hong stood behind True Lord Xicheng, watching Su Yao's bowing figure. His lips twitched, but he couldn't help muttering under his breath, "Wouldn't it have been better if he'd done this earlier? He had to make such a scene..."

True Lord Xicheng did not turn around, but simply said, "Gui Hong."

Gui Hong immediately shut his mouth.

Su Yao looked up and met Gui Hong's eyes, which were filled with both joy and anger. He suddenly found it somewhat amusing. More than three hundred years had passed, and Gui Hong, who was both a mentor and a friend, had not changed a bit.

He held the Jade Slip and sat cross-legged by the lotus pond. The fragrance of white lotus mixed with the cool air of the Mount Zhongnan filled his nostrils. In the distance, the sea of clouds surged and the rays of the sunset shone in all directions, enveloping the entire thatched hut in a splendid glow.

There is a word cloud:

Looking west from the top of Luoyi city wall, the great river surges and flows to the sky.

Eighty-one rays of light rose, and seven rainbows swirled around my fingertips.

The old scenery of Zhongnan in autumn.

Who has walked this road for eight thousand years? Who once traversed it three hundred years ago?

Ask not of what lies beneath the Old Devil mountain, but rather entrust your heart and soul to Wu Gou.

I'll knock on the tower again upon my return.