How Could Heroes Have No Way to Save Themselves?

Scholars in the Southern Dynasty were already very fond of discussing metaphysics and Daoism.

Zhang Tongxuan was famous for discussing Daoism many years ago, and he was also skilled in refining various elixirs and powders to maintain his youthful appearance and health, but he was not known for his martial prowess.

At that time, he was almost completely isolated from other people in the martial arts world; they belonged to different circles.

However, after the Northern Celestial Masters' Way grew stronger in the north, it also took into account the existence of Celebration of the Sage Temple and wanted to expand southward, taking a roundabout approach to avoid the influence of Celebration of the Sage Temple.

Unexpectedly, this incident provoked resistance from many Daoist sects in the south, and eventually led to a debate between Zhang Tongxuan and the Northern Celestial Master.

In the world, people discuss metaphysics and philosophy, each with their own reasons. However, often it's not about the actual principles, but rather the ability to justify one's arguments and shift the topic.

However, when true masters discuss the Way, they discuss the principles you are truly willing to follow. Every word and phrase points directly to your heart and soul. Merely talking about it is useless; you must actually put it into practice within your sect and among your followers.

The Northern Celestial Master did not use his cultivation level to suppress others, but among those of equal cultivation level, he exposed the shortcomings of each sect, leaving the leaders of each sect unable to continue their work.

It wasn't until Zhang Tongxuan sat down and talked with him for a whole day and night that they finally met.

The two talked more and more, and as the Northern Celestial Master's cultivation improved, Zhang Tongxuan's cultivation also revealed itself.

It wasn't until the Northern Celestial Master's cultivation reached the level of Attaining the Dao being that Zhang Tongxuan also revealed his Attaining the Dao being realm.

Knowing that his mission to spread the Dao southward was doomed to fail, and having not used up all his cultivation, the Northern Celestial Master led his followers back north.

The Northern Celestial Masters' Way had no choice but to continue its development in the north, which eventually led to it being targeted by the Celebration of the Sage Temple.

Because of this incident, Zhang Tongxuan was listed as one of the Six Patriarchs of the Southern Dynasty, and took the opportunity to establish the Mystic Sect).

However, the mountain gate he chose for the Mystic Sect was in a place like Ten Commanderies of Guilin.

Since the Han Dynasty, this area has been a place where Witch Dao were prevalent. It was common to plunder slaves, perform human blood sacrifices, send letters and throw stones, raise tigers to drive away insects, and shout curses at enemies in the mountains and forests.

When the Mystic Sect entered this area, many Daoist priests followed, settling in huts by the mountains and rivers, and fighting with the local shamans.

This led to a flourishing of Daoist practices in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

In this way, the Mystic Sect effectively distanced itself from the core conflicts of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the powerful sects, and the major factions.

In both the martial arts world and the imperial court, members of the Mystic Sect are rarely seen.

Although Zhang Tongxuan's reputation remained intact, it was difficult for him to become even more illustrious.

Many people believe that his true combat strength is probably the weakest among the Six Sects and Five Sages.

"It seems that too many people in the world have misjudged Daoist Master Tongxuan."

Grand Matriarch Gao said, "They captured us all without a sound. If the news gets out, it will truly shock everyone."

Chen Zhuangzhi chuckled, "Does the old lady think the news of your arrest will spread quickly?"

"Since you haven't returned for so long, your Gao Lineage will only do everything in its power to keep this secret. How could you dare let other families know about your disappearance?"

"Besides, Celebration of the Sage Temple has recently been plotting something big. Even if news of your disappearance spreads in the future, people in the martial arts world will only suspect that you were eliminated before you participated."

After all, Grand Matriarch Gao was indeed recently invited by Celebration of the Sage Temple to send a gift.

If there's one instance, there's bound to be a second. It's perfectly reasonable that something unexpected happened the second time he was invited.

Grand Matriarch Gao remained silent for a moment.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor sighed, "Gao Lineage sister, from what you've said, the disciples of my Yellow Mountain Sect have been doing well recently; I haven't heard of any entire sect being wiped out."

"Then you can at least rest assured that your Gao Lineage will probably not be wiped out by Daoist Master Tongxuan's people."

Zhang Tongxuan stroked his beard and said, "Attaining the Dao masters are unrestrained, traveling thousands of miles a day. They can go anywhere, and even if they disappear and are discovered, there are few clues to be found."

"However, if the entire sects and clans of such forces as these two were wiped out, the repercussions would be too far-reaching, inevitably causing everyone to feel insecure and launch a large-scale joint investigation, Non-Self something I would like to see."

At that moment, a low, hoarse male voice came from another well.

"If that's the case, why were you so ruthless towards the disciples of my Purple Mansion Sect?"

Grand Matriarch Gao was startled.

Aside from the Yellow Mountain Ancestor, she rarely heard the people in the other wells speaking.

These wells have a unique structure; their inner walls are as white as silver and as hard as iron, and are covered with intricate and elegant symbols, like dragons and phoenixes dancing in the wind.

Although Grand Matriarch Gao could sense that there were people in the other wells, she could not sense any more.

Upon hearing this, it turned out to be someone I was somewhat familiar with.

Grand Matriarch Gao asked, "Is it the Silver Sand True Person of the Purple Mansion Sect?"

Chen Zhuangzhi answered on his behalf, "It is indeed this one. A member of the Purple Mansion Sect, not yet twenty years old. Apart from treating the local villagers and hiring farmers to cultivate the land, he doesn't get involved in court affairs, so he naturally doesn't need to worry much about taking action."

"However, Silver Sand True Person, I also met members of the Purple Mansion Sect today..."

He paused deliberately.

Sure enough, Silver Sand True Person was.

The chains that bound the meridians and connected the well walls trembled.

"That was probably one of my disciples; he must have fallen victim to your wickedness too!!"

"Hehehe, of course... no."

Chen Zhuangzhi said with a smile, "Although I had already decided to take them down at the time, I didn't reveal any flaws in my words."

"Besides, when your Purple Mansion Sect was destroyed, it was Master Jun who led a few fellow disciples. I wasn't there, so they probably wouldn't have been able to spot me."

Zhang Tongxuan flicked his sleeve.

"Alright, it seems everyone's breathing is still relatively even, and no one seems to be contemplating suicide. I won't let this unworthy disciple of mine cause you any further trouble."

"Zhuangzhi, come with me to the Pill Chamber."

Chen Zhuangzhi responded and followed Zhang Tongxuan away.

There were still sixteen Daoist priests on duty around the eight wells. When the two left, they went back to the wells and sat down cross-legged.

A cold snort came from the well where Silver Sand True Person was.

Those who Attaining the Dao do not give up easily, nor would they commit suicide casually. Moreover, the chains and spells in the well prevent them from even having the chance to commit suicide.

The little power they could muster on a normal day was neither enough to reach their brains nor enough to shake the pulse of their Attaining the Dao minds.

Even the food and water they were given were medicinal liquids injected into their bodies using hollow silver needles. These liquids would be automatically absorbed by the bodies of Attaining the Dao beings, without requiring any excretion.

However, after being trapped for many years, he was so focused that he couldn't do anything else.

Even with just that little bit of True Qi, they still managed to make a lot of noise and use it in various ways.

In the well where the Yellow Mountain Ancestor resides, his white hair is disheveled, his yellow robe is tattered, and several chains pierce his body. His right index finger, however, is intentionally or unintentionally pressing on the bottom of the well, the soft pad of his finger resting on the iron stone.

[Daoist Y insha, there's no need to worry too much. Judging from my disobedient Sunzi's tone, I believe he failed to capture your disciple, and I wonder who thwarted him!]

[Sunzi? If this old woman may be so bold as to ask, who are you?]

[Let me speak for myself, Mr. Huang. This is Chen Wenxin, the former head of the Chen Clan.]

Mountains are made of piled-up earth and rocks, and in places like Guilin, moisture often lingers in the crevices of the rocks.

The Attaining the Dao power that a master could freely utilize was insufficient for them to dig all the way down the well.

It wasn't even enough for them to communicate in a normal telepathic manner.

However, their limited skill could still penetrate downwards, like plucking a string on a musical instrument, touching the moisture in the crevices of the mountain.

No one, not even the gods, could say how many such fissures there are in a mountain.

This touch was chosen through the smallest possible gap, concealed beneath the presence of several Attaining the Dao masters.

Unless Tongxuan happens to descend to the bottom of the well at the exact moment they are communicating in this way, it would be extremely difficult to detect.

Alright, let's put aside the matter of my Purple Mansion Sect for now and continue talking about escaping this predicament.

Madam Gao, the reason we didn't mention our identities to you before was because we felt trapped here and ashamed to speak.

Let's be frank today. All eight of us here are Attaining the Dao masters. Apart from the four of us, the other four arrived even earlier. They are all either roaming the mortal world or living in seclusion in the city, the kind of solitary and carefree individuals.

Perhaps this is why they were the first to be targeted by Zhang Tongxuan.

One of the four hermits spoke up.

There's no need to save face for us old folks. Back when we were wandering the world, we knew we weren't among the best, so even if we Attaining the Dao, we wouldn't compete for it.

Cultivation is for nourishing life; fighting and arguing will only lead to an early death. What could be more enjoyable than playing around in the world, teasing the younger generation, using humor to warn the world, and punishing evil?

Unfortunately, this very mindset made us easy targets; once trapped, we could no longer strive for progress.

The escape techniques we've devised can only be passed on to you two newcomers. We hope one of you can go out and spread the word, gathering more people to kill Tongxuan.

When Chen Wenxin and Daoist Y insha first arrived, the four hermits placed their hopes on them.

Unfortunately, the techniques they devised at that time were still insufficient to break the seal on the well.

When the Yellow Mountain Ancestor and the Grand Matriarch Gao arrived one after another, it was already six people passing on their achievements to them.

Grand Matriarch Gao sighed, "[My physical meridians have been stiff for many years. Even after careful study, I'm afraid there are many techniques I can no longer perform.]"

The messengers all fell silent.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor didn't say anything.

It was gradually approaching midnight.

This is the time when the Moon-Turbidity Qi is at its peak. Anyone who cultivates Demonic Dao arts will enter a state of tranquility and introspection at this time.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor slowly raised his head, and wisps of yellow smoke rose from his wounds and wrapped around the chains.

Each wisp of yellow smoke was composed of countless finer strands of air, thinner than a hair, which cut between the talismans as they wrapped around the chains, gently brushing past them.

The brushstrokes of the talisman were naturally altered.

The chains were pulled out silently, little by little.

Enveloped in yellow smoke, the chains seemed to have lost their weight, floating and twisting in mid-air without making a sound.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor, with his light white hair and silent yellow robe, rose slowly from the bottom of the well like a yellow cloud.

As he ascended, the aura around him naturally distorted the light, concealing his form.

The body's heat also dissipates and disappears.

The two Daoist priests guarding the well did not notice anything amiss.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor walked among the palaces and then floated directly towards the precipice.

The most convenient way out of the mountain is through the cliff.

Beyond the precipice, the clouds and mist swirl and churn like waves in the night wind.

A figure rose from the clouds and stood right in front of the Yellow Mountain Ancestor.

"Tongxuan!"

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor appeared directly, focused his gaze, and discerned a hint of worldly desire in Zhang Tongxuan. "You haven't actually entered a state of quiet meditation?!"

"It is I who am cultivating the Demonic Dao, not the Demonic Dao that is cultivating me. Why should I have to abide by the habits of the Demonic Dao?"

Zhang Tongxuan laughed and said, "I just went to get some late-night snacks, and something felt off about this place, so I came to check it out."

"Brother Huang, it turns out you've already unlocked it. You didn't reveal a word before, so it seems you knew your conversation was being monitored by me."

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor, who had long resided on Lotus Peak in Yellow Mountain, could sometimes sense that people were connected to the mountain's energy flow, and that he could subtly perceive every blade of grass and every tree, every slight movement within the mountain.

Back then, Zhang Tongxuan was able to quietly ascend to the Lotus Peak, suddenly unleashing a murderous aura that enveloped all the disciples on the peak.

With a single thought, his killing intent would randomly coalesce and kill a disciple.

The disciples of the Yellow Mountain Sect were completely unaware that they were about to lose their lives.

The Yellow Mountain Ancestor was awakened from his seclusion and realized that this was a deliberate act to force him to come out. So he did not disturb anyone and took up his spear to fight.

However, the Yellow Mountain Ancestor was forced to accept the challenge, and his heart was already somewhat clouded.

The defeat was already inevitable.

After being trapped, Yellow Mountain Ancestor carefully pondered and deeply felt that Zhang Tongxuan's grasp of state of mind and breath was very accurate.

So, in this Zhang Tongxuan lair, they talked so much, thinking they could remain undetected—was that really possible?

"Well, I don't mind letting you use your wisdom and leaving you with hope, but it would be impolite to leave if you really wanted to."

Zhang Tongxuan's expression turned cold. "Brother Huang, don't you have anything to say?"

"Once he gets out of the well, Huang will have another chance."

The disheveled hair in front of the Yellow Mountain Ancestor parted, and his eyes lit up.

His eyes were like bronze, his golden pupils like flames, clear and spotless.

(End of this chapter)