In the Great Zhou World, the School of Military Strategy originated from the martial arts and revered Sun Wu, the Sage of War, as its founder. It was a discipline highly practical in the art of warfare.
Because of this trait, its inheritance was primarily limited to successive generations of military families.
Moreover, since its magical abilities could only be manifested by gathering the collective energy of an army, it possessed the innate talent of “Sun Wu recruiting soldiers—the more, the better.” The greater the number of troops and soldiers under command, the stronger the magical abilities became.
In fact, certain barriers could not even be overcome without sufficient military qi and command capability.
Precisely for this reason, during times of chaos, the School of Military Strategy was highly favored by various rulers. For its disciples, it was customary to hone their literary and martial skills and offer them to the royal court.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
At this moment, although the young man had not yet drawn his bow and arrow, the immortal crane, possessing spiritual awareness, seemed to already sense the hostility and was about to swoop down fiercely.
“What a feathered brute!”
The youth shouted angrily, but the immortal crane sensed the imminent danger and immediately turned to flee.
“Such a long strip of cloth on my uncle’s back must be the source of that overwhelming presence!”
Indeed, the middle-aged man behind him, who had always carried a long cloth-wrapped object on his back, suddenly exuded a mighty aura that seemed to dominate all beings and suppress the five elements.
Affected by this presence, the red-crowned immortal crane in midair dared not linger any further and flew back from where it had come.
“Dragon scales…”
The middle-aged man’s chest heaved a few times, and he gently stroked the long cloth-wrapped object with his right hand, gradually calming the resonating sound.
“Let’s go! A soldier should take advantage of circumstances. The opponent has the advantage of human support, and Heaven’s timing is not on our side. The only advantage we can exploit is terrain.”
“Yes!”
The young man immediately stood up instinctively and followed behind his uncle.
Before the middle-aged man left, he cast a thoughtful glance at an ancient tree nearby, as if implying something profound.
As the two figures disappeared, after a while, a red glow flickered on the ancient tree, revealing the forms of an old man and his granddaughter.
“Amazing! Amazing!”
The old man clicked his tongue repeatedly: “That disciple of the Military School must have sensed my presence just now. And that thing he carries on his back exudes a terrifying aura…”
“Grandpa, Bao’er is scared!”
The little girl, with a small red string tied around her wrist, looked even more delicate and tearful.
“Indeed, this Dragon Gate Assembly is becoming increasingly perilous. It has attracted all sorts of spirits and monsters from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, all vying for the treasures hidden in the Dragon Palace, and even coveting the position of the Water Sovereign…”
The old man sneered: “We won’t get involved in this mess. The sooner we leave, the better…”
At this moment, from his perspective, he could naturally see that within the Dragon Gate Gorge and even in the waterways, strands of gray-black qi were quietly lurking.
Among them, several auras were so terrifying that even he felt fear—these were great demons!
Although it wasn’t impossible to confront them, knowingly stepping into danger was unnecessary.
With a long sigh, the old man took his granddaughter and directly descended the cliff.
However, just at the foot of the mountain, a primordial fear suddenly caused him to shiver, every hair on his body standing on end. This presence was even more terrifying than the white crane earlier.
“This… this is…”
The old man stiffly turned his head and saw a carriage parked by the roadside at the Dragon Gate Gorge.
The carriage looked ordinary and extremely plain, even shabby, but the faintly immense concept and oppressive pressure it exuded made him want to flee immediately.
“Master’s disciple?”
A scholar dressed in Confucian robes, sitting on the driver’s seat, gently asked.
In that instant, the immense pressure suddenly dissipated. The old man felt immense relief and quickly fled.
On the carriage, a layer of green cloth curtain was lifted, revealing an old man with white beard and hair, dressed in a green robe and tall hat, his appearance meticulously maintained.
His face was filled with loose wrinkles, and his vitality seemed like a candle flickering in the wind, yet his eyes were crystal clear, like shining stars.
“Let them go… Our branch of the Confucian School differs from the School of Mind. We emphasize conduct over intention; if we judged solely by intention, there would be no perfect person under heaven… Those two aren’t heavily burdened with sins. Being frightened repeatedly, they seem quite pitiable…”
The old man opened his mouth in laughter, revealing sparse teeth, naturally exuding an air of leisurely ease and the demeanor of a well-read scholar.
“Long ago, when the water dragon wreaked havoc and floods raged, Governor Wang vanquished the water demon and subdued the white jiao, a deed that greatly benefited the nation and its people… Yet now, his descendants have grown corrupt, oppressing the populace. Though I am merely a commoner, I absolutely cannot stand by and allow this!”
As he spoke, the old man’s aura became formidable, embodying the heroic spirit of “though the world oppose me, I shall go forth alone.”
…
On the high cliff, the Dragon Gate Assembly continued.
After releasing the red-crowned immortal crane, the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes remained composed, presiding over the debate of Daoist doctrines.
Seeds from several counties took turns ascending the stage, speaking so eloquently that flowers rained from the sky and golden lotuses sprouted from the earth.
At this point, the figure on the high platform was replaced by Wang Yu. As soon as he ascended, a clear, jade-like voice descended:
The “Purple Text of the Ling Book” is orally transmitted, containing twenty-four true teachings:
First, true remembrance and silent recollection;
Second, careful observance of taboos without forgetting;
Third, gathering flying roots and swallowing solar essence;
Fourth, wearing the talisman of Ming Light;
Fifth, consuming lunar essence;
Sixth, wearing the Yin-born talisman;
Seventh, controlling the three souls;
Eighth, capturing the seven spirits;
Ninth, wearing the talisman of Emperor Elephant;
Tenth, consuming cinnabar pills;
Eleventh, consuming yellow water;
…
Up to the twenty-fourth, wearing the Five Spirits’ talisman.
“With these twenty-four practices, one can attain boundless transformations, transcend the Three Realms, roam freely within the Six Directions, remain unharmed by calamities, and repel demons and heresies—all of which will naturally submit, ascending to the supreme rank of the Daoist path…”
“Excellent!”
Several listening deans nodded secretly, even the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes nodded in agreement.
As for Wang Yu’s master, Daoist of Twin Suns, he stroked his beard with one hand, visibly proud.
“…Blessings flow to all, both the visible and the hidden, benefiting them all. Those who disbelieve and disobey, who do not know or see, are merely left in darkness, forever estranged from the Dao, suffering calamities and troubles, mixed in chaos, despite great compassion, nothing can be done…”
However, suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, disrupting his thoughts and causing Wang Yu to secretly fume.
In an instant, he saw the immortal crane of the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes descend. Although it bore no external injuries, it had lost its proud demeanor, appearing as if fleeing in panic, like a pig rushing ahead.
“White Child!”
The immortal crane immediately stepped forward to comfort it, exchanged a few words with the crane, and then turned around, a cold smile appearing on his face.
“Immortal? What’s the matter?”
Several deans immediately asked.
“No problem… It’s just that there are quite a few contenders this time!” The immortal crane’s face carried a murderous look: “It’s time to strike with thunder and lightning, letting them know where the true Daoist power lies!”
Interrupted like this, Wang Yu could only descend dejectedly.
Soon after, Wu Qing floated gracefully onto the stage, waved her hand, and an invisible breeze swept across the entire venue, instantly bringing silence.
“This is… a mage!?”
“This girl’s Dao cultivation seems comparable to Wang Yu’s, and being female makes it even more rare…”
…
Instantly, divine thoughts intersected below, and the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes also showed interest.
“The Yi has the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji). The Supreme Ultimate is called the Great One (Taiyi). The Great One is the path of Yin and Yang. The Supreme Yin (Taiyin) is the origin of substance. The Supreme Yin is luminous and pure, named as the Dao. In the era of the Supreme Yin, the spirit stirs and seeks the Dao, from which life emerges. From the form of life, the Dao bestows destiny, the Dao nurtures, the Dao fulfills. Thus, heaven and earth take shape, and the Dao and virtue become the foundation…”
Facing the assembled Daoists, Wu Qing’s expression remained neutral, her vermilion lips slightly parting to speak the truth.
“Excellent!”
Halfway through, the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes declared: “This girl’s Dao cultivation deserves first place! Does anyone have objections?”
The several deans exchanged glances and could only say: “We follow the Immortal’s instructions!”
Hearing this, Wang Yu clenched his fingernails so tightly they nearly pierced his flesh.
The Dragon Gate Assembly was divided into literary and martial contests. The literary contest involved interpreting Daoist scriptures, while the martial contest was a magical duel. Only those excelling in both, after passing multiple selections, could be chosen as the assembly’s champion to preside over the ritual for increasing merit.
Losing either of these championship positions would significantly affect the cosmic fortune.
“Therefore, the next step will be the magical duel. Blades have no eyes, and Daoist techniques are even more merciless. Those unwilling to participate may withdraw now…”
The Disciple of Heavenly Cranes said leisurely.
In the Commandery of Chufeng, with eight counties, each Daoist academy had only about a dozen candidates, all at least at the internal refinement stage. Their minds were sharp, and they knew that withdrawing now would be seen by their elders as “lacking in temperament and unfit for cultivation,” leading to future neglect. Thus, each one gritted their teeth and stayed.
“Therefore, let us divide the opponents and begin the duels!”
The Disciple of Heavenly Cranes flicked his sleeve and announced.
Due to the small number of participants, even with staggered debates, it had only been an hour before the literary contest, and adding the magical duel would not take half a day, just in time for the auspicious hour.
At this time, one could see the public Dragon Gate ritual below, which was also halfway through, with waves of half-trained Daoists holding Three Purities bells and peach wood swords, burning yellow paper and chanting incantations.
The drumbeats and gongs below were deafening, but the true magical duel on the cliff above was eerily silent.
Often, a few flashes of light were enough to determine victory or defeat.
“My apologies!”
Wang Yu slowly released his Daoist seal, humbly saying.
At this moment, the middle-aged Daoist who had been standing before him, previously flailing around like a headless fly, finally turned red-faced and bowed:
“Daoist friend, your illusion techniques are superior. I concede defeat…”
Without further words, he immediately stepped down.
Wang Yu’s status as a mage was enough to dominate the entire venue. Upon hearing this, he merely nodded, maintaining an air of calm detachment.
Ding!
At this moment, a clear sword cry rang out from the platform’s edge. Amidst a red glow, Wu Qing formed a sword seal with her fingers, and a red Daoist sword appeared.
“Decree! Strike!”
A flash of fire, the sword spewed red energy. Following Wu Qing’s command, it instantly cut the opponent’s black small banner into two.
“I concede defeat!”
The Daoist spat out a mouthful of refined essence, not caring about the heartache, immediately shouting.
In the blink of an eye, a red light reached his forehead, causing cold sweat to pour down his face.
“Indeed, the Red Virtue Sword!”
On the viewing stand, the Disciple of Heavenly Cranes slightly nodded: “This female Daoist is quite impressive! I believe today’s duel will be between Wang Yu and this girl, and this girl’s chance of victory exceeds sixty percent!”
“Immortal’s discerning eye is never wrong!”
Several deans exchanged glances and spoke in unison.
“Final match: Yun Ping Miaoqing versus the Fierce Yang Daoist from the Commandery’s capital!”
Wang Yu stepped forward two paces, his mind racing, yet lacking confidence, causing a slight gloom to appear on his face: “I’ve prepared for so long, should I give up now? Perhaps… those few foreign Daoist artifacts I specially acquired for this occasion should be used. Even if it draws criticism, there’s no choice but to proceed…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage