Apologies for the delay.
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The Maoshan Sect traces its lineage to the Shangqing tradition, venerating Yuan Shi Tianzun as its guardian deity. Its most renowned scripture is the “Shangqing Dadao Zhenjing,” complemented by practices derived from the “Lingbao” and “Sanhuang” scriptures. Within the sect, there have long existed the Four Sacred Treasures of the Mountain—namely the “Seal,” the “Gui (ceremonial tablet),” the “Sword,” and the “Talisman.” Originally passed down from earlier generations, these treasures have been refined over centuries by successive patriarchs until they have attained sentience, becoming genuine magical artifacts.
Zhuo Wanchun hailed originally from Jurong, and had cultivated on Maoshan since childhood. However, his personality was somewhat extreme, and he was deeply immersed in Daoist techniques, which led him to rarely engage in worldly affairs. Though his reputation remained obscure, his cultivation advanced rapidly. Such a temperament, while conducive to swift progress in the early stages, inevitably encountered stagnation after reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
It was then that he changed his name and descended the mountain, seeking his destined path in the mundane world.
Yet having lived secluded in the mountains all his life, he soon found the outside world far from what he had imagined. Whenever people spoke of Daoist sects, they invariably mentioned first the Celestial Masters of Mount Longhu. In their eyes, the Shangqing Maoshan Sect ranked only behind the Celestial Masters, and many commoners even viewed Maoshan merely as a school adept at exorcising ghosts and evil spirits. Worse still, some unscrupulous wandering priests, of unknown origin, used the Maoshan name for their own gain—cheating, deceiving, and making a mockery of the sect. Zhuo Wanchun, already inclined toward extremism, regarded these charlatans as sworn enemies and, by extension, harbored a deep resentment toward Mount Longhu itself.
Nonetheless, Zhuo Wanchun was exceptionally intelligent and possessed a nature quite different from ordinary men. Rather than openly declaring himself as a true Maoshan disciple, he concealed his background and disguised himself as an exorcist priest. Whenever he encountered someone claiming to be a Maoshan Daoist skilled in ghost hunting, he would challenge them—either through contests of exorcism or magical duels—until he exposed them as frauds, forcing them to confess their deception.
Years passed in this manner. Zhuo Wanchun’s natural talent, combined with the solid foundation he had built on Maoshan, enabled him to develop unique Daoist skills. This journey eventually enhanced his cultivation to a remarkable level. When it came time to forge his own magical instrument, recalling that Maoshan’s four sacred treasures were all crafted from jade, he decided to innovate. He gathered five kinds of precious jade essence and forged them into a jade banner.
Whenever he hunted ghosts, he used this banner to suppress and absorb their malevolent energies into itself. Over time, the banner gradually attuned itself to his spirit, capable of manifesting the four treasures—seal, gui, sword, and talisman—though not yet reaching the level of sentient artifacts, they were already among the finest magical instruments. As he continued capturing demons and specifically targeting impostor Maoshan priests, his fame grew, and he eventually earned the title of “Little Immortal.” Yet no one ever discovered that he had originally been a true disciple of Maoshan.
As to how Tao Zhongwen came to uncover his origins and form an alliance with him, remains a mystery.
This time, Zhuo Wanchun arrived in Lu’an with high expectations. Secretly, he had communicated with others from Maoshan, determined to restore the sect’s reputation through this confrontation. Therefore, upon seeing Mei Qing appear, he immediately sought to assert his dominance. After a few words exchanged in discord, without hesitation, he leapt into the air, his shoulders shaking as a massive jade banner materialized above him.
Mei Qing merely smiled coldly. In truth, he harbored the same intention as this “Little Immortal.” Briefly instructing Zhang Yuchong through mental communication, Mei Qing mounted his spirit crane and rose into the air, facing Zhuo Wanchun from a distance.
Tao Zhongwen and Zhang Yuchong exchanged glances, and both acted simultaneously, unleashing their powers to seal the surrounding area.
In the world of cultivation, there are established rules for duels. One of the most fundamental is to conceal one’s actions and avoid causing any phenomena that might alarm the mundane world.
Thus, seeing the two about to clash, both sides simultaneously cast sealing spells—not only to prevent the combat’s energy from spilling outward and accidentally harming bystanders, but also to suppress any light or sound that might draw the attention of ordinary people.
Eager to deliver an immediate blow, Zhuo Wanchun struck without mercy. His hands hidden in his sleeves, forming magical seals, he shouted, “Above, the Three Primordials are bound; below, myriad things are born. When disorder arises, I act; in stillness, truth is found. By the command of Yuan Shi Tianzun!”
Instantly, a massive jade sword, over a zhang in length, emerged from the banner, releasing a streak of bluish-green sword qi. Accompanied by a shrill sound, it slashed toward Mei Qing like a gust of wind sweeping across the wilderness.
As the sword was unleashed, ghostly winds and malevolent auras rose from within the sword qi. Strange, grotesque apparitions flickered in and out of existence around the blade, as if attempting to devour the heavens and earth, causing surges of chaotic energy in the surrounding space. The spectacle was truly terrifying.
Zhang Yuchong, Liu Xing, and others watched Zhuo Wanchun’s display with growing concern for Mei Qing. Although Mei Qing’s cultivation had advanced rapidly, matching or even surpassing Zhuo Wanchun’s level, combat requires more than mere cultivation—experience, magical artifacts, and technique all play vital roles. Possessing superior cultivation alone does not guarantee victory.
Take Zhuo Wanchun’s jade banner alone—within it, countless demon souls had been sealed. Just this fact alone would pose a formidable challenge for Mei Qing.
Yet Mei Qing, in contrast, appeared relaxed and composed. As the sword qi approached, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Standing atop his crane, he made no grand gesture, merely raising his left hand and uttering, “Five Elements Divine Thunder, Palm Heaven and Earth, swiftly!”
A black mist then appeared before him.
However, Zhang Yuchong, Tao Zhongwen, and other accomplished cultivators could see clearly—the black mist was, in fact, composed of five colors, the Five Elements separated yet perfectly balanced, resulting in the black appearance.
This technique, though seemingly simple, required immense power to split the Five Elements and extraordinary control to maintain their equilibrium. From this alone, Mei Qing’s current cultivation level could rival only a handful of experts across the land.
Tao Zhongwen and Liu Xing, who practiced the Plum Blossom Thunder methods, a technique derived from the Shenzhao lineage, were especially moved and alarmed by this display.
Li Daoding and Zhang Jingding, though not as perceptive as Zhang and Tao, still recognized the difficulty involved and were filled with a mixture of admiration and astonishment.
In fact, Mei Qing’s technique was inspired by what he had witnessed when Zhang Liusun had broken Xu Fu’s magic. However, Zhang Liusun’s technique was both offensive and defensive, fluid and versatile, while Mei Qing’s was slightly inferior in that regard and leaned more toward defense.
In the blink of an eye, the leading edges of Zhuo Wanchun’s jade sword’s green light, swirling and weaving, struck Mei Qing’s black mist head-on.
Instantly, blinding light erupted with metallic screeches. Zhuo Wanchun, fingers extended like a blade, roared, “Yuan Shi Chong Zhen, Chong Zheng Long Xing (Primordial Purity, Uphold Righteousness)!”, and thrust his fingers toward the sword’s hilt.
The sword light surged violently, expanding dozens of zhang in an instant. Sword qi crisscrossed the sky, filling the air with a bluish haze, accompanied by piercing, ear-splitting cries.
Seeing his opponent aiming for a decisive strike, Mei Qing had no intention of engaging directly. As his spirit crane flapped its wings, the five-colored energies within the black mist spun once, and the leading sword qi, along with the wailing ghostly faces within, vanished silently into the mist like snow melting into hot water.
At that moment, Mei Qing softly intoned, “Swiftly!” and, together with his crane, gracefully glided aside, effortlessly evading the raging sword qi and retreating several zhang away.
Zhuo Wanchun had intended to teach Mei Qing a harsh lesson with his first strike, pouring nearly seventy to eighty percent of his true essence into it. Yet Mei Qing had no intention of resisting directly. With a mere application of the Five Elements, he nullified the initial sword strikes and then withdrew effortlessly. Zhuo Wanchun’s energy, having struck nothing, nearly surged out of control. He quickly circulated his golden elixir to stabilize himself, only to see Mei Qing already beyond the range of his sword qi, leaving him both humiliated and furious. With a roar, he shouted, “Where do you think you’re going!”
With a twist of his fingers, the massive jade sword in the air turned sharply, emitting a howling sound as it surged toward Mei Qing once more.
Yet Mei Qing remained calm and composed. The black mist showed no signs of change, but as his crane maneuvered, it danced around, lightly evading and dissipating Zhuo Wanchun’s sword qi and ghostly entities without ever engaging in direct confrontation, further infuriating Zhuo Wanchun.
“Right embrace seven po (corporeal souls), left seize three hun (ethereal souls). Let my divine spirit remain united with my form forever. Strike!”
After several failed attempts and watching Mei Qing remain seemingly unfazed, Zhuo Wanchun could no longer contain himself. With a hand seal and incantation, the massive jade sword suddenly split into two identical blades.
The two swords advanced in tandem, attempting to flank Mei Qing, but in mid-air, each split again into two.
Within moments, the sky was filled with countless jade swords, each exuding fierce sword qi and glowing with green light, blocking every possible escape route for Mei Qing.
Seeing this, Mei Qing laughed heartily. “Hmph, trying to overwhelm me with numbers? Watch this!”
With a light slap on his spirit crane, suddenly dozens of smaller cranes appeared around him. These smaller cranes, though diminutive, bore the exact same aura and appearance as his mount. With a sweep of his sleeve, Mei Qing sent them scattering in all directions.
Each small crane darted away, drawing several jade swords in pursuit. These cranes were clever and unpredictable in flight, leading the swords further and further away.
Soon, most of the jade swords had been lured away by the small cranes, leaving only a dozen or so, which Mei Qing effortlessly absorbed into his black mist, vanishing without a trace.
Zhuo Wanchun was nearly driven to spit blood. Controlling so many swords consumed tremendous energy. His plan had been to force Mei Qing into a direct confrontation by overwhelming him with numbers. Yet Mei Qing countered with an illusionary flock of cranes, mere projections infused with a trace of his essence—enough to divert the swords without expending much energy. Continuing this battle would only drain Zhuo Wanchun’s spiritual energy far more than Mei Qing’s.
Gritting his teeth, Zhuo Wanchun growled, “Fine, fine, Mei Qing—you’ve got skill! Don’t get too cocky yet. Witness my ultimate strike!”
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