C17 The World Sang the Scriptures of the Green Lotus

Having consumed three cups of wild pine tea, Zhang Yaozhi was mindful of the old Taoist's earlier warning and refrained from indulging further. He cradled the green porcelain teacup in his hands, waiting in silence for the white-robed elder to finish perusing the letter.

Eventually, the old Taoist set aside the correspondence. He rose slowly, bowing slightly to Zhang Yaozhi with a smile. "This letter is indeed an official missive from the Dao Sect, and I understand its contents well. However, my Cloud Pine Monastery, established here on Great Qing Mountain, has its own modest holdings. If I were to leave for Tongshui Ancient Town to set up a branch of the Dao Sect, would I not be abandoning my life's work?

I, Yun Song, have resided in this monastery for no less than thirty years. Naturally, I have grown quite attached to it and fear I cannot bring myself to leave. What are your thoughts on this matter, Sir?"

It was understandable. After so many years on Great Qing Mountain, the prospect of establishing a new branch under the Dao Sect's directive would leave anyone feeling uneasy.

Zhang Yaozhi offered a slight smile, having anticipated this concern. "You need not worry, Taoist Yun Song. The Cloud Pine Monastery will remain here on Great Qing Mountain. With your consent, I will immediately issue an order to construct a Taoist temple in Tongshui Ancient Town. We will only need a few Taoists to oversee the new branch. Should we encounter any promising disciples, they can be brought here to the Cloud Pine Monastery for further cultivation. How does that sound?"

Elder Yun Song nodded in agreement with Zhang Yaozhi's proposal. He lifted his cup, savoring a sip of the strong tea, then addressed Taoist Qingshan standing behind him. "Ah, Qingshan, you have recently attained the Soul-Opening Realm, and your Divine Palace is now open. You are indeed one of the foremost experts in our Cloud Pine Monastery. Would you be willing to take on the responsibility of overseeing the new branch monastery?"

"Everything is decided by the Master. I, Qingshan, have no objections," came the respectful reply.

With a reverent bow to Elder Yun Song, Taoist Qingshan's warm smile conveyed his agreement.

"That's excellent. My mission here is now complete. Once I return, I'll prepare the necessary paperwork. Within a month, you should be able to send someone down from the mountain. However, I'll have to impose on you a bit longer; it seems I'll be partaking in a meal at Yun Song Monastery."

With the mission accomplished, Zhang Yaozhi felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He laughed heartily and addressed Elder Yun Song, "Haha, if you don't mind me enjoying the modest fare of your mountain retreat, I'd be delighted to join you for as many meals as you'll have me. But since we have some time, why don't you show us around Yun Song Monastery first?"

Elder Yun Song, smiling, grasped his horsetail whisk and, with a flourish of his white robe, prepared to guide the visitors through the monastery. But in an instant, his demeanor shifted to one of solemnity.

The timeless chanting of scriptures resonated throughout the vast Qingshan Mountain Range, emanating from Yun Song Monastery perched atop the mountain, specifically from an ancient hall within its walls.

Beneath the echo of the chant, the buds of the Green Lotus in the pond burst into bloom. The petals unfurled in layers, the water around them pure and untouched by dust.

In just a moment, the pond was a vision of elegance, brimming with Green Lotus blossoms.

"A portent from the heavens, how extraordinary! First, the chanting of the Daoist scriptures, now the spectacle of the Green Lotus in water. It appears something significant is about to unfold. Qingshan, tell me, has any disciple recently entered the Hall of Enlightenment in our monastery?"

Elder Yun Song, eyes narrowed, listened to the holy scripture and observed the pond teeming with Green Lotus flowers, then posed his question.

"Master, it has been many years since our Yun Song Monastery took in new disciples. Some of our juniors have already achieved enlightenment, while others have yet to qualify for the Hall. The Hall of Enlightenment has been closed for quite some time. May I ask why you inquire about this?" Qingshan, puzzled, questioned the white-robed elder.

"Sigh, Qingshan, your spiritual awareness has been awakened; do you not sense it? This extraordinary phenomenon is likely the work of human hands."

Ancient texts tell of certain prodigies who, upon their enlightenment and initiation into the Dao, are bestowed with blessings from the heavens and earth, manifesting extraordinary phenomena.

It appears we are fortunate enough to witness such an event in our lifetime. I wonder who it is that has entered the Hall of Enlightenment and begun to comprehend the Dao?"

Gazing into the depths of the Cloud Song Monastery, the venerable Daoist Yun Song flicked his horsetail whisk. In an instant, five pale white streams of air swirled around him.

Though it was merely the most common life elemental energy, it confirmed that he had advanced into one of the Human Body's Five Small Secret Realms, specifically the fourth realm known as the Five Forces And Three Petals Stage.

Reaching the Five Forces And Three Petals Stage is no small feat; it marks one as a master among mortals. In the hundred-mile expanse around the Great Mountain, Daoist Yun Song could traverse with ease and without hindrance.

As the Five Forces emerged, two small milky white flowers blossomed atop his Fate Wheel. The Five Forces were complete, and the two petals unfurled. Just one step away, Daoist Yun Song was on the verge of attaining the pinnacle of the Five Forces And Three Petals Stage. Witnessing such a phenomenon, Zhang Yaozhi and his companions were astounded.

While there were Cultivators in Cloud State, including two experts of the Spiritual Opening Secret Realm in Zhang Yaozhi's own household,

this remote area seldom saw high-level Cultivators. To encounter one nearing the Innate Realm was an extraordinary stroke of luck.

With a flick of his horsetail whisk, Daoist Yun Song ensnared everyone with the five streams of pale white air. As the white air encircled them, Zhang Yaozhi was about to speak when Daoist Yun Song merely parted his lips, and darkness enveloped their vision.

The sound of the wind whispered by, and in the span of a few breaths, Zhang Yaozhi's eyes fluttered open to find himself far from the lake courtyard.

Before him stood an ancient, austere hall. A massive tiger knelt devoutly outside, seemingly in worship. Upon closer inspection, it was the very same creature that had earlier obstructed their path on the mountain.

"What kind of trick is this?"

Beside him, Hsu San also opened his eyes. He felt a bit dizzy and for a moment, he couldn't discern which way was up. After spinning around a few times, he fell to the ground with a loud thump, exclaiming in surprise.

"There's no need for alarm, everyone. What you just experienced was the Master's use of a secret technique known as Wind Walking. This method can greatly increase our travel speed. However, since you are not cultivators, feeling a bit unwell is to be expected," Taoist Qingshan said as he helped Hsu San to his feet, explaining with a patience that made it seem as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Turning to look at Taoist Yun Song, the elderly Taoist had already opened the doors to the Enlightenment Hall. Yet, for some reason, he did not enter but stood silently outside the entrance.

Driven by curiosity, Zhang Yaozhi and the others peered into the hall, only to be struck with awe. Inside the Enlightenment Hall stood a small figure. He was dressed in a pristine green silk robe, his delicate features exceptionally handsome. Who else could it be but Ye Chuxue? He gazed up at the ancient texts adorning the hall, completely still.

Next to him, flowers blossomed out of thin air, their sacred beauty surrounding him.