Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 198 Taishan Taoist Temple

Mount Tai.

That is the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains, the place where emperors of past dynasties performed the Fengshan ceremony, and a famous mountain for both Buddhism and Taoism.

If the "Phoenix Feather" is really in Mount Tai, then it's not hard to explain why he couldn't find it.

The spiritual energy of Mount Tai is too strong, interfering with the method of sensing.

"Is this intelligence reliable?" Zhou Ning asked.

A disciple from Qingcheng Mountain said, "One of our disciples found the clue near Mount Tai. It should be reliable."

The disciple from Longhu Mountain said, "We've also discovered the same clue. So, this intelligence should be true."

Zhou Ning carefully put the note away and said, "Stop fighting. I'll keep this intelligence. I'll go to Mount Tai to verify it. If it's true, you'll all be credited."

The disciples from Qingcheng Mountain and Longhu Mountain exchanged glances. Although they were unwilling, they dared not disobey.

Zhou Ning is a hero who defeated the Heavenly Demon, and also a cultivator at the Dao Integration stage; they cannot afford to offend him.

Zhou Ning took A-Shu and left the town, heading straight for Mount Tai.

The clues from Mount Tai led Zhou Ning and Ashu to change their plans.

Instead of heading north, they turned southeast and headed straight for Mount Tai.

They arrived at the foot of Mount Tai in less than two days.

Mount Tai, the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains, is majestic and imposing.

The mountain peaks soar into the clouds, and the mountains are shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.

Ancient pines stand tall and green on both sides of the mountain path, and stone tablets stand in rows.

Remnants of imperial sacrifices by emperors throughout history can be seen everywhere.

The air was filled with a rich spiritual energy; taking a breath made one feel refreshed and invigorated.

Zhou Ning activated his sensing technique, and the jade talisman became slightly warm, but the reaction was weak and intermittent.

"The 'Phoenix Feather' is indeed on Mount Tai," Zhou Ning said.

"But the exact location still needs to be carefully searched."

Ashu asked, "Shall we start from the foot of the mountain, or go straight to the top?"

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Start from the foot of the mountain and search inch by inch. We can't overlook any clues."

The two climbed upwards along the mountain path.

Mount Tai is very large, covering hundreds of miles in circumference, with countless temples, Taoist temples, stone carvings, and caves.

Wherever Zhou Ning went, he used his sensory perception technique to investigate.

The jade talisman's reaction was sometimes strong and sometimes weak, but it never stabilized.

On this day, they arrived at a Taoist temple halfway up the mountain.

Bixia Temple.

Bixia Temple is one of the most famous Taoist temples on Mount Tai, dedicated to Bixia Yuanjun.

The temple is bustling with worshippers and throngs of visitors.

Zhou Ning entered the ancestral hall and used his spiritual powers to investigate.

This time, the jade talisman reacted more strongly and steadily than ever before.

"Right here!" Zhou Ning was overjoyed.

Following the jade talisman's guidance, he arrived at the backyard of the Bixia Temple. In the backyard stood an ancient pine tree with a thick trunk and lush foliage.

Under the pine tree, there is a blue stone with several large characters carved on it: "The place where Cihang Bodhisattva secluded himself in meditation".

"The Bodhisattva Cihang?" Ashu asked.

"Isn't that the master of the 'wine-and-meat bodhisattva'?"

Zhou Ning nodded.

He crouched down and examined the bluestone carefully.

On the surface of the bluestone, there is a fine crack, within which a faint spiritual light flickers.

He reached out to touch it, and the moment his fingertips touched the crack, a powerful sealing force surged from the bluestone, repelling his hand.

"Such a powerful seal." Zhou Ning frowned.

He could sense that this seal was of the same origin as the "Nine Heavens Divine Seal" that sealed the Wine and Meat Bodhisattva a thousand years ago.

Only the blood of the purified can unravel this.

"It seems that the 'Phoenix Feather' is hidden under this bluestone," Zhou Ning said.

Ashu asked, "Then what do we do? Go back to the wine-and-meat bodhisattva?"

Zhou Ning shook his head: "No. If we go back to her now, the Righteous Alliance will think we're really colluding. Besides, the remnants of the Blissful Cult might be monitoring us too."

"Once we leave, they might be the first to take the 'Phoenix Feather'."

Ashu asked, "Then shall we stay here and guard this place?"

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "You stay here and keep watch. I'm going back to Jinling to find Jingchen. Remember, don't alert them. If you see anyone approaching, notify me immediately."

A-Shu nodded: "Young Master Zhou, rest assured, I will definitely guard it well."

Zhou Ning handed a communication jade talisman to A-Shu, then used his lightness technique to speed off towards Jinling.

The Phoenix Feather has been found, so the only thing to do now is to get to Jinling as soon as possible, bring Jingchen to Mount Tai, and retrieve the Phoenix Feather.

This time, Zhou Ning acted alone, transforming into a rainbow and arriving in Jinling at top speed.

The Drunken Immortal Pavilion remained deserted. When the two waiters at the door saw Zhou Ning, their expressions changed, and they quickly stepped aside.

Zhou Ning walked into the building, and Jing Chen was still sitting in that corner, holding a wine pot in her hand, with wine and dishes laid out on the table.

She smiled slightly when she saw Zhou Ning.

"You found it?"

Zhou Ning nodded, looking at Jingchen, unsure whether he was Jingchen or a wine-and-meat bodhisattva, and said calmly, "In the backyard of Bixia Temple on Mount Tai. Under the bluestone."

Jingchen put down the wine pot and stood up.

A flicker of excitement crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Let's go, take me there."

The two left Zuixianlou and headed towards Mount Tai.

Ashu was guarding the backyard of Bixia Temple. When he saw Zhou Ning and Jingchen, he quickly came to greet them.

"Young Master Zhou, you've arrived. Everything is normal; no one has been here."

Jingchen walked to the bluestone, squatted down, and reached out to touch the crack.

The moment her fingers touched the crack, a dazzling golden light surged from the bluestone, enveloping her entirely.

In the golden light, a phantom figure could be vaguely seen.

She was a kind-looking old nun, dressed in a gray robe, holding prayer beads, and smiling.

"Jingchen, you've finally arrived."

Old Ni's voice was soft and ethereal, like a mountain stream.

Jingchen knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"Master...this disciple is unfilial..."

The old nun said, "Don't blame yourself. I know you've suffered a lot over the years."

"My Buddhist intent is sealed within the Phoenix Feather. Take it, refine it, and you will be able to rid yourself of your inner demons and return to the righteous path."

Jingchen kowtowed three times, stood up, and placed his hands on the bluestone.

The seal on the bluestone slowly broke as her blood soaked into it.

The blue stone cracked open, revealing a jade box.

Inside the jade box lay a crystal-clear feather, radiating a seven-colored light.

"Phoenix Feather." Jingchen carefully took out the feather and held it in her hands.

A seven-colored light enveloped her, and the demonic energy on her body began to dissipate, replaced by a faint Buddhist light.

Her face also became more peaceful than before.

"We did it!" Ashu exclaimed excitedly.

Zhou Ning frowned.

He could sense that although Jingchen's demonic energy had dissipated, her inner demons had not been completely eliminated.

That was only a temporary suppression.

"Jingchen, how are you feeling now?" Zhou Ning asked.

Jingchen opened her eyes, looked at him, and her eyes were full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Zhou Ning. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to find the 'Phoenix Feather,' and my other form would have appeared."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "No need to thank me. Remember your promise."

Jingchen nodded and put the phoenix feather into his sleeve.

"I will."

The three left Bixia Temple and returned to Jinling.