Chapter 586: Immortal's Cave Where Is It Now?

Chapter 582: Where Are the Immortal's Cave Dwellings Now?

The group continued their tour.

The weather was cooperative, with a cloudy sky. Flowing clouds and mist rolled over the mountains, sweeping past the late autumn maple forests, effectively transforming the area into a high mountain spirit realm.

The peaks stood tall amidst the clouds and mist, exuding an ethereal aura.

Jiang Tao, his curiosity piqued, asked, "Old Ge, I heard there are some immortal's cave dwellings here?"

"Yes, yes!" Old Ge said, pointing them out. "Xu Mountain has six immortal's cave dwellings scattered among the peaks, and the largest one is on Tianquan Peak, right ahead."

"Immortal's cave dwellings?" He Lingchuan asked. "Isn't this the former site of the Dahuan Sect? How can there be additional immortal's cave dwellings?"

Jiang Tao chuckled, "Brother He, you may not know. Immortals often enter seclusion and have their own cave dwellings. Of course, those qualified to claim space within the sect for their seclusion are figures of considerable standing within the immortal sects."

Gao Jilin further explained, "So-called cave dwellings can be specially opened blessed lands, or simply a mountain peak claimed for personal use."

He Lingchuan nodded, remembering True Man Dongli, who had passed away in seclusion within a cave dwelling by Xianling Lake. The old turtle demon's divination skills had come from him, and True Man Dongli was a disciple of the Dahuan Sect; all his knowledge originated from here.

Jiang Tao asked, "Aren't there any cultivation techniques, secret manuals, magical artifacts, or spiritual treasures in the immortal's cave dwellings?"

"Of course there are," Old Ge said, leaping up and walking on the railing as if on flat ground. "It's said that when the cave dwellings were first opened, Lingxu City transported cartload after cartload of treasures from them, possibly hundreds of carts!"

"So, are there still undeveloped cave dwellings now?" Jiang Tao asked impatiently. "I heard there are still hidden cave dwellings on Xu Mountain that haven't been discovered!"

Old Ge looked askance at him. "If there truly were undiscovered cave dwellings, how would you have heard about them?"

"Uh..."

It was Gao Jilin who came to his companion's rescue. "There are six cave dwellings on Xu Mountain that have been revealed, but historical records indicate the Dahuan Sect had about ten. So everyone assumes some haven't been discovered yet."

"Heh heh, you're looking down on Beijia," Old Ge said, baring his teeth at him. "How many powerful great demons in Lingxu City couldn't find these cave dwellings? Xu Mountain has welcomed millions of tourists for six hundred years, and no one has uncovered any hidden mysteries? Or are you saying that even the gods who cast their gaze here can't discover Xu Mountain's secrets?"

Jiang Tao was left speechless by his retort.

Only then did Old Ge give a soft chuckle. "However, there is a place suspected to be a cave dwelling, right ahead on Tianji Peak."

The tourists' spirits lifted, and someone asked Old Ge:

"We heard that one can divine good or bad fortune on Tianji Peak?"

He Lingchuan immediately perked up his ears.

Wasn't this one of his reasons for coming to Xu Mountain?

"Right. Pivot for Heaven, Jade for Earth, Pearl for Man, Power for Time, Balance for Sound, Kaiyang for Law, Yaoguang for Star. Tianji Star is the star of wealth in the human world, so those struggling in life should come and worship it." Old Ge recited this smoothly, swaying his head. "To be honest, more than half of the visitors to Xu Mountain come for Tianji Peak. From high officials and noble lords to peddlers and common folk, everyone wants to know their future."

He Lingchuan chuckled, "You've consulted it, haven't you?"

"Of course," Old Ge sighed. "I've come here four times, divining two ill fortunes and two good fortunes. The two ill fortunes came true, but I haven't seen any good fortune."

"A fifty percent accuracy rate is already quite impressive." Wen Daolun had told He Lingchuan that after the celestial cataclysm, destiny was in chaos, and divination skills were sometimes effective, sometimes not. A twenty percent success rate was considered good.

But True Man Dongli's sect was clearly more proficient in this.

Gao Jilin suddenly said, "If the Dahuan Sect was truly skilled in this art, why couldn't they foresee their own sect's demise?"

The Dahuan Sect was ambushed by the Northern Demon Kingdom, forced to respond hastily, lost the initiative, and ultimately perished in humiliation. This was all recorded in gold characters on a black background on the giant stele at the sect gate.

"There were circumstances at the time," Old Ge said, picking his ear. "Who knows the exact situation?"

"Even if the Dahuan Sect's divination skills were accurate, whether the people in charge of the sect could effectively use them to seek advantages and avoid harm is questionable," He Lingchuan added. "Daoist sects are inherently less organized and disciplined than national organizations. Important figures all have their own agendas, and whenever a major event occurs, there's further evasion and shirking, and by then, it's too late."

No matter how good future plans or regulations are, there must be suitable people to execute them.

People are the most crucial factor in the rise and fall of Daoist sects, families, and nations.

"You're right!" Old Ge clapped for him. "Young Master He truly has insight."

Gao Jilin pondered, then asked, "To ask about good or bad fortune, there must be a subject. The Dahuan Sect was destroyed six hundred years ago, so who exactly should one ask about good or ill fortune?"

He Lingchuan gave a thumbs-up. "Good question!"

Since it's "divination," there should be a subject to question. Otherwise, are you asking heaven, earth, or the air?

Old Ge snorted at Gao Jilin. "Only you are smart? Are the millions of people who have visited Tianji Star all fools?"

He Lingchuan had never seen such an arrogant tour guide.

Gao Jilin, however, had a good temper, and raising his hand, chuckled, "I wouldn't dare."

Old Ge gave a tight, insincere smile. "Once you get to Tianji Peak, you'll know."

As the group ascended along the path, the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

From here, one could overlook the entire Lingxu City, no wonder the gods chose to build the Celestial Palace on Xu Mountain.

He Lingchuan took two steps forward and quietly asked Old Ge:

"Do you know where the Guihua Pagoda is?"

He needed to deliver True Man Dongli's token into the pagoda, which would fulfill the man's dying wish.

After all, the divine bone necklace had swallowed the core of that small world.

"Guihua Pagoda?" Old Ge paused. "I think I've seen it, but no guest has ever wanted to go there."

He Lingchuan flipped his palm, letting Old Ge see the gleam of silver. "Then can you give me a private tour?"

Old Ge said, "Wait a moment."

He called over the two mountain imps who were lagging behind.

The three monkeys huddled together, chattering and scratching their heads in turn, but no one understood what they were saying.

Finally, Old Ge said to He Lingchuan, "It seems I didn't remember it wrong. There really is such a place, but it's not on the late emperor's list of Xu Mountain renovations, and it's quite desolate now."

"Is it far?"

"Not far from Tianshu Peak," Old Ge said. "You can pass by it before descending the mountain."

"Thank you," He Lingchuan said, tossing the silver to him.

Over there, Jiang Tao and Gao Jilin were also whispering.

Gao Jilin said to Jiang Tao, "Didn't you want to make more friends in Lingxu City? This He Yun is a good candidate."

"Him?" Jiang Tao glanced at He Lingchuan's back. "His appearance and demeanor are extraordinary, but unfortunately, he's from a small country, so his potential for advancement is limited."

In a place like Lingxu City, talents from small countries and remote places who wish to climb higher inherently lack assistance. It's like a small fish swimming into the ocean, not knowing how many dangers it must endure to grow into a giant whale.

Success rate? Heh, less than one in ten thousand.

"Look at Old Monkey's attitude towards him, it's more respectful than towards any of us," Gao Jilin whispered. "Either he's very capable, or he has a powerful background."

Although Old Ge works in tourism, his service attitude is truly poor. He has become a local "monkey" of Lingxu, always condescending towards outside tourists, looking down on others with disdain.

"You joined Old Ge's tour group to Xu Mountain, wasn't it because you heard he had some connections and wanted to use them?" Gao Jilin chuckled. "Why aren't you paying attention to someone he respects?"

Jiang Tao thought for a moment and nodded. "You have a point."

Afterward, he indeed gravitated towards He Lingchuan, chatting and laughing, trying to probe the latter's background.

How could He Lingchuan let him easily extract information?

The group continued to enjoy the scenery while playing 'tai chi,' finally reaching Tianji Peak.

Except for Tianshu Peak, which was snow-capped, the other main peaks were lush green all over, with foliage and grass changing colors in gradual transitions of red, yellow, purple, and white.

Various buildings were hidden among the vibrant hues.

This showed the skill of the architects: upturned eaves and bracket sets were half-hidden among the trees, and various pavilions stood firmly beside flowing streams and waterfalls.

Harmonious and picturesque.

But Tianji Peak was different:

It had almost no buildings.

Old Ge explained that this was the main peak with the fewest artificial traces.

Those who approached the peak all let out a long "Wow!"

Dongming Peak was a peak formed by a single stone, rugged and skeletal; but Tianji Peak was a peak formed by a single tree, overshadowing the sky and sun!

This was a high-mountain banyan tree, its roots exposed like thick vines or blood vessels, firmly gripping the mountain rock, even piercing into the mountain itself, anchoring itself to the perilous peak.

Gao Jilin exclaimed in surprise, "Are we to seek divination from this great tree?"

"You're right," Old Ge said, uncharacteristically kind, reminding everyone, "Don't open your mouth when looking up; there are many birds in this tree!"

The closer they got, the more colossal the banyan tree appeared.

Its girth was at least thirty people joining hands, yet its main trunk was not straight; instead, it coiled like a dragon, almost fiercely stretching its branches to form a magnificent canopy above.

Growing towards the sky, it was untamed and defiant.

Among the giant trees He Lingchuan had seen, this one could rank second.

The first, of course, was the Treasure Tree King, whose size was much more robust than this high-mountain banyan.

Old Ge explained at the opportune moment, "The great name of this tree is 'Path-Seeking Tree.'"

"Originally, this seed fell into a stone cave where the soil was barren and light couldn't penetrate, so the tree grew thin and weak, but simply refused to die. The immortals of the Dahuan Sect, moved by its resilience and tenacity, used a single sword stroke to level the peak."

"Since seeing the light, it grew wildly, not only growing out of the cave, but also enveloping the entire peak, forming the unique sight of a tree embracing a mountain." Old Ge finally returned to his role as a tour guide explaining the sights. "Legend has it that the powerful Venerable Mulong of the Dahuan Sect attained nirvana beneath this very tree."

"Venerable Mulong?" He Lingchuan was startled. "Wasn't that True Man Dongli's master?"

Although the paths were built to be as wide and flat as possible, the flow of visitors here was dense, so everyone could only follow the crowd, step by step. Jiang Tao looked up ninety degrees at the tree. "Has this tree become a demon?"

"No, at most it's a spiritual object," Old Ge said, shaking his head. "Not all spiritual objects have destiny."

This is a relic from the age of immortals, having endured three thousand years of worldly trials and absorbed countless emperor's nectars, yet the Path-Seeking Tree never became a demon.

He Lingchuan, however, said, "This is a blessing in disguise; otherwise, when the Northern Demon Kingdom destroyed the Dahuan Sect, it wouldn't have been spared either."

Wood and stone are inanimate, so the Northern Demon Kingdom had no need to destroy it.

Old Ge, however, said, "The late emperor originally wouldn't have spared it either, but I heard that the Treasure Tree King and the mountain spirits of Xu Mountain pleaded many times, saying that a spiritual tree of several thousand years was rare, and only then did Beijia make an exception for it."

A guest then wondered, "How could they not even spare a tree?"

(End of Chapter)