Chapter 266: The Best in the World from Two Generations Ago

Listening to Shen Yao's mystical words, Gu Mo suddenly felt an air of a Qi Cultivator about him.

Strictly speaking, he himself was also a Qi Cultivator, practicing all three paths: traditional internal and external martial arts, martial dao true intent, and Qi cultivation. Naturally, he could be considered a Qi Cultivator, and his martial dao realm also encompassed aspects of the unity of heaven and man. However, he did not primarily cultivate destiny, so compared to pure Qi Cultivators, he lacked research into destiny and fortune and had not truly glimpsed the profound mysteries of Qi Cultivators.

Now, hearing Shen Yao's words, he felt a surge of interest.

"Then I'll borrow your words; divine a trigram for me," Gu Mo said.

Immediately, Shen Yao took out a few copper coins from his waist, shook them gently in his hand, then slowly squatted down and tossed them onto the ground. His movements were simple and unadorned, no different from the street-side fortune-telling charlatans.

Yet, in that instant, Gu Mo sensed a flash of heaven-man resonance, as if he himself were being peered at.

Shen Yao squatted on the ground, his expression gradually grew solemn. Cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and in a short while, he was drenched in sweat, as if he had just taken a bath. Then he started gasping for breath, as if he had been drowning.

Gu Chutong leaned closer to Gu Mo and whispered, "Brother, this is just like the shaman performing rituals we used to see in our old village when we were little!"

Gu Mo frowned slightly. He could discern a little, but not much; he only sensed that Shen Yao had entered a state of heaven-man unity.

Just then, Zhang Daoji said, "This young man's cultivation is insufficient, yet he's forcibly prying into destiny. He's about to suffer a backlash." As he spoke, he walked to Shen Yao and lightly tapped Shen Yao's forehead with a finger.

Immediately, Shen Yao was startled and fell back onto the ground. His entire face was ashen white, and he was covered in sweat. Blood even trickled from the corners of his eyes.

"What did you see, young man?" Zhang Daoji asked, handing Shen Yao a medicinal pill.

Shen Yao swallowed the pill and slowly said, "I don't know. I just used your words, Great Hero Gu, to divine whether you could capture Gongsun Jue, and then..."

"And then what?" Zhang Daoji asked.

Shen Yao replied, "And then I saw the Grand Luo Tian Ritual began, but it was desolate. Then, I saw a young Daoist debating with you, Old Heavenly Master, and it seemed you lost... and then... it seemed you, Old Heavenly Master..."

"What about me?" Zhang Daoji asked.

"You seemed to be killed," Shen Yao said, "but I wasn't able to see who killed you. I tried to see the killer, but my cultivation wasn't enough, and I almost suffered a backlash instead. If you hadn't intervened in time, I would probably be crippled by now!"

Zhang Daoji's pupils contracted slightly. He asked, "What did the young Daoist you saw look like?"

Shen Yao slowly replied, "His face was like jade, untainted by the mundane world, like an exiled immortal."

"Did you see the topic of the debate?" Zhang Daoji asked.

"No," Shen Yao said, "I only heard one sentence: that young Daoist asked you, 'Does the Old Heavenly Master know fear?'"

"Do I know fear?" Zhang Daoji murmured and fell silent.

At this point, Gu Chutong quickly asked, "What about my brother? Did you see my brother? Weren't you divining whether my brother could kill Gongsun Jue?"

Shen Yao shook his head slightly.

"He didn't succeed in killing him?" Gu Chutong asked.

"No," Shen Yao shook his head, "I didn't see him. At the Grand Luo Tian Ritual, I saw you, Lady Gu, and I saw Gongsun Jue, but I simply didn't see Great Hero Gu."

Gu Chutong's face paled slightly, and she said awkwardly, "Is this divination accurate?"

Shen Yao replied, "My master, Ji Wusuan, is the greatest diviner in the world. Although my cultivation is not even one or two tenths of my master's, I have never made a miscalculation since I started."

Gu Chutong looked at Gu Mo. Gu Mo smiled slightly, saying nothing.

Afterward, Zhang Daoji called a Daoist acolyte from the courtyard to help Shen Yao leave to rest. Then, he called Gu Mo into the house.

Zhang Daoji's room was also very simple; the furnishings were sparse. He brought a pot of tea and slowly poured for Gu Mo and Gu Chutong, saying, "I'm afraid I won't be able to escape this calamity."

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Has the Old Heavenly Master been frightened by the divination from that Master Shen just now?"

Zhang Daoji replied, "Thirty-three years ago, Mount Longhu faced a crisis. At that time, the Jingming sect of Daoism produced an extremely radical sect leader. He was the world's number one before Jiang Ruoxu and adopted the Daoist name Lingxiao. He came to Mount Longhu to debate with the previous generation's Heavenly Master of Mount Longhu. His ideology was extremely radical; he advocated for breaking the old to establish the new. He said, 'In times of chaos, people suffer; in times of peace, people also suffer greatly.' Therefore, this world was fundamentally flawed, unrelated to peace or war, but due to the inequality of power. He advocated for the eradication of martial arts. He believed that all conflicts in the world stemmed from martial power, and if all martial arts were eliminated, if everyone became devoid of martial skill and extraordinary power, then everything would become traceable, and laws would truly uphold the lives of the people. Thus, he proposed that all Daoist sects should unite, then rule the jianghu, unify the world, destroy all martial arts manuals, and abolish the martial arts of all practitioners. He believed that once martial arts were completely eradicated, the world's suffering would disappear.

Naturally, this ideology was not supported by Mount Longhu, nor by the Daoist sects across the land. So, he chose violent unification. He was truly powerful, being the world's number one at the time. In that battle, corpses piled up across Mount Longhu, and blood flowed like rivers!"

At this point, Zhang Daoji paused, took a deep breath, and said, "Even now, recalling it fills me with dread. Actually, I was already forty-four years old then, a renowned Grandmaster throughout Luzhou, and had seen much of the world. Yet the brutality of that battle still remains fresh in my memory and fills me with fear. I watched with my own eyes as my fellow disciples, elders, and students died one by one before me!"

"What happened next?" Gu Chutong asked.

Zhang Daoji sighed deeply and said, "Afterward... it's a bit shameful to speak of. In that battle, experts from various Daoist sects gathered, but Lingxiao still cut through them all; no one could stand against him. Finally, I devised a plan to lure Lingxiao into the Immortal Slaying Formation on Tiandu Peak, and only then was I able to kill him. However, the reason I could lure Lingxiao into the formation was because we had known each other for a long time and had debated the Dao on numerous occasions. Although I never endorsed his philosophy, he inexplicably regarded me as a confidant, and he was determined to convert me to his path. I exploited this very desire of his, proposing a final debate with him: if he could defeat me, I would join his sect. At the time, he believed he had thoroughly crushed Mount Longhu and that nothing could threaten him anymore, so he agreed to debate with me, thus falling into my trap and ultimately dying within the Immortal Slaying Formation. Before he died, he claimed I would have the destiny of a Heavenly Master for thirty-three years, but thirty-three years later, his reincarnated self would seize the title of Heavenly Master from me, and the life I owed him would be repaid then."

"So," Gu Mo realized, "Shen Yao's divination just now corresponds perfectly."

Zhang Daoji nodded.

"How many people know about this?" Gu Mo asked.

Zhang Daoji smiled slightly and said, "You're worried someone might deliberately set a trap against me, aren't you? It's largely impossible, because only I know about this; I've never told anyone. When the Immortal Slaying Formation was activated, I was the only one on Tiandu Peak. No one could have overheard my conversation with Lingxiao. Besides, I myself have indeed sensed that a calamity is approaching."

"This..." Gu Mo thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I don't think it would come to that. Even if that Lingxiao truly reincarnated, and he was once the world's number one, I am now the world's number one. At most, he has Gongsun Jue as an accomplice. And you, Zhang Daoji, are not the Zhang Daoji of old. Moreover, this is your home ground, Mount Longhu. How could he possibly kill you?"

Zhang Daoji chuckled, "In Shen Yao's divination, you were not present at the Grand Luo Tian Ritual."

Gu Mo replied, "There are only two possibilities: either I was killed, or I was lured away. If it's the first, then indeed, there would be no solution, as that would only mean Lingxiao's reincarnated self is truly powerful. If it's the second, then now that we know this in advance, the possibility is moot. I certainly won't be lured away, and thus you naturally won't be killed."

Zhang Daoji laughed heartily and said, "Gu Mo, you move me somewhat. Even if the first possibility is small, it's not impossible. Logically, you should leave this troublesome place as quickly as possible. Yet you're willing to stay and risk it for me!"

Gu Mo waved his hand. "Old Heavenly Master, you're overthinking it. I simply don't see a reason to hide. Not to mention it's just an unknown reincarnation, and merely a rumor. Even if the real Lingxiao were here, do I need to avoid his edge?"

Zhang Daoji laughed heartily, "Indeed. He was once the world's number one, and you are now the world's number one. I must say, that old bastard Su Qianqiu is truly destined to be second-best for a thousand years; he truly lacks the spirit of the world's number one. If he heard that Lingxiao or Jiang Ruoxu had reappeared, he would certainly flee far away!"

"Speaking of Jiang Ruoxu," Gu Mo said solemnly, "I was just about to ask you, Jiang Ruoxu must still be alive. I encountered the sword intent he left behind in the Jiang Kingdom's imperial city this time."

Zhang Daoji said, "I've heard about this. The news of you killing the Jiang Kingdom's emperor is already spreading throughout the jianghu. It will likely be known to all under heaven soon enough. The fact that Jiang Ruoxu isn't dead will certainly also spread. At that time, it will probably spark a debate about who is truly the world's number one: you or Jiang Ruoxu."

"Who is the world's number one doesn't matter," Gu Mo waved his hand. "Where might Jiang Ruoxu be now?"

Zhang Daoji shook his head slightly. "That, I couldn't possibly know. His physical body was in the Jiang Kingdom's imperial city, which indicates that the Jiang Ruoxu who cultivated himself to the point of qi deviation was merely his legendary 'ascending immortal soul'. If he wants to hide, who can find him? Perhaps he really ascended to the Immortal Realm?"

"Is there really an Immortal Realm?" Gu Mo asked.

"No," Zhang Daoji stated, "I can tell you definitively: there is no Immortal Realm."

"Are you that certain?" Gu Mo asked, surprised.

Zhang Daoji replied, "The Daoist sects' foundation of over a thousand years is not something ordinary people can imagine. We at Mount Longhu have three patriarchs who are explicitly recorded as having ascended. One of them returned after ascending and left a single sentence."

"What sentence?" Gu Mo asked.

Zhang Daoji slowly said, "'Do not ascend; the Immortal Realm is false!' Just that one sentence, and after saying it, he disintegrated, body and soul. This is also why Mount Longhu gradually stopped having Qi Cultivators later on. Many in the jianghu mock Mount Longhu, saying that although it's a Daoist sect, it has lost its very foundation—its Qi Cultivators. It's not that the Qi cultivation heritage was lost; it's because Qi cultivation is no longer permitted."

"So," Gu Mo said solemnly, "the Jiang Ruoxu of that time was actually the one who truly succeeded in ascending? His realm was reached, but he didn't go to that false Immortal Realm; instead, he remained in the human world?"

Zhang Daoji replied, "Perhaps Jiang Ruoxu's qi deviation had another cause, or perhaps he only suffered qi deviation because he discovered the truth about the false Immortal Realm. That's also possible. If he's still alive, he must still be in the human world. However, if you're looking for Jiang Ruoxu, Mount Longhu certainly has no way to find him, but there's another place that can."

"Where?" Gu Mo asked.

"Penglai Island!" Zhang Daoji said. "Penglai Island is a very peculiar place. They can find anyone they wish to invite, no matter where they are—it's truly miraculous. Jiang Ruoxu was among the last group of people who visited Penglai Island, and he will certainly be on the invited list this time too. You can ask the people of Penglai Island then to see if they know Jiang Ruoxu's whereabouts."

"Good," Gu Mo nodded. "Oh, and one more thing: I came to Mount Longhu this time to enter the Ascension Platform. Not only does my sister need to go, but I also want to borrow your Ascension Platform for a while. Is that alright?"

"Of course, it's no problem," Zhang Daoji said. "I already promised you before. You can go whenever you wish."

"Let's go now then!"

Immediately, Zhang Daoji led Gu Mo and Gu Chutong to a grand hall to meet Zhang Xisu, the sect leader of Mount Longhu. As they walked, Zhang Daoji explained to Gu Mo and Gu Chutong, "While I have the authority to permit you and your sister to enter the Ascension Platform, entry also requires a written order from my senior brother."

Gu Mo nodded slightly. "I understand."

Zhang Daoji said, "Originally, with your esteemed presence on Mount Longhu today, my senior brother, the sect leader, intended to greet you personally. But you moved so fast; before he could even appear, you had already gone to the back mountain. So he had no choice but to give up. It wasn't meant as a slight to you!"

Gu Mo smiled awkwardly. "That was my fault, then. If I had known Sect Leader Zhang was there, I certainly wouldn't have slipped away so quickly."

Soon, they arrived at a grand hall and met Zhang Xisu, the sect leader of Mount Longhu. Zhang Xisu, Zhang Daoji's senior brother, was already over eighty years old, but having mastered Daoist internal martial arts, his spirit and vitality were excellent despite his age, with a youthful complexion and white hair like a crane. Zhang Xisu's personality was diametrically opposed to Zhang Daoji's. While Zhang Daoji, despite his age, was energetic and lively, Zhang Xisu was somber and slow; every movement, speech, and gesture was slow, making listeners impatient.

However, Gu Mo wasn't there to debate the Dao with Zhang Xisu, so after a simple exchange of greetings, Zhang Xisu readily granted the written order.

Subsequently, under Zhang Daoji's guidance, the three entered deep into Tiandu Peak of Mount Longhu, arriving at a secluded valley. At the mouth of the valley, clouds and mist hung like delicate gauze. As the wind passed, they transformed into wisps of smoke, drifting into the deep gorge, enveloping rugged strange rocks and ancient verdant trees in a hazy white veil. A clear stream meandered at the valley floor, pebbles shimmered like scattered silver in the sunlight, and mist rose, intertwining with the clouds in the sky to form a hazy curtain.

A few Enlightenment Trees grew deep within these clouds and mist. Their gnarled branches resembled jade-green dragons coiling, their leaves carved from emerald. Occasionally, dew drops slid off, condensing into faint rainbow lights in mid-air. Tree shadows flickered with the shifting clouds, sometimes revealing glowing white energy clusters hanging between the branches, as if formed from the essence of the sun and moon. As a gentle breeze blew, the leaves trembled softly, like chanting Daoist scriptures. The entire valley, amid the deep clouds and quiet trees, exuded an otherworldly, untainted aura.

"There are five Enlightenment Trees in total," Zhang Daoji said. "Beneath each Enlightenment Tree lies a Cloud Platform. Countless masters once meditated here, leaving behind their martial dao true intent. Over time, the spiritual energy here grew stronger and stronger, and legends of enlightenment and ascension gradually emerged, thus earning it the name 'Ascension Platform'."

Gu Mo looked at the Enlightenment Trees, faintly visible amidst the cliffs and clouds, and could clearly feel that the valley was like an independent small world. Centered around those Enlightenment Trees, Daoist essence permeated, flowing powerfully.

"Oh, Old Heavenly Master," Gu Chutong pointed to a broken cliff on the other side and asked, "Why is that side so broken? And why are there so many swords on that cliff?"

Zhang Daoji replied, "That place is called Immortal Slaying Cliff. Thirty-three years ago, that's where I activated the Immortal Slaying Formation to eliminate Lingxiao."

"I see!" Gu Chutong nodded and asked, "Can I go to the Ascension Platform now?"

"Of course," Zhang Daoji confirmed.

"Are there any special requirements?" Gu Chutong asked.

"No," Zhang Daoji said, "It's just like daily meditation, but it's very easy to enter a state of sudden enlightenment there. Additionally, you can perceive the martial dao true intent left behind by previous masters, which is akin to debating the Dao with others."

"Then we'll go."

Immediately, Gu Mo and Gu Chutong flew towards the Ascension Platform. Gu Mo arrived directly, while Gu Chutong used her Sky-Ladder Ascent technique, flying back and forth among the mountains for a while before arriving.

Gu Mo looked at the Enlightenment Trees and slowly sat down beneath one. He immediately began to consolidate his various martial dao realms. His main purpose in using the Ascension Platform this time was to integrate his diverse martial dao realms, transcend rigid frameworks, and achieve a state of true effortless mastery and boundless freedom. In the battle at the Jiang Kingdom's imperial palace, he had discovered that while his techniques had already reached a level of spontaneity, the characteristics of his various martial arts, however, still hadn't broken free from their frameworks. For instance, when he summoned a Dharma form using the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Art, it was difficult to simultaneously unleash Innate Qi and then instantly transform it into Harmony with Dust. He now aimed to transcend fixed techniques, so he could freely unleash the characteristics of any martial art.