After discussing with Shen Gongbao, they set off for Kunlun Mountain. It took them nearly a year to finally arrive at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. Looking at the majestic and towering Kunlun Mountain, they couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Just as the two were sighing, a crane's cry resounded from the sky. They looked up and saw an enormous red-crowned crane flying from afar. It circled in the sky for several times, and when it seemed to see them, it folded its wings and landed in front of them.
The gusts of wind stirred up when the crane landed almost blew the two away. After they regained their footing, they saw the crane tilt its head and look at them for a moment before transforming into a handsome boy in white robes, standing in front of them.
The two immediately realized that this must be a spirit bird raised by immortals. It seemed that they had not guessed wrong; there were indeed immortals in Kunlun Mountain, and they might be able to achieve their goal soon.
Jiang Ziya and his companion didn't hear this. The white crane boy muttered softly, "These two aren't anything special. Why did Master send me to fetch them up the mountain?" Although he didn't think much of the two, he dared not disobey his master's orders. He said to them, "Master said that there are people at the foot of the mountain who are destined to become disciples of our Chan Sect. It must be you two. Come, follow me up the mountain." After saying this, he prepared to ride the clouds away.
Seeing that the White Crane Boy was about to leave, Jiang Ziya quickly stepped forward and said, "Please know, Immortal Boy, that I am but a mortal and cannot ride the clouds." Upon hearing this, the White Crane Boy said, "Oh, I forgot, neither of you can ride the clouds yet." He seemed a little hesitant on the surface, but inwardly he was overjoyed.
He had made up his mind to play a trick on the two of them, but he was annoyed because they had disturbed his listening to the sermon.
Once one reaches the level of a sage like Yuanshi Tianzun, one's magical power can no longer increase even slightly. To distinguish between sages, one can only rely on innate treasures or gain insights from the Heavenly Dao to suppress other sages.
The reason why Laozi was called one of the saints in his previous life was not only because he had treasures such as the Taiji Diagram and the Xuanhuang Pagoda, but more importantly, because his understanding of the Dao of Heaven was the most profound among the saints, and he could borrow the most power of the Dao of Heaven.
The reason why sages are invincible is not only because they are indestructible and possess inexhaustible magical power, but more importantly because they can borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao to attack their opponents. If we only consider magical power, several veteran quasi-sages such as Styx and Zhen Yuanzi are not much weaker than sages.
However, because sages have comprehended the Heavenly Dao, their rate of mana recovery is unmatched by quasi-sages. A sage's mana, once depleted, is instantly replenished. Quasi-sages, on the other hand, lack this ability. Furthermore, if a sage were to attack using the power of the Heavenly Dao, neither of them could withstand it.
Defeat is inevitable, because human strength is finite while the Way of Heaven is infinite. How can one not be defeated when one uses finite strength to resist infinite strength? Moreover, one is still within the constraints of the Way of Heaven until one becomes a saint. How can one win by going against the Way of Heaven?
Therefore, sages place great importance on comprehending the Way of Heaven. Today, the Primordial Celestial Venerable was contemplating the Way of Heaven with his eyes closed when suddenly a thought struck him. In a flash, he knew that a destined person had come to seek his master.
The Primordial Celestial Venerable was startled, then delighted. In the past five hundred years, although there had been some disciples who had joined his Chan Sect, he had never felt anything for them. This time, however, he was moved. He thought that either the disciple had extremely high aptitude or had a great relationship with him.
In terms of talent, there are few in this world who can surpass the dozen or so disciples under my tutelage. That person must be someone with a very close relationship to me. And since this person happened to become my disciple before the Conferred Gods, it is likely that this person is the one destined to be conferred the gods. With this person who will be conferred the gods becoming my disciple, the chances of my disciples overcoming this tribulation have greatly increased.
Thinking of this, Yuanshi was even more pleased. He then ordered the White Crane Boy to summon all his disciples to listen to his sermon. He also ordered the White Crane Boy to go and fetch people. However, the White Crane Boy, upon hearing that Yuanshi was going to preach and that he was going to fetch people, felt some resentment. He dared not vent his anger on the sage, so he vented it on Jiang Shen and the other man.
Fourteen Jiang Shang becomes a disciple of Yuxu Palace
Now, the White Crane Boy, having made up his mind to tease Jiang Shang, said, "In that case, I will send you two up the mountain." Without waiting for the two to say anything, he transformed into his true form, becoming a red-crowned crane several feet tall. After revealing his true form, the White Crane Boy grabbed Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao and flew swiftly towards the Jade Void Palace.
Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao had initially thought that the White Crane Boy would carry them on his back, but instead he held them in his claws and flew away, which made them somewhat displeased. However, upon further reflection, they realized that the red-crowned crane was a celestial bird raised by immortals, and it was normal for it not to want to carry them. So they stopped thinking about it and instead began to admire the beautiful scenery they had never seen in their decades of life.
Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao were initially a little scared and excited as they ascended to heaven for the first time. However, as the White Crane Boy flew higher and faster, Jiang Ziya gradually found it increasingly difficult to breathe, and the oncoming wind made it hard for them to catch their breath. The gusts of wind stung their exposed skin. Shen Gongbao fared better; after all, he was a being who had attained enlightenment, and his skin was thicker and tougher, so he could withstand the wind.
When immortals ride the clouds, they are enveloped in protective celestial light, which prevents the gale from penetrating. The White Crane Boy, being a celestial being, needs no such protection; his feathers are sufficient to shield him from the gale. Jiang Ziya, however, is a mortal, and Shen Gongbao, a newly transformed demon, lacks any magical techniques and protective celestial light. Having never ridden a cloud before, they are unaware of the gale's power, merely focusing their energy on themselves. Though they wish to help Jiang Ziya, they are powerless to do so.
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