A thousand peaks stand like halberds, ten thousand cliffs unfold like a screen, withered vines entwine ancient trees, silver waterfalls cascade down strange cliffs, rare flowers and auspicious herbs abound, and tall bamboos and pines cover the mountains. In the deep valleys, orchids and magnolias bloom in abundance, birdsong gradually fills the air, white deer appear and disappear, and spirit foxes reveal their tracks.
This is a blessed land rarely seen in the human world. However, amidst these mountains and valleys, there are palaces and halls standing in abundance, their golden light shining brightly, illuminating the blue sky for three hundred feet.
"What a blessed place for the City God!"
On the sheer cliffs and towering peaks, a young man in white appeared, transforming from ethereal to real, standing atop them, gazing at the palaces and halls with admiration on his face.
"I was unaware that a venerable sage would grace this humble land with his presence. What instruction do you wish to offer
As soon as the boy spoke, a great god surrounded by golden light descended. However, this god, who was over three zhang tall, was quite respectful to the boy and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
"Greetings, City God!"
Upon hearing the respectful address from the City God, the young man accepted it readily and returned the greeting with clasped hands.
"I dare not presume to offer guidance. The existence of such a blessed and pure land is a testament to the profound virtue of the City God."
Zhao Junxian surveyed the City God's domain. Although it was less than fifty miles in circumference, the fact that such a large domain could be so impressive for a county showed how dedicated the City God was to his duties.
"It is only established by this glorious era, which is incomparable to the immortal cave dwellings."
The City God sighed sincerely. Though his domain is currently magnificent, almost comparable to a celestial paradise, when the dynasty's fate is sealed, its collapse will be imminent.
"Only immortals are qualified to create blessed lands, and it took the City God several years to establish this sacred land?"
Zhao Junxian shook his head. It was only because of his extraordinary background that he could possess such a spiritual land; otherwise, ordinary cultivators would likely be green with envy. Therefore, he concluded...
"The path of immortality and the path of gods each have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to determine which is superior!"
"How can the path of gods compare to the carefree path of immortals!"
"No matter how you look at it, the path of immortality can never compare to the stability and speed of the path of gods!"
After a round of mutual flattery, Zhao Junxian and the City God of Qingshan County finally began their formal conversation.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Your Excellency?"
"There is something I need to trouble the City God with!"
"Please speak, sir!"
"I wish to take one of the City God's subordinates as my disciple, named Feng Bingwen. However, I have only known him for a short time and do not know his character. Therefore, I would like to see the records of this young man in the Merit and Demerit Department. I hope the City God will grant my request."
"Feng Bingwen?"
The City God's tone was tinged with surprise.
"Does the City God know this boy?"
“Of course I recognize him. You have such good eyesight, taking the most outstanding child in our county into your fold as soon as you arrive.”
The City God's tone was full of admiration.
"Has the City God paid any attention to this child before?"
Zhao Junxian was somewhat surprised.
"It's hard for me not to notice him!"
"Could the City God tell me about this child's life and deeds?"
"There is nothing wrong with that."
...
"teacher!"
Eager to learn, Feng Bingwen once again climbed onto the island in the middle of the lake before dawn. As expected, he saw the young man in white robes sitting in front of the thatched hut, waiting for him.
This time, however, his young teacher had a smiling face, like the warm spring weather, which warmed everyone's hearts.
"Bingwen, you're here!"
"Teacher, what's wrong with you?"
The gentle tone, coupled with the intimate tone, startled Feng Bingwen.
He hadn't been unaware of the helplessness his exceptionally talented teacher felt towards him these past few days. In the eyes of this young man who had already achieved considerable success in cultivation at such a young age, his talent could be described as utterly unteachable.
The gap between genius and mediocrity is far greater than the gap between a person and the uncivilized. This gap is immeasurable, because in reality there are no limitations.
Although he sensed the master's helplessness and slight pain, Feng Bingwen could only pretend not to see it, because he wanted to cultivate and seek the Dao, and the Heavenly Book had found him such an excellent guide, so he couldn't let it go.
Today, however, the teacher, who had previously been expressionless, was much kinder in demeanor and tone than before. This sudden change left Feng Bingwen somewhat bewildered, wondering what the teacher had gone through to cause such a dramatic shift in attitude.
"Come, sit down."
Without answering Feng Bingwen's question, Zhao Junxian pointed to the prayer mat in front of her.
It was no longer a futon made of the previous wind and snow, but was sewn together from some special material. When Feng Bingwen sat on it, he felt calm and serene, and his mind became much clearer and more peaceful.
"We will not discuss the Daoist canon today."
"If we don't talk about the Daoist canon, then what should we talk about?"
A hint of anticipation flickered in Feng Bingwen's eyes.
"If you want to be filial to your parents and elders and stay in this mundane world, I will naturally teach you the art of protecting your path."
"A technique for protecting the Dao?"
Feng Bingwen sat still, waiting quietly for the teacher to begin.
"Let me ask you, if you were to condense your vital energy and open your meridians, what rank would you wish to achieve?"
Instead of the answer Feng Bingwen had expected, Zhao Junxian asked this question.
"I will certainly study the Daoist canon diligently, strive to reach the highest rank, and attain the foundation of immortality."
Feng Bingwen replied.
"No, that's not what you really think. Tell me your true feelings."
What Zhao Junxian heard was an extremely arrogant answer, which would be considered outrageous by ordinary cultivators. He was not satisfied and shook his head instead.
"I wish to open a celestial meridian like you, Master."
After a moment of silence, Feng Bingwen decided to stop hiding his intentions and revealed his seemingly naive goal.
"That's more like it."
Upon hearing Feng Bingwen's goal, Zhao Junxian laughed and stood up.
"Teacher, don't you think I'm arrogant?"
Feng Bingwen asked curiously, "This young man once asserted that with his talent, even with the help of the Dragon Pearl, it would be difficult for him to open a third-grade pulse."
“You are just a child now. If you don’t even have this much spirit, what are you trying to cultivate? What are you trying to become an immortal?”
Those young and ignorant children are the most daring in their imaginations. What they see encompasses all things in heaven and earth, and what they think of includes the sun, moon, and stars.
Gentlemen, do you remember your childhood dreams about the future?
"You have to dare to think before you can do it. If you don't even dare to think about it, then you can forget about doing it."
"Teacher, I would like to ask, how can one condense a celestial-grade pulse?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Bingwen immediately knelt down, seeking the young man's guidance. What great man, born into this world, doesn't harbor the ambition to climb to the summit and survey all the lesser peaks below?
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad, that's more like my disciple, Zhao Junxian!"
The boy had lost his previous ethereal demeanor and instead displayed a touch of arrogance, as if this was his true nature and that what he had been doing before was merely a disguise.
"Please enlighten me, teacher!"
Feng Bingwen bows again.
"Do you know how I open a celestial-grade pulse?"
"This disciple is at your service!"
Feng Bingwen bowed three times.
"Both my parents were immortals of this era, and I was born with an immortal body. In my youth, I read 100,000 volumes of the Daoist Canon, and the essence of the Great Dao was in my heart. I created my own cultivation technique, which I named 'The Secret Canon of the Vast Ocean.' Only in this way could I become an immortal!"
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