Yuan Xianger and his party stayed at the inn for one night, got up early the next day, packed their bags and prepared to continue their journey north.
Walking out of the gate of the inn, outside the door, the BMW incense car, the flag is shining, and two rows of freshly dressed attendants are respectfully waiting there.
Yun Xuan, who had a fight on the way before, stood at the front of the team, with a white robe and a plain crown, a jade belt and a carved fur.
"Look, it's Master Yunxuan."
"Master Yunxuan, where, where?"
"To go out today, I can meet the real person Yun Xuan. What a blessing, today must be a good day."
Pedestrians on the road all looked sideways, and the guests in the restaurant and inn also pushed open the windows one by one and stuck their heads out, both men and women, all excited.
When Yun Xuan saw Yuan Xianger come out, his face was a little unnatural, but he quickly stabilized his momentum, and politely walked forward with a salute between his peers.
"This fellow Daoist, on the order of my tutor, I have come here to invite you to visit the Xianle Palace."
Yuan Xianger was just pretending to be stupid before, not really ignorant of the world. She has heard the name of the master of the Dongxuan Sect, and she has heard of it, although she doesn't understand why the national teacher invited her to go to the Dongxuan Sect. Xianle Palace. But since they were politely invited, of course she also politely declined.
She returned a salute and said, "I'm really honored to be invited by the National Teacher. It's a pity that we still have to hurry, and we also asked fellow Taoists to convey it. When I come back to Kyoto, I will definitely come to visit the respected teacher."
Yunxuan's complexion changed. In his mind, the Master was like a heaven and a human being. Even the Son of Heaven treated him with respect and respect. He couldn't believe that there were people in Kyoto who dared to answer the call of the master.
But he still remembered Master's explanation, suppressed his anger, and whispered to Yuan Xiang'er, "Master said, he is an old friend of Yu Yao, so he wants to meet you."
Yuan Xianger raised her head instantly.
…
Inside the Xianle Palace,
The palace where the national teacher Miaodao lived is very high, and the entire Kyoto can be seen from there.
Real Master Miaodao was blindfolded, wearing a robe, standing by the window, and seemed to use his invisible eyes to look at the magnificent scenery of the world.
"Do you think it's Kunpeng's Pisces Formation too?" he asked, turning his head from the window.
Not far behind him, stood two tall apostles. The one with pale complexion, long hair reaching to the ground, and a heavy chain running through his body was Du Shuo who had fought with Nan He not long ago.
The other man had a horn on his forehead, and his bronze skin was covered with strange red lines, named Hao Han.
Du Shuo snorted softly and didn't speak, but he didn't deny it either.
"When I heard Yunxuan mention it, I thought he was young and got it wrong." Real Miaodao sat back in his seat, raised his sleeves and brushed the white jade plate in front of him. The smoke on the white jade plate dissipated and appeared A vast and calm sea.
"I didn't expect him to leave this life-saving skill to a human child." Miao Dao looked down at the sea area, and seemed to whisper to himself, "Perhaps, Kunpeng really likes humans."
"Do you feel guilty now?" Du Shuo mocked, "Even someone like you will sometimes feel sorry for others."
"Du Shuo." Hao Han's pale golden pupils turned around and shook his head disapprovingly, "Don't talk to the master like this. You're asking for trouble for nothing."
Miao Dao didn't seem to hear, but quietly faced the white jade plate in front of him. The sea water that appeared on the white jade plate was always blue, and the sapphire-like sea was hiding a world that no one knew about.
Miao Dao looked at it for a long time, and his expression was a little lonely, "How can there be no guilt when you are born as a human being? It's a pity that the Dao is ruthless. In order to pursue the way of my generation, I have to give up too many things."
He flicked his sleeves, "Go, the child is here, go and help me bring her in."
Yuan Xianger came to Xianle Palace in a carriage, only to see the layers of temples painted with carved buildings, pearls and emeralds shining together; fragrant lanterns, candles, banners and treasures, and fairy music fluttering. Sure enough, there is a state religion.
The palace where the state teacher Miaodao Zhenjun is located is the highest. Follow the old pine trees and go up the steps to a square paved with purple stones. Around the square are erected Mengzhang Shenjun, Jianbing Shenjun, Lingguang Shenjun, Zhiming Shenjun , the half-human stone statues of the four gods of the Qinglong, White Tiger, Suzaku, and Xuanwu.
At the back of the square, a pine tree stands, and there is a magnificent palace in the middle.
On the steps outside the vermilion gate, stood a bluish-white-faced, thin-lipped black-haired monster with a shackled body.
"Let's go, come in with me, he wants to see you." Du Shuo gave Yuan Xiang'er a light look, then turned around and entered first.
Nan He grabbed Yuan Xiang'er and shook his head disapprovingly, "Don't go, I feel that there is a very powerful presence inside, and we are not his opponents."
Yuan Xiang'er clenched his hand: "This is the first time I've heard from Master, and I really want to go. Besides, I don't think if they want to harm us, there's no need to bring us here. Can't he come out?"
Nan He hesitated for a moment, then let go of his hand and followed Yuan Xiang'er inward. When he passed through the gate, the air seemed to stagnate for a while, and there was a faint sound. Yuan Xianger went in, but Nan He and Wu Yuan were blocked from the door.
When Yuan Xianger looked back, the gate was hazy, and she could no longer see the scene outside the gate.
Wu Yuan's anxious voice sounded in her mind, "Axiang, Axiang, how are you? We can't get in, we're blocked out, these people are too cunning."
"Without the permission of the national teacher, no demon can enter." Du Shuo stopped and waited for her, his eyes were cold but not warm, "Don't worry, if you really want to deal with you, you can't use these methods."
Yuan Xiang'er thought about it and said to Wu Yuan, "I'm fine, just wait outside with Nan He."
She followed Du Shuo and walked down a long corridor. When she walked to both sides, there were tall red lacquer pillars. The pillars at the foot of the pillars were not the usual auspicious patterns in the world, but were carved with lifelike demons. .
Along the way, those demons were either chasing and devouring humans with their teeth and claws, or they were pressed under the red pillar and could not turn over. The light and shadow of the sun came in from the gap between the red pillars, and cast a light and dark spot on the ground.
Du Shuo walked slowly in front of Yuan Xianger with his bare and pale feet, the thick shackles on his ankles making cold noises all the way.
Yuan Xiang'er looked at the iron chain that penetrated her body and couldn't help but ask, "Does it hurt like this?"
Du Shuo's pale face turned to the side, his thin eyebrows turned,
"When humans put nose rings on cows to drive them to plough, do they consider whether it hurts? When they bridle horses and let them pull carts, do they consider whether it hurts? Prisoners under steps, slaves As a servant, I don't care whether it hurts or not."
Yuan Xianger looked at his slender and cold brows, and suddenly felt very similar to a person.
She remembered what Wu Yuan said,
When our demons change shape for the first time, they often change according to the similar appearance of the person closest to us. Since then, this appearance has been fixed.
"Wait a minute," Yuan Xiang'er asked, "Do you know a girl named Ah Qing?"
The clanging footsteps suddenly stopped. The back with long hair reaching the ground did not look back, paused for a moment, and then started to walk again.
Yuan Xianger knew that she might guess right.
"Aqing, she is very worried about you, she has been living in this city for so many years," Yuan Xianger quickened her pace and said softly beside him, "She often plays the piano, I hope you can hear her sound, and also I don't know if you've heard it all these years."
Yuan Xianger knew that she might not be able to do anything right now, but since she met her, at least she would convey A Qing's thoughts, so as to save her from playing the pipa in this capital for decades, and the apostle who was locked in the deep palace might be No way of knowing.
Du Shuo didn't say a word, and there was no change in his expression on his icy face. He took Yuan Xianger to a side hall for rest and living, and before opening the door, he suddenly said in a low voice,
"He's not a good person, don't come here again in the future."
Yuan Xianger stepped into the hall. The light in the hall was not particularly bright. There was a low couch by the window. On the futon on the couch sat a man dressed in landscape sleeves, with a crown on his head and a seal on his face. A mage with tantric runes of green satin. He faced a huge white jade plate by his side, and only raised his face until Yuan Xianger entered the hall.
Behind him was a burly and powerful demon with sharp horns on his forehead, golden pupils, and dark red runes flowing on his qiu knotted muscles.
Yuan Xianger knew that this person was the legendary Miao Dao real person. After she stood still, she held the junior salute with her hands crossed.
"Sit down, your master Yu Yao and I are friends. You don't need to be restrained, I'm just asking you to come here after you want to see the old man." Miaodao Zhenren raised his arms slightly, his skin was fair, his body was thin, and he was a little bit thin. The weak appearance does not have the momentum of the largest school headmaster in the world.
As soon as his voice fell, a boy brought a futon and a desk in front of Yuan Xianger, and served a cup of tea.
Yuan Xianger sat down on the futon, "Excuse me, how do you know that I am Master's apprentice?"
Master Miaodao laughed, "My apprentice Yunxuan said, you can be a little more eloquent when you are young, and you can point to the empty calligraphy. The casual nature of casting spells is almost in the same vein as Mr. Natural. If you are not his apprentice, you can still be Who? As far as I know, he doesn't have a daughter. Besides, he left you the Pisces Array that protects his life."
"Then you... do you know where my master went?"
This is what Yuan Xianger wants to know most, and it is also the reason why she is willing to venture here.
The smile on Miao Dao's face stagnated. After a while, he said softly, "Since he doesn't want to tell you and his wife, how can I go against his wish and be such a wicked person."
He stopped Yuan Xiang'er's further questioning, "Yu Yao and I have had a relationship, and I can be regarded as your elder. Since he has left, when you are practicing in the future, if there is something you don't understand, there may be something missing or something you can come to. find me."
Then he raised his hand, another child entered, and placed a nanmu tray in front of Yuan Xianger. Several pieces of beautiful jade are neatly placed on the tray, and the pieces are translucent and luminous.
"It's a little greeting."
Yuan Xiang'er had to stand up and thank her, "If it comes to doubts about cultivation, this junior is indeed confused."
Miao Dao Zhenren nodded to signal her to continue.
Yuan Xiang'er took out a few pieces of tissue paper from her arms, which were scattered and covered with a kind of magic circle.
"I want to change the formation of the contracted apostles, but it has been out of place, and it is difficult to succeed." Yuan Xianger said, looking at the national teacher who was in awe of everyone in front of her.
She could see from the attitude of Dongxuan followers towards demons that this national teacher may be very unfriendly towards demons, but she still wanted to test his reaction.
"Oh, at such a young age, you want to change the magic circle? You know, changing the magic circle is not an easy task. Many people specialize in the way of the magic circle for a lifetime, but they cannot change the magic circle, or develop a A new magic circle." Real Miaodao was a little curious, "Tell me, how do you want to change that magic circle? Do you want to increase the ease of contract success, or to strengthen the control of demons after the contract is formed."
"I want to eliminate the effects of control and punishment, leaving only the effect of communication and mutual perception. Let this formation become an equal contract." Yuan Xianger clearly stated her request.
Not only was Miao Dao Zhenren stunned, even Hao Han, who was standing behind him, and Du Shuo, who was standing at the door, couldn't help but glance sideways at Yuan Xiang'er.
"However, without the role of restraint control, what use is this contract?" Miaodao asked inexplicably.
"Without control and torture, there is communication and mutual support. The relationship between us and demons is not necessarily limited to mutual suppression and slavery, but sometimes we can get along like friends." Yuan Xianger glanced at Du Shuo outside the door, "Unreasonably imprisoned Isn't it savage and cruel to torture those beings with the same intelligence and emotion as us humans?"
Miaodao Zhenren showed a look of can't help laughing, he almost turned his head to cover his face before holding back and didn't laugh out loud on the spot.
"You child, your thoughts are too naive."
Yuan Xianger didn't show her cowardice because of his exaggerated mockery, but just looked at him calmly. She held a junior salute to Miao Dao, but she didn't actually feel that she was younger than him. Correspondingly, after just two contacts, she was very dissatisfied with Dongxuan Sect's unprovoked slaughter of demons.
"Okay, show me your magic circle, and I'll change it for you. After changing it, you will immediately know that there is no binding you can't drive your apostle at all."
Miao Daozhen is like an elder who is accommodating a stubborn child, his tone is not approval but connivance.
Yuan Xianger dipped her fingers in the tea in the cup, and drew the magic circle she had conceived for a long time on the desk.
A trace of spiritual energy flows along her fingertips, and even a national teacher who can't see things can feel the appearance of the formation through perception.
"Hey, this magic circle?" He slowly sat up, which had been slanted on the couch,
It turned out that the two bonds that I saw before were her. I thought that Yu Yao was a monster, so he could live in harmony with his apostle. Unexpectedly, this little girl can do it, she is indeed Yu Yao's apprentice, even her temperament and habits are exactly the same as that one.
After Yuan Xianger finished drawing the magic circle, she pointed to a key point and raised her head to look at him, "No matter how I revise it, it's still not smooth. I really want to change this magic circle, and I would like to ask the seniors to give some pointers. "
Miao Dao slowly stood up from the low couch and walked in front of Yuan Xianger,
"Yuan Xiang'er, you may have been by your master's side since you were a child, and have never seen the cruelty of demons."
He led Yuan Xianger to the side of the hall, where a long scroll of ancient murals was painted on the wall.
The dim sunlight hit it, as if it existed in another time and space.
There are ferocious and terrifying giant monsters there. They wantonly spew flames and floods, landslides and earth cracks, and human homes are destroyed. Ant-like human beings are struggling under the demons' claws. The able-bodied person, holding a treasure, is fighting to the death with the demon, contending with each other.
Miaodao Zhenren slowly paced in front of the mural, and his fingers lightly touched the mural, "In the era before you were born, human beings and monsters lived together, and the world was difficult. We humans are like ants to monsters, and can be brutally killed. Existence. If you protect my human race today, keep the spiritual world far away, and the human world is no longer the world of demons, my generation will be able to live and work in peace and contentment, and enjoy the bright world."
"You actually want to get along with those demons as equals?" He reached out and grabbed Hao Han's long hair behind him, pulled his head down, and turned his face, sharp corners, vertical pupils, and sharp teeth." Such monsters were once the natural enemies of our human beings, and you think they can become friends?"
"My master is also a demon, why do you call him your friend? Are you all lying to me?" Yuan Xianger interrupted him, "So you think it's time for us to torture, abuse and bully the demon? It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad, All of them? Obviously most of them are peaceful and easy to get along with, so they have to kill each other and forge a bloody feud between the two clans, which will never be understood?"
Miao Dao turned his face to Yuan Xiang'er, looked down at Yuan Xiang'er, his face was covered with a blue silk cloth, Yuan Xiang'er could only see the runes on the silk cloth, but could not see his expression clearly.
She knew that this high-ranking national teacher might not be able to hear such a rebuttal, but she didn't want to back down, which was her most polite way of saying it.
After a while, Miao Dao raised his finger and waved slightly towards the formation drawn by Yuan Xianger. A little inspiration fell on the formation on the table. That Yuan Xianger had drawn countless times, but it was difficult to transform the formation of the bond. At that moment, it was running smoothly.
"Well, for Yu Yao's sake, I instruct you to do this once. You should treat these cruel and terrifying things as friends, and I hope you won't regret it in the future."
There was a loud bang in the distance, and the roof and walls of this room rustled and fell down with dust.
"Someone tried to break the formation, but the formation of the Four Statues Divine Sovereign failed to stop it." Hao Han looked up at the sky, and his figure suddenly disappeared.
Yuan Xiang'er suddenly felt a talisman in her arms getting hot. She stretched out her hand and took a look. It was a communication talisman that she had left to Nan He, and only had one function left.
Yuan Xianger picked up the talisman, the spiritual energy on the talisman was circulating at a high speed, and it was almost burning with heat, while Nan He's intermittent cries were heard.
"Xiang... Axiang... Where are you?"
There were two circular gaps in the sky outside the hall, and what fell inside was no longer a thin star, but one after another with long tails, flaming meteorites. The huge meteorite, carrying the hunting light, smashed down at the formation protecting the palace.
"This is the living place of the national teacher. There is a magic circle that isolates all foreign objects from communicating with each other. Your apostle and your little wolf can't contact you, so crazy." Standing outside the temple gate, Du Shuokan Looking at the fireballs falling from the sky, he opened his mouth to remind.
"What, what? I can't receive communication here?" Yuan Xianger then remembered that she had not contacted Wu Yuan for a long time, nor had she received any news from Wu Yuan.
She didn't even bother to say hello to Real Miaodao, and ran out with her skirt in hand.
I ran all the way and contacted Wu Yuan, "Wu Yuan, Wu Yuan, I'm fine, I'm here, don't worry."
Wu Yuan's crying and chirping sound immediately came from his mind, "Ah Xiang, woo woo, why did you answer? Brother Nan and I are dying of anxiety."
Yuan Xianger rushed out of the gate panting, the flat square outside the gate was already in a mess, and one of the four stone statues standing at the four corners was destroyed. Hao Han squatted on top of another stone statue, a golden tiger tail was exposed behind him, and the dark red lines on his body were flowing. He was staring at Nan He in front of him with a little bloodthirsty excitement.
And Nanhe, Yuan Xianger had never seen such Nanhe.
Violent, ruthless, murderous, desperate.
He wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth with a grim expression, and was about to charge towards Hao Han.
"Xiao Nan!"
Yuan Xianger stopped him in time.
"I'm fine, Nan He, I have nothing at all." Yuan Xiang'er ran down the steps outside the gate and ran towards Nan He, "I'm out."
Then she fell into a hot embrace. A pair of strong arms wrapped around him.
"It's fine, don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'll go in and pick you up." Nan He's voice whispered in his ear.
The arm that encircled him trembled slightly, he was afraid, but told her not to be afraid.
"Let's make a contract, Ah Xiang, right away. That way I can find you anytime."
His hot breath buried Yuan Xianger's shoulders.
Yuan Xianger stretched out a hand to gently calm his back, "Okay, we'll make a contract right away. I finally learned to give you an equal contract."