Mount Qingcheng.
Tianshi Mansion.
Seven Taoists in purple robes sat in the main hall, forming the shape of the Big Dipper. They all had their eyes closed and were muttering Taoist scriptures, as if they were performing an extremely important ceremony.
Sitting in the front was an old Taoist priest with a celestial appearance and white hair and beard. He was the first to open his eyes and shouted in a deep voice: "Go back!"
The other Taoists also opened their eyes one after another. They discussed in low voices the scenes they had seen in meditation just now, with some uneasiness in their tone.
"What did you see?" The statues of the Three Pure Ones in the main hall actually spoke in human language.
The leading Taoist priest seemed to be used to this and was not surprised. Instead, he quickly replied, "In the misty clouds, there is a fairy mountain."
"Xianshan? Then what?"
"It floats in the air, as if it is wandering on the sea. At first, the fairy mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, and it is unclear. But later, it becomes clearer and bigger. This shows that it is approaching us." The old Taoist replied.
"Is that so?" A tall figure walked out from behind the statue of the Three Pure Ones. That person was also wearing a purple Taoist robe, but unlike ordinary people, he was also wearing a lotus crown and holding a whisk in his hand.
"Taoist Lord!" The seven Taoists in the hall called out in unison.
"Just now I was in the statue of the Three Pure Ones, and I was also in deep meditation, but I didn't see any immortal mountain, but a young man." Daojun smiled, "We are the leaders of the Taoist sect, and it is a blessing to see the immortal mountain from afar. Senior Brother Xu doesn't need to worry too much."
“But…” the old Taoist said worriedly.
"It's okay, maybe this time it's different." Daojun comforted.
The old Taoist sighed lightly, shook his head and said nothing.
At this moment, the door of the hall was suddenly pushed open, and a little boy in a Taoist robe ran in unsteadily: "Master, Master, there is a guest looking for you."
"Mo Chen! You are not allowed to be so rude in the Sanqing Palace! What kind of guest is worthy of being personally greeted by the Taoist Master of Qingcheng Mountain?" the old Taoist scolded in a low voice.
The little Taoist boy immediately slowed down his pace and spoke in a much lighter voice: "Oh... but the guest said he was a close friend of Master and he had something urgent to tell me. I was worried that I would delay his important matter, so I was so anxious."
"What's that man's name? What does he look like?" asked the old Taoist.
The boy thought for a moment and said, "That brother is handsome, a few years older than me, but he speaks very calmly. He said his name is Dongfang Xiaoyue."
The old Taoist was stunned, then he scolded: "Ridiculous, your master has been in seclusion for more than ten years, and he is a few years older than you, so he is only in his early teens? Where did your master find such a close friend?"
The little boy scratched his head and smiled innocently: "That's right. But I just feel that this brother doesn't seem to be lying..."
Daojun smiled and said, "Dongfang Xiaoyue, this name is interesting. Let's go, Mo Chen, let's go meet him."
"Master Dao!" the old Taoist said in a deep voice, "I feel uneasy, so it's better to be careful."
"Don't worry, he really is an old friend." Daojun took the little Taoist boy's arm, walked out of the Sanqing Temple, and soon arrived at the gate of the Tianshi Mansion.
There was indeed a young boy in his early teens standing there, looking at the beautiful scenery of Qingcheng Mountain with great interest and whistling to tease the sparrows on the pine tree.
"I have been practicing the true ways of Taoism for many years. Now I am respected as the Taoist Sovereign by Taoists all over the world. It is said that I have long been immortal and half a step away from becoming an immortal. But in fact, I am over sixty years old, and I can barely maintain the appearance of about forty years old. And you, on the other hand, have simply regained your youth. I don't know whether I should envy you or lament." The Taoist Sovereign said with a smile.
The young boy turned around upon hearing this and bowed to the tall Taoist in front of him: "Brother Daojun."
Daojun also followed his example and bowed: "Mr. Confucian Saint."
The little Taoist boy named Mo Chen scratched his head in confusion: "Mr. Rusheng? This brother is the master of the academy, Mr. Rusheng?"
Daojun smiled and pressed his head down: "This is the Confucian sage of the academy. Haven't you always wanted to meet him? Now that you have met him, hurry up and pay your respects."
Mo Chen hurriedly saluted: "I am Mo Chen, the chief disciple of Daojun, and I am honored to meet Mr. Rusheng."
"He's a smart child." Dongfang Xiaoyue said with a smile, "I've been talking to people here for a long time, but they all thought I was crazy. Only this child was willing to report for me. I thought he was an ordinary little Taoist boy, but I didn't expect he was your disciple."
"Isn't Mr. Rusheng about the same age as my master? Why does he look only a few years older than me? Could it be that Mr. Rusheng has practiced some magical skill that can restore youth?" Mo Chen asked curiously.
"Go and practice your sword skills today. I have something else to say to Mr. Rusheng." Daojun scratched Mo Chen's head.
"Okay..." Mo Chen waved at Dongfang Xiaoyue and ran away reluctantly.
"You finally accepted a disciple." Dongfang Xiaoyue said with a smile as she looked at the little Taoist boy's cheerful back.
Daojun shook his head: "This child has excellent talent and aptitude, but unfortunately he is too playful. He has been a student for a few years, but his Taoism is average and his swordsmanship is mediocre. He is the best in Qingcheng Mountain at climbing trees to steal bird eggs."
Dongfang Xiaoyue nodded and said, "Tao follows nature and conforms to one's nature. It is not a bad thing for you who practice Taoism. Let's go to your Taoist temple. I want to drink the Taoist tea from your Qingcheng Mountain. I have been thinking about it for a long time."
"The last time I saw you, you were still an elegant young scholar. How come you have become a little book boy in such a short time?" Daojun led Dongfang Xiaoyue forward, frowning slightly, "It shouldn't be so fast."
"I had a fight with someone on the road and hurt my true energy." Dongfang Xiaoyue said helplessly.
"Who can hurt you?" Daojun asked in confusion.
“Bai Jile.” Dongfang Xiaoyue said helplessly, “That guy is stronger than I thought. I don’t think even I could beat him back then.”
"The Hand of Heavenly Palace, Bai Jile, is indeed a very dangerous person." Daojun nodded, "But why would he fight with you? Ever since the second brother beat Ning Qingcheng severely, Shanglin Heavenly Palace has always been very respectful to the Academy. How dare they fight with you?"
"That's a long story." Dongfang Xiaoyue said with a wry smile, "Anyway, I'm here to trouble you. I'm holding on to my last breath now. If I lose this breath, your disciple will call me his brother tomorrow..."
Daojun shook his head and sighed: "Your words are so pathetic that I almost couldn't help laughing out loud, but when I think about the reasons and results behind this matter, I can't laugh."
Dongfang Xiaoyue said solemnly: "I can't get any younger. If I get any younger, I won't be able to fight."
"A war?"
"The war is coming."