Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 174 Zhong Nanshan, Jade Pillar Cave, Yun Zhongzi

Chapter 174: Chapter 174 Zhong Nanshan, Jade Pillar Cave, Yun Zhongzi

Let’s speak of Zhong Nanshan’s Jade Pillar Cave.

Under Yuanshi Tianzun, there was a Qi Refiner, known by the Daoist title Yun Zhongzi, who had achieved immortality for hundreds of years, practicing here.

A few years ago, when Daji first arrived in Zhaoge, Yun Zhongzi saw the demon qi piercing the sky over Zhaoge and couldn’t bear to see the people suffer at Daji’s hands, so he went into the mountains, found an old dead pine tree, cut off a branch, and carved it into a wooden sword to present to King Zhou.

The magic of the immortal family is wondrous and ever-changing. At that time, just with this Pine Wood Sword, Daji’s soul was nearly scattered. However, King Zhou favored Daji, believed the demon’s lies, and threw the Peach Wood Sword into the fire to burn it.

This is the prologue.

Today, another person came to Zhong Nanshan’s Jade Pillar Cave, namely Taiyi Zhenren, a fellow disciple of Yun Zhongzi from the Chan Sect and one of the renowned Twelve Immortal Heads.

After they exchanged greetings, they were not formal; Yun Zhongzi simply ordered the child nearby to pluck a few tender grass leaves from the mountain and throw them into the water, treating it as tea.

Taiyi Zhenren took a sip of the grass leaf tea, finding a touch of sweetness amidst the bitterness.

The path of seeking immortality is destined to be lonely. The last time they met was three hundred years ago. Now seeing this friend who once listened to the Venerate’s teachings together, he, although secluded in the mountains for years, truly stands out.

He was seen wearing a wide robe with large sleeves, holding a horsetail whisk, with a headband of green gauze, two ribbons floating with twin leaves behind his head, wearing a pair of Cloud Stepping Shoes, with a face like beautified with white powder, and lips like cinnabar.

The two sat and discussed the Dao, commenting on ancient and modern times.

After a long while, Yun Zhongzi finally said: "Daoist brother, you wouldn’t come to the Three Treasures Hall for no reason, is there something you’d like to discuss?"

"Then I’ll be straightforward. I heard that seven years ago you took on a disciple, the hundredth son of Duke Ji Chang, adopted son Lei Zhenzi, correct?"

Yun Zhongzi remained calm and said, "Daoist brother indeed has foresight. I am impressed. Years ago, when Ji Chang went to Zhaoge, he sheltered from a storm in a dense forest. Suddenly, thunder came, lightning interlaced, shaking the mountains and rivers. After the thunder light passed, they found a child near an ancient tomb, naming him Lei Zhenzi. He is to be a General Star in the future Sealing God Battle, of extraordinary talent, whom I took as a disciple."

"My visit is for him."

Taiyi Zhenren’s expression didn’t change, and he said, "Daoist brother took Ji Chang’s son as a disciple. Now that Ji Chang is in trouble, it’s only right for Daoist brother to send him down the mountain to rescue."

This statement left Yun Zhongzi even more puzzled.

He casually cast a divination, calculated for a while, and then said, "Daoist brother’s words are mistaken. I calculated that Ji Chang is currently blessed, how could he be in trouble?"

"Daoist brother is unaware, Ji Chang is now in Nezha’s hands. This Nezha was supposed to be the reincarnation of my seated Spirit Pearl, but due to an accident, his body was taken over by an Outer Heaven Demon."

"Outer Heaven Demon?"

Yun Zhongzi instantly understood. It’s said that Outer Heaven Demons do not originate from this world, not controlled by the world’s Heavenly Dao. Since he’s involved, it’s understandable that my calculations would contradict the facts.

Yun Zhongzi said seriously, "Daoist brother means Ji Chang is indeed in danger now?"

Taiyi Zhenren nodded and said, "I think so. The Venerate is merciful, allowing this Outer Heaven Demon to intervene in the Sealing God Battle and forbidding me to interfere. I dare not speculate on the Venerate’s intentions, but if Ji Chang encounters problems, it could affect the subsequent plans of the Sealing God Battle, causing unrest from the Heavenly Court and potentially stirring the Three Teachings again."

"Outer Heaven Demons descend every few thousand years, each time causing a lot of trouble. I don’t know which great being orchestrated this, causing the Three Teachings’ people to be hamstrung every time they encounter them."

What Yun Zhongzi said was indeed true, but hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren immediately understood that Yun Zhongzi before him didn’t really want to interfere.

After all, the entanglement of cause and effect isn’t easily shaken off once involved.

Taiyi Zhenren said, "Daoist brother does not need to take action, but can impart one or two Daoist Skills, and send Lei Zhenzi down to slay Nezha."

Yun Zhongzi asked, "Revenge for his father is only right and proper. But Lei Zhenzi’s cultivation years are short. Since Nezha troubled Daoist brother, he must have some means. I’m afraid Lei Zhenzi is not yet his match."

Taiyi Zhenren thought to himself, Yun Zhongzi here really doesn’t want to suffer any loss, indeed, his calmness and indifference to worldly affairs don’t mean he’s easy to fool.

He only said, "Nezha’s cultivation years are even shorter than Lei Zhenzi’s. Currently in the Golden Core Realm, he’s achieved Golden Core Nine Revolutions, with magic treasures like the Purple Gold Head Ring that can block Primordial Spirit attacks, and wields the Qiankun Ring, Chaos Sky Silk, and Fire-tipped Spear."

"Daoist brother, since you’re at odds with this Nezha, why have you given him all the treasures from the Qianyuan Mountain Golden Light Cave?"

As soon as the words finished, Taiyi Zhenren only smiled bitterly and explained the reasons to Yun Zhongzi, who then understood.

He also understood that Taiyi Zhenren harbored discontent, even if originally so, the various actions now probably weren’t because of Nezha’s existence disrupting the Heavenly Dao order.

Taiyi Zhenren’s Daoheart was troubled, persistently wanting to put Nezha to death, seeking freedom and liberation. The Venerate naturally knew all this, but what status does the Venerate hold? Although prohibiting Taiyi from taking action, he might not truly care about the life and death of an Outer Heaven Demon.

And since Taiyi Zhenren came personally, there’s no need for him not to give this favor over an Outer Heaven Demon.

"Very well, since Daoist brother has come personally, I’ll have Lei Zhenzi go on this journey."

After Taiyi Zhenren left, Yun Zhongzi then ordered the sect’s Golden Dawn Child to go to the rear garden and call Lei Zhenzi.

Lei Zhenzi entered the cave. He had cold features, a tall figure, and wore a green Daoist robe. Upon seeing Yun Zhongzi, he respectfully bowed: "I wonder what orders Shifu has?"

Yun Zhongzi looked at Lei Zhenzi. This disciple was born of earth-shaking thunder, not an ordinary man. Though only seven years old, he had grown into a young man’s appearance.

His talent in cultivation was rare among the younger generation he’d seen in centuries, and he naturally possessed a refined Primordial Spirit. In just a few years, he’d already crossed the immortal path’s barriers and reached the Loose Immortal Realm.

"Disciple, your father is in trouble. You can now go to rescue him."

Lei Zhenzi was startled upon hearing this. Having cultivated in Zhong Nanshan for several years, he only knew of Shifu, not of his father, so he asked: "Who is my father?"

Yun Zhongzi told Lei Zhenzi of his origins, then said: "The one who adopted you is Duke Ji Chang, who is now in trouble at Lingtong Pass. You may go to the Hu’er Cliff below to find a weapon. Later, I will impart some Daoist Skills to you, so you can save your father. Today is the day of father and son reunion. Now meet, and later you can see each other again."

Lei Zhenzi followed his master’s command, left the cave, and arrived below Hu’er Cliff in the rear mountain, looking all around but finding nothing.

It turned out Lei Zhenzi, focused on cultivation, only comprehended Daoist Skills in the mountains and never learned martial arts, nor had he seen weapons. He just followed the master’s order to look in the rear mountain, but only then realized this point.

"Acting without preplanning, not learning from mistakes, deserves a hit! Better to ask master first next time."

Lei Zhenzi made up his mind, turned to return to the cave, when suddenly a gust of wind blew from the southeast, carrying a strange fragrance that pierced lungs and liver.

No one knew where this fragrance came from, and Lei Zhenzi, out of curiosity, followed the wind’s direction to find it.

He made his way through the mountains for half a day, only to see a deep ravine ahead, with the sound of water trickling below, hidden thunder rumbling.

Lei Zhenzi strolled leisurely, the scenery before him like a genteel and graceful ink wash painting, slowly unfolding:

Vines lightly entwined the cypress trees, lingering but elegant, while the green bamboos stretched out from the cliffs with an unyielding stance, like the indomitable spirit of a scholar in a literati’s poem.

Foxes and rabbits darted among them, nimble and lively, with deers and cranes chorusing, sounds echoing in ears, frolicking freely in this mountain forest.

Lei Zhenzi marveled in his heart, realizing that even after residing here for years, he wasn’t aware of such a beautiful spot in Zhong Nanshan. Fixing his eyes, he suddenly saw two red apricots growing under the green leaves ahead.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶