Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 88 - 76 The Divine Tree on the Verge of Becoming an Immortal_2

Chapter 88: Chapter 76 The Divine Tree on the Verge of Becoming an Immortal_2

Born in chaotic times, it’s unclear whether it’s due to the old tree’s shelter, but the mountain people here managed to be well-fed and clothed, able to offer chicken and duck as hospitality to them.

In the prosperous era, life on Shengshi Mountain was hard, because under the whole heaven, all lands belong to the Emperor; the imperial court always tried to incorporate these mountain people into the household registration for taxation. This was an official’s extremely important achievement, known as ’educating the uncivilized people and eradicating hidden households.’

The imperial court often suppressed the mountain people, and although the gains were small, the Emperor liked to see the wings of power enshrouding everyone.

Life below the chaotic mountains was hard because the imperial court no longer had the energy to manage the mountain people; without harsh levies and miscellaneous taxes, they naturally became prosperous.

After satisfying their hunger, the three descended the mountain. Many wolves, tigers, leopards, and occasionally some unnameable animals would appear on the mountain road.

Gu Wen took out some fruits and inquired, "Senior, can these be made into pills?"

Ao Tang shook his head, "Alchemy is for better utilizing the medicinal effects and reducing toxicity. This fruit is naturally perfect, there’s no need to gild the lily."

Hearing this, Gu Wen directly stuffed the Spirit Fruit into his mouth. Soon, he had eaten both Spirit Fruits, and only a single load of Heavenly Marrow surged dramatically.

[Heavenly Marrow for ten years]

[Heavenly Marrow for twenty-one years]

One fruit actually contained ten years’ worth of Heavenly Marrow, ninety years would be enough for me to ascend to immortality!

Gu Wen introspected, feeling the rich and thick medicative power settling, causing no discomfort at all. If eating the Lin Chuan medicinal fruit was like drinking herbal medicine, then this Spirit Fruit was like drinking ambrosia.

He didn’t even need to actively refine it; the medicinal power would slowly settle on its own.

Beside him, Ao Tang, full of envy, spoke, "Back then, Huayang and Yun Miao each took one fruit. Second Ancestor, you alone took two."

Gu Wen, when facing his own people, still maintained humility, "It was just luck to be favored by the old senior."

"There’s no such thing as luck. That being has existed since records began in the Immortal Land. Perhaps that senior believes your future achievements will be higher," Ao Tang praised generously, speaking nothing but the truth.

Everyone who received the gift of the Spirit Fruit, without exception, became great powers, at least starting from True Monarch. Included was the factor of being nourished by top-quality Spirit Fruits every month, but more importantly, their own potential was already there.

With Gu Wen obtaining two fruits, one dare not imagine his future achievements; perhaps he truly could become the next leader of the Sanqing Taoist Sect, or even command the entire Daoist community.

This ’little ancestor’ really picked up a ’second ancestor’ to bring back!

The rapid change in Gu Wen’s image made Ao Tang somewhat astounded.

Half a year ago, Gu Wen was kowtowing and bending over in front of Zhao Feng. Now he transformed, seemingly surpassing even the two leaders of the Three Pure Mountain in the heavens.

Worldly affairs are unpredictable; if the Lord Emperor knew of tonight, would he be able to sleep?

Gu Wen wiped his mouth and looked towards Yu Hua, who handed him another Spirit Fruit.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Gu Wen nibbled away at another Spirit Fruit, bringing his quantity of Heavenly Marrow to thirty-one years, all in less than a day.

With Yu Hua’s presence, he could guarantee Heavenly Marrow every day, and every now and then, he would find an unclaimed treasure. If not for being hunted down, he dared not imagine how easy the road to immortality would be.

Wandering the mountains and waters, accompanied by a Fairy.

He asked, "How shall we enter the Heavenly Spring Mountain to find the Sword Washing Pond?"

"We’ll fight our way in."

"Let this old man see if I can find some connections."

The two almost simultaneously responded, the former being Yu Hua, the latter Ao Tang.

They exchanged glances, revealing looks of disdain or confusion. Ao Tang said helplessly, "Young ancestor, the people who have come to Broken Sword Mountain this time are not simple, and being the foremost military family, they surely have their means. Even if you can defeat them, it would be a loss if you can’t find the Immortality Pill inside."

"Using the Qingcang Dao base would shorten one’s lifespan, and overuse would also lead to heavenly retribution."

Yu Hua retorted, "Can you find a connection that will support our entry into the Sword Washing Pond now?"

"..."

Ao Tang fell silent for a while.

There really was no other way, not because he was incapable, but because in the past, networking had always been about acknowledging each other’s backgrounds as a form of courtesy. Deep friendships were extremely rare, and it was common to not even have met someone from the same sect, let alone someone from the distant Broken Sword Mountain.

"So you have no other strategies?"

Gu Wen asked. After receiving a definite reply, he sighed and gave up on the idea of lazily following along.

A Taoist Heavenly Girl and a dragon, it was hard to expect them to have any brilliant strategies. They might not even know how to behave in ordinary social interactions.

Gu Wen took control and said, "We’ll go to Luo River City first and gather some information. Before, Bianjing could see heavenly spring water from Heavenly Spring Mountain as tribute sent to the Emperor’s palace. Since Heavenly Spring Mountain has contact with the outside world, we can gather intelligence through those connections."

The group continued on their journey.

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

The ground trembled slightly as a dozen or so armored cavalrymen rode swiftly toward them and surrounded them.

Seeing the two humans and one beast dressed oddly, with the woman resembling a cultivator, the leader waved his hand for his men to secure their weapons and then cupped his fist in the other hand, saying, "May I ask for your names? Are you searching for Heavenly Spring Mountain?"

"What if we are? What if we’re not?"

Gu Wen’s demeanor became calm in an instant, his eyes deep wells of seclusion that chilled the surrounding air with their concealed murderous intent.

Mortals could hardly perceive such subtle shifts, but as the cavalry leader stared at Gu Wen’s face, he suddenly felt something was amiss and said, "You look vaguely familiar..."

He drew his weapon again, his voice turning stern.

"You resemble a criminal wanted by the court, come with me."

Mortals wouldn’t know how powerful cultivators were, and Daqian would never publicize how its Crown Prince was slain in the street.

But everyone knew there was a reward of one hundred thousand silver taels, and providing a clue could earn dozens or even hundreds of taels.

Pfft!

The cavalry leader’s forehead sprouted a bloody hole.

Gu Wen flicked his finger, and the concentrated spear energy he summoned shot out, another man fell.

The Heavenly Gang Spear’s moves didn’t have to be performed with a spear; it was merely that the spear would bring out its true power. For flesh and blood bodies, however, it was enough. Killing a person was simple—a blow to the temple or throat was all it took.

Of course, it would be of no use against armor; Gu Wen’s current level of spear energy wasn’t enough to penetrate armor from a distance.

After killing three men, the rest of the group finally reacted, turning their horses in terror to flee. Ao Tang wanted to chase them down and eliminate them entirely, but Gu Wen stopped him.

Ao Tang said, "If we don’t kill them all, it’ll be troublesome once the news gets out."

"They don’t even know why we’re going to Luo River, or why troops are gathered there. What would they report?" Gu Wen countered, then explained, "Mortal armies pose no threat to us, but they’re like mosquitoes biting. You can’t just ignore them."

"Better to let them spread the news, so at least the mortals are aware. That way, fewer will seek us out to die, saving us a lot of trouble."

Mortals were weak but not foolish. They knew when to seek advantage and when to avoid harm.

-----------------

Ten days later.

Gu Wen and his companions reached the outskirts of Luo River City, a metropolis that, while distinct from Bianjing, was nearly as grand.

The roads were crammed with bullock carts and horse carriages, thousands of goods being transported in and out. The Luo River, which supported the city, connected Lin Chuan Mountain with the more southern Nanshui, and upon its waterways, boats floated like autumn leaves, some headed to the mountain, others to Nanshui.

Luodu, a junction of a thousand rivers, a commercial giant.

By then, Gu Wen and Yu Hua had disguised themselves, not with Face-changing Technique, but with a small Magic Artifact they had collected and crafted over the past few days to alter their appearances.

After he presented a travel pass prepared in advance from Bianjing, the court soldiers at the city gate immediately let them through.

Ao Tang asked, "Where shall we go to gather information?"

Gu Wen answered, "We’ll start with the lower-end food markets to ask the vendors, then move on to mid-level taverns and teahouses, and then the high-end brothels. We’ll visit the best brothel in the city, select the finest girls; those women are sure to have heard many things..."

Before he could finish, sensing a chill in the gaze beside him, he corrected himself:

"Actually, eavesdropping in alleyways works just as well."