Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me
Chapter 273 - 273 262 Saint of Taiqing's interruption

273: 262 Saint of Taiqing’s interruption 273: 262 Saint of Taiqing’s interruption “Go!” Pulling out the Taichu Divine Sword, he placed it on the mountain’s peak.

With this arrangement, Jiang Chen’s preparations were complete.

Placing the Taichu Divine Sword in the very core of the formation, the rotation of the fire and water Fate could trigger a portion of the Divine Sword’s power.

Injuring the Great Luo Golden Immortal would be no difficult task.

With the external Dragon and Tiger Fates and the internal Taichu Divine Sword, even if nine Great Luo Golden Immortals attacked at the same time, it would be no problem to resist for ten days or half a month.

Once the array was set up, Jiang Chen instructed Sun Wukong: “Monkey, from now on, I’ll need to trouble you.

When that evil ghost comes to kill, I’ll entrust you with managing the array and resisting the enemy.”

After he finished speaking, Jiang Chen transferred the control of the array to Sun Wukong.

“I understand,” said Sun Wukong.

Nodding, Sun Wukong leaped into the large array below, combining it with the array control Jiang Chen had given him and silently comprehending the changes in the array.

After observing for a while and seeing that there were no problems, Jiang Chen also flew down, returning to Zhang Ling’s side, and told him, “Let’s go.

Take me to see that treasure land.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ling respectfully replied, “Yes, sir.”

After finishing speaking, he led the way in front, guiding Jiang Chen to the location of the treasure land he had accidentally discovered.

Although Jiang Chen didn’t say anything about the treasure land that Zhang Ling had mentioned, he was quite curious about it in his heart.

That treasure land gave him the odd feeling that his destiny lay there.

Remembering the divination he had performed earlier, Jiang Chen was determined to take a look at that treasure land no matter what.

…

While Zhang Ling led the way, Jiang Chen followed behind.

After about the time it took for a cup of tea to brew, they had wound around the mountain road and arrived in front of a desolate cliff.

At first glance, there was nothing special about this cliff; it seemed ordinary.

However, Jiang Chen saw through his divine eye that this cliff was actually covered by a layer of array, concealing its true nature.

Moreover, this array seemed somewhat familiar to Jiang Chen.

It was not an array of the Upper Qing lineage, but one of the Taiqing lineage, a Yin-Yang array formed by the elements of heaven, earth, water, and fire.

Facing this sight, Jiang Chen gradually understood.

No wonder this mountain was naturally formed into the shapes of water and fire, the dragon, and the tiger; the influence of the array probably caused gradual changes in the Earth Vein.

This led to the balance of water and fire, the formation of the dragon and the tiger, and the cultivation of the Innate essence of water and fire.

This cliff was likely left by a disciple of the Taiqing lineage.

That is to say, if there were no accidents, there should be its inheritance inside the cliff – the inheritance of the Taiqing lineage.

Hold on…

The Taiqing inheritance, the dragon and tiger Fates, Zhang Ling?

It was then that Jiang Chen finally realized something as he looked at Zhang Ling beside him.

Was this robust, big-eyed fellow the Zhang Daoling, the first of the Four Heavenly Masters?

In the beginning, Jiang Chen hadn’t thought of this because Zhang Daoling was a figure from the Eastern Han period, while it was currently the Western Han period.

However, the current situation didn’t allow Jiang Chen to think otherwise.

Zhang Daoling, the real man of the Taiqing Zhengyi, was originally named Zhang Ling.

Because he founded the Zhengyi Daoism, he was respectfully referred to by the world as Zhang Daoling.

This was undoubtedly a disciple of the Taiqing lineage, hence his name was Taichu.

It would have been fine if they simply shared the same name, but the Dragon and Tiger Fates and the present Taiqing inheritance all added up in one place.

Taken together, these pieces of evidence were enough to confirm in Jiang Chen’s mind that the person before him was none other than the famous figure of Taoism, Zhang Daoling, the Heavenly Master.

Reflecting on it now, it seems that Jiang Chen had been too presumptive.

Zhang Daoling was a cultivator, and any records of his life in history might not be totally accurate.

An error was not uncommon.

Who was to say that Zhang Daoling couldn’t have been born in the Western Han period?

After all, this was the world of West Journey, not Earth.

Some deviations were acceptable.

Jiang Chen was certainly surprised to have formed connections with the young Zhang Daoling.

Not to mention, no wonder Zhang Daoling was able to directly enter the high-level ranks of Heaven Court once he arrived.

A disciple of Taiqing, a kinsman of the Jade Emperor.

This relationship was quite powerful.

…

Thinking about this, Jiang Chen felt somewhat hesitant as he looked at the cliff in front of him.

This was obviously an opportunity that the Taiqing Saint had left for Zhang Ling.

If he went in, he would not only rob Zhang Ling of his opportunity but also disrupt the Taiqing Saint’s plans.

Considering Zhang Ling’s status in Daoism, it was clear that he held a key position in the Taiqing Saint’s plan, serving as his representative.

If he were to steal Zhang Ling’s opportunity, he would most likely greatly offend the Taiqing Saint.

However, Jiang Chen was not concerned about this.

The Upper Qing Saint and his two brothers had already fallen out with him, and their relationship was strained.

If the Upper Qing Saint knew that Jiang Chen had disrupted the Taiqing Saint’s plan, he’d be more likely to feel happy than angry.

How could he blame Jiang Chen?

On the contrary, if the Taiqing Saint tried to set him up because of this, the Upper Qing Saint would likely step in to defend him.

So, Jiang Chen shouldn’t be afraid of the Taiqing Saint.

What he was worried about was robbing Zhang Ling of his opportunity.

Ever since he met Jiang Chen, Zhang Ling had been calling him ‘benefactor’ repeatedly and his demeanor towards him was exceptionally respectful.

If Jiang Chen were to snatch the fate meant for him, he would inevitably feel uncomfortable about it.

After some thought, Jiang Chen decided to let Zhang Ling make the decision, thus he said, “Zhang Ling, do you know that this is your fate.

Aren’t you afraid that I will snatch it away after you brought me here?”

Zhang Ling replied, “Of course I’m aware, but benefactor has done so much for me and for the Zhang Family Village.

Not only did benefactor save my life and those of my clan, but benefactor also taught me the Divine Ability, guiding me into the path of Daoism.”

“I owe you an immeasurable debt of gratitude, for which I have no means to repay.

Hence, I wish to present this fate to you and hope that you will accept me as your disciple.”

After saying this, Zhang Ling bowed to Jiang Chen.

Zhang Ling was no longer the naive child he once was.

After years of hardship in the cultivation world, he had realized how profound and astonishing the Divine Ability Jiang Chen had taught him were.

Take for instance the art of driving the spirits, it was the Ghost Dao’s nemesis.

Zhang Ling had relied on this technique to deal with evil ghosts, and he had never failed.

Not to mention the Divine Ability to control the Five Thunders.

This technique encompassed the profound mysteries of Heaven and Earth.

Its power was boundless, and its mysteries endless.

Learning this Divine Ability was akin to mastering all the thunders in the world.

Zhang Ling had only just grasped a fraction of it, but he already found it infinitely useful.

He had achieved the state of Mysterious Immortal, becoming a renowned master of Thunder Dao.

Ordinary Golden Immortals were no match for him.

If he could fully comprehend it, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how strong he would become.

Having understood the prowess of the Five Thunders, Zhang Ling realized the preciousness of this method.

His gratitude towards Jiang Chen, who had taught him this Divine Ability, grew even more.

This Divine Ability was so powerful, and yet Jiang Chen had taught it to him without hesitation.

This was an act of grace that he could never repay.

Therefore, Zhang Ling had long wanted to become Jiang Chen’s disciple.

He had thought that he would never get the chance to fulfill this wish in his lifetime, but unexpectedly, he met Jiang Chen again in the Shu Region.

Jiang Chen looked exactly the same as before, without any changes.

Zhang Ling recognized him at first glance.

Had he not been worried about Jiang Chen’s refusal, Zhang Ling would have wanted to kneel down and call him his master right then and there.

If he could trade a legacy for a chance to become Jiang Chen’s disciple, Zhang Ling would naturally not refuse.

…

Humbled by the admiration, Jiang Chen was quite pleased.

However, he did not agree immediately.

Because accepting a disciple was a significant event, it was not something that could be decided casually.

It needed to be tested multiple times.

Disciples were the continuity of the Dao lineage.

If one were to misjudge and choose the wrong person, it would bring great trouble, and it would be quite normal for it to affect both the master and the sect.

Hence, when selecting a disciple, you have to be extremely careful and conduct multiple tests.

Zhang Ling was definitely qualified.

But as for his temperament, Jiang Chen didn’t know him well and still needed to test him.

Fearing that Zhang Ling didn’t understand the preciousness of the Taiqing legacy, Jiang Chen smilingly said, “Did you say you want to give this legacy to me?

But do you know what the legacy in here is?”

“It’s the legacy of the Taiqing lineage, the legacy of the saint, the legacy of the founder of Daoism.

Even so, you still want to present this legacy to me?”

Unmoved by Jiang Chen’s words, Zhang Ling affirmed, “Though the legacy of the founder of Daoism is indeed extraordinary, at this point, it’s simply icing on the cake for me.

But the legacy you passed on to me, benefactor, guided me into Daoism.”

“Everything I have achieved today is due to the legacy transmitted by you, benefactor, and has nothing to do with the legacy of the founder of Daoism.”

“The grace you bestowed upon me, benefactor, is equivalent to giving me a new lease of life, which is not something the legacy of the founder of Daoism can compare to.

Even if I hadn’t bumped into you, benefactor, I would still want to offer the legacy of the founder of Daoism to you regardless of whether you’re willing to accept me as your disciple.”

Seeing how sincere and passionate Zhang Ling was, Jiang Chen was moved and began to consider accepting him as his disciple.

However, he did not immediately agree, instead, turning and walking towards the cliff, he said:

“If you still wish to worship me as your master after seeing the Taiqing legacy, I’ll accept you as my disciple.”

The quest for Dao is tough, requiring sincerity.

So the matter of discipleship also involves thrice refusal.

Even the abdication of emperors involves thrice refusal and thrice invitation.

The same applies to accepting a disciple.

Being a teacher and accepting a disciple are two different things.

The former is passive, while the latter is aggressive, so the treatment is naturally different.

Back then, Zhang Ling was rejected once.

Now, Jiang Chen has refused Zhang Ling twice.

If Zhang Ling remains unwavering in his commitment, what’s wrong with Jiang Chen accepting him as his disciple?

Even if the Upper Qing Saints are displeased in the future, they can’t say anything.

They can only blame themselves for being too late.

It’s not as if Jiang Chen coerced the disciple into joining.

Instead, he voluntarily offered to be a disciple, disregarding the Taiqing legacy, which shows his sincerity.

Just the overflow of power created such a unique terrain, producing the essence of Innate fire and water.

The power of this Heaven and Earth, Fire and Water, Yin and Yang great formation could be imagined.

However, strong as the formation was, it couldn’t stop Jiang Chen.

The Upper Qing lineage was outstanding in the art of formations, never conceding to anyone.

Whoosh…

With a thought, the Upper Qing talisman automatically appeared, hovering in the air.

It suspended strands of Upper Qing immortal light, protecting both Jiang Chen and Zhang Ling.

Then, with the Upper Qing talisman above his head, Jiang Chen brazenly strode into the Heaven and Earth, Fire and Water, Yin and Yang great formation with Zhang Ling, treating the formation as if it were nothing as they walked forward.