The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 318 - 204 Zhenwu "Three Mystical Realms" _2

Chapter 318: Chapter 204 Zhenwu "Three Mystical Realms" _2

Trying to save enough capital for cultivation was exceedingly difficult.

Gu Hanzi listened and replied seriously, "The reward naturally depends on the difficulty of the task; our Zhenwu Palace cannot offer too high a price. However, upon completing the task, you can be rewarded with cultivation resources."

"If your contribution is sufficient, we might even open the ’Three Mystical Realms’ during the Wudang Conference for you all."

"What?"

Wang Daoxuan had been silent on the side, but upon hearing "Three Mystical Realms," his expression changed slightly.

Seeing Li Yan’s confusion, he quickly explained, "The ’Three Mystical Realms’ are the top three extraordinary spiritual acupoints of Wudang, namely the ’Zhenwu Dragon Cave,’ ’Thunder Fire Refining Hall,’ and ’Purple Divine Lamp.’"

"It is said that training within them can lead to extraordinary opportunities."

"Divine Lamp, opportunity?"

Hearing this, Li Yan recalled something unpleasant.

The Divine Lamp on Hua Mountain gave him the White Emperor’s Fortune, extinguishing a soul fire. Although it was a mishap, the benefits were mediocre.

The pillars of the Storing God Tower transformed into a metallic color, making the tower more stable, but that was about it.

He had Luo Feng Mountain as a foundation, the tower itself was stable, and the benefit seemed almost redundant...

Additionally, obtaining the White Emperor’s Fortune added a bonus when wielding weapons, but apart from the moment the Duan Chen Blade was forged, it never triggered again...

Li Yan vaguely had a suspicion.

Absorbing the White Emperor’s Fortune required no resistance, as the Innate Geng Metal Qi of Hua Mountain would naturally integrate into Storing God.

The only drawback was enduring the pain of blades piercing the soul.

Ordinary cultivators would hold on for just a few breaths.

However, relying on the "Luo Feng Scripture" and the Daluo Dharma Body, he endured it without allowing the Innate Geng Metal Qi to fuse with Storing God, persisting for over an hour.

This immense power had nowhere to go.

It naturally merged with the tower.

Attempting to mobilize it became exceedingly difficult.

After hearing about "Divine Lamp" and "Fortune," he naturally doubted its effects.

"Wang Daoxuan is indeed knowledgeable."

Gu Hanzi praised, smilingly, "The ’Zhenwu Dragon Cave’ is beneath the Five Dragons Palace, built during the Zhenguan era. It became the foremost palace and temple of Wudang Mountain at the time."

"Legend has it that during a great drought, people from Mystical Sect were sent to pray for rain; five dragons fell, transforming into the Dragon Pond, leading to the construction of the Five Dragons Palace."

"The ’Zhenwu Dragon Cave’ is beneath the Dragon Pond. Entering for secluded training can lead to insights into martial arts. Our sect’s ancestor, Master Sanfeng, gained enlightenment there in the ’Zhenwu Dragon Cave’..."

"The Thunder Fire Refining Hall was built at the end of the Song and Jin periods. It can summon the Gang of Heavenly Thunder, used to suppress evil spirits and practice the Thunder Fire Technique..."

"As for the Purple Divine Lamp, it is enshrined within the Purple Golden Hall, never extinguished. Cultivating and storing God there is highly beneficial."

"These three realms correspond to techniques, magic, and martial arts, the foundation of our Zhenwu Palace. They are rarely open to ordinary cultivators unless the current situation... Mr. Li, it’s an opportunity not to be missed."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan was somewhat tempted, especially by the "Zhenwu Dragon Cave" and "Thunder Fire Refining Hall," but he shook his head, "Such opportunities surely won’t be easily offered, and the task is definitely not simple..."

"Mr. Li is right."

Gu Hanzi’s expression was solemn, "A storm is brewing in Ezhou; some evil spirits are ready to stir, and certain ones are indeed dangerous."

"For instance, on Azure Dragon Mountain not far from Yunyang, there have been rumors of exotic beasts appearing recently. People often disappear mysteriously; no one dares to venture into the mountain now. Disciples sent by the Law Enforcement Hall have found nothing."

"With so much happening in Yunyang Prefecture, they can’t have someone on guard all the time. Thus, a Daoist from the Mei Mountain Taoist Sect took on the task."

"They are hunters in the mountains, skilled in handling exotic beasts. But this time, they went missing as well."

"Considering Azure Dragon Mountain is not far from Yunyang, this task has been elevated. Completion can earn a reward of two thousand silver taels and a token to enter the ’Three Mystical Realms.’"

"With this token, one can choose any of the Three Mystical Realms to gain insights once."

Li Yan lost interest upon hearing this.

Even hunters from the Mei Mountain Taoist Sect went missing, implying its danger. Moreover, staying on guard in the mountain was too much time-consuming for them.

These Three Mystical Realms sounded mystical but were probably overused by Zhenwu Palace disciples and those with connections until they were tired of them.

Whether one could gain opportunities was still uncertain.

Using such ephemeral things, along with two thousand taels, to have skilled magic sect members risk their lives, ending up with no return seemed like a costless trade.

Thinking this, he asked, "Is there any other task?"

Gu Hanzi was evidently prepared. He took out a booklet from his pocket, "All the reported tasks are written in the booklet. Whatever task you complete, you can report to the local City God Temple, and someone will verify it."

He hesitated a moment and then said, "There is a task I must ask your help with."

"Please, Daoist."

"In Dangyang County, Jingzhou, lies Zi Gai Mountain, one of the Seventy-two Blessed Lands, jointly managed by the Zhushan Sect, Buddhist Vinaya Sect, and Taixuan Orthodox Sect, each occupying one side."

"Since last year, Zhenwu Palace on Zi Gai Mountain has had a streak of deceased Daoists. They reported them as natural deaths, but a fellow apprentice of mine, Feng Lingzi, sent a secret message indicating something strange. He is investigating quietly."

"It has been almost a month without a word from him; I am quite worried but cannot leave my duties."

"Furthermore, with three factions managing the area, a large-scale investigation by the Law Enforcement Hall might cause misunderstandings, so I must ask you to find out what’s happening."

"Jingzhou, Dangyang?"

Li Yan thought for a moment and nodded, "Sure, I happen to be heading to Yichang. I can check it out on my way, but if I sense danger, I will retreat."

Gu Hanzi nodded, "Of course, just find out what has happened. We’ll handle it afterward."

With this understanding, the matter of Lv San was no longer an issue.

Gu Hanzi agreed that once the Captain Bureau removed the wanted order, the Daoist certificate could be processed that day without waiting.

Leaving the City God Temple, the two headed towards the Captain Bureau.

Unlike Chang’an, Yunyang’s Captain Bureau, established from the beginning, mainly targeted the mountain people. For convenience, its location was near Yunyang Government Office.

And Yunyang Government Office was located in the city center.

Before long, the two arrived at the government office entrance and saw a dense crowd gathered in the square.

They all wore black cloth around their heads and were dressed in indigo printed coarse clothes; some wore silver bracelets on their hands and feet. Sitting or lying down, they fearlessly stared at the surrounding officials and soldiers.

The surrounding streets were filled with numerous Yunyang residents gathering.

They whispered to each other, eyes filled with glee at the misfortune.

"Lost again?"

"Of course, they’ve been losing every year..."

Curious, Li Yan inquired and learned the reason.

These people were from the Tu Clan in Western Hubei. In the previous dynasty, Tusi systems were established for management convenience. The court appointed Tusi and local officials to manage themselves.

Within the Divine State and on the borders, minorities were generally managed this way, continuing to this day.

Local Tusi were responsible for tax collection and paying tribute regularly.

These here were natives under the Tan Clan of Tangya Tusi, tasked with escorting tax grain to Yunyang, which was robbed by water bandits on the way.

The odd part was that they had been repeatedly robbed for years, even losing tributes headed to the Capital.

It was evident to anyone that it was a case of a thief crying "stop thief."

The root issue was a policy proposed by the current Emperor a few years ago, "Reform Land and Return to Flow," intended to end the Tusi system and have the court appoint officials for management.

This proposal led to great anger among Tusi groups across the regions, who petitioned and bribed ministers heavily in the court to plead their case.

As a result, the policy had been delayed repeatedly.

These tax robbings seemed to be expressions of dissatisfaction.

"This Yunyang Prefecture has such complex issues..."

Wang Daoxuan and Li Yan exchanged glances and shook their heads slightly as they headed into an alley near the government office.

There was the Captain Bureau office.

The Captain Bureau had a fierce reputation, and not just tea houses or taverns avoided the surrounding area; even ordinary residents were unwilling to live nearby. Mostly it was owned by members of the Captain Bureau.

At the doorstep, Li Yan asked someone to announce their arrival.

Soon, a tall, burly, red-faced man strode out, respectfully clasping his fists, "Greetings, Young Hero Li."

Li Yan had met this person before, Households Commander Wang, under Huang Qianhu, a native of Jiao State, skilled with dual blades and exceedingly brave, a trusted subordinate of Huang Qianhu.

Li Yan peeked, "Huang Qianhu is not here?"

Households Commander Wang shook his head, "The Commander is at home due to a cold caught in the mountains, so he is not at the office currently."

"But rest assured, your matters have been instructed for processing by the Commander. I’ve reconciled with Chang’an; it can be revoked, and tomorrow it will be official, with documents sent to various places."

"Thank you!"

Li Yan clasped his fists in gratitude and casually asked, "Is the Commander alright?"

Households Commander Wang replied with deep meaning, "It’s not a major illness, perhaps after this period, he’ll recover."

"Oh."

Li Yan understood instantly, clasping his fists and leaving immediately.