"Junior understands, thank you for your assistance, senior."
Li Yan had been prepared and naturally did not find it surprising.
"You already know?"
Wang Jingxiu was startled, then imdiately understood and shook his head, "It seems that Senior Brother Yu Longzi has already spoken to you about this matter."
"This is the Master’s decision, and there is no chance for change."
"Actually, in my opinion, whether to build a temple on Wudang Mountain is not important. The Divine Path and the Human Dao are inseparable; as long as one protects the people, how could the incense ever be discontinued?"
"It’s better to weave a net and retreat than to ask for fish from a tree."
Li Yan solemnly bowed with his hands clasped, "Thank you, senior, the junior will handle it properly. The agreent with the senior will also not change. Whatever elixir you want, we will do our best to find it."
He could tell that this elderly Daoist was genuinely not good at scheming and plotting.
Although Yu Longzi had said a lot, so of which were especially crucial, none was without purpose; there was deep aning behind each word.
Li Yan was grateful in his heart but also remained cautious.
As for Wang Jingxiu, he didn’t have so many thoughts; he was sincerely running errands to help them. His appearance suggested that he felt sowhat guilty for not having accomplished the task.
Sure enough, upon hearing what Li Yan said, Wang Jingxiu hurriedly shook his head, "If the task isn’t accomplished, how can this old Daoist take advantage of the junior and have you do tasks for nothing?"
"The Spiritual dicine I require grows in the deep and uninhabited mountains, essentially Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasures. I will write a list later. As long as it’s a treasure dicine on the list, I will buy it for an extended period, and the price will certainly satisfy you."
"Don’t feel bad about it; once I refine the elixirs, there will be plenty of wealthy families and nobles to buy them, and I will not lack money."
Upon hearing this, Li Yan did not stand on ceremony, "I will follow the words of the senior."
This was also a good thing for them, essentially a long-term mission. In the future, as they traveled far and wide, whenever they found treasure dicine, they could collect it.
"Good."
Wang Jingxiu felt obviously in a good mood upon hearing this and smiled, "Let’s go. I still have matters to attend to in Yunyang. After I settle you in, I will leave."
After speaking, he led them toward the Purple Cloud Palace.
While walking, he introduced, "The Purple Cloud Palace was originally built during the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song dynasty and was expanded several tis to achieve its current scale. The main deity worshipped inside the palace is the Jade Emperor."
"Although its size can’t compare with that of the Five Dragons Palace, various Magic Artifacts and talismans of Wudang Mountain are mostly offered here. I have already instructed that you may freely purchase them..."
"The ’Divine Lamp’ is enshrined inside the Purple Cloud Golden Hall, which never extinguishes. On each midnight, one can enter to seek enlightennt."
"The Taihe Palace at the mountain’s peak is the core of our Wudang. If you wish to visit the ’Thunder Fire Refining Hall,’ you must apply in advance and wait for a great thunderstorm to be allowed entry; you must not approach it on a normal day."
"Rember, after reaching the Taihe Palace, apart from the ’Thunder Fire Refining Hall,’ all other places are off-limits to avoid any trouble..."
"I have asked a junior brother to observe the stars; in another seven to eight days, there will be a great thunderstorm. During this ti, you should stay in the Purple Cloud Palace..."
This old Daoist truly was a decent person; after a full explanation and taking them to et the Master Yu Lingzi Daoist, the head of the Purple Cloud Palace, to request his care, he hastily left down the mountain.
Here, their situation was entirely different from that in the Five Dragons Palace.
The various regulations within the Purple Cloud Palace were strict, but because of Wang Jingxiu’s relationship, the Daoists in the palace treated them quite well.
There was also a significant difference compared to the Five Dragons Palace.
The Daoists of the Five Dragons Palace mainly focused on practicing Martial Arts, while those within the Purple Cloud Palace excelled in various Jiao Altars, artifact crafting, and dical divination, serving as the logistical support of Wudang Mountain.
After Li Yan and the others had dinner, they strolled around the palace.
Within the palace was the Soldier and Horse Altar, which worshipped the protector gods such as Wang Lingguan and the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, mainly used for ritual purposes to eliminate disasters and pray for blessings.
The Daoists inside were friendly. As long as they didn’t disturb their classes, they were quite amiable, and Wang Daoxuan’s questions about setting up a magic platform were all answered...
The place where Magic Artifacts were worshipped was in the Lotus Leaf Hall, which mainly enshrined the Mingzhen Emperor of Jingle Country and the immortal Queen Shansheng.
There was a tale among them that Emperor Zhenwu was said to be the eighty-second transformation of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad. He was born in the Daluo Realm’s desire-free Heavenly Palace of Jingle Country as the son of the king.
The Queen of Jingle Country dreamt that she swallowed the sun and beca pregnant; after carrying the baby for fourteen months, she gave birth to a prince, who was later known as Emperor Zhenwu.
Of course, they also enshrined the Three Ladies and Lady Songzi, among others.
Li Yan looked around but didn’t find anything he wanted, as every one of his Magic Artifacts was extraordinary.
It was mainly Wang Daoxuan who replenished his stock of talisman paper, red rope, incense, and Lotus Lamps, mainly for setting up altars.
Unknowingly, it was already deep into the night.
At this ti, the bright moon hung high, and the majestic Purple Cloud Palace had its doors wide open. Inside, one could see candles twinkling faintly, with many Daoists waiting.
This ti, it was mainly Li Yan, Wang Daoxuan, and Lv San who entered, while Sha Lifei and Wu Ba waited outside the large hall.
As the night deepened and the bell rang, a Daoist ca out and loudly said, "The hour has arrived, you all may enter the hall for your practice. Do not create noise inside, do not fight, each finding a place without disturbing each other..."
After stating a host of rules, he stepped aside.
Those entering the hall for practice, besides Li Yan and his group, included eight other Daoists, not from the Purple Cloud Palace but from other Taoist Temples on Wudang Mountain.
Everyone silently entered in single file.
Upon entering the hall, they beheld soaring golden columns and octagonal caisson ceilings, with all the shrines beneath built with stone bases.
The Jade Emperor was at the center, with vividly lifelike divine statues flanking to the left and right, all seemingly gazing down at all beings under the dim candlelight.
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