Chapter 559: First-Class Celestial Immortal

Chapter 559: The Fifth Character, Tianxian Zhang Fengyue.

Hearing the name once again, Li Jun's eyes were shrouded in a thick, oppressive darkness, as if veiled by a heavy shadow. "The division of martial and civil power has long passed," Ge Xiao said, his voice low as he gazed at the silent Li Jun. "Now Zhang Fengyue is the greatest heretic within the Great Ming Empire. Even describing him with 'cloud-breaking rain' and 'one hand covering the sky' would not be an exaggeration. With such a demon in existence, why should we continue our conflict?"

"What does he have to do with me?" Li Jun replied coldly.

"Whether there is a connection or not, Li Shou, you must already know. There's no need for me to elaborate further," Ge Xiao said, his eyes sharp. "Now, the White Jade Capital's heavenly immortals are attempting to merge their paths, while the celestial Buddhas of Ling Mountain are contemplating the highest enlightenment. The three teachings are all preparing for war, and conflict is imminent. Therefore, you need not doubt our sincerity. At this critical moment, the Qiao Mountain has no strength left to oppose you, let alone your hidden master, Tianque."

In Li Jun's own view, his relationship with Tianque was merely one of cooperation. However, after the incident at the Middle Court, in the eyes of others, Tianque and Li Jun had already become synonymous. Some even believed Li Jun had become Tianque's face, destined to become its master, ruling the sect's martial order alone.

"So, I'm just riding on Tianque's coattails?" Li Jun smiled without answering.

"No, it's Tianque riding on yours," Ge Xiao said solemnly. "The fourth rank can battle the third, even in the peak of a sect's martial order, such a thing would rarely occur outside the non-combat ranks. Li Shou, you have slain both martial and Daoist third ranks with your fourth rank. Your strength and potential are unparalleled in my life."

Li Jun said coldly, "They are but broken martial and decayed Daoist third ranks, nothing to boast about."

"Even the weakest third rank is still a third rank, with no fundamental difference from us. Moreover, your potential to advance is far greater than producing a second-rank master from Qiao Mountain. At that time, no one in Qiao Mountain would dare oppose you. So why bother with such troubles?" Ge Xiao bowed slightly, smiling. "As the saying goes, old enemies should be resolved, not continued."

Qiao Mountain's ability to track his movements was understandable to Li Jun, as this was their core territory, and some special techniques were not surprising. However, the other party's current humble and even pitiful demeanor surprised him.

The one who could silently drag him into a dream realm, Ge Xiao, was at least a third-rank master. Within Qiao Mountain, he must hold a high position. Though not as revered as the Great Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Supreme Master Zhang Chongyuan, he was certainly not inferior.

This high-ranking figure, yet more pragmatic and discerning than any Daoist master Li Jun had encountered. Could this be the reason Qiao Mountain surpassed the Great Dragon and Tiger Mountain in just a few decades?

Li Jun's thoughts swirled, but he quickly pushed them aside. His internal energy flowed continuously, never ceasing. "If you're not going to attack, why not sit and chat?" Li Jun didn't care about his appearance, sitting directly on the roadside, then patting the nearby stone to invite Ge Xiao.

"Of course," Ge Xiao's expression remained calm, showing no fear of Li Jun's sudden violence. He adjusted his robe and sat beside him.

Passersby cast curious glances at the two, as if they were real people. "Are you here to ask something, Master?" Li Jun crossed his arms, resting them on his knees.

"Know nothing, speak nothing," Li Jun said.

"Merging paths, I've heard the term in Guangxin Prefecture. But what does it mean?" Ge Xiao's expression was unchanged, as if he had anticipated the question.

"Li Shou, don't call me that," Li Jun said, waving his hand.

Ge Xiao smiled, "Have you heard of the White Jade Capital?"

"Of course," Li Jun said.

Ge Xiao's brow twitched, then he knelt, using the stone as a cushion, his back straight. "The Yellow Lint Dream is a realm bestowed by the celestial Buddhas upon the Daoist ranks, where the distinction between old and new masters begins."

"Daoist cultivation emphasizes 'the way naturally,' but the world is full of illusions. New disciples build Yellow Lint realms to create a pure, obstacle-free world, where they can cultivate naturally, cycle through reincarnation, and attain enlightenment. The longer the cycle, the more identities experienced, the more selfless, the deeper the Dao."

"Can you understand this, Li Shou?" Ge Xiao asked softly.

Li Jun nodded, muttering "hmm" twice, then gestured for him to continue.

"Daoist ranks are called Yellow Lint Immortals. They have endured countless years in the dream, experiencing rain, lightning, mountains, and spirits, breaking through worldly identities, understanding the seven emotions and six desires, and transcending mortal limits, qualifying for immortality."

As Ge Xiao spoke, passersby stopped, drawn in, their expressions dazed. "But even so, we are still outsiders in the dream. Staying too long will make it dissatisfied, though not expelled, the effects will weaken, nearly nothing."

Ge Xiao's eyes gleamed, "Only by merging with the dream can we become one, no distinction, one life as many, one fate as many, free from worldly troubles and Daoist constraints, formless yet omnipresent."

Ah, so that's the trick! Li Jun furrowed his brow, then asked, "If I destroy all the Yellow Lint machines, can I kill your second-rank masters?"

Ge Xiao's expression froze, a flicker of coldness in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Master, don't misunderstand. I have no ill intent. It's just our sect's habit. You know, those who walk this path care most about survival and others' deaths."

Li Jun ignored Ge Xiao's dark expression, asking directly, "If that's the case, merging with the dream means relying on those lifeless machines. Isn't that entrusting your life to powerless objects?"

"Your concern is unnecessary. Our safety is our own," Ge Xiao said coldly.

Li Jun scoffed, "I'm not sure if I'll kill your second-rank masters here. Why worry? Besides, can you even succeed in merging?"

"Since Master dislikes this topic, let's change it," Ge Xiao said, his face tense.

"Please speak," Ge Xiao said.

Li Jun asked curiously, "With the Great Dragon and Tiger Mountain's nature, sharing this Jiangxi province with Qiao Mountain must have led to clashes. Now they're weakened, their status lower. Why not retaliate?"

Ge Xiao chuckled, "Li Shou doesn't care for himself but is overly concerned about our internal affairs. I didn't expect that."

"You know my situation. I'm called loyal, but in truth, I'm a man who helps friends, not principles. My biggest flaw is face."

Li Jun laughed, "I've told Zhang Chongyuan to destroy their ancestral hall. If I fail, isn't that a loss of face?"

Ge Xiao understood, "So you want to know if the Great Dragon and Tiger Mountain has a secret to make Qiao Mountain so wary?"

"Besides, I can't think of why Qiao Mountain hasn't expelled the Great Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Can't all your Daoist ranks be saints, letting the dragon on the bed eat them?"

"The reasons are complex, involving many secrets. Qiao Mountain sincerely wishes to form a bond with you, but some things can't be said clearly, lest it be awkward in the White Jade Capital. I can only warn you."

"Please enlighten me," Li Jun said.

"Before the Yellow Lint Dream was built, there were two ancestral halls: the Great Dragon and Tiger, and Wudang. Afterward, only the Great Dragon and Tiger remained. Even today, only they claim the title. It's not about the number of masters, techniques, or talismans, but one thing."

(Note: The translation preserves the original structure, names, and cultural context, with literary flair and attention to the novel's tone. Untranslated terms like "Yellow Lint" and "Qiao Mountain" are retained as proper nouns, while "Tianque" and "Ge Xiao" are translated for clarity.)

GeJing extended a single finger, pointing vaguely at the space before him.

"A-Rank Heavenly Immortal!"

The words weren't exactly cryptic. Though Li Jun had no idea what a so-called 'A-Rank Heavenly Immortal' actually represented, there was no doubt whatsoever—this was precisely the reason Mount Longhu, after suffering Mount Wudang's dying counterattack, had avoided becoming the second Daoist power to be carved to pieces, and still stood tall and unshaken.

Li Jun's lips moved slightly, but Ge Jing gave him no chance to speak.

"To have spoken to this extent, I've already violated a taboo. The rest truly cannot be said. I hope Brother Li won't make things difficult for this poor Daoist."

"Fine. Then let's talk about one last thing."

Li Jun turned his head to fix the Daoist with a penetrating gaze, enunciating each word: "Aside from ceasing hostilities with me, what other schemes do you have?"

"."

Ge Jing frowned. "Must we have one?"

"You should have one."

"On what grounds, Brother Li?"

"I've killed no small number of Dao Sequence experts. Among those who still linger fresh in my memory, aside from a fatty in Shu, your Mount Gezao's Luo Cheng counts as one. Your sect's disciples possess such formidable strength, yet the elders are humble to a fault. Without a single shot fired, you came running before me, bowing and scraping, begging for peace—isn't that a bit too hard to swallow?"

Li Jun smiled. "No need to tell me about Sequence Four killing Sequence Three. When I left the Wo District, my hands were already stained with the blood of Liu Tao Bing San Ba Du. Yet after entering the Empire proper, Sequence Fours still swarmed me looking for a fight. Are they all brainless fools who don't know death?"

"Just like now. If I truly believed Mount Gezao wouldn't dare move against me, then I'd be the brainless fool."

Ge Jing fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Brother Li, have you always been this suspicious?"

"Long illness makes a good doctor. After being screwed over too many times, even walking a flat road, I've grown used to treading on tiptoe."

Li Jun stretched lazily. "Speak, then. What else do you want from me?"

"If Brother Li insists on seeing it that way, then there actually is something."

Ge Jing said: "We hope Chen Qisheng will join Mount Gezao. Any conditions he names, we'll agree to without exception. Mount Gezao can guarantee his life, and grant him access to all our intelligence and resources concerning the old-line cultivators of Mount Wudang. Our condition is only one point."

"Which point?"

"Chen Qisheng must never again harbor thoughts of killing Zhang Chongyuan. The burden of that sin is too great; Mount Gezao cannot bear it."

Li Jun let out a cold laugh, lowering his brows as he asked: "What if I'm the one who wants to kill?"

Ge Jing replied calmly: "If Chen Qisheng agrees to our terms, given your temperament, Brother Li, you naturally wouldn't strike again. Would you? Of course, if Brother Li is dead set on killing, that's your business. It has nothing to do with Mount Gezao."

"You certainly know me well. Then let me ask—why go to all this trouble?"

"What else could it be? You saw a spark flare up on the ashes of Mount Wudang's corpse, and greed stirred instantly. Right now, Chen Qisheng is just as precious as you, Master Li Xin."

Inside the illusion, a third voice abruptly rang out between the two.

*Dong.*

The sound of a stone chime suddenly boomed through the city. The crowds still immersed in Dao comprehension vanished like bursting bubbles. The entire long street emptied in an instant. Ripples of folded space suddenly unfurled in the air, trapping the sole remaining figure firmly in place.

Ge Jing's face turned an ugly, iron-green. He was just about to rise when Li Jun suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.

"Don't be impulsive, Daoist. Two people chatting is dreadfully dull. A few more livening things up isn't bad at all."

Ge Jing's gaze, brimming with cold intent, landed on Li Jun's face. Four eyes met. The atmosphere froze solid.

After a moment of staring, Ge Jing suddenly broke into a smile. His tensed body relaxed along with it, and he sat back down on the curb.

"Since Master Li Xin enjoys a lively gathering, then the guest follows the host's lead."

"Many thanks."

Li Jun turned to look behind him, only to discover with surprise that the speaker was someone he'd actually met before.

It was none other than the middle-aged merchant selling lightning-struck wood from earlier.

"Sir, care to introduce yourself?"

"Just an insignificant false body. Name and identity don't matter. As long as what comes out of my mouth is the truth, isn't that enough?"

The merchant set down the wares on his back and cupped his fists toward Li Jun in a bow.

"This one greets Master Li Xin."

"To infiltrate this poor Daoist's illusion so easily with a mere false body—is it that my cultivation is too shallow, or that your methods are too sharp?"

Ge Jing was clearly brimming with hostility toward this uninvited guest, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"My methods may be sharp, but they can't compare to the depths of your scheming, Daoist Lord Ge."

The merchant lifted his robe and sat to Li Jun's left, casually rolling up his sleeves as he spoke lightly.

"Sacrificing a bit of your own dignity and a few worthless lives from your sect—not only does it curry favor with Mount Longhu, but it also brings a Human Immortal who independently rediscovered Mount Wudang's orthodox path under your banner. I heard the sound of your abacus beads clicking clear as day from outside the illusion."

The merchant leaned his head over, looking past Li Jun at Ge Jing, his face full of mockery. "But I do find it strange. It's just an A-Rank Heavenly Immortal. Could Zhang Chonglian really keep your sect master, Ge Fenghuo, stuck at the Sequence Two threshold for the rest of his life? Is it really necessary to shamelessly stick your face to someone else's cold ass?"

"Reckless tongue! You're courting death!"

Ge Jing's face radiated murderous intent.

"All who come from afar are guests. How is saying a few words courting death? Daoist Ge, you're the host—you can't be this overbearing with your hospitality."

Li Jun spread his arms, pressing down on both their shoulders, a look of thorough enjoyment on his face.

"Continue. Speak freely. Drag out all the hole cards hidden under each other's asses and lay them on the table. Now *that's* what I call lively."