Chapter 156: On the Mountain, The Dragon-Fishing Urn

Ji Ming could never be a saint; he knew well that he was merely an ordinary person.

As he followed the aged Daoist Feihu to the Nine-Node Main Foundation and ascended Taiping Mountain, beholding the wondrous sights of the immortal gates and the profound mysteries of the orthodox path, he felt himself growing all the more worldly and common.

Each mountain peak stood like a raised halberd, while every steep cliff opened up like a folding screen. The sunlight scattered auspicious colors that coiled around the peaks, and after the rain cleared, the verdant hues were gently brushed away. In the skies, shimmering radiances and multicolored splendors wound about; within the mountains, jade steps paved the immortal terraces, and treasure pavilions exhaled wisps of spiritual vapor. For a moment, Ji Ming did not know where to rest his eyes.

"Within the mountain, there is a saying of three peaks and one manor," the old Daoist said, sitting alongside Ji Ming on the back of a crane and pointing out the scenic wonders of the mountains. "The three peaks are the Heavenly River Peak, the Divine Zhu Yi Peak, the Spiritual Light Jia Peak, and there is also the True Monarch's Upper Manor.

For our lineage of Crane Temple, whenever disciples seek further advancement, they have always gone to practice and cultivate on the Jia and Yi Peaks. This Yi Peak primarily focuses on the Daoist arts of talismans and elixirs, showing little fondness for Dharma combat, and mainly lectures on the methods of nourishing one's nature and extending life. The two monks among the 'One Daoist and Two Monks,' who have enjoyed renown for a long time, once studied their craft on this peak."

"What is the story behind this 'One Daoist and Two Monks'?" Ji Ming asked.

"That talk of yours concerning the One Jade, One Gold, and Three Marvelous Truths—that was merely something people debated on a whim, and once a hundred or ten years pass, I fear no one in the mountain will remember it.

However, this One Daoist and Two Monks are different. Their fame is as steadfast as mountains and peaks, long since deeply rooted in people's hearts. They are figures who hold the very reins of leadership upon the mountain. Their renown is resplendent across all three orthodox traditions, and even the Heavenly Pole Dipper Stars have heard of them. When even the Local Great Masters meet them face to face, they must respectfully address them as 'Senior Brother.'"

Ji Ming sensed that the old Daoist's words carried a subtle undertone of playing down the Great Masters while elevating these figures, yet he could also discern the true weight and value of this One Daoist and Two Monks.

The old Daoist did not dwell overly long on the One Daoist and Two Monks; he felt that, given his disciple's cultivation at the second realm of Qi Refining, hearing of such figures too early would yield no benefit.

"This time, we are going to the Spiritual Light Jia Peak. Those who cultivate on this peak primarily practice the 'Supreme Jia-Division True Method of Taiyi.'"

"Master, Reverend Sura has already cultivated a Spiritual Light Divine General," Ji Ming said with a grave expression.

"I have heard of the Dharma combat in the battle of Iron Fortress Temple. If he has truly trained that Spiritual Light Divine General to completion, you would not last a single round in his hands."

"You mean to say his form is empty and devoid of true substance, Master?"

Daoist Feihu nodded gently, directing the spiritual crane beneath him to descend upon an isolated, overhanging cliff at the corner of Jia Peak.

"This place is known as the Immortal-Dropping Cliff of the peak. Anyone who comes to this peak must first land upon this rock."

Standing upon the cliff, taking a single step backward led to a boundless, empty void where the clouds drifted and the gale blew fiercely; taking a step forward, one encountered ancient trees tightly entwined with vines and auspicious deer peacefully slumbering—a scene of utterly natural wonder.

The old Daoist led the way in front, while Ji Ming looked about inquisitively behind him.

Before long, they turned into a secluded path. Rare flowers and exotic grasses were scattered harmoniously around them, and the mountain rocks and steep cliffs bore the marks of axe and chisel, clearly the dwelling place of a reclusive master.

Along the way, the old Daoist spoke little, and all idle chatter ceased, arousing Ji Ming's curiosity.

Finally, beside a mountain stream, Ji Ming spotted a stone carving bearing three ancient seal-script characters: "Lingpi Cave."

After crossing the stream, a high mountain洞 cave came into view. Outside the cave grew an evergreen pine, its branches slanted like the lintel of a door before the entrance.

"Who goes there?"

A demon with a bloated fish-face stepped across the water in the shallow pool below, waving his hand and saying, "Go away, leave quickly, and do not disturb my master's quiet cultivation."

"I am a descendant of the Dragon-Fishing Old Man, sharing the same lineage. I ask fellow Daoist to announce us."

"Do you think I believe that?"

The fish demon took a step forward, and a bone-chilling pressure closed in instantly.

Ji Ming's face flushed red; this pressure struck like an iron hammer, and the scent of blood already rose in his nose. He forcefully suppressed the urge to step back. The figure before him was unquestionably a demon who had already forged a "Origin Elixir," an authentic master of complete metamorphosis comparable to the fourth realm of the Golden Core.

"Please announce us."

"How strange!" The fish demon stroked his chin whiskers, seemingly recalling something, and said, "So you share the same lineage from Crane Temple. You should have made that clear earlier."

Inside the cave, after the fish demon made the announcement, a voice drifted out.

"Your intent is clear to me. However, I have always had my rules; if this child wishes to practice under my tutelage, he must first pass that trial."

Hearing these words, the old Daoist's emotions flared up, and he said, "In terms of seniority, you are of the same generation as my grandmaster. You also received the grace of the Lesser Blessed Land, and furthermore, Crane Temple used a personal favor to send you here—"

"Speak no more of past matters!"

Only a cold response echoed from the cave.

"Master Ziming of Guangyang was a villager who loved to fish in Luo Stream. He caught a white dragon; Ziming was terrified, unhooked it, bowed, and released it. Afterward, he caught a white fish with a book in its belly, which taught him the methods of ingestion and cultivation."

Amidst these spoken words, a white-robed elder walked out from the cave. The elder's chest was bared and he walked barefoot, with thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes; his appearance was ancient and extraordinary.

"In my early years of practicing the Dao, I imitated my grandmaster's elder brother, Immortal Ziming, fishing in that Lesser Blessed Land. I caught fish, sometimes releasing them, sometimes selling them, and sometimes eating them myself, finding carefree joy in it.

Little did I expect that the disciples of the temple would mock me, laughing at my actions as mere novelty-seeking meant solely to gain fame. Later on, they even ostracized me several times, and finally... guess what happened?"

The elder looked at Ji Ming. Though Ji Ming knew the sequel boded no good, he could only cooperate by shaking his head.

"In the end, I truly caught a white fish in Luo Stream, just like Immortal Ziming had done back then, and those very disciples actually wanted to divide it and seize it for themselves."

The elder looked toward Feihu, his tone softening as he said, "Of course, had it not been for your grandmaster—my senior brother—who fiercely protected me, this fortuitous opportunity might truly have been lost.

Later on, I learned that the white fish was placed in the stream by Immortal Ziming. What a pity that for so many years, not a single person has ever emulated his feat of fishing for a dragon, thus letting this fortuitous opportunity pass them by in vain."

The old Daoist wanted to speak further, but the elder simply shook his head.

"My rule was established long ago: only those who can fish for a dragon may listen to the Dharma under my tutelage."

"Very well!"

Never expecting the elder to show no regard for old ties, the old Daoist pulled Ji Ming along and turned to leave.

Outside the Lingpi Cave, Daoist Feihu looked somewhat dejected. The old personal favor he had kept hidden and unused had failed to work, causing him to lose face before his disciple.

"There is still some time before the disciple examinations. Do not worry, child; I will certainly find you a proper master in the mountain."

While one could only have a single master, a disciple could have many scholarly teachers. The old Daoist's original plan was to entrust Ji Ming under the tutelage of the Dragon-Fishing Old Man so that his Daoist enterprise might achieve further refinement, allowing him to calmly face the disciple examinations.

"Master, what is the background of that old man?" Ji Ming asked.

"On Spiritual Light Jia Peak of Taiping Mountain, there are the Dragon-Fishing and Tiger-Suppressing Old Men. They are figures in the third step of 'Refining Shen to Return to Void.'

Among them, this Dragon-Fishing Old Man originated from our Crane Temple. Because of some petty friction from years past, he has resided on this peak ever since; otherwise, why would we need to fear that Reverend Sura?

I had hoped that if you listened to his lectures, with that ingratiating charm of yours, you might perhaps dissolve that bit of past estrangement."

Ji Ming was speechless inwardly. His master was truly overestimating him; serving one master was already troublesome enough, and having another Dragon-Fishing Old Man was entirely unnecessary.

"Alas!"

The old Daoist let out a long sigh and said, "Because of that white fish, Crane Temple went to great lengths to send the Dragon-Fishing Old Man to Immortal Ziming of Zhongyi Mountain, thus bestowing upon him this astonishing Daoist enterprise.

If you can study the Dharma by his side, coupled with the backing of Crane Temple, one day you might even have the opportunity to serve by Immortal Ziming's side."

Ji Ming adopted a serious expression and said, "Master, when it comes to fishing for a dragon, this disciple perhaps can give it a try."

Had any other disciple made such a claim, the old Daoist would have held seven parts of suspicion, but coming from his beloved disciple, his inner doubts were reduced to a mere three parts.

"Really?"

"A fifty percent chance of success, though I fear it might be difficult to accomplish in a short time."

"Good!" The old Daoist's spirits surged. He patted Ji Ming's shoulder and laughed, "Fifty percent is already quite a lot, and I'm not afraid of a little time! If this matter succeeds, the future Crane Temple might rise to prominence because of you."