togophonebook Chapter 58 Have you ever seen Suzaku? You're just giving random orders here.
Chapter 58 Have you ever seen Suzaku? You're just giving random orders here.
Xu Changqing was shocked, but he dared not show it on his face. The blood lotus phantom under his feet flashed slightly and then quickly disappeared.
Even if the Five Realms Dharma Form is sealed, it is still something he can only look up to at the moment.
In the original owner's memories, such a person was already a powerful figure capable of founding a sect and becoming a revered ancestor, possessing the power to move mountains and overturn seas with every move. No wonder that wisp of leaked flame energy just now made him feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
"The abbot of Ziyang Temple... the 'Grand Master' he mentioned must be this one," Xu Changqing thought to himself.
The abbot, driven mad by evil, sought to refine all the monks into elixirs, forcing the Seven Birds to perish together… The sheer horror and despair of this event is chilling to contemplate. And yet, even after death, the monk's obsession remained, his good intentions manifesting as a Dharma body, forgetting his past life, and wandering the mortal realm… How tragic and bizarre this is!
"Five Fires and Seven Birds..." He pondered the Taoist name, and suddenly remembered a famous magical treasure from his previous life, the "Five Fires and Seven Birds Fan".
Is it a coincidence, or is there some hidden connection between this world and my past life?
The thought arises and sprouts like weeds, but it is quickly suppressed. Now is not the time to delve into it; whatever the connection may be, it is irrelevant to the current situation.
"Forget it, I won't think about it anymore." Xu Changqing shook his head inwardly, clearing his mind of distractions. "Anyway, it's none of my business for now. This person's memories are hazy, and their cultivation is sealed. They don't seem to have any malicious intent..."
He quietly raised his eyes to examine the slightly disheveled figure in front of him.
The Taoist's hair was disheveled, and he hadn't brushed off the bits of grass and dirt that were stuck to it. It was hard to associate him with the words "Five Realms of Dharma Form" and "Good World Dharma Body".
"Fortunately, I've always been kind to others, so I didn't make a move." Xu Changqing felt relieved, but a cold sweat broke out on his back.
If my secret had been exposed just now, and I had made the slightest move, or if this Taoist priest had suddenly had a flash of inspiration, I would probably be dead already.
Perhaps Xu Changqing had been observing for a while, because Qi Qinzi in front of him suddenly stopped, turned around, and stared at Xu Changqing with his half-closed eyes.
"You monk, what a strange look you have, staring straight at me like that? Are you perhaps envious of my reader-like appearance..." He paused, drawing out his words, a smug smile playing on his lips, "Or perhaps you've finally realized that I possess extraordinary talent, a once-in-a-million genius in cultivation?"
Xu Changqing's heart skipped a beat. He quickly composed himself, forcing an even more obsequious smile onto his face, and raised one hand in a gesture of respect:
"Amitabha, you jest, Daoist Master. This humble monk merely admires your extraordinary bearing and brisk pace. As for your exceptional physique... Daoist Master's ethereal and otherworldly demeanor is truly remarkable."
He flattered her verbally, but his feet subtly closed the distance by half a step.
Qi Qinzi laughed heartily, seemingly quite pleased, and stroked his beard: "You monk, you know how to talk. Let's go, Qinghe County is just ahead. Let's go see what's going on at the Qianjinfang gathering."
As we spoke, the city wall of Qinghe County came into view. The wall stood tall, built of huge, bluish-gray stones, weathered and ancient by the elements.
Soldiers were guarding the city gates, checking passersby. The atmosphere was much more solemn than usual, clearly because of the Qianjinfang gathering, the county had increased its security.
Sure enough, among the crowds queuing to enter the city, there were quite a few people with different auras.
The soldiers guarding the city mostly turned a blind eye to these cultivators; as long as they didn't cause trouble and paid the money, they were all quickly allowed to pass.
When it was Xu Changqing and Yang Huai's turn, the soldiers noticed a strange pair of fat monks and slovenly Taoist priests traveling together, and they glanced at them a couple more times.
At this moment, Yang Huai was no longer the demeanor of a fifth-realm expert. He smiled and handed over a few pieces of silver, saying, "Let's make a good connection." The soldier then waved and let them in.
Xu Changqing muttered to himself, "Sure enough, even if you're a Fifth Realm expert, you still have to follow the rules of these mysterious professions like city gatekeepers, security guards, and deliverymen."
The scene inside the city was completely different from the desolate official road outside. The streets were bustling with traffic and people, and the shouts of vendors could be heard all the time.
Once inside the city, Yang Huai seemed more energetic, looking around with great interest in the lively atmosphere.
He pointed to a sugar figurine stall by the roadside and said to Xu Changqing, "Monk, look at those sugar figurines, they're quite well-made."
Xu Changqing followed his finger and saw that the sugar figurine vendor was skilled. The melted sugar syrup was outlined in his hands and transformed into the shapes of birds and beasts, lifelike.
He was speechless; this fifth-realm expert's focus was truly unique.
"If you like it, Daoist Master, may I buy one for you?" Xu Changqing asked tentatively.
"No need, no need." Yang Huai waved his hand, but then leaned closer to the stall, staring at a newly made Vermilion Bird sugar figurine for a long time, and muttered, "The shape of this bird's tail is wrong. The Vermilion Bird's tail should have several flame ribbons..."
The stall owner, an honest man, was taken aback and said, "Master, you're joking. This is how my family has always made them."
But someone chimed in, "Have you even seen Suzaku? You're just giving random orders!"
Yang Huai was speechless for a moment, then shook his head and said no more.
Xu Changqing chuckled upon seeing this, thinking to himself, "Hey, you've probably stumbled upon the truth by accident. This Taoist priest in front of you might actually have seen the Vermilion Bird."
"Let's go, monk," Yang Huai's voice came. "Let's go check out the Ruyi Tower in the eastern suburbs. If we go too late, all the good spots will be taken."
Soon, the two arrived at the eastern suburbs.
From afar, a nine-story pavilion could be seen rising from the ground, with flying eaves and brackets, and glazed tiles gleaming with a golden-red luster in the setting sun, exuding a solemn atmosphere.
The building had a faint, shimmering light, clearly indicating that it was protected by sophisticated protective barriers.
In front of the building, a large crowd had gathered in an open space. People from all walks of life, dressed in various styles, exuded a mixed atmosphere. Some were talking in hushed tones, while others stood quietly watching.
"Wow, that's really impressive."
Xu Changqing looked at the dazzling Ruyi Tower before him and almost drooled, wishing he could make a killing on the spot. But it was just a thought. The Sea Master of the Four Seas Pavilion was generally at the fourth realm of cultivation. If he really made a move, he would probably be reduced to dust with a single palm strike.
"Monk, let's go," Yang Huai said, pushing his way into the crowd. "Let's go in and see if there's anything new or interesting."
He moved casually, as if strolling through his own vegetable garden, completely ignoring the surprised or disapproving glances from the surrounding cultivators.
Xu Changqing had no choice but to follow behind him, thinking to himself, "I wonder what kind of person this Taoist was back in Ziyang Temple. Now that he has lost his memory, he has really let himself go."
The two were moving slowly forward with the flow of people when they suddenly heard a commotion behind them, mixed with shouts and the low growls of beasts.
"Make way, all of you make way."