Chapter 9: There is an Immortal in Qingping Mountain

"If you are going to invite someone, you must show the proper courtesy."

"If he requires Father to invite him in person, then Father shall prepare sufficient gifts and make the trip to Qingping Mountain himself."

"Whether he chooses to scold or strike you, you must show absolute sincerity. You must move that Daoist priest to come."

Thinking of his daughter's instructions, Zhang Qingyun could not help but sigh.

They were truly at their wit's end, with no one else to rely on and their safety completely unassured; otherwise, why would they need to beg a mountain hermit?

But Zhang Qingyun also knew he had no room to bargain, so he had painstakingly prepared many fine gifts.

He had only one thought: he hoped the priest on Qingping Mountain possessed some genuine ability and would not make his trip a wasted effort.

Deep within Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng was currently meditating in his Daoist temple.

The temple was small but exceptionally quiet and elegant, which suited Jiang Sheng’s sensibilities perfectly.

The temple faced south, and in addition to the front, middle, and rear halls, it featured several guest rooms, a dining hall, and meditation chambers, all built to be quite complete.

It could be said that although the sparrow was small, it possessed all the vital organs.

Jiang Sheng was currently meditating in the front hall, which housed a portrait of the founding patriarch of the Penglai Dao Sect.

On the altar before the portrait, fresh fruits were neatly arranged, and three sandalwood incense sticks burned, sending thin wisps of smoke curling upward. Jiang Sheng, dressed in a green Daoist robe and wearing a Daoist cap, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, reciting his daily lessons.

Outside the front hall, birds landed from time to time, tilting their heads to watch the priest. There was no chirping or noise; it was exceptionally quiet.

It was as if the place existed in its own world.

The deep mountains were serene, and the temple was elegant.

The curling sandalwood smoke drifted out from the hall, rising to condense above the temple, refusing to dissipate.

Birds were drawn to it, landing quietly on the eaves; beasts were drawn to it, lying down obediently outside the temple walls.

All manner of birds and beasts, even those that were natural predators in the wild, huddled together peacefully, listening to the priest’s soft recitation.

Jiang Sheng was reciting the cultivation technique he was currently practicing. Beyond the explanations provided by the Dao Sect elders, it also contained many of his own insights into the technique and nature itself.

Jiang Sheng possessed an excellent temperament and extraordinary comprehension, which was why he had always been highly valued by the elders.

After forging his Dao foundation, the sect had passed down the "Heaven One Water Scripture," specifically the Purple Mansion chapter, which was sufficient to carry Jiang Sheng to the Great Completion of the Purple Mansion stage.

The entire "Heaven One Water Scripture" was a profound technique that pointed directly to the Nascent Soul stage.

Jiang Sheng even knew that this scripture was merely one volume of a fundamental work belonging to the Dao Sect.

Time passed quickly during his practice. After completing his daily lessons, Jiang Sheng said softly, "That is all for today. You may disperse."

As if they understood the priest’s words, the birds and beasts left obediently, without any chaos.

All things have spirituality; Jiang Sheng had enlightened them, and they naturally knew how to be grateful.

Every day, Jiang Sheng did not need to worry about finding food; the birds and beasts would bring him fresh fruits of their own accord.

Jiang Sheng would place all these fruits before the patriarch’s portrait. He himself had already reached the stage of *bigū* (abstaining from grains), and consuming the morning purple mist and the essence of moonlight each day was sufficient.

But such quiet days were never meant to last.

Only three days after Jiang Sheng had driven away Tian Guofu and his group, the magistrate of Qingshan County truly arrived at his door.

Led by Tian Guofu, Zhang Qingyun brought gifts up the mountain at dawn, arriving before the temple halfway up Qingping Mountain around the hour of the dragon (7:00–9:00 AM).

Tian Guofu pointed to the temple and said, "Your Honor, Daoist Jiang practices here. This was originally a Mountain God temple, occupied by that evil tiger that had gained sentience."

"After Daoist Jiang slew the beast, the gentry and commoners of Qingping Town joined forces to build this temple for him."

Zhang Qingyun examined the temple, only to suddenly catch sight of venomous snakes coiled before the entrance and hungry wolves lurking nearby!

Looking up at the temple walls, he saw eagles and other birds of prey!

Is... is this really a Daoist temple?!

Zhang Qingyun looked on in shock and uncertainty, suddenly realizing that alongside these fierce beasts and birds of prey were ordinary sparrows and wild rabbits.

Yet, there was no conflict between these creatures. Even when the sparrows and rabbits were within reach, the predators showed no intention of attacking.

All the creatures quietly found their own spots, gazing toward the interior of the temple.

Suddenly, the sound of chanting rose from within the temple, and curling smoke ascended, forming clouds that swirled above the roof.

As the chanting began, Zhang Qingyun’s previously anxious heart suddenly became calm. The chaotic thoughts in his mind were suppressed, and his entire consciousness became exceptionally clear.

Only then did Zhang Qingyun understand why so many birds and beasts had gathered here. Daoist Jiang was no ordinary priest; he possessed great ability and great power!

This priest had an extraordinary background!

Unconsciously, the slight contempt Zhang Qingyun had felt for Jiang Sheng vanished by thirty percent.

Whether it was the attendants Zhang Qingyun had brought or Tian Guofu and his men, everyone was listening quietly to the chanting, their expressions serene, as if their souls had been cleansed.

The scriptures of the Penglai Dao Sect all possessed miraculous effects.

For instance, the passage Jiang Sheng recited today could calm the spirit and clarify the mind, leaving one feeling refreshed in body and soul.

When the chanting ended, Jiang Sheng’s clear, resonant voice drifted from the temple. It was not loud, yet it rang in everyone’s ears: "That is all for today. You may disperse."

With those words, the birds and beasts scattered.

Only then did Zhang Qingyun snap out of his trance and hurriedly beckoned his attendants forward.

Arriving before the temple, Zhang Qingyun saw the plaque: Qingxuan Temple.

Taking a deep breath and straightening his robes, Zhang Qingyun confirmed that this trip was worth it. He would use the utmost respect to invite Jiang Sheng down the mountain.

Zhang Qingyun bowed low: "I am Zhang Qingyun, Magistrate of Qingshan County. I have heard that a high-ranking Daoist resides in seclusion on Qingping Mountain, and I have come specifically to pay my respects and disturb you."

However, silence fell within the temple.

Zhang Qingyun remained bowed, his expression darkening. As a magistrate, he had come to invite someone, only to be treated with such disdain!

But knowing the importance of this trip, he gritted his teeth and continued to wait.

After a long while, a voice came from the temple: "I am but a man of the mountains, wishing only to cultivate in peace. I do not wish to be disturbed."

"If the Magistrate has no other business, you may return."

Zhang Qingyun hurriedly said, "Daoist, please do not be angry. The fault was mine earlier; I have come specifically to offer an apology."

As he spoke, Zhang Qingyun had his men bring the gifts of flowers and fruits to the temple entrance, then said with absolute sincerity, "My purpose in coming is truly to invite you to descend the mountain."

Jiang Sheng’s cold, detached voice sounded again: "Does the Magistrate not understand my words?"

Zhang Qingyun felt a surge of shame and indignation.

Thinking of the wealthy gentry from Qingping Town and his own attendants watching, and seeing how Jiang Sheng refused to give him any face, Zhang Qingyun felt the urge to flick his sleeves and leave.

But in the end, thinking of his ambitions and the future of himself and his daughter...

He finally hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and knelt down.