Chapter 44: The Whole Family Together (1/2)
Chapter 44: The Whole Family Together (12)
The Zeng family was annihilated. Traveling two thousand miles north, Luo Feng destroyed Yuan Sect with a single strike, handing over its leader to Li Xin for execution and sacrifice, to console the spirits of the disciples and teachers in heaven.
Heading east for another thousand miles, he shattered the Cloud family’s mountain ward with one palm, then crushed the peak where their clan resided with two flicks of his fingers, creating a disaster that seemed wrought by nature itself.
When he moved five hundred miles south, he encountered some minor trouble.
This was his final target, and the Xuanling Manor had caught wind of his approach. When Luo Feng arrived, the entire sect was on high alert. A shield of vital energy enveloped the manor, making it impervious to wind and rain, water and fire.
At the moment when the pure and fragrant white lotus, Su Huan-zhen, appeared, a razor-sharp divine iron arrow, charged with overwhelming metallic energy, swept across the sky. Grass and trees in the vicinity withered from the aftershock.
Autumn’s reversal, metal wounded, punishment by the sight of Taibai!
The divine arrow, imbued with metallic force, pierced through like a falling star, descending from the heavens.
Luo Feng’s expression grew solemn. Having traveled fifty-five hundred miles, he finally encountered a hint of danger.
The golden arrow, white aura, murderous intent—it was like a needle pricking the skin, making the body shudder.
Divine radiance illuminated three thousand miles; at midnight, jade lotus appeared at the mountain’s base.
Faced with this attack, Luo Feng dared not be careless.
A jade lotus, pure and translucent as glazed crystal, slowly rose, its tenth-grade essence swelling with the wind to shield his entire body.
He then channeled five layers of true energy, transforming them into lotuses to form a shield.
On the shield, the energy was so refined that a face appeared—round and adorable, the corner of its mouth curved up in proud yet gentle confidence, its cheeks faintly flushed with warmth, eyes turned to the right, brimming with joy and imagination, delicate brows raised with hidden prowess.
One-tenth of his power: Shatter the firmament!
Half of his power: Comedic shield!
A thunderous crash erupted, sending shockwaves through the nine heavens.
Luo Feng stared at a pinhole-sized tear in his robe, drawing a cold breath.
Such a terrifying sect would surely become a great threat in the future—he could not let it remain.
Without holding back, he unleashed seventy percent of his power.
Primal true energy condensed into a hand and pressed forward.
He gave Xuanling Manor no chance to retaliate.
With a forceful push, their defenses shattered, the manor was destroyed, not even a scream escaped.
Gazing at the empty imprint of his five fingers, Luo Feng exhaled in relief and wiped away cold sweat.
He had grown too complacent, underestimating the heroes of the world.
Even an ordinary sect could pierce his third layer of defense.
If it were Dragon Tiger Mountain or the Shangqing Sect, would he not be left exposed?
He vowed to remember this lesson: always seize the initiative!
If he could eliminate them with one move, never give the opponent a chance to strike.
Upon returning, he would ask Zheng Zha to draw him some superior defensive talismans.
Hmm… not enough talismans; he’d have to ask the Shangqing Sect’s artifact masters for some magical implements.
Talismans, implements—he still felt some deficiency.
Descending to the ground, Luo Feng patted Master Jing Tian and asked seriously, “Fellow Daoist Jing Tian, do you know which divine techniques in the realm of cultivators are foremost in defense?”
Master Jing Tian was taken aback. “Each sect’s divine arts have their merits. I can’t say which is the best defensive technique, but there are many first-rate defensive arts in the cultivator world, such as the Dragon Tiger Golden Light Incantation, Shaolin’s Golden Bell Shield, Wudang’s Taiji Force, and Quanzhen…”
He spoke for several minutes, listing over a dozen techniques.
Finally, he added, “Defensive arts are easy to learn but hard to master. To achieve greatness takes decades. Why do you ask, friend?”
Luo Feng sighed, “I feel my offense is sufficient, but my defense is lacking. I fear for my life in the days to come.”
Master Jing Tian was silent, glancing at the flattened ruins of Xuanling Manor, then at Luo Feng’s nearly unscathed sleeve.
Do you hear what people say?
Seeing him lost in thought, Luo Feng wondered in confusion—had he said something wrong?
“Fellow Daoist Jing Tian, Master Jing Tian…” Luo Feng called several times.
Snapping out of his reverie, Master Jing Tian respectfully responded, “Brother, how may I assist you?”
Luo Feng smiled, “I just wanted to ask, which of these dozen divine arts is easiest to obtain?”
For he had a gentle nature and could not bring himself to wipe out a clan merely for a technique. All were born of parents, none inherently noble.
He always deliberated deeply before acting with thunderous force.
Master Jing Tian pondered and raised two fingers. “Defensive arts are easy to learn but hard to master, yet each sect keeps theirs as a closely guarded secret, rarely passing them on.”
“In today’s cultivator world, two defensive arts are widely spread. One is Shaolin’s Golden Bell Shield.”
“Shaolin has released the first three levels of the Golden Bell Shield to the world but keeps the latter six levels secret.”
“They cast a wide net to gather talented disciples. Who knows how many gifted cultivators have joined Shaolin for this?”
“By recruiting heroes from all corners, Shaolin has never faced a lack of successors, thriving for a thousand years!”
Luo Feng nodded in admiration—who says the ancients were fools?
Look at Shaolin—so clever! Give away techniques, keep the core, gaining both reputation and real benefits.
A masterful strategy.
Suddenly, Luo Feng’s eyes gleamed. He looked at Master Jing Tian, “I remember there are many martial halls at the foot of Shangqing Sect’s mountain, aren’t there?”
Master Jing Tian smiled silently. Free rides have always existed since antiquity.
Buddhism and Daoism are one, after all!
“And the second divine art?” Luo Feng asked.
“As for the second,” Master Jing Tian laughed, “it’s the Golden Light Incantation of Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Orthodoxy. This is the secret art of the Celestial Master’s mansion, famed as one of Daoism’s Eight Great Incantations!”
“When golden light appears, it protects the adept. Once, twice, thrice—each time it shields the adept, layers upon layers. When still, it blends with the wind; when active, it summons thunder and storms. Its power is extraordinary!”
Luo Feng gave Master Jing Tian a deep look. “I’ll consider it.”
The Golden Light Incantation was the Celestial Master’s secret art, passed down in Dragon Tiger Mountain, never to outsiders.
But why did Master Jing Tian imply it so freely?
The subtlety lies in the term “Orthodoxy.”
Orthodox Daoism includes Maoshan, Lingbao, Qingwei, Jingming, but the Celestial Master’s Dao is its representative, commonly called “Orthodoxy.” Its temple is at Dragon Tiger Mountain in Jiangxi.
The three mountain alliance for talismans includes Dragon Tiger Mountain, Maoshan, and Gezao Mountain.
If Luo Feng joined Maoshan’s Shangqing Sect, he’d be considered a member of the Orthodoxy—not an outsider.
Master Jing Tian was indeed a sly fox.
He nodded, not pressing further, seeking to build friendship, not enmity.
Next came the customary rites.
Upon the ruins, Master Jing Tian recited the scripture for the departed and the Celestial Canopy Incantation; Luo Feng chanted the Great Compassion Mantra, the Earth Store Sutra, and the Diamond Demon-Expelling Incantation; while Li Xin, holding a Bible, solemnly intoned its verses.
A triple religious package, mission accomplished!
Murder, arson, and salvation—all services provided, never absent.
The Zeng family, Yuan Sect, Cloud family had already been delivered to the afterlife—one family together, all attending the Qinghua Dharma Assembly.
Xuanling Manor was the last.
(End of this chapter)