Chapter 532: Longhu Mountain is full of treasures |
Dragon and Tiger Mountain consists of five peaks: Celestial Master Peak, Celestial Sun Peak, Celestial Pine Peak, Celestial Mist Peak, and Celestial Hidden Peak.
Except for Celestial Master Peak.
The other four peaks are named after the strongest senior brothers of the same era as Master Xu, and the disciples of each peak inherit the Dao lineage they left behind.
Master Xu's full name is Xu Wen'an.
The founder of the Celestial Mist Peak lineage, where Liao Jiulong resides, is Xu Wenlan, the third senior brother of Master Xu, commonly referred to as the Third Ancestor.
The current head of Celestial Mist Peak is Chi Jinshou, the fifty-fourth generation disciple of Xu Wenlan's lineage.
In this world, Dragon and Tiger Mountain was originally an obscure little sect.
But in Master Xu's generation, somehow Xu Wen'an stumbled upon the ruins left by some great figure during his travels, coupled with his extraordinary cultivation aptitude.
In less than thirty years, he ascended to immortality.
Xu Wen'an was a man of great fortune, and with his formidable combat prowess, he made several contributions to the celestial realm and was granted the title of Celestial Master by the Heavenly Emperor.
Thus, the five senior brothers formed a massive force centered around Master Xu in the celestial realm, hailed as the strongest generation of Dragon and Tiger Mountain.
From then on, Dragon and Tiger Mountain prospered.
This is also why Dragon and Tiger Mountain has the confidence to disregard the changes in the New Moon Kingdom's dynasty.
The celestial realm has four great Celestial Masters, and with Master Xu's status, he doesn't need to care about the whims of a secular kingdom's emperor.
Moreover.
The Eastern Divine Continent is filled with nations, and the New Moon Kingdom is not a major power. Most of the time, the New Moon Kingdom even takes pride in having Dragon and Tiger Mountain within its borders, borrowing Master Xu's reputation in return.
...
Naturally, this information wasn't obtained from Liao Jiulong.
Instead, Du Ge casually found an outer disciple during the time Liao Jiulong went to report to his master and gathered this information from him.
Du Ge is genuinely at the Golden Elixir cultivation level, and even if you gave Liao Jiulong ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare bring Du Ge to his master for verification, lest he be exposed on the spot.
So, Liao Jiulong could only temporarily settle him in his own courtyard and make further plans.
The appearance of a child is too deceptive, and the outer disciples in charge of chores simply assumed Du Ge was a new disciple brought back by Liao Jiulong, naturally letting their guard down around him.
...
Celestial Mist Peak is divided into the outer and inner courtyards.
The outer courtyard has over two hundred disciples.
Besides cultivation, they also have to handle the chores of Celestial Mist Peak.
Periodically, the outer disciples undergo an assessment, and those with outstanding cultivation talent are eligible to be promoted to inner disciples and take second-generation disciples as their masters.
Currently, there are over twenty second-generation disciples on Celestial Mist Peak.
Liao Jiulong ranks fifteenth, and his aptitude is not considered outstanding. He only has two direct disciples, Du Ziming and Liu Ziyun.
Most of the twenty or so second-generation disciples on Celestial Mist Peak are at the Golden Elixir level.
The eldest senior brother, second senior sister, and seventh senior brother have the best aptitude, having already reached the Elemental Infant level, and they assist Peak Master Chi Jinshou in managing various affairs of Celestial Mist Peak.
Peak Master Chi Jinshou's cultivation level is already at the Integration of Void and Dao stage, and unless his peers from the same generation have fallen behind in cultivation, they generally don't manage sect affairs. Most of those at his level are either in seclusion or traveling, preparing for ascension.
These super experts rarely appear unless it's a major occasion.
Peak Master Chi Jinshou spends most of his time in seclusion, but due to the recent uproar caused by the demonic disturbances, he has come out to oversee some affairs.
Therefore.
Most of the affairs of Dragon and Tiger Mountain are managed by disciples at the Elemental Infant and Golden Elixir levels.
In fact, the situation is similar across various cultivation sects. Once one reaches the Integration of Void and Dao stage, they automatically become an elder of the sect, focusing solely on cultivation.
However, other sects don't have the good fortune of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Typically, having even one member reach the Integration of Void and Dao stage is considered remarkable.
In the New Moon Kingdom, Dragon and Tiger Mountain can be considered the dominant force.
...
Having understood the basic personnel structure and cultivation levels of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Du Ge felt temporarily at ease.
As long as those at higher realms don't come out to manage affairs, dealing with the remaining Elemental Infant and Golden Elixir cultivators should be much easier.
After all, a person's wisdom is related to their experience and trials. If they shut themselves away every day to cultivate, how could they have any social experience?
Even if these cultivators have some worldly experience, they can't possibly compare to him, an old fox honed on the treacherous Alien Star Battlefield.
He found Liao Jiulong and his group quite easy to fool...
Like the Alien Star warriors, cultivators also have a sense of perception.
Therefore.
Dragon and Tiger Mountain implemented the same defensive measures as the capital of the New Moon Kingdom. Here, Du Ge's perception was suppressed to the level of an ordinary person.
This was somewhat uncomfortable for Du Ge, who was used to processing vast amounts of data under the coverage of his perception to obtain the most advantageous information for himself.
But realizing that everyone was in the same situation, Du Ge let it go, as Alien Star warriors never complain about harsh environments.
...
After reporting the situation of his outing to his master, Liao Jiulong hurriedly returned to his residence with his two disciples, relieved to find Du Ge still there.
"Why the rush?" Du Ge glanced at Liao Jiulong and said, "You're already a second-generation disciple. Who would care about a child you brought back? What did your master say about Prince Duan's matter?"
"Master said I don't need to handle it anymore; the eldest senior brother will take over." Liao Jiulong was restless, "Senior, those children in Lincheng have seen us. Although I concealed your information in my report, once the eldest senior brother finds those children, we'll definitely be exposed. Are we really going to stay at Dragon and Tiger Mountain?"
This is the aftermath of being soft-hearted.
If Du Ge had wiped out everyone at Longliu Manor and then dealt with Brother Niu and others in Fancheng, no one would be able to trace the matter of Prince Duan back to him.
Keeping those children alive meant Du Ge was now full of flaws, placing himself in an extremely dangerous situation...
But even if given another chance, Du Ge probably still wouldn't harm those children.
Since he couldn't be ruthless and eliminate all threats, he had to find a way to cope...
"Scared?" Du Ge looked at Liao Jiulong with a teasing smile.
"A bit worried," Liao Jiulong said with a bitter face.
"Xiao Liao, you've done well, at least you didn't sell me out just now and extricate yourself from this matter." Du Ge looked at Liao Jiulong approvingly.
"..." Liao Jiulong was speechless.
He did want to sell Du Ge out, but upon reflection, he realized he had left a lot of evidence in Du Ge's hands. Selling Du Ge out would cost him dearly, if not his life.
Moreover.
The matter of the Heavenly Demon was uncertain.
If it turned out to be true, and the being as renowned as the Dao Ancestor, immortal and indestructible, came back for revenge, he wouldn't stand a chance!
Additionally, the words Du Ge had spoken to him kept echoing in his mind. His aptitude wasn't high, and even if he managed to ascend by luck, he would likely just be a minor immortal at the mercy of others.
Compared to the seemingly good outcome he once envisioned, the promises Du Ge made suddenly seemed much more valuable.
Fortune favors the bold, and opportunities must be seized by oneself...
Though he realized he might have been bewitched, Liao Jiulong genuinely wanted to take the gamble.
So, after much consideration, he ultimately felt that cooperating with the Heavenly Demon was most beneficial for him.
Liao Jiulong even felt a slight sense of fate, as if from the moment he was captured by the Heavenly Demon, his destiny was no longer in his own hands.
...
Du Ge surveyed the three of them and said leisurely, "I left that flaw intentionally."
"Why?" Liao Jiulong was stunned.
"Are those children at fault?" Du Ge asked.
"They are innocent, of course," Liao Jiulong replied.
"Exactly, they are innocent. So, if I killed them to protect myself, I would be an evil demon, and everyone would feel justified in dealing with me."
Du Ge smiled, "But I saved them instead. By punishing evil and promoting good, I become a virtuous person, a great benefactor. If the eldest senior brother discovers the truth and wants to eliminate me, what excuse could he use? Doesn't this put the problem back on them?"
"..." Liao Jiulong was stunned. Why would a Heavenly Demon care about virtue?
"Perhaps by labeling you as a demon," Liu Ziyun suggested, "They could use the pretext of dealing with a demon, as everyone is justified in eradicating demons."
"But they'd have to kill me first to convict me as a demon." Du Ge chuckled and shook his head, "If they can't kill me, they can't label me as a demon. As long as I'm alive, and those children are alive, if the eldest senior brother or Dragon and Tiger Mountain makes a move against me, their reputation would be tarnished once the matter spreads."
"What if someone kills those children?" Du Ziming asked.
"Who would do that?" Du Ge countered, "Apart from a demon like me, which cultivator would want to taint themselves with such karma? Would the eldest senior brother dare? Does he not plan to ascend?"
"..." Liu Ziyun shook his head blankly.
"What about the New Moon Kingdom?" Du Ziming asked.
"If someone from the New Moon Kingdom kills them, then there would be no evidence, so what are you worried about? If the people of the New Moon Kingdom really kill those innocent children without distinguishing right from wrong, it would only further prove that this world doesn't deserve to exist."
Du Ge glanced at them and said calmly, "This is a brilliant game, and those children are the pieces I've left behind. Anyone who touches them loses!"
Liao Jiulong trembled suddenly, subconsciously holding his breath.
He suddenly recalled that test of human nature that night.
He once thought it was just a prank by Du Ge targeting the three of them, but he didn't expect the Heavenly Demon to be digging pits for the world at every moment...
However.
After Du Ge explained the purpose of leaving those children, Liao Jiulong's anxious heart calmed down instead. He let out a sigh of relief and asked, "Senior, how should we cooperate with you?"
"You don't need to cooperate. Just tell me the location where Dragon and Tiger Mountain's cultivation techniques are hidden and the cultivation levels of the active members. I'll handle the rest." After reassuring Liao Jiulong and the others, Du Ge smiled.
"Senior, if you only want to obtain the complete Nine Transformations of the Universe Technique, it's in the master's cave dwelling," Liao Jiulong said, "But the master is at the Integration of Void and Dao stage, and with your current level, you might not be able to retrieve the technique from his cave."
"Since I've come to Dragon and Tiger Mountain, how could a mere Nine Transformations of the Universe Technique satisfy my appetite?" Du Ge smiled at him, "If I'm going to take something, I'll take all the techniques. Don't worry, I'm not a stingy person. Whatever I comprehend will be yours as well..."
"The Scripture Repository," Liao Jiulong took a deep breath, a determined look on his face, "It's behind the Celestial Master's main hall, containing all of Dragon and Tiger Mountain's cultivation techniques.
Disciples from the five peaks, upon reaching a certain level, choose a suitable supernatural power or magic from there to aid their cultivation. It's said that the founder's Chaos Infinite Technique was originally in the Scripture Repository..."
The Scripture Repository, huh?
Du Ge instinctively looked towards the direction of Celestial Master Peak and asked, "How is it guarded?"
"Elder Daoming usually oversees the Scripture Repository. He's at the peak of the Integration of Void and Dao stage, but due to injuring his foundation during cultivation, he can't ascend, so he stayed at Dragon and Tiger Mountain as a Supreme Elder. No one knows how long he's lived, and occasionally, Master Xu sends down celestial pills, with a portion definitely for Elder Daoming."
Liao Jiulong said, "It's said that Elder Daoming has mastered many magical techniques and holds the Xuan Gui Pearl, a treasure bestowed by the Celestial Master. He is considered the true guardian deity of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. If you are not confident, it's better not to go to the Scripture Repository..."
A hidden master, huh?
Du Ge pondered for a moment and asked, "Are there many treasures in Dragon and Tiger Mountain?"
"The strongest treasure is the Heavenly Assistant Sword, passed down from Sect Leader to Sect Leader, followed by the Mountain Guardian Swords held by each peak's leader."
Liao Jiulong, realizing he was now bound to Du Ge, spoke without reservation, "The Heavenly Assistant Sword and the Mountain Guardian Swords are treasures left by the Celestial Master. When Dragon and Tiger Mountain faces a formidable enemy, the five swords form the strongest formation, capable of slaying a True Immortal."
"Anything else?" Du Ge asked calmly.
"Besides these, there are some spirit treasures crafted by Dragon and Tiger Mountain, similar in grade to flying swords, which probably wouldn't catch your eye," Liao Jiulong shook his head.
"What is the Sect Leader's cultivation level?" Du Ge asked.
"Like my master, he's at the Integration of Void and Dao stage," Liao Jiulong replied, "The Sect Leader and each peak's leader, due to long-term sect management, don't have top-tier cultivation levels."
"Alright, I understand," Du Ge nodded, glanced at the still bright sky outside, and said to Liao Jiulong and the others, "Ziming, Ziyun, you two should go cultivate, so as not to arouse suspicion. Liao, tell me about any notable figures on each peak..."
Liu Ziyun and the others acknowledged and left.
Liao Jiulong sat down and detailed the situation of each peak to Du Ge.
He talked until evening.
By then.
Du Ge finally had a comprehensive understanding of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. The Dao lineage of Master Xu was indeed vast and prosperous.
There were countless elders at the Integration of Void and Dao stage, not just from the previous generation but the one before that as well. Those without confidence in ascending would typically choose to remain in long-term seclusion.
Compared to the Integration of Void and Dao stage, there were fewer at the Elemental Infant Realm. The combined Elemental Infant cultivators from all peaks didn't exceed a hundred, and many were traveling outside.
The majority were Qi Refiners and those outer disciples who either hadn't begun cultivation or had just started...
In summary.
Trying to obtain cultivation techniques from Dragon and Tiger Mountain was actually very risky.