Stranger Danger-Chapter 1802: Taiqing Tianzun
The old man was wearing a plain-colored Taoist robe. His hair was as white as a crane’s feather, his complexion was as rosy as a child’s, and his eyes looked deep and full of wisdom.
At first glance, the old man looked like nothing special. However, he was exuding an indescribably grand aura that made him feel like the embodiment of the world; the avatar of the Great Way. Even the simplest gesture contained an endless amount of air of Dao. He naturally garnered envy and respect from others.
“Taiqing Daode Heaven?”
The old man’s words caught everyone off guard. The Upper Nine Heavens obeyed the San Qing Heavens. The San Qing Heavens were the Taiqing Daode Heaven, the Shangqing Spirit Treasure Heaven, and Yuqing Qingwei Heaven. They were ruled by the Taiqing Tianzun, Shangqing Tianzun, and Yuqing Tianzun respectively. They were all existences who stood above Sages.
Could this old man be Taiqing Tianzun, one of the San Qings?
“Yes, this old Taoist is Taiqing.”
As if guessing their thoughts, the old man smiled and said slowly, “But of course, I am just a wisp of the original’s consciousness. I am unsure where my original is, or if he is even still alive.”
“It really is him!”
Everyone hurriedly bowed to the old man and said modestly, “Junior Ye Qing (Feng Qingyou, White Robe Demon Master etc) greets you, Taiqing Tianzun!”
Taiqing Tianzun smiled and gestured for them to rise. “Please, there is no need for such courtesy. Since we have met, it means that we are destined, and since we are destined, it means that you are the guests of my Taiqing Heaven. Please, act as you will.”
“Thank you, Tianzun!” It was only then the group dared to straighten their backs.
Stunned, Ye Qing secretly examined the fabled Taiqing Tianzun.
Just being in his presence was enough to make him feel as small as an ant and overflowing with respect and envy. This was just a wisp of the original’s consciousness too. He could scarcely imagine how powerful the true Taiqing Tianzun was.
“You have had a wearisome adventure, and you must be tired. Why don’t you accompany to my island and catch some rest?” Taiqing Tianzun offered smilingly and gently.
“We’ll follow your arrangements, Tianzun,” Ye Qing said respectfully.
Taiqing Tianzun nodded smilingly and turned to walk deeper into the island. The group hurriedly followed him.
Thick puffs of purple qi and celestial qi were entrenched above the island. Many traditional but elegant Taoist monasteries were scattered appropriately throughout the mountain forest as well. Celestial cranes were flying, and spiritual apes were crying. It was a picture of peace and tranquility.
A faint but refreshing scent was permeating the air. One puff was enough to invigorate the body, wash away all fatigue, and refresh the mind a hundred times over.
Ye Qing sucked in a deep breath and felt the refreshing air purifying his insides thoroughly. It was indescribably comfortable to say the least.
“What rich spiritual qi! What pure celestial qi! This is a cultivation sanctuary!” White Robe Demon Master exclaimed in wonder. “If I could practice here, I think it won’t take me long to reach the third level of the Sage-stage at all!”
“Haha...” Taiqing Tianzun smiled at that remark. “The Taiqing Daode Heaven is full of spiritual energies. An ordinary Heaven cannot hope to compare as a matter of course. Besides, you are currently at the center of the Taiqing Daode Heaven, the Primordial Island right now. Naturally, the spiritual energies are even more extraordinary.”
“If you wish, you may practice here for some time.”
“Really?!” White Robe Demon Master, Cloud Arhat and more were ecstatic to hear this. “Thank you, Tianzun! Thank you!”
Ye Qing was quite tempted himself. Of course, considering his current situation, he did not ask to make considerable progress in a short time. He only desired to eliminate the corruption plaguing him and recover his previous cultivation.
Taiqing Tianzun waved his hand. “You are all fated with me. There is no need to act like outsiders.”
“Thank you, Tianzun!” The group bowed once more to the man gratefully.
Taiqing Tianzun smiled and led them to a traditional-looking and elegant Taoist monastery. “This is the Little Purple Bamboo Temple. It is where I normally practice in peace. If it is not too shabby to you, feel free to stay here for a few days.”
“The Little Purple Bamboo Temple?!” Elder Furnace exclaimed in shock. “Isn’t... isn’t this your Dao Domain, Tianzun?!”
“Haha, it is but a place of cultivation. It does not deserve to be called a Dao Domain.” Taiqing Tianzun said smilingly, “Please, come inside.”
Taiqing Tianzun pushed open the door and stepped inside first.
The interior of the Taoist monastery was simplistic but clean. It had a couple of tables, prayer mats, and everything a warrior might need to practice. The items were carved out of wood and jade, and from the looks of it Taiqing Tianzun had not bothered to adorn them with engravings. However, this only gave the items an air of naturality.
“Please catch some rest here, everyone.”
Taiqing Tianzun motioned for everyone to act as they pleased before looking at Ye Qing. “As for you, young friend, please follow me.”
Ye Qing didn’t know why Taiqing Tianzun specifically called for him, but he obeyed the old man and followed him to a purple bamboo forest.
A gust of wind blew through the sea of bamboo, rustling leaves and stirring waves. It sounded both divine and cleansing. Sunlight shone through the bamboo leaves and cast spotty dots of golden light on the ground, and the air permeated with the refreshing scent of bamboo leaves.
Taiqing Tianzun came to a stop with his back facing Ye Qing. His hair and beard were white, and his Taoist robe was plain. However, not only did he carry himself naturally with a transcendent bearing, it felt as if he had become one with the bamboo forest itself.
“Are you curious why I saved you and the others?” Taiqing Tianzun said evenly and calmly. His voice naturally calmed down any agitation and put someone at ease.
Ye Qing took a step forward and clasped his hands in front of him. He bowed and said respectfully, “This junior is curious. Please enlighten me, Tianzun.”
Taiqing Tianzun turned around and watched him with warm, genial eyes. “It is because you and I are bound by karmic fate.”
The words “karmic fate” exploded inside Ye Qing’s head like a deafening gong. To say he was stunned would be an understatement. However, try as Ye Qing might, he could not figure out when and where he had accrued such a karmic fate.
So, he returned his gaze to the Taiqing Tianzun and patiently awaited his explanation.
Eyes brimming with benevolence and kindness, Taiqing Tianzun said slowly, “You are the bearer of the Earthly Sovereign Bell. In that case, do you know that the Earthly Sovereign and I shared a bond with each other?”
“The Earthly Sovereign Bell!” Ye Qing raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. He never knew that the Earthly Sovereign was affiliated with the Taiqing Tianzun.
“Back in the day, I had countless avatars who walked the world. One of them had taught the Earthly Sovereign. It is not known to the public simply because it is a private matter!”
Gaze deep and unfathomable, Taiqing Tainzun nodded. “Since the Earthly Sovereign Bell acknowledges you, you are the Earthly Sovereign’s disciple. Therefore, one might say that you have inherited a karmic bond with me from the Earthly Sovereign.”
“That is the first reason. The second reason...” Taiqing Tianzun looked at Ye Qing. “Is that one of the martial arts you practice originated from me.”
Martial art? This time, Ye Qing recalled something. He had practiced all kinds of martial arts in his life such as the “Paranirmitavaśavartin Heavenly Demon Sutra”, the Dark Overlord’s Three Origin Hammers, and the Earthly Sovereign’s “Earthly Sovereign Scripture”. However, there was only one martial art he practiced that was rooted in Taoism, and that was the “Records of Laojun Studying The Dao On A Bull”.
Could it be...?
Ye Qing abruptly looked straight at Taiqing Tianzun with shocked, passionate eyes. He blurted out, “Are you the one who invented the ‘Records of Laojun Studying The Dao On A Bull’ I’m practicing, senior?”
Taiqing Tianzun’s eyes flickered with praise as he nodded. “Correct. It is a martial art I created in passing while studying the air of divinity of the world.”
“Created in passing”, he said. The casual remark exploded in Ye Qing’s heart like a bomb.
