Chapter 559
by fanqienovelChapter 559: The Spirit Mountain Conference
Three days after advancing to the fifth layer of the Purple Palace, Wang Chen received a talisman from his Senior Brother, Cao Hóng Zhì.
Cao Hóng Zhì used this talisman to inform Wang Chen that their Master—Changhe Zhenren—had exited the hidden chamber!
Wang Chen immediately left Listening to the Waves Manor and hurried to Boat Leaf Peak’s Dao Palace to pay his respects.
This was the duty of a true disciple!
"Disciple Wang Chen pays respects to Master!"
Changhe Zhenren, seated on his cloud couch, nodded and revealed a satisfied smile, “Good. During my closed-door cultivation, you did not neglect your training.”
The discerning eyes of a higher-level Golden Core true master were formidable, and he could immediately tell that Wang Chen had just advanced.
Changhe Zhenren was evidently in high spirits: “Do you have any cultivation challenges that need addressing?”
Wang Chen actually had very few.
Before joining the Changhe lineage, he had received guidance from Master Bai Jun.
All the lingering doubts and questions in his mind had been resolved.
But since his Golden Core master had asked, Wang Chen felt obliged to present a few questions.
Unaware of the specifics, Changhe Zhenren was impressed by Wang Chen’s comprehension. Despite his youth and background as a loose cultivator, Wang Chen had achieved such a high cultivation level—truly a prodigy within the entire West Sea Sect.
His admiration for Wang Chen grew even deeper.
After addressing Wang Chen’s questions, Changhe Zhenren suddenly inquired, “Wang Chen, are you still practicing the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method?”
Wang Chen was momentarily stunned and answered truthfully, “Yes, I am still practicing it.”
But he was far less diligent than before.
The reason was simple: Wang Chen lacked the techniques for the final third level of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, and he had essentially mastered the Buddhist technique he had learned.
Consolidating his current level was much simpler than breaking through, requiring neither much time nor effort.
Changhe Zhenren then asked, “Do you know about the Spirit Mountain Conference?”
“Spirit Mountain Conference?”
Wang Chen was puzzled and shook his head, saying, “Disciple is unaware.”
He genuinely had never heard of the Spirit Mountain Conference.
Changhe Zhenren patiently explained.
The Spirit Mountain Conference was a grand assembly organized by the Western Buddhist Sect, held every three years, with the Ten Major Monasteries of the West taking turns to host and inviting practitioners from all over to participate.
Although the Western Buddhist Sect had been suppressed by the Daoist sects, particularly the West Sea Sect, the monks still extended invitations to various immortal sects to send representatives to observe and promote their doctrines.
While most invited immortal sects sent representatives, all of these representatives were disciples of the Purple Palace.
The implication was clear.
“The nine veins of the West Sea take turns to send representatives, and this year it is our Changhe lineage’s turn.”
Changhe Zhenren said, “Wang Chen, would you like to travel to the West to observe the Spirit Mountain Conference?”
Wang Chen’s mindset shifted rapidly, and he promptly replied, “Disciple is willing.”
Changhe Zhenren first mentioned the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method he cultivated, then spoke of the Spirit Mountain Conference.
It was certainly not without purpose!
Wang Chen harbored no concerns that Changhe Zhenren might harm him; aside from their master-disciple relationship, a higher-level Golden Core true master had numerous means at his disposal if he wished to do so.
There was no need for such elaborate measures!
“Excellent!”
Changhe Zhenren responded with delight, “Then prepare yourself; we depart in three days.”
After a brief pause, he added, “You need not worry about your safety; the West Sea Sect will ensure your protection.”
Changhe Zhenren’s words exuded tremendous confidence!
Wang Chen was in full agreement, “Disciple understands and will comply.”
Changhe Zhenren gave a few more instructions, then dismissed Wang Chen to prepare.
As Wang Chen exited the Dao Palace, he encountered his Senior Brother, Cao Hóng Zhì, standing on the steps.
“Senior Brother.”
Cao Hóng Zhì nodded, “Brother Wang, has Master assigned you to attend the Spirit Mountain Conference in the West?”
Wang Chen was taken aback, “How did you know, Senior Brother?”
Cao Hóng Zhì chuckled ruefully, “I was the one who reported this to Master; I didn’t anticipate he would select you as the sect’s representative.”
Wang Chen smiled, “Assisting Master is a disciple’s duty.”
“Those monks are not to be trusted,”
Cao Hóng Zhì cautioned, “Do not be swayed by their misleading doctrines!”
It transpired that there had been an incident where a disciple from an immortal sect attended the West to observe and became entranced by a Buddhist monk’s teachings at the conference, resulting in a farcical situation.
While no disciples from the West Sea Sect had faced such issues, many who were sent had their heart of the path adversely affected.
Thus, this was not a favorable assignment.
Cao Hóng Zhì explained, “Master likely intends to test you.”
This pertained to Changhe Zhenren’s teaching philosophy.
The Golden Core true master believed that cultivators should not merely cultivate in isolation but should also frequently venture out to face trials. Only through life-and-death experiences could they forge a robust heart of the path.
This lays the foundation for the Golden Core!
Cultivators who remain within the safe confines of their sect, even if they achieve Golden Core, are at best of lower third grade.
Hardly noteworthy.
Influenced by this philosophy, most of Changhe Zhenren’s disciples leave the island, venturing into outer realms or even the lower world, only returning after accumulating sufficient experience to assimilate their gains.
They prepare for the next challenge!
Although some disciples have unfortunately perished during their journeys, Changhe Zhenren has never wavered in his convictions.
Even if Wang Chen wished to remain at Listening to the Waves Manor, he would eventually be compelled to leave by his master.
Cao Hóng Zhì hadn’t expected this day to arrive so swiftly!
Wang Chen finally understood the source of his earlier doubt.
He had confirmed his commitment here!
“Senior Brother, rest assured.”
Wang Chen declared confidently, “I will return safely.”
“Do not be complacent, either.”
Cao Hóng Zhì genuinely worried, “Just be cautious in all matters.”
Wang Chen indeed kept his Senior Brother’s kindness in mind, and in the following days, he prepared for the impending journey.
Three days later, Wang Chen bid farewell to the departing Cao Hóng Zhì.
He set off alone towards the West.
As it was a sect mission, Wang Chen first utilized the teleportation formation to arrive at Daying City.
This was akin to returning to a familiar place.
Although he had once guarded and fought in this grand city, he currently had no thoughts of lingering, heading straight for Sand Guard to meet leader Kou Shihai.
“Brother Wang!”
Seeing Wang Chen, Kou Shihai was delighted, “What brings you here?”
Wang Chen smiled and presented the token issued by the sect.
Kou Shihai suddenly understood, “So you are this year’s representative for the Spirit Mountain Conference!”
Every observing disciple traveling to Mount Ling in the West always passed through Daying City. After ten years of handling these matters, Kou Shihai was very familiar with the process and needed no explanation from Wang Chen.
Originally, Wang Chen planned to set off after a quick greeting with this fellow disciple, but he couldn’t resist Kou Shihai’s enthusiasm and ended up staying overnight in the city.
They shared drinks and conversed until the next morning, when Wang Chen finally summoned the magical flying ship bestowed upon him by Changhe Zhenren and set off westward.
His first challenge was to traverse the West Desert.
The domain of the Sand Tribe!