Chapter 884: Recognizing Reality

The New Year had finally arrived, and every place was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations. Master Li Ping of the Li family had already returned to the capital to serve as a high official and had no intention of returning home for the New Year celebration.

Although the Li family's old residence lacked some New Year cheer, it was still bustling with activity. Li Feng, however, was indifferent to the festive preparations. With fewer people keeping an eye on him, he was delighted to visit Mud Dust Temple every day. The small tuition fee Zuo Wuji required was easily covered by a portion of his pocket money.

Zuo Wuji had never personally taught martial arts before, but he was a born master. As the true pioneer of martial arts and already revered as a martial sage in some martial arts circles and among common folk, his comprehension of martial arts was almost unparalleled. Coupled with Li Feng's excellent natural aptitude, his progress was remarkably fast, even while slowly building his foundation.

Zuo Wuji’s journey across the Southern Wilderness Continent also paused due to the presence of the child Li Feng.

Far away in the capital prefecture of Dazhen, located in Dongtu Yunzhou, the Yin family also enjoyed a pleasant New Year. However, the Yin family scholars only rested for a few days, from New Year's Eve until the fifth day of the first lunar month, before quickly dedicating themselves to the preparations for the Fengshan ceremony.

Everyone throughout Dazhen now knew that the Emperor was soon to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Tingqiu Mountain. This was not only a topic of gossip among common folk after meals, but even the ghosts and deities within and outside Dazhen were in close communication about it.

All officials across Dazhen, particularly those along the Emperor’s travel route and at the foot of Tingqiu Mountain, became progressively busy. They were swamped with preparations.

Their tasks included ensuring all necessary items for the Fengshan ceremony were complete, guaranteeing clear roads, and most critically, safeguarding the Emperor’s personal security.

The Yin family father and son fully managed all aspects of the Fengshan ceremony, while another individual was entirely responsible for its security. Consequently, they were among the busiest people involved.

Ji Yuan spent the New Year with the Yin family, observing them as they meticulously prepared for the Fengshan ceremony. On occasion, he would offer a few pointers regarding aspects they found perplexing.

Amidst the tension and excitement of officials in the capital and along the route to Tingqiu Mountain, the Dazhen Emperor’s ceremonial carriage for the Fengshan ceremony finally departed on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Human Festival, is a time when the essence of humanity is at its most vibrant. The entire imperial procession was adorned with magnificent canopies, accompanied by numerous civil and military officials, and countless attendants.

The entire procession was permeated by a vast, righteous energy that cleansed within and without, while overhead, a faint purple aura seemed to coalesce like a violet cloud. Along the route, the Celestial Master Bureau, led by Du Changsheng, put forth immense effort, using every possible means to dispel any clouds or mist and ensure clear skies wherever the imperial carriage passed.

In fact, as the Dazhen Emperor’s grand procession majestically set off towards Tingqiu Mountain, many beings — from the ghost realm and the divine path, to immortal and demon cultivators — were constantly paying attention. They vaguely understood that this Fengshan ceremony would be an event of immense significance, yet they felt like mere observers, witnessing a major trend unfold without knowing how to react.

Ji Yuan did not accompany the procession; instead, he flew ahead to Tingqiu Mountain. The Fengshan preparations there had actually been completed a year prior but had remained unused. At that moment, officials were leading people in cleaning and tidying, clearing away accumulated snow and fallen leaves.

“Ugh, phew… I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted. The Emperor isn’t arriving for quite a while, so why do we have to clean the path up and down the mountain every single day?”

A yamen runner, holding a broom, couldn’t help but complain after sweeping the section of mountain path he was responsible for. His companion, startled, quickly silenced him.

“Hush… quiet down! Do you want to get into trouble? Is this something you should be discussing?”

“What are you scared of? It’s just the two of us on this stretch of the mountain path. Who’s going to hear?”

His companion looked at him, thinking his colleague might not be very clever, but still offered a few more words.

“This Fengshan ceremony is a matter of national importance. And our Dazhen has countless extraordinary individuals and talented people. Haven’t you heard the old soldiers say there are Celestial Masters who can fly and burrow underground? Ordinary people might not bother with you, but we’re on the path for the Fengshan ceremony—who knows, there might be eyes watching from above.”

As he spoke, both men instinctively looked up, as if seeing a streak of green light flash across the sky. Immediately, they both picked up their brooms and diligently resumed sweeping.

Ji Yuan had just landed on a mountaintop at that moment, taking in the beautiful winter scenery of Tingqiu Mountain. After a moment, he lightly stamped his foot on the peak.

“I invite the Mountain God of Tingqiu Mountain to come for a discussion.”

This particular summoning technique was merely an invitation, not a forceful "capture," akin to shouting outside Hong Shengtang’s door.

Not long after, a misty light rose by Ji Yuan’s feet, forming into a human shape and gradually becoming clearer. It was indeed Hong Shengtang, the Mountain God of Tingqiu Mountain.

“Greetings, Mr. Ji. I trust you’ve been well?”

“The Fengshan ceremony is almost upon us, yet Mountain God Hong seems quite relaxed?”

After exchanging greetings, Ji Yuan spoke directly, pointing towards the Fengshan platform on the distant high mountain.

“Mountain God Hong, the Dazhen Emperor’s procession will arrive very swiftly this time, making few stops along the way. With the Celestial Masters assisting with their spells, they will reach your Tingqiu Mountain and ascend the Fengshan platform in at most half a month.”

“I am naturally aware of that. However, with the Dazhen Emperor performing the Fengshan ceremony, I, Hong, am certainly not expected to sweep the mountain like those yamen runners, am I? What is there to rush about?”

Ji Yuan smiled. Hong Shengtang, as a respected Mountain God, naturally wouldn’t need to sweep the mountain. But despite his words, the Mountain God’s mindset was indeed just as Ji Yuan had predicted.

“That’s good then. If Mountain God Hong were to have a change of heart now, it would be too late.”

Hong Shengtang looked at Ji Yuan and smiled in return.

“Are you, Mr. Ji, here to mock me? Since I have given my word, I naturally wouldn’t go back on it. Besides, at this point, this matter is greatly beneficial to me.”

Ji Yuan’s smile faded, and he shook his head.

“Oh, Mountain God Hong, Mountain God Hong, have you been cultivating in the mountains for so long, ignoring worldly affairs, that you’ve lost your sharpness?”

Hong Shengtang frowned slightly. He had made his choice precisely because he understood Dazhen’s growing influence, profound heritage, and potential. Why then was Mr. Ji implying something else?

“What do you mean, sir?”

Confused, Hong Shengtang dared not be negligent and bowed to Ji Yuan once more.

“Please forgive my dullness, and I hope you can enlighten me, sir!”

Ji Yuan waved his hand, and a table with cups appeared on the mountaintop. He touched the teapot, and the water inside gradually began to boil. Ji Yuan sat down first, then gestured towards the opposite side of the table, and Hong Shengtang sat there.

“Today’s Dazhen is no longer yesterday’s Dazhen. This year’s Fengshan ceremony is not like last year’s. First, the demons of the Black Wilderness crossed the sea to wreak havoc on Tianyu Continent, and then cultivators from Tianyu Continent rose up to slay demons in the Black Wilderness, with unrest continuing to this day. There is turmoil in both wilderness regions and among demons throughout the world. Furthermore, after Ruoli’s dragon transformation and a petition from the Dragon Race, she has decided to lead the aquatic tribes in opening up the desolate seas. Humanity appears to be experiencing a great flourishing of civil and military fortune, forging two paths of development. Yet, apart from some core regions of the major continents, where is there not incessant warfare and countless casualties?”

Ji Yuan paused, then continued.

“This is merely what is visible. There are things I might not know, or know but cannot speak of. All signs indicate that a great chaos and struggle are brewing between Heaven and Earth!”

Hong Shengtang’s heart skipped a beat.

“What about the immortal and Buddhist paths, and the various divine paths? If they are all stable, then…”

“Heh, what stability? Leaving Tianyu Continent aside for a moment, other immortal sects naturally remain secluded within their grotto-heavens, disregarding external affairs. But in the future, they will likely become more involved in human matters. Years ago, Xianxia Island already moved and vanished, and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets has been secluded for a long time. How many years has it been since any news came from Changjian Mountain? I don’t know much about the Buddhist sect, but in recent years, the righteous path of immortal cultivation has increasingly shown a trend of polarization, with one side becoming more involved in the world and the other more reclusive…”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, Hong Shengtang’s face showed dawning realization. The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was true. Previously, he had always focused on his own cultivation and on his small domain of Tingqiu Mountain, believing that worldly matters had nothing to do with him. While thinking that way might not have been wrong before, it was no longer acceptable now.

“And that’s not all. Even the Jade Fox Grotto-Heaven, once considered a renowned holy land of righteous demon cultivation, is no longer clean. It has begun to be tainted by evil and perverse practices, and countless malevolent spirits are lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity…”

Hong Shengtang, a powerful mountain and river deity with deep cultivation, felt his back grow hot. He hadn’t considered these things until Ji Yuan mentioned them, but now, hearing them, he was suddenly struck by the realization that while many of these disturbances seemed normal or distant individually, their occurrence simultaneously within the same era was profoundly abnormal. It was as if a grand calamity of Heaven and Earth was about to descend.

The moment the word “calamity” crossed his mind, a thought flashed through Hong Shengtang’s consciousness, and a sudden chill ran through his body, making him tremble slightly. He looked at Ji Yuan again and saw a meaningful look in his eyes.

“Mountain God Hong, it cannot be spoken of…”

“Yes!”

Cold sweat broke out on Hong Shengtang. He had almost blurted out a question.

Ji Yuan reached out, picked up the teapot, inverted two cups, and poured water for himself and Hong Shengtang. There were no tea leaves in the teapot, just two cups of hot water.

“Mountain God Hong, I’ve just said so much; have you noticed anything?”

“What?”

Hong Shengtang was slightly stunned. Hadn’t Ji Yuan just said it couldn’t be spoken of? His mind was somewhat muddled, and he didn’t want to overthink, so he spoke directly.

“Please enlighten me, Mr. Ji!”

Ji Yuan picked up his teacup and looked down. Although he wasn’t shaking it, the water inside swirled continuously, as if someone were stirring it with chopsticks.

“Amidst this chaos, the only clearly positive development is the great flourishing of humanity’s civil and military fortunes. Even the true dragon opening up the desolate seas, as I know some inside information, cannot truly be counted as positive, let alone its unpredictable fortune or misfortune…”

Ji Yuan shook his head slightly, drank the water from his cup, and then looked at Hong Shengtang again.

“How did you think before, Mountain God Hong? ‘Dazhen in your human world, my Tingqiu Mountain of Hong Shengtang?’ Hong Shengtang! You must no longer maintain that mindset of precisely controlling every minute detail. Since you have agreed to the Fengshan ceremony, it’s a matter of shared prosperity or shared ruin. In the future, your Tingqiu Mountain and you, Hong Shengtang, will be at the forefront. Immortals, Buddhas, demons, humans, ghosts, gods… none will fail to look here, and you will not be able to act with measured discretion!”

Ji Yuan’s last words were extremely weighty, striking Hong Shengtang’s heart like a drum and shattering his previous mindset. Before, Ji Yuan had offered gentle advice, but since Hong Shengtang had delayed for so long, and with other significant players now awakening, the situation was entirely different.

Ji Yuan had no patience to spend years or decades playing a game of truly gaining Hong Shengtang’s full recognition for Dazhen. Since he had already agreed to get on board, it was time to make him clearly understand the tumultuous waves that lay ahead.