Chapter 825: Taian City Rains Again

In tales of deities and strange phenomena, enlightened masters who endured difficult cultivation journeys often end up "ranked among the immortals," meaning they have secured a place in heaven. Ultimately, this is similar to worldly scholars who, like carp leaping over the dragon gate, achieve official success and secure positions in the imperial court or the Golden Palace. These deities, clearly not of the mortal realm, standing at the entrance of the Imperial Observatory, truly opened the eyes of the Li family's armored guards. Living under the emperor's rule, they had seen all sorts of bizarre people and events. For instance, many citizens of the capital had witnessed Jiang Ni flying over the Eighteen Gates with a single sword. However, Jiang Ni's demeanor, at most, earned her a silent compliment of possessing the grace of an exiled immortal. True immortals, these guards were certainly seeing for the first time. Moreover, the sudden appearance of dozens of immortals in Taoist robes was overwhelming. All the Li family guards held their breath, their eyes wide, straining to look at the figures, some tall, some short.

Adversaries are bound to meet.

The "young" immortal in the center held the talismanic sword Yulei, a significant Taoist artifact originally as renowned as the Divine Sword Shen Tu, wielded by Wang Xiaoping, the Sword Obsessive of Wudang. Perhaps because it was too precious, it had been deeply enshrined and worshipped within the Imperial Observatory in the capital, and over time, people only knew of Shen Tu, but not Yulei. In contrast, Wudang Mountain, far from having the habit of excessively treasuring their possessions, even hung a precious treasure like Patriarch Lü's relic sword casually on the eaves. When Qi Xianxia went to Wudang Mountain to cause trouble, he merely glanced at the relic sword a few times. The young sect leader at the time, Hong Xixiang, offered to lend it to him readily, which made Qi Xianxia feel it was too trivial, and he did not accept it. Although Wudang Mountain and Longhu Mountain were both ancestral homes of Taoism, their paths of cultivation were vastly different. The latter (Longhu Mountain) pursued ascension step by step, seeking only to ascend to heaven. In the past century, the former (Wudang Mountain)'s successive sect leaders, from Huang Manshan and Wang Chonglou to Hong Xixiang and Li Yufu, had all diligently walked among mortals, never adopting the titles of "Yellow-Purple Noble" or "Feathered Immortal Minister."

At this moment, the sword-wielding immortal, both in appearance and demeanor, bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Ningshen, the current sect leader of Longhu Mountain. However, compared to Zhao Ningshen, who was like unpolished jade, this young Taoist, brimming with immortal aura, was far more sharp and imposing. He was like a magnificent imperial seal, perfectly carved, with countless golden talismans subtly flashing around his body.

In fact, this was the very patriarch Zhao Ningshen had summoned by Spring God Lake years ago. However, at that time, the immortal's face was indistinct, and the Prince of Northern Liang had summoned an even more magnificent manifestation of Emperor Zhenwu, which instantly shattered Zhao Ningshen's summoning. Apart from the few Zhao family disciples in the Celestial Master's Residence of Longhu Mountain, almost no one knew which patriarch Zhao Ningshen had summoned.

In contrast to the aggressive demeanor of the other three true immortals from Longhu Mountain who had descended, the sword-wielding immortal's gaze was complex and hard to decipher as he faced the young prince, with no anger visible on his face. He seemed oblivious to the golden-armored immortal who had already charged at the Prince of Northern Liang, and slowly spoke, "You two, father and son of the Xu family, truly never rest."

Meanwhile, the golden-armored general, possessed by an immortal, had galloped forth. When he was fifty paces from Xu Fengnian, he casually reached into the air and a golden spear, wreathed in purple lightning, appeared in his hand. Its shaft was adorned with obscure and profound Taoist cloud patterns.

The golden-armored immortal roared and lunged with his spear, a formidable attack aimed at Xu Fengnian's head.

Xu Fengnian did not turn, but merely leaned back slightly to dodge the spear. At the same time, he effortlessly raised his hand and grasped the golden spear. Not only did lightning flash between his fingers, but his entire arm was enveloped in dazzling golden light and purple energy.

After his spear was seized, the golden-armored immortal, who had been charging at full gallop, found his warhorse unable to advance even an inch further. The immortal tried to swing the spear in a sweep-like motion to smash the mortal's head, but the spear remained motionless. Under the shockwave of energy, the golden armor, symbolizing the immortal's divine might, trembled.

Xu Fengnian tightened his grip, and with a resounding *bang*, the golden spear was instantly crushed and broken in his hand.

The golden brilliance enveloping the immortal immediately dimmed, and he roared, "How dare you!"

Xu Fengnian finally turned to face the ascended immortal, who was still enveloped in golden light, and his lips curved into a slight smirk.

"Since you've all descended to the mortal realm, why not dismount together?"

Xu Fengnian yanked the broken half of the spear to his right. The golden-armored immortal, who had refused to release the spear, was pulled off his horse by the momentum. The immortal clearly realized the predicament; as he left the horse's back, he released the spear and raised one hand high, as if to summon something to suppress this audacious mortal.

As expected, a square Taoist magical seal, blazing with thunderous light, hovered in the golden-armored immortal's hand. It resembled the Seal of the Thunder Bureau described in Taoist scriptures, and he brought it down heavily towards Xu Fengnian's head. The immortal simultaneously intoned in a deep voice, "Divine Thunderstrike!"

Xu Fengnian, with the sabre in his left hand, made no grand movements, merely adopting a starting stance with the tip of his blade slightly raised.

The three immortals at the Imperial Observatory entrance—the one holding the Yulei sword, the one wearing a lotus crown, and the one riding a white deer—all nearly spoke at the same time but hesitated. The immortal with the lotus crown sighed softly, while the one riding the white deer almost couldn't resist intervening.

This move by Xu Fengnian was precisely Gu Jiantang's famed ultimate technique: *Fang Cun Lei* (Inch Thunder).

Gu Jiantang, who rarely made a move, had only used this technique once in the past decade, to return a greeting to the Grand Official when Cao Changqing entered the Tai'an City Imperial Palace hand-in-hand with Jiang Ni.

Later, Jiang Fuding, of special status, came to Liang to provoke, and used this technique once when fighting Xu Fengnian, who then secretly learned it. At this moment, Xu Fengnian's *Fang Cun Lei* was far more astounding than Jiang Fuding's. Jiang Fuding, who always prided himself on his extraordinary talent, would likely feel ashamed of himself if he witnessed this.

Just as the golden-armored immortal was about to bring down the Seal of the Thunder Bureau, his entire body was literally struck by lightning and sent flying upwards. The precious seal, which had just formed and had not yet displayed its heavenly might, also vanished into thin air.

Xu Fengnian's sleeve stirred slightly as he rose from the ground, his body twisting in a graceful spin. His long sleeves fluttered in the wind, fully showcasing the boundless ease and elegance of the foremost figure in the mortal realm.

Xu Fengnian appeared directly above the golden-armored immortal, who had just stopped himself. He also extended a palm, fingers splayed, but instead of summoning a magical seal, he simply brought it down upon the immortal.

An ancient poem states: "The immortal caresses my crown, tying my hair for eternal life."

These few characters succinctly convey the true essence of Taoism, inspiring countless mortal cultivators with longing. How many people have journeyed to famous mountains and great rivers, precisely to catch a glimpse of a true immortal and be granted the art of eternal life?

Yet today, the young prince, clad in plain white, after being furiously denounced as impious by an immortal, truly committed an act of great impiety.

"I caress the immortal's crown!"

"With one hand, I sever eternal life!"

The golden-armored immortal had no time to resist; he was slammed onto the street by this immensely powerful palm strike. In the blink of an eye, as he rapidly hit the ground, the golden light covering the immortal's body quickly faded and disappeared.

When the immortal-possessed body crashed violently into the ground, creating a large crater, the cavalry general, whose eyes still held a lingering golden glint, no longer wore the golden armor he had previously. The general, whose body had largely reverted to its mortal state, suffered a miserable fate: bleeding from all seven orifices, he lay on the verge of death.

Xu Fengnian stood expressionless at the edge of the large crater, looking down at the heavy cavalry general, who, in the end, could not escape death regardless. For a mortal martial artist's body to bear an exiled immortal's form, unless one had reached the Vajra or Heavenly Phenomenon realms, the outcome was always death from being overwhelmed.

Practitioners of the three doctrines—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—differ from ordinary martial artists in the *jianghu*. Similar to how an enlightened Buddhist monk enters the Vajra realm upon reaching the first rank, Taoist grandmasters often enter the *Zhixuan* (Profound Guidance) realm upon reaching the first rank. This can be considered a unique opportunity, one that ordinary people cannot envy. However, when facing opponents of the same realm, a pure martial artist who progresses step-by-step is naturally more skilled in combat. Early martial grandmasters like Han Shengxuan and Xuanyuan Dapan, for instance, could effortlessly kill not just one, but two or three Vajra-realm monks or Zhixuan-realm true immortals. Therefore, the path of cultivation has its fast and slow aspects, gains and losses, depending on one's choices. But generally speaking, everyone has their own fortuitous encounters and opportunities. Jiang Ni's swordsmanship progressed by leaps and bounds. Xuanyuan Qingfeng repeatedly had miraculous encounters, leading to great martial arts achievements. Zhao Ningshen's failed summoning of a deity turned into a blessing in disguise. Jiang Fuding, whose state of mind was damaged, found a new path after the tide battle. Chen Zhibao repeatedly profited from others' conflicts. Xie Guanying and Xuanyuan Jingcheng could achieve great realms simply by reading books—it's indescribable, truly ineffable.

The burly cavalry general breathed his last.

Then, a brilliant white arc of light shot up from the crater, soaring rapidly into the sky.

"I came from heaven, and I return to heaven."

"What can a mere mortal do to me?"

Unfortunately, he encountered Xu Fengnian, who had slain both heavenly beings and heavenly dragons.

Back then, the great Taoist True Immortal Zhao Xuansu, who had returned to his primordial state, appeared with the face of a child and almost succeeded in eliminating Xu Fengnian, evading Li Chungang. But even when he was impaled by the flying sword of Deng Tai'a, the Peach Blossom Sword God, he still managed a venomous final act against Xu Fengnian.

Even Zhao Xuansu, who was only a step away from being an immortal, could not escape when he encountered Deng Tai'a before his "borrowing swords for ten thousand li" and "seeking immortals at sea" feats. Now, this Longhu Mountain immortal, whose ascension date was unknown, was himself restricted by the rules governing heavenly beings descending to the mortal realm. And he encountered Xu Fengnian, who was at the peak of his power, as formidable as if he were in Wudi City facing all the heroes of the world.

Before Xu Fengnian could intercept, many of the immortals at the Imperial Observatory entrance simultaneously showed expressions of shock and rage. The flying sword immortal standing beside Zhao Xiyi was even more furious. As the thunderous voice, "How dare this brat!", echoed, the immortal had already vanished.

The next moment, many immortals positioned on the left and right sides looked up and were somewhat shocked by what they saw. They then exchanged glances with nearby immortals and began to whisper among themselves.

It turned out that the white arc of light, even after the flying sword immortal had tried to intercept Xu Fengnian, was still cut in half hundreds of feet in the air by a suddenly appearing *Fang Cun Lei*, thereafter dissipating into the heavens and earth.

Not far away, the two cavalry divisions that had launched their charge were forced to halt their warhorses under successive impacts. They then reluctantly turned and retreated from the battlefield; with two groups of immortals fighting ahead, even if they were the greatest weapons on the modern battlefield, they dared not cause trouble.

In front of Xu Fengnian, thousands of purple-gold flying swords rained down like a torrential downpour. Close behind was the immortal riding on a giant flying sword, his fingers pressed together at his chest, uttering true words (incantations).

Xu Fengnian took one step forward, one foot back, and slightly bent his knees. With the sabre in his left hand, its tip slightly raised and pointing directly at the sword-riding immortal, his right hand also had two fingers pressed together at the side of the sabre, and he softly uttered, "Break the formation."

There was no majestic splendor of flying swords raining down, no imposing Taoist incantations. Xu Fengnian simply raised his sabre, and uttered two simple words.

A stream of azure *gangqi* (internal energy), like a swimming dragon, directly tore through the dense sword formation that was raining down from the sky, and struck the elevated sword immortal.

The immortal's expression changed drastically as he formed a hand seal, and a translucent *hu* (tablet) appeared floating in front of his chest.

The *hu* tablet was most popular in the Great Feng Dynasty's court; the Liyang Dynasty gradually abandoned its use after unifying the Spring and Autumn period. According to Great Feng laws, the Emperor used jade *hu*, vassal kings and nobles used ivory *hu*, and scholar-officials used bamboo *hu*. As the Great Feng Dynasty revered Huang-Lao Taoism, Taoist priests who were granted the title of "True Immortal" were specially permitted to carry jade *hu*. However, throughout the entire Great Feng Dynasty, only a handful of Taoist priests were enfeoffed as True Immortals; historical records show a total of eight Great Feng True Immortals. Unlike Liyang, successive emperors of Great Feng at that time favored Wudang and suppressed Longhu, so seven of the True Immortals came from Wudang Mountain, with only one Longhu Mountain Taoist, Zhao Zhengzhen, being enfeoffed as the Cavern Void True Immortal. This renowned Longhu Mountain immortal from the late Great Feng era also had various legends of flying with his sword.

It was likely that the sword-riding immortal who had now returned to the mortal realm was precisely Zhao Zhengzhen, the Cavern Void True Immortal, who was rumored to have ascended in the late Great Feng era, stepping on his sword with one foot and his *hu* tablet with the other.

After the jade *hu* appeared, it came quickly and went even faster.

The azure *gangqi* collided with the pristine white jade *hu* with a thunderous impact, causing an anomaly that seemed to shake heaven and earth.

Not only did the Li family guards and the cavalry on the street instinctively cover their ears, their faces contorted in pain, but even the robes of many immortals began to billow backwards.

In that head-on collision,

The jade shattered!

The azure *gangqi*, accompanied by wind and thunder, shattered the jade *hu*, passed through the immortal's body, and pierced into the high sky.

The sounds of wind and thunder reverberated, their echoes lingering in the air.

They resonated in the sky for a long time.

Immortal Zhao Zhengzhen met the same fate as the golden-armored immortal before him.

The True Immortal of Longevity did not live long.

Without the master's blessing, the sword rain instantly vanished without a trace, and the heavens and earth became clear once more.

The two immortals were utterly defenseless.

In the flick of Xu Fengnian's finger, they turned to dust.

The other immortals exchanged glances, showing no fear, only anger.

No fewer than thirty immortals floated forward together.

Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, "Is having more people impressive? I'm quite familiar with being ganged up on. My three journeys through the *jianghu* weren't for nothing."

Xu Fengnian then did something that astonished all the immortals: he sheathed his sabre.

He spread his arms wide and suddenly raised them.

The second year of Xiangfu.

Tai'an City experienced a sword rain.

It was not yet winter in the second year of Xiangfu.

Tai'an City experienced another sword rain.

That time, it descended from the heavens.

It was suspected to be a case of "much thunder, little rain," as hundreds of thousands of flying swords fell without harming anyone.

After they had seemingly dissipated upon landing earlier, they had quietly gathered near the Imperial Observatory.

This time, it ascended from the ground towards the sky.

It turned out that if he was to kill, he would kill immortals.

In an instant, the thirty-odd charging immortals seemed to step into a pool of thunder, disappearing entirely amidst the downpour.

Meanwhile, the young prince leisurely murmured to himself, "It's a technical skill, can't really appreciate it, can I?"