Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chapter 538 - 266: The Life Palace in Tai Sui Village! Yellowed Old Photographs (2)

The [Tai Sui] that Bai Yujing spoke of is also hidden there.

It’s said that the twelve zodiac Life Palaces are there, the place where the zodiac life tablets are enshrined.

Anyone who inherits the Zodiac Great Position must go there to fuse their fate with the zodiac and continue the incense line.

The birth and death of each zodiac can manifest in the palace; if disaster befalls them, they can return to the Life Palace to escape tribulation.

Bai Yujing said, if you want to find the Rabbit, you must return to Tai Sui Village and enter Mao Palace. Perhaps Lin Jianyue has met with disaster and already returned there to heal and recover.

It’s precisely because of this that Zhang Fan called Fang Changle out early in the morning to ask about that place.

After all, that is where the Thirteen Zodiacs gather—it’s a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den for Zhang Fan.

"I’ve seen records of [Tai Sui Village] in the diaries of Maoshan’s ancestral masters. This place is very mysterious and has existed ever since Wuwei Sect was founded," Fang Changle said gravely.

The zodiac rotates annually; Tai Sui governs the fortunes of the year.

Among the Thirteen Zodiacs, Human Xiao is foremost. However, before Human Xiao’s rise, the other twelve zodiacs are all affected by Tai Sui.

"Human Xiao has not risen; Tai Sui reigns supreme... That’s just a legend..." Fang Changle said solemnly.

The relationship between Human Xiao and Tai Sui is quite subtle. In terms of the rules, they are both great Guardians of Wuwei Sect and both have the right to command the other twelve zodiacs.

However, Tai Sui never sets foot outside that layered place; most Daoist sects have few records about Tai Sui.

Tai Sui seems to carry an especially unique mission within Wuwei Sect.

"Do you know where this place is?" Zhang Fan asked.

"No," Fang Changle shook his head.

"How could a place so important be known easily? The Daoist sects have been searching for years, but both Tai Sui Village and the Wuwei Sect Ancestral Court Daoist Temple are shrouded in mystery and still haven’t been found," Fang Changle said deeply.

"Some say that was the site where the first Sect Leader of Wuwei attained the Dao—he rose from there, led by the Thirteen Zodiac Guardians, with Tai Sui opening the Dao, Three Palaces acting in unison, gathering Mountain and Sea Demons and Ghosts, drawing incense from the four seas, finally achieving unrivaled dominance across the realm..."

"Back then, Dao Ancestor Zhang Daoling performed the Laojun Dharma Seal at Dragon Tiger Mountain, rallying the Daoist sects of the world to break mountains and attack temples, sweeping away ghosts and gods; thus began the two-millennia Undying Strife—nine campaigns, life and death mingled..." Fang Changle sighed.

To any cultivator, this Chapter of history is ancient, vast, awe-inspiring; countless elders bled, countless sages went mad.

The struggle between the Daoist sects and Wuwei has never ceased.

"Wuwei Sect’s first leader... Three Corpses Daoist?" Zhang Fan mused.

From the memories of Three Corpses Daoist, he learned that every successive leader of Wuwei, upon assuming that great role, could inherit the title [Three Corpses Daoist].

Of course, the most widely known Three Corpses Daoist nowadays is the one from a century ago, from the Zhang Family, once called Zhang San, Zhang Kongming—the world’s greatest master.

Yet, the first Sect Leader of Wuwei was also called Three Corpses Daoist.

Legend says he trained the [Three Corpses Illuminating Fate], splitting his Primordial Spirit into three, becoming the first Lord of the Three Palaces.

"Why are you inquiring about that place?" Fang Changle asked warily. "Don’t get any wild ideas—it’s a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den. Daoist sects have searched for so many years and never found that place."

"Inside, there aren’t just the Thirteen Zodiacs, but the legendary Tai Sui too."

"I know, I was just asking offhand." Zhang Fan feigned relaxation.

Originally, he hoped to learn something useful from Fang Changle. Now, it looks like his only hope is to rely fully on Bai Yujing.

As for Si Snake, Zhang Fan still harbored a hint of wariness.

This woman may have served Li Linglong, but people drift away and tea grows cold—his mother’s been dead so many years, how much sentiment could be left? Besides, she’s one of the Thirteen Zodiacs.

"By the way, do you want to return to Maoshan with me these days? Our elders at the sect want to meet you," Fang Changle changed the subject suddenly.

"Me?" Zhang Fan froze. "Why do they want to see me?"

"Because they heard of your glorious feats in Huizhou!" Fang Changle teased. "Don’t look at me—it was Senior Brother Yu Hua who talked you up."

"I don’t have time these few days." Zhang Fan shook his head. "I might have to travel far."

"Going far? Where else do you want to go?" Fang Changle’s nerves immediately tightened—he’d gotten scared of Zhang Fan running all over. Wherever Zhang Fan went, trouble was sure to follow.

"Ancestor, you just got back. Can you stay put for a while? Let the world have a breath of peace."

"What sort of thing is that to say?" Zhang Fan shot him a look. "I’m just going to see a friend—will be back in a couple days."

"Really?" Fang Changle asked suspiciously.

"Why would I lie to you? That’s it, I’ve got stuff to do," Zhang Fan said goodbye and got up to leave.

Right now, there’s only one path before him: to follow Bai Yujing to Tai Sui Village. Maybe there he could find Lin Jianyue, find Zhao Jie Xuan.

This journey, he was determined to undertake.

Holding these thoughts, Zhang Fan wandered Yujing City; by noon, as he looked up, there was [Yongjia Flower Garden]—Jiang Lai’s home was right here.

Zhang Fan paused, gazing thoughtfully at Jiang Lai’s building.

He’d met Jiang Lai atop Zhenwu Mountain—that was what set him back on the path of cultivation. What happened later made him realize their karmic ties were deep, perhaps reaching back even farther.

Ten years ago, it was Zhang Lingzong who brought Jiang Lai from Dragon Tiger Mountain; Jiang Lai helped him master the Divine Splitting Technique and planted the hope of escaping tribulation.

Zhang Fan didn’t know how he’d ended up here.

"Better not to meet."

Zhang Fan shook his head and turned to leave.

When he got back to Hongfu Garden, it was already dusk and the neighborhood lights were gradually coming on.

"Fan!"

At the gate, Liu Fusheng poked his head out of the security office.

"Uncle Liu..." Zhang Fan greeted him and walked over.

"Eaten dinner yet?" Liu Fusheng asked with concern.

"Ate outside."

"Haven’t seen you in a while—where’ve you been?" Liu Fusheng asked.

"Went out with some friends."

"Now that you’re back, don’t just run off again. Come to Uncle’s place tomorrow—I’ll make some soup for you," Liu Fusheng smiled. "Secret technique—good for health. Your dad used to love my soup when he was young."

"Uncle Liu, I might have to go away again in a couple days," Zhang Fan hesitated, but spoke honestly.

"Out again? For what?" Liu Fusheng frowned.

"Something I’ve got to do."

"Where to?" Liu Fusheng pressed.

"Qinxi Province!"

Bai Yujing had said, Tai Sui Village was located in Qinxi Province.

"Qinxi Province... that’s where Zhongnan Mountain is..." Liu Fusheng was stunned for a moment, then sighed quietly, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

"Fan, I won’t ask what you’re doing. But once you’re there, keep a low profile."

"Why?" Zhang Fan asked, puzzled.

"Your dad and mom had many old friends there. It’s quite possible someone’s still alive—maybe they’d recognize you," Liu Fusheng warned.

"Old friends?" Zhang Fan raised his brows and fell silent.

If Liu Fusheng was giving hints like this, those old friends probably weren’t easy people.

"Got it."

"I won’t keep you. Go home and prepare—make sure to pack everything you need," Liu Fusheng advised kindly, like an elder.

"Okay." Zhang Fan nodded heavily and walked away.

Liu Fusheng watched Zhang Fan’s departing figure; the light in his eyes grew even more complicated.

"Zhongnan Mountain... How many years has it been since I returned..."

Liu Fusheng ambled back to his seat, opened his drawer, and took out an old photo album. He flipped it open—inside were yellowed photos, one after another.

"Huaman City, moon-soaked sleeves, youthful romance bitter with age... all these years..." Liu Fusheng looked at the faded photos, a look of remembrance in his eyes.

His finger paused on one photo—a yellowed picture, two figures around seventeen or eighteen, arms around each other’s shoulders, both in big shorts and white vests, green army shoes on their feet, grinning with pure joy.

One was young Zhang Lingzong; as for the other, delicately handsome, a vermillion mole shining in the center of his brow!