Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Visitors from Japan
As they arrived at the Maoshan Sect, Ren Fa couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
The mountain gate wasn't impressive. The buildings on the mountain looked old and worn, nothing like the future version of Maoshan, which had been rebuilt many times and turned into a tourist attraction.
However, the spiritual energy here was much stronger than in other places. It was easy to imagine that during the peak of Taoist practices, this must have been a sacred land for cultivation.
"Uncle Nine, we've already passed the mountain gate. Why haven't we seen anyone?" Ren Fa asked after walking for a while without encountering a soul.
"Old Master Ren, it's the end of the age of spiritual practice. There aren't many cultivators left. On top of that, the world is in chaos, with demons causing trouble everywhere. Most disciples have left the mountain to train in the real world. That's why it's so empty."
Ren Fa nodded. It seemed the old saying was true—during troubled times, Taoists leave the mountains to protect the world, and in peaceful times, they return to seclusion.
Just like Uncle Nine, who had left the mountain to keep his community safe.
They kept walking until they reached the front of a large hall. Uncle Nine stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" It was the voice of Wang Cheng, the head of Maoshan.
"Mr. Ren, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
"The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can go home," Ren Fa replied casually, like he was talking about running errands instead of preparing for a life-or-death duel.
Wang Cheng smiled faintly. "Since that's the case, I'll inform the Japanese challengers and invite the other disciples to witness the duel. Junior brother, are you ready?"
Uncle Nine pulled out a thick stack of talismans and slapped them against his palm, looking like a show-off. "All set, senior brother. Sigh… I wonder if a hundred Five Thunder Talismans will be enough!"
"..."
Sect Leader Wang Cheng looked at Uncle Nine, who was acting like a nouveau riche, and didn't know how to respond.
A few days later, more and more disciples returned from Maoshan, along with some fellow cultivators.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, the Japanese have arrived at the foot of the mountain!" A young disciple rushed in to deliver the news.
Hearing that the opponents had arrived, Wang Cheng immediately gave instructions.
"Good, take them to the training grounds. Inform Lin Jiu to get there at once!"
Meanwhile—
Uncle Nine turned to Ren Fa and asked, "Old Master Ren, what's the fastest way to break through?"
Ren Fa looked at Uncle Nine with pure disdain, making Uncle Nine feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Little Nine, I'm a zombie, not a Taoist. How would I know? How about this—let me take a bite, and I'll teach you how to absorb yin energy?"
Uncle Nine was momentarily stunned. After spending so much time together, he had almost forgotten that Ren Fa was a zombie. The thing was, Ren Fa didn't behave like one at all—he didn't drink blood, didn't kill people…
And you still have the nerve to call yourself a zombie? Your Taoist cultivation is advancing even faster than mine!
There was a knock at the door.
"Uncle Lin, the Japanese have arrived. The Sect Leader has asked you to come to the training grounds."
The moment Lin Jiu heard the disciple's report, his whole demeanor sharpened.
"Alright! I'll head over right now!"
"Old Master Ren, get in your coffin! I'll carry you there. From now on, you are the ancestral treasure of Maoshan's corpse-driving sect!"
Ren Fa waved his hand impatiently.
"Got it! Seriously, you guys and your obsession with appearances. Wouldn't it be easier if I just went up there and wiped the floor with these Japanese in a few moves?"
Uncle Nine actually thought that was a solid idea. But lately, the Japanese had been going around challenging various sects, causing serious morale issues among cultivators. If Ren Fa simply went out and crushed them, even if he won, it wouldn't boost morale much. Only by using the Maoshan name to defeat them could they restore their sect's lost prestige.
Uncle Nine didn't waste any more words. He picked up Ren Fa's coffin and carried it straight to the training grounds.
The coffin was being held up by Ren Fa's spiritual power. Without it, the idea of Uncle Nine lifting it would have been a joke.
By the time they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered in the training grounds. The air buzzed with conversation.
"They're here, they're here! That must be Lin Jiu, right? I heard he's the one representing Maoshan in this fight."
"Yeah, that's him. He became a Geomancer ages ago—he might even break through to Celestial Master soon!"
"Wait… why is he carrying a coffin? What's that about?"
As people murmured among themselves, a group of five men and two women walked in, led by a Maoshan disciple.
At the front of the group, a Japanese man stepped forward and gave a deep bow.
"Onmyoji Jirou Shino greets the Maoshan Sect Leader."
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