A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu set off from Xiping Mansion in Yongzhou after the dream meeting on February 15th. Ten days had passed since then, and Qi Xuansu had crossed Tianshui Prefecture and entered Qinzhou, which was not far from Zhongzhou.

Qinzhou was the core territory of the Quanzhen Sect, similar to Wuzhou of the Zhengyi Sect and Qizhou of the Taiping Sect. Difei Mountain, Yunjin Mountain, and Penglai Island were all located within the sect’s respective core territories. Thus, they were regarded as the three sacred sites of Daoism.

Difei Mountain, known as the first of the 72 blessed places, was also known as Taiyi Mountain, Zhongnan Mountain, Zhounan Mountain, and Nanshan. It was located in Qinzhou, south of Xijing.

The history of Difei Mountain could be traced back to the time when the Primordial Daoist Ancestor preached the teachings of Daoism.

During that time, Emperor Wu built the Taiyi Palace on the Difei Mountain to worship the Taiyi Mountain God. When the Qi Dynasty was established by the Li family, the Primordial Daoist Ancestor was revered as the late Emperor Xuanyuan, and the Li family claimed to be descendants of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor. That was when Daoism established its position as superior to Confucianism and Buddhism, building many Daoist temples on the Difei Mountain during that time.

Several famous elders had also lived on Difei Mountain and successfully attained immortality. Elder Chongyang and his disciples successively founded and promoted the Quanzhen Sect, establishing the Chongyang Palace of Immortality and many other sacred locations on the mountain.

At one point, Difei Mountain was known as the Quanzhen Ancestral Court. It was as famous as Yunjin Mountain, where the Zhengyi Ancestral Court was located, and second only to Kunlun Mountain, which was known as the Daoist Ancestral Court.

However, when the Golden Horde army invaded the south, Xijing and the Jin Dynasty fell. Difei Mountain, which was not far from Xijing, could not escape the atrocities of war. In addition, the rise of other Daoist sects and the attack on Difei Mountain caused the downfall of the Quanzhen Ancestral Court. Therefore, the Quanzhen Sect had declined from its past splendor.

By the time Emperor Taizu of the former Wei Dynasty expelled the Golden Horde, Difei Mountain had not yet regained its vitality and remained desolate. It was not until the later years of the Wei Dynasty that Zhang Jingxiu, the 30th-generation Great Heavenly Preceptor of the Zhengyi Sect, sought spiritual cultivation on Zhongnan Mountain and witnessed the desolation of Difei Mountain.

Moved by the descriptions of Difei Mountain’s grandeur in historical texts, Zhang Jingxiu mobilized resources to repair many temples and pavilions, aiming to restore the former glory of the Quanzhen Ancestral Court.

This restoration work began on April 4th and continued until early September, taking five full months. Despite some minor setbacks, the efforts succeeded in partially restoring the celestial aura of Difei Mountain.

Future generations could not imagine that it was the Great Heavenly Preceptor who actively repaired the later residence of the subsequent Earthly Preceptors. At that time, Difei Mountain was considered the domain of the Great Heavenly Preceptor of the Zhengyi Sect.

Moreover, the Earthly Preceptor during that time was not the leader of the Quanzhen Sect but rather the leader of the Gezao Sect. Their base was not on Difei Mountain but rather on Beimang Mountain, where they plotted to attack the Great Heavenly Preceptor’s Dazhen Mansion—and almost succeeded—while the Great Heavenly Preceptor was cultivating in seclusion on Difei Mountain.

The most significant change came after the Holy Xuan became the Grand Master of the Daoist Order. At that time, the Daoist Order was not so affluent, with fewer flying ships traveling between regions. Kunlun Mountain was far in the Western Regions, making transportation inconvenient. Hence, they needed an alternative capital.

The most discussed alternatives were Penglai Island and Yunjin Mountain. However, their geographic locations were not ideal; Penglai Island was too far from places like the Western Region and Shuzhou, while Yunjin Mountain was too distant from Liaodong and other regions. The sects within both strongholds were also traditionally at odds with each other. Thus, choosing either would provoke dissatisfaction from the other party, making it difficult to achieve balance.

Difei Mountain, situated equidistant between Penglai Island and Yunjin Mountain, became an appropriate compromise. Therefore, the Holy Xuan elevated Difei Mountain as the “secondary capital” of the Daoist Order. As such, substantial resources were employed for a second round of restoration, rebuilding the severely damaged Chongyang Palace of Immortality.

This second restoration was far more extensive than the first, completely rejuvenating Difei Mountain and adding new formations. At that time, it was a critical period of conflict between Confucianism and Daoism. Thus, to highlight the status of this secondary capital, the formations made the Chongyang Palace of Immortality prominently visible.

No matter where one stood or which direction one faced after entering the territory of Difei Mountain, one would be able to see the majestic Chongyang Palace of Immortality on the mountain peak. Its grand and layered structures exuded a towering presence, making individuals feel insignificant beneath it. One could not enter the Chongyang Palace of Immortality without the proper methods. Thus, it was eternally desirable yet unattainable.

Ordinary people who witnessed the Chongyang Palace of Immortality were deeply impressed. To this day, many believers travel from afar to make a pilgrimage to Difei Mountain.

In the subsequent period, the Chongyang Palace of Immortality on Difei Mountain became the Grand Master’s residence. It was only when there was peace in the realm that the Holy Xuan returned to the Purple Mansion on Kunlun Mountain, and Difei Mountain was handed over to the Earthly Preceptor.

Although Difei Mountain was no longer the secondary capital of the Daoist Order, it still held a revered status.

If possible, Qi Xuansu would very much like to visit Difei Mountain to experience the celestial aura of the sacred land. However, it was unlikely for him to do so because he no longer had a valid Daoist identity. Moreover, he was a member of the Qingping Society.

Thus, Qi Xuansu could only pass by the foot of Difei Mountain. When he looked up, he saw the Chongyang Palace of Immortality on the mountaintop, floating in the clouds like a celestial palace. The surrounding palaces were small in comparison, highlighting the grandeur of the main attraction. The city above the clouds was surrounded by mist, appearing and disappearing at times. People standing at the foot of the mountain would feel minuscule and insignificant while they stared at the fascinating sight above.

Yunjin Mountain, whose earth energy was disrupted by the Holy Xuan, felt completely different from Difei Mountain. Yunjin Mountain was dangerous and strange, mostly created by manpower. It was first destroyed by the Holy Xuan and then repaired by the Zhengyi Sect over two hundred years ago. In order to warn future generations of the repercussions of angering a Heavenly Being, many ruins were preserved, which no longer held their original appearance.

Difei Mountain had been refurbished with the goal of demonstrating the power of the Daoist Order and instilling amazement in people. Thus, Yunjin Mountain was not as awe-inspiring as Difei Mountain.

It was no wonder that Qi Xuansu longed to witness the splendor of Difei Mountain.

The legendary Penglai Island could be described in one word—mysterious. It was in the middle of the sea and could only be accessed by ships. The entire island was shrouded in formations, making it difficult for ordinary ships and flying ships to reach it.

Ordinary Taiping Sect disciples and other Daoist disciples could only reach Fangzhang Island and Yingzhou Island, which were part of the Three Immortal Islands, but they would not be able to get to Penglai Island.

Qi Xuansu could not climb up Difei Mountain, but he could trek across the foothills. The security here was lax because no one would dare to cause trouble under the Earthly Preceptor’s nose. Not to mention, there were also countless Sages, high-ranking Daoist priests, and Spirit Guards at the top of the mountain. No secret society would be so bold as to create trouble here. Even an Ancient Immortal would think twice about attacking this place.

When Qi Xuansu crossed the foothills, he felt like he was hiding in plain sight. There were no obstacles along the way, but he could see many Daoist priests from the Quanzhen Sect. However, none of these Daoist priests were paying attention to him. A squad of Spirit Guards was also patrolling the grounds, but they did not interrogate passersby.

Qi Xuansu passed through the boundary of Difei Mountain unimpeded. But this move made it difficult for Feng Bo to tail Qi Xuansu.

Logically speaking, Feng Bo, as a Heavenly Being, should have caught up with Qi Xuansu long ago. However, Feng Bo met an enemy on the way and got into a fight. In the end, no one won, and Feng Bo managed to escape. By then, Qi Xuansu had already left Tianshui Prefecture and entered Qinzhou.

Feng Bo did not want to let Qi Xuansu go, so he continued pursuing the latter. But he was only one step away when Qi Xuansu entered the boundary of Difei Mountain.

As a Xiantian Being, Qi Xuansu could waltz into the territory of Difei Mountain without attracting attention, so long as he did not climb the mountain to the Chongyang Palace of Immortality. However, a Heavenly Being like Feng Bo could not do that.

Feng Bo did not have a Quanzhen Sect token, so he would likely trigger an alarm in the formation of Difei Mountain. If that happened, he would be besieged by the Quanzhen Sect disciples.

Thus, Feng Bo dared not take the risk and decided to go around Difei Mountain, taking considerably more time.

This was how Qi Xuansu unintentionally escaped Feng Bo’s pursuit twice in a row. He was unaware of this and headed to Xijing Prefecture.