CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 166 THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE PURPLE MANSION PRIMORDIAL SECT (PLEASE SUBSCRIBE)

Ren Tianyou, as a descendant of the Daoist Longevity lineage of Quanzhen, naturally knew of True Master Ziyang. His work "Wuzhen Pian" and Wei Boyang’s "Cantong Qi" are jointly known as the pinnacle of alchemical texts.

They are indeed recognized by Quanzhen Dao as the foremost among the five ancestors of the Southern School.

Ren Tianyou fell into deep thought, and after a while, he regained his composure, clasped his fist and said, "Thank you, Xu Jieyuan, for the guidance. I will go back and look through the classics left by my teachers regarding the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect."

As he said this, he paused, "Is Xu Jieyuan very interested in the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect?"

Xu Qing smiled, "Indeed, even if Ren Gang Leader did not seek the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect, I would have people search for it."

Ren Tianyou: "Thank you, Xu Jieyuan, for being frank. If I have any clues, I will certainly share them with you."

Xu Qing smiled, "If I find the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect, I will naturally lend a helping hand to Ren Gang Leader."

Ren Tianyou was both shocked and delighted; he knew Xu Qing was a heroic figure who would not easily break his word. He clasped his hands and said, "If Xu Jieyuan can help me complete the Spirit Void Sword Gang, it would be a great kindness, and I will surely repay you generously."

Xu Qing, with a smile, said, "The Court’s reforms won’t stop here; the properties and lands of the Giant Whale Gang in Yingtian Prefecture do not necessarily need to be under Duke Wei Mansion."

An overwhelming tide surged within Ren Tianyou’s heart; he dared not stay longer, fearing that Xu Qing might continue, making it impossible for him to leave. He left a gift in haste and bid farewell.

But the wild idea inside could not be suppressed.

What if what Xu Gongming said was true?

Everyone knows now that Xu Gongming is the Grand Secretary’s top enforcer in the Southeast.

His words, naturally, carry great credibility.

Moreover, although Xu Qing temporarily cooperates with Duke Wei, there were past grievances; Xu Gongming had reasons to help him.

The world’s great trends, merging and dividing,

is nothing but normal.

Ren Tianyou kept finding reasons for himself, yet deep inside, he was terrified. Red-haired Yan Kong was right; this young man was too demonic.

He knew that Xu Qing was tempting him.

The question is, which Gang Leader of the Giant Whale Gang could withstand this test?

He couldn’t resist, not in the slightest.

...

...

After sending Ren Tianyou away, Xu Qing went to the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard.

With the help of Cold Jade, Su Lianqing had reached the level of "Exorcism" in her cultivation; while still insufficient, it wasn’t too bad.

Su Lianqing took out a scroll and said, "Young Master, this is what I’ve recently collected about the life of True Master Ziyang."

Xu Qing nodded, took the scroll, and read it attentively.

True Master Ziyang, originally named Zhang Borui, was a native of Tiantai in present-day Zhijiang Province.

This man was also a genius; from a young age, he was broadly educated, engaging early in the scriptures of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and gained considerable mastery in penal codes, numeracy, medicine, divination, military formation, astronomy, geography, and the arts of auspicious and sinister life and death.

Perhaps due to studying too broadly or for other reasons,

True Master Ziyang repeatedly failed the Imperial Examination and could only serve as a lowly clerk managing documents in the local government office.

This point is quite similar to Chongyang True Master, both attempting the Imperial Examination, pursuing an official career.

After all, among hundreds of schools of thought, if one cannot draw close to power, the only other option is to rebel like the Luo Sect.

Ever since Han Wu discarded all schools of thought in favor of Confucianism exclusively, this phenomenon has become particularly intense.

Schools could hardly wait to utterly destroy each other.

Having been unsuccessful in the Imperial Examination and serving as a government clerk, due to a misunderstanding, True Master Ziyang wrongfully accused a maid in his household, leading to her resentful suicide. This event deeply guilt-tripped and self-blamed him, also causing him to grow extremely weary of officialdom and the career path. Eventually, he burned all his managed documents in a fire and was consequently banished to Lingnan.

As Xu Qing read this segment, he felt that the maid’s death may have involved some mysteries.

He also caught on a key name.

"Lingnan?"

The records state that True Master Ziyang officially started his cultivation in Lingnan.

Before that, he was exploring and studying.

It was in Lingnan that he began his formal cultivation.

And in the era of True Master Ziyang, Heshan Dao was already emerging in Lingnan.

He continued reading further.

Later, True Master Ziyang left Lingnan and went to Shu Mountain, where_he met a lofty figure, learned the Absolute Skill "Golden Liquid Rejuvenation Pill," and from then on, advocated the Dual Cultivation of Life and Spirit.

However, at this time, True Master Ziyang’s Dual Cultivation drew strengths from both Taoism and Buddhism.

The rest is somewhat like mythical stories, telling how True Master Ziyang traveled far and wide, observed all things under heaven, sought immortality and Dao, and achieved the unification of the Three Religions.

Following which, he dissolved his body into light and transformed into feathers; his disciples cremated his remaining body, obtaining thousands of relics, the larger ones like coix seeds, all dark green and translucent.

Somewhat perplexedly, after reading this part, Xu Qing was reminded of Yan Kong’s recount of the Red Moon’s transformation.

"Previously, Xiong Chan had people from Golden Ray Monastery demanding the Red Moon Relics, and later there was no continuation."

Seeing the part about True Master Ziyang’s cremation and relic formation, a light flashed in Xu Qing’s mind, "Could it be that the Red Moon Relics are not just one piece?"

Last time, Red-haired Yan Kong came to Wutong Courtyard, and with the cooperation of Xu Qing and the Old Wutong Tree, he was severely wounded.

To escape, Red-haired Yan Kong unleashed the Red Moon Relic, temporarily sealing the Divine Soul of the Old Wutong Tree.

Afterward, naturally, the Red Moon Relic was acquired by Xu Qing, and he temporarily suppressed it with a Sealing Demon Talisman obtained from Feng Wu, who got it from the Chaotian Temple Master, due to concerns about its evil nature, temporarily not considering exploiting the Heaven and Earth Essence within the Red Moon Relic.

"Where did these relics of True Master Ziyang ultimately end up?"

Su Lianqing brought out a small scroll, "Here are some relevant rumors, none with concrete evidence."

Xu Qing took it and flipped through.

Inside there were mainly two believable rumors.

One rumor stated that True Master Ziyang’s relics were acquired by Fang Immortal Dao; another rumor was that True Master Ziyang’s entire acquired knowledge was sealed inside a Pure Yang Iron Box.