I changed the world.

Page 342

In particular, the side effects of the "Fish-Dragon Transformation" technique made his desires much stronger than those of ordinary people. Even though he usually tried to restrain himself, as an instinct, he couldn't completely ignore them...

I was just about to explain that my senior brother isn't that kind of person; it's just that his body is out of control...

Before he could figure out how to explain, he saw his junior sister suddenly smile and say, "Huiling is very happy... This means that senior brother likes Huiling..."

As she spoke, she glanced at Zhang Jing with a seductive look, then buried her head under the covers and slid deeper into the blankets...

"Hmm...could it be..."

Zhang Jing felt himself being grasped by a smooth little hand, and then, he entered a wet place...

The movements are still a bit clumsy...

"Um... Junior sister, don't touch your teeth..." She reached out and turned off the bedside lamp.

..............................

What happened next was something none of us wanted to see, so I won't go into details...

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After lingering in bed for a long time, Zhang Jing turned on the light again, leaned down and kissed the person next to him on the cheek, then got out of bed.

An Huiling beside him was still fast asleep. Zhang Jing's movement of getting out of bed did not wake her up. She just fluttered her long eyelashes, murmured a few words, and then fell back into sleep. It seemed that she was really tired.

Compared to An Huiling's utter exhaustion, Zhang Jing seemed quite refreshed. He first took a shower in the bathroom next door, then dried himself off and walked to the bathroom mirror to look at himself in the mirror.

The young man in the mirror had deep, penetrating eyes. The short mustache that grew from his upper lip to his chin gave him a more composed and mature air than his actual age. Although he wasn't extremely handsome, his eyes, like the deep ocean, easily gave people a unique impression.

His skin was smooth and delicate, and his physique was tall and robust. He was shirtless, and the lines of his muscles undulated in a streamlined manner. He didn't have the massive, bulky muscles that come from bodybuilding, but rather exuded a dangerous, explosive power like that of a feline. It was easy to give the illusion that he was a marble sculpture.

To use some internet slang, such a body can indeed give the opposite sex a feeling of explosive hormones...

You can still vaguely see the shadow of that somewhat naive young man when he first traveled to this era, but now he has indeed changed too much.

His long, wet hair hung down his back, which Zhang Jing skillfully tied up – a style he had deliberately cultivated since arriving in this world. With a thought, a large amount of water vapor rose from his hair, quickly restoring it to a dry state.

Zhang Jing skillfully tied his hair up and finally put on a white jade hair crown, securing it horizontally with a thin hairpin. Compared to his buzz cut in his previous life, this hair ornament was indeed much more troublesome, but once he got used to it, it wasn't too much of a hassle, especially since he could usually have his maids do it for him.

He took a clean blue Taoist robe and put it on. Such Taoist robes are no longer exclusive to monks. In Dazhao, many gentry like to wear them for everyday life, partly because they are comfortable, and partly because they make them look elegant and refined.

After tidying himself up, Zhang Jing returned to the bedside, stroked his junior sister's smooth hair, and without disturbing her, turned off all the lights in the room before leaving silently.

He didn't leave immediately. He first went to the kitchen to prepare a pot of spiritual tea, instructing the maid to take the tea to his junior sister after she woke up, before disappearing from the house...

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承和三十七年2016年4月2日20:41丹鼎山天师府

Last night, the delegation from Bergoperi completed their visit and left Danding Mountain. The farewell banquet was attended by the Old Celestial Master himself, which was a great honor for the delegation. However, even so, this visit still felt somewhat anticlimactic.

Of course, in some press releases, the two sides also had in-depth exchanges on the doctrines of the two religions and even the similarities and differences between Eastern and Western civilizations. They discussed the role of religion in modern society, participated in a series of visits organized by Danding Mountain, and even listened to a lecture on the classic text "Taishang Ganying Pian" personally given by Zhang Lianchuan, the abbot of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

As for the real gains from this trip... well, only the person experiencing it knows whether it's hot or cold.

Since early this morning, the Celestial Master's Mansion has announced that it will close its gates and refuse visitors, supposedly because the old Celestial Master will be going on a three-day retreat.

In addition, within the Celestial Master's Mansion, all "unauthorized persons" were ordered by the Old Celestial Master not to approach the private residence area. Apart from the eldest son Zhang Lianchuan and a few close disciples, everyone else was kept outside.

Chapter 683 Fox Fairy

The private residence, built over 400 years ago, is the former residence of the Celestial Masters of successive dynasties. It is a courtyard-style building in the Jiangnan region and has undergone some renovations throughout the ages, but the overall structure has not been significantly altered. The residence covers an area of ​​approximately 2,000 square meters and consists of three main halls (front, middle, and rear), east and west corridors, as well as side rooms with flower walls on the left and right sides. It is integrated with the rear garden and the Imperial Edict Pavilion.

In doing so, the Celestial Master effectively sealed off the entire rear half of the Celestial Master's Mansion. No one knew what the old Celestial Master was planning to do with such a grand mobilization.

It was already dark when the old Celestial Master walked through the five main halls, three bright and two dark, without saying a word. His face was solemn. Zhang Lianchuan followed behind him, not daring to say anything either. The father and son walked in until they saw the brick wall and stone gate of the central hall. On the lintel of the stone gate were four golden characters: “Dao Zi Qing Xu” (The Way is Pure and Empty).

"You stay here and keep watch. No matter what happens, do not come in, understand?" Zhang Sicheng turned around and solemnly instructed Zhang Lianchuan.

"I understand." Zhang Lianchuan knew that his father had become increasingly mysterious since returning from Chu Bifeng that day, but he dared not say anything more at this moment and immediately agreed.

Zhang Sicheng nodded, turned and entered the central hall, closing the door behind him.

The central hall is said to be where the Celestial Master worshipped the "Fox Spirit." Inside, there is an offering table, a shrine, and ever-burning lamps, among other offerings and sacred objects. There are various theories about the origin of this "Fox Spirit," the most popular being that it was a demon spirit subdued by the 30th Celestial Master Zhang. Because it had not committed any evil deeds, it remained in the Celestial Master's Mansion after being subdued, gradually becoming a kind of "guardian deity" similar to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

However, in fact, Zhang Sicheng had previously disliked the story of the "fox spirit," because the Celestial Master's Mansion had always been a leader in the Xuanmen (Taoist) sect, so what was the point of worshipping such a wild god as in a rural temple?

To put it more bluntly, Zhang Sicheng felt that this behavior was "too low-class."

After all, there has long been a view in China that Western monotheistic religions, through the integration of their theological and philosophical systems, have developed a highly sophisticated theoretical framework. In contrast, many aspects of the Xuanmen (Taoist) system remain in a relatively "primitive" state, and are less competitive than Western monotheistic religions.

At the time, Zhang Sicheng actually thought the same thing. In secret, he was happy to see the emergence of ideas such as "New Xuanmen" and even thought about promoting certain reforms of Xuanmen.

Under these circumstances, he naturally wouldn't be too fond of the practice of worshipping "fox spirits." He simply considered it "dross" left behind by his ancestors. However, he couldn't really sweep it into the trash heap, so he could only turn a blind eye and avoid lingering there on ordinary days.

However, it wasn't until he went to Zhebi Peak that he realized... he was wrong! Completely wrong!

Therefore, after returning from Ochre Peak, Bergopelli's delegation left, and the matter at Beacon Tower seemed to have come to an end, so he immediately came here.

The central hall resembled a temple, with a clay sculpture of a fox spirit enshrined there. Zhang Sicheng looked around and noticed that although it was not valued, it was usually cleaned diligently and candles were offered regularly.

Zhang Sicheng took three sandalwood sticks from the side, lit them, paid his respects, then held the incense sticks in his right hand, took one with his left thumb and middle finger, and inserted it into the center of the incense burner in front of the clay sculpture. Then he took another one with his left hand and inserted it into the left side of the incense burner. Finally, he inserted the last one into the right side of the incense burner with his left hand.

This is the Three Pure Ones' Secret Manual; given his status as a Celestial Master, it's impossible for him to perform any act of kneeling or worship.

He then went around to the back hall, where an ancient painting was enshrined on the wall. The painting depicted a kind-faced, plump middle-aged woman in a brocade robe, sitting leisurely under a tree.

This ancient painting has been hanging here since Zhang Sicheng could remember. It is said to depict the true face of a fox spirit and is hundreds of years old. Previously, this ancient painting was actually worshipped in the Fox Spirit Hall. It was only after the fifty-fifth Celestial Master presided over the creation of clay sculptures that the ancient painting was moved to the back hall.

After observing the ancient painting for a while, Zhang Sicheng hesitated for a moment before solemnly bowing and saying, "This junior is the 63rd generation direct descendant of the Celestial Master, and the current Celestial Master, Zhang Sicheng. I request to see Senior Hu."

This was something his uncle had told him during his last visit to Zhebi Peak. Otherwise, having lived in this mansion for decades, Zhang Sicheng would never have known that the Fox Fairy Hall held such a profound mystery…

As soon as he finished speaking, the woman in the ancient painting suddenly came to life. Then, the woman in the painting turned her head and looked in the direction where Zhang Sicheng was.

In Zhang Sicheng's eyes, everything in the painting seemed to magnify at that moment, and the distance between the painting and himself began to shrink rapidly. He didn't know whether everything in the painting was walking towards him, or whether he was walking towards the painting...

In short, in a moment of confusion, Zhang Sicheng suddenly found himself by a shimmering lake, with a green lawn beneath his feet dotted with some unknown flowers. Not far away stood an ancient tree that resembled a canopy, with a stone table under it and several stone benches beside it. On one of the benches sat a graceful woman, with two maids standing behind her.

Only then did Zhang Sicheng realize that he had actually entered the painting! He subconsciously looked back, but there was no trace of the Fox Fairy Hall...

He turned around, calmed himself down, and thankfully he was mentally prepared for this. He thought to himself that his uncle was right after all!

So, the woman by the stone table is the person I'm looking for today!

Zhang Sicheng immediately lifted his leg and walked towards the stone table not far away...

At this moment, the woman by the stone table saw Zhang Sicheng walking towards her and stood up with a smile. When Zhang Sicheng came closer, she bowed to him and said, "I am Hu Yuanji, and I greet the current Celestial Master. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"Senior Hu, I am very grateful for your courtesy. Since I took office, I have not been able to bother you. I am truly sorry for my rudeness..." Zhang Sicheng said with a humble attitude.

"Master, you are too kind. Please come and take a seat."

Zhang Sicheng did not refuse, and the host and guest took their seats. Hu Yuanji then had a maid serve fruit. Zhang Sicheng tasted one and found it surprisingly delicious, making his mouth water.

"To be honest, I am ashamed to say that if it weren't for Chu Bifeng's uncle informing me, I would not have known that you were here," Zhang Sicheng sighed.

"But is it the Crimson Void Immortal who guards the forbidden area of ​​Chu Bifeng?" Hu Yuanji asked solemnly upon hearing this.

"Exactly."

"That True Man Chixu is incredibly powerful and has a long-standing relationship with the Celestial Master's Mansion. The Celestial Master should be very close to him." Although Hu Yuanji treated Zhang Sicheng with courtesy, she also showed a willingness to be close to him and offer advice.

Chapter 684 Token

Zhang Sicheng could sense it, and thus understood that the person before him was a guardian deity of the Celestial Master's Mansion, having served dozens of Celestial Masters. Although he respected Zhang Sicheng as a Celestial Master, in reality, he regarded him more as a close junior.

"This junior humbly accepts your instruction and will certainly do so." Having understood this, Zhang Sicheng expressed his gratitude again. He then took the initiative to recount the sudden death of the previous Celestial Master and the hasty succession, which resulted in some crucial secrets within the Celestial Master's Mansion remaining unhanded over…

This also subtly implies that the previous mistreatment was not due to a lack of understanding...

Hu Yuanji listened attentively, then sighed, "I do know some of the cause and effect, but due to the rules, I couldn't see the Celestial Master before, since he didn't come. Fortunately, the Celestial Master has finally come..."

"I know the purpose of the Celestial Master's visit. Back then, the thirty-third Celestial Master, Lord Zhang Jingting, was kind to me, and I was able to cultivate under the protection of the Celestial Master's Mansion. In the blink of an eye, a thousand years have passed..."

As she spoke, she sighed wistfully, as if reminiscing. After a moment, she took out a jade pendant from her bosom and handed it over: "For thousands of years, I have kept this token for all the Celestial Masters, and I have never dared to lose it. Today, I will give this token to the Celestial Master. After the Celestial Master has finished using it, he should return it to me for safekeeping."

"Of course, thank you very much, Senior Hu!" Zhang Sicheng solemnly accepted the jade pendant, put it away, and bowed in greeting.

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Outside the stone gate of the central hall, Zhang Lianchuan was waiting, his mind elsewhere.

Suddenly, the closed wooden door on the side was pushed open from the inside, and Zhang Sicheng walked out.

"Father, did it go smoothly?" Upon seeing his father open the door and come out, Zhang Lianchuan immediately stepped forward. Although he did not know what his father had made such a fuss about, he knew after that day that his Zhang family of Dan Ding Mountain was indeed somewhat secretive. His father must have important business to attend to in order to keep his secrets.

Zhang Sicheng glanced at his son, frowned and said, "You must remain calm in the face of important matters. Now that you are the supervisor, you must not abandon this skill of cultivating composure."

“Father is right, I remember.”

Zhang Sicheng nodded, said no more, and led his son through the corridor toward the back hall...

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Passing through the back hall, they arrived at the back garden. Although called a garden, it was actually a very large park, even containing a small lake. Both father and son had grown up here and knew the paths of the back garden very well. In the darkness, guided by the nightlights installed in the back garden, they followed the pebbled path towards the lake in the center of the garden.

Unbeknownst to the father and son, an invisible figure was standing in the shadows not far from them, watching their every move. This was Zhang Jing's Yin spirit. In this situation, the Yin spirit could completely ignore environmental obstacles, making it much more convenient than the physical body. As ordinary people, neither Zhang Sicheng nor Zhang Lianchuan could see the existence of the Yin spirit.

All of this did not happen without reason. Long before the series of events at Zhebifeng occurred, Zhang Jing had already made a wish in the wishing book:

"I make a wish that beneath the Great Master's Mansion on Danding Mountain, there exists an undiscovered hidden underground palace. This palace was built by the previous Celestial Master, but for some reason, its existence was lost and sealed away."

That wish has been fulfilled.