Chapter 31 Entering the 8th Level of Dao, Heading to Chang'an

"Senior Brother!"

Seeing Senior Brother Li Hanguang approaching, Jiang Chen hurriedly put down the chicken leg in his hand and bowed to greet him.

He then looked with slight confusion at Wang Chongxian and his entourage, who were following behind Senior Brother.

"Jiang Chen, His Majesty heard that Revered Master has newly accepted you as his closing-door Disciple, so he specifically sent a decree for you to attend a banquet at the imperial palace before the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is the imperial envoy delivering the decree, Minister Wang."

"Chang'an?"

Only then did Jiang Chen bow to Wang Chongxian: "Greetings, Imperial Envoy Wang."

Minister Wang smiled and nodded: "Truly a hero among youths. The young Immortal Master is heroic and extraordinary. His Majesty will surely be very fond of you when he sees you!"

Fond?

Jiang Chen suddenly felt a tightening in his sphincter. He had heard that ancient dignitaries and nobles were fond of the 'Southern Wind' and even specifically established something called a 'Southern Wind Pavilion'.

Could this Emperor Xuanzong of Tang also have such a penchant?

Although he had never heard of it in history—only the love story between Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Consort Yang was famous—that didn't stop him from being bisexual! Besides, Consort Yang was probably just born now.

If Emperor Xuanzong of Tang dared to have any improper thoughts about his rear, he would give him a taste of his own medicine.

"Since the imperial decree has been delivered, Immortal Master Hanguang, I shall take my leave."

After saying this, Wang Chongxian took his men and hurried down the mountain to return to the capital and report back.

Li Hanguang looked at Jiang Chen: "Junior Brother, your cultivation has actually almost reached the Peak of Dao Entry?"

Jiang Chen was also somewhat excited. "After comprehending this Divine Ability, this Sword Intent directly opened up many Meridians in my body, which is why I was able to progress so quickly in such a short time."

"His Majesty wants you to attend the banquet at the imperial palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Prepare yourself and set off. It just so happens that you can travel around Chang'an as well. Haven't you always wanted to go see Chang'an?" Li Hanguang said.

Jiang Chen had always wanted to see Chang'an in the past, but after Cultivating in the Maoshan Sect, his mindset had changed.

How could traveling be as comfortable as Cultivation? However, since the old Emperor had issued a decree, he would make the trip.

At worst, he would treat it as tempering his heart, and while he was at it, he would slay demons and eliminate devils along the way to accumulate Karma, hoping to land a good official position after Ascending to the Heavenly Court in the future.

That's right, this world had a Heavenly Court, but ever since the Qin Dynasty, the Heavenly Court had never manifested in the mortal world, nor had any immortals, gods, or Buddhas descended.

"However, you must be careful and cautious in Chang'an. It is a place where dragons and snakes are mixed. Your cultivation strength is not weak, but open spears are easy to dodge, while hidden arrows are hard to guard against. If you die, I fear it would fulfill the wishes of many people." Speaking to this point, Li Hanguang's voice turned slightly cold.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. After arriving in Chang'an, I will certainly not tarnish the prestige of the Maoshan Sect!"

Li Hanguang nodded, took off the Magic Treasure sword he was carrying on his back, and handed it to Jiang Chen.

"Senior Brother, this..."

"Take it. You have learned the Shangqing Image-Aspect Sword, so this Magic Treasure sword is perfect for you to use as protection on this trip."

Jiang Chen was somewhat moved. When Li Hanguang first joined the Sect, he was early on designated as the next Sect Leader of the Maoshan Sect.

This Magic Treasure sword was the token of the Maoshan Sect Leader and also an incredibly powerful Magic Treasure of the Maoshan Sect. Senior Brother had once used this sword to slay a Tai Sui.

"Senior Brother, rest assured, I will definitely bring the Sect's Magic Treasure sword back intact." Jiang Chen stated firmly.

Two days later, Jiang Chen drew some more Five-Thunder Talismans and also practiced a high-power Spell, the Palm Thunder.

This method was different from heavenly thunder; it focused on internal refinement and emphasized the harmony of Yin and Yang, unlike the Lightning Induction Spell which was a form of Yin thunder.

Likewise, this thunder method was not as powerful as directly summoning heavenly thunder in the Early Stage, but its upper limit was extremely high, so it was considered one of the most powerful Spells of the Maoshan Sect.

For the past few days, the entire Maoshan Sect could hear the constant rumbling coming from the back mountain. This was Jiang Chen practicing the Palm Thunder to increase his experience points.

[Skills: Combat Mastery (Level 3); Blade Mastery (Level 1); Sword Mastery (Level 3); Talisman Arts (Level 3); Golden Light Incantation (Level 2); Three Souls Restraint Technique (Level 2); Shangqing Image-Aspect Sword (Level 1); Palm Five-Thunder (Level 2)]

[Experience required for Golden Light Incantation upgrade: 902/1000]

[Experience required for Three Souls Restraint Technique upgrade: 132/1000]

[Experience required for Shangqing Image-Aspect Sword upgrade: 11/100]

[Experience required for Palm Five-Thunder upgrade: 146/1000]

After long-term use and Cultivation, Jiang Chen's Golden Light Incantation had reached the threshold for a Breakthrough. He felt that if he killed a few more small demons on the road, he would be able to upgrade the Golden Light Incantation to Level 3.

He didn't pack much, just took the Magic Treasure sword, some Talismans, some silver given by his Senior Brother and Senior Sister, grabbed a topographical map, and set off.

Before leaving, Third Senior Brother Xue Xichang mysteriously called him over and gave him a storybook.

He said that once he went to Chang'an, he would inevitably have to visit the brothels to listen to music.

Then Jiang Chen opened the storybook, and it was full of erotic pictures.

However, Jiang Chen backhanded the book and gave it to Senior Brother.

This resulted in the entire Maoshan Sect hearing Xue Xichang's wails and pleas for mercy for two or three consecutive days.

Jiang Chen went to bid farewell to Revered Master, and then set off.

Just after walking down the mountain, Jiang Chen got a bit lost...

He couldn't really understand the map; he was terrible with directions.

However, he still remembered the path Third Senior Brother Xue Xichang had taken to bring him back last time, so he started walking in the direction of Nameless Mountain.

The mountain road was rugged, but to Jiang Chen, it was like walking on flat ground.

Although he was just walking, every step he took covered half a zhang. In an hour, he could cover 60 li.

"Daoist, come to our home and have a drink of water!"

On the road, simple villagers saw Jiang Chen and greeted him kindly.

Jiang Chen politely declined and continued his journey.

Finally, before dark, Jiang Chen reached the foot of Nameless Mountain.

"Roar!"

Just as he arrived, he heard a deafening roar that shook all directions from the mountain forest.

Then, a white shadow, fast as lightning, darted out from the forest and pounced toward Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen didn't make any moves. When the white shadow reached Jiang Chen, it stopped abruptly and then lay down at Jiang Chen's feet, whimpering.

Who else could it be but the Shanjun white tiger that Jiang Chen and the others had saved?

Jiang Chen smiled and stroked its fur. Half a month had passed, and the Shanjun's injuries had fully healed, and even its fur had grown back.

"It seems that after becoming the king of the mountain, your recent days have been quite good. Judging by your aura, you are nearing the Late Stage of Qi Induction."

The white tiger understood Jiang Chen's words, hurriedly shook its big head, and gently pawed at Jiang Chen's trouser leg twice.

"Ying ying ying!"

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh. This white tiger was about to refine the cross-bone in its mouth, but it hadn't refined it yet; it was still in the voice-changing stage.

It wanted to speak, but it made a sound similar to a leopard cat, a "ying ying" sound.

The white tiger was also somewhat shocked. It sat up on its hind legs and raised its two front paws to touch its own neck.

"Roar? Ying ying ying!"