Ding Yuan slowly woke up, his body aching. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bed in the bamboo house. The light on the table was like beans, making it exceptionally quiet.
Ding Yuan gradually remembered what had happened before he fainted. He reached out and touched it. The Purple Bamboo Sword was lying quietly beside the pillow in its usual position. He hurriedly brought it to his eyes to take a closer look. He only relaxed when he saw that the snowfield sword was round and smooth, and a faint golden halo flowed on the sword's body. It was not damaged at all.
It was the sound of hunger protesting. Ding Yuan sat up and shouted out of the window,"Ah Niu, Ah Niu!"
"Little Brother Ding, I'm here!" Ah Niu answered from outside as he walked in with a bowl of porridge. He happily walked to Ding Yuan's bedside and sat down."You're finally awake, Little Brother Ding. Hurry up and have a bowl of vegetable porridge. I've added a lot of nourishing herbs in it.”
Ding Yuan took the bowl and smelled the medicinal smell. Fortunately, it was not dry in his mouth. Instead, it was smooth and salivating. He didn't know how many days he had slept, but he felt empty in his stomach. A gust of wind swept away the clouds and he finished the big bowl of vegetable porridge.
Ding Yuan returned the empty bowl to Ah Niu and asked,""I slept for a few days. Is the Sword Conference over?”
"You've been lying in bed for six days. The Sword Conference ended a long time ago.”Ah Niu replied,"I was so worried when I saw that you didn't wake up, but Master said that you would wake up tonight and asked me to prepare something for you to eat."?The old man is indeed a divine foresight. You woke up neither too early nor too late tonight.”
"The old Taoist is playing tricks, and you believe him?" Ding Yuan snorted. By the way, how was the result of your competition?”
Ah Niu scratched his head." I made it into the fourth round, but I was killed by Master Uncle Danyi's Priest Wu Shen in a few moves. I was drenched in sweat and lost."”
Ding Yuan was slightly disappointed, but then he thought about how Ah Niu had actually passed several rounds and made it into the top eight, which was already beyond everyone's expectations. Being able to achieve this achievement was enough to comfort them. He then thought of Ji Xueyan and asked,"How's Xue 'er?"
"She's much more powerful than me," Ah Niu said, beaming with joy."She fought all the way to the fifth round, and was only defeated by Luo Jiao's hands by a single move." Oh right, she secretly came to see you a few times these few days. Seeing that you were asleep, she didn't dare to disturb you for a while before leaving.”
"How is that Wu guy?”
"Senior Martial Brother Wu passed out not long after he was struck by your strange black light. I heard from Niece Master Xue that he had been unconscious for the past two days with a high fever that did not subside. However, his life was saved."
"Serves you right." Ding Yuan snorted.
"Little Brother Ding, you have to be careful," said Ah Niu worriedly. I heard from Niece Xue that Martial Uncle Ji was furious about you hurting Senior Martial Brother Wu and has asked the Sect Master to punish you according to the sect rules. Moreover, everyone said that you used a demonic evil technique. When you wake up, we will investigate its source.”
Although Ah Niu was stunned, he knew that for a righteous sect like Cui Xia, the crime of secretly cultivating the demonic path was even more serious than hurting Wu Ting. If it is light, he will face the wall for several years. If it is serious, he will be expelled from the door.
Ding Yuan rolled his eyes and said indifferently,"Be careful, what should I be careful of? I didn't do anything wrong."
Ah Niu shook his head, knowing that Ding Yuan did not take his words to heart, so he could only say,"Little Brother Ding, you should rest for a while. Tomorrow morning, Master will take you to the Emerald Afterglow Temple to meet the Sect Master.”
"They're discussing how to punish me, aren't they?" Ding Yuan sneered.”
Ah Niu did not know how to lie, so he could only comfort Ding Yuan,""With Master here, you'll definitely be fine.”
The next morning, Ding Yuan woke up feeling much better and was able to walk. This was all thanks to his sixty years of pure cultivation and the protection of the Carefree Pill and the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill. If it was anyone else, they would probably have to stay in the sickbed for at least half a month.
After breakfast, the Immortal Danyan brings Ding Yuan to the Emerald Afterglow Temple with his immortal sword. Some disciples go into the study to report to the Immortal Danyi. While waiting for the summons, the old Taoist priest reminded Ding Yuan,""After you enter, don't argue."
"Why?" Ding Yuan sneered.”
The Immortal Danyan slightly raised his head and gazed at his last disciple. Unknowingly, he had grown taller than him by a head. He pressed his hand on Ding Yuan's firm arm and whispered,""A thousand gold coins is not as good as a single silence."
Ding Yuan was startled. While he was thinking about the old Taoist priest's words, the disciple who came in to report had already come out. He bowed respectfully to the Immortal Danyan and said,"Martial Uncle Dan Yan, Junior Brother Ding, Master invites the two of you in.”
The two of them walked into the study and saw that Ji Bietian was also present. Ding Yuan naturally didn't have a good impression of him. He first followed his master to greet Daoist Master Dan Yi, then stood behind the old Taoist priest and ignored Ji Bietian.
Ji Bietian sat beside Reverend Danyan. Seeing Ding Yuan being so rude to him, he snorted but didn't say anything.
Of course, Master Daoist Dan noticed all of this. He smiled and said,""Martial Nephew Ding, are your injuries better?”
Ding Yuan was startled when he saw that Daoist Dan Yi was concerned about his injury instead of blaming him. He replied,""Disciple is already fine, but some people are disappointed.”
Hearing this, Ji Bietian couldn't help but shout,""Ding Yuan, what do you mean?!”
When Ding Yuan saw Ji Bietian jump up, he became even more relaxed and said with a smile,"Martial Uncle Ji, I'm young and ignorant. I'll say whatever I think of. Please don't take offense.”
Seeing that the two of them were going to argue again, Master Daoist Dan waved his horsetail whisk and said,""Martial Nephew Ding, I have something to ask you today. You only need to report the truth and it will be fine. There is no need to argue.”
Ding Yuan laughed coldly in his heart,'As expected, it's because of me injuring Wu Ting. Hmph, why didn't they ask why that fellow wanted to harm Ah Niu?”At the thought of this, anger surged in his heart. He said coldly,"Please inquire, Sect Master!"
"Martial Nephew Ding, I and several elders have checked on your injuries. His whole body was purple and his fever was not going away. Although he had taken the antidote panacea, he still did not get better. Judging from his symptoms, I think he has been poisoned by the Dark Gold Flying Centipede. However, that demonic creature is only produced in the vast Great Desolate. How did you obtain it, Martial Nephew?”
Ding Yuan didn't hide anything and told him how he met Heavenly Venerate Red Beard and how he subdued the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede. Of course, he had to describe the matter of Ji Xueyan sinking into the pool, but he had casually brushed it off.
Ji Bietian could not find any flaws in Ding Yuan's words. Moreover, the other party had narrowly escaped death in order to save his granddaughter, and he had even generously saved Ji Xueyan with his blood that contained the medicinal power of the Nine Transformation Golden Pill. Logically speaking, he should be filled with gratitude towards Ding Yuan, but for some reason, he had always disliked this arrogant junior.
This time, Wu Ting was injured by Ding Yuan. Ji Bietian was not unaware of this. When Wu Tingyou was unconscious, he had already announced that he would face the wall for five years as a punishment. But seeing his beloved disciple lying half-dead on the bed, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards Ding Yuan.
After Ding Yuan finished speaking, Ji Bietian asked,""Ding Yuan, do you know that the Profound Gold Flying Centipede is extremely poisonous and is despised by all the righteous path sects? It's fine if you keep it, but why use it to hurt people again?”He had wanted to say something else,"What's the difference between this kind of behavior and a devil?"”However, when he remembered that Ding Yuan had once saved his granddaughter's life, he swallowed his words.
" I used the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede," Ding Yuan said." Wu Ting used the sword control technique. They both hurt people. What's the difference?"”
When Ji Bietian heard him compare his sect's sword control technique to a demonic creature like the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede, he could not help but say angrily,""You still want to quibble! It was wrong for Wu Ting to use a flying sword to hurt people, but the sect's Emerald Mist Demon Control Art was a dignified immortal art of the king's way. How could evil demons compare to it?”
"Martial Nephew Ding, it's his fault for hurting people after the competition," said Daoist Danyi. For this, Junior Brother Ji had already punished him to face the wall for five years as punishment. At that time, you hurt the wizard nephew out of a moment of righteous anger. Although it was understandable, it was unreasonable. Moreover, since ancient times, good and evil have always been at loggerheads. I, Cui Xia, am a member of the righteous sect, so I can't refine such a vicious demon like the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede. It's fine if you don't understand at first, but you must never continue to cultivate in the future, and you must not use it to hurt others. Otherwise, not to mention the rules of the Emerald Cloud Sect, even if the Heavenly Dao was clear, it would definitely be incompatible. You must remember this."
His tone was calm and his expression was kind, but he spoke earnestly and with dignity. Although Ding Yuan still didn't think much of it, he didn't refute.
He had been born lonely and bitter since he was young, and he had developed a willful and extreme personality. He was very indifferent to the difference between good and evil. She only felt that if others treated her well, she would treat them well. If anyone bullied him, he would return the favor. Why would he ask about methods and methods, and he would not care about what was righteous.
However, the Emerald Cloud Sect was known as the outstanding sword sect of the seven great sects in the Heaven Continent. It had always been at odds with the demonic path, so it viewed right and wrong very seriously. This was something that Ding Yuan could not understand.
The Immortal Danyan slightly bowed and said,"Eldest Senior Brother, it's my fault for not disciplining him strictly. I'm willing to accept the punishment on your behalf."”
Ding Yuan did not expect the old Taoist priest to be willing to take the punishment on his behalf. He raised his head and said,"I'll take responsibility for what I did. I didn't do anything wrong, so I can't implicate others. If you want to punish me, I won't accept it!”
Ji Bietian said angrily," You bastard, you're too stubborn. Senior Brother Sect Master tried so hard to persuade you, but you didn't listen at all!"”
Master Daoist Dan Yi still looked kind and kind. With a faint smile on his lips, he said,"Martial Nephew Ding, you might not be able to understand these questions for the time being, but I believe that you will understand one day. There was a black cliff behind Zuowang Peak, and there was a cave on the cliff called Siwu. From tomorrow onwards, you will face the wall in the Comprehension Cave for three years. On one hand, you will focus on cultivating the immortal techniques of our sect, and on the other hand, you will comprehend the difference between good and evil. You can no longer cultivate the Dark Gold Flying Centipede.”
Wasn't this putting him under house arrest? "I'm not facing the wall!" Ding Yuan sneered.”
When Ji Bietian heard that Dao Master Dan Yi was going to punish Ding Yuan by sending him to the Enlightenment Cave to face the wall for three years, his expression changed slightly as if he was a little surprised. When he heard Ding Yuan disobeying Daoist Master Dan Yi's decree, his expression changed drastically.""How dare you, you even dare to contradict the Sect Leader's words! Do you know that the Enlightenment Cave is a place where only the outstanding disciples of our sect are qualified to face the wall? Even my sect leader senior brother once faced the wall there for ten years in his early years. You actually want to disobey orders, you really don't know what's good for you!”
Ding Yuan was about to retort,"If you like it, why don't you go face the wall for three years?" when the Immortal Danyan pressed down on his shoulder. "Shut up," the old Taoist priest whispered,"if you have anything to say, say it later!"”
Ding Yuan snorted and held back his words.
"Martial Nephew Ding, I know you must be feeling unconvinced." Dao Master Danyi smiled. However, the world was unpredictable. How could there be a time when everything went as one wished? Sometimes, it was not necessarily a bad thing to suffer some setbacks and grievances.”
After returning to the Black Bamboo Pavilion, Ding Yuan sat down in the small hall of the Immortal Danyan and asked,""Why didn't you let me speak just now? Why should I face the wall for three years?”
Sitting opposite Ding Yuan, the Immortal Danyan looked at the disciple whom he had devoted himself to cultivating and said slowly,""If you didn't receive Wu Ting's sword, Sect Leader Shixiong would never have made you face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave for three years.”
"What do you mean?" Ding Yuan asked.”
"Wu Ting's sword was launched with the Cuilan Demon Controlling Art, and your ability to withstand it was beyond everyone's expectations," said the Immortal Danyan. The Sect Leader Senior Brother naturally has higher expectations of you. I hope you can comprehend your realm in three years, so I want you to face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave.”
"That's strange." Ding Yuan snorted."Could it be that he has high expectations of me, and I have to face the wall?"”
"Yes," said the Immortal Danyan.
"What logic is this?"
"You'll understand once you get there," the Immortal Danyan said lightly. If you are still not convinced by then, I can send you down the mountain at any time!”
"I already know the way down the mountain. If I wanted to go, I would have done so long ago!" Ding Yuan said. Why do I need you to send me?" He couldn't help but feel curious when he saw that the Immortal Danyan was half-hiding the matter of the Enlightenment Cave. He thought to himself that this old Taoist priest was playing some tricks again. Most likely, he wanted to deceive him first.
At this moment, Ah Niu knocked on the door and asked,""Master, lunch is ready."
The Immortal Danyan nodded. Ah Niu then looked at Ding Yuan and asked,""Master, how is Little Brother Ding?"
Ding Yuan chuckled,"Sect Master Shibo wanted to painstakingly train me, so he punished me to face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave for three years."”
"Comprehension Cave?" Ah Niu was surprised." Isn't that the place where the outstanding disciples of our sect used to face the wall and comprehend the Heavenly Dao? It's said that the cave wall is filled with the enlightenment of the mental cultivation method left behind by our sect's predecessors during their seclusion." It turns out that the Sect Master Martial Uncle wants Little Brother Ding to go there. I've been worried for nothing the entire morning.”
Ding Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly understood what Daoist Dan Yi was trying to do. He thought to himself, These old Taoist priests are the best at pretending to be profound, but they have to go around in such a big circle.”
Ah Niu thought of something and said with a frown,"Little Brother Ding, you have to eat more at noon today. You won't be able to eat my cooking for the next three years.”
"No," the Immortal Danyan said,"From the day after tomorrow, you will send Ding Yuan a meal every morning and bring him some water.”
Ah Niu was so happy that he grinned and said,""This way, I can see Little Brother Ding every day.”
Although Ding Yuan didn't think much of Ah Niu's excitement, he couldn't help but feel touched. He smiled and said,"You have to remember to bring me food every day. Otherwise, if I starve to death in that stupid hole, I'll look for you even if I turn into a ghost.”
"Don't worry, Little Brother Ding." I'll definitely make delicious food for you every day!”
Early the next morning, Ding Yuan followed the Immortal Danyan to the Enlightenment Cave at the back of the mountain with a few packed clothes and the Snowfield Sword.
While they were out, Ah Niu pulled Ding Yuan's hand and nagged him for a long time, reminding him to concentrate on cultivation and reminding him to be careful of his body. In the end, he even handed a large bag of dry food and a pot of water to Ding Yuan, saying that he would save it for when he was hungry. Big Black seemed to know that Ding Yuan was going on a long trip. It circled around him a few times and even sniffed Ding Yuan's thigh as if it wanted to remember Ding Yuan's scent.
Ding originally wanted to ask Ah Niu to find an opportunity to tell Ji Xueyan about his whereabouts, but the Immortal Dan Yan had been guarding not far away, so he could only forget about it. However, if Ji Xueyan couldn't find him, she would ask Ah Niu, and nothing would go wrong.
This Comprehension Cave was situated on the Black Rock Cliff. Outside the cave, there was a flat ground with a radius of less than twenty zhang. There were wild grasses and pine trees growing all over the place. Occasionally, there would be a few clusters of nameless wildflowers peeking out from the cracks in the rocks. Further out was a cliff, and the clouds below were ethereal and unfathomable. If one did not have the ability to fly through the air, they could only reach the Black Rock Cliff by hanging a rope from above.
The entrance of the Enlightenment Cave was not big, just enough for two people to enter and exit side by side. There was a huge rock next to the entrance of the cave. It must have blocked the entrance of the cave to block the wind and rain. A green stone tablet that had long lost its edges and corners due to the erosion of wind and frost was about half the height of a person. It stood on the other side of the cave entrance. On it, the word "Si Wu" was written in dark black silver hook iron. It was unknown which sage it was.
Looking into the cave with the help of the sunlight, it was quite deep and dark, a full 300 feet before reaching the end. There were stone beds, stone tables, stone chairs, and other things inside for the disciples to rest. However, these things seemed to be old antiques. It was unknown how many years they had been placed here.
Ding Yuan saw that the cave was empty and there was no one outside. He couldn't help but ask curiously,"Doesn't this Comprehension Cave record the insights left behind by generations of disciples facing the wall? Why is there no one watching over it?”
"The entire back mountain is guarded by someone, but you and I can't see him," the Immortal Danyan said.”
Ding Yuan suddenly remembered Zeng Shan whom he had met at the Blue Ripple Pond. Could he be the one guarding the back mountain of Zuowang Peak?
The Immortal Danyan led Ding Yuan into the cave. With a wave of his sleeve, a spark shot out from his fingertip and lit up an oil lamp hanging on the ceiling of the cave. The dim yellow light illuminated the cave.
The Immortal Danyan took out two handwritten books from his sleeve and handed them to Ding Yuan."I'll leave this for you to comprehend. I'll test your progress once every half a month.”
With the help of the light, Ding Yuan could clearly see that one of the two books was the fourth chapter of the Nine Songs of Cuiwei of Cuixia Sect, and the other was the sword manual of the Thirty-six Swords of Billowing Jade. The words on the book were neat and upright, reserved and upright. It was the handwriting of the Immortal Danyan.
Ding Yuan was quite touched, but he smiled and said,"Old Taoist, you don't want me to study and practice calligraphy in exchange for this bullshit formula anymore?”
"Isn't this what you want?" The Immortal Danyan said indifferently.”
"If you had told me earlier that I would face the wall here, I wouldn't have to exchange my reading and calligraphy for the incantation, and I wouldn't have argued with the Sect Leader and Big Beard Ji for so long."”
The Immortal Danyan ignored Ding Yuan and said,""I'll go back first."
Ding Yuan nodded. The Immortal Danyan stopped talking and walked towards the cave entrance. Ding Yuan saw the old Taoist priest's thin and familiar back gradually disappear. For some reason, he felt a faint reluctance in his heart and could not help but call out,"Old Daoist!"
Hearing this, the Immortal Danyan stopped but didn't turn around. He asked,""What's wrong?"
Ding Yuan was silent for a moment before saying,"Don't forget to ask Ah Niu to bring me food tomorrow morning. I didn't bring much dry food.”
The Immortal Danyan nodded and continued walking out of the cave. Ding Yuan's eyes were fixed on the old Taoist priest's back. His lips moved a few times but he did not say anything else.
However, the Immortal Danyan suddenly stopped when he reached the entrance of the cave and turned around slowly. His clear and simple eyes fell on Ding Yuan as he said word by word,"Take care of yourself!"
Ding Yuan felt his throat heat up as if something was stuck in it. He tried his best to put on a disapproving smile and said,"Don't worry, old Taoist priest. From now on, no one will disturb you, and you will have three years of peace.”
After hearing Ding Yuan's words, the Immortal Danyan's face didn't show any emotion. With a wave of his long sleeves, he finally left on his flying sword.
Ding Yuan stood on the spot for a long time before packing up his clothes. He had lost his mother when he was young and had long gotten used to living alone. Although he felt a little lonely and bored, there was nothing he was not used to.
Ding Yuan quickly packed his things and lay down on the stone bed, stretching his back. When he turned his head, he saw a string of small words carved on the stone wall, as if someone had carved them with their fingers. He suddenly remembered what Ah Niu had said. He got up and walked around the stone wall of the cave. As expected, he found that there were dense stone inscriptions on the stone wall.
Most of the stone carvings were carved by people with their fingers, and some were carved with sharp metal. Judging from the handwriting, there were at least 20 people. Some of the stone inscriptions had thousands of words, occupying a radius of several feet. Some of the stone carvings were like chants. They were only a hundred words long, and there were even a dozen words that were engraved on the stone walls.
There were also a few strange symbols, some of which were accompanied by text descriptions, while others were only a few characters that people could not understand. The funniest thing was that Ding Yuan actually saw someone writing a line on the stone wall at the end of the Cave of Enlightenment: "When Zeng Shan came here, he specially left a pot of immortal urine.”It was signed on March 17th, 28th year of the Taisho era, which was more than 130 years ago.
Ding Yuan couldn't help but smile and thought, So this Oldman Zeng used to stay here, but I wonder which stupid sect rule he violated?”
Speak of the devil. Ding Yuan was "appreciating" Zeng Shan's calligraphy when he heard someone outside the cave shouting excitedly,""Hey, why are you here?"
Who else could it be but Zeng Shan?
###################################
Ding Yuan slowly woke up, his body aching. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bed in the bamboo house. The light on the table was like beans, making it exceptionally quiet.
Ding Yuan gradually remembered what had happened before he fainted. He reached out and touched it. The Purple Bamboo Sword was lying quietly beside the pillow in its usual position. He hurriedly brought it to his eyes to take a closer look. He only relaxed when he saw that the snowfield sword was round and smooth, and a faint golden halo flowed on the sword's body. It was not damaged at all.
It was the sound of hunger protesting. Ding Yuan sat up and shouted out of the window,"Ah Niu, Ah Niu!"
"Little Brother Ding, I'm here!" Ah Niu answered from outside as he walked in with a bowl of porridge. He happily walked to Ding Yuan's bedside and sat down."You're finally awake, Little Brother Ding. Hurry up and have a bowl of vegetable porridge. I've added a lot of nourishing herbs in it.”
Ding Yuan took the bowl and smelled the medicinal smell. Fortunately, it was not dry in his mouth. Instead, it was smooth and salivating. He didn't know how many days he had slept, but he felt empty in his stomach. A gust of wind swept away the clouds and he finished the big bowl of vegetable porridge.
Ding Yuan returned the empty bowl to Ah Niu and asked,""I slept for a few days. Is the Sword Conference over?”
"You've been lying in bed for six days. The Sword Conference ended a long time ago.”Ah Niu replied,"I was so worried when I saw that you didn't wake up, but Master said that you would wake up tonight and asked me to prepare something for you to eat."?The old man is indeed a divine foresight. You woke up neither too early nor too late tonight.”
"The old Taoist is playing tricks, and you believe him?" Ding Yuan snorted. By the way, how was the result of your competition?”
Ah Niu scratched his head." I made it into the fourth round, but I was killed by Master Uncle Danyi's Priest Wu Shen in a few moves. I was drenched in sweat and lost."”
Ding Yuan was slightly disappointed, but then he thought about how Ah Niu had actually passed several rounds and made it into the top eight, which was already beyond everyone's expectations. Being able to achieve this achievement was enough to comfort them. He then thought of Ji Xueyan and asked,"How's Xue 'er?"
"She's much more powerful than me," Ah Niu said, beaming with joy."She fought all the way to the fifth round, and was only defeated by Luo Jiao's hands by a single move." Oh right, she secretly came to see you a few times these few days. Seeing that you were asleep, she didn't dare to disturb you for a while before leaving.”
"How is that Wu guy?”
"Senior Martial Brother Wu passed out not long after he was struck by your strange black light. I heard from Niece Master Xue that he had been unconscious for the past two days with a high fever that did not subside. However, his life was saved."
"Serves you right." Ding Yuan snorted.
"Little Brother Ding, you have to be careful," said Ah Niu worriedly. I heard from Niece Xue that Martial Uncle Ji was furious about you hurting Senior Martial Brother Wu and has asked the Sect Master to punish you according to the sect rules. Moreover, everyone said that you used a demonic evil technique. When you wake up, we will investigate its source.”
Although Ah Niu was stunned, he knew that for a righteous sect like Cui Xia, the crime of secretly cultivating the demonic path was even more serious than hurting Wu Ting. If it is light, he will face the wall for several years. If it is serious, he will be expelled from the door.
Ding Yuan rolled his eyes and said indifferently,"Be careful, what should I be careful of? I didn't do anything wrong."
Ah Niu shook his head, knowing that Ding Yuan did not take his words to heart, so he could only say,"Little Brother Ding, you should rest for a while. Tomorrow morning, Master will take you to the Emerald Afterglow Temple to meet the Sect Master.”
"They're discussing how to punish me, aren't they?" Ding Yuan sneered.”
Ah Niu did not know how to lie, so he could only comfort Ding Yuan,""With Master here, you'll definitely be fine.”
The next morning, Ding Yuan woke up feeling much better and was able to walk. This was all thanks to his sixty years of pure cultivation and the protection of the Carefree Pill and the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill. If it was anyone else, they would probably have to stay in the sickbed for at least half a month.
After breakfast, the Immortal Danyan brings Ding Yuan to the Emerald Afterglow Temple with his immortal sword. Some disciples go into the study to report to the Immortal Danyi. While waiting for the summons, the old Taoist priest reminded Ding Yuan,""After you enter, don't argue."
"Why?" Ding Yuan sneered.”
The Immortal Danyan slightly raised his head and gazed at his last disciple. Unknowingly, he had grown taller than him by a head. He pressed his hand on Ding Yuan's firm arm and whispered,""A thousand gold coins is not as good as a single silence."
Ding Yuan was startled. While he was thinking about the old Taoist priest's words, the disciple who came in to report had already come out. He bowed respectfully to the Immortal Danyan and said,"Martial Uncle Dan Yan, Junior Brother Ding, Master invites the two of you in.”
The two of them walked into the study and saw that Ji Bietian was also present. Ding Yuan naturally didn't have a good impression of him. He first followed his master to greet Daoist Master Dan Yi, then stood behind the old Taoist priest and ignored Ji Bietian.
Ji Bietian sat beside Reverend Danyan. Seeing Ding Yuan being so rude to him, he snorted but didn't say anything.
Of course, Master Daoist Dan noticed all of this. He smiled and said,""Martial Nephew Ding, are your injuries better?”
Ding Yuan was startled when he saw that Daoist Dan Yi was concerned about his injury instead of blaming him. He replied,""Disciple is already fine, but some people are disappointed.”
Hearing this, Ji Bietian couldn't help but shout,""Ding Yuan, what do you mean?!”
When Ding Yuan saw Ji Bietian jump up, he became even more relaxed and said with a smile,"Martial Uncle Ji, I'm young and ignorant. I'll say whatever I think of. Please don't take offense.”
Seeing that the two of them were going to argue again, Master Daoist Dan waved his horsetail whisk and said,""Martial Nephew Ding, I have something to ask you today. You only need to report the truth and it will be fine. There is no need to argue.”
Ding Yuan laughed coldly in his heart,'As expected, it's because of me injuring Wu Ting. Hmph, why didn't they ask why that fellow wanted to harm Ah Niu?”At the thought of this, anger surged in his heart. He said coldly,"Please inquire, Sect Master!"
"Martial Nephew Ding, I and several elders have checked on your injuries. His whole body was purple and his fever was not going away. Although he had taken the antidote panacea, he still did not get better. Judging from his symptoms, I think he has been poisoned by the Dark Gold Flying Centipede. However, that demonic creature is only produced in the vast Great Desolate. How did you obtain it, Martial Nephew?”
Ding Yuan didn't hide anything and told him how he met Heavenly Venerate Red Beard and how he subdued the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede. Of course, he had to describe the matter of Ji Xueyan sinking into the pool, but he had casually brushed it off.
Ji Bietian could not find any flaws in Ding Yuan's words. Moreover, the other party had narrowly escaped death in order to save his granddaughter, and he had even generously saved Ji Xueyan with his blood that contained the medicinal power of the Nine Transformation Golden Pill. Logically speaking, he should be filled with gratitude towards Ding Yuan, but for some reason, he had always disliked this arrogant junior.
This time, Wu Ting was injured by Ding Yuan. Ji Bietian was not unaware of this. When Wu Tingyou was unconscious, he had already announced that he would face the wall for five years as a punishment. But seeing his beloved disciple lying half-dead on the bed, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards Ding Yuan.
After Ding Yuan finished speaking, Ji Bietian asked,""Ding Yuan, do you know that the Profound Gold Flying Centipede is extremely poisonous and is despised by all the righteous path sects? It's fine if you keep it, but why use it to hurt people again?”He had wanted to say something else,"What's the difference between this kind of behavior and a devil?"”However, when he remembered that Ding Yuan had once saved his granddaughter's life, he swallowed his words.
" I used the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede," Ding Yuan said." Wu Ting used the sword control technique. They both hurt people. What's the difference?"”
When Ji Bietian heard him compare his sect's sword control technique to a demonic creature like the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede, he could not help but say angrily,""You still want to quibble! It was wrong for Wu Ting to use a flying sword to hurt people, but the sect's Emerald Mist Demon Control Art was a dignified immortal art of the king's way. How could evil demons compare to it?”
"Martial Nephew Ding, it's his fault for hurting people after the competition," said Daoist Danyi. For this, Junior Brother Ji had already punished him to face the wall for five years as punishment. At that time, you hurt the wizard nephew out of a moment of righteous anger. Although it was understandable, it was unreasonable. Moreover, since ancient times, good and evil have always been at loggerheads. I, Cui Xia, am a member of the righteous sect, so I can't refine such a vicious demon like the Mystic Gold Flying Centipede. It's fine if you don't understand at first, but you must never continue to cultivate in the future, and you must not use it to hurt others. Otherwise, not to mention the rules of the Emerald Cloud Sect, even if the Heavenly Dao was clear, it would definitely be incompatible. You must remember this."
His tone was calm and his expression was kind, but he spoke earnestly and with dignity. Although Ding Yuan still didn't think much of it, he didn't refute.
He had been born lonely and bitter since he was young, and he had developed a willful and extreme personality. He was very indifferent to the difference between good and evil. She only felt that if others treated her well, she would treat them well. If anyone bullied him, he would return the favor. Why would he ask about methods and methods, and he would not care about what was righteous.
However, the Emerald Cloud Sect was known as the outstanding sword sect of the seven great sects in the Heaven Continent. It had always been at odds with the demonic path, so it viewed right and wrong very seriously. This was something that Ding Yuan could not understand.
The Immortal Danyan slightly bowed and said,"Eldest Senior Brother, it's my fault for not disciplining him strictly. I'm willing to accept the punishment on your behalf."”
Ding Yuan did not expect the old Taoist priest to be willing to take the punishment on his behalf. He raised his head and said,"I'll take responsibility for what I did. I didn't do anything wrong, so I can't implicate others. If you want to punish me, I won't accept it!”
Ji Bietian said angrily," You bastard, you're too stubborn. Senior Brother Sect Master tried so hard to persuade you, but you didn't listen at all!"”
Master Daoist Dan Yi still looked kind and kind. With a faint smile on his lips, he said,"Martial Nephew Ding, you might not be able to understand these questions for the time being, but I believe that you will understand one day. There was a black cliff behind Zuowang Peak, and there was a cave on the cliff called Siwu. From tomorrow onwards, you will face the wall in the Comprehension Cave for three years. On one hand, you will focus on cultivating the immortal techniques of our sect, and on the other hand, you will comprehend the difference between good and evil. You can no longer cultivate the Dark Gold Flying Centipede.”
Wasn't this putting him under house arrest? "I'm not facing the wall!" Ding Yuan sneered.”
When Ji Bietian heard that Dao Master Dan Yi was going to punish Ding Yuan by sending him to the Enlightenment Cave to face the wall for three years, his expression changed slightly as if he was a little surprised. When he heard Ding Yuan disobeying Daoist Master Dan Yi's decree, his expression changed drastically.""How dare you, you even dare to contradict the Sect Leader's words! Do you know that the Enlightenment Cave is a place where only the outstanding disciples of our sect are qualified to face the wall? Even my sect leader senior brother once faced the wall there for ten years in his early years. You actually want to disobey orders, you really don't know what's good for you!”
Ding Yuan was about to retort,"If you like it, why don't you go face the wall for three years?" when the Immortal Danyan pressed down on his shoulder. "Shut up," the old Taoist priest whispered,"if you have anything to say, say it later!"”
Ding Yuan snorted and held back his words.
"Martial Nephew Ding, I know you must be feeling unconvinced." Dao Master Danyi smiled. However, the world was unpredictable. How could there be a time when everything went as one wished? Sometimes, it was not necessarily a bad thing to suffer some setbacks and grievances.”
After returning to the Black Bamboo Pavilion, Ding Yuan sat down in the small hall of the Immortal Danyan and asked,""Why didn't you let me speak just now? Why should I face the wall for three years?”
Sitting opposite Ding Yuan, the Immortal Danyan looked at the disciple whom he had devoted himself to cultivating and said slowly,""If you didn't receive Wu Ting's sword, Sect Leader Shixiong would never have made you face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave for three years.”
"What do you mean?" Ding Yuan asked.”
"Wu Ting's sword was launched with the Cuilan Demon Controlling Art, and your ability to withstand it was beyond everyone's expectations," said the Immortal Danyan. The Sect Leader Senior Brother naturally has higher expectations of you. I hope you can comprehend your realm in three years, so I want you to face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave.”
"That's strange." Ding Yuan snorted."Could it be that he has high expectations of me, and I have to face the wall?"”
"Yes," said the Immortal Danyan.
"What logic is this?"
"You'll understand once you get there," the Immortal Danyan said lightly. If you are still not convinced by then, I can send you down the mountain at any time!”
"I already know the way down the mountain. If I wanted to go, I would have done so long ago!" Ding Yuan said. Why do I need you to send me?" He couldn't help but feel curious when he saw that the Immortal Danyan was half-hiding the matter of the Enlightenment Cave. He thought to himself that this old Taoist priest was playing some tricks again. Most likely, he wanted to deceive him first.
At this moment, Ah Niu knocked on the door and asked,""Master, lunch is ready."
The Immortal Danyan nodded. Ah Niu then looked at Ding Yuan and asked,""Master, how is Little Brother Ding?"
Ding Yuan chuckled,"Sect Master Shibo wanted to painstakingly train me, so he punished me to face the wall in the Enlightenment Cave for three years."”
"Comprehension Cave?" Ah Niu was surprised." Isn't that the place where the outstanding disciples of our sect used to face the wall and comprehend the Heavenly Dao? It's said that the cave wall is filled with the enlightenment of the mental cultivation method left behind by our sect's predecessors during their seclusion." It turns out that the Sect Master Martial Uncle wants Little Brother Ding to go there. I've been worried for nothing the entire morning.”
Ding Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly understood what Daoist Dan Yi was trying to do. He thought to himself, These old Taoist priests are the best at pretending to be profound, but they have to go around in such a big circle.”
Ah Niu thought of something and said with a frown,"Little Brother Ding, you have to eat more at noon today. You won't be able to eat my cooking for the next three years.”
"No," the Immortal Danyan said,"From the day after tomorrow, you will send Ding Yuan a meal every morning and bring him some water.”
Ah Niu was so happy that he grinned and said,""This way, I can see Little Brother Ding every day.”
Although Ding Yuan didn't think much of Ah Niu's excitement, he couldn't help but feel touched. He smiled and said,"You have to remember to bring me food every day. Otherwise, if I starve to death in that stupid hole, I'll look for you even if I turn into a ghost.”
"Don't worry, Little Brother Ding." I'll definitely make delicious food for you every day!”
Early the next morning, Ding Yuan followed the Immortal Danyan to the Enlightenment Cave at the back of the mountain with a few packed clothes and the Snowfield Sword.
While they were out, Ah Niu pulled Ding Yuan's hand and nagged him for a long time, reminding him to concentrate on cultivation and reminding him to be careful of his body. In the end, he even handed a large bag of dry food and a pot of water to Ding Yuan, saying that he would save it for when he was hungry. Big Black seemed to know that Ding Yuan was going on a long trip. It circled around him a few times and even sniffed Ding Yuan's thigh as if it wanted to remember Ding Yuan's scent.
Ding originally wanted to ask Ah Niu to find an opportunity to tell Ji Xueyan about his whereabouts, but the Immortal Dan Yan had been guarding not far away, so he could only forget about it. However, if Ji Xueyan couldn't find him, she would ask Ah Niu, and nothing would go wrong.
This Comprehension Cave was situated on the Black Rock Cliff. Outside the cave, there was a flat ground with a radius of less than twenty zhang. There were wild grasses and pine trees growing all over the place. Occasionally, there would be a few clusters of nameless wildflowers peeking out from the cracks in the rocks. Further out was a cliff, and the clouds below were ethereal and unfathomable. If one did not have the ability to fly through the air, they could only reach the Black Rock Cliff by hanging a rope from above.
The entrance of the Enlightenment Cave was not big, just enough for two people to enter and exit side by side. There was a huge rock next to the entrance of the cave. It must have blocked the entrance of the cave to block the wind and rain. A green stone tablet that had long lost its edges and corners due to the erosion of wind and frost was about half the height of a person. It stood on the other side of the cave entrance. On it, the word "Si Wu" was written in dark black silver hook iron. It was unknown which sage it was.
Looking into the cave with the help of the sunlight, it was quite deep and dark, a full 300 feet before reaching the end. There were stone beds, stone tables, stone chairs, and other things inside for the disciples to rest. However, these things seemed to be old antiques. It was unknown how many years they had been placed here.
Ding Yuan saw that the cave was empty and there was no one outside. He couldn't help but ask curiously,"Doesn't this Comprehension Cave record the insights left behind by generations of disciples facing the wall? Why is there no one watching over it?”
"The entire back mountain is guarded by someone, but you and I can't see him," the Immortal Danyan said.”
Ding Yuan suddenly remembered Zeng Shan whom he had met at the Blue Ripple Pond. Could he be the one guarding the back mountain of Zuowang Peak?
The Immortal Danyan led Ding Yuan into the cave. With a wave of his sleeve, a spark shot out from his fingertip and lit up an oil lamp hanging on the ceiling of the cave. The dim yellow light illuminated the cave.
The Immortal Danyan took out two handwritten books from his sleeve and handed them to Ding Yuan."I'll leave this for you to comprehend. I'll test your progress once every half a month.”
With the help of the light, Ding Yuan could clearly see that one of the two books was the fourth chapter of the Nine Songs of Cuiwei of Cuixia Sect, and the other was the sword manual of the Thirty-six Swords of Billowing Jade. The words on the book were neat and upright, reserved and upright. It was the handwriting of the Immortal Danyan.
Ding Yuan was quite touched, but he smiled and said,"Old Taoist, you don't want me to study and practice calligraphy in exchange for this bullshit formula anymore?”
"Isn't this what you want?" The Immortal Danyan said indifferently.”
"If you had told me earlier that I would face the wall here, I wouldn't have to exchange my reading and calligraphy for the incantation, and I wouldn't have argued with the Sect Leader and Big Beard Ji for so long."”
The Immortal Danyan ignored Ding Yuan and said,""I'll go back first."
Ding Yuan nodded. The Immortal Danyan stopped talking and walked towards the cave entrance. Ding Yuan saw the old Taoist priest's thin and familiar back gradually disappear. For some reason, he felt a faint reluctance in his heart and could not help but call out,"Old Daoist!"
Hearing this, the Immortal Danyan stopped but didn't turn around. He asked,""What's wrong?"
Ding Yuan was silent for a moment before saying,"Don't forget to ask Ah Niu to bring me food tomorrow morning. I didn't bring much dry food.”
The Immortal Danyan nodded and continued walking out of the cave. Ding Yuan's eyes were fixed on the old Taoist priest's back. His lips moved a few times but he did not say anything else.
However, the Immortal Danyan suddenly stopped when he reached the entrance of the cave and turned around slowly. His clear and simple eyes fell on Ding Yuan as he said word by word,"Take care of yourself!"
Ding Yuan felt his throat heat up as if something was stuck in it. He tried his best to put on a disapproving smile and said,"Don't worry, old Taoist priest. From now on, no one will disturb you, and you will have three years of peace.”
After hearing Ding Yuan's words, the Immortal Danyan's face didn't show any emotion. With a wave of his long sleeves, he finally left on his flying sword.
Ding Yuan stood on the spot for a long time before packing up his clothes. He had lost his mother when he was young and had long gotten used to living alone. Although he felt a little lonely and bored, there was nothing he was not used to.
Ding Yuan quickly packed his things and lay down on the stone bed, stretching his back. When he turned his head, he saw a string of small words carved on the stone wall, as if someone had carved them with their fingers. He suddenly remembered what Ah Niu had said. He got up and walked around the stone wall of the cave. As expected, he found that there were dense stone inscriptions on the stone wall.
Most of the stone carvings were carved by people with their fingers, and some were carved with sharp metal. Judging from the handwriting, there were at least 20 people. Some of the stone inscriptions had thousands of words, occupying a radius of several feet. Some of the stone carvings were like chants. They were only a hundred words long, and there were even a dozen words that were engraved on the stone walls.
There were also a few strange symbols, some of which were accompanied by text descriptions, while others were only a few characters that people could not understand. The funniest thing was that Ding Yuan actually saw someone writing a line on the stone wall at the end of the Cave of Enlightenment: "When Zeng Shan came here, he specially left a pot of immortal urine.”It was signed on March 17th, 28th year of the Taisho era, which was more than 130 years ago.
Ding Yuan couldn't help but smile and thought, So this Oldman Zeng used to stay here, but I wonder which stupid sect rule he violated?”
Speak of the devil. Ding Yuan was "appreciating" Zeng Shan's calligraphy when he heard someone outside the cave shouting excitedly,""Hey, why are you here?"
Who else could it be but Zeng Shan?
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。