The Two Palaces of Mount Innerheart
2,157 words
Ji Ning walked out of the Daoist temple. Outside, the white-robed Lord Jun, Qingqing, Uncle White, and the others were all waiting for him.
“Master.” Qingqing, now transformed back into a green-robed young woman, called out joyfully.
Lord Jun, clad in white, looked at Ji Ning with a smile. “I must address you as junior apprentice-brother now.”
“Senior apprentice-brother,” Ji Ning replied.
The two Daoist attendants within the temple showed looks of surprise. Lord Jun laughed. “Qingshui, Baihe, the master has just accepted Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning as his disciple. The two of you must remember this.”
“Greetings, Martial Uncle,” the two attendants immediately said to Ji Ning.
“Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning,” Lord Jun laughed. “Qingshui and Baihe were originally two Congenital spirit-treasures that have taken human form. They have always been by the master’s side. Even I, when I need to see the master, must request a meeting and wait for his permission. The two of them, however, are always in attendance. They see the master far more often than we disciples do.”
Ji Ning, the Whitewater Hound, and Qingqing were all greatly shocked.
“Greetings, Martial Uncles,” the two attendants said, not daring to put on any airs.
“There is no need for such formality, Martial Nephews,” Ji Ning replied. “We are merely Congenital spirit-treasures; cultivating is incredibly difficult for us. How could we compare to you two Martial Uncles, whose cultivation speed far surpasses ours?” Qingshui said with a smile.
Congenital Fiendgods were gods born from Heaven and Earth after Pangu split the heavens apart. Congenital spirit-treasures were treasures born from Heaven and Earth after Pangu split the heavens apart!
Immortal cultivators could refine treasures, generally classified into Mortal-ranked, Earth-ranked, Heaven-ranked, Immortal-ranked, and even Pure Yang treasures! Even great powerhouses could at most refine Pure Yang treasures—this was the limit of deliberate, man-made refinement. However, Pure Yang treasures possessed a spirit of their own. They could absorb the natural energy of Heaven and Earth, comprehend the profound mysteries of the Dao, and had a very slight chance of being promoted to the ‘Congenital spirit-treasure’ level.
“Junior apprentice-brother, this place has beautiful scenery and is quite secluded. It can serve as your residence on Mount Innerheart. You can just place your portable estate here,” Lord Jun said, leading Ji Ning to a quiet spot. Not far off, a mountain stream wound its way past. Bright red spirit-fruits hung from the branches, and occasionally one could see fey beasts flying by.
Ji Ning nodded. “Alright. This spot is perfect.”
When coming to the Tristar Crescent Abode to study the Dao, one could not be too demanding about one’s dwelling. Besides, the place Senior Apprentice-Brother Lord Jun had helped find was truly worthy of being called an immortal’s paradise.
Swoosh.
The immortal estate descended directly, landing on a patch of green grass.
“Mount Innerheart is filled with spirit-fruits and spring water. Eat and drink as you please,” Lord Jun said. “There are many powerful monsters on the mountain. Remember, you must not kill them. However, ordinary, Houtian-level beasts can be killed and roasted for food.”
“Understood,” Ji Ning nodded.
“Only ordinary beasts?” Qingqing muttered on the side.
“Senior apprentice-brother, the master told me earlier that there are two Daoist palaces on Mount Innerheart, which contain everything under the sun,” Ji Ning said.
“Right,” Lord Jun nodded. “I’ll take you there.”
The place in the Tristar Crescent Abode that gathered the most human cultivators, monsters, and Fiendgods was the ‘Divine Immortal Palace’.
“That is the Divine Immortal Palace, one of the two Daoist palaces,” Lord Jun said, pointing at a palace that was a full nine stories tall. “The Divine Immortal Palace is divided into nine levels. Each level contains everything—formations, puppets, sword arts, evasion techniques, lightning arts, magnetic light…all sorts of techniques, divine abilities, and secret arts can be found here. The higher you go, the more profound they are. The ninth level is naturally the most profound.”
“The Divine Immortal Palace is open to all. Any living creature on Mount Innerheart can enter and study. However, the Dao is not to be transmitted lightly. Learning each technique or secret art requires passing a simple trial. Only after passing the trial can you learn the technique,” Lord Jun explained.
Ji Ning quickly asked, “Then can my two spirit-beasts also study here?”
“Naturally,” Lord Jun nodded. “Although the techniques and secret arts in the Divine Immortal Palace are not the most profound or mysterious of the Tristar Crescent Abode, they still far surpass the secret teachings of your Grand Xia world.”
“Do you have techniques and secret arts for the Grand Dao of Space?” Qingqing asked, her eyes filled with hope.
“How many formation techniques do you have?” the Whitewater Hound asked excitedly.
“Far more than you have in the entire Grand Xia world,” Lord Jun said confidently. “Even under Daofather Crimsonbright, in terms of sheer variety of techniques, they are inferior to our master. If you want to learn Ki Refining or Fiendgod Body Refining techniques, formations, the Grand Dao of Space, the Grand Dao of the Taiji…you can learn any of them, as long as you can pass the simple trials.”
Qingqing and the Whitewater Hound immediately understood that their great opportunity had arrived.
In truth, being able to enter Mount Innerheart meant that one had some connection to Patriarch Subhuti. They were either his direct disciples or disciples’ disciples, or the attendants and spirit-beasts of his disciples. In short, they were all under Patriarch Subhuti’s command. Allowing all living creatures of Mount Innerheart to enter the palace for study was perfectly normal.
“There are so many people and Fiendgods here,” Ji Ning observed. Looking around, he saw a large crowd of figures on the open space before the Divine Immortal Palace. There were even some great monsters in the form of birds and beasts, as well as some Fiendgods with strange appearances.
“Senior apprentice-brother, what about the other Daoist palace?” Ji Ning asked.
“There are two Daoist palaces: the Divine Immortal Palace and the Three Realms Palace. The Divine Immortal Palace is open to all living creatures on Mount Innerheart. The Three Realms Palace, however, is only for the master’s personally accepted disciples or those who have obtained the master’s permission to enter,” Lord Jun said. “Junior apprentice-brother, although you are currently only a nominal disciple due to your weak strength, the master treats you as if you were a personal disciple. Thus, you may also enter the Three Realms Palace. Your two spirit-beasts, however, cannot.”
Ji Ning nodded in understanding. “The Three Realms Palace houses the truly top-tier grand divine abilities and terrifying secret arts of the Three Realms. They are not to be learned lightly. Even for personal disciples, after learning a few techniques, the master will forbid them from learning more,” Lord Jun said. “Being able to learn even a few is a great opportunity. After all, even ordinary Celestial Immortals and Fiendgods would be able to roam the Three Realms with impunity if they mastered just one such technique.”
Ji Ning’s heart burned with excitement.
All great abilities capable of dominating the Three Realms!
“Moreover, when a disciple completes his training and leaves the mountain, the master always bestows upon him the divine ability or secret art that best suits him,” Lord Jun laughed.
Ji Ning remembered now…the master had said that when he left the mountain, he would give him two great gifts.
“The Divine Immortal Palace and the Three Realms Palace,” Lord Jun sighed. “Junior apprentice-brother, remember this well. You must first obtain a technique from the ninth level of the Divine Immortal Palace before you can go to the Three Realms Palace.”
“If you can’t even obtain a ninth-level technique, you are not qualified to learn the methods of the Three Realms Palace,” Lord Jun said. “As for the other living creatures on Mount Innerheart, once they’ve learned a ninth-level technique from the Divine Immortal Palace, they are generally sent down the mountain.”
Ji Ning nodded. This was the privilege of being a personal disciple! Although he was a nominal disciple, he was being treated as a personal disciple.
The Three Realms Palace. Ji Ning’s heart itched with curiosity.
“Junior apprentice-brother, look around at your leisure. If you need anything, you can come find me. I am on the mountain; you can get directions from anyone,” Lord Jun said.
“Thank you, senior apprentice-brother,” Ji Ning expressed his gratitude.
“It’s nothing.” Lord Jun then drifted away. He had long since passed the stage of learning techniques and had already reached the Pure Yang True Immortal level. He stayed on Mount Innerheart because he loved its tranquility and peace, and also because he could occasionally listen to Patriarch Subhuti’s lectures on the Dao. At his level, what he yearned for most was to become a Daofather. Daofathers were the most supreme existences in the Three Realms!
“The Three Realms Palace is so small,” Qingqing muttered. “And so unremarkable. For a place that supposedly holds the most supreme grand divine abilities and terrifying secret arts of the Three Realms, you’d think they’d build it to be at least a little grand, or at least a bit more immortal-like.”
Ji Ning blinked.
In the distance, the ‘Three Realms Palace’ was just an ordinary pavilion, a mere few zhang in height. Outside the pavilion, a lean, withered old man lay sleeping, a fan resting on his chest. His snoring was loud and clear, and Ji Ning could hear it plainly even from afar.
Ji Ning, Qingqing, and the Whitewater Hound arrived at the Divine Immortal Palace. In the open space outside, a large crowd of humans, great monsters, and Fiendgods looked at the three of them with curiosity.
“Who are these three? I’ve never seen them before.”
“Neither have I. They might have just come up the mountain.”
“I saw Grandmaster Lord Jun leading the three of them. That lad in the fur might be a disciple Lord Jun accepted.”
“Their auras are very weak. All three seem to be at the Wanxiang level.”
“Yeah. Very weak.”
The crowd of humans, monsters, and Fiendgods murmured among themselves. It was clear they knew nothing of Ji Ning and his party.
Suddenly, a handsome man in a white robe, holding a white-feathered fan, appeared at the main entrance of the Divine Immortal Palace. He said with a cool, commanding tone, “Silence.”
Instantly, silence fell. All the humans, great monsters, and Fiendgods in the open space became quiet. This handsome man before them was the administrator of the Divine Immortal Palace. How could they dare to show any disrespect? Moreover, this handsome man was a terrifyingly powerful ancient divine beast, with strength that far surpassed every one of them.
“Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning,” the handsome man said with a smile, nodding to Ji Ning. “My name is Silvermoon. You may address me as Senior Apprentice-Brother Silvermoon. I have already been informed of your matters.”
“Ji Ning greets Senior Apprentice-Brother,” Ji Ning said. He could sense a terrifying aura from this handsome man, one similar to the ‘Fuhai Fiendgod’.
Whoosh…
The crowd of humans, great monsters, and Fiendgods were all stunned.
Senior apprentice-brother? That demon Silvermoon was actually calling this boy in the fur ‘junior apprentice-brother’? That meant…this boy in the fur was a disciple of Patriarch Subhuti! To be accepted as a disciple by Patriarch Subhuti while still only at the Wanxiang level…it was clear that the Patriarch thought highly of him. Once he became a Celestial Immortal, he would definitely become a personal disciple.
“Mm.” The white-robed, fan-wielding handsome man turned to look at the crowd of humans, great monsters, and Fiendgods. He said coolly, “Listen carefully. This is Ji Ning, a newly accepted disciple of the Patriarch. The lot of you will treat him with the utmost respect. Those who are junior to him will address him as Martial Uncle. Those who are of a lower generation will address him as Grandmaster.”
“Greetings, Martial Uncle.”
“Greetings, Grandmaster.”
The powerful humans, monsters, and Fiendgods all called out in a respectful and obedient tone.
Ji Ning looked at these beings before him. They were all at the Primal or Return to Void level. There were even quite a few Return to Void Fiendgods and divine beasts. These Return to Void Fiendgods were all at the level of that Fiendgod from the Mount Yujue Wasteland! Yet they were obediently calling him Martial Uncle and Grandmaster. Ji Ning found the situation quite profound and strange.
“Junior apprentice-brother, come on in,” the white-robed handsome man said.
Ji Ning turned his head and saw the first level of the Divine Immortal Palace. The closest thing in sight was a row of tall bookshelves, filled with countless books. A large line of text was written on one of the shelves: “Sweep the mountain paths of Mount Innerheart once, and you may choose any one technique to learn.”