Big Data Cultivation-Chapter 601 - Where There are Immortals There is

Chapter 601: Chapter 601: Where There are Immortals, There is Magic (Second Update)

Chapter 601: Chapter 601: Where There are Immortals, There is Magic (Second Update)

“`

Feng Jun felt it for a moment, and sure enough, the water from the Spiritual Spring actually contained a hint of Spiritual Energy.

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There was no doubt, Maoshan really took it seriously, even willing to share a bit of the hard-earned Spiritual Energy that had been gathered.

The stream was not large, merely the thickness of a green bean, but the fact that it flowed continuously was quite terrifying.

Especially now that it was an overcast day, with light rain falling on and off, the air was exceptionally humid.

Because the water contained Spiritual Energy, a faint mist formed in front of the stone turtle, looking celestial and extraordinary with an ethereal charm.

Those who didn’t understand might think it was just vapor, but there were really too many perceptive people present at the scene.

A Taoist stood not far from the stone turtle and took a deep breath, then shouted in ecstasy, “Such a light and dynamic aura, truly befitting a place where those of great virtue and high cultivation reside, only today have I realized the wonders of the ten great Cave Heavens.”

There were many who praised it, including some who knew their stuff, but there were also those perceptive people who sneered inwardly.

This was genuine Spiritual Energy, had Maoshan gone mad, no longer considering how to make it through future days?

But in fact, how could the people of Maoshan be so foolish?

Before tens of thousands of people, Tang Wangsun declared on the spot that Jintan Huayang Celestial Part would only open on the first and fifteenth days of each month, and only in the morning, “…those who wish to collect the Spiritual Spring, must calculate their timing well in advance.”

There, the onlookers, the melon-eating crowd, were not pleased, saying that by doing so, Maoshan was cutting itself off from the people.

Everyone was half-doubtful about the Spiritual Spring—truthfully, nine parts doubtful to one part convinced, but regardless of the ratio, how dare you promote a Spiritual Spring that cannot be collected at any time?

At that moment, Tang Wangsun’s image, full of Taoist charm, played a decisive role, as he announced in a loud voice, “The reopening of the ten great Cave Heavens resulted from the successive efforts of Maoshan’s Taoists across more than ten generations, only achieving a small measure of progress…”

“Our efforts have been rewarded, but what we have done is still far from sufficient. Therefore, the time this Cave Heaven can maintain is very short, short of supporting a 7×24 hour opening. After all, it is one of the ten great Cave Heavens, and it cannot be expected to operate like a convenience store…”

Tang Tianshi’s speech was humorous and witty, and his wording down-to-earth. Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter and somewhat accepted this arrangement.

Being one of the grand Taoist ten great Cave Heavens, it’s only right to be a bit more aloof, isn’t it?

As for the effects of the Spiritual Spring water, no one had experienced them, so it was hard to say.

However, if the Spiritual Spring were useless, then whenever it opened or closed, it would basically concern no one.

If it really had uses, then such limitations would also be reasonable. Limited resources must be allocated reasonably.

The melon-eating crowd accepted this reasoning, but those in the know inwardly cursed, thinking the Bull Nose folks of Maoshan were far too cunning.

By this time, it was already half-past eleven, and the rain above was falling sporadically. The crowd gradually dispersed, and some even lined up in a long queue in front of the stone turtle to collect the trickling Spiritual Spring.

Maoshan invited those distinguished guests from afar to lunch, but compared with breakfast, lunch was much simpler, comprised of tomato-egg noodles and home-style tofu rice, served with a dish of fried peanuts and stir-fried cabbage.

These guests who had traveled long distances had not come solely for the food, and no one complained. After lunch and over an hour of rest, the crowd set off for the true Jintan Huayang Celestial Part.

About four to five hundred Taoists came along with as many laypeople. After passing through several mountain forests, there was unexpectedly a Taoist checking identities up ahead.

This was within everyone’s expectations; could just anyone enter the famous ten great Cave Heavens?

The junior Taoists were very strict with their checks, even stopping Feng Jun’s party.

They held a booklet, looked at the seven people before them, and refused to let them pass—weren’t there supposed to be a handsome young fellow?

What happened to the handsome guy? Why was there an extra Taoist now?

Just then, two women approached, none other than Yang Yuxin and Gu Jiahui.

Yang Yuxin and Gu Jiahui had not stayed at Ten Directions Hall, which was too much in demand, and besides… not everything there was safe and sound.

So, on Tang Wenji’s recommendation, the two of them, along with their two attendants, stayed at the home of a local villager, a household introduced by Tang Wenji herself, so there surely was no problem, and it was also close to Maoshan.

This morning, the scene was too crowded with people, and Yang Yuxin and her daughter had been looking for Feng Jun’s group, but initially just couldn’t find them.

In the end, they finally located the group but only found six; the most crucial one… was absent!

Only next to the six people, there appeared an extra young Taoist of somewhat unhealthy complexion.

Due to the distance and among such large numbers, it was somewhat inappropriate to go over during the ceremony, so they did not approach.

During lunch, they encountered Zhuang Haoyun’s family, three in all. The Zhuang Family people were very warm to them.

Although Yang Yuxin and her daughter could guess at the other party’s intentions—they had encountered such situations many times before—on the account of their connection at Luohua Manor, they couldn’t be too dismissive.

“`

It wasn’t easy, but after lunch break, I finally managed to shake them off, yet I no longer had time to look for Feng Jun.

Now, both parties had bumped into each other at the entrance to the Cave Heaven again.

Yang Yuxin and her daughter’s identities were easy to verify, and as long as the two of them didn’t bring bodyguards in, the passage was very smooth.

At this time, Feng Jing spoke up, “Yang Jie, please do us the favor of bearing witness that all seven of us came here together.”

Yang Yuxin raised her eyebrows, glanced at her, and then took a deeper look at the young Taoist, with a suspicion hidden deep in her eyes.

However, her face did not show anything, she just emotionlessly repeated, “Oh, you all came together.”

The Taoist guarding the gate didn’t comprehend the meaning of her words, but the next moment, he saw the young Taoist with a sallow complexion, placing his hand on the female donor’s shoulder, repeating, “Yes, we came together.”

As soon as Yang Yuxin heard that voice, she knew what was going on with the young Taoist; besides, who else would dare to place a hand on Director Mei’s shoulder in front of Gazi and Gao Qiang?

What a troublemaker! Yang Yuxin rolled her eyes and turned to the young Taoist guarding the gate, “I can vouch for them; they did indeed come together.”

The young Taoist hesitated for a moment. In the booklet he held, it actually recorded the approximate backgrounds of the guests; be it Luohua Manor or Yang Yuxin, in fact, both were not to be trifled with.

Adding these two together just put more pressure on him, “This… I should consult my senior brother about this.”

“There really is no need,” Yang Yuxin, speaking to the young Taoist with a friendly and pleasant demeanor, “Our intention was to keep a low profile. By making a fuss like this, you’ve made everyone aware, so why bother?”

The young Taoist hesitated for a moment, what she said did make sense.

Just then, Zhuang Haoyun, supporting his son, walked over from the mountain path.

Zhuang Zesheng could now walk with a pair of crutches; the key issue was that his lower body strength was seriously insufficient, and to walk faster, it was best to have someone supporting him.

When the young Taoist saw Zhuang Haoyun, his eyes immediately reddened, and he spoke through gritted teeth, “You… you still have the nerve to come here?”

This man was once on the wanted list of Maoshan. Although the bounty was called off not long ago, nearly all Taoists knew that he once sent people to break into Maoshan at night and stole the Ancestral Tablet of Maoshan.

Now that the young Taoist had recognized him, it would be strange if he had a good attitude.

“Why shouldn’t I have the nerve to come?” Zhuang Haoyun glanced at him, replying indifferently. He was in a hurry, and, if necessary, would even dare to lay hands on his own ancestral land, let alone strangers.

But he couldn’t be bothered to explain too much to these little Taoists; he just solemnly stated, “Tang Wenji Little Celestial Master arranged for me to come.”

As the guardian Taoist got embroiled with him, Feng Jun and Yang Yuxin took the opportunity to leave.

Jintan Huayang Celestial Part was actually very similar to the cave below the mountain; it also carved out several caves in the mountain rocks.

However, at a great distance from the mountain wall, a vast bamboo forest appeared, and near the mountain wall, there was white mist flowing. The closer to the mountain wall, the denser the mist.

Because of the misty shroud, the caves on the mountain wall weren’t very clear, but at a glance, one could feel a sort of strangeness – many historical landmarks’ grottoes carve Buddhist statues like this, row upon row, each person occupying a small cave.

Feng Jun, witnessing this scene, had an epiphany: This was the correct way to use the Spirit Gathering Array.

It’s not to say that the Spirit Gathering Array at Luohua Manor was used incorrectly; ultimately, there were simply too many people practicing cultivation in Maoshan. The arrangement of upstairs, downstairs, and to the sides could maximize the efficiency of the Spirit Gathering Array.

Of course, that also referred to the heyday of Maoshan; the present Maoshan was still lacking a bit.

Nevertheless, Feng Jun ultimately gained something; at least he knew now that the statue configurations in many caves were not without reason.

He had always thought that such carvings mainly served to show that, during Buddhist teachings, each person was prepared for a long battle – the legendary sermons that lasted for decades required everyone to have a cave to shield from wind and rain.

Unexpectedly, this arrangement was itself designed for cultivation; under the circumstances of scarce public resources, this was the best layout.

At about a hundred meters from the mountain wall, there was a corridor that separated the visitors from the mountain wall.

Inside the corridor, there were more bamboo forests, stretching into the depths of the white mist; outside of the corridor, there were three pavilions.

Surrounded by more than a dozen Taoists, Tang Wangsun entered a pavilion and then turned to face the thousand people following him.

“Fellow Taoists and benefactors,” his voice was exceptionally loud, “this is Maoshan’s Jintan Huayang Celestial Part, the Eighth Heavenly Cave, the first blessed land. The Cave Heaven below is for the common people; of course, that one is also genuine, but it’s merely an extension of the Cave Heaven…”

“After all, those of us on the Cultivation Path need a tranquil place for cultivation, to be far from the Mortal World.”

This speech was still very down-to-earth, and many applauded.

Tang Wangsun waited a moment, then continued, “You may walk around and experience this place, however, I must clarify one thing, do not enter the corridor uninvited… after all, you wouldn’t let Maoshan casually visit your own Cave Heaven, would you?”