Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 12

The air froze instantly, as if even the mountain breeze had stopped!

Granny Tong whirled around! A face as exquisite as a jade maiden's, yet covered in frost, and a pair of deep eyes as sharp as icicles, instantly locked onto Qiao Tian. Her gaze swept over his empty thumb, then settled on the vibrant green thumb ring on her own finger. She seemed to have heard the most absurd joke in the world, her anger turning into a mocking laugh. Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a chilling coldness: "Junior! Do you know who you're talking to?! Hmm?! This Seven Treasures Ring is the supreme token of my Free and Unfettered Sect! Do you think you're more worthy to wield it than I am? Or do you think I'll treat you differently because of my junior brother?"

An overwhelming and terrifying aura crashed down on Qiao Tian. Anyone with a weak will would have already collapsed to their knees.

Qiao Tian, ​​however, remained upright and clear-eyed, responding neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Grand Master Uncle is the elder of my sect. Respecting teachers and valuing the Way is the foundation of one's standing in this world. I dare not overstep my bounds in the slightest, nor dare I harbor the slightest disrespect towards Grand Master Uncle."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming incredibly firm: "As for the sect leader's token, whether I am worthy of it or not is not something I have ever considered. This token was personally entrusted to me by my master, Wuyazi, who instructed me to present it to our grandmaster. Since I brought it, I must bring it back intact. This is not my personal wish, but the pride and ironclad rule of the Xiaoyao Sect! I firmly believe that my master will never forgive a disciple who cannot even protect the sect's token and has lost the sect's integrity!"

These words, once spoken, resonated deeply, fully embodying the principles of "respecting the teacher" and "protecting the path," and elevating the "spirit of the sect" to its zenith!

A subtle hint of surprise flashed in Wu Xingyun's eyes. She was known for her capricious nature, and was most responsive to gentle persuasion than force. If Qiao Tian had pleaded or defied her, she would have already punished him. But these words, so tightly intertwined with the principles of "respect for elders" and "protecting the sect's dignity," perfectly aligned with her deep-seated pride in the sect's reputation! Hearing these words, she felt an inexplicable sense of approval towards the young man.

However, his face remained frosty, and he snorted coldly: "Hmph! Little brat, your reasoning sounds quite dignified! It sounds plausible! But!"

Before she finished speaking, a tremendous aura suddenly erupted from her petite body! "The principles of this world cannot be put into practice simply by understanding them! Nor can they be upheld by risking one's life! Today, your grandmother will teach you, on behalf of your master, what true 'respect for teachers and the Way' really means! What... the ultimate truth of the strong is!"

As she uttered the last word "reason," her figure blurred and seemed to merge into the morning light and shadow!

The next instant, Qiao Tian only felt a blur before his eyes. A fair and delicate hand, small and exquisite, yet containing terrifying power capable of shattering mountains and breaking peaks, had silently pierced through the three-zhang space. Its fingertips were wreathed in a bone-chilling light, and it went straight for his eyes! The speed was so fast that it exceeded the limits of visual perception!

Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand - Plum Blossom Exploration Style!

A warning bell rang in Qiao Tian's heart. He knew his senior master's skills were extraordinary, and dared not be negligent in the slightest. However, he remembered the order of seniority and could not take the initiative to attack, much less use any killing moves. At that moment, the Nine Yang True Qi in his dantian surged, and his body floated backward like a feather caught in a gale. At the same time, his right hand slightly bent its five fingers, forming a claw shape, and grasped and pulled in the air. He used the "illusory grasping" force, the most profound of the "Capturing Dragon Skill," one of the seventy-two Shaolin arts, combined with his own powerful internal force. He did not block it head-on, but attempted to deflect the fierce and unparalleled finger force.

"Hmm?" Wu Xingyun let out a soft exclamation, clearly not expecting her opponent to be able to defuse her angry attack with such a clever technique. But she changed her move with lightning speed, flipping her wrist to transform her fingers into a palm, which suddenly turned crimson red like fire. A scorching and fierce palm wind slammed out, striking directly at Qiao Tian's chest and abdomen! It had already changed to "Yang Ge Tian Jun" from the Six Yang Palms of Tianshan!

Qiao Tian's figure shifted again, his footwork becoming increasingly mysterious, seemingly following the Big Dipper or treading on lotus flowers. This was a combination of the supreme lightness skill of "Crossing the River on a Reed" and the "Stepping into Emptiness" principle he had comprehended in the Bodhidharma Cave, allowing him to avoid the scorching palm wind by the slightest margin. At the same time, his left arm moved horizontally to block, the muscles on his forearm slightly bulging, gleaming with a faint golden luster, vaguely resembling the power of the "Indestructible Vajra Body Divine Skill," yet he still focused on blocking and deflecting the force, meeting the opponent's wrist head-on.

"Bang!" A muffled thunderous sound of clashing energies rang out! Qiao Tian felt a fierce and powerful yet strangely chilling force penetrate his arm, causing his blood to surge. He staggered back five steps before barely managing to neutralize the terrifying force. He thought to himself, "What a strange and domineering Tianshan Six Yang Palm! The interplay of Yin and Yang, the combination of strength and gentleness, how can it be used like this!"

When Wu Xingyun saw that he had failed to defeat this young junior in two moves, and was instead neutralized by the junior's exquisite footwork and defensive techniques, he felt ashamed, especially since the junior had clearly not used his full strength and was mostly dodging and blocking.

"Well done, young man! You've been hiding some skills! Watch what Grandma has to offer!" She shouted, her figure flashing and instantly transforming into several people, the sky filled with her palm shadows, finger strikes, and leg shadows! She combined the exquisite grappling techniques of the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, the fierce heat of the Six Yang Palm, and some extremely subtle and tricky silk-reeling forces into one, like a storm enveloping Qiao Tian's vital points! It was one of her most powerful and unparalleled techniques, a fierce offensive!

Qiao Tian felt an immense pressure, like a mountain collapsing and the sea crashing down! He took a deep breath, pushing his Nine Yang Divine Skill to its current limit, the seventh level of "Yin Yang Harmony" true energy surging like the Yangtze River. He pushed his "Crossing the River on a Reed" lightness skill to its extreme, shifting and dodging within a small space, his figure like a ghost, avoiding fatal blows at the last second. His hands either grabbed, pulled, parried, or blocked, the feinting and skillful force of "Dragon Capturing Skill," the defensive power of "Indestructible Body," and his own superb perception of the flow of energy all blended together. Although he was constantly in danger, his clothes soaked with sweat, he always firmly protected his body and was never truly hit in a vital spot.

For a moment, red shadows flashed like lightning and green shadows shifted like smoke on the stone platform. The muffled sounds of clashing energies and sharp whistles echoed incessantly, yet strangely, not a single blade of grass or tree was damaged, demonstrating the exquisite control of power by both sides.

Wu Xingyun was increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed! She had thought she could capture this arrogant brat within three or five moves, but she had not expected him to be so resilient, with seemingly inexhaustible inner strength and a wide variety of profound and complex moves. Many of his countermeasures were different from any other school of martial arts in the Central Plains. He defended himself flawlessly and even showed the demeanor of a grandmaster who had established his own school!

What particularly shocked her was that the opponent's internal energy foundation was extremely yang and strong, abundant and vast. Although it was already perfectly integrated and in harmony with yin and yang, its origin was fiery and pure... It was definitely not the style of the Xiaoyao Sect's Beiming Divine Art!

Unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged battle, Wu Xingyun's anger flared. She let out a clear, long roar, suddenly increasing the force of her palm strike. Her right palm lightly struck out, its palm filled with a swirling interplay of crimson and icy blue energy, seemingly containing a terrifying power of yin and yang. Wherever her palm passed, the air hissed as if being torn apart! This was her all-out attack, unleashed in her rage, and she had used her true abilities!

Qiao Tian sensed the destructive power contained in this palm strike and knew he could no longer simply defend. His eyes narrowed, and instead of retreating, he advanced, forming a peculiar fist with his right palm. The Nine Yang True Qi was highly concentrated in his palm, faintly showing the image of a dragon and tiger in harmony. He was actually going to meet this senior master's strength head-on!

"Boom——!"

Their palms collided violently without any fancy moves!

A visible ring of air suddenly exploded outwards from the two of them, instantly clearing the dust from the stone platform! Qiao Tian's body trembled violently, as if struck by a giant hammer. He staggered back eight steps, each step leaving a clear footprint an inch deep in the incredibly hard rock. His face flushed red at first, but then quickly returned to normal, demonstrating the unparalleled energy recovery ability of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Wu Xingyun was also shaken by the tremendous force of the recoil, and her delicate body swayed, taking a small step back! Although it was only a tiny step, it showed unprecedented shock and disbelief on her face!

She abruptly withdrew her palm, steadied herself, and ceased her attack. Instead, she stared intently at Qiao Tian with eyes that seemed to have seen a ghost, her voice sharp and distorted with extreme shock and disbelief:

"Young man! You... the energy within you is absolutely not the Northern Darkness True Qi! Nor is it any internal energy from any lineage of my Free and Unfettered Sect! It is supremely Yang and strong, inexhaustible and unstoppable... This is clearly the path of the highest Buddhist Zen practice, yet it seems to be something else entirely! Who exactly are you?! Why do you possess Wu Yazi's Seven Treasures Ring?! Speak!"

Chapter 39 Wu Xingyun

Faced with Wu Xingyun's sharp questioning, Qiao Tian remained calm, only bowing slightly, his tone steady:

"Grandmaster, you are wise. My internal energy foundation is indeed not from the Northern Darkness Divine Art lineage."

"I once practiced at Shaolin Temple with my hair still intact. My skill comes from Shaolin's supreme martial art. This art is extremely yang and powerful; when practiced to its deepest level, true qi can be generated spontaneously, and power can flow throughout the body. I am not very talented, but I have achieved some minor success, which is why I was able to withstand a few moves from my senior master."

"Shaolin?" Wu Xingyun's voice was icy cold. "What does this have to do with the token of the Xiaoyao Sect's leadership? Is Junior Brother truly confused? To pass the leadership position to someone who possesses the unique skills of another sect?"

Qiao Tian's gaze was clear as he met Qiao Tian's honest reply: "Master is a man of profound wisdom, and his actions are always well-considered. I believe that Master values ​​not the style of martial arts, but rather the alignment of our philosophies."

His tone grew serious, yet each word was clear: "Martial arts techniques and internal energy cultivation methods are merely protective measures. What truly determines how far an individual or a sect can go is the path they seek."

"Does Grand Master know that Master is now crippled?" Qiao Tian's voice was low. "It's all because of his rebellious disciple, Ding Chunqiu, who was obsessed with martial arts and harbored greed. Master discovered that he had secretly learned evil techniques and repeatedly reprimanded him, but he did not repent. Instead, he became resentful and attacked Master when he was off guard..."

He calmly recounted the betrayal, telling every detail truthfully without the slightest exaggeration.

"Although Master was saved by Senior Brother Su Xinghe, his meridians are all severed, and his lower limbs are paralyzed. For more than ten years, he has been able to eke out a living in a dark room. The sect is declining, and the disciples are scattered..." Qiao Tian's tone remained restrained. "Master felt ashamed to face his eldest master uncle again and was once heartbroken."

Wu Xingyun's inner energy suddenly erupted, shattering the rocks at the edge of the cliff. Her fists clenched, her eyes bloodshot.

"Why doesn't he come looking for me?! Ding Chunqiu—I will tear you to pieces!"

Despite the terrifying aura emanating from her, Qiao Tian remained as steady as a rock. Once her emotions had calmed slightly, she continued speaking, her tone solemn:

"When Master was in utter despair, he entrusted the Seven Treasures Ring to me, perhaps seeing that although I practiced martial arts from another school, my heart was set on the Great Dao. I vow to revitalize the Daoist sect and create a new era for the Free and Unfettered Sect."

His gaze was resolute: "If my senior master believes I am unworthy to possess this token, then you may take it back now. I only beg my senior master to consider our shared sect bond and intervene to cleanse the sect and heal my master. I will absolutely not interfere in the internal affairs of the Free and Unfettered Sect."

The air was still, with only the mountain wind howling.

After a long silence, the sharpness in Wu Xingyun's eyes gradually faded, transforming into a barely perceptible hint of compromise. She slowly lowered the hand adorned with the ring, her voice still icy, but lacking some of its murderous intent:

"A silver-tongued, flattering man... how is my junior brother now?"

Qiao Tian's expression was solemn: "I dare not hide it. Master is currently being cared for by Senior Brother Su in the Valley of the Deaf and Mute, but his condition is extremely dire."

He described Wu Yazi's current situation in detail, his tone always restrained yet sorrowful. Wu Xingyun listened, his fists clenched tightly, his body trembling slightly.

"My junior brother is such a proud person..." she murmured, and a crack finally appeared in her hard shell.

Qiao Tian seized the opportunity and said, "My master sent me here primarily to inform our eldest uncle of his situation, so that you would no longer worry about him."

"Secondly, I humbly request that my senior uncle, out of our shared sect bond, lend me a hand." He bowed deeply. "I will unite the remaining forces of the Xiaoyao Sect and establish a new base on Wudang Mountain. Once I have mastered the arts, I will surely eradicate the Xingxiu Sect for my master, cleanse the sect of evil, and seek out miraculous medicines and secret methods to heal him."

"This matter is immense and cannot be accomplished by one person alone. Lingjiu Palace is powerful, with many capable individuals from the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments. Only with the assistance of our Grand Master Uncle can this matter be accomplished."

Wu Xingyun remained silent for a moment, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized Qiao Tian. His desire to save Wu Yazi ultimately overcame his doubts.

"Grandma Yu," she called out.

The female leader stepped forward in response.

"From this day forward, all nine departments of the Nine Heavens must cooperate with this young master," Wu Xingyun said authoritatively. "The funds will be allocated by the Juntian Department, intelligence will be provided by the Haotian Department, and manpower will be dispatched by the Yangtian Department. Granny Yu, please take a few people with you and make sure to take good care of my junior brother."

She turned to Qiao Tian, ​​her gaze icy: "But if you dare to use this opportunity to do anything improper, or if even a single word you said today is false... I will personally go to Wudang and make you wish you were dead."

Qiao Tian bowed solemnly: "This junior swears that I will personally kill Ding Chunqiu, do everything in my power to heal my master, and bring glory to the sect. I will never fail the trust of my senior uncle."

Wu Xingyun snorted coldly, said no more, and turned to face the sea of ​​clouds. Her petite figure cast a long shadow in the morning sun, exuding an indescribable loneliness.

Knowing that his goal had been achieved, Qiao Tian slowly retreated from the cliff platform under the guidance of Granny Yu.

Chapter 40 Gathering at Wudang Mountain

Led by Granny Yu, Qiao Tian and Granny Yu walked one after the other through the cold and magnificent halls and corridors of Lingjiu Palace, the atmosphere silent and subtle.

Granny Yu's expression was solemn, and she acted in an official manner. Although she was following the orders of Granny Tong, she still maintained a high degree of scrutiny and distance towards Qiao Tian, ​​this young man who appeared out of nowhere, who possessed Shaolin martial arts skills, and who held the token of the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect.

“Young Master Qiao,” Granny Yu began, her tone respectful, “Since Granny Tong has given the order, the Juntian Department and the Haotian Department will cooperate. Please come with me to collect the money and expenses you need, and meet with the heads of the two departments to clarify the follow-up communication matters.”

"Thank you for your trouble, Granny Yu." Qiao Tian nodded slightly, his attitude humble.

They first arrived at a heavily guarded stone hall, above which were carved the ancient seal characters "Jun Tian". The interior was not opulent, but rather simple and imposing, with rows of massive ebony chests and cabinets neatly arranged, and the air filled with the faint scent of camphor wood and account books. This was clearly the core of Lingjiu Palace, responsible for managing its internal resources and finances.

The person in charge of the Juntian Department was a woman who looked to be in her forties, with a capable face and sharp eyes, known as "Madam Shi". She had already received orders from Granny Tong, and when she saw Granny Yu and Qiao Tian, ​​she didn't say much, but just gave a perfunctory bow.

"Madam Shi, this is Young Master Qiao. Granny Tong has ordered that all the money and expenses Young Master Qiao needs for building the mountain gate shall be allocated by our Juntian Department as appropriate." Granny Yu conveyed the order.

Qiao Tian stepped forward and, without any hesitation, directly presented an astronomical figure that would leave ordinary martial arts sects speechless, as the first "start-up capital," and explained in detail its purpose (purchasing land, initial building materials, hiring a large number of craftsmen and laborers, etc.).

Upon hearing this, Madam Shi's eyes twitched almost imperceptibly, clearly shocked by the enormous sum. However, she didn't ask any further questions. She merely glanced at Granny Yu, who nodded expressionlessly, and replied in a deep voice, "Yes. Your subordinate will prepare immediately. The first batch of 50,000 taels of silver and an equivalent amount of gold beads can be delivered today. If needed later, young master can use this token to withdraw funds from the designated 'Huitong Money Shops' in various prefectures of the Central Plains, and we will make the arrangements." As she spoke, she took out a heavy black iron token inscribed with the characters "Jun Tian," with complex cloud-patterned codes engraved on the back.

Qiao Tian accepted the token, feeling reassured. The wealth of the Xiaoyao Sect was indeed well-deserved!

Next, they turned to another, more secluded side hall, marked with the name "Haotian" on the door. The atmosphere here was even more somber, and those who entered and exited all moved with light steps and bright eyes. The head of the Haotian Department was a thin, slightly pale middle-aged woman who seemed to be forever shrouded in shadow, codenamed "Mo Yuan".

"Miss Mo Yuan, according to Granny Tong's decree, the Haotian Department must provide Young Master Qiao with all the necessary intelligence support," Granny Yu explained again.

Qiao Tian cupped his hands to Mo Yuan and said, "Miss Mo Yuan, we urgently need detailed information about the geography, hydrology, products, local martial arts forces, gentry, and government connections around Wudang Mountain in northwestern Hubei. The more detailed the better."

Mo Yuan's voice was hoarse, and she spoke extremely quickly: "The intelligence on Wudang Mountain can be completed within three days. If you have any specific targets to investigate later, you can use the three red lanterns hung at various post stations as a signal, and someone will contact you. The intelligence will be transmitted via carrier pigeons or secret channels, and the codebook will be provided later." She was extremely efficient and did not waste any time.

Qiao Tian thanked him again, secretly delighted, for this intelligence network was exactly what he needed most right now!

After everything was settled, Granny Yu led him to a storeroom. Inside, more than a dozen large medicine chests were already prepared, filled with all sorts of precious medicinal herbs: ginseng that was over a hundred years old, crystal-clear snow lotus, fragrant lingzhi mushrooms, and even some rare and exotic herbs that Qiao Tian couldn't name. The medicinal aroma was so strong that it was almost impossible to dissolve.

"This was given by Granny Tong herself," Granny Yu's tone carried a hint of complex emotion for the first time. "She said... that the young master should use it carefully, and be sure to... be sure to use it where it is most needed (referring to using it for Wu Yazi's needs)." These were clearly prepared for Wu Yazi, which showed the deep concern hidden beneath Wu Xingyun's cold exterior.

Qiao Tian solemnly accepted it, feeling deeply moved.

Finally, Granny Yu clapped her hands, and two young women dressed in Lingjiu Palace attire, yet with a demeanor quite different from ordinary maids, entered. One was dressed in a green robe, carrying a zither on her back; her appearance was delicate and beautiful, but her eyes held an unyielding arrogance. The other was dressed in a close-fitting outfit, with a soft whip wrapped around her waist; she was dashing and spirited, her sharp gaze scrutinizing Qiao Tian.

"This is Cheng Qingshuang, the head of the Zhu Tian Department. She is proficient in music and also skilled in hidden weapons and formations," Granny Yu said, pointing to the woman in green. She then pointed to another woman, "This is Fu Minyi, a skilled fighter from the Yan Tian Department. She is agile and adept at tracking and gathering intelligence. Granny Tong instructed that these two accompany you, young master, to be at your disposal and to protect you." Although she said "protect and command," her expression clearly carried the implication of surveillance and testing.

Qiao Tian understood that this was another arrangement by Wu Xingyun. He remained calm and smiled slightly at the two women, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, ladies."

Cheng Qingshuang simply nodded slightly, while Fu Minyi clasped her hands and said, "I am acting under orders, young master, there is no need to be so polite." Her tone was neither warm nor cold.

Thus, the trip to Lingjiu Palace was a resounding success. Qiao Tian, ​​without further delay, accompanied by Granny Yu, Cheng Qingshuang, Fu Minyi, and more than ten capable subordinates of Lingjiu Palace, embarked on his journey back to the Central Plains in a grand yet discreet manner, carrying a huge sum of money, precious medicinal herbs, the support of an intelligence network, and two "assistants."

A dozen days later, the group arrived in Henan Province and successfully met up with Su Xinghe, who had already received the news and was waiting at the agreed location.

When Su Xinghe saw the group behind Qiao Tian, ​​clearly bearing the mark of the Lingjiu Palace, he was dumbfounded. Then, when Qiao Tian handed him the "Jun Tian Token," which allowed him to withdraw a huge sum of money from the "Huitong Money Exchange," along with the dozen or so boxes of precious medicinal herbs, this clever and eloquent man was so excited that his goatee trembled!

"Sect Leader! You...you actually...you actually persuaded Master Uncle?! And brought such...such help!" Su Xinghe's voice was choked with emotion. At this moment, he had no doubt about Qiao Tian's ability as the new sect leader, and his heart was filled with hope for the revival of the sect.

"Senior Brother, you've worked hard. We, your fellow disciples, will need to work together to handle the rest." Qiao Tian helped up the excited Su Xinghe.

What made Su Xinghe even more gratified was that, shortly after they reunited, his disciples, the "Eight Friends of Hangu," who had been scattered throughout the martial world, also received secret orders from their master and rushed to join him!

First came the "miracle doctor" Xue Muhua, who arrived wearily with his medicine chest. Upon seeing his master unharmed and in high spirits, and then seeing the dozen or so boxes of rare medicinal herbs sent by Lingjiu Palace, his eyes lit up. He exclaimed, "What a waste!" and couldn't wait to study how to use them.

Next came the "skilled craftsman" Feng Asan, who arrived with several apprentices and a bunch of strange tools. Upon hearing that a grand new Taoist temple was to be built, he immediately rubbed his hands together and took out paper and pen to start sketching the design.

Subsequently, the bookworm Gou Du, the flower-obsessed Shi Qinglu, the chess fanatic Fan Bailing, the opera enthusiast Li Kuilei, the painting fanatic Wu Lingjun, and the tone-deaf Kang Guangling also arrived one after another. Although these eccentric individuals each had their own quirks, they were all very excited to see their master and fellow disciples. Upon hearing about the plan to revitalize their school, they were all even more excited and expressed their willingness to contribute their skills.

Looking at this group of extraordinary individuals, Qiao Tian felt reassured. With these professionals around, the construction of Wudang Mountain would be greatly enhanced.

With funding, manpower, and a professional team all in place, Qiao Tian immediately convened a core meeting. Attendees included Su Xinghe, Granny Yu (representing Tong Lao for supervision), Xue Muhua and Feng Asan (representing technology and medical expertise) from the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass, as well as Cheng Qingshuang and Fu Minyi.

Qiao Tian first shared with everyone the detailed information about Wudang Mountain and the surrounding area provided by Haotian Department.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Feng Asan looked at the map and intelligence and said "excellent" three times in a row. "The mountains are majestic, the water system is abundant, building materials are easy to obtain, and the land deeds are clear. Most of them are government property or unclaimed wasteland, so there is not much resistance to purchasing them! Excellent!"

Xue Muhua, on the other hand, was more concerned with the location of the herb garden and the alchemy site.

After considering all opinions, Qiao Tian quickly made a decision: "In that case, there is no time to lose. Senior Brother, I will trouble you and Granny Yu to take the Juntian Decree and handle the land purchase as soon as possible in accordance with the laws of the court. Money is not a problem, but we must ensure that the land deed is clear and the transaction is legitimate."

“Nephew Feng, I entrust the planning and design entirely to you. My requirements are: it should follow the contours of the mountain, harmonize with nature, be fully functional, and reserve space for future development. This is the foundation of our future, and it must be solid, practical, and in harmony with the principles of Tao.”

"Junior Nephew Xue, please select a few capable assistants immediately, take these medicinal herbs, and head to the Valley of the Deaf and Mute to carefully examine Master and devise a detailed recuperation plan. Master's health is of paramount importance!"

"Miss Cheng, Miss Fu," Qiao Tian then looked at the two "assistants" sent by Lingjiu Palace, "In the early stages of construction, it is inevitable that some petty thieves from the surrounding area will try to spy on us. I would appreciate it if you two would take the time to ensure security and patrols, and lead the subordinates of Lingjiu Palace to be in charge."

Everyone readily accepted the order, feeling that Qiao Tian's thinking was clear and his allocation of tasks was reasonable, and they were all convinced of his abilities.

Su Xinghe and Granny Yu, carrying a large sum of money and land deeds, went to the local government to complete the formalities; Feng Asan led his apprentices and a team of craftsmen to Wudang Mountain to survey the terrain; Xue Muhua, along with several subordinates of Lingjiu Palace and precious medicinal herbs, rushed to the Valley of the Deaf and Mute; Cheng Qingshuang and Fu Minyi began to set up overt and covert sentries.

Qiao Tian himself coordinated with all parties and handled unexpected problems. His modern management thinking and macro perspective played a huge role at this moment, integrating resources from all parties in an orderly manner.

Wudang Mountain, the future sacred site of Taoism, has finally taken its first solid step thanks to Qiao Tian's efforts.

Chapter 41 The Ever-Changing Wudang Mountain

As the sun and moon turned, three months had passed since Qiao Tian led his group to Wudang Mountain. During this time, Wudang Mountain had undergone tremendous changes. On the gentle slope at the southern foot of the main peak, a simple yet magnificent Taoist temple was beginning to take shape.

Every morning at the first light of dawn, Qiao Tian is always the first to arrive at the high platform in front of the Zhenwu Hall. The mountain breeze flutters his blue Taoist robe as his gaze calmly sweeps over the mountain gate under construction. For the past three months, he has never bothered with trivial matters, yet he always manages to focus on the big picture and offer guidance at crucial moments.

That day, Feng Asan walked over quickly, holding the blueprints: "Master Uncle, the mortise and tenon joints of the main beam have been improved as you suggested, and they are indeed more stable."

Qiao Tian took the blueprints and examined them closely. Pointing to the angle of the eaves, he said, "Raise it up a little more here to make the eaves appear even more graceful. Wudang emphasizes following the natural way, and the architecture should also have a soaring spirit."

Feng Asan suddenly realized that this "skilled craftsman," who had originally come only on his master's orders, now genuinely respected the young master. For the past three months, Qiao Tian had consistently provided insightful guidance at crucial points with his advanced architectural concepts, elevating the overall structure and spirit of the building to a new level.

When they reached the main path on the back mountain, Granny Yu was setting up sentry posts. Qiao Tian stopped to observe for a moment and said gently, "Granny, the bamboo forest on the east side has a better view. Could we move the hidden sentries there? They can be concealed and also keep watch on the three mountain paths."

Grandma Yu pondered for a moment, then nodded, a rare occurrence for her: "What the sect leader says is true." Over the past three months, she had witnessed firsthand how this young man had transformed the barren mountain into a sacred site, and her initial skepticism had gradually turned into acceptance.

As they passed the training ground, Cheng Qingshuang was instructing her disciples on the art of music. Qiao Tian took out an ancient musical score from his sleeve: "I came across this score the other day when I went down the mountain. I think it might be useful to Sister Cheng."

Cheng Qingshuang unfolded it and saw that it was the long-lost "Echoing Stream in the Empty Mountain". Ripples appeared in her cold eyes: "This...this is an ancient score that has been lost for a long time. Where did the sect leader find it?"