Chapter 12: The Saint Mother's Dao Skill Transcends Time; The Eight Immortals Under the Tree Discuss Taking a Disciple
Li Mingzhu watched as Li Liang's body was continuously devoured by sea fish in the ocean. Her expression was incomparably calm.
There was no sorrow; the only thing in her heart was a self-admonishment: the Great Dao is hard to pursue, and every step must be taken with the utmost caution.
The path of cultivation—one misstep can lead to a lifetime of errors.
Otherwise, one day, it might very well be her lying in the sea, regardless of having Saint Nuwa as her patron.
After all, what the Primordial World lacks the least are lunatics.
"Hmm?"
Just as Li Mingzhu was preparing to steer her Spirit Boat away, a ripple of golden light spread out from the void, accompanied by faint, resonant Dao sounds.
Li Mingzhu looked toward the void in surprise and doubt. Someone was undoubtedly approaching—but were they friend or foe?
Golden lotuses spread across the ground, and a white turtle slowly advanced, carrying a young woman on its back.
The woman appeared in the attire of a Daoist, holding no weapon. She exuded immortal grace, but it was unclear which venerable Immortal she might be.
"Greetings, Senior. Might I ask which celestial mountain Senior cultivates upon?"
Li Mingzhu respectfully performed the ceremonial bow of a junior from the Profound Sect. Just one glance and it was clear this Daoist was no ordinary individual—perhaps even a Daluo Golden Immortal or a Quasi-Sect Leader.
Li Mingzhu dared not show the slightest negligence, for the pressure emanating from the Daoist was simply overwhelming.
"No need for excessive courtesy. I am the Wudang Saint Mother, a disciple of the Saint of the Upper Purity, cultivating at Mount Li. I am heading to Golden Turtle Island."
The Daoist smiled faintly and gracefully dismounted the white turtle. Gazing at the bloodstained chaos across the sea, she let out a gentle sigh, her voice resonating with boundless Dao sounds.
The scripture chanted was none other than the "Upper Pure Spirit Treasure Crossing People Scripture." She had no interest in who had died; her actions were merely incidental.
The way of the Profound Sect is to embody the Heart of Heaven—such is the principle.
"Li Mingzhu of Chentang Pass greets Immortal Aunt Wudang!"
Li Mingzhu took a deep breath and bowed again. This was none other than the Wudang Saint Mother!
Her Dao Heart was steadfast, her calculations meticulous, and her achievements unparalleled!
This was the evaluation of the Wudang Saint Mother by future generations, known as one of the few Jie Sect disciples who survived the Divine Enthronement catastrophe.
Later, she even spread the Dao in the mortal world, becoming a distinguished figure among the third generation of the Profound Sect.
"Hmm? So, you're Spiritual Pearl Nephew? Are you also here to celebrate your Senior Brother's birthday?"
After lightly calculating with her fingers, Wudang asked with a smile. Though her voice was soft, it fell clearly into Li Mingzhu's ears.
"Indeed. I was entrusted by Lady Shi Ji to extend my congratulations to Immortal Master Duobao. Of course, I also came with this intent myself."
Li Mingzhu replied with ease. Having confirmed the arrival's identity and established a connection, his heart naturally relaxed.
That earlier overwhelming presence of Wudang had been too intense; Li Mingzhu even suspected that she had truly entered the realm of Quasi-Sect Leader.
"In that case, it's along the way. Nephew, how about we travel together?"
Wudang gazed eastward, as if witnessing the grand spectacle of Golden Turtle Island.
"Thank you, Immortal Aunt."
Li Mingzhu expressed his gratitude. Words weren't necessary; Wudang's invitation to accompany her clearly indicated she had discerned his predicament.
Wudang nodded, and without any visible gesture, she simply stepped forward lightly.
Before Li Mingzhu could react, by the time he regained his senses, he was already on Golden Turtle Island.
The strength of Wudang Saint Mother's Dao skill was evident—instantaneously spanning tens of thousands of miles.
Li Mingzhu followed alongside Wudang Saint Mother as they proceeded forward. No one blocked their path; instead, countless Immortal Children and Maidens along the way respectfully greeted them.
The Wudang Saint Mother was one of Eight Direct Disciples under the Saint Tongtian. Her Daoist cultivation was unfathomable, commanding great respect among her peers and holding a virtuous reputation in the Primordial World.
If Yun Zhongzi was the Chan Sect's Golden Immortal of Fortune, the Wudang Saint Mother was Jie Sect's Immortal of Fortune—a being of profound destiny, untouched by karma.
Wudang Saint Mother did not immediately take Li Mingzhu to see Duobao. Instead, she led him to a well-appointed cave mansion and motioned for him to stay there temporarily.
After all, Duobao's longevity celebration had yet to commence, and many Immortals had not yet arrived. After settling Li Mingzhu, Wudang swiftly departed.
Presumably, she went to reunite with some of her fellow disciples. Li Mingzhu didn't mind and settled into the cave mansion.
With a calm heart and still mind, like an ancient well without ripples, he meditated and cultivated.
Golden Turtle Island was a true Immortal haven, abundant with Immortal Qi, exotic fruits, and spiritual roots at every corner.
Crane calls, deer melodies, butterflies in flight, phoenixes in dance, magnificent mountains, and rare stones abound.
Deep within Golden Turtle Island, under an ancient tree so vast it would take a hundred people to encircle it, Immortals had gathered to discuss the Dao.
"Wudang Junior Sister, how do you find him?"
Eight individuals sat in a circle, aligned with the Eight Trigrams. Below the immense ancient tree, a rotund man in a black Daoist robe smiled and spoke.
"He is indeed an excellent prospect, possessing an innate Taoist body with a strong heart for the Dao. And he doesn't seem as unruly as Master once described; he doesn't appear to be the type to cause trouble everywhere."
Wudang replied with a smile, her tone filled with satisfaction.
"Hmm, indeed, he doesn't seem as mischievous as he was in previous lifetimes. His nature has changed considerably, though he does have a certain aptitude for killing."
A black-faced man next to Wudang stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Brother Gongming, when you say that, it feels so strange!"
A woman in a jade-green robe sitting opposite the rotund Daoist rolled her eyes in disdain.
"Exactly, Brother Gongming. Who in the entire Jie Sect doesn't know that, in terms of killing intent, you're the undisputed number one?"
Another woman in a cyan robe echoed her jade-robed sister, joining forces to mock the black-faced man. It was clear their relationship was quite amicable.
"Second Sister, Third Sister, you shouldn't gossip about Big Brother."
A woman in white spoke, her words carrying a hint of rebuke.
"You've always been the thoughtful one, Yun Xiao, unlike those two." The black-faced man grinned, glaring at the jade and cyan-robed women.
These four turned out to be the three Immortal Sisters of Three Immortals Island—Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao—along with the black-faced man Zhao Gongming from Emei Mountain's Luo Fu Cave.
The four were originally three auspicious clouds and a divine wind manifested into form, later accepted as direct disciples of the Upper Pure Saint.
The eight gathered under the tree were the eight direct disciples of the Saint Tongtian. Aside from these four, there was the black-robed, rotund man Duobao, along with Wudang Saint Mother.
The remaining two were the Golden Ling Saint Mother and the Gui Ling Saint Mother. Their discussion centered around Li Mingzhu. It turned out Nuwa, seeing that Li Mingzhu hadn't become Taiyi's disciple, had arranged for Wudang Saint Mother to become his new teacher.
However, unlike Taiyi, Wudang didn't rush to take him as a disciple upon arrival. Instead, she chose to observe Li Mingzhu carefully.
It had to be said—Wudang was quite pleased with this prospective disciple.
"Wudang Junior Sister, if you've made your decision, how about taking him as your disciple at my birthday celebration? It would also serve to announce it to the fellow Immortals."
Duobao suggested with a smile, feeling proud for his junior sister to have found such an outstanding student.
"Splendid!"
"Splendid!"
...
The group collectively echoed in agreement. They then began a discussion of the Dao.
As direct disciples of a Saint, even the weakest among them was at the Daluo realm. Their discourse caused golden lotuses to bloom from the earth and flowers to rain down from the skies.
Especially on Golden Turtle Island, devoid of restrictions from Heaven and Earth Rules, the scene was even more extraordinary and majestic.
However, this discourse was destined to remain hidden from outsiders. All the phenomena and auras were completely concealed by the ancient tree.
While the highest-ranking and most powerful eight Immortals on Golden Turtle Island were discussing Li Mingzhu, he had run into trouble.
And the one stirring the trouble was none other than the drunken troublemaker, little Zhu Xiong.