On the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, dozens of weather-beaten men from the martial arts world occupied the largest tables in the middle, chatting and laughing merrily. At the tables near the window, there were three to five people each, none of whom looked like local folk.
At the table farthest to the east sat a young couple. The man was dressed in a white robe, with a complexion as fair as jade. He wore a belt made of Yunnan jade around his waist and had a pale yellow cloud pattern embroidered on the cuffs. In his hand, he held a folding fan about a foot long. He was whispering something to the girl beside him and occasionally pointed at the window with the fan, looking very dashing.
Among those rowdy men of the world, the man would often be interrupted by bursts of laughter after saying just a few words. Looking back, he wore a look of utter disgust.
"Sister, those vulgar people are so hateful. They trample on this beautiful summer scene of Jiao Lake like this. Let's see how I'll deal with them." With that, he gently waved his hand and the folding fan snapped open. There were several peach blossoms painted on the fan, and on the petals sat a few golden insects like bees. The fan's ribs were all red, and the fan surface seemed to be made of metal, shining with a silver light and was no ordinary paper. The painting on the fan was so vivid that the few bees seemed to be alive.
The girl was also dressed in a white outfit, but the clouds on her cuffs were in seven colors. She had an oval face, with skin so delicate and fair that it seemed as if it were carved from jade. As she listened to the man speaking, she would occasionally lower her head and giggle, and her rosy cheeks had two deep dimples, making her extremely charming.
Seeing the white-clad man's anger, the girl said gently, "Brother Bai, those men over there are just ordinary martial artists. If you attack them, I'm afraid Master won't approve when he finds out."
So, there's this guy and gal who are totally devoted to this legendary dude, Immortal Xianyun. He's chillin' at this low-key spot called Xianyun Taoist Temple, tucked away on the epic Mount Heng down south. Now, while this temple might not be a household name, in the cultivation world, it's a big deal 'cause of its super skilled master, Taoist Priest Xianyun. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Xianyun's life did a 180 when he stumbled upon the legendary Tai Xu Canon. Even though he hit the books hard, it took him a while to get the hang of it. But then, bam! Taoist Priest Miao Yi, the big boss of the Yunchu Sect from the sacred Luofu Mountain, saw his potential and took him under his wing. With Miao Yi's guidance, Xianyun finally cracked the code of cultivation.
Now, Luofu Mountain, the seventh of the Ten Great Cavern Heavens, is like the VIP lounge of the immortal cultivation world. The Chuyun Sect running the show there just shows how powerful they are. After becoming Miao Yi's apprentice, Xianyun went all in and made a name for himself by 86. He didn't quite make it to immortality, but his rep as a top cultivator spread far and wide.
After Master Miaoyi ascended to immortality, Xianyun was the top dog in the sect. But, plot twist, Master Miaoyi handed the reins to his junior bro, Master Pangyun. Pissed off, Xianyun started his own Xianyun Sect, claiming the third-ranked Nan Yue Hengshan Cave among the Thirty-Six Lesser Caves of Heaven. While he played nice with the Chuyun lineage, he was secretly gunning for the Miaoyi Sect, sparking a quiet but fierce rivalry in the cultivation world.
Pang Yun, who used to be just a nobody in the Chuyun lineage, didn't have any standout skills in magic or cultivation. So, when he suddenly became the sect leader, everyone was like, "What the heck?!" No one could wrap their heads around it.
After Xianyun decided to start his own sect, a bunch of his old disciples jumped ship, and the Yun Sect fell apart overnight. Luckily, Miaoyi left behind a divine artifact before she became immortal, which saved the Luofu Cavern Heaven from total disaster.
Once Xianyun got the Xianyun Temple up and running, he hit the road to explore the world. At the ripe old age of 90, he stumbled upon the Five Elements Battle Armor in the Green Abyss Pool on Mianzhu Mountain. This thing was a big deal—it could stand up to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. It was ranked 14th in the Xianyun Sect's list of divine artifacts, which the sect master had carefully put together. With this bad boy in hand, Xianyun shot up the ranks in the cultivation world.
By the time he was 96, Xianyun used the Five Elements to beef up his defenses in the Eight Trigrams formation and went solo into the Heavenly Demon's lair. He came out without a scratch, cementing his spot as the top dog of the Xianyun Sect.
Bai Lang was the talk of the town at Xianyun Monastery, a real rising star among the young disciples. Even though he was just a kid, he'd already nailed it with this crazy powerful magic weapon, showing off his natural talent and hardcore dedication. But, yeah, he had this cocky streak—kind of a given when you're climbing the ranks fast.
Bai Lang thought he was the ultimate charmer, and his magic weapon totally matched his vibe. The golden silkworm peach blossom fan? Absolute fire. Made from 10,000-year-old peach wood from Green Vine Mountain and silk from snow silkworms chilling on Tian Shan's icy peaks, it took 81 days of non-stop work to craft this beauty.
Xianyun was all about it, saying, "This thing's got some serious mojo. If you play your cards right, it might not be god-tier, but it'll definitely be up there with the best magic treasures."
These kinds of treasures were super rare, and everyone wanted one, but Bai Lang wasn't out here chasing more. He was cool with just having this one gem, and his master's praise was the cherry on top. Still, inside the monastery, there weren't many chances to flex his skills. The side-eyes from the martial artists just made him even more determined to show what he could do, and in that heated moment, he wasn't about to listen to anyone's advice.
"Yo sis, these tough guys are definitely after that fancy artifact too. Up ahead, those poor souls with no magic skills are gonna bite the dust for nothing. Big bro's just giving 'em a heads-up, hoping they'll turn back when they realize it's a tough nut to crack. It's a good deed, and the boss won't be mad at me for it."
The junior sister gave a slight head shake but kept her mouth shut. Xianyun, who started the sect all by himself, was famous for being super strict with his disciples. In Xianyun Temple, everyone knew their place and showed respect. With the senior brother talking like this, the junior sister was totally speechless.
Bai Lang casually flicked his peach-blossom fan a few times. Out of nowhere, the golden silkworm on the fan came to life, spiraling up and turning into thin golden streaks that disappeared in a flash.
In no time, the thugs in the middle started yelling and freaking out. Bai Lang gave a little smirk, grabbed his wine cup, and downed it in one go. Then he turned around with a grin.
The golden silkworms on Bai Lang's peach-blossom fan are said to be treasures from Yingzhou, one of the Ten Islands. Xian Yun stumbled upon them during his travels. After Bai Lang's peach-blossom fan was done, Xian Yun found out that while these golden silkworms were great for defense, they didn't pack much of a punch in attack. So, he used some magic to seal them inside. When you need 'em, just whisper a spell and give the fan a few shakes to let 'em loose. It's super handy and has become Bai Lang's go-to move.
Those golden silkworms, with their shiny wings, were zipping through the air like crazy, moving so fast they looked like streaks of light. Not only are they quick, but they're also super smart, able to hide themselves mid-flight, making them almost impossible to catch. Even though they're tiny, their venom is deadly. One bite, though it won't kill you right away, will leave you in excruciating pain for days, even with the best medical care.
As the silkworms darted around, they were almost invisible to the naked eye. The martial artists, totally caught off guard, started dropping like flies, their screams of pain filling the room. Tables were flipped, sending dishes and drinks flying everywhere. The guys on the ground looked like a mess, their clothes soaked and all over the place. Those who were still standing were frozen in fear, their faces pale and confused, unable to make sense of the chaos.
Bai Lang, seeing all this, couldn't help but laugh his head off. He pointed at the bewildered guys and burst out laughing, clearly enjoying the show.
But then, a loud roar interrupted the fun. From the fallen martial artists, a huge guy stood up. He was massive, with a broad back and a thick waist that made him look like a walking fortress. His dark, shiny skin and thick beard made him look pretty intimidating. Wearing a short, dark blue martial arts robe, he shouted with authority. In one swift move, he picked up the heavy rosewood table in front of him and hurled it at Bai Lang, yelling:
"It's gotta be you, this no-good troublemaker, causing all this chaos. Knock it off right now!"
This dude, called Canglong, came from a simple background—his dad was just a farmer at the foot of North Mound Mountain. Even as a kid, he was crazy strong. Like, by the time he was seven, he could take down wolves and leopards all by himself. His skills were so off the charts that a famous martial arts master noticed him and took him in as a student. Canglong was a straightforward guy, but he was also super smart. After ten years of hardcore training, he'd learned everything his master had to teach. When he finally went back home, he was heartbroken to find his mom seriously sick and bedridden.
In the martial arts world, people are great at fixing broken bones and stuff, but when it comes to internal diseases, they're pretty clueless. Desperate to save his mom, Canglong heard rumors about immortals having miracle cures and took off to find them. But tracking down these immortals was no walk in the park. After months of searching, all he found were a bunch of scammers who took his money and left him with nothing.
Then, out of the blue, word got around about some magic weapon showing up at Jiao Lake. Canglong wasn't a cultivator, but he knew that thing had to be valuable, and he figured a ton of cultivators would be heading there. He thought maybe he could hang around them and score some elixirs or miracle cures to save his mom. North Mound Mountain wasn't far from Jiao Lake, so Canglong didn't waste any time and hit the road.
Canglong wasn't planning to travel with the group of guys he ran into—it was just luck that they crossed paths. These dudes were from the martial arts scene, and they were blown away by how impressive Canglong looked, so they wanted to be pals. Since they were all going the same way, they decided to roll together.
The dragon dude up front, not like those noisy martial arts guys who were making a racket, had been quietly munching away with his head down the whole time. Now, seeing his buddy getting the short end of the stick and that Bai guy looking all smug, he knew this dude was bad news. His eyes narrowed, and there was this dangerous glint in his gaze.
Right then, he suddenly had this super intimidating vibe, like a storm cloud filling the room. He was naturally strong, and when he got mad, he let loose with a full-on punch. The sandalwood table, solid as a rock, flew at Bai Lang like a boulder, with this crazy whistling sound and a momentum that seemed to shake the air.
Bai Lang was caught off guard, his pretty face frozen in surprise for a second. Then he turned red, his cheeks flushing with anger. Bai Lang was as handsome as a girl, with features so fine they always got him unwanted attention. His fellow disciples teased him all the time, and he hated being called a "pretty boy" more than anything. Right now, he wasn't holding back, his pride and temper both flaring up.
His hand moved, and the Golden Silkworm Peach Blossom Fan, a treasure he'd had for years, suddenly lit up with a deep red glow and flew out. It stopped mid-air and opened with a whoosh, the sound echoing through the room. A silver light poured down, forming this shimmering barrier in front of him that looked both beautiful and super strong.
This peach-blossom fan was originally a defensive magic treasure, made from the best stuff and packed with powerful spells. The peach-blossom wood screen it formed was super tough, able to block even the strongest attacks from regular magic treasures. That sandalwood table, heavy and fast as it was, couldn't even scratch it. The fan's barrier stood firm, showing off the creator's skill and the wielder's mastery.
With a loud 'crack' that echoed through the room, the big eight-person table shattered into pieces. In a flash of light, the fancy peach wood screen transformed back into a delicate fan, which floated right back into Bai Lang's hand.
"Insolent fool!" Bai Lang shouted, his voice booming. "If I don't teach you a lesson today, you'll never understand how merciful I can be!" With a quick flick of his wrist, he sent a swarm of golden silkworms flying straight at the Blue Dragon.
Even though the Blue Dragon was a top-notch fighter, he was no match for this heavenly artifact. Luckily, as a trained martial artist with strong Qi skills, he had a solid protective shield. The silkworms buzzed around him, but couldn't break through.
But these silkworms were smart. They lined up in a neat formation, focusing their attack on the Blue Dragon's weakest spot—his eyes. The shield started to weaken under their relentless assault.
Bai Lang smirked, sure of his victory. His apprentice, standing beside him, looked worried. She shook her head slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but stayed silent.
Right at that crucial moment, something totally unexpected went down in a super dramatic way. Out of nowhere, this super hot geyser of water burst out from the dragon's head, pouring down like crazy and scattering shiny droplets everywhere, turning into this magical mist that just hung in the air. In a flash, the golden silkworms were completely swallowed up by this mysterious vapor. As soon as they touched the mist, they let out this heartbreaking scream before turning into glowing golden light and disappearing into the fan's patterns. No matter how much the white guy begged and shouted, the silkworms stayed still, totally transformed for good.
Bai Lang was frozen, his feelings bouncing between shock and pure rage. His sharp eyes scanned the scene, finally landing on Xiao Er, who was standing like a statue behind the blue dragon, holding a soup basin with shaky hands, his face pale and blank, like he'd been hit by a stun gun.
The unexpected hero turned out to be Ye Qing, whose perfect timing changed everything. Chaos had broken out upstairs, and just then, Ye Qing had come up to deliver soup, only to walk into this crazy scene. The weird layout of the third floor played a big part in all this. When you got to the top of the stairs, there was this slope that gradually went down to the center, making this basin-like area where the tables were set up, leaving a big gap of several tens of centimeters from the walls. Even though Canglong was tall, his spot in this sunken area put him at chest level compared to Ye Qing. Totally overwhelmed by what she saw, her grip slipped, and the bowl of steaming hot soup fell from her hands, perfectly landing on Canglong's head, accidentally saving him from certain doom.
This super rare golden silkworm, a real gem from the mythical Isle of the Immortals, had this weird quirk - it was scared to death of fennel. And guess what? The soup had just that, freaking the poor thing out so bad it wouldn't come out of its safe spot.
Bai Lang was totally freaking out. These golden silkworms were like, super rare, and even the pro Xian Yun only had a few. The idea that some clumsy waiter might've hurt these precious bugs was driving him nuts. His handsome face turned beet red with rage, and all that "be a gentleman" stuff went out the window. With a loud yell, he whipped out his peach blossom fan, turning it into a silver streak aimed straight at Ye Qing's chest, ready to take him out.
Just as the deadly hit was about to connect, some magic words rang out. From a table by the window, a green light shot out, blocking the attack like a boss. The two forces clashed in a crazy light show, battling it out.
Even though Bai Lang's peach wood fan was also a killer flying sword, he wasn't strong enough to handle this surprise move. Before he could even figure out what was going on, he panicked. His desperate attempt to get his weapon back was too late. The air was filled with cracking sounds as his once-prized fan broke into pieces, scattering all over the floor like fallen petals.
Bai Lang's knees almost gave out as he stared in shock at the broken pieces of his magic treasure. For cultivators, these things aren't just tools—they're like a part of their soul, hard-earned through years of blood, sweat, and luck. Most folks in the biz would never even get their hands on one, much less bond with it. Seeing it destroyed so easily wasn't just a hit to his gear—it felt like a punch to his very being. Even if he went back to his mountain sect and begged his master to fix it, it'd probably never be the same again. Its power? Gone for good.
Qing Guang, pretty pleased with himself, spun around and bolted, blending into the figure of the old Taoist from the market. This guy was a real mystery—his long, white beard clashed with his baby-faced looks, making it impossible to guess his age. Dressed in a worn but spotless blue Taoist robe, he had this quiet but commanding vibe. Next to him was a long bamboo pole, so green and shiny it could've been mistaken for jade if not for the few dried leaves at the tip. Perched on top was a little yellow oriole, chirping away like it didn't notice the tension.
The old Taoist had been sipping his wine, not even looking up, until the green light came back to him. He set his cup down carefully, stood up, and his movements were smooth and unhurried. When his eyes finally met Bai Lang's, it was like a lightning bolt cutting through the dark.
"Listen up," he said, his voice low but heavy with centuries of wisdom. "If you're gonna walk the path of cultivation, you can't go around using your magic treasures on innocent folks. I can't believe your master didn't drill that into you. Take this as a friendly warning. Get out of here, and don't push your luck. If your master asks, tell him it was the old Taoist who stepped in."
The dude standing there looked like he just stepped out of a fashion mag, all sharp and classy. But man, the second he started talking, it was like a snake spitting venom—totally not what you'd expect from his slick look. Bai Lang turned pale as a ghost when he realized who the old Taoist was. Back in the day, Bai Lang was too busy living it up to care about legends, but now, face-to-face with this big shot, it hit him like a ton of bricks. Cursing his luck under his breath, he grabbed his beat-up fan and tried to make a quick exit.
"Hey, hold up! You think you can just eat and run?" A young voice piped up, crisp and clear. Lu Chen popped up out of nowhere, eyes twinkling with mischief. Before Bai Lang could even blink, the girl with him turned beet red, fumbled in her robes, and slapped some silver coins on the table. Then they bolted, their footsteps echoing in the awkward silence.
Back home, Lu Chen took a quick breather. After grabbing a bite with his mom, he was itching to get back out and find Ye Qing. Climbing up to their usual spot, he caught the old Taoist in action—his magic artifact slicing through Bai Lang's precious peach blossom fan like butter. Lu Chen was blown away. Right then and there, he knew he wanted to learn from this guy. With a big grin, he stopped Bai Lang and started laying it on thick with the old master, pouring on the charm and begging to be his disciple.
The old Taoist, however, paid no attention to him. He walked over to the fallen men from the martial arts world and knelt down. The Dragon of the Azure River, who had narrowly escaped a great disaster, was extremely grateful and immediately prostrated himself on the ground to pay his respects.
The old man, however, was not pleased: "Hey, you brat, why are you so impolite? Why are you kneeling to me? It was that young fellow who saved you." With that, he pointed at Ye Qing, who was still standing there in a daze.
The Blue Dragon blushed and quickly turned around, expressing his gratitude repeatedly.
The old Taoist crouched down in front of the several martial artists who had been stung by the golden silkworms, took a look at them for a few moments, then stood up and took out a small ceramic bottle. He tilted it down and a white light wave spread out. Instantly, the room became cool. The agonizing cries of those martial artists ceased at once, and they lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
When the dragon saw the old Taoist's miraculous healing skills, he hurriedly went up and bowed again to pay his respects. Then he told him the whole story about his mother. Standing beside, Lu Chen was very impatient. He was annoyed that this big fellow had delayed his important matter of becoming a disciple, but he could do nothing but wait anxiously on the side.
When the big ol' dragon wrapped up its speech, the wise old Taoist dude nodded like he knew what was up. He dug into his robe and pulled out two glowing red pills that looked like they were on fire. As he handed 'em over, this crazy mix of sweet and spicy smells filled the air, making the dragon's eyes go all wide with excitement. The dragon bowed real deep, super thankful, and took the awesome gift.
Seeing the deal was done, Lu Chen came running, yelling "Master! Master!" like crazy. But the old guy just gave him a quick look and then ignored him. Smooth as silk, the old sage walked up to Ye Qing, checking him out real close. He cracked a knowing smile, grabbed Ye Qing's hand, and they headed down the stairs together, looking all mystical.
Lu Chen was left scratching his head, totally confused. Even though he was quick on his feet and always eager to help, the old dude didn't seem to care about him. Meanwhile, Ye Qing, who looked like just your average Joe, had somehow won the sage's favor. Curiosity got the better of Lu Chen, and he took off after them. Not wanting to miss out, the dragon, grateful for the old guy's kindness, followed along.
Rushing out of the shop, both Lu Chen and the dragon looked up, shocked. In what felt like no time at all, the old Taoist and Ye Qing had covered a huge distance. With shouts of "Benefactor!" and "Master!" ringing out, they chased after them like their lives depended on it, leaving Ye Qing's mom behind, her worried cries still hanging in the air.
Note 1: The Top 10 Taoist Caves
First up, we've got the Wangwu Mountain Cave, famous for its spiritual vibes and deep Taoist history. Next is the Weiyu Mountain Cave, a real stunner with its gorgeous views and chill meditation spots. Then there's the Xicheng Mountain Cave, where ancient rituals and Taoist ceremonies went down. The Xixuan Mountain Cave is known for its cool rock formations and peaceful vibes. Qingcheng Mountain Cave is a big deal in Taoism, super sacred. Chicheng Mountain Cave has some wild legends and is perfect for spiritual retreats. Luofu Mountain Cave is where you go for some serious Taoist enlightenment and study. Jucu Mountain Cave has healing springs and a super calm atmosphere. Linwu Mountain Cave is all about ancient scriptures and meditation. Lastly, Kuocang Mountain Cave is a natural and spiritual powerhouse in Taoism.
Note 2: The 36 Lesser Taoist Caves
Huotong Cave is where they do fire rituals and purification ceremonies. Dongyue Taishan Cave is linked to the Eastern Peak and its divine energy. Nanyue Hengshan Cave is connected to the Southern Peak and its spiritual power. Xiyue Huashan Cave is famous for its tough trails and meditation spots. Beiyue Changshan Cave is an ancient worship site. Zhongyue Songshan Cave is central and spiritually significant. Emeishan Cave has both Buddhist and Taoist history. Lushan Cave is beautiful and great for retreats. Simingshan Cave has ancient rituals and natural wonders. Kuaiji Mountain Cave is known for historical Taoist figures. Taibai Mountain Cave is high up and full of spiritual energy. Xishan Cave is where ancient Taoists meditated and got enlightened. Xiaoweishan Cave has unique rocks and a spiritual vibe. Huomangshan Cave is tied to ancient legends. Guigu Mountain Cave is all about Taoist wisdom. Wuyishan Cave is famous for tea and spiritual practices. Yusi Mountain Cave has ancient scriptures and meditation spots. Huagai Mountain Cave is naturally beautiful and spiritually charged. Gaizhu Mountain Cave is where ancient rituals happened. Duqiao Mountain Cave has unique bridges and spiritual significance. Baishi Mountain Cave is known for its white rocks and meditative atmosphere. Goulu Mountain Cave is where ancient teachings and retreats took place. Jiuyi Mountain Cave is linked to ancient legends. Dongyang Mountain Cave is scenic and spiritually charged. Mufu Mountain Cave has ancient rituals and natural wonders. Dayou Mountain Cave has large caverns and spiritual significance. Jinting Mountain Cave is famous for its golden halls and meditation spots. Ma Gushan Cave is known for ancient teachings and retreats. Xiandu Mountain Cave is tied to Taoist immortals. Qingtian Mountain Cave is full of wisdom and natural beauty. Zhongshan Cave is central and spiritually charged. Liangchang Mountain Cave has unique rocks and a meditative vibe. Zishan Cave is known for its purple rocks and spiritual significance. Tianmu Mountain Cave has ancient rituals and natural wonders. Taoyuan Mountain Cave is famous for its peach blossoms and retreats. Jinhua Mountain Cave is known for its golden flowers and meditation spots.
Note 3: The Master of Qingyun Hermitage's Ultimate Guide to Cultivation World's Coolest Artifacts
So, here's the deal with the Master of Qingyun Hermitage - this dude's a total legend in the cultivation world. Forget about good or evil, he's way beyond that. Known for his crazy wisdom and sharp eye, he's got this amazing knack for sizing up the whole cultivation scene, checking out individual cultivators' skills, and spotting the real deal in magical artifacts. His way of ranking these treasures? Spot on. That's why everyone respects and admires him big time.
Now, let's talk about his most famous works. First up, the "Record of Renowned Cultivation Artifacts" - it's like the ultimate guide to 72 divine treasures. Then there's the "Record of Renowned Cultivation Treasures," which is packed with a whopping 216 magical items. These bad boys get updated every three years, and they're like the go-to source for any cultivator wanting to know what's what in the world of mystical objects.
The Master's rankings? They're the real deal - super fair and packed with deep insights. It's a huge honor for any cultivator to have their magical treasures make it onto his lists. His works not only show off his massive knowledge but also make those whose treasures get recognized feel like a million bucks.