Chapter 12: Soul Master
During the fifth seven nights, Shangguan Jiannan spoke a little excitedly: "Old man, I only have one chance to speak. What words should I use?"
The old man smiled and replied: "Young man, you have already used your chance. You need to wait patiently."
Under the guidance of this old man, Shangguan Jiannan's mind and body were greatly tempered and improved.
Each seven nights brings new challenges and gains.
He knows that his progress is inseparable from the careful teaching and selfless dedication of the old man. He will continue to practice hard, constantly break through himself, and pursue higher realms.
Shangguan Jiannan couldn't help but smile bitterly. The old man continued to teach, "Young man, the first seven nights are for the training of 'force'. You can try to concentrate and imagine yourself flying into the air, sending palm force to the four walls of the cell, from light to heavy, gradually increasing the strength, and don't be impatient."
Having said this, silence returned to the surroundings.
When the sixth seven nights passed quietly, the old man said: "You are free to ask questions now. No matter what doubts you have, you can raise them. As a cultivator, I will do my best to answer them for you."
Shangguan Jiannan was a little surprised and asked, "Old man, are you a Taoist?" The old man answered affirmatively, "Yes, I have been a monk and practiced for more than a thousand years."
Shangguan Jiannan was shocked after hearing this. He asked doubtfully, "More than a thousand years? The book says that it is rare for a person to live to seventy. Can anyone really live that long? Are you kidding me?"
The old man replied solemnly: "Monks do not tell lies. It is not uncommon for extraordinary people who live in seclusion in caves deep in the mountains to live for thousands of years. You will naturally understand all this in the future."
Shangguan Jiannan silently recited this incredible number, his heart filled with doubt and awe. He murmured to himself: "More than a thousand years, this is really incredible."
"Fuck, is this kid trying to make fun of me?"
A sudden shout of "Bitch!" broke the silence.
When Shangguan Jiannan heard the sound, he immediately looked around vigilantly, and then his eyes fixed on a hole the size of a bowl.
He stared at the scene in disbelief with his eyes wide open. A head slowly emerged from the cave, with a kind face, clear and peaceful expression, staring at him with a surprising smile.
Shangguan Jiannan watched the head gradually emerge from the cave, first the right shoulder, then the upper body, waist, and lower body, one by one it jumped out of the cave lightly and stood in front of him silently.
A slender old Taoist appeared. He smiled and said to Shangguan Jiannan in a gentle voice, "Hello, bastard!"
There was an indescribable sense of intimacy in the old Taoist's voice, which instantly brought Shangguan Jiannan back to his senses from his shock.
Shangguan Jiannan came back to his senses, and the first words he said were: "You...you..."
The old Taoist said with a smile: "Shangguan Jiannan, have you forgotten my voice? I am your 'teacher'. I want to see how you are doing with your 'Xuan Yin Palm'!"
Shangguan Jiannan knelt down hurriedly and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, teacher, for your cultivation!"
The old Taoist smiled and calmly accepted Shangguan Jiannan's kowtow, then said, "Bastard! Get up!"
With a wave of his hand, Shangguan Jiannan felt a gentle force lifting him up. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't kneel any further.
He was convinced!
The old Taoist sat cross-legged on the ground. He slapped the ground with his right hand and said with a smile, "Bastard! Sit down and talk!"
"Yes!" Shangguan Jiannan sat cross-legged on the ground respectfully.
"Teacher, why do I always feel like you're calling me a jerk when you call me that?"
"Really? Jiannan."
"Yes, teacher, or you can stop calling me Jiannan."
"Then what should I call you? Should I call you Nan Nan? Or Jian Jian?"
"Well, you should just call me Jiannan then."
The old Taoist nodded in approval, "Yeah, hehe!" He smiled and said, "Shangguan Jiannan, my Taoist name is 'Xuantian'. A thousand years ago, a friend gave me a nickname 'The Taoist of Hundred Forbearance'!"
"Master Bai Ren? The master's patience must be very advanced?"
Master Bai Ren praised: "Shangguan Jiannan! It's rare that you have such profound self-control at such a young age. Remember, in the days ahead, you must be a hundred times more patient!"
"Master! What you mean is..."
Master Bai Ren shook his head, sighed softly, and said: "Everything is determined by heaven, and the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. Remember what Lao Xiu said, be patient! Be patient! Be patient! Be willing first and then be happy!"
"Yes!"
"Master, are you a human or a ghost?" Shangguan Jiannan looked at the Taoist priest in front of him, his mind full of questions. The Taoist priest's feet were not touching the ground, but hanging in the air. This scene was really unbelievable.
The old Taoist chuckled, his face mysterious, with a barely perceptible light flashing in his eyes, "Hey, neither of them." He said mysteriously, "I am a soul body, ghosts are nothing."
Shangguan Jiannan frowned, obviously not fully understanding what the old Taoist meant. "Teacher, why are you here? Were you captured by the leader of Hanying Peak and imprisoned here?" There was a hint of disdain in his tone.
"What do you know?" The old Taoist glanced at Shangguan Jiannan indifferently, with a hint of displeasure in his voice, "How could that kid catch me? I came here to find a quiet place." There was a hint of pride in his tone.
"Let me tell you this," the old Taoist suddenly became serious, as if he was about to reveal some important secret, "I am the former leader of the Shadow Pavilion. Haha, are you surprised? The nine-story tower prison you are in was indeed a prison cell three hundred years ago, where a large number of evil people and monsters were imprisoned, but they were all released before the mountain was closed. You are the first prisoner in these three hundred years. Hehe."
Shangguan Jiannan was shocked when he heard this. The Shadow Pavilion had always been a mysterious place, and the old Taoist in front of him was actually the previous leader of the Shadow Pavilion. He felt complicated, with awe and curiosity.
"Since you are here, just stay here." The old Taoist suddenly changed the subject and said in a relaxed tone, "Learn well from the master so that you can seek revenge in the future."
"Bitch, where did you get this jade pendant?"
Taoist priest Xuantian looked at this ancient jade pendant, its color was as deep as black jade, and its surface was slightly green.
A mysterious dark purple gem is inlaid in the center of the jade pendant, and complex Yin Fu patterns are engraved around the gem, which flickers with a faint light.
An ancient shadow totem is carved on the back of the jade pendant, and the totem seems to flow slowly under the light as if it has life.
"I don't know where it came from. My grandfather gave it to me." Shangguan Jiannan did not tell the teacher the origin of the jade pendant.
"Your jade pendant is a treasure. Let me study it..." As he said this, Taoist Xuantian flashed into the jade pendant.
"Teacher, where have you been?" Shangguan Jiannan shouted anxiously as he looked at the teacher who suddenly disappeared.
"It's okay, I'll take a look inside your jade pendant." Taoist Xuantian was studying the jade pendant inside.
"Bastard, your jade pendant is interesting. It's a space magic weapon that can hold souls. It's just right that I will live in it from now on, hehe."
"Space magic weapon, teacher, are there any other treasures in it? For example, spiritual medicine that can quickly improve spiritual power, improve physical fitness, and improve mental strength?" Shangguan Jiannan fantasized.
"Are you dreaming? Where are these treasures? There is a book of swordsmanship, but you can't learn it with your current strength. Even if you learn it, you will die before you can even make a move."
"Tsk, you don't have any treasures? Do you have any money?"
"Get lost, is this treasure meant for those worldly things?"
"Hehe, your jade pendant is really good. It can nourish the soul body and will be of great benefit to your cultivation of soul perception ability."