Chapter 8: Forbidden Book—Dragon Phoenix Transformation
After Yun Zhi left, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou followed the other disciples to check out their cave abodes.
Before that, however, Lu Yang followed Meng Jingzhou to fetch the old horse still waiting outside the Dao-Seeking Sect.
When they arrived outside, Lu Yang noticed quite a few fellow new disciples sharing the positive news with their families. Regardless of whether it was a small family or an ancestral cultivation clan, successfully joining the Dao-Seeking Sect was a major accomplishment worth being recorded in the family’s history.
“Why is there no one from your family here?” Lu Yang had only deduced from Meng Jingzhou’s words that the Meng Family was an ancestral cultivation clan with a long history.
Meng Jingzhou was a little proud. “I left my home and family!”
Lu Yang, "..." What are you proud of?!
Once Meng Jingzhou took the old horse back to his cave abode, Lu Yang similarly went to his own. Inside, he took out a jade pendant.
A senior brother who I don’t know gave this to me just now, saying that this is an identification tag. Beyond the sect, it could show outsiders that we are disciples of the Dao-Seeking Sect, and within the sect, it could be used to activate cave abodes.
The jade pendant had the characters “Lu Yang” written on it. There were also other features, but he could only employ them after officially becoming a cultivator.
Lu Yang placed the jade pendant against the stone wall at the entrance of the cave abode. The jade pendant was glittering with blue light which matched the recessed area. After flickering twice, the stone wall automatically moved apart, revealing an inconceivably luxurious cave abode in front of Lu Yang.
The moment he stepped in, he felt warmth enveloping him as if there was a mysterious power nourishing his body.
“Is this the spirit energy they have been talking about?"
Shock overwhelmed Lu Yang. The spirit energy in here is so unusually thick that even I can sense it as a mortal.
On the other hand, the furnishing of the cave abode was simple: a table, a round putuan cushion,[1] and a straw mat. The contrast with the massive size of the cave abode made the place look empty and desolate.
I wonder what the Dao-Seeking Sect’s intentions are—warn their disciples to be free of desires or give them the artistic freedom to decorate their dwellings however they like.
A piece of paper sat on the table, with things scribbled on both sides.
The front stated that disciples who were clueless about cultivation could head to Impartation Peak to learn some basic knowledge or go to the scripture library for self-study. The other side of the paper featured a simplistic map of the Dao-Seeking Sect. It indicated the main peaks in the sect, but the rest were blank spaces. At least, Lu Yang could discern that the Dao-Seeking Sect spanned a hundred thousand li in landmass, which was much more expansive than he could imagine.
Nonetheless, the front side of the paper gave Lu Yang some directions as to what he could do for the upcoming month.
Lu Yang yawned and decided that it was time for a good sleep.
From leaving his house and finding himself in rainy weather, to relying on his genuine character and outstanding wisdom to pass the three rounds and receive the attention of Yun Zhi and Dai Bufan, and finally becoming a disciple of the Dao-Seeking Sect, the day had left him mentally exhausted, and he couldn’t even lift an eyelid.
“Dao-Seeking Sect, why do you not even have a pillow…” Lu Yang grumbled before his exhaustion caught up with him. Ignoring the discomfort, he puckered his mouth and soon fell into deep slumber.
~~~
The next morning, Lu Yang woke up very early. He planned to head to the scripture library and gain a rough understanding of the situation in the Central Continent.
“New here?” A senior male disciple at the scripture library’s entrance asked Lu Yang.
“Yes.”
“Since you’re new here, I’ll share with you the scripture library’s rules. The rules are simple; there are only three.
“One, you only have permission to access any book on the first floor. Two, you can only borrow one book for now. Three, you must take care of the books; don’t dirty them, otherwise you will have to compensate for it in full.”
Lu Yang nodded. “I have remembered them.”
The senior male disciple said no more and let Lu Yang enter.
Inside the scripture library, the sect disciples were so engrossed in reading that they didn’t even notice Lu Yang when he walked past. One could only hear the sound of footsteps and the rustling of pages being flipped in this enormous library.
The assortment of books was impressive and comprehensive. It encompassed a range of selection that included folk arts such as introductions to xiangsheng[2] comedy and books for cultivators such as secret manuals of cultivation techniques for cultivators and insights to Qi Training and Foundation Establishment.
Overwhelmed by the collection, Lu Yang wasn’t sure which book he should start with.
“What book is this?” Lu Yang happened to find a book wedged between the shelves. It was covered with a thick layer of dust, implying that no one had read it for a long time.
Wiping away the dust, he finally saw the book’s title—Dragon and Phoenix Transformation
“What an imposing title!” Lu Yang exclaimed. I don’t even have to look at its contents to feel its imposing aura!
For a moment, something came over him. He felt as if he could hear the cries of the dragon and phoenix. Their hazy figures appeared before his eyes, seeming very lifelike. Following that, the figures disappeared like they were exiting from a stage.
Jerked out of his reverie, Lu Yang scanned his surroundings. The sounds and hazy figures had vanished.
“Don’t tell me it was just an illusion?” Lu Yang was still skeptical yet slightly excited as he flipped to the first page.
Maybe this is my fortuitous opportunity!
Just then, the unexpectedly sharp paper cut his finger, and a few drops of blood stained the page.
Suddenly, the old book emitted golden rays of light! It seemed like something was about to break free from within!
Lu Yang’s heart was palpitating against his chest. This entire process had been completely beyond his expectation and control; he didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse. He even felt as if a powerful presence was observing him, and he subconsciously didn’t dare to move.
The feeling is getting stronger, which means that the powerful presence is coming closer.
At long last, the powerful presence stood behind Lu Yang, staring at him cryptically and silently, frightening Lu Yang until he broke out in cold sweat.
That powerful presence finally spoke, “You…”
“Yes!” Lu Yang shuddered.
“You dirtied the book.”
Lu Yang turned back, finally uncovering the identity of the powerful presence—the senior male disciple from the scripture library’s entrance.
His brow was furrowed as he stared at the bloodstains on the book, slightly displeased. I just reminded this fellow not to dirty the books and here he goes dripping blood onto the book.
There was an array cast in the scripture library—every time someone dirtied a book, golden rays of light would be emitted, signaling to the people guarding the place.
“What book is this? Why haven’t I seen it before?”
The senior male disciple browsed through the book, his expression changing from one of confusion to startlement. “This…this is actually the legendary forbidden book!”
Lu Yang was elated. I didn’t think my luck would be so good, finding an ancient forbidden book right as I stepped into the scripture library. I wonder what secrets lie hidden in this book.
“Senior Brother, is there a problem with this book?” Lu Yang was curious.
The senior male disciple’s expression grew grim as he contemplated for a while. Should I share such secret matters with this newcomer junior brother?
He ultimately decided to be honest with Lu Yang. “This book records the dragon and phoenix’s mating process in detail; because it was too detailed, the Dragon Tribe and Phoenix Tribe lodged a complaint together, and it eventually became classified as a forbidden book. I thought this book had already been destroyed, who would have thought that one copy would remain here. I wonder who hid this!”
Lu Yang, "..." In other words, this is a dirty book.
Damn it, harmonious marriage like the dragon and phoenix, they say!
Just then, he suddenly remembered something. Senior Brother mentioned that I’ll have to compensate if I dirty a book.
2. A comedy performance where usually two speakers will engage in comedic dialogue and other actions. It is also possible to have fewer or more than 2 artists, and singing. ☜
Rakumon's ThoughtsIt would be quite funny if the senior male disciple misunderstood that Lu Yang was bleeding from the nose xD
Did you know that hard beds are popular in China?
Not exactly related, but the part about no pillow reminds me of the hard beds in China lol. I'm not saying that everyone likes a hard bed now, but it's still rather common, and if I'm not wrong, it is because of the belief that hard beds are good for the back.
Have you tried sleeping on a hard bed? And would you sleep on a hard bed?
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