Chapter 157: This is my strong point!
The Tushita Palace is located in the Lihentian Heaven above the Thirty-three Heavens.
Li Anran had seen the Golden and Silver Boy countless times in his life, but this was the first time he had seen him in reality.
As soon as you enter the Heaven of Separation, you will see auspicious mist swaying in the void and bright clouds flickering, reflecting the pure blue light of the sky, which is changing in various ways.
The Tushita Palace is located in the clouds, with golden nails, jade doors, colorful phoenixes, and red gates. It is illuminated by countless golden rays of light and auspicious auras. Immortal cranes and other magical birds are leisurely and contented, and auspicious mushrooms and grasses are everywhere. The scenery is magnificent, and is no less beautiful than the Lingxiao Palace and the sacred place of Yaochi.
"Prison God, please follow me."
The Taoist boy led the way in front, leading Li Anran all the way inside.
The inside of Tushita Palace is completely different from the outside. It has simple decoration, quietness and simplicity, giving people a feeling of purity and freedom from desire.
After passing through three doors and two corridors, the two stopped at the entrance of the main hall.
"God of Prison, the Supreme Taoist Ancestor is waiting for you inside." The Taoist boy stopped and motioned Li Anran to go in.
Li Anran nodded, pushed the door and walked in.
The main hall was exceptionally spacious, with only a huge yin-yang diagram on the wall facing the gate and several cushions placed on the ground, with no extra decorations.
Taishang Laojun sat cross-legged on a cushion in the center of the hall, his eyes half-open and half-closed, as if he was meditating and practicing.
When Li Anran's eyes fell on the Yin-Yang fish, he was dazed for a moment, but soon regained clarity.
This Yin-Yang diagram was left by the Supreme Sage. Although it looks simple, it contains the ultimate truth of Yin-Yang in heaven and earth, and can be used to give rise to all kinds of things in the world.
The higher the level of cultivation, the easier it is to become addicted to it and unable to extricate oneself.
Only those with a strong will can break free!
The faster you break free, the more determined your Tao determination will be!
However, part of the reason why Li Anran was able to be so fast was because he had seen the Yin-Yang fish countless times in his life as the Gold and Silver Boy and had developed resistance to it.
"Greetings to the Supreme Taoist Ancestor." Li Anran greeted him respectfully.
Taishang Laojun nodded slightly, his face full of the kindness of an elder: "You are indeed a rare talent in the world! If it weren't for Taiyi Tianzun, I would have accepted you as my disciple no matter what!"
His words seemed to be praising Li Anran and joking with the younger generation, but in fact he was testing Li Anran.
If Li Anran has any idea now or in the future, he can take the opportunity to recruit Li Anran under his command.
Li Anran said, "Supreme Dao Ancestor, you are too kind . I have little talent, but I am very lucky to have the Heavenly Venerable accept me as his disciple. I don't deserve such praise from the Supreme Dao Ancestor."
"Low qualifications? Li Anran, you are too modest."
Seeing that Li Anran didn't seem to be moved at all, Taishang Laojun was a little unhappy, but he still pointed at the Yin-Yang diagram and said, "This Yin-Yang diagram may seem simple, but it actually encompasses everything. You were able to break free from it so quickly. Your heart of Taoism is so strong that it is rare in the Three Realms!"
He then said meaningfully: "If I have a disciple like you, no matter how poor his aptitude is, I am confident that he will be able to break through to the Daluo realm."
Without waiting for Li Anran to speak, he changed the subject and asked, "Li Anran, do you know why the Taoist priest wants you here today?"
Li Anran shook his head.
All matters concerning the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave were handled by Taishang Laojun. Even Taiyi Zhenren did not know the specific situation, let alone the matter of the fake Tongtian, so naturally he could not know about it.
Taishang Laojun said: "A few months ago, you captured a man who claimed to be the 'Master of Tongtian' in Dongsheng Shenzhou. Is this true?"
Li Anran nodded and said, "Tongtian Jiaozhu is the old name of Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun. That evil Taoist not only pretended to be Lingbao Tianzun, but also sent people to stop me and wanted to take me as his disciple. I captured him and brought him back to heaven."
Taishang Laojun: “…” This idiot!
The corner of Taishang Laojun's eye twitched. He only knew that the fake Tongtian was captured by Li Anran, but he didn't know that the fake Tongtian was captured because he wanted to accept Li Anran as his disciple.
Li Anran asked knowingly, "There were so many things going on during this period that I didn't have time to report to the Jade Emperor and just locked him up in the Heavenly Prison. How did Daozu know about this?"
Taishang Laojun did not answer, but asked: "Li Anran, do you know about the catastrophe of heaven and earth?"
Li Anran said: "I heard Nezha mention some of it."
Taishang Laojun asked again: "Do you know that this catastrophe of heaven and earth is coming again!"
"Ah?!" Li Anran pretended to be shocked.
What he knew came partly from Yang Jian and partly from the life stories of the criminals in the Book of Punishment.
However, these are his secrets and cannot be known to outsiders.
To the outside world, the only information he knew came from three sources: Heaven, Nezha, and Taiyi Zhenren.
There is no need to say much about the Heavenly Palace. He has few friends and all the news comes from the heavenly soldiers and generals.
The catastrophes of heaven and earth that Nezha told him about were the first catastrophe of dragons and phoenixes, the great catastrophe of wizards and demons, and the catastrophe of the Conferred Gods. He did not mention that the current catastrophe was coming.
Taiyi Zhenren only taught him things related to cultivation, and did not tell him that the gods and Buddhas of the three realms were now working together to deal with the catastrophe of heaven and earth.
This is not a question of trust.
Just like Taiyi Zhenren never told Nezha that the gods and Buddhas of the three realms would join forces to deal with the catastrophe of the three realms.
This matter itself is not very glorious. The less Li Anran and the others know, the less they will be involved in the cause and effect, and the better it is for them!
"Taiyi Tianzun didn't tell you?" Taishang Laojun was delighted, but his brows were furrowed. He said, "As a teacher, how could he..."
Taishang Laojun stopped talking halfway, pretending to have accidentally said something wrong, and changed the subject: "I made a mistake! Taiyi Tianzun did not tell you these things, he must have his own considerations, and I shouldn't have said anything too much!"
On the surface, he was explaining for Taiyi Tianzun, but in fact, he had said everything that should and should not be said, and he was trying to please Taiyi Tianzun, just waiting for Li Anran to take the initiative to ask questions.
but……
"Daozu is right."
Li Anran nodded vigorously, with an expression of agreement on his face: "Since Master didn't tell me, he must have his reasons. As a disciple, I just need to wait patiently."
Taishang Laojun: “…”
Taishang Laojun opened his half-closed eyes and looked at Li Anran in front of him, wanting to see whether Li Anran really didn't understand or was just pretending to be stupid.
But, this is obviously useless!
Li Anran has practiced the Hehuan technique for so many years that he has already reached the pinnacle of controlling his emotions. The expression on his face can even be described by a standard fan-shaped diagram.
Three parts approval, five parts trust, and two parts clear stupidity!
Taishang Laojun looked at it several times, but couldn't see any problem. He couldn't change his words and slap himself in the face, so he had to give up the idea of poaching and said straight to the point: "I came to you this time because I need your help with something."
Li Anran said, "What is it? Daozu, just give me your orders. I will do my best."
Taishang Laojun said: "I want you to send that fake Tongtian back to the mortal world."
"Ah?! That demon pretended to be Lingbao Tianzun, which has already violated the heavenly rules..."
Before Li Anran could finish, Taishang Laojun interrupted him and said, "Didn't I just tell you that a catastrophe is coming? This fake Tongtian is related to whether this catastrophe can be safely passed!"
Taishang Laojun was afraid that Li Anran would stop him from talking again, so he didn't dare to keep him in suspense. He briefly explained the matter of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave, and then said: "This fake Tongtian is the whetstone for the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave. Without him, the Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave would probably find it difficult to achieve the right results, and they would not be able to resolve this disaster."
Li Anran said in embarrassment: "The fake Tongtian has been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. To release him, we need the Jade Emperor's order."
"Li Anran, didn't you just say that you haven't reported this matter to the Jade Emperor yet?" Taishang Laojun said angrily.
"Daozu, I am not making excuses on purpose."
Li Anran looked aggrieved and explained hurriedly: "This is what the Heavenly Laws and Regulations stipulate. I dare not act recklessly. How about this, after I return, I will immediately report this matter to the Jade Emperor and ask the Jade Emperor to..."
"No need!" Taishang Laojun looked at Li Anran deeply, and could not see any pretense. He said, "I will go to see His Majesty now. You wait here."
After saying this, Taishang Laojun stood up and left the hall, riding on a auspicious cloud and flew towards the Lingxiao Palace.
“This, this…Ah!”
Li Anran chased for a few steps but failed to catch up. Looking at the back of Taishang Laojun as he left, he paced back and forth in the hall in a pretentious manner with a look of sorrow and embarrassment on his face.
A real actor must be in the play at all times and in all places, even if there is no camera!
Li Anran spent so much time creating this character for only one purpose——
Hide your golden finger!
Because only those who stick to the laws of heaven and are unwilling to adapt would lock up all the prisoners who violated the laws of heaven in the prison regardless of their own interests!
Only this kind of person would not be suspected of having other intentions in catching the criminal at all costs!
Taishang Laojun came back soon and handed an imperial edict to Li Anran.
Li Anran opened it and saw that what was written on it was exactly what Taishang Laojun had said before. The Eight Immortals of the Upper Cave were related to the catastrophe of heaven and earth, so Li Anran was ordered to obey Taishang Laojun's orders and cooperate with Taishang Laojun to release the fake Tongtian back to the mortal world.
"What else do you want to say now?" asked Laozi.
"No more." Li Anran quickly shook his head, paused for a moment, and then said, "Taishang Daozu, the catastrophe of heaven and earth concerns the lives of all people in the three realms. After this matter is settled, I will report it to Master."
"Ha!" Taishang Laojun sneered, "You don't think your master doesn't know about this, do you? He just didn't tell you!"
Li Anran did not comment, but only said: "How does the Supreme Dao Ancestor need the younger generation to cooperate?"
Taishang Laojun saw this and felt a little jealous of Taiyi Zhenren.
Regardless of whether Li Anran is a treacherous person pretending to be loyal or truly loyal, he is an excellent disciple!
It’s a pity that he was a step too slow, allowing Li Anran to become Taiyi Tianzun’s disciple first!
It is no longer possible to poach people!
Taishang Laojun figured this out, and his attitude towards Li Anran suddenly became cold again. He said lightly: "What to do, you decide for yourself. I have only one request, let the fake Tongtian think that he escaped to the mortal world by himself, can you do it?"
Li Anran: "...I will do my best."
Isn’t it just the first half of the sting operation?
This is my strong point!
Tianlao, cell number 107, Type B.
The fake Tongtian was roaring: "You bunch of damned evildoers, do you know who I am? Let me out now!"
Most of the prisoners would behave themselves after being locked up in the prison for a few days.
Only a very few can hold on and never give in!
Fake Tongtian is one of them.
It's not just because he thinks he is the master of all heaven, has a noble status, is very proud, and refuses to bow his head.
More importantly, the fake Tongtian was the result of a trace of evil thought from the Master Tongtian, and the sky prison was filled with evil and resentful aura.
For others, this would cause evil spirits to corrode and damage their souls, but for the fake Tongtian, it is a great tonic!
Even if he had lost his magic power and could not mobilize his spirit, he could still be nourished by this hostility.
This is also the reason why the fake Tongtian has been in the Heavenly Prison for nearly half a year and is still full of energy, only looking a little embarrassed.
"What are you yelling about?" One day a soldier came over and cursed, "You keep yelling here every day, are you looking for death?"
"Where is Li Anran? Ask him to come over here!" the fake Tongtian shouted.
The soldier said, "My master is visiting a friend and has no time to talk to you!"
Li Anran is not here?!
The fake Tongtian's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at the heavenly soldier in front of him and said, "Boy, I think you have good aptitude. When will you be able to become an immortal if you stay in this heavenly prison?"
The fake Tongtian's voice was full of bewitching flavor, and he said: "I have a skill that can absorb other people's spirit and transform it into my own cultivation. If you are willing to let me go, I will pass this skill to you!"
Tianbing, or Li Anran, was confused.
How can it be so bewitching?
Shouldn't we take it step by step, and gradually make the other party give up their bottom line?
Just say let me out?
Which heavenly soldier is crazy enough to agree to this?
Li Anran complained in his heart, but he had to continue acting: "If you really have such magical powers, how could you fall into this situation!"
Fake Tongtian said, "Boy, what do you know! Thousands of years ago, I was plotted against by Tathagata, Laojun and Guanyin, and my cultivation is no longer even one ten-thousandth of what it was in its heyday. If not for this, Li Anran would be nothing more than an ant in front of me. I can crush him to death at any time with just one finger!"
Li Anran: “…” Forget it, as long as you are happy!
Li Anran was originally planning to have a few rounds of exchanges with this fake Tongtian, but now he was too lazy to waste time with him.
This arrogant idiot probably doesn't have the brains to see any flaws!
Li Anran said directly: "Are you serious? If I let you go, will you teach me the skills?"
Fake Tongtian nodded repeatedly: "As long as you help me untie the chains on my body, I will pass it on to you!"
Li Anran was too lazy to act with this idiot anymore, so he stepped forward and untied the demon-binding rope on the fake Tongtian.
Bang!
The moment he untied it, the fake Tongtian slapped him down with his palm.
Li Anran fell down immediately and used the art of transformation to disguise himself as having died from a broken head.
"idiot!"
The fake Tongtian looked very smug and didn't notice anything unusual at all.
What he just said, that the technique of absorbing other people's spirit and energy and transforming it into one's own cultivation, was true.
However, this technique only improves magic power instead of the realm of cultivation, and it will leave considerable hidden dangers.
This is also the reason why the fake Tongtian has terrifying magical powers but cannot exert his true power.
Crunch——
Fake Tongtian pushed open the cell door and walked towards the next cell.
There were so many prisoners whose souls and magical powers were sealed in this prison, and he could just suck away all their energy in one breath!
In this way, let alone Li Anran, even if Tathagata and Laojun joined forces again, he would not be afraid at all!
The fake Tongtian became more and more excited the more he thought about it, but before he could take any action, a voice suddenly came from outside.
"My lord, you are back!"
