Chapter 197: The Mind is Decided
"My lord, Dou Mu Yuan Jun has been waiting in Tianlao Palace for a long time."
Li Anran left the Jinguan Cave on Qianyuan Mountain and just as he returned to the Heavenly Prison, a divine official came forward to report.
Before he finished speaking, the Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit came over impatiently, took out a green imperial edict from her sleeve, handed it over, and said, "Li Anran, this is the edict of Taiyi Tianzun of Dongji Miaoyan Palace, ordering you to hand over Jiuling Yuansheng to me!"
Li Anran took the decree and immediately found the problem. He corrected it, "Dou Mu Yuanjun, the decree of the Heavenly Venerable said that you should be taken to see Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng. It is up to Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng to decide whether to go or stay, but it did not say that he should be handed over to you."
The Golden Spirit Holy Mother sneered and said, "Li Anran, do you think that your prison is some kind of blessed place that the Nine Spirit Saints would be reluctant to leave?"
Li Anran first killed Qiu Yin, and then beat Luo Xuan almost to death. The Golden Spirit Holy Mother was obviously somewhat hostile towards him and spoke very politely.
Li Anran was indifferent and said calmly, "I am just confirming the content of the decree of the Heavenly Lord with you. Whether Jiuling Yuansheng is willing to leave is his business. It is not up to me or you to decide. Come in with me."
Li Anran's tone was indifferent and calm, full of official and impersonal flavor.
However, when the Golden Spirit Holy Mother heard this, she felt that he was a little arrogant and became very angry.
However, considering that Jiuling Yuansheng was related to the Chaos Bell, she still endured it and followed Li Anran into the Sky Prison, all the way to Jiuling Yuansheng's cell.
Jiuling Yuansheng had not committed any serious crime, so he would not be imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. It was just that Taiyi Tianzun wanted to show justice and impartiality, and he also wanted to give Lingshan a slap in the face for bringing the Golden-winged Dapeng Eagle and others back.
The whole matter did not even go through the Jade Emperor's hands. Li Jing, the god of justice, gave the final verdict of "reflection".
There is no mandatory requirement for the place of reflection. If Taiyi Tianzun is willing, he can take Jiuling Yuansheng away at any time.
The grandsons of Jiuling Yuansheng, such as Huangshi, Suanni, Tuanxiangshi, Bai Ze and others, have been released back to the mortal world.
After they became spirits, they have not done many bad things. After Jiuling Yuansheng came to the world, they reformed themselves and became kind to others. As a result, the people of Yuhuazhou are not afraid of them at all and often do business with them.
Li Jing summoned the mountain gods and land gods of Yuhua Prefecture to inquire about these matters. After confirming that these lion spirits had not violated any heavenly rules, he let them return to the mortal world.
These are strictly in accordance with the Heavenly Laws and Regulations, but in fact, there is also a reason why they are the grandsons of Jiuling Yuansheng, and Jiuling Yuansheng is the mount of Taiyi Tianzun.
Because of the ancient demon court, the Jade Emperor has a natural aversion to monsters, and even the civil and military officials in the Heavenly Court are discriminatory and hostile towards monsters.
This further affected the land of the immortal mountain dragon king in the lower world.
To the extent that, monsters in the three realms are like rats crossing the street, and everyone shouts and chases them.
If it were any other monster, even if they had not done anything evil, once they were locked up in this prison, it would be extremely difficult for them to get out.
When the Golden Spirit Holy Mother saw the Nine-Spirited Saint, he was sitting cross-legged in the center of the Heavenly Prison, chanting Huangting Mantra and meditating in silence to attain enlightenment.
Although he was also wrapped with the Demon Binding Rope, it was more of a symbolic meaning. His cultivation and magical powers were not sealed, and he did not suffer any punishment.
When Li Anran and the Golden Spirit Holy Mother just walked into the prison, the Nine Spirits Yuansheng had already noticed it.
However, he did not think that the Golden Spirit Mother came to see him.
It was not until the two men stopped at the door of his cell that Jiuling Yuansheng realized this and opened his eyes in surprise.
"Junior Brother Jiuling." The Golden Spirit Mother called out.
These four short words were like a bolt of thunder that struck Jiuling Yuansheng's forehead, causing his head to buzz and he froze in place.
Almost instantly, Jiuling Yuansheng thought that Jinling Shengmu must have already agreed with Taiyi Tianzun to take him back to Jiejiao.
He had been looking forward to this moment for thousands of years.
but……
When everything really happened, Jiuling Yuansheng was surprised to find that he did not feel the excitement and ecstasy as he had expected, but instead felt a little numb and dazed.
Even forgot to respond.
"Junior Brother Jiu Ling? Junior Brother Jiu Ling?" Jin Ling Shengmu called out several times before Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng suddenly came back to his senses and said hesitantly, "Jin, Jin Ling Senior Sister."
During the thousands of years that he had been the mount of Taiyi Tianzun, he had also seen the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, the Wudang Holy Mother, the Three Sky, and Zhao Gongming several times.
However, they just pretended not to see each other, never spoke to each other, and didn't even make eye contact.
Jiuling Yuansheng felt too ashamed to face these fellow disciples.
Wu Dang Shengmu and others were also ashamed to face Jiuling Yuansheng, including Qiu Shouxian, Lingyaxian, Jinguangxian, etc.——
They clearly saw their fellow disciples suffering, but they were unable to help!
This sense of shame and powerlessness is also the important reason why the disciples of Jiejiao work more unitedly and have deeper hatred towards Chenjiao and Lingshan!
In other words, Holy Mother Wu Dang was the leader of the Jie Religion chosen by Patriarch Tongtian. She was able to control all the Jie Religion disciples and was also calm enough.
Otherwise, from the moment these Jiejiao disciples escaped from the List of Conferred Gods, the war among the Three Realms would never be stopped!
"Nine Spirits Yuansheng, Master has ordered me to bring Dou Mu Yuanjun to see you. If you are willing to leave with her, you can leave now. If not, you can stay in this prison for the time being and reflect on your mistakes. After three months, you can return to Dongji Miaoyan Palace."
After Li Anran finished speaking, he opened the cell door and turned to walk towards the quiet room.
Taiyi Tianzun had already instructed him that he only needed to bring the Golden Spirit Mother to the Nine Spirit Yuansheng, and he didn't need to do or worry about anything else.
Of course, there was no need for him to stay here any longer.
Without waiting for Li Anran to walk away, the Golden Spirit Mother waved her right hand, a golden light flashed, and she untied the demon-binding rope on Jiuling Yuansheng's body. She said, "Junior Brother Jiuling, Senior Sister Wudang is waiting for us in Lishan. Let's go." She turned and walked out of the cell.
But after walking a few steps, she realized something was wrong. She turned around and found Jiuling Yuansheng still sitting in the cell with a hesitant look on his face.
The Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit thought that the Holy Mother of the Nine Spirits could not believe that all this was true, so she acted so bewildered and at a loss, and consoled him: "Brother, don't worry, Sister Wu Dang has arranged everything properly, you just need to follow me."
Fearing that Jiuling Yuansheng would be worried, she added, "The same goes for Lingyaxian, Qiushouxian, and Jinguangxian. Lingshan has already promised to give them freedom. Now that the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism is intensifying, Lingshan and Xuanmen are afraid that we will lean towards the other side, so they dare not offend us."
After the Golden Spirit Holy Mother finished speaking, she saw that Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng had not yet stood up, and she became a little anxious. She grabbed Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng and urged him, "This is not the place to talk. Let's leave first!"
The Golden Spirit Holy Mother pulled hard twice but it didn't move. Turning back, she saw the Nine Spirits Holy Mother with an expression that looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
The Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit had a hot temper and hated to see this. She said, "Junior Brother Jiu Ling, what's wrong with you? If you have something to say, just say it!"
"Senior Sister Jin Ling, I...I..."
Jiuling Yuansheng grunted for a long time before finally making up his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, "I want to stay with my master."
The Golden Spirit Mother: “???”
Li Anran: “???” What the hell is this? Stockholm syndrome?
Li Anran was shocked and couldn't help but look back towards the cell.
In his head, he remembered what Taiyi Tianzun had told him: "You don't need to do anything" and the edict: "Everything must be done according to the will of Jiuling Yuansheng."
Could it be that Taiyi Tianzun had anticipated this scene a long time ago?
In the cell, the Golden Spirit Mother roared in disbelief: "Junior Brother Jiu Ling! What are you talking about! Senior Sister Wu Dang spent so much effort and finally found an opportunity to rescue you, but you don't want to leave?"
"You are confused! You are my disciple of Jiejiao, the descendant of the demon saint Bai Ze. That evil thief Taiyi is your enemy who has enslaved and tortured you for thousands of years! Enemy!"
The last two words were shouted loudly by the Golden Spirit Mother.
Although Li Anran couldn't see her expression, he could imagine the look of gnashing teeth and being disappointed in her.
"Jin, Senior Sister Jin Ling, I know it wasn't easy for Senior Sister Wu Dang to rescue me, but this is really not what you think!"
"My Lord... Taiyi Tianzun did beat and torture me at the beginning, but that was because I attacked him first. He didn't kill me, which was a mercy. It was just some beatings and torture, which is nothing."
Jiuling Yuansheng's tone of voice was obviously a little weak, but the content of his words was all to defend Taiyi Tianzun, and his tone became more and more determined as he spoke.
"When the situation in Xuanmen stabilized, he rarely punished me again and let me stay by his side and listen to his teachings. I am able to achieve my current level of cultivation thanks to this."
The Golden Spirit Mother thought that the Nine Spirit Saint was crazy.
No, not crazy!
Junior Brother Jiuling must have been bewitched by the magic of that treacherous Taiyi!
The Golden Spirit Mother crossed her hands, her five fingers flying, and green light flowed at her fingertips, gathering into an illusion of a green lotus.
Jiuling Yuansheng was startled at first, but after seeing clearly the magic spell performed by Jinling Shengmu, he showed a bitter smile on his face and let the green lotus fall on him without dodging.
Buzz!
A green light flowed, and the green lotus merged into the body of Jiuling Yuansheng, but no strange phenomenon occurred.
However, this was even more difficult for the Golden Spirit Mother to accept.
Jiuling Yuansheng said: "Senior Sister Jinling, I really haven't been bewitched by any evil spell that has made me lose my mind, nor have I been confused, but..."
Jiuling Yuansheng had just been so rebellious as to speak well of Taiyi Tianzun, his enemy from Jiejiao, but now he still hesitated and was afraid to continue.
"And what? " asked the Golden Spirit Mother with red eyes.
Jiuling Yuansheng took a deep breath, and finally mustered up the courage to say, "I think the Chan Sect is more suitable for me than the Jie Sect. The Jie Sect emphasizes seizing a ray of hope, which is against the will of heaven. It requires great courage and perseverance to transcend life and death."
"And I am just a clever coward who doesn't seek to make progress. I just want to live a peaceful life, recite Huang Ting poems, drink tea and discuss Taoism every day, and find a few juniors who I like to teach. I am already very satisfied."
Jiuling Yuansheng thought about his life in the mortal world for the past three years. That was the life he had always dreamed of.
Li Anran: “…” If you want to praise Jiejiao, then praise Jiejiao. You are talking about Chenjiao as if it is a place for retirement!
Li Anran couldn't help but roll his eyes.
The word "Chan" in Chanjiao means to explain and radiate. It emphasizes following the will of heaven, dividing all things into different levels, and educating them according to their talents.
In the past life, it was often said that the Jiejiao taught everyone without discrimination, while the Chenjiao emphasized good fortune and affinity. This is both right and wrong.
The Jiejiao teaches everyone without discrimination. All living beings will give you a chance to survive, but Tongtian Patriarch doesn't care whether you can grasp this chance or not.
This is the same as the core practice of Jiejiao, "Shangqing Fuqi Jue".
It is extremely simple to get started, but it is extremely difficult to practice to a deep level. Most of the disciples of Jiejiao only have a superficial grasp of it.
In comparison, the threshold for joining the Chan sect is extremely high, and qualifications, background, blessings, and luck are all essential.
However, once Yuanshi Tianzun accepts a disciple, he will be responsible to the end, teach according to the student's aptitude, and train him carefully, and will not let the student go his own way.
It is precisely because of this effort that there is a tradition of protecting one's shortcomings from top to bottom in the Chan sect.
The Jiejiao is different.
It's completely free-range.
At the beginning of the Conferred God Ceremony, so many disciples died, but Master Tongtian didn't care at all.
In his opinion, those disciples of Jiejiao failed to grasp that glimmer of hope, so they died there!
It was not until later, when Guangchengzi paid three visits to the Biyou Palace and lost face for Jiejiao, and with Duobao Taoist waiting on the sidelines to add fuel to the fire, that Tongtian Jiaozhu became furious and took action himself.
Jiuling Yuansheng regarded himself as a coward who had no desire to make progress and just wanted to live a leisurely life in his retirement.
but……
"You are a Daluo Jinxian! Are you sure this is not in Versailles?"
The Golden Spirit Holy Mother obviously could not accept the reason of the Nine Spirits Saint. She forcibly pulled him out and said, "You don't have to tell me these things. When we get to Mount Li, you can tell Senior Sister Wu Dang."
"Senior Sister Jin Ling!" Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng tried to break free.
However, the cultivation level of the Golden Spirit Mother was not weaker than his at all, and he already felt a little guilty, so he couldn't use his full strength. He could only watch as the Golden Spirit Mother dragged him out of the prison little by little.
Li Anran saw it all and knew that he could not watch any longer. Just as he was about to go forward to stop it, he saw a green light sweep across the void and a figure appeared.
The man wore a crown and a robe of rosy clouds on his head, had a true body of the wonderful Tao, and a purple and gold auspicious appearance, and sat upright on a nine-colored lotus throne.
It is none other than the benevolent corpse of Taiyi Tianzun, the Qinghua Emperor of Dongji!
Emperor Qinghua of the East said, "Dou Mu Yuanjun, before you came, you promised me that you would obey the wishes of Jiuling Yuansheng. Since he doesn't want to leave with you, why force him?"
The Golden Spirit Holy Mother raised her eyebrows and was about to speak, but the Nine Spirits Holy Mother had already broken free, knelt on the ground, and respectfully called out, "Master."
"Yuan Sheng'er, you don't have to do this."
Emperor Qinghua of the East waved his hand, a green light flashed, and Jiuling Yuansheng was lifted up. He said, "I made you my mount to punish you for ambushing me. Now the cause and effect have been resolved. If you are willing, you can stay by my side and be an attendant boy."
"Thank you, Lord...Emperor."
Jiuling Yuansheng was overjoyed, and said to Jinling Shengmu: "Dou Mu Yuanjun, I have made up my mind, please forgive me."
