Chapter 854 — Reunion with an Old Acquaintance at the Peach Blossom Spring
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
" After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Mu asked, "What is the story behind the peach grove outside the Academy?
" "I have no idea.
" Daoist Master Lin Xuan shook his head.
"Ever since the Origin Realm broke its seal, this peach grove abruptly appeared beside the Academy. Strange to say, the Origin Realm is full of bizarre places, and the sanctified among the demigods there are beyond counting, yet the vicinity of the Dao Gate has been wholly peaceful—not once has a demigod caused trouble. I suspect it is the peach grove's doing.
I once went into the grove to investigate, but I could never draw near the palaces within; something like a formation seemed to bar the way.
" Shen Mu's face showed suspicion. "I noticed on the road too that no demigods appear near the Dao Gate, and that it is very tranquil here, unlike other places.
In those places the demigods oppress the human race, and it is considered merciful of them merely to drive men as slaves.
I had assumed the Dao Gate had cowed those demigods; I never thought it was the peach grove's effect.
" Daoist Master Lin Xuan smiled ruefully. "How could the Dao Gate have such strength? There are many powerful demigods dwelling on the divine mountains nearby. I once saw one of them inhale and exhale, and even the sun in the sky was drawn a good deal closer by his breath—the sun in the Heavenly Chart, of course. And there is another strange matter: this peach grove is easy to enter, and even easier to leave.
" Shen Mu was puzzled. "When you look at the grove from outside, it is ten thousand li broad. Walking in from the edge, I have traveled ten thousand li and more—a hundred thousand, a million li—and never reached the end. As I walked on, the peach trees around me went through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and the weather changed with the seasons; clearly the road I took was real.
" Daoist Master Lin Xuan wore a peculiar expression. "But the moment I turned around, I found myself still at the edge of the grove. I only needed to turn back and take a few steps to emerge. For this reason, many of the folk around here run into the grove to pick peaches without the slightest fear of losing their way.
I too once wished to uncover the grove's secret, but in the end I found no solution, and since the master of the grove seemed to harbor no ill intent, I let the matter drop.
" The blind elder spoke abruptly: "This ought to be a formation, and yet it does not feel like a formation. It is as if boundless space has been compressed by magic power into the span of ten thousand li—even to the width of a foot! But no one in this world could possess so colossal a magic power; only a formation borrowing the strength of heaven and earth could achieve such a thing. " Shen Mu asked, "Can Grandpa Blind tell which formation it is?
" The blind elder shook his head. "Nothing can be discerned from outside; only by entering can one see what it truly is. Moreover, I can barely make out any traces of a formation. If it truly is a formation, then Heavenly Master Zixi would be far inferior to the master of this grove! And yet it is impossible that a formation master far greater than Heavenly Master Zixi should exist. " "Since the master of the grove bears no ill will, and even shelters the common folk here, there is no need for us to worry.
" Shen Mu smiled. "Daoist Master Lin, I have come to the Dao Gate Academy to study, so I shall board here for the next few days. My imperial brother also needs to learn the calculation arts; may I trouble you to find some able scholars of the Imperial Academy to teach him the fundamentals? " Lin Xuan nodded.
"Rest assured, our Dao Gate has no shortage of masters in the calculation arts.
Let Lan Yutian study with them. As for Cult Master Shen, I and the elders of the Dao Gate shall instruct you ourselves. " Shen Mu was overjoyed and bowed in thanks. Lin Xuan hastily returned the bow and said gravely, "Cult Master, you are overwhelming me.