Chapter 61: At Last, Divine Power Unveiled—A Sleeve Brings the Spring Breeze

For ten years, Cao Kong sought divine powers, and at last, his efforts bore fruit. Yet his expression remained calm as he said, "Come here."

Within the Liver Palace, the elusive and unyielding Wood Mother now bowed in sincerity, prostrating herself upon the ground. The miniature figure of his primordial spirit moved from the Mud Pill Palace, descending into the Liver Palace. With the gesture of a true immortal, he placed his hand atop the Wood Mother’s head.

A sound, pure and invisible, resonated—a distant, subtle note, barely perceptible. Yet when it reached Cao Kong’s heart, it thundered like a great bell, echoing the music of the heavens, the voice of the Dao itself.

The grandest notes seem barely audible.

In an instant, the Wood Mother melted away, transforming into a surge of azure energy that flowed into the primordial spirit. Perfection! Unification!

An indescribable sensation filled Cao Kong’s heart. The sound of the Dao grew ever more magnificent, rejoicing for this divine power about to be born.

At that moment, winds arose from every direction within the Liver Palace. They came from eight quarters, arriving subtly, departing quietly, traceless yet born from a source.

Cao Kong gained sudden insight: his divine power must be the Eight Winds of Heaven and Earth.

The Eight Winds respond to the seasons, arise from eight directions, each embodying a unique nature, cycling through celestial order, bringing forth infinite transformations.

They are called Grain, Brightness, Pure Light, Buzhou...

He had debated the Dao with Clear Wind and Bright Moon for three months, gleaning much wisdom about cultivation and divine powers. Clear Wind once spoke of a senior apprentice who commanded one of the Eight Winds, a power envied by ordinary disciples and even praised by their master.

Now, he himself wielded the Eight Winds—a stroke of fortune indeed.

Cao Kong could not help but smile with joy, then settled himself to await the birth of his divine power.

Once the Eight Winds reached the primordial spirit, he needed only to exhale, merging the wind within his heart with the mechanism of Heaven and Earth, thus forming a seed of divine power to reside eternally in the Liver Palace.

The miniature spirit absorbed the Eight Winds, then opened its mouth and exhaled; Cao Kong followed suit, releasing a breath of vital energy.

This energy, in Heaven, is mysterious; in man, it is the Dao; in Earth, it is transformation—of the element of wood.

Heaven and Earth responded to this breath, sending forth the Eight Winds, which fused within, coalescing into a verdant seed that returned to the Liver Palace, illuminating it with clarity.

A smile appeared on Cao Kong’s lips as he watched the green seed take root, destined to remain there forever.

Then the seed sprouted, and Cao Kong felt as though he had gained a new sense. With a thought, a flick of his sleeve summoned the wind.

Though it was midsummer, a breeze arose from the southeast—the Pure Light Wind.

This wind brought clarity and brightness, nurturing all things in their season of growth.

As the Pure Light Wind passed, the heat in the mountains faded, and flowers, grasses, and trees flourished in vibrant green.

The leopard and others caught a strange fragrance—the scent of jujube blossoms—which made their mouths water as they followed it.

They stared in astonishment at the wondrous sight.

"Brother (Mountain Lord), the fire jujube tree has borne fruit!"

The Pure Light Wind had swept the fire jujube tree, causing its blossoms to fall and leaves to yellow—not from decay, but ripeness.

Clusters of fruit hung from the branches, twice as large as ordinary jujubes, their aroma drifting on the air.

Cao Kong’s joy deepened—on this day, he had been thrice blessed: sprouting yellow buds, gaining divine power, and bearing fire jujubes.

He called out from the mountain top, "It is a day of great joy! Treasures have come forth from the mountain and shall be shared with all the spirits here."

With another flick of his sleeve, he summoned the Brightness Wind from the east. Brightness brings forth the myriad things.

The wind plucked half the jujubes from the tree, scattering them throughout the forests.

Some fell into streams to be eaten by fish, others were swallowed by birds, others still by beasts. All who were fated to partake gained subtle wonders, their spiritual nature enhanced. Given time, they could transform from beasts to demons.

Amusingly, as the fire jujubes spread through the woods, the leopard and four little foxes leapt up, each grabbing one in their mouths.

Their jaws moved involuntarily, savoring the flavor, lingering over every bite, and when finished, they still yearned for more.

Cao Kong laughed heartily, "A group of greedy little creatures!"

He picked several handfuls for the leopard and his companions, then took one for himself, wiped it on his sleeve, and bit into it—fragrance filling the air.

Having gained the divine power of the Liver Palace, with its wood-nature, Cao Kong’s sensitivity to vitality grew. He noticed his own life force increasing—a strengthening that could prolong life.

Yet he felt no regret for giving away half the tree’s fruits; more would ripen in time, but such joy as today was rare.

When the leopard and others finished their jujubes and wanted more, Cao Kong gave some to the leopard but withheld them from the four foxes.

They blushed, cursing themselves for their greed—such a spiritual fruit, and after a handful, still dissatisfied.

"Digest what’s in your bellies first," Cao Kong teased.

Only then did the four foxes realize their stomachs were bloated like balls, and they fell over in surprise, unable to rise.

The fire jujube’s spiritual essence was too abundant, its vital energy overwhelming. Without sufficient cultivation, eating too many caused their bodies to swell, much like ordinary folk with overeating.

The leopard laughed and shoved all his jujubes into his mouth. Immediately, he felt his belly swell and hurriedly sucked in his breath, not wanting to show his embarrassment.

Cao Kong pondered, "Now that the fire jujubes have ripened, their benefits should be shared. Hu Yan, the four of you, in a few days, seek out my old friends and deliver these jujubes to them."

The four round-bellied little foxes struggled to their feet, agreeing, prompting laughter from the onlookers.

"Never mind, you need not go," Cao Kong said, then, sensing his mastery over the Eight Winds, thought to send the fruit by wind.

With this in mind, he summoned four winds: the Changhe Wind from the west, the Buzhou Wind from the northwest, the Cool Wind from the southwest, and the Guangmo Wind from the north.

Four streams of energy spun before him. Cao Kong spoke to the heavenly winds, then with a flick of his sleeve, sent them off in all directions, each wind bearing his gift to his friends—a truly wondrous immortal technique.

He then dismissed the others, keeping only the leopard, and took a small portion of jujubes to share. Half were for brewing wine, half for alchemy.

The fire jujube was extraordinary, capable of making several kinds of spiritual wine. With the herbs he had, he could brew a spirit-fire jujube wine, greatly beneficial for cultivation.

The leopard would make an essence-nourishing pill, dividing their uses.

Once all was arranged, Cao Kong resumed his cultivation. The journey is long; one cannot become complacent after a minor success.

He continued to absorb energy, nourish the yellow bud.

Suddenly, as the moon rose above the willows, Cao Kong remembered—hadn’t his master promised that upon sprouting the yellow bud or gaining divine power, a blessing would be granted?

Thinking this, his heart stirred. Why hadn’t his master sought him out?

To say he didn’t desire it would be false. No, he must find a chance to remind his master.

He took the fire jujubes, placed them in a jade tray, and offered them before the statue of the honored one, bowing low.

"Disciple Cao Kong, today I have grown the yellow bud and gained divine power. I present the fire jujube to my master, in gratitude for his kindness."

In the Realm of Evergreen Joy, an elder stroked his beard and laughed aloud.