Chapter 71: A Treasure Found, But Not by Me

A gentle breeze and a bright moon—he had already cultivated to the point of perfecting his essence, his spirit whole and without flaw, impervious to heat and cold. Yet now, cold sweat broke out along his back, and his heart was seized by a chill. The two acolytes, connecting the threads of what had come to pass, could not help but guess at the truth and silently sighed for their master. It seemed that the coveted transmission of the Four-Nine True Teachings would have to wait yet longer. Regret stirred in their hearts: if only someone of Cao Kong’s talent and insight were to enter the Earth Immortal lineage, surely the sect would one day gain a figure renowned throughout the Three Realms.

Holding the fire dates in their hands, they spoke awkwardly, “Fellow Daoist, you and the Supreme Lord of Deliverance…”

A smile played across Cao Kong’s lips; here was his opportunity to ease the tension. Since the Five Villages Monastery was the Daoist field of the Grand Immortal Zhenyuan, every word and deed was likely to reach his ears.

“That is something I neglected to mention to you both. I was once a leopard in the mountains, but through rare fortune I became a registered disciple of the Supreme Lord of Deliverance. If one day I become a true disciple, I suppose I could even greet the Grand Immortal as my martial uncle.”

His tone was light and full of mirth.

Qingfeng took it in stride, merely inwardly sighing, but Mingyue, the youngest, felt a pang of disappointment; he had always hoped for a junior disciple to call him “senior brother.”

The two whispered, “Then, Fellow Daoist Cao, you must explain everything clearly to our master, so as to avoid any misunderstanding. Our master once enlightened the spirits of Heaven and Earth, and one such item has fallen into your hands, which is why you are favored. We brothers, too, came about in this fashion.”

Cao Kong surmised that the so-called treasure of Heaven and Earth must be that “Atlas of Mountains and Rivers,” a truly wondrous book capable of revealing the names of mountains and rivers. He then asked, “Since the Five Villages Monastery is the Grand Immortal’s domain, is he not aware of our conversation?”

“You may not know, Fellow Daoist, but our master is the progenitor of Earth Immortals, a paragon of virtue. He would not eavesdrop on the conversations of juniors. Come, let us not speak of this. I shall show you to your quarters.”

With that, the two acolytes tucked the fire dates into their sleeves and spoke no more of what had just transpired, instead introducing the scenic wonders of the monastery.

Cao Kong understood—this matter, he would have to navigate himself.

An open-minded man, he knew hesitation only led to trouble. A resolve quickly formed within him: since the Grand Immortal was so lofty as not to spy on juniors, next time they met, he would simply address him as martial uncle. The Grand Immortal would inevitably be puzzled, and he could seize the moment to explain, thus preventing future complications.

Qingfeng and Mingyue led Cao Kong to a pavilion courtyard nestled against verdant mountains and beside a spiritual stream, rich with the breath of life.

“Rest here for now, Fellow Daoist. Should you have need of anything, come find us at our quarters.”

The two acolytes, having seen him settled, did not linger. Having gleaned much from the recent teachings, they wished to return and deepen their practice.

Cao Kong smiled in farewell, then sat in meditation, breathing and cultivating. Here, in this blessed land, his progress far outstripped what he could achieve elsewhere.

By day, he gathered the essence of sunlight to form true mercury; by night, he absorbed the moon’s essence to produce true lead. Lead and mercury merged in the mysterious pass, mingling ceaselessly, and in the palace of the mind, the yellow sprout exuded nectar—the golden elixir blossomed. When the golden fluid accumulated sufficiently, it could be refined by fire, circulating through the three fields and forming the pill of immortality, which, once stabilized within, would complete the path of the golden elixir.

Ten days later, the temple resonated with a deep, lingering bell, clearing the mind and spirit.

Cao Kong opened his eyes, pleased with his own progress. Indeed, this was a land of wonder—ten days here were worth a hundred outside. Yet the bell puzzled him. Listening carefully to the wind—he, after all, had mastered the Eight Winds Divine Power and was sensitive to such things—he sensed it was stirred by someone’s presence.

As expected, soon voices approached.

“Fellow Daoist Cao, come quickly, quickly! Our master will demonstrate the Dao. Not to be missed—we must hurry!”

It was Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Perplexed, Cao Kong allowed himself to be led away, and on the way they explained the bell’s meaning.

“Our master’s discourses are always spontaneous, but the demonstration of the Dao is different—one such demonstration occurs every thirty years, revealing the foundation of the Earth Immortal path. The insights depend on one’s own understanding; all manner of secrets and even divine powers may be grasped.”

The two paused, then added, “The last demonstration was twenty-seven years ago.”

“So isn’t there still three years to go? Why now?”

The acolytes fell silent, and Cao Kong understood—it must be on his account. He thought to himself, “The Grand Immortal’s favor grows ever deeper. Yet, I am already a disciple of the Supreme Lord and will not change my allegiance. In the future, should I achieve anything, I must remember to repay this debt of gratitude.”

Thus they soon reached the mountain’s summit, surrounded by a boundless sea of clouds.

About thirty disciples had gathered, with a dozen or so still traveling abroad. Cao Kong looked around but did not see the Daoist he had met before.

Before long, a Daoist appeared ahead, as naturally as wind rising and clouds gathering, leaving no trace.

“Observe, and attend with your heart,” said the Grand Immortal Zhenyuan simply. He raised his horsetail whisk—there was no fluctuation of power, no display of divine might, yet the whisk reflected ten thousand rays of light, and all present, Cao Kong included, felt their vision blur.

At that moment, Cao Kong’s inner world, the sea of his spirit, was wholly plunged into boundless, primordial chaos.

Who could say how much time passed before the haze of chaos lifted? He saw clear qi rising, the birth of myriad things, but in a fleeting instant, it was gone.

Then, drawn onward, he beheld the condensation of heavy and turbid energies, the earth forming below, water, fire, mountains, stones, and soil—the five elements emerging and creating the world, mysterious and profound, wondrous beyond telling. From this, all things began to flourish.

A great boom!

The principle of all things’ birth filled Cao Kong’s mind and spirit, overtaking his consciousness. He became utterly absorbed, striving to fathom the ultimate truth within.

The more he watched, the more entranced he became; the deeper he pondered, the deeper he plunged…

Sublime indeed is the Earth’s origin! Sublime indeed is the Earth’s origin!

The Grand Immortal Zhenyuan gazed at his disciples with a gentle smile. With the destiny of these students, what insights might they attain?

After the time it takes incense to burn, some disciples awoke, Daoist energy circulating through their bodies. Following the intent in their hearts, they naturally performed spells: some condensed dew with the power to nurture life; others shaped earth and stone at will; still others grasped techniques of attack and defense.

Gradually, all the disciples awoke—save for Cao Kong, who remained lost in contemplation.

Another half hour passed before Cao Kong suddenly opened his eyes and extended his hand.

Merging his index and middle fingers, he pointed to the mountain beneath his feet, infusing it with Daoist energy and divine will.

“Rise!”

At his word, the essence of earth—wu soil—manifested from within the mountain, central and upright, governing the fate of all things.

As this energy appeared, Cao Kong exhaled clouds from his five organs, mingling his own Daoist energy with that of the earth, refining and nourishing it, vibrant and radiant.

A gleam came into the Grand Immortal’s eyes, and his breath caught for the briefest instant.

As the progenitor of Earth Immortals, how could he fail to recognize the art Cao Kong had displayed? This was the true foundation of the Earth Immortal path, the manifestation of the True Spirit of Earth, the supreme authority over creation!

Of his forty-eight disciples, no more than three had gained this insight, all of them beings of profound realization and long cultivation.

In other words, if Cao Kong were willing to follow the Earth Immortal path, he would surely rank among the highest of his disciples—perhaps even, with great fortune, become another peerless figure who would stand equal to the world itself.

Yet after the initial joy, a sense of foreboding seized the Grand Immortal. The Daoist energy this leopard-turned-disciple employed looked all too familiar. Let him take a closer look…

Innate Daoist energy?! And… Taiyi Daoist energy!

The Grand Immortal’s eye twitched violently, and a deep unease rose within him. In an instant, he recalled the Supreme Lord’s mention of a registered disciple.

The heart of one who stands apart from the world suddenly felt a pang of bitterness.

Good news—he had found a treasure. Bad news—the treasure was not his to keep.