Chapter 379: Transmission Master

It was here, on Yunshan’s Yanxia Peak, inside the ordinary Yunshan Temple, in a truly rudimentary kitchen, at a dilapidated table laden with discarded cups and plates, that Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou discussed the future of Yunshan Temple, and possibly even the future of orthodox Daoism itself.

In this special atmosphere, where spiritual energy surrounded them and starlight descended, two full days had unknowingly passed.

The temperature was still not low, yet surprisingly, there was no foul smell from the dishes on the table.

After a somewhat unsystematic review of their discussions, Ji Yuan presented Qin Zizhou with his gift. He took several books from his sleeve and placed them on the table. Besides two he had written himself, there were also "Tales of Heretics" and "Records of Enlightenment," which he had treasured until now.

Qin Zizhou picked up each book and flipped through it. From his expression, Ji Yuan knew that he could naturally perceive the Heavenly Scroll, which was within his expectations. After all, despite his current low cultivation, his divine solar body inherently allowed it.

As for the two books written by Ji Yuan, they recorded some basic techniques and methods, including illusion spells, mind-confusing arts, and fundamental controls over wind, water, lightning, and fire. However, each technique incorporated Ji Yuan's unique insights, making them far from ordinary.

“Qin Gong, when you have time, you can delve into 'Tales of Heretics' and 'Records of Enlightenment.' Both books contain my notes and additions, which will help you understand more about the cultivation world. As for the other two books, they are primarily left for the practitioners of Yunshan Temple to practice. For you, Qin Gong, they are minor techniques. As your path as a boundary-wandering deity progresses, the divine abilities you cultivate will undoubtedly be far more extraordinary.”

Qin Zizhou put the books into his embrace and bowed to Ji Yuan once more.

“Then I shall accept them!”

After Ji Yuan nodded, both men simultaneously looked at Qi Xuan and Qi Wen. After two days, the two Daoists of Yunshan Temple were about to awaken from their initial cultivation experience.

Sure enough, not long after, dawn arrived again, and as the morning light illuminated Yunshan Temple, Daoists Qingsong and Qingyuan naturally opened their eyes.

Looking at the dishes on the table, then around the room, Daoist Qingsong (Qi Xuan) felt a little disoriented.

“The sky is already bright!”

Ji Yuan found these words familiar, but he didn't reveal that two days had actually passed.

“Did Master and I just sit here and sleep all night?”

Seeing himself sitting upright on the stool all night without any back pain, Qi Wen was slightly surprised, but this surprise was quickly replaced by an even stronger sense of excitement.

Although he was over thirty, Qi Wen still maintained his childlike innocence and vitality.

“Master, Mr. Ji, Grandpa Qin, I saw a vision during my cultivation earlier. I saw mountain streams, flying waterfalls, and clear emerald pools reflected in the sky, with stars shining brightly, starlight descending, and spiritual breezes gently blowing. The feeling was truly wonderful!”

Qi Xuan also shared his feelings.

“I also saw a vision! I saw a majestic peak, vibrant green, unfurling against the wind, with all the heavenly stars shining and falling! Mr. Ji, does this mean that both Qi Wen and I have extraordinary talent?”

Ji Yuan considered for a moment before replying.

“Of course, you have talent,” Ji Yuan said. “However, these visions are illusions that many cultivators experience during their first attempt to guide spiritual energy into their bodies. You won't see them next time. Only when your cultivation reaches the point where you need to open up the Elixir Furnace and build the Golden Bridge will you be able to re-enter such realms. According to common immortal cultivation theories, these illusions are usually best as a single, pure scene, like raging fire or vast floods. It's just that Yunshan Temple's cultivation is unique, so it's normal for it to be reflected by starlight.”

“Oh…” “I see…”

Upon hearing that these were “common” initial cultivation illusions, Qi Xuan and Qi Wen's excitement subsided slightly, but they remained very thrilled. They began to carefully sense the flow of spiritual energy within their bodies, continuously asking Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou questions about it.

By mid-morning, all the questions Qi Xuan and Qi Wen could think of had been answered. They were not overly ambitious about other matters, understanding that cultivation required gradual progress.

The two biggest thresholds in immortal cultivation are: first, sensing spiritual energy and guiding it into the body; and second, internalizing Yin and Yang within one's inner world to form an Elixir Furnace.

Back then, Ji Yuan was able to achieve this in one go because he was exceptionally unique. He didn't need the arduous process of visualizing the Five Elements, stabilizing a conceptual space to house the Elixir Furnace, connecting with the Five Elements to transform Yin and Yang, and then attempting to condense the Elixir Furnace.

Even with the wondrous method of Heaven and Earth Transformation, Qi Xuan and Qi Wen's uniqueness was ultimately limited. The difficulty of the first step, guiding spiritual energy into the body, lay in their innate talent, while the second step would require slow, painstaking effort.

Wei Yuansheng, despite his decent innate talent, still took several years to form his Elixir Furnace, erect his Golden Bridge, and open his Dharma-storing Dantian. Only after consolidating it could he descend the mountain to see his mother. Qi Xuan and Qi Wen, with many more years of Daoist visualization practice, might progress somewhat faster, but their speed would definitely still be limited.

Once Qi Xuan and Qi Wen's initial excitement subsided, Ji Yuan stood up, preparing to bid farewell.

Hearing that Ji Yuan was about to leave, Qi Xuan grew anxious.

“Mr. Ji, are you leaving already? You've only been here for a day, and we haven't even had a chance to properly entertain you. How wonderful it would be if you could stay for a year or two, like before. Your kindness in imparting the Dharma... I, may I call you...”

When it came to imparting the Dharma to Yunshan Temple, Ji Yuan was ultimately the main contributor; Qin Zizhou had merely assisted.

Qi Xuan was a little incoherent, but Ji Yuan quickly raised a hand to stop him.

“Your good intentions are enough,” Ji Yuan said. “I will return once I have perfected the 'Heaven and Earth wondrous method.' For now, I still need to find those 'characters.' Although I have indeed imparted the Dharma to Yunshan Temple, imparting it doesn't necessarily mean discussing master-disciple lineage. You and I are friends of the same generation; there's no need for such formality.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Qi Wen.

“And your only disciple, I want him. Would you be willing to part with him? Let's just keep everything as it is! As for cultivation matters, Qin Gong is still here.”

Daoist Qingsong (Qi Xuan) scratched his head and could only chuckle in agreement.

“Everything as usual, everything as usual!”

This was the good thing about the two Daoists of Yunshan Temple: they were very free-spirited. Once Ji Yuan had explained everything clearly, they no longer dwelled on the matter.

Qi Xuan and Qi Wen, accompanied by Qin Zizhou, saw Ji Yuan to the temple gate. After thousands of words converged into a single farewell, “Take care, we'll meet again,” Ji Yuan ascended on a cloud and departed in the direction indicated by his previous divination.

No sooner had Ji Yuan's figure disappeared into the horizon than Qin Zizhou noticed Qi Xuan hastily dart back into the temple, with sounds echoing from within.

“Qi Wen, quickly bring out my treasured rolls of Tán Xuān paper!”

“Huh? Oh, oh, I'll go find them!”

The master and disciple entered the temple one after another; one prepared brushes, ink, and other supplies, while the other rummaged through the room, finding two wrapped scrolls of Xuan paper with rollers.

Qin Zizhou watched from within the temple, unsure of what the master and disciple were up to, or rather, what Qi Xuan intended to do. But he didn't ask, knowing he would eventually find out since he was staying there.

As it turned out, Qi Xuan set up a table in the main hall of the temple and prepared his brushes and ink. For three entire days, he neither ate nor drank, even working through the nights by candlelight, continuously wielding his brush. After three days, he had visibly thinned and gained dark circles under his eyes, but the task he set out to accomplish was completed in one swift effort.

In the latter half of the third night, looking at the paper scrolls on the table in Yunshan Temple's Star Hall, Daoist Qingsong burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahahahaha... It's done, it's done! I never thought I could paint them, but I actually did!”

At that moment, Qi Xuan's spirits were rejuvenated. Hearing the commotion, Qi Wen and Qin Zizhou also hurried over. Besides seeing an excited Qi Xuan holding his brush, they also saw the two paintings on the table.

These were two portraits: one depicted a kindly-faced Qin Zizhou with white eyebrows and white beard, stroking his whiskers; the other showed Ji Yuan, standing with hands clasped behind his back, clad in a wide-sleeved robe, with serene, aged eyes.

“Before, whenever I tried to recall Mr. Ji's appearance, the details always seemed blurry, let alone putting them on paper. Today, I finally drew them!”

“Wow, Master, you're amazing! The paintings are so lifelike, it's as if Grandpa Qin and Mr. Ji have walked into the pictures. Grandpa Qin, come and see!”

Qi Wen clapped his hands in approval, looking left and right with immense excitement.

Qin Zizhou gazed at his own likeness and Ji Yuan's in the paintings, stroking his beard as he praised.

“I never expected Daoist Qingsong's painting skills to be so excellent!”

“Hehe, you flatter me, you flatter me,” Qi Xuan said. “This is a one-time thing; I couldn't replicate it again! Oh, wait, I'm still missing something.”

After Qi Xuan finished speaking, he concentrated and held his breath, meticulously writing the characters “Qin” and “Ji” on each painting before finally putting down his brush.

“Qin Gong,” Qi Xuan declared, “you and Mr. Ji are now the patriarchs who imparted our teachings to Yunshan Temple. Qi Xuan and I may not use this title, but the future generations of Yunshan Temple must not forget their roots!”

“Haha, as you wish, as you wish,” Qin Zizhou replied. “Mr. Ji wouldn't concern himself with such matters either.”

Qin Zizhou was also free-spirited. Seeing Daoist Qingsong's serious expression, he didn't argue. He was indifferent to it anyway, and at the appropriate time, his cultivation as a boundary-wandering deity would naturally lead to him being revered in Yunshan Temple and many other places. As for Ji Yuan's end, Qin Zizhou wouldn't manage that.

High in the sky northwest of Yunshan Temple, Ji Yuan, who was swiftly traveling on a cloud, felt a sudden premonition. After a quick divination with his fingers, he looked back in the direction of Yunshan Temple.

“The paintings are indeed wondrous,” he murmured, “but the handwriting is a bit ugly...”

With that sigh, Ji Yuan implicitly approved of Daoist Qingsong's actions. As for the characters written by Qi Xuan, though far inferior to Ji Yuan's, they were still neat.

The northwestern border of Zuyue Kingdom adjoined Tingliang Kingdom. However, due to Zuyue's long-standing animosity with Dazhen, and to avoid being attacked on two fronts, Zuyue Kingdom's policy towards Tingliang Kingdom had always been extremely lenient.

As Ji Yuan flew over this area, he took out the “Sword Intent Scroll” and frequently performed divinations, continuously adjusting his flight direction.

Not long after crossing the Zuyue border, he reached Moyuan County in Tingliang Kingdom, a renowned land of ink production. Upon arriving there, Ji Yuan slowed his pace, and soon after entering Moyuan County, he descended from the clouds.

The surrounding area featured many steep mountains, but compared to the numerous famous peaks Ji Yuan had seen before, they were clearly not lush. The barren higher elevations were populated by local pine trees, while lower areas were dominated by tung oil trees and lacquer trees, all three of which were crucial raw materials for inksticks.

Without much detour, Ji Yuan bypassed Moyuan County town and any villages, walking with clear purpose in one direction. A faint scent of ink wafted through the air, indicating the presence of an ink-making workshop in the distance.

After walking for a while, as he reached a small river, a hunched old man suddenly flashed into Ji Yuan's otherwise blurry vision, appearing remarkably clear to him. The old man leaned on a staff, peering and sniffing around the riverside, even using his staff to prop himself up for a distant gaze.

The old man clearly saw Ji Yuan too, but merely glanced at him as if he wasn't there, continuing on his way. He then quickly walked upstream.

Ji Yuan's eyes flickered, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

‘The local Earth God? What is he doing?’