Chapter 538: Another Encounter

Ji Yuan's dwelling on the flying boat was not extravagant, but it excelled in its quietness. After returning to his quarters, he mainly focused on reading and refining books, including the already completed "Mystic Transformation Celestial Tome" and the ongoing "Heaven and Earth Wonders, Part Two."

The two books, "Heaven and Earth Wonders" and "Mystic Transformation Celestial Tome," represent a culmination of Ji Yuan's most significant achievements in cultivation methods since he embarked on his spiritual journey. They are masterpieces that encapsulate his profound insights from his own practice, and the immense effort poured into them is readily apparent.

The first part of "Heaven and Earth Wonders" also contains various seal arts and mystic methods that Ji Yuan deduced and refined from Buddhist and Daoist practices. Examples include the "Three-Finger Mountain Shaking Seal" he had previously used, and other seals he had not, such as "Break," "Balance," "Suppress," "Bind," and "Open." While their inspiration and foundational development stemmed from the Buddhist and Daoist methods discussed during his discourse with Buddha Seal Ming Wang, they are fundamentally quite different.

Buddhist and Daoist seals depend on one's magical power, understanding of Buddhist principles, and the unwavering conviction to remove evil obstacles. Mantras do not merely accompany these seals; instead, they are mutually reinforcing, with no subordinate relationship. Both can be used independently, but their combined effect is much stronger.

Ji Yuan's seals, unlike their Buddhist and Daoist counterparts, do not involve mantras. Their most significant difference lies in their fundamental emphasis on the comprehension and evolution of "artistic conception" (Yijing) and "momentum" (Shi), beyond just the strength of one's magical power. These two concepts are foundational to cultivating "Heaven and Earth Wonders." For instance, to "shake a mountain with three fingers," one must first possess the profound intent of "encompassing a mountain with three fingers."

To some extent, the cultivation method devised by Ji Yuan still demands considerable innate talent, but its emphasis differs from conventional immortal cultivation sects. While typical immortal abodes prioritize both character and innate spiritual roots, "Heaven and Earth Wonders" places absolute dominance on character. Even if one lacks the spiritual roots for immortal cultivation, if they can truly cultivate a heart that encompasses heaven and earth, progress will undoubtedly be challenging, but it remains learnable. Moreover, as time passes, the significance of "intent" increasingly affects one's ultimate potential.

In the first part of "Heaven and Earth Wonders," the fundamental principles (Dharma) are prioritized over specific techniques. The mystic creation of heaven and earth forms the absolute core, and while seal arts can be learned, they are not delved into deeply. By the time Ji Yuan began writing the second part, he had already engaged in a six-year discussion with Old Dragon, Old Beggar, and others. The insights gained from this discourse were extraordinary. Ji Yuan had long observed Old Beggar and Old Dragon's use of "momentum," which led to crucial additions to his own ideas.

Consequently, by the time he wrote the second part, it had evolved to equally emphasize both fundamental principles and techniques. While Ji Yuan's study of "star arts" with Qin Zizhou using Daoist scriptures remained unchanged, significant additions and refinements were made to the seal arts and some fundamental Five Elements mystic methods from the first part. Moreover, the core essence of the Daoist songs he had previously chanted was also integrated.

Of course, Ji Yuan didn't include everything; at least, it wasn't suitable to incorporate everything in its entirety. With the complete "Heaven and Earth Wonders" and the "Mystic Transformation Celestial Tome," it was certainly more than sufficient.

After all, both of these celestial tomes required immense effort. Ji Yuan himself had achieved a remarkable level of mastery, but for a Daoist practitioner to learn them from scratch would be exceedingly difficult.

Therefore, both Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou believed that novice disciples of Yunshan Temple should first study Daoist scriptures and practice the "Mortal Cultivation and Mind-Nourishing Methods"—refined from Daoist Qing Song and others' original techniques—for at least three years before they could even begin to glimpse "Heaven and Earth Wonders."

With the assistance of extensive notes and insights, Ji Yuan felt more at ease while compiling the book. He experienced no psychological burden in writing the second part of "Heaven and Earth Wonders," though, fundamentally, it was the first part that would truly trigger "heavenly changes."

While Ji Yuan was writing the second part of "Heaven and Earth Wonders," the "Mystic Transformation Celestial Tome" lay beside him, which he frequently consulted. The two books inherently shared a connection, which helped Ji Yuan's compilation process flow more smoothly.

Once Ji Yuan entered his cabin, he did not emerge. The people from Nine Peaks Mountain on the flying boat naturally dared not disturb him. As the Nine Peaks Mountain flying boat's route and travel time differed from those of the former Xuanxin Manor, Ji Yuan remained within his cabin for several months without stepping out.

On this day, Ji Yuan finally completed all the fragmented details of the second part of "Heaven and Earth Wonders," bringing his period of secluded cultivation to an end.

Ji Yuan put down his brush and stretched his arms comfortably toward the sky, his joints crackling with crisp sounds as he yawned.

"Ho...hoo... I truly don't know how some people manage to sit motionless for decades..."

Ji Yuan murmured, making a rare complaint. Then, with a thought, he calculated and realized he had returned to the Eastern Cloud Continent.

Three days later, Ji Yuan stood on the deck, gazing into the distance. The peak of Moon Deer Mountain Pass, seemingly held aloft by a sea of clouds, came into view. Unlike Ruan Shan Pass, which had become relatively deserted after the Immortal Gathering concluded, Moon Deer Mountain Pass did not appear significantly different from when Ji Yuan first arrived.

As the Nine Peaks Mountain flying boat slowly descended, many people had already gathered at Moon Deer Mountain Pass pier. Among them were mortals pushing carts, as well as immortal cultivators and spiritual beings.

The two stewards from Nine Peaks Mountain stood on either side of Ji Yuan. Once he disembarked, they were to escort him down, a task personally assigned by the Sect Master. However, even without Zhao Yu's direct order, they would never have dared to be negligent. Most cultivators in Nine Peaks Mountain might not have met Mr. Ji, but everyone knew what a formidable immortal figure he was.

"Uh, Mr. Ji, what are you smiling about?"

A steward who appeared very young, even beardless, asked curiously, noticing Ji Yuan smiling as he gazed into the distance. The other steward was clearly just as curious but had been preempted by his colleague.

Ji Yuan glanced at the questioner and replied casually.

"Nothing much, just saw something interesting."

Seeing that the flying boat had landed steadily and the gangplanks on both sides had been lowered, Ji Yuan bid farewell to the two stewards. He then walked towards the gangplank to disembark, with the two stewards following closely behind him, accompanying him off the boat.

Ji Yuan turned back, cupped his hands towards the two Nine Peaks Mountain stewards, and said,

"You two may stop here. We shall part ways now."

The two Nine Peaks Mountain flying boat stewards exchanged glances, then bowed together to Ji Yuan.

"Farewell, Mr. Ji!"

People disembarking nearby all moved aside, paying considerable attention to Ji Yuan. While they didn't recognize Ji Yuan, most travelers by flying boat recognized the two stewards.

Ji Yuan did not linger. He nodded to the two stewards and swiftly departed, blending into the bustling crowd at Moon Deer Mountain Pass. Many immortal cultivators and spiritual beings nearby still wished to seek him out, but he quickly became neither visible nor traceable.

At this very moment, a youth who appeared to be about A'ze's age was rapidly running down the mountain from Moon Deer Mountain Pass. Two others accompanied him: a lanky man and a plump woman wearing heavy makeup.

"Hey, hey, what exactly happened? Why are we leaving in such a hurry?"

The lanky man couldn't help but ask, and the woman beside him was equally puzzled.

"You said there's danger. What kind of danger? Who did you see?"

Although the two continued to question him, their steps were unwavering. They moved with the youth at an astonishing pace; indeed, their speed was only slightly slower than ordinary flying without the use of escape arts, though it lacked the elegant "ground-shrinking" movement characteristic of some immortal masters.

The youth occasionally looked back at the receding Moon Deer Mountain Pass and explained somewhat impatiently to the two beside him.

"Just follow me and we'll avoid it. I can't say anything right now. All I can tell you is that the person is a true immortal master, far, far more powerful than you can imagine. Such figures have a profound connection with heaven and earth, and their Dao hearts are perfectly clear. If I were to discuss him with you at such a close distance, or even speak his name, it would be like lighting a lamp in the dark!"

As the youth spoke, he looked back again, only relaxing when he saw that everything was normal in the direction of Moon Deer Mountain Pass. However, his speed did not slacken in the slightest. The man and woman beside him exchanged astonished glances, as this youth was certainly never one to be timid or afraid of trouble.

"That mysterious? You couldn't be mistaken, could you?"

The man couldn't help but ask, while the woman beside them suddenly noticed something missing from the youth's hand and asked in surprise.

"Oh, where's your blood branch?"

The youth grinned at the two of them.

"You can't catch a wolf if you're reluctant to part with your child, and being unwilling to part with the blood branch doesn't guarantee escape. Stop talking nonsense; suppress your aura and keep moving!"

As they spoke, the three had already darted out of the restricted area around Moon Deer Mountain Pass and into the surrounding mountains. They further suppressed their auras, fleeing into the distance using only the strength of their legs, without resorting to escape arts or any special divine abilities.

At the edge of the Moon Deer Mountain Pass market, near a cliff edge, Ji Yuan crouched down and extended his hand over the sheer drop. When he withdrew it, a peach branch in full bloom was in his hand.

This season was long past the time when peach blossoms bloomed on Moon Deer Mountain, so this branch could not have been a natural growth. Moreover, it was remarkably distinct in Ji Yuan's eyes. This was not the first time Ji Yuan had seen such a peach branch; he had encountered it when he first visited Moon Deer Mountain Pass years ago.

"Blood-hued peach blossoms blush, morbid aura clings to branches, mocking the living."

Seeing the same person in the same place twice—could it be a coincidence?

"Buzz..."

Behind Ji Yuan, an azure-white light appeared, and the Green Vine Sword vaguely materialized. Amidst the humming sound of its lightly trembling blade, an irrepressible sword intent surged forth.

It had been a similar situation back then. The immortal sword, wrapped in green vines and exuding vital and harmonious energy, naturally clashed with the malevolence of this peach branch—or rather, with the person holding it. It was a classic case of instant dislike, where, upon meeting, even without provocation, one would find the other intensely irritating.