Chapter 551: The Agreed Date

That night, the disciples of Yunshan Temple and Sun Yaya officially began their cultivation. Strictly speaking, they were among the first to learn the "Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth" from scratch.

While everyone at Yunshan Temple was engaged in their cultivation, the arrangements made years ago by Ji Yuan, the Old Dragon, and Qin Zizhou began to show their effects. Guided by the Star Pennant, a miraculous spiritual river seemed to shimmer faintly above the mists of Yunshan, its starlight echoing the high heavens, like a celestial river encircling the mountain.

From the heights of Yunshan, the sight of the mountains meeting the sky was a breathtaking spectacle. However, apart from Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou, everyone else at Yunshan Temple, including Daoist Qingsong, had no interest in admiring the view. Instead, they took their meditation cushions, sat in the temple courtyard, and began to cultivate together.

Daoist Qingsong used a grand formation to channel the mountain's stellar and spiritual energy, which the six individuals and two mink, including Sun Yaya, then used for their cultivation.

The most crucial upper section of the "Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth" was, to put it plainly, merely the most common and seemingly superficial Qi Guiding Art in the cultivation world. However, this art also fostered growth and vitality.

Ji Yuan's gaze swept over the beautiful Yunshan scenery. Once everyone at Yunshan Temple was in a state of quiet meditation and began their first attempt at operating the Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth, he gently picked up the lid of the teacup from a small side table and quietly placed it back onto his own teacup.

With a subtle, crisp "ding," Ji Yuan's own artistic conception simultaneously materialized, enveloping the entire Misty Peak. The world of mountains and rivers did not directly unfold within the spiritual perceptions of the Yunshan Temple residents. Instead, as they cultivated and meditated, attempting to use their primal spirits to perceive and connect with heaven and earth, it gradually emerged within their minds.

"Ah, Mr. Ji!"

Qin Zizhou looked at Ji Yuan, shaking his head with a smile.

Ji Yuan took a sip from his teacup and whispered, "Don't let it happen again."

Life at Yunshan Temple passed quite quickly. For Sun Yaya, it was much faster than her time in Ning'an County, and for the other children, it was quicker than their previous experiences at Yunshan Temple. The reason was precisely because they were in the crucial foundational stage of cultivating the Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth.

The distinction between the "Heavenly Circuit" of the Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth and that of ordinary cultivation methods lies not only in Daoist principles but also in the profundity of this "Heavenly Circuit." This "Heavenly Circuit" does not refer to celestial stars but broadly to the cultivator's internal environment. Most orthodox immortal cultivation methods emphasize the subtleties of the Heavenly Circuit, where internal refinement involves the circulatory paths of meridians and acupoints. The Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth designates these as the "Inner Heavenly Circuit," naturally implying an "Outer Heavenly Circuit."

While the Inner Heavenly Circuit is similar to ordinary immortal cultivation methods, the Outer Heavenly Circuit pertains to the cycles of heaven and earth. The moment of ushering in the new year is the most crucial node. Even if it cannot be directly seen, one must visualize the gentle spring aura of the new year drawing open the curtain of heaven and earth. Therefore, for new disciples at Yunshan Temple to comprehend the "Wondrous Method of Heaven and Earth," besides meeting criteria for temperament and completing three years of Daoist studies, the timing for their initiation would always be set before the New Year.

Beyond the unceasing operation of the Inner Heavenly Circuit, an Outer Heavenly Circuit is only truly complete after a full year, starting with the New Year as the beginning, and progressing through the four seasons and their respective solar terms as nodal points.

Upon first stepping into cultivation and experiencing its wonders, it was easy to become immersed, especially in the sense of merging with heaven and earth offered by the Wondrous Method. Moreover, as they cultivated through each solar term, even while maintaining their usual daily routines, they often felt time flying by.

Unknowingly, winter had arrived again the following year.

Throughout this year, not only did the cultivation of the Yunshan Temple residents progress without interruption, but they also began expanding the temple. While keeping the original courtyard intact, they started constructing new buildings outwards and upwards.

After all, the number of people at Yunshan Temple was bound to increase. As a place for immortal cultivation, it was unlikely for anyone to casually renounce their vows and leave. Although Yunshan Temple's philosophy suggested it wouldn't have an excessive number of disciples, in theory, the population would continue to grow. Furthermore, besides the distinction between male and female practitioners, each disciple also required a private room for cultivation, making expansion a necessity.

Naturally, Yunshan Temple no longer hired laborers from the marketplace to help build houses. Assistance was indeed provided, but not by ordinary masons. Instead, it came from the Mountain God of Yunshan, who also oversaw the earth of Maoqian Town. While still far from achieving the status of a true deity, calling him such was accurate.

With the help of the earth-related deity and Daoist Qingsong's own cultivation, building new structures was highly efficient. Coupled with the bedding and other necessities procured from down the mountain, everyone at Yunshan Temple now had their own private rooms. Only Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou continued to reside in the old courtyard, with others intentionally refraining from disturbing them, allowing the two their tranquility.

One day, Ji Yuan was alone outside the main hall of the original temple, pen in hand, performing deductions for his "Universe in a Sleeve" technique. As he wrote, snowflakes drifted onto the paper. Ji Yuan paused, looking up at the sky.

"Another year has passed."

Then Ji Yuan looked towards the temple's courtyard gate, where approaching footsteps grew increasingly distinct. A moment later, Qi Wen, carrying a basket on his back, entered the courtyard with light steps.

"Mr. Ji, I hope I haven't disturbed you?"

"No, you're back?"

Qi Wen nodded, placed his basket at the courtyard entrance, and quickly approached Ji Yuan. When he was close, he said seriously, "Mr. Ji, when I went down the mountain, I heard that Grand Councilor and Crown Prince's Grand Tutor Yin Zhaoxian is critically ill."

"Critically ill?"

Ji Yuan was visibly stunned. Sensing his chess piece in his mind, he quickly performed a divination with his fingers hidden in his sleeve. No, Yin Zhaoxian was perfectly fine; there were no signs of a critical situation at all.

"Uh, what else did you hear? Tell me in more detail."

"Ah, the scholars in the city below are all talking about it," Qi Wen said. "They say that Lord Yin has been trying to implement several policies for years, seemingly reforming the imperial examinations and promoting some 'extensive book system,' but with little success. The power struggles in court have been extremely fierce, with signs of even regressing in the past two years. Lord Yin is already sixty-five, and years of mental and physical strain, coupled with overwhelming anger, led him to fall ill…"

Qi Wen paused, then added, "That prefect of Shuolou Prefecture is a student of Lord Yin, isn't he? He was extremely anxious, desperate for any cure. When I went down the mountain, I happened to meet Lord Kang. He remembered how my master had helped the yamen locate the homes of abducted children and thought my master might be an extraordinary person, so he asked if he could heal the sick and save lives."

Ji Yuan nodded, indicating his understanding. As for why a dignified prefect would seek a Daoist for medical advice, firstly, he was deeply impressed by Daoist Qingsong. Secondly, Yin Zhaoxian was a high-ranking official in the imperial court; if he were truly ill, imperial physicians and renowned doctors from all over would surely have been consulted. It was likely that eight out of ten had been helpless, prompting them to inquire with extraordinary individuals.

"Mr. Ji, I heard from Daoist Sun that you have some acquaintance with Lord Yin. Would you consider going to see him?"

Seeing Qi Wen's concerned expression, Ji Yuan smiled. "Indeed, we have some acquaintance. I will go to the capital to check on him in a while. However, even without this matter, I was already planning to depart."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he squinted and looked into the distance. 'What trick is Master Yin playing? Feigning illness to pressure the emperor into making a decision?'

As the saying goes, you cannot wake someone who is pretending to sleep, and naturally, you cannot cure someone who is feigning illness. No wonder the imperial physicians and renowned doctors from all over were helpless.

Ji Yuan had already intended to leave soon. Since this matter had arisen, he bid farewell to everyone at Yunshan Temple and departed the following day. Although there was some reluctance among them, there wasn't much sorrow of parting. After delving into the mysteries of immortal cultivation, their dispositions had broadened. Even Sun Yaya didn't display much girlish sentimentality, knowing that once her cultivation was stable, she could even return to Ning'an County on her own if she wished.

Of course, Ji Yuan had also specifically informed Yunshan Temple that the "Book of Wondrous Transformations" contained an agreement with four other friends, and some people might come to borrow it in the future.

After leaving Yunshan Temple, Ji Yuan did not immediately head to the Imperial Capital. Since he knew his friend was fine, he saw no need to rush. Matters concerning the mortal bureaucracy were, of course, for them to handle themselves.

The first place Ji Yuan arrived at was Yanzhou, a region he had never visited before.

Yanzhou is located southeast of the Imperial Capital and southwest of Wanzhou, situated between the two provinces, slightly to the lower side. It is a moderately sized province within the Tongtian River basin.

Ji Yuan came to Yanzhou to fulfill a promise from years ago. Back then, the storyteller Wang Li and the goddess Zhang Rui returned to Yanzhou together. Before that, Ji Yuan had promised Zhang Rui that once the twenty-six-year period for Lady White Deer, Bai Ruo, was complete, he would take Zhang Rui with him to pick up Bai Ruo. Now that the twenty-six-year term was approaching, it was time to find Zhang Rui.

Twenty-six years ago, when Master Zhou passed away, the City God of the Imperial Capital Prefecture granted special permission for Bai Ruo, as a white deer demon, to accompany her husband in the underworld until Master Zhou's yin lifespan was exhausted and his soul returned to heaven and earth.

It should be noted that Bai Ruo was able to enter the underworld as an immortal beast, Ji Yuan's mount, which was why the City God and the Earth God made an exception, allowing her to accompany her husband. Now that the term was up, Ji Yuan felt it was only right and proper to appear and escort her.