"Endless night, all things wither, stars dim, the Pleiades decree, shine!"
A ball of crimson-gold light appeared.
Joy spread across Jiang Nanjing's face as he looked up at Yun Qi with delight.
"Master, I've learned it!"
Yun Qi, utterly exhausted, nodded and forced a weak smile, too tired to speak.
He swallowed hard, "How many days has it been?"
Jiang Nanjing, his face glowing, replied, "As you taught me, I meditated on the radiant sun during the day and imagined all living beings plunged into eternal night, yearning for light to return. I repeated this cycle seven times, day and night."
Yun Qi nodded numbly, "Good, good that you've learned it. Keep practicing and refining the incantation once you're more familiar with its essence."
Jiang Nanjing, being a good lad, understood Yun Qi's meaning.
"Then, Master, rest well. I'll take my leave."
"Wait, there's one more thing."
Yun Qi called out to Jiang Nanjing.
Jiang Nanjing turned back, "What else do you need, Master?"
"If anyone asks in the future, don't tell them I taught you this incantation, and especially don't say I created it."
Jiang Nanjing nodded earnestly, thinking Yun Qi didn't want the origin of this spell to be known.
He respectfully agreed and immediately vowed never to reveal it.
Yun Qi watched him leave and let out a long sigh.
Jiang Nanjing walked out of Fenghe Cottage, noticing the unusual quietness along the way.
It wasn't until he returned to his own courtyard that he found his uncle, father, and teacher waiting for him.
Seeing Jiang Nanjing return with a light step and a glowing face, the three knew it must be good news and shared his joy.
"Was Young Master Cheng teaching you a spell?"
Jiang Nanjing had initially wanted to keep it a secret, but realizing it was impossible in his own home, he nodded.
"Did you learn it?"
Jiang Nanjing nodded again.
The two men were overjoyed.
Xianjing, the teacher, exclaimed, "As expected of someone from a prestigious sect! To teach you a spell in just seven days, truly remarkable!"
Jiang Nanjing agreed, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Yun Qi had only intended to demonstrate the spell once and leave it at that.
But how could that be?
Could there really be such a person? Jiang Nanjing thought it unlikely, even for someone as talented as Yun Qi.
"Can you show us?"
Jiang Nanjing nodded, though he was a bit nervous, having only succeeded once before.
He extended his left hand, pointing his index finger, focused his mind, and chanted:
"Endless night, all things wither, stars dim, the Pleiades decree, shine!"
Light burst from Jiang Nanjing's fingertip, illuminating the room in a crimson glow.
The three men standing before him were equally dazzled.
"Amazing! Truly amazing! The Pleiades!"
Xianjing exclaimed, "The Pleiades are ancient celestial officials, revered deities with immense power, their names etched in the annals of heaven and earth. To summon such an ancient deity is a great fortune, a tremendous blessing!"
Jiang Yuexing, sensing the profound essence within the crimson-gold light, said, "Burning, radiance, dispelling, yang fire—excellent! This spell perfectly complements your Golden Light Seal. You must deeply understand its essence!"
Jiang Yanxing stroked his beard and nodded, "Young Master Cheng is indeed from a prestigious sect. Even as a nominal disciple, his understanding of spells is profound. And he chose to teach you a spell that aligns with your cultivation, indicating his vast knowledge of spells."
Jiang Nanjing nodded, "Indeed, that day when Master saved me, he used four spells, covering the five elements of the void, all single-word incantations."
The three men were stunned, exchanging glances.
Covering the five elements of the void with single-word incantations—any cultivator would understand the weight of these words!
Speaking of that day, Jiang Nanjing had overexerted himself using his life treasure, injuring his lung meridian.
Everyone had forbidden him from speaking, and upon returning, they had focused on healing him.
The next day, they went to thank Yun Qi, but until now, they hadn't asked about the details of that day.
The Jiang family knew of the skinny Daoist—a demon from the southern wilderness, claiming to be from the Faxiang Sect, now lurking in the Jiangnan region, with many lives on his hands.
His skills were formidable, and he was adept at hiding and escaping, gaining some notoriety in Jiangnan.
No one knew when he had arrived at Poyang Lake.
That day, near the Golden Light Sect on Poyang Lake, a small family called the White Reed Zhou family, who made meditation cushions, had their procurement manager out to buy materials.
Shortly after leaving, he was targeted and killed by the skinny Daoist, who stole the money.
Jiang Nanjing, witnessing this, impulsively chased after the Daoist, recognizing him as a demon from his gaunt appearance and green robe.
Fortunately, their fight was noticed by someone, as the Golden Light Sect's Young Master's pipa was quite distinctive.
The news reached the Bright Light Hall, and the three men immediately followed the clues southward.
When they arrived, they found Jiang Nanjing, who had been forced to use his life treasure.
As for what happened in between, they hadn't asked in detail, just relieved he was alive.
"At that time, Master used the 'Suppress' incantation to stop the fleeing Daoist, the 'Seize' incantation to take the cursed arrow aimed at me, and when the Daoist tried to kill me with a demonic artifact, Master used the 'Flood' incantation to summon a giant wave, blocking the summoned ghosts. Finally, he used the 'Burn' incantation to injure the demon. Unfortunately, I was nearly unconscious and didn't see how badly the demon was hurt, only hearing his cries as he fled."
Jiang Nanjing recounted seriously.
"This is the power of a great sect's disciple! Nanjing, you must learn from this. With just spells, one can control the battlefield and overpower opponents without even stepping into danger. You were too reckless, nearly causing a disaster. Thankfully, we met Master Cheng."
Xianjing, seizing the opportunity to teach, scolded Jiang Nanjing, fulfilling his duty as a teacher.
Jiang Nanjing nodded and added, "Actually, the Great Sun Radiance Incantation Master taught me is also a single-word incantation. But I'm too dull to grasp its essence, so Master expanded it to nine and then thirteen words, teaching me different visualization methods. He said if I practice diligently, I can return it to a single-word incantation."
The three men were at a loss, unable to comprehend.
"Master said this method was originally created for internal vision, to illuminate the inner world of the body, greatly benefiting the circulation of qi, opening the dantian, and the future union of dragon and tiger. Its external use is just a side effect. Seeing my affinity with golden light, Master first taught me the external method, thinking it would be easier to understand."
Though all three were second-level cultivators, they felt as if they were listening to a heavenly scripture.
Jiang Nanjing was also startled, nearly revealing that the method was Yun Qi's own creation.
While his family had seen Yun Qi teaching him, the fact that it was Yun Qi's original creation had to remain a secret, as promised.
Thinking this, he said, "Teacher, Uncle, Father, Master instructed that this method is his teaching and must not be disclosed!"
The three men, as if waking from a dream, nodded repeatedly, "Of course, of course!"
Jiang Yuexing turned to Jiang Yanxing, "Brother, this is a profound method from a great sect. We must ensure that those who know of it keep it secret, especially guarding against the other halls!"
Jiang Yanxing glared at his brother, "Do I need you to tell me that?!"
Jiang Nanjing wanted to say that the method was Yun Qi's creation, not from a great sect, but he couldn't explain.
Xianjing sighed, "With Master Cheng's talent, though he's only a nominal disciple now, it's likely due to the sect's strict rules and high entry barriers. But with his talent, it won't be long before he becomes a true disciple."
Jiang Yanxing thought for a moment and asked Jiang Nanjing, "Nan Jing, why did Master Cheng suddenly teach you this incantation? Does he have any requests? Tell Master Cheng that whatever he needs, as long as our Bright Light Hall has it, we will provide!"
Jiang Yanxing had some thoughts he could only keep to himself.
The great sects were indeed peculiar.
Such a prodigy should be fully supported.
How could they let him wander without even a spirit stone?
Fortunately, their hall dealt in aquatic products on Poyang Lake, with plenty of wealth.
Spirit stones, though precious, were something they could offer as a gift.
Not only that, but they should also seize this opportunity to build a good relationship with Master Cheng.
Jiang Nanjing shook his head, "Master only said that the golden gift was too valuable, and he wanted to reciprocate but had nothing to offer, so he gave me this spell."
Jiang Yanxing asked again, "Did you tell Master Cheng that the golden seal was made of musk gold?"
Jiang Nanjing shook his head, "No, I only told him it was ordinary gold."
Hearing this, Jiang Yanxing sighed, "Master Cheng is a true gentleman. Even if the golden gift was heavy, since he taught you this spell, the gift is still too light. Let us think carefully and prepare another gift. Besides, you haven't yet learned the internal vision method. Visit the cottage more often in the coming days. No one will disturb you. If Master Cheng needs anything, let me know."
Jiang Nanjing shook his head, "Master seemed exhausted after teaching me this incantation. Perhaps my talent is lacking, and I've troubled him too much. I feel too embarrassed to bother him further. Maybe I'll just stick with the external method."
Hearing this, Jiang Yanxing showed rare anger, while Jiang Yuexing and Xianjing sighed.
"Learning spells is never easy!"
Jiang Yanxing exclaimed, "As the ancients said, the law is not passed to six ears. Whenever a top sect releases a method, people fight tooth and nail for it. Do you know how the Golden Light Sect came to be?
Our ancestor received a spell from a Taiyi Golden Light Sect immortal, and with that, he founded our sect. Only by having a method to follow, and being aligned with the five elements, can we be called a sect, a true orthodox Daoist lineage.
Otherwise, we'd be no different from the Red Snail Jiang family, the Yellow Fish Jiang family, or the White Reed Zhou family."
"Not to mention distant examples, take the Thunder Survey Sect, which you know is on the lake, just a thousand miles from us. Do you know how their founder rose to power and established his sect?
He was a mortal Daoist who, at thirty, set out from the Fujian coast, trekked through mountains and rivers to Yuzhang, and knelt at the foot of Bingfeng Mountain, begging for thunder techniques.
To prove his sincerity, he built a hut there, planted jujube trees for ten years, carried water for thousands of pounds, and cultivated over nine hundred acres of jujube forest. When the forest reached the number of three nines, the mountain bestowed upon him the scripture 'Surveying Thunder.'
With these four words, he attained enlightenment, eventually coming to Poyang Lake to establish his sect, honoring Bingfeng Mountain as his ancestral temple and the Shenxiao Sect as his source, becoming an orthodox Daoist lineage."
"Now you have this great opportunity, yet you feel ashamed? How ridiculous! Is your shame greater than planting jujube trees for ten years?"
Jiang Nanjing blushed deeply, repeatedly admitting his mistake.
"You must go and ask. If Master Cheng is impatient or scolds you, endure it. Do not talk back. Whatever Master Cheng requests, agree to it. Do you understand? Since Master Cheng is willing to teach you a great sect's method, we only fear he asks for too little. Do you understand?"
Jiang Yanxing stared at his nephew.
Jiang Nanjing felt uncomfortable, as if he were being told to deceive Master Cheng for the method.
But seeing the earnest looks of his uncle, father, and teacher, he nodded lightly.
The next day.
Amidst his family's endless nagging, Jiang Nanjing arrived early at Fenghe Cottage.
Yun Qi, having rested through the night, was in much better spirits.
Seeing Jiang Nanjing, he greeted him with a smile, "Jiang Nan, just in time. Today, I'll teach you the internal vision method. I've figured out how to teach you, aiming to have you learn it in five days. I've stayed here long enough and should continue my journey."
Jiang Nanjing was shocked, "Master, you've only just arrived. Why leave so soon? Have I not been a good host?"
Yun Qi shook his head, "I came out to travel. Staying at your home for so long isn't traveling; it's more like sightseeing."
"Then stay a few more days before leaving!"
"Jiang Nan, no need to say more. Where there is gathering, there must be parting. You and I have the bond of the seal. When I return to Yuzhang, I will surely visit you."
With that, Jiang Nanjing had no more to say.
"Alright, now let's teach you the internal vision method. It shares similarities with the external method. For the mortal eye, the inner world of the body is also a dark place, requiring the visualization of the sun..."
Yun Qi taught meticulously, and Jiang Nanjing learned earnestly.
The day passed in a blink.
Yun Qi said Jiang Nanjing was making good progress and ended the lesson for the day, telling him to return tomorrow.
Upon returning, Jiang Nanjing immediately informed his elders of Yun Qi's impending departure.
They were helpless.
On the third day, Jiang Nanjing brought a Water-Avoiding Pearl.
Yun Qi was displeased.
Jiang Nanjing, anxious, explained that the golden gift was for saving his life, and now he needed to thank Yun Qi for teaching him the spell, or he wouldn't dare learn the internal vision method.
Yun Qi, resigned, asked about the value of small coiled ear snails on Poyang Lake.
Jiang Nanjing honestly replied that live snails were one tael of silver each, enchanted snails ten taels, and sealed snails one tael of gold.
However, they were in high demand and hard to come by, often sold out immediately.
Yun Qi told Jiang Nanjing to take back the Water-Avoiding Pearl, saying the golden treasure plus one hundred sealed snails would suffice as thanks for saving his life and teaching him the spell.
Jiang Nanjing, unable to refuse, agreed.
In the following days, Yun Qi taught more diligently and quickly, eager to leave.
He was wary of the Jiang family's enthusiasm and his own growing greed.
A 4,000-word chapter presented.
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(End of Chapter)