Unknowingly, ten years had passed.
Jiang Yuan had been quietly cultivating, taming the Intent Horse, and teaching the Heart Monkey to seek the Intent Horse.
Jin Gong severed the Black Water, and under daily training, the Intent Horse gradually returned to its heart.
However, Jiang Tong'er did not dare to teach his primordial spirit to ride the Black Snake.
He knew that while the Black Snake had begun to return to its heart, its ferocity still lingered.
If he were to teach the primordial spirit to ride it, there would be a risk of overturning.
On this day.
After contending with the Black Water in his kidneys, Jiang Yuan finally opened his eyes.
In his heart, he had already counted several Intent Horses.
This Intent Horse took the form of a snake, sprouting wings on its back, and its momentum was like a thunderous charge.
This appearance was just like the 'Teng Snake' in a grand dream, with scales of a deep black color.
Jiang Yuan thought to himself: "The five righteous paths each have their own functions. This Intent Horse takes the form of a Teng Snake, capable of soaring through clouds and mist. However, its nature is fierce. After ten years of taming, it has become much more docile, but if I wish to harness its full power, it will still require time."
After pondering this, he rose and left the Three Star Immortal Cave.
Jiang Tong'er took his fishing rod to the stream, fishing for some fish and shrimp.
Once he had a full catch, he would deliver the fish and shrimp to the Zuo family.
In the mountains, the Zuo family had helped him in the past.
During Jin Gong's time, a member of the Zuo family had assisted him, and now the Intent Horse had the support of a young member of the Zuo family.
Every now and then, he would bring some fish and shrimp to ensure that the Zuo family did not have to worry about food.
When Jiang Yuan arrived at the Zuo family home, he found the atmosphere filled with joy.
Upon inquiring, he learned that the Zuo family had welcomed a new member, and it was quite a lively occasion.
He knew that the Intent Horse had been with him for thirteen years.
For Jiang Tong'er, thirteen years was but a fleeting moment in cultivation, but for the Zuo family, it represented a generation of inheritance.
In the past, the young member of the Zuo family had already become the head of the family, and now they had welcomed a new child, a young member of the Zuo family.
Outside, the head of the Zuo family expressed gratitude to Jiang Yuan for his congratulations.
Seeing that Jiang Yuan was still young, the head of the Zuo family couldn't help but sigh, saying, "I have heard from my ancestors that the master possesses a method to maintain youth, a true divine ability of immortality."
Jiang Yuan smiled and replied, "In the past, your ancestor came from the old home, and it was I who received him."
The head of the Zuo family was taken aback and said, "This matter is indeed true! The master is truly a celestial being, a true celestial being!"
Jiang Yuan said, "I am not a celestial being. Your ancestor once assisted me, and you have also helped me. Why not cultivate with me to repay the kindness of guidance?"
The head of the Zuo family shook his head and said, "In my youth, I was ignorant and spoke many foolish words. How could I guide you? Now, with the whole family, I dare not abandon you. Please do not speak such words again. If you insist, then teach me some moral truths, so that when I chop firewood daily, I do not tire, and when family matters are laborious, I can relieve my worries. If you have such teachings, I will bow to you three times."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan contemplated the moral truths passed down by his master.
There were many moral sayings not commonly recited by cultivators, which could bring peace and relieve troubles.
He taught the head of the Zuo family a passage of truth, instructing him to recite it daily and not to forget it.
The head of the Zuo family bowed deeply in gratitude.
Jiang Yuan helped him up and talked with him for a long while before finally returning to his cave dwelling.
……
Upon returning to the Three Star Immortal Cave, Jiang Tong'er had been conversing with his second junior brother for quite some time.
He then returned to his quiet room to cultivate, teaching the Intent Horse its early purposes.
He immersed himself in cultivation, summoning the Yin and Yang Fish, carrying the momentum of Jin Gong, and seeking to invite the Intent Horse for a gamble.
Time flew by, and another year passed.
Jiang Yuan continued to tame the Intent Horse, often using Daoist spells to teach it that he possessed divine power and should not be obstructed.
He also used Buddhist spells to soothe the Intent Horse.
It was indeed the true transmission of his master: "The two families complement each other as it should be."
He did not confine himself to the teachings of one school but took the essence of both for his own use.
However, even though Jiang Tong'er had a method to tame the Intent Horse, it was still insufficient for its use.
One day, his master ascended the platform and called for the disciples of the Immortal Cave.
In the Three Star Immortal Cave, apart from Jiang Yuan, there were only Zhen Qing and Zhen Yang.
Zhen Qing was six elbows tall, sitting among them, a true giant.
Jiang Yuan did not consider himself familiar with Zhen Qing and Zhen Yang, not knowing what path they cultivated, but he could see the two exchanging glances, indicating they had matters to discuss.
Once the master saw that the disciples had gathered, he was about to begin speaking.
Suddenly, Zhen Qing and Zhen Yang knelt before the master and said, "Master, we have been in the sect for a long time. After receiving your teachings, we have made some progress in our cultivation. We hope you will allow us to descend the mountain."
The master looked at the two and asked, "How many years have you two been cultivating?"
Zhen Yang replied, "Master, it has been three years."
The master asked, "Have you completed your achievements?"
The two answered, "We have completed our achievements!"
The master then agreed to their request and permitted them to descend the mountain.
The two expressed their gratitude and left.
Jiang Tong'er remained silent.
In this realm, he had seen much over such time and felt it was quite strange.
Once the two had departed, Jiang Yuan said, "Master, in the cave, it is just the two of us disciples remaining."
The master nodded, "In the past, when I opened the cave, I had already anticipated this. In the cave, it will only be you and I who remain. If I travel in the future, it will be you, Tong'er, who will take charge."
Jiang Yuan replied, "Yes."
As the eldest disciple under his master, the only one of the 'Guang' generation among the twelve characters, he inherited the true teachings of his master.
If his master were not present, he would take charge.
The master smiled and said, "I see that your cultivation has made some progress. Is the Intent Horse about to return to its position?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Master, it still lacks a bit of time. The Intent Horse is difficult to tame, and it is thanks to the spells you taught me."
The master shook his head and said, "This is your own achievement. Tong'er, you will have the assistance of three people. The other two must not be taken lightly. The two divine beings will not be able to do anything to you, but if there is an opportunity, they will surely disrupt your cultivation."
Jiang Yuan responded, "Yes."
The master then began to teach the scriptures.
Jiang Yuan listened attentively to the wonderful teachings.
The master spoke for half a day.
If he reached a point that was obscure and difficult to understand, he would pause and ask Jiang Tong'er for his insights.
After half a day, the master finished speaking.
While Jiang Yuan was serving him, they walked into the room.
As they walked halfway, Jiang Tong'er suddenly felt a great tremor in the Earth Palace.
He circulated his primordial spirit and opened his eyes.
Sensing something, he looked towards the outside of the Three Star Immortal Cave.
As he gazed, he saw a beam of golden light rising from the ground in the eastern direction, disappearing into the clouds, shooting towards the North Star, the golden light blazing brilliantly, truly remarkable.
Jiang Yuan turned his head and saw his master looking out.
He asked, "Master, what kind of true cultivation is this? How can it possess such majesty?"
The master shook his head and said, "This is not a true cultivation; it is a manifestation born from the essence of heaven and earth in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, emerging in the wind and bowing to all directions. Once it consumes bait and food, this golden light will cease."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan's heart stirred greatly.
This was so reminiscent of the moment when Sun Wukong emerged in the "Journey to the West" in his dreams.
Could it be that the Monkey Head was manifesting?
Jiang Yuan calculated the time.
From what his junior brother Zhen Jian had said, he realized that at this time, the Southern Zhanbu Continent was in a state of war, and that Monkey Head was most likely born at this moment.
Jiang Yuan was slightly astonished but quickly calmed down.
What did this have to do with his cultivation of the true path and seeking the mysteries of immortality?
He said, "Master, if this essence of heaven and earth is born, would it require the assistance of five people to cultivate the righteous path?"
The master replied, "No need. The essence of heaven and earth is born; if one cultivates the righteous path, five people are not necessary. However, every peck and drink has its fixed number. The essence of heaven and earth is easy to cultivate, but once the elixir is formed, it cannot rely on five people. Most of the time, it is due to poor character, which will lead to calamities. Once calamities arise, it is much harder to seek the assistance of five people."
It is difficult for humans to attain the Golden Elixir and to cultivate the righteous path.
In the Southern Zhanbu Continent, it is even more difficult.
However, if one succeeds in forming the Golden Elixir, it is the most complete.
There is a saying: "Heaven shows no mercy, yet great grace is born."
Jiang Yuan bowed in reverence...
(New chapter complete)