Time flows like water, and before one knows it, ten years have passed.
Jiang Tong'er has finally reached the critical moment of taming the Intent Horse.
Three years ago, he sensed that the Intent Horse would soon reach completion.
He has been in quiet cultivation for three years, and today he is determined to teach the Intent Horse to return to its rightful place.
Jiang Yuan's mind entered a state of tranquility, and he saw a pavilion hidden within the Kidney Water, where a Teng Snake was coiled, waiting for his arrival.
Once he entered the pavilion, the black and white fish accompanied the Golden Duke at his side.
The Teng Snake's hostility dissipated, and its eyes cleared.
At this moment of true return, the Intent Horse was ready to be reined in.
"Now that my Yuan Shen resides high in the Mud Palace, with the Heart Monkey on the left and the Golden Duke on the right, it is time to return to the right path, to protect the Yuan Shen and ensure it is not bullied, allowing the two spirits to have nothing hidden. Intent Horse! If you do not return now, when will you?"
Jiang Yuan's Mud Palace trembled greatly, and with the assistance of his Yuan Shen, he aimed to utilize the Intent Horse.
The Teng Snake bowed before Jiang Yuan, willing to serve as a foot soldier to help the Yuan Shen achieve the Golden Dan as soon as possible.
The black and white fish moved forward, forming a Taiji stance with the Golden Duke, while the Teng Snake entered the Taiji, crawling before Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan accepted the Teng Snake for use, and he immediately felt a lightness in the Mud Palace, as if he could see his Yuan Shen riding the Teng Snake, truly experiencing a sense of ease.
In the quiet room.
Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the mat, suddenly opening his eyes, feeling lighter in body and spirit, far surpassing his previous state.
He exited the Three Star Immortal Cave and arrived at the mossy stone, leaping a hundred zhang, utilizing the Teng Snake, with a serpent shape faintly visible beneath his feet, treading on clouds and mist as he departed.
As the saying goes, "The two spirits no longer obstruct the path, the Teng Snake returns to the right path and transforms into clouds and mist."
With the Intent Horse returning to its rightful place, it allowed his Yuan Shen to travel a thousand miles in a day, no longer needing to move slowly.
The Wood Mother and the Yellow Granny were easy to find, and he could invite five people, which could be expected soon.
"I am on the verge of success!" Jiang Tong'er felt great joy, treading on clouds and mist, wandering between heaven and earth.
At mealtime, he returned to the Crescent Moon Three Star Cave, having gained the Teng Snake and clouds.
He flew swiftly, truly a being of cloud-soaring, traveling from the North Sea in the morning to Cangwu in the evening, yet he felt he was still slow.
However, Jiang Tong'er was new to flying, and it was indeed a time of joy.
Returning to the Three Star Immortal Cave, he saw his master waiting for him at the cave entrance.
Jiang Yuan stepped forward, kneeling on the ground: "Why trouble Master to wait? It is my fault."
The master helped Tong'er up, smiling: "Has the Intent Horse returned to the right path?"
Jiang Yuan mentioned this, nodding and smiling: "It has returned to the right path!"
The master laughed heartily: "Tong'er, you are remarkable!"
With five people, three had been obtained, and with the remaining two returning to the right path, the secret method would be known to Tong'er.
At that time, Tong'er would surely cultivate great power.
In the Southern Zhanbu Continent, it is indeed difficult for mortals to cultivate the Golden Dan path.
With the leakage of qi, there are no successful cases.
Yet, Tong'er under his guidance is about to succeed, treading the difficult path to enlightenment, how magnificent it is.
Jiang Yuan said: "It is all thanks to Master’s teachings!"
The master shook his head: "If it were not for your diligent cultivation, how could the path be achieved? If I were to teach the other disciples the right path, how many would be willing to endure like you, cultivating for hundreds of years, only to glimpse the wonders of the Longevity Path?"
Jiang Yuan replied: "If one cannot grasp the wonders of the Longevity Path, how can one escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death? In the end, it is all a futile cultivation. Master, have you heard of 'A Dream of Yellow Millet'?"
The master asked: "What do you mean?"
Jiang Yuan explained: "I once heard a person lamenting their poverty, sleeping on a pillow in a guesthouse. At that time, the host was steaming millet, and the person fell asleep with their head on the pillow, dreaming of a life of wealth and nobility, as if they could easily obtain it.
When they grew old and woke from the dream, the host’s millet was still uncooked, and it was all just an empty scene. Cultivation teaches this principle as well: if one does not cultivate the right path, they will end up in a great dream. If one cultivates the right path, why can’t the dream become reality?"
The master praised: "Well said!"
After speaking, the master led Jiang Yuan back into the Immortal Cave.
Under the old cypress tree, the two or three new disciples were discussing.
Upon seeing the master, the disciples hurriedly tidied themselves, adjusting their clothing and bowing in respect.
The master nodded and led Jiang Tong'er toward the Yao Platform.
Jiang Yuan faintly heard the two or three disciples speaking of his past cultivation, sighing at how he had gained the master's favor.
He smiled silently, not wishing to argue.
Upon reaching the Yao Platform, the master sat high on the platform, and Jiang Yuan took his place among the disciples.
The master smiled and looked around: "Tong'er, today you will teach the Heart Monkey, Golden Duke, and the Intent Horse to return to their rightful places. With three out of five obtained, you only need to invite the Wood Mother and the Yellow Granny. Once all five are gathered, you can begin cultivating the Golden Dan."
Jiang Yuan knelt and said: "Master, please teach me!"
Before the Golden Dan path is completed, how can he cultivate? He could only perform minor feats of power.
Even if he invited five people to return to their places, his progress would still be limited.
He needed to achieve the Golden Dan path to cultivate great power.
The master nodded: "Tong'er, who do you wish to invite, the Wood Mother or the Yellow Granny?"
Jiang Yuan shook his head: "Disciple does not know, I will rely on Master’s teachings."
The master specified Jiang Yuan, knowing that Tong'er was one to pose difficult questions, smiling helplessly: "The Wood Mother and the Yellow Granny. Among the two, the Wood Mother is harder to invite, as she handles the laborious tasks of carrying and cooking, all the dirty work falls to her. The Yellow Granny is easier to invite, as she performs the harmonizing tasks. If the five people cause a ruckus, it is not that the Yellow Granny is incapable of managing."
After speaking, the master fell silent, seemingly in thought.
Jiang Tong'er remained quiet.
After a long while, the master said: "Invite the Wood Mother."
Jiang Yuan stood up and bowed, agreeing.
He believed the master’s words must have reason.
The master smiled: "Do not rush to invite the Wood Mother; it is very different from inviting the Heart Monkey, Golden Duke, and Intent Horse. You must listen to my explanation; that is the proper way."
Jiang Yuan bowed again: "Master, please teach me! Disciple is all ears and will listen attentively to Master’s teachings."
The master nodded, lowering his gaze to Tong'er, smiling: "Tong'er, tell me, how did you invite those three?"
Jiang Yuan replied: "Master, I relied on the Heart Monkey's descent, the Golden Duke's fire, and the Intent Horse's beating."
The master said: "Each of the three has a different method of invitation; the Wood Mother relies on words."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan was startled and carefully noted it down.
He then asked: "Master, in the past, you mentioned that I needed to invite five people, hence you did not explain. Why are you now elaborating?"
The master laughed: "Tong'er, it is because the Wood Mother is different; she is easy to seek but difficult to invite, unlike the other four. It is fine to speak of her."
Jiang Yuan asked again: "Master, how should I invite the Wood Mother?"
The master shook his head and remained silent.
This was not something that could be explained; it required Jiang Yuan to comprehend it himself.
Jiang Yuan suddenly understood and bowed: "Disciple understands, thank you, Master."
The master waved his hand: "Tong'er, go ahead. Cultivate diligently, and invite the five people as soon as possible. I will pass on the secret teachings to you. At that time, when one aperture is opened, all apertures will be opened, and you will learn various skills."
Jiang Yuan bowed and returned to the quiet room, planning to rest before inviting the Wood Mother.
……
Jiang Yuan entered the room and cultivated for a long time, having gone through the scorching summer months, and now it was the time of autumn frost.
Jiang Yuan calmed the Intent Horse, preparing to seek the Wood Mother.
The master had said that inviting the Wood Mother relied on words, and he was eager to see what the method was.
Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the mat, calming his mind, ready to cultivate.
Suddenly, he heard the master's voice.
"Tong'er, come to the class."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan did not dare to disobey.
He rose from the mat and went to the Yao Platform.
Before long, Tong'er arrived at the Yao Platform, where he saw the master seated on the platform, and among the disciples was a Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of the South Sea.
Jiang Yuan was taken aback, wondering how this Bodhisattva had come to be here.
He stepped forward to bow to the master, then paid his respects to the Bodhisattva.
Jiang Yuan asked: "Master, is there something that requires my effort?"
The master nodded: "The South Sea Guanyin Bodhisattva has brought a letter, inviting me to attend a Dharma assembly hosted by the Western Saint Lao Tzu. I must go. Tong'er, you will need to watch over the house while I am away. Do not let thieves in. If any cultivators come, you need not pay them any mind; either wait for them to cultivate in the mountains or let them go if they cannot wait."
Jiang Yuan responded, naturally agreeing...
(End of Chapter)