In the Three Stars Immortal Cave, the Ancestor invited the Old Lord to a banquet, discussing the whereabouts of Jiang Tong'er after his success, merely stating, "Once the achievement is complete, one can become a Buddha or an Immortal."
The Old Lord did not inquire further and engaged in casual conversation with the Ancestor.
A few days later, the Ancestor summoned Jiang Tong'er to bring Qian Niu Tong'er to the Three Stars Immortal Cave to play for a while.
Jiang Yuan complied and went.
The Ancestor took out a chessboard and began a game with the Old Lord.
The two set up their pieces, taking turns in a lively manner.
After a long while, the game concluded, with the Old Lord winning by a single piece.
The Old Lord laughed and said, "Bodhi, are you worried about your disciple Guangxin's difficulties?"
The Ancestor shook his head and replied, "Not at all, I believe my disciple has achieved success."
The Old Lord said, "You have confidence, which shows Guangxin's Dao heart remains steadfast. However, I fear that Qian Niu Tong'er may become complacent."
The Ancestor smiled and said, "Your disciple has a sincere heart."
The Old Lord replied, "It is true that Qian Niu Tong'er has a sincere heart, but Mu Mu is hard to determine; he is enamored with the fragrance of flowers, and I fear he may cause trouble in the future."
The Ancestor said, "Teach him well."
The Old Lord remarked, "The Dao lies beneath one's feet; whether he listens or not is entirely up to him. Just like in the past when you took Guangxin as your disciple in the capital mountains, did you not advise him to cultivate the Dan Dao?"
The Ancestor shook his head and said, "How could I not know the difficulty of this Dao? I originally taught Guangxin to cultivate a side path, believing he would achieve the true fruit in the future. Yet, Guangxin's Dao heart is firm, and he has devoted himself to cultivation, unexpectedly achieving success today."
The Old Lord said, "This child truly possesses a genuine Dao heart, making him enviable. In my Dou Shuai Palace, there are many disciples, yet none possess Guangxin's cultivation."
The Ancestor looked outside the tower and said, "Old Lord, I have established this cave heaven for hundreds of years, with countless disciples under me, yet none resemble Guangxin."
Ultimately, there are few who comprehend the Dao, while many merely follow the crowd.
As the Ancestor and the Old Lord conversed...
At the entrance of the Three Stars Immortal Cave, Jiang Yuan brought Qian Niu Tong'er to play in front of the pine tree where the disciples gathered during the day.
He initially wanted to bring the Qing Niu over to let it roam, but Qian Niu Tong'er resisted.
Qian Niu Tong'er said, "That old cow is quite dull, Guangxin, do not bring it here."
Jiang Yuan sat under the pine tree and laughed, "How can it be dull? This cow is the Old Lord's mount; it should be natural and is quite interesting."
Qian Niu Tong'er complained, "This old cow is utterly unreasonable; how can it be interesting? Guangxin, you do not know, this old cow has a large appetite, yet it requires me to serve it, which is quite bothersome."
Jiang Yuan laughed without speaking.
Qian Niu Tong'er could only play under the pine tree, enjoying himself.
As the sky began to darken, he led Qian Niu Tong'er into the cave, only to find the Ancestor and the Old Lord still in conversation.
He then brought him into the quiet room to rest.
Unbeknownst to them, half a month passed.
On this day, the Old Lord exited the Three Stars Cave, intending to return to the heavens.
The Ancestor and Jiang Yuan accompanied him.
The Old Lord called for Qian Niu Tong'er to lead the Qing Niu forward, saying, "Bodhi, Guangxin, when you have leisure in the future, come visit me in Dou Shuai Palace."
The Ancestor agreed, promising to visit when he had free time.
The Old Lord waved to Jiang Yuan and said, "Guangxin, come over here."
Jiang Yuan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Old Lord."
The Old Lord smiled and said, "Guangxin, when I first met you, you taught the two gods to conceal themselves, and your heart was unsettled. Later, you protected me at the Hangu Pass, traveling thousands of miles west. At that time, your Golden Public Hidden form had not yet reached today's level of cultivation. Now that your Dan Dao is about to succeed, I happen to arrive, and it is only right that I assist you in this achievement."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan turned to glance at the Ancestor, who nodded with a smile.
He then said, "I do not wish to hide anything from the Old Lord; I know this remaining step is a true difficulty. I have not traveled it for a long time; firstly, I have not prepared adequately, and secondly, I lack confidence. Now that I trouble the Old Lord to assist me, I will remember this deep kindness and will never dare to forget it."
The Old Lord rode the Qing Niu backward, calling for Qian Niu Tong'er to lead the cow forward.
As they approached Jiang Yuan, he said, "Guangxin, step forward."
Jiang Yuan took a step forward and stood beside the Qing Niu.
The Old Lord spread his hands, indicating the heavens and the earth, and said, "Guangxin, the distance between heaven and earth is a total of eighty-four thousand miles. The qi and liquid between heaven and earth rise and fall in a complete cycle, requiring three hundred sixty days. This is similar to humans; do you know in what way it is similar?"
Jiang Yuan felt a spark of inspiration in his heart.
His primordial spirit in his eyes was imposing, as if divine light was manifesting.
He said, "Old Lord, my master once taught that a person has three hundred sixty bones, three hundred sixty acupoints, and eighty-four thousand Xuanfu. The distance between a person's heart and kidneys is eight inches and four tenths. This is similar to heaven, hence humans are counted as heaven and earth."
Xuanfu refers to the pores.
The Old Lord smiled and said, "It is difficult for humans to cultivate the Dao; there are very few who hear the Dao, and it is extremely challenging to cultivate. If one were to teach others to cultivate, it would take a thousand years to succeed. Guangxin, having cultivated to this point, what insights do you have?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "The Dao is obstructed and long."
The four words succinctly express the bitterness; how can the word 'difficult' convey the countless trials faced between life and death?
The Old Lord nodded and said, "Indeed, humans encompass the count of heaven! What exists in heaven and earth also exists in humans, without a hair's breadth of difference, hence it is difficult to cultivate. If one succeeds in cultivation, it is an extraordinary path. Guangxin, your concerns are not to be feared; you must know that there are many formidable barriers in the Southern Zhanbu Continent, and before heaven and earth, how insignificant they are. Guangxin, I have said all that needs to be said; the rest is for you to comprehend."
After saying this, the Old Lord called out, "Let’s go."
The Qing Niu raised its four hooves, driving forth auspicious clouds, carrying Qian Niu Tong'er as they headed toward the heavenly realm.
Jiang Yuan watched the Old Lord depart, feeling a spark of inspiration within.
He had gained something good and already knew how to navigate the three barriers and the steps to achieve the Nine Turns to form the Dan; his Dan Dao was about to succeed.
The Ancestor approached and said, "Child, it is time to return."
Jiang Yuan acknowledged and returned to the Three Stars Immortal Cave with the Ancestor.
Before long, the Ancestor and Jiang Yuan returned to the quiet room.
The Ancestor took a seat and asked, "Child, did you gain any insights from what the Old Lord said?"
Jiang Yuan approached and said, "Master, I understand clearly."
The Ancestor smiled and asked, "What do you mean?"
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Within the body lies heaven and earth; the three barriers cannot obstruct heaven and earth."
The Ancestor asked again, "Why do you say this?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Master, humans encompass the count of heaven and earth; what exists in heaven and earth also exists in humans. I intend to use the power of nurturing to warm the eighty-four thousand Xuanfu, connecting with heaven and earth. I will also invite the Taiyi Divine Lord, who governs the essence and qi of the body, to assist me in traversing the path of the three barriers."
He understood that the count of heaven and earth draws upon various parts of the body for use, whether to invite assistance or to bolster the might of the five, thus proceeding along the path of the three barriers, ensuring the breaking of demonic obstacles and securing his success in traversing the three barriers.
The Ancestor smiled and said, "Good. Child, go now! When your Dan is complete, come find me."
Jiang Yuan said, "Master, I will surely return to report my success!"
After saying this, he took his leave from the quiet room and returned to his own quiet room.
Since beginning his cultivation on the Capital Mountain, he had cultivated for hundreds of years, and he was finally about to achieve success.
...
As Jiang Yuan returned to his quiet room, he sat cross-legged on the mat, not rushing to nurture his body or bolster the five.
He calmed his mind and nurtured his nature, ensuring he did not become arrogant or cause disturbances, and he did not allow the two gods to disturb him, thus nurturing his body.
Jiang Tong'er had practiced the timing for many years, and he was well-versed in the many timings recorded in the secret methods.
He easily produced a gentle flame and nurtured the area beneath his navel, warming the Xuanfu throughout his body, thus bolstering the five.
Time flew swiftly, and before he knew it, five years had passed.
Jiang Yuan, through his nurturing efforts, completed the warming of the Xuanfu throughout his body, the life gate, and various parts of his body, fully cultivating the five, thus enhancing their might.
On this day, Jiang Yuan knew he was prepared and was about to traverse the path of the three barriers, uniting the great medicine with his primordial spirit, achieving the Nine Turns and completing the Dan Dao.
He gathered his qi and rose, commanding the five to proceed through the three barriers.
(The End of This Chapter)