It is said that Jiang Yuan used the Holy Fetus to traverse the Nine Circuits of the Zhou Tian Caverns, transforming his body into an immortal form, utterly leak-proof, achieving immortality in its entirety, and embodying a state of perfection without flaws.
As he completed the Nine Circuits with the Holy Fetus, a surge of enlightenment filled his heart, and he understood that he should merge the Holy Fetus with the five individuals, aligning their minds and spirits.
This would allow him to enter the Niwan Palace, thereby unifying body and mind, leading to the completion of the Golden Core Dao.
Jiang Yuan then instructed the five to merge their minds with the Holy Fetus.
This alignment was achieved in an instant, as he had already attained the Dao.
When he traversed the Three Passes and re-entered the Niwan Palace, his immortal form was instantly manifested.
Inside the quiet chamber, a magnificent golden light erupted from Jiang Yuan, radiating golden flames and giving rise to myriad rays of rosy light.
The room was filled with red light, and colorful qi overflowed, accompanied by the sound of celestial music, as if the heavens were celebrating.
Extraordinary phenomena occurred frequently, unable to be contained by the Three Star Immortal Cave or the Inch Spirit Mountain, shooting straight towards the Heavenly Court and subtly obscuring the Yellow Springs of the Underworld.
The beings within the Three Star Immortal Cave were in a state of panic, witnessing the astonishing sights outside.
The ancestral master clapped his hands, exclaiming that the Golden Core had been completed, expressing his satisfaction with the Daoist boy's cultivation.
Jiang Yuan felt an immense divine power within him, unstoppable.
He released this divine power, which manifested as golden flames, enveloping the Immortal Cave.
It was midnight, yet the golden flames spewed forth, illuminating the night as if it were day.
With his Dao achieved, he would henceforth be neither born nor extinguished, neither increased nor decreased, pure and untainted, with profound magical power, a true immortal of the Dao.
He would no longer worry about lifespan, living in harmony with the heavens, alongside the sun and moon.
Jiang Yuan calmly stated, "I have achieved the Dao!"
...
At this moment, the Three Realms trembled!
Billowing auspicious clouds stretched for ninety thousand miles, and the ancient cave and immortal mountain all paid their respects.
The Spirit Platform of Fangcun Mountain belonged to the Western Bull Heaven, and the blessed land of the Spirit Mountain also resided in the Western Bull Heaven.
The various extraordinary phenomena rushed into the Spirit Mountain with the speed of lightning.
On this day, within the Great Thunder Sound Temple, the Western Saint Old Tathagata sat upon a top-grade lotus platform, preaching to the Buddhas, Arhats, Bodhisattvas, Vajra, monks, and nuns.
Suddenly, various extraordinary phenomena gathered, rolling auspiciously across the Spirit Mountain.
The Western Saint Old Tathagata did not intervene but gazed towards the Three Star Immortal Cave with his wise eyes, suddenly understanding, and said, "With profound Prajna, I observe the Three Realms and know that it is the disciples of the Three Star Immortal Cave who have achieved the Dao today. This is a cause for celebration; do not let your hearts be disturbed."
Maitreya Bodhisattva joined his palms in reverence, his face beaming with joy, and said, "Guangxin, the True Man of the Southern Zhanbu Continent, understands the teachings of the three schools. Now that he has achieved the Dao, it is worthy of congratulations!"
The others said, "World Honored One, why does such a True Man not enter the Spirit Mountain?"
The Tathagata replied, "The cause and effect have not yet arrived."
Thus, they did not hear further and focused their hearts on the Buddha's teachings.
...
At Mount Wanshou, Five庄观, they saw auspicious clouds rolling in myriad ways, accompanied by heavy golden flames.
Zhen Yuanzi, who was teaching the disciples in the class, suddenly saw this and was overjoyed.
The disciples were puzzled, and one of them asked, "Master, what is the reason for these auspicious clouds?"
Zhen Yuanzi the Great Immortal said, "In the past, your senior brother Guangxin has now achieved the Dao. These auspicious clouds and golden flames are to celebrate his success!"
The two disciples who had once guarded the temple with Jiang Yuan felt a surge of joy and said, "Senior Brother Guangxin has finally succeeded."
The other disciples felt nothing, as they did not recognize Jiang Yuan.
A few of the disciples scoffed, not understanding the significance.
Various reactions were different.
...
The golden light burst forth from the Underworld, causing chaos in the Yellow Springs of the Underworld.
"Disaster, disaster!"
"The cultivator of the Western Bull Heaven has a connection with the Underworld!"
"In the past, there was a soul-reaping demon who recklessly took this person's soul; it is indeed a grudge against the soul!"
...
Meanwhile, the golden light shot towards the Heavenly Court, startling the compassionate and benevolent Jade Emperor, the Supreme Emperor of the Mysterious Vault.
He then descended to the Golden Palace in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, gathering the celestial officials.
The Jade Emperor said, "The lower realm is filled with rosy light and golden flames, accompanied by celestial music. There must be a True Man who has achieved the Dao."
He ordered the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind Listening Ear to open the Southern Heavenly Gate, to observe and listen to the Three Realms, and saw that it was the ancient cave of the immortal mountain, a blessed land of the immortals, where someone had achieved the Dao.
Before long, the two officials reported back: "I have been commanded to observe the Three Realms. This is the Fangcun Mountain of the Western Bull Heaven, the Slanting Moon Three Star Cave, where a person from the Southern Zhanbu Continent, known as Guangxin, has diligently cultivated the Golden Core and has now achieved the Dao, celebrated by heaven and earth."
The Jade Emperor lowered the curtain and asked, "The Southern Zhanbu Continent has produced such a remarkable person. How many years has he cultivated?"
The two officials reported, "Your Majesty, this person has cultivated for several hundred years."
The Jade Emperor said, "A person from the Southern Zhanbu Continent has cultivated for several hundred years to achieve the Dao; he is indeed a remarkable individual. Prepare to welcome him with celestial honors, host a banquet, and confer the title of 'True Monarch,' inviting him to oversee the troops."
All the celestial officials bowed to the Jade Emperor, praising his compassion.
At that time, pairs of celestial beings were sent down to the lower realm.
...
Unbeknownst to them, three or four days passed.
In the Three Star Immortal Cave, the ancestral master's quiet chamber.
Jiang Yuan emerged from the chamber and walked to the front of the ancestral master's quiet room.
He saw the door wide open, and the ancestral master was seated on a mat, waiting for him.
He stepped forward, performed a grand salute, knelt on the ground, and said, "Master, I have completed my cultivation and returned to convey my congratulations."
The ancestral master said, "You have achieved your cultivation, which is indeed a cause for joy. However, as an immortal of the Dao, why do you adopt such a posture?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Disciple has achieved this result today, thanks to the deep grace of Master’s teachings. I dare not forget it. Even if I possess the power to kick the heavens and manipulate wells, I am still Master’s disciple."
The ancestral master laughed and said, "You, this disciple, truly cannot change your youthful demeanor. Enough, enough, enough! Come closer."
Jiang Yuan approached the ancestral master’s mat.
The ancestral master looked at him and saw that the youthful immortal form had been achieved, the immortal body was flawless, and the magical power was profound.
He was indeed fully realized in the Golden Core, without any oversight.
He praised, "In the past, you were greedy for longevity, and your heart for the Dao remained unchanged. You have faced countless demonic obstacles and difficulties along the way. Now you have finally succeeded and attained longevity."
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "It is all thanks to Master’s merit. Master, what kind of magical power do I possess now?"
He knew that his magical power had greatly increased compared to before, but he did not know how vast it was now, nor did he understand what kind of magical power he possessed.
The ancestral master said, "You have now completed the Golden Core and are a Taiyi Celestial Immortal."
Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, how do you say this?"
The ancestral master explained, "With the completion of the Golden Core and a flawless immortal body, you are a Celestial Immortal. However, there are distinctions between Taiyi and Da Luo Celestials. This is not a matter of high or low magical power, but rather a distinction of the Dao lineage.
Those who are not disciples of the Three Pure Ones above the Thirty-Three Heavens are all Taiyi Celestials. If they are disciples of the Three Pure Ones, they are Da Luo Celestials. There is no distinction of ability here; you have emerged from my teachings, hence you are a Taiyi Celestial Immortal."
Jiang Yuan understood, as he had thought that Taiyi was merely a matter of realm.
It was indeed a matter of Dao lineage.
Fortunately, he did not say it aloud; otherwise, he would have made a fool of himself.
He bowed and said, "Master, I am now a Taiyi Celestial Immortal. How great is my magical power?"
The ancestral master pointed at Jiang Yuan and laughed, "What kind of magical power do you still need to ask me about?"
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Master does not know, but I have spent these years subduing demons and refining spirits very little, mostly in hard cultivation, and have experienced very little. How can I know about magical power?"
The ancestral master said, "Your heart for the Dao remains unchanged, and you cultivate with a sincere heart; this is a fortunate thing. If it were not for this, how could you have so easily passed through the demonic obstacles of the Yuzhen Pass? Your current magical power is such that few in the Three Realms can surpass you. Only those with great magical power can subdue you."
Having said that, the ancestral master took a bamboo slip and handed it to Jiang Yuan, saying, "This book can resolve all your doubts. You should read it carefully, and if there is anything unclear, just come and ask me."
Jiang Yuan accepted the bamboo slip and thanked the ancestral master.
(End of Chapter)