Jiang Yuan had received a book from his master upon achieving enlightenment, and it had been three days since then.
During these three days, he had been diligently reading in his quiet chamber without making any mistakes.
Just as his master had said, this book resolved his doubts.
From what Jiang Yuan learned in the book, he understood the nature of his current magical power.
The abilities of various immortals and demons could be categorized into three types based on their capabilities: first, magical power and divine abilities; second, martial arts; and third, magical treasures.
Magical power and divine abilities complemented each other and were interdependent; one needed profound magical power to cultivate great divine abilities.
Jiang Yuan, having attained profound magical power, had become a Taiyi Celestial Immortal, yet he had not cultivated various divine abilities.
He only possessed two divine abilities, which were taught to him by Jin Gong after the five returned to the Sacred Fetus, allowing him to wield divine weapons with no effect and to repel water and fire.
Martial arts were the skills of displaying ferocity and strength, a path that most immortals were not adept in.
Jiang Yuan had some ability due to the assistance of the Black Fish, but it was merely acceptable, and he was quite weak in this regard.
Magical treasures were external treasures; Jiang Yuan wore a purple robe, held a jade whisk, and had a Yu Ding at his waist, all of which were magical treasures.
Jiang Yuan suddenly realized and thought to himself, “This book from my master truly resolves my doubts. My current abilities are not formidable because I have not yet learned various divine abilities. However, with the assistance of the Yu Ding and the whisk, there are few who can surpass me.”
Having understood this, he returned the book to his master.
Jiang Yuan exited the quiet chamber and headed to his master’s residence.
Upon entering, he bowed respectfully to his master before returning the book.
His master placed the bamboo scroll down and asked, “Child, do you understand?”
Jiang Yuan nodded and said, “Master, I have understood.”
His master sat cross-legged on a mat and took another mat, instructing Jiang Yuan to sit down.
Once the child was seated, he asked, “Child, what do you say?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, I now possess magical power but lack divine abilities, like a person missing one leg, unable to walk.”
His master smiled and said, “Child, in the past, I have spoken to you about this. Once you achieve success, I will teach you the protective method. Now that you have succeeded, it is time to pass on the method to you.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, what is the protective method?”
His master replied, “I will teach you the protective method. You are to use it for protection, and it can also be used to display ferocity, but I cannot force you. I suspect you are an unruly one.”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “Master, I am no longer the same as before; how could I be unruly?”
His master shook his head and said, “I still know your nature, child. I should teach you the protective method, but there are celestial messengers here to see you. Come with me to greet them.”
Jiang Yuan did not understand and asked, “Celestial messengers?”
His master explained, “Because you have become a Taiyi Celestial Immortal and have exhibited extraordinary signs, celestial messengers have come to invite you into the heavenly realm.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood.
He had cultivated for hundreds of years to achieve enlightenment, and now the heavenly realm wanted to invite him to ascend.
He asked, “Master, what should I say?”
His master pointed at the child and smiled, “Why do you ask me? It is entirely up to you.”
Jiang Yuan suddenly realized, “Master, I understand now.”
His master nodded with a smile and stood up, heading outside the quiet chamber.
Jiang Yuan followed closely behind, stepping outside.
On the way, the other disciples saw the master and the child and all bowed in greeting.
Now that the child had achieved an immortal appearance, he exuded an aura of authority, and none of the disciples dared to show disrespect.
Before long, the master and disciple exited the cave dwelling, and they saw five or six celestial immortals standing outside the gate.
Upon seeing the master, they bowed and said, “We pay our respects to the old immortal and to the Guangxin True Person. We are here on the orders of the Jade Emperor to invite the Guangxin True Person to ascend to heaven and receive the celestial decree.”
The master said, “Please come in.”
The master and Jiang Yuan welcomed the five or six celestial immortals into the Three Stars Celestial Cave, where they prepared a banquet and observed proper etiquette.
Once inside the tower, the master said, “Thank you for coming. Guangxin is my disciple, and his departure or stay is up to him; it cannot be forced.”
The celestial immortals presented the decree before Jiang Yuan, requesting him to ascend to heaven.
Jiang Yuan listened and remained unmoved.
What he sought was the freedom of eternal life, not to become an immortal.
If he had desired this, he would have accepted the invitation from Maitreya Bodhisattva to sit on the lotus throne long ago, so why wait until today? He shook his head and said, “Please convey my gratitude to the Great Heavenly Sovereign on my behalf, but I have no intention of ascending to heaven.”
The celestial immortals said, “The True Person does not understand. The Jade Emperor’s decree is to invite you to ascend to heaven and receive the title of ‘True Lord’ and to oversee the celestial army. This is a great opportunity.”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “I consider my magical power to be shallow and am but a withered tree; how could I possibly hold such a position? I ask you to thank the Great Heavenly Sovereign on my behalf once more. I only wish to serve my master, diligently cultivate the path, and when I have deepened my功, I will certainly serve the Great Heavenly Sovereign in heaven.”
The celestial immortals understood Jiang Yuan’s intentions and were secretly astonished.
They thought, “In the past, those who achieved enlightenment or were half-enlightened would hear of the decree and all sought to ascend to heaven to receive the celestial decree. This True Person has achieved enlightenment yet does not seek a heavenly position, and even the title of True Lord cannot be offered; he truly is an immortal with great wisdom.”
Thus, the celestial immortals did not dare to press further and bowed in submission, saying, “We understand the True Person’s intentions and will certainly report this to His Majesty. We take our leave.”
The master and disciple sent the celestial immortals away from the cave dwelling.
Watching as the celestial immortals returned to the heavenly realm, the master and disciple then returned to the quiet chamber.
…
In the quiet chamber, the master sat cross-legged on the mat.
Seeing the child seated beside him, he took a red gourd and handed it to the child, saying, “Child, this gourd contains a wondrous pill. You should take it later during your quiet cultivation to help you strengthen your foundation.”
Jiang Yuan accepted the red gourd and bowed, saying, “Disciple thanks Master for your deep kindness.”
The master said, “Now that you have succeeded, I should teach you the protective method. Since the celestial messengers have come to escort you, I will teach you now that they have left. Child, how will you teach that protective method?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master does not know; I have been diligently cultivating and do not know what kind of protective method you possess. I will learn whatever you teach.”
The master said, “There are many protective methods. You might as well learn the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods. This is a transformation technique that can help you escape disasters and avoid calamities.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, what are the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods?”
The master answered, “The number of Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Sha totals one hundred and eight, which is a transformation technique that serves as a method for you to escape disasters and avoid calamities; it is quite sufficient.”
Jiang Yuan understood in his heart that this referred to the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Thirty-Six Transformations, totaling one hundred and eight, hence the name ‘One Hundred and Eight Great Methods.’ He bowed and said, “Master, I wish to learn this! Please teach me!”
The master said, “Since that is the case, come closer and do not let others hear. I will pass on the incantation to you. Once you understand one key, you will understand all keys. You can cultivate and refine it on your own, and in no time, you will certainly achieve success.”
Jiang Yuan listened attentively and approached.
The master then imparted various incantations to him, which he diligently memorized, feeling a hidden inspiration.
If he practiced, he would surely master this path within two or three years.
After the master finished imparting the incantations, he asked, “Child, can you remember?”
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, “Master, I have remembered.”
The master said, “In that case, you may go and refine the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods. When you have done so, I will teach you the protective method. You must take the wondrous pill to strengthen your foundation and then practice.”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, I understand. I will not become arrogant and will prioritize strengthening my foundation.”
Upon hearing this, the master felt joy in his heart, knowing the child had wisdom.
He sent Jiang Yuan away, allowing him to focus on his cultivation, advising him that his path was still shallow and that he should primarily focus on strengthening his foundation.
Jiang Yuan then departed…
(End of Chapter)