FVN Chapter 76 Secrets, the Pai Cult
Chapter 76 Secrets, the Pai Cult
……
"Bring it here."
Wang San quickly crawled forward on his knees and held the book "Nine Breaths Swallowing Blood to Ascend to Truth" above his head with both hands.
Yang Danzi reached out and took the book, casually flipping through a couple of pages. His withered fingers rubbed the yellowed pages, making a soft rustling sound.
Then he extended two withered, twig-like fingers and placed them on Wang San's forehead.
The coldness at his fingertips sent a shiver down Wang San's spine.
"I'll see you off on your journey."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang San trembled violently, and his eyes rolled back instantly.
At the same time, the seal characters on the ancient book seemed to come alive, turning into tadpoles that burrowed into Yang Danzi's mind through his fingertips.
Wang San's head was throbbing; every word felt like a nail, piercing his mind with sharp pain.
A moment later, Yang Danzi withdrew his finger, and Wang San collapsed to the ground, his limbs convulsing and foaming at the mouth. It took him half a cup of tea to regain his senses.
When he opened his eyes again, he recognized all the characters in the ancient book.
The entire book of "Nine Breaths Blood Swallowing Ascension Register" is about the methods of obtaining, swallowing, and refining blood.
However, when he turned to the last page, Wang San's finger suddenly stopped.
On that page was a bizarre illustration: a person sat cross-legged, with something resembling neither a snake nor an insect coiled inside their abdomen. The person's meridians were shattered by the creature, yet countless fine tentacles extended from it, taking over the original positions of the meridians.
A small note next to the picture reads: "Using Gu as an orifice, even those without orifices can cultivate."
Wang San was sweating profusely.
He subconsciously looked down at his arm, where thin, bluish lines were gently wriggling under the skin.
I don't know what I'm feeling right now—fear? joy?
"Did you understand?" Yang Danzi's voice came from above, hoarse with a hint of amusement.
Wang San swallowed hard, his voice strained:
"Master, this spiritual aperture... is it using Gu worms as meridians?"
Yang Danzi said, "No, the Lingqiaozi is the key to breathing in and out the Qi of heaven and earth. You were born with blocked acupoints, so you can only enter the Dao by following the legendary path of cultivating your nature. But how many people have a clear mind these days? You, a mediocre person, should not even think about it."
"This method of using Gu worms has devoured your meridians and occupied your dantian. From now on, every wisp of qi you inhale will have to pass through it."
"Then...doesn't all the magic power reside in it?"
"nature."
Yang Danzi grinned, his pale face looking sinister and terrifying:
"When it's full, it leaves some scraps for you, and you'll enjoy them immensely."
So you have to make it happy and see how far it takes you.
Wang San felt bitter, but dared not say anything, and could only kowtow heavily:
"Thank you, Master, for saving me."
Yang Danzi added, "Don't underestimate your cultivation method. It's a way to survive and live a long life. After the Immortal Court was locked down and the path to immortality was cut off, it's a way to go further than those cultivators who lack the method of seeking gold and find it difficult to achieve physical immortality."
Wang San became bolder, kowtowed several times, and timidly said, "Master, could you tell me more about the immortals? I'm quite curious as I'm new to the path of immortality."
Yang Danzi's lips curled slightly as he looked at Wang San, whose buttocks were sticking up high in the air:
"Very well, I have emerged from seclusion and have not been able to have a proper conversation with anyone for several years. Today I will talk to you more."
……
Wang San kowtowed and sat upright, listening attentively.
"In ancient times, the cultivation of immortality began with cultivating one's nature. Those who cultivated their nature were born with a Dao heart, clear as a mirror, untouched by dust."
The book divides it into five stages: Establishing oneself as a person, harmonizing with the earth, sensing the heavens, attaining the Dao, and returning to oneness. Upon completion, one harmonizes with heaven and earth, is free from calamities and hardships, attains longevity, and becomes immortal.
Wang San listened intently and couldn't help but ask, "What happened after Master cultivated his character?"
Yang Danzi glanced at him and said in a hoarse voice:
"Not everyone possesses a clear and enlightened mind. Since the path of sensing the heavens and earth is not readily available, later generations directly cultivate their destiny to enter the Dao."
This later became known as the method of nourishing life, also called the method of seeking gold. The so-called "cultivation of life" can be divided into internal and external. Internal: nurturing one's own creation, harmonizing one's own yin and yang energies, and making the five internal organs form a natural cycle. Combined with the final method of condensing gold, one can cultivate an immortal gold nature and achieve longevity and enlightenment. External: consuming the gold of heaven and earth, or seizing the gold nature of others, can also be called the external alchemy method. As long as one consumes it, one can achieve enlightenment and longevity. It is a method of instant enlightenment, without the need for step-by-step cultivation.
Similar to the methods of cultivating one's nature, the internal methods of nourishing life are also divided into five stages: essence, qi, spirit, the five viscera, and condensed metal. After mastering these stages, one becomes invincible, immortal, and eternal, achieving eternal life and becoming immortal.
The first four stages each have their own specialties in the techniques of different schools, so there's no need to cultivate them in order. Some cultivate the Five Elements first, while others follow the steps to achieve the Great Perfection of Essence, Qi, and Spirit before cultivating the Five Elements. But regardless of the method, all you need before Condensing Gold is medicine and firewood. However, many people now have the medicine and firewood, but they lack the method to cultivate Gold.
"Master, why has the practice of seeking the Golden Elixir been discontinued?"
Yang Danzi smiled faintly and slowly said, "In ancient times, there were three methods for condensing gold: the first was bestowed by heaven, the second was granted by earth, and the third was passed down by man. The bestowed by heaven refers to the method that is sent down by the heavenly court to enter the ranks of immortals and become officials, which has long since disappeared. The bestowed by earth refers to the chance to obtain the blessings left by immortals, to absorb the creation of predecessors, and to ascend to heaven in one step. The passed down by man refers to the secret method of condensing gold that is passed down from master to disciple from generation to generation."
The reason the method of Condensing Gold was lost is because the Celestial Court tightly controlled it, no longer bestowing divine intervention to conclude the process; the path of bestowing gifts from Heaven is inherently rare and difficult to obtain, and the elixir formula for refining the golden nature of Heaven and Earth has long since disappeared. Furthermore, those who came before have long since become immortals, their immortal arts boundless, how could they allow mortals to seize such a destiny? As for transmission by humankind, the secret method of Condensing Gold has always been passed down orally, never in writing. Masters pass the secret method to their disciples before their death, and disciples pass it on to their disciples. After ten thousand years, it's considered good if even a few words remain.
"But Master, why is the Celestial Court closing its gates?"
Yang Danzi shook his head: "I don't know either. Something must have happened. After all, the Celestial Court has existed for countless millennia and has taken in so many immortals. Leaving aside whether there are enough official positions, just the fact that there are so many immortals who have been cultivated from humans means that their hearts may not be united."
"Then what is your method, Master?"
Seeing that Wang San had asked the right question, Yang Danzi changed his previous serious demeanor, grinned, and revealed a sinister smile:
"The Gu worms in your body are your spiritual apertures, your meridians, and your dantian."
Your cultivation relies on it to absorb, refine, and store Qi for you. Once it has eaten its fill and grown large enough, it will completely merge with your flesh and blood.
At that time, you will be the Gu, and the Gu will be you. Neither alive nor dead, neither old nor old.
Yang Danzi stood up, walked up to Wang San, looked down at him, and drooled wildly.
"My disciple, others seek immortality by cultivating a clear mind, but you don't need that. Others seek immortality by acquiring spiritual insight, but you don't need that either. I've cut off all the barriers for you, leaving only one."
That is, feed it well, and it will send you soaring to the heavens.
……
The river flows swiftly, and the mountains are verdant.
In the turbulent river, hidden reefs swallow people, and whirlpools shatter bones.
A bamboo raft, no more than ten feet long and without anchor, floats motionless on the turbulent river, letting the waves swirl around it.
On it stood a lean man in tattered clothes, holding a long, thin green bamboo stick. Looking at the sword-wielding Taoist priest at the other end of the bamboo raft, he spoke:
"Master Wang Xuan, I'm just trying to make a living. I've been accompanying you on this great river for almost half a month without doing any work. In my opinion, the evil dragon demon you're looking for isn't even in this great river."
I advise you to save your effort; it will come out on its own when it rains heavily.
Wang Xuan didn't reply, but looked at the surging river below and said:
"I wonder if Chief Chen knows your sect's 'Dragon-Sinking and Sand-Subduing' technique?"
When someone questioned whether he had learned all the skills, the man waved his hand dismissively. "I've passed three tests and am the first to pass. I've braved the Three Gorges and crossed dangerous shoals. I can quell evil spirits with a bowl of river water. And with this green bamboo in my hand, a light wave will send a hundred or so river bandits fleeing in panic. Do you think I can't do it?"
Although our Pai Sect is not orthodox, its ability to save people and eliminate evil is no less than that of orthodox sects like yours.
If it weren't for our Pai Sect suppressing evil spirits on this great river, the water demons would have long since been devouring people without restraint.
On the river, we are the immortals you orthodox think we are.
Wang Xuan smiled and looked at the talkative man. He didn't say much, but simply tossed a bulging money bag from his pocket into the arms of the man surnamed Chen.
Chen Pai Tou was about to say something more, but the familiar weight of the bag and the sliver of silver light peeking out from the bag opening made his expression change instantly.
"Brother Wang, you're too kind. Our Pai Sect is indeed not as orthodox as yours..."
The man at the front of the line said some flattering words, then unbuckled his belt without batting an eye and put it in his crotch pocket.
"Since you've already paid, Master Wang, we'll accompany you for a while longer. Tell us where you want to go; there's nowhere we can't go on this great river."
"I'm not going anywhere. Chen Pai Tou, take me back to Qiantang. After all, I've been away for almost half a month. If I could find it, I would have found it already."
Upon hearing that they were no longer strolling around, Chen Pai Tou grinned and said, "In that case, Daoist Master, stand firm."
With a gentle tap of his bamboo pole on the river's surface, the still bamboo raft shot downstream like an arrow.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the bamboo raft had already traveled more than ten miles.
Chen Pai Tou hummed a boatman's tune on the river, his bamboo pole bobbing up and down in the water. He seemed casual, but in reality, each stroke of the pole hit the right spot in the current, keeping the raft as steady as a mountain without swaying an inch.
The bamboo raft glided into a calm stretch of the river, flanked by green mountains on both banks, and the sound of the water suddenly became quiet.
Just then, a bamboo raft suddenly appeared in the distance, shrouded in the night.
Chen Pai Tou craned his neck to look around, then rhythmically tapped the bamboo raft with a bamboo pole. After a while, a strange tapping sound echoed from the other side.
Hearing the noise, Chen Pai Tou laughed and scolded, "You fish head, your wife is about to give birth, and you're still out rafting..."
The two bamboo rafts met. Raft leader Chen grinned broadly, pulled out his still-warm money pouch from his crotch, and tossed it over.
"Fish Head, take the money back and distribute it to those kids. Tell them their fathers can't come home from rafting, so they asked you to bring this money back. Also, take some to buy your wife some groceries."
The gaunt, weathered man opposite him, dressed in thin clothes, flashed a white smile as he took the money bag and said with a simple, honest grin, "Head of the line, don't worry, I'll definitely deliver it..."
The encounter was fleeting; the two rafts parted ways, one drifting downstream, the other moving further and further away against the current.
Drifting quietly for a while.
As dawn approached, a thin layer of milky white mist rose from the river.
Wang Xuan opened his eyes, looking at the river surface that resembled the clouds of the ninth heaven, his fingers crackling with strands of lightning.
Chen Pai Tou suddenly stopped holding the bamboo pole. "It's nothing, Daoist. It's just a bunch of playful river pigs. When they meet me, they like to ask me to scratch their backs and also help me find corpses."
Before the words were finished, one after another dark shadows burst out of the water, revealing glossy, smooth, round-headed creatures with naturally smiling lips.
"River pig? River dolphin."
"That's a refined name for a scholar. We rough men on the water call it River Pig."
The plump bodies of the river pigs appeared and disappeared in the mist, emitting cries like those of infants, which, after listening for a while, were somewhat eerie.
Chen Pai Tou was used to it. He put down his bamboo pole, sat at the stern of the raft, and watched as the river pigs that had just emerged swam over.
These finless porpoises, carrying broken earthenware pots and meatless bones, lined up and swam to the stern of the bamboo raft, handing their belongings to Chen Pai Tou.
After Chen Pai Tou accepted them one by one, he tickled the ticklish spots of the group of finless porpoises, causing them to grunt and squeal.
After scratching each finless porpoise and placing the bones into the jar, he turned to look at Wang Xuan:
"I'd like to do them some good deeds and ask them to collect some remains from the river so I can bury them on my way back."
……
Accompanied by the bright moon, we walked step by step.
To reach the Northwest military camp, one must detour through the north gate of the county town.
There was no curfew in Qiantang. Song Quyou, who had no intention of stopping, was attracted by the crowds surrounding the North Gate, which were packed in layers.
"Shall we go check out the excitement?"
Sensing something was wrong, Song Quyou looked down at the unruly black charcoal at his feet.
It held its head high and chest out, its tail hooked at the tip and swaying gently.
"Why did you follow me here?"
Black Charcoal rubbed against Song Quyou's trouser leg, then turned into a wisp of black mist and floated to Song Quyou's shoulder, transforming back into its sturdy cat form.
"I refined the miasma I ate last time and learned how to transform into mist. This time, I want to follow you and find a monster to eat."
Song Quyou reached out and tapped the charcoal-black forehead: "Greedy little cat, if you really get into danger, I won't take care of you."
A kitten that loves to be pampered is destined for good fortune.
Black Charcoal flicked its tail in dissatisfaction, then readjusted itself to a more comfortable position on his shoulder, its golden eyes fixed intently on the direction where the crowd was gathering, and a very low gurgling sound came from its throat.
Song Quyou approached the crowd but did not squeeze in. Looking at the elegantly dressed people, he understood why.
"Mr. Wu's paintings are truly amazing. His brushstrokes are fluid and graceful, and the immortals in the paintings have flowing robes. They are so lifelike and vivid that I can never get enough of looking at them."
……
Song Quyou took two steps forward without making a sound. Through the gaps in the crowd, he saw two door god portraits on the city gate with wide-open eyes and bright armor. One held two maces and the other held a single whip. They were so golden that they seemed to burst out of the wall, which was terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Song Quyou was so engrossed in watching that he didn't realize the dense crowd in front of him was gradually disappearing, and suddenly the surroundings turned into a white mist, with only a thin old man painting gold on the Shenwu Gate God in front of him.
The old man suddenly stopped writing, turned around to look behind him, and strode forward.
Strangely, the two door gods in the painting also stepped out from the wall, with golden clouds surging beneath their feet, their armor clanging, and the wind and waves they stirred up causing Song Quyou's clothes to flutter loudly.
The gaunt old man, holding a brush, looked at the man and the cat with great interest: "I never expected that my painting, which I haven't even finished yet, would attract such a discerning connoisseur."
……