Chapter Eight: Descending the Mountain

Although Chen Jiu had now touched upon the mysteries of cultivation, he still had to perform chores and complete the morning and evening rituals. After a busy half-day, he entered his humble abode, bathed in the lingering glow of the sunset. Though his body was aching from the labor, the thought that he had embarked upon the path of cultivation dispelled all his fatigue.

Eagerly, he sat on his bed, taking out the Pacification Order and the monk's certificate, placing them beside him. Thanks to Li Fenglai's explanations, Chen Jiu had learned the marvelous uses of this pitch-black token.

Forged by Daoist masters using the "Qi Observation Technique" and distributed by the Pacification Bureau to those with spiritual attainment, this token could not only detect the density of demonic energy but also calculate the merit earned based on the strength of the monsters subdued by the cultivator. In essence, it would sense the presence of monsters; when a cultivator vanquished one, the token would automatically calculate merit according to the monster's power.

With accumulated merit stored in the token, cultivators could exchange it for useful items such as talismans and magical implements. This served as an indirect incentive—those who wished for better treasures and magical tools had to amass merit.

Letting out a long breath, Chen Jiu quickly entered meditation, beginning to cultivate along the prescribed route of his technique. His cultivation now resembled the nurturing of a tree: transforming the primal essence within into spiritual energy, which was the source of life. As he continuously infused it into the small sapling within his core chamber, it grew stronger and healthier.

Time passed in the blink of an eye—a month slipped away. During this month, aside from his daily obligations, Chen Jiu focused solely on cultivation, unwilling to waste even a single moment.

The Pacification Bureau's chief, out of respect for his master, granted him three months. Chen Jiu knew that hoping to reach the Core Embryo stage in just three months was a wild, impossible notion, for cultivation in this world was arduous. Despite there being only five realms, even those at the third level of immortality were rare, the elite of the land.

He did not expect to achieve greatness overnight; he merely hoped that when the three months ended, he would be as close as possible to forming the "Core Embryo."

At dawn, Chen Jiu emerged from his cultivation. Within his core chamber, the once tender sapling had grown over a foot tall, sprouting many branches and lush leaves, thriving splendidly. Feeling the warmth in his lower abdomen, Chen Jiu laughed softly: "My spiritual power is no longer as feeble as it was a month ago."

Though the spiritual power flowing through his meridians was not yet a mighty river, it resembled a steady, ceaseless stream.

Suddenly, he had an idea. He drew out five yellow beans from his pocket.

"Go!" he commanded.

With a light shout, the five beans were thrown to the ground. A mist of white rose, and five chubby little figures appeared.

Seeing the adorable bean soldiers, Chen Jiu couldn't help but laugh. His eyes sparkled as he issued commands:

"Go fetch water for my morning wash."

"You, bring me breakfast!"

"You, collect the morning dew!"

"And you two—massage my legs!"

Watching the bean soldiers obey with perfect discipline, Chen Jiu realized they were not without their uses. As his cultivation advanced, he sensed the vitality within them growing stronger. Though their appearance remained unchanged, their strength increased in tandem with his own.

This was encouraging—they were evolving as he did.

Aside from his main technique and the "Bean Soldiers," Chen Jiu also diligently practiced the "Heavenly Eye." Through exploration, he discovered a crucial fact: only by advancing his spiritual mind could he unlock further abilities. The path to strengthening his spiritual mind lay in entering the "Heavenly Eye Space" and enduring the trials within the stone monument—an ordeal that compressed and reshaped the soul, painful but highly effective.

Another month passed.

A major event occurred in the Daoist temple: the leader, Li Fenglai, had left without explanation and had been absent for over half a month, with no news returning. The Daoists speculated about his disappearance, fearing something amiss, for so long an absence could only mean trouble.

Only Chen Jiu remained calm. He knew his master’s abilities were considerable. The fact that the chief of the Pacification Bureau had personally come to Xuanmiao Mountain to deliver the monk's certificate spoke volumes.

The Pacification Bureau was not subordinate to the Six Ministries; it was led by trusted aides of the Jin Dynasty’s king, its authority surpassing even local governments. The chief's status was exceedingly high, and Li Fenglai could stand as his equal—clearly extraordinary.

Originally, Chen Jiu had hoped to ask for some talismans and magical implements now that his cultivation had progressed, but that hope was dashed. With only a month left before he descended the mountain, he wondered if his master would return in time.

Now, Chen Jiu lay on the slanted rooftop, gazing up at a dizzying sea of stars.

"The sapling in my core chamber is already two feet tall, its leaves flourishing. Surely my cultivation is approaching the Core Embryo stage..."

For two months, Chen Jiu had cultivated with utter disregard for sleep and food. Fortunately, his technique nourished his body and dispelled fatigue; otherwise, even a man of iron could not bear such exertion.

His relentless drive stemmed from the sense of crisis that awaited him upon descending the mountain. He had no idea what sorts of monsters he would face.

Even when he had confronted the "Yellow Fox Spirit," his victory had been pure luck. But luck cannot be counted on forever; one must rely on their own strength. He had to advance his cultivation as quickly as possible within three months.

Now, aside from commanding five bean soldiers, each as strong as an adult, he possessed only the "Heavenly Eye" on his forehead.

"Sigh..." Chen Jiu let out a long breath.

Talismans and magical implements—his master surely possessed them, but likely carried them away. Besides, he was the only one in the temple who had received the secret Daoist technique from his master and embarked on the immortal path.

Seeking to borrow talismans from his fellow disciples was unrealistic. He had no money, and ordinary silver could not buy the implements needed by cultivators.

Merit could be used to exchange for talismans and implements, but in the immortal world, there was also a currency called "Longevity Coins," forged and issued by the Pacification Bureau, circulated among cultivators. These coins were scarce, imbued with spiritual energy; even a commoner who possessed one could ward off evil and disaster.

Thus, he found himself in a deadlock. Without money or merit, he could not acquire talismans or magical implements. To gain merit, he had to risk his life against powerful monsters.

He had considered fleeing far away after descending the mountain, but his master had warned him that Daoists who evaded the "Daoist Order" did exist, but none survived.

Defying the Pacification Bureau was tantamount to opposing the Jin king.

Chen Jiu smiled bitterly. "Master! When will you return to see your poor disciple?"

Another month passed, and Li Fenglai still had not returned to the temple. Chen Jiu was helpless, yet resigned.

Today, he would leave the Daoist temple and descend the mountain.

After three months of arduous cultivation, his core chamber’s sapling had grown over three feet tall, its leaves thick, and on one branch, a pale yellow flower had blossomed.

Chen Jiu could sense that he was very close to forming the "Core Embryo."

After bidding farewell to his few fellow disciples, he shouldered his pack and walked down the mountain. He carried little: a peachwood sword, his monk's certificate, a map, ten taels of silver pooled by his brothers, some dried provisions, and a few Daoist scriptures.

Wearing a pale Daoist robe, a square headscarf, and carrying his bundle, Chen Jiu walked along the quiet, shaded path.

He parted his lips and recited in a clear, resonant voice:

"Grand Star above, responding without cease, driving out evil, binding spirits, guarding life and body, three souls forever, seven spirits never lost..."

His voice echoed through the tranquil mountain forest, letting all nearby creatures know—a young Daoist was descending the mountain.