Chapter Twenty: The Chen Estate and the Imperial Decree

Cangdao Peak, beside the pool.

On the shore, Xuanming’s gaze was fixed without blinking.

Below the shore, Chang’anzi endured intense pain.

A large amount of tainted blood seeped through his skin, staining the pool red.

Even so, he still had not awakened.

His condition was peculiar, neither alive nor dead.

He struggled in agony, tormented by suffering.

Within his body, a tremendous transformation slowly unfolded.

His meridians and internal organs shattered and reformed.

The deathly aura receded, while the vitality grew stronger.

Time flowed gently like water.

Watching as Chang’anzi recovered ninety percent, with only ten percent left that would require careful nurturing for several days, Xuanming waved his dust whisk three times.

Three thousand silver threads lengthened from short to long, moving effortlessly according to his will. In an instant, they stretched hundreds of feet like a spirit serpent diving into the water, precisely targeting the pool’s bottom, wrapping around Chang’anzi and lifting him from the water’s surface.

With a light finger tap, a surge of magical power was injected into Chang’anzi’s body. He trembled all over; the excruciating pain vanished, and he emerged from his peculiar state, awakening slowly.

An unprecedented sense of ease flooded his heart. Chang’anzi realized: he had succeeded.

His chronic illness was completely gone, reborn anew.

His damaged meridians and dantian had been fully restored.

Overcome with emotion, he tried to circulate his magical power. The previous stabbing pain had vanished completely, flowing smoothly and effortlessly like a mountain stream meandering through a gentle riverbed, without any obstruction.

Sensing the change, Chang’anzi rose and knelt down with a thud, intending to kowtow, but was lifted by magic and could not bow no matter how he tried.

Looking up, he saw his senior uncle blowing his whiskers and glaring at him.

“You brat, have you forgotten the old Taoist’s greatest pet peeve is kneeling?”

Chang’anzi immediately apologized.

He had been too excited and forgotten the taboo.

He rose, bowed respectfully with the Taoist salute, tears of joy streaming down, and spoke sincerely:

“Disciple thanks senior uncle.”

“This favor of rebirth will never be forgotten.”

“Once the matter with master is settled, disciple will henceforth follow senior uncle’s lead without question.”

Feeling satisfied, Xuanming stroked his beard and smiled:

“You brat, if you truly want to repay me, then cultivate well and do not slack off.”

“The pursuit of the Way is like climbing a mountain; the farther and higher you climb, the heavier the debt of gratitude, and the happier I shall be.”

After a moment’s thought, he continued: “If you truly want to show your gratitude, then whenever possible in the future, bring me a few Taoist scriptures.”

Chang’anzi nodded and solemnly promised.

With matters settled, Xuanming did not linger but soon departed, not returning to the Sutra Pavilion.

In good spirits that day, he wandered through the mountains and forests.

Climbing high peaks to enjoy the snow, viewing the connected snowy summits, pristine and pure like a Taoist heart untouched by dust.

Entering steep ridges and passing through woods, he came upon a serene bamboo grove, the tall, straight stalks braving frost and snow, embodying the resolute spirit of the Way.

As evening fell, he reclined on a bamboo raft, drifting with the current, eyes closed, listening to the mountain breeze whisper, embracing the afterglow of sunset, savoring the joy of the mountains and waters, relaxing body and mind, balancing labor and leisure.

Amid this natural beauty, his aura shifted—less of the dying breath, more of carefree freedom.

He only spoke of water, bamboo, mist, and clouds, sharing his feelings with the wind, flowers, snow, and moon.

———

Cangdao Peak, Sutra Pavilion.

Early the next morning, Xuanming resumed studying the scriptures.

Occasionally, he offered guidance to Chang’anzi on cultivating the Yin-Yang Foundation stage.

This young man’s talent among the fourth generation disciples was quite good; otherwise, he would not have ventured into the third realm before reaching adulthood.

Though not as astonishing as senior brother Xuanye in brilliance, he had an excellent constitution and solid comprehension.

Now having broken through and rebuilt, he had hope to master the Yin-Yang Foundation stage. If he could establish a superior Dao foundation and break through the realm before the Dao Yuan Gathering, stepping into the third realm, his dual cultivation of magic and martial arts would give him great hope to shine at the event.

Sneaking in through connections and joining the Heaven and Earth Institute by one’s own merit were fundamentally different; status, treatment, and prospects varied greatly.

Either not do it or give it your all and try to be the best—that was Xuanming’s consistent approach.

Studying scriptures to comprehend the Way, practicing techniques to explore mysteries…

Xuanming focused wholeheartedly on cultivation.

Chang’anzi practiced diligently.

Changning broke through the realm and condensed the Jade Liquid.

Other members of the Seeking Truth Sect also cultivated with care.

Disciples sat in meditation or practiced swordsmanship on cliffs; elders likewise worked hard.

No one wished to be surpassed by juniors.

No one wanted to fall far behind senior brother Xuanming.

Everyone sought to fight for their own Dao path.

For all these reasons combined, they labored ceaselessly.

They studied the sword scars on the cliff, pondered the Yin-Yang Foundation stage, sometimes immersed themselves in nature, sometimes sat discussing the Dao.

With Xuanming teaching them an improved body-tempering technique, practitioners like Xuanyu, Xuan Kong, and Xuanyin all saw varying degrees of growth in cultivation and strength.

On the mountain, people cultivated peacefully.

Below the mountain, people busied themselves with schemes.

After more than a year of reconstruction, Fuyun County had recovered most of its former glory. Wealthy households rebuilt mansions; common folk had shelter; street vendors roamed the markets; shops clustered and shouted their wares.

The rich atmosphere of daily life dispelled the gloom.

To the west of the county town, pavilions and towers were arranged harmoniously.

The east was wealthy, the west noble; this area was home to many prominent families.

One magnificent mansion was especially eye-catching, occupying a hundred acres with vast grounds.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs flourished; ancient pines and green cypresses stood tall and lush; jade-like buildings stood side by side.

Its grandeur was beyond description, its beauty unparalleled.

There was even a ten-acre lake, a three-acre island, and a small hill dozens of feet high. Maidservants and laborers moved busily among the grounds, exhibiting deep heritage and status.

This was the Chen family estate, the prominent household of Fuyun County.

———

Three generations make a gate, five generations a clan.

The Chen family had passed down five generations, a renowned cultivation clan in Fuyun.

At this moment, in the grand and imposing hall,

The ruling members of the Chen family gathered, all cultivation at the fourth refining stage.

At the head was an elderly man in a robe brocaded with blessings and longevity symbols, his temples white, eyes sharp and bright, aura deep and formidable—a fully refined master.

This was the current patriarch of the Chen family.

Though retired, his word was law.

When everyone was assembled, he spoke aloud:

“This year, at the Dao Yuan Gathering of Fengyang Commandery, the Seeking Truth Sect on the mountain has been granted two slots by imperial decree.”

“I hope our family can claim one of those slots.”

At this, whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they exchanged opinions under the patriarch’s leadership.

“Ancestor, during the last upheaval caused by the evil flood dragon, our Chen family cooperated with the Seeking Truth Sect to control the waters. Though our contribution was less, we still earned merit. The court rewards clearly; it has granted us a slot, allowing our clan’s disciples to serve and cultivate in the Qiankun Tower.”

“There is no wall without cracks; if we know the Seeking Truth Sect has slots, they know we do too.”

“Although we cooperated smoothly during the flood control, the slot concerns the future of the Seeking Truth Sect. They may not consent.”

“Brother’s words are reasonable; those top Daoists on the mountain are no fools. If this goes through, I think it will be difficult!”

“Indeed, if handled poorly, relations between the two families may sour.”

“For thousands of years, Daoists enter the Heaven and Earth Institute; aristocratic descendants enter the Qiankun Tower. This is an unchanging custom. Even if the top Daoists agree, the immortals and true lords of the Heaven and Earth Institute will not stand idly by.”

Others nodded in agreement.

The obstacles to this matter were numerous, the difficulty immense.

Though one more slot meant an outstanding disciple for the clan, the costs were great and the calculations showed it might not be worthwhile.

The patriarch, wise and experienced, understood this well, knowing the pros and cons.

Yet some things were beyond one’s control.

Considering this, he said solemnly:

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

“Our Chen family shall give this matter our full effort.”

Lowering his voice, he added:

“This is also the will of those above.”

His tone bore both reverence and helplessness.

Immediately, the others stood in respectful silence, then changed their attitude, all agreeing and supporting the proposal.

The only difference was a trace of fear in their voices.