Chapter 105

This is a story about the strange people and events of the locality.

It tells of a woodcutter who came to Mount Huo to gather firewood, stumbled upon a deep mountain Daoist temple, curiously entered to explore, and when he finally came out again, several decades had passed in the human world.

This story spread widely locally; some say it's just a tale, others claim it was a self‑directed and self‑acted performance by the woodcutter and an old woman, spawning countless versions recorded by interested parties, and later generations have debated it endlessly.

Zuo Ci happened to learn of it, found it most interesting, and immediately recorded it in this book.

Seeing this, Ye Qin's heart was stirred up with several waves of emotion, and he read this sentence over and over again several times.

Ye Qin couldn't help muttering to himself, "Deep mountain Daoist temple."

Previously he had just come out of the Daoist temple, ventured into the deep mountains, and then encountered Zuo Ci.

Tomb paintings, elixirs, anecdotes—all of it made Ye Qin feel somewhat confused.

Because these stories existed beforehand, Ye Qin had skimmed them upon entering the tomb, and being immersed there, he was subtly influenced, thus having a related dream.

Or is it that only after his existence did these events occur?

Is he the cause or the effect?

This question kept lingering in Ye Qin's mind, impossible to dispel.

Ultimately, is it Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly, or the butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou, merely a dream, or—

Are these all real events that actually happened?

Ye Qin's emotions surged suddenly, like a small stone dropped into it, stirring up countless ripples.

Based on what happened above, his heart already had a rough guess.

He summoned the White Bone Origin, and saw in mid‑air the white bones slowly coalesce into form, still sitting cross‑legged, hand forming a Dao seal, supporting the appearance of the Upper Purity Observatory.

But this time, Ye Qin did not notice anything abnormal.

Even the Upper Purity Observatory grew silent, no longer emitting the humming of bell sounds; but if one paid close attention, one would notice a faint Dao rhythm lingering within.

In the vague darkness, it seemed something had undergone a change.

Ye Qin examined the mural, his gaze fell on the small cauldron beside it, then he turned around and looked toward the Daoist temple held in the white bone's hand.

Faintly, an invisible thread linked these things together, dispelling the murky white mist, and the thoughts in his mind gradually became clear.

"Could it be that neither of them is the case?"

Although Ye Qin couldn't grasp the causal relationship, he had some clarity about the cause of all this; perhaps everything really happened, not an illusion, but also not a time‑travel.

More precisely, it might be a small projection within the river of historical ages, or could be called a fragment of mottled years.

This is a segment of time intercepted from history, resembling a time‑left echo, which by chance remained in this tomb.

Ordinary means cannot see or sense it, not even modern technology can perceive it.

And tracing back to the source, the cause of everything begins with that cauldron, which has already planted a tiny seed for today's events.

Afterward Ye Qin also practiced cultivation inside Zuo Ci's Tomb, further deepening this affinity; everything is so serendipitous, destined by fate.

This place's feng shui terrain is inherently special, and with the Heaven‑Earth Qi that Ye Qin exuded during his cultivation, using the cauldron as a medium, this wondrous experience came about.

Of course, the most important of all is the "Upper Purity Observatory," an indispensable presence.

Before, Ye Qin never understood; all previously visualized objects had manifest representations, except the Daoist temple, which had never clearly given back any benefit to himself.

But after this event, he seemed to faintly glimpse the way.

The Daoist temple is equivalent to a special passage and bridge; based on it, it connects to the mottled years, feeling somewhat like a mental field.

Ye Qin can thus produce wondrous reactions with certain places and even persons, just like this time.

Inside Zuo Ci's Tomb, where he cultivated and also used items that Zuo Ci had employed in life, the field continually strengthened, forming a special magnetic field, which gave rise to the later chain of reactions.

In a twist of fate, through the Daoist temple, he actually arrived, by another means, in the era Zuo Ci once lived in, and met him to discuss the Dao.

Because it is a special mental field, and also a magnetic field built upon Zuo Ci as the foundation, this explains why, in that time‑space, Zuo Ci could understand what he said.

Their communication encountered no difficulty.

After figuring all this out, Ye Qin felt rather moved; strictly speaking, it is not a dream, nor a time‑travel, but can be understood as a projection of a period of time.

To put it in a single word, Ye Qin has not yet thought of a suitable term.

History is like a rolling great river; perhaps countless tiny tributaries may arise along the way, but ultimately all paths converge to the same place.

Ye Qin and Zuo Ci's discussion of the Dao experience is equivalent to one of those myriad tributaries, and it cannot affect the already‑formed history in any way.

"Perhaps it is merely a small tributary of time, or a special mental magnetic field; the Grand Dream Spring Autumn—true or false, hard to tell, cause or effect, who can discern?"

"Perhaps it is because of my appearance that this historical segment related to Zuo Ci came to be, but in the end it was corrected by the overwhelming trend; or perhaps it is all simply the Grand Dream Spring Autumn, a bridge I myself constructed according to circumstances."

"But no matter how you say it, this experience, for me, belongs to what truly exists."

As for the causal relationship, Ye Qin truly cannot fathom it; whether the ancient Zuo Ci consequently saw him or not, Ye Qin also finds it hard to know.

All we can do is wait for the next opportunity, if it arises, and then be sure to investigate further.

Ye Qin felt deep emotion in his heart; he had never properly examined these murals before, but now upon looking, he realized they contained vast cosmos.

The murals in Zuo Ci's tomb chamber are rich with mythological legend hues, depicting scenes of jeweled towers and jade palaces above the nine heavens, immortal mist swirling, allowing one to glimpse their traces.

Moreover, there are the vast overseas immortal mountains, countless people seeking medicine, coming and going without cease, etc., representing the contemporary people's yearning to seek immortals and ask about the Dao.

Besides this, some tomb paintings record the biographies of related figures, just like the one Ye Qin sees before him, which depicts everyday scenes.

Ye Qin stared, somewhat entranced; this is also what he saw before being drawn into the special mental field, only he hadn't finished viewing it at the time.

The latter part of the tomb paintings is just like a true record of his experience, except that in it there is no trace of him.

Is Zuo Ci truly waiting for him?

Or perhaps all this is merely his own speculation.

It's a pity that Ye Qin also has no definite answer, unless he repeats the previous experience and personally asks Zuo Ci.

Behind this mural, there were also some everyday realistic scenes, such as a child gathering herbs, an old man meditating, etc., all appearing quite ordinary.

At the end of the tomb painting, the old man held a cauldron as if refining something, his expression full of solemnity; subsequently, a golden core appeared in midair.

Auspicious clouds suddenly descended from the heavens, like a ladder to the sky; soon an immortal arrived riding a crane, carrying the old man away into the firmament.

The tomb painting ends here completely, with a large blank area remaining, appearing somewhat abrupt, like a blank space left for later generations to comment.

Reality and illusion are mixed together, making it hard to distinguish what is true from what is false.

Ye Qin recalled the biographical records of Zuo Ci's later years.

He entered Huo Shan to refine the Nine-turn Elixir, and eventually attained the Dao and rode away on a crane, but these are all unofficial histories.

Some say Zuo Ci suffered metal poisoning in his later years from overconsuming elixirs; others say he fell from a cliff while gathering divine herbs.

There are many conflicting accounts of Zuo Ci's later years, none with clear evidence, merely later guesses; aside from Zuo Ci himself, no one knows how his story ended.

Ye Qin recalled Zuo Ci's eloquent discourse on the method of the Golden Core, that venerable old man speaking fluently, his spirit and demeanor completely unlike that of a centenarian.

Upon learning that a person is bound by innate limitations, their body filled with too much impure qi, lacking that innate spirituality, they fundamentally cannot attain the Dao.

Zuo Ci did not lightly give up; instead, he forged another path, placing his hope upon the Golden Core, hoping to refine a Nine-turn Divine Elixir that, when taken, would allow one to ascend to immortality.

In fact, he ultimately did so, entering Huo Shan in his later years to refine the Nine-turn Divine Elixir, never to return, sparking much speculation and discussion among later generations.

This also added a vivid, striking stroke to his life's record.

The 'Biographies of Fangshu, Part Two' in the Book of the Later Han records: 'This person rarely possessed divine ways.'

Ge Hong's Shenxian Zhuan says: 'One can command ghosts and gods (understanding the heavenly stems and earthly branches), undergo transformation, and practice grain avoidance.'

In a hazy moment, Ye Qin heard Zuo Ci's voice again ringing in his ears.

"Consuming the divine elixir grants endless life, unites with heaven and earth, riding clouds and driving dragons, moving between the highest purity. The Yellow Emperor transmitted it to Xuanzǐ, warning: 'This Dao is of utmost importance; it must be given only to the worthy. If not the right person, even if one piles up jade like mountains, do not impart this Dao.'"

In the end, it remains unknown whether he actually succeeded in refining it.

According to Ye Qin, it likely failed; otherwise, modern times would surely have preserved the cultivation methods, and there would be no need for him to painstakingly blaze a new trail.

However, his spirit is worthy of emulation by later generations, and he left behind many books and things for them to reference.

Although Zuo Ci studied the art of alchemy, in his later years he seemed especially obsessed, placing his hope on attaining the Dao through the Golden Core, desiring to master the Nine-turn Golden Elixir, though the world does not know his motive.

If, as Ye Qin speculates, he himself is the cause, could it indicate that Zuo Ci was influenced by him?

But even if none of these events occurred, Ye Qin feels that, given Zuo Ci's character, he would eventually walk this path, seeking to achieve his own goals by refining the Golden Core.

Whether it was due to his influence or Zuo Ci's fate, it really doesn't matter; they will still converge and then walk this road.

Destiny is full of uncertainty; when the gears begin to turn, even the slightest event will play its own part.

Just like Ye Qin and Zuo Ci—one a figure who died a thousand years ago, the other a living being a thousand years later—they would fundamentally have no intersection.

Yet everything happened just so, a twist of fate.

The cauldron Zuo Ci used for alchemy was obtained by Ye Qin and used to refine elixirs; this is the 'origin'.

Afterward, Ye Qin valued the feng shui and terrain of Zuo Ci's tomb; cultivating here is the 'arrival of the bond'.

The Origin Contemplation Object's Daoist observatory was activated, using it as a bridge for communication, and together with various media, it formed a special mental field.

Having crossed the distance of time and space, Ye Qin and Zuo Ci were also able to meet.

Just like two parallel lines that suddenly gain a possible intersection point, destiny begins to cross at this moment, suddenly extending a small fork.

But it will not affect the ultimate course of either person.

Just as a tree with lush branches bears countless leaves on its twigs, precisely because of this it appears vibrant and full of life.

Zuo Ci's destiny line has reached its end, while Ye Qin's destiny line remains full of the unknown.

Recalling all that came before, Ye Qin's expression is filled with emotion; at this moment he also gains some insight.

This insight elevates his body and spirit from within and without.

Increasing one's cultivation level can be done through gradual practice and drawing qi into the body to raise one's realm, but improving one's state of mind is difficult.

To cultivate the Dao, one must first cultivate the mind.

Expand the mind to embrace all things; empty the mind to receive all goodness; level the mind to discuss all affairs; sink the mind to observe all principles; steady the mind to respond to all changes.

Compared to raising cultivation, improving the mind is actually harder, because the latter is intangible.

Unlike cultivation, when the time comes, things flow naturally and can be improved; as long as the method is found, success will eventually come.

With different mindsets, no one knows what the so-called method truly is; perhaps there are many, perhaps only one.

It is said that Bodhidharma attained the Dao after a hundred years of contemplation under the bodhi tree, his mind having improved, only then finally achieving enlightenment.

Thus we can see how important the improvement of the mind is.

Previously, Ye Qin had always painstakingly trained, yet neglected the improvement of his mind.

He always felt as if something were missing, initially thinking it was due to his insufficient cultivation, but this experience gave him a sudden sense of enlightenment.

It seemed as if the fog before him had been blown away, giving a sense of clear senses, like an enlightening bath.

He resolved Zuo Ci's doubts, and likewise saw something different in Zuo Ci.

【98】 Expand the mind to embrace all things; empty the mind to receive all goodness; level the mind to discuss all affairs; sink the mind to observe all principles; steady the mind to respond to all changes.

【99】 Compared to raising cultivation, improving the mind is actually harder, because the latter is intangible.

【100】 Unlike cultivation, when the time comes, things flow naturally and can be improved; as long as the method is found, success will eventually come.

【101】 With different mindsets, no one knows what the so-called method truly is; perhaps there are many, perhaps only one.

【102】 It is said that Bodhidharma attained the Dao after a hundred years of contemplation under the bodhi tree, his mind having improved, only then finally achieving enlightenment.

【103】 Thus we can see how important the improvement of the mind is.

【104】 Previously, Ye Qin had always painstakingly trained, yet neglected the improvement of his mind.

【105】 He always felt as if something were missing, initially thinking it was due to his insufficient cultivation, but this experience gave him a sudden sense of enlightenment.

【106】 It seemed as if the fog before him had been blown away, giving a sense of clear senses, like an enlightening bath.

【107】 He resolved Zuo Ci's doubts, and likewise saw something different in Zuo Ci.

Although Zuo Ci did not succeed in his quest for the Dao, his journey of seeking it is nonetheless precious, given his age and experience.

Ye Qin has practiced cultivation for at most six or seven years, while Zuo Ci has nearly a hundred years; his words still contain much reason, prompting deep thought.

Now, carefully savoring the words spoken with Zuo Ci, the ordinary reveals the true essence.

Often, the more ordinary something is, the more it can appear extraordinary.

'What one sees little of, one finds strange often; this is the way of the world. Indeed, these words are true; though the matter is as clear as heaven, when people are beneath an inverted cauldron, how can they know the ultimate words?'

The less one's knowledge, the more strange things one feels; likewise, only by opening one's vision and heart, accepting all things in this world, can one better comprehend their deeper meaning.

Ye Qin listening to Zuo Ci's Dao does not mean he endorses that view.

After all, his and Zuo Ci's starting points differ, but this does not prevent him from extracting useful things for himself from it.

On the path of seeking the Dao, he will never stop his steps.

Ye Qin does not know where this road will ultimately lead, nor whether he can successfully reach the other shore, but he will not give up; as long as he remains in this world for a single day, he will persist unyieldingly.

Thinking of this, Ye Qin feels a satisfaction unlike any before.

The elevation of his mind also drove the increase of his cultivation; that faint Dao resonance continually surrounded him, never dissipating, gradually becoming more substantial.

The Origin White Bone also suddenly burst forth with a radiance, filling each bone from within and without; the dark tomb at this moment glittered brightly.

It seemed even the Daoist temple in his hand was affected.

The edge of the ancient, damaged Daoist temple seemed to have been repaired a bit; although it still looked dilapidated and rotten, it looked much better than at the beginning.

At least under this shroud of light, it gained an indescribable charm.

Countless points of light gathered, swirling around White Bone like a galaxy, appearing dreamlike and illusory.

In a daze, it felt like an illusion—this place was not a dark, deep tomb, but a heavenly palace above the Nine Heavens.

The faded tomb paintings also seemed to come alive, as if the figures within were about to move.

The animals guarding outside the tomb seemed to sense something, wanting to creep closer, but they restrained their instincts and did not enter, lest they disturb the presence within.

The scent in the air made them extremely comfortable; all the animals lifted their heads, as if absorbing something.

In that comfort, they occasionally glanced toward the tomb's depths, their beastly faces showing a human-like fear and respect.

If someone entered the tomb now, they would see, in its gloom, a huge light cocoon, within which a faint greenish light could be seen flowing.

All the Heaven and Earth Qi gathered toward White Bone, reaching an unprecedented density, forming a vortex that slowly wrapped around it.

Thus Ye Qin felt a swelling sensation all over his body.

Heaven and Earth Qi continually nourished and filled White Bone, then fed back into the snake's body—down to each scale, up to the organs—so it was everywhere.

Warm currents poured into the meridians one after another, as if even the blood had grown warm.

As body temperature kept rising, the swelling feeling grew more obvious, as if something were about to burst forth.

The bright red snake tongue quivered violently, and even the tail twitched uneasily against the ground.

Inside Ye Qin's body, countless strands of Qi converged; the qi mass expanded at a visible speed, filling with fine threads of gas.

It was like a heavy cloud layer, even beginning to press against the nearby heart.

Ye Qin felt for the first time that the Innate Qi was too dense—a bad thing; if this continued, his viscera and other organs would surely be affected.

He had to find a way to shrink the qi mass.

He carefully controlled his spiritual power, guiding the excess Qi inside his body to dissipate elsewhere.

Thanks to his prior experience making elixirs and handling them, his mastery of spiritual power's details could be described as consummate.

His spiritual power flowed like a trickle, continually guiding the Innate Qi; soon the previous swelling faded.

It was merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

The problem lay mainly in the qi mass; sensing the feedback from his spiritual power, Ye Qin felt both excited and astonished.

"It seems the time has ripened."

(End of chapter)