Chapter 41: Trance-like Immortal for a Moment

"The methods of cultivation in the world are roughly divided into heaven, earth, Yin, Yang, four seasons, and five elements. Our Mount Yishan has several Daoist temples that are Yin-Yang methods, while the Daoist temples at the foot of the mountain mostly practice heaven and earth methods. These two are the most common."

Wangji said loudly:

"Although we practice Yin-Yang Spirit Methods, we still have to lecture to you about the others. They are all spiritual auras of the world, and the relationship between them is far more than just drawing inferences from one instance. Many places are interconnected.

"The Daoist temples at the foot of the mountain mostly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, also called heaven and earth miscellaneous Qi or mountain and water spiritual aura. Cultivation is the simplest, moderate and peaceful. After cultivation, applying various spells is handy.

"Monsters and spirits mostly absorb the essence of the sun and moon, also called Yin-Yang spiritual aura. There are also people who practice Yin-Yang Spirit Methods. Cultivation is more difficult, and the difficulty lies in the balance of Yin and Yang. However, the Yin-Yang spiritual aura itself is more mysterious, so if one cultivates to a high level, one can naturally prolong life, and after cultivation, applying various spells will have no obstacles.

"The Five Elements spiritual energy is hidden in all things in heaven and earth, and is more mysterious and ethereal. There are clever people in the world who can perceive one, but those who can perceive all five elements and can be in harmony with them are very few. Therefore, Daoist temples that practice Five Elements Spirit Methods are also very rare. On the contrary, some scattered people and hermits who live in huts will practice Five Elements Spirit Methods. After cultivation, they often naturally understand the simplest Five Elements spells. Learning to apply other Five Elements spells will also be easier and more powerful than Daoists who practice other types of spiritual methods.

"Many skills of fighting in the world are within the Five Elements, so those who practice Five Elements Spirit Methods are mostly good at fighting.

"The last Four Seasons Spirit Method is the most ethereal and mysterious. Practitioners must perceive the differences of the four seasons and take the spiritual aura of the seasons. The requirements for the practitioner's talent are extremely tricky. Besides seeing it in ancient books, I have never heard of anyone practicing it, nor do I know its wonders."

From time to time, little Daoists asked questions, and the old Daoist answered them patiently.

Perhaps because he had reached his age, he looked more temperate, not as ungentle as he looked at the beginning.

From time to time, little Daoists whispered to each other, or turned their heads to look at Lin Jue and the junior sister sitting in the back, glancing at them and then withdrawing their gaze, each with their own expressions.

"The first sentence of the *Yin-Yang Scripture*: Heaven has five kinds of Qi, Earth bears Yin and Yang. Let's lecture on the first sentence first.

"Heaven has five kinds of Qi, and all things are transformed and formed.

"In fact, it's not just heaven; man also has five kinds of Qi.

"Man's five kinds of Qi are also divided into five types: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Besides the difference in strength, there is also a distinction between clear and turbid.

"Ancient books say: If wood is clear, it is benevolence; if fire is clear, it is propriety; if metal is clear, it is righteousness; if water is clear, it is wisdom; if earth is clear, it is thought. If the five kinds of Qi are all pure, one has the virtue of a sage. If wood is turbid, it is weak; if fire is turbid, it is lewd; if metal is turbid, it is violent; if water is turbid, it is greedy; if earth is turbid, it is stubborn. If the five kinds of Qi are all turbid, one is the lowest of the people."

The junior sister naturally did not understand, only feeling that it was like listening to her senior brother recite the *Yin-Yang Scripture* in the Mountain-Moving Hall of her own Daoist temple every morning, needing her senior brother to explain it to her, so she habitually stole a glance at her senior brother.

Lin Jue was lost in thought.

He inexplicably thought of the Heng Village ancestral hall. When he first met that spirit or monster, he also said his five kinds of Qi, which seemed to be able to judge his character. Could it be that this was the reason?

At the same time, he also noticed the junior sister's gaze.

However, at this time, in someone else's place, he naturally could not explain it to her immediately.

Fortunately, Wangji gave an explanation after reciting it:

"That is to say, the heavens have five types of primordial Qi: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and all things are created and changed from these.

"Humans also possess these five types of primordial Qi.

"The five types of primordial Qi in humans are mysterious and profound; as long as one is human, no matter how high your Daoist cultivation is, you cannot see them. Only a few spirits and some ghosts can perceive them.

"If your wood Qi is pure, it means you are kind and benevolent; if fire Qi is pure, it means you are gentle and polite; if metal Qi is pure, it means you are righteous and strong; if water Qi is pure, it means you are clever and wise; if earth Qi is pure, it means you are honest and simple. If the five kinds of Qi are all pure, you possess the virtue of a sage.

"If wood Qi is turbid, you will become weak; if fire Qi is turbid, you will become lewd and impulsive; if metal Qi is turbid, you will become violent and combative; if water Qi is turbid, you will become greedy; if earth Qi is turbid, you will become stubborn. If the five kinds of Qi are all turbid, your character will not be good.

"So, you little brats, remember this well. Cultivation is not just cultivating the body, not just taking the spiritual aura of heaven and earth, but also cultivating the nature, otherwise you will fall into the devil sooner or later.

"Even if you don't fall into the devil, in the future, when you go out, encounter spirits or monsters, or don't go out and stay in Mount Yishan, and are seen by the Mountain Lord of Mount Yishan, he will also know what kind of thing you are."

"..."

The little Daoists below were confused and were also startled unexpectedly.

Can character also be seen?

Do spirits really know the good and evil of the world?

Isn't this too mysterious?

Some people, although they did not understand the reason, accepted it very easily and just kept it firmly in mind. Others frowned tightly, not knowing why, and could not help but think and doubt.

It was hard to say which of these two types of people would achieve higher in Daoist cultivation in the future. He only heard someone ask:

"Is this true?"

"Master, I also don't understand. The five elements and five kinds of Qi are produced in heaven and earth. It's fine if humans also have them, but why are they related to people's thoughts, and why will people's character be affected by these?"

"That's right! May I ask Master, why is clear or turbid water Qi clever and wise, greedy and stupid, and why is clear or turbid metal Qi righteous and strong, violent and combative?"

Wangji smiled without saying a word, just scanning everyone.

Almost all the disciples were puzzled.

Some were even having a headache.

Wangji looked at their expressions, but it was not to test right or wrong, just wanting to find some insights, but there was no one with clear eyes looking at him.

The gaze finally stopped at the back of the large hall.

There sat the only two side-listening Daoists who were not wearing Daoist robes, one was scratching his head and thinking hard, and the other was frowning as if thinking about something.

"What were your names again?"

"Reporting to Master, Lin Jue."

"Reporting to Master, Liu Qingyao..."

Both were somewhat surprised, then answered.

"Your Fuqiu Temple has always been famous for knowing how to choose disciples. I will test you on behalf of your master." Wangji looked at them, "What do you think?"

"Disciple doesn't know..."

The junior sister lowered her head and answered honestly.

"What about you?" Wangji looked at him and could not help but smile. "Heh, it seems that old Daoist Yunhe really knows how to choose disciples."

"Reporting to Master, the junior doesn't know the reason, but I have some thoughts after listening."

"Tell me."

"Just some miscellaneous thoughts."

"You are all beginners, what's there to be embarrassed about? The theory of the Five Elements is ethereal, and any insight counts as an insight. Moreover, some remarks, I'm afraid even the sages might not be able to distinguish right from wrong."

Many little Daoists turned around and looked at Lin Jue.

"..."

Lin Jue organized his language and then said:

"Master just said that heaven produces five kinds of Qi, and also said that there is Yin-Yang spiritual aura in the world. So I could not help but think, Five Elements spiritual aura, mountain and water spiritual aura, four seasons spiritual aura, so to speak, heaven produces more than just 'five kinds of Qi'? It's just that people pick out five kinds of Qi from them and call them by the name of the Five Elements, while others are given other names."

"Hm?"

Wangji could not help but smile.

"Go on."

"A few days ago, I heard Master talk about the relationship between man, cultivation, and heaven and earth. Since heaven and earth have Qi and spiritual aura, and man is also a part of heaven and earth, then shouldn't they also have them?

"Man perceives the Great Dao from the changes of heaven and earth and takes the spiritual aura of heaven and earth to cultivate himself, so it is not surprising that man's changes will be reflected in heaven and earth. The so-called five kinds of Qi of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, in my guess, are also just like the many spiritual auras and five kinds of Qi of heaven and earth, just that people use the Five Elements to name the five kinds of Qi of man. These five kinds of Qi happen to be some changes of the human body reflected in heaven and earth. Just as the changes of heaven and earth will also be captured by people with cultivation, Daoist attainment, and knowledge. Perhaps man has more than these five kinds of Qi.

"I don't know what these Five Elements and five kinds of Qi are, or whether they are right or wrong, but I once heard a divine doctor near my hometown say that sadness is not actually in the heart, and kidney deficiency is not actually in the kidneys, it's just using a name to call them, the purpose is to facilitate understanding. Therefore, knowing the function is enough, no need to delve into so much."

Lin Jue paused as he spoke, and seeing no one speak, he added another sentence:

"Master lecturing on the five kinds of Qi before lecturing on Yin and Yang, and lecturing on the five kinds of Qi of man before lecturing on the five kinds of Qi of heaven and earth, I think it is not to let us know what the five kinds of Qi of man are, but just to persuade us that before cultivation, we must first cultivate the heart and nature.

"Just like some stories in books at the foot of the mountain, some really don't need to be discussed as true or false, or distinguished clearly. If they can be helpful to people, can provide reference for people, and can urge people to be good, then it is already a good book."

When Wangji heard halfway, his eyes brightened a bit. Hearing this, he finally withdrew his gaze. Looking at Lin Jue again, he could not help but feel some jealousy and regret.

After pondering for a moment, he did not say whether Lin Jue was right or wrong, just said to him:

"Yunhe has vision."

When the other little Daoists heard this, how could they not know that this person's words at least received the affirmation of their own master? At this time, although they still kept turning their heads to size them up and whisper, there was a little more respect in their expressions.

Wangji continued to lecture to everyone.

This time he really lectured on the five kinds of Qi of heaven and earth, and really lectured on Yin and Yang.

It lasted for nearly a day.

Lin Jue and the junior sister had brought dry food, but the Xianyuan Temple provided them with a meal at noon, so they saved it.

Needless to say, although the food here was ordinary, it was much better than the Fuqiu Temple.

When the two left the Daoist temple, the sun had already slanted heavily. They walked down the mountain along the stone steps. They only saw the distant cliffs and ancient pines standing obliquely, all cast into shadows by the sunset, and their shadows were also cast under the cliff.

"Ah!"

A crow flew over and led the way for them.

"Third Shixiong brother, you say, why do the little Daoists of the Xianyuan Temple always look at us?"

"You should call them Daoist friends."

"Daoist friends!"

"They are from the Xianyuan Temple, and we are from the Fuqiu Temple. We didn't know each other before. Seeing each other for the first time, having curiosity, comparison, and rejection toward us is normal."

"Oh..."

The junior sister answered quite obediently, and then said: "Daoist Master Wangji is not bad. At first, I felt he was very fierce, but at noon he even let us eat with their disciples."

"I think so too."

"Third Shixiong brother, look, this kind of tree grows flowers that look like small hanging bells, very small, not even as big as my thumb, very cute."

"This is called a hanging bell flower."

"Hanging bell flower... Third Shixiong brother, did you understand?"

"Understood some."

"Why didn't I understand?"

"Don't be anxious, maybe it's too ethereal. Practice is the best way to teach people. Just remember it, and you will understand slowly. I just learned the Qi-Nurturing Method earlier than you."

"Then when can we start practicing and start learning the spells of Master?"

"No need to be anxious, it should be soon."

Lin Jue was not such a lazy person who was not anxious, but from the attitude of the old Daoist and senior brothers in the temple since he arrived at the Fuqiu Temple, it could be clearly seen that they were not unwilling to teach the two of them, but had a more perfect plan for preaching the Dao. This kind of plan was naturally much more reasonable than what an outsider like him thought.

"Third Shixiong brother, you already know spells!"

"Just a small escape technique."

"It's very magical! If you go to the temple fair in the city, someone will treat you as an immortal!"

"How can this be called an immortal?"

"Then what is an immortal?"

"Naturally, being free and unfettered, and living forever is an immortal."

"..."

The junior sister fell into thought, and then said:

"That is also an immortal!"

Before Lin Jue could respond, she looked up at the sky, saw that it was getting late, and reached into her satchel, took out two small bottles, and handed one to Lin Jue.

The small bottle was only as big as a thumb, looking very cute. Lin Jue was curious about where the second senior brother got such a small bottle when he first saw it, as if it were specially made for a pill. Later, he learned that it was made by the fifth senior brother who was proficient in medicine, and almost all the bowls, dishes, and porcelain in the temple were made by him.

"When we left this morning, second senior brother gave each of us a Spirit-Walking Pill, saying that if it was too late after listening to the lecture, we should eat one, go back early, and don't walk in the dark."

As she spoke, she had already lowered her head, holding the small porcelain bottle and constantly knocking it against the palm of her other hand, wanting to pour the pill out. Her fair palm was knocked red all of a sudden.

"I don't know what it feels like to eat it!"

The little girl's eyes were full of curiosity, somewhat excited, and seemed somewhat uneasy.

After pouring it out, she stared straight at Lin Jue, and only after seeing him swallow it did she follow suit and send the pill into her mouth.

"Gudu..."

After the pill went down, it immediately turned into spiritual aura.

Lin Jue had another strange feeling.

Savoring it carefully, he only felt the spiritual aura turn into a hot current, from his throat down, to his chest and abdomen, and then gradually spread to his whole body. His feet were the furthest away and were the last place to arrive.

He took a step forward gently—

His feet were warm and numb. He did not know where such great strength came from, and he did not know how his body became so light. With a little effort, he soared into the air, almost flying up, and one step crossed half a *zhang*. He almost hit the ancient pine tree in front, or if he used a little more force, he might have brushed past the ancient pine tree and rushed into the cliff.

But a cry came from behind.

"Ah ya..."

A figure flew past from the side.

Lin Jue grabbed her silently.

This little girl was pulled down, still terrified, but did not scream, and instead said solemnly to him for the first time: "Third Shixiong brother, I haven't told you yet, second senior brother said, after eating it, you must walk around slowly to adapt first."

"..."

After a while—

The sunset illuminated the strange peaks and ancient pines, the crow led the way in front, and the two moved in the mountains, light as swallows and with wind under their feet. Sometimes they even walked through the pines, and stepping on the pine branches was enough to cross the difficult mountain roads. They only felt thrilling and their heartbeats were like thunder, but blowing the mountain wind on the treetops and hitting the floating pine needles and broken flowers, they felt incomparably free and comfortable, wonderful and hard to describe.

If one says what freedom is, perhaps this is it.

If one says what an immortal is, when seen by people at the foot of the mountain, they would also be treated as immortals. ===== CHAPTER 42 =====