Chapter 45: Offering the Technique

After three months of wall-facing ended, Mu Yuan finally regained his freedom. He no longer had to endure the muddy, foul-smelling swamp. Returning to Cloud-Capped Peak, he first took a satisfying warm bath and changed into clean clothes. Remembering there were still many matters left unattended, he hurried to find his master!

It was still the Qingguang Hall at Cloud-Capped Peak. By now, the disciples who had gone down the mountain for experience had all returned. Mu Yuan also came back from the rear mountain after his isolation. It was a small gathering of the mountain branch’s vein!

Cang Qing Zi sat casually on a square, rattan chair in the center of Qingguang Hall. Below him stood over twenty disciples of the Cloud-Capped Peak line. Mu Yuan was quite senior among them, ranked tenth based on entry order. Everyone looked pleased as they listened to Cang Qing Zi speak.

Among these disciples, the one with the highest cultivation level, and the earliest to join, was the senior brother, Chen Huayi. He was only in his thirties but already at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. He was even more skilled than his master, Cang Qing Zi. Yet, this in no way diminished his deep respect and reverence for his master. On the contrary, it only grew stronger with time.

The youngest disciple was only twelve, still in the Temper and Nurture stage at the first layer of Qi Refining. Mu Yuan was considered quite good among them.

Cang Qing Zi said a few encouraging words, then cleared his throat. Seeing that disciples like Mu Yuan had shown progress in their cultivation after descending the mountain, he casually handed out two thin book slips. “These contain the methods from the fourth layer of Qi Refining all the way to Elixir Formation. I see your progress is good; you have all started tempering your acupoints. Soon, you will begin Gathering Aura and Condensing Malice, filling your Spiritual Sense. This is the sign of Spirit Refining!”

Mu Yuan and the others each received two book slips. They were overjoyed. A quick glance showed densely packed small characters describing the secrets of using one’s Spiritual Sense to accommodate the Heaven and Earth’s Aura and Malice, transforming it into a vast Spiritual Sense. Just then, they heard Cang Qing Zi continue, “If there are any parts you don’t understand, come and ask me, or seek advice from Huayi. All of you, dismissed!”

The disciples all bowed and left. Mu Yuan suddenly remembered something and stayed until the end. Seeing him remain, Cang Qing Zi smiled and asked, “Is there something else, Yuan’er?”

Mu Yuan replied respectfully, “Disciple encountered a Daoist while descending the mountain. While dying, he imparted something to me. He claimed to share the same origin as our sect – a descendant of the Water Path. The cultivation method he passed on is called Tidal Flow. I have also practiced it and discovered it offers great benefit to my cultivation of the Longevity Art. I wish to present it to you, Master!”

Upon hearing this, Cang Qing Zi stood up abruptly, his face filled with intense excitement. “Yuan’er, are you speaking the truth?”

“How could I deceive you, Master!” Mu Yuan extended his hand. A wisp of Tide True Qi flowed out, manifesting as a babbling stream in the Void. It surged and swirled at times, then calmed smooth as a mirror, its movements unpredictable, giving off an elusive, mysterious feeling.

“It really is the Tidal Flow!” Cang Qing Zi quickly stepped down, grabbing Mu Yuan’s hand. “Quick, come with me to Flying Dragon Peak to meet the Sect Master. He will surely be delighted!”

Cang Qing Zi swept his large sleeve. His body was enveloped in a layer of dull, greenish light as he flew swiftly towards Flying Dragon Peak, taking Mu Yuan with him!

Outside Qingguang Hall, some disciples who hadn’t yet dispersed suddenly saw their master encased in light, flying rapidly with Mu Yuan. They were extremely puzzled. Their gazes followed the direction towards Flying Dragon Peak, and they began to guess what had happened!

Flying Dragon Peak was the most majestic among the seven peaks of Longevity Palace. It resembled a massive sword thrust straight into the sky, its top half vanishing into clouds. Its great hall, Azure Dragon Hall, was ancient and imposing. At that moment, only a few sweeping boys were inside the hall. Cang Qing Zi spoke to one who was delicate-featured and looked somewhat like a girl, “Go and report to the Sect Master. Tell him Cang Qing Zi of Cloud-Capped Peak seeks an audience!”

The boy bowed unhurriedly and entered the rear hall. Not long after, a hearty laugh echoed from behind. The person hadn’t arrived yet, but his voice came first, “It’s been a long time since Junior Brother San visited my Flying Dragon Peak! What brings you here today?”

Although True Lord Tiemu was the sect master of Longevity Palace, he lacked an imposing presence. Instead, he seemed like a kindly old neighbor. Hair white as crane feathers, his face creased with a gentle smile, giving a sense of approachability. He was of medium build, dressed in a long, cyan Daoist robe. He greeted Cang Qing Zi warmly.

Seeing the Longevity Palace Sect Master, Cang Qing Zi and Mu Yuan both bowed respectfully. True Lord Tiemu chuckled, helping them rise. He scrutinized Mu Yuan briefly and praised, “Disciple-nephew here from Junior Brother’s line has quite good cultivation! Though… something seems a bit unusual.”

Cultivation within the Daoist Sect inherently emphasized unity of Heaven and Man; one’s aura should be natural and pure. Unless one looked deeply, it was usually hard to discern true depths. Plus, Tidal Flow itself was ever-changing and unpredictable. Even True Lord Tiemu couldn’t instantly grasp the reason upon first glance!

Cang Qing Zi smiled and said, “Precisely, this disciple of mine brought back the Tidal Flow cultivation manual after descending the mountain. I specifically brought it for you to see. Tell me, Sect Master of Longevity Palace, what reward should you give my disciple?”

True Lord Tiemu’s face showed surprise mixed with excitement. He quickly said, “Is it true? The Five Elements Path has been fragmented for years. Obtaining Tidal Flow would be immensely beneficial to our sect. Water and Wood nurture each other. If nothing else, simply practicing the Longevity Art would progress much faster and smoother!”

Seeing how highly they regarded Tidal Flow, Mu Yuan was delighted to have contributed something to his sect. He immediately began reciting the Tidal Flow incantation. The two listened intently, occasionally showing a flash of joy.

The Tidal Flow core technique itself wasn’t long, only about a thousand characters. However, it came with many affiliated Divine Abilities and techniques. It took half an hour for Mu Yuan to recite everything. Releasing all this information in one breath, Mu Yuan genuinely felt thirsty!

Cang Qing Zi and True Lord Tiemu both closed their eyes, deeply pondering. After a long while, they finally regained their senses. True Lord Tiemu praised, “The Great Dao of the Five Elements, each indeed holds its own wonder! Tidal Flow isn’t locked into fixed forms; it changes freely, unfathomable to men. Joining drops creates a creek, joining creeks creates a river, until finally, countless streams gather into the Vast Ocean. Our Longevity Art excels precisely at gathering True Qi. By grounding it in the Longevity Art and supplementing it with the vivacious changes of Tidal Flow, they truly enhance each other perfectly!”

Cang Qing Zi nodded in agreement. Then, True Lord Tiemu turned and asked Mu Yuan, “Tell us, how did you obtain the Tidal Flow cultivation method? Narrate the events.”

Mu Yuan promptly began recounting the entire process of meeting the Slovenly Daoist from the start until the end, when the Daoist died, imparting his cultivation on his deathbed. Hearing the tale, both men sighed with emotion.

“That Cultivator used a fan and held such deep discord with the Water Path… he must be Ling Tianji, the Head of the Shanhe Academy. Alas! To think such an inheritance of the Five Elements Path… finally one vein has been extinguished!” True Lord Tiemu lamented. He turned to Cang Qing Zi, “Junior Brother Biyuan, this disciple of yours has made such a monumental contribution to Longevity Palace. How should we reward him?” ‘Cang Qing Zi’ was his Daoist title, but years ago, before descending the mountain, he had been honored as True Man Biyuan by the Emperor of Tiandu Kingdom. Outsiders often addressed him by that title, and even within Longevity Palace, it was commonly used.

Cang Qing Zi (True Man Biyuan) smiled, remaining silent, simply looking at Mu Yuan. Mu Yuan, however, had a sudden thought; he remembered a certain matter.