Chapter 16: Commanding the Ethereal

“Bark, bark, bark!”

“Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak!”

The barking of the dog and the screeching of the monkey echoed through the Great Bamboo Peak of Azure Ethereal Vapors, breaking the serene tranquility. Zhang Xiaofan, clutching the black fire-stoking stick, burst out of the kitchen, furious: “Curse you, dead dog! Dead monkey! If you’ve got the guts, don’t run away!”

Monkey Xiaohui leapt onto the back of the large yellow dog, who had been poised to run. The moment Xiaohui landed, the large yellow dog bolted, leaving Zhang Xiaofan in its dust. He could only watch helplessly as Xiaohui made a face at him and shoved a delicious bone into the dog’s mouth.

The large yellow dog was overjoyed, its canine visage beaming with delight. If it weren’t for the need to bite down on the bone, it would have laughed so hard that even its teeth might have fallen out.

“Huff…!”

Zhang Xiaofan, dejected, stormed back to the kitchen. Ever since he took charge of the kitchen at the age of fourteen, his culinary skills had won the admiration of all. The large yellow dog, being a “dog of enlightenment,” couldn’t resist the allure of the delicious food Zhang Xiaofan prepared, especially the succulent bones used for soup. Yet, these were meant for human consumption, and despite the large yellow dog’s seniority (having been raised by Tian Yizhan), it seldom received any.

Ever since the large yellow dog and monkey Xiaohui became close, the scene of them stealing bones from the kitchen had become a regular occurrence on the Great Bamboo Peak. No matter how well Zhang Xiaofan hid the bones, the combination of the dog’s nose and the monkey’s agility always led to his defeat.

Two years had passed, or rather, one and a half, and Zhang Xiaofan had grown into a sixteen-year-old youth, taller now than his senior sister, Tian Ling’er, by half a head.

During this time, due to Tian Yizhan’s strict orders, all the disciples on the Great Bamboo Peak had been in seclusion, except for the sixth disciple, Du Bishu, who had gone on a journey, and Zhang Xiaofan, the cook, who remained the most idle.

In those two years, Zhang Xiaofan had practiced alone, and to his own disbelief, he had mastered the second level of the Jade Purity Realm—Qi Refinement—within just a year, according to the techniques taught by his senior brother, Song Daren.

He was skeptical but didn’t dare ask Tian Yizhan. His senior brothers, Song Daren and Tian Ling’er, were too focused on their own practices to notice, and his closest friend, Du Bishu, was away. So, he kept his doubts to himself.

However, a new challenge loomed. Tian Ling’er had secretly given him the third-level technique, which he knew was against the rules. But every night, as he stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky, he remembered a phrase: “No matter how much you practice, you’ll never match Senior Brother Qi Hao!”

After ten nights, he began practicing the third-level technique!

The Jade Purity Realm, comprising the first three levels, is the foundation of all magical techniques, with increasing difficulty. Unlike the first two levels, “Qi Induction” and “Qi Refinement,” the third level, “Essence Qi,” focuses on cultivating the Taiji Essence Qi.

The technique states: “Taiji Essence Qi, containing three as one. Taiji, the center; Essence, the beginning, flowing through the twelve hours… This is the harmony of Yin and Yang, the energy concentrated in the seed, giving birth to all things.” (Note: From “The Book of Han – Treatise on Law and Calendar”)

Among the disciples of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, reaching this level clearly distinguishes the talented from the less gifted. The wise often break through to the higher “Object Control” realm, laying a solid foundation for their immortal cultivation, while the less talented often stagnate, wasting their lives.

Zhang Xiaofan had been in the conclave for five years, and these distinctions were familiar to him from conversations with his senior brothers. Clearly, he was considered among the “less talented.”

He returned to the kitchen, filled the pot with water, and stoked the fire. The bright yellow flames roared, and Zhang Xiaofan poked the wood with his pitiful black fire-stoking stick. Once the fire was stable, his gaze fell upon the stick.

It wasn’t because he discovered something new, but because he was lost in thought. The black fire-stoking stick, about a foot long, had a strange, blood-like pattern beneath its surface, especially at the junction between the stick and the round orb at the top. Sometimes, it seemed as if the stick and orb were fused with human blood.

Zhang Xiaofan shuddered, the thought making him nauseous.

Over the years, he had mostly forgotten the eerie experience in the valley, but occasionally, nightmares of that bizarre encounter would leave him drenched in sweat.

At such times, he felt profoundly alone, facing the unknown and the darkness of death. These moments of intense emotion, bordering on a murderous frenzy, were hard to suppress.

Even in the dark, he recalled the intense look in the eyes of Master Pu Zhi when he found Zhang Xiaofan near the broken temple.

Zhang Xiaofan didn’t understand why he felt this way, but fortunately, he had a method to calm his troubled heart—Mahāprajñāpāramitā!

This supreme Buddhist technique has the power to subdue evil spirits and cleanse the mind. After five years of practice, it was his best tool to quell the strange emotions that had arisen over the past two years.

*Snap!*

Zhang Xiaofan felt a sharp pain on his head and saw a pine cone fall to the ground. Furious, he turned around, shouting, “Stupid monkey, if I catch you…” He stopped, recognizing the figure at the door. It was Du Bishu, the sixth disciple, standing there with a smile and a small pack on his back.

Du Bishu looked Zhang Xiaofan up and down, whistling, “Impressive! In just a few years, you’ve grown as tall as me!”

Zhang Xiaofan rushed forward, grabbing Du Bishu’s shoulders, smiling, “Sixth Senior Brother, why did you take so long? We missed you so much!”

Du Bishu grinned, “Aren’t I back now?”

Zhang Xiaofan asked, “Does Master and Mistress know you’re back?”

“No, I just saw the smoke from the kitchen and came to check. I knew you’d be here working. Did you miss me?”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, happy. Du Bishu patted his head, whispering, “Come, walk with me to see Master.”

Puzzled, Zhang Xiaofan asked, “Why do you need me to come with you?”

Du Bishu grimaced, “Master let me go down the mountain for a year, but I played around a bit—er, I mean, I searched for six months to find the right materials for my treasure. I’m afraid Master will scold me. Come with me!”

Zhang Xiaofan glared, “So you said you came to see me first? By the way, Sixth Senior Brother, what kind of treasure did you make?”

Du Bishu chuckled, “Of course, I came to see you first, little junior brother. Let’s go!” He pulled Zhang Xiaofan along.

Soon, the large yellow dog and Xiaohui, still munching on the bone, heard an angry roar from the Hall of Tranquility: “Unworthy child, you’ve angered me!”

At dinner, the Great Bamboo Peak disciples gathered for the first time in two years. As they sat, Tian Yizhan still fumed. After greeting Du Bishu, the other disciples whispered, “Sixth, why is Master so angry at you?”

Du Bishu, embarrassed, dodged the question, while Zhang Xiaofan, beside him, smiled awkwardly, trying not to laugh.

Tian Ling’er, across the table, finally asked, “Father, why are you so angry at Sixth Senior Brother?”

Du Bishu looked at Tian Yizhan, who glared back. Scared, Du Bishu lowered his head. Tian Yizhan snorted, “Sixth, show us your treasure.”

Du Bishu opened his mouth, then closed it, glancing at Mistress Su Ru, who smiled, “Bishu, show everyone. Let them see why your Master is so angry.”

Du Bishu, unable to delay further, reluctantly unpacked his bag, revealing three objects. Everyone stared, holding their breath. On the table lay three dice, each about the size of a fist, made of some hard wood, white, and carved with various numbers.

The room fell silent, then erupted in laughter.

Du Bishu blushed, while Tian Yizhan, still furious, growled, “A block of rotten wood, unfit for carving!”

Su Ru shook her head, “Never mind, it’s not a big deal. Dice are fine. It’s his treasure after all.”

Tian Yizhan glared, “How do you know he won’t use them to cheat?”

Du Bishu quickly protested, “Master, Mistress, I swear I wouldn’t do such a thing. I found a thousand-year-old Tri-Orb Tree by the Southern Red Water, full of spiritual energy. I carved these dice out of curiosity, never intending anything else…”

Tian Yizhan’s anger didn’t subside, “You’re happy, hmm? You could have practiced something else, but now you’ve made gambling tools. How will I have any face at the Seven Peaks Martial Trial next month?”

Du Bishu dared not argue. Su Ru sighed, “Yizhan, it’s his hobby. Don’t force him. Remember, Senior Brother Wan…”

Tian Yizhan froze, turning to Su Ru, who continued, “Bishu, we’ve never forced you to follow the same path as the others. But be careful with your treasures. They can be dangerous.”

Du Bishu, seeing his Master’s displeased face, nodded, “Yes, yes.”

Su Ru looked at her husband, then addressed the group, “Time flies. Next month is the Seven Peaks Martial Trial. We’ll go to the Heavenly Path Peak together. Prepare yourselves.” Her gentle face turned serious, “Don’t disappoint us this time, understood?”

The disciples nodded, “Yes, Mistress.”

A weak voice piped up, “M-Mistress, does that include me?” Su Ru looked to see Zhang Xiaofan, the youngest. She smiled, “Of course, aren’t you a disciple of the Great Bamboo Peak?”

Zhang Xiaofan, elated, jumped up, high-fiving Du Bishu, ignoring Tian Yizhan’s muttered, “There are nine spots, even if one goes to waste, it’s better than nothing.”

That night, Zhang Xiaofan returned to his room to find the large yellow dog and Xiaohui already sleeping on his bed.

Since the large yellow dog and Xiaohui became close, they moved into Zhang Xiaofan’s room. At first, it shocked Tian Yizhan, who, after discovering the reason, grumbled and left. Zhang Xiaofan, seeing no rebuke, allowed it, though the bed was half-occupied by the large yellow dog and Xiaohui.

Over time, Zhang Xiaofan grew used to sharing the bed with them. Tonight, in a good mood, he sat at his table, noticing the large yellow dog lazily sprawled and Xiaohui, who had retrieved the black fire-stoking stick from the kitchen, rubbing it against the dog.

He felt a twinge, sensing Xiaohui’s interest in the stick, but his joy at being allowed to participate in the Seven Peaks Martial Trial overshadowed it.

If the dog and monkey had looked at Zhang Xiaofan, they would have seen a human with glowing eyes.

Zhang Xiaofan, looking at the pair, spoke to the air, “Can you believe it? I get to participate in the Seven Peaks Martial Trial. It’s amazing. Master is so generous, even if I’m a bit slow, he still lets me gain experience. Maybe I’ll see Jingyu there.”

He paused, mumbling, “But in the actual trials, I might embarrass Master. Oh well, whatever happens, happens. What do you think, Large Yellow Dog and Xiaohui?”

Xiaohui, engrossed in grooming the dog, only chirped a response, while the large yellow dog, ears drooping, ignored him.

“Stupid dog!” Zhang Xiaofan grumbled. Suddenly, Xiaohui threw the fire-stoking stick, which hit the table, bounced, and fell to the floor.

Xiaohui and the large yellow dog’s noises now formed a symphony. Zhang Xiaofan made a face at them, sitting down angrily, his mind wandering to Qi Hao’s impressive display on the Great Bamboo Peak two years ago.

“Form a wall of ice!” Zhang Xiaofan murmured, feeling the gap between his current state and Qi Hao’s.

He remembered that night with Tian Ling’er, her warm yet intense gaze in the candlelight. His heart ached.

The fire-stoking stick lay on the floor, and the sounds of the monkey and dog filled the room. Zhang Xiaofan felt a strange kinship with the stick, both of them seeming equally lonely.

He sighed, imagining himself reaching that level. In a relaxed, unconcerned gesture, he performed the “Object Control” movement, summoning the stick.

In that instant, it felt like eternity.

Zhang Xiaofan, prepared for failure, saw the stick move slightly, as if awakening from a long slumber.