Chapter 8: The Passing of the Arcane Arts

“Zhang Xiaofan!” A sweet, yet thunderous voice echoed through the air.

Startled awake from his dreams, Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes snapped open. Before him, a massive maw filled with sharp fangs greeted his sight, causing him to scream in terror: “Ah!”

A burst of laughter came from behind him.

Gradually, Zhang Xiaofan regained his composure and realized it was just a gigantic yellow dog, standing almost as tall as a person, its glossy fur shining brightly. It lay on his bed, and behind it, Tian Ling’er, dressed in a snug, red outfit, was doubled over in laughter.

Sneaking a glance at the dog, Zhang Xiaofan noticed its imposing size, sharp fangs, and long tongue hanging out, making it look quite menacing. He had never seen such a large dog before, and though he was a bit scared, he turned to Tian Ling’er, who was still chuckling, and asked, “Senior Sister, what is it?”

“What is it?” Tian Ling’er smiled but then her expression turned stern. Frowning, she said loudly, “It’s daylight, and you’re still asking me what? Get up, we’re going up the mountain to cut bamboo.”

Zhang Xiaofan stared in surprise. “You’re coming too?”

Tian Ling’er replied, “Of course. Every disciple in our lineage must go up the mountain to cut ‘Black Bamboo’ for the first three years. I started at ten, and this is my last year. Hey, are you still lazing in bed?”

Hastily, Zhang Xiaofan responded and carefully maneuvered around the dog, slipping off the bed and hastily getting dressed.

Tian Ling’er called out, “Catch,” and threw a machete his way.

Zhang Xiaofan caught it and found it surprisingly heavy.

Once ready, he asked, “Senior Sister, should we call Senior Brother to come with us?”

Tian Ling’er rolled her eyes. “Didn’t I tell you that only entry-level disciples have to do this? Now, it’s just you and me. Let’s go!”

She waved her hand, and even before Zhang Xiaofan could move, the giant yellow dog sprang from the bed, wagged its tail, barked at him twice, bared its teeth, and ran off.

Recognizing the bark, Zhang Xiaofan recalled hearing it yesterday when he returned with Senior Brother. This must be the same dog, he thought, marveling, “The Azure Ethereal Conclave is truly impressive; even their dogs are much larger than any in my village.”

Following Tian Ling’er out, they stepped into the early morning light. The back mountain was still shrouded in a misty haze.

Together, the two and the dog made their way towards the back of the Great Bamboo Peak.

Yesterday, Zhang Xiaofan was carried by Song Daren to this hill, finding the path short and easy. But today, halfway there, he felt the slope steepen, and the distance seemed much longer.

In contrast, Tian Ling’er, without her Amber Crimson Silk, walked with ease, her small, red figure flitting along the mountain path. The yellow dog, even more energetic, darted back and forth, disappearing into the woods and re-emerging, full of life.

After another half hour, Zhang Xiaofan was panting heavily, his legs aching.

Tian Ling’er, seeing his struggle, said, “You’re so useless. Take a break.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded and sat down, gasping for breath. The dog, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Once he had caught his breath, Zhang Xiaofan looked down and saw the towering Great Bamboo Peak, rising above the surrounding mountains, a proud sight.

“Senior Sister, I have a question,” he said timidly.

Tian Ling’er, feeling pleased, smoothed her hair and said, “Ask away.”

“Why do we cut bamboo as a task? I thought tasks were about cultivating Daoist arts.”

Tian Ling’er frowned. “What do you know? A healthy body is essential for cultivation. My mother always says that if one’s body is weak, even the best techniques are useless. Our Azure Ethereal Conclave, rooted in Daoism, places great emphasis on health and fitness. As one delves deeper into Daoist arts, the body becomes even more important. Take, for example, one of our supreme techniques, the Divine Sword Lightning Decree…”

Zhang Xiaofan shuddered, his face paling.

“What’s wrong?” Tian Ling’er asked.

Coming back to himself, Zhang Xiaofan said, “Nothing, just… that name sounds so powerful.”

Tian Ling’er shot him a glare. “Of course it’s powerful! It’s one of our Conclave’s greatest secrets. Few can master it. According to my father, to perform this technique, one must use their body as a conduit, channeling divine lightning from the heavens, an unparalleled force. But if the body is weak, one might be destroyed by the lightning before mastering it.”

Zhang Xiaofan sighed. “Yes, indeed.”

Tian Ling’er continued, “So, think about it. Even with the protection of the technique, the power of heavenly lightning is immense. A weak body would be instantly vaporized. That’s why my father assigns these tasks—to help you build strength. You look so reluctant.”

Startled, Zhang Xiaofan jumped up. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare show disrespect. I’m grateful. Let’s go, I’m ready!”

He grabbed the machete and started up the mountain, surprisingly quick. Tian Ling’er smiled and followed.

Finally reaching the slope, Zhang Xiaofan was out of breath. The yellow dog, now lying in front of the bamboo grove, barked at them, not moving.

“How fast!” Zhang Xiaofan exclaimed.

“Do you mean Big Yellow?” Tian Ling’er asked, not out of breath herself.

“Big Yellow?” Zhang Xiaofan pointed at the dog.

“Yes. Don’t underestimate him; he’s very powerful.”

Muttering, Zhang Xiaofan said, “Judging by his size, he must be at least twenty years old.”

“No, he’s not!” Tian Ling’er protested.

“Less than twenty? Big Yellow sure has grown.”

At that moment, Big Yellow barked sharply at Zhang Xiaofan.

“I mean, he’s older than that. If I remember correctly, Fourth Senior Brother mentioned him when he arrived, which makes it seventy years. No, Third Senior Brother said he was already here, so that’s ninety-seven years. Ah!”

Zhang Xiaofan, startled, asked, “What?”

Tian Ling’er, smiling, said, “I remember! Once, when my parents argued, Mother threatened to cook Big Yellow, scaring him away for days. He’s so smart, he knew to run from her wrath.”

“Wow, that’s impressive!” Zhang Xiaofan said, not sure if he meant the dog or his admiration for his senior sister.

As they reached the bamboo grove, Zhang Xiaofan said, “When I first arrived at the Celestial Peak, I saw a huge monster many times bigger than Big Yellow. First Senior Brother called it the ‘Water Kirin.’ Is Big Yellow also a spirit beast like it?”

Tian Ling’er shook her head. “No, the Spirit Sovereign is an ancient, divine creature, far superior to Big Yellow.”

Leading Zhang Xiaofan through the grove, they arrived at a spot with slender bamboo.

“Here. You’ll need to cut one every day for the next three months,” Tian Ling’er said seriously.

“This thin one?” Zhang Xiaofan asked, surprised.

Tian Ling’er snorted. “Try it.”

Zhang Xiaofan picked up the machete and tried to cut the bamboo. With a sharp crack, the machete hit something hard, jarring his hand. The bamboo bent but snapped back, hitting him on the head and leaving a red mark.

Laughing, Tian Ling’er said, “Stay here and cut. I have my own tasks.” She left, still giggling.

Zhang Xiaofan, nursing his bruise, noticed a faint white mark on the bamboo. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. For two hours, he hacked, slashed, and sawed, but only managed to make a small cut.

Tian Ling’er, singing, skipped back. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan’s struggle, she raised her machete to help.

Zhang Xiaofan, panting, refused. “Thank you, but I must do this myself.”

Tian Ling’er, annoyed, said, “Do you know what time it is?”

Determined, Zhang Xiaofan said, “I’ll keep cutting until dark.”

“Idiot!” Tian Ling’er scolded. “You don’t think about others. Do you want me to stay until dark? If you want to prove yourself, work harder each day to finish your task in two hours, not blabber about cutting until nightfall!”

With that, she swung her machete, and with four precise strikes, felled the bamboo. Zhang Xiaofan watched, wide-eyed.

Tian Ling’er, coldly, said, “Let’s go.” Walking out, Zhang Xiaofan felt ashamed and determined to do better.

Returning to the Great Bamboo Peak, it was noon. Tian Ling’er walked silently to the Quiet Hall.

Struggling, Zhang Xiaofan moved to his room. There, he met First Senior Brother, Song Daren.

Song Daren smiled. “How are you, Junior Brother? Tired?”

Zhang Xiaofan forced a smile and shook his head.

Song Daren, seeing his stubborn nature, chuckled. “There’s hot water in the kitchen. Afterward, rest. I’ll call you for dinner, and then we’ll practice.”

Zhang Xiaofan, alarmed, asked, “More tasks?”

Song Daren, realizing his mistake, laughed. “Oh, I meant, afternoons are for learning Daoist arts. I’ll teach you some basics starting today.”

Relieved, Zhang Xiaofan asked, “Are the techniques hard to learn?”

Song Daren smiled. “Advanced techniques are immensely powerful. How difficult they are depends on one’s talent and insight. But perseverance is key. Remember, ‘The Dao is vast, diligence is the boat.’ With effort, even the hardest things can be mastered.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded vigorously.

During lunch, Tian Yixuan asked about Zhang Xiaofan’s progress. Tian Ling’er, adding embellishments, criticized him, making Zhang Xiaofan blush.

Tian Yixuan, shaking his head, said, “Eat.”

To Zhang Xiaofan, it seemed his master cared, not scolding him despite his poor performance. He vowed to train harder to repay his master’s kindness.

After lunch, Tian Yixuan, in his usual manner, returned to the Quiet Hall. Other disciples headed to the Taiji Cave, while Song Daren and Zhang Xiaofan went to the room.

“Junior Brother, our Daoist arts focus on fundamentals. I’ll teach you basic techniques. Practice diligently, and ask if you have questions. Understand?”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded eagerly.

Song Daren, serious, said, “Our techniques are sacred. Vow to never disclose them to outsiders.”

Zhang Xiaofan, resolute, swore, “By the heavens, if I ever reveal the secrets of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, may I be struck by lightning and die unburied.”

Song Daren smiled and began teaching him how to meditate and the basics of qi circulation. Finally, he introduced the “Taiji Mystic Clear Dao,” the foundation of the Azure Ethereal Conclave’s techniques, derived from an ancient scroll by Azure Ancestor two thousand years ago.

The Taiji Mystic Clear Dao has three levels: Jade Purity, Supreme Purity, and Highest Purity. Most disciples, including many geniuses, never surpass the Jade Purity level, but even reaching that level is rare.

Out of nearly a thousand disciples, only a handful, led by the patriarch Daoxuan, have reached the Supreme Purity level. These few make the Azure Ethereal Conclave one of the most powerful sects. The highest level, Highest Purity, is said to have been achieved only by the legendary Ancestor Qing Ye.