Mei Qing remained silent for a moment before lifting his head with a smile. “What you call the Thunder Method, or the Zi Cauldron, I don’t understand. But I do know one thing—no matter how you’ve schemed, I am just myself, and I am definitely not you.”
Zhang Liusun did not become angry. He looked at Mei Qing and shook his head. “I’m not mistaken. In truth, deep down, you’ve already believed everything I’ve said. But emotionally, you can’t accept being someone else, so you stubbornly resist with words.”
Mei Qing burst into laughter. “It would be a lie to say I have no doubts at all. But as for believing I am you—no matter how eloquently you speak, you won’t sway my heart. People say, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ Even if my birth was connected to your plans, the me of today is still just me. I will never again have the slightest connection with anyone else.”
Zhang Liusun gazed at Mei Qing with a strange expression, while Mei Qing met his gaze unflinchingly, showing no sign of retreat.
After a while, Zhang Liusun smiled. “Unexpected indeed. Well then, let’s not argue this point for now. Would you like to tell me about your background—how you grew up? To be honest, I forcibly split off a part of my divine consciousness, so I’ve forgotten many things. Even the outside world has become unfamiliar. And stuck in this cursed place day after day, without even someone to talk to, although I pride myself on my strong will, over the years, I’ve inevitably felt some loneliness. I wouldn’t bother speaking of such things to others, but since you refuse to acknowledge our connection, perhaps you can tell me your story instead.”
Mei Qing saw that Zhang Liusun’s expression was calm and unassuming, nothing like the domineering figure of legends, nor like the furious person he had imagined. For a moment, he couldn’t help but admire Zhang’s demeanor. Looking at Zhang’s serene expression and hearing him say “inevitably lonely,” he couldn’t help but feel a slight chill—this man, a great hero of his time, had truly spent centuries here in solitude with only his spirit.
“Well then… how should I begin? I’m afraid my story is quite different from what you imagine,” Mei Qing said slowly. “Even I myself have many things I don’t quite understand. But one thing is certain—I entered the Dao, built my foundation, and later cultivated the Shengxiao Thunder Method, and none of that had anything to do with your arrangements.”
As he spoke, Mei Qing began recounting his cultivation experiences. Naturally, he remained cautious toward Zhang Liusun, omitting many details—his early ignorance, his time dealing in antiques, and his meeting with Bi Zhen were all left out. Instead, he simply said he had unknowingly built his foundation in the Dao, and later, after his powers were sealed due to offending someone, he had accidentally obtained the Shengxiao Thunder Method’s secret scrolls. Fortunately, he could read the ancient cloud-script within, allowing him to decipher the text and begin cultivation accordingly.
“Is that truly how it happened?” Zhang Liusun was greatly surprised. Then he shook his head. “That story is hard to believe… As for building your foundation, that’s not strange. If the Cauldron Slave followed my instructions, your body is practically an immortal body, so of course you had an advantage. But ancient cloud-script has long been unreadable to anyone in this world—how could you possibly recognize it?”
“I don’t understand it either. But when I saw it, I naturally recognized it,” Mei Qing replied.
Zhang Liusun pondered for a long time before speaking. “As for the appearance of the Thunder Method’s secret texts, I’ve already forgotten… Don’t look at me like that. I’ve already told you, back then I forcibly split off a part of my divine consciousness. It’s not like cutting a piece of sticky rice cake—choosing whichever piece you want. So there are many things I simply can’t remember. The scroll you found might very well be the one I gave to the Cauldron Slave. Still, you must be careful not to cultivate it incorrectly.”
As he spoke, a hint of worry appeared on his round face.
Mei Qing asked curiously, “If you say no one in the world can recognize the cloud-script, then how could you recognize it and cultivate its method?”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “Back then, I had the help of a friend. There is a certain supernatural ability in this world that allows one to perceive all things clearly. Although that person couldn’t recognize the script on the scroll, by using this ability, he could translate the cultivation techniques one by one. Unfortunately, this method consumes true essence and spiritual energy at an incredible rate. Sigh… back then, I was too eager to cultivate… and made a grave mistake…”
As Zhang Liusun spoke, his tone suddenly became somber, and a trace of sorrow appeared on his face.
Mei Qing didn’t notice these changes. Upon hearing Zhang mention such a cultivation method, he couldn’t help but recall the draft he had once seen at Bi Zhen’s place—its handwriting was messy, and the interpretations were often incorrect. At the time, Mei Qing had been greatly surprised while comparing it—some parts made absolutely no sense, while other extremely difficult characters were translated with remarkable clarity.
Back then, Mei Qing had asked Bi Zhen about it, but Bi Zhen had always been vague, clearly unwilling to explain further, so he hadn’t pressed the matter. Now, after hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, he couldn’t help but think that perhaps the draft he had seen was the result of this very method Zhang mentioned.
After hearing Mei Qing describe the manuscript, the sorrow on Zhang Liusun’s face gradually faded, replaced by a look of contemplation. “What you say is quite possible. However, this cultivation method straddles both Buddhism and Daoism. Unless it was directly transmitted by its lineage, it would be impossible to learn. I’ve never heard of my friend having any descendants or disciples who continued his teachings. Moreover, this method not only consumes immense energy, but the accuracy of perception depends entirely on one’s cultivation level. If one’s cultivation is insufficient, errors are inevitable.”
Mei Qing was somewhat unconvinced. When it came to cultivation methods, he naturally wouldn’t dare argue with this supreme expert who looked like a child. But when it came to interpreting texts, Mei Qing had absolute confidence.
“You should recite the Shengxiao Thunder Method you’ve translated, and I’ll check it for you,” Zhang Liusun said. “This matter cannot be taken lightly. Even a single word or phrase off, and serious problems may arise.”
Mei Qing smiled. “That’s fine. But don’t go boasting either—just because there’s a mistake, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s mine.”
Zhang Liusun laughed. “You’re confident, aren’t you? What if I’m just making things up to deceive you? Are you finally starting to believe our connection?”
Mei Qing shook his head. “I’m willing to believe what you’ve said. These things are mostly accurate. But I remain myself, and that won’t change.”
Zhang Liusun chuckled. “You’re stubborn, kid. Let me make this clear—merging our divine consciousnesses is not like soul possession. If you refuse, I won’t force you. I must make you convinced both in heart and mind. Come on, let’s hear your misinterpreted Shengxiao Thunder Method.”
Mei Qing said no more, simply beginning to explain his interpretation of the Shengxiao Thunder Method to Zhang Liusun from the beginning.
After just a few sentences, Zhang Liusun was already shaking his head vigorously. “Wrong, wrong! That line you just said—‘The Dao unites Heaven, Earth, and Humanity as one breath’—is completely incorrect. Heaven, Earth, and Humanity are inherently one—how can you say they’re united as one breath? The following lines say: ‘Heaven operates through breath, Earth gives birth through breath, Yin and Yang expand and contract through breath, wind and thunder surge through breath, the human body breathes through breath, and Dao techniques resonate through breath.’ Though these lines seem connected to the previous ones, they deviate greatly from the original meaning.”
Mei Qing countered, “If Heaven, Earth, and Humanity are already one, why distinguish them at all? Though the Thunder Method bears the name ‘Thunder,’ its foundation is still breath. ‘Heaven, Earth, and Humanity as one breath’ is precisely the point.”
As he spoke, he drew the ancient cloud-script characters on the ground, explaining them to Zhang Liusun.
Naturally, Zhang Liusun couldn’t accept this. The two of them began debating word by word, line by line.
In terms of true cultivation and insight, Mei Qing naturally couldn’t compare to Zhang Liusun. But when it came to dissecting words, analyzing meanings, and interpreting ancient texts, Mei Qing was second to none. Especially since he had once studied countless scriptures, possessing a photographic memory. When it came to Daoist texts in his mind, even a figure like Zhang Liusun might not necessarily surpass him.
Indeed, cultivators often retain what they see, but those who have reached such high levels tend to focus only on their own cultivation methods, no longer spending time on the most basic Daoist scriptures like beginners do. Even someone as powerful as Zhang Liusun had not studied many scriptures early in his cultivation. As his skills deepened, he focused solely on his own methods, especially after obtaining the Shengxiao Thunder Method, devoting all his energy to it. Thus, when debating the interpretations of these classic texts with Mei Qing, he found himself unable to gain the upper hand.
At first, Zhang Liusun had approached the discussion with a mentoring attitude, but after a few exchanges, instead of enlightening Mei Qing, he found himself struggling for words. A cultivator of his caliber naturally wouldn’t be upset over mere loss of face. Instead, he found Mei Qing’s interpretations surprisingly coherent and insightful, even containing perspectives beyond his own imagination. He became deeply intrigued.
Thus, the two continued their debate, discussing every point of disagreement, explaining their views, and if neither could convince the other, they simply moved on to the next topic. So engrossed did they become in their discussion that they completely lost track of time. Poor Liu Liu, who had regained consciousness, dared not interrupt them, and could only endure his fear and hunger in a distant corner, remaining silent.
“This part definitely shouldn’t be like this,” Zhang Liusun said firmly while discussing a particular application of the Thunder Method. “You’ve also demonstrated the Palm Thunder, the use of the Five Elements. How could it be so fragmented? This part must be your mistake.”
At this point, Mei Qing hesitated slightly. “I can’t be certain. I’ve never actually practiced the Palm Thunder.”
“Never practiced the Palm Thunder?” Zhang Liusun exclaimed in surprise. “You learned the Shengxiao Thunder Method but don’t know the Palm Thunder? How did you learn it? The essence of the Shengxiao sect lies entirely in the Palm Thunder. The cultivation method is the foundation, and the Palm Thunder is its application. All the talismans, formations, and techniques are derived from this single method. You’ve only seen the Thunder Method, and thus you’ve become like the saying—‘blinded by a single leaf, unable to see the entire mountain.’”
Mei Qing could only smile bitterly and explained how the scroll he obtained had been damaged by fire, with part of the Palm Thunder Method missing.
“Burned?” Zhang Liusun was surprised. “I can’t recall what happened. But earlier, when I tested you, you handled the Five Element Spheres with ease. You should have achieved some mastery of the Palm Thunder.”
“The Five Element Spheres are the Palm Thunder?” Mei Qing was also surprised.
“Well, not exactly,” Zhang Liusun replied. “But the Five Element Spheres are closely related to the Palm Thunder, complementing each other.”
With that, Zhang Liusun began explaining the Palm Thunder Method in detail to Mei Qing.
My Understanding of the Dao – Words from Lao Ji
“Under the Heaven” has been written for some time now. In fact, even before writing this book, including my editor and myself, we thought it might not be well-received, as it doesn’t really follow the current trends on Qidian.
But I stubbornly insisted on writing it anyway because I truly feel a deep yearning for the Dao. Through this book, I hope to gain some personal insights, and I also hope that readers who follow my work might develop some interest in traditional Daoist practices.
To be honest, the book’s reception has exceeded my expectations. I originally thought such a dull and uneventful story would hardly attract any readers. I even said to my editor: “Will this book even get a contract?”
To be honest, my editor, Xueye, has put in tremendous effort for this book. I feel like he’s been even more invested than I have, which makes me feel quite guilty.
After uploading, seeing the clicks, collections, and recommendations, I’ve felt truly touched.
Here, I sincerely thank all my readers for your strong support. I’m not good at expressing myself—I’m a typical introverted, shy, and reserved old man. You all know how I feel, even if I don’t say it.
Some readers may feel the book doesn’t quite live up to its title, and that the Daoist elements seem distant. Yes, the story is ambitious, and more Daoist elements will appear later. Whether I can write it to the level I imagine in my heart, however, remains uncertain.
To write this book, I’ve studied a lot of materials. Many elements in the book are based on real sources, not just my imagination.
Some readers have also commented that they’re not satisfied with the protagonist’s portrayal, perhaps feeling he doesn’t quite embody the Daoist ideal of tranquility and simplicity. Here, I’d like to share my understanding of the Dao.
In my view, the concept of the Dao is vast and encompasses much. But there are a few key points that cultivators must pay attention to.
First, the most fundamental aspect of the Dao is authenticity.
The Dao cannot be false, nor can it be forced. It should be the most fundamental expression of one’s nature.
Zhuangzi said: “The Dao is real and sincere; it is effortless and formless.” What does “real and sincere” mean? In my understanding, it means “authenticity.”
This “authenticity” doesn’t mean acting on impulse or endlessly indulging in desires and emotions. This “authenticity” is the recognition of the most fundamental laws of the universe and the most essential “heart” of oneself, after deeply understanding the world and human nature, and comprehending the principles of the Dao.
Therefore, no matter how high a level a cultivator reaches in this book, they won’t become cold, emotionless beings. On the contrary, they will come to appreciate even more the value of the world, life, and familial bonds, and cherish this inner spiritual home all the more.
Therefore, in the book, Mei Qing is not afraid to joke and laugh, and some readers might feel that he doesn’t seem like a true cultivator.
Why is that? Why must cultivators always appear solemn and emotionless?
Isn’t marital joy greater than drawing eyebrows? Love is love. Pretending to be profound all day won’t lead to the Dao.
Second, the most important method of the Dao is “naturalness.”
“Wu Wei” (non-action) does not mean doing nothing. If we did absolutely nothing, why cultivate at all?
Laozi said: “Acting without action, thus there is nothing that cannot be done.” Actually, the mystery hidden in such words is not hard to understand. To put it simply, the Dao’s “non-action” means “not being deliberate.”
I have seen some books describing cultivation as if it were warfare. To open a meridian, one must endure the breaking of the entire body’s channels; to gather energy feels as if one’s body might explode; to condense a golden elixir requires bleeding from seven orifices. It makes one wonder whether cultivators are all masochists.
Cultivation is not a matter of brute force. I hope the protagonist remains in a calm and relaxed state throughout, gradually walking the correct path toward the ultimate Dao.
Of course, a novel must have some tense moments; otherwise, it becomes as bland as plain water. But at the very least, cultivators should be able to feel the ease and joy cultivation brings. They should steadily progress along a natural path toward their destination—neither tumbling forward in desperation nor running about chaotically like frightened animals.
Therefore, in this novel, one won’t instantly attain Dao just by consuming rare treasures or become an immortal simply by relying on medicinal herbs. Nor will characters grow stronger only through constant battles, killing their way to immortality.
Of course, there will be occasional extraordinary encounters, but they will be kept as logical and believable as possible.
Third, the Dao’s attitude is positive and proactive.
Some readers might disagree with this view, but I firmly hold this belief.
Daoism and Buddhism share many similarities, but their most significant difference lies in their outlook: Daoism is optimistic and proactive, while Buddhism is pessimistic and passive.
I mean no criticism of Buddhism here. I simply struggle to find more suitable terms and thus use words like “optimistic” and “proactive.” Please ignore any emotional connotations these words might carry.
It’s merely a matter of differing perspectives toward the same world. Being optimistic and proactive is not inherently more correct than being pessimistic and passive.
Dao sees life as effortless—natural and spontaneous. Buddhism sees life as suffering—a cycle of reincarnation through a sea of torment.
Therefore, when it comes to solving problems, Daoism tends to adopt a more active approach. To put it simply, the goal of Buddhism is often the next life—being reborn in a pure land. In contrast, Daoist cultivation aims for transcendence—why wait for the next life when you can strive and succeed in this one?
The protagonist of this novel will definitely not wait for the next life, even though his mind carries the shadow of future knowledge.
The Dao is right before us; it’s just a matter of whether you can, dare to, or are able to reach out and grasp it.
Pie won’t fall from the sky, and a happy life cannot be passively awaited.
Fourth, the Dao is simple.
The greatest Dao is the simplest.
There’s no need for excessive mystery.
If it seems profound, it’s because you don’t yet understand it. Once you do, you’ll realize its simplicity.
…
This novel will also strive for simplicity.
“Tales of the Daoists of the World” is planned as a five-volume series, with each volume forming a relatively independent segment. Originally, I intended each volume to be about two hundred thousand characters. However, judging from the current progress, the first volume might slightly exceed that.
As people grow older, they tend to become wordy; books seem to follow the same pattern. In the past, when reading novels by Master Huang Yi, I always dreaded the scenes where two characters engaged in prolonged martial arts duels. He would spend pages describing the buildup—just a few words exchanged, and suddenly thousands of characters were written. Then, a simple movement like raising a hand or shifting a foot, which would take only two seconds in reality, could stretch across seven or eight pages in the book. Finally, after defeating someone, the opponent would lie on the ground, suddenly gaining enlightenment, advancing in cultivation, and grasping profound truths. It never ended until the reader was dizzy and exhausted.
Back then, I would usually skip those parts entirely.
Therefore, while writing, I always aim for conciseness—getting things done within a single chapter, not dragging out minor events across three or four chapters.
But even so, I now realize that I’ve become somewhat verbose, with too many unnecessary words.
I’ve grown old, indeed. No wonder the old collections start referring to themselves as “Old Collection” instead of “Young Words.”
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An Introduction to Daoist Sects – The Three Mountains and Talisman Traditions
The term “Three Mountains and Talisman Traditions” refers to three Daoist schools: the Celestial Masters of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, the Shangqing Sect of Maoshan, and the Lingbao Sect of Geyao Mountain.
1. The Way of Five Pecks of Rice – The Celestial Masters Dao – The Longhu Sect
There were initially two Daoist schools: the Way of Five Pecks of Rice and the Taiping Dao.
The Way of Five Pecks of Rice, also known as the Celestial Masters Dao, was founded by Zhang Ling, also called Zhang Daoling, the Ancestral Celestial Master, or Zhengyi Zhenren.
Zhang Ling established the sect in Heming Mountain, Sichuan. His son Zhang Heng and grandson Zhang Lu continued to spread the teachings, later known as the “Three Masters.” This Zhang Heng is not the famous scientist who invented the seismograph; little is recorded about his life. Zhang Lu served as the governor of Hanning during the Han dynasty, establishing a theocratic regime, and authored the “Xiang’er Commentary on Laozi,” playing a significant role in promoting the Way of Five Pecks of Rice. After Zhang Lu surrendered to Cao Cao, he and his five sons moved to Yecheng. Following Zhang Lu’s death, none of his five sons continued the lineage, yet many followers emerged among the aristocratic families, such as Master Du Zigan of Qiantang, who became well known. Du Zigan passed his teachings to his disciple Sun Tai, who, along with his nephew Sun En and Sun En’s brother-in-law Lu Xun, gained considerable influence.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, both Northern and Southern Celestial Masters Dao coexisted, though neither was led by the Zhang family. The Northern Celestial Masters Dao was led by Kou Qianzhi, while the Southern was led by Lu Xiujing. Although Lu Xiujing inherited the Celestial Masters Dao tradition, he essentially founded his own school, and thus should not strictly be categorized under the Celestial Masters Dao.
From the Tang dynasty onward, Dragon and Tiger Mountain gradually became the center of Zhang Tian Shi’s teachings, hence becoming known as the Longhu Sect. There is a legend that Zhang Lu had a son named Zhang Sheng, who fled south to Dragon and Tiger Mountain to continue the teachings after Zhang Lu surrendered to Wei. However, this account lacks historical verification.
From the Tang and Song dynasties onward, the Celestial Masters Dao gradually gained prominence. Each generation of leaders was titled “Celestial Master,” and during the Yuan dynasty, the title was officially recognized by the government. Later, the sect was granted the title “Zhengyi Patriarch,” overseeing Daoism in southern China and ranking first among all talisman sects, experiencing significant development.
Dragon and Tiger Mountain ranks as the thirty-second of the Daoist Seventy-Two Felicitous Lands. Its main temple is the Shangqing Zhengyi Myriad Longevity Palace, serving as the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters Dao.
2. The Shangqing Sect – The Maoshan Sect
The Shangqing Sect derives its name from the “Shangqing Sutras.” These are not a single scripture but a collection, with the most important being the “Shangqing Datong Zhenjing” (also known as the “Thirty-Nine Chapters Sutra”). The sect was generally believed to have been founded by Yang Xi and the father-son duo Xu Mu and Xu Yue during the Eastern Jin dynasty, with Wei Huacun (a renowned beauty!) revered as the founding patriarch.
The Shangqing Sect places particular emphasis on visualization techniques, while relatively downplaying the importance of talismans and external alchemy.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing, the ninth-generation patriarch of the Shangqing Sect, retired to Maoshan Mountain, where he propagated the teachings and trained disciples, becoming known as the Maoshan Sect.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, the Maoshan Sect flourished, becoming the leading Daoist school nationwide. By the Southern Song dynasty, it gradually declined and was later incorporated into the Zhengyi Dao during the Yuan dynasty.
Maoshan Mountain is the eighth of the Ten Great Daoist Cavern-Heavens and the first among the Seventy-Two Felicitous Lands, known as the Jintan Huayang Cavern-Heaven. Its main temple is the Yuanfu Wanning Palace.
3. The Lingbao Sect – The Geyao Sect
The Lingbao Sect was initially established during the Eastern Jin dynasty. It gained its name from Ge Chaofu, who further developed the “Lingbao” scriptures based on the ancient “Lingbao Jing.” The most important scripture is the “Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangpin Miaojing” (commonly known as the “Duren Jing”), which emphasizes moral teaching and salvation, heavily influenced by Buddhism.
The Lingbao Sect reveres Ge Xuan as its founding patriarch, known as the “Taiji Left Immortal Duke.” Ge Chaofu was the great-grandson of Ge Hong, while Ge Xuan was Ge Hong’s great-uncle.
The Lingbao Sect particularly emphasizes ritual ceremonies, possessing a relatively complete system. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Lu Xiujing made significant contributions to the sect. Though having connections with the Celestial Masters Dao, Shangqing, and Lingbao sects, Lu Xiujing had no direct lineage from any of them, referring to himself as a “Three Caverns Disciple.” He made extensive contributions to the organization and interpretation of the Lingbao scriptures and the formulation of Lingbao ritual practices, playing a crucial role in the widespread popularity of the Lingbao sect.
After the Song dynasty, Emperor Zhenzong of Song built the Chongzhen Palace on Geyao Mountain, granted a bronze seal, and permitted independent transmission of talismans, establishing the sect as one of the three major talisman sects alongside Dragon and Tiger Mountain and Maoshan Mountain.
Geyao Mountain ranks as the thirty-sixth of the Daoist Seventy-Two Felicitous Lands, with its main temple being the Chongzhen Palace, serving as the ancestral mountain of the Lingbao Sect.
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