Wen Tai chuckled with confidence, his words brimming with self-assurance. “Master Zhang, what other path do you have besides trusting me? If you agree, hand over the cauldron to me first, and I will teach you the method of cultivating the primordial spirit. After that, I will erase the spirit of this rebellious disciple. Once you take over his body, you can leave. Follow my method, either cultivate within it or find another suitable vessel. The sea is vast, and fish can leap freely—why not?”
Mei Qing remained noncommittal, while Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong were visibly shocked. Duan Chaoyong had some mental preparation, but Tao Zhongwen was inwardly alarmed. Knowing Wen Tai’s temperament, he understood that the more one pleaded, the less effective it would be. He lowered his head, silently calculating.
Mei Qing shook his head slightly. “I’m sorry, Wen Tai. My body and hair are gifts from my parents, and I dare not part with them.”
“What gifts from parents?” Wen Tai laughed heartily. “We both know the truth of the past. Do you really think you’re just an ordinary person?”
Suddenly, Wen Tai gazed at Mei Qing’s face and sighed. “You and Wu Duo—I mean this body—are so similar to Wu Duo from back then. Alas, what’s past is past. Master Zhang, I ask you one last time: will you agree or not?”
“Whether Master Mei agrees or not, Ning Gu will not,” a hoarse voice suddenly interjected, startling both Mei Qing and Wen Tai.
Nearby, by the stream, a tree suddenly sprouted. It grew rapidly, reaching the height of a person in an instant, its green leaves lush and vibrant. Beside the tree, an old man appeared, sitting cross-legged on the ground. His somewhat cloudy eyes calmly observed the two. “Ning Gu still needs Master Mei’s guidance. If you wish to use force, you’ll have to get through me first.”
Wen Tai’s brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with doubt.
It was no wonder Wen Tai was shocked. This place was his cultivation sanctuary, protected by numerous formations both inside and out. While not impregnable, it was not easily breached. Yet, Master Ning Gu had entered and exited effortlessly without alerting anyone. Such skill was truly awe-inspiring.
“Master Wen, there’s no need to be surprised,” Ning Gu said, having likely overheard their conversation. “My cultivation is vastly different from yours. While I cannot forcibly dismantle your formations, they are also ineffective against me. Master Mei has yet to answer my question. If you pressure him, I cannot stand idly by.”
Wen Tai’s expression darkened. “Master Ning, your cultivation is indeed profound, but your body has not been refined and is nearing its end. If you insist on confronting me, you may perish immediately.”
Ning Gu nodded. “You’re right, Master Wen. But since I have little time left, I must take this chance. The heavens have given me a sign, and they will not abandon me.”
Mei Qing frowned. “Master, why go to such lengths? I’ve already said I’m young and inexperienced. How could I possibly guide you? Perhaps you’ve misunderstood the heavens’ will. If anything happens to you because of me, I would be deeply remorseful.”
Ning Gu smiled. “Master Mei, your words show your kindness. But how could the heavens’ will be wrong? You simply don’t realize it yet. Acting on your behalf is my choice, and even if I perish, it is fate. You need not feel uneasy.”
Wen Tai grew increasingly irritated. Not only had Ning Gu interfered, but he also spoke with such conviction, as if truly guided by destiny. Seeing the old man’s unwavering stance, Wen Tai’s pride flared. “Do you really think I fear you? Though your methods are impressive, who knows if you’re just a paper tiger? Since I can’t avoid this, I might as well test your limits.”
With that, Wen Tai chuckled coldly. “In that case, I have no choice but to offend!”
Without any visible movement, he took a step back, and suddenly, two identical copies of himself appeared. These duplicates looked exactly like him, though their eyes were slightly vacant. Like ghosts, they floated up and lunged at Ning Gu, emitting a long, eerie howl.
Mei Qing felt his mind sway and quickly retreated toward Ning Gu. He thought to himself, “Wen Tai’s technique is indeed remarkable.”
These duplicates were the result of Wen Tai’s Plum Blossom Thunder Technique combined with puppet arts and his own insights into primordial spirit cultivation. Their essence was condensed from thunderclouds, each imbued with a fragment of Wen Tai’s spirit.
In ancient times, some cultivators obtained powerful beast forms or remnants of cultivation, often leading to spirit duplicates. Legends even spoke of those who could split into hundreds, like Sun Wukong’s hair clones in “Journey to the West,” wielding immense power in battle.
Such spirit duplicates far surpassed puppet arts, as they were vessels for the spirit itself, allowing seamless control and the ability to cast spells, effectively multiplying the user’s strength.
Mei Qing marveled at the sight, while Duan Chaoyong, who was skilled in puppet arts, was utterly captivated. He had long pondered how to combine puppet arts with the Plum Blossom Thunder Technique, but his efforts, though innovative, remained within traditional bounds. Seeing Wen Tai’s ability to manifest duplicates purely from his own essence left Duan Chaoyong in awe, and he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Ning Gu, however, simply smiled and remained seated. The tree beside him suddenly grew rapidly.
Though Mei Qing knew this was merely a small cave, he suddenly felt as if he were in an endless forest, surrounded by towering mountains. An ancient, primordial aura filled the space, as if the world had just been created. The land was barren, scorched by the blazing sun, its lifelessness almost tangible, blocking any intrusion of life.
Wen Tai’s ethereal duplicates, attacking from both sides, suddenly recoiled as if they had touched something terrifying, retreating immediately.
Wen Tai was shocked. Earlier, Mei Qing had used two techniques—a strange stone and a massive bronze figure—both exuding an ancient aura that had surprised him. Despite his vast knowledge, Wen Tai lacked the deep-rooted traditions of major sects, and such ancient methods were rarely seen in modern cultivation. Since the Han Dynasty, cultivation had increasingly focused on intricate techniques, losing the vast, primal simplicity of the past.
Now, facing Ning Gu’s silent display of life’s desolation through a single tree, Wen Tai felt an overwhelming sense of insignificance. If he felt this way, how much more so his duplicates?
Mei Qing, observing the battle, silently praised Ning Gu’s strategy. Ning Gu was using sheer presence to overwhelm his opponent, leveraging his ancient wisdom to make Wen Tai feel powerless. Had Mei Qing not witnessed the ancient divine mountains at Jieshi and the techniques of Zhang Liusun and Xu Fu, he might have retreated under such pressure.
Wen Tai, caught in the midst of this ancient aura, felt as if an insurmountable mountain was pressing down on him. The vastness of the ancient world made him feel utterly alone, unable to see, touch, or move. The sun’s rays were like molten lava, filling his vision with red and purple light.
But Wen Tai was no ordinary man. Realizing he had been overwhelmed, he showed no sign of defeat. With a forceful motion, he broke free from the pressure, his golden core circulating within him. His hands moved like twin dragons diving into water, shattering the oppressive sunlight. He roared, “Heaven!”
Ning Gu sighed, his eyes closed, his long eyebrows trembling slightly. The shattered sky transformed once more.
Above, stars hung high, and a silver moon cast a serene glow, illuminating the world in pristine silence.
The moonlight was like water, and the surroundings were utterly still. The transition from the scorching sun to this tranquil night was sudden. Mei Qing felt a stirring in his heart and slowly formed a mudra, embodying the total and particular aspects of the Huayan Six Marks.
Unaware of his actions, Mei Qing’s spirit followed the mood Ning Gu had created, rising and falling, fluctuating between joy and sorrow, gradually entering a state of detached contemplation.
Wen Tai laughed, his hands forming intricate mudras. His left hand opened and closed, while his right hand closed and opened, constantly shifting like a blooming flower. He chanted, “From one to ten thousand, from yin to yang, gods of heaven and earth, spirits and demons, I command you! The primordial!”
Mei Qing remained noncommittal. On the side, Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong were both greatly startled. Duan had already somewhat prepared mentally for this, while Tao, upon hearing Wen Tai’s words, was secretly shocked. Yet he knew Wen Tai’s temperament well—knowing that the more one pleaded, the more useless it would be. He could only lower his head, silently calculating his options.
Mei Qing shook his head slightly and said, “I’m sorry, Master Wen, but our bodies, hair, and skin are gifts from our parents. I dare not hand this body over to you.”
“What do you mean, ‘gifts from our parents’?” Wen Tai laughed loudly, “You and I both know the truth behind that past matter. Do you really still think of yourself as an ordinary person’s child?”
As he spoke, for some reason, Wen Tai gazed at Mei Qing’s face and sighed, “You and Wuduo—I mean this physical form—you truly resemble her. Alas, what is past is past. Master Zhang, I ask you one last time: will you agree or not?”
“No matter whether Mei Qing agrees or not, I will not agree,” suddenly came a hoary, aged voice. Both Mei Qing and Wen Tai were greatly startled.
Nearby, beside a stream, a tree suddenly sprouted from the ground.
The tree grew extremely fast, reaching over a person’s height in an instant. Several green leaves adorned its branches, fresh and lovely. Beside the tree, an old man had appeared out of nowhere, sitting cross-legged on the ground. His somewhat clouded eyes gazed calmly at the two of them and said, “Master Ninggu still needs guidance from young Master Mei. If you wish to use force, you must first get past me.”
Wen Tai furrowed his brows deeply, filled with doubt.
It was no wonder Wen Tai was shocked. This place was originally his cultivation retreat, with numerous magical formations set up both outside and inside the gate. Although he wouldn’t claim it was as secure as a fortress, it certainly wasn’t a place anyone could break into easily.
Yet this Master Ninggu had entered and exited freely without alerting any of them—an accomplishment truly shocking and terrifying.
“There’s no need for surprise, Master Wen,” Ninggu, who had apparently overheard their conversation, addressed Wen Tai directly, “My cultivation path differs greatly from yours. Although I cannot forcefully break through your techniques, they are equally ineffective against me. Mei Qing has not yet answered my question. If you insist on forcing him, I cannot remain idle.”
Wen Tai’s expression darkened ominously as he coldly asked, “Master Ninggu, although your cultivation is indeed high, you have never refined your physical body. Right now, your body is already nearing its end. If you insist on challenging me, you might immediately face the risk of death.”
Ninggu nodded and said, “Master Wen speaks truly. However, since I don’t have many days left, I naturally must take a chance. Since the celestial deity gave me this revelation, he surely won’t abandon me.”
Mei Qing, standing aside, frowned and said, “Master, why must you go to such lengths? I have already said that I am young and inexperienced, lacking in wisdom. How could I possibly guide you? Perhaps you have misunderstood the celestial deity’s will? If anything unfortunate happens because of me, I would bear a grave sin indeed.”
Upon hearing Mei Qing’s words, a smile appeared on Master Ninggu’s face as he replied, “Young Master Mei, your words reveal your kind and benevolent heart. However, how could the will of the celestial deity be mistaken? You simply haven’t realized it yet. It is my own will to act for you. Even if it costs me my life, it is the will of heaven. There is no need for you to feel uneasy.”
Wen Tai became greatly annoyed. That Ninggu had come to interfere was bad enough, but now he was speaking so confidently, as if truly acting on divine will. Seeing that the old man showed no sign of yielding, Wen Tai’s pride flared up. He thought to himself, “Could it be that you think I actually fear you? Although your techniques are impressive, how do I know you aren’t just a paper tiger? Since I can’t avoid this, I might as well test his true abilities first.”
Having made his decision, Wen Tai let out a chilling laugh and said, “In that case, I shall have to be rude!”
Without any visible preparation, he took a single step backward. Instantly, two figures identical to him appeared on the scene.
These two figures looked exactly like Lu Ze You, except their eyes appeared slightly dull. Their movements were ghostlike and ethereal. They floated upward, one to the left and one to the right, rushing toward Ninggu. At the same time, both let out a long, piercing howl.
Mei Qing felt his mind tremble and instinctively took several steps back toward Master Ninggu, thinking to himself, “This move of Wen Tai’s is indeed extraordinary. Rare, truly rare.”
In fact, these two humanoid figures were created by Wen Tai using his Plum Blossom Thunder Technique as a foundation, combined with puppetry arts and his own insights into Yuan Shen cultivation methods.
The essence of these figures was actually gathered clouds and qi formed through the Thunder Technique, each possessing a fragment of Wen Tai’s Yuan Shen.
Ancient legends spoke of cultivators who obtained powerful beast bodies or the remains of deceased cultivators. Some could even split their Yuan Shen into multiple forms. In more extreme cases, they could transform their bodies into hundreds of duplicates, much like the Monkey King’s hair-clone technique in the classic Journey to the West, creating immense power in battle.
Compared to puppetry arts, these Yuan Shen clones were immeasurably superior. Since they were extensions of the Yuan Shen, they could be commanded effortlessly and wield various magical techniques, fighting in perfect coordination with the original body, as if several versions of oneself were fighting together.
Seeing this, Mei Qing inwardly admired Wen Tai’s skill, while beside him, Duan Chaoyong was completely mesmerized.
As someone skilled in puppetry and having studied the Plum Blossom Thunder Technique, Duan had often considered how to combine the two arts. Although his own path had seen many innovations, it still remained within traditional boundaries—puppets were still puppets, and Thunder Techniques were still Thunder Techniques. He could never match the power of Wen Tai’s method, which created clones purely from his own being. Upon witnessing this, Duan almost forgot his own perilous situation, his heart filled with both shock and joy, and he couldn’t help but cry out in admiration.
Yet Master Ninggu merely smiled slightly, sitting still. The tree beside him, however, suddenly grew rapidly.
Although Mei Qing knew this was merely a small cave dwelling, for a brief moment, he felt as if he were standing in the heart of a vast, endless jungle deep within ten thousand mountains.
As if unchanged since ancient times, a primordial, chaotic energy suddenly filled the sky and earth, like the birth of the cosmos itself. The desolate, barren land stretched endlessly beneath a blazing, merciless sun, its cracked earth radiating a lifeless silence so thick it seemed solid, repelling all signs of life.
Wen Tai’s originally eerie and elusive clones had just begun their coordinated attack from both sides when they touched Ninggu’s deathly stillness. Suddenly, they reacted as if encountering something terrifying, startled, and immediately turned back.
Wen Tai was greatly alarmed. Previously, when Mei Qing had acted twice—first with that strange stone and then with the giant bronze figure—the ancient, primeval aura emanating from them had already astonished him.
Despite Wen Tai’s vast knowledge, he lacked the deep heritage of the great sects. Especially regarding these ancient Daoist transmissions, they were rarely seen by modern cultivators. Since the Han Dynasty, the flow of karmic causes and effects had led cultivators to focus on clever techniques—methods that became increasingly intricate and sophisticated but had unknowingly lost the original, vast, and simple essence of cultivation.
Now, when Wen Tai’s clever clones encountered Ninggu’s silent display of the primeval vastness before life and death, they unexpectedly made Wen Tai feel as if gazing at an endless horizon. If even Wen Tai himself felt this way, how much more so for his two clones?
Watching from the side, Mei Qing, as an impartial observer, couldn’t help but admire Ninggu’s move. Ninggu’s technique was purely about overwhelming the opponent with sheer presence—using his inherited ancient wisdom to psychologically dominate the opponent, making him feel utterly outmatched. Truthfully, if it hadn’t been for Mei Qing’s previous experience within the Jieshi Minghai, witnessing ancient divine mountains and the techniques of Zhang Liusun and Xu Fu, he might have instinctively retreated under the pressure of this aura.
If Mei Qing, standing aside, felt this way, how much more so for Wen Tai, who was right in the middle of it. The immense ancient aura pressed down on him like an irresistible mountain. To Wen Tai, it felt as if the entire vast world contained only himself, yet even he seemed invisible, intangible, and immovable. The sunlight blazed like molten lava, purple smoke filling the air as if he had entered a great furnace, red-hot and blinding.
But Wen Tai was no ordinary man. Knowing he had momentarily lost his composure, he showed no sign of yielding. With a strong effort, he broke free from the pressure, his golden elixir circulating within. Both palms moved simultaneously, like twin dragons diving into water, suddenly shattering the fiery sky. He roared, “Heaven!”
Master Ninggu sighed, closed his eyes tightly, and his long eyebrows trembled. Suddenly, the sky shattered by Wen Tai transformed once again.
High above the heavens, stars glittered, and a bright, silver moon, emitting a calm and gentle glow, hung serenely overhead, illuminating the world in serene purity.
Moonlight flowed like water, and silence reigned across the land. From the previous scorching sunlight, the scene abruptly shifted to a tranquil peace. Mei Qing suddenly felt a stirring in his spirit. Slowly, he raised his hand and formed a mystical seal—the Total and Distinct Seals of the Huayan Six Aspects.
Wen Tai chuckled with confidence, saying, “Master Zhang, apart from trusting me, what other path do you have? If you agree, hand over the cauldron to me first, and I will teach you the method of cultivating the primordial spirit. After that, I will erase the spirit of this rebellious disciple. Once you inhabit his body, you can leave. Follow my method, either cultivate within it or seek another suitable vessel. The vast sea allows the fish to leap—what’s the harm?”
Mei Qing remained silent, while Tao Zhongwen and Duan Chaoyong were shocked. Duan Chaoyong had some mental preparation, but Tao Zhongwen was inwardly alarmed. Knowing Fan Wentai’s temperament, he understood that the more one pleaded, the less effective it would be. He lowered his head, silently calculating.
Mei Qing shook his head slightly and said, “I’m sorry, Fan Wentai. My body and skin are gifts from my parents, and I dare not part with them.”
“What gifts from parents?” Fan Wentai laughed heartily. “We both know the truth of the past. Do you really think you’re just an ordinary person?”
Suddenly, Fan Wentai sighed as he looked at Mei Qing’s face. “You and Wuduo—I mean this body—are so similar to Wuduo from back then. Alas, what’s gone is gone. Master Zhang, I’ll ask one last time: do you agree or not?”
“Whether Young Master Mei agrees or not, Ning Gu will not agree,” an aged voice suddenly interjected, startling both Mei Qing and Fan Wentai.
Not far away, by the stream, a tree suddenly sprouted. It grew rapidly, reaching the height of a person in an instant, with a few green leaves shimmering beautifully. Beside the tree, an old man appeared, sitting cross-legged on the ground. His slightly cloudy eyes calmly gazed at the two as he said, “Ning Gu still needs Young Master Mei’s guidance. If you wish to use force, you’ll have to get past me first.”
Fan Wentai’s brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with suspicion. It was no wonder he was shocked. This place was his cultivation sanctuary, with numerous protective arrays both inside and out. While not impregnable, it was not something one could easily breach. Yet, Master Ning Gu had entered and exited effortlessly without alerting anyone. Such skill was truly terrifying.
“Master Fan, there’s no need to be surprised,” Ning Gu said, having evidently overheard their conversation. “My cultivation is vastly different from yours. While I cannot forcefully dismantle your methods, they are equally ineffective against me. Young Master Mei has yet to answer my question. If you pressure him, I cannot stand idly by.”
Fan Wentai’s expression darkened as he asked coldly, “Master Ning Gu, your cultivation is indeed profound, but your body has not been refined and is now on the verge of collapse. If you insist on fighting me, you may perish instantly.”
Ning Gu nodded. “Master Fan is right. But since I have only a few days left, I must take this chance. The heavens have given me a revelation, and they will not abandon me.”
Mei Qing frowned and said, “Master, why go to such lengths? I’ve already said that I’m young and inexperienced. How could I possibly guide you? Perhaps you’ve misunderstood the heavens’ will. If anything happens to you because of me, I would be deeply remorseful.”
Ning Gu smiled gently. “Young Master Mei, your words show your kindness. But how could the heavens’ will be wrong? You simply do not yet realize it. Acting on your behalf is my choice, and even if I were to be shattered to pieces, it would be my destiny. You need not feel uneasy.”
Fan Wentai grew increasingly irritated. Not only had Ning Gu intervened, but he also spoke with such conviction, as if it were truly the will of heaven. Seeing the old man’s unwavering stance, Fan Wentai’s pride was provoked. He thought to himself, “Do you really think I fear you? Although your methods are impressive, who’s to say you’re not just a paper tiger? Since I can’t avoid this, I might as well test your limits.”
Having made up his mind, Fan Wentai sneered and said, “In that case, I have no choice but to offend!”
Without any visible movement, he took a step back, and suddenly, two identical copies of himself appeared. These duplicates looked exactly like him, though their eyes were slightly vacant. Like ghosts, they floated up and lunged at Ning Gu from both sides, letting out a simultaneous howl.
Mei Qing felt his mind sway and quickly retreated a few steps toward Ning Gu, thinking to himself, “Fan Wentai’s technique is indeed extraordinary. Impressive, truly impressive.”
These duplicates were actually Fan Wentai’s creations, combining the Plum Blossom Thunder Technique, puppet arts, and his own insights into primordial spirit cultivation. Their essence was condensed from thunderclouds, each imbued with a portion of his primordial spirit.
It was said that in ancient times, some cultivators obtained powerful beast forms or remnants of cultivation, allowing them to create spirit duplicates. Some legends even spoke of individuals who could divide themselves into hundreds, much like Sun Wukong’s hair clones in “Journey to the West,” wielding immense power in battle.
Such spirit duplicates were far superior to puppets, as they were infused with the cultivator’s spirit, allowing for seamless control and the ability to cast spells in tandem with the original body, effectively multiplying their combat capabilities.
Mei Qing watched in silent admiration, while Duan Chaoyong, who was skilled in puppet arts, was utterly captivated. He had often pondered how to combine puppet techniques with the Plum Blossom Thunder Method, but his efforts, though innovative, remained within traditional boundaries. Fan Wentai’s ability to create duplicates purely from his own essence was a revelation, and Duan Chaoyong couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.
Ning Gu, however, simply smiled and remained seated. The tree beside him suddenly grew rapidly, and Mei Qing, though aware that this was merely a small cave, suddenly felt as if he were in a vast, ancient forest.
An aura of primordial desolation filled the space, as if the world had just been created. The scorching sun baked the cracked earth, and a lifeless silence seemed to solidify, blocking all signs of life.
Fan Wentai’s ethereal duplicates, having just launched their attack, suddenly recoiled as if they had touched something terrifying, retreating immediately.
Fan Wentai was shocked. Earlier, Mei Qing had used two techniques—a strange stone and a massive bronze figure—both exuding an ancient aura that had already surprised him. Despite his vast knowledge, Fan Wentai lacked the deep heritage of major sects, and such ancient methods were rarely seen in modern cultivation. Since the Han Dynasty, cultivation had increasingly focused on intricate techniques, losing the vast, primal simplicity of the past.
Now, facing Ning Gu’s silent display of desolation through a single tree, Fan Wentai felt an overwhelming sense of insignificance. Even his duplicates were affected.
Mei Qing, observing the battle, couldn’t help but admire Ning Gu’s strategy. Ning Gu was using sheer presence to overwhelm his opponent, leveraging his ancient wisdom to create an insurmountable aura. Had Mei Qing not previously witnessed the ancient divine mountains and the techniques of Zhang Liushun and Xu Fu, he might have been forced to retreat under such pressure.
Fan Wentai, caught in the midst of this overwhelming ancient aura, felt as if he were alone in a vast, desolate land, unable to see or move. The sun’s rays burned like molten lava, and the air was filled with purple smoke, as if he were trapped in a furnace.
But Fan Wentai was no ordinary man. Realizing he had been overwhelmed, he quickly regained his composure. His golden core circulated within him, and he moved his hands like twin dragons diving into water, shattering the oppressive aura. He shouted, “Heaven!”
Ning Gu sighed, closing his eyes. His long eyebrows trembled slightly, and the shattered sky transformed once more.
Above, stars glittered, and a bright, silvery moon hung high, casting a serene light over the land. The moonlight was like water, and the world fell into a tranquil silence. Mei Qing, suddenly moved, extended his hand and formed a mudra, embodying the unity and diversity of the Huayan Six Aspects.
Unaware of his actions, Mei Qing’s spirit followed the realm Ning Gu had revealed, rising and falling, experiencing joy and sorrow, gradually entering a state of detached contemplation.
Fan Wentai laughed, his hands forming intricate seals. His left hand opened and closed, while his right hand did the opposite, constantly shifting like a blooming flower. He chanted, “From one to ten thousand, from yin to yang, gods and spirits, demons and emperors, I command you! The Primordial!”
Wen Tai laughed heartily, both hands forming mysterious mudras. His left hand opened four times and closed once, while his right hand closed four times and opened once, forming and breaking gestures like blooming flowers, constantly changing. He chanted a spell: “From one to ten thousand, from yin to yang, celestial deities and earthly spirits, evil ghosts and dark kings—all shall obey my command! Yuanzhe!”
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