Lecture at Qingxin Hall

At the break of dawn, a single ray of golden sunlight pierced through the clouds like a gleaming blade, bathing the imposing mountain gate of the Tianyan Sect in its glow and bestowing a mysterious radiance upon the ancient stone steps.

I rose early and ran my fingers over the disciples' robes provided by the sect—the mysterious dark blue garment shimmered subtly in the morning light, its cuffs and collar embroidered with flowing cloud patterns that seemed to come alive with every breath. A matching belt cinched my waist, accentuating my slender figure. This attire is the hallmark of a core disciple, and in contrast to the pale blue of the inner disciples and the gray-blue of the outer disciples, it exuded an air of heightened nobility and dignity.

My father's blue sword sheath still hung at my waist, its cool touch offering me comfort and reassurance. As I stood before the bronze mirror to check my appearance, I realized that the country maiden of the past had been replaced by someone clad in a deep blue Daoist robe. My heart stirred with a sense of unfamiliarity and slight discomfort; this garment was not merely an article of clothing but felt like a new identity ushering in a new life.

"Sister Wei, you look absolutely radiant today!" Su Li, already fully dressed, exclaimed. Although her inner sect attire was simpler than mine, it suited her perfectly. She excitedly circled around me, her eyes filled with admiration as she said, "That outfit on you seems as if it were tailor-made!"

I brushed my hand over the sword sheath at my waist and nodded slightly, "It's getting late; we should head to Qingxin Hall."

In the early morning, the Tianyan Sect was shrouded in swirling mists, resembling a celestial realm. Walking along the stone pathway, the morning dew dampened my shoes, and the air was filled with a refreshing aura of inner energy that invigorated the spirit. Not far off, numerous disciples had gathered in groups, whispering among themselves with expressions that ranged from nervousness to eager anticipation.

Su Li linked her arm with mine and whispered, "Sister Wei, what do you think we'll be taught today? I heard that the first lesson is always a tedious lecture on immortal sect etiquette delivered by an elder from Mingyao Peak."

"Whatever the lesson, it is part of our cultivation journey," I replied calmly, my gaze sweeping the surroundings as I meticulously noted every detail.

As we drew closer to Qingxin Hall, the scene before us grew ever more magnificent. The hall towered in height with a majestic and solemn presence, its blue-white facade complemented by gracefully upturned eaves. In the square ahead, many disciples had gathered, arranged in order according to outer, inner, and core disciples.

"Junior Sister Lingwei," a familiar voice called out from behind.

Turning around, I saw Ye Ming, also clad in the core disciple uniform, with a handsome face and an exceptional bearing. He wore a gentle smile, his eyes glinting with an enigmatic light.

"Senior Brother Ye," I nodded slightly, my tone even and composed.

"It was a pity that you had to leave in haste yesterday and we couldn't have a proper chat," Ye Ming said as he strolled over to me, his voice gentle with a hint of magnetism. "As a new junior sister in the Tianyan Sect, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

I raised an eyebrow slightly and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother."

Ye Ming appeared poised to say something more, but when his gaze fell on Su Li standing beside me, he hesitated briefly before smiling softly, "Junior sister, being the first in a millennium to reach the eighteenth level in the Stone Steps Trial is truly remarkable. Tomorrow, the sect master is hosting a banquet—would you be interested in attending?"

Just as I was about to reply, a clear and resonant bell suddenly rang out, its sound both distant and solemn, echoing throughout the Tianyan Sect.

"Let's enter the hall," Su Li whispered softly, gently tugging at my sleeve.

The moment we stepped through the hall's entrance, an aura of inner energy—condensed over a millennium—washed over us, instilling a profound sense of calm. The interior of Qingxin Hall was far more expansive than its exterior suggested, as if it belonged to another realm. Constructed entirely from exquisite green jade, each stone was steeped in countless years of inner energy, emitting a soft blue glow in the quiet.

The ceiling was dome-shaped and embedded with luminescent pearls of various sizes. Unlike ordinary jewels, they sparkled high above like stars, casting a gentle, non-glaring light. Intertwining with the morning rays filtering through the windows, these lights created mysterious patterns on the floor that, upon careful observation, shifted with the passing hours—imbued with the profound cultivation secrets of the Tianyan Sect.

At the center of the hall, a lectern carved entirely from pure white jade floated in midair without visible supports, yet it stood as steady as a rock. Resting atop was an ancient blue wooden table that exuded the aura of bygone eras, its grain twisting like serpentine dragons. Beside it, a three-legged bronze incense burner exhaled delicate streams of blue smoke that neither dispersed nor faded, momentarily forming ancient runic symbols in the air before vanishing. A peculiar fragrance—neither of sandalwood nor agarwood—permeated the space, instilling a serene calm that banished all distractions.

Twelve stone pillars supported the entire hall, each towering over three zhang in height and intricately carved with cloud and dragon motifs so lifelike that they seemed ready to soar into the heavens at any moment. Legend held that these pillars were once dragon bone stones from the Tianyan Mountains, imbued with the inner energy of heaven and earth to help cultivators attain clarity of mind.

The disciples took their seats in orderly rows—outer disciples at the back, inner disciples in the middle, and core disciples at the front. As core disciples, Ye Ming and I were assigned cushions in the very front row. Su Li reluctantly released my hand as she moved over to join the inner disciples.

Once seated, I surveyed the hall and found it filled with roughly thirty to fifty newly inducted disciples. Some wore nervous expressions, others were brimming with excitement, while a few remained silent. I cast my eyes over each one, silently memorizing their faces and auras.

Suddenly, a crisp, ethereal fragrance wafted through the hall, contrasting sharply with the scent of sandalwood. Following the sensation, I noticed that Mo Qing had silently positioned herself beside a blue pine stone pedestal at the hall's edge. Clad in a white garment that outshone all others, she exuded an aura of serene detachment. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, casually pinned with a simple jade hairpin, further emphasizing her otherworldly grace. Her face, as if carved from exquisite white jade, bore no superfluous expression yet irresistibly captivated the gaze. She seemed utterly detached from the surrounding clamor, as if present in the world but not truly of it.

Sensing something, she slightly turned her head, and her eyes—deep and ancient like a millennia-old well—met mine. In that fleeting moment, I felt as if those depths held a vast sea of stars, ancient and mysterious, completely calm yet imbuing an inexplicable sense of peace.

Somewhere deep within, my heart trembled unexpectedly; though I quickly averted my gaze, the image of those eyes was indelibly etched into my soul, impossible to erase.

At that moment, the hall doors opened once more, and an elderly man clad in a jade-white Daoist robe strode in at a measured pace. His hair and beard were entirely white, his face both kind and imposing, and he held a jade ruyi in his hand. His steps were light, bearing no trace of age, and a profound aura emanated from him that naturally commanded respect.

"This is Master Nanshan of Mingyao Peak, a virtuoso of divination and a man of vast knowledge, who has come today to explain the Great Way of Heaven and Earth to our new disciples," announced a stewarding disciple in a clear, resonant voice that echoed throughout the hall.

Master Nanshan ascended the lectern and surveyed the room with piercing eyes that seemed to peer into every soul. Stroking his long beard and smiling kindly, he said, "It is a great fortune in three lifetimes for you to have the destiny to join our Tianyan Sect. Today, I shall explain to you the Way of Heaven and Earth and the methods of cultivation—please listen with a tranquil mind and remember these teachings."

Though his voice was not loud, it flowed into our ears like a clear spring, each word resonating deeply within the hearts of every disciple. The entire hall fell into a sudden hush, with everyone holding their breath in rapt attention.

"The Way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets all things." Master Nanshan's voice seemed to echo from ancient times, reverberating in every heart, "In heaven and earth, yin and yang intertwine to produce the five elements; these elements interact in mutual generation and restriction, nurturing all existence. This is the very foundation of the Great Way of Heaven and Earth."

He lightly tapped the void with his jade ruyi, and after a clear chime, the air momentarily stilled. Then, five-colored radiance appeared—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth hues swirling and interweaving like a three-dimensional celestial map slowly unfurling before our eyes. This brilliance was not that of ordinary flame, but the pure manifestation of the five elements' qi, seldom seen by ordinary people.

"Within the five elements, there exists a distinction between 'qi' and 'yi.' 'Qi' is manifest, while 'yi' is hidden; qi nourishes the body, and yi nurtures the spirit. The path of cultivation is truly a quest for yi." Master Nanshan's voice alternated between near and far, as if transcending time and space, "All things possess spirit; this spirit inherits the qi of heaven and earth, transforming into inner energy. As inner energy gathers, like rivers merging into the sea, it forms spiritual meridians. These meridians, like the channels in the human body, connect heaven and earth. Where they converge, the essence of heaven and earth is concentrated—this is the sanctuary that we cultivators seek."

He tapped his jade ruyi once more, and the five-colored radiance transformed into strands of golden meridians, interweaving in the air to form a vast diagram of the spiritual meridians of heaven and earth.

"Our Tianyan Sect stands upon the Nine Peaks precisely because these peaks are located at the convergence of five spiritual meridians, where inner energy flows endlessly like the sea. This place is the unparalleled gathering spot of spiritual meridians in the world—a true blessing for cultivators."

As he spoke, he tapped his jade ruyi again, and the radiance in the air shifted to form a three-dimensional image of the Nine Peaks of the Tianyan Sect, so vivid that it took one's breath away.

"The Tianyan Sect was founded three thousand years ago and, through dozens of generations of sect masters, has always upheld the philosophy of 'the Way follows nature, in harmony with destiny.' The sect is divided into Nine Peaks and Twelve Academies, each with its own specialty that complements the others." Master Nanshan recited slowly, as though recounting an ancient tale, "Taihe Peak serves as the power center of the sect, overseeing its affairs and resources; Guicang Peak excels in medicine and alchemy; Xuanji Peak specializes in array formations and spatial arcana; Qingwei Peak is renowned for its swordsmanship; Zijí Peak is the birthplace of thunder techniques; Mingjing Peak governs the sect's rules and regulations; Lingxu Peak is adept at taming spiritual beasts; Mingyao Peak focuses on divination and prophecy; and Wuji Peak is dedicated to the cultivation of wisdom and the heart."

As he explained, the images in the air continually transformed, showcasing the magnificent vistas of the Nine Peaks along with their unique characteristics. The disciples watched, spellbound, their breathing growing shallow in awe.

"The path of cultivation is long and arduous; only with sincere dedication and steadfast resolve can one achieve success." Master Nanshan's eyes grew deep, as if he could see far into the future, "There are six major realms of cultivation—Refining Qi, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, and Ascension. Each realm is further divided into four stages: initial, mid, late, and great perfection. Most of you, as newcomers, are in the Refining Qi or Foundation Establishment stages, and you must toil relentlessly to progress further."

With a graceful flick of his sleeve, a column of blue light suddenly materialized at the center of the hall, within which countless runes flowed in an inscrutable, mysterious pattern.

"There are three methods of cultivation: refining oneself, refining objects, and refining the heart. Refining oneself means cultivating one's character and strengthening the body; refining objects involves alchemy and the crafting of tools to aid cultivation; and refining the heart entails attaining enlightenment and transcending the mundane. All three are indispensable for achieving perfection."

I fixed my gaze on the blue light column, pondering the similarities and differences between the cultivation method my father had taught and what was being presented here. Although he never explicitly stated his own realm of cultivation, judging by the sword techniques he displayed, he had at least reached the Nascent Soul stage—perhaps even the Spirit Transformation stage. Yet, how could that man in the black robe so easily deal him a fatal blow? Could it be that my father harbored a hidden secret?

"True cultivation is not only about refining inner energy, but also about nurturing the heart," Master Nanshan continued. "It is often said: when the heart is still, all things remain calm; when the heart is agitated, all things become disturbed. As cultivators, we must regard the world with an equanimous mind, unmoved by external influences or emotions."

My heart stirred, and I could not help but ask, "Master Nanshan, I have a question. If cultivators are meant to be devoid of emotion and desire, then what becomes of love and affection in the world?"

At my question, a low murmur of discussion spread throughout the hall. Master Nanshan's gaze fell upon me, and he smiled slightly, "This is…"

"Wei Lingwei," I responded as I rose.

"Ah, so it is the young one who ascended to the eighteenth level of the Stone Steps Trial—you certainly caused quite a stir yesterday," Master Nanshan remarked with a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "That is an excellent question. Cultivators are not meant to completely sever the seven emotions and six desires, but rather to master them—to not be controlled by them. Emotions are the root of the Way; both sorrow and joy contribute to cultivation. A complete lack of feeling or righteousness is not the true Way."

His words echoed what my father had taught, which did not surprise me.

"Master Nanshan, I have another question," I continued, "since cultivators in the world all yearn for ascension and immortality, I wonder—among the generations of sect masters in our Tianyan Sect, have any achieved ascension?"

This question evidently struck a sensitive nerve, and the hall fell into a sudden silence, with all eyes fixed on me. Ye Ming looked at me from the side, his eyes flashing with both surprise and appraisal. Mo Qing remained expressionless, yet her deep eyes seemed to ripple ever so slightly. Ye Ming slowly turned his head, his gaze as sharp as a blade sweeping over my profile; in his smiling eyes flickered both astonishment and scrutiny, as though he hadn't expected me to ask such a question. His fingers lightly drummed on his knee, almost imperceptibly, as if deep in thought.

Master Nanshan paused, stroking his beard, and said, "Since the rift between heaven and the mortal realm, the two have struggled to connect. However, every thousand years, Taigong sends down a thread of celestial fate to guide those destined for ascension. Among the generations of sect masters in our Tianyan Sect, there have indeed been three who received Taigong's favor and ascended."

"Taigong?" I feigned confusion. "May I ask, who is this venerable figure?"

"Taigong is none other than Jiang Taigong, an ancient immortal known for his fishing and wandering, who nurtured those of the Way," Master Nanshan's voice resonated with mystery as he continued, "Legend has it that he once assisted Master Taiyi in establishing order in the immortal realm and is revered as the arbiter of merit and causality. The reason our Tianyan Sect has withstood the test of three thousand years is precisely because Taigong has favored us, sending down a thread of celestial fate every thousand years to guide mortal disciples to ascend."

"Then, how exactly does this thread of celestial fate descend? And how does it choose the destined ones?" I pressed further.

Master Nanshan's gaze grew profound, as though piercing the boundaries of time and space. "Celestial fate is ethereal and hard to describe. It is said that every thousand years, Taigong lets a thread descend above the Xixin Pond of our Tianyan Sect; those who can see it are the destined ones. However, whether one can seize this opportunity depends on one's own destiny."

His words carried a depth that I could scarcely comprehend.

"Master Nanshan, when will Taigong next send down his thread?" I inquired further, already harboring my own suspicions.

Master Nanshan's gaze hardened, and in a low voice he said, "Based on our calculations, it will occur in no more than a century at the latest. Taigong's celestial thread is a millennial event, when extraordinary phenomena and the shifting of destiny will unfold. Should any of you persist in your cultivation within the sect until then, you might have the chance to witness the wonders of heaven and earth."

Upon hearing his answer, my heart stirred. The man in the black robe had once said, "Taigong's thread will soon descend again," and now it appeared that little time remained.

"Thank you for clarifying, Master," I said with a slight bow, then resumed my seat.

Master Nanshan looked at me meaningfully before continuing, "The path of cultivation values perseverance. As newcomers, you must first lay a solid foundation and not seek instant success. That is all for today's lecture; now, I will impart to you the basic cultivation method of our Tianyan Sect, the 'Guiyuan Formula'—an essential practice for beginners. Please memorize it diligently."

With that, he formed hand seals and a beam of golden light burst forth from his hands, splitting into dozens of fine rays that descended onto each disciple's forehead. In that instant, an enigmatic incantation of the cultivation method surfaced in my mind—each word a gem, each phrase steeped in mystery—similar in some respects to what my father had taught me, yet distinctly different.

"This method forms the foundation for absorbing the inner energy of heaven and earth; practicing it during the three daily periods—morning, noon, and dusk—will help you stabilize your Foundation Establishment," Master Nanshan explained, "That is all for today; tomorrow, I shall teach you the basics of alchemy."

As Master Nanshan rose and departed, the first lesson came to an end. The disciples began to stand and murmur among themselves, discussing the cultivation method and the insights they had just absorbed.

"Junior Sister Lingwei," Ye Ming said, having quietly come to stand beside me, smiling gently, "Your question earlier was quite incisive—it seems you are rather intrigued by the legend of Taigong's fishing?"

I looked back at him calmly and replied, "I have heard a little, hence my curiosity."

Ye Ming regarded me deeply, his smile ambiguous, "If you are interested in this matter, you might want to visit the Sutra Repository. It houses many ancient texts about Taigong's deeds that might help clear the doubts in your heart."

I nodded in gratitude, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother."

"Lingwei."

A voice as cold and pure as freshly fallen snow came from behind—not hurried yet not slow, but cutting through the subtle tension between Ye Ming and me like a sharp sword. I turned to see that Mo Qing had silently positioned herself three steps behind me, her white garment strikingly distinct amidst the deep blue and pale blue attire of the other disciples.

"The sect master has ordered me to take you to the Sutra Repository to fetch some advanced techniques for core disciples," she stated calmly, yet with a subtle emphasis on the words "sect master ordered me," unmistakably asserting her authority.

Upon hearing this, Ye Ming frowned briefly but soon regained his composure and bowed to Mo Qing, "Sister Mo Qing." His tone was respectful, though a trace of reluctance and appraisal flickered in his eyes.

Mo Qing merely nodded faintly, her gaze fixed on me; her deep eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, yet remained mysteriously silent.

"Junior sister, we shall speak another time," Ye Ming said with a slight smile as he turned and departed, his steps measured yet hinting at urgency.

"Let's go," Mo Qing said softly, turning and walking toward the hall's exit, her white garment billowing like a drifting cloud.

I glanced over at Su Li not far away, gave her a parting wave, and then promptly followed Mo Qing's steps.