Chapter 73: "Caught in the Act"

After listening to Daoist Jianxian’s explanation, Cheng Xinzhan fell into contemplation for a while.

For the guiding instrument, his first choice was a sword. He already possessed the body sword “Autumn Waters” and the flying sword “Peach Capital”, but still lacked a spell sword. This guiding instrument, which could both attract thunder and borrow the might of heaven and earth to wield thunder arts, perfectly suited the essence of a spell sword. The problem was that a spell sword, needing to channel spiritual force and bear inscription marks, required exceptional materials. He did have some fragments of refined metal on hand, but those were meant to nourish “Autumn Waters” and were far from enough for forging a new sword.

As for a vessel to contain thunder, he had no particular idea.

“I should consult my master about this when I return,” he replied.

Jianxian nodded. “Forging a magical tool is no trivial matter. Speak with Master Wen once you’re back. But don’t delay too long; spring thunder is frequent these days. Once you’re ready, I’ll take you out—it's been over three months since I last drew down thunder, and the thunder’s mysteries within me have almost dissipated.”

Cheng Xinzhan acknowledged this.

“Let me tell you more about refining thunder essence. In the heavens, thunder takes many forms—like light, vapor, silver, or liquid. But once we draw it into a vessel, it becomes a kind of viscous fluid, which we call thunder pulp.

“When ingesting thunder pulp for the first time, use a non-metallic spoon to scoop a tiny drop from the vessel. First, use your five-element magic to refine it, removing its violent aura—essentially using acquired energy to tame the innate force. This minimizes the harm thunder pulp does to the body.

“Next, you’ll need cooling balm, made from herbs like cassia seeds, pennywort, dandelion, and Artemisia. For opening the nasal orifice, simply apply the balm inside the nostrils three times a day; after two or three days, you can start absorbing the refined thunder pulp. If opening the eye orifice, anoint the eyes with the balm for seven or eight days, also three times daily, then apply the thunder pulp. To open the gallbladder orifice, you must ingest the balm twice daily for about half a month before drinking thunder pulp and guiding it into the gallbladder.

“Once these orifices are opened to hold thunder, we call them thunder dwellings.

“The method to open a thunder dwelling differs somewhat from opening a spiritual mansion. In the latter, you circulate qi through your body, refining spiritual energy into magical power, then use that to impact the organs—a process of purification.

“Opening a thunder dwelling is different. As you’ve read, thunder pulp is already the most refined thing between heaven and earth. After you refine it with magic, its power is weakened and its essence diminished. So, after ingestion, you don’t need to circulate it through your body; simply use the thunder pulp to impact the chosen orifice.

“Upon impact, the thunder pulp will shatter and disperse into vapor. At this point, you direct your mind to circulate this vapor through your body, transforming it into magical power—what we call thunder energy.

“Once your dwelling is established, you can pour thunder pulp directly into it and then circulate it to form thunder energy. One cycle takes much less time than with five-element qi, and the result is much more refined.”

Listening to this, Cheng Xinzhan was struck by how different thunder cultivation was from the five elements.

At this point, Daoist Jianxian asked, “Xinzhan, have you decided which orifice to use as your thunder dwelling?”

After a brief thought, Cheng Xinzhan dismissed using the eye orifice—it was already the Yin-Yang Hall, which he wasn’t willing to sacrifice. Both the gallbladder and nasal orifices were viable, but the nasal orifice promised quicker results, while the gallbladder was slower. With Jianxian’s guidance now, he could start with the nasal orifice and decide on the gallbladder later.

“Master, I plan to use the nasal orifice as my thunder dwelling first.”

Jianxian nodded. “That’s the most common and prudent choice for beginners. The earlier you open your first thunder dwelling, the sooner you can refine thunder energy, making it easier to open a second or third later.

“The nasal orifice resonates with the sound of thunder, which benefits the cultivation of thunder incantations. Pay attention to this in the future.”

Cheng Xinzhan acknowledged and took note.

Jianxian continued, “Actually, the best time to open a thunder dwelling is amidst a thunderstorm, when the roar of thunder and the surge of thunder pulp harmonize. But there’s no need to wait; your master wants this done quickly, so we won’t delay. I have enough thunder pulp and cooling balm here for you to use ten times at least, so there’s no need to spend more time gathering them now. For future needs, you’ll have to collect them yourself.”

Cheng Xinzhan hadn’t expected such good fortune and hurriedly bowed in thanks.

“One more thing: breaking through the fleshly barrier of the orifice to open the dwelling is a particularly painful process. Be prepared.”

Jianxian reminded him.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded. After enduring the piercing agony of true evil qi, he couldn’t imagine anything worse.

Soon after, Jianxian produced a small porcelain jar and handed it to Cheng Xinzhan.

“Take this home and use a small spoon to administer the balm to your nostrils three times a day. At first, your nose will feel numb. After two or three days, when you start feeling a cooling sensation, come find me again, and I’ll teach you how to ingest the thunder pulp.”

“Also, when you return, ask Master Wen if your sect has a thunder energy circulation route. If so, use that; if not, I can teach you the entry-level route of the Yingyuan Hall. Since your master entrusted you to me, it’s no problem for me to teach you some basics. But it will only be basics. And remember, prepare your guiding and containing instruments as soon as possible.”

Cheng Xinzhan accepted the cooling balm and thanked him profusely.

Jianxian asked, “Your first question led to many others. Are there any other uncertainties from those two books?”

Cheng Xinzhan replied, “There is one more. In the ‘Divine Firmament Thunder Energy Method,’ as with the inner alchemy path, many orifices are referred to by aliases. The thunder texts borrow names from ancient thunder departments’ key offices and official titles. I haven’t clarified these correspondences, nor found pertinent records in the Minor Myriad Mountain library.”

Jianxian slapped his forehead. “Ah, I almost forgot!”

He rose, rummaged through his study, and handed Cheng Xinzhan a book titled “True Meaning of the Thunder Mansion’s Fate.”

Cheng Xinzhan took the book and the cooling balm and took his leave.

———

Upon returning to Mount Mingzhi, Cheng Xinzhan did not head straight to Wuyou Cave but went to the Bamboo Inscription Pavilion.

He did not see Wen Sukong in the bamboo pavilion, but he was no longer just a nominal disciple of the Minor Myriad Mountain—he was one of only two living people on the mountain, a legitimate personal disciple. Between master and disciple, they were the closest companions on the Daoist path; even if one fell, the other would seek their reincarnation to continue their immortal affinity. So it was perfectly natural to seek his master’s advice or help.

He called out directly, “Master! Master! Are you there?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a swirl of mysterious light floated out of nowhere into the pavilion, and Wen Sukong appeared.

“Master,” Cheng Xinzhan greeted with a bow.

“Xinzhan, sit down. What brings you here?” his master asked.

Cheng Xinzhan took his usual cushion and explained, “Master, Master Zhao of Pivot Mountain arranged for me to study law under the Demon-Slaying Office of the Northern Pole Division, with Daoist Jianxian as my teacher. Today, Jianxian said that to practice thunder arts, I need a guiding instrument to draw down thunder pulp and a vessel to contain it—both of which I must prepare myself.”

Wen Sukong understood and even smiled faintly. This disciple was so courteous—this was the first time he had made such a request.

“What do you want?” she asked.

Cheng Xinzhan was a little embarrassed. “Your disciple has acquired a body sword and a flying sword through fortune outside, and would like to take this opportunity to craft a spell sword as the guiding instrument for thunder cultivation. As for the vessel, I have no ideas and will leave it to your judgment.”

“Very well,” Wen Sukong agreed with a smile.

Cheng Xinzhan was surprised at how smoothly this went and quickly stood up to bow again.

Wen Sukong motioned for him to sit and, after thinking for a moment, said, “I do not practice the sword path and don’t have any fine spell swords on me. You should go to Sword Mountain’s sword vault and choose one that calls to you. Our Mingzhi Mountain’s Minor Corpse Dissolution Pill can feign death for thirty years—a supreme treasure for prolonging life and escaping disaster. Take one to the sword vault keeper; he will see you right.”

She produced a mutton-fat jade pill bottle, letting it float over to Cheng Xinzhan, who caught it. He did not yet realize the value of such a pill, nor how much care his master invested in this first request and his future on the sword path.

“As for the vessel, your own body is actually the best choice,” she said with a smile. “But using your body to contain thunder would be too conspicuous. Let me think of something suitable for you.”

She considered for a moment, then produced several items and let them float before him.

“Each of these is of fine material and should suffice for containing thunder. See if any appeal to you.”

Cheng Xinzhan looked up. Floating before him were:

An ancient purple-skinned gourd, tinged with dark red spots, about five or six inches—just enough to fit in one hand;

A beautiful ewer of gilt filigree and enamel, inlaid with tiny images of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, ten inches tall;

A bronze wine goblet entwined with dragons and serpents, about three or four inches high;

A white ivory cup, lustrous and carved with celestial maidens riding the clouds, about the same size as the bronze goblet.

“All of these hold miniature void realms inside, so you need not worry about their outward size. Even the smallest can easily hold a hundred buckets of water. Unlike the rare void stones, these void spaces link directly to the world, with six cardinal points just the same, so you can put things in or take them out just by pouring—no need to use your mind.”

Cheng Xinzhan was deeply tempted by all of them.

Seeing her disciple torn by appearances alone, Wen Sukong added, “Each has other marvelous uses beyond being a vessel. The Four Gentlemen Ewer contains thirty-two independent void spaces, allowing you to store thirty-two different wines without mixing. Just shift the void space near the spout with your mind, and you can sample different drinks. It was a gift from a friend.

“The Dragon-Serpent Goblet has the largest void space—enough to hold water from ten wells. Once filled, you can refine the ten wells’ water into a single drop of profound heavy water. When it’s full, this becomes a suppressing weapon: wielded in battle, it descends like a mountain. I acquired it in trade at a market.

“The Celestial Maiden Cup has two effects. First, it enhances aroma—put plain water in, activate the cup’s refinement, and within minutes it will turn into fine wine. Second, it can dissolve flesh: put in any beast—or even a person—activate the cup, and in minutes it will reduce them to a cup of blood. I took it from a demon lord I slew.

“As for the purple gourd,” Wen Sukong glanced at Cheng Xinzhan, “it’s called ‘True Shape’ and was also a friend’s gift. It’s primarily a sword-nurturing gourd, with four void spaces inside. The largest is a gold sand realm for sharpening flying swords; the other three can hold different wines. With a thought, you can bring the right void to the gourd’s mouth to store or retrieve swords or drinks—and thunder pulp as well.”

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan chose “True Shape” without hesitation.

Wen Sukong smiled, stowed the other three, and tossed the purple gourd to Cheng Xinzhan.

She then produced another pill bottle and handed it to him, saying, “Inside are Hundred Herb Lung-Nourishing Pills. Give these to Jianxian as my thanks next time you see him. If he refuses, just tell him it’s a token of my regard and has nothing to do with Zhao’s arrangements.”

Cheng Xinzhan accepted it, then recalled another matter Jianxian had mentioned. “Master, Jianxian also asked whether Mingzhi Mountain has a thunder energy circulation diagram—should I practice our own, or Pivot Mountain’s? If the latter, he can only teach the basics.”

Wen Sukong thought for a moment, then produced a jade slip and tossed it to him. “Mingzhi Mountain doesn’t really cultivate thunder arts. I myself never opened the nasal orifice even at the second stage—I used it for something else. But your grandmaster Tongxuan is a great expert in thunder arts. You may visit him in the Pure Yang Hall whenever you wish. Don’t be put off by his title as vice headmaster—he’s not that busy. Understand?”

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, thinking he could visit Pure Yang Hall sometime… or maybe not; he’d see.

“I don’t know thunder arts and have never cultivated them. That jade slip in your hand is something I found long ago in the relics of an ancient cave. It records the route for circulating thunder energy. I never used it and have changed caves several times since. If you hadn’t asked, I’d have forgotten it.”

The memory brought much back for Wen Sukong. She’d explored those ruins with her junior brother, among seven or eight others, each with their own schemes. When the time came to divide the spoils, all manner of ugliness emerged. Another wanted that very jade slip, but she refused to yield it to someone who had done little work and wanted to profit. She chose the thunder jade slip, which was utterly useless to her, never expecting it would see the light centuries later.

“Look it over when you return. If it’s useful, great; if not, learn Pivot Mountain’s entry method for now, and I’ll ask your grandmaster for a better one later.”

Cheng Xinzhan took the jade slip, which bore the inscription in thunder script:

“Thunder Chariot, Fire Banner Circulation Technique.”

It was rather late; everyone had waited long enough.

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(End of chapter)