Fierce Tiger Preaches the Dao

When it comes to cultivation methods, if one follows the Side Gate and Left Path, Qi WuHuo could have already entered the Dao and cultivated divine abilities. However, if one wishes to tread the grand and proper path, they must possess complete Essence, complete Qi, and complete Spirit.

His Primordial Spirit had already been achieved, and his Primordial Qi had been nurtured, but he had no method for Primordial Essence.

This magnificent Fierce Tiger asked with a serious expression if he wanted to listen to its Dao. Its demeanor was as solemn as that of a rugged Daoist discussing the Dao while observing the snow by the bamboo forest. The young man was stunned, then he put down his bamboo basket, tidied his clothes, and cupped his hands in response:

"It is what I have long wished for, I dared not ask."

The Fierce Tiger roared with laughter.

The sound shook several miles, causing the pine forest to tremble. Snowflakes fell from the tree trunks. The Fierce Tiger laughed, "Please, take a seat."

This snow-covered ground had clearly become a Dao Field. The Fierce Tiger sat majestically on the highest bluestone, while Qi WuHuo sat to its side. Many wild beasts that had gained sentience also sat down one by one. Apes scratched their ears, spiritual pythons coiled themselves, flicking their forked tongues, and birds folded their wings, perching on branches.

The Fierce Tiger's gaze swept over them, and then it slowly spoke:

"Today, we have a new Dao Fellow joining our feast, so I shall impart the Dao. In cultivation, the foremost priority is Primordial Essence! This so-called Primordial Essence is the fundamental substance of flesh and blood for all living beings. Ordinary martial artists and those of the Side Gate and Left Path all say that Essence is Qi, Blood, Tendons, and Bones, but this is far from the truth. Cultivating thus is like climbing a tree to catch fish; the more you cultivate, the further you stray."

"What is Primordial Essence?"

"The Great Dao says—"

"'Seek form within the hazy, find true essence within the obscure.'"

"'From nothingness to existence, how can one conceive without seeing?'"

"Furthermore, in the twenty-first chapter of the Dao Ancestor's Classic of the Way and Virtue, it is said, 'The Dao is a thing, yet it is hazy and indistinct. Hazy and indistinct, yet within it are forms; indistinct and hazy, yet within it are things; deep and obscure, yet within it is essence.'"

"'This essence refers to Primordial Essence.'"

"'It is called hazy and indistinct, called obscure, meaning that this Primordial Essence is not something with form or substance, but rather permeates the five viscera, the four limbs, and the hundred joints. It is also said to be finding true essence within the obscure.'"

"'What does finding mean? It means to search.'"

"'With what shall we search? With the spirit.'"

"'What the Dao Ancestor meant by this saying is.'"

"'Primordial Essence is deeply hidden within the four limbs and hundred joints, yet it cannot be ordinarily perceived. Only when one is in a state of hazy indistinctness can it be sensed. One must take the spirit as the body and intention as the function, and in the state of seeming presence and absence, within the four limbs and hundred joints, [gather and refine it]!'"

"'This is the [refining essence] skill within Refining Essence to Transform Qi.'"

"'It means to find the Primordial Essence within the four limbs and hundred joints, gather it, and refine it.'"

"'But why must it be refined?'"

"'By observing the nature of all things through the truth of one thing, it is all for the sake of this initial Qi—because this Primordial Essence is the fundamental substance of all life, the foundation of life! In some great lineages, it is called the [Life Treasure].'"

"'Retrieving one's Life Treasure from the creation of heaven and earth, living beings who reach this realm can attain complete longevity, be immune to natural disasters and man-made calamities, be impervious to all diseases, and can die without illness, known as a Daoist master.'"

The Fierce Tiger's deep voice echoed, explaining the cultivation methods of the Daoist school.

After speaking slowly, it shook its head and sighed:

"Refining essence, transforming Qi; these were originally two steps. It is to gather and refine the Primordial Essence of the five viscera and six organs, and to retrieve my Life Treasure from the creation of heaven and earth, thereby knowing that my life is my own. Then, one must use the spirit to guide the Qi, and when Qi merges with essence, it transforms into Primordial Prenatal Qi, thus becoming unrestrained."

"'Escaping the mortal world, and taking another step forward, a human can be called a True Person, and a beast can shed its animal form and receive offerings.'"

"'But when it was passed down outside the Daoist school, it became increasingly erroneous, turning into one step. In the end, it required gathering and refining one's own flesh and blood to temper internal Qi. What a misrepresentation...'"

"'One cultivates one's own perfection. Flesh and blood are as important as the Primordial Spirit.'"

"'How can they be gathered and refined!'"

"'The ancestors of the Daoist school hid the crucial points and secrets in mere fragments of words. Those who do not inherit the true lineage cannot obtain the genuine transmission, which is truly regrettable.'"

As the Fierce Tiger sighed, it resembled an old Daoist who had walked the world for a long time. It could not understand the actions of the Daoist ancestors, yet its body was majestic and imposing, its spirit grand, like a chivalrous hero. Qi WuHuo listened and suddenly understood.

He muttered to himself, "[Refining Essence], [Transforming Qi]."

The knowledge that the old man who claimed to share the same surname as the Dao Ancestor had told him earlier seemed to become clearer.

The Fierce Tiger glanced at him, its voice low, and continued:

"The Dao Ancestor's Classic of the Way and Virtue says, 'Its essence is very true, and within it there is faith.'"

"'From ancient times to the present, its name does not depart, observing all beginnings.'"

"'How do I know the state of all beginnings?'"

"'Its essence is very true, meaning the existence of Primordial Essence is real and not false. And observing all beginnings, 'observing' means 'to receive,' and 'beginnings' means 'the start.' It means Primordial Essence is the origin of all things, the beginning of all life.'"

"'Especially important!'"

A bird with feathers emitting a strange radiance had its eyes light up. Overjoyed, it bowed its head and said, "I have now obtained the method for cultivating Primordial Essence!"

"I implore the Mountain Lord to impart the righteous law to me!"

A monkey also scratched its ears and then prostrated itself, saying, "I implore the Mountain Lord Ancestor to impart the righteous law, to teach the righteous law!"

The Fierce Tiger's aura was majestic. It frowned and shook its head, speaking in a low voice:

"The Dao of transforming Qi is the Dao of True Persons. Your Qi is not yet perfectly integrated, and your spirit cannot leave your body. You have not yet been able to gather Primordial Essence. Even if I impart the righteous law and the great Dao to you, it will be cultivated into the Side Gate and Left Path!"

The Fierce Tiger glanced at Qi WuHuo.

Qi WuHuo lowered his eyes, deep in thought.

What the previous elder had told him was the most basic method: using the spirit to guide the Qi, and using the Qi to refine the flesh and blood. When the flesh and blood became perfectly integrated and pure, Primordial Essence would naturally condense. However, the Fierce Tiger before him was imparting a Dao Ancestor's method: gathering and refining essence within the obscure void, to seize one's Life Treasure.

One focused on inaction, the other on gradual cultivation.

Yet, they seemed to be able to validate each other.

Just then, the Fierce Tiger glanced at the small green cauldron, raised a paw, and struck it. The cauldron suddenly suspended in mid-air, flickered, and instantly emitted an endless emerald light. In an instant, it transformed from a small cauldron into a giant one, adorned with ancient Taotie patterns. Its mouth bit an iron ring, three in total, arranged in the three powers formation, ringing out with a clang.

The cauldron hung in the void, fire enveloping its body, turning through nine rotations.

It melted and forged all the medicinal ingredients brought by the spirits and monsters from over ten nearby mountains into itself, tempered by Tiger Fire. Gradually, an intensely rich medicinal aroma began to emanate.

Though not wine, it intoxicated all the spirits and monsters present, causing them to sway their heads, stumble, their vision blurring, as if the heavens themselves were drunk. Only the blue-robed youth sat upright. As the Fierce Tiger struck the great cauldron, the rumbling sound was like flowing water turning.

"Come, please partake!"

The emerald Spiritual Liquid was refined, and then lotus leaves curled in the air, transforming into cup after cup. The Spiritual Liquid held within was as green as jade, yet possessed a crystal-clear quality.

The Fierce Tiger was the first to drink it down.

Qi WuHuo's Primordial Spirit sensed no malice. Holding the wine, he drank it all down at the Fierce Tiger's urging to do so before the medicinal effects wore off.

As the Spiritual Liquid entered his throat, a slight drunkenness was felt, but then he sensed a difference. His body was drunk, his Blood Essence settled, and his Primordial Spirit emerged. Qi WuHuo clearly felt his Primordial Spirit slightly leave his body, his flesh and blood condensing, and his Primordial Qi flowing through his limbs and bones.

In the faint and obscure depths, gather and refine essence.

The beasts lay drunkenly scattered about, while the youth sat cross-legged in the falling snow.

The Fierce Tiger perched on a blue stone, striking the great cauldron, emitting a grand sound, then laughed heartily:

"The Dao, as an entity, is merely vague and indistinct."

"Seeking it, seeking it, ultimately unattainable."

"Cultivating the Dao!"

"Seeking Immortality!"

"Eternal Life!"

"Look, the world is as vast as a plate; this is but a single Elixir in my home!"

"If you wish to depart, then come and go; do not take form as the object of your contemplation."

After laughing, he drank the Spiritual Liquid as if it were wine.

Snow fell in the mountains.

The Fierce Tiger preached the Dao.

Qi WuHuo's eyes were slightly closed as he circulated his Qi.

All things possess a Great Elixir; gather and refine it, shed the body of creation, and return to my original Qi.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he faintly sensed a supremely pure essence being gathered throughout his limbs and bones.

The Fierce Tiger looked up, his eyes widening.

So fast?!

Primordial Essence, gathered.

PS: This chapter's explanation of the Classic of the Way and Virtue and Daoist cultivation records comes from the founder of the Loose Immortals sect, True Person He Shang, He Shang Gong;

From the Northern Song Dynasty's True Person Ziyang's Chapter of Understanding Reality.

And from the founder of the Western School of Daoism, True Person Chang Yi, Li Hanxu.