Return to the Dojo

Dao Xuan bid farewell to Ao Guang, who was overflowing with gratitude and wished he could have poured out his very heart.

Riding the Five Spirit Qilin, he strode across the waves and departed the East Sea.

Auspicious clouds accompanied him all the way, and a clear wind saw him off.

Before long, he returned to his own Dojo—Fangzhang Immortal Island.

This island was formed from a Chaos Fragment, its Innate Spiritual Energy so dense it formed mist. Rare flowers and exotic herbs grew everywhere, and auspicious beasts roamed freely.

In the center of the island stood a grand and ancient Dao Palace.

With glazed tiles, jade pillars, and golden steps, it was wreathed in auspicious clouds and bathed in myriad auspicious energies.

Above the palace gates, three characters, imbued with flowing Dao Rhyme, were inscribed on the plaque: Xuan Yuan Palace!

As Dao Xuan landed his cloud on the white jade plaza before the palace.

"Master is back! Master is back!"

Two clear, childish voices rang out joyfully.

Two exquisitely carved, rosy-cheeked Dao boys, appearing to be about seven or eight years old, flew out from the palace like butterflies flitting through flowers.

The boy on the left had his hair in twin buns, wore a Water-Combining Robe, a Heaven and Earth Knot at his waist, and Cloud-Treading Shoes on his feet.

His face was like a peach blossom, his eyes sparkled with light, and he was lively and spirited.

This was Yushu Boy.

The boy on the right wore a Fish-Tail Crown, a pale yellow robe, a Pure Yang Knot at his waist, and hemp shoes on his feet.

His face was like powdered jade, his lips like cinnabar. He was more composed but couldn't hide his joy.

This was Xuanji Boy.

The two young boys ran up to Dao Xuan and bowed their heads.

"Welcome Master home!"

"Master, you're finally back! You were gone for tens of thousands of years, Yushu (Xuanji) missed you terribly!"

Yushu, being more impatient, couldn't help but pout and complain after bowing.

Though Xuanji didn't say anything, his large eyes were also filled with grievance.

Dao Xuan looked at these two boys he had enlightened and raised himself, and his heart warmed.

He laughed heartily and reached out to ruffle their hair.

"Alright, alright, don't complain. Didn't I come back?"

"This outing brought me great fortune, and I've brought gifts for you both."

"Really?!" Yushu's eyes instantly lit up, his grievances vanishing.

Xuanji also showed an expectant look.

"Of course, it's true." Dao Xuan nodded with a smile. "However, let Master see how you've managed the household first? Are the treasures in the garden alright?"

"They're great! They're great!" Yushu answered quickly, his little face full of pride. "Master, please come with us!"

The two boys, one on each side, escorted Dao Xuan through numerous halls and chambers, arriving deep within Xuan Yuan Palace.

The spiritual energy here was dense, and faint rays of divine light shimmered.

A meticulously tended Spirit Garden appeared before them.

Many rare Spirit Roots and Immortal Herbs collected by Dao Xuan were planted in the garden.

But the most eye-catching sight was a pool about a zhang square in the center of the garden.

The pool water was in three colors, with the essence of the sun, moon, and stars flowing ceaselessly, emitting a magnificent power of vitality and creation!

This was the divine pool formed by the convergence of Three Lights Divine Water!

Beside the pool, a vine grew, winding its way along.

The vine was emerald green all over, its spiritual light flowing, and its leaves were like carved jade.

On the vine hung a gourd of extraordinary appearance!

This was the last, withered little gourd from the Innate Gourd Vine that had been on the peak of Buzhou Mountain, its origin depleted and almost dead!

However, at this moment.

Dao Xuan gazed intently and couldn't help but feel surprised and delighted!

The once withered little gourd, though still grayish-purple, was now much plumper and rounder.

Mysterious purple-gold patterns faintly appeared on the gourd's surface, and a weak yet exceptionally pure Innate Spiritual Energy was slowly emanating from within.

Nourished by the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and the Three Lights Divine Water, the entire gourd vine was no longer withered.

Its body was thick, its spiritual light brilliant, and it was full of life!

The last little gourd was truly recovering, and it looked like it wouldn't be long before it was fully mature!

"Master, look!" Xuanji pointed at the gourd vine, his voice carrying a hint of undisguised pride.

"My and Yushu's respect for Master's instructions means we carefully water it with Three Lights Divine Water from the Jade Bottle once every nine years, without the slightest negligence."

"Yes, yes!" Yushu quickly nodded, tilting his small face up with an expression that clearly said, "Praise me quickly."

"Watering it is hard work! We have to calculate the exact time and control the water volume, not a drop too much, not a drop too little! We're afraid of damaging Master's treasure!"

Dao Xuan looked at the two young attendants' eager faces and felt even more delighted.

He ruffled the heads of the two boys again, praising them without reservation:

"Good! Well done! Yushu, Xuanji, you truly haven't disappointed Master! You've taken such good care of this Spirit Root, Master is very pleased!"

Upon receiving the praise, the two attendants' faces lit up with joy, happier than if they had received any treasure.

Dao Xuan looked at the vibrant gourd vine and the seventh gourd that was nearing ripeness, feeling satisfied.

He waved his large sleeve.

Two streams of light flew out, landing before Yushu and Xuanji respectively.

The light faded.

Before Yushu, a bronze ancient mirror, about the size of his palm, hovered.

The mirror's body was ancient and simple, covered in mysterious cloud patterns. Its surface was hazy, as if shrouded in a thin mist, and its aura was obscure and difficult to discern.

It was the Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Sky-Gazing Mirror! It could observe the heavens, perceive the slightest detail, and possessed considerable defensive capabilities.

Before Xuanji, there was a dull, unremarkable bead.

But within the bead, faint green vortexes of wind and purple flashes of lightning could be seen intertwining, emitting a sharp aura of wind and thunder.

It was the Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Wind and Thunder Pearl! It contained innate wind and thunder power, making its attacks swift and its power considerable.

"These two treasures were obtained by Master from the Treasure Distribution Rock. Today, I bestow them upon you for self-defense and protection."

"Yushu receives the Sky-Gazing Mirror, and Xuanji receives the Wind and Thunder Pearl."

"I hope you will refine them well and cultivate diligently, so as not to disappoint Master's expectations."

"Wow! Thank you, Master!"

"Many thanks for Master's generous bestowal!"

The two attendants looked at the hovering Innate Spiritual Treasures, their treasure light flowing, their small faces flushed with excitement. They quickly knelt down to express their gratitude.

They carefully picked up their respective treasures, unable to put them down.

Yushu held the Sky-Gazing Mirror, looking left and right. The hazy surface reflected his curious little face.

Xuanji held the Wind and Thunder Pearl, feeling the violent power contained within. He was both excited and a little nervous.

Seeing the attendants' joy, Dao Xuan's mood also improved greatly.

He was about to turn and go to his quiet room to meditate and digest his recent gains from the East Sea.

However, his gaze inadvertently swept over the seventh gourd at the top of the vine again.

Huh?

Dao Xuan's steps halted.

He had been too happy about the gourd's recovery earlier. Now, concentrating and observing closely, he discovered something unusual.

Inside the gourd, besides the pure Innate Spiritual Energy, there seemed to be... another extremely faint, yet exceptionally lively, life aura, like that of a newborn infant?

This aura was extremely subtle. If not for Dao Xuan's powerful Primordial Spirit and his possession of the Chaos Bead, which made him sensitive to the Origin of life, he would have almost failed to detect it!

"Hmm?"

Dao Xuan was surprised. He took a few steps closer and cautiously extended his divine sense towards the gourd.

Indeed!

Deep within the chaotic Innate Spiritual Energy inside the gourd, an extremely tiny, curled-up point of light, emitting pure life fluctuations, was slowly pulsing!

It was like a developing embryo!

"This... this is..."

Dao Xuan's eyes widened.

A life was being nurtured... inside the gourd?!

A well-known legend from his past life flashed through his mind.

Could it be... that a Gourd Baby was really about to be born?!

The thought itself seemed absurd to Dao Xuan, yet he couldn't help but be curious.

A life nurtured inside a gourd produced by an Innate Spirit Root?

This was much more interesting than a mere Spiritual Treasure!

Dao Xuan's interest was immediately piqued.

His original plan to go into seclusion was temporarily put aside.

He decided to stay on the island for a few more days to carefully observe the changes in the gourd.

And so.

In the days that followed, Dao Xuan began living a leisurely "retirement" on Fangzhang Immortal Island.

Every morning.

He would either stand atop Xuan Yuan Palace, watching the sun rise in the east and the purple qi arrive from the east, comprehending the wonder of yin and yang's cycles.

Or he would stroll through the island's Spirit Garden, watching exotic flowers bloom and immortal herbs condense dew, feeling the way of the rise and fall of plants.

In the afternoon.

He would sit in a secluded pavilion behind the palace.

Taking out tender leaves from the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree.

Brewing them with Three Lights Divine Water.

The tea fragrance wafted, and the Dao Rhyme was naturally formed.

While sipping the immortal tea that aided enlightenment, he would peruse the jade slips of Daoist scriptures brought from Kunlun Mountain's Jade Void Palace.

Huang Ting Jing, Yin Fu Jing, Qing Jing Jing... numerous Daoist classics, picked up with ease.

His Primordial Spirit was immersed in the profound mysteries of the Great Dao, reviewing the old to know the new.

In the evening.

He would ascend the island's highest peak.

Watching the sea of clouds churn, the Golden Crow set in the west, and the sunset clouds dye the sky red.

Watching the stars gradually brighten, the Milky Way stretch far, feeling the principles of the celestial bodies' movements.

When in the mood.

He would also guide the cultivation of his two young attendants.

Yushu had obtained the Sky-Gazing Mirror, so he taught him basic deduction and divination, methods to perceive spiritual energy.

Xuanji had obtained the Wind and Thunder Pearl, so he imparted to him the secrets of summoning wind and thunder, and controlling divine abilities.

The two young attendants progressed rapidly, and their admiration for Master was boundless.

Occasionally.

Dao Xuan would also ride the Five Spirit Qilin, taking a leisurely ride over the East Sea.

Watching the vast expanse of blue waves, giant whales spouting water, and dark birds soaring.

Or he would dive into the deep sea, searching for rare spiritual materials and precious medicines to enrich his little treasury.

His days were spent in utter freedom and unparalleled comfort.

Even more joyful than listening to his Teacher lecture on the Dao at Kunlun Mountain.

It had a certain "In the mountains, time is forgotten; when winter ends, one knows not the year" feel to it.

One day.

Dao Xuan, as usual.

Brewed the enlightenment tea in the pavilion.

The tea fragrance permeated the air, refreshing the heart and mind.

He picked up the jade cup and took a light sip.

He felt a cool Dao Rhyme penetrate directly into his Purple Mansion, his Primordial Spirit becoming clear, and his comprehension of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique seemed to deepen by a sliver.

Just as he was enjoying himself.

Suddenly!

Rumble--!

Without any warning!

The entire Fangzhang Immortal Island shook violently!

In the sky, wind and clouds changed drastically!

The originally clear blue sky was instantly covered by thick, leaden clouds that appeared from nowhere!

The clouds churned, as if dyed with ink, pressing low towards the immortal island!

A heavy, oppressive, terrifying pressure, as if heaven and earth were about to collapse, descended abruptly!

Crack!

A blinding white lightning bolt, tearing through the firmament, struck down without warning!

Immediately following!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening thunder, like the roar of an ancient giant god, exploded madly within the thick clouds!

A fierce wind rose from the ground!

Thousands of spirit mists swirled, crushing countless immortal flowers and exotic herbs!

The calm East Sea instantly boiled!

Towering waves, like enraged behemoths, fiercely battered the reefs of Fangzhang Immortal Island!

"Master!"

"Master! What's happening?!"

Yushu and Xuanji, the two boys, their faces pale from the sudden, drastic change in the world, rushed to the pavilion in a panic.

Dao Xuan had already set down his jade cup.

He rose to his full height and stood in the pavilion.

Beneath his Blue Gauze Headband, his face, like fine jade, was now etched with solemnity.

His clear, bright eyes shot out beams of light, piercing through the gale and leaden clouds, fixing their gaze on the center of the Spirit Garden!

The direction where the Innate Gourd Vine grew!

At the tip of the vine, The gourd, which had been dull and unremarkable, Was now erupting with boundless radiance!

Purple-gold light pierced the thick, leaden clouds, illuminating the entire dim world with magnificence!

The profound patterns on the gourd's surface seemed to come alive, swirling madly!

An indescribable, pure, and vast innate spiritual energy, as if it had existed since the dawn of creation, awoke like a slumbering ancient god or demon, and exploded forth!

Sweeping across the entire Fangzhang Immortal Island!

It even stirred the surrounding spiritual energy, forming a massive vortex that poured madly into the gourd!

Inside the gourd, that faint yet pure life force, like a prairie fire, instantly became incomparably blazing and distinct!

It was furiously absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth! Absorbing the essence of the gourd vine! Absorbing the power of creation from the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and the Three Lights Divine Water!

It was... breaking free!

Dao Xuan watched this world-shattering phenomenon, feeling the rapidly rising life fluctuations within the gourd.

The solemnity on his face gradually faded, replaced by an irrepressible sense of wonder and anticipation.

He murmured to himself:

"It's coming... it's finally coming..."

"I'd like to see what kind of medicine you're selling in that gourd,"

"Just don't actually pop out a baby in a belly band calling me grandpa..."

Before he finished speaking.

BOOM--!!!

A divine lightning bolt, thicker and brighter than all the previous thunder combined, a purple-gold bolt of divine lightning, tore through the sky. With the might of creation, it struck the radiant purple-gold gourd with pinpoint accuracy!

The gourd vine swayed violently!

The gourd's surface blazed with purple-gold divine light!

A crisp "crack" sound, like shattering jade, clearly reached Dao Xuan's ears!

The Innate Spiritual Embryo, which had been gestating for who knew how many eons...

Finally!

Was about to be born!