Afterward, Donghua followed the Azure Bird through the swirling clouds and mists into the depths of West Kunlun. The view before him suddenly opened up.
The Jade Pool was like a mirror, reflecting the stars across the heavens. Beside it, moonlight and Clear Radiance flowed between jade trees and jeweled branches.
Queen Mother of the West stood quietly by the Jade Pool, clad in a moon-white Daoist robe patterned with clouds. Her Nine Phoenix Hairpin hung in her hair, shedding tiny points of starlight.
Donghua inclined his head slightly. "I am East King Duke, Daoist name Donghua. It is a pleasure to meet you, fellow Daoist."
Queen Mother of the West returned his greeting. Her clear voice rang like a jade chime. "I am Queen Mother of the West, Daoist name Taizhen. It is a pleasure to meet you, fellow Daoist."
Queen Mother of the West's appearance was indeed captivating. Her features were as lovely as a painting, her manner gentle and warm, yet a hint of unquestionable authority lay in her shifting gaze.
A natural warmth radiated from her every gesture, inspiring admiration in those around her.
This quality far surpassed the ordinary beauty praised by mortals. It sprang from the unique Daoist aura of an Innate Divine Being, making others feel drawn to her, yet wary of showing disrespect.
She stood there quietly, gentle as water, steadfast as a mountain; as approachable as moonlight, yet as inviolable as heaven's laws.
The graceful feminine appearance Queen Mother of the West displayed at that moment was the outward manifestation of the Pure Yin Law she governed.
Her breathtaking beauty did not lie in mere physical features, but in her flawless Daoist aura, perfectly attuned to the Taiyin Origin.
Her features were gentle, like moonlight shining over all and nourishing the myriad things. Yet a hint of killing intent lingered within them, like the moon's waxing and waning, heralding the cycles of light and darkness and the bleak chill of autumn and winter.
This was no deliberately assumed air of authority, but the natural expression of the laws of the Great Dao.
The need for a Dao Companion among Innate Divine Beings stemmed from the pursuit of the Dao, not from lust for beauty.
A bond between Dao Companions was witnessed by Heaven and Earth and judged by the Great Dao. Their fortunes became intertwined; such a union was never undertaken lightly. The union itself was a profound act of the Great Dao.
There were only two kinds of Dao Companions.
The first were Di Jun and Xihe: one was Lord of the Sun Star, the other Lord of the Taiyin Star, and their Great Daos were in harmony.
The second were Jieyin and Zhunti: though they did not share the same origin, their Dao Hearts resonated and their great vows aligned.
After a few pleasantries, the two entered the main hall.
The hall was elegant and understated, with a white jade floor and gauzy curtains.
Natural patterns of mountains and rivers adorned spiritwood screens on all four sides, enclosing a mysterious Dao Realm.
A child dressed in moon-white Daoist robes appeared silently, carrying a jade tray and gracefully presenting spirit fruits.
The immortal fruits on the tray were crystalline as jade. Some shimmered with rosy light, while others glimmered with starlight. Their fresh fragrance mingled with sandalwood, forming a spiritual mist in the hall that seemed almost tangible.
Queen Mother of the West and Donghua sat opposite each other, and the Daoist aura arose naturally as they spoke.
Donghua keenly noticed, however, that the child standing behind Queen Mother of the West kept looking at him.
Donghua paused their discussion of the Dao and turned to the child, asking gently, "Young friend, why have you been staring at me for so long?"
"I heard that Senior was red-faced, with fangs, three heads, and six arms—an evil spirit with a terrifying appearance. But you don't look anything like the hideous figure described in the tales of the Primordial Wilderness!"
Queen Mother of the West frowned slightly and reminded her, "Qiu Yue, don't be rude."
"It's all right." Donghua waved his hand lightly and asked candidly,
"I'm actually rather curious about the rumors concerning me in the Primordial Wilderness."
Seeing that Queen Mother of the West had not stopped her, the child continued, emboldened,
"I heard that Senior Donghua was born in the East Sea and spent his days devouring the internal organs of living beings for pleasure. They even say that, in a fit of rage, he seized the sun itself, saying he wanted to taste it roasted!"
As she spoke, she gestured animatedly, her eyes shining with both fear and curiosity.
"There's also a rumor that Senior defeated the Twelve Ancestor Witches single-handedly, forcing them to give up on moving east and migrate west instead..."
Donghua couldn't help laughing at that. The Jingyang Bell in his sleeve rang out clearly, sweeping away the absurd rumors that filled the hall.
"I'm afraid I've disappointed you both." He lowered his eyes to glance at his reflection in his cup. "I look no different from an ordinary cultivator."
"As for the Witch Clan, I merely had a sparring match in the Great Dao with one of the Ancestor Witches."
Donghua raised his eyes toward the west, his words carrying a deeper meaning. "The Witch Clan is powerful and entrenched on Buzhou Mountain. Has anyone in this Primordial World Heaven and Earth ever truly been able to bring them to heel?"
Queen Mother of the West lifted her eyes slightly, her gaze flowing like water.
"I heard that you once fought an Ancestor Witch, fellow Daoist. How strong are they, really?"
Donghua's expression grew grave. "Though the Ancestor Witches do not cultivate the Nascent Soul, they fused the power of laws into their bloodline. Their bodies are as strong as Innate Spiritual Treasures. Without an Innate Spiritual Treasure for protection, an ordinary fellow Daoist would likely struggle to fight one."
Donghua's gaze deepened, and his voice grew heavier. "I've also heard that the Twelve Ancestor Witches were all formed from Pangu's essence blood. I imagine they are all as powerful as Jumang."
"Even more troublesome, they have Great Witches under their command in numbers like the clouds, and their people number in the billions. The whole clan stands united, and their strength far surpasses that of the Dragon and Phoenix clans in their day."
Queen Mother of the West gently brushed her fingers over the jade chime on the table. Its clear sound reverberated. "So the Witch Clan does indeed seem poised to sweep across the Primordial Wilderness."
"During the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, the three clans kept one another in check." Queen Mother of the West lightly tapped the table with her slender hand, and an image of the Witch Clan worshiping Pangu appeared in the tea mist. "But now the Witch Clan is united from top to bottom. When that time comes, we..."
"We Innate Divine Beings have always been especially favored by Heaven and Earth. We can find solace in mountains and rivers, seek the Dao in Grotto-Heavens, and live freely beyond the reach of calamity. What could be better? Even if the Witch Clan seeks dominion over Heaven and Earth, they won't make enemies without cause of those who stay out of their way." Donghua spoke up.
"Your words capture the true meaning of tranquility, fellow Daoist."
After they had finished the spirit fruits, Donghua said, "Meeting you today was surely a result of Yin and Yang drawing together. Would you be willing to explore the Great Dao together and verify its mysteries?"
Queen Mother of the West nodded slightly. "Certainly."
"Since I proposed it, I'll go first. I mainly cultivate the Path of Pure Yang, so I'll speak on that."
"Pure Yang is the pivot of Heaven and Earth. When Chaos first divided, the light and clear qi rose to form the heavens. The purest essence within it is the source of my Dao."
"When Yang reaches its extreme, Yin is born. Thus the sun shines upon all things, and dew forms. When hardness reaches its limit, it becomes softness. Thus the heavens move with vigor, and rain falls. This is the mystery of Yin contained within Yang."
"Yang governs creation, like spring thunder stirring hibernating creatures and rousing all life. Yet when creation reaches its peak, it must return to the Great Void. Thus, it is called Great Sun Silent Illumination."
"Yin and Yang do not overcome each other; they give rise to one another."
"Lone Yang cannot engender life, just as a heavenly fire that burns the world ultimately leaves only scorched earth."
As Donghua expounded on his Dao, what spread around him was no longer ordinary spiritual energy, but three interwoven hues of golden light, condensed as though tangible: the gentle glow of dawn, the warmth of the midday sun, and the still radiance of dusk. They mingled without clashing.
Three hundred years passed quietly as they discussed the Dao. Donghua looked toward Queen Mother of the West and said with a smile,
"Taizhen, fellow Daoist, it's your turn now."
"Mm." Queen Mother of the West raised her hand lightly and moved her fingers, and countless points of light appeared in the hall.
"What I'll discuss is the Path of Pure Yin."
"Pure Yin is the return of all things to concealment. The heavy, turbid qi sinks to form the earth, and the gentlest, most yielding essence within it is the foundation of my Dao."
"When Yin reaches its extreme, Yang is born. Thus the moon shines upon a thousand rivers, and their waters surge. When softness reaches its limit, it becomes hardness. Thus the earth bears mountains and rivers, and its veins pulse. This is the principle of Yang hidden within Yin."
"Yin governs the nurturing and transformation of life, like autumn frost condensing into dew as all fruits ripen. Yet when this nurturing reaches its end, it must return to Chaos. Thus, it is called the Mysterious Womb Gate."
"Hard and soft do not repel each other; they share the same origin."
"Isolated Yin cannot endure, just as ice covering the sea forever would extinguish all life."
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