Discussing the Dao

When the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil appeared, it brought no earth-shaking vision. Yet the pure, primordial Wutu Essence Qi it released made the spiritual energy throughout the courtyard seem to still. Even space felt denser and heavier.

The Four Symbols Plantain Tree, extraordinary in its own right, stirred without a breeze. Its branches and leaves swayed with delight as it eagerly absorbed the supremely pure Earth Element Origin Aura.

Even the body of the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, resting nearby beneath a profound protective formation, seemed nourished by that surge of primordial vitality. Its brilliant golden light flowed more smoothly and shone more brightly, while the Dao patterns between its scales grew a little clearer.

"The Nine Heavens Breathing Soil!" Understanding and wonder flashed through Lord Wanshouyuan's eyes. He knew, of course, that this was the supreme treasure among the Primordial Wilderness's Earth Element Supreme Treasures.

Its power of creation was boundless. It could be called one of the sources of the mother qi of all things, able to sustain life and bring forth myriad forms. It even had some connection to the foundations of the Creation Green Lotus.

"Indeed." Zhenyuanzi nodded. As he studied the divine soil, its rosy light shifting and its surface gently rising and falling as though alive, his intentions became clear.

He had taken form from the Essence of Innate Earthen Energy and possessed exceptional origins. Later, Pangu Jade Marrow had remade his foundations, raising his physique and potential to an immeasurable degree.

He and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil sprang from the same source. For him, it was more than a supreme material for refining treasures and nurturing spiritual roots. It was a matchless tonic that could improve his innate foundations, purify his Dao Foundation, and deepen his understanding of the Way of the Great Earth.

He formed an arcane hand seal. Innate Earthen Origin Dao patterns flowed over his fingertips as he drew on his exceptionally pure magical power.

Under his exquisite control, the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, seemingly whole and heavy beyond measure, slowly shifted and stretched as if alive. At last, it divided evenly into three portions.

Though smaller, each portion still glowed with rosy light and weighed as much as a mountain. Each held astonishing power of creation and vitality, like a seed of Great Earth Mother Qi.

He took one portion and walked to the Four Symbols Plantain Tree. There, he found a Spiritual Aperture where Earth Vein Spiritual Energy was most abundant and the tree's Qi Flow subtly resonated with the surroundings, forming a delicate geomantic pattern.

He carefully spread out the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. The moment it touched the earth, it merged with it like a drop of water returning to the sea, connecting completely with Longevity Mountain's vast Earth Vein Spiritual Energy.

The soil in that small area underwent a fundamental transformation. It became smooth as jade, with Nine-Colored Radiance held within and a Dao Rhyme arising naturally from it. It was as though the place had become the palm of the earth mother, cradling infinite possibilities.

Then he slowly and evenly poured most of the Chaos Spiritual Liquid he had collected over this supreme bed of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, treating each drop like precious nectar.

As the Chaos Spiritual Liquid seeped into the soil, it was like a spark falling into a storehouse of oil. The Nine Heavens Breathing Soil was instantly filled with primal vitality.

An even richer, surging power of Creation and Vitality spread outward, as though it could bring a world into being. The area even began to give off a faint, pure, ancient Chaos Aura from the dawn of World-Opening. Its Dao Rhyme grew immeasurably old and profound, as if the land had returned to a time before heaven and earth were divided.

Only after making these thorough preparations did Zhenyuanzi solemnly take the Innate Gourd Vine from the temporary sealing barrier that had kept it alive.

He moved with utmost gentleness, using his magical power to protect every inch of root and every tender leaf as carefully as he would a newborn child. Then he planted it in the source of creation he had prepared with Nine Heavens Breathing Soil soaked in Chaos Spiritual Liquid.

A miraculous sight unfolded!

The instant the Gourd Vine's roots touched the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, it was as if a traveler long away had finally come home, or a parched seedling had found a life-giving spring. Its roots plunged downward at a visible pace, greedily drawing in the soil's vast energy and Creation Dao Rhyme, along with the Chaos Spiritual Liquid.

The entire vine burst with unprecedented vitality. Its already lush green leaves became translucent as the finest jade and spread wide. Spiritual light ran through their veins, as though Runes were forming and fading within them.

The treasure light around the seven delicate little gourds suddenly brightened. Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet radiance shone together like seven miniature stars. Their Dao Rhyme flowed visibly faster, and they even gave off a faint, pleasing hum. Clearly, they could not have been happier with their new home!

The vine's growth and vitality far surpassed what it had enjoyed in the harsh terrain of its native Buzhou Mountain. Its gourds would surely ripen much sooner.

"Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous!" Hong Yun clapped his hands in praise, his face alight with delight and admiration.

"With the supreme Nine Heavens Breathing Soil as its foundation, Chaos Spiritual Liquid to nourish it, and the Earth Veins of a top-tier Blessed Land like Longevity Mountain sustaining it—plus your ability to use the Book of the Earth to regulate the Earth Qi and gather spiritual energy from all directions—how could this vine fail to thrive? It seems I won't have long to wait for my gourd! Its quality might even rise another level!"

Zhenyuanzi smiled faintly, well pleased with the result.

The Gourd Vine held immense potential. Properly nurtured, each gourd would one day become a remarkable Innate Spiritual Treasure. The vine itself might also become another treasure of Wuzhuang Temple, adding to its splendor. He looked at the two remaining portions of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil in his hand.

He planned to keep one for himself. When he had time to enter seclusion, he would carefully absorb and refine it to temper his innate earthen foundations further.

Though his origins already ranked among the finest Xiantian God-Demons, and Pangu Jade Marrow had remade his remarkably powerful foundations, the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil was the purest primordial Wutu Essence.

It could still benefit him greatly. Perhaps it would make his Way of the Great Earth purer and deeper, or even let him touch a trace of the true meaning of Creation Origin. Either would give him a firmer foundation for reaching a higher realm.

He carefully sealed the last portion beneath layer after layer of restrictions and stored it separately.

This substance was of great importance. From his hazy memories of his Previous Life and his own deductions, he knew that the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil would be crucial when Nuwa created humans and became a Sage.

If he could offer this portion at the critical moment, he might forge a deep bond of goodwill with a Sage.

By taking part in the supreme merit of creating the Human Race, he might also secure lasting fortune and Merit Golden Light from heaven and earth for himself and Wuzhuang Temple.

This concerned the future order of heaven and earth, as well as his own path. He had to proceed with care and wait for the right moment under the Heavenly Dao—neither rushing nor letting the chance pass.

With these important gains settled, Zhenyuanzi swept a gentle gaze across the courtyard.

He looked at the newly transplanted Gourd Vine flourishing in the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, its Qi Flow resonating with the Four Symbols Plantain Tree beside it as Yi Wood and Wutu Essence complemented each other;

at Fellow Daoist Hongyun, whose face glowed with joy after obtaining a treasure destined for him, his Dao heart filled with delight;

at the body of the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, growing brighter with spiritual light as the formation nurtured it, its imperial aura held in reserve;

at Qingfeng Mingyue, standing respectfully nearby, their eyes full of longing for the Great Dao, like young seedlings growing strong;

and then at Lord Wanshouyuan beside him, his other self, whose aura shared his source and who obeyed him as readily as his own limbs. Peace and contentment rose in Zhenyuanzi's heart, and his Dao heart grew clearer still.

A great tribulation was approaching. Beyond these walls, turmoil spread and baleful energy began to gather across the Primordial World. Yet here he had a Pure Land free of disturbance.

To sit and discuss the Dao with a dear friend, nurture Innate Spiritual Roots, teach the children under his care, and quietly observe the changes of heaven and earth; to strengthen his Dao Foundation step by step and calmly prepare for the future—this was a blessing and freedom greater than countless divine powers or endless magical treasures.

"We've now sorted and settled everything we gained on this journey."

Zhenyuanzi spoke to Hong Yun and Lord Wanshouyuan in an even voice.

"We traveled, met many formidable figures, and witnessed the grandeur of Buzhou Mountain. I've gained some insights as well.

"Why don't the three of us discuss the Dao while we have the chance, exchange what we've learned, and test our understanding against one another? Qingfeng Mingyue can listen nearby. It should help them consolidate their realms and broaden their horizons."

Ancestor Hong Yun readily agreed. He had always enjoyed exchanging ideas, and this journey had given him insights of his own. "Just so! Watching the clouds gather and disperse without constancy has given me a new understanding of the Path of Freedom. I've been wanting to explore it with you both."

Lord Wanshouyuan nodded with a smile. Though he was Zhenyuanzi's other self, he had independent thoughts and insights. "Agreed. What you gained on your travels and what I learned in quiet cultivation should illuminate each other. Yi Wood and earthen energy nurture one another, and all paths return to the Great Dao."

And so the three mighty figures, each at least a Quasi-Saint, manifested their Dao Rhymes beneath the Four Symbols Plantain Tree. There, where Wood Qi and Wutu Essence Qi naturally met, they began another discussion of the Dao.

There were no Heavenly Flowers Falling or extravagant visions of Golden Lotuses Sprouting from Earth. Yet the sound of the Great Dao arose naturally: now deep as the Great Earth Pulse, now clear as wind through pines, now ethereal as gathering and dispersing clouds. Those profoundly mysterious sounds wove together into ripples of the Dao.

Wind and clouds stilled over the courtyard, and all else fell silent. Only the sound of the Dao flowed on as plants and trees seemed to listen. All of Wuzhuang Temple appeared immersed in that rare peace and understanding.

Qingfeng Mingyue had long since held their breath and gathered their focus. They found Cattail Hassocks in a corner and sat down, striving to quiet their minds and grasp the profound True Meaning of the Great Dao. They drank in this opportunity, far beyond their present realms, with eager concentration.

Wuzhuang Temple remained peaceful, removed from worldly struggles, a place where the Dao followed Nature. It was as though all the strife of the Primordial Wilderness had nothing to do with it.