"The Purple Mansion lay beyond the Three Realms, unbound by the Five Elements. Hidden in the depths of the dark and mysterious, concealed within the boundless realm of spirit and void, it transcended the turmoil of the mortal world and slipped free of the shackles of yin and yang. It was like a bright pearl of the Great Void, shining across the limitless wilds, or a secret palace in the heavens, faintly visible atop the misty heights..."
Inside an unnamed cave abode, Fang Qing opened his eyes. They shone as countless teachings from the Dao Treasury surfaced in his mind.
By now, he had long since switched cultivation techniques. His mastery of the Profound-Heeding Grotto Spring Scripture had reached the peak of Dao Foundation!
"To break through to the Purple Mansion, there are only two great hurdles. First, I must refine my Dao Foundation into a Divine Ability. Second, I must survive the boundless Heart Demon Tribulation..."
Fang Qing had read more than enough discourses on how to refine a Divine Ability. For instance:
"When form and spirit unite, one attains longevity."
"Open the Purple Mansion, as light first dawns upon primordial chaos..."
"Remain tranquil, detached, and empty, and true qi will follow..."
But now he forgot them all. Instead, the Purple Mansion Chapter of the Profound-Heeding Grotto Spring Scripture rose in his mind:
"At the meeting of dark and new moons, when the river of stars shines clear..."
Outside, day was giving way to night. The stars had yet to vanish completely, the Great Sun had not quite risen, and the essences of sun and moon mingled...
"Seize Kan and fill Li. Gather the spirit of Winnowing Basket Water, the radiance of the Constellations, the primal powers of water and fire... within the Purple Mansion!"
Fang Qing reached inward