Qi in Heaven, Form on Earth

In the Path-Seeking Courtyard, on a stone stool.

The corner of Xuanming's mouth twitched. He rolled his eyes in irritation. "Those shameless, stinking ox-nosed Daoists."

The commotion outside could not escape his notice.

The Daoists all knew this perfectly well. They had deliberately raised their voices, clearly intending for him to hear.

Did they really think they could sway this old Daoist?

Teaching those two martial juniors he had acquired so cheaply had already diverted some of his energy. If a few more came along, wouldn't they work an ordinary old man like him to death?

The Great Dao came first; the Dao Path was paramount.

No one was going to disturb this old Daoist's scripture reading and cultivation!

Paying no further attention to those wretched junior brothers, who showed no consideration for their senior brother and even schemed to burden him further, Xuanming turned his eyes back to Chang Ning. His gaze burned bright, flickering now and then with the light of insight.

Heaven and earth created all things, and all things were divided into Yin and Yang.

Every living being contained both Yin and Yang.

In other words, Yin and Yang sustaining each other formed the foundation of life.

Different species had different Yin and Yang.

Half-Demons were unusual, and their Yin and Yang were likewise unusual.

The demon bloodline was Yin, and the human bloodline was Yang. Within each bloodline, Yin and Yang were divided again: greater Yin and Yang enclosing lesser Yin and Yang.

Watching Chang Ning break through, experiencing the changes in her Yin and Yang, and comparing their subtle differences with those of humans would likewise benefit his understanding of the principles of Yin and Yang.

As Chang Ning's breakthrough proceeded ever more smoothly, Xuanming watched with greater concentration. He infused his eyes with primordial chaos dharma power, drawing on their shared root and origin and primordial chaos qi's command over the two energies of Yin and Yang.

Using the currents of qi as his guide, he perceived the rise and fall of Yin and Yang spiritual energies as they flowed through the Half-Demon's body. Projected into his eyes, they became a slowly forming Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram.

Xuanming watched without blinking. Soon, there was nothing outside his mind—no objects, no affairs, no meanings. Immersed in the principles of the Dao, he gradually exuded a Dao resonance, and his aura grew more profound.

Demons consumed turbid qi; humans cultivated pure spiritual energy.

Thus demons were yin, and humans belonged to yang.

Clear and Turbid rose and fell; Yin and Yang nurtured transformation.

Each separation of Clear and Turbid formed a pairing of Yin and Yang.

Each transformation of Yin and Yang established a balance.

The balance of lesser Yin and Yang drove the balance of greater Yin and Yang: discerning the whole through the smallest signs, proceeding from below to above, using the small to move the great.

Yin and Yang gave rise to each other, and Clear and Turbid separated.

Yin and Yang joined together, and Clear and Turbid united.

Through inception, development, transition, and resolution, Yin and Yang sustained each other.

Thus lone yin could not give birth, and lone yang could not grow. All things bore yin upon their backs and embraced yang, blending their qi to achieve harmony.

Yin and Yang were qi in heaven and took form on earth.

Chang Ning immersed herself in cultivation, determined to break beyond her own limits.

Xuanming glimpsed the great through the small, comprehending the mysteries of Yin and Yang.

Within the Path-Seeking Courtyard, the young girl and the old man each gained something.

Outside the Path-Seeking Courtyard, the Daoists waited patiently.

Half an hour later, beneath the sturdy old pine.

The young female Daoist's body trembled slightly. The spiritual energies of heaven and earth dispersed, and a powerful aura spread out.

Chang Ning had successfully broken through. She opened her eyes, their brightness dazzling. A radiant smile filled her palm-sized face, and her bearing became more lively and ethereal, like a spirit of the mountains and wilds.

Yet a trace of confusion soon appeared in her eyes. An aged finger had reached toward the space between her brows, and a mysterious power flowed into her mystic pass. It vanished in an instant, but left her feeling comfortable from head to toe.

"Senior Uncle, what is this?"

Xuanming waved a hand, cutting her off.

Looking at the Eight Trigrams Mark fading between her brows, he smiled in satisfaction. Then he lightly flicked his horsetail whisk and said calmly:

"There are things you should not ask about."

"And asking would do you no good. Even this old Daoist does not know the truth behind them. If you wish to know, ask Junior Sister Xuan Su directly once you return to Pure Maiden Peak."

"Now that you have successfully reached foundation establishment, I imagine there are some things she will no longer keep from you."

Bright and perceptive, Chang Ning nodded with only a partial understanding. She immediately stood and bowed earnestly, her voice full of gratitude:

"This disciple thanks Senior Uncle for the grace of giving her a new lease on life."

"Without your guidance, I could never have broken through the bottleneck so easily. I will engrave this kindness upon my heart and surely repay it generously one day."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Xuanming helped Chang Ning rise, then stroked his beard and smiled.

"A person's worth lies in aspiration; the Dao's worth lies in perseverance."

"Having weathered this trial, your Dao Path will be much smoother until qi refinement. I hope you will guard against pride and impatience and never slacken in your cultivation. Otherwise, this old Daoist will not let you off."

"This disciple will keep Senior Uncle's teachings firmly in her heart."

Chang Ning's expression was solemn as she made her promise.

Nodding, Xuanming flicked his whisk and withdrew the layered light barrier. The Daoists who had waited so long entered one after another.

Seeing that little Chang Ning had truly entered the second realm, the Daoists could not help rejoicing, though they had already been prepared for it. It was not only because they had watched this little girl grow up, but also because the Truth-Seeking Abbey's legacy remained unbroken, with successors to carry it on.

"Junior Sister Xuan Su will be beside herself with joy."

"Chang Ning's breakthrough is also a blessing for our Truth-Seeking Abbey."

"Congratulations, Martial Niece Chang Ning, and thank you for your efforts, Senior Brother Xuanming."

The Daoists offered their congratulations one after another, and Chang Ning hurried to return their bows.

She did not linger in the Path-Seeking Courtyard. Xuanming soon sent her away on the grounds that she needed to consolidate her realm.

Once she had left, the Daoists first showered Xuanming with praise, then all turned their eyes toward Xuanxu.

The smile on Xuanxu's face instantly stiffened. Inwardly, he cursed these junior brothers for their lack of Earthly Dao, but a man had to keep his word. Moreover, as the head of the Truth-Seeking Abbey, he could hardly go back on his promise.

He braced himself to speak, but before a word left his mouth, Xuanming cut him off.

"New bamboo grows taller than the old branches only because the old stalks support it. This old Daoist understands your concern for your disciples."

"Didn't you already discuss everything perfectly clearly outside the gate, arranging every detail for this old Daoist?"

At these words, the Daoists looked sheepish.

"But I must disappoint you, junior brothers. This old Daoist's energy is limited. I already lack sufficient time to study scriptures and comprehend the Dao. How could I spare still more time to guide the younger generation?"

"Chang'anzi and Chang Ning have unusual circumstances, which is why I took the trouble to guide them. The disciples can accept that reason as well."

"But if this old Daoist agrees to your requests, which disciples do you intend to send to Dao-Treasuring Peak for instruction?"

"Do not forget the principle that people resent not scarcity, but inequality."

Seeing their expressions change, clearly showing that his words had sunk in, Xuanming continued, "Besides, this old Daoist is accustomed to peace and quiet. Teaching two people is already my limit. As for the other disciples, I truly cannot help, however much I might wish to."

Seeing their disappointment, Xuanming changed tack and continued, "Still, they do call this old Daoist Senior Uncle, so it would not do to favor some too greatly over others. Half a month from now, I will leave three sword marks on the western cliff. Any disciple of our Truth-Seeking Abbey may study them."

"Also, if any of your direct disciples gains insights into the Yin and Yang Foundation Establishment Manual in the future, I can offer guidance once. Only one disciple each, no more."

"That settles it. Do not press me further, nor bring this matter up again. Otherwise, do not blame this old Daoist for teaching you a lesson in front of the younger generation."

With matters stated so plainly, none of the Daoists dared refuse.

Besides, this was already the best possible outcome.

Thinking it over carefully, they also felt they had gone somewhat too far and made rather unreasonable demands.

Senior Brother Xuanming was advanced in years and already lacked enough time for his own cultivation. Were it not for Chang'anzi's and Chang Ning's unusual circumstances, he likely would not have taken on this extra concern.

They could not allow their disciples to burden their senior brother's cultivation. As masters, it was only natural for them to plan for their disciples, but their senior brother was merely a senior uncle. Offering guidance was a kindness; declining to help was his right.

Now that their senior brother was willing to leave sword marks and make this promise, the Truth-Seeking Abbey had already gained.

If they took an inch and demanded a mile, their senior brother might truly reason with them using his Peachwood Sword.

As for who would receive the opportunity for his guidance, that would depend on which disciple first proved worthy.

First come, first served was relatively fair.

"Senior Brother has indeed considered everything thoroughly."

"Thank you for enlightening us, Senior Brother. We were caught up in our attachments."

"Indeed, we were being obstinate."

The Daoists openly admitted their mistakes.

Their breadth of heart satisfied Xuanming.

Cultivating the Dao meant cultivating truthfulness.

Their willingness to acknowledge and correct their mistakes was truthfulness.

His unwillingness to teach any more juniors was also truthfulness.

When wrong, one had to admit it.

When unwilling, one had to say so.

Otherwise, dust could easily settle over one's Dao heart.

After the Daoists departed, Xuanming began secluded cultivation.

He had gained much this time. He needed to chew over the principles of Yin and Yang several more times, thoroughly digesting them into something of his own and adding to his accumulated foundation.