The True Arts of the Celestial River

"The Cat-Binding Spirit Contract can locate by name, ward off calamity through prayer, and link minds."

The moment the scroll glowed red, Little Sixteen lifted its mottled head beneath the table and stared straight at Shang Qingzheng.

"See? That is a spirit contract. The instant I activated it, Little Sixteen sensed it."

The girl raised her wrist and explained in a clear, bright voice. At the same time, the small scroll unfurled, and lines of golden characters appeared in midair.

[Witnessed by the Celestial River Jellyfish: do not leave for the south]

[Witnessed by the Venerable Spirit of Abyssal Depths: do not wander north]

In the center was the shape of Wildcat outlined in runes, so lifelike that it bore a striking resemblance to Little Sixteen. A ring of text surrounded it. Jiang Yang focused on the writing and found that it roughly described the time of the contract and betrothal offering, the cat's appearance, and the requirements and blessings bestowed upon it.

"Under the Great Zhao Calendar and the official reckoning of the Zheng Kingdom, in the three hundred and fifteenth year of Qiancheng, on Ding-Hai Day of Gui-Chou Month, an auspicious day to welcome a cat.

Snow-white paws, a nimble tabby treading wind and cold; dark pupils, emerald eyes surveying the deepening night..."

Seeing all this ceremony about choosing an auspicious day and presenting a betrothal document, Jiang Yang had never imagined that merely signing a contract could be so involved. He could not help exclaiming:

"To think there are so many formalities! No wonder you reacted that way earlier. It seems ordinary disciples really have no chance."

"It is different. There are reasons mine requires such care. First, a noble breed has an exceptional bloodline, and an ordinary contract cannot bind it. Second, there is the [Immortal's Prophecy]. In ancient times, a Spirit Cat cultivated its way to immortality. After attaining the Dao, that immortal uttered a prophecy, establishing the standing Spirit Cats enjoy today.

An immortal's words carry the authority of heaven. From that moment onward, Spirit Cats throughout the world could no longer be commanded or enslaved. Only by presenting a betrothal document and forming a contract could one take them as companions."

Shang Qingzheng shook her head and withdrew her spirit sense as she spoke. The red cord fell still and stopped glowing, while Little Sixteen, released from the summons, lowered its head again as though nothing had happened.

Then she added:

"Ordinary spirit beast cubs do not require so much ceremony. You need only buy a Bloodline Contract at the market and seal it with a drop of blood. But such blood contracts are crude and overbearing. Forced enslavement leaves master and beast divided in heart and purpose, making it difficult to command them as readily as your own limbs.

If used on an adult spirit beast, there is also a risk of failure and backlash, so cultivators generally avoid them."

Jiang Yang nodded in understanding. No wonder he had seen so few spirit beasts while traveling around the Sect these past few days. The poor ones were beneath everyone's notice, and the good ones were beyond their means. Caught in between, they simply spared themselves the trouble.

"I see. But... a Wildcat Immortal? There are immortals in this world?"

He was like an endlessly curious child, one question tumbling out after another. He could not help it; he knew so little about this world that he naturally yearned to learn its elusive secrets.

It was not that Jiang Yang had never heard of immortals. When he read classical Daoist scriptures, their opening principles would invariably cite some immortal as their source, as though they would not be authentic without one.

After reading enough of them, immortals had come to seem like mere symbols. Jiang Yang could not feel their presence, and hearing one suddenly mentioned now felt like listening to a myth.

Shang Qingzheng rose with the poise of a crane. With her hands clasped behind her back, she circled Jiang Yang like an instructor before saying:

"Of course there are immortals in this world. Without them, where would our Dao Lineage and cultivation come from? How would we have today's immortal mountains and wooded foothills, or our methods of drawing in Spirit Vigor? Immortals, too, are made through cultivation."

Jiang Yang was only a minor Qi Refining cultivator. How could he dream of becoming an immortal? He was about to speak when he remembered the supremely profound Dao Fruit within his Sea of Consciousness, so he changed his question:

"If that is so, never mind meeting one or beholding their presence—why have I never even heard any news of immortals?"

Shang Qingzheng extended a slender, jade-white finger and wagged it before Jiang Yang's eyes.

"What do you mean, you have never heard of them? Did we not just mention one?"

Jiang Yang froze, baffled. "Just now? When did we mention one?"

Shang Qingzheng lifted her chin and replied:

"The answer lies in the pure qi you have cultivated through the true arts of the Celestial River. Outside Rain Xiang Mountain, any sect with a proper lineage would recognize it. Our Sect belongs to the Celestial River Tradition, which was passed down by the Celestial River Jellyfish. That venerable being is an immortal."

Understanding dawned on Jiang Yang.

"The true arts of the Celestial River—you mean the 'Dew Essence Consumption Method'?"

Of the only two cultivation methods he had encountered, one was the "Spirit Absorption Circulation Method," and the other was this "Dew Essence Consumption Method."

"Exactly. Feasting on rosy clouds and drinking dew, swallowing qi and absorbing spiritual energy—only an orthodox consumption method can nurture this pure qi. Unlike the turbid currents of rogue cultivators or the blood-borne baleful intent of Demonic Cultivators, this pure qi is compatible with every path. Whatever method you switch to later, you will lose none of your magical power. That is the beauty of having roots in an established Dao Lineage."

This hidden knowledge instantly broadened Jiang Yang's horizons. To think that the little cultivation manual he had received from the Lower Court offered such tremendous benefits.

Then a smile appeared on Shang Qingzheng's face, round and fair as a silver platter, and her pearly teeth parted as she said:

"As for meeting and beholding an immortal, you certainly are bold. Never mind how elusive and unfathomable their whereabouts are—even if you truly met one, it would do you no good. In my master's words: [Face to face, you cannot see them; if you see them, you cannot recognize them; if you recognize them, you cannot remember them]. That should offer you a glimpse of what they are."

Then she raised her brows and lifted her graceful head, continuing in a voice like a clear flute flowing through a Bamboo Grove:

"The Great Zhao realm is divided into Five Regions. In Primordial Antiquity, humans and gods lived together; in Middle Antiquity, dragons and phoenixes soared. Until the great upheaval of heaven and earth in Recent Antiquity, immortals had always walked this world.

After that upheaval, immortals could no longer readily manifest in the mortal world. I do not know the precise reason either. I have only heard that the Daoist scriptures record immortals dwelling high in the Nine Heavens, residing within the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, cut off from mortal life."

This discussion of profound mysteries left Jiang Yang Buyu for a long time. Her words had greatly expanded his horizons. How vast the world was, while he lived tucked away in a single corner. If he ever had the chance, he would surely go and see it for himself.

"A casual conversation with you has taught me so much, senior sister. I have benefited greatly."

Jiang Yang drank another cup of tea and sighed in admiration.

Shang Qingzheng also felt thoroughly at ease. In this short time, she had said more than she ordinarily did in half a month. Better still, the two of them got along so naturally that she had truly indulged her desire to play the teacher.

At the very least, she enjoyed this carefree atmosphere and did not find it unpleasant.

The lingering glow of sunset lit the peaks from the horizon. As the sun sank westward, it divided the scene in two: one half crimson, the other shadowed.

Jiang Yang moved nimbly along the mountain path. After days of traveling back and forth between the peaks, his use of the Lightness Technique had reached a sublime level.

After their pleasant midday conversation, Shang Qingzheng had bid him farewell and left. With his duty to tend the spirit bamboo, Jiang Yang had stayed behind and practiced his Spells a little longer before heading back.

Passing rows of cloud-shrouded mountain Pine and Cypress, he reached the depths of the dense conifers and finally returned to his little home.

The rich Spirit Vigor had sent the surrounding vegetation growing wildly to half a person's height. It looked rather untidy, but Jiang Yang had never found the time to clear it.

Now, while daylight remained and he happened to have some time, he decided to tidy the place up and test his Spells along the way.

He acted as soon as the thought came to him. Jiang Yang invoked Finger Sword: Awakening of Insects, releasing his magical power. Three golden threads burst from his fingertips, nimble beyond compare.

Guided by his spirit sense, the brilliant golden threads flew outward. With only a light curl around the stems, they sent shrubs leaning and grass collapsing, all falling to one side. In an instant, the entire courtyard looked much tidier.

It really is useful. Clearing vegetation with a pest-control spell counts as working in its proper field, surely...

Jiang Yang dismissed the spell and nodded in satisfaction. With a casual sweep of his sleeve, he stirred up a magical breeze and cleaned the surrounding area completely.

Seeing that Taiyang was about to set, Jiang Yang was preparing to return to his bed and rest when a voice called out:

"Are you there, Junior Brother Jiang?"