Eight Essences
The next moment, Su Yao and Yang Xiu bowed in unison towards the direction of Jiangnan Gezao Mountain, and said loudly:
"Congratulations to the Great Celestial Master of the Divine Cloud Talisman Strategy for ascending to the position of True Lord! Our Dao will surely prosper!"
The two called out the title without hesitation, not because they knew the inside story beforehand, but because the title "Divine Cloud Talisman Register Strategy General, Great Celestial Master of the Law" did not need to be sent separately. This title is associated with the Fruition Position, and anyone who cultivates the Cloud Seal Script Path and ascends to this position can directly receive this title.
The Cloud Seal Script Path is not for outsiders to cultivate; only those who are direct descendants of the Ancestor Celestial Master Ge can enter its gate. Therefore, as soon as the title was announced, Su Yao and Yang Xiu knew that the one who ascended the throne must be from the lineage of the Celestial Master Gezao Mountain, without a doubt.
Then, from the direction of Jiangnan, a beam of azure and yellow light shot into the sky, like a pillar supporting the heavens, reaching the nine heavens above and suppressing the nine netherworlds below.
Amidst the radiance, Cloud Seal Script- like runes cascaded down like a waterfall, the phantoms of Yellow Turban Strongman stood in a formidable array, and the streams of light transformed from communication talismans scattered and flew in all directions.
Upon seeing this, the others also bowed in respect.
The next moment, a thunderous roar resounded from heaven and earth.
After a long while, the mysterious voice came again, its tone solemn and dignified:
"Why is the Great Heavenly Venerable not cultivating in the Lingxiao Hall, but instead descending to the mortal realm?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the mysterious sound faded away, and the roaring sounds in the world also stopped.
At this moment, the silence was eerie, as if everything that had happened before was just a dream.
After a long silence, Su Yao finally spoke:
"If I were to hold the Daoist Gate altar again today and borrow the power of the Thunder Bureau's Evil-Slaying Court, there would be no such severe backlash from the Heavenly Thunder as that day."
Yang Xiu smiled upon hearing this:
"A year ago, before you ascended to the Cloud Register Attainment Rank, your extraordinary talent was further demonstrated by your use of the altar to exterminate demons and capture evil gods. The altar's ability to borrow the power of the Orthodox God of the Heavenly Court requires the combined support of the four Fruition Position Orthodox Unity, Yellow Court, Spirit Treasure, and Cloud Talisman. At that time, the Great Celestial Master of the Divine Cloud Talisman Strategy had not yet ascended to the position, Fruition Position was vacant. Therefore, the altar only had three Celestial Masters: the Great Celestial Master of the Orthodox Unity Alliance of Mighty Subduing Ghosts, the Great Celestial Master of the Spirit Treasure Lingbao Salvation and Exorcism, and the Great Celestial Master of the Pure Brightness Yellow Court Inner Landscape Universal Salvation. Each of them was blessed by the three Fruition Position Orthodox Unity, Spirit Treasure, and Yellow Court, which was ultimately not perfect."
Su Yao shook his head:
"Don't flatter me to death. If you were to hold a Dharma altar, you wouldn't be any worse than me."
Yang Xiu said:
"I have some talent, but I'm not very proficient in these talismans and altars. I can barely use an altar, but I'm far inferior to you. At most, you can only borrow 30 or 40% of the altar's power."
He paused, looked towards the octagonal pavilion on the back hill, and smiled:
"Even if Fellow Zilin were to borrow the altar, he should be stronger than me."
Su Yao followed his gaze and said:
"Zilin cultivates Purple Qi. Purple refers to the colors of silk, blue, and red. Blue represents the color of wood in the east, and red represents the color of fire in the south. The combination of blue and red creates purple, the color of wood and fire mutually generating each other. Qi refers to clouds and the breath of heaven and earth. Purple Qi is the breath generated from the interaction of heaven and earth. Immortals take this as their root, hence the meaning of immortality. This path embraces the Three Yangs and is born from all fires, naturally excelling in magic, Law Technique cultivation, array formation, and alchemy. Profound Qi governs calamities and is adept at killing and subduing tribulations. When it comes to the intricate skills of talismans and altars, Purple Qi naturally has an advantage. But there's no comparison. However, no matter what, Zilin's talent is ultimately inferior to yours."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiu merely smiled, not responding to the question, but instead saying:
"Now that the Celestial Master has ascended to the Cloud Seal Script, a crucial link has been added to the foundation of our Mysterious Gate. If the other two elements can also return to their proper places... then 'our Dao will flourish' will no longer be just empty talk."
Upon hearing this, Su Yao's gaze flickered slightly, and he said with emotion:
"Our Daoist Gate has Eight Essences. Complete Elixir oversees Pill Cauldron and cultivation in the cauldron, which is called Lin and cleansing the body; Mysterious Evolution oversees the movement of formations, which is called Zhen and Xing; Mysterious Plain Su oversees the union of Qi in the bedroom, which is called Zhe and cleansing the body; Cavern Abyss Grain Avoidance fasting and consuming elixirs, which is called Lie and cleansing the mouth. These first four elements were derived by the three Daoist ancestors from the Eight Trigrams and the Earth Suitability. Currently, only Complete Elixir and Mysterious Evolution remain in their positions."
He paused, then continued:
"The Cloud Seal Script Department administers talismans and cloud-based writings, representing the former and the latter; the Orthodox Unity Department administers alliances, prohibitions, and impeachments, representing the struggle and the light; the Spirit Treasure Department administers fasting and rituals to deliver the deceased, representing all and the offering of incense; the Yellow Court Department administers meditation and inner observation, representing soldiers and generals. These are the Lower Four Elements, which were proven by the four Ancestral Celestial Masters through other paths. For tens of thousands of years, only three of the Lower Four Elements held their positions, Cloud Seal Script remained suspended in the air. Now that the Cloud Seal Script has returned to its place, the methods of talismans and the methods of the Yellow Turban Strongman of our Mysterious Gate should flourish greatly."
Upon hearing this, a glint of light appeared in Yang Xiu's eyes, and he replied:
"Among the Eight Essences, the upper four elements stabilize the body and mind, while the lower four elements govern heaven and earth. The Complete Elixir refines the form, the Mysterious Evolution forms the array, the Mysterious Plain unite the Qi, and the Cavern Abyss purifies the body; the Cloud Seal Script serves as the talisman, the Orthodox Unity as the power, the Spirit Treasure as the measure, and the Yellow Court as the observation. One is internal, one is external; one is still, one is moving; they are mutually complementary."
Su Yao nodded:
"Exactly. The upper four elements are 'guarding,' and the lower four elements are 'application.' If the Complete Elixir is not solid, the physical body cannot bear the Dao; if the Mysterious Evolution is not unobstructed, the spiritual mechanism cannot circulate; if the Mysterious Plain are not in harmony, Yin and Yang cannot be balanced; if the Cavern Abyss is not pure, the Qi mechanism cannot be clear. Only when all four are complete can the four paths of Cloud Seal Script, Orthodox Unity, Spirit Treasure, and Yellow Court be brought to their fullest potential."
After listening, Yang Xiu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed:
"The path of Profound Qi that I cultivate has nothing to do with these Eight Essences. Calamities descend upon the world not through Pill Cauldron, talismans, or rituals and meditation. My fellow Daoist cultivates Rainbow Clouds, which can still Mysterious Evolution and approach the Cloud Seal Script. My Profound Qi seems to be an outsider's path."
Upon hearing this, Su Yao glanced at him and shook his head, saying:
"You're wrong. The Eight Essences are methods, not the Way. Methods can be learned, but the Way cannot be changed. The Way of Profound Qi doesn't need to follow the path of the Eight Essences. For calamities, not cultivating Pill Cauldron and talismans is perfectly normal."
He paused, looked at Yang Xiu, his gaze calm:
"Your aura is quite different now that you've emerged from seclusion compared to ten years ago. It seems that this breakthrough has brought you more than just the Purple Mansion Realm. The Dao of Profound Qi seems to have deepened for you as well."
Yang Xiu was taken aback, then laughed:
"Brother, you have a good eye. I have indeed grasped some things, but I am still sorting them out. I will explain them to you in detail another day."
Su Yao didn't press further, only nodding slightly.
Then, Yang Xiu suddenly summoned the golden bell at his waist. The bell spun in the air, and a gray-purple light spread out like a thin mist, enveloping everyone in front of the hall, leaving only the area where he and Su Yao were standing. The others were momentarily dazed, their vision obscured, and could only see a hazy scene.
Although Su Yao didn't understand what he meant, he didn't say anything immediately and just watched him quietly.
Seeing this, Yang Xiu smiled and asked:
"Brother Dao, aren't you curious what I want to ask?"
Upon hearing this, Su Yao's lips curled into a slight smile:
"Since Sanlang has gone to such great lengths, it must be something very important."
Yang Xiu was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter. His laughter was clear and melodious, and the golden bells jingled in response.
After laughing for a moment, he composed himself, turned his gaze to the northern horizon, his smile gradually faded, and his tone became serious:
"As you know, before I achieved the Purple Mansion, although I was favored by the Profound Qi Fruition, I was also often affected by it. My mind was sometimes clear and sometimes turbid, and I was often like a different person. There were some things I didn't have the energy to investigate deeply. But now that I have achieved the Purple Mansion and my mind has become clear again, those old doubts have involuntarily surfaced one by one."