Chapter Seventeen: The Eastern Lord of Yin and Yang

“It is a blessing for our Taoist sect!”

Feeling the powerful aura radiating from Zhou Qing’s small frame, Mushanzi and Chisongzi exchanged glances. The speed of this breakthrough was astonishing. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of several kilometers stirred and transformed into beams of energy that enveloped Zhou Qing, aiding his breakthrough.

“Unexpectedly, our young junior brother has broken through at this moment. Initially, our master said it would take another two or three years. The breakthrough to the Divine Spirit level is a great opportunity for cultivators of our Taoist lineage.”

“Dear junior disciples, Zongquan, Zongqiong, calm your minds and cultivate diligently; may you gain insight!”

Chisongzi’s expression also changed with surprise. Hearing the astonishment at the junior brother’s breakthrough, he spoke of the method of Divine Spirit breakthrough. Unexpectedly, the opportunity today had come to Mushanzi, which was quite extraordinary.

To cultivate to such a realm within less than a year was unprecedented in Taoist history and likely would not occur again in the future. It was a continuous leap across Foundation Establishment, Qi Refinement, Innate, and Divine Spirit.

For the junior brother, only the supreme realms remained: Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return, Union with the Dao and Return to the Origin, and the ultimate state of merging with all things. He knew many existed at the level of Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return, but the Union with the Dao and Return was unknown.

Since the passing of the sage Zhuangzi a century ago, there had been no one in Taoism who attained the Union with the Dao and Return. As for the supreme realm of merging with all things, in the past centuries among the various schools, only the founder Laozi was recorded to have achieved it.

Even Confucius of the Confucian school had only reached the level of Union with the Dao and Return. The Mohists and the Strategists were at the same level. The further back one looked, the less discernible the patterns became.

As these words fell, four figures from the Human Sect, including Xiaoyao and Muxu, quickly recovered from their shock, knelt, and sat cross-legged, feeling the rippling aura emanating from Zhou Qing at that moment.

Zongquan and his companion did the same, sitting around Zhou Qing, carefully sensing the fluctuations, absorbing them into themselves, hoping to gain something and break through their innate shackles sooner.

“Who goes there?”

Suddenly, as Zongquan and the other knelt beside Zhou Qing, two figures appeared silently atop the Miao Platform of Taiyi Mountain, unnoticed even by Mushanzi and Chisongzi.

If not for the two already making a move, they might not have been aware. Sensing this, Chisongzi gathered his energy and shouted sharply.

“Auspicious day and good time, the Eastern Lord rejoices, holding the long sword and jade earrings, the qiu and qin resound with brilliance. The jade mat and jade decoration, why not grasp the fragrant jade? The steamed orchid dish and orchid plates, offering laurel wine and pepper broth!”

“There is no need for such formalities; Taoism emphasizes fate and affinity. Today is surely the Eastern Lord’s destiny. With this chance, his comprehension of yin-yang arts will surely reach a new height!”

Mushanzi and Chisongzi stood shoulder to shoulder, looking at the two approaching figures. One wore a black mask and robe, exuding mystery and eeriness.

With a single step, he crossed dozens of meters, singing loudly as if recounting ancient tales and legends. Beside him was a young girl, no more than ten years old.

Her hair was black and silky; she wore a dark blue long dress. Her hair was loosely tied with a hairpin set with a dark blue gem. The dress bore the imprint of a three-legged divine bird in dark gold, radiant like the midday sun.

Her beauty was peerless, each step like a lotus blossoming, her expression cold and aloof. Led by the man in black, she sat down on the ground, her body shimmering with yin-yang mystical light.

“The words from Mi Yuan’s ‘Nine Songs’ of the Chu State—You are the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, leader of the Yin-Yang clan!”

Being in Ba Commandery, Chisongzi had heard of the ancient words of Chu’s minister Mi Yuan. Raising his brows, internal energy surged through his body as he whispered softly, his mind churning with understanding. Looking at the man in black beside him, he grew increasingly wary.

From this person, he sensed an aura similar to that of their master: ethereal, formless, and profound. Could it be that he had already broken into the realm of Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return?

“Leader of the Yin-Yang clan!”

Mushanzi also felt something stir within him, disbelief etched upon his face. Five centuries ago, the Yin-Yang clan had split from Taoism and had long remained hidden. How was it that after several hundred years, they had reappeared?

Moreover, their cultivation far exceeded the Divine Spirit level—most likely Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return!

“The sun rises in the east, illuminating my balustrade and Fusang. I calm my horse and urge it on; the night fades as dawn brightens. Riding a dragon carriage and thunder, bearing cloud banners and serpentine flags. A deep sigh as I ascend; my heart wanders and looks back.”

“The Eastern Lord has finally returned to his position. Though the heavenly mechanisms have shifted, the damage is slight. The Yin-Yang clan and Taoism share the same origin. Over the centuries, kingdoms have risen and fallen, the Azure Dragon has shifted, winding and mysterious.”

“The secret of the Seven Lunar Mansions of the Azure Dragon must eventually reveal its profound light. Gentlemen, are you willing to join me in accomplishing this ancient task? In the beginning, before chaos divided, the Primordial Heavenly King manifested, and the True Man Pangu emerged. Who can deny the existence of such beings in the world?”

The man in black did not shy away from revealing his identity as the Eastern Emperor Taiyi. He continued singing loudly. Chisongzi and Mushanzi understood that the song came from Mi Yuan’s ‘Nine Songs,’ but this volume praised the Eastern Lord.

The words were gentle yet spoke of the Seven Lunar Mansions of the Azure Dragon, the greatest secret of the past thousand years. If the Yin-Yang clan could obtain it, the other schools would be utterly powerless.

Heaven’s mechanisms shift, the hidden dragon lies in Qin—the momentum for unification is obvious. Perhaps the ancestral dragon is not yet visible; once the iron chains vanish, it will leap from the abyss and swallow the remaining kingdoms, achieving unification.

Only then will the secret of the Seven Lunar Mansions be unveiled!

“The Seven Lunar Mansions of the Azure Dragon!”

“The root of the rise and fall of the seven states since the Warring States period, and the reason they could dominate. His Excellency the Eastern Emperor also believes this. If it were true, the Great Zhou would not have ruled the world for eight centuries without interruption!”

Chisongzi’s expression shifted slightly. He had heard from their master that this secret was the greatest of the seven states, the key to their current power. Some matters were probably unknown even to the current rulers.

A century-old rumor said that whoever obtained the secret of the Seven Lunar Mansions of the Azure Dragon could unify the world. Yet Chisongzi did not think the secret was so crucial.

Was it a blueprint for governing and pacifying chaos? Today’s schools were not inferior in that regard.

Was it a technique that led directly to the root of the Dao? Taoism was fearless in that respect.

Or was it a weapon of overwhelming power? The Mohists and the Gongshu family were also formidable, and more importantly, it was about people. If the Seven Lunar Mansions were created by the sages, today’s people should surpass their predecessors.

“You... you wouldn’t understand. Do you know why Laozi served as the guardian of the archives in the Zhou dynasty for decades? These are things you probably don’t know. This youth is impressive, but the heavenly mechanisms indicate a deep connection to Qin, which doesn’t align with our Yin-Yang clan’s principles.”

The man in black shook his head gently, speaking at an unhurried pace. His deep, profound eyes swept over Chisongzi and Mushanzi. The secret of the Seven Lunar Mansions was deeply entwined with many matters, and even he had not fully uncovered it. Yet, he was already greatly tempted.