Chapter Three: The Patriarch

Clad in a flowing azure and indigo Taoist robe, Chi Songzi wore a crown of purple and gold lotus petals, pierced by a dark golden hairpin. On his feet were pale cloud-patterned shoes, and around his waist was wrapped a golden silk belt, from which hung a perfectly round, pure white jade pendant.

He appeared to be about fifty years old, his expression kind and gentle. At this moment, he held Xuan Qing lightly in one hand. With a faint tap of his foot, his entire form transformed into a streak of light, ascending the steps and reaching the elevated section of this building.

He spoke slowly, a trace of helplessness in his voice as he regarded Xuan Qing in his grasp. His master was indeed troublesome—traveling abroad was one thing, but bringing along a junior disciple was quite another.

“Heh heh heh, Senior Brother Chi Song, our Heavenly Sect is a lineage descending from the Ancient Sage Laozi, who is said to have transcended mortality and attained immortality. Is there within our sect any method recorded from the Sage himself on how to cultivate to immortality?”

Xuan Qing.

Five years ago, he was known as Young Master Qing, also called Zhou Qing. By chance, he was rescued by the Taoist master Beimingzi and brought into the Heavenly Sect, entrusted to Chi Songzi for cultivation.

Now, five years later, Zhou Qing had gained a comprehensive understanding of this world. Though the era was late Warring States, there was a distinct air of the mystical, much like the illusory realms he had known in his previous life. Unexpectedly, he had appeared in such a world.

Amidst the flourishing of the Hundred Schools of Thought, Confucianism and Mohism were the prevailing doctrines. Taoism sought quietude and non-action, caring little for worldly fame, and even the acceptance of disciples depended heavily on fate. Fortunately, with his formidable learning ability from his past life, coupled with a seemingly photographic memory in this life, Zhou Qing had absorbed much.

He had thoroughly perused the bamboo slips in the Scripture Pavilion, committing all but the cultivation methods guarded by the elders of the Heavenly Sect to memory. Along with the words of other disciples, he had learned much.

“You speak boldly. The Sage’s immortal cultivation techniques certainly exist, all hidden within the Tao Te Ching. If you can fully comprehend the entire scripture, there is a chance you might reach the Sage’s level back then,” Chi Songzi said. “For now, however, you should come with me to meet the elders and select a cultivation method to study!”

Upon hearing this, Chi Songzi’s slender eyebrows arched slightly. Whether the Sage truly achieved immortality remained uncertain, but merely from the Tao Te Ching left behind, many top-tier cultivation methods had been derived.

For ordinary people, mastering even those supreme methods was arduous. To pursue the path of immortality, one must completely understand the Tao Te Ching and reach the Sage’s realm—perhaps then the immortal path could be ascended.

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No sooner had he spoken than Chi Songzi ascended the ridge of the mountain. Holding Zhou Qing gently by the side, Zhou Qing turned his body slightly, gazing toward a nearby ancient bamboo grove, where several modest houses were nestled—the area where the sect elders resided.

“Senior Brother, what level have you reached in your cultivation?” Zhou Qing inquired, nodding slightly. Curious about the cultivation methods, he wondered if immortality could truly be attained through them. This world was peculiar, after all—perhaps immortality was a reality here.

Having been in the sect for several years, Zhou Qing had observed older disciples absorbing primordial energy and enhancing their strength, then manifesting various wondrous techniques. As the current leader of the Heavenly Sect, Zhou Qing was eager to understand Chi Songzi’s capabilities.

“Heh, my talent is slow; under our master’s guidance these years, I have only barely grasped the mysteries of Spirit Transformation. Cultivation begins with Foundation Establishment, then Qi Refinement and Meridian Opening, followed by Primal Chaos Innate, Spirit Transformation and Mystical Spirit, Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return, Unity with the Dao and Return to Origin, and finally reaching the supreme state of merging with all things,” Chi Songzi explained.

“Younger brother, your meridians are gradually becoming complete; it is time to establish your foundation. This is the Scripture Pavilion guarded by the elders, containing the handwritten works and cultivation methods of our Taoist predecessors.”

Stepping forward, Chi Songzi led Zhou Qing, who was barely as tall as his thigh, speaking slowly. A peculiar aura enveloped him—calm and serene.

Zhou Qing listened quietly. This world was indeed strange; he had never imagined such cultivation methods existed. According to senior brother, there were seven stages of cultivation, and he was currently at the fourth.

Ascending the steps, they soon reached deep within the bamboo forest. Following his senior brother, Zhou Qing arrived at a spacious courtyard where a two-story bamboo building stood, inscribed in bold black ink with the words “Scripture Pavilion” in ancient Qin seal script.

“Follow me inside the Scripture Pavilion,” Chi Songzi said as he approached the entrance. Fallen leaves drifted gently at their feet. Bowing respectfully to the surroundings, he then led Zhou Qing up the steps and slowly pushed open the bamboo doors.

“Yes, Senior Brother,” Zhou Qing replied, nodding and following closely behind. Their footsteps echoed softly in the pavilion, which resembled the Scripture Pavilion down the mountain. Neatly arranged bamboo shelves held numerous scrolls, each inscribed with titles on their surfaces.

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The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion featured bamboo shelves divided into three tiers, each holding hundreds of bamboo slips. Judging by their luster, these had been read many times. The classification was simple—not by rank, but by the names of Taoist sages.

“This place is divided into four sections: there is the legacy of the Ancient Sage Laozi, the legacy of the Taoist sage Liezi from a hundred years ago, the legacy of the Taoist sage Zhuangzi also from a century past, and the relics left behind by those who reached the stage of Enlightenment of Emptiness and Return through the ages,” Chi Songzi explained.

“You don’t need to go upstairs; the contents there are the same, but those are the genuine manuscripts, while these here are reproductions by us descendants.”

“For the next seven days, you will cultivate here with me. Take your time to peruse the bamboo slips and choose a cultivation method that suits you. Then I will assist you in establishing your foundation.”

The spacious first floor covered over a hundred square meters. Though a bamboo structure, the house seemed protected by a strange aura, impervious to external forces and undisturbed by the breeze. The bamboo shelves stood orderly around them.

Chi Songzi raised one hand slowly, glancing at Zhou Qing beside him as he pointed out the differences between the bookshelves, offering a brief introduction. Taoist cultivation valued fate; if the method suited one’s nature, profound progress could be made effortlessly. Otherwise, even great effort might bear no fruit.

“Yes, Senior Brother!” Zhou Qing responded earnestly.

Dressed in a pale cyan Taoist robe, wearing white cloud socks and stepping in azure cloud boots, Zhou Qing’s features were delicate and refined. He nodded slowly to his senior brother. Over the centuries, only Laozi, Liezi, and Zhuangzi had attained the highest levels of cultivation.

Undoubtedly, they had all reached the stage of Unity with the Dao and Return to Origin, perhaps even beyond. Numerous strong Taoists had left legacies here. Zhou Qing’s gaze swept over several hundred bamboo slips, with the largest collection in Laozi’s section, followed by Zhuangzi’s, then Liezi’s.

After speaking, Chi Songzi took a step forward and seated himself cross-legged on a green lotus cushion in the center front of the first floor. He hummed softly, five hearts facing upward, beginning to cultivate. A faint azure light radiated from his body.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing’s curiosity deepened. Without lingering, he hurried toward the shelves, naturally heading first to the area of the Ancient Sage Laozi—after all, he was the undisputed foremost figure of Taoism!