The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 4: Lightning strikes the jujube tree, and the egg brings them together

"Changchunzi pays respect to his uncle."

Qiuzhen Temple, second floor of the Sutra Repository.

Changchunzi led the Taoist boy to bow and salute.

He has been a disciple of Xuanxu for twenty years and is now thirty-five years old. He has a gentle face, bright eyes, long brows, a broad forehead, a high nose bridge, and a meticulously groomed beard under his chin.

He has a steady personality, is smart and capable, and has helped Xuanxu deal with many affairs of the sect. He is regarded by everyone in the temple as the next master.

According to the rules of the Seeking Truth Temple, the master of the temple may not have the highest level of cultivation, but his ability to do things must be the most outstanding.

He is good at managing miscellaneous affairs and facilitating the practice of Taoism.

This is very Taoist!

"No need to be polite."

With a wave of his hand, Xuan Ming ordered them to stand up.

Changchunzi didn't waste any time. After a few simple greetings, he told the Taoist boy to put the two wooden boxes on the table.

"Uncle Master, Master said that you have just entered the Dao and do not have any suitable magical instruments, so he specially ordered his disciples to bring these to you, hoping that they can help you protect yourself and have a smooth path."

Hearing this, Xuanming's heart moved.

I understand that Xuanxu is fulfilling his promise from yesterday.

"I accept your kindness, Junior Brother. Please convey my gratitude to me."

"I will definitely convey your message. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."

After bowing once more, Changchunzi left with the Taoist boy. He acted decisively and without any delay.

Really, it comes and goes quickly.

In the Sutra Repository, Xuanming did not immediately check the contents of the box.

Amid the lingering tea aroma, he sipped tea and read scriptures.

Now that I am in the Sutra Tower, it is natural for me to study the sutras first. Anyway, the things in the box will not escape, so it makes no difference whether I read them early or late.

---

The continuation of a sect starts with inheritance.

The source of inheritance should be in the Sutra Building.

The second floor of the Sutra Repository houses precious Taoist scriptures, many of which are unique copies, as well as some books on magic.

It is an important place for seeking truth.

Only Taoists who have practiced for at least 100 days can enter.

Xuanming chose to go up the tower because there were few people there.

He didn't want to be treated like a monkey by the disciples who rushed into the first floor or to be deliberately approached and disturbed.

The second floor is quiet, making it easier to contemplate scriptures and gain enlightenment.

However, Xuanming did not touch the Taoist scriptures on the second floor, not because he didn't want to, but because the time was not right.

Thousands of tall buildings rise from the ground.

There are 800 volumes of Buddhist scriptures in the first floor, and he has not yet finished reading and understanding them thoroughly, so he should not aim too high.

People have the sky above their heads and the earth under their feet. When you are in the world, you should be down-to-earth, take one step at a time, and lay a solid foundation.

Only in this way can one’s path be stable, one’s mind be at peace, and one’s roots be strong.

As for the scriptures downstairs, they were delivered by the Taoist priest guarding the pavilion. Although this guy is a gossiper and a chatterbox, he is reliable.

What is even more rare is to live authentically.

Before Xuanming entered Taoism, he had always respected him, cared about him, and often hunted game for him to help him improve his diet and take care of his health.

Although this guy eats the most every time, Xuanming is grateful and will give him some luck if he has enough ability in the future as a way of repaying the favor.

View the sutras, read, ponder, and comprehend...

Before we knew it, the sun was setting in the west.

Xuanming did not stay up late as usual. After drinking the last cup of tea, he packed up and got up.

Taoist practice emphasizes relaxation and tension.

Only by finding the right balance between relaxation and tension can you achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Now that he has entered the Tao, he can no longer push himself too hard like he did in the past, and must find the right balance.

Combining work and rest, and balancing fast and slow, reading scriptures at sunrise and resting at sunset, this is the way.

If you waste time on it, it will be counterproductive.

Calling Chang'anzi, the chubby Taoist priest guarding the pavilion, and ordering him to follow him with the two wooden boxes in his arms, Xuanming walked downstairs and left the Sutra Repository.

---

Ask for the way in the courtyard, inside the thatched cottage.

Chang'anzi was smart. Seeing that it was getting late and his uncle was busy, he left the yard under the pretext of preparing dinner.

This is also the point that Xuanming appreciates Chang'anzi.

Know the current situation and know when to advance and retreat.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the table, I opened one of the wooden boxes, and the red and white colors came into view, creating a sharp contrast.

His eyes fell on the red object, and Xuanming was delighted: "I didn't expect it to be this!"

The red object is a wooden stick, about two feet long and only half an inch wide, polished to a smooth surface with a fine texture.

There are faint flashes of lightning between the red textures, and the inspiration is restrained and contained without leaking out.

This is a lightning-struck jujube wood!

Everyone knows that the practitioners of the sect like to use lightning-struck peach wood, lightning-struck cypress wood, etc. to make magic tools, but few people know that lightning-struck jujube wood is the king of magic tools and is the superior lightning-struck wood.

It is better to burn a cart of ebony than to give up a jujube wood struck by lightning.

This wood is the essence of the interaction between yin and yang of heaven and earth. It has the power to slay demons and monsters and command the gods.

Two hundred years ago, the founder Qiu Zhenzi traveled around the world and by chance he became acquainted with a jujube tree demon, who helped him survive a heavenly thunder calamity.

In return, the jujube wood demon sent lightning to strike the jujube wood.

Later, the founder established the Qiuzhen Temple on Fuyun Mountain, and the jujube wood struck by lightning was made into a magic sword as a token of inheritance for the headmaster.

After the sword was completed, the remaining small piece was used by the founder to seal the thunder and gather the energy, and then carefully polished, and secret methods were used to gather the spirit, and it was sealed in the treasury. It would not be rewarded unless it had great merit.

For hundreds of years, no one has been qualified to use it.

Xuanming had the good fortune to see the true appearance of the inherited magic sword because his father in this life was the headmaster of the previous generation.

Only then did he recognize this piece of lightning-struck jujube wood. Three years ago, the Great Elder of Qingfeng Temple came to ask for this item in person, willing to exchange it for the Xuan-level pill formula, but was flatly rejected by the master disciple.

Now this thing has been delivered to him.

Really...

"Good! Great good!"

"Master, I am willing to give it up!"

After expressing his emotion, Xuanming accepted it with peace of mind.

The value of the Superior Yin-Yang Foundation Building Method is far greater than the jujube wood struck by lightning. Looking at the entire Qiuzhen Temple, no one is more qualified than him to own this item.

His gaze shifted to the white object.

Although Xuanming did not know him, the master was considerate and gave him a booklet with an introduction.

After browsing, he solved his doubts.

This is natural silk.

It was vomited out by a three hundred year old silkworm demon.

It is immune to water and fire, very resilient, and can be made as long or short as desired.

Although this item is precious, it seems a little ordinary compared to the lightning-struck jujube wood pearls and jade.

However, Xuanming did not despise it.

Although the material will affect the power of the magic weapon, it ultimately depends on the person.

A deity makes a mountain, not its altitude.

Water does not have to be deep.

Only the user's level of cultivation and the depth of his attainments in the Tao can determine the power of the magic weapon.

Xuanming is a wise old man and has a very clear understanding of this point.

Another box was opened, revealing a piece of peach wood struck by lightning. It was large in size and of suitable length, enough to be made into a peach wood sword.

"The whisk purifies the mind, and the sword protects the way."

"Junior Brother Xuanxu is thoughtful."

Xuanming stroked his beard and smiled.

There is no shortage of methods for offering sacrifices and refining magical instruments in the pursuit of truth.

Although it is not a top-notch device, it is more than enough to meet his current needs.

---

"Uncle Master, the meal is here."

Changanzi is very good at timing.

He walked in just as Xuanming had packed up his things.

Holding the food tray, he paced in small steps. His round body and chubby smiling face were a delight to look at.

In the thatched cottage, in front of the table.

One old and one young, sitting opposite each other.

Chang'anzi glanced out the window with a sly look in his eyes. Seeing that no one came in, he took out two from his pocket like a thief...

Egg!
The pursuit of truth does not abstain from meat and fish.

Logically, they don't need to be secretive when eating eggs.

But this egg is different. It is slightly larger than a chicken egg, and its eggshell is as white as jade, without any flaws.

This was given by the spirit crane raised by Junior Brother Xuankong. It has the effect of strengthening the foundation and refining magic power.

Over the past five years, this Chang'anzi has always been able to snatch food from the tiger's mouth, stealing...

Bring two eggs to nourish him.

Master Changanzi died early and had no one to protect him.

Xuanming once advised him not to go again, lest he be caught by his greedy and food-protecting junior brother Xuankong and be punished.

This kid always agrees superficially but never repents. He also always brags about his stealing... skills. It's not easy to settle accounts with his Junior Brother Bagua Xuankong.

Seeing that he was doing what he wanted, Xuanming just let him do it and didn't waste any more words on him. After all, he was the one who had the treat, so he could just enjoy it. At worst, after the truth was revealed, he could just give this guy a bottle of good medicine.

"Uncle Master, please eat quickly."

"It's still warm."

These two sentences brought Xuanming back to reality from his memories. Looking at Chang'anzi peeling eggs for the old man first before peeling eggs for himself, he smiled with relief.

"Good boy!"

Holding chopsticks and tasting eggs, Xuanming looks contented.

As for Junior Brother Xuankong.

Once or twice is fine.

How could he not know that he had been stealing eggs for five consecutive years?

After all, Xuankong was using Chang'anzi to bring warmth to his senior brother.

Chang'anzi was clever, and had probably guessed the truth long ago. Like him, he pretended to be ignorant even though he knew the truth.

After all, we cannot let Junior Brother Xuankong down.

This egg will be considered as performance fee.

Sacrifice yourself to help your fellow disciples.

Junior Brother Xuankong, you have done great deeds.

Huoyun Peak, back mountain.

Taoist Xuankong, who was fat and kind-hearted with a simple appearance, slumped on a piece of bluestone, looking very much like Taiyi Zhenren in the previous life's demon boy Nezha. Thinking of the two magic eggs that were taken away by Chang'anzi, he took a big gulp of wine.

Thinking of the more than one hundred eggs that had been taken away in the past five years, he covered his chest with his hands and continued to drink with heartache.

Gulp gulp~!
After taking several gulps, Taoist Xuankong said to Linghe beside him: "This is the last time! This is definitely the last time!"

"Brother has already entered the Dao, and is nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. This spiritual egg should be cut off."

Upon hearing this, several cranes nearby rolled their eyes in unison, with speechless expressions. They turned around, raised their hips and flew back to express their attitude.

The world was achieved where only Taoist Xuankong was injured.

(End of this chapter)