Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

In the early morning, before the mist had dissipated, dew clung to the bluestone slabs in the courtyard.

Chen Jiao stood under an old tree in the courtyard, the edges of his black robes dappled with the morning light, while Xuan Gu Shangren stood silently to one side.

Han Chengzong and Han Liyan stood quietly to one side, with the Han family members holding their breath and bowing their heads behind them.

Chen Jiao first looked at Han Chengzong, took out a jade slip with a warm color and faint red patterns, and handed it over.

"This is the legacy of the True Man Li Yang, the [True Technique of Li Fire Ascending to Yang], a method that directly leads to the Golden Elixir."

The Han family members held their breath, their eyes all focused on the jade slip with faint red patterns in Xuan Ling's palm.

The jade slip was handed over and silently landed in Han Chengzong's trembling hand. It was warm to the touch, yet seemed to contain a blazing true fire flowing within.

The old man's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, but he couldn't utter a word. He simply lowered his head deeply, his gray hair trembling slightly in the morning breeze.

A true method that leads directly to the Golden Core—how precious it is! It could revitalize the fortunes of an entire clan, yet it is bestowed upon us so casually, as if in a dream.

The surrounding tribesmen were overjoyed, whispering amongst themselves like a spring tide.

Only Han Chengzong's back was slightly hunched, and tears streamed down his face between the creases of his skin.

The fact that our family has survived and our bloodline has not been extinguished is already a stroke of good fortune. And now, we have been bestowed with the true secret of the Golden Elixir; this kindness and virtue are as heavy as a mountain!

Han Chengzong led his entire clan in a deep bow, their excitement beyond words.

All gratitude and awe were contained in this silent bow.

The Han family's lineage will now have a chance to shine again!

Chen Jiao accepted the greeting, then turned his gaze to Han Liyan, who was slightly ahead of him in the crowd.

The girl wore a simple dress today and stood gracefully in the morning light. There were no ornaments in her hair, only her eyes were clear and bright.

Chen Jiao rolled up his sleeve, revealing three objects that hung in mid-air, each shrouded in a hazy, clear light.

The pill had a bluish-green base with purple energy circulating within it. Its fragrance was not strong, yet it calmed the mind.

A small, palm-sized antique mirror with a rhombus-shaped design. The frame is carved with cloud patterns, and the mirror surface is clear with a subtle, flowing luster.

A scroll of books, its color like flowing gold, seems to have floating crimson patterns, with golden radiance lying dormant and flowing beneath the crimson background.

"The Purple Qi Returning to Origin Pill can help you improve your cultivation and make your foundation building process twice as effective."

The [Yunling Mirror] can protect the mind and spirit, ward off external evils, and is sufficient for use up to the Golden Core stage.

As for this scroll of cultivation techniques…”

Chen Jiao paused slightly as a golden-red light flickered on the scroll, revealing the six characters: "Golden Flower Flowing Crimson Spirit Scripture".

"This was created by me in my early years. It is difficult for those who are not compatible with it to enter the gate, and the future is also unknown."

He looked at the girl and said simply, "You may choose one of these three items."

The three methods of connection are alchemy, mirror, and book. Alchemy is an external aid, the mirror is a protector, and the method is something one seeks oneself.

The three objects floated silently, reflecting the sunlight and exuding distinctly different Daoist charms.

Chen Jiao's gaze swept over the scroll, finally settling on the scroll containing the [Golden Flower Flowing Elixir Spirit Book].

This method is not perfect; it was inspired by his early travels and later incorporated the essence of several other methods. It was a casual creation he made when deriving fire magic.

I did not intend to take out this scroll.

The elixir is a quick way to achieve enlightenment, and the mirror is a protective charm. For a young girl practicing Qi cultivation, these two are already generous gifts. Giving them to her would have a simple and easy consequence, making it the most worry-free option.

However, when his gaze fell upon the girl's clear eyes, Chen Jiao's thoughts shifted slightly.

The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Dao is forty-nine, and man escapes to one. Those who cultivate themselves emphasize the fulfillment of both karmic conditions and the right path.

Very well, since the law of cause and effect has been shown, let's make it a perfect ending.

The depth of cause and effect depends on her own choices.

"The election is over."

Chen Jiao concealed the slight ripples in his eyes and said calmly, "The path ahead is one's own choice and responsibility."

The fog dissipates, the clouds part, and the morning sun shines brightly on the courtyard.

The girl's gaze swept over the shimmering light of the elixir, brushed past the hazy mist on the bronze mirror, and finally settled on the scrolling cultivation technique.

Chen Jiao noticed that her gaze lingered on the scroll of the "Golden Flower Flowing Crimson Spirit Book," and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He naturally hoped that the young girl would choose the inheritance of True Man Li Yang, and with the help of elixirs or a magic mirror, her path to enlightenment would be smooth.

Why bother choosing that technique you casually created in your early years, the one Hengyang Yan said: Read this book! The future is uncertain.

This has created many more variables, and we now have to take extra care of it.

Chen Jiao finally spoke, offering his advice:

"The cultivation method left behind by the True Man of Li Yang, the True Technique of Li Fire Ascending to Yang, is the true secret that directly points to the Golden Elixir."

With the aid of elixirs to solidify the foundation, or with the protection of a precious mirror on the path, proceeding step by step, the completion of the foundation-building should be no major obstacle, and the condensation of the golden elixir is also quite achievable.

Upon hearing this, the elders and younger members of the Han family all nodded in agreement.

In their view, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage was already an extraordinary achievement, enough to qualify someone as the Grand Elder among the three sects of Aolai Kingdom in the past.

If one could glimpse the threshold of the Golden Core realm, it would be a blessing that the Han family would not have dared to hope for for more than a dozen generations, and it could protect the family's prosperity for hundreds of years!

This arrangement couldn't be better. Xuan Ling Shang truly acted with utmost benevolence and righteousness, and was extremely prudent.

Chen Jiao paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the girl:

"As for the cultivation method I casually wrote down, it is difficult to practice, the future is uncertain, and it requires a lot of effort. It may not be a good choice."

The implication is crystal clear.

He has always disliked meddling in other people's business.

I hope she won't cause trouble for herself, and will choose a safe and peaceful path, inheriting the Li Yang lineage and living a peaceful life.

She was sensible from a young age, never acted willfully, and always put her family first.

At that moment, the girl raised her eyes and quickly glanced at the young man in black.

Seeing his indifferent expression, he seemed to be saying "don't bother me".

A girl who was never willful suddenly felt a strange surge of anger and grievance that she herself couldn't quite understand.

This sudden surge of anger made her cheeks puff out slightly, like a flower bud touched by a gentle breeze.

Without the slightest hesitation, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, she reached out and touched the precious pill and the warm, smooth mirror.

He reached straight to the center and grabbed the swirling, obscure [Golden Flower Flowing Cinnabar Spirit Book] in his hand.

She immediately hugged it tightly to her chest, as if afraid someone would snatch it away, before raising her eyes to meet Xuan Ling's gaze.

The girl's cheeks were slightly flushed, but her eyes were unusually bright and determined.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and crisp.

"This junior chooses this one. Since it was created by the senior, it must have something extraordinary about it. This junior... this junior would like to give it a try."

Thank you, Venerable Xie Xuanling, for bestowing upon me the Dharma!

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Han Chengzong and the others stared in astonishment, their mouths agape, hardly believing their eyes.

Seeing this, the Xuan Gu Shangren's lips twitched slightly; he wanted to laugh but dared not.

Chen Jiao looked at the girl, who was clutching the book tightly and puffing out her cheeks. Her clear eyes were full of determination and a bit of stubbornness.

He was momentarily speechless, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

After a moment of silence, he finally nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Very well, this is how fate dictates, and cannot be forcibly prevented.

But this "give it a try" will likely cost him a great deal of time and energy in the future. The cause and effect of this mental and physical toil is probably now firmly established.

How similar this situation is.

In the Tushita Palace, the teacher spoke of the dangers of the Five Elements and Ten Qi, and said that proceeding step by step is the safest course of action.

How similar was his own desire to exhaust the origins of the Five Elements to the stubbornness of the girl before him who chose the perilous path over the easy one.

The mystery of fate is profound and mysterious.

Those who seek the Tao share a common inner drive to be extraordinary and to rival the heavens.

A morning breeze blows.

The dew that had been hanging on the orchid leaves in the courtyard for a long time finally slipped away quietly, seeping into the cracks of the bluestone and disappearing without a trace.

Holding the books, Han Liyan's inexplicable temper vanished, replaced by an unprecedented calm and composure.

She raised her eyes and looked at Chen Jiao with clear eyes. Although she did not speak, her posture said it all.

Her path began from there.