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

After Yu Rongwang finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Jiao sat upright on the futon, his expression unchanged, but his mind was as clear as a mirror, with many thoughts flowing through his mind.

He was naturally familiar with the dangers and benefits of the three calamities.

In his past life, he attained the status of a celestial immortal and personally experienced the three calamities, teetering on the brink of life and death several times. In the end, he faced death and was reborn, breaking through the illusion.

Only then can one shed one's mortal form, achieve the status of a celestial being, ascend to the heavens, and enter the Thunder Department.

Those who cultivate the Tao are inherently going against the will of Heaven, seizing the creation of Heaven and Earth, and encroaching upon the mysteries of the sun and moon; hence, they face the tribulations of attaining the Tao.

To achieve the Great Dao of Celestial Immortality, one must endure three calamities and hardships; this is both the most impartial and the most selfish act of Heaven and Earth.

These three calamities are not ordinary wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, but major tribulations that directly point to the fundamental nature of spiritual cultivation.

Thunder calamity is the primordial spirit, fire calamity is the true qi, and wind calamity is the physical form. These correspond to the three treasures of a cultivator: spirit, qi, and essence. They are also the most dangerous and brutal aspects of the path to becoming a celestial immortal.

The first calamity is the calamity of thunder. This is not ordinary thunder and lightning, but "heavenly thunder," which does not follow the principles of Yin and Yang, nor does it follow the Five Elements.

Lightning struck down from the heavens, crashing into the cultivator's crown and directly hitting his primordial spirit and soul.

If one can successfully overcome this obstacle, one's spirit and soul will be refined, all impurities will be eliminated, and one's spiritual light will be pure, thus achieving "divine perfection."

If one cannot overcome this obstacle, one's soul will be scattered, one's true spirit will be annihilated, and all one's cultivation will be in vain.

This tribulation tests whether a cultivator's true spiritual nature is pure and refined, and whether they can maintain their true nature and remain unperturbed under the overwhelming power of heaven.

The second disaster was a fire, which was neither heavenly fire nor ordinary fire, but was called "yin fire".

It starts burning from the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot, penetrating straight to the Niyuan Palace, burning the five internal organs, burning the six bowels, and tempering the four limbs and bones.

This fire is specifically designed to refine the cultivator's vital energy, including magical power, true essence, and even the innate vital energy that sustains life.

If one can successfully overcome this obstacle, their magical power will be refined, they will be reborn, and they will have abundant "qi".

If one cannot overcome this obstacle, the physical body will turn to ash, the foundation of one's cultivation will be destroyed, and only a remnant soul will remain.

The final calamity is a wind calamity, but this wind is not the wind from the southeast, northwest, or south; it is not the wind blowing through the metal, nor the wind blowing through the flowers, willows, pines, or bamboos; it is called the "Bi Wind".

The wind blows in through the fontanelle, passes through the six internal organs, pierces the dantian, and penetrates the nine orifices, thus eroding the essence and forging the body.

If one can overcome this obstacle, the mortal body will be completely transformed, and the immortal body will be formed, breathing in harmony with heaven and earth, which can be called "essence" solidified.

If one cannot overcome this obstacle, one will die and one's spiritual path will perish, and all will return to nothingness.

Heavenly thunder refines the spirit, yin fire tempers the qi, and bifeng dissipates the essence.

After the three calamities are overcome, the spirit is complete, the vital energy is abundant, and the essence is solidified. The mortal body is transformed into an immortal body, and from then on, one escapes the cycle of reincarnation and enjoys longevity and freedom, and can be called a "celestial immortal".

These three calamities are precisely the root of the most difficult yet most transcendent path among the five categories of immortals: Heaven, Earth, Man, God, and Ghost.

Ghostly immortals possess an undimmed spirit, yet find it difficult to escape the shadows; human immortals, on the other hand, rely heavily on external factors and the fate of the nation to attain longevity.

Earthly immortals roam freely in their own realms, yet they cannot escape the constraints of mountains and rivers; divine immortals, though granted titles and talismans, are ultimately limited by their duties.

Only celestial immortals survive the three calamities; their path is supremely high and their journey extremely arduous.

The Xun Ding is one of the Nine Dings. Using this Ding as a talisman to deal with the calamity of Bi Feng is theoretically feasible to some extent.

The fact that King Yu Rong could think of this and plan for it for hundreds of years shows that he was a man of strong will and not an ordinary person.

In the study, the incense burner emitted straight, billowing smoke.

After Yu Rongwang finished speaking, he fell silent and just looked at Chen Jiao quietly.

Chen Jiao met his gaze calmly.

After a moment, he slowly spoke:

"The three calamities of thunder, fire, and wind proceed in sequence, from the outside to the inside, from spirit to qi, and from qi to essence."

The fact that the city lord was able to pass the tests of lightning and fire demonstrates his great perseverance and solid foundation.

The danger posed by this calamity lies in the attack from both within and without, originating from its very source. External aids can be provided, but they cannot replace it.

The city lord wishes to use the cauldron to overcome his tribulation, but the most important thing is still himself.

A strong force can serve as a barrier or a channel.

However, whether the calamity can be averted and the danger turned into safety depends on the city lord's own solid foundation and calm mind, so that he can maintain a sliver of true nature amidst the wind.

Otherwise, even with the protection of the Xun Ding (a type of ancient Chinese cauldron), complete safety would be difficult to guarantee.

Chen Jiao spoke frankly, without making unwarranted promises or speaking carelessly just because he had obtained the Xun Ding.

Upon hearing this, King Yu Rong was not angry at all; in fact, the solemn look in his eyes faded somewhat.

"What you say, fellow Daoist, is indeed very reasonable."

King Yu Rong sighed deeply and then said:

"How could I not know? The fear of the wind disaster is not of its power, but of its unpredictability and my own inadequacy."

For years, I have been searching in vain for a way to control the cauldron, which has been a source of great distress. Now that you, my fellow Daoist, can control this cauldron, you have given me a glimmer of hope.

As for one's own foundation...

"I have cultivated for thousands of years. I dare not say that my foundation is flawless, but I do ask myself if I have been diligent and have never stopped refining myself."

Having overcome two of the three calamities, I, the King, will do everything in my power to safeguard the source in this final hurdle, no matter what.

What I need is for you, fellow Daoist, to hold this Xun Cauldron and provide me with that sliver of hope at a crucial moment, to compensate for any shortcomings in the timing, location, or my own cultivation.

I will remember the cause and effect of this matter.

King Yu Rong spoke earnestly, without any intention of coercion or pity, only with a calm and resolute attitude in the face of life and death.

Judging from his expression, Chen Jiao knew that what he said came from the bottom of his heart and was a decision made after careful consideration.

"If that's the case..."

Chen Jiao nodded slightly and said, "When the City Lord undergoes his tribulation, this humble Taoist will naturally offer his assistance with the cauldron. However..."

He shifted his tone slightly, looking at Yu Rong Wang:

"Although this cauldron recognizes me as its master, I still need time to comprehend and refine its profound restrictions and wind patterns before I can operate it at will."

The city lord is facing an imminent calamity, and time is of the essence. When are you prepared to overcome this tribulation? And how can I, a humble Taoist, possibly assist you?

The city lord is facing an imminent calamity, and time is of the essence. When are you prepared to overcome this tribulation? And how can I, a humble Taoist, possibly assist you?

King Yu Rong's spirits lifted, realizing that he intended to help, and he solemnly said:

"The tribulation will take place within a hundred days, but the exact time is still unknown and requires further observation."

I dare not expect you to master the profound mysteries of the Xun Cauldron within a hundred days. I only hope that you can familiarize yourself with the nature of this cauldron during this period.

When I am undergoing my tribulation, if you can use the power of the Xun Ding to provide some guidance and protection, help me stabilize my position and prevent my foundation from being destroyed instantly by the Bi Feng.

I am well aware of the dangers involved.

Regardless of success or failure, Yu Rong will never forget the kindness and righteousness shown to him by his fellow Daoist!

All resources in Tongyou City are at your disposal, fellow Daoist. If you have any other needs, please feel free to ask.

This clarity and restraint made Chen Jiao think even more highly of him.

He pondered for a moment.

King Yu Rong appears reserved, but he is quite sincere in conversation. Moreover, he possesses the ability to summon spirits and control ghosts, controls Tongyou City, and has a wide circle of friends.

If we can establish this good relationship, it will be of great benefit.

"Since the city lord has entrusted me with this task, I am willing to do my best."

Chen Jiao nodded and said, "After a hundred days, I will go into seclusion to comprehend the profound mysteries of the Xun Ding."

During this time, it may be necessary to borrow the city lord's collection of scriptures on wind-related magic, and a quiet place will also be required.

Upon hearing this, King Yu Rong finally showed a relieved expression. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said:

"That's exactly right!"

I will personally arrange a quiet room for you, fellow Daoist, and provide you with everything you need from the Tongyou City treasury.

During these hundred days, absolutely no person or event will disturb your peaceful cultivation!

The two then finished speaking.

Yu Rongwang then led Chen Jiao through several layers of hidden restrictions to a stone chamber deep within the city lord's mansion that appeared simple but was actually filled with spiritual energy and exuded Daoist charm.

The room contained only a futon and an incense table, with bare walls except for ancient array patterns carved on the floor and ceiling to gather spirit and calm the mind.

"Please make yourself at home, fellow Daoist. Anything you need can be sent to the attendant outside the door in an instant."

King Yu Rong bowed and said no more, then quietly withdrew.

The stone chamber door slowly closed.

Chen Jiao sat down comfortably on the futon, and the small bronze cauldron, about an inch in size, flew out of his sleeve and hovered in front of him, emitting a warm and ancient blue halo.

He concentrated his mind, cleared his mind of all distractions, and slowly extended a wisp of divine thought, probing into the Xun Ding, which had been silent for countless years.