At this point, Hu Yuan already knew that the bead he had acquired was called the "Sun Bead", and that it had already undergone three awakenings through the historical changes of the Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties, witnessing countless heroes and legends. Yet, the six divine beads had still failed to reunite, leaving behind an enduring regret passed down through the ages.
Faced with Hu Yuan's question of what he needed to offer in return, the old man smiled slightly, his gaze revealing a trace of benevolence and profound wisdom. He softly said, "I have no excessive demands; I only wish to preserve this heritage in the mortal realm. After all, I am merely a grain of sand beneath this vast expanse of starry skies. I firmly believe that this heritage can point the way for the lost and dispel the clouds to reveal the sun for the confused. May those destined to find it discover the true meaning of the Great Dao."
Tianshan Ancestor gazed at Hu Yuan, his eyes brimming with expectation and profound meaning. He slowly began, "The path of cultivation is not a feat accomplished in a single morning or evening; rather, it is a long and arduous journey filled with endless hardships and tempering. If you can comprehend it with a sincere heart and maintain perseverance, pressing forward without yielding or abandoning, you will surely achieve sublimation and transcendence of the Great Dao. Remember, the Dao lies within yourself, not sought in others."
Hu Yuan held his breath and concentrated with absolute focus, listening attentively to Tianshan Ancestor's booming voice. Every word entered his ears like celestial music, causing his heart to surge violently and making it difficult to keep his composure.
He drew a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, which was as restless as a wild horse breaking free from its reins. Yet, this wave of excitement surged through his chest like towering breakers, wave after wave. Hu Yuan knew deep down that such a rare opportunity was fleeting; if he failed to remain calm, he would likely miss this golden chance.
Finally, after much effort, he managed to suppress the turmoil within, and his entire being gradually grew calm. With a solemn and deeply respectful expression, he gazed at Tianshan Ancestor, and then spoke in a steady and resolute voice: "With Master here, your disciple Hu Yuan is truly fortunate beyond three lifetimes to encounter an enlightened teacher today! Your disciple is willing to follow Master from this day forward to devote himself to cultivation, fearing neither hardship nor danger, and resolves to become a true practitioner of Qi Refining. I sincerely hope Master will accept me as a disciple. Your disciple shall strictly abide by your teachings and never dare to slacken in the slightest. Please accept your disciple's bow!" These words were brimming with Hu Yuan's reverence for Tianshan Ancestor and his yearning for his future path of cultivation, and his unwavering tone was truly touching.
Hearing these earnest words from Hu Yuan, Tianshan Ancestor's face revealed a gratified smile. He nodded slightly and gently waved his hand. In an instant, a flash of light swept by, and where nothing had stood before, an exquisitely carved chair and a cup emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance materialized out of thin air. Then, Tianshan Ancestor slowly seated himself upon the chair with a dignified bearing, resembling an immortal descending into the mortal world.
Seeing this, Hu Yuan did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately dropped to his knees and respectfully performed the traditional master-acknowledging ceremony before Tianshan Ancestor. Three bows and nine kowtows, his entire sequence of movements flowed like moving clouds and running water, completed in one smooth motion. Once these rituals were finished, Hu Yuan raised the teacup high with both hands, carefully presenting it to Tianshan Ancestor as a gesture of his supreme respect for this master, while also demonstrating his resolute determination to pursue the Great Dao.
As soon as Hu Yuan's ceremony concluded, Tianshan Ancestor smiled and nodded, saying, "Good! It is truly a fortunate blessing to take you as my disciple today. Hu Yuan, you already have a Senior Brother in the immortal realm and a Senior Sister in the Spirit Realm, while you are currently my first disciple in the mortal realm. The place where you are standing right now is the internal space of the Sun Bead. The functions of this bead will gradually open up as your realm of cultivation improves; the next function is storage, which you can use once you reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.
This bead is extraordinary, containing its own universe, concealing the mysteries of heaven and earth, and absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. I have been slumbering here, awaiting the person destined to arrive. Your bloodline appears to have a profound connection with the Sun Bead, echoing one another."
The old man continued, "Yuan'er, since you have obtained this destiny, you must maintain a heart of reverence, live up to this heavy trust, perform good deeds, accumulate virtue, and benefit all living beings. Cultivate with utmost dedication and never slacken. The law is boundless and the Dao is shoreless; only through perseverance can one catch a glimpse of the true meaning.
The power of this bead must not be used for selfish desires. It must be wielded through the righteous path in order to unlock its mysteries and grasp its true essence. I shall remain stationed within this bead, quietly awaiting your growth."
After hearing these words, Hu Yuan was particularly concerned with the storage function that would become available upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage. He suppressed his surging excitement, took a deep breath to restore tranquility to his heart, bowed to Tianshan Ancestor once more, and asked, "Master, how do I enter and exit this Sun Bead space, and how do I embark on the path of Immortal Cultivation?"
Tianshan Ancestor had long since perceived Hu Yuan's inner longing and confusion. Seeing his bewildered expression, he smiled faintly and recited:
"A single luminous pearl, round and bright,
Yin generates the earth, while Yang generates heaven.
Through transformation it lands within the human brain,
Its radiance beams across the universe..."
Then, he slowly added, "This bead is unusual; you must quiet your mind and meditate upon it." Instead of offering a detailed explanation, he raised a finger and gently tapped Hu Yuan between the eyebrows. Instantly, a buzzing sound rang out, and a massive flood of information rushed into Hu Yuan's mind. Just like copying files on a computer, this data was stored within his sea of consciousness. Hu Yuan saw that this information contained foundational cultivation techniques, mental methods, and a few minor spells.
"Though these mental methods and spells are foundational, they contain boundless profundity. You must calm your mind and contemplate them deeply before you can comprehend their subtle mysteries." Guided by Tianshan Ancestor, Hu Yuan began to practice these mental techniques.
Tianshan Ancestor helped Hu Yuan clear his primary meridians, along with six major acupoints and energy centers: the Spiritual Platform, the Mysterious Pass, the Heart Aperture, the Kidney Aperture, the Yin Qiao vessel, and the Immortal Bone. Each time a meridian was cleared, Hu Yuan felt a surge of powerful energy flowing within his body.
"Master, I feel as though a new world has been opened up to me," Hu Yuan said with excitement.
Tianshan Ancestor smiled and nodded. "This is only the beginning; the true path of cultivation is still very long. Next, I shall impart a secret technique to you and help solidify your divine soul."
Knowing that such an opportunity was rare, Hu Yuan listened with undivided attention. Following Tianshan Ancestor's explanations, he gradually grasped the essentials of this secret technique. Guided by his master, he applied the technique and felt a roar echo in his mind, after which he discovered that his Divine Sense had grown even more powerful.
He tried to expand his Divine Sense outward and found that he could pierce through the mist and perceive conditions within a radius of dozens of yards around him.
"Master, I... I actually did it!" Hu Yuan shouted excitedly.
Tianshan Ancestor's lips curled upward into a gentle smile as he said, "Not bad. You have attained this realm, but you must remember that the path of immortal cultivation is like an endless river; only by pressing forward unceasingly can one reach distant shores. Only through continuous advancement can one seek the realm of the Golden Immortal."
Tianshan Ancestor then slowly continued: "The cultivation realms of my sect are divided into nine major stages: Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Deity Transformation Stage, Void Refinement Stage, Integration Stage, Mahayana Stage, and Tribulation Transcending Stage.
The 'Qi Refining Stage' is subdivided into ten minor stages, while each of the remaining realms is distinguished by early, middle, late, and Great Perfection phases. Every single level contains boundless profound mysteries and hardships."
"'Qi Refining Stage' is the initial foundation of cultivation, gathering the breath of energy. Although this stage is no different from that of a mortal, one must be diligent and tireless to absorb the true essence between heaven and earth. This true essence will nourish your physical body and Divine Sense, laying a solid foundation for higher-level cultivation in the future. During this period, you may gather the essence of the sun, moon, stars, water, fire, and wind, using the true essence of all things to strengthen your own primordial vitality."
"As for the 'Foundation Establishment Stage', you must transform the absorbed true essence of heaven and earth into your own primordial breath. In this realm, you can fast and abstain from grains, your Divine Sense will multiply, your lifespan will increase, you can fly on swords, and you can refine pills and forge artifacts with primordial true fire." "Following that is the entry into the 'Golden Core Stage'..."
Hu Yuan wore a thoughtful expression, yet his inner heart was turbulent and difficult to calm. He looked at Tianshan Ancestor, bowed deeply and respectfully, and said with reverence, "Your disciple will engrave Master's teachings upon his heart and shall never fail the expectations of my master."
Hearing Hu Yuan's response, Tianshan Ancestor nodded gently, and then began to explain the precautions to be observed on the path of Immortal Cultivation, along with some foundational terminology.
From instructions on quiet meditation, to the circulation of spiritual power, the cultivation of the divine soul, methods for entering and exiting the Sun Bead space, down to the subtle meanings of various spells, every single sentence was brimming with profound meaning, and every word seemed to open a door for Hu Yuan leading toward an even higher realm.
When the imparting of knowledge came to a temporary pause, Tianshan Ancestor slowly spoke, his voice sounding somewhat fatigued: "I have expended too much energy today and need to rest. Cultivate on your own; if you encounter any incomprehensible matters during your practice, I will answer them for you when I awaken."
With those words, Tianshan Ancestor transformed into a ray of light and sank deep into the profound space.
"Remember: what difficulty is there in cultivating truth and nurturing one's nature? It relies entirely on calming the spirit and keeping the mind from wandering. Through breathing, acquire the breath of heaven and earth; by guarding the mysterious, one can contemplate the heavens beyond the heavens. When the clear pointing pierces the mystery within the mystery, one becomes a carefree, purple-golden immortal." The master's voice grew increasingly distant, yet it carried an unshakable, profound wisdom that echoed in his ears like an eternal, undying bell of antiquity.
As the final syllable fell, the surrounding scenery shifted accordingly. At that very instant, a majestic and pure energy converged toward Hu Yuan from all directions. Feeling his divine soul being tempered once again by that force, he closed his eyes involuntarily and plunged heart and soul into it. His consciousness seemed to drift within an endless void, surrounded by arcane and mysterious powers constantly intertwining and fusing with the energy inside his body.
When he opened his eyes once more, the scene before him had quietly transformed, and he had returned to the real world.
The veil of night had long since retreated, replaced by the dawn's early light.
Hu Yuan opened his eyes and smiled faintly. Picking up the phone beside him, he saw that the time was already five o'clock in the morning.
Hu Yuan got up, made a trip to the bathroom, returned to the bed to resume his quiet sitting, concentrated his mind, and began his internal inspection. He discovered that suspended in the air between his cerebrum and cerebellum was a bead—precisely one of the beads from the bracelet he used to wear.
Hu Yuan carefully observed the internal scenery of his body, seeing a thumb-sized red pearl residing within his navel. The pearl was encircled by a Taiji diagram, which in turn was surrounded by a Later Heaven Eight Trigrams diagram, feeling utterly miraculous.
Hu Yuan muttered to himself in contemplation: "When I meet Master, I must ask him what this round pearl is. Could it be that I possess two precious pearls?" Continuing his internal scan of his body, he found nothing else out of the ordinary.
Hu Yuan recalled everything he had experienced last night; had he not lived through it personally, he would never have believed such a bizarre event could occur.
Looking at his physical body once more, without the aid of his master, relying solely on his own practice would have required who knows how many years to reach today's realm. And the appearance of that bead marked Hu Yuan's true entry into the ranks of Qi practitioners.
Finishing his meditation, Hu Yuan gently stretched his body and slowly stood up from the floor. He moved his somewhat stiff limbs, felt the true qi gradually flowing smoothly within him, and raised the corners of his mouth into a satisfied smile.
Afterward, Hu Yuan walked over to the kitchen. Before long, a simple yet delicious breakfast was prepared. Holding a steaming bowl of noodles, Hu Yuan walked over to the coffee table, sat down, and dug in with gusto. Every mouthful was filled with warmth and satisfaction, leaving him completely refreshed and spirited. After finishing his breakfast, Hu Yuan moved to the window and sat down quietly. He closed his eyes, and his master's earnest teachings from the previous night continuously surfaced in his mind. Those words were like the booming of great temple bells, awakening the deaf; they were like flashes of lightning cleaving the night sky, illuminating the path forward. Every subtle movement and expression of his master during the demonstrations now appeared with absolute clarity before his eyes, as if it had just happened moments ago. Hu Yuan recalled and pondered them over and over again, trying to deeply brand these precious experiences into the depths of his soul until every single essential point could be summoned effortlessly and used with complete mastery.
After an unknown passage of time, Hu Yuan finally opened his eyes slowly. He let out a long breath and stood up. First, he walked quickly into the bathroom to swiftly finish washing up. Then, returning to his bedroom to change into a clean and neat set of clothes, he stepped out the door and began his brand-new day.