Chapter 15
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The path of cultivation—if one chooses the crooked, unorthodox way, Qi Wuhuo could already have stepped onto the Dao, practicing divine powers. But to walk the grand and majestic righteous path, one must possess Complete Essence, Complete Qi, and Complete Spirit.
His Primordial Spirit was already accomplished, his Primordial Qi nurtured, but as for his Primordial Essence, there was no method yet.
This magnificent tiger, its demeanor serious, asked solemnly, ‘Would you like to listen to my Dao?’ Its expression was as dignified as a rugged Daoist discussing the Dao in the snow-covered bamboo grove. The young man stood still, stunned for a moment. Then, placing his bamboo basket down, he straightened his clothes, cupped his hands in respect, and replied:
“It is what I wish for, though I dared not ask.”
The tiger roared with laughter.
The sound echoed for miles, shaking the pine forest, and causing snow to fall from the branches. The tiger laughed, saying: “Then please, take a seat.”
The snow-covered ground transformed into a dojo. The tiger sat atop the highest blue blouder, while Qi Wuhuo seated himself to the side. Numerous beasts, all enlightened with spiritual wisdom, gathered around. Monkeys scratched their heads, a spirit serpent coiled up, flicking its tongue, and birds folded their wings, perching silently on the branches.
The tiger’s gaze swept across the gathering before it slowly began to speak:
“Today, we have a new Daoist friend joining our assembly, so I shall expound on the Dao. In cultivation, the most important thing is the Primordial Essence! What is called ‘Primordial Essence’ is the root of all living beings, the source of blood and flesh. Ordinary martial artists, or those following unorthodox paths, claim that Essence is nothing more than blood, bones, and sinew. But that is a grave mistake. Cultivating in such a way is like climbing a tree to seek fish—the further one goes, the farther one strays.’
“Now, what is Primordial Essence?”
“The Great Dao has a saying—”
“In the midst of obscurity, seek the form; within the depths of the unknown, find the true essence.”
“Being and non-being naturally merge into one another; but how can one grasp it without first perceiving it?”
“In the twenty-first chapter of the Dao Ancestor’s [Daojing], it is written: ‘The Dao, as a thing, is indistinct and elusive. Elusive and indistinct, within it lies an image; indistinct and elusive, within it lies a substance; deep and obscure, within it lies the essence.’
“This essence refers to the Primordial Essence.”
“To speak of vagueness and obscurity means that this Primordial Essence is not a tangible or material existence, but rather, it permeates the five internal organs, the four limbs, and the hundreds bones. It is also said, ‘Within the depths of the unknown, seek the true essence.'”
“What does ‘seek’ mean? It means to search.”
“And how does one search? By using the Spirit.”
“The Dao Ancestor’s words imply this.”
“The Primordial Essence is deeply hidden within the limbs, bones, and organs, yet it cannot be ordinarily perceived. Only in moments of vagueness and elusiveness can it be sensed. One must take Spirit as the foundation, intent as the tool, and in the fleeting moments of seeming existence and non-existence, find the Primordial Essence within the body and limbs, then [Gather and Refine it]!'”
“This is precisely the practice of [Refining Essence] within the process of transforming Essence into Qi.”
“The meaning is to find the Primordial Essence in the body, gather it, and refine it.”
“And why refine it?”
“To understand the truth of one thing is to grasp the nature of all things. All cultivation begins by emphasizing this original qi —— for the Primordial Essence is the fundamental substance of all life, the root of existence! In some great schools of cultivation, it is referred to as the [Life Treasure].”
“By reclaiming one’s Life Treasure from the transformation of Heaven and Earth, practitioners in this realm can achieve full longevity, free from natural disasters and human calamities. They can be immune to all ailments, and able to pass away peacefully. They are referred to as ‘Longevity Daoists’.”
The deep voice of the tiger echoed, expounding the methods of Daoist cultivation.
As the he spoke slowly, he shook his head and sighed:
“Refining Essence and transforming Qi are indeed two distinct steps. It involves gathering and refining the Primordial Essence from the five viscera and six organs, reclaiming the Life Treasure from the forces of Heaven and Earth, thus understanding that my fate is in my own hands. Only then can one harness the Qi with the Spirit, merging Essence and Qi into the Innate Qi, thereby attaining a state of freedom.”
“By transcending the mundane and taking another step forward, one may be called a True Person, while beasts can shed their animal forms and become worthy of worship.”
“Yet, in the teachings outside the Daoist sect, there are many misconceptions, reducing it all to a single step. Eventually, they even advocate refining one’s own flesh and blood to temper the inner energy. What a grave misunderstanding that is…”
“The goal of cultivation is to achieve personal perfection; flesh and blood are as important as the Primordial Spirit.”
“How can one dare to refine it!”
“The Taoist predecessors concealed their key techniques and secrets within cryptic words. Without being part of the proper lineage, one cannot receive the true transmission, which is truly regrettable.”
As the tiger sighed, he resembled an old Daoist wandering between Heaven and Earth for ages, expressing deep confusion over the ancestors’ practices. Yet his figure was robust and imposing, his presence grand and heroic, evoking the image of a mighty hero. Qi Wuhuo, listening intently, suddenly came to a realization.
He murmured to himself: “[Refining Essence], [Transforming Qi].”
The knowledge imparted to him earlier by the elder who claimed to share the same surname as the Dao Ancestor grew increasingly clear in his mind.
The tiger cast him a glance, his voice low as he continued:
“In the words within the Dao Ancestor’s Daojing, ‘Its essence is most true, and within it lies faith.'”
“From ancient times to the present, its name has not faded, for it is the source of all.”
[TL_Note: The last 3 characters of this sentence are 閱(Yue)眾(Zhong)甫(Fu)]
“How could I possibly comprehend the state of the source of all?”
“Its essence is profoundly genuine, meaning the existence of Primordial Essence is real and not illusory. As for the source, ‘阅’ (yue) signifies to comprehend, while ‘甫’ (fu) means beginning. This signifies that Primordial Essence is the origin of all things, the beginning of all life.”
“This is of utmost importance!”
A bird with feathers radiating a strange glow listened intently, its eyes sparkling with excitement, and it bowed its head, saying: “I have now grasped the method to cultivate Primordial Essence!”
“I earnestly beseech Mountain Lord to pass down the true teachings!”
A monkey, scratching its head, suddenly bowed low and pleaded: “I beseech the Patriarch Mountain Lord to impart to me the true teachings, to pass on the Righteous Dao!”
The tiger, with an aura of great authority, frowned and shook his head as he spoke in a deep voice:
“The Way of transforming qi is the path of True Persons. Your Qi is not yet harmonized, and your Spirit cannot leave your body. You have yet to refine and extract your Primordial Essence. Even if I were to teach you the true path of the Great Dao, it would be twisted into an unorthodox one!”
The tiger glanced at Qi Wuhuo.
Qi Wuhuo lowered his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
The old man’s teachings were the most basic method—using the Spirit to control Qi, using Qi to purify the flesh and blood, making it harmonious and pure, thus naturally gathering Primordial Essence. Yet now, the tiger was imparting the Dao Ancestor’s method, which involved refining Essence from the depths of the unknown and reclaiming one’s Life Treasure.
One follows the path of inaction, while the other involves gradual cultivation.
And yet, they seemed to complement each other.
At that moment, the tiger cast a look at the small, green cauldron. With a paw strike, the cauldron instantly floated into the air. It trembled once, and in the blink of an eye, it emitted a boundless green light. At that moment, it transformed from a small cauldron into a giant one, adorned with ancient Taotie patterns, its mouth biting into three iron rings, which resonated with a metallic clang. There were three in total, representing the Three Talents.
Suspended in the air, the cauldron was engulfed in fire, rotating through nine cycles.
The herbs gathered by the nearby spiritual creatures and supernatural beings from over a dozen mountains were melted into the cauldron, and refined with the tiger’s flame. Gradually, an overwhelming medicinal fragrance began to spread.
Though it wasn’t alcohol, the intoxicating scent left all the spiritual creatures swaying, their heads spinning, as if even the heavens themselves were about to topple. Only the young man in the blue robe remained seated, unaffected. The tiger slapped the cauldron, and the resounding rumble echoed like the turning of rushing water.
“Come, I invite you all to drink!”
The emerald spiritual liquid was refined, and lotus leaves curled in the air, transforming into one cup after another, filled with a jade-green spiritual liquid that shimmered with a translucent clarity.
The tiger was the first to drink deeply.
Qi Wuhuo, sensing no malice from the tiger, held the cup of liquid. The tiger urged him to drink quickly before the effects faded, and he too drank it all in one go.
As the spiritual liquid flowed down his throat, a slight intoxication washed over him, but he quickly sensed something different. His body felt dizzy, his qi and blood stabilized, and his Primordial Spirit began to emerge. Qi Wuhuo had a distinct incomparable impression, he felt his Primordial Spirit slightly detach, while his flesh and blood condensed, and the vital energy circulated through his limbs and bones.
In the depths of obscurity, he began to gather and refine Essence.
The surrounding beasts fell drunkenly to the ground, sprawled in all directions, while the young man sat cross-legged in the snow.
The tiger perched atop the blue stone, striking the great cauldron, producing a thunderous sound, then laughed heartily:
“The Dao, as a thing, is both vague and elusive.”
“To seek it is to yearn, yet it remains unattainable.”
“Cultivating the Dao!”
“Seeking immortality!”
“Eternal life!”
“You see, the world is as vast as a plate, yet this is merely a grain of dan from my home!”
“If you wish to understand the times, move freely; do not let appearances cloud your heart’s perception.”
After laughing, he drank the spiritual liquid as if it were wine.
Snow fell in the mountains.
The tiger spoke of the Dao.
Qi Wuhuo slightly closed his eyes, regulating his breath.
All things possess great medicine; gather and refine it, shedding the physical body, returning to my original qi.
He had no idea how much time passed, but he faintly sensed a supremely pure existence gathering within his limbs and bones.
The tiger lifted his gaze, his eyes widening in surprise.
So fast?!
Primordial Essence, gathering.
PS: This chapter’s explanation regarding the Dao De Jing and the records of Daoist cultivation is derived from the teachings of the Dao Patriarch Fang Xian and the He Shang True Person, He Shang Gong;
The verses of the Song Dynasty’s Ziyang True Person from [Wuzhen Pian];
The teachings of the Western Sect’s Patriarch, Zhang Yi True Person, Li Hanxu.
