Chapter 49

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As the old man’s voice faded, it seemed as though several peals of thunder resounded through the void. Auspicious clouds and radiant lights surged and shifted, rolling away into the distance.

The clouds churned for tens of thousands of feet, transforming into myriad strands of auspicious energy.

The man and the yellow ox instinctively lifted their heads, their faces tense as they stared at the roiling auspicious clouds, as if searching for something. Ultimately, they found nothing, and the clouds dispersed. Only then did they breathe a small sigh of relief. Exchanging glances, they felt a tremor of awe within—

May your name be inscribed upon the jade tablet, and may your robes shimmer with the hues of dawn!

Let the myriad spirits oversee and the Five Emperors bear witness!

These words carried tremendous weight—an extraordinary significance.

The first line merely stated that your name would be recorded on the jade tablet, and you would don the attire of the Daoist path.

The second line, however, proclaimed that your initiation would be observed by all sacred and divine spirits across the world, with the Five Heavenly Emperors personally bearing witness.

Although it was spoken casually by the old man, given the special nature of this place, no one could truly fathom the weight these words held. How far the title [Xuanwei] would spread and how many would come to know it was uncertain. Yet one thing was clear—these were no empty words.

Finally, the elder smiled as he released his grip on the jade slip.

Qi Wuhuo saw that on the back of the white jade slip, the five characters [Jinzhou Qi Wuhuo] were inscribed, while the front displayed the two golden characters [Xuanwei]. The white jade served as the base, with gilded cloud-like seal script faintly appearing to flow and shift. The old man tucked the jade slip into Qi Wuhuo’s sleeve and said: “With this, you are now my disciple.”

Qi Wuhuo’s eyes lit up. He wanted to smile but instinctively raised a hand, brushing against his hairpin.

The young man’s brows, which had once held traces of worry, now brimmed with joy.

In the past, he had worn simple short robes and a blue shirt, clothing suitable for chopping firewood on the mountain. His hair had been tied casually with a grass rope. Now, however, he was dressed in the garb of the Daoist path, with flowing cloud-sleeved robes and Daoist shoes. His black hair was bound with a Daoist hairpin, and on his back, he carried a sword box containing a sword and a qin.

The old man took another item from the man, a small box, and tucked it into his wide sleeve. After a brief chat, the sky outside had completely darkened, and lamps were lit within the house. The old man ceased his conversation, glanced at Qi Wuhuo and the young girl chatting nearby, and nodded slightly. Rising to his feet, he smiled and called out: “Wuhuo, it’s time to leave.”

The girl, who had been happily congratulating Qi Wuhuo, froze for a moment and said:

“So soon?! It’s only just nightfall!”

“At least wait until tomorrow before leaving.”

The old man stroked his beard and replied with a gentle smile: “I came here on a whim, but now that everything that needed doing is done, and everyone who needed meeting has been met, it’s only natural to leave.”

The girl, rarely encountering someone close to her age with such an interesting personality, had been hoping he would stay a few more days so they could play together. However, she hadn’t expected him to leave so soon. Instinctively, she turned to her father and Uncle Niu, hoping they would read her gaze and help persuade the old man to stay.

But this time, neither of them, who would usually indulge her wishes, spoke a word to delay him. Instead, they rose to see the guests off.

Though they were clearly delighted by the old man’s visit, they also wouldn’t attempt to dissuade him from leaving, as if unwilling to go against his wishes in any way.

Despite her reluctance, the girl could only sulk silently, standing up to join her father and Uncle Niu in escorting the boy and the old man to the “riverbank”. The old man walked ahead, accompanied by the yellow ox and the man. Qi Wuhuo trailed slightly behind.

He suddenly felt a tug on the sleeve of his flowing robe. Turning around, he saw the young girl holding the edge of his sleeve with one hand, while placing a finger to her lips with the other, gesturing for him to stay quiet.

Then, lowering her voice, she asked:

“So you’re really leaving now?”

“Mm.”

The girl’s reluctance was evident. “What are you going to do next?”

Qi Wuhuo slowed his steps slightly to walk alongside her. After a moment of thought, he replied: “I think I’m going home.”

The girl asked in confusion: “Home? Aren’t you going to travel the world with your teacher?”

Qi Wuhuo shook his head, glancing at the old man’s retreating figure, and replied: “Teacher said that our fated connection has come to an end. This was his parting gift. At that time, when he spoke of gifts, he gave me three choices—lower, middle, and upper grades. The first was a Life-Extending Pill, the second was a true transmission of the Dao, and the highest-grade option wasn’t a pill or a technique but simply a chance encounter, a ‘fated opportunity’. I suppose, being able to come here and formally become his disciple, was the opportunity itself.”

“But since Teacher said this [fated opportunity] is a parting gift.”

“It means that our separation and the end of our connection were inevitable and unchanged.”

“Although I’ve only just entered the Daoist path, I understand the principle of not forcing things.”

“I also know Teacher’s nature.”

“Action through inaction—there’s no need for attachment.”

The young man in his blue robe seemed at peace with it all.

“Not forcing things? Action through inaction?”

The girl didn’t quite understand. She thought for a moment, then asked: “What will you do after going home?”

Qi Wuhuo replied: “Of course, I’ll focus on cultivation.”

“In truth, my cultivation is still very low. Right now, I’m still at the stage of [Refining Essence into Qi], and due to certain experiences, my Primordial Spirit is far stronger than my Primordial Essence and Primordial Qi. This imbalance makes it incredibly difficult to cultivate the orthodox Innate Qi of the Daoist Path. For example, even the water-walking technique you taught me—I couldn’t properly perform it. This time, I’ll go back and cultivate diligently.”

“That way, next time, perhaps I won’t need your help to stand on that river.”

“Besides, there are some things I absolutely must do…”

On his back, he carried a sword box.

Inside it were records of the regrets and unfulfilled wishes of those harmed by Tantai Xuan, as well as promises he had made to them.

There was also the [Mingzhen Dao Alliance] waist token.

It held clues about the calamity that had befallen his hometown during his childhood.

And there was still the matter of his teacher…[TL_Note: His first teacher]

Of course, the most important thing is to cultivate diligently and gradually improve one’s own realm.

The young girl nodded in a daze, then curiously asked: “When will you come back again?”

Qi Wuhuo thought for a moment before replying: “According to my teacher, it might take fifty years for me to fully nurture my foundation and step into the realm of Innate Qi.”

The girl was startled, her eyes widening in shock. “Fi-fi-fifty years?! That long?!”

She quickly grabbed Qi Wuhuo’s sleeve.

There was no trace of disdain or criticism regarding his aptitude or foundation; instead, she grumbled:

“If it takes you fifty years or more to come back and play with me, I’ll be bored to death here…”

“Hardly anyone comes here.”

“And even if they do, they’re not very interesting.”

Looking around, she suddenly took Qi Wuhuo’s hand, placed a black box into his palm, and leaned in close, whispering softly into his ear: “Shh, don’t make a sound.”

“Inside this is a mirror and the cultivation method for the [Round Light Manifestation Technique].”

“When you return, you must learn it.”

“That way, even if you’re far away, we can still stay in touch. And you have to tell me all about the interesting things happening out there.”

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she clenched her fists lightly. “Don’t forget, alright?”

Qi Wuhuo saw the purity and innocence in her eyes.

Smiling, he clasped his hand around the box and put it away, saying: “Alright, I won’t forget.”

“If I see anything interesting or meet anyone fascinating outside, I will make sure to tell you.

After a moment’s thought, he added: “Now, stretch out your hand as well.”

The young girl, puzzled, extended her right hand. Her palm was fair, her fingers as if carved from white jade. Qi Wuhuo retrieved the short sword he had once used for self-defense and, with its scabbard, gently placed it in her palm. The usually composed young Daoist, with his upright demeanor, allowed a rare, faint smile to grace his lips:

“You gave me this gift, and I have nothing suitable to return as thanks.”

“This is a short sword I personally sharpened. I hope you won’t dislike it.”

“Wow! Thank you so much!”

The girl carefully fastened the short sword at her waist. Pressing down on her skirt, she spun around once. The hem of her dress lifted slightly, her black hair tied neatly with a green ribbon. With one hand resting on the short sword, she smiled brightly as the skirt settled. “I’ll make sure to take good care of it!”

“Next time, I’ll show you my swordsmanship too!”

The small boat, formed from a tree branch, continued to float quietly on the river. Qi Wuhuo stood beside the elder, while the man stood on the “island”, cupping his hands in salute as he said: “In that case, I will certainly take care of this matter and await news from you, Senior.”

The girl peeked out from behind the man, waving and smiling radiantly. “Qi Wuhuo, don’t forget!”

“When your cultivation improves, remember to come here!”

The man sighed helplessly.

After some thought, he smiled and gave Qi Wuhuo a word of advice: “I cannot reveal the location of this place or how to get here. However, if you are interested, you can inquire about someone who goes by the name [Everything Unclear] in the capital city of Zhongzhou Prefecture. At that time, you’ll know.”

The handsome young Daoist stood behind the elder, nodding slightly.

After bidding farewell, the old man led Qi Wuhuo back onto the ship. This massive vessel, seemingly capable of holding a thousand people, began to glide forward slowly. The wind brushed against his face as the old man stroked his beard, gazing into the distance. Qi Wuhuo noticed that the surroundings were pitch black, yet the surface of the water under the night sky rippled with faint glimmers of light. These ripples seemed like reflections of countless stars, an ethereal and breathtaking sight.

Qi Wuhuo asked: “Teacher, where are we heading next?”

The old man chuckled and replied: “Action through inaction—you just answered that child, didn’t you?”

“Now, I’ll give you the first lesson of your initiation.”

“And also the final lesson before our parting.”

“I will take you to meet your fellow senior disciples.”