Chapter 114: Spring Thunder Startles All Creatures, Souls Concealed Within the Primordial Wood
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The divine sound descended.
Cao Kong saw the earthen statue of the golden figure seemingly come to life, both spirit and form perfectly embodied.
The figure wore a green robe, donned a crown known as the Azure Jade Seven Titles, and bore the Tongyang Taiming seal, exuding an immense aura of solemnity.
The East Peak Emperor’s gaze shifted subtly; his expression remained unchanged, but a slight difference stirred within his heart.
Though Cao Kong’s current cultivation, in his eyes, was merely passable, he could not ignore the faint favor shown toward him by the one who had just appeared.
Hence, he had already intended to come forth and see him; how fortuitous.
Before he even revealed himself, Cao Kong had already offered incense to him—it made perfect sense.
Cao Kong smiled and said, “I am Tongzhen of the Poor Dao, greetings to the East Peak Emperor.”
Upon hearing this Dao title, the East Peak Emperor’s heart skipped a beat, then a smile graced his face:
“Our meeting is fate. Now, with snow blanketing the mountaintop, you come to honor me; I accept this incense and shall grant you a blessing.”
Without waiting for Cao Kong to speak, he reached for the Tongyang Taiming seal at his waist and pressed it toward the void.
Instantly, Mount Tai trembled invisibly; spiritual energies gathered drop by drop, coalescing into a single green seed, though its color was somewhat dull.
“I do not know what you seek, young friend, so in this cold winter I have gathered the dormant life force of all things and condensed it into a wooden seed. If you plant and nurture it in the future, it may awaken the path of Wood.”
The seed was presented before Cao Kong. It would be rude not to accept it, so he cupped it in his hands.
“Thank you, East Peak Emperor.”
Curiously, the East Peak Emperor asked, “May I inquire who your master is? Ahem, I mean, your Dao title is quite unusual.”
Cao Kong answered honestly, “My master is the Supreme Heavenly Worthy, Taiyi, Savior of the Suffering.”
The East Peak Emperor’s eyelid twitched; that explained it. Yet he wondered, “Has the Worthy not given you a Dao talisman?”
Cao Kong replied, “Yes, Your Majesty, but once the talisman entered my brow, it never manifested again; yet I can feel its presence.”
The East Peak Emperor thought silently: ‘How rare. I possess authority over Wood myself, yet I cannot sense even a trace. Is the Worthy deliberately hiding it so deeply?’
Still, as a preeminent immortal and high official, he chose not to dwell on the mystery. Remembering the need for caution, he resolved to keep today’s encounter secret.
Smiling, he said, “Brother, I have duties to attend. You are free to roam at will. When you ascend to Heaven one day, do come to my palace to share a drink.”
Cao Kong bowed with a smile.
Raising his eyes again, the earthen statue was still just an earthen statue, and the elder beside it seemed oblivious to everything.
Cao Kong then bade farewell to the elder. Before leaving, he passed on a trace of Wood energy—not enough to prolong life, but enough to keep the elder warm through the winter.
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Cao Kong had set out to meet that person at midnight and now had returned to Hidden Mist Mountain, with midnight approaching again.
The saying “Face the Northern Sea in the morning and the Azure Wu in the evening” was precisely so.
During this time, Cao Xiang and others wondered why their elder brother, the mountain lord, had suddenly vanished.
When they heard Cao Kong say he had gone to the Southern Jambudvipa, nearly a hundred thousand li away, drawn by a feeling in his heart, the few little ones showed bewildered expressions.
Cao Kong reflected on his gains from the journey and said, “A sudden insight leads to profound understanding. When you cultivate in the future and such insights arise, be sure to seize them.”
The little ones nodded, still somewhat confused.
Cao Kong returned to the Fold Mountain Cave. The cave was spacious, hence its name “Linked Rings.” Cao Xiang lived in the south, and he in the east.
In recent years, the cave had accumulated many items. Though still called a cave, its decorations were complete and detailed.
Cao Kong stood before a desk. On it, a candle flickered, dispelling the darkness, while a fragrant aroma arose, calming the mind—it was Suhe incense oil.
On the desk lay a copy of the “Book of Changes” and the green seed.
Cao Kong inhaled the fragrance and recalled the Mud Pill Palace, where a voice suddenly sounded: “Decree...”
He knew this sound was bestowed because of the incense’s spiritual power.
Following his will, he guided the incense’s spiritual energy, harmonizing it with the decree’s sound, and spoke aloud: “Decree of light generation.”
Immediately, within the Temple of the Benevolent Savior True Lord of the Respectful Dao Nation, a wisp of incense spiritual energy was drawn in, and the cave was filled with light.
Cao Kong was stunned by the flash of light.
With his ability, generating light would be easy, but he had not used any spells or divine powers—only the incense’s spiritual energy combined with the decree’s sound—and yet it was so effective.
After a short time, the light dimmed and was about to dissipate.
Cao Kong was unperturbed, clicking his tongue: “This decree is truly... unreasonable.”
He felt the incense spiritual energy dissipate, finally at ease. Such was proper with the Heavenly Dao; otherwise, the decree would be too capricious.
He wondered whether the decree could only be used with incense spiritual energy or if something else could substitute, and whether there was a limit...
Various thoughts swirled in his mind. He picked up the “Book of Changes” and examined it.
Though gifted by that person, the book held no divine mystery beyond being indestructible.
Its content resembled earthly books, though somewhat more detailed.
The book was not about Dao arts, divine powers, or cultivation methods but expounded the principles of heaven, earth, and all things.
At first glance, it seemed obscure and profound; even now, it remained infinitely mysterious, as if all his learning could be verified and inspired by it.
Within, he saw the “Changes,” perfectly aligned with what he sought.
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“Indeed, such a person would never act without purpose.”
Cao Kong rejoiced inwardly and delved deeper until dawn broke, fully absorbed.
Then, in Hidden Mist Mountain, he planted the seed given by the East Peak Emperor. More than ten days passed without any change.
Cao Kong sensed vitality within—lively yet dormant, in a state of rest.
He had a premonition that when its vitality finally blossomed, great results would follow.
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Time passed swiftly; winter gave way to spring.
Though he had received the decree’s sound, Cao Kong did not focus on the divine path but devoted himself to perfecting the Golden Core Way.
Yet the divine path still progressed, as the Nine Spirits Guild of the Seven Lions flourished, taking in many harmless minor spirits who all sang Cao Kong’s divine name.
Now, the guild’s trading reached as far east as Thunder Accumulation Mountain, its commercial routes expanding, and the daily chanting of his name was bound to bear fruit.
In mid-spring, the hexagram stood at the position of Zhen, where all things emerge—a sign of growth.
That day was the Awakening of Insects.
Suddenly, spring thunder echoed, awakening the overwintering insects; all life began to grow.
Cao Kong sensed that perhaps the seed’s growth day was today and watched nearby.
Sure enough, a spring thunderclap awakened the myriad insects and stirred the seed, which sprouted visibly, breaking through the soil.
Not only that—it continued to grow, flower, and bear fruit, eventually producing a vibrant green fruit.
Watching this scene, Cao Kong felt the meaning of all life flourishing, and his understanding of the Wood Dao elevated another level.
He smiled, “The opportunity has arrived.”
Then, inhaling deeply, he absorbed the wood energy of heaven and earth’s vitality along with the green fruit into his breath.
He reached the realm of True Nature’s Stillness, where the soul is hidden and Wood turns to its origin—everything fell naturally into place, perfect and complete.
Cao Kong laughed heartily, then exhaled a wisp of green energy, weaving his own wood energy with the world’s vitality, bringing a splendid spring to Hidden Mist Mountain.
Thus, a clear and gentle breeze arose, grass and trees flourished, and the spring mountain was vibrant and promising.
Grateful thanks for the 1500 Qidian coins gifted by Don’t Ask Jie Ming.
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