Chapter 40: The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage Imparts the Way

Upon hearing this, the Great Sovereign of Salvation, Taiyi, smiled even more broadly.

“Oh? To have earned your attention, this one must surely be extraordinarily gifted,” he remarked.

Zhenyuanzi waved his sleeve repeatedly. “In ages past, I granted enlightenment to the things of heaven and earth—wind, rain, moonlight, each unique in its own way. They wandered the world, bestowed upon those with whom fate decreed a connection.

Those whom I enlightened possessed exceptional talent, deep wells of fortune, and steadfast hearts for the Way. Any destined to receive them could become my disciples—all my students are chosen from among such. With the exception of Qingfeng and Mingyue, who joined me a century ago, the rest have already attained enlightenment.”

Taiyi chuckled. “Are there no exceptions?”

Zhenyuanzi replied candidly, “Naturally, there are. To take on disciples is a matter of mutual willingness. There are some who respect and revere me, yet have not entered my tutelage. However, the last wisp of breeze I enlightened was the latest to appear in the world and is the most extraordinary. I once received a prophecy of taking on a disciple in cycles of seven and seven; I suspect that one will share a great destiny with me.”

Taiyi praised him, “Then allow me to congratulate you in advance, my friend.”

Zhenyuanzi smiled faintly. “By the way, what is the background of your disciple? I do not recall having heard of him.”

Taiyi waved his hand. “Just an ordinary registered disciple. He sincerely wished to learn from me, and I was moved by his earnest heart. When he attains the right path of the Golden Core and achieves immortality, I shall accept him as a true disciple, and then I shall tell you more.”

Though Taiyi spoke thus, Zhenyuanzi was not wholly convinced. As the Patriarch of Earthly Immortals, he possessed vast knowledge and insight, yet the one before him was one of the Four Emperors, whose incarnations were as countless as grains of sand, whose will shaped reality itself, who had witnessed all matters in the Three Realms and seen innumerable prodigies—yet had never before taken a true disciple.

Now, however, all conversation seemed to revolve around this registered disciple, which showed how highly he was valued. Zhenyuanzi’s interest was truly piqued. Since Taiyi did not elaborate, he did not press further, but merely pointed to the ginseng fruit before them and laughed. “My friend, why not try one of my Grass Elixirs?”

Taiyi chuckled, “Today, I will be shameless and decline. Leave them for my disciple, so that he may one day taste their flavor as well.”

Zhenyuanzi flicked his wide sleeve and laughed heartily. “Since he is your esteemed disciple, how could I begrudge him a few fruits? When he comes, I shall have Qingfeng and Mingyue present them to him.”

Taiyi stroked his beard and smiled. “Agreed.”

...

On Leopard-Head Mountain, the Nine-Spirit Sage regarded Cao Kong with a complex expression, uncertain for a moment how to address him.

Seeing this, Cao Kong picked up the spiritual wine, poured a cup for the Nine-Spirit Sage, then filled one for himself. “Elder, I am grateful for the cultivation method you granted me in years past, and for the dream you bestowed. I offer you this cup in thanks.”

With that, he drained the cup in one gulp. This was Beneficence Spirit Wine, which, when drunk, purified one’s cultivation power, surpassing the effect of refining impurities; its taste was clear and fragrant, bringing a gentle intoxication.

Witnessing Cao Kong’s conduct, the Nine-Spirit Sage’s face softened. Truly, this youth was insightful, gifted, and sensible. Yet the thought made him all the more vexed, and he inwardly scorned his own Sovereign’s actions.

After inwardly complaining for a while and venting his feelings, the Nine-Spirit Sage felt much better. Having regained his composure, he ordered the Yellow Lion Spirit to wait outside.

Now, only Cao Kong and the Nine-Spirit Sage remained in the cavern.

The Sage pondered, “So, you have been accepted into the Sovereign’s tutelage?”

“Yes,” Cao Kong replied respectfully. “The Sovereign has accepted me as a registered disciple, and said that when I enter the proper path of the Golden Core, he will take me as a true disciple.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage was slightly startled. Over the years, his lord had indeed taken on a few registered disciples, but never a true disciple. Now that he had promised such to Cao Kong, it showed just how extraordinary he was. This further confirmed the Sage’s own discernment!

“The Sovereign is my master, and you are his disciple. There is no need to be so formal with me. I am but a nine-headed lion who attained the Way—those of the Three Realms call me the Nine-Spirit Sage. As for you, you may call me Lion; in fact, by rank, I should address you as Young Master.”

Cao Kong’s expression grew even more respectful. “Elder, you are always an elder to me. Please call me Cao Kong. I will never forget the favor of your past instruction, nor the dream of the mortal world you drew me into. Within that dream, I experienced the myriad forms of mortal life, and gained much. How could I not be grateful?”

The Nine-Spirit Sage roared with laughter, finding Cao Kong increasingly agreeable and likable—he only regretted not having taken him under his wing three years earlier.

“Hahaha! Enough. Meeting you in the mortal world must be the Sovereign’s arrangement. Since your cultivation has reached this point, what teachings has the Sovereign passed on? If you have any doubts, ask them now.”

“The Sovereign has taught me a wondrous Golden Core method, along with the Twin Canons of Wine and Sword. As for the Sword Canon, I have so far been shown only the Step of the Big Dipper and the Sword Art of the Twenty-Eight Constellations. The rest remains unseen.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage was astonished—for these two arts were known as the Sovereign’s dual masterpieces. In all the world, few could stand as his equal. To impart them to Cao Kong showed how much he valued him.

It could be said that as long as Cao Kong did not stray from the path and continued his cultivation steadily, he was certain to become a true disciple.

Suppressing his thoughts, the Nine-Spirit Sage explained, “You will likely need to cultivate this method to minor accomplishment before you can access the rest.”

Cao Kong asked in surprise, “What is meant by minor accomplishment?”

“There are three stages to every art: minor accomplishment, moderate accomplishment, and great accomplishment. Among immortals, there are five ranks: Ghost Immortal, Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Divine Immortal, and Celestial Immortal.

Do not underestimate ‘minor accomplishment.’ It means being able to wield the art freely and transform at will. Moreover, your Sword Art of the Twenty-Eight Constellations is exceedingly intricate and profound. To reach minor accomplishment, you must delve into astronomy and the principles of the Daoist canon. As for great accomplishment, that is even more remarkable—a simple technique could then transform the ordinary into the miraculous.”

Cao Kong was enlightened. “Elder, what are these five ranks of immortals? I heard the Seven Lions say that cultivation has no true levels, only the refinement of essence, energy, and spirit.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage laughed. “Their understanding is shallow, but not entirely wrong. While cultivation has no rigid boundaries, there is still an order to progression. The five immortals are, in essence, five types of immortals. Though nominally equal, in truth there are differences.

Take the three flowers—essence, energy, and spirit. Perfecting any one of them allows one to become a Human Immortal, gaining longevity. For demons, this would make them Demon Immortals.

Ghost Immortals have no physical body, and often perfect only the spirit flower. Their transcendence is found in the yin realm, making it hard to attain the yang spirit.

Earth Immortals are those who are half of heaven and earth, possessing the talent of Divine Immortals. They may live in the world and not die among mortals.”

The Sage then spoke of Divine Immortals, explaining that both Divine and Earth Immortals must perfect all three flowers. Divine Immortals, however, receive the Heavenly Court’s official seal, making them the orthodox among heaven and earth. In terms of cultivation, Divine Immortals may not surpass the best Earth Immortals, but their rank is higher.

As for Celestial Immortals, one must gather the three flowers atop the crown, open the mysterious pass, and unite the five energies at the origin. If one derives from the lineage of the Three Pure Ones, they are called Great Luos; otherwise, they are Taiyi Immortals.

There are many subtleties—at first hearing, it seems simple, but upon reflection, the distinctions are profound.

“Nine-Spirit Elder, what level am I now? When will I know if my three flowers are united and my five energies return to the source?”