Chapter 50: Good Disciple, Kindheartedness Should Be Rewarded

Before the majestic statue of the Supreme Savior of Suffering, spiritual fruits were offered, three sticks of incense slowly burning in the censer, wisps of azure smoke curling upwards. Cao Kong sincerely invoked the name of the Supreme Savior, pouring out in his heart all that pertained to the demons of the ninety-six caves.

A faint chime rippled through the air—imperceptible, yet Cao Kong felt it keenly. The three incense sticks released an abundance of blue smoke, shrouding the entire space. In that haze, he seemed to glimpse visions of the Azure Glory Realm, glimpses of a world beyond.

Within that vision, an elder appeared, crowned and robed in radiant garments, smiling gently at him. It was unmistakably his master, the Supreme Savior of Suffering. The deity's visage was kind, a slight nod expressing approval for Cao Kong's virtuous intentions.

Delighted, Cao Kong gazed upward, ready to speak, but a sudden flare—like the morning sun—dazzled his eyes. Blinking, he found only the statue and the lingering smoke before him; the ethereal vision had faded like a dream.

Disappointment filled his heart—he had not spoken a word. Was it because he was only a registered disciple? He sighed, longing for the day he could forge a golden pill and become a true disciple.

"The matter I wished to report to Master remains unanswered," he thought. Just then, clear light flashed before the statue, and a jade-green tablet appeared on the altar.

Cao Kong stepped forward and picked up the tablet. Its touch was extraordinary—cool and smooth. Characters of divine elegance surfaced across its surface, as if formed by the heavens themselves.

"This matter is already known to the Jade Emperor. Nezha will soon descend to the mortal realm to exterminate the demons and purge every evil from the Western Continent."

Cao Kong paused. Nezha would defeat the demons of the ninety-six caves—this sounded familiar. Of course, it was Nezha's renowned battle.

A sense of reassurance spread through him. Nezha was fierce, possessed great powers, and wielded many magical treasures. If he descended to subdue demons, it would be like thunder striking—indeed, the perfect choice.

Suddenly, Cao Kong glanced down at himself, his expression stiffening. Wait—if Nezha was coming to slay demons, then wasn’t he, too, considered a demon? Would he be swept away like a mere foot soldier?

That thought rose only to be dismissed. After all, he had a powerful patron; he wouldn’t suffer such an unjust fate.

He bowed once more to the Supreme Savior's statue before departing to continue his cultivation.

Yet as he turned, the jade tablet floated before him, and another line of text appeared:

"Good child, your virtuous heart deserves reward."

Joy blossomed within Cao Kong. He had acted purely from his own heart, never expecting such an unexpected gift.

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His heart brimmed with delight. Truly, the Supreme Savior favored him.

With a gentle breath, the jade tablet dissolved, its fragments like celestial jade stars drifting into Cao Kong’s mind palace, transforming into a scripture named: The Five Palaces Divine Powers.

Divine powers are wondrous forces, extraordinary talents, and abilities that far surpass ordinary spells. Techniques like "Emulating Heaven and Earth" or "True Fire of Samadhi" are divine powers—limitless in might and infinite in their application.

Yet divine powers are rare and hard to comprehend. Some labor for centuries without glimpsing their mysteries; some endure countless trials to gain them; others reach high realms of cultivation and, by alleviating the suffering of beings, attain divine powers naturally. Some creatures are born with such gifts, finding them effortlessly.

The Six-Eared Macaque, for instance, was born able to hear all sounds, discern reason, know past and future—understanding all things.

Divine powers are divided into innate and acquired. Innate gifts come from heaven, destiny, even one’s life experiences. Acquired powers depend on talent and fortune.

The Supreme Savior of Suffering, a master of divine abilities, possessed profound insight into the cosmic Dao. He believed that all living beings held divine powers within, merely concealed in their bodies.

The Five Palaces Divine Powers was his own creation, a method to cultivate and awaken these hidden abilities within oneself. The five palaces correspond to the five organs and five elements, each housing a unique divine power.

These powers are innate, hidden within the body; only by discovering and excavating them may one know what divine talents lie within.

Cao Kong finished reading the Five Palaces Divine Powers and could not help but marvel at his master's transcendent abilities.

According to the scripture, those who diligently practice might, with great perseverance, attain one divine power within a thousand years, two within ten thousand years. The remaining three depend on individual talent and fate.

Though gaining two powers after millennia seems daunting, it is already a remarkable achievement—many immortals never gain even one.

Consider the Yellow Wind Monster: with a breath of Samadhi Wind, even the Monkey King suffers. Such is the marvel of divine powers.

"My master truly possesses boundless abilities," Cao Kong thought with joy and gratitude, bowing again to the deity's statue. He pondered what divine talents might await him in the future.

---

A day or two passed swiftly. Seated on a cliff, Cao Kong breathed in clouds and exhaled mist, clearing his mind of all distractions, sharpening his thoughts to clarity.

Within his mind palace, his spiritual self guided his thoughts, exploring the five palaces. Knowing he resonated most with wood, he began his search in the liver palace.

The Five Palaces Divine Powers regards the five palaces as a miniature universe—setting right what is wrong, tracing origins, seeking and subduing the manifestations of the five elements.

These five manifestations are: Lord Metal, Mother Wood, Mind Horse, Heart Monkey, and Yellow Lady.

If one discovers Mother Wood and assimilates it, a divine power can be awakened.

Among the five elements, Heart Monkey is hardest to subdue, Mother Wood hardest to cross, for Mother Wood embodies greed and delusion.

Ordinary seekers may unwittingly fall into desires and illusions, unable to extricate themselves, risking even the loss of their cultivation.

Fortunately, Cao Kong’s resolve was steadfast. He sought only longevity, treating all visions, temptations, and desires as illusions—firmly searching within the liver palace.

About half an hour later, Cao Kong opened his eyes and exhaled a turbid breath. His spirit was fatigued—so difficult to find, so challenging, no wonder it requires centuries, millennia.

He could search for half an hour each day; his resolve was strong. Most mortals could only seek briefly before needing to restrain themselves and withdraw, lest they fall into delusion.

Yet Cao Kong was in no hurry. If one day failed, then day after day—eventually, he would succeed.

After pausing his search for divine power, Cao Kong went to the spiritual field, preparing to hoe, loosen the soil, and water the crops.

Cultivation requires both tension and relaxation, and worldly affairs best soothe the heart.

In the field, a fox was already working alongside the golden leopard, tending the farm. Glancing around, he saw two more foxes: one crafting tools from felled trees—tables, chairs, and stools; the other carrying a yoke and water buckets.

All except Hu An, who was resting, were busy, giving Cao Kong the impression that Idle Mist Mountain harbored no idlers.

"Let me help you hoe the field," he offered.

"No need, brother! Just sit back. I'm teaching Hu Yan," the fox replied.

He looked to the other two foxes, who waved their hands, saying they were nearly finished, even hastening their work for fear Cao Kong might take over.

For a moment, Cao Kong didn’t know how to intervene.

Alas, he thought, I have become the idle one.