Chapter 94: The Formation of the Golden Core, Paying Respects to the Celestial Venerable, and Receiving the Daoist Title

Cao Kong gently placed his hand atop Cao Xiang’s head, his manner akin to that of an immortal. Cao Xiang’s furry ears twitched in confusion, yet he did not break free, sensing instead an indescribable, mysterious benefit flooding into his body.

This was the inspiration of attainment, akin to celestial incense, greatly nourishing all living beings. On this day, having achieved the Golden Core by aligning his true heart with the heart of Heaven, Cao Kong gained the opportunity for profound transformation and boundlessness. Thus, he borrowed this spiritual energy, imparting the true essence of inspiration to Cao Xiang, paving a smoother path for Cao Xiang’s cultivation in the days to come.

After a while, Cao Kong withdrew his hand and gazed eastward, his eyes seeming to pierce through ranges of mountains and seas.

“It seems I owe you a debt of fate,” he thought with a smile. Fifteen years earlier, he had pondered the Golden Core in vain. Had he not witnessed the birth of the Stone Monkey, he might have wandered astray on the path of alchemy. He quietly made a note in his heart: if one day he should encounter that monkey, it would be time to repay this karmic debt.

Meanwhile, in the land of Aolai in the East Victory Continent, atop Flower-Fruit Mountain, a golden monkey reveled in innocence, frolicking among the hills and waters with his monkey brethren. He leapt through the trees, searched for blossoms and fruit, unfettered by the rule of qilin or phoenix, unbound by mortal conventions—truly carefree.

Yet, for reasons unknown, he suddenly gazed westward, finding the western sky exceptionally beautiful that day, filled with abundant inspiration and a peculiar allure.

“Great King, Great King, why have you stopped? This is the time for merriment!” called out the other monkeys who had paused in their play. Awakened, the Handsome Monkey King quickly replied, “It’s nothing, children. Let us continue our joy.”

So, beneath the setting sun, they resumed their chase, gathering peaches and plucking fruit.

Cao Kong, having awakened, was congratulated by all the spirits of the mountain. His attainment of the Golden Core exuded a spiritual fragrance, so potent that the Four Foxes, upon catching its scent, unknowingly shed their beastly forms and assumed human shape. Even the Deer and Crane, minor spirits who had cultivated for twenty years, began to show signs of transformation—lacking only further cultivation.

Joy spread through the mountains. Cao Xiang wished to hold a banquet in honor of his elder brother, but Cao Kong politely declined.

Now that the Golden Core was attained and immortality within reach, he did not become complacent. The path of cultivation was long; he must forge ahead, maintaining a heart devoted to the Dao.

Gathering energy was like collecting herbs; one gathered them into the cauldron—regarding his own body as that cauldron—circulating the celestial fire, refining his essence, and infusing it into his physical form.

All previous cultivation had been to forge the Golden Core, but now, having entered the path of the Golden Core, a new realm had opened before him.

His essence, energy, and spirit—the Three Treasures—were now unified into a flawless Golden Core.

When Cao Kong gazed inward, he saw within his Mud Pill Palace a single point of golden light, perfectly round and bright. This was the Golden Core, also known as Golden Nature.

Since his achievement fifteen years ago, he had come to understand that the Golden Core was not merely the Mud Pill; now, this speck of golden nature was the embodiment of his Golden Core.

All of his innate Dao energy, his essence, spirit, and more, were housed within this golden light.

Though it seemed but a tiny point, this Golden Nature could connect Heaven and Earth—imperishable, indestructible, flawless, complete, and pure.

Henceforth, he needed only to cultivate this Golden Nature, continuously drawing upon the energies of Heaven and Earth, refining away the dregs of yin within, so that pure yang would remain. Advancing his primordial energy, harmonizing the Five Energies—this was now Cao Kong’s path.

Of course, this was easier said than done, requiring deep insight into the Great Dao.

On the fourth day of the month, the day Cao Kong awoke, he cultivated for four more days, wandering through the mountains and waters of Hidden Mist Mountain, practicing and delighting in it.

That night, beneath the bright moon, Cao Kong knelt and burned incense before the statue of the Heavenly Lord of Great Compassion, Supreme Saviour of Suffering, his reverence profound.

On the third and ninth day of each month, Cao Kong would enter the Azure Radiance Realm of Endless Joy.

Three sticks of pure incense were lit, a single spark glowing red, ethereal smoke curling upward.

In that instant as the incense burned, Cao Kong seemed to see the auspicious radiance of treasures in the drifting smoke, and an elderly figure in rainbow garments, riding a celestial chariot drawn by nine lions.

“Master!” Cao Kong cried out in delight.

In the next heartbeat, all shifted. He found himself standing within the Sublime Palace of the East.

The Supreme Saviour of Suffering greeted him with a smile. Behind him, the nine-headed lion regarded Cao Kong with a gaze both familiar and complex.

Yet, in the lion’s heart, all complexity resolved into a sigh. So be it—given Cao Kong’s talent, perhaps teaching him all his skills would not lead him astray. Since the Supreme Lord had accepted him, he was counted as one of the Taiyi lineage after all; the lion’s gaze grew warmer.

Cao Kong, seeing this, once more performed the disciple’s salute. “Disciple Cao Kong pays respects to Master.”

The Supreme Saviour of Suffering smiled. “Well done, well done. After the Yellow Sprout, you have attained the Golden Core in just over twenty years—a true cultivator.”

Cao Kong neither feigned modesty nor showed arrogance, only deepened his respectful manner.

The Supreme Lord continued, “I once said, should you forge the Golden Core, I would accept you as a true disciple and grant you a Dao title. Today, the time is ripe; let us perform the ceremony here in this realm.”

As he spoke, nine-colored divine light circled his head, shining with boundless brilliance. Out of nothingness appeared clear tea, ceremonial slips, and other ritual objects.

At that moment, in the Azure Radiance Realm of Endless Joy, celestial maidens scattered flowers, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, immortal music floated in the air, and auspicious beasts manifested.

“Cao Kong.”

Cao Kong’s face grew solemn. He stepped forward and performed three bows and nine prostrations. “Your disciple is present.”

“Your heart is sincere and your will steadfast; your roots and vessel are excellent. You possess kindness and pursue the Great Dao. Now, I accept you as my sole true disciple. Enter my sect, uphold the righteous path, practice virtue, observe the pure precepts, and cultivate the Dao. Henceforth, you are of the Taiyi lineage!”

With the final eight words, the Daoist proclamation resounded throughout the Three Realms. All immortals, Buddhas, and divine beings were shaken: He has taken a disciple?

Many in the Three Realms wished to see who had won the Supreme Saviour’s favor, but the Azure Radiance Realm was his sacred domain; without his permission, even they could not discern the truth.

At that very moment, as the great powers of the Three Realms speculated, in the Grand Hall of Spiritual Radiance, the Jade Emperor—Supreme Sovereign of Heaven—allowed a ripple of interest to cross his gaze. “How intriguing,” he murmured.

In the human world, within Wuzhuang Temple in Western Niuhe Prefecture, an immortal of equal longevity to Heaven cast a complex glance.

On Penglai Immortal Isle, the Star Lord of Longevity, who was playing a game against himself, smiled, suddenly recalling his registered disciple. What good fortune he had!

With reverence in his heart, Cao Kong rose and offered clear tea to his master, a gesture of respect.

“Disciple Cao Kong pays respects to Master with sincere devotion!”

The Supreme Saviour of Suffering nodded and drank the tea, then continued, “Since it is so, I shall grant you a Dao title.”

“You are wholly devoted to the Dao, your heart unwavering, your spirit bright and profound, in perfect accord with the principles of the Way. I hope that in future, you will ‘Penetrate the Profound, Reach the Wondrous, Perceive the Truth, and Commune with the Divine.’”

“Therefore, I bestow upon you the Dao title—Tongzhen.”

At this, the Nine-Spirited Divine Saint’s nine pairs of pupils contracted in unison. These were no ordinary Dao titles.

Tongzhen—Penetrating Truth—was one of the Three Caverns of Daoism, the very foundation of the Dao: Tongzhen, Tongxuan, Tongshen.

Moreover, the Supreme Lord had just uttered the eight words: Penetrate the Profound, Reach the Wondrous, Perceive the Truth, Commune with the Divine—encompassing the full meaning of the Three Caverns.

What high hopes the Supreme Lord placed upon Cao Kong!

[End of chapter.]