bookbashuk Chapter 39: Preachings
Chapter 39: Preachings
"Thank you for your kindness, sir!"
The demons then snapped out of their great surprise and hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude, their voices trembling with excitement.
The cranes lowered their long necks deeply, their white wings trembling slightly.
The nine heads of the nine-headed lion simultaneously fell to the ground, emitting a deep roar.
Even the usually composed Xuan Turtle slowly nodded its massive head.
Being able to freely enter and exit such a blessed land that even the great powers of the primordial world would envy, and to gain entry into it, was an opportunity they never dared to dream of before!
This means that they not only received systematic guidance on Taoist principles, but also gained an incredibly safe and resource-rich place to cultivate themselves.
In this primordial world where the strong prey on the weak, how precious it is to have such a peaceful place for cultivation.
Zhen Yuanzi nodded slightly and said no more. Hongyun Daoist understood, and with a warm smile on his face, he stepped forward, his wide crimson Daoist robe fluttering in the wind.
His figure was elusive, as if he might turn into a wisp of smoke and disappear at any moment. When he spoke, his voice was ethereal and ever-changing, like the clouds and mist: "Little fellows of the Crane Clan, come forward."
The cranes quickly folded their wings, walked forward with elegant steps, lined up in a row, and quietly awaited instruction.
Hongyun's gaze was distant, as if looking at the drifting clouds in the sky, and she slowly said:
"Clouds have no fixed shape and their gathering and scattering are unpredictable, but their core lies in the word 'change.' By adapting to the seasons and taking advantage of the wind, they can roam freely in the heavens."
Water has no constant form; it can be soft or hard. It can wear away stone with dripping and break through mountains with rushing flow. But its essence lies in the word "moisten," nourishing all things without competing with them.
You cranes are born with extraordinary physical abilities, able to soar among the clouds and wade in the water, naturally close to the ways of clouds and water.
On the path of spiritual practice, one should carefully comprehend the true meaning of the ever-changing nature of clouds and the gentle, nourishing power of water. Do not cling to any particular form or shape; rather, like clouds and water, go with the flow to attain true freedom…
His words seemed to possess a strange magic, not only clearly elucidating the essence of the Way of Clouds and Water, but also stirring the spiritual energy of the surrounding heaven and earth.
Wisps of water vapor began to condense on the white feathers of the cranes, turning into a light mist that swirled around them. Their movements became even more graceful and agile, and their eyes sparkled with a clear and enlightened light.
The lead crane couldn't resist spreading its wings and dancing gracefully in the courtyard, stirring up wisps of mist.
Then, Hongyun turned to the four pure-blooded descendants of the sacred beasts—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise. He did not explain them all at once, but instead gave them individual guidance based on their inherent attributes.
He said to Qinglong:
"The Azure Dragon of the East belongs to the element of wood, which governs life and controls thunder and rain. However, after spring's birth, there must be summer's growth, autumn's harvest, and winter's storage."
Your vitality is not a blind burst of life, but rather a comprehension of the cycle of growth, development, and decline, a grasp of the true meaning of life's cycle of flourishing and decay. Only then can vitality be continuous, and only then can thunder and rain benefit all living beings, rather than causing disaster.
Upon hearing this, the Azure Dragon's body shone with a brilliant azure light, and fine electric sparks flickered on its scales, suggesting a deeper understanding of life force.
Its winding body moved slowly through the courtyard, and wherever it passed, the plants and trees seemed to radiate even more vitality.
He said to Suzaku:
"The Vermilion Bird of the South belongs to the element of fire, governs the flames, and controls destruction and rebirth. However, fire is inherently upward-moving and easily gets out of control, burning everything in its path, including itself."
You must understand the importance of 'degree' (measure/moderation). A flame can burn away decay and give birth to new shoots, it can also warm the cold winter and illuminate the darkness. The key to controlling fire lies in the heart; a calm heart makes the fire steady, a righteous heart makes the fire pure.
The Southern Bright Flame burning around the Vermilion Bird seemed to have subsided somewhat, becoming more agile and gentle. It let out a clear cry, as if it had gained some understanding.
It spread its magnificent wings, with flames leaping at the tips, but no longer scorching hot; instead, they carried a warm aura.
He said to the white tiger:
"The White Tiger of the West belongs to the element of metal, which governs killing and controls weapons. However, killing is not the goal. The true meaning of metal is to cleanse impurities, sever causality, and protect the righteous path."
Excessive rigidity leads to breakage. You must understand that metal can also generate water; beyond fierceness, one must conceal a touch of flexibility and benevolence. Life lies within killing—this is the true path of the White Tiger.
The white tiger let out a low roar, and the sharp golden aura around its body seemed to subside slightly. The royal markings on its forehead shone with light, giving it a more composed appearance.
Its lithe figure strode through the courtyard, each step exuding majesty, yet no longer inspiring awe.
He said to Xuanwu Dao:
"The Black Tortoise of the North belongs to water, governs darkness, and is in charge of protection. However, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; within the darkness lies infinite possibilities."
Your protection is not about being stagnant, but about understanding the principle that still waters run deep, accumulating strength in silence, and resolving impacts through tolerance. The intertwining of the tortoise and snake represents the fusion of ultimate yin and ultimate gentleness, and is also the most resilient manifestation of life.
The mysterious patterns on the Xuanwu's carapace glowed faintly, and the snake's head and the turtle's head tapped lightly at the same time, their eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.
Its massive body moved slowly, stirring up wisps of water vapor, which quickly subsided, as if it contained boundless power.
Each of the four beasts received a true teaching, and the Daoist aura around their bodies became more in harmony with their own bloodline. They subtly resonated with the primal power of earth, water, fire, and wind emanating from the Four Symbols Banana Tree in the center of the courtyard, and their auras became visibly more refined and pure.
Meanwhile, Zhen Yuanzi sat cross-legged under the Four Symbols Banana Tree, his figure seemingly integrated with the earth beneath his feet and the entire Longevity Mountain, inseparable from it.
He paid special attention to the two Qilin—the pure-blooded Qilin and the black Qilin.
His voice was deep and resonant, like an echo from the depths of the earth:
"The Qilin is the chief of all beasts and a symbol of good fortune. Your way is rooted in the earth."
Earth, located in the center, bears the four directions and nourishes all things; this is its "great virtue". However, earth is not a dead thing; it contains gold, stone and precious jade. When it encounters fire, it can be turned into molten gold; this is its ability to "carry things" and the wonder of "transformation".
When you walk on this earth, you should sense the flow of its energy, discern the purity and turbidity of its energies, guide its spiritual energy, and bring blessings to the region. Only in this way can you live up to the name of auspiciousness.
The pure-blooded Qilin nodded repeatedly, its auspicious aura growing even stronger, and its connection with the earth's energy becoming even closer.
Its golden scales gleamed in the sunlight, and its four hooves seemed to resonate with the earth as they trod.
The black Qilin, whose scales had turned dark due to a bloodline mutation and which had once been ostracized by its clan, listened with particular focus, its enormous eyes gleaming with excitement and relief.
From Zhen Yuanzi's words, it finally understood that its seemingly ominous mutated bloodline was not a defect, but rather gave it a unique affinity and potential to control the deeper and more hidden power of the earth, the Netherworld Qi. This was an extraordinary opportunity!
Under the baptism of Zhen Yuanzi's Daoist voice, a deep yet pure mysterious luster began to emanate from its dark, black scales, and its aura also became profound.
The two young Daoist disciples, Qingfeng and Mingyue, stood quietly not far behind Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun. Although the explanations were not directly directed at them, the two Great Luo Golden Immortals expounded the profound principles of the Great Dao, each word a gem, containing the laws of heaven and earth.
As they listened to the profound discussions on the mutual generation of the five elements (such as earth generating metal, metal generating water) and the rotation of the four symbols (such as wood generating fire, fire generating earth), many previously unclear aspects of their cultivation suddenly became clear. They also gained a deeper understanding of the earth and wood paths they were cultivating, and felt that their foundation in the path was more solid.
Mingyue couldn't help but stretch out her little hand to feel the pure wood energy flowing in the air, and a look of joy appeared on her face.
Perhaps the one that reaped the greatest harvest was the silent black tortoise.
Its cultivation level was the highest, reaching the Great Luo realm, but due to innate limitations, despite possessing vast magical power and a powerful physical body, it was unable to shed its original form and transform into the Dao.
At this moment, it listened to Zhen Yuanzi's explanation of the origin, bearing, and return of the earth, especially the profound meanings involved in "all things carry yin and embrace yang, and achieve harmony through the interaction of qi" and "form and spirit are one," which finally stirred a ripple in its Dao heart that had been stagnant for countless eons.
Its massive, heavy body, as large as a mountain, began to tremble very slightly and rhythmically, as if it were trying to understand, communicate, and fit into this world in a completely new way. The transformation barrier that had troubled it for countless years seemed to show signs of loosening for the first time.