Chapter One: A Mountain Holds a Taoist Temple

Year Twelve of Yuan Guang.

Seated atop a pale gray boulder was a youth who appeared to be about fifteen years old. Facing the east, he sat cross-legged as the morning sun slowly climbed the slope. His eyes were closed, his hands encircled before him, and his body remained utterly still.

Time slipped by unnoticed. Gradually, faint threads of crimson began to coalesce between his hands—at first, scarcely half a finger in length, but in the end, they thickened and extended until three fingers together would barely match them.

The youth exhaled a deep, turbid breath. Only when all those crimson strands had flowed into his body through his hands did he finally lower his arms and open his eyes.

“This should count as a successful cultivation,” he murmured to himself.

This youth was none other than Jie Peiling, who had crossed into this world many years ago.

Just then, the sound of clapping echoed nearby.

“No one in the temple believed you would be able to grasp the ‘Immortal Elder’s Taiji Profound Transmission of the Supreme Dao,’ except me. I always knew you could succeed through perseverance, and indeed, you haven’t disappointed me.”

A young man, appearing even younger than Jie Peiling and clad in a light blue robe, approached. A delicate silver moon pendant hung at his waist. He clapped softly, a cheerful smile upon his face as he looked at Jie Peiling.

“Han Jiang, don’t tell me you’ve been placing bets on me again?” At the sight of the blue-robed youth, Jie Peiling felt a headache coming on.

“And what are you doing here?” he added.

Han Jiang waved a hand and replied with a laugh, “How can you call it betting? It’s nothing but your senior’s faith in you. As for why I’m here—naturally, I was worried. If someone in the temple learned you were about to succeed and didn’t want to hand over what rightfully belonged to me, they might’ve hidden in the shadows and killed you during your cultivation. What then?”

Jie Peiling let out a dry chuckle. Others might not know, but he certainly did.

Among the hundred or so disciples of Yingtian Monastery, no one was wealthier than the senior before him. That silver pendant at his waist alone was worth a fortune—one that couldn’t be easily found in any market.

Of course, such thoughts were best left unspoken. Jie Peiling had no wish to argue, so he said directly, “Since you were betting on me, even if you don’t share the winnings, you should at least treat me to a few good meals.”

Han Jiang raised his brows, looking troubled. In a low voice he said, “That’s not a problem, a few meals are nothing. But you know how the food here is—hardly edible. If you want something decent, we’d have to go down the mountain. But those gatekeepers are always looking to catch someone and claim a reward… What should we do about that?”

Jie Peiling fixed him with a look and snorted. “Don’t think I don’t know you sneak off the mountain every day. I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ve never heard of you being punished. If it were anyone else, they’d have been thrown out long ago.”

Han Jiang shrugged. “Who says you have to take the main gate? I know a little path. Next time I’ll take you with me…”

“That’s because you’re an inner disciple with proper papers, so if you’re caught sneaking out, nothing happens. I’m just a registered disciple who hasn’t even made it into the outer sect—if I tried that, I’d be lucky to escape a beating or a few months locked away.” Jie Peiling rolled his eyes and waved his hand.

“In any case, the meals don’t matter. But I do have a favor to ask. Next time you return from the city, could you buy me some yellow paper and cinnabar?”

Han Jiang’s expression grew serious. “You’re going to make talismans?”

Jie Peiling gave a small smile. “I just want to give it a try.”

Han Jiang nodded, not pressing the matter. “That’s fine. I’ve been studying talismanic methods myself. If you get stuck, come find me—I can teach you a few things. It’s good to have a trick up your sleeve. Just don’t be reckless and ruin your newly formed foundation.”

The art of talismans was rare, reserved for the temple’s personal disciples. Someone like Jie Peiling could only glean a scrap or two from sundry texts here and there.

Jie Peiling nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I won’t be reckless—it’s just an experiment, not a matter of life and death.”

Han Jiang knew his advice would be wasted—Jie Peiling was nothing if not stubborn. If he hadn’t been, he never would have managed to gain entry to the ‘Immortal Elder’s Taiji Profound Transmission of the Supreme Dao’ through sheer willpower. So Han Jiang merely waved and took his leave.

As Han Jiang’s figure vanished into the forest, the smile on Jie Peiling’s face gradually faded.

He knew Han Jiang’s concern was genuine—he feared for his safety and hoped to keep him from straying down a dangerous path. But Han Jiang could not know what he truly sought.

Jie Peiling did not want to live out his life in this way, nor did he wish to spend the rest of his days confined to Yingtian Monastery.

With these thoughts churning in his mind, he began to descend the mountain.

The monastery’s rules were few, but every one was strictly enforced.

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Jie, back from practice. How did it go? Have you managed to get started with the ‘Immortal Elder’s Taiji Profound Transmission of the Supreme Dao’? Or are you stuck as always?”

As he passed the main hall, a familiar voice called out from nearby.

Jie Peiling sighed inwardly, feeling a twinge of annoyance as he turned to look.

As expected, the speaker was Du Honggen, his usual antagonist. Before Du Honggen even stepped through the doorway, his protruding belly had already appeared.

Behind him stood two youths of similar age, both dressed in plain blue Daoist robes. One held a broom, the other a rag, as if they’d just finished their chores.

Jie Peiling, though reluctant, forced a smile and bowed. “Greetings, brothers.”

Du Honggen, seeing his courtesy, responded with feigned kindness before assuming the airs of an outer sect senior. “Brother Jie, let me give you some advice. When practicing the ‘Immortal Elder’s Taiji Profound Transmission of the Supreme Dao,’ you mustn’t be impatient. You’ve been at it for two years and haven’t entered the gate, but don’t worry—you’re still young, there’s plenty of time. As for talent, well, that’s in Heaven’s hands. Just keep working hard. I myself only succeeded after four years…”

Feigning concern, he offered words of comfort before turning to patronizing instruction.

Jie Peiling smiled. “Thank you for your concern, brother, but today I was fortunate enough to break through. Senior Han has already confirmed it for me.”