Chapter Fifty-One: The Mark of the Flame Emperor

Early the next morning, Hua Feng rose and called Shen Qiu and Xiao Li for breakfast. After the customary practice of cultivating vital energy, he returned alone to his room to examine the Flame Emperor’s Mark. He needed to understand this world, to learn stronger techniques to consolidate his strength. Though there was no immediate threat looming, time was slipping away. If he failed to gain enough power before the cataclysm—what could only be described as an apocalyptic disaster—his nightmares would surely become reality, and he would face a true end-of-days.

After nearly a year of diligent effort, he had made progress in cultivation: he could now gather spiritual awareness at will, had mastered most of the “Flying Dragon Technique,” and gained a fair understanding of the Farmer Clan and the wider world of cultivation. Though still at the peak of the Yuan King level, he was already on the threshold of the Yuan Emperor realm, needing only a catalyst to break through the boundary. Hua Feng knew that the Flame Emperor’s Mark contained the techniques, memories, and knowledge left by successive inheritors; these would nourish him. With enough diligence, he could reach the Yuan Emperor stage quickly, perhaps even accomplish something before the apocalypse arrived.

He had previously been unable to break through the barrier surrounding the Flame Emperor’s Mark. Now, with the Shennong Token—a sign of the Elders’ recognition of him as the Flame Emperor’s successor—he could access the true contents within. The Shennong Token, infused with the elders’ vital energy, had changed from pale blue to deep sapphire, the red seal script character “Shennong” glowing softly.

As usual, Hua Feng gathered his spiritual awareness to probe the Flame Emperor’s Mark. Moments later, he finally made a breakthrough—a glassy veil shattered, and the barrier’s power could no longer block his mind.

At last, he was qualified to explore the Mark. How difficult it had been! It had cost him so much time, Hua Feng thought with delight.

He sensed that the veil was a kind of primal force, which, once breached, quickly regrouped to maintain its defense. Perhaps this was an ancestral safeguard, left to prevent unnecessary intrusion. The ingenuity of the ancients was always surprising; without the Shennong Token and the elders’ recognition, no successor could access the Mark—a remarkable security system. Yet, for the recognized successor, there was no obstruction.

Thus, comparing ancient and modern security and secrecy, their functions were fundamentally the same—the essence of protection unchanged.

When the force within the Shennong Token was completely absorbed, Hua Feng’s spiritual power surged forth, and the room’s scenery transformed. He found himself in a vast forest, yet the silence around him was unsettling.

“Congratulations! You finally entered the Flame Emperor’s Mark through your own efforts. Remember, only the strength you earn yourself is truly precious. Others can only guide you,” a familiar voice laughed.

“Master? Where are you? Can I see you again?” Hua Feng nodded earnestly, recognizing the voice of the mentor who had bestowed upon him the Flame Emperor’s legacy; he could not suppress his excitement.

“My child, you’ve broken through the barrier! I exist only as spiritual energy within the Mark; my body has long since faded. Seeing me means you’ve passed the trial. Truly well done! Forgive me for not explaining everything earlier, circumstances were urgent. But you’ll gain much here—go explore!” the old man’s voice echoed.

“I won’t disturb you now—take your time. Remember to use your mind’s eye,” the elder added.

Hua Feng nodded, focusing on the task at hand.

Alone in the illusion, he began searching for answers to his questions. After a few steps, he discovered that each tree was inscribed with words.

He chose the one marked “Cultivation Realm.”

When his spiritual sense entered, images, text, and sound appeared in his mind. From these, he learned the current divisions of power in the cultivation world. By comparison, he hadn’t even met the entry requirements. At present, he was merely a seeker of the Way; only upon reaching the initial Yuan Emperor stage would he be considered initiated.

To enter the Path, one had to form a core within the dantian—a symbol of one’s primal force, containing spirit and true energy. It could be called a cultivator’s microcosm, or inner world.

In the beginning, it was chaos, like the primordial universe. The stronger one’s power, the more stars appeared within. Masters above the Yuan Sage, at the Heavenly Tier, had microcosms the size of entire galaxies.

Those who surpassed the Heavenly Tier, in the Ancient and Primeval realms, had star systems so real that every plant and tree on any planet could be manifest. The Flame Emperor himself belonged to this rank—not quite at the Primeval level, but certainly of the Ancient realm, far beyond what Hua Feng had once imagined as the Yuan Sage stage.

Many years ago, the formidable Bruce Lee’s strength was roughly at the Yuan King level.

In short, all realms before the Yuan Emperor were those cultivated by mortals. Upon reaching Yuan Emperor, one could be reborn, and—though not immortal—live at least several centuries.

Even among humans, Yuan King masters lived only about two hundred years. The gulf between realms was immense, the greatest distinction in power.

Legend holds that Zhang Sanfeng, creator of Tai Chi, was a Yuan King at his peak. For ordinary human cultivators, reaching Zhang Sanfeng’s realm was nearly the limit. If not for changes in Earth’s laws, most people would remain mediocre all their lives. Though Zhang Sanfeng was not a true cultivator, his strength made him the martial deity of the human world; unfortunately, later generations knew little of his story.

To enter the Path, one’s spiritual power had to be strong, and the heart benevolent, or else it was easy to fall into madness. Entry did not guarantee enlightenment; even initiates could become demons. Demon and Dao, they are separated by a single thought; a demon may attain the Dao, and the Daoist may become a demon.

Hua Feng was gradually drawn in, reading further.

There was a saying: “Buddha was originally Dao.” He agreed. Buddha, Dao, Demon—they are difficult to distinguish, and he, as a descendant, would not comment further. He wondered which generation of Flame Emperor inheritor had written these thoughts; Hua Feng found them intriguing.

After spending the whole day, he finally understood the current landscape of the cultivation world’s various realms and the profiles of its greatest masters.

Over the next month, guided by the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox Xiao Li and Yuan Emperor peak expert Shen Qiu, Hua Feng finally entered the initial Yuan Emperor stage, successfully gathering his inner core. At that moment, powerful energy surged into his body, the Taiji diagram grew denser, and Hua Feng inadvertently discovered he had formed two inner cores, one in each eye of the Taiji diagram’s yin-yang fish.

He had actually formed twin inner cores! Xiao Li and Shen Qiu could not explain this, only advising Hua Feng not to mention it lightly to others. Hua Feng suspected it was related to his so-called balanced constitution—perhaps this was the “bug” brought by the balance body? Very well, he would see as he went.

He decided not to dwell on it. He cultivated as scheduled each day, then studied the knowledge stored in the Flame Emperor’s Mark. Routine matters of the Farmer Clan were handled by the heads of the six halls; aside from Shen Qiu and the Moonwatcher of the Kui Kui Hall occasionally visiting, the other four halls had dispersed to their stations after his succession. Their communications relied on the clan’s internal “Smart Brain” system—a powerful computer with a charming name, “Jerry,” and the form of a beautiful, enchanting AI woman.

On this day, Hua Feng began studying the technique left by the Flame Emperor, “Origin.” The more he read, the more he marveled: truly a technique of a master above the Heavenly Tier! Even the calligraphy on the cover inspired a yearning for the Dao.

Moreover, it adapted its content to each practitioner—utterly unrivaled!

He had never imagined that the Farmer Clan’s ancestors had such deep connections to Daoism.

Turning to the first page, he saw only a few lines:

“All within this book is the transformation of our spiritual awareness and mind. As long as our awareness endures, the book will remain. May future descendants of the Farmer Clan refrain from greed and haste; practice not multiple Paths at once. Even if you are uniquely gifted, there is no exception.

Though all teachers practice the Dao, their insights differ. Yet all roads lead to the same destination; each has his own Dao. Comprehend them one by one; when all are understood, your achievement will be complete. With all our Paths, you may walk the world! The lingering thoughts of all teachers have aided your classification. Begin with ‘Origin,’ then proceed to ‘Bodhi Enlightenment,’ and finally ‘Dao De Jing.’ If in doubt, enter the Flame Emperor’s Mark; we will resolve your confusion.

Remember: the Dao is natural. Do not overvalue yourself. — The Teachers.”

Clearly, progress must be gradual!

Hua Feng withdrew his spiritual awareness, his heart clear and tranquil. Thank you, ancestors and master. I will not let you down! A surge of heroic passion rose within him.

He stood and gazed at the sun setting behind the western hills, the sky growing dark. Quietly, he thought: I have entered the Path.