“Zhang Xiaofan!”
A loud shout, sweet in tone yet deafening in volume. Zhang Xiaofan was startled awake from his dreams. Opening his eyes, he suddenly saw a massive mouth and two rows of sharp fangs right before his face. Terrified, he let out a loud cry: “Ah!”
“Hehehehe…” A round of laughter came from behind.
Only with great effort did Zhang Xiaofan compose himself. Then he saw that before him was actually a huge yellow dog, half as tall as a person, covered in glossy, bright yellow fur, lying on his bed. Behind the yellow dog, Tian Ling’er was dressed in red with a tight-fitting outfit, doubled over with laughter.
Zhang Xiaofan secretly glanced at the huge dog. It had an enormous body, sharp fangs, and a very long tongue hanging out, looking quite ferocious. He had never seen such a large dog before and felt somewhat afraid. Then, seeing Tian Ling’er’s amiable smile, he muttered, “Senior Sister, what is it?”
“What is it?” Tian Ling’er said with a smile, when suddenly her expression turned serious. Frowning, she said loudly, “The sky is already bright and you’re still asking me what it is? Hurry up and get up. I’m going up the mountain with you to chop bamboo.”
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned and asked curiously, “You’re going too?”
Tian Ling’er said, “Nonsense. All disciples of our branch must go up the mountain to chop ‘Blackjoint Bamboo’ for the first three years after entering. I started when I was ten; this is my final year. Hey, are you still lazing in bed?”
Zhang Xiaofan quickly responded and carefully circled around the huge dog, getting down from the other corner of the bed, and scrambled into his clothes.
Tian Ling’er called out, “Catch!” and threw a firewood axe over.
Zhang Xiaofan caught it with both hands. It was an ordinary firewood axe, rather heavy in the hand. Once ready, he said to Tian Ling’er, “Senior Sister, should we call Eldest Senior Brother to come along too?”
Tian Ling’er rolled her eyes at him and said, “Didn’t you hear me say that only new disciples have to do this coursework? Now it’s just you and me going to chop bamboo. Let’s go.”
After speaking, she beckoned with her hand. Before Zhang Xiaofan could move, the huge yellow dog on the bed suddenly stood up, leaped down, wagged its tail, barked “woof woof” twice at Zhang Xiaofan while baring its teeth in a fierce manner, then ran out.
Zhang Xiaofan found the sound familiar and remembered that when he returned with Eldest Senior Brother yesterday, he had heard several barks. It seemed this was that huge yellow dog. He couldn’t help but think to himself, “Qingyun Sect truly is amazing. Even a dog they casually raise is much bigger than the ones in our village.”
He followed Tian Ling’er out of the room. The sky was still early, still morning. Walking out of the corridor and looking toward the rear mountain, he saw hazy mist drifting among the distant mountains.
The two people and one dog walked toward the rear mountain of Great Bamboo Peak like this.
Yesterday, when Song Daren had carried Zhang Xiaofan to that slope, he had felt that it took no time at all and the road was easy. Unexpectedly, walking it himself today, he had only gone halfway when he realized the slope was getting steeper and the journey much farther than he had imagined.
Looking at Tian Ling’er beside him, she wasn’t using that “Amber Scarlet Ribbon” today, yet she walked with extreme ease. Her small red figure shimmered along the mountain path, incredibly light and brisk. As for that huge yellow dog, needless to say, it was exceptionally lively—darting ahead one moment, running behind the next, sometimes diving into the woods beside the path. Who knew what it was doing? After a while, there would be rustling sounds, and it would pop out from somewhere else, looking very cheerful and excited.
After walking another half an hour or so, Zhang Xiaofan was already gasping for breath, his legs aching and sore, utterly exhausted.
Tian Ling’er walked in front. Seeing his sorry state, she snorted and said, “So useless. Stop and rest.”
Zhang Xiaofan quickly nodded and plopped down, breathing heavily. The huge yellow dog had disappeared again by now; who knew where it had burrowed off to.
Zhang Xiaofan panted for a long while before gradually catching his breath. Sitting on the mountain path and looking down, he saw Great Bamboo Peak standing tall and straight, with the nearby mountains all appearing shorter by comparison, exuding an air of pride.
“Senior Sister, there’s something I want to ask you, I don’t know…”
Tian Ling’er heard his somewhat timid words and looked over. A wave of smugness rose in her heart. Subconsciously, she used her hand to tidy her hair and put on a solemn expression, saying seriously, “Ask away.”
“Why do we have to treat chopping bamboo as coursework? I thought coursework was all about cultivating Dao techniques?”
Tian Ling’er curled her lip and said, “What do you know? For those who cultivate truth, the body is the most important. My mother said that if the body is not good, even with supreme wondrous techniques, it would be difficult to cultivate. Our Qingyun Sect originates from the Daoist religion and places extreme importance on nurturing health and strengthening the body. When Dao technique cultivation reaches deep levels, the body becomes even more important. Take, for example, one of Qingyun Sect’s supreme marvels, the ‘True Formula of the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder’…”
Zhang Xiaofan’s body trembled, and his face changed greatly.
Tian Ling’er said curiously, “What’s wrong with you?”
Zhang Xiaofan came back to his senses, his face shifting, and muttered, “N-nothing. I just think this name sounds very long and very powerful.”
Tian Ling’er glared at him and said, “Of course it’s powerful. This is one of Qingyun Sect’s mountain-guarding supreme arts; very few can cultivate it. According to my father, to perform this true formula, one must use oneself as the guide, supplemented with divine weapons and sharp blades, to draw down nine-heaven divine thunder. The dazzling majesty of heavenly power—truly unstoppable wherever it strikes, its might peerless.”
Zhang Xiaofan sighed and said, “Yeah.”
Tian Ling’er continued, “So just think. Although you have the true formula to protect your body, the divine thunder of the Nine Heavens—what kind of power is that? Ordinary people turn to ash the moment they touch it. Though the practitioner certainly cultivates to extreme depths, if the body is not good, in a moment’s time they would likely be struck dead by the divine thunder themselves. What talk then of being unstoppable?” She glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and said, “So my father having you do this coursework is all for your own good. Look at you, still wearing an unwilling expression.”
Zhang Xiaofan was startled and hurriedly jumped up, saying anxiously, “No such thing! I ab-absolutely don’t dare to have any disrespectful thoughts toward Master, much less any unwillingness. Ah, I’ve rested enough now. Let’s go, let’s go right now!”
After speaking, he picked up the firewood axe and strode with heavy steps toward the mountain. His speed was actually not slow. Tian Ling’er watched his back and smiled lightly, following after him.
After much difficulty climbing to that small slope, Zhang Xiaofan was already out of breath. Before the bamboo forest, that huge yellow dog had somehow already been lying there at the edge of the grove. Seeing the two of them come up, it barked “woof woof” a few times in their direction but didn’t get up, then turned its head away again.
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned for a moment and said, “So fast!”
“Are you talking about Da Huang?” Tian Ling’er walked up from behind, her face not red and her breath not ragged.
Zhang Xiaofan pointed at the huge dog and said, “It’s called Da Huang?”
Tian Ling’er said, “Yes. Don’t underestimate it; it’s very formidable.”
Zhang Xiaofan muttered, “Well, looking at how big it is, it must have been raised for at least twenty years.”
Tian Ling’er scoffed, “Not at all!”
Zhang Xiaofan said curiously, “It’s not even twenty years old? Da Huang really knows how to grow big.”
At this moment, Da Huang barked fiercely at Zhang Xiaofan up ahead.
Tian Ling’er said, “I’m saying it’s not nearly that few years. Uh, let me calculate. It seems it was already here when Fourth Senior Brother came, so that’s seventy years. No, Third Senior Brother said it was here when he came too, so that’s ninety-seven years. Ah!” She suddenly cried out, startling Zhang Xiaofan. He hurriedly said, “What is it?”
Tian Ling’er said delightedly, “I remember now! When I was little, Mother and Father quarreled once, and Mother said some harsh words. She said she would slaughter that yellow dog Father raised from childhood and stew it into dog soup. It infuriated Father half to death, and Da Huang was so scared he didn’t dare come home for many days!”
Zhang Xiaofan was greatly surprised and said, “Da Huang didn’t dare come home?”
Tian Ling’er said, “Yes. Da Huang has lived many, many years. He understands human nature. He knew how fierce my mother is and feared he would truly suffer her poisonous hand, so he made off. So? Impressive, right?”
“Impressive!” Zhang Xiaofan said from the bottom of his heart, whether he meant Da Huang or admired his master’s wife’s methods, even he didn’t know. He looked at that huge yellow dog a couple more times. Who knew that Da Huang would completely ignore him? It snorted, shook its tail on its own, turned its head aside, and lay on the ground lazily.
By now the two had reached the front of the bamboo forest. Zhang Xiaofan said to Tian Ling’er, “Senior Sister, when I first arrived at Heaven-Reaching Peak, I also saw a huge monster many times bigger than Da Huang. Eldest Senior Brother said it was called ‘Water Qilin’. Is Da Huang also a spiritual beast like it?”
Tian Ling’er walked into the bamboo forest and shook her head. “No. Spirit Venerable is an ancient exotic beast, a primordial spirit species, far surpassing Da Huang. They can’t be compared.”
As she spoke, she led Zhang Xiaofan through the forest. After walking a while, they arrived at a place with more slender bamboo. Here, the Blackjoint Bamboo was generally only wrist-thick, very thin.
“This is the place. From now on, for the next three months, you only need to chop one per day,” Tian Ling’er said with a perfectly straight face.
“Only chop one this thin?” Zhang Xiaofan said in surprise.
Tian Ling’er snorted and said, “Try chopping it and see.”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. He picked up the firewood axe, walked up to a thin bamboo, looked it over from top to bottom, and swung the axe down. A crisp sound rang out; the axe had actually struck as if against stubborn stone, numbing Zhang Xiaofan’s palm. That thin bamboo leaned forward from the strike, but after a moment it sprang back. Zhang Xiaofan couldn’t dodge in time and was struck hard on the head by a bamboo branch. It hurt terribly, leaving a red mark.
“Hehe…” Tian Ling’er doubled over with laughter. After a good while, she said with effort, “You chop here. I need to go do my own coursework.” After speaking, she turned around and left with a smile.
Zhang Xiaofan touched the painful spot on his face where he had been hit. Looking at where the bamboo had been chopped, it had actually only left a faint white mark. He couldn’t help but draw in a cold breath. That morning, Zhang Xiaofan faced that single stalk of Blackjoint Bamboo alone, chopping, splitting, sawing, grinding, pressing, bending—using every method imaginable. After two hours, when the sun had risen to mid-sky, his whole body was drenched in sweat, and his hands and feet were weak and limp. Yet he had only managed to create a small opening barely two fen deep on that stalk of Blackjoint Bamboo.
Just then, a song drifted over. Tian Ling’er was humming an unknown tune, bouncing and skipping as she walked back. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan’s disheveled state, then looking at that stalk of Blackjoint Bamboo, she shook her head, raised her firewood axe, and made as if to chop.
Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly said, “Senior Sister, what are you doing?”
Tian Ling’er said impatiently, “Helping you chop it.”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head forcefully, panting heavily. “No need. Thank you, Senior Sister. But this is my coursework; I’ll finish it myself.”
Tian Ling’er snorted and pointed at the sun. “Do you know what time it is now?”
Zhang Xiaofan was stubborn by nature. He gritted his teeth and said, “Even if I have to chop until nightfall, I’ll…”
“Idiot!” Tian Ling’er suddenly put her hands on her hips and cursed loudly. Zhang Xiaofan was greatly startled, momentarily speechless, and could only stare blankly at this senior sister.
Tian Ling’er stood tall and imposing, very much in the manner of her mother. Angrily she said, “You don’t even look at the time; you don’t even think of others. If you chop until nightfall, are you expecting me to accompany you until nightfall too? If you truly want to strive for pride, you should from now on work desperately hard every day and find every way to finish your coursework within two hours. Not mindlessly spout nonsense about chopping until nightfall!”
As soon as she finished speaking, her hand rose and the blade fell. The axe cut through the air with four crisp crack sounds, and the bamboo fell in response. Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes went wide watching this.
Tian Ling’er glanced at him and said coolly, “Let’s go back.” Speaking thus, she walked out of the forest. Zhang Xiaofan felt both ashamed and embarrassed in his heart. He secretly resolved that in the future he would put in twelve portions of effort to do his coursework well.
※※※
Dragging his weary body back to the living quarters of Great Bamboo Peak, it was already noon. Tian Ling’er walked toward the back of the Tranquil Meditation Hall without saying a word. Zhang Xiaofan was stunned for a moment, then moved his feet with difficulty toward his own room. At the corridor entrance, he unexpectedly saw Eldest Senior Brother Song Daren standing there.
The corners of Song Daren’s mouth revealed a slight smile. “How was it, Little Junior Brother? Tired?”
Zhang Xiaofan forced a smile and shook his head.
Song Daren saw that though he was young, his temperament was quite stubborn and couldn’t help but laugh. He accompanied him toward his room and said, “There’s usually hot water in the kitchen. When you return from now on, you can go fetch water to wash up first. It’ll be mealtime soon. Rest a bit first, and I’ll come call you. After we eat, we still have coursework to do.”
Zhang Xiaofan was startled and said, “There’s still coursework in the afternoon?”
Song Daren was surprised to see such a strong reaction, then immediately realized and smiled, “Oh, I misspoke. The afternoon is when disciples of our branch study Dao techniques. Starting today, I’ll teach you some introductory Dao techniques.”
Only then did Zhang Xiaofan let out a sigh of relief. His heart both startled and delighted, he asked quietly, “Eldest Senior Brother, are those Dao techniques very powerful? Very difficult to learn?”
Song Daren smiled and said, “When cultivation reaches deep levels, naturally it becomes incomparably powerful. As for whether it’s difficult to learn, that depends on each person’s aptitude and comprehension. However, it’s not a big deal even if one’s aptitude is somewhat lacking. You also heard Master say last night: The sea of Dao is boundless; diligence is the boat. As long as you are willing to persevere tirelessly and cultivate assiduously, no matter how difficult, you can achieve it.”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded forcefully.
At lunch that day, Tian Buyi asked a few questions about Zhang Xiaofan’s coursework. Tian Ling’er greatly embellished the story, recounting Zhang Xiaofan’s failures with exaggeration, speaking until Zhang Xiaofan’s face turned red and he didn’t dare lift his head.
Tian Buyi listened to his daughter’s words, shaking his head repeatedly. In the end, he waved his hand and only said two words: “Eat.”
Tian Buyi was simply too lazy to scold Zhang Xiaofan, but in Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes, he felt that Master truly cared about him. It was precisely because he himself had done poorly yet Master didn’t scold him that he seemed extraordinarily magnanimous—a truly rare benevolent teacher in this world. He felt ashamed in his heart but didn’t dare say much more, only secretly vowing in his heart that he would definitely cultivate assiduously in the future to repay Master’s kindness.
After the meal, Tian Buyi, as usual, walked with his splayed steps, swaggering back and forth a couple of times, then returned to his Tranquil Meditation Hall. The other disciples all walked toward the Taiji Cave. Only Song Daren and Zhang Xiaofan came to the room together. Song Daren said, “Little Junior Brother, our sect’s Dao techniques place extreme importance on foundations. You’ve just entered, so I’ll first teach you basic Dao techniques. After you memorize them, cultivate on your own. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come ask me. Understood?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded repeatedly, a wave of excitement rising in his heart.
Song Daren’s expression turned serious, and he said solemnly, “There is one more matter that I must formally warn you about: Our sect’s marvelous arts are profound and wondrous. Demonic and evil persons often covet them. You must make a heavy oath that after learning them, unless they are a disciple of our sect, you will absolutely not teach them to outsiders.”
Zhang Xiaofan’s heart stirred, and he suddenly felt somewhat dazed, but then immediately sobered. His small face showed a resolute expression as he said, “Yes. Heaven above, your disciple Zhang Xiaofan swears: If I ever leak the secrets of Qingyun Sect’s Dao techniques, may I be struck by five-thunder, dying without a burial place.”
Song Daren smiled and nodded. He had him sit before the table, first teaching him how to sit in meditation and reflect, then roughly explaining the human body’s meridians and essence qi circulation. Finally, he passed on to him the first layer cultivation method of the “Taiji Profound Pure Dao.”
The “Taiji Profound Pure Dao” was the root of all the marvelous and wondrous arts of Qingyun Sect. Two thousand years ago, Qingyun Zi comprehended it from an ancient nameless scroll. Refined through successive generations of Qingyun Sect grandmasters, to this day it had become a supreme Dao technique that seized the creation of Heaven and Earth—unfathomably profound and without equal.
The Taiji Profound Pure Dao had three realms in total: Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Grand Pure. Qingyun Sect disciples, including many intelligent and brilliant individuals, could not break through the Jade Pure realm in their entire lives. However, even so, cultivation at the peak of the Jade Pure realm was already rarely seen in the world.
In Qingyun Sect, the number of people approached one thousand, but those who could break through the Jade Pure realm to study the Upper Pure realm, led by the Sect Leader Dao Xuan, numbered just over ten. Yet with just these dozen or so people, Qingyun Sect was one of the strongest and deepest powers in today’s cultivation world. As for the legendary Grand Pure realm of the supreme state, it was said that only the once-in-a-generation prodigy Qingye Patriarch had ever cultivated to it.