The next morning, Qingyun arrived early at Qingmu Lake. Even from a distance, he spotted Qingxuan's graceful figure perched on a large rock.
A cool morning breeze brushed his face, warming his cheeks. He lowered his head, wondering why his senior sister always rose so early. Despite arriving half an hour ahead, he still couldn't beat her.
"Come here," her languid voice rang out, clear as a silver bell to Qingyun's ears. Pushing aside stray thoughts, he hurried to the rock, ready to begin today's lesson on the *Dao*[2].
All morning, Qingxuan explained the essentials of visualizing to enter the Dao. Whenever Qingyun stumbled, she clarified instantly, her words like a sudden revelation, clearing his mind. He nodded eagerly, engrossed, far happier than when memorizing scriptures alone.
Time slipped by, hours passing unnoticed. After covering the visualization techniques and ensuring Qingyun understood, Qingxuan instructed him to meditate, attempting to enter a trance and observe the *yuan*—the fundamental energy within[19].
Barely a quarter-hour into his attempt, hunger surged like a tidal wave in Qingyun's stomach, accompanied by a faint, protesting gurgle.
Embarrassed, he kept his eyes shut, pretending it didn't happen.
"Junior Brother, are you hungry?" Qingxuan's concerned voice came from close by.
Her voice was near, a faint fragrance reaching his nose. Panicked, Qingyun opened his eyes to find her lovely face inches away. His cheeks flushed, and he nearly toppled backward, catching himself with his hands to avoid a major blunder.
"Senior Sister, I—I…" Snapping back, he realized his reaction was excessive, stammering to explain but unsure how.
Qingxuan, initially puzzled, had only stepped near to check on him after hearing the gurgle, bending to ask if he was hungry. She hadn't expected such a response.
Realizing her closeness was too intimate, she grew nervous, turning to gaze at the lake, feigning calm. "Why such a big reaction? I just asked if you're ready to eat," she said, a faint blush coloring her jade-like face.
Qingyun, dazed by her rosy cheeks, calmed slightly. Scratching his head, still shy, he mumbled, "I… I'm a bit hungry."
Relieved he didn't dwell on the awkward moment, Qingxuan relaxed. Turning back, she said casually, "Then let's rest and eat."
"But…" Qingyun hesitated. Returning to his courtyard would take too long, and he was reluctant to leave, captivated by both her company and his cultivation.
Catching his glance, Qingxuan guessed his thoughts, a smile tugging at her lips. "No need to go back. We'll eat here."
With a flick of her sleeve, she used the *Sleeve Universe* technique[18]. A carved wooden lunchbox appeared on a nearby rock, holding one meat dish, one vegetable, two portions of rice, and small pastries.
Qingyun stared, a warm current flowing through him. That she'd planned even this small detail touched him deeply, intensifying his budding affection.
For days after, Qingyun arrived early at the lake for Qingxuan's lessons. She always prepared lunch, warming his heart while making him shy, unsure how to repay her. Yet, her playful nature often left him flustered, like that day in the library when she teased him knowingly.
One day, as Qingxuan explained a section of the *Kunwu Body Refining Technique*[15], she paused, saying, "Uncle Sect Leader seems to have left the *Five Elements Sect*[11] to gather materials for your *Enlightenment* ritual[20]."
"Enlightenment?" Qingyun asked, curious. She hadn't mentioned it before.
"Yes, if visualization fails to enter the Dao, Enlightenment is needed. But…" Qingxuan trailed off.
"My aptitude… is it really that poor?" Qingyun's face fell, recalling Chixiao's words that he was chosen merely as "the one at hand."
Qingxuan shook her head, earnest. "No, your aptitude isn't bad. That's why Uncle Sect Leader's departure feels odd…"
She didn't finish, puzzled. Qingyun wasn't too old to cultivate, and even for mastering *Void Dao Power*[21], there was no rush. Unlike other disciples with deep knowledge who turned to Enlightenment after failing, Qingyun was nearly ignorant of the Dao. Forcing Enlightenment now could introduce variables, even with Chixiao's guidance.
"It's a good thing, though. Entering the Dao through visualization isn't superior. Many, like me, used Enlightenment—it doesn't limit future growth," Qingxuan reassured, softening her tone to ease his worries.
"Are Enlightenment materials rare?" Qingyun asked.
Having read some scriptures, he knew the sect's stature meant Chixiao's personal quest implied rarity.
"Not always. The sect has plenty for standard rituals, but Uncle Sect Leader likely seeks *Void Roc Wings*[22]," Qingxuan explained.
"Void Roc Wings?" Qingyun, unfamiliar, asked.
"I heard from Master that Uncle Sect Leader's *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique*[23] requires Void Dao Power to comprehend—a profound art. But cultivating it…" Qingxuan hesitated, reluctant to continue.
"What's needed?" Qingyun pressed, sensing unease.
Closing her eyes, she whispered through gritted teeth, "You… you must sever your *emotional roots*."
"Sever them?!" Qingyun leaped up, horrified. Emotional roots—surely not what he feared? No way!
Qingxuan's eyelids trembled, but she nodded softly. "Yes."
"Cough, cough!" Choking on his saliva, Qingyun recalled Chixiao's promise of a "secret technique" his senior brothers never learned.
"Senior Sister!" He grabbed Qingxuan's hand. The sudden contact flushed her cheeks. Staring at his grip, she stammered, "W-what?"
"Save me!" Qingyun pleaded, his face like a slave facing a grim fate.
Stunned by his earnest look, Qingxuan froze. Recovering, she shook off his hand, flustered. "If—if you enter the Dao and master the Kunwu Technique's basics before Uncle Sect Leader returns, he can't force you to learn the Great Evolution Void Travel Technique."
Qingyun's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Panicked, Qingxuan shouted, "Why would I lie?"
Calming herself, she leaped into the air, her lithe form drifting away, robes fluttering.
Qingyun, now clear-headed, murmured, "Did I… upset her?"
---
Far from Qingyun's sight, Qingxuan landed, exhaling to steady herself. Once calm, she drew a mirror from her robe.
Without a gesture, Chixiao's image appeared, hovering slightly above the surface. "Did you tell him?" she asked.
Qingxuan nodded. "Yes."
Chi Yan nodded, satisfied. Qingxuan asked, puzzled, "But, Master, why lie that the Great Evolution Void Travel Technique requires… that?"
Recalling her bold discussion with Qingyun, she stammered.
Pensive, Chi Yan didn't notice. After a pause, she sighed, explaining, "I'm not sabotaging or pushing everyone to wield blades like me. The technique is so profound only one can master it. Chixiao dreams of saving the world—dangerous plans. I fear for him…"
Qingxuan fell silent.
After a moment, she asked, "Master, are Immortals so formidable that even Uncle Sect Leader isn't confident?"
Chi Yan didn't answer, sighing deeply.
Finally, she said, "Men who forsake humanity, dogs who reject doghood, Taoists who abandon their path, monks who renounce their robes—Immortals are mighty. Who would willingly abandon themselves otherwise?"
Qingxuan hesitated, but Chi Yan continued, "Your Junior Brother Qingyun matters greatly to Chixiao. Teach him all he seeks. I hope he proves worthy of Chixiao's trust."
Without waiting for a reply, her image vanished.
"Why is Qingyun special? Not only Uncle Sect Leader, but Master trusts him with the Kunwu Technique," Qingxuan mused, staring at the empty mirror.
**Footnotes**:
[1] **Feng shui**: Taoist practice aligning activities with environmental energies for harmony.
[2] **Dao**: Core Taoist principle, "the Way," embodying universal order and spiritual growth.
[3] **Kasaya**: Saffron robe of Buddhist monks, symbolizing simplicity.
[4] **Yinhun**: Spiritual essence or soul, coveted by supernatural beings.
[5] **Fuzhi**: Taoist talismans channeling spiritual energy or repelling evil.
[6] **Eight Gates Formation**: Protective Taoist array based on the Eight Trigrams.
[7] **Chang gui**: Ghostly minions luring souls for beings like Tiger Immortals.
[8] **Jianzhi**: Taoist hand gesture focusing spiritual energy in rituals or combat.
[9] **Qi arrow**: Arrow of spiritual energy, a potent Taoist technique.
[10] **Bagua**: Eight trigrams representing reality's principles in Taoist cosmology.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).
[12] **Time-Reversing Sand**: Mystical item or technique used by Chixiao, possibly to reverse time or heal.
[13] **Taoist scriptures**: Sacred texts guiding cultivation and philosophy in Taoism.
[14] **Mystical Iron Heavy Blade**: Chi Yan's forged weapon for Chixiao's eldest disciple.
[15] **Kunwu Technique**: Cultivation method enabling mastery of heavy weapons, gifted by Chi Yan.
[16] **Sumeru in a Mustard Seed**: Taoist and Buddhist concept of vast space within a small container.
[17] **Taoist hand-touching ceremony**: Ritual where Taoists touch hand backs to acknowledge fellowship, rooted in ancient sect customs to prevent deceit.
[18] **Sleeve Universe**: Taoist technique for storing items in one's sleeve via spatial magic.
[19] **Yuan**: Fundamental energy or source in Taoist cultivation, the basis of bodily harmony.
[20] **Enlightenment**: Taoist initiation ritual to enter the Dao, often using rare materials.
[21] **Void Dao Power**: Mystical energy required for advanced Taoist techniques, linked to emptiness.
[22] **Void Roc Wings**: Rare material for Enlightenment rituals, derived from mythical creatures.
[23] **Great Evolution Void Travel Technique**: Advanced Taoist art requiring severing emotional roots to master Void Dao Power.
原始中文文本
翌日,青雲依舊一大早就來到了青木湖邊.還未靠近湖岸,遠遠就見到青璇坐在大石上的窈窕身影.
微涼晨風拂面而過,青雲清楚感覺到臉上有些發熱.他不自覺低下頭,心想這位師姐怎麼總是起得這麼早?明明自己已經提前了半個時辰,卻還是沒能早過青璇.
「過來吧.」慵懶的聲音響起,聽在青雲耳中卻有如銀鈴般悅耳.不再多想,他快步走向大石,準備開始今日的聞道.
整個上午,青璇都在向他講解觀想入道的要點.偶有滯澀不明之處,青璇也會立刻替他釋義,總令他猶如醍醐灌頂,茅塞頓開,忍不住搖頭晃腦,聽得津津有味.這比他獨自悶頭苦讀,死記硬背幸福多了.
時間流逝,不覺幾個時辰過去.青璇已將觀想要點都述說了一遍,又確認過青雲確實理解,便讓他開始打坐觀想,嘗試入定觀察體內的元.
只是青雲才嘗試不到一刻鐘,腹中的飢餓感就如翻江倒海般湧來.讓他尷尬的是,這股飢餓感,還同時附帶著一聲微弱的抗議.
青雲頓時有些尷尬,索性緊閉雙眼繼續觀想,想裝作沒這回事.
「師弟,你是不是肚子餓了?」
但顯然,這聲抗議並不是只有他自己聽到,身前立時傳來青璇關切的詢問.
那聲音極近,隱約還有淡香飄至鼻間.青雲心底一慌,連忙睜開眼,卻見到師姐近在咫尺的俏麗面容.霎時間,他臉色一紅,身體下意識就要往後仰倒,幸好及時用手撐住,才不至於出了個大糗.
「師姐,我,我⋯⋯」回過神來,發覺自己反應太大,青雲緊張地想要澄清,一開口卻不知道該如何解釋.
青璇原本還有點困惑.她只是正好踱步到青雲身旁,聽見那聲腹鳴,便彎下腰想詢問師弟是否是餓了,卻沒想到師弟的反應如此之大.
轉念一想,她隨即也意識到剛才的舉動過於親暱.心下霎時也緊張起來,趕忙撇過頭,假裝望著湖面風景,強作鎮定地道:「你,你反應這麼大做什麼?我只是問一下,你是不是想用膳了?」
青璇白玉般的臉龐上,隱隱透出幾分緋紅,讓青雲看得有些楞神,心下卻也稍微冷靜了下來.他撓撓頭,臉上仍帶著幾分羞澀,囁嚅地說道:「⋯⋯是有點餓了.」
見他沒有糾結於方才的尷尬,青璇也放鬆了心神.她回過頭,隨意地說道:「那便先休息用膳吧.」
「可是⋯⋯」青雲欲言又止.來回小院一趟實在是太費時間,而不管是與師姐相處,或是修道,此時都令他欲罷不能,不捨離去.
青璇偷瞄一眼,大抵猜到了他的心思,嘴角忍不住勾起笑容:「不用回去,就在這裡用膳.」
話一說完,衣袖一揮,她直接施展了袖裡乾坤.腳邊一塊石頭上,頓時出現一個木雕提食盒.盒子裡頭擺放一葷一素兩盤菜,還有兩人份的飯食,以及一些小點心.
青雲驚訝地看著這一幕,心頭不自覺淌過一股暖流.沒想到用膳這等瑣事,師姐都已經替他想好了.心底那一分懵懵懂懂的傾慕之情,不禁更為濃烈.
此後數日,青雲一大早便會準時到湖邊聽青璇講道.青璇也總是會替他準備午膳,這讓青雲感動的同時,內心也頗覺羞赧,卻不知該如何報答這位美麗的師姐.只不過,這位慧黠的師姐卻是喜愛玩鬧的性格,常常令青雲招架不住.就如同藏書閣那日,明明知曉,卻又假裝不知來作弄他.
這一日,青璇正在向青雲說明昆吾煉體訣中的一部分.
青璇像是想起了什麼,突然向青雲說道:「掌門師叔好像離開五行觀,親自去替你準備開光的材料了.」
「開光?」青雲有些好奇,這在前幾日的學習中,青璇都沒有提到過.
「嗯,如果遲遲無法透過觀想而入道,便需要開光.但⋯⋯」青璇欲言又止.
「我的資質,果然還是太差了嗎?」聽聞此言,青雲表情有些失落.又想起師父曾經說過,自己只是「恰好在手邊」才收來的徒弟.
青璇卻搖了搖頭,態度認真地說:「不,你的資質並不算差.所以,掌門師叔這次離開,才會讓我覺得奇怪⋯⋯」
她還是沒將話說完.青璇也想不透,為什麼要急著讓青雲入道.他的求道年紀並未太晚,就算是要悟那「空之道力」,也不急於一時.畢竟,此刻的青雲與其他同門不同.其他觀內弟子都是先有了豐厚的修道知識,仍然無從入道,才轉而開光.
但青雲呢?他對道的知識,可謂是近乎無知.這樣的情況,如果直接開光,反倒容易增添許多變數.即使有掌門師叔護道,只怕也會橫生枝節.
「總之,這是一件好事.並不是說,靠自己觀想入道就會更加優秀.許多人,譬如師姐,我就是經由開光入道,這對之後的發展並無太多影響.」青璇猜不透,索性不猜.而是溫聲向青雲勸慰,以免他繼續胡思亂想.
「開光的材料很稀少嗎?」青雲忍不住問.
看了一些道書,他對於修道界基本的世情還是有所認識.以五行觀的地位,需要掌門親自出馬去找的材料,能不珍稀?
「並不至於,如果是一般的開光材料,五行觀確實不少.但掌門可能是想替你尋找空鵬翅.」青璇解釋道.
「空鵬翅?」青雲自然沒聽過,疑惑問道.
「我聽師父說過,掌門修行的大衍空行訣,便需要體內有一股空之道力,才能夠參透.那是一種十分玄妙的道.但修行大衍空行訣的道士,需要⋯⋯」話到最後,青璇卻有些吞吞吐吐,似乎是接下來的話令她難以出口.
「需要什麼?」事關自己,青雲有股不妙的預感.
「需,需要斬斷情根.」青璇閉著眼,咬著銀牙,聲如蚊蚋地說了出來.
「斬,斬斷!」青雲跳了起來,這情根該不會是自己想像的那個?不會吧?
青璇眼皮輕顫,卻仍然硬著頭皮輕聲答道:「對.」
「咳咳咳咳⋯⋯」青雲頓時被口水嗆到.他想起師父曾說過,要傳授自己兩位師兄都沒學過的「秘傳」.
「師姐!」青雲一把握住青璇的手.突如其來的肌膚接觸,讓絲毫沒有準備的青璇霎時紅了臉.她看著青雲握住自己的那隻手,傻愣地回道:「什,什麼?」
「救我!」青雲苦著臉,就像是即將被賣入苦窯的奴隸.
青璇呆呆地望著青雲充滿懇切的面容,一時反應不過來.等她反應過來後,連忙甩開青雲的手.有些慌亂地說:「只要,只要你在掌門師叔回來前,成功入道.完成昆吾煉體訣的入門修練,那麼掌門師叔便無法繼續讓你修行大衍空行訣.」
青雲眼睛一亮,趕緊追問道:「真的?」
青璇心下慌亂,忍不住大聲回道:「我幹嘛騙你?」
話一說完,青璇按捺住自己的情緒.轉過身,一躍而起.修長身軀飄在空中,伴隨著衣袂飄飛,快速離去.
青雲這時才清醒過來.喃喃自語道:「我是不是,惹師姐生氣了?」
＊＊＊＊＊＊
慌張離開的青璇,等到飛了一段距離,確認自己出了青雲視線後.她便吁了一口氣,試圖讓自己冷靜下來.等心緒平復後,她才從懷中掏出一面鏡子.
不見青璇有何動作,只是靜待數息,鏡面上便浮現赤煙的身形,懸浮在半指高處.她開口詢問道:「跟他說了嗎?」
青璇頷首回答:「都說了.」
赤煙滿意地點頭.青璇疑惑地問:「但,師父.我們為何要欺騙他,修行大衍空行訣,需要斬斷那,那個呢?」
想起自己剛才竟然大膽地和師弟討論這回事,青璇頓時又有些結巴.
若有所思的赤煙卻沒有注意到徒弟的異常.她沉默片刻後,嘆了一口氣.
赤煙這才向青璇解釋道:「為師並不是蓄意破壞,也不是真的想讓門派裡的道士都隨貧道拿起大刀.但因為大衍空行訣太過玄妙,世間只允許一人成道.赤霄他⋯⋯一直希望能夠扶天下,濟世民.有些計畫,非常危險.我害怕他⋯⋯」
聽完,青璇也跟著沉默.
數息後,青璇才又問道:「師父.仙,真的這麼難以對抗嗎?竟然連掌門師叔都沒有把握.」
赤煙沒有回答,只是忍不住又深深嘆了一口氣.
良久後,她才開口:「人非人,狗非狗.道士不當道士,佛爺不做佛爺.那仙,自然是極為厲害.否則誰又願意放棄自己呢?」
青璇欲言又止,卻聽見赤煙繼續說道:「不過你那位青雲師弟,似乎很讓赤霄在意.但有所求,便都教他吧.希望,他能夠對得起赤霄這份信任.」
說罷,不等青璇回答,鏡上人影便直接消失.
「師弟他,究竟有哪裡不凡?不只受到掌門師叔的看重,連師父都願意將昆吾訣教給他.」看著空蕩蕩的鏡面,青璇忍不住自言自語.