Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 173 Life and Death, but the Journey West is Difficult

The spring behind the mountain has been channeling a stream of fresh water into the orchard ever since.

The atmosphere in the Jiang family mansion grew more and more intense each day.

That spiritual energy didn't produce any thunderous roars; it simply nourished things silently.

The banana trees in the courtyard appear even greener, and the birdsong under the eaves is even more melodious.

Even the rice washing and cooking under the stove, and the tea brewing for guests on the table, all use this fresh water.

Ordinary people feel light and refreshed after eating and drinking.

But when it comes to someone like Jiang Yi, who has a long-standing tradition, the experience is quite different.

At first, he simply felt comfortable breathing, but over time, he noticed that the yin and yang essence in his soul was being refined and made clearer with each day's nourishment.

In the past, when I encountered difficult passages while reading, I had to ponder them repeatedly. Now, with a change of perspective, everything becomes clear and unobstructed, and I often find myself smiling to myself.

As time goes by, everything becomes pure inside and out, and one's state of mind becomes more and more like a mirror.

My mind and spirit are clear, like the vast sky washed clean by autumn water.

But when you really try to calm down and find that harmony, there's always a thin veil between you and it, something vague and indistinct, like looking at flowers through the fog.

You can see it, but you can never touch it.

He was all too familiar with this feeling.

Wasn't the path my daughter and son-in-law took back then also stuck in this in-between hurdle?
Thinking of this, Jiang Yi felt a sense of relief.

What's meant to come will come eventually; there's no need to rush or panic.

The family had already prepared for this.

He kept quiet, and only on a lazy afternoon did he gather his entire family together and carefully instruct them on several mundane matters.

Once everything was settled, he didn't bother with any auspicious days.

On a clear, moonlit night, he went into the orchard and picked a full basket of newly ripened spiritual fruits, and also picked a few spiritual herbs of just the right age from the herb garden.

Carrying a basket, I strolled leisurely to the old locust tree behind the house.

A small house hangs on an old locust tree, with vines as ladders and branches and leaves as roof tiles—a perfect place for seclusion.

He climbed the vine ladder, his body still steady, and in a few leaps, he reached the rooftop.

He casually retracted the rattan ladder and gently closed the small wooden door.

From then on, the wind, rain, and sounds of the world outside were all kept behind the door.

Inside the treehouse, however, lies a completely different world.

Jiang Yi sat cross-legged, his eyes fixed on his nose, his mind completely absorbed in a state of tranquility.

The air was filled with misty vapor, a gift from the spring, orchards, and vegetation.

Several items from the Western Seas on the table were gleaming with a faint light, carrying a hint of dampness and desolation.

Hidden within it is a faint, ethereal dragon's breath, dignified yet unassuming, profound and ancient.

With these various auras mixed together, an ordinary person would probably be agitated and unable to sit still.

Jiang Yi, however, remained calm and composed.

His soul originally contained both yin and yang essences, which were cleansed day and night by the spiritual spring. Now, under the impetus of the rich spiritual energy, they are gradually becoming solidified.

At first, they resembled two points of light, then transformed into two fish, chasing and entwining each other relentlessly.

Jiang Yixin's heart was calm, and he simply contemplated quietly.

Two beams of light slowly swirled in his mind, one black and one white, one yin and one yang, faintly outlining the shape of Tai Chi.

Once the Dao diagram is completed, it is like an invisible millstone, moving in response to thoughts.

The room was filled with moisture, spiritual energy, sea energy, and dragon breath, all drawn in like rivers flowing into the sea, slowly grinding and being absorbed into it.

The millstone moves at a steady pace, yet it carries immense power.

No matter how unruly the external forces are, once they enter this millstone, their sharpness is worn away, leaving only the most fundamental Yin and Yang energies flowing out in wisps.

That new life force was clear and pure, like a gentle breeze at the beginning of time.

No longer charging recklessly, but like spring water flowing into a field, it gently seeps into his limbs and bones, cleansing his meridians and nourishing his soul.

For a moment, the entire treehouse seemed to transform into a giant cauldron.

Jiang Yi is both the master of the furnace fire and the elixir being refined within it.

He had long forgotten the cold and heat, and the passage of time. He felt his soul becoming lighter and his body more ethereal, as if he could ride the wind at any moment and merge with the grass, trees and the bright moon.

My mind followed my spirit, and in a trance, I was no longer confined by the small space of the treehouse.

With a thought, one can hear the babbling brook below the mountain, smell the fragrance of wildflowers carried by the night breeze, and see the moonlight, like water, gently sprinkling on the branches and leaves of the old locust tree.

Everything in the world seems within reach.

He felt an inexplicable sense of closeness, as if he wanted to burst out of his shell and become one with the mountain breeze and the bright moon in the forest, no longer distinguishing himself from them.

Just as this thought arose, a sudden heaviness pulled from deep within his limbs and bones.

It was as if an invisible thread grew from the soles of his feet, tightly binding his soul to his physical body.

No matter how gracefully it drifts, it will eventually be pulled back.

The carefree feeling of being one with heaven and earth just now instantly turned into an empty shadow and dissipated.

Jiang Yi's mind sharpened, and he withdrew from that profound realm.

After a moment of introspection, everything became clear to me.

The natural world outside is filled with a pure and refreshing energy, as clear as newly melted snow.
Although the energy flowing within the body is refined by the spiritual spring, it is still mixed with the impure essence of grains and the seven emotions and six desires.

When compared, the difference is like a clear stream versus a muddy swamp; the superiority of the former is immediately apparent.

It was this heavy, acquired turbidity that transformed into a cage, trapping the little bit of true spirit that wanted to transcend.

In a flash, he suddenly remembered his eldest son, Jiang Ming.

After breaking through to the next level, his confidence and composure allowed him to clearly explain the path of cultivation.

Back then, I thought it was just youthful arrogance, but now that I'm here in person, I know it's all true.

The so-called "refining essence into qi" is not an empty phrase, but a real and practical method.

From the moment a mortal is born, eats grains, experiences the cold and heat, and gives rise to a hundred thoughts, this flesh and blood is no longer pure.

What needs to be done now is to draw upon the primordial energy from the darkness, and use the most fundamental purity of heaven and earth to cleanse the body of its fundamental impurities.

It is like a piece of beautiful jade covered in dust; only when the filth is removed can its true color be revealed.

Only when that wisp of pure, untainted primordial yang remains can one be considered to have a "clean body".

At that point, the physical body is no longer a cage, but a precious raft that can carry the soul to roam the vast void.

Although the obstacles have not been removed, my mind has become clear.

I already know exactly where the road leads and how to get there.

Jiang Yi gently exhaled a breath of stale air, long and deep, as if he were exhaling all the pent-up emotions of half a lifetime.

He stood up slowly.

His body still felt somewhat heavy, a result of the unrefined essence of the five grains, which was difficult to remove in a short time.

However, the spirit is like a crystal lamp that has been cleansed of dust, transparent inside and out, and shines with its own brilliance.

With a slight thought, not only does the internal energy flow freely within the body, but it also seems to be able to draw upon the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) outside, bringing it to the door without any barrier.

He walked forward casually, without moving his hands, and with just a slight thought, the tightly closed wooden door gently opened.

The moonlight was like a ribbon, and the mountain breeze caressed our faces.

Jiang Yi took a step forward, but his body did not fall. Instead, he was gently lifted by a stream of pure energy and floated leisurely in the air.

This is no longer the light-footed skill of ordinary martial artists who use leverage to move around, but a real act of riding the wind.

Their movements were graceful, turning at will, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Walking around the orchard, the branches and leaves glistened in the moonlight, and the fruits were clearly reflected in the lake of my heart, without missing a single detail.

With a free and unrestrained mind, one feels like a fish in the sea, completely at ease.

At this moment, he truly began to feel like a "cultivator of immortality," no longer the old farmer who toiled in the soil.

Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, three streaks of light suddenly rose from the chicken coop below.

The three figures, one golden, one red, and one blue, flapped their wings and danced, their voices like the sounds of a zither, circling in the air. The three spirit chicken ancestors who had received this blessing seemed to be congratulating each other, yet also pleased with themselves.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yi couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile.

I had planned to stew a pot of plump chicken to celebrate my success.

Looking at their now-enlightened appearance, I find the desire for food and drink rather vulgar.

Whatever, whatever.

With a thought, he gathered several ripe spiritual fruits from the forest and casually tossed them down.

The three clever chickens caught it, crowed softly, and then slowly landed to find a clean spot to peck at the food.

This caused quite a stir, and naturally, it couldn't be kept secret from those who were interested.

In the Jiang family courtyard, lights gradually came on, and voices could be heard faintly.

Not far away in Liu Family Village, some people also sensed something, and soon two streaks of light broke through the night and came, it was the daughter and son-in-law.

Jiang Yixin understood and did not linger in the air any longer.

With a sway, he quietly fell into the courtyard, once again appearing as an old farmer.

Even so, the whole family still gathered around with joyful laughter.

"Father, you've succeeded?"

"Grandma!"

They chattered amongst themselves, their faces beaming with joy.

Jiang Yi nodded with a smile, his gaze slowly sweeping over the familiar faces before finally settling on his wife, Liu Xiulian, and said gently:
"How many days have I been in seclusion?"

Liu Xiulian smiled, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, and said softly:

"In a few more days, it will be half a year."

"Half a year..."

Jiang Yi sighed inwardly.

Despite decades of diligent study, it still took me half a year to overcome this hurdle.

Compared to his daughter and son-in-law, he was ultimately lacking in natural talent.

Moreover, the later one begins to cultivate oneself, the longer one spends in this turbid world, and the heavier the filth becomes within one's body.

In the future, refining essence into qi and returning to one's true nature will only become more difficult and slower.

In the path of spiritual cultivation, if one is slow at one step, every step will be slow.

Talent, opportunity, and resources—none of these can be lacking.

The thought flashed through Jiang Yi's mind, but his expression remained calm as he asked, "Has anything happened at home in the past six months?"

Liu Xiulian shook her head: "It's all fine. It's just... there's still no news from Ming'er."

When she spoke of her eldest son, a hint of worry crept into her eyes.

Jiang Yi gently patted the back of her hand as a gesture of comfort, but he knew in his heart that no news was often the best news.

So he nodded and simply said, "It's alright."

Just then, Jiang Xi spoke up, her voice soft and gentle:
"Father, it seems my second brother has something he'd like to discuss with you."

"Liang'er, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded: "I understand, I'll go to the ancestral hall and ask him."

Having said that, the crowd stopped arguing.

Liu Xiulian led her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law to prepare for the celebratory banquet.

Liu Zian also assisted, and the courtyard was bustling with activity again in no time.

Jiang Yi, however, stood with his hands behind his back, showing no supernatural abilities whatsoever. Still wearing his worn-out scholar's robe, he stepped over the bluestone slabs one by one and headed towards the ancestral hall.

The furnishings in the ancestral hall remain as they were.

He skillfully lit two incense sticks, inserted them into the burner, gazed at the rising smoke, his mind calm, and softly called out:

"Liang'er."

As the smoke condensed slightly, Jiang Liang's solemn figure slowly appeared before the incense table.

The moment he solidified his form, he sensed that his father's aura was profound and deep, unlike anything in the mortal world.

A genuine smile finally appeared on that perpetually solemn face of the deity, and he bowed down, saying:
"Congratulations, Father! You have finally transcended the mundane world and attained true freedom."

Jiang Yi smiled and waved his hand, his joy already hidden deep in his heart, needing no outward expression.

He simply looked at his son calmly and asked indifferently, "I heard from your sister that you have something to discuss with me?"

When the matter was brought up, Jiang Liang's expression became serious again, and he nodded, saying:
"It's not a big deal. It's just that Feng'er's brother-in-law, the Third Prince of the West Sea, Ao Lie, has a confirmed whereabouts. I remember Father told me to keep an eye out for him, so I thought I'd let you know."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi straightened his expression, several thoughts already racing through his mind, but he remained calm and unhurried: "Where?"

Jiang Liang spoke calmly, as if recounting an official document:
"He was imprisoned in a remote, desolate watery place to the west, called Eagle's Sorrow Stream. He suffered the torment of being beaten with sticks every day."

"Eagle's Sorrow Gorge..."

Jiang Yi gently chewed on the place name and nodded, "Back then, he acted recklessly and offended the emperor. It's only right that he deserved this suffering."

The conversation suddenly shifted, and he asked, "Has Ao Yu offered any explanation?"

He remembered it clearly.

Her own granddaughter-in-law and her third brother have always had a deep and affectionate relationship.

If she hadn't run around trying to save her brother back then, she wouldn't have ended up in such a remote place as Liangjie Village, and she wouldn't have had that relationship with Feng'er later on.

The causes and effects involved are deeply intertwined.

Jiang Liang replied:

Although Feng'er did not say it outright, one could still tell from his words that Ao Yu was quite concerned.

"But... she still carries the name of the West Sea Dragon Palace. Since they have already severed ties, she can't openly visit them, so she's caught in a dilemma."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's heart stirred slightly.

Those increasingly bright old eyes narrowed slightly, as if they were looking further into the distance through the wisps of incense smoke rising from the ancestral hall.

He pondered for a long while before speaking calmly: "From what you've seen, if they aren't from the West Sea Dragon Palace, have they gone to visit them?"

His tone was flat, yet it carried several layers of deeper meaning.

After all, the Jiang family has now formed a marriage alliance with the West Sea, and in terms of bloodline, the Third Prince Ao Lie can barely be considered a relative.

Moreover, Jiang Yi had other plans in mind.

This third prince is as fiery as fire, and he will have a great opportunity in the future, eventually escaping his predicament and rising again.

At this moment, isn't a touch of sentiment amidst the snow more meaningful than adding flowers to brocade?
Upon hearing his father's question, Jiang Liang appeared completely unconcerned and casually replied:
“It’s nothing serious. According to Feng’er, this was originally a family matter of the West Sea Dragon Palace. If it hadn’t turned out so ugly back then and been brought into the open, it wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

He paused and added:
"Right now, it's just suppression; they haven't immediately taken him to the Dragon-Slaying Platform. This is already a way of giving him a way out. As long as it's not too ostentatious, most of the guarding generals will turn a blind eye and give the Western Sea some face."

As he spoke, he noticed his father's thoughtful expression and, having already guessed seven or eight parts of the situation, asked directly:
"Does Father mean that he should go there in person?"

Jiang Yi remained noncommittal, looked up at him, and asked only, "Is there something wrong?"

Upon hearing this question, Jiang Liang's relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a serious look.

He shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Things in heaven are easy to talk about, but the path on earth is not necessarily easy to walk."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt creeping into his expression.

Seeing his father's expression, Jiang Liang knew what he was thinking and continued to explain:
"With Father's current cultivation level, he can naturally go anywhere in this Southern Jambudvipa."

"This is because the land beneath our feet was once swept clean by the True Martial Emperor, who was also the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Ancestor of Wudang Mountain."

He paused slightly, as if recalling old events from the case file.

"At that time, any powerful demons or monsters with any influence were either wiped out or subdued."

"These newly emerging ones are mostly insignificant little fish and shrimps, so they naturally don't bother Father."

At this point, Jiang Liang's voice suddenly turned serious:

"But if we were to travel westward towards Eagle's Sorrow Gorge... the situation would be quite different."

(End of this chapter)