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

Chapter 175 The Three Divine Powers, to be Learned Separately

The noise at the dinner table subsided, but Jiang Yi still hadn't returned home.

I strolled into the orchard behind the house. The moonlight, like water, poured down coldly and quietly, leaving long, dark streaks on the ground where the intertwined branches and leaves were.

The little trick I learned during the day—concealing things in my sleeve—was nothing more than carving out a corner of empty space within my sleeve. It relied on "skill" and was all about the gimmick of a hidden world within a sleeve.

This method of burrowing underground requires the hundred-odd pounds of flesh and blood to be integrated with the heavy earth beneath one's feet, emphasizing the word "integration".

The difference between "巧" (qiǎo) and "融" (róng) is only one word, but it sounds simple, yet the difference is like heaven and earth.

Jiang Yi found a patch of soft mud and, following the instructions of the Dharma, calmed his mind and focused his breath.

Guiding the nascent, thin true energy within his body, like leading a swimming fish, he slowly sank down, trying to connect with the vast, chaotic energy of the earth's veins beneath his feet.

The taste is quite wonderful.

As the energy level dropped, it vanished like a mud ox sinking into the sea. The chirping of insects and the whispering of the wind around us seemed to be veiled by a thick fog, making them indistinct.

When my skin touched the soil, it wasn't as cold as I had imagined; rather, it felt like being supported by an invisible, thick, soft blanket.

It was as if countless hands were gently pulling him from all directions, neither letting him sink too deep nor allowing him to float up.

He was in no hurry, but simply continued to practice the method.

He concealed his aura like a stubborn rock or a handful of dead soil, silent, heavy, and ignorant, allowing the energy of heaven and earth to slowly grind him down.

The moon rises high in the sky and then slowly sets in the west.

The dew in the forest had unknowingly soaked my robes, and a few withered leaves had fallen on my shoulders.

Jiang Yi remained motionless, like a piece of dead wood that had taken root in the forest.

Only when the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn did he exhale a long breath and look down.

After a whole night of struggling, at least half of his lower leg was buried in the ground.

From a distance, it looked as if he were half a spring radish, planted straight in the ground.

Just as I was mocking myself, there was a soft rustling sound in the woods, very delicate.

Jiang Yi's senses are now far more acute than those of ordinary people; with just a flick of his divine sense, he knows who is coming.

That light and lively spirit, like a monkey, could only belong to Jiang Jun, the grandson.

Sure enough, a slender figure nimbly moved among the branches, picking only the red berries at the very top of the treetops, ripened by the night dew.

Before long, his arms were full of children, and he jumped down from the tree and went straight to Jiang Yi.

The little guy didn't ask any questions, but just blinked his bright eyes and looked curiously at his grandfather's half "planted" leg in the soil.

Seeing that her grandfather had difficulty moving around, she picked out two of the reddest and largest fruits, still covered in morning dew, from her bosom, stood on tiptoe, and carefully stuffed them into his hand.

After doing all that, he grinned, revealing a set of fine, tiny teeth, chuckled, and without saying a word, turned and skipped up the mountain path.

Before long, the figure disappeared into the morning mist.

Only a few clear bird calls remained, still echoing in the forest.

Jiang Yi looked down at the cool red fruit in his palm, then at the leg that was still stuck, and couldn't help but chuckle.

And so, several days passed by leisurely.

Whenever he had free time, Jiang Yi would immerse himself in the orchards behind the mountain, pondering the two new skills he had acquired.

His skill in concealing items in his sleeves has become increasingly refined, and now he can open and close them with ease.

The small space in his sleeve had expanded considerably; he could fit seven or eight fist-sized fruits inside without them getting damaged.

As for the technique of escaping underground, that is truly a long and arduous process.

After many days of struggling, I was finally able to bury my entire body in the ground.

Once a person goes inside, they are cut off from the outside world, as if they have sunk to the bottom of the sea.

He knew nothing of the surrounding scenery or any disturbances on the ground.

With all five senses closed and all six senses absent, he was like a blind man with his eyes open.

Let alone walking underground, even figuring out which way is north, south, east, or west is extremely difficult.

Jiang Yi understood perfectly well.

Judging from this, even if this technique is mastered to perfection, it probably won't be useful for traveling.

If something really happens, if you burrow into the ground, you'll just be like a headless person haphazardly searching for a direction.

Where one can escape to and how far one can escape depends entirely on luck.

Even at best, it's only a temporary means of survival, and not a very reliable one at that.

Fortunately, Jiang Yi hadn't had high hopes to begin with.

These two minor skills, to put it bluntly, are nothing more than scraps that I begged from some underworld ghost messengers.

It's a pleasant surprise that it can be put to such use now.

After personally experiencing the process for a while, the initial enthusiasm gradually faded away.

Just then, Jiang Qin had already prepared everything he needed, including cinnabar, wolf-hair brush, and fine yellow paper.

Jiang Yi temporarily put aside his thoughts of digging around in the soil and instead focused on the few new talisman techniques he had acquired.

These talismans are much more practical than the earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape into the ground).

There are "Rejuvenation Talismans" that can heal skin and flesh, "Diamond Talismans" that can withstand some blows, and "Firelight Talismans" that can start fires out of thin air.

It is versatile in both offense and defense, and has many uses.

There were also a few other items for warding off evil spirits.

Jiang Yi glanced at it and, feeling that with the Yin-Yang Copper Cudgel that his eldest son had personally forged in his hand, ordinary ghosts and monsters would be dealt with in one blow, so there was no need to go to any more trouble and he put aside the learning.

On a quiet afternoon, Jiang Yi spread out yellow paper in his study and slowly began grinding cinnabar.

The unique, refreshing fragrance spread, gradually calming the restlessness that had arisen from his cultivation of magic.

Pick up the wolf-hair brush, dip it in cinnabar, and slowly channel a wisp of true energy into the tip of the brush.

With this one stroke, the writing becomes completely different from ordinary writing.

One must be able to combine mind and hand, fusing the form of the runes and the meaning of the runes into every stroke and dot.

If one is even slightly distracted, their inner energy dissipates, and the talisman under their brush immediately crumbles, turning into a puddle of waste ink.

In the first few days, a lot of yellow paper was naturally wasted.

Jiang Yi was not annoyed, but simply took it as a rekindling of the patience he had when he was young and practicing calligraphy.

Spending an hour or two drawing each day actually helps me to concentrate and calm my mind.

My mind was completely absorbed in it, and even the sounds of the wind and the rustling of grass outside the window seemed to be separated by a thin veil.

Once a talisman is successfully cast, a fleeting glint of light flashes among the vermilion runes, and a unique sense of peace and fulfillment arises in one's heart.

Only then did he begin to understand.

The Celestial Master's Mansion's theory of "nourishing the spirit with talismans" does indeed have some merit.

On this day, the study was extremely quiet, and a stroke of cinnabar slowly moved across the yellow paper.

Jiang Yi was completely still and empty of all thoughts, focusing all his energy and spirit into the tip of his pen.

Suddenly, a clear, childlike voice, like a nightingale singing in a valley, came from the other end of the main room, calling out cheerfully:

"Grandpa, Grandpa! I know how you do those magic tricks now!"

The pen tip trembled, and the "Diamond Talisman" that was only half-finished was almost ruined.

Fortunately, he had cultivated a deep sense of tranquility over the years. With only a slight dip in his wrist, the brush moved swiftly and steadily, finishing the last stroke.

A flash of light appeared on the rune, and the task was completed.

Jiang Yi then slowly put down his pen and looked up.

A little girl with her hair in a topknot skipped in, waving an old book she'd somehow found in some corner.

Her little face beamed with joy, as if she had truly found some treasure.

Following behind was her little uncle, Jiang Jun, who wasn't much older than her. A smile spread across Jiang Yi's face as he reached out and picked up the little girl, gently flicking her nose and saying with a laugh:

"Oh? Really? Tell your great-grandfather."

The little girl became increasingly smug, her two tiny hands rummaging aimlessly through the musty, old book.

Sure enough, a yellowed page was shaken out from between the pages of the book.

She presented it to her great-grandfather like a treasure, pointing with her little finger to the few lines of tiny, ant-like characters, and said in a clear voice:
"Look! It's written right here!"

Jiang Yi merely glanced at him, and the composed smile on his face vanished almost instantly.

At the top of the page, two words were clearly written:

Hutian.

He reached out and took the thin, old piece of paper, his gaze following it downwards.

The opening few lines of the incantation were surprisingly similar to the minor storage technique he had previously practiced.
The further you read, the more you realize how profound and subtle the secrets are, a hundred times more exquisite than what you have learned.

A thought flickered in his mind, and he immediately asked:
"Where did you find this book?"

Jiang Jun, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and answered politely:

“A few days ago, Xiao Han’er was asking to hear a story, so I went to the pile of old books left by my father and looked through a few miscellaneous books. Unexpectedly, I found this piece of paper in one of them.”

The little Han'er in my arms nodded repeatedly, looking just like a little chick pecking at rice.

Jiang Yi lowered his head and looked at the old paper again, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

The paper was old, but the handwriting had a fresh feel to it.

The strokes are crooked and awkward, with a deliberate air of unfamiliarity, as if unwilling to let people recognize the handwriting.

There were several corrections and alterations in between, clearly indicating that the person who copied it did not understand the underlying principles and simply copied it word for word, or learned it from oral tradition.

Without making a sound, he shifted his gaze from the page to his grandson, Jiang Jun, who was standing to the side.

Jiang Jun felt uneasy under that gaze and quickly turned his head away, pretending to look at the circling chickens in the yard, muttering something indistinctly:
"...I don't know if it was left by my father, or if it was originally tucked inside the book..."

Upon hearing this, the glint in Jiang Yi's eyes slowly faded, and he ultimately did not ask any further questions.

He took the old book from Xiao Han'er's hand, and with a flick of his wrist, dust flew up, but his fingertips turned the pages very quickly.

A short while later, with two soft "thuds," two more pieces of paper fluttered down from the interlayer.

Jiang Yi bent down to pick it up, and after just one glance, his heart trembled slightly.

Above each one, there are still two characters:

Earth element, bird control.

His gaze shifted, a half-smile playing on his lips.

This "Earth Path" technique, judging from its name, differs from the "Earth Escape" technique I practiced before by only one character, yet its inner workings are as mysterious as clouds and mud.

The former blends into the earth's veins, moving freely;

The latter is nothing more than forcibly pushing its body into the soil, which is very clumsy.

As for the method of "training birds," it is even more straightforward.

As the name suggests, it means to command birds to obey orders.

The Heavenly Pot, Earthly Element, Bird Taming.

Three sheets of paper, three secret techniques.

It just so happened that he was facing the two minor techniques he had practiced, as well as the roosters flapping wildly behind the house.

If things in the world were really that coincidental, then it would be truly unbelievable.

Jiang Yi already understood somewhat, but his face remained expressionless. He simply lowered his head and smiled, reaching out to stroke Xiao Han'er's hair in his arms, and said gently:
"Go ahead, have your uncle take you to find your great-aunt. Tell her that your great-grandfather asked her to buy you a sugar figurine."

Upon hearing this, the little girl's face lit up with a smile, and she giggled and struggled to get down from her grandfather's arms.

Jiang Yi then looked up at Jiang Jun and gave the order:

"Go to the estate and invite your aunt and uncle to come over for dinner tonight."

Jiang Jun readily agreed, a smile on his face. He took his niece's hand and they chatted and laughed all the way out of the courtyard.

Only after the two small figures disappeared at the alley entrance did Jiang Yi lower his head.

He ran his fingertips along the three sheets of "old paper" with the ink still wet in his hand, but a smile couldn't help but appear in his eyes as he gently shook his head.

This kid... his acting is even worse than his father's.

……

The night was deep, but the main room was bustling with activity.

The moment the ladle touched the ground, the aroma of the food filled the air, warming the heart.

A moment later, Jiang Xi and Liu Zi'an also entered the house.

The couple lived right across the village road, so it was very close to each other.

Jiang Xi often went back to the old treehouse behind the house to meditate. When she was hungry or thirsty, she would go to the kitchen. Just like when she was waiting to get married in her early years, she was completely unashamed of being a "guest".

Jiang Yi didn't beat around the bush; he pulled out the three yellowed sheets of paper from his sleeve and spread them out on the table.

Out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to casually glance at his little grandson beside him.

The kid was sitting there pretending to be serious, looking down at his nose and mind, only focusing on eating.

Jiang Yi had a faint smile on his lips, but deliberately didn't expose it. He simply turned to his daughter and said:

"A few days ago, I found these few pages in the old books left by your eldest brother."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi reached out and took it.

Liu Zian also leaned closer, and the couple glanced at each other briefly before their expressions of surprise appeared on their faces.

Both of them possessed cultivation, so they could immediately tell that what was written on the paper was no ordinary technique.

Jiang Yi coughed lightly, his tone unhurried: "To master such a proper supernatural ability, it will probably take some painstaking effort."

He had already taken some time in the afternoon to try a few of the styles.

These spell names sound simple and straightforward, but if you really delve into their intricacies, they are far more profound than the rudimentary spells he had learned in the past.

Seeing that his daughter and son-in-law both nodded in agreement, Jiang Yicai revealed his true intentions:

"Why don't the three of us each choose one of these three spells and study it ourselves?"

"Once we've figured out the way and entered the gate, we can then share the secrets and insights of cultivation with each other."

After speaking, he raised his wine cup and took a small sip.

Slightly tipsy, his gaze lingered on his daughter and son-in-law, his voice gentle and slow:

"In this way, by exchanging what we have and what we lack, our progress will be much faster."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi's eyes flickered, and she understood immediately, smiling as she replied:
“Zi’an’s spiritual form is originally a mountain range, naturally close to earth and stone, so learning this earth-based method is most suitable for him.”

Before he finished speaking, he grabbed the page containing the "Earth Path" method and shoved it into Liu Zian's hand.

Liu Zian shook his head and accepted it with a smile, without refusing.

Jiang Xi then focused her gaze on the "Pot Heaven" technique and began to explain in detail:

“I often patrol the mountains and occasionally slay demons and wild beasts, but I am always outnumbered and weak and can never bring them back, wasting precious blood and flesh medicines and delaying the cultivation of the young and strong in the gang. In that case, it is most suitable for me to learn this pot of heavenly techniques first.”

His words were clear and logical, leaving no room for criticism.

Finally, she raised an eyebrow and gently pushed the last page, "Training Birds," towards her father, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"As for you, Father, you've always enjoyed tending to that brood of spirit chickens in the backyard. If you learn this bird-training method and practice it properly, you might be able to train a few divine birds to guard the clan in the future. Then, you'll have to be given a resounding name in the martial arts world."

His words were half true and half joking.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled, and even his beard twitched a few times, but he didn't seem to have any objections.

The three spells on the left and right sides should all be studied eventually; the order in which they are studied is not important.

(End of this chapter)