Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

The two talked about metaphysics and Taoism all the way, and before they knew it, they arrived at Yun Zhongzi's Taoist temple - Yuzhu Cave in Zhongnan Mountain.

The cave dwelling is nestled in a serene and picturesque spot on the main peak of Zhongnan Mountain. Carved into the mountainside, its pavilions and towers are scattered in a harmonious arrangement, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. Two ancient pine trees, over a thousand years old, stand majestically before the cave entrance, like welcoming immortals. The cave is spacious and bright, with a shimmering pearl embedded in the ceiling. Mysterious Taoist patterns are engraved on the walls, drawing in a misty aura of spiritual energy that refreshes the senses with every breath. Although not a lavishly decorated place, it possesses a tranquil, serene, and naturally flowing atmosphere befitting an immortal.

Yun Zhongzi led Zhang Kui to a quiet room, where they sat down as host and guest. Two handsome young boys served fragrant tea and several dishes of rare and exotic fruits, each imbued with a spiritual essence. The tea was refreshingly fragrant, and the fruit was intoxicatingly sweet, bringing a sense of tranquility.

The two continued their previous conversation. Yun Zhongzi was in high spirits and, starting with the Heavenly Fire Pillar, went on to discuss many key points of weapon crafting, such as the spiritual connection between materials, the resonance between runes and the laws of heaven and earth, and even the nurturing method that connects a magical artifact with its master's mind. Zhang Kui listened attentively but didn't say much. However, whenever he didn't understand something, he would ask questions carefully, which made Yun Zhongzi even more eager to talk.

After a long while, Yun Zhongzi realized that he had perhaps said too much and been a little out of line. He couldn't help but smile, coughed lightly, and steered the conversation back to Zhang Kui: "I got carried away and became a bit noisy. I haven't yet asked you in detail what your purpose is in traveling to Mount Emei to find Senior Brother Gongming. If I can help you, it will save you the trouble of going through all that trouble."

Zhang Kui put down his teacup and frankly told the reporter, "I dare not hide anything from you, senior. The reason I came here is to seek instruction in the 'Flying Body and Leaving Trace' technique from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Techniques. My cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and I deeply feel that this technique will be of great benefit to my future. However, this technique is profound and difficult to master without a master's instruction, so I came here to ask Senior Zhao Gongming for guidance."

"Flying and leaving traces?" Yun Zhongzi was taken aback at first, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "I knew it was such a difficult thing, young friend, you've gone to great lengths for something so easy."

Seeing Zhang Kui's puzzled expression, he smiled and explained, "To be honest, young friend, I also have some knowledge of this 'flying body and leaving traces' method. Years ago, I sat down with my senior brother Gongming to discuss the Dao, and we each had our own unique insights into this method. His method leans towards 'wind without form,' which is formless and leaves no trace, arriving with a thought; while I take the meaning of 'clouds without constancy,' which gathers and disperses at will, changing unpredictably."

Yun Zhongzi looked intently at Zhang Kui: "If you have the time, fellow Daoist, you might as well listen to my understanding of this method first. Later, when you go to Senior Brother Gongming's place, you can listen to his explanation. By comparing and contrasting the two, you might be able to break free from our limited understanding and comprehend your own unique insights. Wouldn't that be better than just listening to one side of the story?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui immediately felt that Yun Zhongzi's words made sense. Two great beings, two different perspectives and insights—this was a rare opportunity.

He immediately stood up, solemnly cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "Senior's guidance is like clearing away the clouds to reveal the sun. It was my oversight that I was able to receive your instruction. I am deeply grateful."

"Young friend, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down." Yun Zhongzi smiled and gestured for him to sit down.

Just then, a young boy entered and announced, "Master, Junior Brother Lei Zhenzi has arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, a little boy of about six years old, dressed in the robes of a Daoist disciple, with rosy lips, white teeth, and clear, bright eyes, ran in with his short legs and bowed to Yun Zhongzi in a childish voice: "Disciple Lei Zhenzi greets Master."

Looking at the exquisitely beautiful, innocent, and adorable little boy before him, Zhang Kui found it hard to connect him with the future majestic general with a face as blue as indigo, hair as red as cinnabar, wings of wind and thunder on his back, and a height of two zhang. He couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of creation.

Yun Zhongzi beckoned kindly: "Lei Zhenzi, come here. This is young friend Zhang Kui, come and pay your respects."

Lei Zhenzi obediently turned to Zhang Kui, bowed respectfully, and said in a clear voice, "Lei Zhenzi greets Uncle Zhang."

Zhang Kui quickly stood up, helped the little one up, and said with a smile, "Nephew, there's no need for such formalities." Upon touching the child, he could feel that the child had extraordinary talent and a faint aura of thunder spirit within him.

It was their first meeting, and he was the son of an old friend; a small gift was surely in order. Zhang Kui's mind raced. Yun Zhongzi certainly had plenty of common magical artifacts and elixirs, and they might not even be suitable for this child. What should he give him?

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he thought of the Book of Changes he possessed, which he had obtained from Ji Chang. This was a sacred artifact of human virtue and merit, containing supreme wisdom and fortune, and was the culmination of the efforts of Ji Chang, Lei Zhenzi's father.

Without further hesitation, Zhang Kui said to Yun Zhongzi, "Senior, I have a past relationship with the Marquis of Xibo. This item was given to me by the Marquis. Today, I am delighted to see the son of my old friend and wish to present this item as a gift to help my nephew lay the foundation for his cultivation. I hope that you will grant my request."

Although Yun Zhongzi didn't know what it was, seeing Zhang Kui's solemn expression, he nodded and said, "Young friend, you are very thoughtful."

Zhang Kui took out the *I Ching*, which radiated a warm, golden light. The pages moved without wind, their profound hexagrams flowing. He gently grasped Lei Zhenzi's small hand, a wisp of sharp golden energy emanating from his fingertips, slicing a tiny gash in Lei Zhenzi's palm, from which a single drop of crimson blood oozed. Then, he guided Lei Zhenzi's hand, firmly placing it on the pages of the *I Ching*.

"Buzz—"

The moment the drop of blood touched the page, the Book of Changes suddenly burst forth with a brilliant yet gentle golden light. The drop of blood seemed to be swallowed by the page, and then, a purer, warmer golden stream of light, containing the power of human wisdom and supreme merit, surged into Lei Zhenzi's palm and quickly spread throughout his entire body.

In an instant, Lei Zhenzi was enveloped in a soft golden light. The impurities he had acquired later in life were purified and expelled from his body under the illumination of this golden light of merit, just like ice and snow melting away. His skin became more and more crystal clear, his bones faintly emitted a clear sound, and his aura became incomparably pure and transparent, with his affinity with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth soaring!

"The body is purified by merit, free from dust and defilement." Upon seeing this, Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, his eyes filled with shock. He never expected that Zhang Kui would present a spiritual treasure containing such immense human merit, and even more so, to cleanse Lei Zhenzi's marrow and lay a supreme foundation for his Dao in such an extravagant way. This gesture, this intention, was truly too great.

Zhang Kui put away the subdued light of the *I Ching* and smiled at Yun Zhongzi, saying, "Senior, this object is called the *I Ching*. It is a classic written by Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, the father of Lei Zhenzi, who 'investigated the relationship between heaven and man and understood the changes of ancient and modern times,' laying the foundation for the human race for ten thousand generations. This object shares the same bloodline and aura with Zhenzi, so it is most suitable to use this merit to purify his body. Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. I believe that if the Marquis of Xibo were here, he would certainly agree with this action."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhongzi glanced at Zhang Kui with a complex expression, a mixture of gratitude and admiration. He took a deep breath and said solemnly to Lei Zhenzi, who was still somewhat dazed from being nourished by the golden light, "Zhenzi, this is a life-saving grace bestowed upon you by your Uncle Zhang! Quickly kowtow and express your gratitude!"

Although Lei Zhenzi was young, he instinctively felt a tremendous change in his body, feeling incredibly comfortable and light. He obediently knelt down and respectfully kowtowed three times to Zhang Kui: "Lei Zhenzi thanks Uncle for his life-saving grace."

Zhang Kui accepted the bow without hesitation, then helped him up and said gently, "I hope you will diligently cultivate the Great Dao in the future and live up to your master's teachings."

After this brief interlude, the atmosphere in the quiet room became even more harmonious. Yun Zhongzi, without further delay, began to explain in detail to Zhang Kui the mysteries of the "Flying Body Leaving Traces" technique.

He first explained his understanding of the true meaning of "the impermanence of clouds": "Clouds gather and disperse unpredictably, their forms are ever-changing, they move with the wind, yet they do not lose their essence. To fly and leave a trace is not simply about concealment or speed, but about 'transforming' one's own existence into clouds, merging into the laws of heaven and earth. With a thought, the body can transform into cloud energy and scatter in all directions, or it can gather and take shape thousands of miles away. Impermanence means there is no trace to be found, and uncertainty means it is unpredictable..."

Yun Zhongzi started by explaining the most basic cloud-qi sensing and mind-spirit differentiation, then moved on to how to induce subtle ripples in the laws of space, and how to temporarily "disperse" one's own magical power, blood and qi, and even the imprint of one's soul to simulate the gathering and dispersing characteristics of clouds, thereby achieving the mysterious state of "existing in the world, yet not being seen in the world".

Zhang Kui listened with rapt attention, and combining this with his own understanding of the Five Elements Escape Technique and spatial transformations, many obstacles suddenly became clear. He tried circulating his magical power according to the method taught by Yun Zhongzi, and felt his aura begin to become ethereal, and the sense of separation from the surrounding space was weakening. Although he was far from successful, he had already glimpsed the key points and could be considered to have quickly entered the realm of magic. He even began to try to integrate his own understanding of the energy flow in the "Five Elements Great Escape," wondering if he could use the spiritual energy of the Five Elements to simulate the changes in cloud formations, making this "flying and carrying traces" even more varied.

Seeing Zhang Kui's exceptional comprehension—his ability to grasp concepts instantly and apply them to other situations—Yun Zhongzi was filled with admiration. As a top disciple of the Chan Sect, his vision and knowledge were among the best of his time, and his explanations were insightful and profound, directly addressing the essence of the Great Dao.

After learning that Zhang Kui had also practiced the Nine Breaths Breathing Technique, the Five Elements Great Escape Technique, the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Technique, and the Great and Small As you wish Technique, he generously shared his unique insights and application techniques on these supernatural abilities, especially the "Five Elements Great Escape Technique" and "Nine Breaths Breathing Technique" which he himself was also practicing.

Many things that Zhang Kui had previously found unclear or unclear in his practice, and which he knew the "what" but not the "why," suddenly became clear under Yun Zhongzi's exquisite and profound analysis, as if he had been enlightened.

He felt his understanding of these supernatural abilities instantly improve to a higher level, making them easier to use and more powerful.