Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Side hall of the Crystal Palace.

The pearl, warm and lustrous, reflects the simple banquet.

Ao Ying sat in the main seat, with Xuan Gu Shangren, dressed in a light blue Taoist robe, on her left and Jing Yun Clan Chief, dressed in a simple green robe, on her right.

On the table were several kinds of seasonal delicacies from the East China Sea, rare fruits and delicacies, and a jade pot filled with azure-colored nectar.

Master Xuan Gu's usually gloomy and handsome face had relaxed these past few days, and his brows were filled with undisguised joy.

Among the spiritual gifts Ao Ying gave in gratitude, the Northern Sea Profound Yin Jade was one he had been searching for for a long time, and this time it was just right for him to use in refining his natal magic weapon.

He picked up the glass cup, took a small sip, and a smile spread across his lips:

"The Dragon Maiden's generous gifts are all things that I urgently needed... It is thanks to Brother Xuanling's supernatural powers that I was able to quell the disaster at the Weak Water."

He turned towards the east hall, his tone filled with genuine admiration:

"I recently observed that your Qi was perfectly balanced, and the fire of your inner energy was intensely burning. With this period of seclusion, reaching the Nascent Soul realm should be a natural progression. It is truly admirable."

Whale Cloud clapped its hands and laughed, its peaceful face appearing even warmer under the pearly light:

"Brother Xuanling's abilities are extraordinary, and our Dragon Whale Clan is deeply grateful for his kindness. However..."

He changed the subject slightly, revealing a hint of doubt:

"But Brother Xuanling's foundation is so solid that I have never seen anything like it in my life. How come I can't sense much spiritual energy fluctuation outside the hall during his seclusion?"

Logically speaking, achieving the Nascent Soul stage is another major hurdle on the path of cultivation, and should be accompanied by the convergence of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, or even celestial phenomena.

Upon hearing this, Ao Ying gently stroked the rim of her cup, causing the fine wine in the glass to ripple. She spoke softly:

Chief Whale Cloud may not know this.

The Golden Core realm is where cultivators first glimpse the Great Dao and build their foundation. It requires absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine a Golden Core.

Therefore, when the elixir is formed, spiritual energy often gathers, and extraordinary phenomena manifest outwardly.

She gazed towards the east hall, her eyes seemingly trying to pierce through the palace walls:

"The path of the Nascent Soul lies in opening up the inner world."

True fire arises from the Golden Elixir, and the Nascent Soul is born from the inner realm; all changes are contained within the Purple Mansion.

This infant is formed from the cultivator's own spirit and qi, and is the source of life. It emphasizes internal integration, and its interaction with the external world is not as intense as that of the Golden Core stage.

The saying "When the primordial spirit is formed, all things are renewed, and the universe is contained within a small space" illustrates this principle.

The more solid your foundation, the more refined your control over your own power, the more you will return to simplicity and authenticity, and the more restrained your aura will be when you break through to a higher realm.

Whale Cloud asked in confusion, "So, silence and stillness are the highest level of skill?"

Master Xuan Gu also seemed to be deep in thought. Although he was a rogue cultivator from the East Sea, he had also had quite a few opportunities. He nodded slightly and replied:

"The cultivation of the Nascent Soul stage should focus on the harmony of spirit and energy, with the inner world forming its own universe, rather than relying on external phenomena to judge its level."

"Exactly."

Ao Ying nodded and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling has a profound foundation and is aided by spiritual objects. He must be stabilizing his newly formed nascent soul at this moment."

When he emerges from seclusion, you will all know what it means for the nascent soul to be formed and supernatural powers to arise spontaneously.

The Xuan Gu Master's gaze toward the East Hall suddenly became even more solemn.

Chief Whale Cloud suddenly realized what was happening, raised his cup in respect, and said:

"Your Highness's explanation is brilliant! I, Jingyun, have learned a great deal."

No wonder ancient books record that "when the nascent soul is formed, heaven and earth are silent"; only today do we understand the mystery behind this.

"I was too attached to appearances, trying to judge Brother Xuanling's realm based on ordinary phenomena."

Master Xuangu also raised his cup and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart:

"It is truly a fortunate opportunity for Xuan Gu to meet Brother Xuan Ling this time."

Ao Ying raised her cup in return, a smile playing on her lips, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the East Hall, her mind clear as a mirror.

If it weren't for Xuan Ling's guidance in the storeroom that day, she might not have been able to grasp this key point.

In recent days, as she perused the ancient books of the Dragon Palace, she increasingly realized that this fellow Daoist Xuanling's realm was unfathomably profound.

Fellow Daoist Xuanling may seem silent, but his occasional words always seem to point directly to the essence of the Dao.

Under the bright light of the pearl, the three of them drank together.

Ao Ying lowered her eyes and sipped the fine wine, but in her heart she was already thinking about going to the Scripture Pavilion tomorrow to find a few more jade slips about the mind state of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

As the three were talking, the beaded curtain outside the hall rustled softly.

A female official dressed in a light green silk robe entered the hall with quick steps; she was none other than Jiangzhu, a servant of Ao Ying.

She walked to the table, curtsied, and said in a low voice:

"Your Highness, the restrictions on the East Palace have been lifted, and Demon Lord Xuanling has emerged from seclusion."

Ao Ying paused slightly in her hand holding the teapot, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes before she regained her composure.

She put down the jade pot and instructed Jiangzhu:

"Go quickly to the East Hall to invite him. Tell him that a small banquet has been prepared and we hope that Fellow Daoist Xuanling will spare some time for a chat."

He then turned to the maid beside him and said:

"Rearrange the banquet, bring out the coral table and the silk curtains. Also prepare sashimi of the sea and iced mushroom soup, along with other delicacies. Do not neglect them."

The maids quietly withdrew and nimbly rearranged the table.

In a short while, the jade table in the hall was replaced with a table carved from crimson coral with intertwined branches.

The table was covered with silver-threaded silk, with the glow of pearls flowing across it, instantly giving it a refined and elegant feel.

After a moment's thought, Ao Ying said to her trusted female official:

"Quickly go and fetch the jar of 'Millennial Snow Essence Wine' from the depths of my bedchamber."

The female official was slightly taken aback, but then accepted the order and left.

When he returned, he was holding a plain white jade altar carved with a plum blossom lying in the snow.

The jar is translucent, and one can vaguely see the nectar inside, which is as white as frost. The mouth of the jar is sealed with a unique ice-patterned talisman from the Western Sea.

Even before the talisman was removed, wisps of cold air were already escaping from it, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

Even before the talisman was removed, wisps of cold air were already escaping from it, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

Ao Ying personally picked up the jade altar, lightly touched the talisman with her fingertips, and a wisp of cold mist suddenly dispersed.

The aroma of the wine in the jar is cool and refreshing, like pine needles after a snowfall, yet it also carries the unique warmth and spiritual essence of the deep sea.

Seeing this, Master Xuangu smiled slightly and whispered to Whale Cloud beside him:

"It seems that today, we will both benefit from Brother Xuanling's good fortune and be able to taste the Dragon Palace's finest wine."

His gaze swept over the jar of Snow Soul Wine, his tone unusually slightly teasing.

Chief Whale Cloud nodded with a smile, looking pleased.

Just a moment later.

Steady footsteps echoed from the corridor outside the palace.

The beaded curtain was lifted again, and Chen Jiao slowly entered.

He was still dressed in black, his expression calm, his aura becoming increasingly profound and unfathomable, showing no ripples, yet possessing a calm and composed demeanor.

Only upon close inspection can one perceive a glimmer of clear light flowing in the depths of his eyes, like the moon reflected in a deep pool.

Chen Jiao's crimson-gold eyes swept over the three people at the table, and he nodded slightly, saying:

"Thank you all for waiting."

Ao Ying rose to greet him, smiling, and said, "Congratulations on the completion of your cultivation, fellow Daoist."

Xuan Gu Shangren and Jing Yun also offered their congratulations, and the four of them sat down again.

Ao Ying pointed to the newly opened Millennium Snow Soul Wine on the table and said in a sweet voice:

"This is a thousand-year-old Snow Soul Wine, a gift from Prince Moang of the Western Sea. Today, it is a perfect occasion to celebrate with you, fellow Daoist."

Chen Jiao's gaze swept over the newly renovated banquet table and the jar of Snow Soul Wine, and he nodded to Ao Ying in greeting:

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

As the new wine is uncorked, the chill and the aroma of the wine intertwine and permeate the air.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table gradually relaxed.

The refreshing aroma of the millennium-old snow wine mingled with the sweetness of delicacies from the East Sea. The four discussed the essentials of water management and the wonders of the four seas, their conversation often revealing shared insights.

Master Xuangu finished the remaining wine in his cup, and only then did he seem to realize it, and couldn't help but ask:

"Why is Princess Wansheng not here at this joyous banquet?"

Just a few days ago I saw the princess busy with the aftermath of the Ruoshui incident, but today she's all quiet.

The water reflection outside the beaded curtain swayed slightly, casting a momentary stillness on Ao Ying's face.

She poured more wine into the cup, and the sound of the liquid falling into the glass was exceptionally clear in the sudden silence.