Chapter 43 - Time Flies, the Patriarch Grants a Treasure
Chapter 43: Time Flies, the Patriarch Grants a Treasure
Spring blossoms and autumn moons, summer rains and winter snow — the four seasons cycled endlessly. In the blink of an eye, three hundred years had passed!
Though the mountains and rivers, trees and grass had weathered the trials of time, the towering peaks remained as majestic as ever. Streams babbled as they once had, pines and cypresses stood tall in lush greenery, and the mountains echoed with the melodious chirping of countless birds.
Within a secluded immortal cave, Qin Chuan slowly opened his eyes. His divine light was withdrawn, calm and clear as a still mirror. With a thought, the entire cave bloomed into a sea of radiant flowers.
“In cultivation, time holds no meaning; years pass like fleeting dreams.”
After three centuries of silent cultivation, Qin Chuan had finally harmonized and fully integrated all his mystical powers, reaching the fullness of a “One-Yuan” state — a profound milestone.
However, his cultivation realm remained at Taiyi Golden Immortal. To break through further, diligent meditation alone would no longer suffice.
Just then, a streak of radiant light tore through the sky, piercing into the cave. As the light faded, it revealed a breathtakingly beautiful dragon maiden — graceful as a celestial goddess descending to the mortal realm.
Surrounded by auspicious energy, cloud-like mist rolled around her figure, exuding a sacred and awe-inspiring presence.
“Congratulations, my lord, on emerging from seclusion!” said Aoxue, bowing respectfully.
Qin Chuan nodded with a smile:
“Very good, very good — your time has not been wasted. You’ve achieved the Golden Immortal realm!”
Three hundred years ago, Aoxue had already reached the peak of True Immortal. Now, having cultivated the powerful Great Celestial Art and traveled between Fangcun Mountain and Mount Huaguo, her breakthrough to Golden Immortal was quite natural.
Of course, not everyone was born with the Monkey King’s divine advantage — reaching Taiyi Golden Immortal in just ten years!
With her current strength, Aoxue was more than qualified to rule as one of the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas.
A hint of joy colored Aoxue’s face. The dragon clan, now fallen into decline, retained only fragmented memories of cultivation methods. Without Qin Chuan’s guidance, even another 300 years of training might not have brought her to the Golden Immortal level.
“This is a rare opportunity. Continue your cultivation — no need to mind me,” said Qin Chuan gently.
Within the cave, the sound of flowing water echoed faintly. In an instant, Qin Chuan vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared on a stone staircase somewhere on Fangcun Mountain, muttering to himself:
“This Five Elements Great Escape is truly wondrous. Even using just the Water Escape, I can traverse space by leveraging the moisture in the air. Marvelous!”
“Junior Brother Qin, out of seclusion already?”
The voice came from behind without the slightest warning. Qin Chuan turned to see the familiar figure of the woodcutter — axe in hand, sizing him up with a smile.
Qin Chuan cupped his hands respectfully:
“Greetings, Senior Brother!”
Though he still didn’t know exactly which great immortal this woodcutter truly was, anyone addressed as a senior disciple under Patriarch Bodhi was clearly not an ordinary Da Luo Golden Immortal.
The woodcutter smiled and nodded, “As you instructed before your retreat, I’ve taken that little white dragon of the Western Sea as my disciple.”
“Over the years, I’ve used the Ancient Dream Method to pass on mystical arts to him.”
“His talent is on par with the dragon maiden at your side. I suspect it won’t be long before he also ascends to the Golden Immortal realm.”
“But there’s a matter…” the woodcutter hesitated mid-sentence.
Qin Chuan smiled calmly, “Please, speak freely, Senior Brother.”
The woodcutter sighed, “A few days ago, Ao Lie married Princess Wansheng, but something unfortunate happened on their wedding night…”
“That Nine-Headed Ghost Chariot—though a prehistoric aberration—has only the strength of a Taiyi Golden Immortal. If the Western Sea Dragon Palace had truly drawn upon its full power, they might have held it off. But that old Western Sea Dragon King…”
The woodcutter shook his head regretfully.
“Little White Dragon isn’t a match for that creature yet. In his fury, he destroyed the Night Pearl bestowed by the Jade Emperor, so his father tied him up and sent him to Heaven.”
“He was flogged three hundred times, and now he hangs from the Dragon Execution Platform.”
“Had you not emerged from seclusion soon, I was ready to head to Heaven myself.”
Qin Chuan’s eyes gleamed with clarity:
“So… the time has come, huh?”
Then he composed himself and replied solemnly, “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. This tribulation was written in Ao Lie’s destiny. Very soon, someone will rescue him.”
The woodcutter nodded, “If you hadn’t told me, I’d never have believed that Ao Lie was one of the fated ones in the Journey to the West.”
Ever since the Great Calamity began and the Heavenly Secrets were thrown into chaos, both Buddhism and Daoism had worked to obscure the truth of the Westward Journey. It was only recently that the woodcutter had managed to divine the truth for himself.
Qin Chuan said, “Senior Brother, before the Westward Journey officially begins, we must find a way to elevate Ao Lie’s cultivation to Taiyi Golden Immortal.”
“The Heavenly Dao merits from the Journey to the West — the Buddhists want it, the Daoists want it, the Heavenly Court wants it… and we of Fangcun Mountain want it too!”
The woodcutter responded confidently, “Rest assured, Junior Brother! After you told me all this, I reached out to a few of our senior disciples. While they’re currently beyond the Three Realms, they’re willing to lend their strength when needed.”
“Cultivation itself is a struggle — a contest with Heaven, Earth, and Man. Even the Master has tacitly approved of this, so we have no reason to hold back.”
Qin Chuan said gratefully, “Then I’ll leave it to you, Senior Brother. Since I’ve just emerged from seclusion, I shall go and pay respects to our Master first.”
The woodcutter nodded. Qin Chuan then activated Water Escape, reappearing before the cave of Patriarch Bodhi.
Pushing open the door, he saw Patriarch Bodhi in deep meditation. As Qin Chuan entered, the Patriarch opened his eyes — radiant as twin rising suns.
“Master!” Qin Chuan bowed respectfully.
Looking at his disciple, the Patriarch’s expression showed both gratification and subtle complexity.
“Back then, I thought Sun Wukong would be the one to stir up trouble. Never imagined your path would be even more grand.”
Qin Chuan replied earnestly, “Master, all the senior brothers seem to think the same.”
Patriarch Bodhi sighed softly, “Do what you must. Ever since that little dragon entered our sect, those rebellious disciples have become lively again. Fangcun Mountain… hasn’t been this lively in ages.”
Joy welled in Qin Chuan’s heart. He bowed again, “Thank you, Master!”
The Patriarch smiled, then added:
“But if you truly intend to fight for merit, those outside won’t treat you kindly anymore.”
“Your magical powers are unmatched among your peers, and you can hold your own against ordinary Da Luo Golden Immortals. But should you face a truly formidable opponent, you may be subdued in a single move.”
Qin Chuan immediately understood, bowed deeply, and said, “Thank you, Master, for the bestowed treasure!”
“Hahahaha~.”
With a chuckle, Patriarch Bodhi opened his palm. A strange object appeared — jade-like in color, shaped like a cone. Polished and refined, it was endless in potential.
“This is the Creation God Pestle— it generates the Five Elements and transforms all things.”
“It has five ridges, corresponding to the Five Elements. The tip is sharp as an arrow, and its brilliance can pierce all matter.”
“This treasure came to me by chance. It contains thirty-six innate seals, making it the pinnacle of low-grade Innate Spirit Treasures.”
“When wielded, it becomes weightless, but upon contact with anything, it strikes with irresistible force — nothing can withstand it.”
Innate Spirit Treasure?!
Qin Chuan’s eyes lit up. Back then, he’d long envied Yang Chan’s Bao Lian Lantern.
Though this Creation God Pestle was labeled as a low-grade innate treasure, the true strength of such items wasn’t solely defined by the number of innate seals.
Much depended on the type of treasure — and more importantly, how the owner used it.
Still, the more seals it had, the more perfect the treasure was.
“Many thanks, Master!”
Patriarch Bodhi waved his hand. “Go now.”