Chapter 2, Gaining Opportunities

Although it is unclear what has transpired, it is certain that it must be due to this jade. Baiyun Tower raised his hand to place the jade on his forehead, and the originally ethereal sensation became increasingly vivid. The area between his eyebrows felt slightly swollen, and the sense of intimacy grew stronger.

The first taste of wine, though it is merely the sweet and refreshing flavor of rice wine, still leaves the youth in a state of inebriation, tossing and turning in dreams of the past

Opening the last wooden box, I found a piece of jade, about the size of a fist, smooth all over, with one side relatively flat. It felt cool to the touch, penetrating to the heart. I wonder what my father intended to convey by giving me this jade; it seems quite suitable as a paperweight.

Old Bai happened to come across it and, recalling the young master at home and his preferences, casually bought it back. According to the woodcutter, this jade was found while chopping wood in the mountains to the west

Pushing open the half-closed wooden window, I gaze at the starry sky outside, deep and vast, while listening to the distant sounds of the marketplace, chaotic yet full of vitality

This is a feeling that has never been experienced in a drunken dream, subtle yet distinct, and the more one observes, the clearer the sense of intimacy with the jade green becomes

After several attempts, finding no other abnormalities, Baiyun Tower then placed the green jade into a wooden box for safekeeping, intending to ponder and study it slowly when time permits

At this moment, the thoughts in Baiyun Tower are clear and pure. With the starlight as a backdrop, gazing at the jade paperweight in my hand, I feel as if this jade has become a bit more familiar.

However, I still said: "Recently, I have been somewhat idle. Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles; it is indeed time to go out for a walk. But, father, what is the origin of the piece of jade you gave me?"

Old Bai picked up a wine glass and handed a cup to Bai Yunlou, continuing, "Today, the box of items I send you is considered a farewell gift for your journey."

Baiyun Tower hurriedly grasped the sword in hand, playing with it for a moment. The sword appeared simple in design, yet was crafted with exquisite workmanship

The azure light entered the sea of consciousness within the White Cloud Tower, transforming into scattered phosphorescence. The originally chaotic sea of consciousness gained a hint of dim light, and the luminescence spread over an area of approximately one yard before gradually coming to a halt

In the past, at Baiyun Tower, I learned some methods of calming the mind and entering a meditative state from ancient texts, yet I was always disturbed by shallow thoughts and distractions, preventing me from accessing the path. Unexpectedly, today I was able to achieve it in one go, effortlessly entering a state of tranquility, purity, and clarity

Dinner is the main meal of the Bai family. During noon, Old Man Bai was resting in the bedroom. When it was time for dinner, Old Man Bai specifically asked the cook to call Bai Yunlou to come and eat.

He casually took out a long wooden box, and upon opening it, he was surprised to find a dragon scale sword over two feet long

Since childhood, I have enjoyed watching tales of the supernatural and the strange from the White Cloud Pavilion. Occasionally, I would visit tea houses to listen to storytellers recounting tales of deities and strange occurrences. The Great Xia Kingdom has been established for over 3,000 years, enduring numerous trials and tribulations, rising and falling through the ages. Yet, there exists an unseen force that has been safeguarding the Great Xia Kingdom, allowing it to stand strong and unyielding to this day

After tidying up several stacks of books, Baiyun Building finally noticed that in addition to two small wooden boxes, there was also a long wooden case at the bottom of the box

A gentle breeze caresses the face, and the body and mind feel transparent; this is the current sensation at Baiyun Tower

Speaking of this piece of jade, Old White became quite interested. It turns out that at the entrance of the merchant street in the capital, a woodcutter selling firewood was offering this piece of jade for sale

Having finished tidying up, I picked up the newly arrived book beside me and settled into the armchair to browse through it. Before I knew it, it was already time for dinner, and even lunch had been brought to the study by the cook.

This world is still the same as it was before, yet it seems to have become much clearer and more vivid

Beneath the mind, clouds and mist swirl, and my essence gently floats upon this cloud and mist. Scattered around are numerous azure glowing points, twinkling faintly like stars. It goes without saying, this is indeed my sea of consciousness.

Inwardly observing this thread of consciousness, faint and weak, with a subtle radiance, suddenly, the white cloud tower brings a blessing to the mind, guiding this thread of spirit to drift towards a distant point of azure light

Baiyun Tower felt no drowsiness, so he went to the study, lit two oil lamps, and picked up the book that was resting on the table to continue his research.

In the sea of consciousness, strange phenomena gradually emerged; the turbid energy sank while the pure energy rose, as if this one-zhang square sea of consciousness had divided into heaven and earth

After taking a sip, Old Bai said, "This time passing through Jiangnan Prefecture, I happened to catch the spring enrollment of Xinlu Academy, which occurs once every three years. With your academic credentials, you have already registered. Xinlu Academy offers a wide range of subjects and is open to all. You should go and take a look, just to broaden your horizons"

As dawn approaches, the alley next door awakens, the street vendors set up their stalls, the sound of water boiling fills the air, and the crackling of firewood in the stove resonates. The hurried footsteps of early risers echo from afar, passing over the courtyard wall and through the window panes, rousing the youth lying on the lounge chair. Baiyun Building has come to life.

At the dining table, Old Bai looked at Bai Yunlou across from him with satisfaction: "Yunlou, you have grown up now and have your own achievements. If you can achieve a high rank in next year's imperial examination, I would certainly be pleased. However, over the past two years, I have encountered many strange and wonderful things while dealing with goods. The accounts you read in those books should not all be mere fabrications. Given your usual interests, it seems your aspirations lie beyond mere fame and fortune."

The refreshing coolness and the slight intoxication allow the youth's consciousness to settle in a haze, as if floating and sinking in chaos. In a certain moment, a flash of azure light suddenly darts from the jade, leaping into the youth's brow.

Suddenly, the mind entered a place of brightness. Once the White Cloud Tower calmed the slightly agitated spirit, it finally began to slowly discern this small world.

The moon is bright and the stars are few, the night is cool like water

The sinking murky air gradually coalesces below into a sea of clouds, resembling a dark and mysterious dream, drifting aimlessly

The rising clear air seems to possess a spirit, gathering and dispersing at times, as if breathing in and out

I have long heard that the Longquan Mountain Villa's Dragon Scale Sword is forged through countless trials, with only a few being produced each year. I never expected that my father would be able to bring one back this time he went out, truly impressive

With a slight focus of the mind, sitting on the mat in the Baiyun residential complex, one gradually calms the spirit.

After playing with the Dragon Scale Sword for a while, I opened a small wooden box, which contained an ink stone. Beside the ink pool of the ink stone, there was a carved little mouse, poised to drink the ink, exquisitely lifelike

Due to the exceptionally unusual texture of this jade, even with the utmost effort of chopping with an axe, not a single mark would be left. However, the woodcutter is asking for fifty guan, and he has not managed to sell it even after half a day.

Before long, under the influence of alcohol, Baiyun Tower fell into a drowsy slumber on the lounge chair

"Where are you going on your long journey?" Baiyun Tower asked in confusion

Subsequently, the mind gradually converged, focusing on the sea of consciousness located one inch within the center of the eyebrows as described in the Daoist scriptures

Old Bai is in good spirits tonight, and Young Master Bai is accompanying him to drink to his heart's content

The scattered luminescence drifts with the clear air, floating and sinking amidst the sea of turbid clouds. Within the bounds of a zhang, vitality emerges in the flickering glow, while beyond it remains a chaotic expanse

After taking the distant green jade, the sense of closeness gradually diminishes, yet when closing my eyes, I can still perceive the general direction, akin to the sensation of discerning location by sound. When taken beyond ten feet, this sense of closeness has completely vanished.

Baiyun Tower had long sensed that this world was not merely the realm of mortals, and the visit to Liuyun Temple two years ago had confirmed this notion. Last night, in a drunken dream, the influence of the green jade caused a change in his spirit, which, though surprising, was not beyond acceptance

The round moon sinks in the west, the dark night is profound, the sleeping white cloud tower seems to feel the heat, in a state of half-sleep and half-wakefulness, it scoops the jade green from the table and presses it against the forehead

The White Cloud Tower is silent and choked with emotion, secretly indicating that you are my father. Everything has been arranged clearly, what more is there to say