Chapter 8: Invisibility Spell (1)

Yao Yang and Yi Xian exchanged a glance, both uncertain of the reason, and neither dared to act rashly.

In the following days, Yaoyang and Yixian remained indoors, diligently studying the "Essentials of Mysterious Methods," particularly the "Eight Methods of the Mysterious Gate" and various extraordinary evasion techniques. Although they struggled to comprehend most of the content in the final volume, they managed to engage with the other material reasonably well. However, the flowers and plants in the estate suffered greatly at the hands of the two, and even the little spirit monkey, Bai, was no exception.

Indeed! The venerable Chi Bo nodded in approval, and suddenly seemed to recall something, sighing, "It is a pity that the artifact has been stolen for over five hundred years, and only recently did I discover that our sacred object has fallen into the hands of a nine-tailed fox... She possesses profound magical powers and is hidden within the imperial palace of the royal city. Alas, five hundred years ago, Master Wu Wei took the blame and retreated, leaving our Eastern Sacred Dao Sect in a state of disarray, with very few disciples remaining due to their fear of the heavenly tribulation. This time, apart from Elder Shen, I have no other helpers on my journey to Chaoge. As the once-in-five-hundred-years heavenly tribulation approaches, could it be that heaven truly intends to destroy our Eastern Sacred Dao?"

This technique is called 'Hidden Spirit Escape Technique'. Do you wish to learn it

After the two brothers changed their clothes, they went straight to the inner hall of the front courtyard of the manor

"Good, good! I am immensely gratified; I truly did not misjudge you!" Chi Bo's mood appeared exceptionally excited as he stood up, vigorously patting the shoulders of the two brothers. With earnest sincerity, he said, "Given time, you will undoubtedly become the pillars of my Eastern Sacred Sect. At that time, the important task of promoting the profound teachings of our sect will be entrusted to you!"

This sect is a branch of the Xiantian Daoism affiliated with the ancient Dongsheng Shenzhou, hence the name "Dongsheng Dao." The disciples under this sect all distance themselves from the mundane world, practicing in seclusion to cultivate their skills. The position of the teaching master is referred to as the Wuwei Shengshi, selected from the disciples every five hundred years to take turns overseeing the sect's teachings and practices. In this manner, the lineage of the Daoist teachings has been passed down for several thousand years.

Before Chi Bo could continue speaking, the two brothers could no longer contain their curiosity about the unknown

Chi Bo arrived at the edge of the stone cliff, approximately ten feet away from the two brothers. He suddenly halted his steps, turned around, and said to the brothers with a solemn expression: "Now, I must first verify the results of your cultivation over these past few days"

Just thinking about how Xiaobai is daily tormented to the point of crying out and fleeing in all directions, with its century-old cultivated golden fur now appearing uneven and scorched, the two brothers can hardly contain their laughter.

Upon returning to the room, Yaoyang could no longer contain himself, exclaiming loudly as he picked up the "Essentials of Mysterious Methods" and eagerly flipped through the latter half of the volume, filled with excitement over the secrets of the mysterious methods and the techniques of cultivation, his emotions evident. Yiqin, having never encountered such an opportunity to directly face the mysteries of heaven and earth, was no exception.

What?" Yaoyang and Yixian both asked in unison

Chi Bo nodded in approval and smiled, saying: "Well, in any case, you must remember— the teachings of the sect are passed down, but cultivation depends on the individual. Ultimately, everything still relies on oneself, so continue to work hard!"

The two individuals nodded solemnly in agreement

Dressed in a black robe, Chi Bo stood with his hands clasped behind his back in front of the "Dragon Soaring Across the Seas" painting, wearing a contemplative expression. Upon hearing the footsteps of the two brothers entering the hall, he turned around and revealed a rare smile, kindly asking, "You are here! Have you been comfortable living here these past few days?"

Since you have already understood the reasoning behind it, just comprehend it on your own!" After Shēn Gōngbào finished speaking, he clapped his hands, and a creature that was neither ape nor beast entered the room, startling the two brothers.

Upon seeing the peculiar gaze of the two, Yaoyang smiled awkwardly and scratched his head, saying, "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"

Chibo's expression was grave, his eyes seemed to reflect distant thoughts, as he spoke eloquently

Yixian replied in a measured tone: "The unity is the fundamental principle of the original Dao; Yin and Yang are the progenitors of the two vital energies; the practice of magic emphasizes the integration of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity; it is also essential to distinguish the interactions and relationships of the four cardinal directions; Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth are the foundational elements of the Five Elements, representing the intrinsic nature where all laws converge!"

Leaning on the strings, as if in deep thought, he said: "If that is the case, does our sect's 'Return to Origin Jade' mean it is a treasure that can evade heavenly tribulations?"

Faced with such exquisite arcane arts, how could the two brothers have the slightest hesitation? Without a moment's thought, they nodded in agreement and said: "We are willing!"

Chi Bo perceived their doubts and responded with profound meaning: "You have been studying the 'Essentials of Mysterious Methods' these days, and you should have made some progress. Today, I will test you. What are the most important elements in the way of mysterious methods in the world?"

Do not stand on ceremony! Chi Bo waved his hand casually and said, "I heard Elder Shen say that your comprehension is exceptionally high, and you have basically mastered most of the secrets of the profound arts!"

A familiar voice echoed from behind. The two brothers turned their heads to see Chi Bo, unscathed, standing amidst the swirling morning mist, earnestly inquiring.

After a while, Tao Er finally caught her breath and, with a hint of annoyance, threw a flirtatious glance at the two of them, saying: "The esteemed one has returned and wishes to see you. Quickly change your clothes and come with me to meet him!" With that, she laughed charmingly and led Xiao Bai away.

Yao Yang and Yi Xian received the talisman, only to feel its touch soft and its texture no different from ordinary silk. Thus, they fiddled with it for quite some time, left and right, unable to believe that this five-inch square piece of yellow silk, seemingly embroidered with strange and intricate patterns in golden threads, was truly as powerful as Chi Bo had claimed.

"It is not that I am unwilling to take you to meet the Holy Master, but..." Chi Bo hesitated, shaking his head repeatedly. After a moment of hesitation, he finally sighed and said, "Since you are already disciples of my 'Eastern Sacred Path', I do not intend to hide anything from you any longer. Now, I will share with you the endless origins of our sect's teachings that have been passed down for a thousand years! Come, sit down and listen!"

After Chi Bo finished speaking, he led the two brothers out of the front hall, and the three of them went straight to the stone cliff in the back garden

"Oh?" The two brothers exclaimed in shock, unable to believe what was happening before their eyes

The imposing figure of Chibo suddenly vanished into thin air

Yao Yang had been holding back his words since he entered, and at this moment, he finally dared to ask: "Chibo, when can we accompany you back to the sect to pay our respects to the Holy Master?"

Chibo spoke as he took his seat at the head of the table. Upon hearing that it was about the origins and history of their sect, the two brothers immediately became more interested, gathering around Chibo and beginning to listen attentively to his narration

The two brothers' expressions changed drastically upon hearing this; they had originally thought that cultivating immortality was a matter of freedom and artistic expression, but now they realized that it was fraught with numerous hardships and was anything but ordinary

The two opposing forces of cold and heat surged wildly, colliding with each other, producing an extraordinary resonant sound. The drastically different powers stirred and splashed, emitting dazzling light that illuminated the endless void of morning mist before the cliff.

The peach tree outside the door, upon seeing the two individuals with their tattered clothes due to training and their bruised faces, was first taken aback, then covered its mouth with its hand, struggling to suppress a laugh.

Chi Bo nodded in response and said: "Indeed, this item is the sacred artifact of our sect, and it certainly possesses its uniquely exceptional functions! You have just begun your journey, and your time spent in the path of cultivation is still short; you must be unaware of what the greatest obstacle is for those who cultivate the Dao, encountered in the extremes of heaven, earth, and the human realm."

Chibo stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly indifferent as if he did not see anything at all

Chi Bo smiled knowingly and said, "You first stand in place, then unleash your respective most proficient mystical powers, and attack me together!" After saying this, he turned around, facing away from the two, standing with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cliff, no longer paying attention to any of the brothers' movements.

The two brothers had been troubled by the lack of an opportunity to show off, and upon hearing this, they could not help but feel eager to try. Yaoyang, in particular, could not wait to ask: "Chibo, how do you wish to test us? Please, go ahead and say it."

Yao Yang casually walked up to Xiao Bai, grinning mischievously as he patted its shoulder, nodding repeatedly while offering a few compliments, his face displaying a considerate and comforting expression, and he even winked at Yi Xian.

The eloquent words not only left Chibo deeply shocked once again, as he stared at Yaoyang in disbelief for a long time, but also left his brother Yixian extremely astonished, displaying an expression of surprise he had never shown before as he looked at Yaoyang

Upon hearing this, Yi Xian and Yao Yang were instantly filled with fervor and righteous indignation. Yi Xian resolutely and firmly said: "Chi Bo, are not the two of us brothers still under the Eastern Sacred Sect? If there is anything you need from us, please do not hesitate to say!"

Peeking in from outside the door, the sneaky little Bai made his appearance. Tao'er could still hold back her laughter, but when she saw Bai's disheveled golden fur and his aggrieved expression, she finally couldn't help it. A burst of laughter, as clear and melodious as silver bells, escaped her lips, causing her slender waist to bend with mirth.

With a flash of brilliance, the answer came out: "One Yuan, Two Qi, Three Talents, Four Symbols, Five Elements"

Sister Tao'er?" Yaoyang and Yixian exchanged a glance of disbelief, hurriedly opened the door, and indeed, it was the charming maid Tao'er, whom they had not seen for some days.

With a broad smile, Yao Yangxuan said, "Chibo, since we are disciples of the Eastern Sacred Sect, we should share both blessings and hardships. Although our understanding of the profound techniques is still limited as we have just entered the sect, as long as we are determined, we can surely come up with better solutions for everything!"

Yao Yang noticed the苦忍的笑意 on Tao Er's pretty face, feeling a wave of confusion in his heart. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Is there something funny?" Leaning against the strings, Yi Xian's handsome face turned red, clearly feeling that his appearance was indeed not very pleasing.

Good! Chi Bo nodded in approval and then asked: "So, what do you mean by the One Principle, the Two Energies, the Three Talents, the Four Symbols, and the Five Elements?"

Shen Gongbao cast a glance at the golden-haired monster and coldly sneered, "This spirit monkey is called Xiaobai, and from now on, it will be responsible for taking care of your daily needs and meals!" After saying this, he turned around proudly and walked slowly out of the room

As for the pain in the meridians after each practice of the mysterious method, it is indeed as Shen Gongbao stated, the frequency decreases from many to few, and the intensity shifts from severe to mild, until it gradually fades away and no longer recurs

The two brothers, upon receiving the affirmation and encouragement from their master, felt even more invigorated and inspired, and in unison declared: "Disciples will certainly not disappoint the esteemed expectations of our respected teacher"

"There is no need for such formality!" Chi Bo helped the two up and said, "Follow me!"

The gentle autumn breeze caresses the face, the light morning mist swirls around, and the vibrant greens and reds are pleasing to the eye. Everything in the back garden resembles a fairyland, easily evoking a sense of illusion that feels remarkably real

The scorching heat of "Tian Huo Yan Jue" and the biting cold of "Ao Han Jue" unleashed a tremendous energy, intertwining and converging at an astonishing speed under the synchronized shouts of the two brothers, launching an attack towards Chi Bo, who was about ten feet away.

"Sacred Artifact" Returning to the Original Jade? The two brothers were taken aback and their curiosity was piqued. Yaoyang, unable to contain himself, asked eagerly: "What is that thing? It must have some very important use, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chi Bo was immediately shaken, looking at the two exceptionally gifted young men before him in disbelief. He never expected that these two brothers could comprehend such a comprehensive theory of the mysterious arts merely from a half-rolled, incomplete manuscript of the "Essentials of the Mysterious Arts". A deep admiration for talent arose within him.

Chi Bo sensed the thoughts of the two and shouted sternly: "There is no need to pay attention to or be concerned about anything. I have cultivated my profound abilities for over 500 years; would I really fall into your hands? There is no need to hesitate, just go ahead and act!"

The two brothers were taken aback, exchanging a puzzled glance, feeling greatly confused in their hearts. Yi Xian hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Chibo, is it possible that we are still not qualified to receive teachings from the sect?"

Since all beings exist within the Three Realms and Six Paths, how can they defy the natural order of heaven and earth? Therefore, although the methods of cultivation in the Xuanmen can alleviate the suffering of birth, aging, illness, and death that ordinary mortals endure, the profound truth of the unity of heaven and earth dictates that once anomalies or signs appear in the cosmos, all practitioners of the Dao will inevitably feel the calamity as if it were their own. This is because the heavenly forces clash with the earthly, which is different from the usual sufferings of life, hence it is called the Heavenly Calamity.

It is still quite good! These achievements are actually thanks to the wise guidance of Elder Shen and you, Sir Chi! Although the two brothers do not dare to be arrogant in their words, their humble yet proud smiles still reveal a sense of self-satisfaction and pride.

At this moment, Xiao Bai instinctively took a few steps back, hugging his head with both arms, which elicited another round of hearty laughter from the three.

Chibo spoke each word slowly and deliberately, his gaze fixed intently on the two individuals who were listening with a serious demeanor, and he gradually explained

As expected, after a moment of painful struggle, the two brothers found that the pain had disappeared on its own. They patted the dust off their bodies and, in disbelief, moved their bodies a bit, finding no signs of any abnormal condition.

Upon hearing that they could learn the supreme mystical arts, the two brothers were immediately overjoyed and hurriedly bowed their heads in gratitude.

Yao Yang and Yi Xian woke up early, casually putting on their clothes, and each found a spot near the door. They exchanged a brief glance and prepared their incantations, waiting for the arrival of Xiao Bai

In the early morning, Yangmingshan, Dongxuan Bieyuan

Yao Yang shrugged nonchalantly, and pretended to be carefree as he tossed his head, pointing to the door and saying: "Xiao Bai is here!"

Heavenly Calamity

Tao Er curiously asked, "How did the two young masters end up like this after just a few days of not seeing each other?"

"Good! You two come here." Yaoyang and Yixian followed his words and stepped forward. Chi Bo took out two golden talismans from his bosom and handed them to them, saying, "This talisman is called 'Yinling Talisman'—for disciples with shallow cultivation, spells such as 'Yinling Escape Technique' require too much mystical energy. If one relies solely on their own foundational cultivation, even if they can cast the spell, it is likely that it will not last long. Therefore, the masters of our sect throughout the generations have infused their own mystical energy into the talismans, resulting in various magical tools and talismans!"

Yao Yang hurriedly raised his eyebrows and pointed at the monster, saying to Yi Xian: "Tell me, do you still not believe it? It was this thing that knocked on the door this morning, almost scaring me to death early in the morning!"

Shen Gongbao stood unmoved, his eyes flashing with a strange light, completely unaware as he gazed at the scene before him. He coldly remarked: "There is no need to panic; this is a natural process of the Xuan energy adapting to the body’s meridians. Just bear with it for a moment, and it will be fine. Similar situations will occur in the future, but they will gradually diminish as the mastery of the Xuan method improves"

Yao Yang and Yi Xian felt pleasantly surprised and hurriedly expressed their appreciation in unison, followed by bowing to pay their respects.

However, five hundred years ago, the orderly system that had been in place for thousands of years within our sect was completely disrupted, all due to the inexplicable theft of the sect's sacred artifact, the 'Return to Origin Jade'

Chibo uttered a few mournful cries, tears streaming down his face, his gaze vacant and dazed as he sat there in a withered state, as if he had suddenly aged significantly, completely devoid of the extraordinary demeanor characteristic of a master of the mysterious arts.

As the two forces were about to strike Chibo, Yaoyang and Yixian were taken aback, unable to contain their urge to shout a warning. Suddenly, an extraordinarily bizarre scene unfolded before the brothers.

Yao Yang and Yi Xian followed closely behind Chi Bo, contemplating what kind of superior mystical arts they were about to learn, unable to contain their excitement. They frequently glanced around, feeling that the scenery in the garden had never been as delightful as it was today

After a moment, light footsteps gradually approached the room, and with a few gentle knocks on the door, a soft and sweet voice called out: "Have the two young gentlemen risen?"

Those who practice the path of cultivation do so through specific laws, avoiding the tribulations of life and death, and directly entering the ultimate realm of the unity of heaven and humanity. They transcend the Three Realms, are no longer bound by the Five Elements, and are not subject to the natural laws of the Six Paths. However, due to the constraints of the laws that cannot reverse the heavenly order, they are most fearful of the calamities brought about by celestial anomalies

Chi Bo patted the shoulders of the two and comforted them, saying: "In fact, the heavenly tribulation is not terrifying! For thousands of years, every sect and school within the Xuanmen has developed their own methods to cope with the principles of life and death in their foundational practices. For instance, they have devised ways to avoid calamities through formations, barriers, or secret treasures, among other methods..."

Chibo remained silent for a long time upon hearing this, and let out a deep sigh.

Although Shen Gongbao superficially spoke words of comfort to the two brothers, he was well aware that this was because their vital energy had never undergone the cultivation of the Dao foundation. They could not withstand the magical intensity of the "Golden Puppet Talisman," which would naturally lead to signs of backlash. Over time, this would gradually dissipate, but if it persisted for too long, it would form a chronic ailment that could endanger their lives. However, since he was merely using them, he thought that the consequences were not his concern.

"It is!" How could Yaoyang and Yixian dare not heed the reprimand? They immediately straightened their expressions and awaited further instructions, each quietly maintaining the foundational energy in their Dantian. They silently recited the incantations and performed the hand gestures of the法印, channeling the gathered energy, which was stimulated by the玄门法诀, to form different polarities of玄能 power within their bodies.

Chibo nodded with satisfaction and said, "Since that is the case, today I shall impart to you a superior mystical method of my Eastern Sacred Path, for your future needs!"

Although the two brothers had many questions in their hearts, such as why it was not Tao'er who served them, and why a golden-haired strange monkey was called Xiao Bai, among other inquiries, they did not dare to speak out in front of the always cold and stern Elder Shen. Instead, they simply bowed and expressed their gratitude, respectfully escorting Shen Gongbao out of the room