Chapter Ten: Dreaming into the Ethereal, Paying Homage to Lu Ya 4

As soon as Bailin left, Haodan turned to look. The middle-aged man before him sported a strikingly peculiar hairstyle: one side of his hair was silvery as silk, the other jet-black and glossy, making for a vivid contrast. Upon his head sat a crown of dark-gold filigree, and he was robed in a great sun-gold Eight Trigrams garment, exuding an extraordinary presence that suggested the bearing of a sage who had attained the Dao.

"I am Haodan, a younger generation born in the eastern land of Shangqiu, a disciple of the branch of the Cave Heaven Yatai under the Path of Humanity atop Mount Song within the borders of Shang. I greet you, honored elder, and may I ask your esteemed name?" Haodan, well-versed in the courtesies of the immortal sects, naturally introduced himself before inquiring after the senior’s name, as was proper for one traveling afar.

"Heh heh heh... Young friend, there is no need for such formality. I am but a recluse of the wilds, unworthy of being called a master. However, since fate has brought you and me together, I shall make an exception today and tell you a thing or two." The middle-aged man’s demeanor was ever so carefree and composed, now even more relaxed and at ease. Confident and satisfied with his own cultivation, he shook his head as he spoke leisurely to the straightforward Haodan.

"I am but a wanderer of the mountains. Among the immortals of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, I am known as the Eccentric Immortal, whose heart waxes and wanes with feeling. To carve out this Void Spirit Illusion Realm, I labored with utmost care. This illusory, ethereal world is half-real, half-false—thus the name 'Void Spirit.' I have guarded this realm as its deity and, in less than a thousand years, achieved the might of a quasi-saint. Afterward, I traveled beneath the nine heavens and across the Four Seas and Eight Desolations. By chance, I encountered a mountain of exceptional spirit and beauty. Seizing the opportunity, I summoned the ancient Mountain God Yu Taigong, and with his power to move mountains, transported this peak into the Void Spirit Illusion Realm, naming it 'Lingyue Peak.' It was originally the sixth great mountain of the mortal world. Then I employed supreme arts to draw in the clouds, trees, rivers, and seas of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, merging them into this realm. Afterward, the Supreme Master Xuandu, Yu Xu Yuanshi, and the Lord of Tongtian, the three ancient sages of Sanqing, all visited in turn, exhorting me to retire to the Eastern Heavens of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations and remain hidden within this world, forbidden to leave so long as the mortal realm knew no chaos!"

"Not long ago, in the mortal land of Shangqiu, you crossed paths with an incarnation of mine in the woods. That incarnation, wounded in battle against an ancient fiend and having driven it from the mortal world, was gravely injured. You, instead of shunning me, tended to me with care, healing my wounds. In gratitude for your kindness, I left behind my Celestial Slayer Flying Blade in the mulberry grove, awaiting the destined one—yourself. I am but a recluse of Western Kunlun, named Lu Ya. Do you now understand the cause of all this?"

Upon hearing this, Haodan immediately grasped the reason and politely bowed deeply in respect. "I, Haodan, greet Daoist Lu Ya!"

"Young friend, please rise; in my presence, such formalities are unnecessary," Lu Ya said, waving his hand to bid Haodan stand.

Lu Ya then fixed a steady gaze on Haodan, smiling in silence, which left Haodan somewhat at a loss. "Young friend, earlier I told you only the first part. Today, seeing you again, there is a second reason. I wonder if you are interested to hear it?"

"Senior Lu Ya, please speak freely. I am all ears and eager to hear your words in detail."

"Hahaha, excellent!"

"A thousand years ago, after the War of the Ancient Gods, the ancient deities and great immortals either withdrew into seclusion or fell into slumber. The ruler of the Celestial Court, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, suffered an untimely demise, and the ancient Celestial Court was no more. The current Thirty-Six Heavens of the celestial realm are fractured remnants of that past after the devastation of war. The destruction was immense, its reach vast, and from it arose a crisis unseen since ancient times: 'The Severance of Heaven and Earth.' The celestial realm is divided into thirty-six heavens, and the current Ninefold Heaven is merely a lower division. Since the Severance, those in the upper heavens may not descend to the lower or to the mortal world, lest they suffer the divine punishment of heavenly law, the consequences of which are dire. Now, the lower heavens are guarded by the disciples of the Lord of Tongtian of the Interception Sect, whose strength and influence are unrivaled, causing much resentment among other immortals. Of course, that is beside the point for now—let us set it aside!"

"The battle of a thousand years ago was instigated by the twelve ancestral witches of the Wu tribe, whose ancient divine blood gave them power equal to the entire Eastern Divine Realm. The Eastern Emperor Taiyi was the supreme sovereign of the Eastern Heavens, King of the Gods, the Ancient Celestial Emperor. His might could shake the heavens and earth! Most noteworthy was his companion artifact, the 'Chaos Bell,' later named the 'Eastern Emperor Bell' after recognizing its master—a supreme treasure of offense and defense, a peerless sacred weapon. Taiyi’s skills surpassed all others, but with such gifts came arrogance and a solitary disposition. Acting alone, he ventured into the Wu tribe’s domain, challenged the ten great ancestral witches, and severed the sacred tree linking the Wu tribe to the divine realm, provoking their wrath. Thus began a battle lasting forty-nine days and nights, and it is said that in the end, both sides perished, with only a few great witches surviving—all the rest fell!"

Seeing Haodan’s growing interest, Lu Ya continued, “Thus the war ended. But most crucially, the Eastern Emperor Taiyi’s artifact, the Eastern Emperor Bell, vanished from the world, becoming the first great eternal mystery of the postwar era! None have unraveled it since. Yet today, since meeting you, this earth-shaking riddle is, to my mind, all but solved!”

With that, Lu Ya’s smile deepened, and he traced small circles in the air with his horsetail whisk, gazing at the bewildered Haodan.

...

Haodan noticed that Lu Ya’s eyes were fixed on the golden bell hanging from his neck and, perplexed, thought to himself—could it be...? He ventured with disbelief, “Senior Lu Ya, are you saying that the golden bell on my neck is actually the legendary Eastern Emperor Bell?”

“Sharp as a blade, you see the truth at once!” Lu Ya exclaimed, clearly pleased.

“Is it truly so?”

Haodan was dumbfounded. The golden bell around his neck had been with him since birth, his constant companion, and even King Wu Cheng Tang, who had raised him for seventeen years, had never breathed a word about it.

“You need not be so surprised! I imagine you do not know the reason, but I can deduce a little. Yet, by the mandate of fate, I cannot reveal too much lest I violate the secrets of Heaven and damage my own Dao. But do not be troubled—soon enough, you will learn the truth for yourself,” said Lu Ya, waving his whisk.

“Then how do I wield such a divine artifact? Please, senior, grant me your guidance!” Haodan was both shocked and overjoyed, barely able to contain his excitement as dictated by propriety.

Lu Ya, seeing through his feelings, smiled and said, “Do not be impatient! To be chosen by such a primordial treasure speaks of extraordinary destiny, but it also signifies a great tribulation in your fate. Whether you can survive your trials and ascend to the heavens as a true deity—that depends on your own fortune!”

“A tribulation?” Haodan asked, puzzled. “Why must there be a tribulation?”

“You may not know, young friend, but in this world there are countless powerful immortals and gods. Even if those in the celestial realm do not covet it, outsiders certainly will. All who possess primordial treasures are renowned throughout the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, and an artifact like the Eastern Emperor Bell will inevitably arouse envy. As the ancient saying goes: 'A man is innocent, but bearing a treasure is a crime.' To possess it, you must first master it; and if you master it, you must also have the strength to defend it!”

Lu Ya then smiled without another word.

“And if I cannot master it? What then?” Haodan persisted.

“You will die!” For once, Lu Ya’s tone grew grave. “And die a terrible, terrible death!”

Haodan’s face sobered as he pressed his fists together in a formal salute, “I beg your guidance, elder! There are matters of life and death yet unfinished for me—I dare not die before my time! Please, grant me your aid!”

“To seek your true origins!” Lu Ya cut to the heart of the matter.

Haodan was stunned. This secret, he believed only King Wu Cheng Tang in the world knew—how could Lu Ya be aware? Had he read his thoughts?

“Precisely!” Haodan did not attempt to hide it, declaring firmly.

Lu Ya nodded with a gentle smile. “Why not give up the Eastern Emperor Bell, then?”

“I cannot give it up, nor dare I!” Haodan replied without hesitation. “Besides, I have never been one to abandon what I began! Since it chose me, I must not let it down!”

“Good lad! Such ambition!” Lu Ya sat up, shaking out his voluminous robe.

With a slight gesture, Lu Ya drew Haodan closer and began to intone: “In the vast cosmos, Heaven and Earth are mysterious and yellow, Sun, Moon, and stars—by me the Dao is witnessed!”

At once, the golden bell on Haodan’s neck blazed with light, illuminating the surroundings before swiftly dimming. Lu Ya shook his head. “I just now used my power to try to awaken the Eastern Emperor Bell, but after the great war a thousand years ago, it is likely gravely damaged and now lies in deep slumber. A divine artifact of this sort is guarded by its own spirit, and unless that spirit awakens, it is no more than scrap metal, of no use at all.”

“When, then, can I awaken it?” Haodan asked, unwilling to accept this, his urgency clear.

Lu Ya, sensing his anxiety, consoled him, “When the time is right, it will awaken on its own. But before that day, you must raise your own strength for self-preservation. If you should meet mighty immortals or gods, how will you protect it?”

“Senior, I, Haodan, wish to take you as my master! Please accept this student’s bow!” Haodan dared not imagine the future—if only he could receive instruction from Lu Ya here, he would surely master supreme powers and be able to slay demons and protect the people beneath the heavens, as well as serve King Wu Cheng Tang, his foster father, to eradicate evil for the masses. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; if not for his fateful encounter with Lu Ya’s incarnation in the bamboo grove, he would never have had such fortune.

“I shall take no more disciples in this life—Bailin is my first and last!” Lu Ya’s tone was gentle, neither a rejection nor an acceptance.

“Your words are ambiguous, senior. If not as a disciple, may I at least receive your teachings?” Haodan pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Lu Ya smiled helplessly, his manner unrestrained, “Very well. In recognition of your earlier kindness, I grant you use of the Celestial Slayer Flying Blade for a time. When the moment comes, I shall reclaim it myself.”

“Bailin has followed me for years and grown weary of it. You shall accompany her for seven years—how much you learn depends on your own effort and her mood! Hahaha...” With these words, Lu Ya turned into a wisp of smoke and drifted away.

Haodan stood dazed for a moment, then heard light footsteps behind him.

“Seven years here are but seven days in the mortal world.”

Bailin’s clear voice sounded behind him. Haodan immediately turned and bowed, “Elder Sister Bailin, please accept your junior’s bow!”

“Ah, Master has not agreed to take you as a disciple—best keep the 'Elder Sister' for now!” Dressed in white as pure as snow, Bailin raised a delicate hand to prevent his salutation.

“A moment ago, Senior Lu Ya asked me to remain by your side. From now on, I will do your bidding. Should there be any labor or toil, Immortal Bailin need only command me—Haodan is willing to serve you loyally!” Haodan declared earnestly, pressing his fists together.

In the city of Shangqiu, though Haodan was nominally a disciple under Nantongzi of the Southern Cave Heaven branch of the Path of Humanity, Nantongzi had never formally accepted him as such. This shameless fellow simply paraded around under the title of third-generation disciple, but at least he had never committed any evil—otherwise, the Seven Heroes of Cave Heaven would never have let him off. Having followed the headmaster Nantongzi for over a decade, he well knew that he had been entrusted to him by King Wu Cheng Tang. This, ever since he learned of his origins, had become a knot in his heart.

Thus, no matter what humiliation or hardship he faced, he was determined to master immortal arts. This was a rare chance—if not for the fateful encounter in the bamboo grove, he would never have had such an opportunity.

“No need for flattery before me. Though Master has not taken you as a disciple, he tacitly permits you to study here, but for reasons too complex to explain. Once you have learned, you must not speak carelessly in the outside world. Should you bring trouble to Master, I will not forgive you!” Bailin spoke with the authority of a senior. “Once you have mastered the arts, do not use the Celestial Slayer Flying Blade lightly—unless your life is truly at stake, it must not be shown before the world.”

“And if you parade around as Master’s disciple and bring calamity, do not blame me for being harsh. I swear by Heaven and Earth and the Nine Hells, if you dare, I will crush your soul beneath Mount Tai, where the Lord of the Underworld’s disciples will guard it for eternity—you will suffer every torment, lashed by the thunder whip, forever and ever!”

“Must you be so cruel? Then perhaps I had best not learn at all?”