Techniques and Dao

Chapter 39 Scene Reappearance
Every summer, around the time of the Xuanwu Festival, the largest sacrificial ceremony at the Shudao Academy, the academy takes a ten-day holiday. Except for those who need to help build the altar on Xuanwu Mountain, the remaining disciples cease all non-essential activities and devote themselves to fasting and self-cultivation.

After returning from the Tianmu Trial, Hua Sheng was already exhausted, and the injury nearly caused him to fall ill from overwork. Fortunately, the Daoist Academy provided some medicinal herbs, which he used both externally and internally, and he also rested in bed for two full days before regaining some strength.

As early summer approached and temperatures gradually rose, the sounds of insects and cicadas filled the Shudao Academy. After regaining some energy, Hua Sheng invited Tai Shang Xiao Jun to sit under a towering tree by Zuixin Lake that afternoon to cool off, and wrote in the "Book of Merits and Demerits" with a brush.

The so-called "Merit and Demerit Register" consists of "merit records" representing good deeds and "demerit records" representing bad deeds. Disciples of the Taoist Academy record their daily merits and demerits according to the "Taiwei Immortal Lord's Merit and Demerit Register," "Warning Merit and Demerit Register," and "Ten Precepts Merit and Demerit Register" issued by the academy. For example, each time a critically ill patient is treated, ten merits are recorded; killing an insect is recorded as one demerit. Once signed, the merit and demerit register is recorded daily; good words and deeds are recorded in the merit register, and bad words and deeds in the demerit register. Merits and demerits offset each other, and additions are made as appropriate based on the facts.

Hua Sheng wrote a few lines, then his mind began to race. Especially when he thought about Wei Yu, he knew he should find time to meet with her. He had originally intended to remove Tian Jizi, the obstacle between him and Wei Yu, but instead, he had met Mie Ying, which had led to a misunderstanding that shouldn't have happened.

Hua Sheng, preoccupied with his worries, found himself unable to continue writing. He put down his brush and said, "Supreme Lord, there's something that's been weighing on my mind..."

"Don't ask me about girls' affairs," Taishang Xiaojun continued writing to herself. "I only know gossip."

Hua Sheng could only chuckle dryly at Tai Shang Xiao Jun's double entendre.

Taishang Xiaojun asked, "Is it something else?"

"It happened during the game of cleverly seizing the box..."

"I imagine the invasion of the immortal array will keep the immortal masters busy for a while. There's nothing we can do to help."

Hua Sheng replied, "Actually, when we were inside that stone box, and in the place that initially resembled the Daoist Academy, I felt somewhat uneasy and strange."

"In that environment, I don't think anyone would remain calm, right? What's so strange about that?"

"To be honest, I really can't remember how I knew how to open the stone box back then. Also, there was that unfathomable space inside the fake academy..."

Hanamori then revealed what he had previously doubted as "his own perspective."

After listening, Taishang Xiaojun remained silent for a long time before saying, "According to what you've said, it is indeed a strange matter. Not only that, but the woman who looks like a witch behind us, for some reason, not only recognizes you, but also recognizes me and Tianjizi. In other words, this monster may have seen you before and even been to Shengpingning?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun shook his head again: "That's not right. The Hunyuan Path from Shengping Ning to the mortal world is not a place where people can walk around at will. Especially not with that kind of monster."

“This is precisely where my doubts and anxieties lie. But I cannot be certain about these issues, so I have not informed Master Yu Ran.”

"It seems this matter is much more complicated than we imagined."

Just as Tai Shang Xiao Jun was about to say something more, he suddenly saw a disciple from the Xi Yuan Academy flying over breathlessly. As soon as he landed, he said, "Are you Hua Sheng? Immortal Master Yu Ran has something to discuss with you."

"Have some water first. What's the rush?" Taishang Xiaojun casually conjured a cup of cool tea and flew it to the disciple.

The disciple picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp: "Immortal Master Yu Ran, Immortal Master Huo Lei, and Immortal Master Jue Guang are also here. I'm in a hurry to find Hua Sheng and bring her over!"

"I see. It must be because of the time you burned down the Sixian Pavilion with the Samadhi True Fire. The Xi Academy formed a temporary investigation team." Taishang Xiaojun said unhurriedly, "Today, they should be calling you over to inquire about the details."

Since it was his own fault, Hua Sheng dared not delay. He immediately packed up his brush and merit and demerit book and hurried over with the disciple. When he got close, he discovered that the place was actually inside the Yuxian Pavilion, which was diagonally opposite the Sixian Pavilion.

As Hua Sheng ascended the wooden stairs of the Imperial Immortal Pavilion, he saw that the Si Xian Pavilion across the way was undergoing repairs. Dozens of disciples from the Xi Yuan Academy and immortal masters were using magic. Many disciples were busy on the rooftop, in mid-air, and on the ground; some were coordinating and directing, and the disciples were working together to slowly repair and restore the rooftop. Seeing this scene, Hua Sheng felt even more ashamed.

However, since the purpose of this visit was to find out the reason, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go upstairs.

Taking three steps at a time, Hua Sheng arrived at the top floor, where the three immortal masters were already seated at their desks. To the left was Immortal Master Yu Ran, whom Hua Sheng recognized as a familiar figure, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Having spent the past six months primarily cultivating under Immortal Master Yu Ran's guidance, Hua Sheng considered himself his disciple. Therefore, he first bowed to Immortal Master Yu Ran.

On the far right was a tall, imposing immortal master with a full beard—the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master. In the middle was a handsome man who looked to be only about thirty years old; Hua Sheng was seeing him for the first time.

Besides these three immortal masters, Hua Sheng was surprised to find that Wei Yu and Tian Ji Zi were also standing to the side. Unlike before, Tian Ji Zi now held a whisk in his hand.

Hua Sheng wanted to greet Wei Yu, but fearing the timing might be inappropriate, he hesitated. Wei Yu sensed his thoughts but didn't respond, instead looking away. Hua Sheng sighed inwardly.

After the disciple who led the way left, Immortal Master Yu Ran spoke first: "Hua Sheng, these two are members of the inspection team dispatched by the Academy after the last incident." Immortal Master Yu Ran pointed to the immortal master with a full beard and said: "You must have seen this one in the Candlelight Battle, he is Immortal Master Huo Lei."

Hua Sheng bowed respectfully to Immortal Master Huo Lei: "Disciple greets Immortal Master Huo Lei!"

"The other one is Master Jueguang, the leader of this inspection team," Master Yuran said, pointing to the handsome man beside him.

"Greetings, Immortal Master Jueguang! Your disciple Hua Sheng has caused you all trouble."

Hua Sheng bowed again to Master Jueguang.

Master Yu Ran said, "Today we are going to perform a spell here, so we have asked two male and female disciples from the Xiyuan Disciple Committee to act as our protectors. This Wei Yu is the female disciple who helped us last time. She is the deputy registrar of the Disciple Committee."

At times like these, Hua Sheng can only keep her distance and pay homage to Wei Yu.

Hua Sheng then said, "I was wrong before. I have offended you by troubling you with your efforts. I apologize to Hua Sheng!"

Although he couldn't say it directly, Hanamori used a double entendre to express his apology.

Wei Yu still didn't look directly at Hua Sheng, but simply returned the greeting expressionlessly.

“The other one is Tianjizi, the registrar of the Disciples Committee.” Immortal Master Yu Ran pointed to Tianjizi, who was holding a whisk. Because the Imperial Immortal Pavilion was well-lit, Hua Sheng looked him over and found that Tianjizi was indeed handsome and had an extraordinary appearance.

Although he had successfully stopped Tianjizi's ten-year winning streak in the Tianmu Trial, Tianjizi was indeed somewhat ashamed in comparison at this moment.

Since Wei Yu's position was that of his deputy, they would inevitably be together frequently. Looking at himself, he felt like a novice in the art of magic. It was truly a case of comparing oneself to others, of comparing goods to discard them. Thinking of his current situation, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. Tian Jizi possessed an extraordinary bearing and would surely often serve as Wei Yu's protector. He hoped Wei Yu wouldn't get angry about what happened a couple of days ago and send him flying to some distant place. Thinking of this, Hua Sheng's heart sank.

"Hua Sheng, I've summoned you here hoping to recreate the scene from that day and get to the bottom of this incident." Master Yu Ran's words pulled Hua Sheng back to reality from his thoughts.

"Disciple understands!"

The Immortal Master Jueguang, seated in the middle, spoke up: "Because there is a magic array barrier set up in the Academy of Arts and Sciences, the scene can be recreated as long as the person involved is present. Huo Lei is an Immortal Master in our academy who is highly skilled in fire control. We hope that he can further examine the Samadhi True Fire you used that day and find out the reason behind it."

Master Yu Ran added, "As you probably know, the Samadhi True Fire is a Lingxiao-level immortal technique in Shengping Ning. It is a high-level spell that surpasses the Illusion and Profound Brightness levels. There are only a handful of people in the Art of Arts Academy who can master this technique, and almost all of them are immortals. Even in the vast Shengping Ning region, mortals who can cast the Samadhi True Fire are extremely rare. This is why the Academy attaches such importance to it and has invited the Dean of Studies, Master Jueguang, to participate in the investigation."

Hua Sheng pondered, realizing that this Master Jueguang was the head of the teaching affairs office at the academy. It seemed he needed to be extra careful and couldn't afford to be careless. If he left a bad impression, it would be difficult for him to get along at the academy in the future.

"Hanamori, it is said that you lived in the mortal realm since childhood and came to this place through a hidden amendment!"

A booming voice rang out, making Hua Sheng's eardrums buzz. Hua Sheng looked up and, sure enough, it was the Fire Thunder Immortal Master with a bushy beard asking him a question.

"That's right. I was taken in by a welfare home in the mortal world when I was a child. It was only before I came to Shengping Ning that I learned that my biological parents had passed away and that I had become an underage orphan. After I arrived here, I have been living in the Xiyuan Academy."

"What caused your death in the mortal realm?" Hanamoto has been searching for the answer to this question. Now, apart from the faint glow of fire on the sea, he can't remember anything else.

"I really can't remember why I died. I only remember that I was at the bottom of the sea, and I must have fallen into the sea due to some accident, but I have no memory of this part." Hua Sheng tried hard to think but still had no clue. "Just as the immortal masters mentioned earlier, there are immortal spells that can recreate the past of the person involved. Could they also recreate the accident I encountered? If so, perhaps there will be some new clues."

Master Yu Ran replied, "The reason the scene can be reproduced is because the Academy of Arts and Sciences is built on the back of the Xuanwu Spirit Turtle, which is itself a giant magic array. But even so, it can only trace back to the scene in the short term. The accident you experienced happened more than half a year ago and occurred in the mortal world, so it is probably difficult to reproduce."

"Let's get back to the main topic! Without further ado, we can begin." Immortal Master Jueguang pointed to the center of the room, where a Bagua diagram was carved on the wooden floor. Huasheng, guided by Immortal Master Yuran, sat cross-legged within the Bagua diagram. Immortal Masters Jueguang, Yuran, and Huolei sat in the outer triangular positions. Weiyu and Tianjizi sat in the southeast and northwest corners of the pavilion, respectively.

Wei Yu and Tian Jizi raised their hands parallel to each other, and a magical barrier immediately rose in the southeast and northwest corners. The barrier materialized from their palms and slowly expanded until it completely surrounded the four directions, thus forming a protective array.

"Hua Sheng, the success of this formation hinges on you. But you only need to concentrate your mind, clear your mind of distractions, and try to recall the scene as vividly as possible. The rest can be left to the immortal masters," Immortal Master Yu Ran instructed Hua Sheng.

Hua Sheng took a deep breath, clearing his mind and forgetting where he was, trying to recall the scene in the classroom. The three immortal masters closed their eyes, made hand seals, and chanted incantations. Then, countless points of light rose from the floor and swirled around Hua Sheng's body. The points of light occasionally passed through Hua Sheng's body, and Hua Sheng felt as if a warm breeze was passing through his body, giving him a strange illusion of his soul leaving his body.

Then, the numerous points of light converged into a ribbon of light about the thickness of a little finger, passing through Hana's right temple and flying out from the left. The flying points of light scattered in all directions, as if they were alive, flying towards their respective coordinates in the sky. Thus, starting from the space to Hana's left, a three-dimensional scene composed of points of light gradually began to emerge.

After about a few minutes, Master Jueguang said, "The magic array is complete! Huasheng, you can get up now."

Hana opened her eyes, and before her, countless points of light had connected, transforming into three-dimensional human figures and classroom objects. Right in front of her was a human figure composed of these points of light, arranged in the same pose she had struck during the spellcasting that day.

The three immortal masters stood up, and Hua Sheng followed suit. He saw that Wei Yu and Tian Ji Zi were still standing with their eyes closed, solemnly guarding the formation.

Then, Immortal Master Jueguang gently waved his hand, and the countless tiny points of light transformed from their original white color into a holographic image of the scene that had appeared on the entire rooftop.

Then, Master Jueguang moved his palm in the air, and the scene began to unfold and change according to time. The three-dimensional image of blooming flowers composed of colored light spots began to move linearly like a puppet.

Judging from the humanoid form that the light spot transformed into, Immortal Master Yu Ran was standing to Hua Sheng's left. Hua Sheng first attempted the fire control technique twice, both times unsuccessfully. Immortal Master Yu Ran then gave him some guidance, and Hua Sheng tried twice more, both ending in failure. Finally, Hua Sheng shouted, "Hurry, hurry, as the law commands! Strike! Strike! Strike!" Immediately afterward, he coughed up blood, and the withered leaf in the air emitted a dazzling light, followed by a violent explosion imbued with Samadhi True Fire.

Immortal Master Jueguang quickly reviewed this scene several times before freezing the image at the moment the cluster of withered leaves exploded. The scene at that time was a towering pillar of fire, almost occupying a quarter of the entire platform of the Yuxian Pavilion. Since the Yuxian Pavilion and the Simian Pavilion, where the accident occurred, were roughly the same size and shape, the width of the fire pillar was also about a quarter of that of the Simian Pavilion.

The colored lights not only simulated the scene at the time, but when the towering pillar of fire was recreated, even though it was just a simulation, Hanamori could still feel the astonishing heat. Hanamori's face was covered in sweat from the heat.

Master Jueguang adjusted the timeline slightly before the fire pillar exploded, and the fire in the center became slightly smaller. He said, "It is indeed the Samadhi True Fire of the Lingxiao level, consistent with the judgment of those present earlier. Moreover, not only is its mastery of fire profound, but its strength is also among the best of the Samadhi True Fires."

Master Jueguang asked Huasheng, "Huasheng, in your existing memories, have you ever come into contact with any cultivators or immortals?"

Hua Sheng shook her head like a rattle drum.

Master Yu Ran said, "That's natural. Saint Pingning has been in seclusion for a thousand years. Even if mortals cultivate Taoism or immortality, they mostly have only a superficial level of cultivation. How could they possibly cultivate to the Lingxiao level of immortal techniques?"

Immortal Master Jueguang said to Immortal Master Huolei, who was squinting at the flames, "Immortal Master Huolei, why don't you tell me what's hidden in these flames?"

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Master Huo Lei stepped forward and paced around the flames, carefully observing them from top to bottom. Then he reached out and placed his hand into the flames composed of specks of light. When he extended his hand, it was clear that his index finger and thumb were holding a tiny pinch of flames, as if he were taking a small ball of cotton from a large bag.

Seeing that Master Huo Lei's movements were extremely skillful, Hua Sheng wondered what he was doing and turned to ask Master Yu Ran, who was standing to the side.

"Immortal Master Yu Ran, what is Immortal Master Huo Lei doing?"

“Read the information within the flames,” Master Yu Ran explained. “When Saint Pingning was first established, it took into account the characteristics of immortals, humans, and spirits, as well as the immense destructive power that magic could potentially generate. Therefore, the seven founding immortal saints set up an extremely rigorous operating system. The use of immortal magic is restricted here. You may have powerful magic, but every time you use immortal magic, it will be recorded, and this record is not only with you. Every resident, plant, animal, and everything seen in Saint Pingning is a ‘record book.’ The administrators of Saint Pingning have the authority to read these records. Now, if I conjure a pot of water here, you can pick up any pebble on a mountain a thousand miles away, and as long as you have the reading authority, you can know my past spellcasting records.”

"So that's how it is. Even gods can't do whatever they want." Hua Sheng said thoughtfully.

"Restraint is the sacred path. Saint Pingning obtains balance and peace through this sacred path. As long as consciousness exists freely, every living being will have desires. Because a goal is a desire, no matter what your goal is. For example, a monk may be detached from all worldly desires, but abandoning desires is itself a desire. Seeking inner peace and seemingly being empty is itself a real thing. You have desires, and you also have the power to support them. Without restraint, Saint Pingning cannot permanently attain peace."

"Does the Fire Thunder Immortal Master have the authority to access immortal incantation information?"

“Our immortal masters do not have the authority to read all the immortal spell records of Sheng Pingning. However, in the Spell Dao Academy, we can retrieve the immortal spell information by recreating the magic array scene.”

At this moment, the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master's palms enveloped the ball of flame. He then stretched his palms outwards, causing the small flame to enlarge. After examining it for a long time, the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master suddenly revealed an extremely surprised expression: "Strange, could this be..."

"How was it?" Immortal Master Jueguang and Immortal Master Yuran asked in unison, "What discoveries have you made?"

“This Samadhi True Fire is indeed quite remarkable. If I’m not mistaken,” said the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master, “although the spell is performed by Hua Sheng, the incantation was not uttered by this person.”

Hua Sheng was greatly surprised upon hearing this.

"What do you mean?" Master Jueguang frowned. "You mean someone is hiding down there secretly using Samadhi True Fire?"

"No! This Samadhi True Fire wasn't cast on the spot," said the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master. "As everyone knows, once humans, spirits, and immortals cast spells within the territory of Shengping Ning, the incantation will bear the traces of the person who performed the hand seals, and these traces will remain in every blade of grass and tree in Shengping Ning, impossible to erase. If it were Hua Sheng casting the incantation, his traces would be in the True Fire. However, when I analyzed the flames in the recreated scene just now, I found traces of someone else. In other words, someone stored the Samadhi True Fire incantation within Hua Sheng's body, and Hua Sheng simply happened to release it at this moment."

Master Jueguang said with a solemn expression, "You know that it is impossible for a magic spell to be stored in another person's body. A magic spell cast by a person will inevitably bear the traces of the caster. If magic spells could be transferred between casters at will like objects, then Saint Pingning's control over magic spells would be meaningless."

“Indeed. Ordinary immortal spells cannot be temporarily stored in the bodies of others, even humans, spirits, or immortals,” said the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master. “But what’s strange is that Hua Sheng’s physique allows him to preserve the Samadhi True Fire. In fact, he stores this True Fire within his body like a container.”

Hua Sheng was completely confused: "After arriving in Shengping Ning, I shouldn't have had any contact with the Samadhi True Fire. What exactly happened?"

"When was this Lingxiao-level immortal technique implanted and preserved in his body? Can the timing be confirmed?" Immortal Master Yu Ran asked.

“Although the exact time cannot be determined for the time being, information about the caster can be found in these flames. And the caster has not returned to Shengping Ning for a long time,” said the Fire and Thunder Immortal Master.

Master Jueguang said, "Let's not discuss Huasheng's special constitution for now. Does this mean that the spellcaster hid the Samadhi True Fire within Huasheng's body before Huasheng came to Shengping Ning, that is, while he was in the mortal realm?"

“That’s right! That’s the only explanation,” Fire Thunder Immortal Master replied.

Immortal Master Yu Ran seemed to recall something: "He had records of immortal arts in Shengpingning, but hasn't returned to Shengpingning for many years? Could it be him?"

The three immortal masters looked at each other, seemingly having already guessed the answer.

At this moment, only Hua Sheng was still confused and hurriedly asked, "Fellow immortals, who are you talking about? Who did I meet before I came to Shengping Ning?"

Master Yu Ran walked up to Hua Sheng with a serious expression.

"Hua Sheng, try your best to recall if you ever met a deity before coming to Shengping Ning?"

Master Yu Ran pointed to the registrar Tianjizi, whose eyes were closed and who was sitting upright protecting him, and slowly said, "This immortal is Tianjizi's patriarch, that is, his father. He travels among mortals for many years, hiding his true name and showing himself under another name. But you must have heard his legend in the mortal world. He is Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Immortals!"

(End of this chapter)