From Celestial Official to Great Celestial Venerable

Chapter 7 Mysterious Light Mirror

Qin Chuan was delighted with the leap in spiritual consciousness brought about by the Thirteen Transformations of the Divine God, but he did not ignore the hidden dangers lurking in this technique.

One must break through to the next level within a limited timeframe; otherwise, one's divine sense will swell and the Niwan Palace will collapse, resulting in death and the dissipation of one's Dao.

"If it were an ordinary person, they would probably feel like a sword hanging over their head, not knowing when it would fall, living in constant fear and forced to cultivate diligently without stopping. But for me, this seems... not to be a problem."

He weighed the options calmly.

Although I haven't tried it myself, I already know about another wonder of the Heavenly Furnace—the Refining Method, which enhances cultivation techniques.

For him, all he needed to do was continuously accumulate the essence of the Dharma, adding points layer by layer towards the "Thirteen Transformations of the Divine Astounding God," and a breakthrough would naturally follow.

It's just unknown how much magical essence would be required to upgrade this technique to the second level.

"It's not too late to try this later."

On his first day in the city, he stumbled upon such a great bargain in the market. Although it was thanks to the miraculous power of the Heavenly Furnace, he also felt that this was an auspicious sign and a good start.

"I'll cultivate diligently tonight and see how many spiritual grains I can accumulate in one night. Tomorrow I'll go to the market and try my luck."

Qin Chuan sat cross-legged in meditation, focusing intently on practicing his internal energy.

Only when dusk settled outside the window did I begin to look inward and examine myself.

"Three thousand seven hundred pills!"

He intended to continue his cultivation, but his stomach was growling with hunger, so he had to stop for the time being.

Having just embarked on the path of cultivation, and not even reaching the first level of Qi Refining, far from achieving the state of abstaining from grains, he still needed the warmth of human life to sustain his vitality, so he had no choice but to push open the door and go out.

Just as I was about to set up the small mud stove I brought from the countryside to cook some millet porridge, heat up my dry food, and have some pickled vegetables for dinner, my landlord, Mr. He, walked over with a smile.

"If you're so kind as to stay, how about we have dinner together at my house tonight? It would be a welcome dinner for our new guest."

"This... it's still inconvenient to bother you, I..." Qin Chuan politely declined.

"Don't be so polite." Mr. He stepped forward and took his hand, saying warmly, "Xingchen has just returned. Hearing that a fellow Daoist has moved into the courtyard, he wanted to invite you to chat. It just so happens that the Xuan Guang Mirror is about to play 'Dong Sheng Lang Yin'. Wouldn't it be perfect if we ate and watched it together?"

Unable to refuse Mr. He's hospitality, Qin Chuan was finally pulled into the landlord's main hall after several attempts to decline.

The interior is simply and cleanly furnished, with all furniture made of solid wood.

On the mahogany table, a "mysterious mirror" about fourteen inches in size was covered with a white cloth.

The walls were free of dust, and many posters and documents were hung upside down.

Qin Chuan's gaze swept over the documents and saw that several of them were carefully framed. They were the young master's "Taoist Admission Notice" and the "Outstanding Langyin Taoist He Xingchen" certificate awarded by Langyin Pavilion.

Just as they were observing, a clear voice came from the inner room, like the clash of metal and stone, with each word clearly enunciated:

"This must be Fellow Daoist Qin, who is temporarily residing in our academy?"

The curtain was lifted, and a young man dressed in a standard black and white Taoist robe stepped out. He was tall and upright, with regular features and a smiling face. He bowed respectfully to Qin Chuan.
"My name is He Xingchen."

"My name is Qin Chuan. Fellow Daoist He, it's a pleasure to meet you." Qin Chuan immediately returned the greeting.

The term "Dao You" is the formal title used by mortals who cultivate under the Heavenly Court, meaning friends who share the same aspirations and seek the Great Dao together.

"When I returned from my shift today, my father told me that a fellow Daoist had come to the courtyard, so I thought I'd invite you over for a meal so we could get to know each other."

He Xingchen's words revealed the vigor unique to a young Taoist: "We will be living in the same courtyard from now on, and since we are all cultivators, we will surely have a lot to talk about."

Infected by his smile, Qin Chuan also smiled and said humbly, "I am new to the path of cultivation and it is only my first day in the city. I am still confused about many things."

"It's alright. If you have any questions about cultivation or duties in the future, feel free to ask me." He Xingchen laughed heartily and stepped aside to lead the way, "Please take a seat."

"Little Qin—that's how I'll address you from now on. Xingchen is absolutely right. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to him. Treat him like your own elder brother." Mr. He arranged for Qin Chuan to sit down, his tone warm. Feeling the earnestness of this father and son, Qin Chuan was slightly surprised.

Although the Taoist is of noble status, the other party is also from a Taoist family. Why is he being so hospitable? Before even touching his lips, he seems to be considering the other party a brother.

He Ruifeng had his own plans.

Although Qin Chuan is only a newly appointed Taoist priest, the "Nongling Temple" where he is about to take up his post is an office in the Heavenly Court system that is in charge of all matters related to spiritual plants, spiritual farmers, spiritual fields, and spiritual beasts in the blessed lands of counties. It has great power and responsibility and is related to the planning and coordination of the spiritual plant industry in the entire Jiuchuan County.

If he could learn some of the planting trends for the coming year from Qin Chuan, who would later take up a position at Nongling Temple, the harvest from his family's twenty-odd mu of spiritual fields in the countryside would far surpass that of others.

At this time, Qin Chuan had not yet truly entered the system, and was completely unaware of the key points involved.

Just then, He Qingxuan's voice came from the kitchen: "Brother, Brother Qin Chuan, dinner is ready!"

She was carrying a plate with four dishes and a soup.

Qin Chuan and He Xingchen got up at the same time to receive it.

Everything looked like ordinary home-cooked vegetables, with a bowl of clear radish soup. Though not luxurious, this kind of meal was far better than what one would find in the countryside.

A moment later, He's mother also took off her apron and joined them at the table.

"Qingxuan, it's almost 7 PM. 'Dongsheng Langyin' is about to start airing. Turn on the Xuan Guang Mirror," He Ruifeng instructed, holding a bowl.

He Qingxuan muttered under her breath, "What's so interesting about Langyin..."

But she still obediently ran to the table, first lifted the white cloth on the mirror, and then took out a jade slip from the drawer and tapped it a few times.

Shila-

The mirror surface suddenly flickered with static, attracting the attention of everyone at the table.

Then, in the fourteen-inch mirror, the noise faded away, revealing a black and white image:
"Good evening, everyone."

Two monks, a man and a woman, dressed in Taoist robes and with dignified appearances, appeared on screen, their expressions solemn.
"Today is the sixth day of the fifth month of the year 9728 in the Heavenly Venerable Calendar. Welcome to the 'Dongsheng Langyin' program. I am Langyin Daoist Zhu Hui/Ni Qing."

"Now, let me introduce the main content of today's program..."

Gazing at the black and white shimmering mirror, Qin Chuan felt a momentary daze, as if he had returned to a familiar era.

"Is there also a colored electric... colored mystical mirror?" Qin Chuan blurted out subconsciously, then immediately corrected himself.

He Xingchen smiled and said, "Of course it exists. It has become popular in some wealthy areas of Lushan Blessed Land, but it is quite expensive. This item was only introduced more than ten years ago. Many of the core array patterns need to be inscribed in the heavens. Dongsheng does not have such technology at present and can only rely on imports from the heavens."

Qin Chuan nodded as if he understood, then asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist He, I majored in 'Agricultural Spirit' and don't know much about it. What exactly is the imaging principle of this Mystic Mirror? And what supplies it with spiritual energy to operate on a daily basis?"

"The key lies in the transmission of the array and the conversion of spiritual energy..." He Xingchen, as expected of a professional Taoist from Langyin Pavilion, was well-versed in the treasures he dealt with every day, and he explained the general idea to Qin Chuan in just a few words.

Qin Chuan understood the gist of the conversation and realized that the Xuan Guang Mirror was powered by a device called the "Xuan Guang Pillar," which was placed inside the mirror and could absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth to maintain its operation.

The amount of spiritual energy consumed is very small, roughly equivalent to a person's wages for several days in a month.

As they were talking, He Xingchen suddenly stared at the Xuan Guang Mirror with a look of surprise and doubt:
"The new Heavenly Laws...have they really been issued?"

Qin Chuan also stared intently at the mirror.

At this moment, the scene in the mirror has switched to the Heavenly Palace of Lingxiao.

Off-screen, a clear and resonant voice from Daoist Langyin, Zhu Hui, accompanied by textual explanations, came over the screen:

[In the year 9728 of the Celestial Calendar, the Grand Discussion of the Immortals before the Emperor concluded successfully. Several sections of the Heavenly Laws were adopted, establishing new regulations.]

(End of this chapter)