Chapter Sixty-Five: Lost Treasure at the Ancient Ferry

Chapter Sixty-Five: Ancient Ferry and Lost Treasures

Chapter Ten: Sword Dance in the Empty Mountains—Lightning Frightens Evil, Fiery Clouds Enshroud Taihang, Ancient Ferry Competes for Wonders (Part Five)

Ye Hua drew another jade book from Shu Ying’s Universe Bag, the very one gifted by Master Ruci when he bade farewell at the Grand Fu Lingjiu Temple. This was the "Great Sutra of Illumination," which he had not yet examined in detail since receiving it. Now, as he opened the jade book to study it closely, the first page revealed Shakyamuni Buddha, right hand at his chest holding the gesture of flower-pinching, left hand grasping a seven-tiered pagoda, seated upon a lotus platform, a radiant halo shimmering behind him.

Though Ye Hua belonged to the Zen sect, he remained a layman at heart. Even so, he couldn’t help but bow his head in silent recitation of the Buddha’s name as he turned the pages. The following leaves depicted monks, some dancing, some still, each figure adorned with flowing sashes around their waists and collars at their necks, their bodies in varied, elegant postures. Upon closer inspection, fine lines traced across their forms, corresponding to the meridians of the body.

Ye Hua was startled. At first glance, the monks’ movements seemed unremarkable, but upon reflection, they were highly unusual. In the third illustration, for example, no ordinary person could stand with the right leg bent, the left leg arched over the head, both hands clasped atop and looping around the left leg. Though strange, the pose was nevertheless graceful.

Amused, Ye Hua stood up and attempted to replicate the illustrated posture. Immediately, his meridians felt obstructed, vital energy accumulating at the Three Yin Junction of his left leg. He was secretly astonished and slowly released his leg, realizing the profound mystery within.

Not daring to experiment further, he carefully counted the illustrations—seventy-two in total. After meditating briefly and committing them all to memory, he cross-referenced the diagrams to ensure accuracy before proceeding.

Seated slowly before the stone wall, Ye Hua adopted the first posture: chin to the ground, legs encircling his neck, hands supporting himself, circulating Buddhist energy along the depicted meridians.

He felt subtle currents flow from his lower elixir field down to his legs, then from the bubbling springs of his feet up to the jade pillow at his nape, returning again to the dantian. The cycle repeated endlessly. He practiced until mastery before moving on to the second posture, and so forth.

This "Great Body of Illumination" was rooted in the Four Noble Truths. Since his meridians had been cleansed within the bronze hall of Grand Fu Lingjiu Temple, Ye Hua had easily broken through the fifth level. His Buddhist energy was vast, his realm already at the peak of the fifth stage. His meridians, strengthened by cultivating the "Sixfold Heavenly Wishful Arts," were sturdy and subtle beyond the reach of most practitioners. Thus, learning the Great Body of Illumination was effortless—he progressed to the twenty-eighth posture in one breath.

Fearing haste might lead to failure, Ye Hua paused, gaining a preliminary understanding of the practice. The Great Body of Illumination was a method of refining the body, circulating Buddhist energy through various meridians to strengthen bones and flesh, rendering them unyielding and indestructible.

Having absorbed the demon serpent’s inner core, Ye Hua’s body was already far stronger than ordinary men. Further cultivation of the Great Body of Illumination only brought greater enhancement, a flourish upon an already sturdy foundation.

Days passed—who could say how many? Ye Hua’s secluded training in the cave was relentless. He also practiced the Sixfold Heavenly Wishful Arts, though such skills could not be mastered overnight. Daily cultivation brought slight progress. The Four Noble Truths, too, required prolonged diligence to yield subtle advancement.

In his spare moments, Ye Hua followed the instructions in "The Meeting of Dao—Treasure Refinement Chapter," melting the Purple Gold Bell and fragments of the Moonlight Sword into the Red Crow Dagger. The cold essence dragon from the Jade Pool, its sliver of intelligence erased, was also fused into the dagger. Though its form had changed drastically, the Red Crow Dagger’s spirit had become Ye Hua’s own life-bound weapon—the sword soul remained unaltered.

The treasures acquired from Xiaoyao were likewise refined. The demon blade was assimilated, and though the black drum’s power was unknown, it had also come from the black-robed elder and was surely extraordinary.

Ye Hua carefully sorted the spiritual medicines. Some were elixirs for replenishing energy and vital force, taken daily without concern. The round beads imprisoned the souls of fierce beasts slain by the golden eagle; Ye Hua dared not tamper with them, for each beast was immensely powerful, and his cultivation at the Seven Treasures Realm would be no match.

Several jade books recorded formidable demonic arts—Ye Hua glanced through them, but set them aside, having no intention to practice them now.

One day, after finishing his Four Noble Truths cultivation, Ye Hua sensed a movement and raised his hand. A flash of white light appeared at the cave entrance, revealing a crystalline miniature sword bearing a letter. Ye Hua opened it and read: “Brother Ye, if you are free, come out to meet me. Sixth Brother leaves this message.”

Ye Hua smiled knowingly—he recognized the handwriting as his sixth senior brother’s. The man was not well-versed in literature, his script unrefined. Without delay, Ye Hua tidied up and left Guanyin Cave. By his reckoning, he had been in seclusion for a hundred days, wondering what urgent matter awaited him.

Arriving at the meditation courtyard of Bishan Temple, Ye Hua was surprised to find all his senior brothers present: Second, Third, Sixth, and Seventh. Ouyang Tai called out joyfully upon seeing him, “Little brother!”

Ye Hua stepped forward. “Senior brothers, what urgent matter has arisen?”

Qing Shi, smiling, said, “Little brother, we haven’t seen you for months. I heard Seventh Brother say you returned from Grand Fu Lingjiu Temple full of vigor!”

Ye Hua replied, “When I returned, Third Brother was already in seclusion—I missed my chance to see him.”

Qing Shi laughed, “Let’s not fuss over that. Your internal injuries are healed, you’re restored—we should focus on business!” Qing Kai continued, “Uncle Zhiguang sent word that an ancient treasure has appeared by the old canal at the western foot of Taihang. We’re to try our luck!”

Ye Hua was astonished. “Uncle Zhiguang?” He recalled the old monk he’d met months earlier in the Kalama Courtyard, riding a plum-blossom divine deer and drifting away—that was the very uncle.

Ouyang Tai explained, “Exactly. I came out of seclusion yesterday and received Uncle Zhiguang’s flying sword message. I hurried to inform all the brothers so we could decide together.”

Qing Shi said, “Master instructed before leaving: unless the situation is urgent, do not leave the temple. With treasures emerging, conflict and casualties are inevitable—I say we best avoid trouble.”

Qing Kai looked to Ouyang Tai, Li Yulin, and Ye Hua. “What do you three think?”

Ouyang Tai responded, “I believe the southern foothills of Taihang aren’t far from our northern base—a few hours’ journey. If we’re cautious, stick together, and help one another, it should be fine!”

Li Yulin nodded in agreement. Ye Hua added, “Let’s avoid conflicts. Others won’t trouble us, and we needn’t fear them regardless.”

Qing Kai pondered a moment. “So be it, let’s prepare and depart immediately.” Seeing their resolve, he could not dissuade them further. Everyone returned to their chambers, and soon, streaks of azure light flashed above Bishan Temple. The Buddhist disciples looked up, murmuring among themselves, uncertain where their peers were headed...

Ye Hua summoned the Red Crow Dagger. Its form had changed—no longer a dagger, but more like a short sword, its blade broad, still dark but now adorned with bright feather-like patterns. The spine was slightly arched, the guard, hilt, and pommel were azure, carved with dragon motifs. As he displayed it, everyone exclaimed:

“Little brother, what happened to your Moonlight Sword? When did you get this new blade? Where is it from?”

Ye Hua responded with embarrassment, “The Moonlight Sword was destroyed in the battle at Jade Elephant Gorge—my master’s gift, and its loss is a shame. This sword was forged by merging the Moonlight Sword with other materials, though I know not yet its full capabilities.”

His brothers laughed, unconcerned. Within the North Branch of Bishan Temple, the Four Noble Truths tradition included methods for refining and forging treasures—everyone learned a little, often incorporating rare materials into their own weapons. Skill varied, and so did the power of their artifacts.

Without further discussion, they quickened their pace, flying toward the Taihang Mountains. Ye Hua glanced at his left arm—the golden eagle had not yet awakened. If it aided them, there would be little to fear, but its repeated injuries had proved harder to heal than expected; restoring its inner core might take years.

They flew for hundreds of miles, soon encountering a vast river winding eastward through the mountains. Qing Kai scrutinized it for a moment. “This must be the ancient canal. Uncle Zhiguang said the treasure appeared near Qingxu Mountain. The riverbed dried up, villagers dug for sand, and by chance uncovered a divine prohibition, revealing the artifact. Uncle’s close friend, Master Void, has his temple at Qingxu Mountain. His disciples heard the news and sent urgent word. Master Void and Uncle Zhiguang are both in the capital—they conferred and sent flying sword messages, instructing us to hurry and investigate. Delay may bring unforeseen changes.”