Volume Two: Mountains and Rivers Block the Path Chapter Twelve: The Magnolia Boat

Zhuo Hua sat up against the cabin wall, raising both hands above his head to activate the Qi-Stabilizing Pearl and convert his inner energy. The energy generated at his lower abdomen’s dantian continuously surged into his palms. Pressing his hands against the crystal cover of the pod, Zhuo Hua sought to slow the widening of the cracks.

Once all this was set, Zhuo Hua spoke: “I don’t know how much longer I can hold this. This Magnolia Boat was originally just a small escape craft inside the Desolate Cauldron, never intended for use in the Cloud Void. I’m honestly surprised it’s lasted this long.”

Lan Sheng sat upright and solemn, responding, “Prime Sovereign, I’m ready. You may begin.”

Zhuo Hua nodded. “Very well, I’ll now teach you the Divine Stage section of the Xuanhuang Cultivation Incantation.”

Lan Sheng interrupted, puzzled. “Exalted One, why are we starting directly with the Divine Stage? I’m only a Spirit Stage cultivator.”

Zhuo Hua shot him a glare. “What’s a Spirit Stage cultivator doing in the Cloud Void?” Then he continued reciting the incantation: “The Great Way is vast, its movement omnipresent. All things rely on it for life and do not reject it. Its deeds accomplished, it claims no name or ownership; it clothes and nourishes all, yet does not rule over them. Ever desireless, it may be called small. All things return to it, yet it does not rule—thus it may be called great. Because it never makes itself great, it achieves greatness. Grasp the great image, and the world will follow; it follows and is unharmed, finding peace and security. Music and food cause travelers to pause. The Way’s words are bland, tasteless; look, and you do not see it; listen, and you do not hear it; use it, and it is never exhausted.”

Lan Sheng fixed his gaze on Zhuo Hua as he finished, looking completely bewildered. Zhuo Hua smiled. “The first time I heard this, I was just as confused, having no idea what any of it meant. I believe every Xuanhuang cultivator feels the same at first, but it doesn’t hinder your cultivation. Memorize it first; I’ll explain it line by line afterward.”

Lan Sheng nodded on instinct, then began reciting.

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn later, Lan Sheng said, “Prime Sovereign, I’ve got it memorized. Shall we begin?”

By now, Zhuo Hua’s brow was beaded with sweat. He nodded. “Now focus your entire mind on your lower abdomen—the dantian—and try to activate your Qi-Stabilizing Pearl.”

Lan Sheng straightened, palms up against his inner thighs, and concentrated all his will on the pearl as Zhuo Hua had instructed. Soon, he sensed the pearl within him behaving differently—more active and intense than before. With a slight effort, an inexhaustible stream of energy gushed from his dantian.

Suddenly, Lan Sheng cried out, “Prime Sovereign, there’s too much—too much energy! It’s running wild inside me! How do I control it? I feel like it’s going to burst out!”

Zhuo Hua barked, “Don’t panic! Hold your breath, focus your mind, and imagine the energy in your abdomen as a pool of clear water. Try to guide that flow throughout your body in a single circuit.”

Forcing himself to calm down, Lan Sheng followed Zhuo Hua’s instructions, gathering the rampaging energy and guiding it along his body’s meridians.

Zhuo Hua noticed a faint blue glow emanating from Lan Sheng’s body and smiled in satisfaction. “You should now feel the energy circulating smoothly. Now, increase its speed.”

Eyes closed, Lan Sheng nodded and sped up the energy’s circulation. But soon he realized that as it flowed faster, it rapidly dwindled. He asked, “Prime Sovereign, why is the energy getting less and less?”

Zhuo Hua snapped, “The faster it flows, the more you lose to dissipation. You must keep fueling the Qi-Stabilizing Pearl to generate new energy! I wonder how you even made it to the Spirit Stage.”

Lan Sheng chuckled sheepishly. “I can’t believe I forgot that. Sorry, Prime Sovereign.”

Zhuo Hua fell silent, suddenly struck by how this scene—teaching Lan Sheng to cultivate and overcome tribulations—mirrored when Lanling had taught him in the Jinwu Void: the same tireless patience, the same look of exasperation.

Another incense stick’s time passed. Now, the energy swirling around Lan Sheng began circulating in the air about him, moving faster and shifting from pale blue to deep red. Zhuo Hua nodded approvingly. “Not bad! In such a short time, you’ve crossed the Thunderfire Tribulation and entered the Immortal Stage. That’s enough.”

Lan Sheng opened his eyes, still confused. “Prime Sovereign, is it really enough? I’ve only just stepped into the Immortal Stage. How do I reach the Divine Stage?”

Zhuo Hua slowly withdrew his power. “What tribulation must you overcome to enter the Divine Stage?”

“The Cloud Tribulation!” Lan Sheng answered immediately.

Zhuo Hua gazed up at the dark red sky. “Then let’s go.”

Realizing Zhuo Hua was about to remove the Magnolia Boat, Lan Sheng frantically circulated his energy to form a protective aura. He asked, “Prime Sovereign, why not shrink the boat while we’re inside? Then we wouldn’t have to face these harsh conditions right away.”

Zhuo Hua didn’t look at him, answering coolly, “If we did that, we’d shrink as well—and could never grow again. A spell cast by oneself can only be undone by oneself. How could we cast a spell on the entire boat from inside it?”

Lan Sheng nodded, half understanding. Zhuo Hua called out, “Are you ready?”

Lan Sheng nodded vigorously, mustering all his protective energy.

Zhuo Hua pressed upward with both palms; with a dull clunk, the crystal lid slid aside. In one motion, Zhuo Hua leapt out of the Magnolia Boat, and Lan Sheng followed, immediately using the Art of Riding the Qi to steady himself.

Once Lan Sheng was out, Zhuo Hua slapped a talisman onto the boat. The vessel slowly shrank, finally dropping into Zhuo Hua’s palm. He tucked the precious lifesaving artifact into his Infinite Cosmos Pouch.

At that instant, a massive forked bolt of lightning struck toward them. Zhuo Hua sent a mental message to Lan Sheng: “Gather your energy in your fists and strike at the lightning.”

Lan Sheng did as told, hurling two dark red energy spheres with his fists. The spheres soared through the air but vanished upon meeting the lightning.

Zhuo Hua hurriedly messaged again: “Don’t stop! Not until the lightning vanishes—never stop!”

Lan Sheng nodded earnestly and kept swinging his fists at the storm, while Zhuo Hua stored up energy for each powerful strike.

And so, in the vastness of the Great Red Spot, two small figures floated against the dark crimson backdrop, a massive forked lightning bolt hurtling down from the heavens. As it neared them, it suddenly disappeared.

Lan Sheng, drenched in sweat, broke into a joyful laugh. “Prime Sovereign, look! We withstood the blow of the Celestial Thunder—we did it!”

Zhuo Hua was unmoved. “That was only the first bolt. We’re far from escaping this place.”

Before Lan Sheng could respond, another bolt of lightning came crashing down. He had no time for words, focusing all his attention on the onslaught.

Zhuo Hua sent another message: “We can’t stay here. The only way out of the Xuanhuang Void is to reach the very center of the Great Red Spot. That place is the safest in the Cloud Void—there stands the Celestial Tree of the Xuanhuang Clan. Only through it can we return to the Lanling Void.”

Lan Sheng, fighting desperately against the lightning, could only nod in response.

So, each time lightning struck, they stopped to withstand it; as soon as it passed, they soared toward the center of the Great Red Spot. In this way, pausing and flying, they pressed on for more than half a day—until the deep black eye at the center loomed before them.