Free Web NovelChapter 47: Chapter 31: Dharma Treasure
As the Pengxuan Treasure Assembly drew near, Zhao Yue Island grew increasingly lively. Merchants, buyers, and tourists from all over flocked to its shores. The streets were bustling, and the clamor of voices continued day and night. The markets never seemed to close, and all the merchant associations and Treasure Pavilions on the island reaped immense benefits.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the middle of the month. One morning, an attendant rang the golden bell before the Jade Immortal Tower. After waiting respectfully for a moment with no response, he hesitated, wondering if he should ring it again. Just then, a small, exquisite Hornless Jiao Dragon flew down from the top-floor windowsill. It bared its fangs and claws, demanding, "Who goes there? What’s all this ruckus?"
Though its tone was fierce, its diminutive size made it seem more mischievous and cute than menacing. It wasn’t the attendant’s first visit to the Jade Immortal Pavilion, either. He was inwardly marveling once again that a magnificent Jiaolong would deign to be a mere spirit beast, but his expression remained impassive. "The Treasure Assembly officially begins today," he said respectfully. "My Pavilion Master invites Mr. Xu to attend this evening’s treasure auction."
As he spoke, he presented a gilt-edged invitation with both hands. Lieyun hovered in the air, craning its head to inspect it closely before saying in a gruff voice, "I heard you. My master is still cultivating. You can just give the invitation to me."
With that, Lieyun snatched the invitation in its mouth. Without a second glance at the attendant, it flicked its tail and, SWOOSH, shot back up to the tower. Its movements were swift and nimble, with no trace of its former weakness.
After crawling back into the room from the windowsill, it saw Xuzhuang sitting cross-legged on a platform in deep meditation. On the surface, he appeared perfectly calm and still. But to Lieyun’s eyes, Xuzhuang’s Magical Power was surging and roiling. His Core energy rose in a ceaseless torrent, as if the slightest movement could make the lakes and seas tremble and the very earth quake.
’Damn it all, how has his cultivation improved again? If this keeps up, I’m doomed to spend my whole life as his mount.’ Lieyun placed the invitation on a small table and slumped down, still cursing resentfully in its heart. Suddenly, Xuzhuang opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon the dragon, and a cold dread washed over it. It was about to beg for mercy out of sheer habit when it heard Xuzhuang say calmly, "Bring the invitation over."
Lieyun breathed a huge sigh of relief. ’Right,’ it thought. ’No matter what kind of freak he is, there’s no way he can read my mind.’ A strange cheerfulness bloomed at the thought. While cursing Xuzhuang viciously in its mind, it obediently snatched up the invitation and flew it into his hand.
Xuzhuang had no idea what thoughts were flickering behind the Jiaolong’s eyes. For a magnificent dragon, it certainly had a shifty, furtive look about it.
Ever since Xuzhuang had refined the Blood Contract Golden Lock and returned the Jiao Pearl, the creature had shed its former listlessness. It was restless all day long, not only raising hell in the pavilion’s water gardens but also frequently sneaking out.
But with the golden lock to constrain it, the dragon couldn’t get very far, so Xuzhuang paid it no mind. He took the invitation and broke the seal to read it.
The invitation was from Zhang Ji and contained a short, enclosed letter. It stated that the Treasure Assembly had officially begun, with the first treasure auction scheduled for that evening.
As a rule, for auctions that spanned several days, the most valuable treasures were always concentrated on the first and final days. Even the Pengxuan Treasure Assembly was no exception to this custom. Zhang Ji’s letter thus explained that Fairy Shi would be making an appearance that day. He still had some matters to attend to, so he asked Xuzhuang to proceed to the assembly venue on his own that evening. Zhang Ji would then meet him there to make the introduction.
So the day had finally arrived. Xuzhuang put the invitation away and closed his eyes again, not to resume his fervent cultivation, but simply to enter a state of meditative tranquility.
Ever since his epiphany of "preserving truth and seeing one’s nature," Xuzhuang’s cultivation had been advancing by leaps and bounds. If he could maintain this momentum, he felt it was highly likely he could attain the "Golden Mercury" state.
This so-called "Golden Mercury" was a colloquialism for what was more formally known as the Great Completion of the Golden Core. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Upon reaching this realm, a cultivator’s Golden Core achieves perfection. They enter a state that defies the old cultivation adage of "sailing against the current." Even if their cultivation does not advance, it will no longer regress. When they channel their Core energy, they no longer need to fear damaging their foundation or harming their cultivation. This was the meaning behind the phrase "as stable as golden mercury."
Golden Core cultivation was just that simple. There were no complex stages or divisions—only the distinction between success and failure.
However, no matter how rapid his progress, achieving the Great Completion of the Golden Core was not something that could be done in less than ten days. Besides, Xuzhuang had also taken time out during that period to attend a banquet with Zhang Ji and to refine the Blood Contract Golden Lock for the Jiaolong, Lieyun.
Xuzhuang felt no regret. Now was not an ideal time for secluded cultivation anyway. Once he resolved the immediate difficulties before him, the rest would naturally fall into place in time. His meditation now was simply to regulate his energy and ready himself for the night ahead.
Although Xuzhuang was seeking an introduction to this "Fairy Shi" through Zhang Ji to ask a favor, she was ultimately a member of the Demon Dao. He would not let his guard down.
Besides, a suspicion lingered in Xuzhuang’s mind. It was possible that the title "Fairy Shi" belonged to an old enemy. Whether this meeting would go as he hoped, or whether it would erupt into conflict, remained to be seen.
As Xuzhuang continued his meditation, his essence, qi, and spirit all ascended to their peak. The sun set, the moon rose, and night descended upon the island.
Lieyun lay on the small table, bored to tears and half-dozing. Suddenly, it heard Xuzhuang’s voice call out, "Lieyun!" It jolted, scrambling to its feet and replying, "This humble beast is here!" It saw that Xuzhuang had risen at some unknown point and was now looking down at it, his eyes brimming with a brilliant, spiritual light.
Xuzhuang beckoned with one hand. Lieyun instantly understood and flew into his sleeve to hide. Xuzhuang then strode forward like a meteor. In the blink of an eye, he was out of the tower. As he moved, the very path before him seemed to shorten, and like a gust of wind blowing through a forest, he vanished from sight.
