**Chapter 18: Paths of Cultivation and Old Friends**
At the edge of Qingmu Lake, Qingxuan was explaining the stages of cultivation to Qingyun.
"Now that you can observe *Yuan*, let me tell you about the stages of the *Dao* path," Qingxuan said, leaning back on her hands, half-reclining on a large rock. She gazed at the horizon, her legs dangling playfully over the edge, seemingly in high spirits.
"Yes, Senior Sister," Qingyun replied respectfully.
"You've likely noticed that even in meditation, some parts of your body remain obscure, like the *Niwan Palace* between your brows." As she spoke, she turned to Qingyun, then suddenly huffed, "Junior Brother, where are you looking!"
Qingyun quickly shifted his gaze from her delicate feet, clad in silk socks, though his face burned, he met her eyes with a clear, innocent look.
"Senior Sister, I was just looking at the patterns on the rock," he said calmly.
Qingxuan was puzzled. She thought he was staring at her feet, but his earnest eyes showed sincerity, and his flushed face could be from the sun, given he hadn't yet entered the *Dao*.
She coughed lightly, masking the awkwardness, and tucked her legs beneath her, sitting properly. Qingyun, seeing this, felt a pang of regret but quickly composed himself, fearing she'd sense his impure thoughts.
"Then tell me, what's so fascinating about the rock's patterns? More important than what I'm saying?" Qingxuan raised an eyebrow, feigning anger.
"How could it be more important? It's just that they share a similarity, and I got lost in thought," Qingyun hurriedly explained.
"Alright, then explain how the *Dao* path relates to these patterns," Qingxuan said, her anger subsiding, curious to hear his thoughts.
Qingyun pointed to the rock. "Look, Senior Sister, the lines start separately but merge at the center. It reminds me of something I read about Buddhist cultivation in a miscellaneous Taoist text. They have *Seven Chakras*, and the one between the brows is similar to our *Niwan Palace*. Yet, Taoists and Buddhists use it differently—it's fascinating." A hint of confidence crept into his voice.
"Is that all?" Qingxuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not. For us Taoists, we first open the *Niwan* to observe and control *Yuan*—that's the *Yuan Observation* stage. Then, by controlling *Yuan* to refine the body, we reach the *Body Cultivation* stage. Next, we refine the *Niwan* to observe *Yuan* at a microscopic level—the *Microscopic* stage. Beyond that are the *Nether Sea*, *Yuan Return*, and *Dao* stages."
Qingyun swallowed, continuing, "Buddhists, however, start from the bottom chakra and work upward. They emphasize purity in thought, sight, and hearing. Impure influences can block their chakras. Though different, both paths converge in some ways—it's the wonder of cultivation."
Qingxuan had only meant to test if he was truly looking at the rock, but his insights into Taoist and Buddhist practices surprised her. She fell into thought, pondering the differences he mentioned. Qingyun, seeing her distracted, sighed in relief, but she caught his expression and teased, "I didn't know you had such deep understanding. Perhaps I'm just in your way—maybe I should leave."
Startled, Qingyun stood and bowed. "Senior Sister, I was wrong!"
"Wrong about what? Being too clever for your own good? I'm not jealous of talent, Junior Brother," she said, mockingly covering her mouth.
"I was wrong for… for…" He couldn't bring himself to say "staring at your feet," his cheeks burning.
Just then, a voice interrupted, "Junior Sister Qingxuan, may I borrow Qingyun for a moment?" It was Qingshu, his Second Senior Brother.
Qingyun thought he saw Qingxuan's face cool slightly. She replied flatly, "Then we'll stop here for today. I'll take my leave." She exchanged a Taoist salute with Qingshu and floated away.
Her unusual behavior puzzled Qingyun. Qingshu approached, winking. "Did I interrupt your precious time with Senior Sister? Senior Brother and I want to take you somewhere fun. Coming?"
Blushing, Qingyun was about to deny the "precious time" when he heard the invitation and nodded. "Of course."
Qingshu unfurled his folding fan and tossed it forward. It expanded tenfold, large enough for two. He stepped on and extended a hand to Qingyun, who hesitated until Qingshu stamped the fan to show its stability. Once aboard, the fan flew toward their destination.
"Second Senior Brother, where are we going?" Qingyun asked.
"To a wonderful place, and to meet some old friends. Senior Brother and I have been away too long," Qingshu said, a nostalgic look on his face. He produced a jade bottle and two cups, pouring amber liquid into each.
Handing one to Qingyun, he winked. "I'll keep it a secret—you'll be surprised later."
Qingyun took the cup and, seeing Qingshu drink, followed suit. As he lifted it, a floral fragrance enveloped him, like standing in a garden. The liquid touched his tongue, and his mind exploded with light. He felt as if he'd emerged from a dark cave into a paradise: flowers blooming, butterflies dancing, intoxicating scents, and dreamlike scenery.
The vibrant colors morphed into myriad principles, revealing their beauty and order, drawing him in completely.
Moments later, Qingyun awoke, lying alone on the fan, hearing his senior brothers' laughter nearby. Turning, he saw them among a group of small figures.
Qingshu noticed him. "Come, let us introduce you to our friends. First time drinking *Dao Liquid*—it's immersive, but you'll get used to it."
Qingyun stood, still dizzy, and carefully walked toward them under the gaze of the small beings.
Qingshu added, "This is also a lesson: never rush to consume treasures outside. *Dao Liquid* is precious but not rare; some use it to harm others. Be cautious in your travels."
Senior Brother chimed in, "Qingshu's right, though he nags like Master." The small figures laughed, and Qingshu shook his head, smiling.
"Come, Qingyun, meet Halfway Taoist," Senior Brother said, gesturing to a small figure.
Qingyun looked past the creatures—ferret-like beings with varied fur—and saw a ferret standing on hind legs.
"Greetings, Halfway Taoist," Qingyun said hesitantly.
Suddenly, branches rustled, and a gruff voice boomed, "Boy, I'm up here!"
Startled, Qingyun realized they were gathered around a cypress tree, its trunk bearing a face-like knot that spoke.
"Pah, you wooden fool, don't steal my name!" the ferret snapped.
"You've only got limbs—not even half!" the tree retorted.
"You've just a face—where's your half?" the ferret shot back.
The other ferrets lounged, accustomed to the bickering.
Senior Brother explained, "Both claim to be Halfway Taoist."
"I am!"
"It's not!"
They pointed at each other, fuming.
Qingshu intervened, "This is Halfway Ferret Taoist, and this is Halfway Cypress Taoist."
They glared, then huffed, the ferret turning away, the tree's knot twitching.
Senior Brother sighed, "They've both reached the *Microscopic* stage and are halfway to human form, hence the name."
Qingyun noticed the ferret's human-like hands and feet, while the tree had only a face. It was unclear what "halfway" meant, but Senior Brother's warning glance told him not to ask—it was likely self-proclaimed.
**Footnotes**:
[41] **Niwan Palace**: Taoist term for the upper dantian, located between the brows, associated with spiritual insight.
[42] **Seven Chakras**: Buddhist concept of energy centers in the body, each governing different aspects of life and spirituality.
[43] **Dao Liquid**: A mystical elixir that induces visions and enhances perception of *Dao* principles.
原始中文文本
青木湖畔,青璇正在向青雲講解修道境界.
「師弟如今已能觀元,那麼師姐便和你說說道途之分.」青璇雙手撐在身後,半仰地坐在大石上.她注視著天邊,雙腳併攏,隨意地垂在石邊晃盪,看上去心情十分愉悅.
「是.」
「師弟應該已經發現,入定觀元後,身上依然有些部分無法看透,比如眉心間的泥丸宮.」說著,轉頭看向青雲.青璇卻突然怒哼一聲問道:「師弟,你在看哪裡!」
青雲連忙將注意力從那對裹著羅襪的纖巧玉足上收回,雖然臉上躁熱難當,卻仍目光清澈地和青璇對望,面容上一片坦然.
「師姐,師弟剛剛在看石頭上的紋路呢.」
青璇有些困惑,明明剛才發現師弟在看⋯⋯可是一和青雲對視,青雲那對黑白分明的瞳仁裡卻流淌著赤誠,雖然臉上有可疑的紅暈,但師弟尚未入道,被曬得如此也是有可能.
於是,青璇假咳一聲,帶過這陣尷尬.她隨即將雙腳收回,端坐在大石頭上.見青璇將雙腳收回,青雲忍不住露出一絲可惜,但隨即趕緊再次端坐,生怕青璇發現自己意圖不純.
「那師姐問你,石頭上的紋路有何可看?比師姐說的還重要嗎?」青璇眉一揚,就要發怒.
青雲連忙說道:「怎麼可能比師姐說的還重要?自然是其有共通之處,青雲察之,才忍不住入神.」
「那你說說,道途為何?和這石頭上的紋路又有什麼關係?」青璇收起怒意,想聽看看青雲怎麼說.
「師姐觀這石頭上的紋路,初時並行,但行至中央時,卻合而為一.讓青雲忍不住想起,曾在道論雜談上看過佛爺的修行法,其有七輪,而額間的眉心輪,恰好與道經泥丸相仿.但道與佛卻由不同方式利用此處,甚為奇妙.」青雲說著,臉上不自覺浮起一抹自信.
青璇挑了挑眉,問道:「只有如此?」
「自然不是.吾等道士,先啟泥丸而後觀元與控元,此乃觀元境.當能夠控元,使肉體昇華,此為修身境.而後回頭改造泥丸,使觀元可達入微,此乃入微境.而其上更有:冥海境,歸元境,道境三個階段.」
青雲吞了吞口水,繼續說道:「而佛爺七輪,卻反其道而行之.先修底輪,後修腹輪,循序而上.因此,佛爺注重所思,所想,所見,所聞,若見之汙穢,聞之汙穢,思之汙穢,便容易使氣息不暢,導致七輪無法暢通.但兩者雖殊途,卻在中途有相仿之處,可謂修行之奧妙.」
青璇本想看看青雲究竟是不是如他所說:在看大石上的紋路.卻未曾想過,這名初入觀元的師弟,竟真能對佛,道修行有所感悟.頓時她也陷入沉思,忍不住跟著青雲的話開始思考兩者的不同.
青雲看見青璇陷入沉思,忍不住鬆了一口氣.這副模樣卻讓剛清醒的青璇看見,俏目微微一瞇,又假意說道:「不知師弟竟對道途有深刻理解,想來師姐在此只會妨礙了師弟,不如師姐便就此離去罷.」
青雲聽見這話,嚇了一跳,連忙起身拱手道:「師姐,師弟錯了.」
「咦,錯在何處?難不成是錯在太過聰慧,初入觀元便能對佛,道修行有深刻理解?師姐可不是這般想法,師弟千萬莫要將師姐想成是『嫉妒賢才』的人.」青璇檀口微張,裝出一副驚訝的模樣,待說到嫉妒賢才時,又誇張地半掩起嘴.
「師弟,師弟錯在,錯在⋯⋯」錯在盯著師姐玉足太久,導致師姐發現了.前半段是說了,後半段青雲卻期期艾艾地說不出口,一時雙頰通紅.
此時,卻有人替他解了圍.
「青璇師妹,可否將青雲借給青書一會兒.」二師兄好聽的嗓音從一旁響起.
青雲也不知道是否是錯覺,只覺青璇臉色似乎冷了些.她冷淡地回應道:「那麼今日便說此處罷,青璇先行離去了.」
說完,和青書互相行了一個道禮,便起身飄向天際.
師姐的反常讓青雲有些詫異,一旁的青書逕自走了過來,朝他眨了眨眼,說道:「師弟,沒打擾到你和師姐的寶貴時光罷?大師兄和二師兄想帶你去個好玩的去處,來不來?」
青雲臉上一紅,正要矢口否認關於「寶貴時光」的說法,卻聽見後半段話,便直接頷首道:「師弟自然願意.」
「那麼──」二師兄尾音拉長,讓青雲頓時心生好奇.只見青書將手上摺扇展開後,向前一拋.摺扇迎風便漲,很快便大了十數倍,上方恰好可坐兩人.
青書踏上摺扇,並向青雲伸出手.見青雲兀自發楞,青書又踩了扇面兩下,向他示意上面很平穩.
待青雲站穩後,摺扇便在青書的指揮下向目的地飛去.青雲這時忍不住問道:「二師兄,我們要去哪裡?」
青書拉著他一起在扇面上坐下,然後從懷中取出一個玉雕瓶,笑道:「自然是去個好地方,順便帶你見見老朋友.我和大師兄長年在外,也好久沒見見那些傢伙了.」
二師兄面容上帶著一絲緬懷,又伸手取出兩個白潤光澤的玉杯,分別在兩個玉杯裡斟了半杯如同琥珀般的晶瑩液體.
將一個杯子遞向青雲,又朝他眨了一下右眼,腦袋一斜說道:「讓師兄賣個關子,待會你才有驚喜.」
青雲沉默地接過玉杯,見師兄仰頭喝下,便也跟著照做.
當他舉起杯時,只覺一陣芳香撲鼻,猶如置身在百花叢中.琥珀玉液流淌入嘴的剎那,腦海中頓時爆發出一陣眩光.迷茫中,青雲彷彿由暗無天日的洞窟中走出,來到一片美妙秘境.他放眼所視,百花齊放,花間彩蝶翻飛,鼻間是令人迷醉的香氣,眼中是如真似幻的綺麗景色.
奼紫嫣紅在一瞬間,變成千萬道則,齊齊向他展現自身的美妙與規律,讓他徜徉其中,不可自拔.
片刻後,青雲悠悠醒轉.他發覺自己正獨身一人躺在摺扇上,旁邊正傳來大師兄與二師兄的談笑聲.
轉頭看去,在一圈矮小身影中,大師兄與二師兄的身形極為醒目.
此時二師兄也察覺青雲醒來,朝他招呼道:「快過來,師兄們介紹朋友給你認識.第一次喝道液,難免會沉浸其中,以後再喝便不會了.」
青雲起身,卻覺腦袋仍有些眩暈,連忙穩了穩腳步,才在一眾嬌小身影的注視下,小心翼翼地走向兩位師兄.
二師兄又道:「此次師兄也是給你提個醒,日後在外不管獲得什麼天材地寶,也千萬莫要心急享用.如這道液,雖然珍貴,卻也並不少見,便有心懷不軌之輩用之謀害他人.若是往後行走在外,切記多分心眼.」
大師兄待他說完,出聲贊同道:「青書說得對,不過就是太嘮叨了,有幾分師父的風采.」
說罷,和身邊的矮小身影一同哈哈大笑.二師兄笑著搖頭,指頭搖晃著點了點大師兄,絲毫不以為忤.
「來,青雲.大師兄和你介紹,這位是一半道人.」師兄起身,指向身旁矮小身影,向青雲介紹道.
青雲視線越過周遭這些矮小身影,看向大師兄身旁那隻人立而起的小貓鼬.身周這些嬌小身影,同樣是一隻一隻毛色各異的貓鼬.
「青雲見過一半道人.」雖然有些遲疑,但青雲還是先向對方打起招呼.
卻見頭上樹枝搖晃,巨樹枝幹壓了下來,停在半空,一陣粗啞嗓音甕聲甕氣地說道:「小子你看哪呢?本道人在這兒.」
青雲一愣,才發覺師兄與貓鼬們正是繞著一棵茂密柏樹環座.柏樹樹幹上,有如人臉的樹疙瘩正在扭動著,聲音似乎便是由此發出.
「呸,你這木頭渣子,少搶本道名諱.」青雲仍未反應過來,師兄身旁的貓鼬便跳腳罵道.
「你才只有手腳,還沒有一半.」粗啞嗓音不服氣地反駁道.
「你也只有一張臉,哪來的一半.」貓鼬道人也不服氣地說道.
周遭的貓鼬們或躺或站,懶洋洋地看著兩者吵架,似乎早就司空見慣.
大師兄笑著向青雲解釋道:「這兩位都自稱是一半道人.」
「呸,我才是!」
「哼,牠才不是!」
兩位一半道人,同時指著對方怒道.
二師兄此時站起身打個圓場,安撫道:「這位是一半貓鼬道人,這位是一半古柏道人.」
兩位道人這才互相對看了一眼,然後一起哼地一聲,貓鼬道人別過頭,古柏道人則撇了撇樹疙瘩上蠕動發聲的一道裂痕.
大師兄撫著額頭,無奈地向青雲解釋道:「這兩位道人分別為貓鼬與古柏入道,已達觀微之境,正在將自身軀體化為人身,如今各自轉化了一半,因此便同時自號『一半道人』.」
此時,青雲才注意到貓鼬道人的手和腳掌已經與人無異,他又看向古柏道人,僅有樹幹上的疙瘩像人.實在無法判斷,他們所謂的一半究竟是從何而來.
而就在他疑惑時,卻看見師兄朝他使了個眼色,似乎在叫他「千萬別問」.青雲頓時明白,看來這個「一半」也實屬自封.