**Chapter 20: The Wind-Sailing Boat**
Chixiao stood in the courtyard. After a moment, he suddenly said, "Come in."
The courtyard gate opened, revealing Qingpeng standing outside. Unfazed by his master's foresight, Qingpeng entered, bowed, and said, "Master, I heard something from my friends."
"What is it?" Chixiao asked, his back to Qingpeng, studying the lines on his palm in thought.
"The Fuqiu Elders told me that many *Immortals* have been spotted near the sect recently, but the sect seems unaware," Qingpeng said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. Even the usually carefree senior brother felt a touch of anxiety around Chixiao, perhaps because he saw him as a father figure, which made him more eager to please.
"Understood," Chixiao replied indifferently.
Seeing no further response, Qingpeng prepared to bow and leave. But Chixiao suddenly spoke again, "Peng'er, go to the *Common People's Tower* in Golden Radiance City for me."
"Yes, Master," Qingpeng agreed without question.
"Stay there and deliver any messages from the dynasty to me immediately. In a few days, Chi Yan will secretly take some disciples to Ningyuan City to help defend the *Three-Eye Dynasty*."
"What about Qingshu?" Qingpeng asked.
"Qingshu is a prince of the dynasty; naturally, he'll accompany Chi Yan," Chixiao explained.
"Master, who are we facing this time?"
Chixiao paused, then asked, "Qingpeng, there may be sacrifices this time. Are you afraid?"
"I am not. As a Taoist, I fight for humanity's expansion. If there's no path forward, death holds no fear," Qingpeng declared, bowing deeply, his voice resolute.
Chixiao remained silent. Qingpeng held his bow, his gaze fixed on his master's back with unwavering determination.
After a moment, Chixiao spoke, "This was intentional. I drew them here to divert their attention, so I can proceed with my plans undetected."
Turning to face Qingpeng, he continued, "I suspect our foe is the Tiger Power Great Immortal, who ascended long ago and now guards the Heavenly Gate. He let his son descend, and I slew him. Your trip to the Northern Border Mountains was part of his scheme, which I thwarted. Now, he's likely furious."
Qingpeng realized why Chixiao had been so enraged at the Northern Border Mountains. It wasn't just their unauthorized trip or the *Immortal's* trap; there was a deeper conflict.
"It was my fault…" Qingpeng began.
Chixiao cut him off, "No. I knew the consequences when I acted. This was deliberate. Otherwise… go now, and don't overthink it."
Qingpeng lowered his head. "Yes, Master."
As he reached the gate, Chixiao called out, "Qingpeng, bring Qingyun here. Your second brother is too generous, stuffing him with treasures. I've calculated that tonight is the perfect time for Qingyun to enter the *Dao*. Have him come to my courtyard; I'll assist him."
After Qingpeng left, Chixiao gazed at the sky, sighing softly. "Qingyun, Qingyun… I hope you truly rise to the clouds, so my schemes and the risks to my disciples' lives aren't in vain."
Soon, Qingyun arrived and bowed to Chixiao.
"With the *Mountain Immortal's essence* and all that *Dao Liquid*, the time to enter the *Dao* is now," Chixiao said, assessing Qingyun as if he could see his cultivation progress.
Leading him to the inner chamber, Chixiao had Qingyun sit on a cushion and enter meditation to observe *Yuan*.
Normally, in such a state, external voices sound like distant thunder, but Qingyun clearly heard Chixiao's words:
*"In the *Microscopic* stage, one can derive but not measure. To measure is to fix. When spiritual light moves through *Yuan* and merges with the source, it becomes *Dao Derivation*. The source is the foundation of all things, where Yin and Yang follow their paths, and neutral particles maintain balance. *Dao Derivation* describes the correspondences of the source, of Yin particles, of spiritual light, and of all things. If all things are derived, they can be united or linked…"*
Chixiao's recitation echoed as Qingyun observed *Yuan*. Though the text was obscure, its profundity enthralled him. Some parts contradicted what he'd read in other scriptures, sparking doubt, but upon reflection, he found clarity and insight. Familiar terms took on new meanings, revealing deeper truths.
Following the scripture, Qingyun adjusted the patterns of his *Yuan*. When he successfully tuned a small cluster, he realized he had unknowingly entered the *Dao*.
Overwhelming joy flooded his spirit, disrupting his control.
"Awaken," Chixiao's voice resonated, pulling him back to awareness.
Opening his eyes, Qingyun saw Chixiao stroking his beard with a smile. "That was the foundation of the *Lesser Evolution Scripture*. Study it on your own time."
"Yes, Master," Qingyun replied.
"Do you know why one cannot practice both the *Kunwu Body Refining Technique* and the *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique*?" Chixiao asked.
"I do not," Qingyun admitted.
Chixiao chuckled. "The *Kunwu Technique* is a profound method leading to the *Dao* realm. Your Martial Aunt once asked me about it, so I know a bit."
He explained, "Practitioners of the *Kunwu Technique* must cultivate the *Kunwu Battle Body* once all their *Yuan* follow the Kunwu pattern. The technique's marvel lies in embedding countless *Nether Seas* within the body, keeping them stable. Normally, some *Yuan* are stored in these *Nether Seas*, allowing the body to refine more *Yuan*."
Pausing, he continued, "Initially, the *Battle Body* swells like a giant, able to change form at will, akin to *Heaven and Earth Manifestation*. Later, one refines the second stage, compressing the *Yuan* to make the body denser, creating more *Nether Seas* to store even more *Yuan*. This cycle continues to the peak—that's the essence of the *Kunwu Body Refining Technique*."
Qingyun envisioned the three-headed, six-armed giants from the scriptures, lost in awe.
"Ahem…" Chixiao coughed, realizing he'd praised the *Kunwu Technique* too much. "The *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique* deals with time and space, far surpassing the *Kunwu Technique*. But it requires utmost stability in one's *Yuan*, which is why you can't practice both."
Qingyun nodded, half-understanding, a trace of regret on his face.
Seeing this, Chixiao pulled out a blue scripture and thrust it into Qingyun's arms. "This is a copy of the *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique*, including a *Sleeve Universe* method unique to our practice. Study it carefully and master it quickly."
Thinking it insufficient, Chixiao beckoned Qingyun closer and produced another item.
"Once you learn the *Sleeve Universe*, imprint your mark on this," Chixiao said, reluctantly handing over a delicate small boat.
"Master, what is this?" Qingyun asked, puzzled.
"Outside the *Five Elements Sect*, Taoists are cautious about flying, but with this, many restrictions are lifted," Chixiao explained, pride creeping into his voice. "This is the *Wind-Sailing Boat of the Crimson Refinement, New Moon's Wind Traveler*, crafted by Chi Yan. In my youth, before mastering the *Void Travel Technique*, I used this to hunt *Immortals*. It originally had a simple Five Elements array, but I've upgraded it to an *Eight Gates Formation*, making it resilient against ordinary *Immortals*. Its flight was powered by a wind array, which I've enhanced to a *Void Travel Array*, greatly increasing its speed and granting it rudimentary spatial traversal."
Recalling the Fuqiu Mountain incident, Qingyun immediately grasped the boat's significance from its name and tried to refuse, waving his hands. But Chixiao glared, forcing the boat back into his arms.
"But Master, this was a gift from Martial Aunt…" Qingyun hinted at the boat's name.
Chixiao waved dismissively. "I haven't used it in ages. If not for needing it to visit friends, I wouldn't carry it."
Holding the precious artifact—whose name implied "crafted by Chi Yan for her beloved"—Qingyun cradled it carefully, fearing he'd damage it.
Chixiao, mistaking his caution for doubt about its durability, snatched it back and slammed it onto the ground. "See? It's fine."
Startled, Qingyun scrambled to pick it up. Chixiao laughed, "Look at you, so protective. Master has plenty of treasures. Practice the *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique* well, and there will be rewards."
Finally understanding why his grandmaster couldn't divine Chixiao's romantic fate, Qingyun sighed, bowed, and prepared to leave. But Chixiao suddenly exclaimed, looking skyward, "Senior Sister, why didn't you announce yourself? I was just talking about you with Qingyun."
Qingyun froze, following Chixiao's gaze.
Chi Yan hovered in the air, her eyes cold as she stared at the master and disciple, lost in thought, ignoring Chixiao's question.
"M-Master, I'll take my leave. About the Wind-Sailing Boat…" Qingyun stammered, trying to return it.
Chixiao laughed heartily. "Qingyun, you're not usually this polite. I just showed you—it's sturdy."
Chi Yan's gaze shifted to Qingyun, her voice icy. "Nephew Qingyun, keep it. The boat is old and no longer suits your master."
Her words were slow and deliberate, her tone chilling.
Oblivious, Chixiao beamed. "See, even your Martial Aunt and I agree you should have it."
Qingyun swallowed hard, glancing at Chi Yan's frosty expression. His hand trembled, and the boat slipped, clattering to the ground.
Three pairs of eyes fixed on the fallen Wind-Sailing Boat.
**Footnotes**:
[2] **Dao**: Core Taoist principle, "the Way," embodying universal order and spiritual growth.
[6] **Eight Gates Formation**: Protective Taoist array based on the Eight Trigrams.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elemental forces.
[15] **Kunwu Technique**: Cultivation method for wielding heavy weapons, enhancing physical prowess.
[18] **Sleeve Universe**: Taoist technique for storing items in one's sleeve via spatial magic.
[19] **Yuan**: Fundamental energy units in a cultivator's body.
[23] **Great Evolution Void Travel Technique**: Advanced Taoist art requiring severing emotional roots.
[31] **Common People's Tower**: Hub for intelligence and sect communication.
[33] **Three-Eye Dynasty**: The ruling dynasty, named for symbolic significance.
[46] **Mountain Immortal's essence**: A cultivation aid derived from a defeated Mountain Immortal.
[47] **Nether Sea**: A spatial dimension within the body for storing *Yuan*.
[48] **Heaven and Earth Manifestation**: A stage in the *Kunwu Technique* where the body can change size and form.
[49] **Wind-Sailing Boat of the Crimson Refinement, New Moon's Wind Traveler**: A flying artifact crafted by Chi Yan, upgraded by Chixiao for speed and protection.
原始中文文本
赤霄站在院內.少頃後,他突然說道:「進來.」
院門敞開,門外正站著青鵬.對於師父的未卜先知見怪不怪,青鵬入內站定後,先向赤霄行禮,然後說道:「師父,徒兒在朋友那裡聽到一個消息.」
「什麼事?」赤霄背對著青鵬,低頭看著掌紋,正在思慮.
「浮丘二老告訴徒兒,近日觀外有仙蹤跡,為數不少.然而,門內似乎並未察覺?」面對師父時,即便是瀟灑不羈的大師兄也有些拘謹,也許正因為他將赤霄視若生父,反倒比其他人多了幾分忐忑與期待.
「知道了.」赤霄沒有太大反應,只是淡淡地回應道.
青鵬見無話可說,本想對著師父背影施禮,然後自行退下.師父卻突然開口說道:「鵬兒,替為師走一趟金煌城的蒼生樓罷.」
「是.」並沒有多問,青鵬便直接應下.
赤霄繼續說道:「你的任務便是待在蒼生樓,只要得到王朝傳來的消息便第一時間送交為師.過幾日,赤煙會帶著幾名弟子,隱瞞行蹤前往寧原城,協助鎮守三目王朝.」
「那青書?」青鵬問道.
「青書本為三目王朝皇子,自然也要隨赤煙前往.」老道士回應道.
「師父,這次的對手是?」
赤霄停頓片刻,突然問道:「青鵬,這次只怕會有些犧牲.你怕嗎?」
「青鵬不怕.一日為道,便替人族開疆拓土,只怕無處可往,死有何懼?」聞言,青鵬朝向赤霄背影拱起手,擲地有聲.
赤霄沉默.青鵬維持躬身姿勢站在他身後,只是抬頭用堅定目光注視師父的背影.
「此事,確實是有意為之,背後之人也是貧道刻意招來.為師只是希望那些老對手,能暫時將目光移開,讓貧道能好好作些謀劃,不被察覺.」院中靜默片刻後,赤霄忽然開口解釋道.
接著,他轉過身注視著青鵬,說道:「依貧道推測,此次對手應是虎力大仙,其飛升上界已久,如今職掌天門,私縱其子下界.其子為貧道所戮,你與青書的北疆山之行,便有其布局軌跡,後為貧道所破.以牙還牙不成,想必更為震怒.」
青鵬這才知道為何師父當時在北疆山時會怒氣衝天,本以為是自己和師弟偷偷前往北疆山,還被那仙引離了道,原來這其中還有這般內情.
他急聲說道:「是徒兒⋯⋯」
赤霄制止了他的請罪,說道:「非也.貧道當日行事,早已清楚後事.此事也是貧道刻意為之,否則⋯⋯.下去罷,莫要多想.」
垂下頭,青鵬應聲道:「是.」
就在他將要踏出院門時,赤霄卻又突然叫住他,說道:「青鵬,去將青雲喚來,你二師弟這般大方,有什麼好寶貝都往他嘴裡塞.貧道掐指一算,今晚便是青雲入道時機,讓他來貧道小院,為師助他一把.」
青鵬離開後,赤霄便注視著蒼穹.
片刻後,嘆了一口氣,赤霄喃喃自語道:「青雲青雲,但願你真能平步青雲,也才不枉費貧道這諸般算計,連得弟子性命都往裡填.」
沒過多久,青雲便來到小院中,並向赤霄行禮.
「有山傀仙精魄幫助,又喝了這般多道液靈酒,入道之時便在此刻了.」赤霄打量著青雲,彷彿直接看見了青雲的修行進度.
將青雲領到內室後,赤霄便讓他盤坐蒲團上,入定觀元.
本來觀元狀態,身周若是有人說話,入定者會聽不明白,只覺如同雷聲隆隆,但此刻的青雲卻清晰地聽見了赤霄說的話.
『凡觀微,可衍之,不可測之.若測之,則必定之.靈照行於元,嘗與源合,則為道衍.源,萬物之基,陰陽行其軌,而未性子持中.道衍可述源之對應,陰子之對應,靈照之對應,萬物之對應也.萬物若道衍,則可合之,亦可聯之⋯⋯』
赤霄的誦經聲在青雲觀元時響起,雖然經文艱澀難通,但內容奧妙無比,讓青雲忍不住徜徉其中,不可自拔.
只不過,經文中有些內容,與青雲往日看過的道經背道而馳,這部分讓他心生疑惑.他仔細一深思,卻又覺果然如此,有恍然大悟的暢快感.而一些用字與過往道經類似,青雲也能夠分析出其中代表的不同,解讀出道經真義.
青雲嘗試照著經文內容去改動元的規律.當他成功完成了一小塊元的調配後,這才發現自己已經不知不覺的入道了.
巨大的驚喜充斥他的元神,讓操控中的元頓時一亂.
「醒來.」赤霄的聲音在青雲元神中響徹,青雲也隨之從入定觀元的狀態中清醒了過來.
一睜開眼,青雲便看見赤霄撫鬚而笑的樣子.而赤霄看見青雲清醒後,便說道:「方才便是小衍經的基礎,回去便自行參悟罷.」
青雲連忙應道:「是.」
赤霄又問道:「你可知,為何修行『昆吾煉體訣』便不能修『大衍空行訣』?」
青雲乖巧地回答道:「弟子不知.」
赤霄輕笑兩聲,先是說道:「那是一本直指道境的玄妙修行法,當年師姊不解其義時,曾問過貧道,因此貧道對『昆吾煉體訣』也略知一二.」
說完自己為何知道箇中原因後,赤霄便開始說明道:「昆吾訣修行者,在體內所有元能以昆吾規律運行後,便需修行『昆吾戰體』.昆吾煉體訣之奧妙也在於此,以昆吾特性,在體內埋藏無數冥海,並使其相安無事.平時再將體內一部分元藏於其中,以便身體能夠煉化更多的元.」
老道士頓了頓,繼續向下說道:「因此,戰體初時膀闊腰圓,全身會有如吹氣一般膨脹,有如憾天巨人,並可恣意改變軀體外型,又稱為法天相地.待到一定程度後,便能修行二階戰體,開始改變體內元的距離,使其間更加緊密.而後繼續擁有更多冥海,得以在冥海中藏入更多的元.以此循環,直至極境,此便為『昆吾煉體訣』大致之修行.」
青雲回憶起昆吾訣中畫的那些三頭六臂,身型巨大的戰體,忍不住浮想聯篇,為之神往.
「咳咳⋯⋯」發覺自己不小心將昆吾訣說得太好,老道士連忙輕咳兩聲,待青雲回過神後,他連忙補救道:「大衍空行訣涉及時與空,自然不是昆吾煉體訣可比.不過,也因為如此,修行大衍空行訣亟需體內元之穩定,便不得修行昆吾煉體訣了.」
青雲似懂非懂的點頭,臉上還是帶著一抹可惜.
赤霄見狀,從懷中取出一本藍色道經,不由分說便塞入青雲懷中,說道:「此為大衍空行訣抄本,其內亦有專屬於吾等大衍空行訣修行者的袖裡乾坤法,回去後仔細研究,盡快將其掌握.」
想了想,還是覺得有些不夠,赤霄又朝青雲招了招手,等青雲猶豫地靠近後,他又從懷中掏出一樣物事.
「拿著,等你學會袖裡乾坤後,便可以在此寶中烙下印記.」赤霄手中握著一艘精緻小船,有些吃痛地遞給青雲.
「師父,這是?」青雲臉上帶著疑惑.
赤霄解釋道:「在五行觀外,道者有所忌憚,並不隨意飛行,但若依靠此寶,便去了許多顧忌.」
他得意地補充道:「此寶名為『赤煉正無新月者風行帆』,乃赤煙所煉之寶.年輕時,為師尚未學會空行之術,便是以此闖蕩尋仙.其上本有簡單的五行陣法,為師已經其改為八門陣,可不懼尋常仙修.此寶飛行本以風行陣為主,貧道也將其改為空行陣,大大加快了此寶飛行速度,更初具穿行之能.」
經過浮丘山一事,甫一聽見法寶名,青雲便馬上悟出其內涵深意,連忙拼命揮手想要拒絕,赤霄卻橫眉豎目地一瞪,再度將這件飛行法寶強行塞入青雲懷中.
「可師父,這是師伯所贈⋯⋯」青雲努力想要暗示師父,法寶名字上的深意.
卻聽見師父毫不在乎地說道:「貧道早就沒用了,如果不是平時拜訪朋友需要門面,哪還會帶在身上.」
手持燙手山芋,青雲不知道該將這件「赤煙所煉,贈心悅者風帆」放在哪裡,只得小心翼翼地捧在懷中,生怕不小心就嗑著,碰著了.
赤霄見他小心翼翼,以為青雲對風帆的堅固尚有疑慮.他將風帆取過,一把砸到地上,指著風帆說道:「看,師父這麼摔不也沒事?」
青雲嚇了一跳,連忙俯身將風帆捧起,赤霄見他這副模樣,指著他笑道:「看看你這副心疼樣,師父寶貝還很多,好好修練大衍空行訣,為師自有嘉獎.」
終於明白為什麼師祖會算不出師父的姻緣,青雲嘆了口氣,向赤霄拱手告辭,赤霄正要揮手讓他退下,卻突然輕咦一聲,抬頭朝半空中問道:「師姊,怎麼來了也不通知貧道一聲?貧道才剛和青雲提起妳呢.」
青雲渾身一抖,順著赤霄目光看去.
只見赤煙飄在空中,目光凜冽地看著師徒二人,不知道正在想些什麼,也沒有開口回答赤霄的話.
「師,師父,弟子先行告退,這風行帆⋯⋯」青雲霎時就想開溜,更順手想將風行帆塞回給赤霄.
赤霄哈哈大笑,說道:「青雲吶,平日可沒見你這般客氣.這風行帆剛剛為師也摔給你看了,難道你還怕不夠堅固?」
此時,赤煙幽幽地看向青雲,意有所指地說道:「青雲師侄,你便收下罷.這風行帆也舊了,不適合你師父了.」
最後一句,一字一頓,語氣森冷.
只有一旁的赤霄仍毫無所覺,眉開眼笑地向青雲說道:「徒兒啊,難道還得師伯和師父一起勸你收下?」
青雲聞言,下意識地嚥了口唾沫,顫顫巍巍往師伯瞄去一眼,卻正好撞見赤煙那冷若冰霜的眼神,手忍不住一抖,將風行帆再次摔在地上.
頓時,三雙眼睛一起看向地上的風行帆.