Chapter Ninety-Four: The Marvelous Dragon Whisker Tree (An Extensive Chapter of Four Thousand Words)

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At the Tai Xiao Palace, entangled with the Blood Sea Earth Immortals, Ji Feichen and his companions managed to reach their destination smoothly.

Outside the valley, immortal vines hung with broad leaves, and green creepers adorned with red flowers. Towering mountain walls flanked either side, jagged spiritual rocks protruding fiercely. Various strange stone statues of coiling dragons and crouching qilin seemed to guard the valley. Within, yin and yang energies spiraled continuously, punctuated by sudden dragon roars and booming divine thunder.

“The treasure from Yunxiao Pavilion is here. You two, the valley has yin-yang winds; my primordial spirit form might not withstand getting close,” Fu Yutang warned, intending to leave him outside. Ji Feichen cut in swiftly: “This is easy. Brother Dao, enter the Golden Glow Pearl; I’ll protect you.” One cannot harbor suspicion; if the two entered and Gao Ning closed the entrance outside, there would be no way out.

Thus, Ji Feichen forcibly pulled Gao Ning along into the valley.

Upon entering, the yin-yang fierce winds howled. Ji Feichen turned to Fu Yutang: “How’s your practice of Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers?”

“Well… my master said my root nature is shallow, so I haven’t mastered this path technique yet.” As he spoke, he activated his Dao fruit, and a circular light Dao image appeared behind his head. Two slender smoke clouds rose and morphed into a precious fan’s shape, but the spiritual fan was illusory and unstable, far weaker than Ji Feichen’s pre-immortal state.

“Forget it, I’ll do it.” Seeing him unreliable, Ji Feichen pointed his finger, releasing yin-yang energies. Two dragons howled long and circled, forming a mysterious black-and-white canopy above them, protecting both.

The canopy hung down with jeweled light strings and silken clouds. The raging wind inside the valley could not disturb the jewels and silks; the thunderstorm overhead could not break the yin-yang divine dragons.

Along the way, Ji Feichen quietly pondered the cause and effect: “If I don’t inherit Yunxiao Pavilion’s fate, when will it revive? Without me, Fu Yutang wouldn’t have come to the Central Plains to seek the murderer of his family, nor would he have obtained Yunxiao Pavilion’s treasure.”

“So indeed, the Yunxiao Pavilion’s lineage needs to wait hundreds of years for the Moon Yang Garden’s master to return? Or even without me, would Fu Yutang’s family still be killed, leading him to the Central Plains and this immortal estate matter?”

But on reflection, the Immortal Lady Yuzhi had secluded overseas for years and yet never obtained Yunxiao Pavilion’s treasure, proving she was not the destined heir.

The threads of fate were tangled like a ball of yarn; Ji Feichen could not figure it out and set it aside, turning to Gao Ning to inquire about the treasure.

Regarding that treasure, Gao Ning hesitated: “Fellow Daoist, you will see it naturally.”

The Yunxiao Pavilion’s treasure was peculiar, not appearing as a true treasure, and Gao Ning found it hard to explain. So he led the two to the central Eight Trigrams Pool to retrieve it.

The nine-bend railing was decorated with gold and jade; the Eight Trigrams jade pool was guarded by the Four Divine Beasts. To the east was the Azure Dragon of Wood, south the Vermilion Bird of Fire, west the White Tiger of Metal, and north the Black Tortoise of Water. These were the Four Divine Beasts, corresponding to the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise.

The Four Beasts corresponded to the Five Elements. In the center of the jade pool lay a patch of Wu-Ki spiritual earth, in which grew a green-leaved immortal root. The treasure tree shimmered with divine light, swirling with mysterious mist, surrounded by innate yin-yang energy.

Ji Feichen had spent much energy crossing the Blood Sea and resisting the yin-yang fierce winds and cosmic thunder. Now, with little spiritual power left, the treasure tree’s aura refreshed him instantly, helping him recover his energy.

“This is a banana tree, right?” Fu Yutang, having cultivated overseas, had seen mundane banana trees.

“Banana leaves aren’t this wide, and this tree doesn’t bear fruit,” Ji Feichen observed carefully. He vaguely remembered seeing a similar tree in his past life; his grandmother loved flowers and once grew a similar tree.

“It’s more like a palmetto leaf.” The tree’s leaves could be used to make palm fans. But this treasure tree had only two leaves, each seven feet long and two feet wide, each wrapped in yin and yang energy.

“This is the Dragon Whisker treasure tree. Where you come from, two long threads dance in the wind—that’s the so-called ‘Dragon Whiskers’,” Gao Ning said solemnly. “This is the Yunxiao Pavilion’s precious treasure—the Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker Fan—now returned to its rightful owner!”

A fan? This was clearly a tree. Even if the leaves could be fans, would there be two?

Fu Yutang and Ji Feichen exchanged puzzled looks.

Ji Feichen raised his chin and said, “You can try. If you’re fated, you should be able to take it.”

So Fu Yutang stepped forward to retrieve the fan.

As he stepped onto the Eight Trigrams Pool, the Four Divine Beasts roared fiercely, immense pressure surging toward Fu Yutang.

Outside, Ji Feichen watched him struggle, slowly approaching the treasure tree. Fu Yutang reached out to grasp a leaf but was immediately repelled by the mysterious black-and-white aura from the tree and fell from the pool.

Ji Feichen flicked his hand, a gentle wind catching Fu Yutang, then stepped forward and cautiously handed him the Golden Glow Pearl to hold.

The treasure tree embodied the yin-yang great way. Its roots nurtured the Five Elements in the soil, linked with the Four Divine Beasts, and contained the mysteries of the Ten Heavenly Stems. Ordinary people trying to take the treasure would be attacked by the combined forces of yin-yang, four symbols, five elements, Eight Trigrams, nine palaces, and heavenly stems.

“The yin and yang generate the Four Symbols, which correspond to the Sun, Moon, Lesser Yin, and Lesser Yang, secretly matching the Way of the Five Elements. This must be the Yunxiao Pavilion’s Four Symbols Divine Art from the Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers,” Ji Feichen mused.

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The fundamental divine art of Yunxiao Pavilion—the Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers—can regress to the Primordial Chaos of ancient times, the chaotic state before heaven and earth separated, returning yin and yang to the supreme ultimate (Taiji). Further progression unfolds into two forces generating four symbols, four symbols and five elements opening heaven and earth.

Ji Feichen lifted his hand, holding a precious pearl calmly as he stepped onto the Eight Trigrams Pool.

This Primordial Dragon Pearl symbolized the Taiji and was the true heirloom of Yunxiao Pavilion. As he walked, earth, fire, wind, and water elements swirled around him, trying to annihilate his body and soul. But the vast smoke and clouds, the boundless chaos, and the Primordial Pearl’s heavenly light suppressed all, subduing every great Dao born of heaven and earth. Neither two forces, four symbols, five elements, nor Eight Trigrams could prevail.

Finally, Ji Feichen reached the treasure tree.

Observing closely, the immortal root’s two leaves had profound veins, resembling the patterns of the great Dao, the truth of the immortal path.

Without instruction, Ji Feichen naturally understood the method to claim the treasure. He extended his hand: “Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers.” From his palm emerged black and white halos, two dragon whiskers entwined with the treasure tree, transforming into two dragons coiling upon it. The long dragons radiated vigor, their scales marked with clear Dao characters.

Boom—

With each resounding dragon roar, the treasure tree surged upward, earth and stones flying, overturning the Eight Trigrams Pool. The surrounding Four Divine Beasts shattered, only the energies of earth, fire, wind, and water surged into Ji Feichen’s hand-held immortal root.

When the light faded and dust settled, Ji Feichen held a large banana leaf fan.

The golden fan was as big as a banana leaf, adorned with two tufts of black-and-white dragon whisker-like light. One side bore a Taiji diagram; the other bore the pattern of the two forces, inscribed with the “Supreme Cloud Ascending Dragon Jade Blossom True Scripture.” The scripture veins resembled the veins of the precious leaf, perfectly natural.

The fan swirled clouds and smoke, shaking earth and mountains. The Eight Trigrams Pool transformed into a jade pendant hanging from the fan’s handle.

The treasure’s light pierced the sky, so spectacular that the grand immortal estate could barely conceal its anomaly.

The Blood Sea Earth Immortals changed color abruptly: “A yin-yang treasure? Has some immortal Dao treasure manifested?”

The power surged to the clouds, causing even the Earth Immortals outside the estate to reveal strange expressions.

Many from Tai Xiao Palace had arrived; numerous Earth Immortals were already blocking the gate, confronting the demon sect members before them.

With the treasure revealed, the few from Tai Xiao Palace exchanged final glances.

“The heavenly fate, truly the ultimate principle of fate. Who would have thought the lost Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker Fan of Yunxiao Pavilion has returned?”

Upon hearing this, members of the Dao De Sect and Tai Qing Sect nearby beamed with joy. Within their sect’s mountain realms, two beams of treasured light appeared, resonating with the Dragon Whisker Fan in Ji Feichen’s hand.

Laughter echoed from the main hall of Tai Qing Sect: “Ha ha… The supreme treasure manifests; our Tai Shang lineage’s fate is undying. This millennium’s Dao Discussion will likely be won by our Tai Shang lineage once again!”

The Tai Shang Doctrine was the orthodox path of the mysterious gate. The sect master of Tai Qing Sect took pride in this direct and orthodox lineage. In his eyes, what were Tai Yuan and Tai Xiao compared to the Tai Shang lineage? Though somewhat arrogant, the Tai Shang lineage had maintained its momentum these years; Tai Qing Sect had contributed the most.

“The Yunxiao Pavilion’s supreme treasure has returned, strengthening our Tai Shang lineage’s prestige. But I wonder, who currently holds this treasure?” The Dao De Sect leader stood before the treasured heirloom of their transmission, murmuring.

A mirror reflecting human hearts and discerning all things rippled, unfolding boundless heavenly fate.

In the end, only the Dao De Sect leader truly understood the outcome.

The Wuwei Sect, embodying tranquility and nonaction, follows the Dao of nature. An old immortal was dozing atop a mountain when a glaze-colored treasure light suddenly burst forth nearby. Groggy, he waved it away; it fell rolling down to a disciple below.

That disciple looked closely: the light transformed into an immortal artifact in his hands. He gasped, “Master has thrown away our sect’s sacred inheritance again!” He prepared to ascend the mountain to reason with the old immortal.

But after a few steps, he stopped.

“Master’s lazy nature will never accomplish great things. Ever since my senior brother left the sect, Master hasn’t cared about our affairs, even casually discarding our sacred treasure. Maybe I should run away with the treasure; no rush!”

So the young girl packed her belongings and left the sect.

A while later, a child came to report to the old immortal: “Master, bad news—Senior Sister left a letter and ran away!”

The old immortal yawned: “Let her go. Everything is fate. She goes her worldly path; I seek my transcendental Dao.”

“But Master… she took the sect’s treasure! Didn’t you say our Wuwei Sect rose because of that treasure?”

“Great Tao embraces nonaction, follow the natural course. Gain or loss, let it be. If the sect leader doesn’t mind, why should you be so attached?” The old immortal shook his head and tapped the child’s forehead: “Let her go. The Dao of nonaction depends entirely on fate. The great trend of the world is how it unfolds.” He rose and gazed toward the Lingwei Immortal Estate, chuckling: “Tai Shang’s transmission, yin and yang divided the Dao. I never expected the Dragon Whisker Fan would emerge. I wonder how those at Yuangong will react. Can they still use ‘maintaining the heavenly Dao’ as an excuse to deal with these Qi Refiners of Yunxiao Pavilion?”

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The child, seeing the old immortal indifferent, added: “Senior Sister said she has no silver to travel in the mortal world, so she emptied your wine cellar to exchange for money.”

The old immortal’s mouth twitched, and he immediately checked the cellar—his years of treasured wine were all gone.

“That girl is ruthless! When her senior brother left, he only took a few jars of spirit wine. She took everything! We must hurry and retrieve it before she gets too far!”

At this, the child rode a celestial crane and said coolly: “Master, Tai Shang’s nonaction means to follow nature, remember? Gain or loss, you’re an old immortal with many tribulations. Why are you more attached than I, a mere child?”

Stumped by his disciple’s words, the old immortal could only hum. “Indeed… Tai Shang’s nonaction, it’s just a few bottles of wine! I’ll brew more!” His fingers trembled inside his sleeve; his beard fluttered as he chuckled quietly.

Yet thinking of his senior brother and sister leaving the sect, worry crept in: “I’ve heard it’s dangerous outside. I hope they’re safe.”

An ancient Taoist lineage of the Tai Shang branch returned. Wuming stood above the Blood Sea, pensive: “It should be Qinghong who obtained the treasure. Never imagined the Yunxiao legacy, the Dragon Whisker Fan, was in Lingwei Estate. This makes our odds even greater.”

He then vanished into the Thick Earth Hall, covertly aiding the immortals against the demon cultivators.

…

Not long ago, a battle erupted outside Thick Earth Hall.

The demon sect’s Tao Wanru acquired the Lingwei jade plate to open the immortal estate.

Fang He was furious: “Damn Qinghong, so rigid and inflexible, unwilling to let us use the immortal sword.”

The Thick Earth Hall’s gates slowly opened, and the immortals regretted not forcing Qinghong to stay and help open the gates with the immortal sword.

Just then, a golden glow shot into the sky, interrupting Tao Wanru’s entry.

“Stop him!” Yang Fei and others attacked together, but Yu Ming countered with a sword, forcing them back. Surrounded by layers of golden light and wearing a treasured garment, he was untouched by demonic energy.

“A Peachwood Sword of Exorcism?” Holding the peachwood sword, they were shocked. The golden glow landed by the gate; Wanru sighed, “My junior sister reincarnated, but after returning, she fell to the demon path.”

Tao Wanru held the jade plate, sensing the immortal estate, suddenly opening her eyes. The man in hemp clothing seemed vaguely familiar.

Yu Ming shook his head, beckoned, and the jade plate flew into his right hand. He then turned and entered the main hall.

Boom—

The gate closed, golden light enveloping the estate, where a spiritual mechanism slowly condensed.

“Tao girl, what’s going on?”

Demons gathered; Tao Wanru felt uneasy, shaking her head: “Not sure, but he should be Lingwei Sect’s orthodox heir.”

The orthodox heir had arrived, wielding a peachwood sword. Li Jingxun felt a stir: “Senior Brother Qinghong found the true heir? But where is he? Why didn’t he come with us?”

The mysterious gate side, seeing Lingwei Sect’s heir arrive, smiled easily. They were merely supporters; helping anyone was the same. With the heir’s return, there was no need to dispute.

So, Jing Xuan asked Fang He: “Dao brother! That man carries a peachwood sword, likely gifted by Junior Brother Qinghong, so surely the estate heir. Why not assist him and help him take control of the estate?”

Li Xuange of Hongyang Cave Heaven looked complicated, but his senior brother decided promptly: “Right. Since the heir returns, we should assist.”

Failing to seize the estate, they could at least befriend the Lingwei heir rather than become enemies.

The mysterious gate valued face; even if Fang He wanted to help his junior brother gain the estate for Taiyuan Palace’s branch, he dared not act rashly in public.

Thus, under Jing Xuan’s lead, they helped Yu Ming defend the gate against the demon sect.

(To be continued.)