At Zhi Xin Temple, they were bustling with activity, and Yuanyang Temple wasn’t calm either.
Chongxu Zi was leading a group of Daoist Children, sitting quietly to recite scriptures, calming the mind and settling the heart, suppressing the inherent chaotic thoughts of the human mind.
Inside the grand hall, beneath the deity statue, the old Daoist held a duster, facing the altar.
Behind him were seven or eight meditation cushions, occupied by children around twelve or thirteen years old, swaying their heads, eyes closed in recitation.
The abstruse, difficult-to-pronounce esoteric scriptures were like melodious and graceful musical compositions.
The rhythmic sounds combined with the blue smoke from the incense burning in the furnace, lightly tolling bells and chimes, enveloped the Daoist Temple.
Creating a sense of comfort and relaxation for both body and mind.
This was a compulsory lesson at the Daoist School.
The cultivation of Daoist arts might not seem as arduous as martial arts like standing posture training, practicing punches, or wielding Qi Blood, facing wind and sun daily.
In truth, it’s harder to get started. Without guidance from Daoist School mentors, one can hardly take a step forward.
Therefore, for centuries, the history books remember, standing at the forefront and manipulating the winds and clouds, heterodox loose cultivators have been rare.
There are barely enough to count on two hands.
"You are still young, it is the crucial moment to lay a solid foundation. Do not be lazy or slack off.
Also, do not imitate the eldest brothers from the Thirteen Trades in the city, who often take medicines to strengthen themselves, always seeking shortcuts."
Chongxu Zi earnestly instructed everyone:
"The correct method of cultivation lies in ’stillness’. Only with stillness can there be tranquility, and with tranquility can there be peace, cultivating ’innate nature as one’.
Therefore, the first lesson upon entering the Daoist School is meditation.
There are many subtleties within this, and you must remember them well."
Dressed in loose Daoist Robes, with hair tied up, Bai Ming sat upright on the meditation cushion.
His eyelids were half-lowered, following Chongxu Zi’s instruction, keeping three parts open and seven parts closed.
Because keeping the eyes fully open can easily stir up distractions, while fully closing them can lead to drowsiness and sleep.
Neither is beneficial for meditation.
"Elder Brother has a deep foundation; eating elixir and avoiding grain comes naturally to him, especially entering tranquility. That profound "Dragon Subdues Yellow Springs Scripture", I only read it once and felt greatly benefited.
Unfortunately, my qualifications are not as good."
Bai Ming touched his tongue to his palate, as they say, "Tongue is the mouth".
In alchemy scriptures, it is also called "Sealing the Mouth", where one presses the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
This is also one of the secrets of meditation, where the tongue must be rolled back to press the underside of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Because there are two small cavities in the human palate known as "Heaven Pool Points", directly connecting to the Nirvana, which easily leaks spirit and essence.
Therefore, it must be blocked, like an infant suckling.
"A true transmission takes only a single phrase, while false transmission fills ten thousand volumes. Elder Brother sent me to the Daoist School, a well-intentioned effort, for even in Black River County, with Lady Willow God’s technique transmission, many areas have to be comprehended autonomously."
Bai Ming’s breathing was natural, his left hand as yang, right hand as yin, with the yang hand outside, yin hand inside, thumbs crossing, forming a Tai Chi embrace.
This scene in Chongxu Zi’s eyes made him nod approvingly, actively praising:
"Your entry was earlier than Chang Ming, yet your meditation practice is far behind him. The human mind is changeable, like a galloping horse, difficult to rein in and stop.
To achieve tranquility of body and mind, our predecessors established many methods, such as listening to the breath, sitting in oblivion, guarding the one, counting breaths, etc.
The Daoist School even established the ’Xin Studio’ course, making ’Listening to Breath’, ’Observing Light’, and ’Stopping Thoughts’ compulsory practices.
Chang Ming’s breathing has already reached a state of deep, long, even, subtle, and gentle, proving how attentive and earnest he is in listening to lectures daily."
The other Daoist Children lowered their heads; the young boys’ minds were unstable, finding it hard to sit still, let alone meditate systematically.
Only Qingfeng, who had the closest relationship with Bai Ming, chuckled quietly, only to be immediately singled out by Chongxu Zi:
"Qingfeng! You were the first to enter, yet your meditation practice still lags behind Chang Ming! You play around with mischief all day, naughty by nature, so you are to copy The Celestial Honored One’s Scripture of Compassion and Exoneration twenty times as punishment!"
Qingfeng pouted, shrank his head, and immediately fell silent.
Chongxu Zi stood up, flicked the duster, and instructed the Daoist Children to continue meditating and reciting scriptures.
Crossing the threshold alone, he sighed inwardly:
"The good seedlings for cultivation in the County City were all absorbed by Zhi Xin Temple, while the children of the Thirteen Trades are unwilling to warm Yuanyang Temple’s cold oven, instead flocking to join Master Xuanji’s disciples.
If it weren’t for the fortunate discovery of Chang Ming, it would be difficult to pass even the capital examination."
He stroked his beard, full of worries.
Although he was about to retire, as a Cyan Register Daoist Official stationed in a county, if his achievements were too mediocre, he might receive reduced treatment upon returning home.
"Truly envious of the Purple Register Daoist Officials in the Prefecture City, I hear even after they retire with honors, they receive about half a cauldron of spiritual energy each month.
In contrast, the County City Cyan Register Daoist Officials receive barely a third of that; reportedly, the Daoist Official masters at the Divine Capital Central Hub live much more comfortably, entering the Grotto Heaven twice each year, with some even settling there, enjoying a peaceful retirement..."
Chongxu Zi clicked his tongue softly, his envy palpable; for a cultivator like him, having no hope of reaching Ghost Immortal or receiving the privilege of rebirth in the Dragon Court,
his greatest hope in this life is to enter the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, allowing his Divine Soul Thoughts to be nurtured by spiritual energy, lest as his end nears, heart demons arise, turning into a fearsome Turbid Tide neither human nor ghost.
"It’s a bitter struggle to obtain Daoist registration, even with an official title, it’s ultimately hard to be among the elite. In the Red County Divine Land, it’s still the world of noble families and major sect immortals,"
Chongxu Zi lamented, like a scholar full of frustrated aspirations.
Suddenly, his Divine Soul trembled, and he looked up towards the sky.
Hearing the Lou Drum thunderous, the Golden Gong resounding, echoing almost throughout Yihai Prefecture.
The city pedestrians craned their necks, looking around in all directions.
Unable to fathom the origin of such a grand commotion.
"What a formidable display, could it be an imperial decree from the Emperor?"
Chongxu Zi was stunned; the last time Yihai Prefecture heard the Lou Drum and Golden Gong was ten years ago.