Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Three Questions of Kunlun

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Strangely, what was the origin of this small copper coin?
“Child, what is the origin of the jade you carry?” Yang Nan already had some idea about the mysterious copper coin in his possession. This treasure was undoubtedly an innate spiritual treasure of the highest grade. The possession of an artifact spirit within a magical instrument was unheard of; most people only imprinted demon souls or divine soul marks onto their instruments. How could it compare to a naturally born artifact spirit?
The colorful-clad boy was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and said, “Master, I only know my name is Yong’er. As for my origin... I have no knowledge at all.”
An innate spiritual treasure’s artifact spirit is said to be immortal for millions of years. Yong’er’s peculiar nature made Yang Nan quite curious. Yong’er’s body seemed substantial yet hovered lightly in midair before Yang Nan, cradling his head with small hands, as if earnestly trying to recall his origins.
Seeing the boy’s confused expression, Yang Nan knew he was telling the truth. He looked up at Bu Xu and Xuan Xu, hoping these venerable masters could help unravel the mystery.
Xuan Xu sighed, “The seven-colored divine light illuminating heaven and earth—this is truly an innate spiritual treasure. Its origin is extraordinary and likely not simple. This artifact spirit seems newly born, with no memories except knowing you are its master. It must have a unique background.”
Bu Xu replied calmly, “No matter its origin, as long as it can protect Yang Nan on his journey to the Underworld, that is enough.”
Hearing their words, it seemed even they did not understand the coin’s origin, which made Yang Nan all the more curious. “Master, I don’t quite understand,” he said.
Xuan Xu laughed softly, “The founder Qingya has been missing for a thousand years. We Kunlun disciples searched all over the Divine Continent but could not find him. So, we must descend into the Underworld to investigate. Since you possess divine light protection, you can enter the Underworld. Otherwise, how could you become Bu Xu’s disciple? And how could I waste these few drops of innate spiritual water on you?” As he spoke, Xuan Xu reached out and shook the Lingmiao gourd, making a playful gesture as if requesting payment.
Yang Nan suddenly understood—everything has cause and effect. Bu Xu revealed the seven-colored divine light to persuade the sect leader to accept him as a disciple, merely to assure Xuan Xu that he could retrieve the founder Qingya’s soul!
Bu Xu was willing to make great efforts for himself; this gesture deeply moved Yang Nan.
Xuan Xu hung the small copper coin on Yang Nan’s chest again, saying, “This object has recognized you as its master. When you become a Grandmaster, you may journey to the Underworld. But remember, you owe me several rare spiritual roots from heaven and earth. Without them, I won’t let you off easily!”
Seeing Xuan Xu repeatedly demand payments, yet in such an affable manner, Yang Nan felt a rare warmth. He chuckled, “Master, rest assured, I will find many rare treasures from heaven and earth to honor you in the future.”
Xuan Xu tapped his head and scolded jokingly, “Little monkey, do you think heavenly spiritual roots are so easy to find? If you return three to me, that will be enough.” The so-called spiritual roots were divine objects containing a trace of innate spiritual energy from the creation of heaven and earth. Xuan Xu’s Lingmiao gourd was one such artifact—these were treasures that could not be casually obtained.
Bu Xu led Yang Nan out of the Founder’s Hall, and Yong’er retreated back into the copper coin. Yang Nan sighed deeply. Bu Xu raised her delicate eyebrows, “What are you thinking about now?”
Yang Nan sighed, “Master, today I finally understand how much you care for me. I can never repay your kindness...”
Bu Xu replied calmly, “I only wish you to succeed. I know you have many doubts—why I treat you differently.”
Yang Nan nodded, still puzzled. Could it be because he was exceptionally talented?
What a joke! Kunlun Mountain was not short of talented people. What genius did the Kunlun sect lack?
Besides practicing the Yin-Yang Wheel together, what other reason could there be? Simply to send him to the Underworld to find the founder’s soul?
Bu Xu took his hand and led him to a statue. Pointing at the peculiar sculpture, she said, “This is my master, the Venerable Cangyan...”
The statue stood with limbs outstretched, face serene. A divine sword pierced from chest through back, as if stabbed through the heart—an extremely tragic sight. Yang Nan was shocked and asked, “Is this the founder? Why would someone want to kill him?”
Though Kunlun’s venerables were not necessarily invincible, who could kill one of them easily?
Bu Xu saw Yang Nan’s shocked expression and shook her head sadly, “Your founder was not slain by others. He destroyed his divine weapon and perished together with the Great Asura from the Demon Realm. He has long turned to ashes. This is the image imprinted in my mind from the moment of his death.”
The Great Asura of the Demon Realm was nearly a saint-level powerhouse. Since the founder could perish alongside him, his cultivation must have surpassed even Bu Xu’s. Yang Nan admired this formidable ancestor deeply.

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Yet Bu Xu’s voice carried a trace of unspeakable sorrow and bitterness, stirring something within Yang Nan’s heart—Master... seemed to have feelings toward the founder beyond mere teacher and disciple...
Though her expression was calm today, her palm’s warmth betrayed her emotional turmoil!
What could cause such intense fluctuations in Bu Xu’s heart?
As Yang Nan pondered, Bu Xu spoke candidly, “I have been a top-tier venerable for a hundred years but have never ascended to sainthood. I have overcome most of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, but the emotional tribulation eludes me. I have accompanied your founder for hundreds of years. Though he passed away suddenly, his voice and image linger in my heart! Yang Nan, your founder’s death is a great calamity to me. Since then, although my divine powers have grown, I have been unable to advance beyond great venerable to saint. I accepted you as my disciple partly because you resemble Cangyan, and partly to use you to temper my own heart and seek sainthood!”
Her eyes flickered with emotion; the usual detachment vanished. In that moment, her icy gaze reflected pain, regret, and longing.
Such matters were always veiled in mystery by elders!
What kind of person was Bu Xu? Even facing her disciple, she spoke openly of her past!
Yet her frank words shook Yang Nan deeply. Master truly loved the founder, entangled in an emotional web she could not escape!
How long had the founder been gone? The demon star cycles every eight hundred years... which meant...
Bu Xu had been unable to overcome her heart tribulation for centuries?
A centuries-long sorrowful love... how could one not be moved? How many people in this world could love so deeply?
“To temper the heart and seek sainthood.” Yang Nan silently repeated Bu Xu’s words, suddenly understanding that for cultivators, so-called heavenly tribulations did not truly exist; only heart tribulations did. To become a saint, one must experience all Seven Emotions and Six Desires to perceive the true self.
Those who cannot sever their desires will not become immortals. Cultivators speak of transcendence, not severance.
Desire is like a cart; the person is the driver. The cultivator must control desire, not be controlled by it, or progress will be impossible.
But...
Who but the supreme can forget emotions?
Forgetting emotions is the boundary between mortal and immortal.
Failing to forget emotions makes the Seven Emotions and Six Desires more fearsome than any heavenly tribulation—burning the five viscera, spawning inner demons, invoking a thousand thunderbolts, reducing one to ashes...
Old love is hard to let go; mortal ties are difficult to sever!
Who could ignore the sudden loss of a beloved companion with whom they shared a heart?
Bu Xu’s difficulty crossing this emotional threshold was why she sought someone resembling her master to accompany her, hoping to untie the knots in her heart.
“Today’s effect surely has yesterday’s cause...” Yang Nan looked into Bu Xu’s dazzling icy eyes and suddenly understood—Master intended to use him to transcend the founder!
“Am I really so much like the Venerable Cangyan?” Yang Nan asked softly, gazing at the statue of serene sacrifice. Though Bu Xu’s rescue had a purpose, Yang Nan would never forget her kindness. Could her plan truly pass the tribulation?
Looking at Yang Nan’s handsome face, Bu Xu’s eyes flashed with a strange light, “Different in form but similar in spirit! A million bodies, one essence—I only see the spirit, not the form.”
Cultivators possess vast powers of transformation—beauty or ugliness, human or demon, anything can be changed. Yet a person’s essence is difficult to alter. This is the ‘spirit’ Bu Xu spoke of.

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Bu Xu helped him cultivate; he, in turn, would help her overcome the heart tribulation. He wondered what astonishing brilliance the founder once possessed to cast such an indelible shadow on Bu Xu’s heart.
Understanding this, Yang Nan said seriously, “Master, before joining, I have several questions I wish to ask. Could you please enlighten your disciple?”
Bu Xu nodded gently, “To ask questions upon joining Kunlun is tradition. As your master, it is my duty to answer. Speak freely.”
Yang Nan thought for a moment and asked, “The Way of Heaven—there are those who follow it and those who oppose it. Is the true Way to save all beings, or is it survival of the fittest? What is the true Way?”
He had long pondered: cultivation—what exactly is one cultivating? What is the true Way?
Is slaughtering like cutting wheat the Way? Is loving all under heaven the Way? Is becoming an immortal for selfish gain the Way? Or is it helping the world and embracing all under heaven?
The Great Way is myriad and complicated; countless principles exist. Which one is the true Heavenly Way?
If one does not clarify this, how can one persist in the Way and advance?
Bu Xu smiled faintly, a look of enlightenment on her face. “There are three thousand Great Ways—following or opposing the Way is still the Way. Only my will is the true Way. My will is Heaven’s will. Therefore, my Way is the Heavenly Way. Understand?”
Bu Xu’s words struck Yang Nan like a morning bell ringing in his mind! He slapped his head and exclaimed, “I understand! Their Way is but a path set by others. How can one follow their footsteps and become the Way? I must create my own Way. Following is my Way; opposing is my Way. My will defines the Way! Only by being true to one’s nature can one realize the Great Way!”
He had lived two lifetimes and only now fully understood. Whether as mortal or immortal, as long as one stays true to oneself—whether killing or showing mercy, whether good or evil—that is the truth. Kunlun’s leader smiled freely; Bu Xu killed mercilessly. Were they not both true to themselves?
True nature is not about being vicious or merciful, timid or bold...
Cultivation is the process of peeling away layers of illusion to reveal the true self...
Bu Xu nodded, clearly pleased with his insight. “Any more questions, ask.”
‘Heh heh, having a master is truly good...’ Yang Nan thought happily and asked again, “After the creation of heaven and earth, the three realms of heaven, human, and ghost became chaotic. Nowadays, humans and ghosts are indistinguishable; demons and monsters mingle; the Demon Realm intervenes. The world is in turmoil. Though there are Heavenly Laws, they only treat symptoms, not the root cause. Master, is there any way to truly restore peace?”
The world was growing more chaotic. As long as demons and ghosts exist, there would be no end to the strife. What good were celestial edicts if those in charge faltered, plunging the world into chaos again? Every eight hundred years, the demon star strikes the sky’s twin stars; every eight hundred years, the Demon Realm invades the human world, bringing storms of bloodshed. When would this cycle end?
Why couldn’t this world be like his previous life, where only humans existed, free of demons and ghosts?
Yang Nan’s question made Bu Xu pause before solemnly replying, “The seven energies cycle through heaven and earth, and all beings grow naturally. This is fate. Unless the Ancestor Panxi reopens chaos and creates a new heaven and earth, or a great power divides the realms to isolate them, chaos will never cease, and peace will never be achieved. Even gathering all the world’s top immortals may not accomplish this.”
Reopening chaos would melt heaven and earth into a furnace; dividing the realms would create a new world. Neither feat was achievable by any saint or immortal except the legendary creator ancestor Panxi.
Bu Xu’s words seemed to answer nothing yet contained undeniable truth, which explained her solemnity. Yang Nan nodded, “Master, I understand. It’s not impossible, only no one has reached that realm yet!” Then he asked, “Master, who are the top ten masters of the world and the top ten masters of the Dao Sect?”
Bu Xu was silent for a moment, “There are ten saints among demons, ten venerables among Daoists, twelve among demons, and countless strong men in the mortal realm. To become immortal, you must face many challenges. You will meet these masters in time. But saint-level figures rarely appear; most are powerful venerables.”
Yang Nan was stunned. Just venerables? Such a rank was not easy to cultivate! The world was teeming with strong men and masters. This humble soldier was truly like an ant.
Bu Xu glanced at the statue of Cangyan; a trace of melancholy flashed in her icy eyes. Suddenly she said, “Since you have asked three questions, no more are needed. Return to Spirit Beast Mountain. In a few months, I will come to train the Undying Yin-Yang Wheel with you. Within a few years, I will help you reach Grandmaster. After that, you may descend the mountain to roam. Becoming a Grandmaster requires making a venerable’s vow to perfect the path of enlightenment. Think carefully about what great vow you wish to fulfill.”