Chapter Seventy-Six: The Way and the Law

Xiaoqing stepped forward, grasped Wang Yuanfeng’s arm, and soared off in the direction indicated by the tracking spell. Just as Wang Yuanfeng had cast the spell, down in the valley at the foot of the mountain, before a stone, the Roe Spirit suddenly felt as though something was watching him.

He instantly adopted a defensive stance, carefully scanning his surroundings several times, but found nothing amiss. Shaking his head, he pondered whether the feeling stemmed from when he tried to kill the young man and was thwarted by the two serpent spirits. Perhaps the original plan had been disrupted because of the youth.

Upon recalling the boy, he realized that must be the cause of his unease. He guessed that his plan was thrown into disarray by the youth’s interference. Nonetheless, he felt fortunate to have already altered his strategy. As long as he dealt with An Youyu, he could act; at most, the others would only know he intended to strike against them, but would never expect him to move so swiftly. He would catch them completely off guard, then hurriedly form his Golden Core and ascend to the rank of Earth Immortal.

Once the situation was settled, he would claim the mountain, establish his own Daoist altar, and create a blessed cave abode. With these thoughts, the Roe Spirit’s resolve solidified. He knocked three times on the stone before him, and a small door appeared in the nearby rock wall.

From outside, one could see a pebble-paved path within. The Roe Spirit entered through the stone door, which closed seamlessly behind him, leaving no trace. From the outside, it was as if there had never been a door, the mountain appearing perfectly natural.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuanfeng was whisked along by Xiaoqing, following the faint traces left behind by the Roe Spirit. With his tracking spell, things seemed much less complicated.

But he couldn’t help but feel uneasy watching Xiaoqing fly. The tracking spell was indeed convenient, excellent for locating things or people. Though her flight was steady, her eyes sparkled as she watched the thread of information, and stars seemed to twinkle in her gaze. She occasionally clenched her delicate jade fist, and though usually he’d appreciate the classical beauty’s display of strength, at this moment, he felt only anxiety.

It was as if he were riding with a reckless driver, uncertain when an accident might occur—his safety firmly in her hands.

This expedition was meant to be stealthy: first, to collect the Roe Spirit’s hair and personal belongings for a voodoo doll, preparing the Yin Mountain Nailhead Curse; second, to discover the Roe Spirit’s intentions, and then seize a suitable opportunity to strike.

Yet Xiaoqing’s demeanor suggested anything but discretion; she seemed ready to rush in and start a fight. Wang Yuanfeng timidly asked,

“Xiaoqing, could you slow down?”

“Huh?” Xiaoqing didn’t quite understand, but after thinking a moment, assumed he wanted her to fly slower.

“No problem, I’m flying fast and we’ll arrive soon. Just wait a bit,” she pledged.

Wang Yuanfeng silently complained: flying fast? Do you even know the way? But he dared not say more; who knew what Xiaoqing might do? If she charged in headlong, it would be disastrous. His spell required preparation, and at her pace, he’d be nothing but cannon fodder.

Suddenly, he remembered Erqing. Wandering aimlessly wasn’t a solution; having her along would make him feel more secure. He probed,

“Xiaoqing, could you slow down? We could wait for your second sister.”

Seeing Xiaoqing ponder his suggestion, he continued,

“It’s safer to have your second sister with us. Besides, some spells require her to cast. Let’s pause and wait for her.”

Xiaoqing considered it. Though she and Erqing shared the same realm, one was at the minor core stage and the other at the major core stage—a difference in cultivation. She nodded in agreement.

“Alright.”

With that, she found a spot to land.

Wang Yuanfeng breathed a sigh of relief and asked,

“Can you contact your second sister now?”

“Yes, we have our own unique methods.”

---

Xiaoqing finished speaking and tossed the snake coiled around her wrist. Shortly after, the snake returned, and Xiaoqing held out her hand for it to crawl onto.

Both Xiaoqing and the snake hissed, communicating in some fashion. After a moment, Xiaoqing set the snake on the ground, and it slithered into the grass, vanishing from sight.

She looked up and said,

“This is how our kind communicates. As long as there are snakes, we can send messages. My second sister will be here soon.”

Then she added,

“They said the Roe Spirit is up ahead. He used a snake to frighten someone off a cliff; below is a valley. He finally stopped before a stone at the base of the mountain and disappeared.”

Wang Yuanfeng reasoned that the Roe Spirit wouldn’t act without cause—something was amiss. Perhaps the young lord discovered his plot and was forced over the edge. But dead or alive, they needed to see for themselves; maybe the victim could still be saved. He told Xiaoqing,

“Let’s check the cliff first; we might find some clue.”

The two headed toward the cliff. Erqing, meanwhile, was searching nearby when she saw a snake flicking its tongue at her. She approached, listened for a moment, and understood that Wang Yuanfeng and Xiaoqing had found a way. Transforming into a snake, she sped off to the location Xiaoqing had mentioned.

Wang Yuanfeng and Xiaoqing arrived at the cliff, surveying the spot where the Roe Spirit had pushed someone. It looked to be only three or four fathoms high—a cultivator would survive, but an ordinary person could be in grave danger. A faint mist lingered below, obscuring the view, so they found no trace of the victim.

After discussing, they decided to descend. Xiaoqing took Wang Yuanfeng and leaped off the cliff.

Wang Yuanfeng had been worried Erqing wouldn’t find them, but Xiaoqing assured him that as long as they revealed their aura, she’d locate them, so his concerns eased.

He noticed some strips of cloth caught in the cliffside trees and bloodstains on the ground. The cushioning effect of the trees meant there was no fatal injury. Around them, shallow footprints indicated someone had arrived but not left. He said to Xiaoqing,

“The person is likely still alive, probably rescued. Let’s go check it out.”

“How do you know?” Xiaoqing asked, puzzled.

Wang Yuanfeng pointed at the cliff.

“See those cloth strips?”

Xiaoqing nodded. Wang Yuanfeng then pointed at the two sets of shallow footprints.

“Can you tell how many people left those prints?”

Xiaoqing examined them closely; they were light and graceful, seemingly left by women. She realized,

“Two. Both women, slender and petite.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded, pleased with her perceptiveness.

“Can you deduce any characteristics from the footprints, not just by sensing their aura?”

Xiaoqing found it troublesome and replied reluctantly,

“With spells, why bother observing? I can identify them by their aura; otherwise, why cultivate magic at all?”

Wang Yuanfeng laughed and shook his head. Though Xiaoqing had attained enlightenment as a spirit, it was likely due to the mountain’s fortune, and her understanding of the Dao was only partial.

He himself followed the path of the flying sword, using the celestial instrument to examine himself. Xiaoqing’s connection to his inner pantheon was deep, and she was no evildoer. He felt obliged to give her guidance.

Furthermore, the Dao treasures life and saves countless beings. To progress further, he needed to spread the teachings for the benefit of all. He said,

---

“We cultivators seek the Dao, not mere spells. The Dao is everywhere, and can be realized in all things. Spells are but the byproduct of one’s comprehension of the Dao. I hope you won’t confuse means with ends.”

Xiaoqing felt her mind clear. She had always believed that powerful treasures and profound techniques indicated advanced cultivation; she had been chasing the wrong goal. She did not doubt Wang Yuanfeng’s words.

Achieving such a realm required exceptional fortune and innate talent, and one’s instincts revealed the truth.

Wang Yuanfeng watched Xiaoqing reflect, nodded, and continued,

“The superior sage hears the Dao and diligently practices it. The middling sage hears the Dao and recognizes it faintly. The inferior sage hears the Dao and laughs at it; some hear the Dao and grow angry, some curse it, and so on. Xiaoqing, your talent is already among the finest. With proper guidance, you will surely accomplish great things.”

He silently resolved to help her.

Xiaoqing’s eyes grew even brighter as she smiled sweetly at Wang Yuanfeng.

“Thank you, Brother Yuanfeng, for your guidance. I understand now.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded and asked,

“Can you now discern what happened here?”

Xiaoqing studied the scene, then replied,

“One set of footprints came up the path, messy as if searching for something. The other appeared suddenly—she must have flown here.”

After thinking for a moment, she added,

“No footprints lead away, which means the rescuer flew off with the person and didn’t continue searching.”

Wang Yuanfeng was impressed by her careful observation.

“Excellent; your attention to detail is the reason many prefer not to rely on spells.”

Xiaoqing nodded seriously, agreeing with him.

“Actually, nine out of ten matters in this world can be resolved without magic.”

Xiaoqing realized this was true: cultivating the Dao meant seeking the Way, and spells were merely its manifestation. She and her siblings practiced instinctively, but their grasp of the principles was shallow. Unsure where to begin, she asked,

“How can I cultivate insight into the Dao?”

Wang Yuanfeng pondered before replying,

“Here in the mountains, your experiences are limited. You don’t yet know how to refine your temperament, so your cultivation progresses slowly. If you wish to achieve true success, you must improve your character.”

“How do I improve my character?”

Concerned for her own Dao, Xiaoqing wasted no time in asking. Hesitation or avoidance would prevent her from mastering her heart, and she could never achieve ‘my fate is mine, not Heaven’s.’

Wang Yuanfeng knew her cultivation was tied to the celestial instrument and many star spirits, thus directly connected to his own Dao. He had to be careful.