The Spiritual Attainment of Minghe

According to the mythology, the Nether World was in charge of the Reincarnation of creatures, while the Heavenly Court entitled Gods of the Heavenly Court. There were also some low-class Gods, which included Gods of Land, Gods of Mountains, Gods of the Yellow River and so on. Though they all belonged to the Heavenly Court, their status was considered very low and usually, they were those Mountain Spirits and Ghosts. In Journey to the West, they were so weak that they could be bullied by almost anyone. The Heavenly Court never cared about their lives.

In a strict way, these Gods of the Land and Mountains all belonged to the Earthly Immortals. Therefore, instead of being designed by the Heavenly Court, they should have been governed by Zhen Yuanzi, later well-known as the Ancestor of Earthly Immortals. In the Investiture of the Gods, there were 365 Heavenly Court Gods who were in charge of the cosmic stars and yet, the Gods of Land and Mountains were not included. Actually, they were named Gods by Heavenly Court just for management.

It would be different with Zhenyuanzi’s Book of the Nether World, which could entitle the Earthly Immortals in the Untainted Land, thus forming a force well-matched to the Heavenly Court and the Nether World. And, many Individual Cultivators would probably join in. Being Earthly Immortals in charge of managing land, mountains and rivers would be a good deed, which in turn gained Merit for the long run.

In this case, Zhenyuanzi could be counted as the real Ancestor of the Earthly Immortals, sharing the Luck of Earthly Immortals and enlightening the Tao of the Divine Law in this way, thus he had the chance to actualize the Realm of the Origin. That was why Minghe had sent Heaven and Earth Taoist to talk with him.

Minghe was weak on his own. Even if he got three separations and all of them got the Origin, they could only have four forces. And, it would take a long time to make it. At present, the first war between the Sorcerer and Demon tribes was over and peace had been kept for 10,000 years, during which, the Six could become Sages.

At the moment, among Minghe himself and his two separations, only the Evil Separation, Red Lotus Taoist had the chance to actualize the Realm of the Origin, so he needed a reliable ally. Zhenyuanzi would be a good ally, who was chosen by him for the first. He had a good Foundation, Fated Chance, and wisdom, which definitely was the best choice.

Minghe didn’t want to choose Hongyun. He would have respected him if Hongyun would have given up the Hong Meng Immortal Qi, and yet he hadn’t. Though he then did some brave action, he was not good enough. If he didn’t have the Tongtian Fated Chance, he probably could only reach the Peak Level of Sage-to-be, at best.

Hearing the Heaven and Earth Taoist’s words, Zhenyuanzi was lost in deep thought. The Heaven and Earth Taoist continued to say, "Fellow Taoist Zhenyuanzi, what’s your opinion on the war between the Sorcerer and Demon tribes?" Zhenyuanzi said, "The Sorcerer and Demon tribes are both aggressive and eager to fight for the position of the Master of Heaven and Earth. The Wu tribe overwhelmes the Demon tribe in this war. Had not Honourable Ancestor prevented their fighting, I’m afraid the Demon tribe would be doomed."

Zhenyuanzi continued to say, "The Demon tribe has no way to fight against the Real Entity of Pangu, I’m afraid they will be doomed in about 10,000 years. Of course, if Goddess Nvywa becomes a Sage, the situation will be different. The two tribes will find balance."

The Heaven and Earth Taoist nodded and thought that Zhenyuanzi had a good view towards the current affairs and then said, "Our fellow Taoist is quite right. But, you may have forgotten that not only the Demon tribe’s Goddess Nvywa can become a Sage, Three Pure Ones, Jieyin and Zhunti can also become Sages because they have the Foundation of the Great Way. By that time, they will allow neither the Sorcerer tribe nor Demon tribe to become the master of Heaven and Earth."

The Heaven and Earth Taoist’s words shocked Zhenyuanzi. If that were to happen, the Demon tribe wouldn’t be able to resist those Five Sages, just dependent on Goddess Nvywa. And, the Wu tribe got the Real Entity of Pangu, but they probably could not combat with those Sages, either. Therefore, the Sorcerer and Demon tribes were likely doomed after this Cultivation Tribulation, just like the Three tribes; the Dragon, Phoenix, and Kylin before.

How could Zhenyuanzi not be shocked by such a conclusion? He thought to himself, [So, Minghe probably sent his Merit body, the Heaven and Earth Taoist, here to see whether I would unite with him. He must have made this decision after he had read the Book of the Nether World and was sure that I stood a chance at actualizing the Realm of the Origin.]

If Minghe decided to unite with Zhenyuanzi after learning that he could get the Origin, he chose an ally based on standards of the Mix Nascent Core. And, Minghe had probably found his own way of actualizing the Realm of the Origin. Yet, was it before he had gotten the Hong Meng Immortal Qi, or after?

[It makes a great difference depending if it was before or after. The former is based upon one’s own strength, while the latter is dependent on the Hong Meng Immortal Qi. Though the results appeared the same, they were quite different. If Minghe was the former case, he must have great ambition; otherwise, he will not draw me over to his side.] Zhenyuanzi thought.

Seeing that Zhenyuanzi was lost in thought, the Heaven and Earth Taoist said nothing. Zhenyuanzi was not a common person. Indeed, Minghe needed an ally for when the Six Sages came out together in the future. Now, he just needed to wait for Zhenyuanzi’s decision. Even if he turned him down, he would not be his enemy in the future, for the sake of today’s good karma.

Zhenyuanzi thought for a long while before saying,"My fellow Taoist, I know your intention for this visit. If I can get the Mix Nascent Core, as you predict, I’d like to work together with you." Zhenyuanzi was frank and spoke the truth. Though he hadn’t made a promise yet because it was contingent on the condition of his getting the Mix Nascent Core. Otherwise, he would definitely die at the Sage-to-be level.

The Heaven and Earth Taoist understood quite well what Zhenyuanzi was saying. It was human nature. He would agree, of course, so he said, "All right. Fellow Taoist you are frank. I congratulate you on your Mix Nascent Core in advance." A promise was made, which could be considered a good ending.

The Heaven and Earth Taoist continued to say, "I have also prepared a good present for our Fellow Taoist Hongyun. His foundation is badly hurt and he can hardly recover by the Three Light Holy Water and the Mu Yi essence of Ginseng Tree alone."

This was just what Zhenyuanzi had been concerned about. He had checked on Hongyun’s remaining soul and found him barely recovering, just as the Heaven and Earth Taoist said. Seemingly, Minghe knew the way to save Hongyun. Therefore, Zhenyuanzi asked in an anxious voice, " What’s your idea to save him?" He couldn’t help but feel anxious, for this was about Hongyun’s life.

The Heaven and Earth Taoist smiled before saying, "My veneration says now is not the time. Fellow Taoist, you just need to take care of Hongyun’s Original Spirit and wait for the right time. I’ll come by to inform you then." Zhenyuanzi nodded and agreed. It was clear that Minghe wouldn’t tell him until he had accepted his invitation to become his ally.

Fulfilling his task, the Heaven and Earth Taoist was about to leave when a sudden idea came to his mind. So, instead, he said, "Fellow Taoist Zhenyuanzi, I have another request. I’d like to exchange a little branch of the Ginseng Tree with you for some of the Three Light Holy Water, may I?"

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi said, "Now that Fellow Taoist likes it, I’m pleased to give it to you as a present." Then, he turned around and went into the backyard to take a little branch off the tree. Normally this could hurt the Origin of the Spiritual Roots, but he had the Three Light Holy Water to nourish it, that was why he agreed.

After getting a little branch of the tree, the Heaven and Earth Taoist bid farewell to Zhenyuanzi and set off to the Blood Sea. With this little branch, Minghe could cultivate another tree, which would not be better than Zhenyuanzi’s, yet it wouldn’t be too bad.

Not because Minghe was greedy for the Ginseng, which happened to be good, and yet it was helpless for Minghe’s cultivation. In his Realm, Ginseng was only for tasting, and it had not been Minghe’s idea to ask for it, but rather the Heaven and Earth Taoist’s sudden idea, for which he had his reason.

Minghe and the Evil Separation, Red Lotus Taoist, had found their way to actualize the Realm of the Origin. Compared to them, the Heaven and Earth Taoist was far behind. Though, he was surely going to find his own way. At present, he had converted the Sea-protection Pearl, the Five Elements Spiritual Bead, and the Four Signs Spiritual Bead, but hadn’t melted them in the World of Heaven and Earth.

He would start to cultivate for the actualizing when he came back to the Blood Sea. The Ginseng Tree’s branch was among one of those he had needed. Besides, he needed to get the Bodhi Tree belonging to the Metal in the West, the Peento Tree belonging to Water in the North, and the Mulberry wood belonging to the Fire in the South, together, with his central Earth-natured yellow plum tree, the Five Elements would all be collected.

The Peento Tree was in Hongjun’s possession; The Bodhi Tree was in the two people’s in the West, and the Mulberry wood should also be in the Emperor Jun’s care. However, he could not get them at the moment. He had to wait for the right chance to arise. Fortunately, Minghe had collected many Spiritual Roots over the years, which would replace them for the moment.