Humans possess divinity. Upon reaching the fifth stage of Divine Manifestation, one can reflect the three caves, eight vistas, and twenty-four deities within the human body. These internal spirits are formed from innate spiritual light and are inherently part of oneself.
These spirits can assist the body in adjusting and cultivating qi, blood, spirit, and vital energy. It can be said that after entering the fifth stage, the speed of cultivation accelerates.
The Divine Ability stage is the perfection of Divine Manifestation. By questioning the names of these spirits with one's voice, all twenty-four deities can work in unison to manifest minor divine abilities within the human body.
As the Su Wen • Yijing Bianqi Lun states, "Those who attain spirit flourish; those who lose spirit perish."
The rise and fall of the spirit within the human body is a comprehensive manifestation of the rise and fall of life force. The form perishes without the spirit, and when form and spirit are together, the spirit is the master.
Ji Xiang opened his eyes, his gaze imbued with divine light, a faint purple fire within. He recited aloud:
"Supreme scriptures and treasures, may all sentient beings deeply understand the sutras and possess immeasurable divine abilities."
The term "divine ability" originally described the capacity to communicate with spirits. After undergoing changes, it evolved to refer to external magical techniques. These techniques often touch upon the great way of laughter and defy common sense, possessing unfathomable divine power.
However, such divine abilities are merely byproducts of the cultivation process, akin to the three divine abilities bestowed upon ascension. They must be preceded by wisdom; otherwise, one is prone to falling into evil paths.
As Ji Xiang recited, the surrounding river water began to ripple.
Previously, a single thought had stirred ten directions of divine malevolence. Now, another thought arose, causing the surrounding spirits to manifest from the void, scurrying about in a state of panic.
The boatman was clearly a man of experience. Seeing several women with fish bodies and human heads emerge from the waters of the Grand Canal, he rejoiced greatly. He quickly threw bait from his fish basket. These women, sensing a divine presence on the boat and preparing to leave, dared not linger. Upon seeing the boatman cast bait but without a hook, they understood and departed with thanks.
"River God's daughters! A great omen, I never expected such good fortune."
The boatman watched the women with fish bodies and human heads depart, his face beaming with joy.
River God's daughters, seen while traveling on the river, are auspicious.
These are spirits of the mortal world, not demons. They only manifest their forms when disturbed. Ordinary people are unaware of the mysterious nature of these spirits, believing they hide in rivers, trees, or mountains. Thus, many corrupt officials or strongmen have felled trees or drained water, only to gain nothing.
For Ji Xiang, the places where these spirits exist are actually related to the Dharma Realm. Objects from the Dharma Realm are naturally invisible to the ordinary mortal realm. Only those with powerful minds can stir them with a single thought or call their true names, often receiving assistance.
Ji Xiang extended his hand, activating a minor divine ability. He pointed at a fish in the river and uttered a single word:
"Still."
Instantly, the fish froze, unable to move. Ji Xiang uttered another word and pointed again: "Release."
The fish immediately began to swim again, surfacing and blowing bubbles at Ji Xiang, seemingly bewildered by the recent events.
"Haha, it's yours."
Ji Xiang flicked his finger, and a stream of heavenly and earthly energy entered the fish's body. This was not immortal energy, but ordinary vital energy from heaven and earth. It would help this small fish become smarter. Whether it could transform into a demon depended on its future cultivation.
It was merely a small gift. Moreover, if demons were to appear in the Grand Canal, it would cause great trouble.
Having gained a bit of intelligence and sentience from the vital energy, the fish blew more bubbles, nodded its head towards Ji Xiang, and then disappeared beneath the water.
"Minor divine abilities in the Divine Ability stage originate from five sources: karmic retribution, innate endowment, borrowed external power, the birth of demons and ghosts, and enlightenment.
"My divine ability appears to be derived from borrowed external power, as it is a cultivated physical body. However, it seems my cultivation has influenced the human body's divinity, thus becoming a minor divine ability born of enlightenment.
"The Body Stillness Technique... if only it were the Heaven Pot technique. Unfortunately, the birth of minor divine abilities cannot be chosen by humans; it is related to the magical techniques one frequently employs..."
"It should be related to my use of the Tongtian Mingyan to summon spirits."
Body stillness combined with spirit summoning effectively makes one a warden. Furthermore, the Body Stillness of minor divine abilities differs from ordinary Body Stillness spells, which require talismans and can only immobilize the physical body. If the opponent is exceptionally powerful, they can break free and remain unaffected.
The Body Stillness of minor divine abilities immobilizes the form, spirit, and soul together. The weaker the being, the longer the immobilization. The stronger the being, the shorter the duration.
Ji Xiang pondered.
After advancing to the Divine Ability stage, there were no more demonic trials. He wondered if the nine tribulations would still afflict him.
The ten demons and nine tribulations. The ten demons no longer posed a threat, as the Demon King of the Azure Heaven had descended, and the ultimate trial had been passed. Other minor demons would no longer assist Ji Xiang in cheating the exams.
However, the nine tribulations should still arrive.
Upon achieving cultivation success, breaking through a realm would trigger heavenly tribulation qi. Simply put, when you break through and level up, it's a good thing. In the "perception" of the world's bad luck, you become like a bright light bulb, easily found. This is the concept of "fortune hides misfortune."
Thus, the tribulation qi corresponding to the nine tribulations would arrive uninvited, often dragging the tribulation-crosser into troublesome affairs.
It wouldn't be a "death aura," but it would certainly be a "plague god aura."
As dawn broke, the little fox was still sleeping soundly beside him, drooling. It was even using its command flag to wipe its mouth in its sleep, causing Ji Xiang's brow to furrow in anger.
"If you are lazy again in the future, I will make you stand in a horse stance and then immobilize you for three days."
The little fox, completely unaware of its future miserable existence, was still dreaming of being a divine general in the Sun-Moon Palace. Ji Xiang asked the boatman about their current location. The canal's speed was quite fast. Ji Xiang had cultivated for seven days and eight nights, and they had already traveled far from Shuntian.
The boat docked. The place was bustling with activity. Ships traveling back and forth stopped at the ferry crossing to procure supplies before continuing their journey.
Ji Xiang patted the little fox. The little fox woke up startled, baring its teeth as if ready to fight Ji Xiang. However, upon seeing his grandfather's frowning expression, it immediately backed down, sobered up instantly, and lowered its head with a sheepish grin. It then wiped the command flag, only to find it covered in drool, realizing the source of his grandfather's silent wrath.
From a nearby boat, someone was observing Ji Xiang and his disciple. The person tapped a pen against a blank book, having watched for a long time, and began to sing a ballad:
"Talk of mountain folk, laugh at mountain folk, talking of mountain folk makes people laugh to death, busy all day with nowhere to go, their heads are not straight, relying entirely on superficial appearances."
It was unclear which Taoist priest this was. His attire was indeed dignified and orderly, but it was uncertain whether he possessed true skill or was merely a charlatan.
At the end of this folk song, he wrote his name, turned a page, and recorded his observations and experiences of the day.
"Feng Menglong."