Chapter Twelve: The Name of Pangu

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The Daoist Celestial Sect had established its foundation in Ba Commandery of the Qin state. Built against the mountain range with a great river flowing beside it, the location made travel highly convenient. Ba Commandery lay in the southern region of Qin; east of it was Qian Eastern Commandery, and farther east stretched the territory of Chu.

According to Zong Quan’s earlier report, among the seven most powerful states of the Warring States era, none had a population exceeding several million. Since Shang Yang’s reforms a century earlier, Qin had encouraged agriculture and warfare, resulting in a high birth rate and rapid population growth.

Though Zhou Qing did not know the exact population of Ba Commandery in the south, less than a month later, Zong Quan returned to the mountain gate, travel-worn, and reported his results to him. With the assistance of many disciples of the Celestial Sect, the bamboo manuscript titled The Creation of Heaven and Earth had already spread throughout Ba Commandery.

Aside from a few remote mountain ravines untouched by human footsteps, the story had circulated throughout nearly the entire commandery for a full month. Ask anyone at random, and they could name the Primordial Heavenly King, True Pangu, and, of course, the Daoist Xuan Qingzi who had written the tale.

Zong Quan had not revealed Zhou Qing’s identity. He merely said that he was an elder of the sect. In the eyes of the outside world, anyone worthy of being called Xuan Qingzi must surely be an extraordinary figure.

Merit Count: 123,600!

This was the result of Zong Quan’s month of arduous work, clearly displayed in Zhou Qing’s mind. A vast force had settled within his Merit Count. Zhou Qing could sense that, if he wished, he could break through from the Primordial Innate realm at any time.

However, he had yet to fully master the breakthrough he had achieved nearly a month earlier. To advance again, he would probably need another month or so. Looking at Zong Quan, who now stood inside his bamboo dwelling, Zhou Qing recalled the task he had been given.

For an entire month, Zong Quan had followed Senior Brother Red Pine Master’s orders and distributed the bamboo manuscript throughout Ba Commandery. Though the task itself had not been difficult, its final effect still had to be secured.

After hearing Zong Quan’s report, a smile flickered across Zhou Qing’s face. He then extended one hand and struck directly toward Zong Quan. Powerful palm force instantly enveloped his entire body.

With a thought, Zong Quan’s massive frame was lifted into the air. Profound and vigorous energy flowed through his acupoints, surging into him and connecting with the inner force that shared his origin. With overwhelming strength, it forcibly opened most of the meridians and acupoints Zong Quan had not yet developed.

“Do not struggle. Your junior uncle will lend you a hand!”

A pale azure radiance appeared around Zhou Qing and likewise wrapped around Zong Quan’s body. In an instant, the incomparably rich inner force infused Zong Quan, opening most of the remaining meridians and acupoints he had yet to develop. Nearly two years of cultivation were eliminated in the blink of an eye.

Having accomplished all this with effortless ease, Zhou Qing’s slender white hand turned gracefully, and he lowered Zong Quan back to the ground. Sensing the power now coursing through Zong Quan’s body, he was quite satisfied. Since Zong Quan was working for him, he deserved at least this small reward.

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“Junior Uncle, have you truly… truly entered the Primordial Innate realm?”

At that moment, Zong Quan felt how Junior Uncle Xuan Qing had immobilized him in midair with a casual wave and then used immense power to open his meridians and acupoints, sparing him two years of arduous cultivation. His face displayed both astonishment and delight.

He was delighted because the hardships he had endured over the past month had been worthwhile, and his cultivation had been directly raised to this level.

He was astonished because Junior Uncle had forcibly opened his meridians and acupoints. According to the ancient texts, such an act could damage one’s cultivation. If Junior Uncle’s cultivation were harmed because of him, the consequences would be disastrous.

Before returning to the sect, he had already learned from the other disciples that Junior Uncle had entered the Primordial Innate realm. Today, after experiencing it firsthand, he realized just how powerful this realm truly was.

“It was merely a fortuitous opportunity.”

Zhou Qing did not dwell on the matter. The Daoist Celestial Sect itself placed great importance on destiny and opportunity. Once one had broken through, one had broken through. There was no question of being fast or slow—it was merely a flash of insight in a single instant.

“You have worked hard this past month. But as for that bamboo manuscript, Ba Commandery is only the beginning. You should understand this, Zong Quan.”

A mere Ba Commandery had contributed more than one hundred and twenty thousand Merit Points to him. If the story were spread throughout all the lands of the realm, he could not imagine what level his Merit Count might reach.

Standing before Zong Quan, he nodded firmly. This would enhance the reputation of Daoism while adding a measure of splendor to the sect. It was certainly a pleasing development.

“Junior Uncle, rest assured. On my way back, I had already dispatched those disciples to the various feudal states to spread your teachings, while also ensuring that they reached every corner of the realm.”

Though he did not know what purpose these stories served Daoism, the order had come directly from his master. There must be reasons behind it that he had not yet perceived.

His master was far-sighted and surely had his own considerations. Junior Uncle was exceptionally intelligent as well, so there was undoubtedly a deeper meaning behind his actions.

“Very well. Consolidate your cultivation first, and strive to enter the Primordial Innate realm within a year. By then, I expect I will need you to spread the second bamboo manuscript.”

A year should be enough to bring him an enormous number of Merit Points. In that same year, his cultivation should also reach the realm of Incarnate Profound Spirit. Only at that level could one be considered a true expert throughout the realm.

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Among the other Hundred Schools of Thought, such a person would already stand as a sect master or leader.

“Yes, Junior Uncle!”

Without hesitation, Zong Quan acknowledged him. A flicker of astonishment crossed his face once more. He had never imagined that Junior Uncle had already seen so far ahead. With the assistance Junior Uncle had personally given him, breaking through into the Primordial Innate realm within a year was no longer impossible.

He then clasped his hands respectfully toward Zhou Qing, turned, and departed.

******

Within a month, the story of The Creation of Heaven and Earth had spread throughout nearly all of Ba Commandery. Then, through the deliberate efforts of the Celestial Sect’s disciples and various forces among the common people, it quickly expanded toward Shu Commandery, Nan Commandery, Qian Eastern Commandery, Nanyang Commandery, Hanzhong Commandery, and beyond.

Three months later, the tale had spread throughout the entirety of Qin. Carried by simple, popular language, the name of the Daoist Xuan Qingzi became renowned. The story spoke of the mysteries surrounding the creation of heaven and earth, causing ordinary people to gaze up in awe at the might and mystery of the Primordial Heavenly King.

For a time, throughout the villages and wilderness of Qin, people spoke endlessly of Daoism, of the Daoist Xuan Qingzi, and of the Primordial Heavenly King and True Pangu. Though levels of education varied greatly, such an entertaining and fantastical story was something most had never heard before.

Many even truly attributed the creation of the world to the Primordial Heavenly King and True Pangu, who had transformed themselves into all things. The notion inspired endless sighs and wonder. Even the nobles and high ministers had heard something of it.

Murmuring the name of the Daoist Xuan Qingzi, their minds churning with images of the creation of heaven and earth, they could not help but smile. In ancient times, Zhuang Zhou had dreamed of becoming a butterfly, a vision of unmatched illusion. Now Daoism had produced another Xuan Qingzi, one who seemed intent on establishing an orthodox transmission for the world?

When the tale eventually reached the Xianyang Palace, it aroused the keen interest of many. If there had truly been a creation of heaven and earth, and if there truly existed a Primordial Heavenly King possessed of vast supernatural powers, then surely the existence of immortals had become even more certain.

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