Chapter 50: The Eight Methods of Suppressing the Primordial Chaos, Complementing One Another
The Innate Gourd Vine was a supreme innate spiritual root, yet it was not just any ordinary supreme root. Its profundity and power surpassed even the Peach Tree and the Ginseng Fruit Tree among the Five Elements’ spiritual roots. Such a root contained within it an immensely strong innate Essence of Wood, harmonizing perfectly with Zu Wu Jumang. With Jumang’s explanation, none of the Twelve Ancestral Witches could object, and the matter was thus settled.
...
Zu Wu Gong Gong spoke: “The Map of the Five Sacred Peaks has the power to appoint the gods of every mountain and river in the world. Though I am the Water Deity, I can also wield it. This allows me to comprehend the Dao of mountains and rivers through the diagram. Only by combining strength and flexibility can one enact the grand design of heaven and earth through the dance of mountain and water!”
Thus,
Zu Wu Gong Gong took the supreme innate spiritual treasure, the Map of the Five Sacred Peaks.
Zu Wu Zhu Rong received the supreme merit treasure, the Dao Jade Scroll.
The remaining supreme merit treasure, the Divine Map of the Wilderness, fell to Zu Wu Houtu.
...
After the distribution, each of the Twelve Ancestral Witches obtained a treasure, and their potential soared, their combat strength doubled.
Zu Wu Dijang smiled and said, “Second Brother Candle Dragon, you may go to Xuanhuang Peak to seek the aid of Fellow Daoist Fuxi. Ask him to divine the whereabouts of the Nine Dragon Sons. I shall remain at the Ancestral Peak to guard the Chaotic Divine Palace!”
“Once, with the help of the Nine Dragon Sons, we acquire the method to nurture a second primordial spirit, the two of us can each cultivate one to guard the Ancestral Peak in our stead. Then, perhaps, our burdens will be lighter.”
“Rest assured, Eldest Brother, I shall go at once!”
Candle Dragon nodded and immediately agreed, turning to depart.
Suddenly,
From among the crowd, Zu Wu Jumang stood and faced everyone with a gentle smile. “Brothers and sisters, I wish to employ the method of grafting with the Innate Gourd Vine. My plan is this: to pluck the Green-Skinned Gourd, one of the seven fruits upon the vine, and graft the Ancient Vine of Life into the very place where the Green-Skinned Gourd was nurtured. In this way, the essence of power that would have produced a supreme innate spiritual treasure, the Green-Skinned Gourd, will instead strengthen the foundation of the Ancient Vine of Life, elevating it further—transforming it into an innate spiritual root!”
“If this method succeeds, while I dare not guarantee it becomes a supreme spiritual root, it will surely suffice to produce a high-grade innate spiritual root!”
...
“However,” Jumang said with some difficulty, “our tribe has an old alliance with Fuxi and Nuwa. Of the seven fruits on the Innate Gourd Vine, two are to be given to them. That means two of the seven fruits belong to Fuxi and Nuwa. If I wish to implement this grafting method, I must first inform them.”
“In that case, I shall accompany my brother on this journey!”
Hearing Jumang’s words, all the Ancestral Witches were astonished. Clearly, none present had expected that such a profound method existed—one that could borrow the power nurturing the Green-Skinned Gourd to give birth to another innate spiritual root.
However,
As their thoughts turned, doubts quickly arose.
Zu Wu Dijang considered, “Jumang, your idea sounds feasible, but the Green-Skinned Gourd is already mostly formed. In about twenty thousand kalpas, it will fully mature. If you graft it now, the power you will gain is limited. Had you grafted at the very beginning of its development, it might indeed have become a supreme spiritual root!”
“But,” Dijang continued, “of the seven fruits on the Innate Gourd Vine, to pluck one now—might that not be unwise?”
“According to our observations, if these seven fruits mature fully, each could become a supreme innate spiritual treasure of immense value. To pluck one now may affect its final quality.”
Jumang nodded. “My brothers’ concern is valid. To pluck a fruit at this stage does indeed diminish its ultimate grade.”
“However,” Jumang smiled, “from my ritual refinements, I judge that all seven fruits on the vine have already crossed the threshold of supreme innate treasures. The gestation of a high-grade spiritual root’s treasure requires fifty thousand kalpas; for a supreme root’s treasure, seventy-five thousand. Now, fifty-one thousand kalpas have passed—they have only just broken through, not yet fully stabilized or perfected!”
“That is why I chose the Green-Skinned Gourd!” Jumang continued with a smile. “Both it and the Ancient Vine of Life are of the wood element, embodying the Dao of Life and All Living Things. Even if innately deficient, I can, with my own life essence, further refine and strengthen its foundation. Thus, though it may not match the innate perfection, it will not fall short of being a supreme innate spiritual treasure!”
“Moreover, our Witch tribe urgently needs all manner of innate roots and the power of merit. At this time, we have little choice. Once our tribe is truly secure, we may then allow the gourds to mature naturally, and in time, cultivate the most powerful innate spirit gourds anew.”
...
“Very well!”
Hearing Jumang’s explanation, the Twelve Ancestral Witches all agreed. “Jumang excels in the Dao of Wood and Life. Since he says there’s no problem, then there is none. It is decided.”
“Candle Dragon, Jumang, you two shall go together to visit Fuxi and Nuwa—seek the whereabouts of the Nine Dragon Sons, and inform them of the matter of the Green-Skinned Gourd!”
...
As Candle Dragon and Jumang departed, the remaining ten Ancestral Witches, though each burdened with important duties and pressing cultivation, did not disperse.
At last, Zu Wu Dijang asked, “Cang, you mentioned before there are three methods to remedy the Dao of Fortune. You have explained two—what is the third?”
Great Cang smiled. “The third method of fortune is precisely the seventh of the Eight Laws to Stabilize the Wilderness I mentioned before!”
“Oh?” Dijang was visibly surprised.
Cang said, “As for the way of fortune, it is not simply about strength or treasures. Even the strongest, with the most precious treasures, may not endure. Only by combining other methods—righteousness, destiny, genius, merit, and so forth—can fortune flourish and be everlasting.”
The ten Ancestral Witches exchanged glances. Though the final method seemed to offer no immediate benefit and left them a little disappointed, on reflection, they realized that the way to strengthen fortune was indeed thus!
Strength, treasures, destiny, righteousness, successors, resources, civilization, merit!
Great Cang said respectfully, “The Eight Laws to Stabilize the Wilderness are interdependent and indispensable. Now that the eight are complete, our tribe must strive to fulfill them all, leaving no weakness, to achieve enduring prosperity. I urge you all to take this to heart!”