Chapter 84: Zhou Tian, On the Order of Seats

What is the Minor Celestial Circuit?

It is said that by practicing controlled breathing, internal cultivation, and secret exercises, one can activate the Minor Celestial Circuit, thus bringing in yang fire and dispelling yin influences, allowing the River Chariot to rise and descend.

The aim of practicing the Minor Celestial Circuit is to refine and gather the Three Flowers atop the head, a vital stage in the cultivation of vital energy.

Ji Ming had once found several illustrated manuals on the Minor Celestial Circuit in the garden of the Spiritualist’s cottage and had long since memorized the key points of cultivation, though he had yet to practice them.

Of the Three Flowers—essence, energy, and spirit—the first is the "Essence Flower." According to the Minor Celestial Circuit, it is necessary to achieve the state of living midnight, causing the qi in the lower elixir field to stir, continually generating the "minor elixir," also known as "qi sensation."

Using the explanation from one of the Spiritualist’s manuals, this step involves taking a pill, entering meditation, clearing the mind of distractions, calming both body and spirit, focusing intent, then slowly guiding the breath to become subtle and refined.

When tranquility reaches its extreme, the spiritual mechanism nourishes and strengthens the body. The cultivator must lock and preserve the essence, guard the blood, abstain from lust, and prevent the essence from being wasted, so that the efforts to nourish the body are not squandered.

When the body is robust, and in the deepest quietude, there emerges a sign of movement. In that fleeting, shadowy state, when one senses the qi stirring in the elixir field, that is the living midnight. The essence at this time is called the "minor elixir."

Once the minor elixir is refined, the "Essence Flower" is achieved.

In Ji Ming’s lower elixir field, essence and qi had already begun to flourish, but not through the usual methods of meditation and breath regulation. Instead, it was the result of secret exercises.

The secret exercises are dynamic, able to activate the spiritual mechanism and integrate with flesh and blood, yielding extraordinary effects in strengthening the body. Thus, after a single night of mastery, the Essence Flower naturally formed.

Yet this approach was somewhat impatient and Ji Ming feared it might leave hidden dangers. Therefore, he continued to regulate his breath and reinforce his foundation.

A blink of an eye passed in cultivation, and a month went by. The day arrived when the master was to give a lecture, and two attendants came to remind him.

Under their attentive care, he donned a tailored Daoist robe, tied his hair into two child’s buns, and fastened a yellow sash around his waist, from which hung a small mirror.

Ji Ming folded his sleeves, letting the attendants dress him.

"Young sir, with your innocent and charming appearance, you will surely attract attention in the Fire Ruins Cave."

Ji Ming knew that a handsome appearance would always bring favor, just like a flower or a picturesque landscape, bringing joy just by being seen.

"This mirror?"

He looked down at the small bronze mirror hanging by his waist.

Skylark, crouching beside him, tied the yellow sash into an elegant flower knot and said, "This is the treasured mirror of the Breath Kingdom. It can dispel evil, and Sister Susu sent it specially for you."

"Susu?"

Brushfinch, standing on tiptoe to arrange Ji Ming’s hair, replied with a carefree air, "Sister Susu is the master’s second disciple—the one who brought you and your sister here.

She rarely shows such favor to outsiders. If you ever..."

"Mind your words!" Skylark gave Brushfinch a stern look.

Ji Ming chuckled softly, then glanced at the treasured mirror a few more times. He had seen this mirror before in the southern craggy cave at Red Stone Village, when Aunt Qiao was nearing childbirth.

Back then, he and Wen Daoyu had used the mirror in a plot to ambush the Jia Lan Serpent. Unfortunately, he was too busy to see the outcome; otherwise, he would have liked to witness the serpent’s fate.

Seeing Ji Ming so absorbed with the mirror, Skylark said, "It is said that a crown prince of the Great Xia dynasty used to wear this mirror. It’s about the size of a coin, able to reveal demons and protected by immortals."

"If all are Breath Kingdom mirrors, are there differences in quality?" Brushfinch muttered.

Skylark’s gaze sharpened, and he tapped Brushfinch again, asking pointedly, "You and the young lord are both ordinary people—do you not have differences in ability?"

"Of course we do," Brushfinch replied frankly.

Ignoring their exchange, Ji Ming finished his preparations and left the building, winding through pavilions and water corridors, heading straight for the Fire Ruins Cave.

"Treasure Child!"

Someone called out to Ji Ming. He ignored the voice, circulating his essence, and leapt forward.

By now, many people and beasts had arrived, some from the Flying White Tower, some from outside the peaks, some from between the peaks. All carried respectful expressions and dignified manners, coming to hear the master’s teachings.

The one calling him was none other than Wei Wulan. Addressing him as Treasure Child meant he had already gleaned some information about Ji Ming.

"Treasure Brother!" Ling Gu, whose brows were adorned with a red mark, was brought down by Susu and happily clung to Ji Ming, eager to share her month-long experience in the Fire Ruins Cave.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ji Ming turned to Susu and said, "Thank you, Sister Susu, for the treasured mirror."

"No need to thank me. I only gave it because you’re Ling Gu’s brother—a mere keepsake from the past," Susu replied, pulling Ling Gu close.

Ji Ming nodded, sensing the truth of her words.

They had barely spoken when three chimes sounded, their clear tones echoing throughout the cave and beyond. All cultivators wore solemn expressions, quickening their steps to seize a seat on the meditation mats.

A beam of heavenly light fell into the cave, striking directly onto the high altar. There, the "Local Master" sat in moon-white robes, cross-legged, holding a branch of cold plum.

The master’s skin was delicate, her eyes radiant, bearing the appearance of a middle-aged Daoist priestess—nothing like the elder of Flying Crane Hall.

Around the high altar, banners stood tall, and six meditation mats were arranged.

Three of them were already occupied, all by female cultivators—including Susu.

Soon, the remaining mats were taken by other cultivators: an old ape, a male Daoist, and a swordsman.

Wei Wulan stood behind Ji Ming and whispered, "The master has three disciples, those three female cultivators on the mats. All are unmarried."

Hearing this, Ji Ming couldn’t help but glance at Wei Wulan. "Your method for ensuring my safety isn’t to seduce those three, is it?"

"Daoists aren’t forbidden to marry—why not?" Wei Wulan replied confidently, patting his chest. "If I hadn’t practiced secret arts and changed my form, it would never have been your turn."

Ji Ming hesitated, then waved him off.

Seeing Ji Ming’s resolve, Wei Wulan became more intent. "Look around the altar—the crowd is three circles deep, full of seekers from every peak.

They’ve trekked up Purple Fusion Peak for this monthly lecture, hoping for a chance to have their questions answered by the master.

You and I, though guests of Flying White Tower, aren’t favored by the master, so we can’t even get into the inner circles and must listen from outside."

"As long as I can listen, I’m content," Ji Ming replied casually.

Wei Wulan grew anxious. "In the Fire Ruins Cave, seating determines influence. The closer to the master, the greater your sway and importance in her eyes.

When high Daoists or immortals visit, and the three female disciples can’t appear, it’s those with influence who attend and receive guests.

Every year, at the Dragon Assembly hosted by the Four River Dragon Lords and even the celestial banquet at the South Pole Star Palace, the master receives invitations as a representative of the Middle Heaven, and select cave listeners may accompany her.

Do you now understand the weight of influence contained in these seats?"

"The weight of power!" Ji Ming marveled at Wei Wulan’s insight, amazed that he could deduce such profound meaning from mere seating arrangements.

"Zhang Bao."

Suddenly, the master called out from the altar, waving the cold plum branch. A fragrant breeze lifted Ji Ming onto the high altar, behind the master.

"From now on, during my lectures, you shall accompany me as my attendant," the master said, gently patting Ji Ming’s head. "With your talent, you should not be mingled with the ordinary crowd."