The ancestral core is extremely important for those practicing refining the Yang spirit, as it is the key to doing so.
The Yellow Hall Essential Treatise states that the Yang spirit is a synthesis of spiritual essence and ancestral Qi, though it is more refined than all acquired substances after birth. However, it still has a Qi nature and is confined within the domain of ancestral Qi. It cannot transcend into the state of voidness. To unite with the Tao, further cultivation of returning to emptiness is necessary, and this process relies on the ancestral core.
Furthermore, it is not only important for refining the Yang spirit.
For practitioners of internal alchemy, refining emptiness and merging with the Dao also require assistance from the ancestral core.
Zhong Liuquan once said:
When the Yang spirit can come out but does not come out, it is necessary to cultivate the Dao and refine the Yin to its extreme before fully cultivating and leading the Yang spirit.
The body can be abandoned but is not, with the intent to preserve the original spirit. Through countless refining processes, this essence becomes as vast as the boundless expanse of the void. The body's bones and flesh will be refined along with it, merging form and spirit once again into a single entity.
This is the cultivation of refining emptiness and merging with the Dao, where both form and spirit are exquisite, aligning with the great Tao that permeates all transformations and is omnipresent. It manifests in countless billions of emanations, with great spiritual powers, able to disperse clouds and mist, move mountains and fill seas. Only at this point is one considered to have realized the great Tao.
To refine this ability, the Yang spirit must be reintegrated into the ancestral core, repeatedly refined to transform spirit into emptiness. The Yang spirit becomes increasingly powerful with each refinement, eventually producing its wisdom light to generate divine fire that permeates all hundred pores of the body. This fiery aura rises into the sky and permeates through both feet and head, turning the body into a part of the Yang spirit and allowing divine light to shine everywhere. Finally, when every part of the body has been refined into divine fire, the body disintegrates and is shattered into ancient ancestral Qi that is seemingly non-existent yet truly there, returning to the boundless void and achieving harmony between heaven and man.
When the practice reaches this point, it can condense to form shape when gathered and become Qi when dispersed, enduring great calamities without death and having an lifespan equal to the heavens and earth. Only then is it considered that one has realized the Great Tao.
Certainly, the process of refining spirit and returning to emptiness in the Zhong-Lu school is considered a phase called refining spirit and merging with the Dao, which differs from other forms of alchemical cultivation.
The ancestral core is a secret not to be passed down, even the master may not tell the apprentice where it is.
Therefore, when Chen Yun heard that the Western Queen Mother was willing to tell him where the ancestral core is located, he was slightly excited and almost agreed to it at once.
Fortunately, he soon realized and understood that such good fortune couldn't possibly be a coincidence.
Chen Yun respectfully asked, "May I ask, Grand Ancestor, what is it all about?"
The Western Queen Mother did not become angry because he did not agree, she softly said, "Gouteng has always been a disciple of our school. If he were to die like this, it would truly be a pity. Therefore, I want to revive him."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun's brow furrowed.
Soul and spirit dispersing is true death for the vast majority of divine beings, and it is almost irreversible.
The Western Queen Mother is not among the vast majority of divine beings.
She is a primordial supreme deity, possessing incredible laws.
Chen Yun has reason to believe that the elder ancestor has the ability to bring someone back to life from the state of soul and spirit dispersing.
Moreover, he believes that the Western Queen Mother is merely pretending to consult with himself, but has actually made up her mind to do so.
That is to say, whether he agrees or not, it is not that important.
Agreeing means he can learn the location of the ancestral core and the Western Queen Mother will help him refine his Yang spirit, which seems to be a reward;
If he does not agree, it may make the elder ancestor unhappy and even result in nothing gained.
In all respects, it seems better to agree.
Chen Yun naturally understands this, but he still speaks candidly, "I cannot argue against the Western Queen Mother's wish to 'revive' Gouteng. However, I cannot personally agree."
The Western Queen Mother still looks calm and peaceful, showing no sign of anger, "Don't you want to know where the ancestral core is? Or do you not want me to help you refine your Yang spirit and merge with the Dao faster?"
Chen Yun said, "The disciple naturally hopes to know where the ancestral core is and wants to refine the Yang spirit as soon as possible, but if this is the condition, I really cannot agree. I remember that I had no grudge with Gouteng. He indulged his niece Shen Xiu in attacking me, which made me almost lose my form and spirit. Later, I barely survived after escaping death, and he again indulged Shen Xiu in joining forces with my disciples Xuanyinzi and Dongmiao. In response, I reciprocated by wiping out his entire clan. By this point, the matter could have been settled, but he joined forces with Xie Wuyang to kill me. May I ask, Grand Ancestor, if you have such a deep hatred for someone else, can you forgive them?"
The Western Queen Mother replied, "No."
Chen Yun said, "The disciple cannot as well, so I cannot agree."
The Western Queen Mother displayed a commendatory expression, "A cultivator's heart is as solid as a boulder in the pursuit of the Dao, and wealth cannot entice them. They uphold their inner convictions and steadfastly pursue their goals. With such resolve, your future success in achieving the Dao is assured."
Chen Yun replied modestly, "Grand Ancestor, you overpraise me."
The Western Queen Mother slowly said, "If I 'revive' Gouteng and make him your disciple, can you help resolve our grudge then?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun was taken aback.
The "Taigong Jiajiao" (Taigong's Teachings for the Family) by Master Taigong says: "A disciple serves his teacher with respect akin to a son serving his father."
The meaning is that a student should serve his teacher with the same respect as serving his father. Even if someone has only been your teacher for one day, you should still respect him for the rest of your life as you would your father.
It's easy to imagine how strong the relationship between a teacher and his disciple was in ancient times.
Taking Chen Yun and Zhongli Quan as an example, Chen Yun holds Zhongli Quan in the utmost respect, truly comparable to the respect one has for their own father.
If Gouteng Daoren truly becomes his disciple, the previous grudges could actually be resolved.
Chen Yun, somewhat unsure, asked, "Even if I agree, will he agree to this?"
The Western Queen Mother said, "As long as you agree, he will undoubtedly consent."
Chen Yun pondered for a moment and said, "If that's the case, I can agree with the elder ancestor's proposal."
The Western Queen Mother nodded slightly and said, "Very well, I will 'revive' him."
After speaking, she made no visible moves but merely pointed with her finger.
In the misty distance, a powerful force surged up, converging on the Gouteng tree.
In the next moment, the Gouteng tree shone brilliantly, gradually taking on a shape and condensing into a child of about 15 or 16 years old.
Chen Yun was stunned upon seeing this scene.
He had thought that the Western Queen Mother would restore Gouteng to his original appearance, but he was surprised to see that it was instead a child.
He was a bit confused about what was going on.
Fortunately, the Western Queen Mother explained, "I have already revived Gouteng. He now has no memory of his past life and is like a blank sheet of paper. It will require you to carefully cultivate him."
Chen Yun hurriedly said, "I will strictly comply with the elder ancestor's decree."
He realized that the Western Queen Mother had been testing him just now.
If he had agreed to the proposal just now, the Western Queen Mother might have revealed the location of the ancestral core, but she certainly wouldn't have gone all out to help him refine his Yang spirit.
By not agreeing, it showed that his resolve to cultivate the Dao was very firm, and he was thus eligible for her complete guidance and instruction.
Chen Yun hadn't expected that even as he was approaching the realm of immortals, he still couldn't escape "tests."
He felt a mix of laughter and tears in his heart. It seemed that divinities liked to play these games, constantly testing others.
The Western Queen Mother said, "Gouteng, from now on, he will be your teacher. I will witness it and you must perform three prostrations and nine kowtows in respect."
Although Gouteng was like a blank sheet of paper, he was already highly intelligent after being transformed into human form.
He hurriedly knelt before Chen Yun, knocking his head as he said in a babyish voice, "I pay my respects to my teacher."
The three prostrations and nine kowtows were done with great precision and care.
Chen Yun harbored resentment towards Gouteng, even though the latter had become a child without any memories of his past life. Chen Yun couldn't bring himself to like him, but he calmly raised his hand and said, "There's no need for such formalities. Rise up."
"Thank you, teacher," Gouteng said, getting up with a little push from his small hands and feet.
The Western Queen Mother said, "Only when you can no longer bear any resentment towards him will you have achieved the rank of a heavenly immortal."
What does it have to do with my resentment towards him or my attainment of the heavenly immortal rank?
Chen Yun didn't understand what the meaning was, but he knew that the Western Queen Mother wouldn't speak without purpose. He hurriedly said, "The disciple will remember this teaching."
"It would be best if you could remember it. If not, there's no problem." The Western Queen Mother said with a profound meaning, "You will understand it naturally as you reach a certain level."
Chen Yun also thought so.
The Western Queen Mother changed the subject and said, "The ancestral core is of great importance to those who cultivate internal elixirs. Many may know its approximate location but can never find the true place. I assume you have tried to find it as well, right?"
Chen Yun said, "Yes."
This is indeed true. Chen Yun knew roughly that the ancestral core was located at the vertex of an equilateral triangle formed by his eyebrows and eyes, but despite all his efforts to locate it previously, he could not pinpoint its exact location.
That feeling is like trying to see flowers through a mist; you know the flowers are in front of you, but you don't know the exact position.
The Western Queen Mother slowly said, "Each person's physical body is different, so there is a slight deviation in the location of the ancestral core. It is understandable that you couldn't find it accurately. Alright, let me help you locate its specific position."
Saying this, she extended her finger again.
Chen Yun felt a dizzy spell and then collapsed to the ground.
Gouteng was frightened and immediately ran over, stumbling on his small legs, and shouted loudly, "Teacher, what's wrong with you? Teacher, are you okay?"
Unfortunately, he couldn't hear Gouteng's shouts.
The Western Queen Mother stood up and said, "Your teacher is in a mystical state. You don't need to disturb him; go play for a while."
"Oh!"
Gouteng was very obedient and walked towards the outside, but he was very worried about his newly adopted master, looking back every few steps as he walked. He was truly looking back three times for every step he took.
