Prologue Appointment (Repair)

  Dust fate

  That day, I shook all the incense burners, not for blessings, but just to touch your fingertips.

  That year, on the mountain path, I crawled, not for a meeting, but just to stick close to your warmth.

  Those repeated turns on the mountain road were not for accumulating merit for the next life, but just for meeting you along the way.

  The Sixth Dalai Lama

  Prologue Appointment

  One day in heaven is equal to one year on earth, and a few degrees of spring and autumn among humans.

  At that time, the divine state was vast and majestic, with strong passes and great rivers stretching across it. Between the mountains and rivers, there were thousands of miles of fertile plains, with a myriad of atmospheric phenomena. Over billions of years, heaven sent down dew, earth's energy rose up, under the interaction of yin and yang, thus clouds moved, winds blew, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

  The essence of things coalesces, and life begins to appear. It is unknown how many tens of millions of years later that humans can walk on the earth. In this prosperous world, ancient events have long been lost and cannot be verified. Whether it is a scholar or a merchant, what they know is nothing but gods, immortals, ghosts, and various absurd legends. Even the official history records only go back a few tens of thousands of years. Generally, knowledgeable scholars naturally understand that historical books are not to be trusted, nor can they be completely trusted. The stories recorded in the books about the ancient times are similar to those found in unofficial histories.

  The Divine Land has a unique geography, with many years of favorable weather, so it gradually moves towards a prosperous era. Among them, there are some people who do not like worldly fame and fortune, but love to search for mountains and rivers. They also settle in those places where the mountains are clear and the water is beautiful, the land energy converges, builds a hut to live, leaves the world, and cultivates their hearts.

  In ancient times, it was said that there was a Daoist named Guang Chengzi who had thoroughly understood the Dao and rode a crane to the west, leaving behind many traces of his presence. From then on, the fashion for seeking immortality and visiting the Dao began to flourish. For thousands of years, there have been repeated reports of people achieving enlightenment and ascending to heaven, and even official histories and unofficial accounts have frequently mentioned such cases. It was only then that ordinary people came to know that above the nine heavens, there is a blue sky, and beneath the earth, there are the yellow springs. However, the idea of immortals ultimately proved to be empty and elusive, and the distance between immortals and mortals remained vast. Ordinary people continued to work from dawn till dusk, struggling to make ends meet, and were unable to escape their fate. When they grew old and died, a handful of yellow earth and a few tears were all that was left, leaving no trace behind.

  Whenever a natural disaster or important festival occurs, the people will burn incense and offer sacrifices to worship those gods that they cannot see even if they live their whole lives. Because they believe that the distance between gods and humans is not far, as long as they sincerely pray and devoutly worship, heaven will be moved and the immortal realm will be aware, although it's not always a guarantee, but at least one or two wishes can come true. However, the difference between heaven and earth, and the separation between the sacred and the mundane, is like an immense ocean, which is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, so there's no need to mention this again.

  Beyond the nine heavens, at the extreme of the blue sky, there is indeed a vast and mysterious world, which is the dwelling place of all immortals, commonly known as the Immortal Realm in the mortal world, also known by different names such as Heavenly Palace, Lotus Flower, Wonderful Land, etc.

  The realm of the immortals is vast and boundless, its extent unknown. Above and below, it is dark and obscure; even with great spiritual powers, there is no way to measure its depth or distance.

  However, the immortal realm is not as those ordinary people think, it only has prosperity and beauty, music and dance filling the air.

  In the vast expanse of the immortal realm, except for a central region, the four directions are all desolate and barren. The mysterious boundary is fraught with great danger lurking within, and even ordinary lower immortals dare not venture far from their domain. Once trapped in the various illusions of the mysterious wilderness, there is a possibility that they may never escape, and even golden immortal bodies can be destroyed in an instant. Therefore, those who dare to enter and exit the mysterious wilderness are either upper immortals with great divine powers or immortals with methods to navigate the mystery, and thus they do not fear various dangers.

  However, beyond the vast and mysterious expanse, further into the depths, what world is there, what heavenly mechanism, even an immortal would not know.

  At the extreme edge of the immortal realm, there is a heavenly river, ten million zhang wide and one hundred thousand chi deep. The surface of the water has no waves or ripples, stretching out endlessly without visible source or end. Within a thousand li of the riverbank, not a single tree or blade of grass can be seen, the air is devoid of flying birds, the ground is free from dust and dirt, it's an indescribable desolate state.

  The water of the Tianhe River is not ordinary water, extremely weak and unable to carry even a single object. Whether it's a heavenly beast or an immortal, once they enter the water, they will sink and never be able to come out again. Above the Tianhe River, there are gentle breezes that come from the mysterious void and go towards infinity. Usually, these winds are just slight gusts of air, no different from the winds and rains of the mortal world. However, every now and then, the wind will carry a faint, inexplicable aura. This aura is known as "mysterious and strange", and once it encounters a magical artifact or a cultivated spirit, it will erode its immortal energy and disintegrate its structure. Whether it's an immortal or a heavenly beast, if they can't withstand this on the vast Tianhe River, they will fall into the water, and their countless years of cultivation will be reduced to nothing in an instant.

  It is for this reason that the Tianhe River is named the Non-Two Tianhe, becoming a natural barrier to protect the immortal realm. However, occasionally there will still be those who have attained the Dao and are refined and subtle, emerging from the depths of Xuanhuang, crossing over the Non-Two Tianhe, and secretly entering the mortal world of the immortal realm. Therefore, the Immortal Emperor ordered the capable immortals to patrol the edges of Xuanhuang, in order to prevent evil spirits and demons from disturbing the peace of the immortal realm.

  The Erhai River has a winding course, like a sleeping dragon, lying dormant in the realm of the immortals. The riverbank is desolate and barren, with thin mist swirling around it, devoid of any signs of life within a thousand miles. However, at the bend of the river, by the water's edge, there is a single piece of celadon stone, born crystal clear and translucent, proud and extraordinary, emitting a faint aura of life that stands out starkly against its surroundings, clearly not an ordinary object.

  The blue stone has been standing on the banks of the Non-Two River since ancient times, and it is unknown how many tens of millions of years it has stood. The mountain of immortals has no sun or moon.

  On this day, the long-standing silence of the Wu Ding River was broken again. From afar, where the clouds were scattered and the fog was dispersed, a celestial being appeared. His face was like jade, his nose was high-bridged, his demeanor was majestic, his hair was combed back high, tied with a seven-colored crystal dragon pearl. He wore a long robe with clouds embroidered on the front and wind born on the back, each sleeve corner adorned with an eight-sided delicate pagoda, three lotus flowers under his feet, emitting precious light like splendor, breaking through layer upon layer of cloud and fog, approaching slowly.

  The immortal saw a distant view of the Wudeng River, where a piece of green stone was faintly visible with a hint of a smile. The lotus flower under his feet burst into bloom, accelerating his pace, and in an instant he flew over the Fei'er River. He steered the immortal lotus, and in a moment he had flown three times around the river, scanning the surrounding area within a radius of thousands of miles with his divine thoughts, seeing nothing unusual. Only then did he lower the immortal lotus and slowly descend beside the green stone.

  He adjusted his immortal robe, leaned against the green stone, faced the vast and boundless Milky Way, sat down with ease, took out a volume of heavenly scriptures from his bosom, and began to recite them aloud.

  Vast misty waves, sparkling green stones, accompanied by the sound of books resonating loudly. This place, located on the edge of the desolate and harsh border of the Non-Two River, was suddenly surrounded by clouds and mist, with exotic fragrances wafting through the air, countless lotus petals falling gently, soft breeze and fine rain sprinkling down, as a purple glow broke through the horizon, transforming this barren land into a place of auspiciousness.

  Not long after, the celestial book was finished, and the immortal slowly stood up, putting the book into his bosom. He patted the green stone beside him and said with a smile: "Green stone, you have been able to listen to me recite the seven volumes of the celestial book, which is also a great fate. Now that your spiritual light is exposed and your cultivation is almost full, if there is an opportunity, you may also be able to get rid of your stone body and cultivate into an immortal embryo. The time has come, our meeting this time has ended, so let's part ways."

  The immortal pointed his hand and three lotus flowers descended from the air. He stepped on the lotus flower, about to fly up, when he saw the Wan Dao smoke waves on the Tianhe River again, the wind rose again, suddenly had an epiphany, so he turned back to the front of the Qing Shi, said: "Qing Shi ah Qing Shi, you and I are indeed destined. Just now, seeing the Xunfeng rise again on the Wuding Tianhe River, I realized the 'Jie Li Jue' chapter, and also gave it to you!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, his robe sleeves fluttered and a wisp of smoke passed by, leaving behind a few words on the bluestone, which then gradually faded away.

  This time he no longer stayed, drove the lotus flower, and rushed away overnight.

  By the river with no fixed course, in the vast and desolate wilderness, for a time, only one piece of bluestone remained.

  This immortal is the envoy of the four-way patrol, going back and forth to inspect the desolate borderlands, in order to prevent any malevolent spirits from taking advantage of the emptiness to invade. Although these malevolent spirits do not stir up great waves, they will still disturb the immortal's quiet cultivation, which is not desirable.

  The immortal inspects the four realms, touring once every 500 years. Every time he arrives at the banks of the Wu Ding River, he must sit beside a green stone, loudly reciting a volume of heavenly scriptures, then stands up to tidy his robes and hat, only then will he leave.

  The mountain is without sun and moon.

  Since when did I start meeting with Qing Shi, the immortal has already lost his sense of self. Every 500 years, this is how many times we've met now.

  Only those seven volumes of heavenly books, turned over and over again, were read for dozens of times?

  After the immortal left, it was unknown how many years had passed. The bluestone was blown by the gentle breeze, absorbing the heavenly river's dew and aura, its luster becoming increasingly resplendent.

  One day, the usually calm and waveless Wu Ding Tian River suddenly became turbulent and stormy. Strong winds howled, thunder rumbled loudly, the earth shook and trembled, and even the ancient, immovable green stones were bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors, shimmering ceaselessly.

  After a thunderclap, a green light shot up from the riverbank and soared into the sky. Looking again at the bend of the Milky Way, the green stone had already burst open, and among the scattered rocks stood a woman in a green robe. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, looking around blankly, completely unaware of where she was.

  Just then, a massive dust storm arose at the end of the desolate plain, and the sound of war drums and bugles faintly came through. The woman looked puzzled and gazed in the direction of the rising dust.

  A flash of white light appeared in the distance, and a small, snow-white creature that resembled both a cat and a fox came rushing forward as if its feet didn't touch the ground. In an instant, it had already rushed to the front of the woman in green clothing.

  The snow-white little beast buried its head and rushed forward, completely unaware that the woman who had turned to stone was standing in front of it. Although it was extremely sensitive and alert, it didn't feel even a hint of the woman's presence. This wasn't surprising, as she had just shed her stone clothes and transformed into an immortal body, and at this moment, her entire being was filled with spiritual energy, but still dominated by the aura of stone. In the little beast's perception, the woman was nothing more than a piece of green stone.

  Qīng shí cǐ kè máng máng rán, huǎng huǎng rán, hún bù zhī shēn zài hé chù, jiāng xiàng hé fāng. Tā xīn zhōng hū rán wēi dòng, yíng yíng sù shēn tǐ, qiān qiān sù shǒu luò chù, qià hǎo zhuàn zhù nà zhī xiǎo shòu de hòu jǐng, jiāng tā tí le qǐ lái.

  The little beast did not expect this result, and for a while it was anxious, baring its teeth and claws, calling out to the woman in a high-pitched voice, obviously trying to show off its might. However, its head was big and its paws were short, its entire body covered in soft white fur, its eyes red like rubies, and no matter how hard it tried to bare its small teeth, it only looked cute, without any intimidating presence.

  The girl lifted the small beast in front of her, a pair of green pupils staring at it steadily. Seeing the small beast struggling and showing off, she couldn't help but smile gently.

  At this time, the distant evil spirit rose to the sky, and a horn sounded leisurely, with a fierce killing intent hidden in the sound of the horn. The little beast turned its head to look back, seeing that among the smoke and dust rising to the sky, countless flags were faintly visible, and it was stunned for a moment. And the woman also looked into the distance, seeing countless armored soldiers rushing towards this place, and she unconsciously revealed a puzzled expression.

  The little white beast stopped struggling, let out a soft whimper, and slowly lowered its head. Its four paws curled up slightly in the hands of the woman in green clothes, shrinking into a small white furry ball, as if waiting for death with closed eyes.

  For some reason, a wave of sympathy suddenly arose in the heart of the woman in green. She let out a soft sigh, her slender fingers relaxing, and the small white beast fell to the ground. It seemed completely unprepared for this outcome, bouncing a few times on the ground before stretching out its four legs and dashing towards the distant Wu Ding Tian River like a flash of lightning.

  It went to the river bank and suddenly stopped in its tracks, turning around to gaze at the woman.

  That woman in green stood amidst the wind, her beautiful eyes also gazing at it.

  Four eyes met for just one moment, merely a few seconds.

  The snow-white little beast suddenly raised its head towards the sky and let out a long howl, its voice clear and far-reaching, like a dragon's chant!

  The whistling sound had not yet subsided when it turned back, leaped ten zhangs and plunged into the Milky Way. On the smooth surface of the Milky Way, a small splash was stirred up, followed by several ripples that lingered for a long time without dispersing.

  In the eyes of the woman in green, several ripples were also reflected, lingering for a long time.

  Just then, a loud shout like thunder came, dispersing the ripples in Qing Shi's eyes: "You stupid thing! How dare you let go of the ten-thousand-year heavenly demon!"

  Qing Shi hastily turned around, and saw a fairy standing behind her, several times taller than her, with golden armor all over his body, staring at her angrily. Countless heavenly soldiers had already surged past her from both sides like a tide, chasing towards the Heavenly River. However, when they reached the riverbank, they didn't dare take another step forward no matter what. The Heavenly River's weak water and gale winds made even superior fairies not dare to cross lightly; how could these ordinary heavenly soldiers dare to set foot in the river?

  Qīng shí wēi jué jīng huāng. Tā gāng gāng tuō tāi huà xíng, yī qiè jiān yī běn néng háng shì, cǐ shí líng zhì shàng wèi quán kāi, quán rán bù zhī dà huò yǐ zì lín tóu.

  The Golden Armor Immortal looked up and down at the green stone, sighed and said: "Forget it, the heavenly demon has escaped back to Xuan Huang. You foolish creature have committed a great sin, follow me to see the Immortal Emperor! It's just that I pity you for not being able to cultivate easily, and as soon as you achieved enlightenment and transformed into a human form, you will receive the punishment of being struck by heavenly thunder."

  Qing Shi had not yet understood the meaning of Jin Jia Xian Ren's words when she heard a clanging sound, and a pair of slender hands were suddenly shackled with handcuffs. A fairy soldier held up a jade tablet towards her, and a beam of light immediately enveloped her, sucking her into the tablet.

  "You dare to be so presumptuous, do you know your crime?"

  It wasn't until the sound of the toast entered her ears that Qing Shi finally woke up from her daze. She looked around and found herself in the center of a magnificent heavenly palace. The hall was paved with green jade, with white stone pillars, and the copper beast incense burners at the four corners were emitting a faint mist, burning an unknown fragrance. On the eaves of the four sides of the hall, there were all kinds of strange beasts made of blue gold sitting on guard.

  In the great hall, suddenly a voice rang out, and only Qing Shi knelt in the center of the hall, unable to move at all.

  Right in front of her, there was a long jade staircase that went all the way up and disappeared into the vast clouds. The sudden loud shout came from the clouds above and fell right in front of the stairs.

  She was frightened in her heart and felt puzzled, without knowing what crime she had committed.

  At this time, another voice came: "Your Majesty, this stupid thing privately released the heavenly demon. Although it was an unintentional mistake, its calamity is endless. According to the law, it should be beaten into the Yin Pond and suffer the extreme cold punishment for eternity. Considering that it has just been transformed and its spiritual consciousness has not opened, it will only be punished with the Heavenly Thunder Corpse Punishment."

  The blue stone trembled slightly, and she didn't know what kind of punishment the heavenly thunderbolt was, but she vaguely felt that the divine consciousness cultivated over billions of years might be gone just like that.

  "Your Majesty! I think it's unwise!"

  Qīng shí quán shēn yī zhèn, tā jì dé zhè gè shēng yīn, nà měi wǔ bǎi nián jiù huì zài tā shēn biān xiǎng qǐ yī cì de shēng yīn!

  Translation:

  The blue stone shook all over, she remembered this voice, that every five hundred years would ring out once by her side!

  "Your Majesty, this time the heaven and earth's fate is chaotic, yin and yang are colliding, which allowed that heavenly demon to escape its confinement. If not for the drastic change in heaven and earth, it would still be just a piece of green stone. Even if it has shed its stone coat and cultivated a divine body, its spiritual awareness is not fully open, how can it recognize the heavenly demon? Although it should be punished, considering its cultivation was not easy, I think the punishment of being struck by heavenly thunder is too severe!"

  The previous voice rumbled down, already with a tone of anger: "How dare you! She let the heavenly demon run amok, and her crime is unforgivable. The heavenly thunder has destroyed her body and eradicated all her past and future karma; this is already a great mercy. You are just a small four-sided boundary patrol fairy, how dare you speak nonsense in this hall? Your Majesty, if such crimes can be forgiven, where will the heavenly law be placed? And how will the gods and immortals in front of the palace feel?"

  At this time, the white clouds in the nine heavens suddenly opened, and a fairy palace appeared vaguely, with red walls and golden tiles, white jade railings, and purple clouds surrounding the wall, majestic and towering. Qing Shi suddenly felt a gaze sweeping over her body, the gaze was warm and gentle, like a lotus flower brushing against her face, making her momentarily startled and then feeling much more at ease.

  At this time, a gentle and calm voice came from the sky, not angry but majestic: "The green stone has been running wildly in the heavenly path, its crime is already clear, according to the law it should be punished with the heavenly thunderbolt, destroying its body. The words of the Great Heavenly Lord are quite reasonable."

  "Your Majesty, I have something to say!" The patrolling immortal said again: "The Blue Stone was cultivated into shape at this time. Even if it ran amok and became a heavenly demon, tracing back to its origin, it was because I chanted the Heavenly Scriptures for her to listen, and she cultivated according to the method and reached this state. Therefore, the crime of the Blue Stone should be shared by me!"

  The Immortal Emperor remained silent for a moment, then said: "You have toured the four borders and have many merits. Very well, this is also your unfinished mortal fate. Since you are willing to share this crime with her, I will punish both of you by stripping you of your immortal status, casting you into the mundane world, and making you suffer through a hundred generations of reincarnation."

  Upon hearing the words "ascend to the realm of immortals, descend into the mortal world", Qing Shi was unaware why, but a chill suddenly rose from the bottom of her heart. Just as she blinked, the immortal who appeared only once every five hundred years had already appeared before her.

  He slowly removed the Luliu disk with dragon beads that bound his hair, took off his immortal wind and cloud cloak, and scattered the lotus flowers under his feet. He knelt shoulder to shoulder with her in the center of the grand hall.

  At this time, in the depths of the nine-layered heavenly palace, a bell's gentle chime began to resound, wafting and drifting in all directions.

  The green jade on the ground of the grand hall suddenly scattered, and Qing Shi and Xun Jie's immortal fell down. She only felt the vast cloud and mist brushing past her body, the gale blowing against her face like a knife, and in the depths of the cloud and mist, there were all kinds of ominous scenes. Just as she was getting anxious, her hand suddenly warmed up, and someone had gently grasped it.

  This grasp, grasped the fate of a hundred generations, the dusty affinity of a thousand years.

  Only by understanding the stories of the world can one grasp their underlying principles; whether fortunate or unfortunate events occur, they are all the result of past causes.