Volume One: The Useless Sets Out — Blazing Demon-Slaying Chapter Forty-Nine: Awakening of Birds and Beasts, All with Cause

After a night of turmoil, everyone had settled down to sleep. Chang Yu lay beside Yang Chengzi, unable to drift off, her eyes blinking as she watched him sit cross-legged, her mind in disarray. Since leaving Hanshan Temple and journeying alongside Yang Chengzi, only a few days had passed, yet every day had been fraught with anxiety. She could sense that Yang Chengzi cared about her safety, but it was all for the purpose of returning her safely to her father. Chang Yu had no confidence in her place within Yang Chengzi’s heart.

Firstly, he truly was an upright Taoist priest; secondly, such an outstanding man was rare in the world. Chang Yu even doubted she could ever possess him for herself. His demeanor toward her was ever unpredictable—sometimes warm, sometimes cold—impossible to fathom.

Lost in thought, she pursed her lips, glaring at Yang Chengzi with indignation. He sensed a resentful gaze cast his way, knowing Chang Yu was still awake. If not for the presence of all these people, perhaps he would have turned and spoken with her, but given the situation, he could only continue to remain vigilant of his surroundings.

Unconsciously, Chang Yu eventually fell asleep, and the night was peaceful.

Yang Chengzi, who did not sleep at all, was exhausted, but there was no alternative. At dawn, he began to use the surrounding trees to arrange an Eight Trigrams Maze.

Before the others awoke, the formation was already complete, just waiting for them to wake and activate its core.

Chen San was the first to stir, awakened by a nightmare. He had dreamt of evil ghosts and spirits chasing him relentlessly, with Yang Chengzi and the others nowhere to be found. Just as a demonic claw was about to seize him, the terror jolted him awake.

From Chen San’s terrified expression, Yang Chengzi discerned something amiss and asked, “Did you encounter a ghost? To be so frightened?”

Chen San stared at Yang Chengzi in astonishment, rubbing his face before replying, “From now on, I won’t call you Yang Chengzi; I’ll call you Half-Immortal. Not only are your predictions accurate, but you seem to know my dreams as well. I can’t help but yield; don’t be modest, Half-Immortal suits you.”

Yang Chengzi shook his head and laughed. “That title reeks too much of the ways of the martial world. Call me by my name. Dreams are nothing; these days, we’re all on edge—nightmares are normal, don’t let them trouble you.”

Chen San got up, patting the dust off, still shaken. “Two ghosts chased me; I was nearly scared to death.”

Yang Chengzi teased him, “Why didn’t you use your summoning technique to drive them off?”

Chen San frowned, slapping his forehead as realization dawned. “Ah, right! I know the summoning spell! Why did I run? Damn, I ran all night for nothing. Next time, if I meet those two again, I’ll finish them off.” He spat on the ground, his rogue nature laid bare.

Chang Yu was awakened by Chen San’s noise, stretching and yawning, still groggy. “Chen San, can’t you see everyone’s sleeping? Can’t you keep your voice down? Do you want me to slaughter you?”

Chen San looked at Chang Yu in surprise, retorting, “Can you keep your voice down? Aren’t you worried about your prospects for marriage?”

Chang Yu rose, grabbing a nearby branch, ready to thrash Chen San, but Yang Chengzi stopped her with a swift hand.

“Let it go. He spent last night running around like an idiot; his mood isn’t good this morning. You’re a lady—don’t be so rough, or you’ll never be welcomed into high society.”

Chen San was about to dodge, but seeing Yang Chengzi intervene, he boasted, “See, see, your Young Master Yang can’t stand it either. You’ll never be welcomed into high society.”

Chang Yu burst into laughter, gazing at Yang Chengzi with affection and nodding.

Chang Yu laughed, and only then did Chen San realize what was going on. “Wait, who ran around all night? Something doesn’t sound right. You two are picking on the honest man, aren’t you?”

Yang Chengzi shook his head, smiling. “A little teasing now and then, or the journey would be too dull.”

At that moment, Monk Sui Chang awoke, bringing his palms together and chanting, “Amitabha, it’s been ages since I slept so soundly, only to be disturbed by you little rascal. It’s barely dawn; what are you babbling about? Three days without a beating and you’re itching for one, aren’t you?”

Chen San glanced around—was the master speaking to him? Seeing the master’s intent to discipline him, he immediately shrank back.

“Heh, master, you’re joking! How could I have woken you? Aren’t we supposed to awaken the spirits? It’s not too early. Let’s get it done and back on the road. Don’t make trouble—what kind of monk threatens to beat people? It wouldn’t sound good if word got out. I’ll fetch some water so you all can wash your faces, heh.”

Chang Yu gave the master a thumbs up. The master glanced at her and then said to Chen San, “Well, hurry up and go, stop dawdling.”

Chen San agreed and dashed off, Yang Chengzi following, the two heading out to find water.

After they went, the master smiled at Chang Yu. “That boy, three days without punishment and he’s up to mischief again. Don’t indulge him; curb his arrogance and let him question himself. When needed, I’ll help you teach him a lesson.”

Chang Yu laughed heartily, nodding, and said playfully, “You’re the best, master. That wretched Chen San annoys me all day long.”

The master looked at the traces left by Yang Chengzi’s formation, nodding in approval. “It seems Yang Chengzi didn’t sleep at all last night. To wake at dawn and have the Eight Trigrams Maze already laid out—let’s hope his body can bear it.”

Chang Yu’s heart ached at this, “I worry about his health too. He rests far less than we do, and he’s still injured. I wonder if he’s alright.”

Chen San and Yang Chengzi went out to find water. Chen San, curious, asked, “Hey, if I use the summoning spell in a dream, will the divine consciousness come to me?”

Seeing Chen San’s earnest expression, Yang Chengzi clapped him hard on the shoulder. “What are you thinking all day? Your divine consciousness isn’t stupid. Techniques can be employed in dreams, but divine consciousness, attached to ancestral wisdom, can discern whether you’re truly in danger. Not only during sleep—even when cultivating, the spell won’t possess you. How could it happen while sleeping?”

“If it doesn’t possess me, how do you know if it’s working?” Chen San tilted his head, doubtful.

“You only need to sense the divine consciousness and recite the spell. As long as you can perceive the divine presence and remember the incantation, when danger arises, the invocation will succeed.”

“What if it doesn’t possess me? What if it just refuses?”

Yang Chengzi replied with a furrowed brow, “The summoning spell fails only in two cases: one, if you’ve betrayed your sect and been struck from the celestial register by the Grand Master; two, if the environment restricts you—like certain formations that block communication with divine consciousness, preventing the spell from working.”

Chen San nodded, understanding. “Yes, once I accidentally entered a Soul Trapping Maze set by a Daoist, couldn’t get out, tried the summoning spell, and felt nothing at all.”

“Those are the usual circumstances for failure. But remember: you can summon Taoist ancestors’ divine consciousness, but don’t casually invite spirits to possess you. Spirits are hard to distinguish between good and bad. If you summon one and it kills itself with a sword, or uses evil magic to seize your body, not even immortals could save you.”

They hadn’t walked far when a small river wound through the forest. The two washed their faces and returned, bringing the others to wash up as well. Afterward, the group headed back to the grove.

Yang Chengzi activated the formation’s core, reciting the incantation with raised fingers. The illusion of the Eight Trigrams Maze manifested, then vanished.

The master entered the formation, sitting cross-legged to gather energy and breathe. The others withdrew a hundred paces and waited silently.

After half a stick of incense’s time, distant chirping and rustling sounded. Yang Chengzi signaled for silence. Soon, wild birds, pheasants, rabbits, and other creatures approached Monk Sui Chang.

When Monk Sui Chang emerged from the formation, Yang Chengzi rushed over. The master nodded, indicating all was well, so Yang Chengzi entered the maze. Inside, hundreds of birds and beasts tried to flee, but no matter how they collided, none escaped.

Yang Chengzi sat down, closed his eyes, and sensed the animal spirits within the maze, entering the realm of divine soul. Their spirits appeared vividly in his mind. He bit his finger, raised it, and recited, “All things possess spirit and nature. With my divine soul, I awaken wisdom, above to Heaven, below to the Yellow Springs. Souls return to all things, awaken and enlighten!”

In an instant, the spirits of dozens of birds and beasts shone brilliantly in his perception. Due to their number, Yang Chengzi repeated the ritual, nearly a hundred creatures gaining awakened intelligence.

He stood and addressed the birds and beasts, “Once I close the formation, you will be free. Do not blame me; I had no choice. Fate arises and fades, determined by Heaven. May you, in your next lives as humans, do good and bring blessings to all.”

He walked to the water position, erased the incantation carved into the tree, and as the spell vanished, the birds and beasts scattered.

Chang Yu saw many birds flying from the woods, some beautiful and unfamiliar. She ran over curiously, just as Yang Chengzi emerged. She looked behind him and asked, “Is it over? Not a single one left?”

Yang Chengzi was puzzled. “What’s wrong? Are you hungry again?”

Chang Yu pouted, “Not at all. I can’t eat right now. I just saw so many beautiful birds and wanted to see if any were left. Ugh, such a disappointment—not a single one remains.”

“Come, we can now travel safely. There should be no more danger.”

Chang Yu squinted and took Yang Chengzi’s arm. He was exhausted and had no energy to resist, so he let her do as she pleased.

Seeing Chang Yu emerge holding Yang Chengzi’s arm, Chen San anxiously asked, “Well? Did the awakening spell work?”

Yang Chengzi frowned at Chen San, his expression not promising, which made Chen San more anxious.

“Well? Is it working or not? My life depends on this!”

Yang Chengzi shook his head. “Of course the awakening spell worked. Aren’t you yourself in the realm of divine soul? Just sense it yourself.”

“Oh, right! You all have me so rattled lately I forgot. Let me check and see how things are.”

Chang Yu laughed, “You haven’t just been rattled lately—this has been going on for days. You’ve always been this silly!”

Chen San pouted, impatiently seeking a spot beneath a tree to sit and focus. As his senses expanded, an endless vast land unfolded in his soul sea. Golden divine consciousness swept past him, and as his soul extended outward, flashes of light began to appear—these must be the awakened birds and beasts of Yang Chengzi. Chen San carefully sensed each one.

As he tried to extend further, the dazzling light in his soul sea forced his consciousness out. Startled, Chen San frowned, puzzled, and closed his eyes to try again. Once more, he was forced out after only a short time. This time, he could not sit still; he got up and rushed toward Yang Chengzi and the master.