Chapter Eight: Opening the Heavenly Eye

Inside the mountain cave.

“One is the beginning, two is the union, three is the harmony of the Dao…” Liu Junhuai silently recited the incantation of the Nine Transformations Heart Method. As he practiced it for the first time, he immediately sensed the true energy within his dantian coursing through his meridians along a mysterious and unfathomable route. The beating of his heart slowed, becoming more powerful, while the surging blood, driven by both the heart and the true energy, gradually widened the vessels within his body.

According to the Records of Marvelous Phenomena, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is something formed out of nothing, source-less and root-less, yet brimming with vitality. Of all the spiritual substances, those with the attributes of the Five Elements are most abundant. Cultivators absorb this energy in accordance with their own spiritual roots, taking what they need. Liu Junhuai, possessing all five spiritual roots, absorbed spiritual energy more slowly than those with a single attribute, but each stream he drew was far more potent. This was the main reason why the Nine Transformations Heart Method was invincible among those of the same rank.

After eight cycles of major circulation, Liu Junhuai clearly felt the movement slowing, becoming ever more aware of the extraordinary nature of the Nine Transformations Heart Method. The martial arts techniques of the warrior world could not perceive the Five Elements within the spiritual energy, but as he practiced this method, he could distinctly sense the elements lurking in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth as if summoned, rising up like birds flocking to a phoenix or swords returning to their master, swarming into his body to form a vortex.

The vortex spun faster and faster, drawing forth ever more energy, and Liu Junhuai could hear a mysterious sound echoing from within him, reverberating as if whispering secrets.

The night was tranquil, the bright moon hung high. Liu Junhuai, having entered meditation, remained so from dawn until nightfall—more than half a day had passed. Though he felt traces of fatigue, a steadfast conviction burned within his heart: through relentless effort, he would master divine arts and avenge his mother.

After a simple meal, Liu Junhuai began another round of cultivation, unwilling to waste even a minute. Having switched to a true cultivation method, he needed to reach the late stage of body refinement as soon as possible.

Five days passed thus. During his practice, Liu Junhuai suddenly felt his mind in turmoil, restlessness rising within. The energy in his dantian seemed to sense the shift in his mood, the vortex became chaotic and unstable, the flow through his meridians slowed. His heartbeat thundered like a drum—“dong, dong”—and his consciousness grew blurry. He began to convulse, unable to escape, his body tightly bound and powerless.

“Wake up! Quickly!” At the moment of utmost peril, a sharp voice resounded in Liu Junhuai’s mind. The sudden strange sound startled him awake, and instinctively he halted his cultivation. Exhausted, he could no longer sit upright and toppled to the ground, losing consciousness.

After a long while, Liu Junhuai gradually awoke, silently grateful—he had nearly suffered a demonic deviation, he thought.

“You’re awake?” Suddenly, a human voice emerged in his mind, making Liu Junhuai leap up in fright.

“Who are you? Where are you?” Liu Junhuai cried out in terror.

“Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is that I saved you,” the voice continued.

“Who exactly are you?” Liu Junhuai was dumbfounded.

“I am a divine thought. You might say there is a fragment of me dwelling in your mind.”

“Where did you come from? What are you here to do?”

“To be precise, I came with you, I exist for you. You live for me, I use you.”

Liu Junhuai was now thoroughly unnerved.

“I know whence you came, and I will tell you where you must go. Calm yourself, close your eyes, and follow my thoughts.” More words floated into his mind. Liu Junhuai hesitated for a moment, then obeyed. Scenes began to appear in his mind.

After a long silence, Liu Junhuai said, “Are you that old monk? Was that red light your divine sense?” By now, his nerves had grown numb, and he was starting to accept this abrupt transformation.

“You will understand who I am in time. Let’s put it this way: you must accept my legacy. The reason I chose you is that you possess great destiny, you are the cycle of the Dao, your fate is ordained by heaven.”

Liu Junhuai was even more confused, his heart filled with awe and fear. “I still don’t understand your words, elder.”

“I can see through your past and present lives—there’s no need to be confused. Some things you don’t need to know now; one day, you will naturally understand. Remember one thing: your seizure of this body is heaven’s arrangement, and meeting me is fate’s working. I will guide you on the path you must take; at the end of this path, we shall meet again.”

“What should I do?” Liu Junhuai began to accept this passive arrangement. Was refusal even possible? The entity was in his mind, and his secrets could not be hidden.

“Meditate, enter a state of selflessness, and open your divine sense!” the voice commanded.

Liu Junhuai sat cross-legged, closed his eyes as instructed. Soon, a booming sound filled his mind, and a golden radiance appeared, gathering into a golden sphere. The sphere spun ceaselessly, its surface woven with strands of golden thread.

“This is a divine ability, called Heavenly Eye. You’ll soon experience its effects. This ability resides in the Palace of the Mud Pill, and can be considered another dantian, though the two will not merge or communicate, each remaining distinct. You can now gaze inward—this will aid your future cultivation. The method flows with your divine intent; try it.”

Focusing his mind on the Palace of the Mud Pill, Liu Junhuai saw the golden sphere’s rotation accelerate, golden light threads passing through the Yin Tang and Bai Hui points. After a sharp pain, he felt as if an eye opened at the center of his forehead. Light flooded his vision, the surrounding scene became clear in all directions—an infinite clarity.

“You have opened the third eye, called the heart’s eye. The third eye is symbolic, invisible to others. Nourish it daily with energy, and over time, you will be able to see the qi of others, perceive things unseen by ordinary people. If you reach mastery, you will foresee future events.” Liu Junhuai was deeply moved, elated—a cheat artifact defying the heavens!

“You have acquired the divine ability. My divine sense has long been awakened, but my time is short. Ask your questions quickly.”

“Honored elder, you have bestowed me with your divine gift. May I ask if I can take you as my master?” Liu Junhuai was overwhelmed with gratitude and could not help but ask.

“All is granted by heaven’s will, bestowed upon you for a reason. All things arise from karmic causes; as fate changes, so does the outcome. Do not cling to this.”

“Could you tell me your name, elder? How might I meet you again in the future?” In truth, Liu Junhuai hoped that, should he encounter problems in his cultivation, this mighty being could help him at any time.

“This, too, is a matter of fate—there’s no need to be concerned. Our destinies are written, fate is karma, karma is born of consequence, all is decided on the day of separation. Enough, let us not speak of this again. There remain two matters: first, after I depart, refine the strands covering the sphere as soon as possible—they will broaden your divine sense. Second, within the Records of Marvelous Phenomena you carry lies a great opportunity; you must recognize it with a drop of blood. Finally, remember: keep your heart pure, seek neither sin nor blessing, take care of yourself.”

With these parting words, a golden radiance shot into the sky and vanished.