Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 40 Parting, Obtaining 5 Lines of Feathers

These eight seemingly simple yet profound words resonated deeply within the hearts of all the powerful figures on Yuntai, like ripples spreading across a calm lake. Among them, the one most profoundly impacted was Kong Xuan, the Quasi-Saint with the highest cultivation, the most unique status, and the most aloof temperament.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cloud platform. For the first time, a clear emotion appeared on his handsome, almost otherworldly face. In his eyes, which seemed to pierce through the void yet remained indifferent to all things, extremely complex and indescribable emotions surged.

He was the first peacock in the world, the son of the ancient phoenix, of unparalleled nobility. However, from the day he was born, he was burdened with heavy shackles—the immense karma created by the Phoenix Clan during the primordial calamity of the Dragon and Han dynasties. Even though he transformed into a peacock, attempting to sever ties with the past, that suffocating karma clung to him like a leech, binding his blood, his path, and every breath he took.

He cultivated with all his might, slaying his evil corpse with unparalleled perseverance, achieving the status of a quasi-saint. His five-colored divine light swept away all things, seemingly making him invincible and transcendent. But only he knew that deep within his heart, there was always an indescribable sense of oppression and resentment. He could not let go of the "original sin" he was born with, as if no matter how strong he became, he could not wash away that karma, nor escape the shadow of the Phoenix Clan's decline. This knot in his heart even became the biggest obstacle to his further advancement.

Today, Zhang Kui's eight seemingly casual words struck him like a bolt of lightning that tore through the gloom, piercing the deepest part of his consciousness!

"Never forget your original aspiration...and you will achieve your goal..." Kong Xuan repeatedly pondered these eight words in his heart.

What was his "original intention"?

Is it burdened by karma, struggling forward amidst guilt and resentment?

Do not!

His original intention should have been to seek the Great Dao and transcend everything as "Kong Xuan" himself.

The initial calamity of the Dragon-Han era is the past, and the karma of the Phoenix Clan is a fact that cannot be changed. But Kong Xuan is an independent individual. The path he will take in the future, and what the future "Kong Xuan" will look like, should not be determined by the shadows of the past, but should depend on how he chooses and moves forward in the present.

Face it, accept it, and then... transcend it.

With a sudden realization, Kong Xuan felt a lightness throughout his body, as if some invisible shackles that had bound him for countless eons had suddenly loosened. Although the immense karmic burden had not disappeared, the mental pressure and stagnation had lessened considerably. His Dao heart became more transparent and harmonious, and the five-colored divine light flowing behind him seemed to have become even purer and more radiant.

He slowly turned around and, for the first time, truly looked Zhang Kui in the eye. His gaze was no longer indifferent, but carried an equal scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible gratitude.

"What a fine saying, 'Never forget your original intention, and you will achieve your goal.'" Kong Xuan spoke, his voice less distant. "Zhang Kui... Fellow Daoist, these words are of great benefit to me."

He paused, as if making a decision. Then, he raised his hand behind his head and swept it, capturing five incomparably dazzling divine feathers, each shimmering with azure, yellow, red, black, and white light. The five divine feathers exuded an extremely pure aura of the innate five elements, and contained a sharp Daoist charm that could sweep away and destroy anything.

"These are five tail feathers I shed in my early years. After being tempered and nurtured by my own Five Elements Dao for many years, they contain some of my humble understanding of the Five Elements Dao." Kong Xuan handed the five divine feathers to Zhang Kui, his tone calm but leaving no room for refusal. "I present them to you today as a token of my gratitude."

On the cloud platform, apart from the Holy Mother Wudang who had already seen through everything, everyone else, including Lü Yue, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Immortals, was in an uproar.

What a precious gift this is!

The tail feather, imbued with Kong Xuan's understanding of the Five Elements, is of immeasurable value. Even the magical artifacts crafted from it would possess earth-shattering power.

A hint of surprise flashed in Lü Yue's eyes, which quickly turned into relief.

Zhao Gongming looked on with envy and muttered, "Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan has really gone all out this time." Lady Yunxiao nodded slightly, while Qiongxiao and Bixiao widened their beautiful eyes.

Zhang Kui was also deeply shaken, followed by a surge of immense joy. He had been struggling with the fact that although the "Five Elements Great Escape" divine power was engraved in his golden core, his comprehension was still shallow, especially lacking a deeper understanding of the origins of the Five Elements. Kong Xuan's gift was like a timely gift, perfectly timed. With these five fundamental life-bound tail feathers, his speed of comprehending the Great Dao of the Five Elements would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

He suppressed his excitement, solemnly accepted the five divine feathers that were as light as a feather yet as heavy as a mountain, and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Kong Xuan. This item is of utmost importance to me. I will certainly live up to your expectations and devote myself to studying it."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly in acceptance of the greeting. He was proud and aloof and disliked formalities. After presenting the feather, he felt that the matter was settled and then cupped his hands to the crowd, saying, "Fellow Daoists, now that things are done here, I shall take my leave."

Before he finished speaking, a flash of five-colored divine light appeared, and his figure vanished without a trace.

After Kong Xuan left, Zhao Gongming and the Three Immortal Maidens also took their leave. Zhao Gongming patted Zhang Kui on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Young friend, you must come to my Luofu Cave for a drink when you have time. I will prepare the best immortal wine for you." The Three Immortal Maidens also nodded to Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying, and then turned into a beam of light and left.

On the cloud platform, only Lü Yue, the Holy Mother of Wudang, Zhang Kui, and Gao Lanying remained.

The Holy Mother of Wudang's gaze fell on Gao Lanying again, and her clear, cold voice rang out: "Gao Lanying."

Gao Lanying quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "This junior is here."

"Your foundation is solid, your comprehension is excellent, and what's even more remarkable is your unwavering will. You seem to have a strong affinity with my path." The Holy Mother Wudang spoke calmly, yet with an undeniable air of authority. "I wish to take you as my disciple, bring you back to Jin'ao Island for seven years of cultivation, and teach you with meticulous care. Are you willing?"

This is an olive branch extended by the Holy Mother Wudang, one of the four direct disciples of the Jie Sect and a Great Luo Golden Immortal. It is an unparalleled opportunity that any independent cultivator or even a disciple of a major sect would dream of.

Gao Lanying was stunned for a moment. A huge surprise overwhelmed her. She subconsciously looked at Zhang Kui, her eyes filled with questioning and a hint of reluctance.

Zhang Kui was also filled with mixed emotions. He was happy for Gao Lanying, knowing that this was an immense blessing for her; three years of guidance from the Holy Mother of Wudang was enough to transform her completely. Although the two had just confessed their feelings for each other and were about to part, which inevitably made him feel a little sad, Zhang Kui knew that such opportunities on the path to enlightenment were rare.

He met Gao Lanying's gaze, smiled, and nodded, then transmitted his voice, "Lanying, this is a great opportunity for you, you must not miss it. Seven years is but a fleeting moment for us cultivators. I will wait for your return."

Encouraged by Zhang Kui, Gao Lanying made up her mind and no longer hesitated. She bowed deeply to the Holy Mother Wudang and said, "Disciple Gao Lanying thanks Master for her kindness."

The Holy Mother of Wudang smiled and accepted her apprenticeship ceremony, then gently helped her up, saying, "Rise. Now that you have entered my fold, you should always be diligent and not waste your precious time."

She turned to Lü Yue and Zhang Kui, "Junior Brother Lü Yue, young friend Zhang Kui, we shall also take our leave."

"Respectfully seeing off Senior Sister (Holy Mother)." Lü Yue and Zhang Kui bowed and saw her off.

With a flick of her sleeve, the Holy Mother of Wudang enveloped Gao Lanying in a beam of light. Gao Lanying turned back to look at Zhang Kui one last time, her eyes filled with reluctance and longing.

With a flash of light, the two had vanished.

The bustling Yuntai quickly became deserted, leaving only Zhang Kui and his master, Lü Yue.

Lü Yue looked at Zhang Kui and smiled, "Fellow Daoist has reaped quite a harvest this time. Not only did you obtain Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan's Five Elements Divine Feathers, but you also gained the favor of Senior Sister Wudang as your Daoist partner. Your future is promising."

Zhang Kui cupped his hands and smiled, "It is all thanks to your invitation, fellow Daoist, that I was able to have this opportunity. I am deeply grateful."

Lü Yue waved his hand: "We are fellow Daoists, there's no need for formalities. If you have free time in the future, you are welcome to visit my Nine Dragons Island."

"Certainly." Zhang Kui nodded. "Now that this matter is settled, I should take my leave. I still need to return to Chaoge to report back, and I also need to carefully study the generous gift I received from Senior Kong Xuan."

"Alright, take care, fellow Daoist." Lü Yue did not try to persuade him to stay any longer.

Zhang Kui bowed to Lü Yue in farewell, then turned and rode away in a streak of light, leaving Kowloon Island and heading towards Chaoge.

They came as a pair, but left as one.