Chapter Twelve: The Peacock Hall Attendant

A layer of earth-yellow mist enveloped Nan Luo, faint and ethereal. The nineteen characters once inscribed on his forehead had long since vanished, and the coral-like ram's horn brand between his brows had faded greatly—this was because he was nearly finished refining it. In the sea of consciousness, a coral ram's horn formed from earth-yellow mist emanated a vast, ancient aura, merging ever more closely with Nan Luo's essence, spirit, and vitality. It had been a year now; from initial discord to this moment, only the final strand remained before perfect fusion. Nan Luo felt neither joy nor sorrow, his heart utterly unmoved.

Suddenly, the ram's horn dissolved into a cloud of mist within Nan Luo's consciousness, dissipating completely. A surge of delight rose in his heart—he knew he had finally refined the mark, and from this moment onward, he could use the Earth Escape Technique.

The Earth Escape Technique borrowed the earth elemental energy from the five elements to achieve swift movement beneath the ground. Mist surged around Nan Luo, and he vanished from his spot, reappearing several steps away—then again, and again. Yet, in this short stretch, Nan Luo could not traverse it all in a single escape.

Compared to the Grandmaster of Yang Power, who could escape a hundred meters or more in one move, Nan Luo's ability paled. Still, excitement danced on his face, not disappointment—he knew this was only his first attempt. With practice, he believed he could one day match the Grandmaster, perhaps even escape a thousand miles in a single breath.

"Innate earth escape—not bad," came a voice as Nan Luo practiced joyfully outside the hall. Shocked, he remembered that using magical arts in the Immortal Palace was forbidden by unwritten rule; yet, having just refined the ram's horn, he had forgotten in his elation.

He turned quickly. Kong Xuan stood beneath the eaves, smiling gently at him. Seeing Kong Xuan's smile, Nan Luo relaxed. He always felt that Kong Xuan's ceremonial robe did not suit him—so gentle and serene, the softest gaze Nan Luo had encountered since his capture, yet the robe was dazzling and majestic. Such attire, Nan Luo thought, belonged to those bold and domineering, not to someone as mild as Kong Xuan.

"Your Highness, you've finished your retreat," Nan Luo exclaimed with delight, not realizing his words were redundant; if Kong Xuan was here, surely he had emerged.

Kong Xuan paid no mind, replying, "Yes. I've integrated some magical arts, so naturally I've come out. Here—some fundamentals of the five elements. Take a look." With a turn of his wrist, a lustrous white jade slip appeared in his palm.

Nan Luo accepted it eagerly, then suddenly asked, "Your Highness, are you leaving?"

"Mm, you’re quite perceptive. Yes, I've gained some insights and wish to test them in the world," Kong Xuan said with a gentle smile, his tone mild, without the sharpness one might expect from someone seeking a challenge.

Nan Luo did not understand—could not comprehend the urge to duel after mastering new arts. He could only remain silent. Seeing that Kong Xuan, in good spirits, was not in haste to depart, Nan Luo tentatively voiced his doubts about the earth escape technique. Kong Xuan answered each question patiently.

"Your Highness, in my tribe I learned a method of breath cultivation, and on the Azure Python Cliff, another. The two differ greatly, and both feel lacking. Do you have—"

"Haha, you wish to learn a better cultivation method?" Kong Xuan smiled.

Seeing Kong Xuan unperturbed, Nan Luo nodded eagerly.

"I have no superior cultivation method for you," Kong Xuan replied, disappointing Nan Luo. Yet before Nan Luo could speak, Kong Xuan continued, "Cultivation is simply absorbing the primordial energy of heaven and earth—you already do that. To excel further is not something others can help you with. You are human, your constitution differs from mine, so your methods differ as well. Yet in essence, all are the same: absorbing spiritual energy to temper the self, achieving your desired effect."

He pointed to the jade slip in Nan Luo's hands and continued, "For example, your body contains all five elements. Thus, I give you this jade slip—it holds my understanding of the five elements over the years. Study it well, and you will discover how to absorb spiritual energy more swiftly. When you fully comprehend it, you may even devise your own magical arts."

Without waiting for Nan Luo’s response, Kong Xuan added, "Enough—ponder deeply. Cultivation requires diligence and learning; the myriad things of heaven and earth are the best teachers!"

Hearing this, Nan Luo knelt with a thud. "Thank you, Your Highness!" When he looked up, Kong Xuan had already departed.

Since childhood, the priest elders had taught Nan Luo to be grateful—whether to kin or strangers, one must repay those who offer help. This was a principle to remember especially among one’s own.

After learning that the Grandmaster of Yang Power could no longer cultivate the Earth Escape Technique after passing it on, Nan Luo was deeply grateful to anyone who could guide him in cultivation.

The location of Phoenix Mountain’s Immortal Palace was utterly unknown to Nan Luo; he could not even say if it was still on earth. Yet he still longed to leave, even though Kong Xuan treated him well. Once, he believed he would be a slave, or at least live a life no longer fit for a human.

He reached out, and a wisp of white cloud slipped through his fingers.

Nan Luo was certain now—the Immortal Palace must be suspended in midair.

Traveling a thousand miles in a day had always been a dream for Nan Luo, but now he felt even that was insufficient. When the Third Prince of the Eagle Clan captured him, in mere moments he was thousands of miles from the Azure Python Cliff. And after meeting Kong Xuan, a flash of radiance had transported him here.

Thinking this, Nan Luo tightened his hold on the jade slip. He had once considered asking Kong Xuan to send him home, but the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

The five elements—master one, begin cultivation; comprehend all five, fuse them together, and roam freely beneath heaven and earth.

This was the first line Nan Luo saw upon probing the jade slip with his spiritual sense. It did not seem mere fundamental knowledge; especially the final words about roaming freely echoed Nan Luo’s innermost longing.

"Earth bears all things—the chapter of earth..."

White clouds drifted occasionally into the Peacock Hall, brushing past Nan Luo as he sat cross-legged before the hall—his face still tender, yet marked by a trace of resolve. They caressed his black hair and floated away, again and again, twining about him like threads of affection.

When Nan Luo opened his eyes again, several months had passed. Gazing at the bright stars above, he recalled years ago, sitting with his younger sister on a bench before their house, watching the sky. The stars were just as bright then. He remembered pointing to the brightest one, promising that when he grew up and learned to fly, he would pluck it from the sky and give it to her.

Is his sister well now? Does she still cry and fuss? Does she still envy Shui Girl's white-furred fox? Nan Luo was no longer by her side, yet he knew in his heart. He took out the five-element jade slip once more. He thought that he had always prided himself on his quick learning—anything taught by the priests he mastered at once. Yet now, after so long, he had only grasped the gist of the chapter of earth. Kong Xuan had said it was just basic knowledge; perhaps Nan Luo would need a lifetime to learn it all.

Propping his chin in his hands, he gazed dazedly at the night sky.

To express the ethereal Way in words is ever difficult; each person’s understanding is unique. Even with the same text, the same teacher, each disciple masters it differently in the end.

Thus, the jade slip sealed Kong Xuan’s insights into the Way, containing words—words like incantations; intonations—resounding like grand bells and drums; illusions—manifesting the process of heaven and earth’s evolution.

"Nan Luo, child..."