Chapter 52: The Fortune Teller's Reward

The more the old fortune-teller spoke, the more curious Zhang Kai became. Any place worthy of being called a Celestial Grotto must surely be extraordinary.

At that moment, the old woman interjected, “I told you, you’re not man enough. Can’t you let others have a chance?” She turned to Zhang Kai with a smile. “The Celestial-Demonic Grotto is a sacred land with three tiers, each more abundant in treasures than the last. It’s said that the third tier holds immortal weapons and primordial treasures left by the gods and buddhas. Even the outermost layer is filled with relics of great sects, eccentric cultivators, and demons from ages past—possessing even one can make you unrivaled in the cultivation world.”

“A place like that really exists?” Zhang Kai was astonished.

“Of course it does! This is tied to the tribulations of heaven and earth. In ancient times, when cultivation waned, even gods and buddhas struggled to survive. Immortal weapons and wondrous artifacts were suppressed by the very world, their power sealed, their rank unstable. To prevent their destruction, countless cultivators entrusted their most precious possessions there, hoping to retrieve them in the future,” the old woman explained.

“So what is the Celestial-Demonic Grotto exactly? Why can it endure while the world suffers calamity?” Zhang Kai pressed on.

The old fortune-teller answered before the woman could. “The Celestial-Demonic Grotto is a secret realm outside the Three Realms. There are other such realms, but none as wondrous as this. It’s entirely unaffected by the world’s changes, governed by its own laws. Its mysteries are so profound that even gods and buddhas dared not speak of them. Listen, boy, this isn’t a warning, but in a place like that, even a blade of grass could end your life.”

“That terrifying?” Zhang Kai was shocked.

“It’s more than terrifying. Legends abound about the Celestial-Demonic Grotto. Some say it contains the true path to transcendence. Countless powerful beings have ventured deep within, but none have ever returned. Even the outer regions are forbidden to most cultivators,” the old fortune-teller explained solemnly.

Zhang Kai frowned. “If it’s so dreadful, why would gods, buddhas, or cultivators hide their treasures there?”

“It’s a means of self-preservation. Like other forbidden lands, the grotto offers a way to escape calamity. Each treasure is guarded by a spirit formed from its owner’s will—a ruthless force without emotion. Unless you defeat the guardian spirit, you can’t claim the treasure. Even descendants inheriting the legacy face the same challenge,” the old fortune-teller replied.

Zhang Kai was speechless. “Isn’t that the same as letting the inheritance die out?”

“The great tribulation leaves only dead ends. To seek survival amid death—is that not worthwhile?” the old fortune-teller said.

Zhang Kai nodded. Indeed, at least the treasures are preserved; it’s better than losing them forever. He wondered if any deity had managed to bring their divine rank into such a place.

“Don’t let this old man fool you,” the old woman retorted. “Cultivation is about defying fate; opportunity and danger go hand in hand. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If you don’t seize your chance, you can’t expect treasures to fall into your lap.”

“But is it really necessary to go to the Celestial-Demonic Grotto? There are plenty of forbidden lands and naturally formed grottos out there, each filled with treasures—why go courting death?” The old fortune-teller glared at the old woman.

She sneered. “None of those places contain the Heaven-Sealing Divine Incantation of my Divine Word Sect.”

The old fortune-teller fell silent.

Zhang Kai’s curiosity was piqued. The Heaven-Sealing Divine Incantation—it sounded formidable, as if it could seal the very heavens. But he wisely refrained from asking, since it was obviously a secret art.

“Enough nonsense. Are you going or not? Just answer me,” the old woman demanded.

The old fortune-teller shook his head. “If it were anywhere else, I’d agree. But not the Celestial-Demonic Grotto. Now that spiritual energy is reviving and all laws are returning, as the first disciple of Wudang’s Mystical Sect to enter the path, I bear great responsibility. I have much to accomplish. If I were to die in the grotto, it would be one thing to lose my life, but if Wudang’s revival faltered because of me, I’d have no face to meet my ancestors.”

The old woman sneered. “Spare me your grand principles. If you won’t go, so be it. I don’t believe I can’t reclaim my sect’s secret art without you.” With that, she stood and strode away, paying him no further mind.

Watching her leave, the old fortune-teller shook his head, his gaze complicated. Then he turned back to Zhang Kai. “Boy, don’t let your mind wander to things you shouldn’t touch yet. Focus on practical matters. You didn’t come to return the inner alchemy art to me alone, did you?”

Zhang Kai grinned. “You see right through me. I do have some things I’d like your advice on.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“My cultivation began by chance, a wild path. But every cultivator needs a stable place to live—Earth, Companions, Dharma, and Wealth, as they say. What sort of place do you think is best for me?” Zhang Kai asked.

The old fortune-teller smiled. “And what are your thoughts?”

“I originally wanted to cultivate in the mountains, but it doesn’t feel right. Yet outside the mountains, there are so few places with spiritual energy,” Zhang Kai replied.

“You’re not wrong—spiritual energy is important, but it’s not the most crucial thing. True cultivation is about refining the heart. With a firm heart, everything else follows naturally. Without it, all methods are mere illusions. Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you how to choose. The decision is yours,” the old fortune-teller said, pausing briefly before continuing. “We can’t predict how spiritual energy will return, but one thing is certain—it’s only useful for accumulating power after you’ve entered the path. Once you’re on the path, don’t rush to amass more energy. Right now, there’s not enough spiritual energy to sustain cultivation. If you fixate on it, you’ll fall behind. Your best choice is to temper your Dao heart. Only when that’s strong will you rise with the tide when spiritual energy surges again, advancing by leaps and bounds, far better than running around chasing scraps now.”

Zhang Kai frowned. “What is the Dao heart?”

The old fortune-teller shook his head. “I can’t answer that. Everyone’s Dao heart is different—only you can know yours. I can’t explain too much, or it’ll cloud your judgment and harm you.”

“How do I find it?”

“The myriad facets of the mortal world are the best way to refine your Dao heart. For me, though I dwell on Wudang, my heart is with the people. Through their countless lives, I deduce the mysteries of the Eight Trigrams,” the old fortune-teller replied.

Zhang Kai puckered his lips, thinking, More like your heart is with the young ladies. No wonder you ignore the old woman—men always prefer youth.

Still, this exchange brought him some clarity. He had indeed been too fixated on becoming a deity and triggering the revival of spiritual energy. But if he couldn’t keep pace, he’d only be paving the way for others. Best to let go, start with the basics, and prepare thoroughly—then, when the time came to awaken more spiritual energy, he’d be ahead of the rest.

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance,” Zhang Kai said earnestly.

The old fortune-teller smiled. “There’s nothing more for me to say. I’ll take you to the Wudang Mystical Sect’s scripture repository. You may study there for a month and fill in what you lack.”

This was exactly what Zhang Kai needed most, so he accepted gratefully. With great anticipation, he followed the old fortune-teller to a hidden underground chamber—only to find a computer.

Zhang Kai was speechless.