Chapter Five: The Jade Toad

Emerald-green liquor slid down his throat, and Shen Chang'an felt a fiery heat surging from his belly, dispersing much of the tangled moonlight aura that had accumulated within him. He could not help but exhale, his face flushing, his whole body suffused with restless warmth.

"What a potent wine..." he murmured, taking another hearty swig. The little flask only held a scant measure of the Hundred Herbs Wine, and with Shen Chang'an's bold drinking, it was gone in two gulps.

After swallowing the wine, his cheeks glowed with a healthy flush and he sensed his magical power had advanced yet again. "What a pity..." he shook his head lightly. His abilities were few; no matter how deep his magical strength grew, he had little use for it. Each increment merely made his Divine Strength Technique a bit more robust.

Yet whether it grew stronger or not, those he struck would be shattered all the same; further refinement of his powers meant little to him.

The other small creatures drank deeply as well, for the breath of moonlight was of great benefit to them. With a single draught, many of the spirits began inhaling and exhaling, seizing the moment of moonlight infusion to cultivate.

Though magical power meant little to Shen Chang'an, observing this scene, he too closed his eyes and attempted to practice the Supreme Clarity Resonance Method.

He had tried many times before, grasping the essentials of the practice, needing only a final push to succeed.

He closed his eyes and visualized Supreme Clarity in his mind. In that instant, an indescribable, mysterious energy swept over him, making his body tremble.

"It will work!"

This thought suddenly arose within him, and he drew in a deep breath, circulating his magical power to its utmost, making repeated attempts to connect.

He did not know how many times he had visualized it, but suddenly he felt as if the crown of his head had opened, and cool energy poured in, flowing through his limbs and bones, making his entire body shudder.

He had succeeded.

After countless failed attempts, the Supreme Clarity Resonance Method was finally mastered this day. From now on, Shen Chang'an needed do nothing; with the two divine techniques cultivating automatically, this method would advance swiftly.

Regrettably, he still possessed power without a proper method. Though he had mastered the Supreme Clarity Resonance, it only meant he had entered the path of cultivation, acquiring the magic of Green Reed Palace. If he could obtain their divine techniques, with this foundation he could wield them.

However, Shen Chang'an did not even know where Green Reed Palace was, let alone their divine arts. The only one who knew was the old Daoist Wuyouzi, but Shen Chang'an could not find his elusive master. With the method mastered, all he could use were talismans.

Still, with his new alignment, crafting talismans would come more easily, and he could begin practicing some of the more difficult ones recorded in his book. Once his magical strength matured and he fully understood the True Explanation of Talismans, relying on talismans alone, he might well be considered a formidable figure.

As he pondered this, he saw the little rabbit beside him suddenly hop away, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

The other animals, too, departed in small groups. Several spirits who had taken human form bowed respectfully to Master Jade Toad, then withdrew.

Seeing this, Shen Chang'an knew the moon-viewing gathering had ended. He followed their example, bowing to Master Jade Toad before rising to leave.

He had just stepped out of the small grove when, glancing up, he found Master Jade Toad waiting for him ahead.

"Is there something else, Master Jade Toad?" Shen Chang'an asked.

Jade Toad nodded slightly, smiling gently: "I came to thank you, Daoist, for lending me your aid today."

Shen Chang'an smiled, replying, "You did not blame me for absorbing the moonlight without permission, and even gifted me the Hundred Herbs Wine. I am already embarrassed, how dare I accept your thanks?"

Jade Toad shook his head with a soft laugh: "The moonlight is in the sky; anyone with the skill can absorb it, it has little to do with me. As for the wine, it is simply a custom of my moon-viewing festival—a cup for all who come. It is not meant as repayment."

Shen Chang'an thought for a moment, then smiled: "If Master Jade Toad truly wishes to thank me, perhaps you could guide me to Fang City."

"Fang City?" Jade Toad raised his brows in mild surprise. "Why do you wish to go there?"

"I heard that Fang City is troubled by calamity, so I wish to see if I can help resolve it."

Jade Toad's eyes brightened, and he laughed, "I understand. Then come with me."

With that, Jade Toad took Shen Chang'an by the hand, and at once Shen Chang'an felt the world spinning, stars shifting—the sensation of space twisting. In the blink of an eye, he no longer knew where he was.

"Ah? Where have you brought me, Master?" Shen Chang'an asked, bewildered.

Jade Toad chuckled and pointed ahead, "Not far ahead is Lin'an City; beyond Lin'an lies Fang City. I can only bring you this far. For the rest of the journey, you must walk it yourself."

Shen Chang'an was astounded—he had just been in Nanshan City, yet Jade Toad's touch had whisked him to the vicinity of Lin'an City.

"Thank you, Master Jade Toad. You've saved me much trouble."

Jade Toad smiled, saying nothing more. Suddenly, he pressed a finger to Shen Chang'an's hand, and a burning pain seared through his palm, so intense it seemed to pierce his bones.

When Jade Toad withdrew his hand, Shen Chang'an saw a mark, shaped like a crescent moon, etched on his palm, though he had no idea what it was.

"Master, what is this—"

He looked up to ask, but the elegant white-robed gentleman had vanished without a trace.

Shen Chang'an stood in stunned amazement. Master Jade Toad truly possessed boundless power—his mastery of earth-light and flying techniques was astonishing.

Transported so abruptly, Shen Chang'an had not even gathered his belongings. Fortunately, he had left nothing important at the inn—only some clothes and money were lost, otherwise, he would have been heartbroken.

The sky was already growing pale. Descending the mountain, Shen Chang'an saw many people heading up to collect herbs or firewood. Curious, he approached and asked, "Excuse me, may I ask—where is this place?"

"Hmm? Where are you from that you don't even know Jade Toad Mountain?"

"Jade Toad Mountain?" Shen Chang'an's voice rose in surprise.

The woodcutter raised his brows, pointing to a nearby peak, and said, "Look at that white stone—doesn't it resemble jade? And see its shape—isn't it like a golden toad?"

Shen Chang'an looked at the stone, and a smile appeared on his face; he sighed inwardly as well.

Master Jade Toad was not a toad spirit after all. He was a god—the mountain god of Jade Toad Mountain.