Chapter 13: The Oath of Ordination, Receiving the Pine Pattern Grant

The senior brother explained in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, "This is green essence rice; we call it black rice."

"The method is to take the stems and leaves of the *Nanzhu* plant, crush them, and soak the non-glutinous rice in the juice. It must be soaked, steamed, and sun-dried nine times over. Once the grains become firm and small, black as polished pearls, it is ready. Consuming it can lighten the body and prolong life."

Jiang Youling and Shen Yingshu exchanged glances, unable to hide their astonishment.

The food of those who cultivate immortality is truly fastidious.

The three of them lined up to receive their black rice and side dishes, chose a clean mat to sit on, and ate in silence.

When the black rice first touched the tongue, it felt like chewing dark jade—slightly astringent, yet with a lingering sweetness.

As one savored it, the clear essence of the *Nanzhu* leaves seeped into the core of the rice, as if one had swallowed a mouthful of a pine forest after the rain; within the cool, quiet depths, a hint of sweet fragrance emerged, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

The tips of the mountain chives were as crisp as frozen sprouts. The first inch of the tender stem burst with a pungent fragrance, like silver needles pricking the tongue, only to transform in an instant into the scent of orchids and musk.

Compared to garden chives, they lacked the muddy quality and possessed a greater clarity, as if imbued with the essence of mountain rock.

As for the rock ear fungus, it looked like black jade, and once cooked, it was as smooth as shark-skin silk.

When touched by the teeth, it first released the cold, sharp essence of stone marrow, followed by the rich, aged depth of cloud-pines—a flavor quite unique.

After the meal, the disciples left one by one. Once they had exited the dining hall, Shen Yingshu finally exclaimed.

"Back home, I had heard that the meals of immortals were quite extraordinary, but only after eating it today do I understand just how extraordinary they are."

The gray-robed senior brother smiled and explained, "There is a distinction between the immortal and the mortal. As the saying goes: 'The essence of the hundred grains is the spirit of the earth; the five flavors are but external beauty and demonic filth.'

"The diet of a practitioner emphasizes purity, naturalness, and the harmony of energy and blood. It must nourish the physical body while aiding the spirit. One must avoid meat and pungent vegetables to keep the meridians free from obstruction."

The two nodded, having learned something new, and Jiang Youling carefully asked about the daily operating hours of the dining hall.

"The dining hall serves two meals, morning and evening, at the hours of the *Chen* and the *You*. We do not wait for those who are late. These are common facts; once you have participated in the initiation ceremony and practiced on the mountain for a while, you will naturally understand."

The gray-robed senior brother gave instructions on the time and place for tomorrow's initiation ceremony, warned them not to be late, and then waved them off.

As dusk gathered, flickering shadows danced upon the bluestone path.

Jiang Youling and her companion walked through the dappled sunset light back to their courtyard.

Inside the courtyard walls, a few late-blooming crabapple branches leaned over, their faint fragrance brushing past the threshold along with their sleeves, startling the copper bell hanging from the eaves.

"It’s wonderful. I’m starting to look forward to my life of cultivation."

Shen Yingshu’s face was full of longing.

Jiang Youling felt the same, her excitement so irrepressible that she could not sleep that night. It was only after reciting the *Classic of Purity* several times that she finally calmed her heart and drifted into a sound sleep.

The next day, at the third quarter of the *Yin* hour, Jiang Youling and Shen Yingshu had already been waiting for a long time at the Sacred Ground of the Mysterious Altar.

Around them were dozens of others, all disciples entering the path this time.

The base of the Mysterious Altar was carved with the stars of the heavens; the middle layer was draped with banners of five colors—green, red, yellow, white, and black; and the top layer held the images of the Three Pure Ones.

The immortal elder who had presided over the entrance exam now stood atop the high altar, holding a jade whisk.

As soon as the hour arrived, the starlight of the Three Enclosures faded, and only the purple aura of the Ziwei Enclosure filled the sky—a sign of great fortune.

Seven young acolytes held peach branches dipped in Kunlun snow water, sprinkling it from the crowns of the disciples' heads down to their feet.

They chanted the incantation: "The first washing clears the heavens, the second bathing calms the earth, the third rinsing grants long life..."

After the purification and the awakening of the spirit, it was time for the conferment of the register and the taking of the oath.

The mysterious bell rang three times. The disciples walked barefoot to the center of the altar, performed three kowtows and nine bows, then used silver needles to prick their middle fingers for blood, drawing their birth characters upon blank jade tablets.

The jade tablets suddenly shone, and a point of fluorescent light sank into the center of each disciple's brow.

Then, the oath was taken, and the ceremony was complete.

The immortal elder flicked his whisk and said solemnly

"New disciples entering the mountain gate shall each receive: one set of coarse gray-cloth Taoist robes, two pairs of hemp shoes and cloth socks, and one rattan cap; one volume of the *Rules and Precepts of the Mysterious Gate*, containing the rules for sweeping, cleaning, and temple duty; a hand-copied volume of *Introduction to Cultivating Qi*, describing the methods of guiding and breathing; and one ebony waist plaque engraved with your name and duties. Without this, you may not enter the Scripture Pavilion or the Alchemy Room.

"The top three shall be awarded additionally: The first place receives a high-grade pine-patterned iron sword, two feet and four inches long, unsharpened; the second place receives a pair of mid-grade cloud shoes, with talismans woven into the soles to prevent fatigue when walking mountain paths; the third place receives a Five-Miasma Evil-Repelling Pouch and three Heart-Clearing Pills.

"After entering the mountain gate, you must observe the precepts and practice diligently."

The disciples bowed their heads in assent.

Jiang Youling followed the crowd, lining up to receive her supplies from the elder.

When it was her turn, the elder looked at her, a smile touching his lips, and handed her the pine-patterned iron sword along with the rest of her supplies.

Jiang Youling took them and walked to the side, carefully examining the new iron sword.

Though the sword was unsharpened, a cold glint flowed across it; the blade looked as if covered in frost and snow, its cold light restrained.

The lines of the blade, from the hilt to the tip, were drawn in one continuous motion, like a waterfall cascading from the Kunlun Mountains. Though blunt, it was clearly a product of a thousand hammerings.

She could not help but feel joy, unable to put it down.

"What a handsome sword!"

Xu Ke was also a lover of swords; he had taken a liking to it the moment he saw it.

His face showed a hint of regret. "If I had known the first place would be awarded a sword, I would have tried harder during the exam.

"My third-place prize is just a Five-Miasma Evil-Repelling Pouch and three Heart-Clearing Pills. Compared to this pine-patterned iron sword and the cloud shoes, it’s far behind."

Jiang Youling suppressed a smile and said earnestly, "Young Master Xu’s literary talent, martial skills, and wit are all outstanding. You will surely obtain an even better sword in the future."

"That is true. Once one has entered the immortal gate, why worry about not having a suitable weapon?"

Xu Ke was an open-minded person; he soon stopped fretting over such trifles and turned to the news he had gathered over the past three days.

"You only entered the mountain yesterday, so you probably don't know yet. After the initiation ceremony, we, the chore disciples, will be assigned to various courtyards.

"Some will wipe away dew and burn offerings, or carry clouds and boil stones; some will hoe herbs and drive away insects, or patrol and clear canals; others will manage rituals, tend incense, guard lamps, or record registers...

"In short, this assignment is crucial, as it relates to our cultivation for the next three years!"

Jiang Youling assumed a listening posture. "I would like to hear the details."

Xu Ke lowered his voice. "Time is short, but I have learned that the five courtyards of Alchemy, Talismans, Formations, Artifacts, and Scriptures are known as the Upper Five Courtyards;

"The Spirit Beast Courtyard, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, the Dining Hall, and the Herb Garden are known as the Middle Four Courtyards.

"And the Demon-Locking Tower, the Altar Hall, and the Disciplinary Department are known as the Lower Three Courtyards."

Jiang Youling was thoughtful.

The classification of these twelve courtyards into upper, middle, and lower was enough to show their status in the minds of the disciples.

"As for which courtyard we are assigned to, that is not something we can decide."

Saying this, Xu Ke sighed, his expression listless.

"Although we have entered the immortal gate, apart from listening to the lectures of senior experts on the first and fifteenth of the month, we must labor without rest every day from the beginning of the *Si* hour until the third quarter of the *Shen* hour.

"This is not quite the life of cultivation I imagined!"

Jiang Youling comforted him, "We are newcomers and know nothing of the path. How could the sect entrust us with heavy responsibilities? It is only right to start from the bottom and progress step by step."

Xu Ke seemed comforted, his spirits lifting slightly.

"That makes sense. No, I must pull myself together. Even if I am assigned to a miscellaneous courtyard to sweep and dust, I will be the best one at it."

As they spoke, the distribution of the entrance supplies was completed, and a scroll flew out from before the elder, slowly unfurling.