I'm Not An Immortal (The Adventure of Jian Chou) - Chapter 6
Chapter 6
“Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk is the foundation of cultivation for all things in the world, akin to a towering platform built layer by layer with stones and soil. It is commonly said that when a person first steps onto the path of cultivation and completes the rites of apprenticeship, they can activate their battle disk under the guidance of the power of the Heavenly and Earthly Contract. The larger the battle disk, the greater the person’s potential.”
(T/N: in the previous chapter I translated it as Wanxiang doupan, but after this I decided to translate it into English.)
Wandering Taoist gradually regained his senses, and his gaze towards Jianchou grew brighter.
For a moment, Jianchou almost felt as if she were about to turn into a chicken leg or a large white goose.
Suppressing the tingling sensation on her scalp, she asked, “Are you saying that my talent is good?”
“…It’s decent,” Wandering Taoist nodded.
Jianchou understood that this meant it was actually very good.
Curious, she couldn’t help but ask, “Does everyone have a battle disk when they cultivate? How big was your battle disk when you first started? Thirty feet?”
(T/N: In the raw, it was written as 3 zhang, and 1 zhang is estimated to be around 10 or 11 feet, so I converted it into 30 feet, which is probably around the same measurement as 3 zhang).
“…”
His expression stiffened, and Wandering Taoist’s eyes darted around nervously, “Uh… about one feet and one inch.”
One feet…
And one inch?
Jianchou looked at Wandering Taoist with suspicion.
Wandering Taoist glared, “You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Your disciple wouldn’t dare,” Jianchou replied honestly, already understanding.
“You say it’s that size, so it must be. Although I may not compare to you, Master, seeing that your battle disk can still grow, I suppose the initial size doesn’t determine everything.”
Well, that was somewhat comforting.
Wandering Taoist was eager to move past the topic of battle disk sizes and quickly added, “Of course, generally, the battle disk will expand as one progresses in cultivation. How much it grows depends on the individual’s ability. So, the current talent is only temporary. On the path of cultivation, both talent and effort are indispensable. How many geniuses have fallen along the way? It’s often those with average talent who achieve more. Once you officially step onto the path of cultivation, you’ll understand that only those who can illuminate their battle disk are true geniuses.”
All these concepts were new to Jianchou.
The night breeze blew outside, and she was wide awake, continuing to ask, “What does it mean to illuminate the battle disk?”
“Ah, you’re so annoying! Why do you keep asking questions?”
Wandering Taoist, holding the large white goose, felt the urge to faint. How troublesome it was to take on a disciple! It had been so long since he last took one that he had almost forgotten how difficult it was.
Now, hearing Jianchou’s questions, memories of the past came flooding back.
Jianchou silently said, “The sage said, There is no shame in asking questions…”
“What shitty sage?!”
Wandering Taoisy had heard of mortal sages before and rolled his eyes even more.
“Sigh, I really can’t do anything with you. This is your last question for today. After I answer this, you’re not allowed to ask any more.”
“…Alright.”
If he didn’t answer, she couldn’t force him.
Jianchou naturally had no reason to refuse and nodded.
So, Wandering Taoist gently patted the head of the large white goose, stretched out his right foot in a worn straw sandal, and lightly tapped the moist ground.
Swish—
In that instant, the entire courtyard was illuminated by a strange light.
A massive octagonal battle disk, thirty feet in diameter, appeared beneath Wandering Taoist’s feet!
The enormous battle disk even extended beneath Jianchou’s feet and under the eaves, the shimmering light giving the small farmhouse a dreamlike quality.
Unlike Jianchou’s dim and chaotic battle disk, Wandering Taoist’s was much brighter, especially the crisscrossing lines, which shone a dazzling white.
On this battle disk, there were also numerous black “pieces.” These pieces were scattered in an orderly fashion, grouped in threes and fives, resembling symbols outlined by the white lines.
“Do you see these eight directional lines?” Wandering Taoist’s bamboo pole, which had somehow reappeared, lightly tapped one of the lines on the battle disk.
“The Six Paths and Nineteen Continents collectively call them Kun Lines. Kun represents the earth, and these Kun Lines grow on the battle disk, close to the ground, forming the foundation of cultivation.”
Kun Lines.
Jianchou carefully noted the four lines pointing in eight directions, firmly remembering their name.
Wandering Taoist retracted the bamboo pole and tapped again.
This time, it was the “pieces” on the Battle Disk.
“These black ones, which look like pieces, we call them Dao Pieces. The heavens have their laws, and the stars shine brightly, giving rise to the Dao. These Dao Pieces represent the methods of a cultivator’s practice, the ‘techniques.’ Different arrangements of Dao Pieces form different spells.”
Dao Pieces.
Another new term.
Jianchou nodded silently, listening intently.
Originally, Wandering Taoist thought that someone with no knowledge of cultivation didn’t need to know so much. He could explain more later.
But just as he was about to retract the bamboo pole, he looked up and saw Jianchou’s serious expression, her eyes lowered, focused on the battle disk beneath his feet.
For some reason, the bamboo pole in his hand, as if guided by a ghost, moved again, circling a group of seven closely arranged pieces.
“You can see that the arrangement of Dao Pieces on the Battle Disk follows a certain pattern. Sometimes, some areas are left empty, with no Dao Pieces filling the squares formed by the Kun Lines. These seven are a spell I practice, known on the battle disk as Dao Seals.”
Dao Seals.
Looking at the mysteriously arranged pieces, Jianchou thought she could understand this too.
She instinctively touched her chest and asked, “Did you use a spell from this battle disk to save me, Master?”
Wandering Taoist’s eyebrows raised, and upon hearing Jianchou mention his act of saving her, a sense of pride welled up in him. He immediately replied, “Of course… Ah, no!”
Halfway through, he suddenly realized something was off and cut himself off.
Looking up, he glared at Jianchou, exclaiming, “I already said that was your last question! Why are you so disobedient and troublesome? You’re really too much!”
“I—”
Jianchou was stunned, opening her mouth to defend herself.
Wandering Taoist waved his hand, “No talking!”
The words at the tip of Jianchou’s tongue were swallowed back, and she tightly closed her mouth.
“See, you’re still not behaving.”
Only then did Wandering Taoist seem satisfied, leisurely resting the bamboo pole on his shoulder.
“You should now understand the Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk, Kun Lines, Dao Pieces, and Dao Seals. Without me explaining, you should also understand why the battle disk is called a ‘Battle Disk.’ Earlier, you asked about illuminating the battle disk, which essentially means illuminating these Kun Lines. The battle disk itself is chaotic, but as a person accumulates cultivation, starting from the Tianyuan… uh, Tianyuan?”
It seemed he had forgotten to mention this crucial point.
Wandering Taoist slapped his forehead, letting out an awkward chuckle, and lifted one foot to reveal a ball of light that had been hidden beneath it.
At the very center of the battle disk was the largest “piece,” about the size of a fist.
This one was similar in color to the rest of the battle disk but much brighter, as if a beam of light were shining through a mist, with flickering spots of light within it.
Without Wandering Taoist saying anything, Jianchou knew this was the “Tianyuan.”
“Haha, the Tianyuan is here.”
He laughed dryly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He had forgotten the most crucial part.
“The Tianyuan is the key for a cultivator just starting on their path. After absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, one must gradually fill the Tianyuan. Once the Tianyuan shines, the previously dim Kun Lines can be illuminated. You see these Kun Lines, some are bright, and some are not. In theory, every Kun Line on the battle disk can be illuminated, but human ability has its limits. Due to constraints of talent and effort, many cannot fully illuminate their battle disk before they begin building their foundation.”
In other words, to cultivate, one must first illuminate the Tianyuan on the battle disk, then use it as a center to illuminate as many Kun Lines as possible.
Jianchou found this easy to understand, nodding as she listened.
Wandering Taoist continued, “Building the foundation is just one stage in cultivation, preceded by the Qi Refining stage. Refining Qi means refining essence into Qi, which gradually illuminates the battle disk. After illuminating the battle disk, one can seal it and attempt to build the foundation. Once the foundation is successfully built, one can start practicing spiritual treasures and spells, officially stepping onto the path of cultivation. Do you understand now?”
“Thank you, Master, for your guidance. Your disciple understands.”
Jianchou finally firmly grasped these concepts and also speculated in her heart: the initial size of each person’s Myriad Phenomenon Battle Disk might vary, and her own battle disk was not small.
This meant she was not without potential.
But she wondered, how big was Xie Buchen’s battle disk?
Unconsciously thinking of this person again, Jianchou was momentarily lost in thought.
Wandering Taoist didn’t notice, thinking happily to himself that he had both a new disciple and a large white goose—a perfect outcome.
Feeling pleased, he looked up and said, “Then pack up and come with me. Since you’re stepping onto the path of cultivation, there’s no point in staying here. Your master will take you to enjoy the finer things in life!”
Leave now?
Although it was expected, the sudden mention still left Jianchou feeling uneasy.
After a moment of silence, Jianchou looked around the small courtyard and said, “In that case, please allow me some time, Master, to settle some matters and pack my belongings.”
Wandering Taoist’s eyes lit up.
“Do you have more fat geese hidden at home?”
