Feng Shui Chapter 149: Emerging from Seclusion

With the combined strength of the entire nation and the extraordinary powers of the cultivators, the reconstruction of the district was completed ahead of schedule. Cultivators without sect affiliations had been recruited from all over the country. Instead of entering the capital city, they set up camps along the southwestern riverbank.

Within the capital, the main roads and other streets had been reinforced. The drainage ditches dug on both sides had been magically transformed into perfectly square channels. Several deep, bottomless water wells had also been dug in different districts throughout the city.

This series of rapid changes left the city’s residents dizzy with amazement. To prevent panic, the risk of ground collapse in the capital was not disclosed to the public. Normally, such large-scale projects would have relied on laborers from both the city and nearby villages. But this year, cultivators had eagerly taken on the work. While the idle laborers felt frustrated, the incredible speed amazed the people. The use of cultivators, though forced, came to be seen as a sign of the new dynasty’s vigor. For a time, the prestige of the Shen royal family among the common folk soared.

Before the district was even finished, many wealthy individuals approached residents displaced by the demolition, eager to buy their new homes. After all, these were the first-ever houses built by cultivators, said to be protected by formation arrays, surely there had to be something extraordinary about them.

Those with foresight refused to sell, but some, unable to resist the temptation of money, sold their properties without hesitation. Thus, the district became a stage where all kinds of human dramas played out.

None of this reached Chen Xiao’s ears. On the day of the completion ceremony, he was solemnly invited to attend. One hundred and eight houses radiated out in a neat pattern, divided into nine wards, each with twelve houses standing neatly around the central plaza. The uniform house layouts and exteriors, arranged in such an orderly fashion, fascinated the assembled princes, ministers, city officials, and prominent families. They murmured in admiration and roamed between the plaza and streets, reluctant to leave.

Chen Xiao felt helpless. He had previously insisted that the cultivators clear the plaza out of necessity. Now, was he supposed to wait for these visitors to finish their tour? Once these nobles left, the ordinary citizens would begin moving back in, and things would get chaotic again.

He didn’t have time to waste. So he said to Shen Yanxing, “Find a few people to help guard the formation. There’s one last step to complete this feng shui setup.”

Shen Yanxing didn’t need to deliver the message. Supervisor Hong, standing nearby, came over. His broad frame resembled a mountain as he patted his chest and said, “Master Chen, rest assured. I, Dragon, will guard you.”

Chen Xiao nodded in thanks. “Thank you, Supervisor Hong. I haven’t finished yet, please don’t let anyone disturb me.”

Supervisor Hong nodded solemnly and stood firm like a rock, arms folded, beginning his watch.

Caught off guard, Shen Yanxing hurried to arrange food and drinks, thoughtfully bringing a mat for Chen Xiao to sit on. Chen Xiao couldn’t help but smile wryly. Shen Yanxing explained seriously, “I’ve seen those entering seclusion prepare like this. I don’t know how long it will take you, but you should eat and drink enough so nothing interrupts the process.”

Chen Xiao accepted his disciple’s care but couldn’t help teasing, “What if you need to use the bathroom during this?”

Sitting cross-legged on the mat, Chen Xiao closed his eyes and positioned his hands in the ‘Five Hearts Facing Heaven’ formation. Curious onlookers at the busy plaza were politely shooed away by Supervisor Hong. Concerned that the noisy environment might disrupt Chen Xiao’s concentration, Supervisor Hong even instructed the city guards to block off the area nearby.

Chen Xiao’s focus was exceptional. He quickly turned his attention to the compass within his mind. With so many people around, passively waiting to absorb the karmic energy wouldn’t work. He decided to let the compass absorb it actively, hoping it would speed things up.

With his consciousness, Chen Xiao activated the compass. Instantly, brilliant golden light burst forth, shining radiantly. The compass spun rapidly as a powerful suction pulled in the karmic energy flowing slowly into Chen Xiao’s body. Like when he had first tapped into the dragon vein, the energy surged wildly.

The invisible, colorless energy stirred the air, causing winds and currents to swirl across the plaza. Although cultivators couldn’t see the energy directly, they could sense the shifting currents.

Supervisor Hong’s expression changed subtly, growing more impressed by the marvel of the feng shui technique.

The ‘Stars Encircling the Moon’ formation brought Chen Xiao as much karmic energy as his previous dragon vein tapping. After all, it had dispelled negative energy and laid out homes for thousands of residents, affecting countless lives.

The swirling karmic energy spiraled into the compass, which brewed even more golden energy across its surface. It spun around, nearly ready to complete another layer of unlocking, yet it fell just a little short.

Chen Xiao exhaled slowly and opened his eyes with a hint of regret.

As each layer on the circular plate unraveled one by one, the circumference grew longer and longer, demanding more and more vital energy. It was like how cultivators accumulate more true essence as they advance further. However, Chen Xiao had one advantage in his cultivation, once enough vital energy was gathered, there were no breakthrough barriers or bottlenecks to hold him back.

“Master?” Shen Yanxing called out cautiously, concern written all over his face. “Are you done?”

Only then did Chen Xiao notice the change in daylight, it had already been half a day. No wonder Shen Yanxing was worried. He nodded and smiled, “Yes, it’s finished.”

Dragon Chief looked at Chen Xiao with admiration. “Master Chen, today I truly experienced the marvel of Feng Shui. It really is like waves rising from flat land, refreshing as mountain mist.”

Shen Yanxing helped Chen Xiao to his feet and said, “Yes, the wind never stopped while you were meditating. The moment you finished, it vanished. Many people called it a miraculous sight.”

On the way back, Shen Yanxing asked Chen Xiao about the purpose of that final step. Chen Xiao hesitated but chose not to tell him he was absorbing the Qi fate to cultivate. He worried that if Shen Yanxing knew, he would become hopeful, yet Chen Xiao couldn’t help him reach immortality through Feng Shui techniques.

Instead, he only said that the final step made the Feng Shui energy take effect much faster, which was true. Shen Yanxing then asked when he might have such abilities himself.

Chen Xiao just smiled and replied, “There’s still a lot to learn.”

Back in the royal garden room, Chen Xiao pondered. Logically, he and Shen Yanxing had the same conditions, the only difference was the compass that could replace the spiritual root.

The compass was an essential tool for a Feng Shui master’s “half-body.” But lacking the key material for the magnetic needle, Chen Xiao couldn’t make a genuine Dongyu Sect compass. Still, that didn’t mean he couldn’t give Shen Yanxing a compass.

Besides magnetic needles to determine directions, sundials could serve as substitutes.

He could teach Shen Yanxing the basic compass usage and help him cultivate the mindset of treating the compass as an extension of his body. Feng Shui work absorbed Qi fate over time, and eventually, the compass and user would be closely linked. Perhaps Shen Yanxing could even cultivate a compass that replaced a spiritual root!

Excited by this idea, Chen Xiao went to find Tong Nuonuo to make one for him. Unfortunately, since moving here, Tong Nuonuo had once again entered seclusion, leaving Chen Xiao at a dead end.

Chen Xiao reluctantly instructed the servants to inform Tong Nuonuo to come see him when he was out.

In the following days, Chen Xiao busied himself with his own affairs.

With the “Stars Encircling the Moon” Feng Shui formation complete, he absorbed a large amount of karmic energy. Activating his ivory plaque, Chen Xiao learned ten new talismans at once. Among them were three eating talismans: the Clear Mind Talisman, the Spirit Communication Talisman, and the Spirit Refining Talisman. According to the plaque, these three were rarely used by soul cultivators; Dao cultivators had no need for them.

Chen Xiao couldn’t help but feel it was a waste of his vital energy. If they were useless, why were they even transmitted to his consciousness?

The other seven talismans, however, were exactly to his liking. Especially the Divine Fire Talisman, Rain Transformation Talisman, Wind Wave Talisman, and Confusion Talisman, all offensive. The remaining three were supportive: the Inspiration Talisman, Vitality Talisman, and Leap Talisman, each with unique, practical benefits.

The Inspiration Talisman stimulated brain activity and improved learning efficiency; the Vitality Talisman nourished Qi and blood, enhancing physical health; and though the Leap Talisman was one-time use with limited height and distance, it was invaluable in trials and duels.

With abundant talisman materials stored, Chen Xiao started going near Xi Yunqing’s seclusion chamber every day. He set up a table and practiced drawing talismans while waiting for his elder brother to finish his meditation.

As the weather warmed steadily, willows turned green again, and early spring flowers began to bud.

One day, while channeling energy to draw a Divine Fire Talisman, a sudden ripple came from Xi Yunqing’s chamber. Even a pseudo-cultivator like Chen Xiao, not sensitive to spiritual energy, felt the air thicken with sudden intensity.

A strong gust swept by, scattering the talisman papers on Chen Xiao’s table. He couldn’t help but cry out, “Ah!” His hands were busy with the brush and couldn’t move, so he helplessly watched the papers fly away.

Suddenly, a figure appeared. Long fingers swept through the air, gathering the papers one by one and neatly placing them back on the table.

Xi Yunqing’s eyes gleamed with obvious joy as he smiled at Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao’s face lit up in surprise, “Big Brother! You’re out of seclusion!”