#venom daoist

[platinum-panda]

Love you the Venom Daoist!

[llostwriter]

The Husky And The White Cat Shizun With Their Baobei

Chapter 12

The sea of white fog increased rapidly as the smell of the Hundred Butterfly Perfume spread.

A figure bumped into you, and as it screamed “Daoist Priest, save!” you attempted to grab onto the figure upon realizing that it was Mistress Yao, the wife of the eldest son Chen Buhuan; however, there was nothing in front of you. You summoned back Xian'ye (your holy fan), performing a swinging movement in hopes of dispersing the fog. It was successful until the fog returned after a few seconds. Something wasn’t right; it was so easy for Chu Wanning to disperse with hardly a flick of his finger. But when it comes to your turn, it’s not working.

Xian’ye was also strangely not responding to your attempts of inner communication. It was quite a weird moment, since he was clearly venting out his frustration in your head just a few seconds ago.

You: “Shizun! Mo Ran! Shi Mei!”

You shouted, but there was still no response.

The only other sound was the clear tinkling sound from the single silver bell earring of yours accompanied you as you walked deeper into the fog. With every single additional step, it seemed to tinkle louder.

——

In the heart of an elaborate bridal chamber, you find yourself enveloped in a scarlet wedding veil, perched on the edge of a grand four-poster bed. Your consciousness resides within a foreign entity, an ethereal presence that controls a delicate feminine form. The heavy weight of anticipation hangs in the air, and you are left motionless, a mere spectator to the scene that unfolds.

Subdued whispers and barely contained snickers echo from behind the intricately carved wooden door. Two female voices engage in a hushed conversation, their words a dagger to your heart as they mock the name of a stranger. “Did you know that Princess Changjun has waited for Master Chuyi for seven long hours? I'd wager he's long gone by now, abandoning her in her moment of need!' The first voice is like a venomous hiss, dripping with saccharine sweetness yet laced with underlying malice. The second voice, while softer and more gentile, struggles to conceal its disapproval. “We should not speak of Princess Changjun in such a manner. Who knows what she may do if she learns of our disrespect?”

A surge of indignation and frustration courses through your veins, inciting a tempest within your chest. How could these heartless women belittle another's suffering? The body rises from the bed, and you soon realize the truth: you are merely a passenger within this vessel, a silent observer of the actions taken by its rightful owner. You were unable to control the body.

As the door creaks open, the lithe form strides forward, capturing one of the gossiping women by the throat with an iron grip. The other hand clutches a slender, otherworldly blade, pulsating with a crimson spiritual energy that radiates fury. The weapon hovers precariously close to the servant's cheek, a silent threat that leaves her trembling in terror. “Speak another word and lose your tongue; remain silent, and your life may be spared... for now.” The body's rich, seductive voice reverberates through the air, a velvety caress that sends shivers down your spine. The tremor in the servant's voice is a testament to the power behind that husky, commanding tone, a voice that requires no physical presence to strike fear into the hearts of its victims.

Despite your initial confusion and anger, the vehemence and authority emanating from the woman's form leaves you breathless, awestruck. The power dynamics have shifted dramatically, and the two women, once confident in their gossip, now cower in the presence of the body.

——

The illusion ended in the horrifying screams of the servants.

The fog has finally dispersed by itself. However, the sight that you saw wasn’t to your liking. You weren’t sure if it was the aftereffects of the illusion that made you feel bitter.

You watched from afar as Mo Ran shamelessly clasped Chu Wanning's wrist and quickly kissed him on the lips before he could react. Mo Ran's robes were completely drenched in the mysterious spring water. He looks almost attractive and tempting, but those thoughts were interrupted by the reminder of his past actions.

You tried so hard to fix him. Yet he still is shameless as ever.

That thought alone has you furious, with the intention of roughly pulling Mo Ran off and giving him a slap to clear his mind and extinguish your own fury.

Chu Wanning was firmly pressed under Mo Ran's body, struggling to get him off. Just when things were to get further, your frustration reached its peak and roughly grabbed onto the back of Mo Ran's robes, yanking him backward. Landing him straight into the spring water.

"You shameless bastard!" For the first time ever, your emotions exploded. Stunning both Chu Wanning and Mo Ran. You glared furiously at him.

Mo Ran stood there shocked, staring at you, before realizing what he had done. The one that he kissed wasn't Shi Mei, but Chu Wanning. To make matters worse, you have seen his humiliating action.

—-

“… Don’t hit me anymore; I’m going to die.”

After you gave Shizun a handkerchief to wipe off the unwanted gesture of Mo Ran, Chu Wanning summoned his willow vine, giving Mo Ran a beating. To which you didn’t stop that from happening. And you did nothing to intervene. It wasn't until later, when the bitterness and frustration had left your body, that you realized the gravity of your inaction. Mo Ran’s liking score is likely lowered by your inaction.

“Could it be Shi Mei?” Mo Ran wondered aloud upon seeing movement in front of him, his eyes scanning the area in front of him.

Chu Wanning frowned. "In this illusion, you can't imagine who you will see in advance. If you can't help it, you will see what that person looks like. Eliminate all distracting thoughts."

Mo Ran tried to follow his instructions, but it was of no use. The dagger of energy that formed in Chu Wanning's hand was a stark reminder of the pain that he was in. And when it was thrust towards his arm, Mo Ran couldn't help but cry out in agony.

“Don't shout,” Chu Wanning barked, his tone cold and detached.

Mo Ran held back his tears, nodding pitifully as he tried to stifle his sobs. “It's good that it hurts,” Chu Wanning continued. “Other than this pain, don't think about anything else. Follow me; we'll go and take a look.”

But Mo Ran couldn't help but wonder why Shixiong hadn't received the same treatment. It seemed so unfair and cruel.

[Extra:

Xian’ye: “I think I saw something that I wasn’t supposed to see…”

You: “What?”

Xian’ye: “A bulge…”

You: “…Mo Ran?” ]

[sonderwrit]

C116: Rest

I Have to Be a Great Villain - Masterpost

Author's Weibo post:

Translation: Brothers and sisters! Success at the speed of life and death! More is out, oh yeah! Here are two handsome photos, this world isn't short! There are plenty of chapters to play in~ Saw some mistakes in the update before 00:20 (accidentally updated a later mini-theater [with the chapter], so it's normal if you didn't understand it, in the future updates will come bit by bit~)

Chapter 116 translation below the cut (note: as the author mentioned, this chapter is extra long, yay!)

---

Qin Xian: As long as we do everything in this book once.

QX: We'll find the answer.

Wang Yi: This book?

QX: Right.

WY: Hm, the first part isn't hard; it's just minor stuff like practicing and sleeping together. (It'll take several years to lay the groundwork.)

WY: But I'm having trouble understanding after flipping to the end.

WY: What's this disciple and master pair doing?

*Epilogue of the story*

QX: Hm. He should be sitting on his master's knees to rest. [<- originally had low EQ, now it's worse]

WY: So it's like that, but it feels kinda strange. [<- losing his memories = losing his humanity]

QX: Where is it strange?

WY: I'm not sure. 

WY: Maybe my level isn't high enough to understand the mysteries in it.

#There are no XXX enlightenment books on the mountain, so these two cultivation "geniuses" are being beaten down by their own self-study#

WY: Uuf…well, all we can do is try.

WY: (A voice in my heart keeps telling me to trust Master, weird…)

WY: Although I can't see the connection between "re-enacting the contents of the book" and "understanding what 'like' means," since Master says to do so, Master must have his reasons.

[Upright] [Upright #2]

QX: Mm.

WY: Then let's start with the first chapter. There's a while before we reach the parts we don't understand, so maybe we'll get it by the time we reach there.

—

S-0: *yawns* (It's about time, the stupidity medicine should've fully taken effect by now.) [It'll make someone dumb without affecting their intelligence, so it's very convenient.]

S-0: (Although I feel sorry for Qin, he's probably too dumbed down to understand what I did by now.)

S-0: (Let's take a look.) *squeeze*

S-0: (Hm? So quiet, is it already bedtime?)

S-0: (But Nascent Soul level cultivators need very little sleep.) [This better not be a negative side-effect of the medicine.]

S-0: (I'll use my authority to check his physical condition…)

S-0: (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!)

S-0: (Why are they—sleeping in one bed?!)

QX: Who's there.

S-0: MreEEEOOOOoowwww~

WY: Uh…Master.

WY: What's wrong…?

QX: Nothing. Go to sleep.

WY: All right…Master should sleep too.

—

S-0: ……

S-0: (Aish. Did it turn into this kind of relationship again.]

S-0: (The original novel's Sword Saint Qin was a cultivator who utterly doted on his disciples.)

QX: "Seeing my disciple is equivalent to seeing myself."

S-0: (So it's very normal to see this scene of filial piety between Master and disciple.)

Cultivator*: "Daoist Qin, we have enough seating mats for this meeting. (You're a bad influence hugging and clinging to each other!)

*Judging by panel below, this is probably the sect leader Wu Jin

S-0: (But…though not as intimate as Yunshan Sect's master [Wu Jin] or Demon Abyss Master [Ren Shukuang], Qin Xian does get close to the male protagonist later on in the plot.)

S-0: (However, after interacting with the protagonist shou, he gradually discovered that the latter's venomous senior brother* was ruthless, tyrannical, and of mixed blood, so he stopped caring for him as much. In the latter half of the story, when the Daoist and Demonic forces fight, he'll realize the good points of the protagonist shou and truly fall in love with him.)

*Wang Yi's character

QX: "I don't care that you like others, I just wanted to tell you, my heart is yours."

S-0: (He became the last member of the harem—)

S-0: (And the so-called vicious senior brother who betrayed the immortal sect naturally had a bad ending…)

S-0: (His immortal bones were destroyed and he was left to fend for himself in the mountain cliffs.)

S-0: (Can they really reach that ending with their current clingy status…)

S-0: (Forget it.)

S-0: (Worry about the future when the future comes.)

S-0: (There's still time before the main mission. The Main System might even leave before long.) …meow~

WY: Master, I can walk on my own.

QX: Master feels cold, so I need you to warm me up.

S-0: (Moreover…this seems to be the first time these two interacted without either of them knowing about their "fate.")

QX: (The book was right, disciple's hair is indeed very soft.)

S-0: (No more pressure from the mission.)

S-0: (No more worrying about being separated.)

S-0: (Let S-0 take care of everything.)

S-0: (Of course, you need to pay this cat for overtime work.)

S-0: (Hmph hmph~ That reward will be—)

[Wang Yi: 17 years old, Qi-Refining Stage]

S-0: (Let S-0 see what sort of scene will happen—)

WY: Why did Master get so dirty again.

S-0: (When the blank paper System Y meets an equally blank Mr. Qin.)

WY: Bring your face here,

WY: I'll wipe it for you.

S-0: (It's really great~~~~)

QX: That's right, disciple's cultivation has already reached the zenith of Qi-Refining Stage. You can breakthrough anytime, right?

WY: Yes. I can build my foundation immediately.

QX: Mm, Master will protect you.

WY: Thank you, Master.

[Specification: In the cultivation world the levels are: Qi-Refining > Foundation Building > Golden Core > Nascent Soul > Immortal Ascension > Overcoming tribulation and becoming a god]

—

WY: Urk–

WY: ?!

*fades into past Y and X flashback*

System Y: ?!

Qin Xian: Ah.

QX: What's this?

QX: It's not the invading army.

[indigowriting]

Every multiple of 5 of the ask game you reblogged, for any character/s of your choosing! — @coarsely

@coarsely thanks for the ask! (also i am tickled by this way of deciding on questions to ask) putting these under the cut

5. Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

i think that pre-canon bai hua could probably cry on command (i have vague concepts of her working a customer service job on the side while in school) but currently no, her body can't fake emotions very well

10. What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

a hui (who hasn't been shown up yet) loves talking about snake venom. to be fair, she is a snake in human form (most of the time) so this is probably the most classic thing that she could talk about but she truly loves suggesting venom to every possible problem

15. What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

bai hua doesn't actually have a job in the novel (unless you count trying not to die as a job) so the divide is more pre-canon/canon era. pre-canon, she's a tired graduate student struggling under a lot of stress, and she's fairly withdrawn and keeps to herself, but canon-era she purposely interacts with people a lot more

20. Who do they like as a person but hate their work? Vice versa, whose work do they like but don’t like the person?

pre-canon bai hua had a lot of umbrage with various academics who she liked perfectly fine as people. on the other hand, she respected her advisor's work a lot but could not stand the woman

25. What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

literally anything bai hua studied pre-canon because she didn't study history or popular literature

30. When they make a mistake and feel bad, does the guilt differ when it’s personal versus when it’s professional?

for songjing: they're sort of opposites on this! song yan feels much more guilty about personal things than professional things; on the other hand, jing ya feels much more guilty about professional things than personal things (this has a lot to do with the fact that they're a daoist priestess and a sect heir respectively—song yan is more focused on interpersonal relationships, while jing ya necessarily is usually thinking about things in terms of social relations and professional etiquette)

35. What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

songjing's assumption that bai hua didn't need to eat anything (to be fair it makes sense in the context! but bai hua had no idea this was why they were doing it and was just pissed off they weren't sharing food with her)

40. How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

amusingly enough even though it'll never be relevant in the plot bai hua would be incredibly annoyed by a loose handshake, she would think it's a sign of the person's uncertainty and lack of self-confidence

45. What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

a hui hates birds with a passion. this comes off as incredibly unimportant to most people because what's a bird done to you? but she remembers all too well being a regular snake and being terrorised by birds.

50. What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

bai hua is motivated in large part by filial piety towards her master and as someone who grew up entrenched in a culture of filial piety while it makes a great motive for a character, i cannot stand the ideology irl

55. What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

bai hua hasn't been in a fight yet but as soon as she does all her "wow having a sword would be so cool" is going to evaporate into "i don't ever want to fight again this sucks" which. i mean. she's an immortal cultivated sword everyone assumes she's into fighting.

[ghostlycollectionlover]

Black Myth Wukong Purple Cloud Mountain Location Venom Daoist Boss Fight

[zykamiliah]

i already made a post that touches on the how sj initially didn't took responsibility for his own actions, which stops when he forgives yqy in the water prison and stops being a hypocrite, but this basically what Part 4 of the qijiu extra is about, specifically in how he frames his antagonistic relationship with lqg

Liu Qingge had achieved success in his youth; his talents were extraordinary, his spiritual energy vast, and his swordplay awe-inspiring. His family background was excellent, and both his parents were alive. Any one of these things would have been enough to make Shen Qingqiu gnash his teeth and toss and turn for three days and three nights, let alone all of them together in one person.

so, lqg angers him to the point of making him lose his composure, by... being himself, and more talented than sj.

Qing Jing Peak prided itself on being the gentleman’s peak, and Shen Qingqiu took to playing a gentleman like a fish to water. Yet Liu Qingge was always able to make his rage boil to the surface, to the point that he didn’t bother wasting energy playing nice with his sect sibling. The thing Shen Qingqiu most often said to Liu Qingge was: “Liu Qingge, I’ll definitely kill you one day!”

sj is blaming lqg for his owns self-esteem issues.

Liu Qingge sent him a glance. “You? Kill me?” It was only three words, but Shen Qingqiu heard boundless venom within them. His wrist turned. Yue Qingyuan saw that the situation didn’t look good and pressed Shen Qingqiu’s elbow downward, preventing him from drawing his sword. He looked back and yelled, “Liu-shidi! You should head back.” Liu Qingge looked like he couldn’t be bothered to deal with this further. With a cold laugh, his figure instantly vanished.

notice that lqg never raised his sword at sj, yet yqy had to stop sj from doing so. notice how lqg is being *waves* himself, and sj takes it personally because, sadly, he's projecting his own self-worth issues.

and even if lqg's words were indeed filled with "boundless venom", it would be deserved, as previously sj had beat up a bai zhan disciples for catching him and the brothel and mocking him for being there, and this only happened after sj had established said antagonistic relationship with lqg.

“Why are you like this?” “Why am I like what?” asked Shen Qingqiu. “Two of Cang Qiong Mountain’s head disciples getting into a huge brawl inside a brothel—does that sound good to you?” “If you don’t tell them and I don’t either, who’d know which sect we’re from?” Shen Qingqiu countered.

he's completely ignoring the fact that he has part of the blame for what happened or would happened and basically saying "well if they find out that's in whoever tells it".

“Tell me, which of Cang Qiong Mountain’s rules decrees that its disciples can’t visit this place? Cang Qiong Mountain isn’t a Buddhist monastery or Daoist temple. They might be able to control everything else, but they can’t stop me from looking for women! If Shixiong finds it shameful, he should watch that mouth of Liu Qingge’s.” Indeed, Cang Qiong Mountain had never expressly ordained such a rule. But cultivators were supposed to naturally understand the concept of preserving a pure heart and nature, of exercising self-discipline—especially those of Qing Jing Peak, where the peak lords and disciples had invariably remained virtuous and unsullied. Instead, this unwritten consensus had become Shen Qingqiu’s justification for sophistry.

"if shixiong finds me visiting brothels shameful, well you should just make sure lqg doesn't speak about it." again, he's removing all responsibility from himself. he's using a loophole to visit the brothel and instead of admiting that he does what he wants, he puts himself in the passive role "they can't stop me", cqm "might be able to control everything else (me), but not this". it's the slave mentality.

Yue Qingyuan was silent for a moment. “Liu-shidi isn’t really such a bad person. He’s like that with everyone, not just to you.” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. “‘Like that with everyone’? Don’t try to deceive me, Zhangmen-shixiong. Is he like that with you?” “If you extend him a single share of kindness, he’ll return it two-fold,” Yue Qingyuan said patiently. “Zhangmen-shixiong is truly considerate and understanding. It’s just, why doesn’t he extend kindness to me first? Why not have pity on me—show me some compassion? Why must I accommodate him?” As Shen Qingqiu had turned a deaf ear to his every plea, Yue Qingyuan found it difficult to speak further. After all, he couldn’t straight-up tell him something like: If you hadn’t used every means to ambush Liu Qingge after the meet in order to teach him a lesson, the two of you wouldn’t fly into a rage at the slightest contact now, nor would you loathe the mere sight of each other.

SJ: *actual starts their feud by yelling at lqg that he will kill him, continues to yell that in various occasions, ambushes him repeatedly, is enraged every time he sees lqg, beats up a bai zhan disciple* also SJ: why isn't him kind to me first?????

he's shifting all the blame of their bad relationship on lqg when he's the one that started it. he's victimizing himself and being quite the hypocrite.

I think people keep trying to white wash SJ’s crimes because they felt bad for liking such a horrible person. Like SJ’s whole thing is that he could not break out of the cycle of abuse which is why he was chosen to be replaced. SJ made horrible choices and part of why he made them is because he was stuck in a survival pattern he could never move on from. The fact that Bingge went on to be way worse does not absolve him of his hand in it. The only way SJ was going to become a better person is if something or someone shook him out of his pattern but that’s what fanfic is for. We know what happened when he didn’t get replaced, that’s PIDW.

Like it’s existentially horrifying to think that your world would be better without you, but it’s like objectively true in the case of SJ. My favorite fics with him are ones where he is forced to take his trauma in hand and realize he can’t hurt others because he’s been hurt. I love SJ but he’s also terrible which makes him interesting!

yes

[translations-by-aiimee]

Dig a Grave to Dig Out a Ghost - Chapter 28

Original Title: 挖坟挖出鬼

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Yaoi

This translation is based on multiple MTLs and my own limited knowledge of Chinese characters. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 28 - Immortal

In some remote mountainous areas in the south, Miao women used clay pots and menstrual blood to raise hundreds of insects. They sealed them, placed them in a damp place and cast curses on them. Once the day was done, the poisonous insects will have killed each other and the last one was embodied with Gu poison*. The curse made with Gu poison could make someone's love interest fall helplessly in love with them for the rest of his life, and it could also plague one's enemy with nightmares, madness, and even death. The women who concocted Gu poison were typically loners, often muttering to no one, avoided by the general public.

*(T/N: 蛊 - Gu poison was believed to be the combination of all the venoms from the insects that died and would be used for black magic in southern regions of China)

In Nanyang Black Magic, they would use the body of a baby that died recently, boiled out the toyol*, poured it on a puppet doused in human blood and placed it in the home. The imprisoned baby ghost would protect the house but the curse-caster will be punished. They would also carve birthdates into wood, causing the other to die.

*(T/N: 尸油 - literally 'corpse oil.' I'll spare you the graphic details but basically taking a dead body's chin and boiling it until oil drains out of it)

This black magic flourished in the Ming Dynasty. The Eastern Depot eunuchs* were in turmoil. Everyone was reporting each other, no one would speak to each other, eyes darting between each other daily. These curses were developed as a branch of Daoism to oppose political rivals. A-Yan said that the Daoist practices used to drive out ghosts and save people were declining, but this black magic has stuck around. It was one of the biggest spots in Daoist history.

*(T/N: 东厂 - a secret police & spy agency run by eunuchs meant to suppress political opposition towards the emperor)

Saturday morning was a beautiful day. The sun was shining but not to the point of being unbearably hot. The distant mountains stood silently under the blue sky. A black Audi passed quickly through the country’s tree-lined roads, raising a cloud of grit and dust. A white goose with its head held high on the roadside was startled by the car, flapping its wings and stretching its neck to hide behind a fence.

The car stopped at a small farmhouse in the northwest corner of the village.

In the courtyard, a tall Shuzi tree stretched out dense branches, looking extraordinarily vibrant. In contrast, the entire courtyard was strangely decrepit. A well was covered by a millstone and the stone-paced path was full of weeds. The doors of the three mud-brick houses were closed, with straw curtains covering the doors and windows covered with dust.

Everything was very different from a month ago. Lin Yan remembered that the last time he came here, there were hens and rabbits. The old lady in blue embroidered clothing was kneeling on the futon with her eyes closed. The small courtyard was filled with the mysterious atmosphere of the countryside. The current yard would give people the impression that the homeowner hadn't been home for years when, in fact, a fresh grave in the back of the mountain had only been built a month ago. Rural people were convinced that the houses inhabited by the living were blessed by the gods and sheltered from the elements for decades. Once the owner of the house dies, the gods will follow, so the empty house often collapsed and was destroyed in less than six months.

"When Second Immortal Gu was in the village, she would help children that fell sick with fever, and the adults that were dealing with evil spirits. Young men would ask her when they'd get married and, for the right price, she'd tell them." The village chief said with a cigarette in his mouth.

The village leader knew Yin Zhou’s mother well. He heard that Yin Zhou wanted to bring someone to pay tribute to Second Immortal Gu and waited at the entrance of the village to welcome them. It took ten minutes to drive from the village leader's house to Second Immortal Gu’s house. The village head smoked four cigarettes in a row. Yin Zhou squeezed his eyes shut while Lin Yan and the little Daoist priest twisted their heads out of the window every 30 seconds to gasp for a breath of fresh air. The village chief was the only one of them chatting in the smoky car. Lin Yan saw how the complaints of three people and a ghost just flew over his head.

If a ghost could complain.

Lin Yan found a roll of incense from the little Daoist's bag and lit it. He put the incense burner at the door of the mud-brick house and offered his respects.

"Last time, we left just before Second Immortal Gu had her accident. I should have come to offer some incense sooner, it's just things with school got busy and I haven't been able to make it until now." Lin Yan brushed the straw curtain and the accumulated dust fell on his face. "Cough, cough. Does - Does anyone take care of this place?"

"Of course not. You big city kids wouldn't know. Doing this line of work is only good for putting food on the table. Immortal Gu came out here in her twenties. In less than ten years, her husband and two sons had died and she was the only one left. She couldn't even save herself." The village leader stuffed his yellow striped shirt into his pants. "Don't feel bad. No immortal in this village could escape that fate."

"Come on, let's go, you guys are here to see her grave. We don't put up any gravestones here. We just build a stone platform, but the villagers will remember who it's for. I'll take you up there."

The sun was growing hotter. Several of them used broken branches to smack the grass in case of snakes while they hiked up the rugged mountain trail. A rural cemetery wasn't as neat as an urban cemetery. Each family claimed a spot, with every newly deceased buried next to the rest of their family. The grave was a prominent mound of dirt with a large stone on top. Some of the graves were too old to even make out the mound, the ground studded with small light blue flowers. A date palm tree grew wildly, and they needed to watch their step when walking so they wouldn't disturb the resting dead.

Second Immortal Gu's grave was off on its own. The mound was freshly dug. Other than a crooked wreath lying on it, it was indistinguishable from the older graves that had been abandoned for years.

The scene made Lin Yan feel incredibly guilty. He burned a large stack of paper dollars in front of the grave, playing with his branch while saying silently in his mind: Auntie, if you're still here, please come back and tell us who harmed you. We'll avenge your death.

The village chief took the cigarettes Lin Yan had bought him and squatted off in the distance to smoke. Lin Yan winked at the little Daoist priest and said softly, "Let's start?"

A-Yan nodded and took out a crumpled photo from his pocket that he had found in a frame in Immortal Gu's house. The immortal in the photo was still very young, wearing a floral cotton jacket and staring vacantly ahead.

"Now isn't a good time. The s-sun is too high. The mountains are filled with Yang energy, and the ghosts may not be able to be reached." A-Yan said. He jumped up and grabbed a twig from the date tree above his head. He hung a spirit summoning flag on it and patted the dust off his shoulders. "Here's a picture, here are the bones. Um, Lin Yan, I'm going to borrow your birthdate for this."

Before Lin Yan had time to ask, the little Daoist priest handed him a dagger. Unlike his usual mahogany sword, this one was actually made of metal. The handle seemed to be a few years old, and the tip of the blade gleaming a bright white in the sunlight.

"H-Hold this for a minute. You might feel a little uncomfortable, but don't let it go." A-Yan instructed: "I-I'll read one sentence and you read the next."

Yin Zhou chuckled but he felt that it probably wasn't the time to laugh so he quickly turned his laughter into a string of coughs.

Surprisingly, A-Yan never stuttered whenever he talked about Taoism and charms, Lin Yan muttered.

Time passed by and it was almost noon. The date trees in the mountains couldn't block the hot sun. After standing there for a long time, most of them were covered in a layer of sweat. The village leader couldn't bear the heat and left to join some nearby people to drink some tea. Lin Yan stood in front of the grave with the dagger in his hand. He rubbed the sweat on his cheeks off with his shoulder, hoping that this time it would be over quickly.

The little Daoist started reciting. His voice didn't sound like proper speech, but the slow rate of speech wasn't too difficult to follow. Lin Yan held the hilt of the dagger and along with the chant. Not even halfway through the incantation, Lin Yan already began to feel that something was wrong. The temperature around him began to drop, and the hot sweat condensed on his back. He kept shivering like he was suffering from heatstroke. A chill came from the handle of the dagger. First, the temperature seeped into his palm, and then his whole arm, up to his shoulders, through the bones in his spine to the back of his head in a numb wave. It was as if he wasn't holding a dagger but a frozen fish that had been left in the bottom tray of the freezer for a year.

The spirit summoning flag above his head began to move.

"It's cold." Lin Yan took a breath and scanned the silent mountains around him. "Have you reached the soul?"

"I t-think I found her." The little Daoist hesitated. "Huh. . . that's weird. . ."

After reciting two more incantations, the bone-chilling cold air had spread to his calves. Lin Yan's teeth chattered and he shivered out: "A-. . . A-Yan, are you sure this is okay. . . it's too. . . cold. . ."

The chanting continued, the little Daoist priest shot him a sideways glance, his eyes cold. Lin Yan can only brace himself to keep follow the mantra incantations, a heavy cold sweat forming on his forehead.

"Hold on for a little longer. The soul is bound to something, I want to break it free." A-Yan gritted his teeth, and a piece of talisman paper was slapped against the blade. All of a sudden, the cold washed over him like a tsunami. Lin Yan's whole body felt like it was being stabbed by needles, veins popping on his forehead from the pain.

"A-Yan, what are you doing?!" Yin Zhou knew something wasn't right when he saw Lin Yan's lips turn blue. "If you can't do it now, someone's going to get hurt. Lin Yan, use the ghost that's following you!"

"Almost there. Don't let go!" The little Daoist was flushed a sickly pale colour and he rapidly chanted the mantra. The spirit summoning flag above his head was being whipped by the wind. There was a ripping sound and the whole piece of cloth was torn in half and fluttered down onto the old grave in the distance.

"I-It's okay. . . A-Yan, go faster. . ." Lin Yan was so cold that he could barely get his tongue to work. He tried to move the hand with the dagger to it but he found that his skin was stuck to the metal and he couldn't budge it. He was shivering from his arms all the way down to his legs. Lin Yan staggered back and stepped on the bag they'd brought, almost falling backwards.

A force of strength supported his back. Xiao Yu's voice sounded right when he needed him, but his low voice didn't let him retort: "Let go."

Xiao Yu's hand covered the back of Lin Yan's hand. Compared to the temperature of the dagger, his palm was actually warm. It was just right to block the cold air that kept pouring into Lin Yan's arm. A-Yan's expression changed in an instant and he shouted loudly: "Back off, beast!"

"I'll fucking finish this. . ." Lin Yan abruptly closed his eyes and pressed his palm to the blade. All at once, the bone-chilling cold air felt like ten thousand needles running through his palm up to his arm. At the same time, there was a cold that grew behind him. He quickly opened his eyes but Second Immortal Gu hadn't appeared. On the contrary, Xiao Yu snapped Lin Yan's wrist with completely overwhelming strength, forcing the sharp weapon out of his hand.

The moment the dagger was taken out of Lin Yan's hand, he felt like he was immediately torn out of an ice block and thrown into a fire. The ritual was broken, the hot sunlight licked his back, making his whole body numbly feel like it was going to dissolve. However, he couldn't care less about his body's reaction. What happened next made Lin Yan and Yin Zhou - who was freaking out off to the side - shocked. They saw Xiao Yu holding the dagger inching towards A-Yan, frigid eyes filled with killing intent. When the palm of his hand touched the hilt of the knife, it sounded like searing flesh. But he didn't care. He grabbed A-Yan's collar with one hand, and violently plunged the dagger toward his left eye with the other!

Lin Yan's mind kicked into action. He subconsciously rushed over to hold Xiao Yu's waist, using all his strength to drag him back. However, something was wrong with the little Daoist priest, too. His usual cowardice was gone and his eyes burned with rage. He rolled away and broke free, rapidly taking out a handful of cinnabar and tossing it towards Xiao Yu. His voice changed because of the trembling: "An evil beast is an evil beast. You can't stay!"

"What the fuck is going on!" Yin Zhou couldn't see Xiao Yu. He could only see the little Daoist tumbling on the ground alone trying to avoid a shimmering dagger. Lin Yan's nerves were fried. While dragging Xiao Yu back, he roared towards Yin Zhou: "How the hell should I know? You grab A-Yan!"

He had never seen Xiao Yu so angry. The midday sun was burning and blinding. The ghost's whole body was emitting a faint greenish-black aura. The knuckles of both hands snapped open, sharp claw-like nails grabbing the back of the Daoist priest's head. Lin Yan thought he was seeing things and closed his eyes, but the scene stayed the same. The place where the ghost stood glowed a greenish-black and the place where the human stood was a dancing orange fire, intertwining with each other, but the orangish-yellow flames were gradually dying out. . .

Later, he would learn that people have yang energy and ghosts have yin energy. When the energy was extremely concentrated, he could directly perceive the yin and yang without his eyes confusing it in his mind. This was the foundation of excellent Taoism. He had inadvertently opened a long-closed door to the mystical arts.

However, the current situation was extremely dangerous. Xiao Yu held A-Yan’s neck with one hand and the dagger cut inch by inch into the little Daoist priest's arm blocking it. The hand holding the knife was searing black from the contact with the blade of the evil spirit's. A Yan's face grew purple, his eyes bulging. Lin Yan didn't dare to hesitate for a moment and scrambled over to protect A-Yan from behind. There was a clanging sound and the dagger rolled to the ground.

The little Daoist broke free from the evil spirit's hands, clutching his bleeding wound and groaning intermittently: "Lin Yan. . . Immortal Gu. . . Immortal Gu's spirit is trapped. . . I couldn't get her. . ."

Lin Yan supported the little Daoist's shoulders. His eyes gleamed, and the soft deer-like eyes were different from those when he had when he cast the spell. "The curse. . . Be careful." A-Yan whispered. Lin Yan hadn't gotten the chance to ask what was going on before his thin body couldn't support his own weight. His eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Lin Yan and Yin Zhou looked at each other, shocked by the outcome, unable to utter a word.

[nadziejastar]

Analyzing the Weapon Names of Organization XIII (Part 3)

No. III - Xaldin (Whirlwind Lancer)

Founding member. A warrior with a silver tongue. He carries six lances, and can harness the wind.

Xaldin is interesting because he has no dialogue whatsoever after being recompleted as a human. However, his lack of characterization is at odds with his status. He is one of the strongest and most high-ranking members in Organization XIII, as well as a founding member. He has the second-highest chair after Xemans.

He shed tears when Ansem the Wise returned to the castle in KH3, but his characterization in Days and the names of his weapons suggest that he probably had sinister intentions while serving him as a guard. It is likely that Xaldin was originally far more important to the apprentices’ fall to darkness; his weapon names are among the most unique and intriguing. 

The names of many of his Lances are derived from terms relating to the sky, air, or wind, and several have names based on constellations. Zephyr, Moonglade, Aer, Nescience, Brume, Asura, Crux, Paladin, Fellking, Nightcloud, Shimmer, Vortex, Scission, Heavenfall, Aether, Mazzaroth, Hegemon, Foxfire, Yaksha, Cynosura, Dragonreign, Lindworm, Broom (joke), and Wyvern.

The Mazzaroth, also known as the zodiac, is the name given to the pattern of stars found on the celestial equator. Crux is also called Rending Crescent Moon in the Japanese version. It��refers to the constellation Crux, also called the Southern Cross. Jack London depicts the Southern Cross accompanied by a crescent moon in the novel Martin Eden:

“Overhead drifted a pale crescent moon, and the Southern Cross burned low in the sky.”

Ancient Greeks considered it to be part of the Centaurus constellation. Centaurus represents the beings called centaurs. A centaur was a creature from Greek mythology which was half-man and half-horse. These creatures represented barbarism and unbridled chaos.

Cynosura is another name for the constellation Ursa Minor. Interestingly, one of Lexaeus’ weapons is named Ursa Major. Ursa Major means “great bear” and Ursa Minor means “the lesser bear”. Nomura said that the strongest Organization members are Xemnas and Roxas due to his potential as a Keyblade wielder. Lexaeus and Xaldin are the next strongest. Maybe the constellations refer to how Laxaeus just edges out Xaldin when it comes to raw strength.

Some of his weapons reference Greek mythology. Zephyr was the god of the west wind, and one of the four seasonal wind gods. He was the bringer of light spring and early summer breezes. According to some versions of the myth, Zephyr killed a young man who was the lover of the god Apollo due to jealousy.

Beauty and the Beast is actually based on the ancient Greek myth Cupid and Psyche. Psyche is a princess so beautiful that the goddess Venus becomes jealous. In revenge, she instructs her son Cupid to make her fall in love with a hideous monster. Zephyr was the attendant of Cupid, who brought Psyche to his master's palace where Cupid ends up falling in love with Psyche himself.

Aether was one of the primordial deities in Greek mythology. He was the personification of the upper air that only gods breathe, as opposed to the normal air breathed by mortals. The air encircling the mortal world was called Chaos or Aer, while the Underworld where the dead dwelled was enveloped in Erebos, the mist of darkness. 

Nescience is another word for ignorance that is used mainly in a philosophical context. According to the Doctrine of the Three bodies in Hinduism, nescience is the root cause of Dukkha (suffering, pain, dissatisfaction), and is asserted as the main cause that leads to repeated reincarnation. Nescience is an interesting weapon name for Xaldin. His most memorable moment in 358/2 Days happens during a visit to the Beast’s Castle. 

Xaldin is definitely one of the most callous Organization members. He has no understanding of love and says that it is only a power of poetry but not practicality. He could not even tell that the Beast was more concerned with Belle’s safety than the rose. This attitude existed even before he became a Nobody. In his report, he admits that he threw away his heart entirely by choice to escape the trappings of emotion.

Watching that foolish beast flail about only deepens my disdain for humans and their incessant need to be pinned down by feelings. We became Nobodies precisely to avoid the shackles of emotion. It was only later that we realized the scale of that loss: that some things simply cannot be done without a heart. Nonetheless, I see nary a pleasant thing about it.

Xemnas: My friends! Remember why we have organized–all the things we hope to achieve. The strength of the human heart is vast. Soon, though…we will have gained power over it! Never again will it…have power over us.

This was an interesting quote from Xemnas that was never expanded upon much. It seemed like Organization XIII wasn’t just trying to regain hearts; they were trying to gain some sort of mastery over the heart as well. This seems right in line with what we can gather about Xaldin’s motivations.

Brume is another name for mist or fog. Foxfire is another term for will-o’-the-wisp. In literature, will-o’-the-wisp sometimes have a metaphorical meaning, for instance, describing a hope or goal that leads one on but is impossible to reach.

Asura, in Hindu mythology, refers to a class of divine power-seeking deities. Asuras are defined by their opposition to the more benevolent devas. In general, the Asuras are associated with the underworld and represent the malevolent nature of the Hindu tradition.

In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts, the Yaksha has a dual personality. On the one hand, a yaksha may be an inoffensive nature-fairy, associated with woods and mountains; but there is also a darker version of the yaksha, which is a kind of ghost that haunts the wilderness and waylays and devours travelers. 

Xaldin’s weapons also commonly reference his warrior attributes as well as dragons. Shimmer is called Violent Lightning in Japanese. Paladin refers to one of the twelve peers of Charlemagne’s court. It is also the name of a recurring Job class in the Final Fantasy series as a class excelling at aerial tactics. 

Heavenfall is called Conquering Heaven in Japanese. It is probably a reference to his involvement in creating Kingdom Hearts. Though it is also possible that Xaldin, like Xigbar, had some knowledge of Xemnas’ true agenda to forge the X-blade and open the true Kingdom Hearts.

Fellking is called Furious King in Japanese. Fellking is a combination of the two words “fell” and “king”, meaning “ferocious king”. Did Xaldin aspire to be the new king of Radiant Garden? Was this his motivation for betraying Ansem the Wise? Hegemon is the word for “ruler of earth” or “imperial commander”. Xaldin’s Pandora Gear is Dragonreign.

Xaldin’s Zero Gear is Lindworm, his original weapon from KH2. A lindworm is a type of wingless, bipedal dragon known for its venomous fangs. His Mystery Gear is Wyvern. The wyvern was widely believed to be a symbol of power, strength, and endurance. In the bestiaries of the Middle Ages, the wyvern was used as an allegory of Satan and was associated with war, pestilence and sin.

No. V - Lexaeus (Silent Hero)

Founding member. Tremendously strong, but surprisingly quiet—stalwart as the earth itself. 

Lexaeus uses weapons called Axe Swords, which possess traits of axes, swords, and hammers. Many of his weapons have names referencing nature. His joke weapon is the Bleep Bloop Bop, a simple cartoonish hammer. His other weapons are Reticence, Goliath, Copper Red, Daybreak, Colossus, Ursa Major, Megacosm, Terrene, Fuligin, Hard Winter, Firefly, Harbinger, Redwood, Sequoia, Iron Black, Earthshine, Octiron, Hyperion, Clarity, 1001 Nights, Cardinal Virtue, Skysplitter, and Monolith.

Many of his weapons are a reference to his size. Colossus (called Orge in Japanese) and Goliath are both giants, and Sequoia and Redwood are two of the tallest trees on Earth. Ogres are man-eating giants in folklore. They are usually cruel and terrifying. Other names are a reference to minerals. Octiron, Copper Red, and Iron Black. Octiron is a fictional element, a magical metal, in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of books. Octiron is unaffected by anything except magic. It is described as being black and heavy. 

Harbinger refers to someone who announces something (usually bad) is going to happen soon. Hyperion was one of the Titans of Greek mythology. His parents were the primordial beings Uranus (the sky) and Gaia (the Earth). In these ancient times, Uranus behaved as a tyrant towards his children, prompting Hyperion's bother, Kronos, to plot a coup against him. When Uranus came to Gaia, Hyperion and three brothers pinned him down so that Kronos could castrate him. Thus, the Titans overthrew their father and started a new era. Since the four brothers were responsible for restraining Uranus and keeping him from Gaia, they became the four cardinal pillars that hold up the sky and keep it from colliding with the world. Was this a reference to the betrayal of Ansem the Wise. His Zero Gear is Skyplitter, his original weapon.

Reticence refers to his quiet and reserved nature. Many of his weapons deal with a specific mental state. Clarity is called Clear Mirror, Still Water in Japanese. This phrase refers to a Chinese Daoist concept. When a mirror is dirty or it has something on it, it does not reflect things as it should; it is not working as it is supposed to. When your mind is not clear, it does not work as it is supposed to, either. Moreover, when your mind is not clear or clean, it usually means that something evil thing is going on in your mind.

His Pandora Gear is Cardinal Virtue. It is called Wind, Wood, Flame, Mountain in Japanese. This phrase comes from from Sun Tzu's The Art of War: "as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain." Megacosm is another world for the universe at large. In Japanese this weapon is called Heaven, Earth, Man. The three powers of Heaven, Earth and Man refer to the basic elements required to make powerful chi energy in Tai Chi. Firefly is symbolic of self-illumination, teaching that the light within is the power of life.

Terrene is a word derived from Latin meaning of or like earth. It is called Of This World in Japanese. This phrase is commonly used in a spiritual context. In religion, renunciation often indicates an abandonment of the pursuit of material comforts, in the interests of achieving spiritual enlightenment. It is highly practiced in Jainism, Hinduism, Christianity and many other religions. In Buddhism, renunciation conveys more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" or "freedom from lust, craving and desires". Since Lexaeus is still “of this world”, it suggests he has not mastered this ideal and has a strong earthly attachment to something or someone.

Fuligin is a word derived from Latin that means sooty or black. In Japanese it is called Of Darkness. It could be referring to the Buddhist term “fundamental darkness” which is similar to Xaldin’s lance “Nescience”. Fundamental darkness is primal ignorance. The most deeply rooted illusion inherent in life, said to give rise to all other illusions. Darkness in this sense means inability to see or recognize the truth, particularly the true nature of one’s life. The term fundamental darkness is contrasted with the fundamental nature of enlightenment, which is recognizing the spiritual nature inherent in life.

Interestingly, Redwood is actually named Camellia in the Japanese version. In China, the camellia represents the union between two lovers. The delicately layered petals represent the woman, and the calyx (the green leafy part of the stem that holds the petals together) represents the man who protects her. The two components are joined together, even after death.

Sequoia was also called Holly Olive in the Japanese version. Holly olive is also known as osmanthus. A traditional symbol of love and romance, osmanthus was used in old wedding customs. The fragrant plant symbolized true love and faithfulness, and the fruit tree symbolized fertility and peace. The custom had the meaning of "giving birth to noble children" and "many children and many grandchildren". Chinese mythology held that a sweet osmanthus grows on the moon. Osmanthus fragrance is associated with a number of Lunar legends in China, which makes it symbolic at the time of the Chinese Moon Festival.

It might be why one of his weapons is called Earthshine, the glow caused by sunlight reflected off the earth, especially on the darker portion of a crescent moon. When you look at a crescent moon shortly after sunset or before sunrise, you can sometimes see not only the bright crescent of the moon, but also the rest of the moon as a dark disk. That pale glow on the unlit part of a crescent moon, the light reflected from Earth, is earthshine.

Hard Winter is called Great Snowfall in Japanese. Snow and winter are often used to represent sadness, bleakness or death. Snow can also be a symbol of cleansing. It is a blanket that obscures all, which can either be a new, clean beginning, or a blanket obscuring a truth. Another weapon is called Daybreak. Dawn or daybreak suggests the notions of illumination and hope, the beginning of a new day and thus a chance for happiness and improvement. Sunrise is a symbol of birth and rebirth, of awakening.

Those aren’t the only weapons suggesting that Aelaeus probably had a love interest. 1001 Nights is an epic collection of Arabic folk tales written during the Islamic Golden Age. Scorned by an unfaithful wife, Shahryar is the sultan of a great empire, but is brokenhearted. Shahryar chose to marry a new virgin woman every day only to kill her the next morning. More and more innocent women die until one day Scheherazade, the daughter of the king's top vizier, offers to marry the king. The sultan and vizier both protest, but Scheherazade insists, all knowing that the night could be her last. That night, she requests the presence of her sister and tells a story that manages to be the beginning of dozens of stories meant to keep her alive. The sultan falls in love with her over 1001 nights and spares her life.

Perhaps Xaldin’s disgust at the power that love has over humans was related to Aelaeus. This also may have been a reason why Aelaeus chose to give up his heart. Was he heartbroken over possible unrequited love? Probably. In the secret ending of BbS, Master Xehanort tells Terra that many seeds have been sown. Telling Braig and Maleficent about Kingdom Hearts was one part of his plans, but what were the others? We never really see what other seeds were planted. Interestingly, one of Xigbar’s weapons is called Cupid’s Arrow in both English and Japanese. It sounds a bit strange at first. But what if it was related to one of the seeds? Maybe Aelaeus was motivated to experiment on the heart hoping he could find a way to be with the one he loves? Or maybe to rid himself of his unrequited romantic desires?

Lexaeus’ Mystery Gear is Monolith. It is a depiction of one of the heads of Easter Island, known as the 'maoi'. They are described in local tradition as having once possessed 'mana', a beneficial power. The islanders have a legend that the statues were moved to the platforms and raised upright by the use of mana, or mind power. Lexaeus’ other weapons show that he is dedicated to mastery of his mind and body. He probably struggled to master his heart, though. The maoi could also be a reference to Lexaues’ mysterious and quiet personality. Easter Island is regarded as one of the most mysterious places on Earth.

[mangafeeds]

Master of Gu.

Alternative : Reverend Insanity; Gu Daoist Master

Master of Gu summary: A story of a villain, Fang Yuan who was reborn 500 years into the past with the ChunQiu Cicada he painstakingly refined. With his profound wisdom, battle and life experiences, he seeks to overcome his foes with skill and wit! Ruthless and amoral, he has no need to hold back as he pursues his ultimate goals. In a world of cruelty where one cultivates using Gu - magical creatures of the world - Fang Yuan must rise up above all with his own power. -------------------------------- Gu is a legendary venomous insect, often used in black magic practices. It can take on the form of several insects, usually snakes, crickets, worms etc. #MangaFeeds.com, #ReadFreeMangaOnline MangaFeeds.Com: Read manga online the latest manga comic book, updated daily: https://mangafeeds.com/post/master-of-gu_1585391550

Read more.

[madamlaydebug]

The soul can only return to her divine state after having been purified of her earthly desires. Her reason and free will must take part in the sufferings belonging to the material state, until she attains knowledge and becomes free from desires. For this purpose she clothes herself at certain periods in a physical form (reincarnates as a human being), until she has laid off her desires. The more the soul frees herself from her gross external coats the higher can she rise. - PROCLUS The coiled creative life force at the base of the astral spine, kundalini, has always been symbolized as a serpent. When this creative force is "asleep" in delusion, it flows down and outward and feeds all the senses; uncontrolled, its stinging venom causes insatiable lusts. But when the pure kundalini force is "awakened" by the yogi, it rises to the brain and is transformed into the bliss of Spirit. This uplifting serpentine current is Vasuki, the supreme force for human liberation which begets the offspring of divine realization. -Paramahansa Yogananda “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” (Numbers 21: 6-9 KJV) Here the word Nachash is translated in two ways; a fiery serpent and a serpent of brass. This is because Nachash is translated as “a shining one”, referring to the shining light of illumination. The people of Israel had turned away from God, because of this they were “bitten” by the fiery serpent. "...the Kundalini serpent actually dissolves into light." -Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Pages 95-97 "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:18) "As Moses raised the Serpent in the desert so shall the Son of Man be lifted." (John 3:14) "The ascent of the Kundalini through the medullar canal is a very slow and difficult process. The path of the igneous serpent, from one vertebra to another, signifies terrible ordeals, trials, frightful sacrifices and supreme purification. We must not only kill desire, but moreover, we must kill the very shadow of desire." ~Samuel Aun Weor, The Yellow Book Alchemical Yoga The secret vessels of the alchemist are the organs of his own body, together with their etheric and astral counterparts. The operation is in fact a chemical one, under the direction of man’s self-conscious intelligence, which begins in Divine Mind, but is realized by means of changes effected in his physical body. In consequence of these changes, he becomes a new creature, able to exercise powers which are unknown to the average being – He attains Self-Mastery. The basis of alchemy, like the basis of yoga, is the idea that man is a direct consequence of the perfectly free, unmodified Spirit whence all things proceed. This is the true essence of his being. The Great Work is the direction of energy derived from that essence according to the perceptions of an awakened intelligence – Divine Mind. The preliminary in alchemy is the same as the preliminary step in yoga – that is, to eradicate all impurities and transmute the body into a holy temple of God, purged from all uncleanness. The fire of alchemy is said to be a secret fire, often compared to a serpent or dragon – a fiery force which yogis say is coiled in the Saturn center at the base of the spine. It is named Kundalini. Yoga practice raises this “serpent” power stage by stage, through the seven chakras which alchemy identifies with metals. Paracelsus, like other sages, declares the Great Work to be performed by the aid of Mercury, and that the only other agencies of the art are the powers of the sun and moon. We recognize the importance of the power personified by Mercury; the object of yoga is something which is to be grasped by the mind alone. "Yoga chitta vritti nirodha." (Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 1.2) They also recognize the other two agencies, one hot and fiery called Prana or Surya (Surya meaning “sun”); the other agency cold and moist, named Rayi, the lunar current. In the Daoist system it's called Kan and Li, Fire and Water. The mind of man, his Mercury, is able to discover principles, and to control by suggestion the forces of the subconscious life. It is able to invent and execute new application of methods not provided by nature, thus bringing about a finer adjustment and organization of both environment and organism. The result is the new kind of being, able to receive the influx of energies which would harm an ordinary human body, fraught with impurities. When he becomes illumined, he perceives directly the Truth that he is living the eternal life of the One Power which brings all things into manifestation, and sustains and governs everything in the universe. At the completion of this Work, his transmuted personality expresses nothing but the inwardly perceived impulses of the One Power. He knows, not merely believes, that all his thoughts, acts, and words are direct expressions of God, the One Will. "The old Adamical flesh of death cometh not to the heavenly flesh: No, it belongeth to the earth, to death; but the eternal flesh is hidden in the old earthly man, and it is in the old man, as the fire in iron, or as the gold in the dark stone. This is the noble stone (Lapis Philosophorum), the Philosopher’s Stone, which the Magi find, which tinctureth nature, and generateth a new son in the old. He who findeth that esteemeth more highly of it than of this outward world. He who hath it, and knoweth it, if he seeketh, he may find all things whatsoever are in heaven and earth. It is the Stone which is rejected of the builders, and is the chief corner stone; upon whatsoever it falleth, it grindeth to powder, and kindleth a fire therein." - Jacob Boehme