Chapter 103: The Dark Art, Walking the Path of Light

A boiling, fervent sensation surged within his body, greedily absorbing the sacred water of the Yellow Springs. His skin gradually transitioned from a pale gold to a deep, crimson gold, while his bone marrow, skeleton, and meridians grew robust and crystal-clear at a visible rate.

Before him, a figure slowly coalesced, bearing a ninety-percent resemblance to Chu Youcai, possessing a dignified and imposing air. Surrounding this form were seven items: a wheel, an elephant, a horse, a jewel, a queen, a householder, and a minister of war. These objects circled the figure like stars flanking the moon, guarding it tightly.

Witnessing this, the Judge gasped, "How is this possible? This is the Avatar Technique of the Great Wheel-Turning Saint King! An extraordinary avatar possessing the Seven Treasures and Four Virtues! How could the Great Wheel-Turning Saint King transmit this art to you? Impossible! It is impossible!" He descended into a state of near-hysteria.

Just then, a flash of light appeared before Chu Youcai, and a man manifested, gazing intently at him. The man was surrounded by numerous golden wheels, and his golden headgear bore the inscription: "King of the Turning Wheel."

Chu Youcai noticed that the figure was a mere projection, not a physical manifestation. Yet, he was still captivated by the man's appearance and aura. He bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Wheel-Turning Saint King."

This avatar had indeed been granted by the Wheel-Turning King.

The Wheel-Turning King said indifferently, "You possess great fortune and profound wisdom, commanding the respect of all. That is why I have bestowed this avatar upon you."

Chu Youcai nodded, "My thanks, Saint King."

"The Seven Treasures and Four Virtues work as follows: the Seven Treasures act as attendants to your avatar, capable of forming a chariot, while the Four Virtues represent four types of fortune: longevity, freedom from illness, radiant beauty, and abundant wealth. If your loved ones remain with this avatar for long, they too may gradually share in these fortunes."

"However, you must refine a soul for each of the Seven Treasures to manifest the Four Virtues," the Wheel-Turning King instructed.

Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai felt a jolt. This avatar, with its Seven Treasures and Four Virtues, was a chariot capable of granting health and prosperity. If he could master it, those around him could stay in its presence and live free from sickness and disaster. Such a function alone was enough to make countless people covet it. This technique was truly a miracle of the mortal realm.

The Judge stared, his eyes filled with envy, distraction, and rage. He had never imagined the long-slumbering Wheel-Turning King would awaken for a mere mortal, let alone bestow such a divine treasure. Consumed by anger, he raised his flagon and drank deeply. The aroma of wine permeated the air, and as he drank, his agitation slowly subsided. Wine was his lifeblood; it restored his peace of mind. Knowing his temperament, many fine spirits were kept in the hall, a rarity indeed.

Then, his gaze turned cold as he fixed it on Chu Youcai. Though the mortal had passed this test, he would ensure Chu Youcai never formed his Natal Demon Lamp.

After expressing his gratitude to the Wheel-Turning King, Chu Youcai used his spirit to perceive the avatar. In that moment, he felt an anomaly in the starry sky above. He looked up. A certain star in the heavens seemed to flicker with a brilliance so intense that he felt instinctively it was his Natal Demon Lamp.

"Is it that one? If I attain it, I shall possess the art of the demon!"

At this moment, Chu Youcai was filled with ambition. He was only one step away from the demon arts; once the Natal Demon Lamp was formed, he would be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate, free to roam the vast seas and skies.

He said firmly to the Judge, "Then, let the second trial begin."

The Judge, startled from his stupor, downed the remaining wine near his lips and curled his mouth into a mocking smile. "Mortal, you are indeed greedy. Do you not know that greed is the greatest original sin? Since you insist on the final trial of the Natal Demon Lamp, I shall satisfy you!"

"For this trial, you must write a poem within the span of one incense stick that resonates with this hell! Furthermore, there are special restrictions on the verse."

The Judge’s eyes glinted with sarcasm. Having observed Chu Youcai, he had identified his greatest weakness. This mortal possessed such wisdom, yet he ignored Daoist arts and literary cultivation, coming instead to the ghost realm to learn demon arts. Why? The reason was simple: Chu Youcai lacked poetic talent!

The Judge drank deeply again, his voice cracking like thunder. "The mortal world is different from the ghost realm. Ghosts have demon arts and ghost paths; humans have Daoist arts and literary spirit. It is because humans harbor attachments after death that they become ghosts. But the mortal world has its laws, and the ghost realm has its own rules. Humans and ghosts are of different paths; they cannot coexist! You are a mortal, yet you seek to learn demon arts—is this not a reversal of yin and yang, a disruption of fortune? How can heaven and earth tolerate such a person?"

He took a deep breath. "I was a demon in my previous life. I saw countless humans engage in treachery and deceit, killing brothers and shedding blood. I hated humanity, and for that, I slaughtered thousands of those wretched souls. But the mortal world saw me as a demon, claiming I deserved death, and destroyed me. Fortunately, I held onto my obsession. After entering the ghost realm, I reshaped my form and finally became a Judge."

"So, most humans are hypocrites! Everyone speaks of fairness, but where is there any true justice?"

"By what right do you seek to possess our dark arts and then return to the mortal world to walk your path of light?" The Judge’s tone was harsh. "Tell me, use your poetry, use your literary talent!"

Literary spirit, demon arts, and Daoist arts were vastly different, but few knew that while their cultivation methods differed, they shared common ground during advancement. Thus, using poetry for the final assessment of a demon art was not entirely unreasonable.

Chu Youcai took a deep breath. "You became intoxicated and committed crimes; is it the wine that was wrong?"

The Judge replied without hesitation, "Of course not."

Chu Youcai nodded. "If the wine itself is not at fault, then demon arts and Daoist arts are the same; there is no right or wrong in them."

The Judge was stunned.

Chu Youcai continued, "There is a saying: 'If one does good without intent, it is not rewarded; if one does evil without intent, it is not punished.' Therefore, the means are not what matters; the true crux lies in the talent born of heaven and earth—to ask nothing of one's conscience and follow the path of righteousness within!"

As he spoke, he felt countless forces surging around him. In the distance, the Blood Pool began to boil, and the power of that seething blood rushed toward him. The energy within that blood was even more potent than the blood of fierce ghosts, continuously cleansing his marrow and making his body feel as if it were about to burst. The river of blood within him threatened to become a sea.

Chu Youcai inhaled deeply and recited in a low, resonant voice:

"Do you not see the Yellow River's waters descend from the sky, rushing to the sea, never to return?
Do you not see, in the high hall, the mirror lamenting white hair, morning like black silk, evening turned to snow?
In life, one must find joy to the fullest; do not let the golden flagon face the moon alone.
Heaven made me with talent, and it will be used; if a thousand gold coins are spent, they shall return..."

As he recited, flames of heaven and earth ignited, engulfing his entire body. It was the primordial fire, capable of incinerating all things. Even with his incomparable physique, he felt a pain so intense it caused his body to spasm; he felt as if he were being torn apart. But Chu Youcai knew this was the critical moment. Only by enduring the suffering others could not, and by maintaining his path with an unyielding will, could he achieve greatness.

He continued to chant:

"...The bells, the drums, the delicacies are not worth valuing; I only wish to be long-intoxicated and never wake.
Since ancient times, all sages have been lonely; only the drinkers leave their names behind."

Those near him who loved wine felt their blood boil, their spirits soaring, seized by an indescribable euphoria.

Chu Youcai finished:

"...Five-flowered horses, furs worth a thousand gold—call the boy to exchange them for fine wine, to melt away the sorrows of ten thousand ages with you."

His voice was as firm as iron and as vast as the ocean. After the poem concluded, he added, "As long as everyone has a clear conscience, the laws of heaven will naturally cycle!"

"And as for my practice of demon arts—as long as I hold to my true heart, this dark path will, in time, shine with brilliance!"