Chapter 77: The Supreme Vessel of the Nine Provinces
Steward Liu and his men were beaten until they had barely any breath left, lying in the street like dead dogs. Their past actions had been far too excessive, long stirring up public outrage. If not for a few steady elders advising restraint, they would have been beaten to death, causing a loss of life. In the end, the crowd dragged them like dead dogs and tossed them at their own doorsteps. This affair brought great satisfaction to everyone.
At noon, the small restaurant was filled with laughter and joy. Little Tingting’s smile was especially radiant, no longer worried or afraid. Old Uncle Jiang’s pent-up frustration was also released, the wrinkles on his face seeming to smooth out somewhat. He cooked several dishes with a flourish: braised rabbit meat, clear soup rabbit meatballs, sweet-and-sour rabbit ribs, green-leaf-wrapped fragrant chicken, spicy diced chicken, along with some greens and wild fruit-based vegetable dishes.
This meal lasted a long time, punctuated by laughter. The harmonious atmosphere gave Ye Fan the illusion of being back home.
After lunch, Ye Fan went directly into the deep mountains. He began attempting to control the “Divine Patterns,” as this was crucial and important for later cultivation.
Each “Divine Pattern” was like a divine iron chain, swirling above the golden Sea of Suffering. This was the original form condensed from life essence.
Cultivators could forge “Divine Patterns” into various shapes, such as flying knives or daggers, which could be released outside the body to kill enemies, more effective than the patterns themselves. Some would spend considerable time and effort forging original “Divine Patterns” into flying swords, small shields, divine halberds, and the like, making them easier to control and significantly increasing their power in battle.
A few individuals, unafraid of complexity and profundity, would repeatedly temper their “Divine Patterns,” forging them into “Cauldrons,” “Bells,” or “Pagodas,” which could unleash various mysterious powers.
Legend had it that extremely rare cultivators, whose “Divine Patterns” were forged into “Vessels,” might undergo unexpected changes in later stages, with “Dao Trajectories” interwoven within the vessel, granting unfathomable power.
Of course, this probability was very low. Only those with extraordinary talent and immense strength might encounter such fortune.
From past experience, the more complex and profound the “Vessel” forged from original “Divine Patterns,” the greater its power. “Cauldrons,” “Bells,” or “Pagodas,” relatively speaking, had a slightly higher hope of interweaving “Dao Trajectories” within.
Naturally, the more complex the “Vessel,” the harder it was to form. Spending endless energy and time might not even yield a rough outline, wasting years in vain.
Moreover, even if one succeeded by luck and cultivated diligently to later stages, returns were hard to come by. After all, the hope of manifesting “Dao Trajectories” was too slim. For most cultivators, it was merely a legend, exclusive to a few exceptionally brilliant individuals.
Forging original “Divine Patterns” into a “Vessel” was extremely important for cultivators. Everyone took it seriously, as it was the foundation for later “Controlling Objects.”
For instance, Han Feiyu controlled the Green Wood Treasure Seal, Elder Han controlled twelve Green Wood Swords, and the Unscrupulous Taoist wielded various spirit weapons—all on the premise that they had already forged their original “Divine Patterns” into “Vessels,” using those “Vessels” to control and wield various weapons.
The vast majority, after forging their “Divine Patterns” into “Vessels,” would choose spirit treasures of the same shape. Only when both matched could maximum power be unleashed.
Of course, different shapes didn’t mean one couldn’t wield other weapons, but it would result in some reduction in effectiveness.
Some cultivators continuously condensed “Divine Patterns,” repeatedly refining their own “Vessels,” without needing to wield other physical weapons. The “Vessels” they forged were their spirit treasures.
According to the Wheel Sea chapter of the *Dao Scripture*, the four realms—Sea of Suffering, Life Spring, Divine Bridge, and Other Shore—each allowed the forging of one “Vessel.”
Ye Fan was already a cultivator at the Sea of Suffering realm. Now, he would forge his first “Vessel.” He thought carefully about what to choose, as this was a major decision. Once a “Vessel” was forged and took shape, it was very difficult to change.
Moreover, the first “Vessel” was the foundation for the future, far more significant than those forged in other realms.
Having chosen the path of cultivation, everything required long-term consideration. Ye Fan first ruled out ordinary weapons like flying swords, shields, and spears.
Though he knew the hope was slim, he still wished his “Vessel” might one day interweave “Dao Trajectories.” Thus, he decided to choose from among those complex and profound “Vessels.”
“What to choose…” Ye Fan thought seriously and carefully for a long time, then his eyes brightened.
In the end, he made a clear choice: he decided to forge his “Divine Patterns” into a “Cauldron.”
This was not a momentary impulse. Ye Fan had thought it through deeply, not only because he subjectively liked the “Cauldron,” but more importantly, the “Cauldron” was the most mysterious vessel in ancient China.
The cauldron ran through the entire history of ancient China. Mountains and rivers splitting, dynasties changing, feudal lords rising, the unification of the Nine Provinces… all were inseparable from the cauldron. It was the supreme vessel of the Nine Provinces, the sacred artifact of the nation.
“Asking the cauldron in the Central Plains,” “In the prime of the cauldron’s spring”… countless idioms were related to the cauldron, all grand and imposing. The cauldron had a long history in ancient China, the most mysterious “national vessel.” It could even be said that the cauldron could represent ancient China.
How long the history of the Chinese civilization was, it was hard to say. Some things were not recorded or passed down. Ye Fan thought of many things and thus chose the “Cauldron.”
During the pre-Qin period, many sacred emperors and ancient emperors performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, including seventy-two ancient emperors like Fuxi, Shennong, and the Yellow Emperor. Now, in Ye Fan’s view, there was too much mystery. From his own experiences, it wasn’t hard to see that ancient China was shrouded in endless fog.
Ancient China seemed to have an extremely mysterious period, a time buried in the vast river of history. From various clues, one could sense that ancient ancestors seemed to possess extraordinary powers.
And the “Cauldron,” as the most mysterious vessel passed down from that era, was naturally valued highly by Ye Fan. As the most important sacred artifact running through ancient Chinese history, it was rightfully chosen as his “Supreme Vessel.”
For this choice, Ye Fan was full of confidence. It was the crystallization of ancient China, most suitable as his first “Vessel” and “Foundation.”
Cauldrons also came in various forms. The most famous were the three-legged round cauldron and the four-legged square cauldron. Which to choose? Ye Fan pondered again.
“The three-legged, two-eared round cauldron appeared earlier…” He gradually formed a decision in his mind.
Besides the earlier origin, there were other reasons. Thinking from his current identity as a cultivator, he felt the three-legged round cauldron contained certain inexplicable principles.
Three legs were more stable than four, the most stable form. And the round shape contained broader and deeper Dao and meaning than the square.
Three legs represented stability, firmness, certainty, and solidity!
Roundness represented heaven, earth, the universe, and stars. Legend had it that when Pangu split heaven and earth, he broke open a circle, shattering a spherical space—the evolutionary process of primordial chaos. Roundness represented the origin.
“Yes, I’ll choose the three-legged round cauldron!” After careful consideration and deliberation, Ye Fan made this important decision.
Forging original “Divine Patterns” into a vessel was not easy. It was a arduous and lengthy process, impossible to accomplish in one go.
First, one had to determine the form of the “Vessel,” firmly imprinting it in the sea of the mind. From then on, it would serve as a reference for forging, allowing no flaw.
Ye Fan held the Bodhi Seed, sinking into a state of ethereal emptiness. He engraved the image in his mind, using his divine sense to simulate nineteen “Divine Patterns,” then began forging them, first setting the form in his sea of mind.
Through unremitting effort, the nineteen “Divine Patterns” melted, eventually condensing into a golden cauldron the size of a bean, shining brightly, perfectly formed.
But Ye Fan was not entirely satisfied. He felt something was missing. The form was perfect, but it lacked Dao resonance.
“Ah, that’s it. It’s missing the cauldron ears.”
Ye Fan began forging again. The bean-sized golden cauldron slowly had a pair of ears forged onto it.
The moment this golden cauldron was formed in his mind, Ye Fan immediately felt a natural charm. He was quite satisfied, unable to help muttering to himself: “One cauldron, two ears, three legs. Yes, Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things. All things bear Yin and embrace Yang, blending Qi to achieve harmony…”
The more Ye Fan looked, the more satisfied he felt. The bean-sized golden cauldron grew increasingly profound in his eyes, finally filling his sea of mind completely, becoming ancient, grand, and natural.
“Yes, this is it!”
Ye Fan finalized the form. The three-legged round cauldron was forever engraved in his heart. From now on, he would forge such a real “Cauldron” in his Sea of Suffering.
“The most mysterious vessel running through the entire history of ancient China…” Ye Fan’s heart was full of anticipation.