Dragon Domain

Introduction

Volume 1 True Dragon of the Purple Void Chapter 1 Dragon Veins and Dragon Domains

Dragons, in Chinese mythology and legends, are mystical creatures with the body of a snake, legs of a lizard, claws of an eagle, a tail of a snake, antlers of a deer, scales of a fish, whiskers at the corners of their mouths, and a pearl beneath their foreheads. The Shan Hai Jing records that figures like Xia Hou Qi, Ru Shou, and Gu Mang are all riding the rain dragon. Other texts mention Zhuan Xu riding a dragon to the four seas and Emperor Ku riding a dragon in spring and summer. Ancients classified dragons into four types: those with scales are called jiao dragons, those with wings are called ying dragons, those with horns are called qiu dragons, and those without horns are called chi dragons. Some believe this image was formed by merging the totems of various clans after the ancient Yan and Huang united the tribes of the Central Plains. Legends say they can appear and disappear, ascending to the heavens in spring and diving into the depths in autumn. They can also summon clouds and bring rain, later becoming a symbol of imperial power, with emperors throughout history claiming to be dragons and using dragon motifs in their artifacts. The ancestors of the Chinese revered dragons as ancestral gods, and the Chinese often refer to themselves as descendants of the dragon...
There are many legends about dragons and various derivatives related to them, such as the well-known 'dragon veins' often heard in feng shui!
The so-called dragon veins refer to mountain ranges. Gathering the spiritual energy of the sun, moon, and mountains, they are called auspicious dragons. The dragon is the mountain, and mountain ranges are like families, passed down through generations, hence the search for ancestors, meaning to find the place where parents reside, the very high mountains, the origin of the mountain range, called the ancestral mountain, which practitioners usually refer to as the ancestral peak. The highest point of the ancestral peak forms a sharp shape, the sharp part is the dragon tower, the flat part is the treasure hall, often shrouded in mist and clouds, and these ancestral peaks often correspond with the undulating mountain peaks, also known as the surrounding mountains protecting it.
How to identify a dragon? A true dragon is always located in the middle of the surrounding mountains, with supporting mountains behind it, welcoming mountains in front, guarding mountains on the sides, and entwining mountains nearby. The greatness of the dragon god, whether high, medium, or low, is judged by the number of beautiful and foolish mountains that support, welcome, guard, and entwine it. The more beautiful mountains there are, the more precious the dragon god. The supreme and purest is called the domain, the dragon's domain, the manifestation of the dragon domain is formless, can be large or small, square or round, and changes in myriad ways.
Ancient texts record the mysteries of the dragon domain: The dragon domain must have a natural momentum, and this natural momentum must be guided by water. The dragon domain must have natural water to define its boundaries. If there is unity without division, the momentum is unclear; if there is division without unity, then its stopping point is not true. The division and unity of water reveal the rise and fall of the dragon domain. If there is unity without division, then its momentum is difficult to discern.
In a certain place within the Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, the mountains are stacked and overlapping, the main mountain range rises from the heights to the flatlands, stretching and undulating, just like a dragon unfurling its tent. The so-called tent refers to the mountain range descending from high to low, continuing and expanding, the dragon unfurls its tent, the true dragon is precious, the vein emerges from the heart vein to begin its respect, meaning just that. For thousands of years, it has been said to be the birthplace of the Guoluo Tibetan people, and the local Tibetan people have referred to it as the sacred mountain for generations. This mountain, with its sparsely populated primitive appearance, unpredictable climate, magnificent lakes and mountains, rare and unique plateau wildlife, and rich and beautiful folklore, is shrouded in a thick layer of mystery...
On a night in September 2012, during a full moon, the once silent primeval forest suddenly erupted with startled birds, as three dark figures flew across the sky at an almost indistinguishable speed from three directions, almost simultaneously pouncing on a mountain peak surrounded by a halo of light, resembling a dragon's head raised high. From a distance, under the night sky, this halo of light appeared hazy and circular, subtly echoing with the bright moon above.
Just as the three figures were about to pounce, an anomaly occurred. The halo of light seemed to be attracted by the moon's energy, detaching from the mountain and accelerating upward, and in the blink of an eye, it reached mid-air. After a slight pause, it suddenly shot eastward like a meteor, vanishing in an instant, leaving the three standing below in shock, looking at each other...
After the halo of light ascended, under the bright moonlight, the once vibrant mountain peak suddenly dimmed, losing all vitality. Although it couldn't be said that there were any obvious changes, the three standing above deeply felt the entire process of this transformation from 'life' to 'nothingness.'
After a long while, one of the dark figures, illuminated by the moonlight, turned out to be an elderly man dressed in plain clothes, around sixty years old, but strangely, he had a Taoist bun on his head, different from ordinary people. Among the other two dark figures, one was actually a monk dressed in a short monk's robe, with two low-hanging white eyebrows, paired with two rows of scar marks on his head, and a rosy face, resembling a high monk. The last one appeared normal, dressed in a casual Zhongshan suit, with fair skin that faintly glowed under the moonlight, and with his tall stature, he stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of elegance...
The elderly man with the Taoist bun spoke first: Haha, I didn't expect to meet Master Xuan Chan of Shaolin and the mad Confucian Leng Jianfeng here, haha, what a coincidence! We old geezers meet again. Master Xuan Chan, do you still remember our old friend Xian Yun? Haha, it’s been over a hundred years since we last parted at Qingcheng Mountain...
A loud voice simultaneously broke the silence of the mountains, coming from the one called Master Xuan Chan: Haha, you old bull's nose, last time you left, you tricked me out of a jar of good wine and then disappeared without a trace. I've been thinking about it all this time, haha, but old bull's nose, don't call me Shaolin Xuan Chan anymore. I've left Shaolin, my Dharma name is not Chan, and now I'm just a free and easy wandering monk!
Hearing this, the Taoist Xian Yun asked in surprise: What happened, Master? Why did you leave Shaolin for no reason?
Bu Chan replied calmly: Actually, it’s nothing much. I voluntarily proposed it. When my senior brother passed away, he insisted on passing the position of the sect leader to me. With my personality, how could I be interested in that? Not only is it rigid and unyielding, but I also have to adhere to many rules and set a good example for my disciples. Isn’t that asking for my life? Sigh, forget it, rather than stay in Shaolin, I’d rather drink and eat meat alone, wandering the world is much more enjoyable, haha...
Indeed, a wine and meat monk! Once we go out, let’s find a place to drink heavily and catch up...
Haha, that’s exactly what I was thinking!
While the Taoist and the monk were chatting happily, the mad Confucian Leng Jianfeng remained silent, still standing with his hands behind his back, expressionless, quietly listening...
Clearly, the two speakers noticed this oddity, and it was still Xian Yun who awkwardly spoke up: Haha, look at us, we’ve been chatting endlessly and have neglected our brother the mad Confucian. Don’t mind us, don’t mind us...
Bu Chan quickly joined his hands together and said: Yes, Amitabha, my apologies, my apologies...
The mad Confucian did not pick up the topic, only coldly said in his usual aloof tone: I didn’t come here to reminisce. I didn’t expect to encounter you two here. The dragon domain has ascended, and I’ve observed the celestial phenomena recently; the signs of fortune and misfortune are unclear. If this dragon domain falls into the hands of evil people, the world will be in chaos. You two continue your chat; I’ll take my leave first... Before he finished speaking, a dark figure had already shot into the sky, vanishing quickly into the night. He was actually flying using qi; could it be that this world truly has legendary immortal beings?
Leaving behind a monk and a Taoist in astonishment, but fortunately, both were outsiders, carefree in nature, and soon exchanged smiles. It was still Xian Yun who spoke first: The mad Confucian is still as impatient as ever!
Bu Chan replied: Haha, with his temperament, for him to leave after we finish talking and say goodbye is already quite respectful.
Xian Yun said: Thinking about it, he has always acted according to his own will. Don’t be fooled by his elegant appearance; his temper is even more explosive than mine as a stinky Taoist. Back in the day, with his Qingfeng Tianjue in hand, not only did evil beings fear him, but even righteous people avoided him like the plague.
Bu Chan said: Everyone has their own fate, and one cannot force it. Although the mad Confucian acts independently, what he does is filled with righteousness, and his heart can reflect the moon!
Xian Yun quickly said: Master speaks the truth...
Haha, let’s not talk about him anymore. By the way, old bull's nose, how did you also come out to find this dragon domain?
Sigh, speaking of this, it’s a long story. I just recently left my retreat and found that the world has changed drastically. Now, what they call technology is truly everywhere, forcing me to have no choice but to wander again. After much difficulty, I finally found a beautiful secret place, just preparing to enter seclusion and absorb the energy of heaven and earth, but at night, I observed the celestial phenomena and noticed something unusual in the southwest. So I divined and found that there was a dragon energy stirring, a sign of choosing land and a master. I was deeply afraid that this dragon energy would be exploited by wicked people, so I hurried here, but I didn’t expect this was not just any dragon energy, but the true domain of the supreme dragon. Unfortunately, I still arrived a step too late, letting it ascend and choose a master. It seems that fate is hard to contend with, fate is hard to defy! Master, let’s walk and talk; there’s no rush. This dragon domain won’t fly far; during the day it cannot move, it will definitely find a place to rest, and only at night will it continue to ascend and choose a master. We just need to follow its direction...
Oh, I see, good! Let’s walk and chat; I also... As the words faded, two fast-moving figures vanished into the night, and the bright moonlight poured down, restoring the forest to its original silence...