《上清元始变化宝真上经九灵太妙龟山玄箓》Vol. 3

The Lower Origin (the original Qi in the lower part of the body) nurtures and sustains, drawing the physical form away from the dusty world and back to its true nature. The Three Origins—the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins—merge as one, and I receive the Qi of nature. Sacred talismans fill the body and protect it; royal Qi rises like smoke. The Upper Origin gathers essence and Qi, the Middle Origin transforms into Shen, and the Lower Origin nurtures and sustains, drawing the physical form away from the dusty world and back to its true nature. The Three Origins unite, and I receive the Qi of nature; sacred talismans protect body and mind, while royal Qi rises like smoke. The inside is clear and pure, the outside radiant, and the Child (a symbol of the pure original nature) is at peace. Flying rosy clouds are summoned, and one ascends to the Emperor’s Pavilion, where the Heavenly Emperor dwells. When the ritual is complete, swallow the Qi five times, then stop.

The method for transmitting the Great Register, an important Daoist talismanic register, must follow the Clear Statutes of the Four Extremities, which govern transmission. It may be transmitted only three times in seven hundred years; if a suitable candidate appears within a hundred years, it may be transmitted once more. Master and disciple must fast and purify themselves for a hundred days, or at least seventy. The disciple must prepare nine liang of fine gold, forty-seven feet of crimson silk brocade, twenty-two feet of blue cloth, and one golden dragon and one jade fish. They then ascend the altar and swear their covenant, facing north. The master reports to the Nine Heavens and transmits the register, while the disciple opens their heart and receives the talismanic register from Heaven. If the master disregards the prescribed intervals for transmission, they will face the ordeal of wind-blades. If the disciple lacks sincerity yet presumptuously seeks the true Dao, they show contempt for the Heavenly Treasure and will ultimately lose all their wealth, perish, and sink into the source of the river; they will never attain immortality. The Heavenly Statutes warn of this and require careful understanding and observance.

End of the middle scroll of the Supreme Scripture of the Ninefold Numinous Marvels of the Primordial Beginning, the Precious Truth of Transformation, and the Mysterious Register of Tortoise Mountain.

Lower Scroll:

The Eight Sages of the Mysterious Capital of the Nine Heavens in Shangqing roam through the void. Their numinous feet pass beyond the Jade Hall, and their forms appear amid the purple clarity of the Great Mystery.

The eight holy perfected beings of the Highest Clarity’s Nine Heavens and Mysterious Capital roamed through the void. Their divine strides crossed beyond the Jade Hall, and their forms appeared in the realm of Purple Clarity and Great Mystery. The Jade Emperor rode in a dragon-drawn jade carriage pulled by nine phoenixes, wandering amid five-colored flying clouds. Twelve dragons drew the imperial carriage, accompanied by twenty-four celestial officials and twenty-four Jade Maidens. Eight luan birds, white swans, and nine phoenixes flew in formations like clouds. The procession included nine-colored ceremonial standards, splendid banners of the Ten Absolutes, and canopies of the Three Heavens’ treasures. The celestial assembly of the Nine Heavens rode flying mounts through the skies, making straight for the famed mountains of the Five Sacred Peaks.

There they met the Perfected Lords of the Five Sacred Peaks. Together, they declared their intention to go to the Eight-Scenery Cavern of Mount Gui and pay their respects to the Perfected One, the Most High Jade Emperor. In the cavern’s Golden Hall, they swore an oath to Heaven using green rings. They were granted permission to copy the scriptures kept within the cavern and have their names inscribed in the Heavenly Books. Jade characters were engraved on golden slips as tokens of their oath, binding them to guard the mysterious and wondrous pledge.

In the Highest Clarity’s Jade Writ of the Great Empyrean, the radiance of the sun and moon surged and shimmered. Jie Lin and Yu Yi, the lunar and solar deities, descended, along with the Nine Mothers who consumed sacred fungi, the Five Emperors, the Perfected Lords, and the Ladies. In the space of a single day and night, the great saints and divine officials of Heaven and Earth, the sun and moon, and the Ten Directions gathered on the terrace of Mount Gui. They laid out golden couches and jade-green mats, assembling the holy beings of the many heavens. Then they performed the Hundred Arts of Cloud-Shao, praising the void and the natural order. A hundred kinds of music answered one another as all present sang the oath-song. Their voices reached the Nine Heavens, where they were answered by the Heavenly King, the Emperor Lord of Jade Capital.

Once a numinous chapter had been composed, its recipients were granted the divine officials and troops of Mount Gui: a thousand carriages and ten thousand attendants on horseback, along with Perfected registrars, Flying Generals, Talisman Officers, Jade Youths, divine maidens, envoys, and other officials—nine hundred million in all. They received the true talismans of the Nine Heavens, the Heavenly Books with their jade characters, and the Mysterious Song sung by the Twelve Phoenixes. The text was divided into upper and lower scrolls and stored on the Golden Terrace in the Purple Chamber of the Nine Heavens. Wrapped in brocade and placed in a golden coffer, it was secured behind a silver gate in a jade chamber. The Purple Tenuity Lady was then commanded to take it out and bestow it.

On the day the seal was opened, a clear breeze passed through the trees. The Three Pure Clouds, auspicious clouds in Daoist tradition, illuminated the Ten Directions, and divine light shone upon the chamber of the Golden Terrace. The Purple Tenuity Lady knelt in reverence to receive the text. The Supreme King of the True Demons of the Nine Heavens leapt with joy and bowed to her.

The Correct Text of the Nine Heavens arose spontaneously from the Supreme Clarity’s Mysterious Ancient One. At the beginning of that day, a fresh breeze parted the trees, the clouds and Qi in the ten directions—the four quarters, above, and below—shone brightly, and divine light illuminated the halls of the Golden Terrace. Lady Ziwei knelt to receive the scripture. The True Demon King of the Nine Heavens, too, leapt for joy, bowed, and offered congratulations.

The Supreme Clarity’s Mysterious Ancient One, the Jade Emperor Lord of the Nine Heavens, Natural Emptiness, and the Cavern of Truth, expounded this Correct Text in a cavern hall on Mount Huashan, at the Jade Capital of Mysterious Clouds and Emerald Plumes. At that time, four hundred million billion golden youths and nine hundred million billion jade maidens stood in attendance on either side. The cavern hall’s floor was paved with gold, and its couches were made of silver. When the Celestial Worthy descended, a mat of yellow and dark cloud-brocade was laid out. The assembled Immortal Spirit Kings respectfully entreated him, kneeling with backs straight as they asked the Mysterious Emperor of the Nine Heavens:

“We have heard that the Great Ones and Sages of the Most High sing wondrous verses and jade hymns, whose radiance shines upon Cinnabar Blossoms. Emerald phoenixes soar as they ride dragon chariots, journeying far to the imperial capital of the Supreme Lord. There they sing together the Numinous Hymn of the Nine Shao and Great Harmony. They inscribe the true writings of the Cavern Mystery on stone, to clarify the Register of the Supreme Mystery of the Upper Origin at Turtle Mountain and to bring harmony among the Immortals in the Cavern Chambers of the Nine Heavens. The True King of Jade Emptiness orders the Demon-Spirit Banners to inspect the texts concerning the sun and moon in the thirty-two heavens. The spirits send clouds and rain to nourish the world below; all the flowers sprout together, and emerald trees, jade branches, green leaves, red blossoms, fragrant gardens, fruit groves, and the Seven Treasures and Three Luminaries all appear.

“The High Sages and Celestial Worthies, Jade Youths of Highest Clarity, True-Hua Jade Maidens, and others teach and transform living beings in the chambers of the Forest of Jade. Ministers, emperors, rulers of states, the Jade Lords of the Four Heavens, Han, Director of the Han, officials of the ten directions and masters of the Immortals, and the Human-Sky Hundredfold Demon Kings all soar through the air, protecting and teaching living beings. They ride jade chariots that cover heaven and earth and fly like clouds, drawn by twelve hundred dark dragon chariots. Amid thunder and lightning, their radiance illuminates the ten directions. They descend to my dwelling, bow and kneel, and praise and sing in response.

“Fragrant flowers drift down from the heavens, and a hundred kinds of music sound at once. Jingle and jade stones ring out, naturally forming the sounds of bells and chimes. The heavens perform music, while the Seven Treasures, Three Lights, and harmonious melodies shine together, and the Immortals rejoice among themselves. Then the Demon Ghosts, Evil Essences, and Celestial Emperors of the Nine Heavens are summoned and ordered to stand beside the seats. Flying-cloud feather canopies, twelve-faced colored banners, ceremonial flags and staffs, and drums and music are arrayed before the Emperor. The heavens sing together, reciting praises and sharing in their joy.

“The Twelve Celestial Worthies and the assembled Immortal officials each recite and praise the verses of the Jade Treasures of the Cavern Spirit: Chapters of the Three Origins.”

The circling wind is swift yet gentle, like a canopy of ceremonial standards. Ten holy perfected beings attend the honored deity on an excursion. Wondrous melodies answer the divine banners, while purple carriages drift amid auspicious radiance. The Heavenly Venerables of Great Clarity descend to a corner of the Jade Capital. The assembled immortals play music and roam in delight, and every harmonious sound resounds of its own accord all around. Together they rejoice, dancing among flower shadows like clouds. The joy of the perfected immortals is beyond words.

In the Seven Treasures Grove, where the jade tortoise dwells, the immortals sing in praise and pray to follow the same Way together. Crimson radiance shines upon the essences of the sun and moon, stirring feelings in my heart as I linger. The immortals recite the proclamations of the Heavenly Emperor; no celebration can compare with this one. The heavens chant Brahma’s tones—pure and solemn sacred songs—whose distant sound drifts toward the clouds. The assembled sages sing the immortal melodies of the clouds, while jade maidens sing songs of wondrous mystery. Together they visit the abode of the Queen Mother of the West, wandering through the Observatory on the Jade Terrace.

The immortals’ faces are as beautiful as jade, their radiance surpassing that of fragrant herbs and orchids. Together they rinse their mouths and drink from the clear spring in the Jade Pool, while the treasured grove of Mount Kunlun shines anew. Dragons soar and dance; the Purple Phoenix Altar gleams bright and clear. In the evening they visit Penglai Island; by morning they gather at the Banquet of Radiant Splendor. The immortals roam in the Eastern Hall, their flowing radiance finding expression in written words.

The Officers of Merit of the Nine Elders of Shangqing, Naturally Formed Cavern of Emptiness, and Numinous Perfection—divine officials who convey documents and assist with affairs in the Shangqing heavens—scatter radiance like crimson blossoms. The sovereign of the Nine Elders and Highest Sages reveals auspicious signs. In accordance with the canonical text of the Emperor of Radiant Splendor, the Original Void, and the Mountain of Jade Radiance, the document was issued on the seventh day of the first month, in the year Shangjia of the first year of the Human Emperor, at the Terrace of Chaos, in the Hall of the Seven Treasures and Jade Grove.

The Jade Emperor of the Three Origins, who governs the Three Origins of Heaven, Earth, and Water, commands the Nine Heavens’ Office of Documents to transmit it to the True Lords, the Nine Emperors of the Crimson Elders. This text must not be handed around for a crowd to inspect, nor may ranks of different grades be mixed together for viewing. Only those who meet the requirements may be regarded as Highest Perfected. All must carry out the command in accordance with the prescribed rites.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Upper Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Middle Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Lower Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Front Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Rear Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

The True Ones, Sacred Treasures of the Officers of Merit of the Left Division of Shangqing’s Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight: one hundred thousand in all.

There are one hundred thousand True Persons, Sacred Treasures, of the Right Division of Meritorious Officers of the Upper Clarity, Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight. Here, “Meritorious Officers” refers to divine officials who relay commands and handle affairs.

There are one hundred thousand True Persons, Sacred Treasures, of the General Division of Meritorious Officers of the Upper Clarity, Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight. “General Division” refers to the central office overseeing all divisions.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Upper Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void. “Direct Talisman Bearers” are divine officials who stand watch by command and transmit talismanic orders.

The Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are one hundred thousand True Persons, Sacred Treasures, of the General Division of Meritorious Officers of the Upper Clarity, Empty Cavern, Natural Numinous Flight.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Upper Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Middle Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Lower Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Front Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Rear Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Left Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the Right Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are nine hundred billion billion divine officials of the General Division, Direct Talisman Bearers of the Jade Emperor of the Upper Origin, Natural Cavern of Truth, and Numinosity of the Void.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Upper Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance. “Spirit messengers” are divine envoys charged with conveying commands and carrying out affairs.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Middle Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Lower Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Front Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Rear Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Left Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Right Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Left Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

There are eighty billion ninety million spirit messengers of the Right Division of the Clear Cavern, Sovereign Void, and True Radiance.

The Spirit-Flying Messengers of the Cavern-Clearing, Imperial Void, True Landscape Bureau each number eighty-nine billion.

Above the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed feather canopies, each number nine hundred million layers.

In the middle, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade belonging to the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, with their naturally formed jade chariots, each number nine hundred million layers.

Below, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade belonging to the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, with their naturally formed cloud chariots, each number nine hundred million layers.

Before the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed cloud chariots, each number nine hundred million layers.

Behind the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed green chariots, each number nine hundred million layers.

To the left of the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed phoenix wings, each number nine hundred million layers.

To the right of the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed flying hornless dragons, each number nine hundred million layers.

The True Jade Carriages of the Supreme True Nine Elders, with their naturally formed phoenix wings, each number nine hundred million layers.

To the right of the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed flying hornless dragons, each number nine hundred million layers.

At the center of the Supreme True Nine Elders and the Supreme Clarity Imperial True Jade Emperor, the Spirit-Flying Carriages of Jade, with their naturally formed dragon chariots, each number nine hundred million layers.

The Generals of the Upper, Middle, Lower, Front, Rear, Left, and Right Divisions of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Middle Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Lower Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Front Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Rear Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Left Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Right Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry; the Generals of the Rear Division of the Mountain each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Left Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

The Generals of the Right Division of Tortoise Mountain, bearing the efficacious Elixir Registers and Red Talismans from the Clear Void Jade Capital, each command ninety million cavalry.

In the Jade Capital of Clear Emptiness (the pure, luminous celestial realm), the Upper Numina’s Elixir-Crimson Registers—elixir-colored registers and red talismanic credentials borne by high-ranking spirit officials—and the generals of Guishan command each have ninety million cavalry attendants.

In the Jade Clarity Heaven’s Upper Origin, the Supreme Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave, traveling through the radiant landscape of the chaotic purple void, each have seventy million chariots.

Dwelling in this same celestial realm, the Middle Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave each have seventy million chariots; so do the Lower, Foremost, Rear, Left, and Right Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave. The Metropolitan Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave also each have seventy million chariots. The scripture then repeats the entries for the Right Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave, and for the Metropolitan Perfected Jade Youths and the Perfected Ones of Guishan Cave, each with seventy million chariots.

In the realm of the nine colors of natural emptiness in the Jade Capital of the Purple Emperor, the Upper Immortals’ Elixir Radiance Ninefold Flower Jade Maidens each have seventy million layers.

The Middle, Lower, Foremost, Rear, and Left Immortals’ Elixir Radiance Ninefold Flower Jade Maidens likewise each have seventy million layers. The Right Immortals’ Elixir Radiance Ninefold Flower Jade Maidens of the realm of the nine colors of natural emptiness in the Jade Capital of the Purple Emperor also each have seventy million layers.

In the Jade Capital of the Purple Sovereign (the Purple Tenuity Heavenly Emperor), the Jade Maidens of Emptiness and Spontaneity, the Nine-Colored Celestial Immortals, and the Nine Radiances of Cinnabar Light each number seventy million ranks.

Beneath the Upper Primordial Purple Writ of the Numinous Cavern of Jade Void, each of the nine celestial maidens numbers seventy million ranks.

In the Jade Capital of the Purple Sovereign, the Jade Maidens of Emptiness and Spontaneity, the Nine-Colored Celestial Immortals, and the Nine Radiances of Cinnabar Light each number seventy million ranks.

Under the command of the Nine Perfected Ones of the Upper Primordial Purple Writ of the Numinous Cavern of Jade Void are the Golden Radiance Jade Youths of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Sages; the Front and Rear Sages; the Left and Right Sages; and the Metropolitan Sages. Each group numbers seventy million ranks.

Under the command of the Ninefold Mystery Superior Perfected Ones, the Flying Radiances, Seven Luminaries, and Turtle Mountain, the Blue-Waisted Jade Maidens of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Cinnabar fields, and of the Front, Rear, and Left, number thirty million in each group.

Here, ranks and directions designate the celestial perfected beings, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens. The phrases “tens of millions of ranks” and “tens of millions in number” convey immense quantities, depicting a vast celestial host arranged in tier upon tier. “Blue-Waisted Jade Maidens” is a title for female immortals within the celestial hierarchy.

Among the right-rank cinnabar-and-azure-waisted jade maidens under the command of the Ninefold Sublime Perfected, the Seven Radiances of Flying Splendor, and the Xuangui Mountain leaders of the Mystery, each category numbers thirty million.

Among the capital-rank cinnabar-and-azure-waisted jade maidens under the command of the Ninefold Sublime Perfected, the Seven Radiances of Flying Splendor, and the Xuangui Mountain leaders of the Perfected, each category numbers thirty million.

Among the upper-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the benevolent-rank middle divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the guide-rank lower divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the forward-mystery-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the guide-rank lower divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Supreme Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the forward-mystery-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the rear-spirit-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the left-cinnabar-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the right-immortal-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the capital-rank divine cinnabar Perfected Jade Immortals under the command of the Upper Origin Cloud-Jade Great Void Flying-Clouds of Natural Spontaneity, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the upper-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the middle-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the lower-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million. The original wording here is incomplete, so its intended reference cannot be determined with certainty.

Among the middle-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the lower-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million.

Among the forward-rank cinnabar-jade luminous red immortals under the command of the Jade Emperor Qinghua of the Seven Radiances, Highest Clarity, Dongzhen, and Mysterious Radiance, each category numbers ninety million.

The Seven Luminaries—seven celestial bodies, usually the sun, moon, and five major planets—each have ninety million layers of the Upper Clarity, Cavern of the Real, Mysterious Radiance, Jade Emperor, Azure Florescence, Rear Elixir, Jade Radiance, Red Immortals.

The Seven Luminaries, Upper Clarity, Cavern of the Real, Mysterious Radiance, Jade Emperor, Azure Florescence, Left Elixir, Jade Radiance, Red Immortals, each have ninety million layers.

The Seven Luminaries, Upper Clarity, Cavern of the Real, Mysterious Radiance, Jade Emperor, Azure Florescence, Right Elixir, Jade Radiance, Red Immortals, each have ninety million layers.

The Seven Luminaries, Upper Clarity, Cavern of the Real, Mysterious Radiance, Jade Emperor, Azure Florescence, All-Elixir, Jade Radiance, Red Immortals, each have ninety million layers.

The foregoing are true texts, engraved on ornate jade amid the stones in the Golden Chamber of the Purple Hall of Primordial Emptiness on Tortoise Mountain, within the Three Pure Ones’ Cavern of Numina. They record the officials, troops, and sacred registers. The High Officials of the Correct Positions and the Middle Origin Jade Radiance Red Immortals each have ninety million layers.

The foregoing are true texts, engraved on ornate jade amid the stones in the Golden Chamber of the Purple Hall of Primordial Emptiness on Tortoise Mountain, within the Three Pure Ones’ Cavern of Numina. They record the officials, troops, and sacred registers. These include the High Officials of the Correct Positions, the Middle Origin emissaries, immortal youths and jade maidens, the great sages who are the Heavenly Perfected Kings and spirits, the generals of the Eight Radiances and Three Departments, merit officers, command tally officials, clerks, emissaries riding flying dragons, the True Officials of the Three Origins, and the Jade Immortals of the Primordial Sovereign. All of them act in accordance with the Mysterious Precepts—the profound Daoist rules and regulations. Those who practice this method must be diligent and cautious.

At that time, the Great Lord Taizhen, rulers and emperors of every land, the highest sages and leaders among the perfected beings, the Lords of the Nine Heavens, and the immortals of nature all possessed such treasures and secret methods as the Sun-and-Moon Dragon Seals of Cinnabar Radiance, the Eight Arts of the Immortals, the Jade Registers of the Seven Mystic Flights, and the Jade Instructions written in red upon the hidden earth’s Mysterious Cinnabar. Can you obtain these earthly-real Phoenix Books?

Since Heaven and Earth first separated, the hundred poisons have spread, and living beings such as flying insects and crawling creatures have multiplied. The immortals arrived riding their mounts, while the perfected beings came on clouds and descended upon the imperial court. Hundreds and thousands of sages and perfected beings served and guarded the numinous text. Divine youths and jade maidens stood in ranks on either side, facing the true text.

Amid the golden halls, jade chambers, and seven-jeweled forests, beside pools of green water, the jade-perfect immortals, the Dragon Kings, the heavenly treasures and earthly spirits, and a million immortal officials from the Eight Powers and Nine Regions gathered together, bearing incense and flowers, banners, and other ceremonial regalia. The radiance of the nine colors and eight seasonal divisions illuminated the vast sky, shining as brightly as the sun and moon. Every kind of sound joined in a stream of music as celestial dancers and immortal musicians played together. Rare birds and strange beasts, a hundred billion lions, and giant dragons thousands of fathoms long were also there. Dark and bright places alike were illuminated, and light reached in all ten directions. The flying perfected beings moved through the air and wandered in feast and play within jade chambers. The golden terraces shone with precious light, and the banquet tables were laid with eight kinds of delicacies.

The immortal perfected beings dwelling within the Cave of Ascension on Turtle Mountain, who ate jade fungus in the morning and rinsed their mouths with jade spring water at dusk, also came together.

The twelve mystic dragons, purple phoenixes, and cloud-scaled dragons, along with the luan birds among the divine birds and sacred spirits, the cinnabar carriages, feathered canopies, and mounts of the immortals and perfected beings, all bore varied divine radiances. The Five Perfected, the immortals of the Jade Capital, the spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Great Rivers, the dragon gods of Kunlun and other famous mountains, rivers, and seas, and the many assemblies of perfected immortals and sages also came. Amid myriads upon myriads of numinous clouds, stacked nine thousand eight hundred layers deep, the lords of the Purple Void’s Upper Cinnabar descended to me with their numinous officials.

The first invocation respectfully addresses the Nine-Heavenly Taizhen, the Nine Elders of the Purple Void’s Immortal City, the sages and perfected beings who are hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of millions of fathoms tall, the August Spirits of the Eight Radiances, and the realms of nature and the Void: may the sun and moon shine upon the hidden subtlety. Then the Heavenly Official said, “…”

In the numinous palace above the purple clouds, there are naturally hundreds and thousands of immortal attendants. Their literary elegance and radiance shine upon the sun and moon, while the nine venerable immortals glow brilliantly. Moonlike blossoms illumine the Three Yangs, showing that spirits from the four quarters have gathered here. The immortals roam in dazzling splendor, drifting toward the celestial palaces. They halt their carriages at Penglai Ridge and climb its heights with their companions. The sun and moon shine upon the immortal capital as they wander with the Queen Mother of the West through her palace. Who could know the realm of a life wholly free from worldly affairs? At dawn they fly over the Solar Observatory; at dusk they rest on the secluded Mount Langfeng. The immortals travel together, moving freely between day and night in effortless harmony. Jade Maidens ride sacred phoenixes, while the immortals mount true dragons, gliding lightly in one another’s company beneath solemn, reverent canopies adorned with feathers. They summon my immortal friend Wang Qiao and urge him to clasp hands with them and fly among the clouds. The purple clouds are where I roam. Who can join me in blending into the world of mortals?

The immortals frolic among clouds and rosy mists, while crimson celestial blossoms open beneath the spring sun. All sing this song, praising the blessings and virtue of the perfected immortals and their sacred sanctuary. The Immortal Emperor’s carriage rests among the clouds as his companions fly freely and lightly. Gazing toward the farthest reaches of the eight directions, who has the power to make life endure without decline? The sun and moon abide with those who are benevolent and wise, while the empty valley bids farewell to the morning light. The immortal attendants return—but who can know how a hundred years have passed? Ten sacred perfected beings welcome your body. How good it is; let us never forget one another. Turn back and tell the people of the world: this immortal maiden has not yet arrived. For a thousand years, morning blossoms flourish; for a hundred, the evening scene is resplendent. The perfected beings travel across Mount Taihua, while the immortals fly at ease.

Turning back the sun’s radiance, they frolic among the Jiuyi Mountains and ascend to travel with Taizhen. The many immortal adepts are faint and hard to see; purple canopies cast a gentle glow. The sun’s course is halted, and Xihe, who drives the solar chariot, stops as well; the divine phoenix has yet to display its power. The Qi of Great Harmony flies over Langfeng, gathers at the mountain ridges, and illuminates the splendid celestial vessel. Nine times they circle, each time looking upon the same place; yet when they turn to gaze behind them, it seems they stand in different worlds. The Palace of Taiyi, where the god Taiyi is enshrined, lies far away and out of sight; the immortal companions of the nine ridges drift to and fro. The sun and moon shine brilliantly, and returning light illuminates the realm of the Real. Flying luan birds arrange the morning glow. Strive to pursue the Way of the Highest Real Ones. The myriad beings each have their own cycles of tribulation; even a thousand years bring nothing to fear. In the light, one will meet the divine attendants. Let nature move freely through the nine transformations, traveling everywhere without obstruction.

This is the first song: the dark dragon rides the purple clouds and sings its praises in the sky. At the end, it again urges practitioners to pursue the Way of the Highest Real Ones. The myriad beings each have their own cycles of tribulation; there is no need to fear a thousand years. In the light, one will meet the divine attendants and, following one’s nature, travel freely through the nine transformations.

On the right, a black dragon rode purple clouds into the sky, chanting a hymn as a record. When it reached the level ground in the eight directions and the Eight Gates, it recited:

The sage who ascends through the clouds brings the Lord of Great Truth along. Riding a dragon and driving a purple phoenix, they arrive at the palace of the Queen Mother of the West. In the morning, they eat numinous mushrooms like jade; at dusk, they drink and rinse their mouths with sweet dew from the Jade Pool. All the immortals tour the Observatory of the Sun together, then rest at Hidden Langfeng, a name for an immortal mountain. Bending low, they draw in their forms and descend upon Mount Jiuyi; raising their heads, they take leave of the center of the Imperial Pole in the heavens. They ascend the Five Ridges at ease, guiding the reins as they please, until their journey is complete. Through ingesting and cultivation, and by nourishing the heart and nature, one can attain long life, without end for a thousand years or ten thousand. If you have mastered the art of nourishing the heart and nature, you should keep it hidden within your heart and maintain a state of emptiness, stillness, and purity.

At that time, another person arrived at the Upper Palace and descended into the realm of Numinous Mystery. There they paid their respects to the Nine Elders, the nine immortal perfected beings, and to the high perfected officials of the Nine Heavens, then asked: The celestial lords, perfected officials, and emissaries of the Three Upper Heavens, along with the vice director of the Immortal Capital, prepared silk brocade and offerings in black and yellow. They then ordered the Immortal Capital’s attendant director to lead jade youths and transformed immortal maidens to the high seat and return once more to the realm of Numinous Mystery. If the Nine Palaces ordered the Great Mystery and the vice director of the Immortal Capital to prepare silk brocade and offerings in black and yellow, and also ordered the Immortal Capital’s attendant director to lead jade youths and transformed immortal maidens to the high seat and return once more to the realm of Numinous Mystery; and if the Nine Palaces ordered the Palace of the Great Mystery, then they further commanded the immortal officials Bright Immortal, Great Truth, and Ancient Sage to retrieve the true writings engraved in the cave chamber of the Tortoise Immortal, together with the true registers recording the Three Origins, the clerks and soldiers, the jade youths, and the emissaries of the perfected immortals. They also commanded the sacred spirits and immortal officials of the True Heaven, and the Nine Elders, the high sages, to ascend into the sky by daylight and roam together through Purple Void, the lofty realm of the immortals.

I respectfully beheld the numinous writings and jade characters that the high perfected immortal officials had engraved on stone. These were naturally formed chapters of the Caverns, Daoist scriptural texts, along with two hymns of praise to the Five Flowers. Their verses say:

The immortals roam high among the peaks of the Five Ridges, flying in flocks over the Observatory of Great Hua. Three aged immortals recite the jade chapters; the Cavern chapters of the three luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—shine brilliantly. At dusk they chant the Jade Immortal verses; at dawn they set out, until the daylight draws to a close. After a thousand years, they take leave of the assembled immortals. Who can count the passage of ten thousand generations? The land of the Five Flowers lies far away, deep and secluded; the heaven of Nine Suns is clear and distant. The ridges rise high, where the immortals roam in delight; spring shines bright, with flowers and grasses flourishing. An immortal takes me to wander among the cloud peaks; I quietly await the dawn when the spirits descend.

Its elegance surpasses a hundred flowers, and its clouds are pure and clear—but who can see it? Warm primordial Qi urges the cinnabar tree to bloom, its green leaves setting off purple blossoms. I climb the lofty Five Peaks and wander among the sacred realms in every direction. Entering the cavern dwelling of the Jade Emperor’s furnace, I am finally able to behold the Great Clarity Scripture. The immortal registers of the Nine Elders’ Immortal Capital are truly wondrous writings of Jade Perfection. May you preserve this long life, living a thousand years without growing old. The light of the Ninefold Radiance shines brilliantly; in a moment, as I look up and down, I gaze toward Xiyang City, the city in the immortal realm.

Blessing:

The Highest Holy Ones who soar on numinous flight, the gathered spirits and true officials, the naturally present Nine Elders, and the true elixir of Taihua can all enable people to consume the Five Mushrooms, make their bones those of an immortal, and bring peace to their spirit and Qi. They help people ascend the Five Sacred Peaks and dance joyfully with the immortals. Bowing low, one pays homage to the numinous immortals; lifting one’s head, one gives thanks to the cloud chariots and phoenixes. After more than fifty years, one flies and plays among the clouds, riding a feathered carriage and driving a horned dragon to visit the place where the Queen Mother dwells. After passing through myriad kalpas and making a complete circuit, one rests in Xie Valley. Treading upon purple clouds, one drifts along with the cloud officials.

The Supreme One’s Cavern Text: True Talisman of Guishan

Wear this talisman for nine years, and close your eyes in meditation for one full day and night. Then you will see the immortals of the Nine Heavens riding dragons and horned dragons as they fly through the purple heavens and ascend to the Jade Court. From then on, you will remain forever with the perfected immortals, no longer living among ordinary people, and will be at peace forever. From the hour of the Rooster until the hour of the Hare, the body is freed from the Five Sufferings—that is, from the suffering of hell. The power of this talisman will surely be passed down in later generations. Be exceedingly careful; be exceedingly careful.

Write the talisman in blue on a purple background.

Talisman of the Ghost Lodge Envoy: Ni Zhang, also called Fang Gang.

This divine general wears a Heavenly Warrior’s crown and red robes, and rides upon a golden battle-axe.

Wind and Fire Primordial Vow: Be exceedingly careful, be exceedingly careful.

Write the talisman in blue on a purple background.

Talisman of the Ghost Lodge Envoy: Ni Zhang, also called Fang Gang.

This divine general wears a Heavenly Warrior’s crown and red robes, and rides upon a golden battle-axe.

Talisman of the Wind and Fire Primordial Bright Lord.

This divine general wears a Heavenly King’s crown and black robes, holds a hand-seal in his left hand, and rides a dragon.

Talisman of the Sudden Fire Commanding Spirit: Deng Bowen.

Talisman of the Silver Fangs and Shining Eyes Spirit: Xin Hanchen.

Talisman of the Fierce Ding and Xin Spirits: Xi Qing.

This general has three heads and six arms. His entire body is clad in golden armor, and he holds a fire wheel, a fire bell, a thunder drum, a wind wheel, a fire seal, and a long golden halberd.

Divine Talisman of Dixi Hejia

This general resembles a great commander. He wears a blue-green robe and has three long strands of beard. He holds a long axe, a green wind sash is tied around his waist, and flames surround him on all four sides.

Divine Talisman of Taiyi Yuanhuang

This general wears a small Tianding crown and a red robe over iron armor. His face is purplish red, and he holds a thunder casket in both hands.

Divine Talisman of the Water Wheel and Ice Bowl

This is the inscription carved in stone at Taihua, the natural preservation of the landscape, transmitted by the emperors of the Great Dao of the Nine Heavens within the Dao of the Imperial Primordial Upper Armor Zhengyi. In the cavern dwelling on Guishan, there are twenty-four immortal officials. The Lord of the Upper Origin is known as the Messenger of Guishan; there are also twenty-four divine beings, including jade maidens and immortal youths. The perfected immortals of the Great Dark Metropolis and Jade Capital displayed the book of the Supreme Sage’s Purple Phoenix and Red Script, the jade text of the Cinnabar Landscape. The Lord of Empty Primordial received this text in the cavern on Guishan and treasured it within the Jade Hua Chamber of the Yellow Emperor in the Central Heaven of the Five Sacred Peaks, inside its jade terrace.

On the seventh day of the seventh month in the jiaxu year of the Grand Year, this text appeared from within the Jade Gate of the Golden Palace on Phoenix Mountain at Kun Terrace. It was transmitted to the Lady of Purple Tenuity of the Supreme Sovereign, who was commanded to pass it on to later generations of those destined to become immortals. Whoever can receive and uphold this text is certain to ascend to heaven in broad daylight, join the company of the immortals, behold the Supreme Sage, and become a lord among the Most Perfect. They must promptly act in accordance with the provisions of the Mysterious Statutes and the Correct Precepts.

The meritorious officers commanded by the Imperial Spirit Jade Emperor’s Natural Spiritual Writ, under the Purple Radiance of the Upper Sage, number ninety million.

The meritorious officers commanded by the Imperial Spirit Jade Emperor’s Natural Spiritual Writ, under the Purple Radiance of the Middle Sage, number ninety million.

The meritorious officers commanded by the Imperial Spirit Jade Emperor’s Natural Spiritual Writ, under the Purple Radiance of the Lower Sage, number ninety million.

The meritorious officers commanded by the Imperial Spirit Jade Emperor’s Natural Spiritual Writ, under the Purple Radiance of the Former Sage, number ninety million.

The meritorious officers commanded by the Imperial Spirit Jade Emperor’s Natural Spiritual Writ, under the Purple Radiance of the Later Sage, number ninety million.

Under the command of the Jade Emperor of the Imperial Spirit (the Jade Emperor of the Celestial Realm), the Bureaucrat of Summoned Perfected Ones serving the Left Saint of the Natural Spirit, Purple Radiance, numbers ninety million. The Bureaucrat of Passing Benevolence serving the Right Saint also numbers ninety million, as do the Bureaucrats of the All-Saint Perfected Officials.

The Talisman Officers serving the Jade Immortals of the Highest Radiance who fly and tread the void are divided among the Upper, Middle, Lower, Front, Rear, Left, Right, and General departments. Each department has 2.4 billion officers. They respectively oversee receiving immortals, ferrying the Perfected, passing through illumination, forming saints, ferrying immortals, summoning the Perfected, and extending life. The Talisman Officers who summon the Perfected in the Right Department of the Void-Clearing Highest Perfected, Numinous Immortals who tread the void, also number 2.4 billion.

The Jade Officials of the Void-Clearing Highest Perfected, Numinous Immortals, have envoys who receive saints, receive immortals, ferry the Perfected, pass through spirits, and form immortals. These belong respectively to the Upper Numinous, Middle Numinous, Lower Numinous, Front Numinous, and Rear Numinous divisions, with ninety million celestial steeds in each division.

Among the numinous immortals and jade officials of Supreme Truth in Clear Emptiness, each Left Numinous Envoy Who Gathers the Radiance has ninety million attendants, each Right Numinous Envoy Who Guides the True has ninety million attendants, and each Numinous Envoy of Universal Spontaneity has ninety million attendants.

The Jade Youths of Purple Dawn in the Upper Division, who belong to the Supreme Truth of Verdant Feathers in Empty Mystery, each have ninety million attendants. The Right Numinous Envoys Who Guide the True and the Numinous Envoys of Universal Spontaneity also each have ninety million attendants.

The Jade Youths of Purple Dawn governed by the Supreme Truth of Verdant Feathers in Empty Mystery are divided into upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and universal divisions. Each division has ninety million tiers.

The Jade Maidens belonging to the Supreme Numinous Great Elixir of the Three Origins in Middle Clarity of Purple Mystery are divided into upper, middle, lower, front, rear, and left manifestations. Each has ninety million riding parties; the Jade Maidens of the left manifestation are separately recorded as having nine thousand riding parties. The Jade Maidens of the rear and left manifestations are then each recorded again as having ninety million riding parties.

Here, “riding parties,” “retinues,” and “tiers” are terms the scripture uses to describe the numbers or ranks of immortal attendants. They convey an extraordinarily vast scale.

The Right-Scenery Jade Maidens and the Capital-Scenery Jade Maidens of the Purple Mystery and Central Clarity, the Supreme Elixir of the Three Origins, each command ninety million attendants. Here, “command” refers to attendants, ceremonial escorts, or a great multitude.

Among the divine officials of the Upper Origin’s numinous spirits, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Perfected, the Front and Rear Perfected, the Left and Right Perfected, and the Capital Perfected are all Perfected Beings of Turtle Mountain, serving as Eight-Horse Chariot Commanders who commune with the numinous through the Three Lights. Each commands thirty million followers. This passage lists Turtle Mountain’s perfected divine officials and their attendant spirits by direction and rank. The “Three Lights” are the sun, moon, and stars; “Eight-Horse Chariot Commander” is an official title used in the names of divine beings.

Among the divine officials of the Numinous Scenery True Immortals, who await the immortals, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Gods, the Front and Rear Gods, and the Left God are each Generals who commune with the numinous. Each commands thirty million people. The passage as a whole lists the names and numbers of celestial officials, perfected immortals, and their attendants.

Among the divine officials of the True Immortals of Lingjing (who govern the offices of the Immortals), the “Right General of Divine Communication and Numina,” who oversees matters concerning the Immortals, numbers thirty million in each category. The “Chief General of Divine Communication and Numina,” who also oversees matters concerning the Immortals, likewise numbers thirty million in each category.

Under the Jade Emperor of the Eight Radiances, Three Caverns, and Supreme Clarity (the Jade Emperor within the Supreme Clarity tradition) are the Seven Luminaries and Five Planets’ Supreme Sages and Perfected Ones, together with the Flying Numina Generals of Turtle Mountain. Each category has ninety million troops and thirty million members. The Seven Luminaries and Five Planets’ Perfected Ones listed after them—Supreme, Middle, and Lower Sages; Front, Rear, Left, and Right Sages; and Chief Sages—as well as the Flying Numina Generals of Turtle Mountain, each have ninety million ranks.

In the upper, middle, and lower sections of the Golden Elixir of the Purple Heaven’s Numinous True Emperor, there are thirty million Jade Youths of the Five Mushrooms in each section. “Jade Youths of the Five Mushrooms” refers to immortal youths associated with the Five Mushroom elixirs, while “Golden Elixir” is a technical term within the Daoist system of Immortals and Perfected Ones.

The Front, Rear, Left, and Right Divisions, along with the divisions under the authority of the Golden Elixir of the Purple Heaven Numinous True Emperor, each have thirty million Jade Youths of the Five Lingzhi (jade youths who oversee the immortal fungi).

In the Jade Capital of the Lower Clarity, where the Imperial True Jade King and the immortals dwell, there are thirty million Upper Radiance Mysterious Lingzhi Jade Maidens and thirty million Central Division Jade Youths of the Five Lingzhi.

The Jade Youths of the Five Lingzhi in the divisions under the authority of the Golden Elixir of the Purple Heaven Numinous True Emperor, as well as the Mysterious Lingzhi Jade Maidens of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Radiances in the Jade Capital of the Lower Clarity; the Numinous Lingzhi Jade Maidens of the Front Radiance; the Immortal Lingzhi Jade Maidens of the Rear Radiance; the Green Lingzhi Jade Maidens of the Left Radiance; the True Lingzhi Jade Maidens of the Right Radiance; and the Sacred Lingzhi Jade Maidens overseeing all the Radiances, likewise number thirty million in each group.

The Numinous Essence Returning Light, Seven Luminaries Jade Radiance, Numinous Elixir, Eight Arts of the Sun and Moon, and Natural Jade Carriages of Turtle Mountain each number seventy million.

Numinous Clarity Returning Light, Seven Luminaries Jade Radiance, Numinous Elixir, and the Eight Arts of the Sun and Moon are all sacred titles or names of arts.

The Natural Jade Carriages of Turtle Mountain assigned to the Numinous Essence Returning Light, Seven Luminaries Jade Radiance, Numinous Elixir, and Eight Arts of the Sun and Moon, as well as the Natural Dragon Chariots of Turtle Mountain and Cloud Carriages assigned to the Numinous Clarity Returning Light, Seven Luminaries Jade Radiance, Numinous Elixir, and Eight Arts of the Sun and Moon, each number seventy million.

The luminous wheels of the Spirit-Clear Returning Radiance, the Seven Luminaries’ Jade Brilliance, the sun and moon of the Spirit Elixir, and the Eight Guardians of the naturally formed Turtle Mountain number seventy million chariots each. Feathered canopies, dragon chariots, phoenix wings, and flying horned dragons also number seventy million chariots each. “Chariot” refers to vehicles or the scale of a ceremonial retinue; these figures convey the vastness of the celestial realm’s retinue.

The Jade-Brilliance Perfected Beings of the upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and unified radiances of the Ninefold Mystery, Green Luster, Elixir Luminary, and Cavern of Spirit at the naturally formed Turtle Mountain each number nine hundred million layers. “Radiance” means brilliance or light, and “Perfected Being” is an honorific in Daoism for someone who has attained success in cultivation. “Nine hundred million layers” describes an extraordinarily great number or multitude of levels.

The Elixir Luminary of the Nine Sovereigns’ Elixir Spirit expanded upon and recorded this text. Looking up to the writings of the Perfected Being, the Elixir Luminary transmitted it to the Lady of Purple Tenuity, a Daoist immortal.

Lady Ziwei, an immortal of the Highest Clarity, took this talisman for ten years and naturally ascended into the clouds. Seated on a golden terrace, she sat opposite the Queen Mother of the West and became a companion to the assembled immortals. To take it, write the talisman in cinnabar on purple silk. The celestial script of true writing that forms naturally in the cave chamber of Turtle Mountain is precisely this talisman.

The Perfected One of Clear Emptiness took it for nine years and naturally ascended to the terrace of the empty cavern, where he became a companion to the assembled sages and the perfected ones above. To take it, write the talisman in cinnabar on plain purple silk. The Golden Perfected One’s Yellow Radiance in Turtle Mountain’s left cavern is celestial writing formed naturally.

The Jade Lad of True Efflorescence must take it for thirty years before he can ascend to Heaven. Write it in yellow on blue silk. In the right cavern, there is true writing formed naturally, engraved in blue characters on green stone. It should be transmitted to immortals of later generations and treated with the utmost care.

The Golden Perfected One’s Yellow Radiance in the cavern is celestial writing formed naturally.

The Jade Lad of True Efflorescence must take it for thirty years before he can ascend to Heaven. Write it in yellow on blue silk. In the right cavern, there is true writing formed naturally, engraved in blue characters on green stone. It should be transmitted to immortals of later generations and treated with the utmost care.

When taking this talisman, it may be written in blue on plain yellow silk.

The four talismans above may be written in blue on white silk and hung in the four directions to subdue demon kings and evil ghosts, so that all are gathered in and brought under control. Then the assembled immortals and highest sages can travel freely in the realm of Highest Clarity and ascend into the Purple Void. Together with the High Gods, emperors, and immortals, they journey to such immortal mountains as the Purple Terrace and Jade Capital, where they discuss the wondrous scriptures with the assembled immortals and perfected beings. When the discussion is over, they proceed to the Primordial Cavern of Turtle Mountain and obtain these true writings. These words were spoken by the Venerable Elder of the Great One, Lord Lao, and the other sages.

The lower scroll of The Profound Register of Turtle Mountain: The Precious Scripture of True Writings on the Primordial Beginning and Transformations of the Highest Clarity is complete. Note: The original text labels this scroll “middle scroll”; judging from its contents, it should be “lower scroll.”