128: Chapter 55: Discussing the Tao While Sitting 128: Chapter 55: Discussing the Tao While Sitting Atop the Guanlan Pavilion.
In the top-floor private room enveloped by a mysterious barrier and a formation, a revered elder from the cultivation community of the East Continent was lost in nostalgia.
Directly below in a window-adjacent seat, a tall and thin old Taoist appeared silently, settling effortlessly by the window.
The old Taoist’s form seemed to exist outside the painting, as if devoid of any cultivation realm, seamlessly blending with his environment.
When he appeared, two maids were leading a group of over a dozen Wei Yuan Sect Immortals and disciples past the spot, none aware that someone had suddenly joined their midst.
The old Taoist leisurely rolled up the wide sleeves of his Daoist robe, and from within a flower basket, he pinched a tiny teacup, no larger than a grain of rice.
As soon as the teacup settled on the table, it began to expand; a shallow watermark appeared at its base, quickly filling with clear Spiritual Spring water from nothing to something, from less to more, until it reached the brim.
The old Taoist dipped his index finger into the rootless Spiritual Spring water and drew a small circle on the corner of the table.
Within the circle, ripples appeared, slowly revealing the scene in the private room above.
The rugged old man with a snow-white beard, a beautiful female cultivator behind a veil, a handsome young man seated at the center…
In this tiny circle, every hair and whisker were distinctly visible.
The old Taoist watched with satisfaction, squinting at Xu Sheng’s face and softly calculating with his fingers, searching through his vast, sea-like memory for information on this Human Race Heavenly Immortal.
Elder Xu Sheng lamented:
“The prosperity of the Human Race today came at a great cost, with too many sacrifices.
“After the Hundred Clans fell and became the Demon Race, they still harbor ill intentions toward our Human Race.
Although they can no longer shake the foundation of our Human Race, they continue to harass the borders of the East Continent.”
Li Ping’an laughed, “Based on what Elder Xu says, did our Human Race’s Qi Cultivators make such rapid advancements in the Path of Artifact Refining all thanks to Elder Yun Zhongzi’s three hundred years of teaching to our Qi Cultivators?”
“Indeed, back then three Golden Immortals of the Jade Void Palace and twelve disciples of the Sect Hierarchs resided amongst our Human Race.
Among them, the most famous was Guang Chengzi, who assisted and instructed the Human Emperor Xuanyuan.”
Elder Xu Sheng continued:
“Teacher Yun Zhongzi specialized in the Path of Artifact Refining.
“He gave lectures for three years at a time, totaling eighty-one lectures over more than three hundred years.
He taught thousands of methods for Artifact Refining and hundreds of soul-forging techniques, enlightening us as if pouring divine nectar into our heads.
“Only after that did we understand what a Spiritual Artifact is and learned that the most precious quality of a Spiritual Artifact is its spirit, which allows the artifact itself to grow progressively.”
“Teacher Yun Zhongzi, being an Innate lifeform and possessing profound blessings, is indeed the strongest Immortal in Artifact Refining in this world!”
A flicker of admiration appeared in Li Ping’an’s eyes, but his heart was filled with even more doubts.
This was the first time he had heard about a Chan Teaching Immortal from the Jade Void Palace from the mouth of a Qi Cultivator of the East Continent.
—Before this, he had only seen a few ambiguous phrases in the texts.
It wasn’t that the Precept Teaching Immortals were overly low-profile, rather, on a regular basis, not many dared to discuss these Great Powers.
Even the records in the Wanyun Sect’s archives were mostly vague.
Li Ping’an took the opportunity to voice his greatest puzzlement: “Elder, I have read quite a few anecdotal books in the sect, but I am still somewhat unclear.
Why was the Southern Continent sealed with a great formation?”
All the Wanyun Sect disciples present perked up their ears.
Elder Xu Sheng was of a high generation and had experienced the glorious years of the Human Race’s expansion.
“That, I can’t really explain at the moment.”
Elder Xu Sheng pondered for a moment, then said slowly:
“This involves the confidential matters of the Human Race and the reputation of our Holy Mother.
There are many rumors, which are hard to discern as true or false.
“I have personally experienced some events…
The great formation that envelops the Southern Continent was personally cast by the Holy Mother, with the Holy Mother Palace suppressing directly above the Southern Continent.
“Rumors say it was because the Holy Mother had some disagreements with the three Ancestral Masters.”
Li Ping’an’s spirit perked up, his eyes shining bright.
The gossip of Sect Hierarch-level masters!
Elder Xu Sheng chided with a laugh, “Without the Longevity Dao Fruit, we’re all just ants between heaven and earth.
Such cosmic affairs—wait until you achieve longevity or reach the realm of a Heavenly Immortal before you concern yourself with them.
“I’m just a little baffled,” said Li Ping’an with a smile.
“The ancient texts say that the cultivation of all beings is but an imitation of the workings of heaven and earth.
“So I was thinking, the more I understand about this world, the fewer bottlenecks I might face tomorrow.”
Some things shouldn’t be said, can’t be said, and saying them will be of no benefit to your cultivation,” said Xu Sheng, patting Li Ping’an’s shoulder before lifting his glass and draining it in one gulp.
He laughed, “Let’s talk about this matter of setting up the Castcloud Hall subdivision!
“Or shall I escort you back to the Wanyun Sect later and discuss the matter with your father?”
“My good-for-nothing disciples stand on the mountaintop day after day, gazing in the direction of the Wanyun Sect—hoping, waiting—each one almost driven mad with anticipation!”
Li Ping’an quickly said: “I dare not trouble the elder.
I will certainly bring up the matter to my father upon my return to the sect!”
Elder Yansheng spoke up to ease the tension: “Elder, rest assured, the outer gate of our Wanyun Sect will also carefully consider the matter and strive to visit the Yuan Sect as soon as possible.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t bring it up anymore,” said Xu Sheng, waving his hands dismissively and glancing outside the private room.
He smiled, “Before I came over, I had them call a few disciples to come and chat with your young disciples, to discuss and exchange insights about the Dao.
Don’t overthink it—it’s just about allowing the young disciples from both our sects to get to know each other better.
“Ping’an, shall I let them in now?”
Li Ping’an quickly replied: “Elder, please don’t make such a fuss over me.
Arrange as you see fit.”
Xu Sheng called out: “Come in then!
No need to stand around idly outside!”