Chapter 422 - 231: Heaven Gave Birth to Dao Zhen

Chapter 422: Chapter 231: Heaven Gave Birth to Dao Zhen

Although He Zaidao no longer wished to visit the Tai Su Orthodox Sect, the old fisherman didn’t complain. He just took double the fare again and ferried the master and disciple across Yunmeng Marsh.

Stepping ashore, He Zaidao offered a respectful bow and said, "Thank you, senior."

By now, the sun was beginning to rise, and a thin mist drifted over the lake’s surface. The old fisherman simply waved, turned his skiff around, and vanished into the haze. He Zaidao did not linger either; he turned and began to walk with great strides toward the Central Plains.

Seeing this, He Xuan hurried forward a couple of steps to catch up. "Master, are we still going to walk all the way to the Upper Profound Sect?"

He Zaidao replied, "But of course."

Although He Xuan had been prepared for this, his face still fell.

The Spirit Treasure Sect was located in the southeast of Zeji Land. The long road from Inverted Mountain to Yunmeng Marsh, which had taken the master and disciple duo well over a decade to travel, covered less than a third of the expanse of Zeji Land.

But the Central Plains were the heart of the Divine Continent and nearly twice as vast as Zeji Land. It was said to be a land where ten thousand nations vied for supremacy, home to a myriad of cultures. He Xuan truly dared not imagine how much longer this journey would take. ’Thirty years? Or fifty?’

"I’ve almost forgotten what Inverted Mountain even looks like," He Xuan grumbled.

He Zaidao simply said, "The Central Plains and Zeji Land are very different from one another. We both need to take a good look."

"..."

Sure enough, the Central Plains and Zeji Land were utterly different—so much so that they didn’t even feel like they were part of the same Profound Yellow world, let alone the same Divine Continent.

The Central Plains were home to countless nations and states. Here, even a child knew that the world was governed by Immortal Sects. Every kingdom and city had an Upper Xuan Daoist Temple, and every household believed in and revered the Dao. The famous mountains and great rivers were presided over by either the Mountain Gods and River Gods appointed by the Upper Profound Sect, or by smaller sects affiliated with the Upper Profound Orthodox Sect.

When they reached the foot of the Central Pillar of Shenzhou, they entered the Great Xuan Dynasty, a realm entirely under the rule of the Upper Profound Sect. Here, the common people all enjoyed the blessings of Daoist arts; they were well-clothed and well-fed. Cultivators appeared openly in the cities, even coming and going with Flying Escape techniques, yet mortals showed no surprise, only respect.

Every city in the Xuan Dynasty felt like a market district in an Immortal City. The patrols enforcing the law were all Dao Soldiers and Warriors, and even the government officials and clerks possessed some degree of cultivation.

Of course, their level of cultivation was nothing to He Zaidao, and even in He Xuan’s eyes, it could hardly be called advanced. But compared to the strict separation between cultivators and mortals in Zeji Land, or the isolated paradise of Yunmeng Marsh, this was a completely different world.

No wonder those brave explorers from Zeji Land who had traveled to the Central Plains wrote travelogues that were dismissed as fiction back home. They described the myriad nations of the Central Plains as a "celestial land" and likened the Great Xuan Dynasty to an "Immortal Dynasty," holding them in the highest esteem.

Naturally, with such a vast territory and an innumerable population, not even the rule of an Immortal Sect could extend to every single corner—this was especially true the farther one traveled from the Central Pillar of Shenzhou.

Worldly affairs were boundless, the landscapes they passed ever-changing. The master and disciple had seen so much on their journey, yet they still could not determine which philosophy of governance was truly superior.

Thus, by the time they reached the Xuan Dynasty and arrived at the foot of the Celestial Pillar, the journey had taken far longer than He Xuan had anticipated—a full eighty years.

Of course, they had stopped and started all along the way, slaying demons, righting injustices, and even praying for rain to bless the land. He Zaidao had even spent time teaching and preaching the Dao, accepting a nominal disciple...

But the greatest delay to their travels had been for the sake of He Xuan’s cultivation. However, what’s past is past, and there’s no need to dwell on it.

At the foot of the Celestial Pillar, a stone staircase wound its way upward, disappearing into the clouds. Just within their field of view, there were likely ten thousand steps. The stairway was incredibly steep, making the ascent seem as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

It was no exaggeration to call it the Stairway to Heaven, however. Anyone who reached the top could enter the Lower Institute of the Upper Profound Sect and learn rudimentary Daoist arts. Even if their journey ended there, they could still go on to serve as stewards in Daoist Temples across the land. But if they passed more trials and earned a place in the Upper Profound Orthodox Sect, that would be a true ascent to the heavens in a single step.

According to rumor, a Prince of the Xuan Dynasty who failed to climb these stairs could not even be considered for the position of heir, which spoke volumes of its importance.

Therefore, regardless of the season or the time of day, the stone steps were never without the figures of climbers. On this particular day, however, two out-of-place Daoists arrived. They began to ascend, and with an air of effortless grace, they easily overtook many of the others.

These two Daoists were, naturally, He Zaidao and his disciple. The long, ten-thousand-step staircase might have been as difficult as ascending to the heavens for a mortal, but to them, it was nothing. Even the restrictive wards designed to test one’s Dao-heart barely made them pause. In just a few moments, they were high up in the clouds and mist, where they could see the mountain gate.

Upper Profound Sect!

The three simple words made He Xuan’s mind reel for a moment, while He Zaidao stared at them for a long time.

When He Xuan recovered, he saw that He Zaidao seemed to be mesmerized by the sight, so he didn’t disturb him. He walked to the mountain gate alone. He made no particular move, simply waiting for a moment. Soon, an Upper Profound Sect disciple emerged from the mist, bowed, and asked, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. May I ask where you practice? Are you here to pay respects to the sect or to visit a friend?"

He Xuan smiled faintly, returned the bow, and replied, "I am He Xuan of the Spirit Treasure Sect, here to pay a visit."

The Upper Profound Sect disciple’s expression changed subtly. He seemed to perceive something from the aura He Xuan had let slip, and his attitude immediately became respectful. "Please wait a moment, Mage," he said.

With that, he hurried away. He Xuan showed no sign of annoyance. Before long, a Feathered Warrior arrived with an elegant grace. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Zong Yangzi greets you, fellow Daoist."

"Zong Yangzi." He Xuan’s brow twitched. ’This man is a True Disciple of the Upper Profound Sect who has gained quite a reputation in recent years. For him to come out personally is certainly not a slight.’

But before He Xuan could give a more formal introduction, Zong Yangzi smiled and asked, "And yet, I have never heard of the Spirit Treasure Sect having a True Disciple by the name of He Xuan."

He Xuan smiled. "I have been traveling the Divine Continent with my master for a century. It is only recently that I was fortunate enough to make some progress in my cultivation, so I have not yet returned to my sect."