Chapter 423 - 231: Heaven Gave Birth to a True Daoist

Chapter 423: Chapter 231: Heaven Gave Birth to a True Daoist

"Oh?" Zong Yangzi said, a hint of surprise in his voice. His gaze moved past He Xuan to land on He Zaidao. Focusing his eyes, he asked, "May I ask which eminent practitioner from your sect your master is?"

He Zaidao seemed to awaken from a reverie at the words "Upper Profound Sect." He stepped forward slowly, not putting on airs by letting He Xuan make the introduction. He performed a salute himself and stated his name, "I am He Zaidao of the Spirit Treasure Sect."

"What?" Zong Yangzi exclaimed in shock. "It is Zaidaizi himself! This junior has been disrespectful. I beg your forgiveness, Venerable."

He Zaidao smiled gently. "There is no need for such ceremony, young friend. I have brought my disciple to pay a visit today. I trust it is not an inconvenient time?"

Zong Yangzi said hurriedly, "Venerable, you have come a long way. How could our Upper Profound Sect turn away a guest? Venerable, Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

With a True Disciple of the sect leading the way, their passage was naturally unimpeded. Zong Yangzi seemed to have sent a message ahead, for by the time the trio formally arrived within the Upper Profound Sect, an honor guard had been arranged and the grand reception hall was prepared.

Although He Zaidao had a gentle disposition, as a Nascent Soul Third-Level Cultivator and, moreover, the Daoist of the Spirit Treasure Sect, there was no ceremony he was undeserving of.

After the three of them arrived in the grand hall and took their seats, Zong Yangzi asked, "May I ask the purpose of your visit, Venerable and Fellow Daoist?"

He Zaidao spoke slowly, "As fellow orthodox Xuan Sects, I have long admired the illustrious reputation of your sect. My travels happened to bring me to the Central Pillar, which is why I’ve come to pay a visit."

"Furthermore, I have often heard of your sect’s Fellow Daoist Zhong, but have never had the fortune of meeting him. My visit today is also driven by the desire for an exchange with Fellow Daoist Zhong."

"Oh?" Zong Yangzi’s brow twitched. He first responded, "Since you are the one visiting, Venerable, our Upper Profound Sect must certainly not be discourteous. I am merely the one who was here to greet you. Later, perhaps our Sect Leader himself will come to receive you."

"As for Junior Martial Uncle Zhong, however, it is unfortunate." Zong Yangzi pondered for a moment, and feeling it wasn’t some great secret, said bluntly, "I heard that over a hundred years ago, Junior Martial Uncle Zhong went to the Profound City Dojo to listen to a sermon on the Dao. He has not appeared in the sect for a very long time."

"The Profound City Dojo?" Even with his state of mind, He Zaidao couldn’t help but feel a flicker of astonishment.

The Profound City Dojo. If this name were heard throughout the Divine Land, most would be bewildered. But He Zaidao, as a True Disciple of the Spirit Treasure Sect, was privy to some secrets long lost to the world.

Why was the Upper Profound Sect able to occupy the central hub of the Divine Continent, these vast plains, and declare itself the head of the three major sects and six great schools? Simply because in its lineage, the Upper Profound Sect had produced two Pure Yang True Monarchs.

The state of True Pure Yang, a monarch co-eternal with the world. A single being of this caliber could establish the source of a new lineage, revive a sect to be hailed as orthodox, and guarantee its continuation for ten thousand generations.

The Upper Profound Orthodox Sect had two such Great Daoists. According to the records of the Spirit Treasure Sect, they were Profound City True Monarch and Profound Communication True Monarch.

The name "Profound City Dojo" likely came from the Profound City True Monarch. He was the Sect Founding Ancestor Grandmaster of the Upper Profound Sect, the very source of its lineage. However, legend had it that this True Monarch had long ago left the world of Profound Yellow to establish a dojo and cultivate among the stars. The Upper Profound Sect of today was entirely in the hands of the Profound Communication True Monarch.

’To think that Zhong Shenxiu had actually caught the attention of this Sect Founding Ancestor Grandmaster—one who had long since stopped meddling in the affairs of the Upper Profound Sect—and had gone to the Profound City Dojo to hear him preach.’

He Zaidao hadn’t expected to hear such news. He mulled it over for a moment, then sighed. "Alas, it was not meant to be."

Zong Yangzi nodded. Just as he was about to speak again, a Daoist Child rushed over and whispered something in his ear, which made Zong Yangzi’s expression change drastically.

"Truly?" Zong Yangzi asked the Daoist Child.

The Daoist Child said hurriedly, "I only received the magical decree..."

Zong Yangzi knew there could be no mistake. A complex expression crossed his face. He waved his hand dismissively, then turned to He Zaidao and said, "I misspoke earlier. Please forgive me, Venerable."

He Zaidao asked, puzzled, "Why do you say that, young friend?"

Zong Yangzi said, "It is quite the coincidence. In fact, Junior Martial Uncle Zhong already returned from the Profound City Dojo a short while ago. He simply has not yet made a public appearance."

"Upon learning of your visit, Venerable, he sent a special decree inviting you to an audience."

"Oh?" He Zaidao’s gaze flickered. He mused for a moment. "Very well."

Zong Yangzi rose to his feet. "In that case, shall we go now, Venerable? Please, follow me."

He Zaidao replied, "Excellent." He then rose to his feet along with Zong Yangzi. He Xuan naturally followed.

Leaving aside He Zaidao, Zong Yangzi and He Xuan were also High Cultivators. Though they did not fly or use movement techniques, their pace was hardly slow. Soon, they had climbed to a great height on the Celestial Pillar and stepped onto a floating isle.

After passing through a bamboo grove, the trio arrived before a clear pond, in the middle of which stood a small pavilion. Within it, a Female Immortal as beautiful as a painting was arranging Spirit Fruits and pouring tea. Seeing the three of them approach, she spoke in a warm voice, "Please, be seated."

As the saying goes, proximity to cinnabar will stain one red. He Xuan had cultivated alongside He Zaidao for so long that he had been polished into a steady and mild-mannered individual. However, an irrepressible streak remained in his core nature—something a person of his cultivation level would never discard. He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, ’This Zhong Shenxiu has some nerve, making Master wait.’

After all, He Zaidao was a figure on par with Zhong Shenxiu. He represented the honor of the Spirit Treasure Sect. To be treated this way was a clear snub.

He Zaidao, however, appeared unfazed. Before taking his seat, he even clasped his hands in a salute and said, "My greetings, Immortal Maiden."

The Female Immortal was about to reply when a light flashed in her beautiful eyes. At that very instant, the gazes of He Zaidao, He Xuan, and Zong Yangzi were all irresistibly drawn.

Several streams of Qi suddenly spiraled in from all directions, colliding before the table and raising trails of Smoke Mist. When the vapor dissipated, the tall, imposing figure of a handsome Daoist had appeared there, as if he had been there all along.

The Daoist smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist He, I have long heard of your great name and am pleased to finally meet you. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

The expression in He Xuan’s eyes had already changed to one of shock. Zong Yangzi, though he had anticipated this, was also filled with deep emotion.

He Zaidao, however, remained perfectly composed. He simply rose to his feet and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Zhenren. My humble reputation is nothing worth mentioning. As for being discourteous, please, let us not speak of it."

To disperse into Qi and coalesce into form—was this not the sign of having forged a Primordial Spirit?

When a mighty Primordial Spirit True Man was personally hosting them, how could there be any talk of a poor reception?

"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist," Zhong Shenxiu said with a faint smile. "We are peers. There’s no need to be so formal."

"Please, sit." He took the host’s seat and gestured for He Zaidao to do the same. He then turned to the Female Immortal. "I’ve told you before, Junior Sister, there’s no need for you to do all this."

The Female Immortal simply gave a serene smile and replied, "It is only proper."

Zhong Shenxiu seemed to shake his head but said no more on the matter. He turned to He Zaidao. "I know you came specifically to discuss the Dao with me, Fellow Daoist. I happen to have some leisure today, so it is a perfect opportunity for a profound discussion."

He Zaidao said slowly, "Eighty years ago, I was passing through the Yunmeng Marsh and wished to discuss the Dao with Venerable Dao Miao."

"At that time, high above the marsh, I happened to witness the Sword Qi left behind by Venerable Dao Miao. In it, I glimpsed his Daoist arts and felt that I was no match for him, so I did not proceed with my visit."

"In the eighty years since, I have roamed the mortal realm, cultivating my path, my heart, and my practice. I felt I had made great progress. Yet upon my arrival, I learn that you, Fellow Daoist, have already transcended the Life and Death Profound Gate, achieving immortality and freedom."

"It is only because of the Spirit Treasure Sect that the world considers me an equal to you two. I am truly ashamed of my inferiority."

Every word He Zaidao spoke was sincere, yet his demeanor was perfectly tranquil. For a person like him, witnessing the height of the mountains and the breadth of the sea was, perhaps, its own form of progress.

Zhong Shenxiu thought to himself, ’Those with great reputations are never simple. This Fellow Daoist is truly extraordinary.’ His thoughts then drifted to someone far away. He smiled faintly and added inwardly, ’Fellow Daoist Xu, I’ve taken another step ahead of you.’

"I am fortunate today to receive your destined guidance, Zhenren." He Zaidao, unaware of Zhong Shenxiu’s thoughts, adopted a solemn expression. "I must be so bold as to ask the Zhenren for his instruction."

"Cultivation may have higher and lower realms, but the Great Dao is boundless," Zhong Shenxiu said. "There is no need to be so modest, Fellow Daoist. Let us hope we both gain something from this."

"Excellent," He Zaidao said, his gaze lowered.

...

Time passes unmarked in the mountains, but a cultivator is always aware of its flow.

In Beiji Pavilion, Xuzhuang suddenly sensed something and slowly opened his eyes.

At some point, perhaps because Xuzhuang had been too immersed in his cultivation, the wards he had placed had lost their spiritual glow. A biting cold current now flooded brazenly into the stone chamber.

Yet even this frigid wind from the depths of Beiji Pavilion could not stir a single corner of Xuzhuang’s robes.

He slowly retracted his Gangyun. Instead of recasting the wards or dispelling the cold, he murmured to himself, ’So it’s already been a hundred years.’