novelnext Chapter 688 - 635: True Dao and Proper Law
Chapter 688 - 635: True Dao and Proper Law
After all, the high-tier venues in the Profound Celestial Sect are limited.
Many newly-advanced Golden Core practitioners still reside in Tier Three Lower-Grade Spirit Veins.
"What Junior Brother Xuan Xiang said is not without reason. However, at that time, it was agreed between our sect and the Cyan Cloud Sect that if True Master Profound Ice did not wish to relocate, we should not pressure him. After all, we must consider the reputation of the Profound Celestial Sect."
True Master Xuan Wen explained tactfully.
"What if True Master Profound Ice has fallen?"
True Master Xuan Xiang asked grimly.
With this question, the room fell silent.
True Master Xuan Wen did not respond but rather looked towards Sect Leader Xuan Ji.
"If True Master Profound Ice were to fall, Starlight Island would naturally return to our Profound Celestial Sect."
Sect Leader Xuan Ji paused for a moment, his eyes flashing with brilliance as he slowly scanned the room.
"Everyone, avoid taking risks. Starlight Island is merely a Tier Three Upper Grade venue, and it’s an island. The millennium-long reputation of the Profound Celestial Sect must not be tarnished."
His words were very clear.
Sect Leader Xuan Ji’s gaze finally rested on True Master Xuan Xiang.
"Junior Brother Xuan Xiang, what do you think?"
"What Sect Leader Brother says is very true. But True Master Profound Ice is deeply involved with the Demon Race and the Demon Sect. I have heard that not only did he assist the Demon Race in their Transformation Tribulations, but he also enlightened Tier Three Upper-Grade Grass and Wood Demons."
"He trades under the banner of the Cyan Cloud Sect with the Wilderness Demon Race on a large scale, profiting greatly, but also strengthening the Demon’s power, inevitably causing much karma."
"He is entangled with many Demon Lords from the Liang Country Demon Sect. The world is unpredictable; the tall tree invites the wind. If True Master Profound Ice were to encounter some mishap and unfortunately fall, Starlight Island should indeed return to the sect."
"Sect Leader Brother, I am correct in saying this, am I not?"
Upon hearing this,
Sect Leader Xuan Ji forced a slight, reluctant smile and sighed.
"The outstanding tree in the forest is always the first to be blown down. True Master Profound Ice’s nature is unconventional, like a wild horse, not adhering to norms, indeed easily attracting karma, and inviting disaster."
"Sect Leader Brother speaks wisely. I have been taught, Xuan Xiang."
True Master Xuan Xiang respectfully bowed.
Sect Leader Xuan Ji’s response seemed to be well within his expectations.
In the seating area, True Master Xuan Wen gently shook his head.
Celestial Star True Master, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them, his gaze flashing as he looked at True Master Xuan Xiang, a hint of disdain playing at the corner of his mouth.
...
Time passed quickly.
Ten days later.
On the morning of the new moon, as the sun rose, golden rays cast upon Starlight Island.
Shen Xuan arrived punctually atop the platform beneath the Purple Yunting Tree.
Across the square, cultivators who had come to listen to the teachings had already filled the seats.
Inside and outside the venue, the crowd bustled, yet remained silent.
Among tens of thousands of cultivators, most were in the Qi Cultivation Realm, with a smaller number in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Surprisingly,
A group of purple-robed cultivators sat in the front rows, all Core Formation Realm True Masters from nearby Spirit Islands.
Some were native island lords, others were external True Masters from the Seven Sects of Song Country.
Even they set aside their stature to come and listen to True Master Profound Ice’s teachings.
When Shen Xuan emerged, the entire square fell silent.
Spiritual pressure comparable to the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm quietly spread.
"Fellow Daoists, please remain quiet."
Shen Xuan’s voice, transmitted through the Dao, reached the ears of every cultivator present.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of fervent eyes,
Shen Xuan, as if unaware of the audience, sat down, a cold spiritual light emanating from his body, his presence solemn and dignified without anger.
"I am Shen Xuan, a direct disciple of True Master Cold Jade from the Cyan Cloud Sect, by Dao name Profound Ice. Today, I am here to teach and spread the Dao to forge good ties. All of you must listen with a calm heart and refrain from causing trouble."
"Those unwilling to listen may leave on their own; do not quibble noisily or argue with me."
The authoritative voice entered the ears of everyone in the square.
As his words echoed,
"Boom!"
The sky above Starlight Island suddenly changed.
Shen Xuan released a myriad of spiritual lights, enveloping everything within a hundred-mile radius.
Walls of cyan ice rose up, isolating the square from the outside world.
An overwhelming chill filled the air.
Everyone felt a shock in their hearts, a nameless fear settling upon them.
"We will follow True Master Profound Ice’s instructions."
The crowd collectively clasped their fists and saluted.
"Good!"
Shen Xuan pointed to the void.
In mid-air, a gigantic white ice wall appeared.
As Shen Xuan recited, lines of small golden text surfaced on it.
"The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of all things..."
It was the Daoist’s ancient transmission, the "Tao Te Ching."
Shen Xuan’s voice was calm and distant, with each word he spoke causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to ripple slightly.
After reading a passage, Shen Xuan would elucidate his understanding and application of the Great Dao of heaven and earth based on his own cultivation experiences.
Regardless of their level of cultivation, the cultivators in the square felt a sense of enlightenment upon seeing these familiar scriptures.
Over five thousand words of the "Tao Te Ching," Shen Xuan lectured for a full twelve hours.
The next day,
Shen Xuan began reciting the "Qingjing Sutra."
"The Great Dao is formless, giving birth to heaven and earth; the Great Dao is emotionless, operating the sun and moon; the Great Dao is nameless, nurturing all things. I do not know its name, but forcibly call it Dao."
This time, Shen Xuan explained with even more detail.
He interpreted it word by word, instructing on how to cultivate mind and nature, and fortify one’s Dao heart.
Thus, eliminate inner delusions, illuminate the mind to see one’s nature, sense heaven and earth, and align with the Great Dao.
While Shen Xuan spoke, pale golden glimmers silently gathered in the sky, like heavenly flowers gently falling.
On the third day, Shen Xuan began imparting the Water Dao.
"The softness of water lies in its changeability; the firmness of ice lies in its concentration. To condense water into ice is not a brute force freeze, but guided by divine thought. With a single thought, soft water transforms into hard ice, defending oneself and defeating countless foes..."
The words were followed by action.
Shen Xuan lightly raised his fingertip, a wisp of water vapor from heaven and earth gathering, instantly forming into a crystal-clear Profound Ice crystal in his palm, endlessly spinning, radiating a sharp, fierce aura.