The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 34: The Conference Begins, the Tribulation of Three Talents

The next morning, the light was dim.

Xuanming walked out of the Taoist Temple and entered the Sutra Repository.

After more than three months, he returned here. Although he had become a Qigong practitioner, he did not become complacent, nor did he sigh randomly, and his heart was calm.

This is because he knows clearly that no matter what one's identity is, once entering the Sutra Repository, one has only one identity: a seeker of truth.

Sitting cross-legged at the desk by the window, Xuanming raised his hand, and a scripture flew out from the bookshelf and fell into his palm.

With light movements of his fingers, he flipped through the scriptures and pondered.

The fragrance of books and tea are intertwined, and the old Taoist is immersed in it.

Crows fly and rabbits run, time passes.

Xuanming returned to his previous habits and concentrated on his practice.

Read the scriptures daily to gain enlightenment and gain wisdom.

Get up early in the morning to practice swordplay and improve your skills.

Breathe in the sun and moon day and night, and collect herbs to cultivate the Tao.

What made him happy was that the Chen family had a rich collection of classics. Apart from various books and repeated Taoist scriptures, there were one hundred volumes of Taoist scriptures, which had not been included in Qiuzhen Temple before. The Taoist collection in the Sutra Repository was larger in number and more complete in variety.

Of course, there are some changes.

After achieving immortality, Xuanming found that simply reading scriptures and seeking enlightenment was no longer enough to satisfy his spiritual needs.

The method of practice changed from staying at the Sutra Library all day to "viewing the Sutra as the main thing and observing the heaven and earth as the auxiliary thing". People began to go beyond the Sutra and see the heaven and earth and all living beings through intuitive experience.

In other words, he entered the transitional stage of "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles", taking a two-pronged approach to help his practice.

Xuanming would take an hour every day to wander in the mountains, paying attention to the things around him, watching the waterfalls, the weather, the birds and animals breeding, and the plants growing.

From the green bamboo breaking through the rocks, you can experience the tenacity of life.

From the crows’ filial piety, we can understand the continuation of life.

From the fallen petals turning into mud, we can understand the cycle of life.

……

Shallow truths become profound.

Old truths give rise to new ideas.

These are all transformed into seeds of Tao, taking root and sprouting in the heart, growing vigorously, and truly becoming one's own foundation.

He both observed the Tao and cultivated the Tao.

During this process, Xuanming had a more thorough understanding of the universe and he went deeper into the level of "seeing mountains as not mountains and seeing water as not water". As his Taoism gradually improved, his aura became more natural and comfortable, and his every move was pleasing to the eye.

---

half a month later.

A burly figure entered the Taoist temple.

The man was imposing, with strong features, and bulging muscles faintly visible under his Taoist robe, revealing explosive power.

This young Taoist was none other than Chang'anzi.

"Disciple, see your uncle."

Looking at his junior nephew bowing and paying respect, Xuanming felt satisfied. He raised his hand slightly and ordered him to stand up.

After he came out of seclusion, this boy often came to ask for advice.

Today, Changanzi has entered the third stage of refining his essence: condensing jade liquid, and has even condensed a seventh-grade superior Taoist foundation.

Look beyond the truth and your potential is second only to yourself.

The "Spiritual Body Refining Method" was also practiced by this boy to a small degree of success.

This method was originally the body-building technique of Qiuzhenguan, and was not very outstanding. Later, it was improved and upgraded by Xuanming. It focused on the combination of mind and body. Through visualizing the spirit, the spirit and the flesh are integrated, the qi and blood are tempered, and the body is strengthened. It has one-fifth of the effect and power of "The Eight True Ways of External Scenery".

In the entire Qiuzhen Temple, Chang'anzi and Xuanyang practiced this skill the best. The former practiced it through cruel self-abuse, while the latter was born with a strong physique, which was in line with this method.

After Changanzi sat down, Xuanming said:

"Don't be arrogant or impatient, don't underestimate the world, etc. I won't nag you anymore. I'm sure Junior Brother Xuanxu has given you disciples who are going to attend the meeting many instructions."

"I summoned you this time because I calculated that your trip down the mountain would bring misfortune. Although I have taught Junior Brother Xuanxu some skills, we still need to make more preparations just in case. You are my hidden backup, but the skills are a bit painful."

Chang'anzi expressed his opinion immediately.

"Master, you have raised me and taught me. Your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. I am willing to bear the responsibility. Please help me, uncle."

Xuanming stroked his long beard gently with satisfaction. He raised his hand and his fingertips shone, and the peach wood sword hummed.

After half a cup of tea, Chang'anzi bowed and said goodbye, leaving the Wendaoyuan sweating profusely.

The morning light is as red as fire, and the morning glow comes from the horizon.

The next morning, Xuanxu led the team, accompanied by Xuanyang, Xuanyin, Xuansu and Xuankong, and led ten disciples down the mountain and set off for Fengyang County.

Xuanxu wanted to go because the leader of a small force had no right to show off, and to participate in the Daoyuan event, he had to be present in person.

Xuan Su had a female disciple on this trip.

Xuankong was familiar with Fengyang County and could also find out more gossip during the conference.

Xuanyang came to the meeting because Chang Qingzi was attending. In his words, he wanted to see his disciples become famous with his own eyes.

Xuanyin is because of his first-rate ability, and if anything unexpected happens, he can share Xuanxu's worries.

At the Cangdao Peak, Xuanming watched the Taoists go away. He watched for a moment, then turned back to the Sutra Library to continue reading the sutras and meditating. He had already taught what he needed to teach.

Everything that needs to be explained has been explained.

Man proposes, God disposes. The outcome of this trip depends on Xuanxu and his friends' luck and fortune.

Realizing the truth, practicing cultivation, protecting the home and the mountains are what an old Taoist sitting idle in the mountains should do.

---

The Great Xuan Divine Dynasty is vast, with thirty-six states and seventy-two counties, and the smallest county is ten thousand miles wide.

Fengyang County is of medium size, with a radius of one hundred miles and a total area of thirty thousand miles, with hundreds of counties under its jurisdiction.

Fuyun County is conveniently located, only three hundred miles away from Fengyang County. Except for Xuankong, Xuanxu and his party rode horses in Fuyun County after going down the mountain, and arrived at the county town in just half a day.

As the Daoyuan Festival is approaching, the county town is more lively and prosperous than usual. The streets and alleys are crowded with vendors, and shops are open. There is a wide variety of Taoist supplies such as cinnabar, amulets, heart mirrors, eight-diagram plates, peach wood swords, cloud-patterned brocade bags, etc.

Some are real, some are fake, some are wholesaled from Taoist temples, some are homemade, and some are dug from the ground. The quality varies and the sources are varied. Whether you can find good ones depends entirely on luck.

The county town was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder. There were many Taoist priests of all sizes, with different identities. Some were independent practitioners, some were powerful, some were from major Taoist sects, and some were from minor Taoist branches.

In addition, there were other people pouring into the county town, including martial artists, family members, disciples of various schools, wanderers, monks in temples, etc., with various identities.

Some came to join in the fun, some came to broaden their horizons, some came here during their travels, some came specially, and some came to watch the ceremony with their elders.

Walking through the streets and alleys, crossing the river and climbing the bridge, Xuanxu led his disciples to the west of the city and stayed at Xianlin Pavilion.

This place covers an area of 500 acres and is surrounded by mountains and rivers, lush bamboo forests, quiet environment, pavilions and towers lined up one after another, and various courtyards are arranged in an orderly manner. It is a property under the name of Tiandiyuan.

Every time a Daoyuan Conference is held, the participating Taoist forces will be arranged here.

Due to the distance traveled, the Daoyuan Conference would not officially begin until three days later. It was rare to come to the county city, and Xuanxu had been young before. After taking his disciples to register, he let them wander around, but they were not allowed to cause trouble.

Chang'anzi and Changqingzi walked together, wandering among the shops and stalls. One wanted to bring a gift to his uncle Xuanming, and the other wanted to honor his master. The other disciples also walked in groups.

The older generation goes to visit old friends to reminisce about the past. After living for decades, there are always some close friends.

Xuanxu goes to show off and flaunt his cultivation, Xuanyang goes to compete in drinking, Xuankong goes to do gossip, Xuanyin goes to discuss and exchange methods of planting, and Xuansu goes to exchange alchemy, with the main idea that birds of a feather flock together.

---

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

On the second day after Xuanxu and his group left, Fuyun Mountain was still scorching hot in the morning, but was covered with dark clouds in the afternoon. The sky was dark, with lightning and thunder, vividly illustrating the unpredictable weather in summer.

Boom!

With a loud thunder that illuminated the sky, heavy rain poured down, washing away the dust, dryness and heat.

In the Qiuzhen Temple, Xuantong was handling the general affairs, and Xuanyu was comprehending the foundation of Yin and Yang.

On the top of the mountain, a white-haired Taoist priest sat cross-legged. The wind was strong and the rain was heavy, and his clothes fluttered. He did not use his magic power to shield himself from the wind and rain, and just let the wind and rain fall, soaking him like a drowned chicken.

He is understanding the truth and experiencing nature. Only by experiencing it personally can one feel it.

The clouds roared, thunder exploded, and electric snakes danced wildly. They were very close to Xuanming, as if they were exploding right above his head. Fire trees and silver flowers pierced through the darkness, illuminating the rain curtain, showing the power of thunder:
Bright, violent, powerful, domineering, and masculine!
No matter how raging the thunder and lightning were, Xuanming sat peacefully, his face calm and fearless, concentrating on watching this performance of heaven and earth.

In his spiritual perception, this thunderstorm is the Tao, which contains the mysteries and laws of the operation of heaven and earth.

The change of air flow creates wind, which is the flow of inspiration.

When water vapor meets cold, it turns into rain, which is a material transformation.

The collision of clouds turns into thunder, which is the collision of yin and yang.

Xuanming's eyes were focused, and there was an arc of lightning swirling and wandering in the palm of his hand, sometimes condensing, sometimes dispersing, sometimes violent, sometimes gentle.

Sometimes one becomes five, sometimes five become one.

It is easy and familiar to operate.

This is because ever since he came out of retreat, whenever there was a thunderstorm, he would come here to gain enlightenment, feel the wind, watch the rain, and listen to the thunder.

As a result, Qiuzhen Temple's wind-controlling technique and rain-calling spell were greatly improved, and his Five Thunder Technique was even more successful, and he mastered it thoroughly.

As a superior Taoist method, the Five Thunders Method has made such rapid progress. In addition to being related to listening to thunder, the thunder tribulation encountered during the last breakthrough also played a major role.

The three treasures in the sky are the sun, the moon and the stars; the three treasures in man are essence, energy and spirit; thunder also has three treasures: heaven, earth and man.

Thunder is the product of the collision between yin and yang.

Human thunder is the amplified bioelectricity in living organisms. The five internal organs are yin, and the six bowels are yang. The collision of the internal organs produces thunder.

To advance from practicing essence to practicing qi, one needs to overcome the thunder tribulation.

To advance from Qi training to spirit training, one must overcome the landmine tribulation.

As for the higher realm, Xuanming guessed that it was the heavenly thunder tribulation. These three thunders corresponded to the upper, middle and lower dantians, and the three souls of heaven, earth and man. He called it the three talents thunder tribulation.

Perhaps only after enduring the three calamities can one become a saint and attain immortality.

It was because he had survived the human thunder tribulation that Xuanming gained a deeper understanding of thunder, yin and yang, the five elements, etc., and the Five Thunder Method made rapid progress, catching up with the sword method and becoming one of his most powerful magical powers.

Boom!

The rain became heavier and the thunder and lightning became more violent.

The sky and the earth were dark and pitch black, and the vision was blurred, as if the gates of heaven had opened and the Milky Way was pouring down.

On the top of the mountain, Xuanming's slightly raised chin suddenly straightened, his eyes were deep, and there was thunder and lightning in the depths of his vicissitudes eyes.

With a flick of his finger, the peach wood sword that was placed across his knees and absorbed the thunder spirit energy between heaven and earth suddenly came out of its sheath, flew up against the rain, straight into the sky, and sank into the depths of the thunderclouds.

　感谢2014……0781大大的100点起点币打赏；感谢玄晨0大大的500点起点币打赏；感谢珑大大、十里平湖霜满天大大、风夙杀大大、2014……0781大大、有宝山真人大大、离魂大大、文刀刘家大少大大、我评论一定是让我看的吐了大大、昼夜的黎明大大、韭菜绿变黄大大、2020……9323大大、2023_be大大、北纬28大大的1张月票；感谢白衣沽酒大大、书荒……大大、时空大大、儒术王座大大的2张月票；感谢LI命运、大大的11张月票。

　　
　
(End of this chapter)