The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 41: Boy, I told you not to steal chickens
Hutian Palace, inside the water mirror.

At first, the climbers were all alike.

But as time went by, due to differences in principles and spiritual hearts, the gap gradually became apparent and people became divided.

After the 30th level, the number of people is halved.

After the 60th level, the number of people is halved again.

Most of those who still persist are disciples from large sects, and a small number are disciples from small sects and independent cultivators.

On the stands, Xuanxu clenched his fists hidden in his sleeves, Xuankong and Feibai stopped talking, Xuanyang's eyes were burning, and of the ten disciples of Qiuzhen Temple, only two were still persisting.

Chang Qingzi stood on the fiftieth step.

Chang'an Zi was standing on the 67th floor.

Except for Xuan Yang who was staring at his own disciple, everyone else was looking at Chang'anzi, nervously and expectantly.

But soon, their expressions changed drastically.

Because the steps changed, the cloud light bloomed, the fog became thicker, and two hands stretched out from each step after the 60th step.

That's the reflection in the steps.

After walking out of the steps, his hands, feet, body and face were white, with no facial features at all. He looked like a faceless man made up of clouds and mist.

The higher they climbed, the more complete the faceless man's body became. At the 61st floor, only his hands were visible, but at the 70th floor, his entire body was exposed.

When he reached the 71st floor, clouds and mist enveloped the climber, and his reflection exchanged breath with his original body.

With each step he took, the color of the cloud man's body became richer, similar to that of a mountain climber.

By the time he reached the 80th floor, his figure below the head was no different from that of other mountain climbers.

By the 85th floor, even the facial features are clearly visible, and it is difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

Starting from the 86th floor, the main body and the reflection began to change positions. The main body sank into the steps step by step, as if sinking into water or falling into a quagmire, and the identities of the two began to exchange.

Xuanxu's palms were sweating.

Xuanyin stared intently.

Xuankong kept drinking tea.

They were afraid that Chang'anzi would not be able to hold on. Once he passed this level and entered the top 100, he would be sure to win.

---

Yuntian Peak, on the steps.

Chang'anzi felt like he had traveled through time, returned to the past, met his master, and relive the past.

When he was young and naughty, he would climb trees to steal birds, go into the river to catch fish, and steal the spiritual food of his elders. His master would always be furious, and would beat him with a cane during the day and secretly apply medicine to him at night.

As he grew older, he began to practice meditation, breathing exercises, and horse stance. His master taught him step by step, but he always complained about it and cried with tears and snot running. He also slacked off when his master wasn't paying attention. However, his master never got angry and continued to teach him tirelessly.

Later, when he had made some progress in his practice, his master took him down the mountain to travel and see the prosperity of the world, the busy life of the common people, and the intrigues of the wealthy and powerful.

They have slain demons and ghosts, eaten delicacies in restaurants, tasted wild food in the fields, sailed on the lake, and walked through the woods. The master and disciple have accompanied each other for three hundred miles.

Later, when the master entered the Tiandi Academy, he was honored. The master and the disciple talked under the moon, and it was the master who did most of the talking. He secretly drank a few glasses of wine, felt dizzy, and slept for a whole day.

Later, he received the tragic news of his master's sudden death. He felt as if the sky had fallen and secretly went down the mountain. On the way, he was robbed and killed, and was seriously injured and on the verge of death. He was rescued by his master who arrived in time.

Later, he became disheartened and lived in seclusion in the Sutra Library. He spent every day with Master Xuanming and was inspired by his firm determination to pursue the Dao...

All the past events come to mind, joys and sorrows, love and hate, all come flooding back.

No matter whether he is happy or unhappy, he is strong and domineering and irresistible.

When things are beautiful, the flowers are in full bloom and the moon is full.

When it is cruel, every word pierces the heart.

What is not forgotten remains everlasting.

If you forget, open the seal.

The memory is clearer than ever.

Memory and reality overlap, the past and the present are confused, and Chang'anzi's face is more confused. He can no longer tell where he is and has forgotten what he is doing.

Until the scene of stealing the chicken reappeared, he sneaked into Xuannv Peak, and while Junior Sister Changning was not paying attention, he directly grabbed the neck of a spiritual chicken and crushed the neck with a snap without mercy.

Afterwards, they plucked the hair and bled the chicken, cut open its belly, and burned a fire with wood. When the aroma of the meat filled the air and the oil sizzled, Chang'an Zi was overjoyed. He picked up the roasted chicken, ran to the Cangdao Peak, and entered the Daoyuan.

"Uncle Master, there is something good."

However, the familiar scenery remained, but the familiar figures were nowhere to be seen. The uncle was neither in the courtyard nor in the Sutra Repository.

If you can’t find it, stop looking.

Chang'anzi tore off half of the chicken and left it for his uncle. He sat under the vigorous old pine tree in the Wendaoyuan, sniffing the charming aroma. He lowered his head and was about to taste it when his uncle suddenly appeared.

The white-haired Taoist priest was furious. He held the peach wood sword and chopped it down.

"You little brat, didn't I ever tell you to stop stealing chickens? I think you're asking for a beating!"

---

Click!

The sword whistled and Chang'anzi suddenly woke up.

The picture suddenly shattered, reality and memory were severed, and the past and present were disconnected.

The moment he opened his eyes, Chang'anzi found that his head and below were sunk into the stairs, and another self was looking down at him with an odd smile.

He suddenly understood and said, "What is true is true, what is false is false. What is true is not false, and what is false is not true."

"There is a saying in the world that true gold is not afraid of fire. Although you are my reflection, you will never be me."

The moment these words fell, Yun Tianfeng had some thoughts.

Flames ignited on the ninetieth floor, burning another Chang'anzi. Screams were heard, and the fake began to return to its original form.

His facial features, skin color, hair accessories, clothes, etc. all flowed away like water, revealing a misty figure. Later, the mist also turned into water. When the water flowed into the steps one inch, Chang'an Zi would come out of the steps one inch.

When the water flowed into the steps, Chang'anzi had completely escaped from the mud. He looked down at the steps again, but the flowing water did not turn into a reflection and disappeared completely.

At this moment, Changanzi understood:
“I found myself again.”

At this moment, his eyes were clearer than ever before, and he had never recognized himself as clearly as he did now.

Also, one thing is clear:

Tests are also opportunities.

Both are under your feet.

The further you go, the higher you climb, the closer you are to opportunities, and the easier it is to obtain good fortune.

It depends on whether you are willing to work hard enough.

Each step brings you to a new level.

The thirty steps are a major hurdle.

If you get through it, you can enjoy the opportunity.

This discovery made Chang'anzi excited. After strengthening his mind, he climbed the mountain again.

After taking a step down, there was no more torture, but his body felt heavy as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him.

After feeling it carefully, he climbed the stairs step by step.

In the stands, the audience was delighted.

Become!

In the debate test, Chang'an Ziwen ranked among the top 100.

Unfortunately, Chang Qingzi stopped at the 90th floor.

Despite the regret, everyone was still in a good mood. Not only did Chang'anzi do well, but Changqingzi could rank among the top 150 in this assessment. As long as he practiced the hundred arts and did well in the martial arts competition, he still had hope of making it into the top 100.

---

At Yuntian Peak, Chang'anzi was sweating profusely.

After the ninetieth floor, the pressure doubles with each step you take.

He guessed that these thirty levels were a test of perseverance.

Standing on the 115th floor, Chang Anzi took a deep breath and continued to move forward. He practiced the "Spiritual Body Refining Technique" and had a strong physique. The self-torture practice over the past year and a half made him even more perseverant.

At present, I can still hold on.

With each step, Chang'anzi's pace became slower and slower, his spine became more and more bent, and his strong muscles bulged, as if his Taoist robe could burst at any time.

But he is still going up, constantly going up!

Through the water mirror, many guests saw Chang'anzi surpassing his opponents one by one. When he broke into the top 50, the major Taoist sects became nervous and guests from other forces also whispered to each other, asking for news about this man.

When they learned that he came from Qiuzhen Temple, people had different reactions. Other forces said that one does not ask where a hero comes from, but the eyes of the major Taoist sects towards Qiuzhen Temple changed.

It’s the truth-seeking view again!
The leader of the Zixia Sect asked, "I remember that there was a Taoist priest in this small Taoist sect who made it into the top fifty of the conference and was the best among the small Taoist sects. His name seemed to be Xuan Ye."

The accompanying elder replied, "Yes, twenty years ago, he was ranked 80th at Yuntian Peak."

The Great Elder looked at Shui Jing and said with emotion: "It seems that this Qiuzhen Temple is very good at teaching disciples. This boy is more outstanding than Xuan Ye and will soon break into the top ten."

Other major Taoist sects were either as emotional as the Zixia Sect, or had a cold expression or a smile on their faces.

Whether they were willing or not, they did not express any resentment and were very sensible in public, not damaging the image of Taoism.

In the Qiuzhen Observation Stand, Xuanxu and others were so nervous that they couldn't believe Chang'anzi was so capable.

Even Taoist Feibai was infected by the atmosphere. He guzzled tea and couldn't help but become nervous.

When he broke into the top ten, Xuan Yang almost laughed out loud, but Xuan Kong was quick to cover his laughter.

Chang'anzi was not aware of what was happening in the outside world.

When he gritted his teeth and stepped onto the 120th step, his whole body shook and he felt a force surging into his body from the steps. The bottleneck of his "Spiritual Body Refining Technique" was broken, his physical strength reached a new level, and his spiritual perception also improved.

The overwhelming pressure suddenly eased, and he felt that he could still hold on for a while, just like his uncle once taught him:
Think about your master.

If you are not dead yet, practice till you die.

Now, he not only thought of his master, but also his uncle-master, who would rather die than die.

Taking a deep breath, Chang'anzi continued to move forward.

On the 121st floor, the test changed again. It was still about perseverance, but it was no longer aimed at the body, but the soul. Sword moves came one after another, piercing straight into the center of his eyebrows. A crack appeared in his entrance. He groaned and continued to move forward.

And when he stepped onto this floor, most people's eyes fell on him. They wanted to know how far this disciple of a small sect could go. Even though there were four Taoists ahead of him, the latter were from big sects, so in the eyes of the guests, it was taken for granted.

On the contrary, Chang'anzi is a dark horse.

One hundred and twenty-two, one hundred and twenty-five, one hundred and twenty-nine...

The level is higher and the entrance is full of cracks.

With one sword after another, Chang'anzi endured the pain of his soul being torn apart and gradually recognized that this was the new Bagua Sword deep in his memory. Uncle Xuanming had demonstrated it to him and he had practiced it for a year and a half.

But each sword is not systematic and is disorganized.

But with every step he took, his understanding of the Bagua Sword deepened, the chaos was sorted out, and his sword intent was improved.

So Chang'anzi endured the pain and continued to move forward.

Sweat wet the steps, but he persisted.

The entrance was full of cracks, but he still persisted.

Finally, Chang'anzi went from being hunched over to crawling, but he still persisted and climbed up one step after another.

More than one person, he didn't know.

He didn't know if there were more than two people.

When he was second, he still had no idea.

The audience was moved.

Some feel disdain, some feel admiration.

The great elder of Zixia Sect admired and said: "This boy has great perseverance."

At Yuntian Peak, when he climbed up the 150th step, Chang'anzi collapsed to the ground in a big letter shape, as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

But he was laughing, and his hearty laughter spread throughout the Hutian Palace.

Because he did it and defeated himself.

Above the entrance, every crack disappeared, forming a large amount of sword insights that poured into his heart.

---

The steps under my feet disappeared and Yuntian Peak disappeared.

The moment Chang'anzi and the other two young Taoists appeared on the water mirror, there was thunderous applause that was deafening.

They are the top three in this level.

The green-robed immortal came flying from the sky.

He first encouraged the leader of the Zixia Sect, and then talked to Chang'anzi, who was in the second class.

"Congratulations to you for winning the second place in this debate."

"For a disciple of a small sect to reach this point, this has never happened in Fengyang County's thousand-year history."

"My friend is destined to be famous throughout the counties and prefectures, and even in my Great Xuan Divine Dynasty, his reputation will rise rapidly."

Changanzi couldn't believe it:
"I won?"

"Got Yaqui?"

The Qingyi Immortal nodded.

Understand the incredibleness of Chang'anzi.

Because he also found it unbelievable, if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

"My friend is unprecedented in the thousand-year history of Fengyang County Tiandi Academy. After winning the championship this time, I'm sure you must be feeling very upset and have many emotions. Do you have anything to say?"

"Have!"

The Qing Yi Zhenren was curious.

Others are curious too.

The other two came from prominent clans, but Chang'anzi came from an ordinary Taoist lineage.

They wanted to know what this young Taoist who was working miracles would say.

"My success today is inseparable from the strong support of Master. Thank you for your cultivation."

Chang'anzi bowed sincerely.

If he hadn't been raised by his master, he would have died.

If his master hadn't rescued him, he would have died as well.

In fact, he wanted to thank Uncle Xuanming more.

Without his teachings, I would never have been able to transform myself.

Without the body-building method he taught me and the rigorous training, it would have been difficult for me to pass the two tests of perseverance.

If he had not urged me to contemplate the sutras regularly over the past few years, it would have been difficult for me to get past the first thirty steps.

Without his teachings, I would not be able to break through the barriers of self, understand my mind and nature, and recognize my true self.

There are one hundred and fifty levels, with a test every thirty stages. His uncle helped him pass four of them.

It was his great contribution that enabled me to win the championship.

But, my uncle likes quietness.

Chang'anzi then held back the thanks that was about to come out of his mouth. Not letting worldly affairs disturb his uncle was the best reward he could give to his uncle.

From now on, this will be his creed to abide by.

Xuanxu and others were also moved.

He stood up and bowed in return.

They are very proud that Qiuzhen Temple has such a disciple.

　感谢且听龙吟大大、失望123、青玦、初一大魔王、1611……4323大大的1张月票；感谢嘿黑哈嘿、若你也呼唤我、2022……2978大大的2张月票。

　　
　
(End of this chapter)