The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 53: Going against the current can easily capsize a boat, but going with the current can easily land ashore

"I have already concluded the superior foundation-building method."

Xuanming said in a rhythmic voice: "Nectar cannot moisten grass without roots, and the Great Dao cannot save people without affinity. My superior method of seeking truth only considers whether there is affinity or not. If there is no affinity, even if I am stabbed with a sharp blade, I would rather die in glory than live in disgrace."

The decisive tone shocked Yuanji Zhenren's mind. When he reacted and realized that there was a way, he was happy and puzzled, and asked: "How do you determine whether there is a predestined relationship?"

Xuanming said: "Since many fellow Taoists are seeking for their own Taoist lineages, and our Taoist sect respects Taoism, then let's talk about Taoism. Those who are better than me are considered to have a destiny, and those who are not as good as me are considered to have no destiny."

Looking at Master Yuanji, who seemed to have had a basin of cold water poured over his head, Xuanming pretended not to know, and continued with a calm tone, stabbing the sharp knife:

“Although the foundation of the Seeking Truth View is shallow, it is not something that fellow Taoists can manipulate at will. Before discussing the Dao, you must hand over 500 Daoist scriptures as a stepping stone.

In addition, since this discussion is a duel, there will be winners and losers, and naturally there must be a prize. The prize of my Qiuzhen Temple is to comprehend the superior foundation-building method. If you Taoists fail in the discussion, you must hand over your experience of Qi training or cultivation methods that are equivalent to your own cultivation level. "

Yuanji Zhenren stared at Xuanming in surprise. He didn't expect this fellow Taoist to be so bold. But he changed his mind and felt that it was natural. You came to take my Taoist method, so why can't I take yours? It's fair to have healthy competition and give and take.

After thinking it through, he agreed: "If you want to take something, you must first give it. This is reasonable and logical."

Then he asked, "I wonder when did you start discussing the Dao?"

Xuanming already had a plan in mind, and said calmly: "In the early spring of next year, the ice and snow will melt, all things will be awakened, a new year will begin, and everything will be renewed. It will be the best time to discuss Taoism. What do you think, fellow Taoist?"

Yuanji Zhenren praised: "Great!"

Nodding slightly, Xuanming continued: "Winning in the discussion of the Dao does not necessarily mean you can obtain the superior method, but you are qualified. The superior method is related to the training of the spirit, so you should be very careful.

At that time, I will erect a Taoist stele in Floating Cloud Mountain, inscribe the Qiuzhen Temple's superior foundation-building method on it, and set up three levels in the stele. It does not matter what level of cultivation you have, what kind of bones you have, or what kind of status you have. It only counts your character, perseverance, and understanding. Only those who are outstanding in all three can be passed on the superior method. "

Yuanji Zhenren: "The Dharma is not passed on lightly, and the Dao is not sold cheaply. This is how it should be. Daoist friend, you are right in your thinking."

Xuanming continued, "Since you are seeking the method to build a foundation, only those who have not yet built a foundation can see the inscription."

Yuan Ji Zhenren was silent for a moment, then nodded and said: "It is for the prosperity of the sect and the blessing of the younger generation, so it should be like this."

After a pause, Xuanming continued, "No matter what the result is, the seeker and fellow Taoists must swear an oath in front of the stele that they will not cause trouble for the Seeking Truth Temple. If you want to seek again, you can try again next year. The rules remain the same. After three times, you will be completely out of luck."

After these words were spoken, Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu's worries were reduced by half, and Master Yuan Ji seemed to be thinking about something.

After half a cup of tea, he clapped his hands in praise and said with a smile: "The Dharma is not passed on in vain, the Dharma does not have a fixed price, the Dharma is not given away, and the Dharma does not help evil.

Taoist friends can abandon their sectarianism, erect Taoist monuments, set rules, and save good people. In terms of Taoism, they first determine the karmic law from the top down, and then limit the scope of those who seek the law. From the bottom up, the top and the bottom are in harmony, and the ultimate karmic relationship is determined. They choose to act according to the karmic relationship. They value Taoism and respect virtue, have a broad mind, extraordinary wisdom, and are thoughtful. I admire you. "

These are the heartfelt words of Yuanji Zhenren. Every word is sincere, every sentence is genuine, his expression is honest, and his words and deeds are consistent.

If he were in their shoes, he would not be able to come up with such a good idea and would probably have been extremely worried.

Xuanming stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word.

Looking at the setting sun, Yuanji Zhenren stood up and said goodbye: "It's getting late, I should leave now.

I will pass on what Fellow Daoist Xuanming said to other Fellow Daoists. I cannot control their attitudes, but my Tianzhuan Sect will definitely support Fellow Daoists."

He declined Xuanming's invitation to stay, and did not let Xuantong and Xuanyu see him off. He strode down the mountain, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind. He looked elegant and graceful. He returned in the sunset glow, bringing with him the stars and the moon, just like his mood at the moment, his worries gone with the wind, his heart clear and pure, and he was happy to see the flowers blooming.

Although he is not capable of it, he still has his senior brother.

Half a year later, the Tianzhuan School still has hope.

---

After watching Master Yuanji go away, Xuanming took Xuantong and Xuanyu back to the courtyard and sat down again. Xuantong finally couldn't help but said:
"Brother, are you sure about the Dao?"

Xuan Yu also kept a close eye on Xuan Ming. The superior foundation-building method was the foundation of the Qiuzhen Temple, and he was reluctant to hand it over.

Xuanming did not need to keep his junior fellow apprentice in suspense, and said directly: "If we discuss the Dao now, I am definitely not sure, but in half a year, I should be 70% sure."

Xuantong and Xuanyu knew their senior brother's comprehension level very well. They had confidence in him, but they were still worried when they thought that there was still a 30% chance that the secret technique would be leaked.

Glancing at his two junior brothers, Xuanming comforted them, "Discussing the Dao is only the first stage. There is also the Dao Monument. After the triple assessment, another 20% can be blocked. As for the last 10%, it depends on the seeker himself."

Xuan Yu was still worried: "But there is still the risk of the superior method being leaked. Is there no foolproof method?"

Xuanming did not answer, but glanced at Xuantong, who understood and explained, "If no one obtains the superior Dharma, the Truth Seeking Temple will immediately become the target of public criticism, and all the previous hard work will be wasted."

Xuan Yu understood, but was still anxious.

Seeing this, Xuanming revealed: “Things have good and bad, rivers have depths, and superior foundation-building methods have high and low levels.

The idea of this Yin-Yang foundation building chapter is very high. It is generous of me to teach the foundation building method in the Truth Seeking Temple. Can't I be considerate and simplify it and lower it appropriately so that the mountain is not too high and too steep for anyone to climb up? "

Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu suddenly understood.

Xuantong added: "In the future, my disciples can comprehend this superior foundation-building method. It is not afraid of revealing one's true identity, and it is also beneficial to the path. Only those with superior bones, character, perseverance, and understanding can comprehend the Yin-Yang foundation-building chapter."

Seeing that his two junior brothers looked better, Xuanming looked far away, and through his spiritual sense, he looked at the fishermen rowing their boats towards the ferry, and said:

"Looking at it from another angle, this may not be a bad thing for my pursuit of truth. It is brave to sail a small boat on a river against the current and ride the wind and waves, but it is easy to destroy the boat and die. If you go with the flow, you can ride the wind and go straight up, saving time and effort, and reach the other side faster."

Xuan Tong's eyes lit up: "According to the situation, we should take advantage of it and follow the trend. This is a brilliant move, Senior Brother.

While the incident has just started, these Taoist sects are still concerned about their reputation. I, the Truth Seeking Temple, took the initiative and set the rules. This way, if other Taoist sects want to obtain the superior method, they will have to follow the rules. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing and their reputation will be ruined, and they will lose face and become the laughing stock of the Fengyang County Taoist sect. "

Xuanming gave Xuantong an appreciative look.

Xuan Yu was like a sudden enlightenment, and his eyes were opened.

The huge rock that had been weighing on their hearts was finally put down, and the three Taoists couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Changshou, a spiritual deer, happened to return, and seeing the three people laughing happily, he thought they were laughing at him for being smelly just now. He immediately cried out angrily, jumped twice, and ran to the old pine tree, facing them with his butt, pouting his lips, looking very angry.

Unfortunately, no one comforted him.

Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu were anxious to go back and absorb what they had gained, and without lingering, Xuan Ming also entered the hut, put the gifts aside temporarily, sat cross-legged on the cushion, and closed his eyes to digest what he had gained.

In the past, when he discussed Taoism with his fellow junior fellow apprentices, he always spoke in words. Today's mysterious way of discussing Taoism was the first time for him. It was also the first time after he achieved the status of a true person. It was so mysterious and profound that Xuanming benefited a lot from it, but he has not yet fully digested it.

Especially the evolution of a three-foot illusory space in two days made his understanding of the principles of sun, moon, yin and yang advance by leaps and bounds, and he even got a glimpse of more mysterious and profound principles.

Good fortune is hard to come by, so Xuanming also took the time to digest it, wanting to truly put what he had gained to use for himself.

---

Xianlin Pavilion, the bright moon shines on the courtyard.

In the yard, hundreds of fireflies crawled out from the water plants, flapped their wings, lit up, and flew leisurely, illuminating the night, forming an alternative fantasy starry sky, beautiful and dreamy.

In the courtyard, all the real people gathered together. They had different lineages, different levels of cultivation, and each had their own style.

Some have broad foreheads, some have fairy-like appearance and beautiful faces, some are barefoot and wearing linen clothes, some wear brocade robes and jade belts, some have full beards, some have handsome features, some are male or female, some are old or young.

Everyone's eyes were focused on a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a sky-blue Taoist robe. It was Yuan Ji.

After he finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.

After a few breaths, a Taoist with a full beard clapped his hands and applauded: "What a Taoist Xuanming, you are willing to hand over the superior foundation-building method. You are very courageous. In the early spring of next year, I will go to Fuyun Mountain in person. Regardless of whether we can succeed or fail in the discussion, I am willing to meet this Taoist friend."

This is Huang Li Zhenren from the Lingguan Sect.

Master Taicang of the Mai Sect said: "Gains and losses go hand in hand, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand. Master Xuanming knows this well. There is no such thing as free rice in the world. If you want to get something, you have to pay for it. This is an eternal and constant law."

The handsome Qingyang Palace Yuquan Zhenren agreed: "What a fate! This Xuanming Zhenren has great ambitions and a clever mind. He originally wanted to seek the truth and observe the crisis, but he used this method to throw the problem back to us, putting us in a dilemma."

Zixia Sect's Grand Elder Donglai Zhenren opened his eyes, his purple pupils sparkling, and spoke sharply: "What? You don't want the superior foundation-building method anymore?"

Master Yuquan shook his head: "Of course!"

Donglai Zhenren: "Then why are you hesitating?"

Yuquan Zhenren: "Old man from the East, please don't go too far."

Donglai Zhenren: "Why? You can't tell the truth?"

……

The other real people were accustomed to the bickering between the two real people. The feud between Zixia Sect and Qingyang Palace was long-standing, and the two real people would exchange sharp words every time they met. It would be strange if they didn't quarrel a few words.

They all knew that Master Xuanming was plotting something overtly.

Tell them openly:
If you want to learn the higher Dharma, come and discuss the Dao.

I am willing to give up, and you must be willing to give up too.

It depends on who is better and who gives up.

Donglai Zhenren's words reminded them that although there seemed to be two choices, in reality no one could give up the superior method.

Although their lineages are large, none of them have the supreme method. This is an opportunity. Although their paths have been determined and they have no hope of cultivating spirits, they can fight for a bright future for their master and disciples and strive for that glimmer of hope of cultivating spirits. Once they succeed, their hard work will be richly rewarded.

Then, there is only one option left:

Follow the rules.

What's more, the Taoists are confident in their own Taoism, and when it comes to Taoism, they may not lose.

After the other immortals left, Yuanji and Yuanji smiled slightly. Looking at their 90% similar faces, Yuanji said, "Brother, I have come back with a lot from discussing the Dao and seeking truth at the temple. Let's go into the inner room and discuss the Dao. We can benefit from each other and perhaps we can both hope to attain the innate state. This way, there will be a glimmer of hope in the early spring of next year."

Yuanji Zhenren was surprised: "It seems that Xuanming Zhenren is more secretive than I thought. No wonder he dared to make an agreement to discuss the Dao."

Master Yuanji smiled and did not give a direct answer. However, the more he did so, the more Master Yuanji understood how powerful Master Xuanming was.

Besides being shocked, he became more looking forward to tonight's discussion. Looking at Yuanji Zhenren walking in front of him, Yuanji turned his head and looked in the direction of Fuyun Mountain for some unknown reason.

Although Master Xuanming benefited more than him, he had the help of his twin brother. There was something subtle between them, and their principles complemented each other, like the rising and falling of the crescent moon or the cloudy and sunny sky. Every time they discussed the Tao, they could indirectly benefit each other and gain 70% of the insights, which also fed back to themselves.

If the brothers work together, they may not lose to Master Xuanming.

Thinking of this, Master Yuanji smiled happily.

(End of this chapter)