The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 59: People are close to the Tao, and the Tao is close to people

Hutian Palace, on the first floor stands.

Xuanxu and other audience members who seek the truth were worried.

On the second-floor stands, Master Yuquan had a complicated look in his eyes. He didn't like the two people on the field, but if he had to choose one, he would rather Chang'anzi win than to see the smug face of old Donglai.

On the stage, they saluted each other.

Chang'anzi took the lead, using his left hand for fist and right hand for sword, following his previous fighting style.

If you don’t take action, then don’t take action. If you do take action, then do it with all your strength.

The punch was domineering, the sword was sharp, and the combination of fist and sword was extremely powerful. Even Taoist Xuanguang had to respond cautiously when facing this attack. However, Taoist Zhaoye just flicked his sleeves lightly, and a purple cloud shot out. The attack disappeared into thin air, like smoke.

With a sinking feeling in his heart, Chang'anzi attacked again. He took a step, the Bagua emerged, sword light burst out, and the Bagua sword formation came powerfully.

Taoist Zhaoye did not dodge or evade. A hint of faint admiration appeared in his eyes that were like stars. He allowed the Bagua Sword Formation to trap him. When the sword light attacked, he lightly moved his feet and dodged the sharp sword light in a small space.

His pupils turned purple and emitted purple light. Taoist Zhaoye saw through the truth and lightly snapped his fingers at a beam of sword light. Clanging sword sounds were heard and the Bagua Sword Formation suddenly shook, with a crack appearing.

Seeing that the formation did not break immediately, a hint of surprise emerged on Taoist Zhaoye's handsome face, and he flicked his slender fingers again.

With every bounce, a crack appeared on the sword formation and another scar appeared on Chang'anzi's body, but the sword formation was never broken.

Taoist Zhaoye's face showed even more interest, and he snapped his fingers three times, and the Bagua Sword Formation was shattered.

The heavy sword flew back and was caught by Chang'anzi. He retreated three steps before stabbing it diagonally into the ground. He squatted down with the sword in his hand, bent his knees and gasped, suddenly spitting out a mouthful of blood.

With his robe fluttering, Taoist Zhaoye brushed off his sleeves, looked at Chang'anzi, nodded and said, "You are not bad."

Being able to break the rules and fight with him for six rounds is rare among those at the Jingjing realm, not to mention that the opponent is only at the third Jingjing realm.

Wiping off the blood, using the sword as a crutch, Chang Anzi gritted his teeth and stood up: "Daoyou, you are very powerful. I admire you. I still have a sword. I hope you can appreciate it."

Taoist Zhaoye was curious and raised his hand to invite him in.

Chang'anzi mobilized all his magic power and blood, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and entered a state of no thought and no consciousness. His spiritual perception, magic power, sword intent, and fist intent were all integrated into his flesh and blood, and everything contracted inward.

As time passed, he seemed like an ordinary human being, unremarkable. However, the more so, the more cautious Zhao Yedao became, and his face showed a seriousness that he had never shown since the start of the competition.

This double leader is serious!

Time passed bit by bit, and when the accumulation finally reached the critical point, Chang'anzi opened his eyes.

"I have a sword that can slay demons and evil spirits."

"I have a sword, I will protect you."

The moment he finished speaking, he raised his sword and slashed.

Like a volcanic eruption or a flood bursting a dam, an illusory figure appeared behind Chang'an Zi. The figure was about ten feet tall and looked unreal, but Xuanxu and other Taoists of the three generations were cheered up.

Although it was just a facade, they recognized the phantom's identity as: "Senior Brother Xuanming!"

The "Spiritual Body Strengthening Technique" was created by the senior brother. It emphasizes observation and meditation, and the unity of spirit and flesh. Xuanxu and others were surprised, as they did not expect Chang'anzi to have practiced this technique to such an extent that his spiritual appearance could be manifested.

As for the fact that the spirit image was their senior brother, although they were surprised at first, they quickly accepted it because the person they were visualizing was also their senior brother.

On the arena, as Chang'an Zi raised his sword, the illusory spirit also raised his sword and slashed it down with one sword, like a god raising his sword, beheading demons and cleansing the universe. A three-meter sword light fell fiercely.

Taoist Zhaoye had a solemn expression on his face, his body trembled slightly, and purple air filled the sky above his head, condensing into a purple sun.

The sword light collided with the purple sun, the arena shook slightly, and dense sword marks and holes were left on the ground.

---

Floating Cloud Mountain, Qiuzhen Temple, Cangdao Peak, Sutra Repository, a white-haired Taoist priest who was flipping through Taoist scriptures paused for a moment, feeling something in his heart. He looked out the window and gazed into the distance, which was the direction of Fengyang County.

"How strange! Why do I have such a strange feeling? Is it that Junior Brother Xuanxu and the others are in trouble, or is there another reason?"

Putting down the scriptures, Xuanming grabbed several brushes from the pen holder on the table and threw them casually. The brushes scattered on the ground in strange shapes, which turned out to be a Fire Earth Jin Gua.

The upper hexagram is Li, representing fire, and the lower hexagram is Kun, representing earth, which symbolizes progress, development, and success.

The first six days, the progress is like a destruction, the steadfastness is auspicious, the faith is not trustworthy, and the prosperity is without fault. It means that you will make initial progress and encounter obstacles, but it is generally favorable and auspicious.
Twisting his fingers lightly, Xuanming understood the whole story and couldn't help stroking his beard and laughing: "Good divination! It seems like it! What a great Chang'anzi!"

Thinking that this was the last day of the martial arts exam, he smiled even more kindly: "It looks like there will be happy events in Qiuzhen Temple soon."

As for the bloody disaster shown in it, Xuanming didn't take it to heart. In a fight, injuries were inevitable, but it was no big deal anyway, and there was no worry about his life. On the contrary, blood was a sign of good luck.

Jade cannot be made into a useful object without being carved. Young people should experience more wind and rain, otherwise, how can they become useful?

Footsteps were heard. The Taoist guarding the pavilion went up to the second floor after hearing the noise. Seeing the brushes scattered all over the floor, his brows jumped. He looked at his uncle with resentment, then lowered his head to pick them up as if resigned to his fate.

As early as when the Taoist priest guarding the pavilion appeared on the second floor, Xuanming picked up the Taoist scriptures again and concentrated on gaining enlightenment, as if he was unaware of what was happening around him.

It was not until the Taoist guarding the pavilion bowed and left that Xuanming sighed as he looked at the brushes neatly arranged on the table, with even the brush tips neatly arranged without a single stray hair, all pointing in the same direction, and with the pen shafts arranged from low to high. The Taoist guarding the pavilion, Chang Fengzi, who was carefully selected by his junior fellow apprentices, was certainly good, diligent, smart, and respectful, but he was too clean, too meticulous, and too obsessive.

He was used to being casual and would place things however was convenient and comfortable. This was the opposite of the style of this cheap nephew. He was a little uncomfortable at first, but he didn't chase him away. He just took it as a training for his mind, and the effect was quite good.

Now that we are used to each other, we have a tacit understanding. One lets go and the other holds back; one is casual and the other abides by it; one moves and the other is quiet; one is old and the other is young. There is a mysterious feeling, which is quite interesting when you savor it carefully. You will have a more subtle understanding of "Tao is in all living beings and hidden in life. People are not separated from Tao and Tao is not far from people", and you have reached a higher level in the immersion in practicing Taoism in everything you do, whether walking, sitting or lying down.

Taking a sip of the clear tea that Changfengzi had prepared before going downstairs, Xuanming restrained his distracting thoughts and concentrated on reading the scriptures. He immersed himself in the scriptures after counting his breaths, forgetting both himself and the world, absorbing the essence of the truth, eliminating the dross, taking the essence, nourishing himself, and his Taoism accumulated and grew in the silent way, like a small drop of water gradually filling a large vessel.

The aroma of tea wafts in the air, the scent of books wafts in the air, and the natural fragrance invigorates the mind. Soon, the second floor of the Sutra Repository becomes quiet, leaving only the white-haired old Taoist priest and half a room full of Taoist scriptures, as well as the occasional rustling sound of scrolling that calms one's mind.

---

Hutian Palace, on the stage.

The sword light was gradually swallowed by the purple sun.

Chang'anzi staggered and blood spurted out again. He used his sword to support himself on the ground to avoid falling.

Taoist Zhao Ye was very graceful. He did not press the advantage of the victory, nor did he take advantage of the opportunity. He vomited blood twice in a row, which was the backlash of his magic being broken. Because he knew this clearly, even though he was defeated miserably, Chang'anzi still had a very good impression of Taoist Zhao Ye.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist. I am convinced."

Taoist Zhaoye returned the greeting and looked at Chang'anzi with appreciation: "You have integrated your spirit and body, and your fist and sword into one. You have discarded all sword techniques and simply chopped and chopped. This sword of yours already has some meaning of being ingenious and breaking the law with force. It is worthy of praise and is really good."

The Taoist in front of him was the first one who could force him to use 50% of his strength since the martial arts test began.

"Fellow Taoist is so complimentary."

With a humble word, Chang'anzi dragged his sword and walked off the stage. Although this fight was very important to him, losing was losing. People who practice Taoism should not care too much about winning or losing, and should not be too obsessed with fame and gain.

Xuanxu and others immediately came forward and asked Chang'anzi about his well-being. Even though he was defeated, for Qiuzhen Temple, Chang'anzi's defeat was still an honor.

Time flies. In the evening, the participating Taoist sects, independent practitioners and the audience are all full of energy. The martial arts test is over and this Daoyuan event is about to end, which means the final result will be announced.

As expected, Taoist Zhaoye of Zixia Sect became the leader of the Daoyuan Conference.

Although Chang'anzi was defeated by Taoist Zhaoye and failed to make it into the top five in the martial arts test, his overall ranking was right at fifth in the Daoyuan Festival, making him the only one from a minor Taoist lineage to make it into the top ten. Not only did he obtain a book on Qigong True Person's Experience, he also got a Huangya Pill, which was considered to be what he had wished for.

Chang Qingzi's overall ranking is 40th. His disciple is doing well and is very proud of himself. Taoist Xuanyang smiles at everyone he sees.

"Fellow Daoist Donglai, Zixia Sect has a successor, congratulations!"

"The three champions in debate, arts, and martial arts, the Zixia Sect shines this time. Fellow Daoist Donglai, please order a few more tables of Nine Spirit Treasures at Xiankelai!"

……

On the second-floor stands, Master Donglai stood up to return the greeting, with a smile on his face but distressed inside.

If Zixia Sect really had such a genius, he would wake up laughing in his dreams. However, Zhao Ye had another origin. It is difficult to raise a true dragon in shallow water. This is not a person that Zixia Sect can afford to support.

After a month, the Daoyuan Conference finally ended. All the Taoists left the Hutian Palace and celebrated regardless of their results.

The pursuit of truth is no exception.

The Taoist priests, both big and small, were busy for half the night.

The next day, Qiuzhen Temple did not leave the county town immediately.

Not only did Chang'anzi and Changqingzi need to recuperate from their injuries, and also because people die for money and birds die for food, the Huangya Pill could help cultivators break through their Qi training, so there was no guarantee that someone would not take the risk and steal it secretly.

Rather than carrying this pill along on the journey and attracting covetousness, it is better to swallow it and refine it, break through the realm and advance, become a real person, shock all parties, and the return journey will also be safer.

After discussion, Xuanxu swallowed the pill.

Among the three generations of Taoists present, only he and Xuan Su could see the threshold of Qi training. They had a higher success rate in breaking through and it took less time.

Xuanxu is in charge of the inherited magic sword and is stronger than Xuansu, so it is more appropriate for him to swallow the elixir.

As the owner of the elixir, Chang'anzi had no objection to this. He worked hard to get the elixir in order to repay his uncle and the sect. If the head uncle achieved immortality and returned to the mountain, uncle Xuanming would surely be very happy.

Of course, Xuanxu dared to do this because fighting was not allowed in Fengyang County, and Xianlin Pavilion was protected by Tiandiyuan, so its safety factor was higher. The Taoist sects and independent cultivators who attended the meeting could stay for seven days, so they had plenty of time.

The top five forces in the conference have one chance to apply for a training room. This room is built on a spiritual vein and is equipped with a protective formation and a soundproof formation, so there is no fear of interference.

This is also the benefit that Tiandi Academy gives to the top five in the conference, to prevent someone from snatching the Huangya Pill and adding flaws to this conference.

Of course, if you are confident in your own strength and do not break through in the city, Tiandi Academy will not force you. If you lose the elixir after leaving the city, the consequences will be at your own risk and Tiandi Academy will not be responsible.

You choose your own path. If it is destined to happen, it will happen eventually. If it is not destined to happen, don’t force it.

Although the training room is special, the breakthrough of Xuanxu realm is of great importance. For the sake of caution, all the Taoists take turns to guard outside the door.

Xuankong also rode on a spirit crane and rushed back to Fuyun Mountain at lightning speed. He wanted to ask Brother Xuanming to come out of the mountain, but he didn't expect that his brother had some insights after observing a thunderstorm yesterday afternoon and actually went into seclusion. He had no choice but to return in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)