The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 80: The Eagle Strikes the Sky, the Third Immortal (Fourth Update)
At the foot of the mountain with floating clouds, strong winds blowing through the forest, inspiration surges.

Xuanming and Xuanxu ordered some disciples to return to the Taoist temple so as not to disturb others from breaking through. At the same time, they retreated and came to the edge of the spiritual energy tide with Hai Fengming.

After Xuanxu's reminder, Xuanming was already clear about the identity of the visitor, and also knew that it was him who was discussing the Dao with him. He was the first to salute and said gratefully: "Xuanming greets you, sir. Thank you for your guidance. This discussion of the Dao has benefited everyone in the Qiuzhen Temple. I will remember this favor in my heart. If there is any need in the future, the Qiuzhen Temple will definitely help you with all its strength."

Hai Fengming dodged to the side, returned a Legalist salute, and said in a gentle voice: "Fellow Daoist Xuanming, you are too kind. The sixteen words you gave me last time were like a blow to the head, awakening me and helping me regain my original intention. I should have come to thank you earlier, but because I broke free from the shackles, gained some insights, and touched the threshold of spiritual practice, I have delayed until now. I hope you won't blame me for being late."

Xuanming did not take credit for himself. He first congratulated Hai Fengming on his promising spiritual practice, and then told the truth: "Master Hai, please don't be like this. I wrote those sixteen words because I admire your character, so I shamelessly showed off my skills in front of you to show my respect. It is because you are so blessed that I can see your true heart."

This is what he means.

The Legalists in this world have continued to flourish for five thousand years, and there are endless Legalists, which is incomparable to the previous life. In terms of understanding of the law, I am far behind them. It was only after knowing Hai Fengming's character from Mr. Chu that I dared to boldly quote his words, pour in the legal meaning, and show a corner of the rule of law society and concepts of the previous life in an ancient background, hiding them in the words, hoping to have some effect.

After all, compared with the Legalists of today, the biggest advantage of the previous life in the Dharma-Ending Age is that it has less resistance and is better in terms of rule of law enforcement and universality. Most people can read and know the law, and understand how to use it. The law runs through everything from top to bottom, especially the concept and implementation of the monarch selecting the wise from the people, which will make the Legalists' eyes light up.

However, Xuanming could not guarantee or know whether this advantage was useful or not, and how much effect it could have. He sent those sixteen words because he didn't want to wait for news. He would try his best even if it didn't work.

Helping Hai Fengming to find his original heart was mainly due to the cultivator's determination, and had little to do with him.

"You are too modest, my friend. It is an indisputable fact that Hai has been enlightened. This is beyond dispute."

Hai Fengming continued, "Also, I am here in a private capacity this time, so you don't need to address me as sir."

Having said this, Xuanming addressed Hai as fellow Daoist and did not continue the polite conversation. Xuanxu invited Hai Fengming to go up the mountain for a chat, but Hai Fengming politely declined, preferring to wait with them and protect the Dharma.

---

The three of them sat on the ground and talked about everything.

Through communication, Xuanming learned that Hai Fengming came specifically to discuss Taoism. He also knew that some Taoist sects in Fengyang County would gather in Fuyun Mountain to discuss Taoism in early spring next year, and hoped to lend a helping hand to Qiuzhen Temple to repay the favor.

Xuanming and Xuanxu had a better impression of Hai Fengming. Soon the four generations of Taoists made breakthroughs. Xuanming asked them to reflect and regulate their breathing to digest what they had gained. Hai Fengming glanced at Changningzi, who was holding a chicken in one hand and walking a spirit chicken in the other. He was surprised, but he saw through it without saying anything. He and Xuanming smiled at each other. They had a tacit understanding without saying anything.

Half an hour later, Xuan Yang and others woke up, came to greet Hai Fengming, and had a brief conversation. Then Xuan Ming sent them up the mountain and ordered them to go into seclusion. The Taoists did not act pretentiously, but apologized to Hai Fengming and went up the mountain one after another.

Hai Fengming understood the priorities and never felt dissatisfied. Advancing to the Qi training realm is not something that can be achieved in one day. Having achieved his goal, he said goodbye and left, leaving Xuanxu to take care of him temporarily, and Xuanming personally sent him down the mountain.

After watching the carriage leave, he turned back to the mountain and asked Xuanxu to return to the temple to digest what he had learned and handle affairs. He himself stayed here, sitting on the ground, guarding the Dharma while carefully reviewing the experience of today's discussion of the Tao, and turning what he had learned into his own foundation as soon as possible.

The sound of a horse-drawn carriage was heard, getting closer and closer to the county town.

The young man was very curious. His follower Hai Yannian woke up, held back, and asked, "Master, do you think Xuanming Zhenren will win the discussion next year?"

Hai Yannian knew exactly why his master came to Floating Cloud Mountain. Taoist Xuanming had done his master a favor, and he hoped that Qiuzhen Temple would win so that his master's hard work would not be in vain and he would be in a good mood.

Hai Fengming slowly opened his eyes after digesting the insights of the theory and said slowly, "Maybe! If Daoist Xuanming doesn't get another chance before March next year, and his golden elixir doesn't appear, it will be hard to find an opponent. If we encounter a golden elixir, the chances of winning are not high. If he is lucky enough to have another breakthrough, the chances are fifty-fifty."

He changed the subject and continued, "It is rare to see a Daoist like Xuanming who has just completed the Great Zhoutian Perfection and has reached the Xiantian Perfection, and even has seen the threshold of the Golden Core. No matter what the result of the Dao Discussion next year is, he will still be honored even if he loses."

In fact, when they first discussed Taoism, Hai Fengming was shocked. He never expected that this Taoist Xuanming who had lived in the mountains for a long time was more legendary than the rumors said. His Taoism had reached the innate level and he had gone some distance away, and he had unique insights into the principles of heaven and earth.

This time, he gained more than he expected.

"It seems that the master admires Xuanming Zhenren very much. When the spiritual dates in our house are ripe next autumn, the master may invite the Zhenren to come to the house as a guest and have a cup of date tea."

Hai Yannian happily suggested that the master was good in every way except that he was a little eccentric and rarely received visits from people.

"I see that you not only want me to invite Master Xuanming, but also want me to remind him to bring the spiritual deer." When his thoughts were exposed, Hai Yannian covered his forehead that was slapped, smiled ingratiatingly, and did not deny it.

Looking at the silly smile on the face of the cub he raised, Hai Fengming couldn't bear to watch. At this time, the carriage was about to enter Fuyun County. He lifted the curtain and looked back at Fuyun Mountain which seemed to be welcoming the sunset. A light flashed in his eyes, and through his Dharma Eyes, he saw a force gradually gathering above Fuyun Mountain. Although it was thin, it did exist.

He had seen a similar trend on Ganquan Mountain where the Wanshou Palace in Linjiang County was located when he first entered the Qi training realm a hundred years ago. Now, the Wanshou Palace has become the new top-level Taoist sect in the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty.

“The eagle soars in the sky with a strong wind, and the roc flies over the sea with spring waves. No matter what the result will be next year, this Qiuzhen Temple will be as powerful as a rainbow and unstoppable in Fengyang County.”

Hai Fengming muttered to himself.

---

Floating Cloud Mountain, in the woods.

The white-haired old Taoist priest sat cross-legged without moving, with a mysterious Taoist rhyme emanating from within three feet of his body. In his mind, principles were intertwined. He diligently absorbed the essence of Taoism and put it to good use for himself.

It was not until the cold moon in the sky cast its bright moonlight and illuminated the mountains and forests that Xuanming woke up temporarily and collected the moonlight.

After finishing his practice, he did not digest the remaining gains immediately. Instead, he walked to the streamside, gazing at the sparkling waves and the moon's reflection in the water. He wished he could have another jar of good wine and drink with the moon.

This discussion was truly unexpected.

Not only did I overestimate my alcohol tolerance, I also didn't expect Hai Fengming to visit me today, and discussing philosophy in his sleep was even more unexpected.

Although Hai Fengming is a Legalist and he is a Taoist, they have different paths to the same goal. According to legend, the founder of the Legalist school once asked the Wuliang Tianzun for advice. The two schools have some common origins and some principles. One can learn from others' experience, not to mention that Hai Fengming is a cultivator who has reached the threshold of spiritual practice.

Even though Xuanming lost this time in the discussion, he still made remarkable progress. Once he digests the remaining gains, he will most likely reach the threshold of the Golden Elixir in terms of Taoism. In next year's discussion, his chances of winning will increase significantly.

Of course, his greatest gain was not his Taoism, but the cocoon of light in his lower dantian. His mind sank into it, and looking at the micro world that was about to take shape inside the cocoon, Xuanming was excited.

During this discussion, Hai Fengming's Legalist principles became the nourishment for the development of the micro-world, and the principles that he had not comprehended, understood, or heard were absorbed by the light cocoon.

As for the fact that Hai Fengming had ordered someone to deliver a visiting card, Xuanming heard Xuanxu mention it. Because Hai Fengming had been obsessed with spiritual practice for some time and was determined to break through, Xuanxu didn't want to disturb him, so he didn't tell him. However, things in the world are strange, and the two of them will meet at the foot of the mountain.

After calming down, Xuanming sat cross-legged, continuing to chew his food slowly while protecting Xuansu.

The next evening, Xuanxu also came here.

On the third day, when the clouds were rising, a powerful force burst out and roared through the mountains and forests.

Xuanming and Xuanxu smiled and bowed to Xuansu who had just woken up: "Congratulations, Junior Sister, for becoming one of our generation."

Xuan Su returned the greeting, smiling broadly: "Thank you, two brothers, for your protection."

The three immortals in Qiuzhen Temple all laughed heartily. After a brief conversation, they left. One of them floated on the wind and went straight to Zhenxuan; the other one had a lotus under his feet and returned to Su Nu.

Xuanming returned to Cangdao Peak like an ordinary person, walking down the mountain, walking up the mountain, step by step, and completing the journey. He walked neither fast nor slow, as if strolling in a garden. With each step, a ray of undigested truth was understood and transformed. Every time he took a step, he was grounded, and his foundation was deepened. It seemed nothing strange, but in fact, it was wonderful.

As the three real people left the foot of the mountain, an invisible force slowly condensed and evaporated on Floating Cloud Mountain.

Seven days later, Xuanming entered the Liehuo Peak to prepare for refining weapons.

(End of this chapter)