Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

On the shores of the East China Sea, the storm has temporarily subsided, the sound of the tide remains, but it cannot wash away the bloodstains on the city walls.

The lingering chill of death in the air could not be dispelled.

Inside Guanchao City, amidst the broken walls and ruins, cultivators from various human sects were packing their belongings.

Treating the wounded and collecting the remains of their comrades, the atmosphere was heavy with a sense of relief at surviving a catastrophe.

The flying boats and cloud carriages of the three major sects, Xuantian Sect, Zifu Sect, and Fulong Mountain, have been parked outside the city and are about to return.

Before their departure, the three sect leaders, Lingxiao Zhenren, Zixia Xianzi, and Long Zhantian, spoke.

They came together to bid farewell to Daoxuan, who was temporarily residing there.

The courtyard was hastily prepared and located in a corner of the half-ruined city lord's mansion, containing only a stone table.

A few stone benches, and in the corner of the wall, an old plum tree that had endured the ravages of war had sprouted a few new green leaves, exuding a tenacious vitality.

Dao Xuan, dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, was brewing tea with her delicate hands under the plum tree.

The charcoal fire in the clay stove glowed faintly red, and the spring water in the sand pot began to boil, emitting a soft, rustling sound like the wind through the pines.

Upon seeing the three enter, he nodded slightly and offered them tea.

"Dao Xuan Zhenren"

Master Lingxiao was the first to bow, his usually dignified face showing a hint of shame and exhaustion that he could not hide.

"This calamity in the East Sea was entirely due to the True Man's efforts to avert disaster."

However... our Xuantian Sect's governance was lax, resulting in this rebellion, which nearly caused a catastrophe and implicated all our fellow cultivators in the city.

Ling Xiao...felt utterly ashamed.

After speaking, he bowed deeply.

Dao Xuan flicked his sleeve, and a gentle yin-yang force lifted Lingxiao Zhenren up.

"Sect Master Lingxiao's words are weighty. It's easy to draw the skin of a tiger, but difficult to draw its bones; it's easy to know a person's face, but difficult to know their heart."

Those rebels, they plotted this all along, it wasn't something they did in a day.

Your clan was also a victim.

This matter is over; there's no need to dwell on it anymore.

His tone was calm, like a stream gurgling over stones, possessing the power to soothe the mind.

Zixia Fairy's face was covered by a light veil, her eyes were like water, and she sighed softly:

"His magnanimity is truly admirable."

It was only through this incident that I realized that although our human race seemed to be a united front, it was actually riddled with holes inside.

A hidden arrow is hard to guard against; you must be more vigilant in the future.

Her voice was clear and melodious, yet tinged with a hint of worry.

Long Zhantian was the most straightforward, showing no formality. He sat down directly, picked up the warm teacup in front of him, and drank it all in one gulp, saying in a gruff voice:

"Dao Xuan, I'm a rough man, I don't know how to say nice things."

This time, fighting the siren shoulder to shoulder was exhilarating!

I've also seen that you're a real man!

"If anything happens in the future, just send a message to Fulong Mountain. Even if it means facing mountains of knives or seas of fire, I'm no hero if I even flinch!"

He wiped his mouth, lowered his voice, and scanned his surroundings with his large, bell-like eyes.

"However, you really made a big splash this time. Killing the emperor to establish your authority and scaring away those cowards is true, but it also caught the eye of a lot of people."

Those who didn't come, those who hid in the back watching the fun, and...

Hmph, he's got his own agenda; he might not be convinced.

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Fairy Zixia is right; you should be more careful."

Dao Xuan refilled the teacups for the three of them, his expression calm amidst the rising steam.

"Thank you for your frankness, fellow Daoists. I understand."

Life is like a game of chess, and people's hearts are like an abyss. All I ask is to uphold the principles in my heart and protect my family.

As for the storms outside, let them come, and accept them calmly.

Upon hearing this, all three were moved and remained silent for a moment.

After exchanging a few more words about post-war arrangements and the sect's recuperation, he rose to take his leave.

Their sect was severely damaged in this battle and urgently needed to return to the mountain to reorganize, appease the people, and eliminate potential threats.

After seeing off the three sect leaders, Dao Xuan stood alone in the courtyard, hands behind his back, gazing at the sky.

The setting sun dyed the sea of ​​clouds a poignant crimson hue, and a few lone wild geese flew by, leaving behind a few mournful cries.

He was clear-headed. Although the dragons had retreated and the alien races had temporarily concealed their strength, the undercurrents beneath this calm would only become more turbulent.

Today's alliance is largely due to the circumstances, and people's hearts are unpredictable. What the future holds is still unknown.

The following morning, as the sun rose, the sea and sky were bathed in golden-red hues.

The Qingyun Sect members had gathered atop the ruined city wall. The Void-Breaking Boat hovered in mid-air, shimmering with iridescent light.

Dao Xuan's gaze swept over the disciples. Having been tempered by the blood and fire, these young faces had lost some of their childishness.

He had gained a more resolute and composed air, and his eyes were brighter and sharper. Although his cultivation aura fluctuated somewhat due to his injuries not yet being fully healed.

But the foundation of the Dao is even more solid.

He nodded slightly and said in a clear voice:

"The matter in the East China Sea is over; all that has happened here is a test."

After returning to the mountains, one should calm the mind and reflect upon what has been gained, diligently cultivate oneself without ceasing, so as not to have wasted this experience of life and death.

"We will follow the sect leader's teachings!" The disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing through the morning sky and dispelling the melancholy of parting.

Dao Xuan said no more and took the lead in boarding the Sky-Breaking Boat.

Tian Buyi, Cangsong, Zeng Shuchang, and others followed closely behind, and the disciples filed in.

The flying boat slowly rose into the air, changed direction, and faced the rising sun, transforming into a dazzling streak of light as it sped westward and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

Below the city, countless cultivators looked up to see them off, their gazes filled with complex emotions—reverence, gratitude, and a host of other indescribable feelings.

Seven days later, the Qingyun Mountains came into view.

The mountains stand tall and majestic, the sea of ​​clouds is vast and boundless, and the seven peaks, like swords, pierce the sky.

The mountain-protecting formation sensed the aura of the Void-Breaking Boat, and a portal opened up like ripples on water through its thick light barrier.

Silently welcoming the return of the sect leader and the disciples on their expedition.

At Tongtian Peak Square, the disciples who had already received the message gathered together.

When that familiar white figure stepped out of the flying boat first.

As she calmly landed in the center of the square, a tsunami-like cheer erupted from the mountains.

"Welcome back to the sect leader! Welcome back to all senior brothers and sisters!"

The roaring sound echoed through the mountains and valleys, startling countless birds and cranes into graceful dances.

Excitement and reverence shone on the young faces.

Dao Xuan's gentle gaze swept over everyone. Looking at the familiar mountains, rivers, trees, palaces, and pavilions, the tension in his heart eased slightly.

No matter how turbulent and unpredictable the outside world may be, this place is the root of Qingyun and the place where the Dao heart resides.

He did not linger, but offered some encouragement and instructed his disciples to rest well and digest what they had learned on this trip.

He then entrusted all matters concerning the aftermath, compensation, and reorganization of the sect to elders such as Tian Buyi, Cangsong, and Zeng Shuchang.

He then went straight back to the Illusion Moon Cave.

Deep within the cave, numerous restrictions were placed.

The central Tai Chi diagram slowly rotates, with Yin and Yang energies swirling around it.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged on it, not in a hurry to cultivate, but first calmed his mind and looked inward at himself.

Within his dantian, the Yin-Yang Chaos Sea was vast and boundless, nearly doubling in size compared to before the Battle of the East Sea.

The seawater had a hazy, grayish color, yet it faintly shimmered with golden and silver hues.

This signifies that the origins of the sun and moon have completely merged.

Above the sea, the materialized primordial spirit Daoist sat cross-legged, his appearance solemn and dignified.

The primordial spirit was now enveloped in a layer of warm and clear blue water light, in addition to the ever-flowing Yin-Yang Dao rhythm that was originally present.

It was as if he was wearing a Water Virtue Cloud Robe—this was after the initial refining of the Water Illusion Heavenly Pearl.

The original source of the Great Way of Water, blessed by nature, is manifested.

Between the opening and closing of his eyes, the left eye seemed to see a golden crow patrolling the sky, while the right eye seemed to see a jade toad sinking into the sea.