Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Chapter 402 The Great Dao is profound, but my teacher is enough.

Inside the Qinghua Hall, the sounds of Taoism gradually faded away.

The cultivators in the hall gradually emerged from that profound Dao realm, their expressions varied, some were deep in thought, some showed joy, and some appeared puzzled, clearly indicating that their insights varied in depth.

Meanwhile, Immortal Lord Qinglin had already stood quietly on the jade steps in front of the hall, holding a whisk and wearing a faint smile. After everyone's minds had calmed down, he spoke slowly: "Your Majesty's Daoist teachings benefit those who are destined to hear them. However, the Great Dao is profound and subtle, and those who hear it are different, and what they gain is also different."

In the past, His Majesty often said, "Many hear of the Way, but few truly understand it; many understand the Way, but only a handful truly comprehend it."

After hearing the truth, one should think about asking the question.

Only by understanding one's own mind and nature, and by using one's own path to question the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, can one find the right path. Therefore, this third level is the gateway to "seeking the Way."

Having said that, Immortal Lord Qinglin said no more, lightly flicked his whisk, and turned to walk towards the back of the hall.

The cultivators followed each other, passing through the cloud corridor and waterside pavilion behind the Qinghua Hall.

Chen Jiao walked calmly before the other cultivators, his expression serene and composed, yet a barely perceptible hint of unease flickered deep within his eyes.

When he first met this Immortal Lord Qinglin Miaohua, he felt that his aura was ethereal and different from that of the immortals of this world. It seemed to be in harmony with this ancient grotto-heaven. However, upon closer inspection, it was like looking at flowers through fog, and it was difficult to grasp his true nature.

At that time, Chen Jiao only thought that the cultivation path of the ancient immortals was very different from that of the present, so he did not investigate further.

However, in the previous battle outside the palace, he used the mystery of the Jianmu leaf to reverse the Green Vine Formation, and had a clear understanding of the flow of the original energy and the core of the Jianmu Palace and even the entire cave heaven. He even gained some power over it.

Just now in the Qinghua Palace, I listened to the Daoist voice of the Azure Emperor, which described the supreme Dao of growth, creation, and the pivotal mechanism. The deeper my understanding, the more refined and thorough my perception of this world became.

At this moment, Chen Jiao's mind was clear, and his feelings towards Qinglin Immortal Lord in front of him were completely different.

Although its aura was perfectly integrated with Jianmu Palace and its appearance was otherworldly, its essence was like a rootless duckweed floating on the vast water. It seemed harmonious, but in reality, it was detached from the origin of this cave heaven and was not a true being rooted here and destined to live and die with it.

This feeling was so mysterious and profound that it would have been impossible for Chen Jiao to perceive it if he had not possessed the leaf of the Jianmu tree, held some authority, and heard the Daoist voice.

Chen Jiao secretly realized that this Qinglin Immortal Lord was probably not just a spirit guiding people to a grotto-heaven, nor was he an ordinary immortal guarding a lost land.

Just then, the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe in front of them did not turn around, but only a gentle question came, as if it were a casual conversation: "Fellow Daoist, your supernatural powers are remarkable, and you have profound secrets in your heart."

Having defeated the Azure Dragon and the Azure Phoenix in succession, and then broken the Yin-Yang Pivot Formation, his extraordinary abilities are evident.

Chen Jiao remained unmoved and calmly replied, "Immortal Lord, you flatter me. What I broke was merely the true spirit evolved from the restriction, possessing only form and spirit, but having lost my true self."

"If the two saints were truly here, even I would find it difficult to withstand their might."

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Qinglin chuckled softly.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be too modest. Although the True Spirit is not the original self, its supernatural powers are all inherited from the original master."

Those who can overcome such true spirits, even in ancient times, are no ordinary beings.

With a hint of regret in his voice, Qinglin Immortal Lord said, "The Golden Thunder Technique you wield, Fellow Daoist, is so profound and subtle that even I have never seen it before."

Thunder is born from metal, sharp and hard to the extreme, intense and fierce at its extreme, thus giving rise to such magnificent thunder magic.

Fellow Daoist, you possess exceptional talent and profound foundation in the Daoist path.

What a pity—what a pity to be born at the wrong time.

If this were in ancient times, I humbly believe that His Majesty the White Emperor would be delighted to see this and would gladly accept you as a disciple, imparting all his knowledge to you.

Upon hearing this, the group of immortals and demons following behind were all secretly alarmed.

The White Emperor was one of the five ancient celestial emperors, ruling over the metal element of the west and in charge of killing, warfare, and change.

This Qinglin Miaohua Immortal Lord is an ancient immortal who served the Azure Emperor. His eyesight and knowledge are extraordinary.

To receive such praise from him demonstrates just how incredibly profound the foundation of this True Lord Jingfa's Daoist practice has become.

Indeed, one cannot rely on conventional reasoning.

Everyone secretly became alert.

Chen Jiao's expression remained unchanged despite the praise. He simply said in a deep voice, "My path has its own lineage. Though the world is vast and the Great Dao is profound, my teacher is sufficient."

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Qinglin did not stop walking, but only nodded slightly, his tone still gentle: "Fellow Daoist's respect for the virtuous teacher and his firm will are admirable."

After saying that, he said no more.

On both sides of the corridor, ancient trees stood tall, exotic flowers bloomed, and a clear spring gurgled, making the scenery even more serene and mysterious.

Not long after.

There, one finds a place of serene beauty, with towering peaks in the distance, clear springs flowing nearby, and swirling mists and clouds. Cranes gather and deer roam freely.

Beneath a magnificent, nameless tree with a canopy, a ten-zhang square jade platform for performing magic quietly stands.

Below the Xuantai, there were about a hundred blue futons scattered about.

The gentle sunlight of the setting sun shone down upon the Immortal Lord Qinglin, who stood at the forefront.

Amidst the rising clouds and vibrant colors, her ethereal beauty becomes even more apparent.

He suddenly stopped, turned his back to the crowd, and spoke slowly, his clear voice particularly distinct in the tranquil mountains and waters: "This humble Taoist has a question that I do not understand, and I hope that fellow Taoists can enlighten me."

Everyone was surprised, wondering why this ancient immortal lord would suddenly ask such a question. Their gazes all fell on the Xuan Chang Zhenjun in front of them.

Chen Jiao gazed at his retreating figure, his expression unchanged, and simply asked, "What is it that you don't understand?"

But then Immortal Lord Qinglin slowly turned around.

Bathed in the spiritual light, he still wore that gentle smile on his face, his gaze falling directly on Chen Jiao as he asked, "Since entering this place, it seems—you are quite curious about me?"

Chen Jiao met his gaze calmly.

Without a sound or a sound, there seemed to be a subtle flow of energy in this world.

The clear light of the setting sun seemed to freeze for a moment; the mountain wind suddenly stopped, and the flowing water became silent.

The oppressive atmosphere, as if a thunderbolt was about to strike, caused the surrounding cultivators to involuntarily tighten their hearts and feel a chill.

A moment of silence.

Chen Jiao said calmly, "I am indeed curious. It is because I observed that the Immortal Lord's aura was both real and ethereal, seemingly present yet detached from it."

Furthermore————

He paused slightly, his gaze hardening as he looked directly into Qinglin's warm yet unfathomable eyes, and slowly continued, "You are neither human nor ghost, neither demon nor god."

It seems to share the same origin as all the restrictions, plants and trees, and even the Daoist charm left by His Majesty, yet they are also clearly distinct.

"I wonder, what is the true origin of this immortal lord?"

These words came as a thunderclap.

The expressions of all the cultivators changed, and they all looked at Immortal Lord Qinglin, secretly on guard.

Neither human, nor ghost, nor demon, nor god, yet sharing the same origin as the Azure Emperor's Daoist temple, yet distinct from it—the implications of these words are truly chilling upon closer examination.

Immortal Lord Qinglin's smile did not diminish but instead deepened, and a look of appreciation flashed in his eyes.

He lightly brushed his silver whisk and said leisurely, "Fellow Daoist's eyesight is indeed profound. You are the second person to be able to discern this difference between reality and illusion in this ancient and silent place."

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