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

Chapter 421 The Pure Void Dao Realm, I Observe the Daoist Canon

Chen Jiao relaxed and followed the rhythm of the music, simply raising his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Then he saw a fist-sized, clear and bright ball of light not far away. As if sensing something, it drifted over and landed in his palm.

The azure light touched his palm, like water droplets falling into a lake, quietly dissolving. A scroll of azure Daoist scripture, neither silk nor bamboo nor jade, appeared, warm to the touch, imbued with Daoist charm.

The pages of the book opened slowly without any wind, revealing several ancient Taoist seal characters on the first line: 【Qinglin's Answer to Cangxuan's Questions on Nourishing Spirits and Fostering Growth】

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Chen Jiao raised his eyebrows slightly.

The title of this volume does match the name of the Immortal Lord Qinglin Miaohua from the outside world, and it seems to be about questions and answers regarding the cultivation of spiritual plants and the understanding of the way of growth and development.

With a slight thought, he raised his hand again and made a gesture.

Several feet away, another slightly larger ball of blue light followed and landed in his palm.

The blue light dissipated, revealing another Taoist book, similar in texture but with a more ancient and profound aura.

As the pages unfold, Daoist script appears: [Fu Qinggong's Essential Treatise on the Two Qi of Jia and Yi].

Indeed. What is stored here are the philosophical discourses, insights and experiences left behind by ancient immortals, which are unconventional and all-encompassing, just as the name "Dongxuan" (洞玄) suggests.

For ordinary cultivators, it might not be as practical as a cultivation technique that leads directly to immortality or a powerful magic weapon.

However, for someone like Chen Jiao who has already ascended to the status of a true immortal and desires to understand the fundamental principles of the Great Dao and establish an unparalleled foundation for the Dao, its value is immeasurable.

Chen Jiao was pleased and stopped thinking about it, but his face became even more serene.

He stopped choosing and simply sat down in the pure emptiness as if sitting on flat ground.

With a slight thought, the hundreds of blue light clusters suspended in the boundless blue sky seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, orderly surrounding him, flowing in sequence, and scattering their clear light.

Chen Jiao closed his eyes, his mind sinking into a state of emptiness and clarity. He no longer looked at the book with his eyes, but instead used his will to quietly immerse himself in the vast and profound principles carried by the hundreds of blue lights.

For a moment, the void was silent.

Only a few specks of clear light illuminated that mysterious figure, blending seamlessly with the azure light of the surrounding sky, resembling an ancient scroll of enlightenment.

In the realm of pure emptiness, one does not remember the years, nor distinguish between day and night.

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Chen Jiao sat quietly here, contemplating the profound mysteries, unaware of the passage of time or the changing of the seasons.

His path of cultivation differed from that of most cultivators in the world who emphasized supernatural powers while neglecting the fundamentals. He always valued both the Dao and the Dharma, taking the Dao as the foundation of cultivation and the Dharma as the true means to protect the Dao.

Now, nourished by the Daoist theories of thousands of ancient immortals, my understanding of the principles of the five elements' mutual generation and restraint, the pivotal changes, and the nurturing of all things has become increasingly refined and profound, and my Daoist foundation has become increasingly solid and robust.

Unbeknownst to them, though the seasons have changed many times outside, only the Daoist spirit remains here.

Finally, Chen Jiao released the last scroll of the Daoist book manifested by divine will in his palm—[The Method of Jade True Thoughts on the Five Elements Transformation Dao Sword].

The scrolls transformed into specks of clear light and dissipated. He slowly opened his eyes, and a myriad of Daoist principles seemed to flash and disappear deep within his pupils before returning to their profound stillness.

"Using the five true immortal energies within her heart to transform into five elemental swords, complementing each other, she can kill and slay at will—this Jade True Primordial Sovereign is indeed ingenious."

He muttered to himself, his tone tinged with admiration.

Although this method differed from the path he cultivated, the concepts of the Five Elements transforming into a sword and the mutual generation of Qi were similar and insightful, allowing him to gain some understanding as well.

After praising it, he calmed his mind and stopped immersing himself in the profound deductions.

Having entered the Cave Mystery Palace and engaged in numerous magical battles while immersed in meditation, I was unaware of how much time had passed in the outside world.

The opening of Jianmu Palace has its own set time, and the tour of the four continents should not be taken lightly, lest it interfere with important matters.

Chen Jiao suppressed the Daoist aura that naturally flowed around him and stood up.

The hundreds of swirling blue light clusters seemed to sense something and retreated, making way for the path.

Chen Jiao took one last look at this Pure Void Realm, then, without lingering any longer, his black cloak fluttered, and he took a step back in the direction he had come from.

Chen Jiao stepped out from the portal of clear light, and the misty spiritual light outside the Cave Mystery Mansion remained unchanged.

Fang Dingzhen saw that not far away, Qinglin Miaohua Immortal Lord, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, was standing quietly waiting.

Holding a whisk, he was surrounded by a faint, clear light, blending into the scenery of the outer garden, as if he had been standing there quietly for a long time.

Seeing Chen Jiao emerge unharmed, Immortal Lord Qinglin's gentle smile deepened. He stepped forward, offered a salute, and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoist has emerged. This humble Daoist has been waiting here for a long time."

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Chen Jiao returned the greeting and said, "Thank you for waiting for me, Immortal Lord."

Immortal Lord Qinglin shook his head, his gaze sweeping towards the now-calm entrance to the Cave Mystery Palace before returning to Chen Jiao, his eyes filled with undisguised gratitude: "It is I who should thank you, fellow Daoist. This time—it is truly my fault, fellow Daoist, for helping my senior sister to rid herself of the demonic entanglements that have plagued her for countless ages."

He sighed softly, his expression unusually complex, no longer displaying his usual detached and ethereal demeanor: "In the past, my senior sister slew demons with her sword to cleanse the demonic atmosphere, but her own spiritual platform was also invaded by the most vile demon. Although she was able to suppress it with the Daoist charm left by His Majesty and the pure energy of the Jianmu tree, she was ultimately trapped in the illusion of killing intent, living in a daze, and almost becoming one with this Dongxuan Mansion, making it difficult for her to regain her senses."

I, a humble Taoist priest, wish to help, but I am limited by many circumstances and cannot use many methods. I can only watch helplessly as she falls into ruin.

"Today, fellow Daoist's entry not only caused her no harm, but also helped her break through her illusions and return to clarity. This kindness and virtue are heavier than mountains for this humble Daoist."

At this point, he bowed again solemnly and said, "Fellow Daoist, you possess great supernatural powers, a clear Daoist heart, and a compassionate heart. On behalf of my senior sister, I thank you."

Chen Jiao stepped aside, not accepting the full bow, but merely raised his hand in a gesture of support, and calmly said, "Immortal Lord, there is no need for such formality. Jade True Primordial Sovereign is an ancient sword immortal who vanquished demons and protected the righteous path; her merits are immeasurable."

I merely happened to be there and did my utmost to help them escape, which is in accordance with the will of Heaven. Besides—”

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Immortal Lord Qinglin, and then said, "If it weren't for Immortal Lord's previous guidance, clearly stating the changes in the manor, I would have faced much more difficulties entering. The cause and effect here were already predetermined."

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Qinglin knew that Chen Jiao was being modest, and that it also highlighted his awkwardness of knowing the inside story but being powerless to resolve it. The shame on his face lessened slightly, turning into a bitter smile: "True Lord is magnanimous. In any case, this matter is now resolved, and this humble Daoist can find some solace."

Judging from the True Lord's demeanor, he is even more composed and profound than before entering the palace. He must have gained something from the Cave Mystery Palace as well.

Chen Jiao nodded slightly, not elaborating on his gains, only saying, "I've merely broadened my horizons by observing the legacy of my predecessors. I wonder how the outside world is like during my time here? And how are the other fellow Daoists faring?"

Although he lost track of time while in the Dao realm, comprehending so many Daoist theories and profound principles must have taken a considerable amount of time, and he needed to be aware of external developments.

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Qinglin chuckled and said, "True Lord, there is no need to worry. That Pure Void Realm was created by His Majesty's past enlightenment of the true meaning of the word 'stillness.' It contains profound mysteries, has no distinction between the four seasons, and its flow of time is completely different from that of the outside world."

Even if one has been exploring profound mysteries within this realm for ten thousand years, the outside world is but a moment's time.

It is actually too early for the True Lord to appear this time.

The other fellow Daoists who went to Changqing Garden and Lianzhen Platform are probably still exploring their own opportunities, and few have emerged successfully.

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