This is the true immortal of the Taoist sect.

The eighth day of the first lunar month has no special significance; it's just an ordinary day.

On the banks of the Luoying River, Chen Jing sat cross-legged on a blue stone, with the book "Five Thousand Words" open on his lap.

He has been reading this book for almost a month.

As for insights, there are certainly some.

However, these so-called insights seemed to Chen Jing like looking at flowers through the fog or trying to catch the moon's reflection in the water—vague, unreal, and seemingly meaningless.

Looking at the scriptures in front of him, Chen Jing rested his chin on his hand and flipped through them listlessly.

A crow suddenly flew down from the treetop and stared at Chen Jing for a while before opening its beak and cawing loudly.

Chen Jing was already annoyed, and the cawing of the crows made him even more irritable.

So he couldn't help but wave at the crow and shout:

"You hairy beast, get out of here..."

To everyone's surprise, the crow was not afraid of people at all and continued to perch on the branch and caw incessantly.

A murderous thought suddenly arose in Chen Jing's mind. He picked up a pebble and was about to use his strength to kill the crow.

However, just before he made his move, Chen Jing suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat.

The pebble slipped silently from Chen Jing's hand. He stared at his hand in disbelief, muttering to himself:

"Just because of such a trivial matter, I actually felt murderous intent..."

Looking up at the crow, for some reason, it quieted down, staring at Chen Jing with its two black eyes tilted to the side.

Its black feathers reflected a faint iridescent halo in the sunlight, making it appear particularly mystical.

A gentle breeze came and rustled the branches.

The crow shook itself, spread its wings, and flew away with a whoosh.

As the sound of flapping wings fades into the distance, the world seems to fall into an utterly pure tranquility.

Chen Jing opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it seemed as if something was stuck in his throat and he couldn't speak.

So he calmed himself down and stopped thinking about it or looking at the book "Five Thousand Words" that he already knew by heart.

However, at this moment, the very first sentence naturally came to mind.

"The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name..."

Chen Jing suddenly had a feeling, and he understood the meaning of the sentence.

It is not limited to words, but rather a state of mind that cannot be spoken or expressed.

Because language has immense destructive power.

It's like you want peace and quiet, but the moment you say it, the peace and quiet is shattered...

The same applies to enlightenment. Once you understand it, you understand it. But once you speak of it, you lose the true essence of the Dao.

Chen Jing was puzzled, but he couldn't help feeling a surge of joy.

If one had to describe it, only the word "natural" would be the most fitting.

"There is something undifferentiated and complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Silent and still, it stands alone and unchanging, ever-present and inexhaustible. It can be regarded as the mother of all things..."

"Can you hold your spirit and soul in oneness, without letting them separate? Can you concentrate your vital energy and achieve gentleness, like the breathing of an infant?"

......

The contents of the Taoist texts appeared in his mind one sentence at a time, flowing gently like water.

At this moment, he no longer clung to the meaning of those words, letting them naturally imprint themselves in his heart.

Chen Jing's inexplicable murderous intent naturally subsided.

The mind becomes peaceful and serene, and the spirit unconsciously enters a state of tranquility, as described by practitioners.

The internal energy cultivation method that Li Daoxuan had modified for him was slowly put into operation.

As the Qi and blood flow, they gradually condense and transform under the influence of the power of the mind.

Finally, it broke through the Kaiyuan Pass and circulated throughout its body.

Not far away, Li Daoxuan, Qingfeng Mingyue, and the other two sensed something and smiled knowingly at Chen Jing sitting by the river.

Qingfeng couldn't help but sigh:

"Without receiving the teachings and talismans from his master, he was able to enter the Dao on his own. Although he still follows the path of martial arts, his talent is almost comparable to that of his junior sister..."

Mingyue smiled and said:

"Was my senior brother praising him or me?"

Qingfeng laughed heartily and said:

"Hahaha...Everything's there, everything's there..."

Mingyue smiled without saying a word, but in her heart she couldn't help but think that her senior brother was perhaps so outstanding that he didn't even realize it.

The two chatted idly, unaware that a hint of worry was gradually creeping into Li Daoxuan's originally calm expression.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In mid-February, the day the dragon raises its head, Chen Jing, who had been staying with Li Daoxuan for over a month, was finally leaving.

A letter arrived from a disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect, informing Chen Jing that the imperial court had bestowed a reward upon him and summoned him to the capital to assume his post.

Although Chen Jing wasn't very interested, he couldn't disobey the imperial court's orders, so he had no choice but to bid farewell to Li Daoxuan and set off for the capital.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the sky was overcast.

Chen Jing led his magnificent warhorse out of the city, with Li Daoxuan following beside him to see him off.

Upon reaching the city gate, Chen Jing stopped, turned around, and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Daoxuan, saying:

"Sir, even after a thousand miles of seeing you off, we must part ways. Please, sir, stay a while longer..."

Li Daoxuan nodded, then glanced at Chen Jing's forehead and sighed:

"Brother Chen, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Chen Jing was somewhat surprised, as he knew Li Daoxuan well; Li Daoxuan did not seem to be an indecisive person.

"Please speak freely, sir."

Li Daoxuan said with a somewhat solemn expression:

"Brother Chen has been meditating with me for over a month, and should now understand the essence of my Taoist practice."

"In my humble opinion, if Brother Chen can clear his mind of worldly ties and devote himself to the Dao, he will surely achieve great things in the future."

"Brother Chen's trip to the capital this time...I'm afraid..."

At this point, Li Daoxuan suddenly became somewhat evasive, as if he found it difficult to speak.

He understood that this was Chen Jing's destiny, and he could not interfere.

Moreover, Li Daoxuan's current cultivation level only allows him to see some hidden secrets of heaven, not the real ones, so he himself is not too sure, how can he speak?

Chen Jing knew Li Daoxuan's abilities; he would never utter meaningless nonsense.

My heart sank.

However, this imperial reward is not just for Chen Jing alone, but for the entire Feiyun Sect. If he doesn't go, it might implicate the entire Feiyun Sect.

Chen Jing thought for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Sir, rest assured. To be honest, I have long intended to join the Taoist sect and cultivate Taoist practices. However, the Flying Cloud Sect has been kind to me in raising me, and I cannot leave without saying goodbye."

"After this trip to the capital, Chen Jing will inform the court that he will relinquish all honors and rewards, and from then on, he will retire to the Taoist sect and follow Master."

Li Daoxuan's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong. According to the plot, saying something like that usually meant trouble...

However, Chen Jing's words made sense. He absolutely could not leave Feiyun Sect without a word and put his sect in an unjust position.

Thinking of this, Li Daoxuan solemnly said:

"Brother Chen, there are some things I cannot interfere with too much, lest I cause greater complications. But you must remember, no matter what happens, you must always put your life first."

"As long as you're alive, you can overcome any hardship..."

Chen Jing nodded emphatically and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:

"Don't worry, sir, I..."

Li Daoxuan quickly interrupted him, saying:

"Alright, no need for further words. Take care on your journey, Brother Chen."

Chen Jing bid farewell, mounted his horse, glanced back at it, and then rode away.

At the city gate, Li Daoxuan watched his figure disappear into the distance at the end of the road and sighed softly.

For the first time ever, a feeling of hesitation and doubt arose in my heart.

He once taught Qingfeng that a cultivator must never forcibly interfere with the fate of others.

It can only save lives from disaster, not from death.

what about now?

Chen Jing was the only benefactor who brought him into this world. For him, who had just arrived in this place and was still feeling fear and unease, Chen Jing's significance was ultimately different from that of others.

Should he forcefully intervene to change Chen Jing's fate?