Chapter Forty: The Great Dao Faces the Heavens, Knocking Upon the Heart of the Dao
The Daoyuan Grand Assembly is divided into two categories: literary contests and martial combats.
The literary contests include debates, talisman crafting, alchemy, array formation, artifact forging, and puppet making, primarily testing the disciples' attainments in Daoist scriptures and the various arts of cultivation.
As for the understanding of the Dao, most disciples have practiced for a relatively short time, and their comprehension remains comparatively shallow.
Each participant must select two items in the literary contest. The debate is mandatory, testing basic foundations, while the arts of cultivation test specialties, requiring at least one to be chosen.
The martial combat is simple and straightforward: it depends entirely on who is stronger. The strong advance, and the weak are eliminated.
Finally, rankings are determined based on comprehensive scores from both literary and martial trials, selecting the best candidates, with the top one hundred entering the Heavenly Earth Academy of Fengyang Commandery.
As for unorthodox talents, eccentric geniuses, and extra quotas granted by the imperial court, those are handled separately.
When the rules were fully announced, the Daoist in Green raised his hand and lightly pointed, sending a streak of flowing light from his fingertips into the ground.
In an instant, the earth shook and the mountains quivered amidst continuous roaring. A mountain rose abruptly from the ground, pure white throughout: its vegetation was pale white, its rocks grayish-white, and its rivers silver-white...
The mountain was not tall, merely a thousand zhang high, yet at a single glance, its peak was visible, upon which stood a rustic Daoist palace, cyan in color, resembling a patch of azure sky revealed amidst a sea of clouds.
Flights of stairs extended from the foot of the mountain to its halfway point. The steps were made of white jade, crystal-clear and translucent enough to reflect light.
"Let the participating Daoists enter the arena."
Following the command of the Daoist in Green, young Daoists moved forward, transported by the array formations on the spectator stands to the base of the mountain.
Some were filled with fighting spirit, some wore arrogant expressions, some looked sleepy-eyed, and others carried dead-serious looks.
Their postures varied, each with distinct characteristics.
---
"There comes a time when the clouds are parted to see the sun; holding fast through the mists reveals the bright moon. This mountain is named Yuntian Peak, established by the True Lord Yuntian a thousand years ago. Each of the one hundred and eight Heavenly Earth Academies of our Great Xuan possesses one."
"Seeking the Dao is like ascending to the heavens, and the tribulations of cultivation are akin to layers of clouds and mist. The Yuntian Peak has nine hundred and ninety-nine steps of illusion and reality, also known as the Path to the Heavens and the Road of Dao Enlightenment, symbolizing that the Great Dao leads straight to the sky."
"Once someone ascends the mountain, the restrictions are triggered. How high one can climb and how far one can walk depend entirely on the climber's depth of comprehension of the Dao or the strength of their perseverance, with no other shortcut."
"The time has arrived. Please ascend the mountain, everyone."
Following another command from the Daoist in Green, over ten thousand Daoists ascended the mountain simultaneously, creating a magnificent spectacle.
The moment the first young Daoist stepped onto the stairs, clouds and mist instantly blanketed the entire white mountain. Every participant could only see the stone steps directly beneath their own feet, and looking up or around brought only boundless bewilderment.
They could not see one another, could not see the path ahead, and could not make out the surrounding scenery. The universe seemed to shrink until only oneself remained, vast and desolate.
They had no choice but to keep climbing, crossing tier after tier of steps.
As they climbed, a water mirror emerged, projecting clear images for the numerous guests to watch.
In the Qiuzhen Viewing Stand, Xuan Yin remarked, "Though I have seen it once before, seeing it again now still fills me with admiration for the brilliant ingenuity of True Lord Yuntian."
Xuan Xu nodded in agreement, praising, "The mountain resembles white clouds, and the Dao palace is like the azure sky."
"The first half tests the Daoist scriptures, with various principles drawn from the Daoist Canon. The Great Dao has form, and the stairs are visible to the naked eye, tailored for cultivators refining their essence."
"The second half tests principles, with numerous truths originating from heaven and earth. The Great Dao is formless, and the stairs are hard to find; one can only materialize steps using one's own comprehension of principles. The deeper the Dao attainment, the clearer the principles, and the higher the steps, geared toward Qi-refining True Masters."
"The combination of the tangible and the intangible, the intertwining of illusion and reality, and the weaving of principles—this arrangement truly aligns with the profound mysteries of the Great Dao, leaving one in awe."
"True Lord Yuntian possessed extraordinary wisdom."
---
Xuan Kong's lips moved slightly, and he could not help asking, "Senior Brother, rumor has it that the one hundred and eight Yuntian Peaks resonate with one another. Every person who reaches the summit achieves the status of a Great True Master in the Azure Sky Dao Palace, leaves their name on the Dao peak, and enjoys renown throughout the Great Xuan. Is this true?"
"Indeed! Even I only learned of this after participating in three grand assemblies. Yuntian Peak conceals a great fortune that can assist Qi-refining True Masters in wandering the Great Void in spirit, catching a glimpse of the profound mysteries of refining the spirit, and attaining the realm of a Great True Master. However, over the past thousand years, those who could secure this opportunity have been exceedingly rare. Because of this, everyone who reaches the summit of Yuntian Peak has their name recorded on the Azure Sky Dao Stele, revered by future generations."
While nodding in explanation, Xuan Xu glanced at Xuan Kong. True to his reputation, this junior brother of his—aside from Senior Brother Xuanming—was the best practitioner of the Bagua Sword in the Qiuzhen Observatory, and he certainly gathered plenty of gossip.
Even more excited, Xuan Kong's eyes glowed as he continued, "I wonder how much Senior Brother knows about the deeds of True Master Dafan?"
Xuan Xu shook his head. "I only know that True Master Dafan originated from Tiancang Commandery, with the secular surname Zhang, self-styled as the 'Big' generation Half-True Master. Although he was a rogue cultivator, his innate talent was extraordinary, and his Dao nature was profound."
"He entered the Dao through culinary arts. A hundred years ago, he entered the Hutian Palace in Tiancang Commandery to brave Yuntian Peak, taking seven days and seven nights to reach the summit in one go, thereby attaining the status of a Great True Master and becoming a guest elder of the Heavenly Earth Academy."
"As for other matters, I am temporarily unaware."
Xuan Kong felt somewhat disappointed, but upon second thought, he found it normal: "True enough, a secular person like you—who stubbornly practices asceticism and wishes to feed merely on wind and dew every day—could never appreciate the joy of fine food and the greatness of True Master Dafan."
Xuan Xu glared at him.
Xuan Kong immediately shrank his neck.
Oh no!
His mouth had slipped again.
He had accidentally spoken his inner thoughts aloud.
"Senior Brother, if I say I didn't mean it, would you believe me?"
"If you didn't mean it, that means you did it on purpose!" Xuan Yang chimed in.
Xuan Kong glared angrily: You have to insert yourself into everything!
Senior Brother Xuanming was entirely right: sometimes your punchlines are truly terrible, and you really know how to pour oil on the fire.
At that moment, a Daoist from a neighboring spectator stand walked over and bowed in salute to Xuan Xu and the others.
"Feibai of the Danxia Sect greets all fellow Daoists."
---
"Xuan Xu, along with my junior brothers and sisters, greets you, Fellow Daoist."
The Daoists of the Qiuzhen Observatory immediately returned the salute, looking bewildered. Just as Xuan Xu was about to inquire, the newcomer spoke first:
"Were you all discussing True Master Dafan just now?"
Xuan Xu acknowledged it and asked curiously, "How did Fellow Daoist know?"
One must know that although the spectator stands were connected and close to each other, soundproof barriers separated them. Logically speaking, the neighboring pavilion should not have been able to hear their conversation.
Daoist Feibai grinned, his teeth appearing exceptionally bright and white against his dark skin, and apologized, "In my early years, I mistakenly ate poisonous mushrooms and was deaf for three years. Turning misfortune into a blessing, I mastered the art of lip-reading. Just now, seeing you fellow Daoists chatting so animatedly, I couldn't help glancing over a few times."
"True Master Dafan is the person I admire most in my life, which is why I couldn't help intruding uninvited. Please forgive me."
Xuan Xu and the others were slightly stunned, while Xuan Kong was pleasantly surprised.
A moment later, watching the two black-and-white, rotund Daoists chatting warmly and hitting it off instantly, Xuan Xu exchanged a glance with the headmaster of the Danxia Sect in the neighboring stand, seeing in each other's smiles a shared helplessness alongside a touch of kindred relief:
So it turns out eccentric characters do not exist solely within one's own sect!
Their inner peace was largely restored.
"The moment I saw Fellow Daoist Xuan Kong, I felt a sense of affinity. You truly are a kindred spirit. This is your first time participating in the Daoyuan Grand Assembly, isn't it? Otherwise, how could you have only learned of True Master Dafan just now?"
"To be honest with Fellow Daoist, I am indeed a newcomer."
"In that case, let me give you a proper account of True Master Dafan. That senior is most famous for two spiritual artifacts: a True Fire Staff and a Universe Pot."
"I heard that True Master Dafan's lifelong ambition was to stew the Kunpeng in an iron wok, claiming that this method represents the pinnacle of the culinary Dao. Once, upon seeing a Kun in a dream, he awoke and, waving his brush with flowing ink, penned a magnificent poem."
"Regrettably, only a few fragments have been passed down: In the Northern Darkness there is a fish, and its name is Kun..."
The incessant chatter between Xuan Kong and Daoist Feibai continued to drift into his ears. Xuan Xu's mouth twitched as he focused intently on the water mirror, choosing to ignore them for peace of mind.
Xuan Yang wandered over at some point, pricking up his ears and listening with great delight.
---
Chang'anzu knew nothing of the elders' lively banter.
With a single-minded focus, he strode up the steps and had already reached the seventeenth tier. It was not the fastest pace, but it was exceptionally steady.
Chang'anzu kept firmly in mind the daily admonitions of Senior Uncle Xuanming: seek progress while maintaining stability, avoid being overly eager for quick success, and keep every step grounded in reality.
Consequently, his comprehension of the mountain steps beneath his feet was profound.
Each step was one zhang high.
Every zhang of steps embodied a layer of the Dao.
The higher the steps, the more difficult the test of principles became. It tested either breadth or depth, approached angles from tricky perspectives, or presented bizarre problems.
With every step ascended, the reflection within the step would interrogate the main body, posing various questions, every single one pointing straight to the core of the heart.
This perfectly matched the saying:
Only oneself truly understands oneself.
Knowing the fears within one's own heart.
Understanding one's own areas of weakness.
Recognizing one's own strengths and shortcomings.
Taking a deep breath, Chang'anzu stepped upward.
On the eighteenth tier:
"What is the greatest thing under heaven?"
"The Dao is the greatest."
On the nineteenth tier:
"What is the Dao?"
"My heart is the Dao."
On the twentieth tier:
"What is the heart?"
"The external and the internal, the physical and the spiritual, the surface and the true essence—which one do you wish to hear?"
……
On the twenty-seventh tier:
"What is tranquility?"
"A tranquil mind brings peace, and a harmonious mind brings stillness."
On the twenty-eighth tier:
"What is purity?"
"When thoughts flow smoothly and unobstructed, that is purity."
On the twenty-ninth tier:
"You dwell obsessively on your master's death; your mind is not tranquil, your spirit is not pure. How dare you presumptuously talk of tranquility, and recklessly discuss purity?"
"The lotus flower is pristine yet roots itself in the foul mire; manure is filthy yet fertilizes the soil. If a person could attain tranquility and purity so easily, where would the hardship of the Great Dao come from? How could one speak of the distant road to immortality? If I were already tranquil and pure, would I still need you to question me?"
On the thirtieth tier:
"Tranquility or purity—which one do you choose?"
"I choose both! Tranquility is the goal, and purity is the state. Tranquility is the practice of the Dao, and purity is the attainment of the Dao. I walk upon the path of seeking the Dao, practicing tranquility while pursuing purity."
……
On the thirty-first tier:
"Your master perished a decade ago; why have you lingered and lived ignobly in the Scripture Pavilion for so many years, only coming here today?"
"Because I had to wait—wait until I was fully prepared."
On the thirty-second tier:
"Hypocrisy! Did not a master who treated you like a son deserve for you to cast away your life? You are merely timid, cowardly, and afraid to die!"
"I am afraid to die, because only by staying alive is there hope. Before investigating the true cause of my master's death, I dare not die."
……
On the forty-second tier:
"Your filial devotion to Senior Uncle Xuanming is not out of respect at all, but rather out of pity, because he is more pathetic than you. Your kindness is only extended to the weak; you are simply practicing false benevolence!"
"I cared for my Senior Uncle initially because he was pitiful—a point I have never concealed nor denied, and my Senior Uncle knows it in his heart. Yet pity and respect do not conflict."
"I can feel pity first and show respect afterward."
"Moreover, I have never been kind, nor have I ever vaunted myself as benevolent. Where then is this false benevolence? Having never concealed it, where is the disguise?"
"Pitying the weak is human nature; would you pity someone stronger than you? If so, you truly are the pitiful one."
On the forty-third tier:
"Your Senior Uncle remained silent only to startle everyone once he spoke. While you respect him, you likewise harbor jealousy. Dwelling in the same Scripture Pavilion, why is this old codger stronger than you?"
"I did feel jealous; everyone feels jealousy. The crucial point is how to restrain that jealousy. I controlled it and received my Senior Uncle's meticulous teachings. You felt jealousy as well, but failed to control it, which is why you ask this question. A reflection is merely a reflection; it can never become the true master."
……
Step by step, tier by tier.
Chang'anzu became entirely immersed in the process.
Through the first thirty tiers, he displayed everything he had learned.
Through the final thirty tiers, he confronted his inner demons.
In this process, Chang'anzu resolved many issues he had previously subconsciously avoided, and even caught sight of problems he had never paid attention to before.
His pace grew slower and slower, but his inner self grew increasingly formidable, and his Dao heart became as unyielding as a boulder and as translucent as jade.
Yet, as Chang'anzu continued to climb, the questions shifted once more, and he was gradually drawn into a shroud of fog.
On the sixty-first tier:
"Who am I?"
"I couldn't care less who you are!"
On the sixty-second tier:
"Who are you?"
"I am Chang'anzu."
On the sixty-third tier:
"You are wrong. Chang'anzu is merely a Daoist name; anyone can be called Chang'anzu. Flowers, plants, and trees can also be called Chang'anzu, and I can also be called Chang'anzu. But if you strip away this name, who are you then?"
"I am myself."
On the sixty-fourth tier:
"Am I your reflection?"
"Yes!"
On the sixty-fifth tier:
"Then am I a part of you?"
"Yes!"
On the sixty-sixth tier:
"To a certain extent, am I you?"
"Yes!"
On the sixty-seventh tier:
"Returning to the original question: Who am I?"
"You are me!"
……
Question after question was answered.
Question after question was posed anew.
Chang'anzu's clear gaze gradually grew hazy, his pupils slowly scattering. The steps bloomed with cloudy radiance, undergoing subtle transformations before he even realized it.