Chapter 50: Different Paths, Divergent Minds; The True Man Discourses on the Dao

Early the next morning, the morning sun rose.

At Xianlin Pavilion, Changchanzi sat cross-legged on the eaves, practicing breath adjustment and refining the purple Qi of dawn along with his junior martial brothers.

Once the cultivation session was complete, he remained secluded in his courtyard, dedicating his time to swordsmanship, body tempering, or meditation in preparation for the martial arts examination.

Seeing this, Changqingzi likewise calmed his mind to practice the sword, occasionally seeking out Changchanzi to spar and exchange insights.

The other disciples, witnessing this, also intensified their daily practice.

This brought great comfort to Xuanxu and the others.

However, outside of their practice hours, the other disciples would still venture out for an hour or so, unwilling to miss the bustling atmosphere of the commandery city.

Watching the departing figures of the disciples, Xuanyang asked in confusion, "Senior Brother, the martial arts examination is drawing near. Why are we letting the disciples go out again?"

Allowing them to go out before the literary examination was understandable, as they had never visited the commandery city before, and it served to relax their minds and satisfy their curiosity.

Why grant them freedom right before the martial arts examination as well?

Abbot Xuanxu patiently explained:

"The disciples are young and restless. Blockading is inferior to channeling. Only by giving them freedom can we truly rein in their minds and help them maintain their focus. Rather than leaving them with lifelong regrets upon returning to the mountain, it is better to let them play to their hearts' content so they can settle down to cultivate peacefully once back.

If their minds are so easily turned wild by the worldly distractions that they cannot rein in their mischievous hearts, it simply means they lack a deep affinity with Quanzhen Temple. In such a case, they should return to secular life and walk their own paths.

Traveling the same road with different hearts, or sharing the same heart on different roads—whether they choose to leave or stay, let nature take its course."

Xuanyang understood.

The other third-generation Taoists raised no objections to this.

The disciples who had come this time were the elite of the sect, and the seniors trusted them to hold fast to their original intentions.

To take a step back, even if there were exceptions, Quanzhen Temple had invested effort in cultivating them. Returning to secular life did not mean a complete severing of ties; they could still help manage the sect's mundane affairs.

Building bridges and paving roads, punishing the wicked and protecting the good, accumulating virtue for themselves and the sect, and bringing benefit to the common people—

Running businesses and accumulating wealth to provide resources for the cultivation of those on the mountain, thus giving back to the sect.

Unlike his junior martial brothers, Changchanzi had remained inside his courtyard for two consecutive days. Although he had gained a massive advantage in that transaction the night before, he was equally filled with apprehension.

Initially, he hadn't thought much of it, but ever since the stall owner invited him to his home, Changchanzi's heart had remained on edge.

Before descending the mountain, Uncle-Master Xuanming had warned him to keep his wits about him and never wander off with strangers, noting that one met far more malicious practitioners than benevolent scholars in the world.

Regardless of whether the other two lamps were genuine or false, Changchanzi had no intention of investigating further. When traveling away from home, caution was never a mistake.

To ensure he wasn't wrongly accusing the stall owner, when Senior Feibai came to visit Uncle-Master Xuankong, Changchanzi had asked this senior to send a disciple to stroll past that alley casually and take a look.

Since it was just a small favor, the other party gladly agreed.

Not using anyone from Quanzhen Temple for the task was because disciples of the same sect wore identical Taoist robes. If the stall owner truly harbored ill intentions, his junior brothers would be easily recognized.

As it turned out, Changchanzi's decision not to go had been entirely correct.

This was because the stall owner was present on the second night, but failed to appear on the third. When Uncle-Master Xuankong grew curious and helped Daoist Feibai make inquiries about the man, they drew a complete blank, as if the person had never existed at all.

Even neighboring stall owners had no impression of him whatsoever, his presence had been so remarkably faint that they couldn't even remember a stall ever existing next to theirs.

This oddity alarmed Xuanxu and the others, who specifically warned Changchanzi to drop the matter and focus entirely on the martial arts examination, leaving everything else until the Dao Origin Assembly concluded.

If he successfully entered the Heavenly and Earthly Academy, he could use his authority to check household registries or enlist the city god's subordinate deities and spirits to draw a portrait and help track down the person.

If the stall owner's words on that day had been truthful, they would apologize and offer compensation; if there was truly something bizarre about him, they would deal with him based on his motives. That was far better than blindly guessing.

At the same time, they imposed stricter constraints on the disciples and reported the incident to the Heavenly and Earthly Academy.

Quanzhen Temple's influence was limited, and such matters were best left to those in higher positions, especially since the Heavenly and Earthly Academy was inherently tasked with maintaining the security of the Dao Origin Assembly.

Only then did Changchanzi's mind finally settle.

***

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the fourth day, the long-awaited martial arts examination commenced.

A Daoist was seen ascending the mountain beneath Floating Cloud Mountain.

He wore an azure-blue Taoist robe and cloud-patterned boots of blue and white, as if draped in the blue sky and white clouds. With each leisurely stride, the ground shrank beneath his feet, covering three hundred zhang in a single step—he was a genuine Daoist Master.

Outside the mountain gate of Quanzhen Temple, Xuantong and Xuanyu had been waiting since early morning. Catching sight of the Daoist, they bowed with cupped hands:

"Immeasurable Heavenly Lord! Xuantong (Xuanyu) pays respects to Master Yuanji. Your esteemed presence truly brings great honor to Quanzhen Temple."

Master Yuanji returned a half-bow with a smile and said, "The Tianzhuan Sect and Quanzhen Temple share ancestral ties. It is entirely my fault for visiting only today."

Master Yuanji put on no airs and maintained a warm attitude, prompting Xuantong and Xuanyu to greet him with even greater enthusiasm as the group stepped through the mountain gate.

As for the apology in the Master's words, anyone could tell it was merely polite phrasing; nobody would be foolish enough to take it literally.

The visiting card submitted yesterday had stated clearly that, on the surface, Master Yuanji was here to discourse on the Dao with Senior Brother Xuanming. Thus, the two Daoists chatted amicably while escorting Master Yuanji straight toward Hidden Dao Peak.

In the thatched cottage of the Inquiring Dao Academy.

Sensing Yuanji's approach,

Xuanming stood up, stepped out of the courtyard in a single stride, and arrived at the base of the peak.

Although Master Yuanji's cultivation level was inferior to his, all Daoist Masters belonged to the same great realm, so they could theoretically address each other as fellow Daoists.

Moreover, the other party had traveled from afar.

In terms of both reason and etiquette, he ought to greet him personally.

When Master Yuanji reached the base of the peak, he beheld an elderly Daoist waiting there in wide-sleeved robes. The elder's complexion was rosy, his hair and beard as white as snow, his longevity brows sparse and graceful, and he held a horsetail whisk. His spine was as straight as a pine, and his radiant spirit resembled the blazing sun—he possessed an otherworldly elegance and a transcendent aura.

Since the visitor was a guest, Xuanming spoke first and offered a bow: "Xuanming greets fellow Daoist Yuanji."

Silently praising him in his heart, Yuanji dared not be negligent and immediately returned the bow: "Yuanji greets fellow Daoist Xuanming. Hearing of your reputation is nothing compared to meeting you in person; your demeanor is truly transcendent, Daoist Brother."

"You flatter me, Daoist Brother. This old man is merely a crude person of the mountains, quite unlike a Master who serves in the Vast Law Department and wields great authority."

After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, the two Daoists did not linger at the base of the peak, and Xuanming invited him up the mountain for a proper chat.

At the Inquiring Dao Academy, a sturdy, ancient pine stood tall and verdant, its canopy resembling a magnificent umbrella that blocked the scorching glare of the midday sun and cast patches of cool shade across the ground.

Xuanming and Yuanji sat facing each other.

Xuantong and Xuanyu accompanied them as hosts.

Tea fragrance curled upward from the stone table. Xuanming personally poured tea for Yuanji; the tea leaves were wild mountain leaves, the water was drawn from a mountain spring, and the pot and cups were ordinary, mundane objects. Yet neither the person pouring the tea nor the person drinking it was ordinary.

The tea aroma was invigorating. After taking a sip of the clear tea, Yuanji praised: "Tasting tea while contemplating scriptures, wandering leisurely through mountains and rivers, and taking nature as one's teacher—Daoist Brother's serene and carefree life truly fills me with envy."

Taking a small sip of his tea, Xuanming replied: "Daoist Brother, you keep order for all living beings, accumulating merit and virtue that nourish each other—that is truly something to be admired. Hiding in the mountains to cultivate my humble path leaves me with nothing but this bit of leisure."

The two Daoists exchanged a glance, drank their tea in silence, and let the topic pass. Mountains and rivers versus the mortal dust—each had its own wonders and its own deficiencies, much like the waxing and waning of the bright moon. What had just been spoken were merely idle words; they had no intention of arguing over such matters.

Once a cup of tea was finished, sensing that they had grown somewhat familiar with each other, Master Yuanji stated his purpose: "It is rumored that those who forge a supreme Dao foundation witness magnificent visions upon achieving the rank of Master. I have come this time for two reasons:

First, to congratulate Daoist Brother on attaining the rank of Master and joining our ranks; and second, to discourse on the Dao with you, to mutually verify our insights and witness those magnificent visions together. I sincerely hope Daoist Brother will grant this request."

As he spoke, Master Yuanji retrieved a jade box from his wish-fulfilling pouch and placed it upon the stone table: "This is a token of congratulation. Please accept it, Daoist Brother."

"Thank you, Daoist Brother. I shall shamelessly accept it."

Xuanming did not refuse.

Since the other party had produced a gift, they had no intention of taking it back; declining it would be tantamount to slapping the giver in the face.

Knowing this, accepting it directly and straightforwardly was the best course of action.

Feigning reluctance would only appear hypocritical and lower one's standing.

Following this exchange, the two Daoists formed a preliminary impression of each other. Once Xuantong temporarily took custody of the jade box, Xuanming and Yuanji exchanged a glance, sharing a tacit understanding, and began to discourse each upon their own Dao.

Yuanji raised a finger, and its tip bloomed with brilliant light.