Chapter 53: Sailing against the current easily capsizes the boat; riding the tide makes it easy to reach the shore

“Regarding the supreme foundation cultivation method, I have already reached a conclusion,” Xuan Ming intoned with measured cadence. “Dew does not nourish rootless grass; the Great Way does not aid those without destiny. Once the Dao Yuan Assembly concludes, I shall erect a stone stele on Floating Cloud Mountain, inscribed with the supreme foundation cultivation method of the Quest for Truth Sect. Those destined shall be able to see this stele.”

Upon hearing this, Master Yuan Ji’s face brightened with joy as he inquired, “What defines one as destined?”

“The Dao is not lightly transmitted, nor is it sold cheaply. The supreme method pertains to spiritual training and is bound to the seeker’s sincerity and fate,” Xuan Ming replied.

Master Yuan Ji nodded approvingly. “To receive, one must first give. This gesture is both reasonable and in accordance with the Dao.”

Xuan Ming continued, “Since it is the foundation method sought, only those who have not yet laid their foundation may view the inscription.”

“Indeed,” affirmed Master Yuan Ji. “The intention is to prosper the sect and bless future generations, so it should be so.”

“Of course,” Xuan Ming added. “Seeing the stele is but the first connection. Whether one can comprehend and be taught the supreme method depends on the depth of their destiny with the Dao. I will set three trials within the stele — irrespective of one’s cultivation level, innate talent, or social status. Only those outstanding in heart, perseverance, and understanding shall truly be deemed destined for the supreme method.”

He paused briefly, then added, “Regardless of outcome, before viewing the stele, both seekers and their backing factions must swear an oath not to trouble the Quest for Truth Sect. If one wishes to try again, they may return the following year. After three attempts, the fate is sealed.”

Upon hearing this, Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu’s worries lessened considerably, while Master Yuan Ji appeared contemplative. After a moment, he clapped his hands in praise and smiled, “The Dao is not transmitted in vain, nor fixed in price, nor gifted without merit, nor aids the wicked. Dao friend, your willingness to abandon sectarian bias, erect a stele, establish rules, and aid the worthy while selecting those destined, shows your noble respect for the Dao and virtue, breadth of mind, extraordinary wisdom, and thorough consideration. I sincerely admire you.”

These were heartfelt words from Master Yuan Ji, each phrase genuine and sincere, his demeanor honest and sincere.

Xuan Ming stroked his beard and smiled silently.

Watching the last light fade, Master Yuan Ji rose to take his leave. “The night grows late; I must depart. I will convey your words to the other Dao friends. I cannot speak for their attitudes, but the Heavenly Seal Sect will certainly support you wholeheartedly.”

He declined Xuan Ming’s invitation to stay and did not allow Xuan Tong or Xuan Yu to escort him, striding down the mountain with wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, his figure elegant and graceful as he returned beneath the evening glow and rising stars, his mood as serene as a clear lake, worries carried away by the breeze, and joy blossoming within.

—

After seeing Master Yuan Ji off, Xuan Ming returned to the courtyard with Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu and resumed their seats. Finally, Xuan Tong could no longer contain himself: “Senior Brother, is the supreme method truly indispensable to share?”

Xuan Yu, too, looked reluctant. The supreme foundation method was the very cornerstone of the Quest for Truth Sect, and giving it away so easily was painful.

Xuan Ming did not answer directly but instead asked, “If I hand over the method, will our Quest for Truth Sect lose it?”

Xuan Tong understood immediately and quickly did the mental calculations, his face lighting up with delight. “Small sacrifice, small gain; great sacrifice, great gain. Senior Brother, your strategy is profound.”

Xuan Yu, though understanding, still hesitated. “Is the price not too great?”

Looking at the earnest Xuan Yu, Xuan Ming sighed. “Your thoughts are no secret to me. But the world seldom goes as one wishes. If we do not give, those Dao lineages led by Golden Core Masters will surely scheme to obtain it. A fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. The elder in the mountain may stop one, but can he stop the second and the third? Some things must be sacrificed when necessary; hesitation only invites chaos.”

He then said, “Look at it from another angle: this may be beneficial for the Quest for Truth Sect. A small boat rowing against the current shows great courage but risks shipwreck and death. Riding the current, however, allows one to sail swiftly and safely to the other shore.”

Xuan Tong’s eyes brightened. “Move with the tide, seize the momentum, act in accordance with the flow. Senior Brother’s plan is brilliant. Taking initiative while the matter is just beginning, when these Dao sects still maintain appearances, the Quest for Truth Sect strikes first, sets the rules, and takes the initiative. Thus, other sects desiring the supreme method must follow the rules or risk disgrace and becoming a laughingstock in Fengyang County.”

Giving Xuan Tong a knowing look, Xuan Ming stroked his beard and revealed another detail: “The old Daoist only said he would hand over one supreme foundation method, but never said it was the Yin-Yang Foundation chapter.”

Xuan Tong was somewhat puzzled, and Xuan Yu was utterly baffled.

Not wanting to confuse his juniors, Xuan Ming explained plainly: “There are levels within the supreme foundation methods. The old Daoist’s Yin-Yang Foundation chapter is of the highest order. Our Quest for Truth Sect’s willingness to teach a foundation method is generous; surely he may simplify it somewhat, lowering its difficulty so that it is not too lofty or steep for anyone to ascend.”

Both Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu suddenly comprehended. Xuan Tong added, “In the future, many disciples of our Quest for Truth Sect may study this supreme foundation method. It neither risks exposure nor hinders the Dao path. Only those with supreme talent, heart, perseverance, and understanding can comprehend the Yin-Yang Foundation chapter.”

Having grasped the key points, Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu felt completely at ease, and the three men laughed heartily together.

Just then, the Spirit Deer of Longevity returned. Seeing the trio laughing joyfully, it assumed they were mocking its earlier foul odor. Angrily, it chirped, hopped a couple of times, and plopped down under the old pine tree, turning its back and pouting as if to say, “I am very upset.”

Unfortunately, nobody soothed it.

With the heavy burden lifted, Xuan Tong and Xuan Yu hurried back to absorb their gains without delay. Xuan Ming entered his cottage, temporarily setting aside the congratulatory gifts, seated himself on a mat, and closed his eyes to digest what he had learned.

Previously, his discussions with juniors had been oral transmissions of Dao sounds. Today’s profound discourse marked his first experience since becoming a True Master—a deep, mysterious exchange from which he benefited greatly but had yet to fully assimilate.

Especially the recent two days’ evolution of a three-foot illusory space had propelled his understanding of the principles of sun, moon, yin, and yang forward by leaps and bounds, even allowing him glimpses of even more profound and difficult Dao truths.

Such fortune was rare, and Xuan Ming likewise seized the opportunity to integrate the insights truly into his own cultivation.

—

At the Immortal Forest Hall, the bright moon illuminated the courtyard.

Hundreds, even thousands, of fireflies crawled from the aquatic plants, flapping their tiny wings and lighting the darkness, creating a fantastical alternative starry sky—beautiful and dreamlike.

Within the courtyard, numerous True Masters gathered—a diverse assembly of different Dao lineages, varying cultivation levels, each with distinct bearing.

Some had broad foreheads; others possessed celestial beauty; some wore barefoot and hemp robes; others donned brocade gowns and jade belts; some sported full beards; others had handsome features; male and female, old and young.

All eyes focused on a middle-aged Daoist clad in sky-blue robes—Master Yuan Ji.

When his words ended, the hall fell silent.

After several breaths, a bearded True Master slammed the table and exclaimed, “What a remarkable True Master Xuan Ming is—to truly be willing to part with a supreme foundation cultivation method! Such daring! Once the Dao Yuan Assembly concludes, I shall personally journey to Floating Cloud Mountain to meet this Dao friend.”

This was Huang Li, True Master of the Spirit Official Sect.

The hemp-robed Master Tai Cang of the Hemp Garment Sect said, “Abandoning the tranquility of clear streams to gain the vastness of oceans and rivers; relinquishing petty doubts to embrace the vast firmament. True Master Xuan Ming truly grasps the essence of sacrifice. Though it seems the Quest for Truth Sect suffers loss, it actually gains much more. By nurturing all families as one, once the stele is established, the Quest for Truth Sect’s foundation will surely deepen.”

The handsome-featured Yu Quan, True Master of Qingyang Palace, agreed, “What a destiny and sincerity! This True Master Xuan Ming has great ambition and cleverness. Where the Quest for Truth Sect once faced crisis, he has turned the problem back onto us, placing us in a dilemma.”

The Great Elder Dong Lai of the Zixia Sect opened his eyes, his purple pupils shining brilliantly, and spoke sharply, “What? You no longer want the supreme foundation cultivation method?”

Yu Quan shook his head, “Of course we want it!”

Dong Lai retorted, “Then why hesitate?”

Yu Quan replied, “Old Dong Lai, don’t be too unfair.”

Dong Lai shot back, “What? Can’t speak the truth?”

...

The assembled True Masters were no strangers to the banter between these two. The longstanding rivalry between the Zixia Sect and Qingyang Palace meant their exchanges were always sharp-tongued. A meeting without quarrel would be rare indeed.

All understood that True Master Xuan Ming’s plan was an open strategy—boldly declaring:

“If you want the supreme method, show sincerity and assist me in cultivation to strengthen the Quest for Truth Sect. Otherwise, do not come.”

“I am willing to give; you must be willing to give as well.”

Dong Lai’s words reminded them all: though it seemed there were two choices, no one would truly give up the supreme method.

Though these lineages were great sects, none possessed the supreme method. This was an opportunity. Though their Dao paths were fixed and spiritual training seemed hopeless, they could fight for a bright future for their sects and disciples, striving for that glimmer of hope in spiritual cultivation. Success would bring rich rewards for their toil.

Thus, only one choice remained:

Follow the rules.

After the True Masters dispersed, Master Yuan Ji and Master Yuan Ji (his twin brother) exchanged faint smiles. Yuan Ji said, “This discourse with the Quest for Truth Sect proved fruitful. Let us continue our discussion in the inner chamber to mutually benefit. Perhaps we both may hope for innate perfection.”

Master Yuan Ji was surprised. “It seems True Master Xuan Ming is far more concealed and profound than I imagined.”

Master Yuan Ji smiled but offered no praise. The more he held back, the clearer it became to Yuan Ji how formidable Xuan Ming truly was.

Amid their astonishment, their anticipation for the next discourse grew. Watching Yuan Ji walk ahead, Yuan Ji involuntarily glanced toward Floating Cloud Mountain.

Although Xuan Ming had benefited more tonight, he had the support of his twin brother. Their subtle interplay complemented one another like the waxing and waning crescent moon or the ever-changing sky—each discourse indirectly benefiting the other, gaining about seventy percent insight while simultaneously nourishing their own cultivation.

United in purpose, the brothers might well surpass True Master Xuan Ming.

With this thought, Master Yuan Ji beamed with joy.