Chapter 113: Lu Yang’s Three Questions
“Well, it’s not exactly like that. Cultivation is about balancing work and rest. As they say, from extreme stillness comes movement. If you stay in one place for too long, you need to go out and walk around.”
“Think about it, Little Yun. The purpose of cultivation is to achieve eternal life and freedom. If we spend all our time in closed-door cultivation, sitting in meditation, then cultivation becomes nothing more than a prison sentence, which is putting the cart before the horse,” Daoist Non-Speaker said earnestly.
As someone who frequents the celestial prison, he indeed has a unique perspective on imprisonment that others do not.
“Moreover, there are two types of cultivation: worldly cultivation and reclusive cultivation, right? I am a typical example of a worldly cultivator. Only by immersing myself in the mundane world and experiencing life can I comprehend the Dao of immortality and achieve breakthroughs!”
Lu Yang had heard of this concept before. Cultivators who became officials in The Great Xia Dynasty were considered worldly cultivators, while those from the Five Great Immortal Sects leaned towards reclusive cultivation. However, few were as purely reclusive as Eldest Senior Sister.
No matter how eloquently Daoist Non-Speaker spoke, Yun Zhi remained unmoved, not even lifting an eyelid.
“Master, when you taught me, you said that pressure creates motivation, and diligence is key in cultivation. ‘A day’s plan lies in the morning, and a year’s plan lies in spring.’ You advocated for cultivation from morning till night, extremely diligent.”
Indeed, Yun Zhi practiced as Daoist Non-Speaker had taught, from dawn to dusk, with extraordinary dedication.
Yun Zhi was already a rare genius, and with her diligent cultivation, her progress was rapid. When the Immortal Sect Conference was held, Yun Zhi stood out from the rest, taking the top spot.
Traditionally, the five sect masters would critique the champion for their shortcomings, and some, worried about the champion becoming arrogant, would challenge the champion to a fight.Then, Yun Zhi defeated all five sect masters, leaving them utterly vanquished.
By the next Immortal Sect Conference, while the disciples fought hard on the stage, Yun Zhi sat among the sect masters, right in the center, giving her critiques.
Daoist Non-Speaker thought to himself that he wanted her to diligently cultivate, improve her cultivation level, take over as sect master so he could sneak out for some fun.
Of course, these were words Daoist Non-Speaker could never utter aloud.
Yun Zhi had no aversion to cultivation; on the contrary, she enjoyed the process. During cultivation, she felt an unprecedented peace, as if she was one with the world, clearly feeling her own strength grow.
After cultivating, she felt refreshed and clear-headed. Why wouldn’t she enjoy it?
“Fine, if you want to come out, then come out…” Yun Zhi said indifferently, her tone softening.
Daoist Non-Speaker was overjoyed, thinking all his talking wasn’t in vain and Little Yun finally agreed to let him out.
“By your own ability.” Yun Zhi finished her sentence and turned to leave.
Daoist Non-Speaker opened his mouth but was at a loss for words. If he could leave by his own ability, he would have done so already!
“Lu Yang, you…”
Daoist Non-Speaker wanted to call Lu Yang back to plead on his behalf. Lu Yang gave a look that said, ‘You’re on your own,’ and hurried after Eldest Senior Sister.
Choosing between the all-powerful Eldest Senior Sister, who suppressed Dao Seeking Sect, and the imprisoned master was an easy choice.
“My young disciple, don’t go. Just help me remove the talisman, and I’ll teach you ‘One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand Swords.’ Thousands of swords floating in the air, their bright tips pointing downwards, giving you an advantage in morale before the battle even starts!”
“Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister?” Lu Yang ran back, asking. As a sword cultivator, who wouldn’t want to learn a spectacular and awe-inspiring sword technique?
The power isn’t important; what’s important is that it looks cool!
Daoist Non-Speaker shook his head, and seeing this, Lu Yang turned to leave again.
Daoist Non-Speaker hurriedly said, “I can also teach you the ‘True Understanding of Sword Dao,’ allowing you to have a deeper understanding of the sword dao. When you reach the pinnacle of sword dao, you can break all spells with a single sword, unbeatable among your peers!”
“Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister?”
Daoist Non-Speaker shook his head, and Lu Yang, seeing this, was about to leave again.
Daoist Non-Speaker quickly spoke up: “I can also teach you the ‘Four Absolute Sword Formations.’ Once deployed, the formation’s power soars to the heavens, severing the lifeforce of all, withering and flourishing all beings, sweeping away all enemies!”
“Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister?”
Daoist Non-Speaker, frustrated, exclaimed: “Rebellious disciple, if I could defeat her, would I still be imprisoned here?”
Lu Yang found his master’s argument reasonable, so he chose to stand with Eldest Senior Sister.
…
“Eldest Senior Sister, I’ve also discovered another issue during my mission.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve found that our Five Great Immortal Sects’ reputation is too low. Many people are unaware of us. When faced with demonic or evil occurrences, they can only rely on the officials. If the officials don’t intervene, they’re left with no choice but to wait helplessly.”
The Great Xia Dynasty is short-staffed and, due to pride, finds it inconvenient to seek help from the Five Great Immortal Sects. The common people end up suffering in this process.
This issue was discovered by Lu Yang in Song Mountain. Although the old hunter acting as a ghost was putting on a show, his ignorance of Dao Seeking Sect wasn’t an act.
While in Yanjiang County, Lu Yang also casually inquired and found that commoners had very limited knowledge about the upper echelons, including the Five Great Immortal Sects.
Yun Zhi was somewhat surprised, as she had never paid attention to this issue, nor had anyone from the Five Great Immortal Sects noticed it.
She attended the annual Immortal Sect Summit and had never heard this issue raised.
“That’s indeed a problem. Compile the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect into books and disseminate them among the people?”
Lu Yang, eager to contribute, offered his method: “Writing books is indeed an excellent way to spread information, but as far as I know, literacy rates among the common folk are low, and not many can afford books. Perhaps turning the stories of Dao Seeking Sect into storytelling scripts could also be a good method.”
“Storytelling?” Yun Zhi was unfamiliar with this area, whereas Daoist Non-Speaker was an expert, having donated the “Complete Collection of Crosstalk” to the scripture library.
“Yes, storytelling. Before I joined Dao Seeking Sect, my knowledge of cultivation came from a storyteller.”
“The quality of storytelling varies greatly nowadays, with significant inconsistencies and partial understandings of cultivation, easily leading to misconceptions about it.”
“If we turn the stories of Dao Seeking Sect into storytelling scripts, they’re sure to be popular!” Lu Yang said, his enthusiasm evident as he clenched his fists.
“Do the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect have anything extraordinary enough to attract people?” Eldest Senior Sister still had her doubts.
Lu Yang thought, if the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect are considered ordinary, what level of absurdity does the cultivation world reach?
Eldest Senior Sister, focused on cultivation, is likely unaware of the common knowledge issues and the public opinion of Dao Seeking Sect outside.
Lu Yang believed that with Eldest Senior Sister’s cultivation level, no one from the other immortal sects would dare speak ill of Dao Seeking Sect to her face.
“There will definitely be no issue!” Lu Yang asserted confidently.
“Then, who in Dao Seeking Sect is suitable for writing storytelling scripts and handling external publicity?” Yun Zhi pondered, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
“I can recommend someone who will undoubtedly be up to the task!”
“Who?”
“Master.”
(End of the chapter)