Chapter 328: Understanding Dao

Shen Lian heard the disciple’s question and replied, “We are all cultivators of Dao, and we emphasize on the natural course of things. Even if I am in charge of Qing Xuan now, I will not force you to do something. So yes, this is entirely voluntary.”

At that moment, a lot of cultivators felt relieved. After all, if they had to go out by the Chief’s order and traveled the world without so much as relying on the sect’s reputation, what were they going to do when they ran into danger? After all, cultivators did have a longer lifespan than the normal people; however, most cultivators cared about life and death, and most of them took great care of their body.

Shen Lian took no concern about the disciple’s mood as he spoke, “Elder Hong, what about the task that I have entrusted you with?”

Hong Qianya’s level of cultivation and seniority in Qing Xuan were considered high, and hence he was seated in front. Right now, he was seated on the second futon on the right. Everyone’s attention was directed at him. They were curious as to what was the task that the Headmaster had told him to do.

Hong Qianya stood up and bowed to Shen Lian. He replied, “Headmaster, I have acted according to your instructions and have computed the value of the disciples’ inheritance in the form of a meritorious deed.”

With a flick of his finger, Hong Qianya produced a light wall in the hall. The words flowed on it, stating that the number of spiritual materials and meritorious deeds that each disciple had inherited. As to the particulars of the spiritual materials, they were all listed down in the form of words.

The light wall was gigantic, and the Dao technique behind it was refined. It encompassed everything without swelling up.

Hong Qianya cultivated the Solution of Ziwei Dong Mystery. With just the slightest hint, he could investigate the background of every disciple thoroughly. This was why Shen Lian had instructed him to do this.

“Chief, what is the meaning of this?” Some elders had queried.

Shen Lian remained calm as he spoke, “The predecessors had done a lot to amass these savings, and I just wanted all of you to see for yourself. Look at how much you have gotten from your predecessor, how much you have spent, and how much did you manage to procure with your own ability.”

He did not use any harsh words, and he did not criticise the disciples who were wasting their time away by relying on their predecessors’ savings. He merely wanted them to see and think for themselves.

If they could still ignore this and held onto the secular way of thinking, they were not meant for cultivation of Dao anyway. However, Shen Lian would not evict them. He would not lecture them too. Dao was right there, and so were the techniques. Shen Lian could offer pointers, but he was not about to spoon feed them.

After a short moment of repension, some had expressed their willingness to source for spiritual materials from the outside world in order to contribute to Shen Lian’s forgery of treasures, and some even volunteered their inheritance up to the sect.

Of course, there were some who remained silent and did not say anything.

What Shen Lian did next was calling up each and every disciple. He reviewed their cultivation and told them to leave Qing Xuan Hall.

It seemed that the announcement of his decision to activate the Heavenly Cauldron was not the sole highlight of the day, he wanted to provide pointers to the disciples’ process of cultivation as well.

His insights were invaluable, and he had correctly identified every disciple’s deficiencies. He did not offer a solution but prompted them to solve it on their own. Everyone was happy and respectful about it, and they did not rely on him unnecessarily. Within just a few words, he was able to pinpoint the issues. Even the elders were nodding in agreement.

The last disciple to come forward was Qi Sanguang.

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It was due to Shen Lian’s advice that Qi Sanguang came around at last. It would not be an exaggeration to address Shen Lian as his second parent. After coming forward, he knelt down and kowtowed respectfully.

Shen Lian did not stop him. After all, he was in the position to receive such respectful greetings.

“You have been here for quite some time now, do you see any improvement in yourself?” Shen Lian asked after he had calmed down.

Qi Sanguang replied, “I have been cultivating the Qi cultivation technique that Headmaster taught me, I felt that my meridians are heating up, and my acupoints have swelled.”

The elders were surprised by what they heard. What he just described were the signs of breaking through.

Shen Lian sighed and replied, “You are old and have started your cultivation process late. Even though you have received a hint of divine power, but your physical form did not improve. The reason why you are experiencing the signs of breakthrough in such a short period of time is due to the deterioration of your meridians and acupoints. Actually, you have not gathered enough essential Qi. If you want to cultivate your awakened entrance, you will end up draining your Qi and blood.”

The rest of the elders nodded in agreement.

“Pardon my stupidity, but Headmaster, are you saying that I will never be able to attain immortality?” Qi Sanguang asked.

Shen Lian smiled as he replied, “You are ambitious. With your current state, you might not even see the entrance to Celestialism after cultivating for another thousand of years. However, your situation is not hopeless. Since we have identified the problem, there will definitely be a solution. No miraculous elixir could change your dying physical form for the better. However, a previous strange encounter of mine might be of help here.”

Qi Sanguang asked desperately, “May I know what is the solution?”

Shen Lian spoke with a serious tone, “This technique is not something of authentic Xuanmen. I stumbled upon it by chance, and it is immensely useful when it comes to physical form. At the pinnacle of cultivation, one would be able to remain in the world without having to cultivate the Primordial Spirit. One would be able to retain one’s youth, but the risk of cultivation is very high. If you are interested to learn, I can teach you. However, with even the slightest mistake you might turn into ashes, or face some other form of misfortune. You need to be mentally ready for this. You have been cultivating your Qi, and you are calm. With the dense Qi of vitality surrounding Qing Xuan, it is possible for you to live on for another seventy or eighty years. It is just that you have no chance of breaking through. If you decided to learn the technique that I spoke of, you will be putting your life on the line in exchange for significant improvement. Take some time to consider your options before making a decision.”

Shen Lian blew, and his breath was turned into a gust of wind that carried Qi Sanguang away.

Right now, only the elders who were at least above the state of Huandan remained in the hall.

All of them had straightened their clothes and were sitting formally.

Shen Lian spoke, “Qing Xuan had spent the past few hundred years in isolation, and most of us have not been going out. It was only until Senior Apprentice-Brother Chen’s departure that we started to regain our fame. However, it is difficult to change the public perception of Qing Xuan with just his power. This is the reason why Guangqing is trying to replace us as one of the four main Daoist sects.

Shortly after, I rose to fame. With the blessings of the Grand Ancestor Master, we were able to resist against Guangqing. After I have attained immortality, the world finally acknowledges Qing Xuan once again.

However, we all know that ever since the Grand Ancestor Master had passed away, the power of Qing Xuan had been declining steadily. Luckily, I have only just entered into the state of immortality. As compared to the senior immortal Zhenrens, I am not as tied up and could act more flexibly.

The disappearance of the Twelve Zhenrens of Guangqing is an internal problem for Guangqing. They have no time for us now, and this is the perfect timing for us to expand. In the foreseeable future, Senior Apprentice-Brother Chen will be attaining Dao within the next few years.

However, when the peaceful times have passed, I am afraid that a deadly trial awaits.

According to my calculations, this trial is not something that could be easily stopped. It will involve many parties, and this is why I have decided to activate the Heavenly Cauldron again. I intend to improve on our combat power. Even if all of you have no chance to attain immortality, please do not wear out your moral nature. Otherwise, you might not be reincarnated after facing the trial.”