Shen Gongbao: The Prejudice of Human Hearts is a Mountain
Directorate of Celestial Observation.
Shen Gongbao sat upright, his wolf-hair brush hovering over a brand-new scroll of government documents, his brow furrowed, as if pondering some difficult point in governing the country.
Suddenly, a Qingfeng swept by silently, stirring the candlelight on the table, causing the light and shadows to flicker.
Shen Gongbao felt a chill run down his spine and suddenly looked up.
Suddenly, another figure appeared on the opposite side.
He was a young man dressed in a simple blue robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a handsome appearance. He was leaning back in his seat, looking at her with great interest.
"Shen Gongbao, are you satisfied with serving the current Human King Di Xin?"
The young man spoke casually, as if he were catching up with an old friend.
Who are you?
Shen Gongbao's pupils contracted sharply, and he secretly circulated his magical power, causing all the muscles in his body to tense up instantly.
This place is a vital location in Chaoge, and it is also the official residence of her Directorate of Celestial Observation. The layers of guards outside the gate were all personally set up by her. This person was able to break in silently. This level of cultivation is simply unbelievable!
She said in a deep voice, "Trespassing on a government office is a serious crime according to the law!"
The young man chuckled, completely unconcerned by her wariness, and said slowly, "My name is Chu Feng. I've noticed that you've been implementing new policies in Chaoge lately, and they're quite methodical, bringing some life to this lifeless Human Race. I've come here specifically to have a chat."
As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and a stream of clear spring water appeared out of thin air, falling into an empty cup on the table, filling the air with the aroma of tea.
The entire process was smooth and effortless, with the demeanor calm and composed.
The sounds of armor clashing and patrolling footsteps outside the door continued rhythmically, and the guards remained completely unaware!
Shen Gongbao was shocked and realized that he had encountered an unimaginable master.
Her tense body relaxed slightly, her expression softened, and she cupped her hands in greeting to Chu Feng: "So it's Fellow Daoist Chu, my apologies for my rudeness."
Although the new policies achieved some minor successes, they touched upon the interests of too many old nobles, encountering numerous obstacles and proving to be nothing more than a forced effort.
Chu Feng nodded. "The atmosphere in Chaoge has indeed improved significantly; you deserve the greatest credit for this. However..."
He changed the subject, his gaze returning to Shen Gongbao, and said, "I observe that your cultivation has stagnated at the True Immortal realm for a long time, your primordial spirit is obscure, and your magical power is not condensed. Is it because you lack an opportunity to advance further?"
These words were like a sharp needle piercing Shen Gongbao's deepest pain.
Her composure crumbled instantly, replaced by an undisguised bitterness and dejection. "Fellow Daoist has discerning eyes."
In the practice of the Chan Sect, the most important thing is one's foundation, followed by the conditions and circumstances.
"I was originally a black panther, and by chance I attained enlightenment and took human form. Even with a thousand years of arduous cultivation, it would be difficult to enter the core of the Jade Void Palace, let alone those superior Daoist techniques and opportunities."
Chu Feng's gaze shifted slightly. "Yuanshi Tianzun claims to follow the will of Heaven and the people, yet he judges beings based on their origins and backgrounds, dividing them into different classes. Are you not resentful of this?"
This question was like a thunderclap exploding in Shen Gongbao's mind!
Unwilling to accept it?
It's more than just feeling resentful!
The six pills she had accumulated over hundreds of years were like candy to the Golden Immortal, to be enjoyed at will.
Daluo Golden Immortal could easily refine tens of millions of these pills.
Thinking of this, she clenched her fists tightly, and the resentment and grievances suppressed for hundreds of years suddenly erupted at this moment!
"How can I accept this?!"
She roared, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "I have cultivated myself for a thousand years, and I believe I have worked a hundred or a thousand times harder than those so-called 'blessed' people!"
In pursuit of the Tao, I am willing to kowtow at the Kunlun Mountain for a hundred years!
Among the disciples of Yuanshi Tianzun, I am the most diligent, simply because I am Leopard Spirit who cultivated into human form, making me the only anomaly in the sect!
With a single, casual remark from Master Yuanshi, "a creature with fur and horns, born from moisture and eggs," all my paths forward were cut off!
Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain; no matter how hard you try, you can't move it...
Shen Gongbao abruptly turned his face away, unwilling to let outsiders see his current loss of composure.
"It's all in the past, there's no point in bringing it up..." she said hoarsely.
Chu Feng listened quietly, a hint of pity in his eyes.
Didn't I go through the same thing once upon a time?
Chu Feng sighed softly, "I've heard your story."
You joined the Chan Sect at the same time as Jiang Ziya, but you were diligent and hardworking, while she was lazy and negligent.
You toiled for the Chan Sect, while he reaped the benefits. In the end, the great responsibility of Investiture of the Gods fell on his shoulders, while you suffered cold treatment and were regarded as an outsider because of your birth."
"Fellow Daoist, do not mention it again!" Shen Gongbao suddenly turned his head, his emotions running high.
Why not mention it?
Chu Feng's voice suddenly rose, "What if I told you that Yuanshi was wrong?"
Shen Gongbao was startled and stared at Chu Feng in astonishment, as if he had heard something out of the blue.
Chu Feng uttered a startling statement. "There are three thousand Great Paths, each of which can lead to enlightenment. How can there be any distinction between high and low, noble and base?"
All living things are distinguished only by whether they follow the Tao or not; how can there be a difference in their origins or quality?
The Interception Sect without discrimination; anyone who aspires to the Dao can enter its ranks.
Your senior martial uncle, the Tongtian Sect Master, is a true sage with the Great Dao in his heart."
Since Chu Feng broke through to the Great Dao Realm, his mind has become as still as water, and he has become more open-minded.
Shen Gongbao suddenly raised his head and asked in a trembling voice, "Fellow Daoist... do you recognize the Saint Tongtian?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Feng smiled and said, "I not only recognize her, but we are also good friends."
The moment he finished speaking, a layer of dark and profound Mystic Light suddenly emanated from Chu Feng's body!
The Mystic Light appeared for only a moment before vanishing without a trace.
This fleeting glimpse made Shen Gongbao feel as if he had fallen into the beginning of time, witnessing firsthand the supreme scene of the birth and death of all things and the rotation of the Great Dao!
A powerful pressure originating from the very source of life caused her primordial spirit to tremble violently, her Dao heart to shatter, and her legs to buckle, almost causing her to kneel down on the spot!
"This... this is..."
She was horrified and speechless, her face turning deathly pale, her eyes filled with awe as she looked at Chu Feng.
She had once been fortunate enough to experience the oppressive aura of a sage from afar in the Jade Void Jade Void Palace, but although it was as vast as the sky, it was nothing compared to even a fraction of the power she felt just now!
That was an aura that surpassed even saints and transcended the Heavenly Dao!
"My cultivation surpasses the Heavenly Dao; I have already attained the Great Dao."
Chu Feng concealed his aura, as if nothing had just happened.
Shen Gongbao was overwhelmed with emotion, his breathing became rapid, and his mind went blank.
The Realm of the Great Dao!
That's a realm that even the Great God Pangu could only reach!
The person before me is such a terrifying being?
Seeing her shocked expression, Chu Feng continued to extend an olive branch, "If you are willing, I can introduce you to my Interception Sect."
With your diligence and wisdom, Tongtian will not look down on you because of your background; the path to the Great Dao is within your reach."
Join the Interception Sect?
Shen Gongbao's heart began to pound.
On one side is the aloof and intolerant Chan Sect, on the other is the Interception Sect, which teaches without discrimination and believes in the path to enlightenment, and then there's this unfathomable powerful figure introducing them...
She was tempted.
My heart is pounding!
But then she remembered something and hesitated, "But... I now bear the heavy responsibility entrusted to me by the Human King, regarding the affairs of the Yin Shang Dynasty..."
Chu Feng casually waved his hand, interrupting her concerns. "Joining the Interception Sect will not hinder your assistance to Di Xin."
On the contrary, my Disciples of the Sect of Interception are scattered throughout the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, and countless immortals come to pay homage, among whom there are many extraordinary people.
If you become one of their own, they might be able to lend you a hand and make your new policy implementation smoother.
After speaking, Chu Feng stood up and gave her one last look. "Think carefully: do you want to stay in the Chan Sect and remain a marginal figure who can't break through for ten thousand years, or do you want to join the Interception Sect and find a true path to Tongtian that belongs to you?"
Shen Gongbao's breathing became increasingly rapid, as he was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
On one side lies the bond of hundreds of years with one's master, though that bond is as thin as paper; on the other side lies the long-awaited path to the Great Dao...