Opening a Dao Field, Another Discussion of the Dao

No calendars in the mountains; when the cold had passed, none knew how many years had gone by.

Li Cha's breakthrough and subsequent secluded cultivation to stabilize his realm had consumed nearly a thousand years. When he had fully consolidated his Late Da Luo realm, the Dao aura around him flawless and harmonious, and his Spiritual Sense slowly awakened from deep meditation, Mo Ran within the Chaos Pearl had also reached its most critical moment.

Mo Ran's jade-black Qilin Armor shone brilliantly, while auspicious energy condensed into tangible clouds that curled around it. It let out a low roar and fiercely charged at the final barrier. Thanks to the supreme Dao aura that had escaped during Li Cha's breakthrough, along with the accumulation of its own thousand years of arduous cultivation, that sturdy barrier was finally shattered by a surging torrent of spiritual power!

Boom!

A formidable aura belonging to an Early Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal erupted from Mo Ran's body. The Human Flower above its head slowly bloomed, finally settling at the Ninth Grade.

A Ninth-Grade Human Flower was already a supreme foundation coveted by countless cultivators in the Primordial Wilderness, sufficient to prove Mo Ran's origins and potential. Yet compared to Li Cha's astonishing Twelfth-Grade Supreme Dao Foundation, it still fell short by a degree. This also confirmed that an unbridgeable gulf truly existed between Innate Beings and those supreme Innate God-Demons. Mo Ran held no dissatisfaction over this. Instead, it was filled with delight. Entering the Da Luo realm was already a blessing it had never dared imagine before.

Li Cha nodded slightly in approval of Mo Ran's breakthrough. He did not immediately leave seclusion, but continued guarding it as it thoroughly stabilized its Early Da Luo realm.

Another three hundred years passed before master and disciple finally emerged from seclusion.

When Li Cha withdrew the restrictions around himself and his aura once more merged with the valley, he immediately sensed a cool, vast presence that had been waiting at the valley entrance for a long time.

With a thought, he appeared at the mouth of the valley. There stood a woman in quiet stillness. She wore a moon-white flowing robe with cloud patterns and wide sleeves. Her figure was graceful, and her beauty was peerlessly elegant, as though she had gathered all the radiance of heaven and earth upon herself. Dreamlike starlight flowed around her, while her aura was as deep as the sea. She was clearly a mighty Mid-Stage Quasi-Saint!

Upon seeing Li Cha appear, the woman's eyes shifted with curiosity and scrutiny. She showed no hint of disrespect despite Li Cha's cultivation being lower than hers. Instead, she proactively cupped her hands in salute, her voice as crisp as jade striking stone.

"Greetings, Daoist. I am Wang Shu. Seeing that the formation here is extraordinarily profound, I have longed to understand it. I sat here in contemplation for a thousand years, yet failed to find the way in. A thousand years ago, I saw you enter, so I have presumptuously waited to seek your guidance. Might you be willing to enlighten me?"

Wang Shu! The Mother of Stars, the Moonlight Goddess, and the future creator of the Demon Clan's clan-protecting formation—the Grand Formation of the Stars! Li Cha's heart tightened slightly. He had not expected to draw over this foremost female immortal of the Primordial Wilderness. Not daring to act arrogantly, he quickly returned her salute with a warm smile.

"So it is Fairy Wang Shu. I am Li Cha, also known as Yun Hua the Hermit. This place is my Dao field. Your arrival honors me, Fairy. I would not dare claim to instruct you, but perhaps we may discuss the Dao. Please, come inside."

After breaking through to Late Da Luo, Li Cha had gained a deeper understanding of the Qiankun Seal and Sever Formation that had arisen because of him. Though he still could not fully control it, he could use his special connection with the formation to briefly open a safe passage. He gestured ahead, and the formation's curtain of light rippled like water, opening into a gateway.

The surprise in Wang Shu's eyes deepened, but she calmly stepped inside.

After Li Cha's modifications, the valley had begun to resemble an immortal Dao field and a Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land. However, the time had been too short, and the renovations were not yet complete, leaving it somewhat plain.

Li Cha led Wang Shu to a newly carved stone platform, where the two sat facing one another.

Wang Shu was cool and direct by nature. The moment she sat down, she spoke again, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a thirst for the mysteries of formations. "Could you tell me the name of this formation, Daoist? And what profound powers does it possess?"

Li Cha was in no hurry. Smiling faintly, he swept his sleeve over the stone platform. In an instant, the dark-golden Sacred Spirit Table appeared, followed by the Five Elements Furnace and the Shouyang Pot. As he skillfully lit the fire, added water, and took out the tea, he said calmly, "Fairy Wang Shu, there is no need to rush. We can discuss the formation later. This is merely one of my humble skills, called the Tea Dao. Please sample it first."

His movements flowed as naturally as drifting clouds and running water. Though they seemed simple, every step aligned with the principles of heaven and earth's workings, the rise and fall of Yin Yang, and carried an indescribably natural Dao aura. Wang Shu was a master of formations and especially sensitive to the flow of energy. At this moment, she was unexpectedly drawn in by this unusual "ritual," forgetting to press further about the formation as her gaze unconsciously followed Li Cha's movements.

When a cup of Enlightenment Tea, clear in color and carrying a distant fragrance, was carried by spiritual power to her, she accepted it instinctively. Taking a light sip, she found the tea slightly bitter and astringent upon entering her mouth, only for it to transform into an indescribable freshness and sweetness. A cool current rushed straight into her Purple Mansion, and her mind instantly became crystal clear! Many obscure points from her previous studies of formations suddenly opened up, giving her new ideas!

"Daoist, what is this?" Wang Shu looked in astonishment at the tea leaves drifting in her cup. Feeling the activity and growth of the Dao aura within her, she could not hide the shock on her cool, elegant face. This thing could aid enlightenment, clear the mind, and calm the spirit. It was truly a treasure unlike any she had ever seen.

"This is Enlightenment Tea, and it is also the foundation of my attainment of the Dao." Li Cha smiled as he explained. "After drinking it, Fairy, have you gained any new insights into the Dao of formations?"

As he spoke, he heard swallowing sounds. Glancing over, he saw Shi Qing, Mo Ran, and Dragon Eel drooling onto the ground at the scent of the tea. With a wave of his hand, he bestowed three cups upon them. The three fellows cradled their tea and each found a corner to slowly savor it.

Wang Shu reflected carefully. A moment later, her bright eyes lit up. "Enlightenment Tea... the name truly fits! I have indeed gained some insights. This formation possesses a solemn and imposing air, linking heaven and earth. It should have the supreme power to seal the heavens, isolate the earth, and cut off Spiritual Energy. But... this place is already your Dao field, Daoist. Why was such a formation established here?" Her doubts deepened. What exactly did such a powerful sealing formation imprison? And why had Li Cha become the master of this place?

Li Cha burst into laughter, his expression open and candid, with no intention of concealing anything. "Fairy, your discernment is keen. This formation does indeed possess the power to seal heaven and earth. But do you know that what this formation seals is not some other thing, but me?"

"What?!" Even with Wang Shu's lofty state of mind and cultivation, she could not help crying out. Her beautiful eyes widened. "Then that Transformation Heavenly Tribulation that summoned the World-Destroying Divine Thunder..."

"It was my Form Transformation Tribulation." Li Cha's tone was calm, as though he were speaking of something entirely unrelated to himself.

"My heavens... the Heavenly Dao..." Wang Shu instinctively continued, her words full of disbelief.

"Fairy Wang Shu, watch your words." Li Cha's expression turned solemn as he cut her off. "It is fine for me to speak of such things, but if you do not wish to be targeted by the Heavenly Dao, it is better to say less." Li Cha had Great Dao Merit protecting him. Even if the Heavenly Dao targeted him, it would not dare strike to kill. Wang Shu did not possess Great Dao Merit.

Wang Shu's heart shuddered, and she immediately understood. The look she gave Li Cha became even more curious and probing. Personally sealed by the Heavenly Dao with such a grand formation, summoning World-Destroying Divine Thunder during his transformation... the origins and experiences of this Yun Hua the Hermit, who seemingly possessed only Late Da Luo cultivation, were simply terrifying! To dare challenge the Heavenly Dao and yet remain unharmed was utterly unbelievable!

"I misspoke. Thank you for your reminder, Daoist." Wang Shu solemnly expressed her gratitude.

Afterward, their conversation centered around the Qiankun Seal and Sever Formation. Li Cha did not keep anything to himself, explaining his understanding of the formation to Wang Shu in a clear and accessible manner. Wang Shu herself was a master of formations. She listened with rapt attention, occasionally offering her own views and questions. As they verified each other's insights, their conversation grew increasingly congenial.

Once they had finished discussing formations, they naturally turned to discussing the Dao.

Wang Shu expounded upon her Star Dao. With a wave of her hand, the void shone brightly, and the Grand Celestial Stars seemed close enough to touch. The revolutions of the stars, the alternation of light and darkness, the drawing forth of star power, and countless other mysteries flowed from her lips, deep and profound. Li Cha gained a more essential understanding of the Grand Celestial Stars and benefited immensely.

When it was Li Cha's turn to speak of his Tea Dao, Wang Shu was struck by an unprecedented shock. She had never known that there could be such an all-encompassing, gentle Dao that nevertheless pointed directly to the source. Through a cup of Pure Tea, he expounded upon the mutual generation and restraint of all things, the harmonizing of Yin Yang, clearing the mind and seeing the true nature, and even the principles of enlightening all living beings. This Tea Dao appeared noncontentious, but its scope was vast. It faintly possessed the bearing to stand on equal footing against the coldly operating laws of the Heavenly Dao! What she had gained from this discussion far exceeded her expectations.

By then, Shi Qing, Mo Ran, and Dragon Eel had long been drawn over by the sounds of the Dao. They quietly gathered nearby, listening intently as the two mighty beings discussed the Dao. Each was utterly absorbed and gained something from it.

When the discussion ended, lingering echoes of Dao aura still drifted through the valley. Wang Shu felt that her mind was full and complete, while her cultivation had faintly improved. She was even more grateful to Li Cha. With a turn of her delicate hand, she took out several dozen crystals shining with dazzling starlight, each containing pure star power.

"Daoist Li, I have benefited greatly from this discussion of the Dao, yet have no way to repay you. These are Star Crystals, condensed from the cores of stars. They are not particularly rare to me, but they are quite useful for arranging formations and refining star-attributed spirit treasures. I hope you will accept them as a small token of my gratitude."

Li Cha saw that the crystals were of extremely high quality and truly excellent materials for formations. They might prove greatly useful in the future, so he did not refuse them. Smiling, he accepted them. "In that case, I will gladly accept. Thank you for your generous gift, Fairy."

He glanced at the valley, which was still undergoing renovations, and said to Wang Shu, "Fairy, I still need some time to tend to this Dao field, so I will not keep you any longer."

Wang Shu understood and rose to take her leave. "No matter. Please attend to your affairs, Daoist. I too must return and properly digest what I have gained today. I hope that if fate allows, we may drink tea and discuss the Dao again someday."

Li Cha escorted her to the valley entrance. The two exchanged salutes in farewell, and Wang Shu transformed into a stream of cool moonlight before vanishing beyond the horizon.