Yang Guang's Death (Part 2)

If Shen Fei had seen Xu Ziling's current state, he would probably have been greatly shocked. Even Shen Fei had not expected Xu Ziling to be so compatible with the Tao Te Ching. Or, more precisely, it was the fusion of Xu Ziling, the Longevity Scroll, and the Tao Te Ching that had created Xu Ziling's present condition.

Xu Ziling's personality was naturally highly compatible with Taoist teachings. Later, Shi Feixuan had talked him into becoming a protector of the Buddhist order, in no small part because he had been influenced by Buddhism's philosophy of withdrawal from the world.

Buddhism's ability to grow and flourish naturally meant it had its merits. Judging purely by personal virtue, the so-called Four Holy Monks surpassed the vast majority of people in self-cultivation. Yet when personal cultivation conflicted with Buddhism's overall interests, even the Four Holy Monks could not escape worldly concerns.

But this time, Shen Fei had intercepted Xu Ziling and taught him the true meaning of the Tao Te Ching from the Taoist Heavenly Clan. For Xu Ziling, this was an encounter as fortuitous as obtaining the Longevity Scroll.

Of course, Xu Ziling's current state was also related to his devoted study of the Tao Te Ching. To put it bluntly, even Shen Fei could not compare to him in this regard.

But that was only natural. Shen Fei possessed far too many things, and only recited the Tao Te Ching once a month. Xu Ziling was different. Having grown up as a street urchin, he had taught himself enough to recognize quite a few characters, but he had never systematically studied any books. The Tao Te Ching could be said to be the first book Xu Ziling had ever fully possessed.

With nothing else to do, Xu Ziling naturally focused all