Teaching the Dao in the Forest, Longevity Dao Rhyme Bathes All Living Beings

In the eastern outskirts of the Hongmeng Great Land lay a vast forest known as Longevity Forest. Ancient trees towered within it, their branches and leaves lush and dense. Sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of foliage, scattering dappled shadows across the ground. The clearings were carpeted with wildflowers of every color, and the air was steeped in the fresh fragrance of grass and trees mingled with floral perfume. After the Heart Nurturing Pill had been successfully refined, Shen Hao decided that on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month, he would come to Longevity Forest to expound the Dao, imparting the true meaning of the Longevity Dao Rhyme to the birds and beasts of the forest and the nearby common folk, so that its blessings might bathe every living being across the Hongmeng Great Land.

Today happened to be the first day of the month. Before dawn had fully broken, the clearing in Longevity Forest was already packed with listeners. Nearby villagers, men and women, young and old, sat cross-legged with devout expressions; forest birds and beasts had come as well. Squirrels perched on branches, wild rabbits crouched amid the grass, and even the normally ferocious tigers lay meekly upon the ground, their burning gazes fixed on the center of the clearing.

As soon as the hour of the dragon arrived, Shen Hao appeared in the middle of the clearing. He wore a plain Daoist robe, and a faint golden Dao Rhyme lingered around him. Wherever it passed, the surrounding grass and trees grew greener, the wildflowers more vivid, and even the forest birds and beasts became gentler. His warm gaze swept over the people and animals, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Zi Xuan stood beside Shen Hao, holding a bamboo scroll in her hands.