With the Biyou Token in hand, Lin Xuan followed Daoist Huo Ling—now known by the Daoist title Holy Mother of Fire Spirit, a highly regarded disciple of the Interception Sect—out of the Purple Bamboo Forest and deeper into Kunlun Mountain, heading for the Interception Sect's secondary residence.
The scenery along the way was quite different from the area around Jade Void Palace. It had less solemn grandeur and more casual, natural charm. Immortal Cranes strolled leisurely, Spirit Beasts showed no fear at the sight of people, and cultivators occasionally swept past on Evasion Lights. Some debated the Dao beside Mountain Streams, while others played chess at the edge of cliffs. The relaxed, congenial atmosphere eased Lin Xuan's taut nerves despite himself.
Holy Mother of Fire Spirit was clearly popular. The Interception Sect disciples they met along the way, whether human or demon, greeted him warmly. They cast curious, friendly looks at Lin Xuan following behind him, without the slightest trace of disdain. This further improved Lin Xuan's opinion of the Interception Sect's "Teaching without discrimination."
They arrived before a palace that was not especially grand, yet exuded an ancient, graceful air. The plaque above its entrance bore the words "Casual Hall." No young attendants guarded the entrance; only several old pines stood before it, their gnarled branches intertwined.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanyuanzi, please wait a moment. I'll go inform Senior Disciple Brother Duobao!" Holy Mother of Fire Spirit said, then hurried excitedly into the Main Hall.
Before long, he strode back out, excitement on his face. He lowered his voice and said to Lin Xuan, "Fellow Daoist Xuanyuanzi, fortune has come your way! Senior Disciple Brother was very interested when he heard how you guided me in alchemy, and he has already reported your matter to Master! His Elderly Reverence has a wisp of Divine Sense visiting the secondary residence right now and wishes to meet you!"
Sovereign of the Heavens?! A Saint wanted to see him?
Even Lin Xuan, resolute as he was, could not keep his heart from pounding! This was a true Heavenly Dao Saint, a being standing at the peak of the Primordial World! It was different from sensing the boundless Dao Charm in Cloud Dream Marsh before; he was about to face a Saint in person!
He took a deep breath, forcibly tamped down his roiling emotions, straightened his clothes, and followed Holy Mother of Fire Spirit into Casual Hall.
The furnishings inside were simple, without any luxurious decorations. There were only a few meditation cushions and a Cloud Bed. No physical body sat upon it; only a mass of Pure Light had gathered there, within which one could faintly make out a figure dressed in a Green Daoist Robe. His features were indistinct, yet he possessed an awe-inspiring Dao Charm, one that looked down upon heaven and earth and wielded the majesty to "Seize a chance for survival." Though it was merely an avatar formed from a wisp of Divine Sense, the Saintly Might it radiated made Lin Xuan feel as insignificant as dust. He could not help but bow.
"This junior, Xuanyuanzi, pays his respects to Saint Tongtian!" Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, his voice carrying a trace of tension that was difficult to detect.
A calm voice, imbued with boundless authority, came from within the mass of Pure Light. It seemed to descend from the highest heavens, yet rang directly through the depths of Lin Xuan's mind. "Xuanyuanzi? Are you the one who used ingenious ideas to solve Huo Ling's difficulties with alchemy?"
"I dare not presume to accept the Saint's praise." Lin Xuan remained bowed. "This junior merely had a few insights and exchanged ideas with Fellow Daoist Huo Ling."
"Mm." Saint Tongtian's voice gave no hint of his emotions. "I see that your Spirit Soul is unusual, as if it were not bound by the common laws of this world. The cultivation technique you practice is not Orthodox Xuanmen, yet it accords with the Origin of Strength Dao. How interesting."
Lin Xuan's heart jolted. The Saint's Insight was indeed keen; he had seen the unusual nature of Lin Xuan's soul and the distinctiveness of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. Lin Xuan did not dare—and could not—hide it, so he replied, "The Saint sees clearly. This junior did indeed encounter some unusual fortune. I obtained the technique through a fortuitous opportunity."
Saint Tongtian made no comment, instead asking, "Xuanyuanzi, since you have traveled through the Primordial World, you have seen the Aspects of All Beings. I have three questions. Answer them."
Here it came! Lin Xuan's spirits lifted. He knew this was the true test. He straightened up, his gaze clear as he faced the mass of Pure Light. "Please ask, Saint. This junior will do his utmost to answer candidly."
"First," Saint Tongtian said slowly, his voice imbued with the resonance of the Great Dao. "What, in your view, is the 'Dao'?"
What was the Dao? This was the fundamental question that Primordial World cultivators pursued throughout their lives. Countless sages and mighty beings had offered their own explanations: some called it the Heavenly Dao, others nature or the laws of the world. Lin Xuan pondered for a moment. Rather than quote any scripture, he answered slowly, drawing on his own understanding:
"Saint, this junior believes that the 'Dao' is a path, a principle, and an origin. It is both the law governing the workings of all things in heaven and earth—the alternation of the sun and moon, the turning of the seasons, birth, aging, sickness, and death. These are manifestations of the 'Heavenly Dao,' objectively present and unaffected by anyone's will. At the same time, the 'Dao' is also the ideal and direction all living beings pursue: the process of understanding the laws, using them, and even transcending their constraints. For cultivators like us, the 'Dao' is the path of continually understanding heaven and earth and ourselves, finding our true nature, and ultimately attaining great freedom and ease. Thus, the Dao exists in heaven and earth, and also in the heart; it is both law and transcendence."
He did not indulge in vague talk of mysteries. Instead, he broke the "Dao" down into a union of objective laws and subjective pursuits, acknowledging its existence while emphasizing that it could be understood and put into practice. His answer differed somewhat from the mainstream Xuanmen view, which emphasized insight and alignment with the Heavenly Dao. It leaned more toward a spirit of "Investigating Things to Attain Knowledge."
The Pure Light on the Cloud Bed rippled slightly. Saint Tongtian offered no comment and continued, "Second question: The paths of cultivation are countless, and their methods vary greatly. What, in your view, is a 'method'? And how should one judge whether a method is good or bad?"
What was a method? What was the standard for judging its worth? The question struck at the very roots of cultivation. Lin Xuan recalled what he had learned in his previous life, and his thoughts grew clearer.
"Saint, this junior believes that a 'method' is a technique and a tool, a means of pursuing the Dao. Like a boat for crossing a river or a path for climbing a mountain, no method is inherently superior or inferior. The difference lies in whether it 'accords with the Dao' and whether it 'serves its purpose.'"
He paused to gather his thoughts. "This junior believes that a method can be judged by three criteria. First, does it accord with the principles of heaven and earth—its Scientificity and effectiveness? Can it truly guide cultivation and improve one's power, rather than being an empty fantasy? Second, is it suited to the cultivator—its applicability and individuality? Just as the right medicine must suit the illness, even the most profound method is useless, or even harmful, if it does not suit one's natural endowments and temperament. Third, does it have Promotability and potential for development? A superior method should not belong exclusively to one person or a small group. It should Teach without discrimination, benefiting more people who sincerely seek the Dao. And methods should not remain unchanged; they should be continually refined and developed as understanding deepens. Methods that are rigid and cling to old ways will eventually be discarded."
This explanation incorporated the nature of methods as tools, practical criteria, and the idea of development. His views on "Promotability" and "development" in particular faintly echoed the core teachings of Saint Tongtian: "Teaching without discrimination" and "Seize a chance for survival."
The ripples in the Pure Light seemed to grow slightly more pronounced. After a moment of silence, Saint Tongtian asked his final question, the most crucial one: "Third question: I established the Interception Sect to Seize a chance for survival for all living beings. Yet the Primordial World is vast, its living beings numbering in the hundreds of millions, each with different roots, aptitude, karma, and destiny. In your view, how should one 'intercept'? And how should one 'teach'?"
This question went straight to the Interception Sect's founding principles and conduct! Lin Xuan knew this was the crucial moment to demonstrate his worth. He took a deep breath and skillfully wove modern ideas about education, management, and even sociology into his reply:
"The Saint is compassionate. In this junior's humble opinion, the essence of the word 'intercept' lies in 'selection' and 'guidance,' not 'abandonment.' It means finding those who are willing, have a connection to the Dao, and possess perseverance, then Seizing a chance for survival—the slender possibility of transcendence—from the vast, predetermined workings of the Heavenly Dao. It is like panning for gold: the sand is washed away, leaving behind True Gold. But this 'panning' should not be a crude process of elimination. It should instead be an active effort to cultivate and discover."
"As for 'teaching,'" Lin Xuan said with a resolute gaze, "this junior believes it should mean Teaching According to Aptitude, while discarding sectarian prejudice and Discrimination based on origin. We should establish an Educational System with different levels, progressing step by step from basic Breathing Exercises to profound Daoist Magic. We should build a shared Knowledge Base and resource platform, allowing disciples to gain access according to their contributions or talents. We should encourage Debating the Dao, sparking wisdom through the collision of ideas. More importantly, there should be 'Mutual Learning and Teaching': teachers must also keep learning new things and improving themselves if they are to lead the sect forward. Only then can the Interception Sect truly become a Supreme Great Sect, gathering talented people from across the world and opening up limitless possibilities for all living beings!"
He concluded, "Therefore, the 'teaching' of the Interception Sect should not be one-way instruction, but Mutual Achievement; it should not mean Adhering to old rules, but Courage to Innovate. It should not mean raising a group of identical products, but helping each unique life find the path of the Dao best suited to it!"
When he finished, silence filled Casual Hall. Holy Mother of Fire Spirit stared in stunned amazement. Though he could not fully grasp every profound meaning in Lin Xuan's words, ideas such as "Teaching According to Aptitude," "Shared Knowledge," and "Mutual Learning and Teaching" had already struck him like a thunderclap, as though they had opened the gates to a whole new world.
The Pure Light atop the Cloud Bed stopped rippling and sank into a long silence. Saint Tongtian's Divine Sense seemed to be pondering Lin Xuan's unorthodox answer, which nonetheless appeared to point toward some kind of future.
Lin Xuan had given an answer filled with modern ideas to the Saint's three questions. Would it move this Heavenly Dao Saint, who had resolved to Seize a chance for survival for all living beings?
Before you continue