Discussing the Dao with Guangchengzi: The First Clash of Ideals

On Jin'ao Island, the Artifact Refining Hall and the Array Court were undergoing innovative pilot programs with great vigor, presenting a scene of bustling vitality. Lin Xuan's (Xuanyuanzi's) concepts of "standardization," "modularization," and "logicalization" were, with unstoppable momentum, quietly reshaping the appearance of this sacred land of the Jie Sect. Lower-level disciples rejoiced at the lowered cultivation threshold, mid-level managers were impressed by the increased efficiency, and even some high-ranking officials who had initially held reservations began to seriously examine this novel theory in the face of irrefutable data.

However, the winds of change could not be stilled. The stirrings within the Jie Sect, especially such a subversive transformation, had inevitably attracted external attention, particularly from the Chan Sect, whose philosophies were at odds with the Jie Sect's.

One day, auspicious clouds swirled before Biyou Palace, and celestial music faintly echoed. A Daoist arrived on the clouds. He wore a Yuqing lotus crown and an eight-trigram purple-ribbon immortal robe. His appearance was ancient and his expression solemn, his entire being radiating a harmonious Dao Charm that subtly merged with the laws of heaven and earth. He was none other than the chief disciple of the Chan Sect, a direct disciple of Primal Heavenly Lord—Guangchengzi!

Guangchengzi's visit was nominally to communicate with the Jie Sect on behalf of his master regarding the upcoming "Second Preaching at Zixiao Palace," a mere formality. But his true intention was clear to any discerning observer: to investigate the reality behind the recent stirrings on Jin'ao Island.

Duobao Daoist personally came out to greet Guangchengzi and led him into Shangqing Hall for tea. As they exchanged pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned to the new atmosphere on Jin'ao Island.

"Brother Duobao," Guangchengzi said calmly, taking a sip of immortal tea, his gaze as deep as an abyss, "I recently heard that your sect has had many new initiatives. Some disciples mentioned something about 'standardization' and 'modularization,' even making artifact refining and array formation as orderly as mortal craftsmen, greatly increasing efficiency. May I ask which wise master is behind these novel methods? They possess such a marvelous ability to simplify complexity." Though his words carried praise, a subtle undercurrent of scrutiny and doubt could be detected.

Duobao Daoist, being who he was, could not fail to catch the implied meaning. He smiled slightly and replied frankly, "Fellow Daoist Guangchengzi is well-informed. This is a strategy advocated by our sect's new 'Special Invited Researcher,' Xuanyuanzi. Although Fellow Daoist Xuanyuanzi's cultivation is still shallow, he indeed has unique insights into the innovation of Daoist Magic. His methods have been quite helpful to the cultivation of our sect's lower-level disciples."

"Oh? Xuanyuanzi?" A flicker of surprise crossed Guangchengzi's eyes. He had never heard this name before. "Is there such a remarkable person? Could you perhaps invite him to meet? I would be honored to hear his explanation and experience this unique 'Daoist Magic' firsthand." He deliberately paused slightly on the words "Daoist Magic."

Duobao Daoist knew Guangchengzi intended to test him, but he did not object. It was an opportunity to let Lin Xuan's ideas undergo external scrutiny. He then instructed a young attendant to fetch him.

A moment later, Lin Xuan entered Shangqing Hall. Sensing Guangchengzi's immense, ocean-like aura, though contained, he felt a sense of awe but maintained a calm demeanor, greeting him with utmost respect, "Junior Xuanyuanzi greets Senior Guangchengzi."

Guangchengzi's gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over Lin Xuan. Seeing that he was indeed only at the Refining Essence into Qi stage, his foundation solid but far from astonishing, his doubts deepened. He raised a hand in a gesture of dismissal and said lightly, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need for such formality. I heard you have ingenious ideas that allow our Jie Sect fellow disciples to cultivate with twice the result for half the effort. I am curious and wish to ask for your guidance. May I know the principles behind your 'standardization' and 'modularization'? And how do they differ from our orthodox Xuanmen cultivation methods?"

This question, though seemingly ordinary, was in fact sharp, directly targeting the core ideological differences.

Lin Xuan knew this discussion of the Dao was no small matter, concerning the legitimacy of his own ideas and the honor of the Jie Sect. He took a deep breath and replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "Senior inquires, and I dare not hide my knowledge. The principle behind 'standardization' and 'modularization' lies in 'deconstruction' and 'reconstruction.' All things operate according to their laws. Cultivation methods are no exception. My method aims to deconstruct complex and profound processes into several basic, controllable units, clarify their laws, set their standards, making them repeatable and verifiable. Subsequently, these standard units can be flexibly recombined according to different needs to achieve different effects. This emulates the 'order' of nature, aiming to improve efficiency and lower the threshold, allowing more aspiring individuals to take the first step in cultivation firmly."

He avoided a direct comparison of "differences and similarities" and instead emphasized the purpose of "increasing efficiency and benefiting the masses."

Guangchengzi nodded slightly upon hearing this but pressed further, "What you say sounds reasonable. However, the Great Dao is both simple and complex. The path of cultivation emphasizes comprehending the Heavenly Dao, seeing one's true nature, and achieving unity between heaven and man. Does your method, by dissecting Daoist Magic into fixed units and standard procedures, not overly emphasize the subtlety of 'technique' while neglecting the profundity of 'Dao'? If this continues, your disciples may become skilled in technique but clumsy in Dao, familiar with procedures but lazy in enlightenment, ultimately diverging from the origin of the Great Dao? Is this not diametrically opposed to our Chan Sect's principle of following heaven and responding to people, emphasizing foundation and comprehension?"

This statement highlighted the fundamental divergence between the Chan Sect's philosophy and Lin Xuan's: one emphasized following nature and focusing on enlightenment and individual talent (elite education); the other emphasized leveraging subjective initiative through methodology to popularize the basics (mass education).

Lin Xuan had long pondered this point and responded calmly, "Senior's concerns are far-reaching, and I admire them. However, I believe 'Dao' and 'technique' are two sides of the same coin, complementing each other. 'Dao' is the direction, and 'technique' is the oar. Without oars, it is difficult to cross the sea of suffering; without direction, the oars are useless."

He further elaborated, "My method does not aim to replace the comprehension of the Heavenly Dao, but rather to provide a more solid 'foundation' and a clearer 'path' for comprehending it. For example, when mortals learn to paint, they must first learn 'standard' techniques such as lines, colors, and composition before they can finally paint freely and achieve 'artistic spirit.' If one speaks of artistic conception from the beginning, they may never find the way. Cultivation is the same. First, use 'standard' methods to help disciples build a solid foundation and master the laws of basic 'techniques.' Once they have entered the hall, they will naturally have the ability and leisure to pursue that ineffable 'Dao.' This is the path of 'first establishing technique, then comprehending Dao,' and 'advancing to Dao through technique.'"

He looked at Guangchengzi and said earnestly, "As for following heaven and responding to people, in my humble opinion, 'heaven' gives birth to all things, each with its own nature. We cultivators explore laws, utilize laws, to benefit more sentient beings, allowing them to have the opportunity to embark on the path of Dao. This in itself is 'following' the ceaseless virtue of heaven and earth and 'responding' to the opportunity for all things to survive and evolve. Is this not a broader interpretation of 'following heaven and responding to people'?"

Guangchengzi listened in silence for a long time. Lin Xuan's response was logically clear and self-contained, resolving his doubts one by one and proposing the possibility of another path of cultivation. He could not easily refute it, but he certainly could not agree with it. In his deeply ingrained beliefs, Daoist Magic followed nature, emphasizing opportunities and innate talent; such a "craftsman-like" method was ultimately inferior.

"Fellow Daoist's words are indeed novel, and I have learned much," Guangchengzi finally said slowly, his tone still calm but with a hint of distance. "However, our paths differ, and we cannot conspire together. The Dao of my Chan Sect is the orthodox Great Dao passed down by our master, emphasizing foundation, destiny, and following the will of heaven. Your method may be beneficial for a time and in a specific place, but its long-term value for the Great Dao remains to be seen."

He rose and said to Duobao Daoist, "Brother Duobao, I have now witnessed the innovative spirit of your sect. Since the matter of Zixiao Palace has been communicated, I shall take my leave." With that, he transformed into a beam of pure light and departed, not sparing Lin Xuan another glance.

The debate had ended, but the clash had occurred. Although Guangchengzi did not explicitly state it, his attitude had made it clear that the Chan Sect held reservations, or even outright rejection, towards Lin Xuan's "scientific cultivation" philosophy.

Duobao Daoist saw Guangchengzi off and turned to Lin Xuan, sighing, "Fellow Daoist Guangchengzi has always been like this; Xuanyuanzi, you should not take it to heart. Disputes over ideology have existed since ancient times. Today's discussion has shown the Chan Sect that our Jie Sect is not stagnant."

Lin Xuan nodded, feeling no great sense of defeat. Instead, he felt even clearer. He knew that the conflict with the Chan Sect's ideology was just the beginning. His path was destined to be difficult, but it was precisely because of this that it held more meaning.

This initial clash with Guangchengzi was like a preview, foreshadowing the waves that would be stirred in the future within the Xuanmen, and indeed throughout the Primordial Era, by two completely different ideological paths of cultivation.