The Crisis of an Auditing Student, Guangchengzi's Challenge

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's lecture was profound and abstruse. After every passage, silence settled over Zixiao Palace, broken only by the lingering resonance of the Great Dao flowing slowly through the chaotic void. Many mighty cultivators either closed their eyes to absorb what they had heard or exchanged thoughts through Divine Sense, all immersed in comprehending the supreme Great Dao.

After his initial setback and the insight that followed, Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) had adjusted his mindset. He no longer insisted on "analyzing" the Great Dao through the scientific framework he had at hand. Instead, he relied on the mysteries of the Enlightenment Cushion to empty his mind and strive to "feel" the Dao Charm, to "experience" its effortless, natural state. He treated every maxim spoken by Dao Ancestor, every syllable of the Dao's resonance, as a higher-dimensional "stream of information" to receive and store. He believed that even if he couldn't fully understand it now, these insights would become precious resources for future breakthroughs.

But the tree might wish for stillness, yet the wind would not cease. Though he sat quietly toward the back of the Interception Sect's ranks, doing his utmost to keep a low profile, he still failed to evade the notice of those with ulterior motives.

During the intermission, the Dao Charm subsided somewhat. Some familiar cultivators began speaking in low voices. In the Chan Sect's ranks, Guangchengzi's gaze swept toward the Interception Sect. It lingered briefly on Lin Xuan, who sat behind Daoist Duobao and was clearly an entire major realm below him in cultivation. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. As the Chan Sect's senior disciple, he valued rules and etiquette above all and placed great importance on lineage and origins. He had never thought much of the Interception Sect's practice of "Teaching without discrimination." Now, seeing a mere Human Race cultivator at the Refining Essence into Qi stage mingling in a supreme venue like Zixiao Palace, seated alongside numerous Great Luo and Quasi-Saints, he could no longer quite suppress his displeasure.

Guangchengzi straightened his robes. Rather than challenging Tongtian directly, he first bowed slightly to his own Master, the Primal Heavenly Lord. After receiving his tacit approval, he rose and turned toward Sovereign of the Heavens. With a cupped-hand salute, he spoke in a clear voice, though his words carried an unmistakable note of challenge that instantly drew the attention of many mighty cultivators present:

"Martial Uncle Tongtian, I am your disciple Guangchengzi. There is something I do not understand, and I venture to ask your guidance. I hope Martial Uncle will forgive my presumption."

Sovereign of the Heavens raised his eyes slightly, his gaze as calm as still water. "Speak."

Guangchengzi straightened and cast an apparently casual glance at Lin Xuan before settling his gaze on Sovereign of the Heavens. His tone carried just the right amount of confusion and "concern." "Please hear me out, Martial Uncle. Zixiao Palace is where Dao Ancestor expounds the Primordial Great Dao. The opportunity is supreme, but it is not a place just anyone may enter. We cultivators are able to come here and hear the Sage's teachings only thanks to the support of our Masters—the Primal Heavenly Lord and you, Martial Uncle, among other Sages. We must also have a certain foundation in cultivation to withstand the Dao's sacred resonance and glimpse its mysteries, lest our efforts prove... futile, or even bring harm upon us."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly, making his target unmistakable. "Yet I see that among your disciples, Martial Uncle, there seems to be a young friend whose cultivation... is still quite shallow. He does not even seem to have fully stabilized his Earth Immortal realm. May I ask which of your esteemed disciples this young friend is? To be here in Zixiao Palace with such cultivation, he must surely have some exceptional quality. Guangchengzi is ignorant and curious, so I ask Martial Uncle to enlighten me and let us all broaden our horizons."

On the surface, his words sounded like a polite request for guidance, but there was a hidden barb in them! He had directly pointed out Lin Xuan's low cultivation and questioned whether he had any right to be in Zixiao Palace, while also implying that the Interception Sect disregarded the rules and brought just anyone to such a supreme gathering!

In an instant, countless gazes converged on Lin Xuan! Some Chan Sect disciples looked on with scorn and anticipation, eager to see a spectacle. Members of the Demon Tribe, the Witch Clan, and other factions watched with curiosity and scrutiny. Even some mighty rogue cultivators turned their probing gazes his way. Lin Xuan suddenly felt the pressure mount, as though he had been thrust into the spotlight. The energy around him seemed to freeze!

Daoist Duobao's expression darkened, and he was about to speak. Wuyun Xian, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, and the other Interception Sect disciples also looked furious. Guangchengzi was clearly using this as an excuse to undermine the Interception Sect's dignity!

Yet Sovereign of the Heavens did not grow angry. Instead, the corner of his mouth curved in a faintly amused smile. He did not look at Guangchengzi, but turned his gaze toward the Primal Heavenly Lord and said coolly, "Second Brother, your disciple certainly has a lot to say. Must everyone from my Biyou Palace who comes to Zixiao Palace first report to Guangchengzi for approval?"

The Primal Heavenly Lord's expression remained unchanged. He simply replied, "Whatever concerns your disciples are naturally for you to decide, Junior Brother Tongtian. Guangchengzi, that was enough." Though his words were meant to stop Guangchengzi, they carried little reproach. Evidently, he tacitly approved of the challenge.

With his Master's tacit approval, Guangchengzi grew bolder, yet put on a show of trepidation as he bowed again to Sovereign of the Heavens. "Please calm your anger, Martial Uncle. I had no intention of interfering in your sect's affairs. It's just that... the lecture in Zixiao Palace concerns the future fortune of the Primordial World and is no small matter. I am also concerned that if those whose cultivation is insufficient force themselves to listen, it may do them no good. They might even risk being transformed by the Dao, which would hardly be desirable if it harmed one of your beloved disciples. Besides..."

He changed tack, finally revealing his true aim, and fixed a sharp gaze on Lin Xuan. "If this young friend truly possesses exceptional talent or some special destiny, and you value him enough to make an exception and bring him here, why not take this opportunity to let us see for ourselves? If he can speak with substance and expound the principles of the Heavenly Dao, would that not prove your keen insight? We might even gain another fellow Daoist to discuss the Dao with. Otherwise... heh, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince everyone, and your dignity as his Master may suffer."

This pushed Lin Xuan straight into the eye of the storm, forcing him to prove his "worth" before everyone! If he couldn't come up with a convincing answer, he would not only disgrace himself, but also invite ridicule upon Sovereign of the Heavens and the entire Interception Sect!

All the pressure fell on Lin Xuan. His heart raced, but the Dao Charm of the Enlightenment Cushion flowed through his sea of consciousness, helping him quickly regain his composure. He knew he couldn't lose his nerve now, nor could he speak carelessly. Guangchengzi had set a trap, forcing him to respond.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and slowly rose beneath the gaze of countless eyes. First, he respectfully bowed to Sovereign of the Heavens, then turned to Guangchengzi and cupped his hands. "This junior, Xuanyuanzi, pays his respects to Senior Guangchengzi."

His voice was calm, touched with just the right amount of humility, yet wholly free of fear. "Senior's questions make this junior uneasy. My cultivation is indeed shallow, and I dare not pretend otherwise. I was able to come to Zixiao Palace entirely thanks to the Sovereign's kindness in granting me this opportunity. All I can do is remain respectful, know my place, and listen carefully to Dao Ancestor's sacred teachings without the slightest negligence."

He first acknowledged the truth and lowered his stance, attributing his presence to Sovereign of the Heavens' kindness, leaving no opening for anyone to seize upon.

Then he shifted the subject slightly. His tone remained mild, yet his words held a subtle edge. "As for what Senior said about 'exceptional qualities' and 'expounding the principles of the Heavenly Dao,' this junior hardly dares claim such things. How could someone as insignificant as I presume to speculate about the profound Heavenly Dao? Dao Ancestor's teachings encompass all things and are mysterious beyond measure. I am slow-witted and cannot fully comprehend them, but my desire to hear the Dao is no different from that of the seniors present. Perhaps the Great Dao is impartial. Those of different aptitudes and at different levels of cultivation may each hear and understand it in their own way, gaining something of their own. Though I have seen only a small part of it, perhaps I too can glimpse a trace of the Great Dao's compassion, extended to all?"

His reply sidestepped the issue without directly claiming any special ability. Instead, he emphasized that everyone was equally entitled to hear the Dao, subtly suggesting that Guangchengzi might have missed the true meaning of the Great Dao's "accessibility to all" by imposing a threshold based on cultivation. At the same time, he raised the discussion to the level of the "Great Dao's compassion," answering the challenge without losing face and quietly invoking the Interception Sect's principle of "Teaching without discrimination."

A flash of cold light crossed Guangchengzi's eyes. He had not expected this lowly Human Race cultivator to be so quick-witted! He was about to use his authority to press the matter, demanding to know Lin Xuan's origins and teacher, or forcing him to display the so-called "unconventional ideas" he supposedly possessed.

At that moment, Sovereign of the Heavens let out a soft laugh, cutting off the conflict before it could escalate again. Without even looking at Guangchengzi, he swept his gaze across the gathering and finally settled it on Lin Xuan. His voice carried unquestionable authority and a clear note of protectiveness.

"Though Xuanyuanzi's cultivation is still shallow, he has a steadfast nature, his own insights into the Dao, and rendered exceptional service to our sect. I brought him here for my own reasons. In Zixiao Palace, everyone's destiny has its place. Martial Nephew Guangchengzi, if you have doubts, you may ask Dao Ancestor yourself after the lecture why he allowed Xuanyuanzi to enter. For now... do not disturb the quiet in which our fellow Daoists comprehend the Dao."

As his words fell, an intangible sword intent spread faintly. Though it vanished in an instant, it made Guangchengzi and everyone present who harbored distracting thoughts feel their Spirit Souls tremble! It was a warning from a Sage!

Guangchengzi's expression shifted slightly. Knowing Sovereign of the Heavens was now angry, he realized that continuing to press the matter would only bring trouble upon himself. He could only force down his displeasure and bow. "This disciple spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Martial Uncle." He returned to his seat with a dejected air.

Sovereign of the Heavens had temporarily quelled the disturbance through sheer force of will. But Lin Xuan knew the crisis of being an "auditing student" had not passed; it had merely become an undercurrent. After this incident, he had come to the attention of the Primordial World's top factions. The road ahead was sure to grow even more tumultuous.

Dao Charm filled Zixiao Palace once more, and the lecture continued. Lin Xuan understood that the real test might only just have begun.