The Heart Teachings Dojo

Li Shou reached out, and a scroll of bamboo slips, shimmering with a clear light, appeared in his palm.

"This is the introductory chapter of the fundamental classic of our Heart Sect, the ' Heart Questioning Scripture '."

"If you wish to become my disciple, then accept this scripture and from this day forward become my chief Heart Sect, following me in cultivating the Heart Dao, and realizing your true nature."

"If you are unwilling, I will not force you. This sutra is given to you as a way to establish a good connection."

Li Shou's voice was calm, yet it carried a power that went straight to the heart.

Hu Fangyuan the scroll of the "Heart Questioning Scripture," then at Li Shou's gentle and expectant eyes, and his mind flashed back to all the things he had experienced since his transmigration.

The bewilderment of losing the system, the powerlessness of being at the bottom, the heartache over the current state of Human Race, and... those heartfelt words just now.

Hu Fangyuan no longer hesitated, took three steps back, straightened his clothes, and solemnly knelt down before Li Shou, performing the three kowtows and nine prostrations:

"Disciple Hu Fangyuan wishes to join the Heart Sect and become a disciple of Senior Miaoqing!"

"From this day forward, I will diligently follow my teacher's instructions, cultivate my Heart Dao, realize my true nature, and live up to my teacher's kindness!"

A smile spread across Li Shou's eyes, like spring water thawing.

He stepped forward, personally helped Hu Fangyuan up, and placed the * Heart Questioning Scripture * (a Buddhist scripture) in his hands.

"Okay, okay, okay."

"From this day forward, you are the first disciple of my Heart Sect, my founding disciple."

"The way of the Heart Sect does not emphasize background or aptitude, but only the mind and character."

"Now that you have understood your true nature, you have already stepped through the threshold."

He then looked at the East Sea Human Race were already dumbfounded, and said gently:

"Since you all have a heart that desires the Way, you may listen to Hu Fangyuan explain the meaning of the scriptures."

"The gate of the Heart Sect is open to all who sincerely wish to follow the Way."

The Heart Lotus Pure World Diagram, a scroll of pure light, has already swallowed up Li Shou and Hu Fangyuan.

The clamor, bloodshed, and pervasive aura of calamity from the outside world vanished in an instant.

Hu Fangyuan felt his feet become solid, and he found himself in an indescribable world.

There is no sun or moon, but the light of heaven gently falls from the void, neither dazzling nor bright, illuminating every inch of space just right.

"This is... the Heart Teachings Dojo?"

Hu Fangyuan muttered to himself, the scene before him was completely different from the immortal cave he had imagined.

"Good."

Li Shou's voice rang out beside him, tinged with a hint of amusement.

"This place is the inner world of the Heart Lotus Pure World Diagram, and also the location of my Heart Teachings Dojo."

"Untainted by external calamities and free from internal demonic influences, one can cultivate here, avoiding external disturbances and directly pointing to one's true nature."

He looked at Hu Fangyuan, his gaze filled with scrutiny:

How are you feeling?

Hu Fangyuan took a deep breath, and the pure and tranquil Daoist energy entered his body, invigorating him once again.

"It feels so... comfortable."

"My mind is very calm, as if I don't need to think about anything, yet it also feels like I can understand everything."

He tried to describe that strange feeling.

"That's right."

Li Shou nodded in satisfaction and led Hu Fangyuan into the lotus leaves.

"In the practice of the Heart Sect, the most important aspects are 'environment' and 'mind'."

"The unique environment here helps you quickly focus your mind and experience the meaning of 'stillness' and 'clarity'."

The two arrived at the center of a huge lotus leaf that was exceptionally wide and shaped like a futon.

In the center of the lotus leaf, a platform naturally forms, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the ever-changing, soft sunlight above.

"Sit."

Li Shou was the first to sit cross-legged, in a casual posture.

Hu Fangyuan sat down opposite him, his back unconsciously straightening up, somewhat nervous.

Li Shou saw this, chuckled, shook his head, and didn't say anything.

Li Shou's gaze fell on Hu Fangyuan's face, and he suddenly said:

"Fang Yuan, do you know why I took a liking to you at first sight and accepted you as my disciple?"

Hu Fangyuan was taken aback, and hesitated before asking, "Is it because of... what I said earlier?"

"Not entirely."

Li Shou smiled, but there was a complex meaning in that smile that Hu Fangyuan couldn't understand.

Li Shou did not answer directly, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question:

"Fang Yuan, observe the Prehistoric World today: the Witch-Demon are locked in a standoff, Measure Calamity is looming, Great Power are engaged in a game of chess, and all living beings are like pieces on a game of chess."

"In your opinion, what exactly do those high-ranking Great Power, sages, and even Dao Ancestor pursue?"

Hu Fangyuan was stumped by the question and frowned in deep thought.

Immortality? Power? Authority? Transcendence?

It seems like it is all of those things, yet it also seems like it isn't entirely any of them.

"This disciple does not know," he honestly shook his head.

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Li Shou's eyes as he slowly said:

Some seek power, some seek strength, some seek the Way, some seek transcendence, and some... simply want to survive, or, moreover, let those they care about survive.

His tone was calm, yet it inexplicably made Hu Fangyuan feel a sense of heaviness.

"Then how do you think people like you and me, with ordinary origins and low cultivation levels, should conduct ourselves in this Prehistoric World chaos?"

Li Shou's gaze seemed to penetrate Hu Fangyuan's eyes and see into his heart.

Hu Fangyuan was taken aback upon hearing this.

<Ordinary background> <Low cultivation level>

Okay, okay, so his master is a top-tier Versailles too...

Hu Fangyuan would definitely not say these things to his face.

He thought for a moment, then answered:

"Either we take a gamble and fight to the death, hoping for a stroke of luck."

"Or perhaps, go with the flow and leave it to fate."

"If all else fails... then find someone to back you up?"

As he spoke, he himself felt somewhat powerless.

"What if one's own support is insufficient to protect oneself? What if opportunities require risking one's life, with no chance of survival? What if one drifts with the tide, ultimately destined to be reduced to ashes?"

Li Shou asked a series of questions, his tone remaining calm.

Hu Fangyuan was speechless, sweat beading on his forehead.

He suddenly realized that his previous thoughts seemed so pale and naive in the face of his Shizun's questions.

This is the Prehistoric World...

The aftershocks of some Great Power battles could wipe out half of the current Human Race.

Without substantial strength, the so-called reclusion is nothing but empty talk.

Not to mention trying to shake the Prehistoric World order...

"Please enlighten me, Shizun!" Hu Fangyuan sincere admiration and asked for guidance.

Li Shou looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly said something that struck Hu Fangyuan like a thunderbolt:

"Actually, I'm also a Transmigrator."

"What?!"

Hu Fangyuan looked up, his eyes wide open, and he almost dropped the teacup in his hand.

He stared incredulously at Li Shou, the direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor, one of the Four Pure Ones, who had just established his sect and attained sainthood...

Oh, he didn't become a saint, but he's still Great Power at the peak of the Perfected Quasi-Saint!

Transmigrator?!

What kind of Prehistoric World joke is this?!

"Surprised?"

Li Shou seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and instead smiled. This time, his smile lacked the aloofness of a saint, and instead possessed a touch of... earthy humanity.

"Do you think that Transmigrator should be weaklings who rise to power, should have a system by their side, should challenge heaven and earth and even saints, and ultimately defeat Hongjun and trample on the Heavenly Dao to become the boss themselves?"

Hu Fangyuan blushed.

When he first transmigrated, before the system "died," he actually fantasized about this...

"It's not that simple."

Li Shou shook his head, his tone tinged with self-deprecation and a touch of melancholy.

"When I woke up, I was already Li Shou, one of the Four Pure Ones."

"This is the Prehistoric World, with the Three Pure Ones, Hongjun, the Witch-Demon and Demon Kings, the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods, and Journey to the Journey to the West..."

Hu Fangyuan he listened.

"I panicked at times, and I even considered whether to follow the 'script' or simply hide away."

"But I soon discovered that this Prehistoric World Tai Yi as the one I knew."

Li Shou's eyes deepened.

"The Thirteen Ancestral Witches, the three Golden Crows of the Demon Clan, the Dao Ancestor's state of Dao Integration the Dao, Tongtian's choice, Nuwa's sainthood... too many details don't add up."

"More importantly, I can feel that there is one, or rather many, eyes watching all of this, including mine."

Hu Fangyuan felt a chill run down his spine. "Is it... the Heavenly Dao? Or the Dao Ancestor?"

"Yes, we have them."

Li Shou took a sip of tea.

"So, I chose another path."

"Do not vie for sainthood, do not establish a great sect to seize the merits of Heavenly Dao, and do not get involved in those 'opportunities' that are clearly traps."

I only cultivate my heart.