After leaving the Jade Void Palace, everyone rode white clouds into the sky. They released their Spiritual Senses to locate the Spiritual Eye atop Kunlun Mountain, preparing to find a place to build their Dao Fields.
Just then, True Person Huang Long approached several fellow disciples led by Guangchengzi, smiling warmly as he called out:
"Fellow Senior Brothers, Kunlun is vast, and we have only just arrived."
"Why don't we build our Dao Fields near one another? That way, we can often discuss the Dao, spar, and look out for each other. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Yet in response to True Person Huang Long's beaming welcome, the other Chan Sect Disciples remained cold and distant, giving off an unmistakable air of rejection.
"Our Chan Sect's Dao lineage places the greatest importance on a pure foundation and an untainted aura."
"Those whose origins are mixed, carrying the foul stench of being born of wetness and eggs, should not insist on living beside us. We mustn't let their turbid aura contaminate our pure Dao Fields and disturb our cultivation."
Guangchengzi glanced at True Person Huang Long from the corner of his eye. Every word he spoke cut like a knife, leaving no room for courtesy.
At his words, the smile froze on True Person Huang Long's face. Chijingzi's remarks cut even deeper.
"Some people may be lucky enough to hear the Great Dao and enter the sect, but they can never change their innate impurity."
"So eager to cling to others—it's truly disgraceful. We should each accept our lot and avoid leading ourselves and others astray."
True Person Huang Long stood there, stunned. His warm smile had vanished, replaced by an awkward, helpless expression.
He had thought that joining the Chan Sect and listening to the Dao and cultivating alongside Guangchengzi and the others would make them fellow disciples in more than name. He had never imagined they would despise him from the bottom of their hearts.
Guangchengzi and the others dared to act this way because they had seen Primordial Heavenly Venerate frown at True Person Huang Long in the square earlier, and noted that he had not been given a treasure. They knew their master disliked him.
Though Li Qingxu's foundation and cultivation were the weakest, he had displayed astonishing comprehension during the Sage's lecture.
Even if they still had reservations about him, at least they would not humiliate him so openly.
After speaking, Guangchengzi and the others rode off on their clouds, leaving only True Person Huang Long and Li Qingxu behind.
Looking at True Person Huang Long, whose face had gone pale and whose hands hung awkwardly at his sides, Li Qingxu felt a touch of sympathy. They were both in the same predicament.
After the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Dragon Clan had fallen from the height of its power. Ancestor Dragon had to suppress the North Sea Eye to quell Heaven's wrath, while the surviving members of the Dragon Clan withdrew from the Primordial Land and entered the Four Seas to preserve a sliver of life.
For the Dragon Clan, True Person Huang Long, who had joined the Chan Sect, was practically "the whole village's hope."
Still, one thing had always puzzled Li Qingxu: why had True Person Huang Long chosen to join the Chan Sect instead of the Interception Sect?
"Senior Brother Huang Long, why don't we find nearby Spiritual Eyes and build our Dao Fields together?"
Li Qingxu suggested.
Although they had joined the Chan Sect together and Primordial Heavenly Venerate had yet to set a ranking among his disciples, Li Qingxu called him Senior Brother for now, out of respect for his higher cultivation.
"Good."
True Person Huang Long's expression softened. The two rode their clouds side by side, searching for the Spiritual Eyes.
"I never expected Junior Brother Qingxu, whose foundation seems so ordinary, to have such extraordinary comprehension—far beyond the rest of us. Your Senior Brother is truly impressed."
True Person Huang Long spoke from the heart, his expression tinged with envy.
Earlier, when Guangchengzi, Antarctic Immortal Elder, Chijingzi, and the others had triggered wondrous signs, he had already been amazed.
But Li Qingxu had gone even further, stirring a response between Heaven and Earth. The signs he triggered had eclipsed everyone else's.
"Senior Brother flatters me."
Li Qingxu smiled faintly, then took the opportunity to ask what had been troubling him:
"Actually, there's something I don't understand, Junior Brother. I'm not sure if I should ask."
"Ask away, Junior Brother."
True Person Huang Long replied easily.
"As a member of the Dragon Clan, why didn't you join the Interception Sect, which accepts disciples of all kinds? Why did you choose to enter the Chan Sect?"
Li Qingxu phrased the question tactfully, but his meaning was clear.
Given True Person Huang Long's origins, he might have had a much easier time in the more inclusive Interception Sect.
True Person Huang Long made no attempt to hide his thoughts. He spoke plainly:
"The Dragon Clan is in decline. We have no powerful figures to lead us, and we lack a backer."
"The Chan Sect has strict rules and few, carefully selected disciples. If I join, perhaps I'll have a better chance of attracting a Sage's attention."
"I can only hope the Sage will remember our teacher-disciple bond and extend some protection to the Dragon Clan."
Li Qingxu nodded, understanding the reason.
When the Dragon Clan had ruled over most of the Primordial Land in ancient times, they had gathered countless treasures. Now that their strength had waned, they were like "a granary full of grain without a single weapon"—an easy target for trouble.
The Interception Sect had countless disciples. Even if True Person Huang Long joined, he might not attract Tongtian Cult Master's attention.
The Chan Sect preferred quality over quantity, and its ranks were sparse. If he performed well, he truly would have a better chance of catching Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eye.
"Senior Brother has gone to great lengths for your people. I admire you."
Li Qingxu said sincerely. Then, curiosity rose in him. "By the way, I'm inexperienced and have only heard that the Dragon Clan has five main lineages: Golden Dragons, Azure Dragons, Crimson Dragons, White Dragons, and Black Dragons. Which lineage do you belong to, Senior Brother?"
A complex expression crossed True Person Huang Long's face. He slowly replied, "I was originally of the West Sea White Dragon Clan, but by chance, I awakened a trace of the Golden Dragon Bloodline."
"Unfortunately, my bloodline was too thin and impure. In the end, I never fully transformed into a true Golden Dragon."
"I see."
Li Qingxu nodded again.
"I know our master dislikes those with fur and horns, and those born of eggs or moisture."
True Person Huang Long spoke again, his eyes shining with hope. "But I believe that Heaven rewards diligence, and the Great Dao is impartial!"
"As long as I keep cultivating diligently, follow the Jade Purity Righteous Path, serve my elders with sincerity, and temper myself with perseverance, I'm sure I can change our master's opinion in time."
"Perhaps one day I'll even transform into a true Golden Dragon and lead the Dragon Clan back to greatness."
Looking at True Person Huang Long, full of energy and hope, Li Qingxu sighed inwardly.
If the Great Dao were truly impartial, living beings in this world would not have foundations of varying strength.
The prejudice in people's hearts was already a great mountain. How could True Person Huang Long's efforts move the mountain in a Sage's heart?
In the memories of his past life, True Person Huang Long not only failed to transform into a Golden Dragon, but became the weakest of the Chan Sect's Second Generation disciples, known as the "True Person of the Four Nots." His strength was even surpassed by later figures like Yang Jian and Nezha.
If I get the chance to help him in the future, I'll give him a hand.
Li Qingxu knew the wisdom of "letting go of the urge to help others and respecting their fate." Still, as long as it did not affect him, he was willing to show some kindness.
After all, the path of cultivation was long, often measured in kalpas.
If he only sought to preserve himself and watched on with complete indifference, then over time, his Dao Heart might grow cold and hard amid the endless years. His feelings might fade away, until he became nothing more than a "stone"—powerful, perhaps, but without warmth.
Showing kindness now and then and forming good karmic ties might also be a remedy for keeping his heart alive along that long journey.
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