Discussion of the Earth Vein

Zhunti added, his gaze burning as he looked at Xuande:

"The East's fortune is chiefly gathered upon the Three Pure Ones.

They are Pangu's orthodox lineage, born of extraordinary roots, blessed by the legacy of the world's opening.

Our West... alas, only my senior brother and I can barely bear the remnants of its fortune, struggling to hold it together.

Daoist brother, you were formed from the innate Merit Golden Lotus, carrying immense merit. Your Origin Essence is also faintly linked to the West's Earth Veins—this is the will of Heaven!

Joining us would not mean dependence. It would mean standing shoulder to shoulder with us, shouldering the duty of reviving the West!

With your cultivation and merit, you will surely be able to sort out the Earth Vein and gather fortune more swiftly.

Could such a work of merit not far surpass wandering alone in pursuit of your own well-being?"

Their words were sincere, laying out both the stakes and the benefits, clearly pointing out the West's present hardships and opportunities.

They also pointed out Xuande's innate connection to the West.

Moreover, they promised him an equal position and a shared vision.

Xuande fell silent, his gaze lowered as though he were deep in thought.

The leaves of the Bodhi Tree rustled softly, while the mountain mists drifted slowly past.

His thoughts raced.

What Jieyin and Zhunti had said was not false.

The karmic ties between himself, the West, and the two of them could neither be avoided nor severed.

Wandering alone appeared carefree, but in truth, he was like duckweed without roots.

That unseen pull of karma would sooner or later take effect in a manner even harder to predict.

If he stood alone then, facing them after they had become Saints—or drawn near to Sainthood—he would be in an even more passive position.

On the other hand, if he joined them now—

First, his cultivation held the advantage, and he would join as a "pillar among fellow cultivators," as their "brother."

He would retain considerable autonomy; he would not be their subordinate.

Second, restoring the West's Earth Veins was an undertaking of immense merit and great benevolence, one that aligned with his own path of merit.

It would bring nothing but benefits to his cultivation, while allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of—and to some extent guide—the West's fortune.

Third, he could bind himself closely to Jieyin and Zhunti, these two future Saints, observing them up close and influencing their Dao.

Amid the future upheavals of the Primordial Wilderness, he could secure a more favorable position for himself—and for the West.

As Zhunti had said, the East's fortune was concentrated in the Three Pure Ones. Though his own roots were lofty, contending for the highest fortune in the East would be exceedingly difficult.

The West might be impoverished, but it was a blank sheet of paper, filled with potential—and he was innately fated with it.

There were certainly risks, but the opportunities were greater still.

Besides, this might be the best way to straighten out that deep karma.

Not by fleeing from it, but by taking it on, guiding it, and transforming it.

At this thought, Xuande had already made up his mind.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes clear and resolute.

One after another, he looked at the hopeful faces of Jieyin and Zhunti.

At last, a gentle yet solemn smile touched his lips. He slowly nodded.

"Every word you two fellow cultivators have spoken is earnest, and your analysis thorough. How could Xuande remain unmoved?

There is indeed an inseverable bond between the West and me. Restoring the Earth Veins is also an act of boundless merit, and it aligns with my Dao.

Since you two do not disdain me and are willing to treat me as an equal, I am willing to share this heavy responsibility.

Xuande is willing to join hands with you two fellow cultivators and devote his strength to this land of the West."

When his words fell, silence reigned beneath the Bodhi Tree for a moment. Then—

Unprecedented, radiant smiles bloomed upon both Jieyin and Zhunti's faces, shining from the depths of their hearts.

Their sorrow and urgency were swept away in that instant by overwhelming joy.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Jieyin said repeatedly. Rising to his feet, he solemnly bowed to Xuande.

"With brother Xuande's aid, it is the fortune of the West—the fortune of the Great Dao!"

Zhunti threw back his head and laughed heartily, utterly delighted, then bowed as well.

"Only today do I understand what true destined affinity is!

Daoist brother Xuande, from this day onward, the three of us brothers shall be as one—together comprehending the Great Dao, together reviving the West!"

The two exchanged a glance and tacitly changed the way they addressed him.

From then on, "fellow cultivator" became "brother."

Though only a single word differed, it carried a wholly different measure of respect, recognition, and closeness.

Xuande rose as well and returned the salute with a smile. "Since we walk the same path, we should naturally stand united.

"In the days ahead, I hope you two will offer me much guidance."

"Likewise, likewise!"

Zhunti said warmly, while Jieyin nodded with a smile.

The mountain wind brushed past, carrying scents from afar.

The Bodhi Tree seemed to sense this new covenant and the changing tide as well.

Its branches and leaves swayed gently, scattering even more pure radiance over the three Daoists beneath it.

Standing within it, Xuande felt the heartfelt acceptance and joy of Jieyin and Zhunti.

He also felt his connection with this vast, barren Western land—yet a land brimming with infinite possibility—becoming ever clearer and more solid.

At last, he had taken this step.

The road ahead stretched long, with karma tangled throughout it, but at this moment, he was no longer alone.

A brand-new path lay before him: revitalize the West, accumulate merit, and seek the saintly path.

After the discussion of the Dao on Mount Sumeru, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Xuande all felt they had gained greatly. Each found a place to meditate in seclusion, absorbing the insights and enlightenment brought by this collision of Great Daos.

Within the mountain cave abode where Xuande was temporarily staying, all was tranquil and serene.

He sat cross-legged upon a natural green stone, his eyes faintly closed. A pale golden halo slowly circulated around him, faintly resonating with the Earth Qi of the mountains.

During the discussion of the Dao, Jieyin's stillness and purity, and Zhunti's wisdom and skillful means—

were like two mirrors, reflecting certain qualities of his own path of merit and purity while also pointing toward possible directions for deeper advancement.

He carefully sorted through these insights and incorporated them into his cultivation.

The phantom image of his auspicious cloud seemed to have solidified somewhat further, and his control over his own power had become increasingly smooth and effortless.

At the same time, within Jieyin's own realm of the Dao of stillness, beneath that sorrowful expression—

Xuande's Dao resonance of "Virtue Carries All" and "natural perfection" gave rise to an unprecedented, hazy notion of "building," rather than merely "transcending."

Zhunti, meanwhile, was even more excited. Xuande's arrival and the profound potential he had displayed—

instantly filled his plans for revitalizing the West with countless optimistic visions.

All manner of "skillful" schemes churned endlessly through his mind, awaiting only the right opportunity.

Several months slipped quietly by in secluded cultivation.

Once all three felt their states of mind had stabilized—

and their cultivation had each advanced, Xuande stirred his divine sense and sent a simple message to Jieyin and Zhunti.

Still beneath the Bodhi Tree atop that mountain peak, the three gathered once more.

This meeting carried a different atmosphere from their first discussion of the Dao.

There was less polite probing and more familiarity and pragmatism among fellow seekers of the path.

"Brother Jieyin, Brother Zhunti,"

Xuande went straight to the point, his expression solemn.

"During our previous discussion of the Dao, you two mentioned that when Devil Ancestor Rahula perished, he detonated the Western Earth Veins, bringing devastation upon all living beings and causing the spiritual essence to decline.

"This is the root of the West's deep-seated affliction, and also the great weight upon our hearts.

"During my secluded cultivation, I considered it again and again. I believe that if we wish to revitalize the West, we must first sort out the Earth Veins and gather the spiritual essence anew.

"This would not only be a benevolent deed that benefits all living beings; it would also be an inevitable path toward accumulating boundless merit and laying a firm foundation for our West."

Upon hearing this, the compassion on Jieyin's face deepened, and he slowly nodded.

"Daoist brother Xuande speaks truly.

"The Earth Veins are the meridians of the land, the wellspring of spiritual essence.

"When the Western Earth Veins were damaged, it was as though living beings had their vital bloodlines severed. Not only did Spiritual Energy grow thin and all things wither, but an aura of decay and death began to spread in secret, obstructing the circulation of the Great Dao.

"Restoring the Earth Veins is indeed a fundamental undertaking. Only..."

He paused, his voice low.

"The scale of this undertaking is immense, and its difficulty astonishing. I fear it will not be easily accomplished.

"When Rahula self-destructed, he damaged the Western Ancestral Vein, as well as many primary and branch veins. The repercussions were vast.

"The Earth Qi is tangled in chaos; without immense mana and great divine abilities—and, above all, a deep understanding of the Dao of the earth—it would be difficult even to begin untangling it."

Zhunti's smile also faded, his brows drawing together slightly.

"What Senior Brother says is true.

"The Dao my senior brother and I have comprehended leans more toward the heart and nature, karmic methods, stillness, and wondrous applications.

As for the "Way of Earth," which bears all things and regulates the Earth Qi of mountains and rivers, I have not delved deeply into it, and my understanding is limited.

With only the three of us, even with brother Xuande's merit empowering us, I fear we would achieve twice the effort for half the result. We might even fail to grasp the proper method, disturb the Earth Qi instead, and trigger an unforeseen disaster."

That was precisely the heart of the problem. Xuande understood at once.

Repairing the Earth Vein was not a delicate task that could be accomplished simply by forcing it through with mana.

It required an exceedingly profound understanding of and control over the earth's veins, the flow of Earth Qi, and the Origin Essence of the earth element.

The three of them truly could not be considered specialists in this field.