Heaven and Man Comprehend the Dao, Not Originally Zen; When Learning is Achieved, It Becomes Natural

For the next few days, Chen Dengming and his companion were extremely cautious, traveling and hiding as they went. When they rested, Jiang Qiang set up a defensive formation. When they encountered Demon Beast on their journey, Chen Dengming would take action and quickly deal with them. The journey of a thousand miles was filled with bloody battles, and the dangers and perils seemed endless.

Thus, they eventually made it away from the Brocade Workshop area without any real danger, and could no longer see the black-feathered demon bird. They no longer felt any oppression.

Two days later.

Evening.

In a mountain forest dozens of miles away from the Gathering Place.

Jiang Qiang was covered in sweat, surrounded by a Golden Light, and nervously found himself in the center of a vortex of turbulent air currents, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

The Golden Light shield is not airtight; rather, like a non-Newtonian liquid, it strengthens with increasing force. When subjected to a rapid attack or strong Spiritual Qi invasion, it forms a protective barrier to counteract it and block it from entering.

However, it cannot defend against phenomena such as poisonous gases, light, or wind generated by air disturbances.

At this moment, Jiang Qiang felt countless tiny yet heart-palpitating currents of energy moving around his body, as if countless invisible swords were piercing through him, restricting his freedom of movement. If he dared to move even slightly, he might be torn into mincemeat.

"Brother Chen, this is how I feel right now. It's like countless invisible swords are surrounding my body, and I dare not move rashly. That's enough, hurry up and stop the spell."

Jiang Qiang was somewhat flustered and spoke his feelings very quickly.

Chen Dengming frowned and nodded slightly, "You can feel it so clearly, it seems I still have a lot to practice this Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique."

I've heard that when this technique is mastered to a high level, once cast, the enemy will be instantly killed without even realizing it. The attack, composed of Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy, is as invisible and intangible as air itself.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiang could only smile bitterly, thinking to himself, "Brother Chen, you've already mastered the first-tier level five Withered to Flourishing Art and the first-tier level six Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique in just two days. That's already quite remarkable. Yet you still demand so much of me. How are people with lower talent supposed to cope?"

Now that Jiang Qiang knew that Chen Dengming actually possessed High-grade Spiritual Root, he was not surprised at all by the speed at which Chen Dengming learned Daoist techniques.

At first, he only guessed in his heart, but later Chen Dengming took the initiative to reveal that he had learned the "Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique" to forcibly improve his Spiritual Root Potential at the cost of shortening his lifespan.

Jiang Qiang didn't know Chen Dengming's specific background, not even his age. Cultivators could see through the bone age of mortals at a glance, but it was very difficult to see through the bone age of a cultivator who was full of Spiritual Qi.

Therefore, Jiang Qiang was not shocked by Chen Dengming's experience; he felt more regret for the choice made, but not at all envious.

If he were to be taught to sacrifice his lifespan to improve his Spiritual Root Potential, without knowing the effects or whether he would ultimately improve it, he would definitely refuse, fearing that he would die on the spot after practicing it. He could only sigh in his heart that Brother Chen was a ruthless person with good luck.

Boom!--

At this moment, Chen Dengming waved his sleeve, and the controlling Qi instantly moved away from Jiang Qiang, transforming into sharp waves of energy that enveloped a large tree opposite.

As Chen Dengming clenched his fist, the circulating energy suddenly contracted like a vortex, with fine metallic luster flashing continuously. It swirled and rubbed at high speed, and the air was instantly filled with a smell like molten iron produced by the rapid friction of steel.

"Hiss hiss hiss hiss!"

A large tree was directly sliced apart by countless tiny, blade-like metallic energy energies, and a section of the trunk was instantly pulverized into dust and wood chips that flew everywhere.

Jiang Qiang felt a chill run down his spine. This power, when it struck a person, would reduce them to nothing in less than a breath, leaving not even bone fragments.

At this moment, Chen Dengming walked into the swirling wood chips, frowning and concentrating on understanding the differences in this technique.

Seeing this, Jiang Qiang knew that Brother Chen's old habit of obsessively cultivating himself had relapsed.

They immediately stepped aside, not daring to stay too close and disturb them.

He was already used to Chen Dengming's unique cultivation methods and the strange and unusual ideas that often popped up.

For example, the opponent once considered activating the Ice Cone spell talisman and then immediately launching a large fireball to collide with the ice cone, trying to see if the collision of ice and fire could unleash greater power.

The result is naturally that the two cancel each other out, and the power is actually less.

So the other party then searched for Technique Method involved spraying oil or compressing some kind of gas to add fuel to the fire.

In short, Jiang Qiang watched Chen Dengming try all sorts of strange cultivation methods, and sometimes he was almost accidentally injured by them.

Over time, he became numb to the admiration and astonishment he received.

He had considered imitating Chen Dengming's unique and flexible fighting style, but ultimately found that he was simply not cut out for it. The various techniques and insights involved were like gibberish to him.

He had read about things like "reaching the utmost emptiness, maintaining perfect stillness, and achieving Unity of Heaven and Man" in Daoist books.

But even though he had seen this thing before, it seemed vague and ethereal. At least he didn't know how to enter that state; he was completely clueless.

"Unraveling the cocoon, like silkworms spinning silk in spring rain, this technique is somewhat similar to the Innate Qi Skill winding energy in martial arts. If one were to combine martial arts and Daoism, this could be a starting point."

Innate Qi Skill can be distributed into threads, forming a coiling energy.

The powerful energy, like silkworm silk rain, can burst forth and turn an enemy into a sieve, or strangle them on the spot.

In terms of power, it is certainly not as good as the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique, but the two share some similar principles.

As Chen Dengming pondered, he used his Spiritual Qi energy to circulate the Innate Qi Skill along its path.

He bent and straightened his arms, forming a circle, and his entire body erupted with Spiritual Qi, his muscles and bones crackling and popping like firecrackers.

In an instant, vortexes of airflow were created around him, flattening the surrounding vegetation and sending the energy flying.

As the energy spun faster and faster, it quickly formed a spiraling energy, sharp and unparalleled. With a slight touch to a nearby tree, the bark instantly cracked and wood chips flew everywhere.

The Entangling Silk Force, which uses Spiritual Qi energy to unleash Innate Qi Skill, is still far less powerful than the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique.

After all, without leveraging the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, it will be significantly less powerful and less energy-consuming.

"The Spiritual Qi consumed by circulating one's own Innate Qi Skill Spiritual Qi enough to perform the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique twice."

Chen Dengming frowned, dispersed his internal energy, and continued to chant Method Formula and perform the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique.

The Mnemonic is recited with a solemn air and a special rhythm.

The surrounding air seemed to quickly fill with a sharp aura, and the wind felt like knives scraping against the face. The Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy resonated and rapidly condensed.

Chen Dengming spread his hands, and his body was surrounded by controlled Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy, like soldiers fully equipped and ready to strike at any moment.

At this moment, he only needed to follow the spell of the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique. As soon as he shook his hand, all the surrounding qi would instantly contract and transform into countless golden blades, cutting and shredding him to death by a thousand cuts.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Dengming infused his high-grade magic robe with Spiritual Qi and summoned the Geng Jin Luo, ready to activate the defense at any time.

Then, one should try to reach a State of Mind of profound stillness and emptiness, gradually aligning oneself with the unity of Unity of Heaven and Man.

If one is not in a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, even if martial arts are combined with Spiritual Qi, they cannot directly manipulate the Spiritual Qi in the air.

Once one approaches a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, it's as if an invisible hand has been added to one's perception, allowing one to freely manipulate the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, making it round or long as one pleases.

However, after only half a cup of tea, Chen Dengming gave up on going in directly.

I gathered my thoughts and tried to enter a state of stillness and tranquility by sensing the Blade Intent.

Things like 'state, thought, State of Mind's are mysterious and profound, whether in martial arts or Daoist practices.

Sometimes you try to deliberately pursue a certain state of being, but you can't find it no matter how hard you try; other times, you enter that state by chance, even without fortuitous opportunity.

It's somewhat like trying to find light in paper, only to find it impenetrable. Suddenly, you stumble upon the path you came from, and realize that half your life has been deceived.

However, this state, which is obtained by fortuitous opportunity, cannot be guaranteed to happen again next time, and it is not something that one can maintain.

Therefore, the state of Unity of Heaven and Man in martial arts is something that very few people can fully master.

Chen Dengming was also lacking in experience at this time, but he took a different approach, intending to first adjust his mindset with the Blade Intent that he had already achieved oneness with the sword, and then draw inferences from one instance to another, so as to approach the state of oneness with Unity of Heaven and Man.

When a person is focused on doing something, the passage of time seems to become less noticeable.

In this way, all phenomena and all opportunities cease, and all knowledge and perception dissolve.

The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

As the Dongfang sky changed from white to yellow, and then from yellow to red, a ray of red light shone on Chen Dengming's face.

He suddenly looked up and saw thousands of Golden Light bursting forth from the Dongfang, piercing through the rose-red sunset clouds and covering the surrounding mountains and forests with a layer of shattered gold.

At this moment, the inspiration and state of mind accumulated throughout the night seemed to be ignited.

Suddenly, all the dim glimmers of light were given a burst of brilliance.

Chen Dengming's tiger-like eyes shone brightly, his white hair at his temples danced in the wind, and his mind suddenly reached a state of extreme stillness. He abruptly cast the spell again.

Countless tiny Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy darted through the air like agile, lively fish, nimble and light.

As Chen Dengming bent and straightened his arms, he changed his Qi Transformation to Gold method from the "Wandering Qi to Transform into Gold" technique to the Innate Qi Skill Entangling Silk Force" method, which enveloped the surrounding Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy.

At this moment, he seemed to become one with the surrounding Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy, and the Spiritual Qi in his body traveled at high speed along the Innate Qi Skill route, forming a circle.

As he waved his arms, a large amount of swirling energy around him spun rapidly, forming a circle that suddenly shone with a metallic luster, like a golden halo surrounding Chen Dengming and creating a protective barrier.

Chen Dengming showed no joy or sorrow, his eyes fixed on the rapidly rotating aura surrounding him. He could sense the intense killing intent and sharpness contained within it, yet now he controlled it as if it were his own arm, making it far more agile than before.

"Go!--"

With a casual flick of his finger, the swirling energy instantly reversed and surged forth, like a torrent of metal, 'boom' piercing through several large trees.

Chen Dengming spun his palm, and instantly the flowing energy transformed into a dazzling golden ring, circling a boulder at unparalleled speed.

"Buzz--"

With a hum, the boulder instantly shattered into countless fragments that fell to the ground.

The air was filled with the unpleasant smell of metal rubbing against stone powder.

Chen Dengming smiled and casually gestured, causing the wandering energy, which had weakened considerably under his Spiritual Qi's guidance, to retract and spin rapidly in his palm, resembling a high-speed cutting golden wheel.

On the panel, both the Flowing Qi Turning Gold Technique and his Lifespan Limit had changed.

"Chen Dengming, a Qi Cultivation Sixth Level"

Lifespan: 238/342

Spirit Root: Metal, Wood (Superior Grade 0/100)

Martial Arts: <Chen Family Martial Arts General Outline> (Great Perfection)

Daoist Techniques: <Gu Refining Chapter> (Master 32/100), <Three Yuan Spirit Gathering Technique> (Level 6 76/600), <Chen Family Daoist Magic Chapter> (Proficient 78/100), <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique> (Level 1 78/100), <Artifact Control Art> (Master 57/100), <Qi Transformation to Gold> (Proficient 20/100), <Turning Withered into Flourishing> (Beginner 1/100)

After mastering the techniques of "Qi Transformation to Gold" and "Turning Withered into Prosperous," his Lifespan Limit was originally set to reach 332 years.

But now, after a sudden enlightenment, he successfully merged the <Qi Transformation to Gold> technique with the Innate Qi Skill. This first-order, sixth-level Daoist technique directly advanced from beginner to expert level, extending his Lifespan Limit by another ten years to 342 years, giving him another 104 years to live.

The only pity is that his "Chen Family Martial Arts General Outline" did not undergo a qualitative breakthrough due to this enlightenment.

"Brother Chen, you've mastered it?"

Jiang Qiang had already been alerted by the noise and rushed over, but he had been standing there in shock for a moment. Now, he finally reacted and exclaimed in astonishment.

Is this still a level 6, first-tier Technique Method? Its power is terrifying.

Chen Dengming dispersed the lingering energy in his hand and nodded with a smile.

"I've mastered the basics!"

As dawn broke, Chen Dengming and Jiang Qiang continued their journey.

Their resting place was already close to the Yunhua Mountain Road, the route they would take to leave the Southern Region.

The Gathering Place, along with the locations of the Luo Family and Zhu Family, was situated in the northwest of the southern border region.

To reach the Eastern Region, one must pass through the Yunhua Mountain Road, cross several mountains and rivers, and then travel Dongfang for a while before reaching the edge of the Eastern Region.

The two passed a hillside, stopped to eat breakfast, and gazed at the hazy outline of the Gathering Place in the distance, lamenting that they really had to flee the Southern Region.

I wonder if the situation at Brocade Workshop will affect the Gathering Place here.

However, the next moment, both of them stared in astonishment as a warship-like spirit boat flew over the Gathering Place and headed straight for the Luo Family's location.

Even from dozens of miles away, one could vaguely sense the spiritual power emanating from that spirit boat, as if Foundation Establishment cultivator was also present.

Jiang Qiang froze. "That... that looks like... the Zhu Family's spirit boat? Brother Chen, what's going on?"

Chen Dengming's face instantly darkened. He swallowed a mouthful of the fishy-smelling dried Spirit Fish, chewing it fiercely. "It seems Xu Ning was right. The force cooperating with the Zhu Family must be the Lin family. Let's go! Stop talking nonsense, let's get out of here immediately!"

After saying that, he quickly used his movement Movement Method, and finally simply flew over the mountain with his Blade Control, quickly getting away.

Jiang Qiang quickly stuffed the dried fish into his mouth and chased after him without hesitation. When it came to escaping and running for his life, he was a professional.

The two raced wildly for dozens of miles when they heard a faint, muffled rumble in the distance, like thunder contained within a jar.

Looking back, not far from Lüoshan City, a spirit boat hovered, with tiny rays of spiritual light flickering on it, as if they had already engaged in combat, though it was difficult to see clearly from a distance.

"Brother Chen, that looks like the location of the Luo Family's Snow Silver Mine. It seems the Zhu Family and Luo Family are fighting again over the Snow Silver Mine."

However, the Luo Family and Luo families have already formed another marriage alliance. Is the Zhu Family going to oppose these two major Lineage?

Jiang Qiang sped alongside Chen Dengming, somewhat puzzled.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Chen Dengming's mind, and he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

Why did the Zhu Family make their move at this time?

What gives them that confidence?

Or is now simply the right time?

"Lüo Bing is back?"

He immediately grasped this fleeting flash of inspiration, and in an instant, many thoughts came to mind.

If Lüo Bing returns from the Wonderful Sound Sect, intending to marry Luo Ping and obtain the Foundation Establishment, wouldn't that perfectly fulfill the condition of a complete family?

The reason why the Zhu Family and Luo Family families dared not exterminate each other was because they could not.

Both Lineage have members cultivating in immortal sects, making it impossible to completely eliminate them. Therefore, they have to consider their own interests and future developments, and are hesitant to act rashly.

But if Lüo Bing returns and is killed, the Zhu Family will naturally dare to push the Luo Family to their death.

Of course, this is also based on the premise that the Zhu Family may have allied with other forces; otherwise, they would not have a significant advantage and would not have risked everything.

"The Luo family is in the Eastern Region, and Lüo Bing is returning from there. If I were the Zhu Family, having already cooperated with the Jin Lin family, I would have the Lin family set up ambushes along the way... hiss—"

Chen Dengming realized something was wrong. He suddenly felt as if the surrounding mountains and forests were fraught with danger and filled with murderous intent. He immediately called to the still somewhat dazed Jiang Qiang to lower their blades together.

In the nearby mountains and forests, a dozen indifferent gazes watched the spiritual light descending from Chen Dengming and Jiang Qiang, and several of them couldn't help but frown.

"What are those two doing, sneaking around and unleashing their Escape Light again?"

"Could there be a mole within our ranks? Has our plan been leaked? Are these two members of the Luo Family?"

"Use your brains. If the Luo Family really knew the news, would they only send two people? With such slow escape speed, their strength is probably not very strong."

"What do we do now? If those two fly any closer, they'll spot us."

"No, look at them, they've all stopped moving on that mountainside over there. Do they know we're here?"

"This is troublesome. The eldest daughter of the Luo Family hasn't shown up yet. To avoid any unforeseen complications, Fellow Daoist Ling, take two people to drive these two away. If necessary, eliminate them immediately. Go and return quickly."

In the mountains and forests, Chen Dengming and Jiang Qiang descended into their Escape Light and then communicated discreetly in the mountains.

After listening to Chen Dengming's analysis, Jiang Qiang felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that nowhere around him was safe, and that several powerful Lineage cultivators might appear at any moment.

"Brother Chen, their target is only Miss Luo Family. Is it really necessary to make enemies by including us?"

Chen Dengming stared at the map he had pulled out, nodded in thought, and said, "You're right, but if there really is some force that ambushes a cultivator like Lüo Bing who is about to Foundation Establishment, there might be at least three cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Level or tenth level of Qi Refining, and it's not impossible that there might even be one who has reached the Foundation Establishment."

We're just two small fry. If we're targeted, the other side could easily send out a cultivator at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining and take us out with ease.

Given such overwhelming superiority, do you think the other side would even consider making enemies? We'd say we're not even worthy of being their enemy."

Jiang Qiang froze, then immediately looked around. As if by psychological effect, he felt an unusually deathly silence all around him, which made him even more apprehensive.

Chen Dengming pointed to the map in his hand and said, "Look, we're in this position. Now we'll bypass the main road to the Eastern Region and take this secluded path. Although we might encounter Demon Beast and it will be a bit troublesome,..."

"But it's even more troublesome if you take the main road! You might not even be able to go now!"

A voice, accompanied by a powerful spiritual force, suddenly interrupted Chen Dengming's words from not far away.

Almost the instant Chen Dengming uttered the word "but," he noticed it, and his expression darkened as he looked up towards the Dongfang.

(A long chapter of 5,000 words, please vote with your monthly tickets!)