Xiang Yuan, Style Name Wentian

Heartless Daoist cast Xiang Yuan a slightly resentful look. Finding no amusement in it, his thoughts felt utterly stifled.

He skipped over the matter entirely and said evenly, "True Heart Dao, Heartless Daoist. Our sect has few rules—only one."

Xiang Yuan sat upright.

He truly did not know who Heartless Daoist was, though he knew a little about the True Heart Dao. It was one of the five Daoist sects, a first-rate power in Northern Qi. The abbot of Great Awakening Temple in Western Chu had exchanged disciples with them—this was what that meant.

"Our sect inherits the legacy of the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Worthy. Should you encounter one of the Heavenly Worthy's Daoist temples in the future, you must offer worship and show no disrespect."

"This disciple understands."

"Other than that, our sect has no particular rules. Interpret the Dao through the heart; the true heart is the Dao. Let your heart be your steed, and it may carry you afar. In future cultivation, simply remain true to your heart."

Heartless Daoist repeatedly cautioned him, "Observe the Dao through the heart, and the Dao is the heart. Observe the Dao through the heart, and the heart is the Dao. Define the ultimate Dao through a clear, pure, empty, tranquil true-heart realm. Where heart and Dao meet and merge lies the foundation of our sect's cultivation of nature."

Xiang Yuan nodded, half understanding and half not. After hesitating, he asked, "Master, since you know this disciple's background, I will not hide it. The monkey mind and horse-like thoughts are rarely tranquil. Is that also one's true heart? Can one still cultivate like that?"

"All creatures with nine orifices can cultivate into immortals!"

Heartless Daoist nodded firmly. "What do you mean by tranquility? Does sitting alone in deep mountains beside ancient woods make you tranquil? Does entering the mortal world, dancing with spears and wielding staffs, make you unable to find tranquility? If you love the deep mountains, then find tranquility in empty valleys. If you love the mortal world, then find tranquility amid worldly life. Follow what your heart seeks; do not go against it."

"What this disciple means is that my thoughts are too flighty. I do not seem like someone fit for cultivation."

"Who isn't?"

Heartless Daoist answered offhandedly. Seeing Xiang Yuan's eyes widen, he hurriedly composed himself and resumed the bearing of an eminent master beyond the world. "Foolish child, you still have not understood the foundation of our sect's cultivation of nature. There are no ordinary people in this world. All beings find the Dao of all beings; that is what it means for all creatures with nine orifices to cultivate. You need not suppress your true heart and force yourself into tranquility. Otherwise, you will trap yourself in a cage and struggle to break free, straying from the Dao and finding every step difficult."

Xiang Yuan did not understand, but he knew his master was not a tranquil man. His master could cultivate, so he could cultivate too.

With that, the great stone pressing on his chest finally fell away, and his whole body felt lighter.

Ever since crossing into this world, he had walked on thin ice every day, terrified that he would never reach the other shore. At last, he was free.

Freed from his shackles, Xiang Yuan no longer hid his active mind and poured out all the doubts in his heart at once. "Master, you keep speaking of cultivation and immortality, but where is the Great Dao? Can practicing martial arts really make one immortal?"

"This master will say it again: all creatures with nine orifices can become immortals."

Heartless Daoist first clarified the crucial point, then sighed wistfully. "In ancient times, the human race could ascend to the heavens and become immortal without the Martial Path. Nowadays, the nine orifices are blocked and the sinews and meridians are obstructed. Only by entering the Dao through martial arts can one become immortal."

"Why is that?"

"First, the Vital Energy of heaven and earth has declined. Vital Energy gives birth to all things; when it is lacking, all things are lacking. Though food may replenish it and refining Pills may offer relief, those are ultimately acquired methods. The short lifespan of cultivators in our age is proof of this... Alas, we are far inferior to ancient times. Cultivation grows harder by the day!"

Xiang Yuan suddenly understood. The Martial Arts School supplied spirit rice and spirit meat every day, and occasionally handed out a few Pills to soothe one's throat. The county yamen constables received corresponding benefits as well. That must have been the reason.

Still, although spirit rice was not expensive and even ordinary people could afford it, after the officials skimmed funds layer by layer, the quality of the spirit rice was rather poor.

Nine-Turn Dragonfang Rice, my foot. It did not taste good at all!

"Second, it has to do with the demon race. In ancient times, the demon race fought a great war against our human race. After their defeat, they cursed humanity, making cultivation extraordinarily difficult despite our nine orifices. Otherwise, humans would be born innate. Why would we need to enter the Dao through martial arts and return to the innate from the acquired? All this toil and effort is truly unpleasant!" Heartless Daoist said bitterly.

Hearing such ancient secrets for the first time, Xiang Yuan grew even more curious and fired off several questions about the demon race.

Why do you have so many questions? Why ask this poor Daoist? This poor Daoist has not figured them out either. Why not just ask Heaven directly!

All of Xiang Yuan's questions concerned ancient times. How could Heartless Daoist possibly know the answers? To preserve his image as a great master, he stroked his long beard and smiled faintly. "They are all written in books. Read more in your spare time. A bell does not ring unless struck; a person is not enlightened unless they learn. Remember this: learning is not the goal. Applying what you learn is."

The principle was too grand to refute, and he successfully muddled his way through it.

Xiang Yuan committed the earnest advice to read more to heart. Having suffered from his lack of education and common sense before, he deeply agreed.

"There is a third reason. Damn Yan Xuanhe! With one sword, he severed the heavens and won limitless glory, while cultivation has grown harder for those of us who came after with every passing day!"

Heartless Daoist burst into curses. Roughly speaking, if Yan Xuanhe had not pierced the heavens, he would already have become an immortal patriarch, living carefree and happily.

"Master, can you tell me about Yan Xuanhe? This disciple has so many more questions." Xiang Yuan's eyes lit up. This was the greatest under heaven, without equal before or after.

"What is there to talk about with a dead man?"

Heartless Daoist was unwilling to say more and again told Xiang Yuan to read more books. Then, seemingly with deliberate intent, he said, "It is good that you possess a thirst for knowledge. This master is greatly pleased. But this master cannot tell you everything outright—that would harm you. Only through personal practice can you find the answers. Your Daoist name shall be 'Wentian.'"

Xiang Yuan, style name Wentian!

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this name." Xiang Yuan bowed.

He had been lost for several days, anxious and uneasy every day, severely lacking any sense of security. Now that he had finally caught hold of a master, he naturally intended to fleece him thoroughly. "Master, I have learned the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber. Can this martial art lead to the Dao?"

"Show this master."

"Please correct me, Master."

Xiang Yuan drew his saber. His footwork moved in concert with his saber techniques, and the saber light rolled forth in waves, flashing like cold frost. At times it carried the overwhelming force of thunder; at others, it drifted like vast clouds and mist. If towering mountains blocked his path, he would raise his saber and cleave open the road ahead, seeking clear passage in all directions.

A moment later, Xiang Yuan finished demonstrating the sixty-four saber forms. He exhaled softly and asked Heartless Daoist for guidance.

"Not bad. All the fundamental moves are covered."

Heartless Daoist nodded. "Your fundamentals are solid, and your saber technique is not bad either."

"Master, the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber is a common martial art. Any idle wanderer in the martial world can buy it with a little silver. Can it truly enter the Dao?" Xiang Yuan asked again.

"Common is good. Tempered over thousands of years, there is no better beginner saber art."

Heartless Daoist smiled. "This master understands what you mean. It is only because you do not understand that you insist on forcing the matter. Remember this: the Martial Path values progressing from simplicity to complexity, then refining complexity back into simplicity. As the two alternate in cycles, you will surely attain the Great Dao."

With that, he waved a hand. "Ask no more. Your Martial Path has only just begun. This master truly cannot say any more."

Xiang Yuan nodded and looked at Heartless Daoist with an innocent expression. He meant nothing by it; he had merely heard that people received this and that gift upon becoming disciples. Heartless Daoist was an eminent man from the True Heart Dao, one of the five Daoist sects. He surely would not be stingy with rewards.

Heartless Daoist said nothing and looked at Xiang Yuan with an innocent expression. He meant nothing by it; he had merely heard that disciples offered this and that token of filial respect upon taking a master. At the very least, there ought to be a cup of apprenticeship tea.

The two stared wide-eyed at each other. Xiang Yuan's skill in Qi Nourishment was clearly inferior, and he was the first to lose. Helplessly, he said, "Master, if nothing else, could you at least divine a fortune for this disciple?"

"What difficulty is that? This master is not a stingy man."

Heartless Daoist tucked his hands into his sleeves and calculated. Frowning, he said, "It will rain tomorrow. When you go out tonight, you may choose to bring an umbrella or not."

"What does that mean?"

"If you bring one, one encounter awaits you. If you do not, another awaits you. Which path you take is up to you. This is your road; this master should not choose for you."