Passing the Trial

"I'm unlearned and inexperienced, and I'm only at the Golden Core Stage. How could I possibly comprehend the Heavenly Immortal Dao? You're giving me far too much credit."

Though he said that, Zheng Zetian didn't hesitate to tuck the jade slip into his robes.

Jade Toad Granny seemed to think he was quite sincere. She smiled and stroked the cat.

"Daoist Zheng, there's no need to put yourself down. Fewer than five people at Ink Bamboo Mountain can read the Great Learning from beginning to end. And across the whole world, there can't be many who could cultivate that Black Lotus.

"You have the aptitude to cultivate the Tai Su Dao. Besides, that Giant at Ink Bamboo Mountain has probably already collected all five classics and six books of the Luo Sect. With your foundation in the Great Learning, as long as you earn merit for your sect in the future, sooner or later you'll be able to read all the Empty Star scriptures and inherit the true teachings of Ancestor Luo. By then, you'll naturally reach a realm no one before you has attained, and understand this secret manual."

Zheng Zetian frowned.

"You know the Tai Su Dao very well. How did you know that this Black Lotus can only be cultivated by someone who's read the Great Learning from beginning to end? Do you know someone who cultivated one?

"And whether I join Ink Bamboo Mountain and cultivate the Tai Su Dao or practice the Luo Sect's methods, what does that have to do with you? Why give me a book and help me cultivate?

"Are you expecting me to master it and then teach you the scriptures and lecture on the Dao? Would you even understand the Tai Su Dao?"

Jade Toad Granny sneered.

"What, do you