In the blink of an eye, several hours passed. The green-robed Daoist's face grew increasingly delighted as Stone Daoist emerged from the island. He had flawlessly passed the Six Trials of Desire.
Instinctive desire, desire for wealth, desire for power, desire for strength, desire for longevity, and desire to seek the Dao.
Each of the six great desires was incomparably difficult, especially the desire to seek the Dao. They had embarked upon this path precisely to seek the Dao—for immortality, for eternity.
To master this desire was even more difficult, yet Stone Daoist had passed it smoothly.
The green-robed Daoist looked at Stone Daoist as he exited the island, and a booming voice rang out.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on flawlessly passing the first trial. Since the countless tribulations began, you are the only one to have done so."
"Enter the second trial: the Trial of Comprehension."
Stone Daoist gave a slight Daoist salute and stepped into the second island.
The moment he entered the island, a bluestone path appeared beneath his feet, stretching all the way into its depths.
He followed the path beneath his feet, and before long, a Stone Stele appeared ahead.
A Daoist gazing out upon the vast sea was painted on the Stone Stele.
Stone Daoist looked at the Daoist and saw through its mystery at a glance. Something extraordinary was contained within.
The next moment, he felt as though he had arrived beside a sea. The ocean was majestic, ever-changing, and unpredictable.
One moment, towering waves surged to the heavens; the next, wind, thunder, rain, and lightning raged. Then, in the very next instant, it became still as an abyss.
It seemed to be merely the sea's changes, but in truth, it was the principle of heaven and earth's transformations.
These principles were exceedingly simple