Journeying South, the Vicissitudes of Life Temper the Soul

After Li Zhengyuan finished dealing with the aftermath, he had the Treasure-Seeking Rat accompany him so he would have a companion on the road, dining on sweet dew in the morning and rosy clouds at dusk. He then offered a slight bow toward this place and made a Daoist salute. Since they had both been born of the Earthly Dao, and he had obtained a treasure here, it was only proper.

"Indeed, it is time to set out southward. Since leaving the temple, I have traveled and stopped along the way, yet this one stop brought about such trouble. Truly, the Dao of Heaven is unpredictable." Li Zhengyuan sighed. Then clouds formed beneath his feet and wind rose at his sides as he lifted off the ground, drifting southward. A treasured sword hung diagonally across his back; he wore a dark yellow cloak over coarse robes, with a gleaming jade crown upon his head. He truly looked like an immortal of the Dao!

Though he rode the clouds, his pace was far from slow, surpassing even the Somersault Cloud by countless measures. With a single step, he crossed tens of millions of li. Yet even after traveling so far, he still saw no sign of the Undying Volcano, which showed just how vast the Primordial World was.

Along the way, he encountered many wondrous living beings. Every one of them embraced life with contentment and acceptance of fate, displaying a thriving, spirited vigor, as though every moment were filled with endless delight.

Some danced gracefully among the flowers, some frolicked merrily through the woods, and some drank and searched for food beside streams in leisurely contentment. Their carefree bearing made others yearn for such ease.

The scenery along the way was plain yet never devoid of charm, like a sweeping scroll slowly unfurling before him, containing truths that could not be put into words. He had come from a later age; before this, when had he ever witnessed the passage of such vast spans of time?

This journey had carried him through all manner of trials and tempering. It not only greatly matured his temperament, but also gave him an entirely new understanding of life.

He continued onward without pause, no longer knowing how much time had passed. The seasons turned quietly, day and night alternated, but he had long since forgotten the very notion of time.

It was as though his entire being had undergone the cleansing of time, becoming increasingly steady and profound. All he saw was the joy of countless things flourishing and growing; all he heard was heavenly song and laughter. For a time, he felt his ears and eyes become clearer, while his state of mind opened wide.

At the same time, he gradually came to understand that the Dao was the mystery of all things, while Kun was the foundation of all living kinds. It nurtured the myriad beings and bore heaven and earth. Earth melded the Five Primordials within the deep and obscure; Kun governed the birth and transformation of all existence. It upheld the Dao of Heaven above, possessed utmost softness yet moved with strength, contained the primal yellow within, and was boundlessly vast in its subtlety. It encompassed the eight wildernesses and ten expanses, bore the four seas and nine provinces, contained all phenomena, and transformed them into radiance.

As Li Zhengyuan comprehended the vastness of the Earthly Dao, an air of compassion gradually arose around him. His entire person became different.

Ever since his arrival, he had encountered one fortuitous chance after another. First, he cultivated the Yellow Court Dao Canon and drew the attention of the Dao of Heaven. Then, during his travels, he met Hun'e and encountered Hongjun Daoist. He now possessed no fewer than three Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures, with the Ginseng Fruit Tree by his side as well. His temperament had become frivolous, and after relying on the power of the great formation to kill Hun'e, he had grown proud and arrogant. If he encountered another formidable figure, trouble would surely arise. With karmic ties entangled around him, he would inevitably have to make a trip to the Ruins of Return.

During this wandering journey, what he saw and felt, tempered by the years, allowed him to comprehend the true meaning of the Earthly Dao. He became ever more compassionate, moved by the hardship of all things and pitying the suffering of all living beings.

As his state of mind grew more complete, his cultivation advanced as well. He was now only a thread away from the Dao Fruit Realm. Once he made up the Fire Qi and achieved Five Qi Returning to Origin within his chest, he would surely attain the Dao Fruit!

Li Zhengyuan could not help feeling even greater joy. He let out several long cries, stretched his body, and rubbed his eyes, only to discover that his appearance had changed again. When he had first left the temple, he had looked like a young man, but now he had become middle-aged, appearing even more gentle and amiable.

This was likely what it meant for one's appearance to arise from one's heart. However his state of mind was, his outward appearance would likely be the same. Innate Divinities like them had no fixed form; as their Dao Realm changed, their appearances might continue to change as well.