The assembly begins, the Three Powers Tribulation

Early the next morning, dawn's light glimmered faintly.

Xuanming left the Path-Seeking Courtyard and entered the Scripture Pavilion.

More than three months had passed since he last came here. Though he was now a Qi Refining True Person, he felt neither smug satisfaction nor a flood of idle sentiment. The lake of his heart remained unruffled.

He knew well that, whatever his standing outside, once he entered the Scripture Pavilion, he had only one identity: a seeker of the Dao.

Sitting cross-legged before a desk by the window, Xuanming raised his hand. A scripture flew from a shelf and landed in his palm.

With a slight movement of his fingers, he turned the pages, savoring their wisdom.

The fragrance of books mingled with the scent of tea, and the old Daoist immersed himself in both.

The crow flew and the hare ran; day and night traded places.

Xuanming returned to his former routine, devoting himself to cultivation.

Each day, he studied scriptures and contemplated the Dao, drawing upon their wisdom.

At dawn, he practiced swordsmanship and arts, honing his Divine abilities.

Day and night, he breathed in the essences of sun and moon, gathering spiritual medicine to nourish his Dao.

To his delight, the Chen clan's collection was extensive. Apart from miscellaneous books and duplicate Daoist Scriptures, it contained a hundred volumes of Daoist Scripture that the Truth-Seeking Abbey had never collected. The Scripture Pavilion's Daoist Canon had grown both larger and more varied.

Of course, there were a few changes as well.

After becoming a True Person, Xuanming could no longer meet all his cultivation needs simply by reading scriptures and contemplating the Dao.

Instead of spending entire days tucked away in the Scripture Pavilion, his practice shifted toward "studying scriptures as the mainstay, observing heaven and earth as a supplement." He began stepping beyond the written page to encounter the world and its living beings through direct experience.

In other words, he had entered the transition toward "reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles," pursuing both paths to further his cultivation.

Every day, Xuanming set aside two hours to wander the mountain, paying attention to everything around him: waterfalls plunging downward, the weather turning clear or overcast, birds and beasts breeding, and plants growing.

From green bamboo breaking through stone, he grasped the tenacity of life.

From crows feeding their aging parents, he understood how life carried on.

From fallen blossoms becoming mud, he perceived the cycle of life.

Shallow truths grew profound.

Old truths sprouted fresh meaning.

All these became Dao Seeds, taking root in the soil of his heart, sprouting and flourishing until they truly became part of his own foundation.

He both observed the Dao and planted it.

Through this process, Xuanming saw the myriad things of heaven and earth more clearly, delving deeper into the stage where "mountains were no longer mountains, and waters were no longer waters." As his attainment gradually rose, his presence became more natural and soothing, every movement pleasing to the eye.

Half a month later.

A burly figure entered the Path-Seeking Courtyard.

The visitor carried himself with an imposing air and had strong, sharply defined features. Beneath his Daoist robe, bulging muscles were faintly visible, brimming with explosive strength.

This young Daoist was none other than Chang'anzi.

"This disciple pays his respects to Martial Uncle."

Watching his bowing martial nephew, whom he had acquired without effort, Xuanming felt pleased. He lifted a hand slightly, bidding him rise.

Since Xuanming had emerged from seclusion, the young man had often come to seek his guidance.

By now, Chang'anzi had entered the third essence refining realm: the Jade Liquid Condensation realm. He had also formed a seventh-grade superior Dao foundation.

Across the Truth-Seeking Abbey, his potential was second only to Xuanming's.

He had also reached minor mastery in the Numinous Aspect Body-Refining Method.

Originally, this had been an unremarkable body-tempering art of the Truth-Seeking Abbey. Xuanming later improved it and raised its grade, emphasizing the union of mind and flesh. By visualizing a numinous spirit, it fused spirit and flesh, tempered blood and qi, and strengthened the body, possessing one-fifth of the Eight Outer Visions True Method's effect and power.

Of everyone in the Truth-Seeking Abbey, Chang'anzi and Xuan Yang practiced this art best. The former cultivated it through brutal self-inflicted torment, while the latter's naturally powerful physique suited it perfectly.

Once Chang'anzi sat down, Xuanming spoke.

"I won't nag you about guarding against arrogance and impatience, or never underestimating the people of this world. I imagine Junior Brother Xuanxu has already drummed plenty of such advice into those of you attending the assembly."

"I summoned you because I divined that this journey down the mountain holds danger amid good fortune, with blessing and calamity intertwined. Though I've given Junior Brother Xuanxu a few means of protection, we must prepare further against the unexpected. You will be my hidden fallback, but the method will be somewhat painful."

Chang'anzi immediately declared his resolve.

"The abbey has raised and taught me. Its kindness weighs as heavily as a mountain. I am willing to endure it. Please proceed, Martial Uncle."

Lightly stroking the long beard beneath his chin, Xuanming nodded in satisfaction. As he raised his hand, light blossomed at his fingertips, and the Peachwood Sword hummed.

Half a cup of tea later, Chang'anzi bowed in farewell and left the Path-Seeking Courtyard drenched in sweat.

Morning light glowed red as fire, and dawn clouds swept in from the horizon.

Early the next morning, Xuanxu led the party, accompanied by Xuan Yang, Xuan Yin, Xuan Su, and Xuan Kong. With ten disciples in tow, they descended the mountain and set out for Fengyang Commandery.

Xuanxu had to go because the leader of a small faction had no standing to put on airs. To attend the Dao Origin Grand Gathering, he naturally had to appear in person.

Xuan Su went because female disciples were traveling with them.

Xuan Kong went because he knew Fengyang Commandery well and could gather more bits of news during the assembly.

Xuan Yang went because Changqingzi was participating this time. In his own words, he wanted to see his disciple make a name for himself with his own eyes.

Xuan Yin went because his abilities were first-rate. If anything unexpected happened along the way, he could help shoulder Xuanxu's burdens.

On Dao-Treasuring Peak, Xuanming watched the Daoists' retreating figures for a while, then turned and entered the Scripture Pavilion to continue studying scriptures and probing the mysteries.

He had taught everything he needed to teach.

He had given every instruction he needed to give.

Man laid the plans, but heaven decided their success. How this journey ended would depend on Xuanxu and the others' luck and fortunes.

Contemplating the Dao, cultivating, guarding their home, and protecting the mountain—those were the duties of an old Daoist like him, sitting at leisure in the mountains.

The Great Xuan Divine Dynasty possessed vast territories, with thirty-six provinces and seventy-two commanderies. Even its smallest commandery spanned ten thousand li.

Fengyang Commandery was medium-sized, with a hundred-li radius and a total expanse of thirty thousand li, encompassing a hundred counties.

Floating Cloud County was conveniently situated, only three hundred li from the Commandery City of Fengyang. Apart from Xuan Kong, Xuanxu's party took horses in Floating Cloud County after descending the mountain and reached the Commandery City in just half a day.

With the Dao Origin Grand Gathering approaching, the Commandery City was even livelier and more prosperous than usual. Vendors crowded its streets and alleys, and shops stood wide open. Cinnabar, peace talismans, heart-protecting mirrors, Eight Trigrams disks, peachwood swords, cloud-patterned brocade pouches, and all manner of Daoist Tradition supplies dazzled the eye.

Some were genuine and some false. Some had been bought wholesale from Daoist abbeys, some were homemade, and some had been dug out of the earth. Their quality varied wildly, and their origins were manifold. Whether one could hunt down something worthwhile depended entirely on luck.

The Commandery City was packed with people, shoulders brushing and heels treading close behind. Daoists of every age and standing were everywhere. Some were rogue cultivators, some belonged to factions, some hailed from great Daoist Tradition sects, and some came from minor Daoist Tradition branches.

Others had also poured into the Commandery City: martial artists of the rivers and lakes, lineage scions, disciples of the hundred schools, rogue persons and wandering swordsmen, and monks from temples. Their backgrounds were as varied as could be.

Some came for the bustle, some to broaden their horizons. Some were traveling through, some had made a special trip, and some had accompanied their elders to witness the proceedings.

Passing through streets and alleys, crossing rivers and climbing bridges, Xuanxu led his disciples to the western part of the city, where they checked into the Immortal Grove Inn.

The grounds covered five hundred mu. Mountains and waters wound through them, bamboo groves flourished, and the surroundings were quiet and secluded. Pavilions, terraces, and towers stood in close rows, while courtyards were spaced in a pleasing arrangement. The property belonged to the Heaven and Earth Academy.

Whenever the Dao Origin Assembly began, the participating Daoist Tradition factions were lodged here.

Because the participants had different distances to travel, the Dao Origin Assembly would not officially begin for another three days. A visit to the Commandery City was a rare opportunity, and Xuanxu had once been young himself. After registering his disciples, he let them wander, forbidding only troublemaking.

Chang'anzi and Changqingzi went together, browsing shops and stalls. One wanted to bring a gift back for Martial Uncle Xuanming; the other wanted to honor his master. The other disciples also formed groups to explore.

The older generation went to catch up with old friends. After living for several decades, they naturally had a few close companions.

Xuanxu went to strut about and show off his cultivation, Xuan Yang to compete at drinking, Xuan Kong to gossip, Xuan Yin to exchange insights on cultivation and planting, and Xuan Su to discuss alchemy. It was very much a case of things gathering by kind and people flocking to their own.

Two flowers bloomed; let us tell of each in turn.

On the second day after Xuanxu's party departed, Floating Cloud Mountain baked beneath a blazing sun in the morning. By afternoon, dark clouds packed the sky, heaven and earth dimmed, and lightning flashed amid rolling thunder—a vivid display of summer weather's fickleness.

Boom!

As a thunderclap lit the heavens, rain poured down, washing away dust, quelling dryness, and dispelling the summer heat.

At the Truth-Seeking Abbey, Xuan Tong handled everyday affairs while Xuan Yu studied the Yin and Yang Foundation Establishment Manual.

At the summit, the white-haired old Daoist sat cross-legged amid fierce winds and driving rain, his robes snapping around him. He used no magic power to shield himself, allowing the wind and rain to soak him like a drowned chicken.

He was contemplating the Dao and experiencing nature. Only by undergoing it himself could he truly share its sensations.

Clouds rumbled, the Thunderclap cracked, and serpents of lightning danced wildly. They were so close to Xuanming that they seemed to burst directly above his head. Trees of fire and blossoms of silver pierced the darkness and illuminated the curtain of rain, displaying the might of the Thunderclap to the fullest:

Radiance, fury, strength, dominance, and yang vigor!

No matter how the lightning raged, Xuanming sat serenely, his expression composed and utterly fearless, intent on watching heaven and earth demonstrate the Dao.

To his spiritual perception, this thunderstorm was the Dao, containing the mysteries and laws governing heaven and earth.

Shifting air currents gave rise to wind: the flow of spiritual workings.

Water vapor met cold and became rain: the transformation of matter.

Colliding clouds became thunder: the clash of Yin and Yang.

Xuanming watched intently. An arc of lightning coiled and wandered in his palm, gathering one moment and dispersing the next, now savage, now docile.

Sometimes one became five; sometimes five merged into one.

He controlled it as easily as traveling a familiar road, his hands answering every intention.

Ever since emerging from seclusion, he had come here whenever thunderstorms struck, contemplating the Dao, feeling the wind, watching the rain, and listening to thunder.

Through this, the Truth-Seeking Abbey's Wind-Riding Art and Rain-Summoning Spell had improved considerably. His Five Thunders Art had even reached minor mastery, its principles thoroughly integrated.

As a superior Daoist art, the Five Thunders Art had advanced so swiftly not only because he listened to thunder, but also because of the thunder tribulation he had faced during his last breakthrough.

Heaven had Three Treasures: Sun, moon, and stars. Man had Three Treasures: essence, qi, and Divine. Thunder, too, had Three Treasures: heaven, earth, and man.

Thunder was born from the collision of Yin and Yang.

Human thunder was the amplified bioelectricity within living bodies. The five viscera were yin, and the six bowels were yang; their collision generated Thunderclap.

Advancing from essence refining to qi refining required surviving the human Tribulation Lightning.

Advancing from qi refining to spirit refining required surviving the Earth Thunder tribulation.

As for higher realms, Xuanming guessed they required surviving the heaven Tribulation Lightning. These three thunders corresponded to the upper, middle, and lower dantians, as well as the three souls of heaven, earth, and man. He called them the Three Powers Tribulation Lightning.

Perhaps only after enduring the Three Powers tribulation could one transcend the mundane, enter sagehood, attain the Dao, and become an Immortal.

Precisely because he had survived the human thunder tribulation, Xuanming had gained a deeper understanding of the Thunderclap, yin and yang, and the Five Phases. His Five Thunders Art had thus advanced by leaps and bounds, catching up with his sword Dao to become one of his strongest divine abilities.

Boom!

The rain fell harder, and the lightning grew fiercer.

Heaven and earth sank into murky darkness, visibility blurred, as though the floodgates of heaven had opened and the celestial river were pouring down.

At the summit, Xuanming suddenly lowered his slightly raised chin. His gaze was profound, and deep within his world-worn eyes, lightning script flickered into being and vanished.

He flicked a finger. The Peachwood Sword resting across his knees, which had been absorbing stray Thunder Spirit qi between heaven and earth, rang out and abruptly left its sheath. It rose against the rain, shot straight into the sky, and vanished deep within the thunderclouds.

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