"Senior, by distracting thoughts, do you mean your identity as the Saint Thief?" Huang Xiao asked with some curiosity.
"Wrong, utterly wrong." Daoxuanzi smiled.
Seeing Huang Xiao looking somewhat dazed, Daoxuanzi continued, "Actually, appearing as the Saint Thief is a way for me to enter the world, to sever worldly ties by entering the world, seeking freedom from desires and wants, and a clear, natural mind."
Huang Xiao felt lost in clouds and mist as he listened. He did not understand any of this.
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. You can slowly comprehend it later. But everyone has their own method of cultivating the heart, and everyone follows a different path. In that respect, it differs from cultivating spiritual perception. In cultivating the heart, follow its desires. Deliberately searching instead puts you on an inferior path, leaving you unable to find the true way," Daoxuanzi said with a smile. "However, I don't think you'll get far in cultivating the heart. You're too deeply entangled in worldly cause and effect, and you practice a demonic art as well. Your path of cultivating the heart will be fraught with obstacles, with practically no chance of reaching great mastery."
"Senior, I'm afraid I cannot agree with that," Huang Xiao said.
"Oh?" Daoxuanzi raised an eyebrow and looked at Huang Xiao with some surprise. "Do you have a different view?"
"You just said that everyone follows a different path in cultivating the heart, Senior. Then perhaps this is precisely my path?" Huang Xiao said.
Daoxuanzi paused, then nodded. "Well said. I was too attached to my own views. Perhaps this is your path for cultivating your nature. Freedom from desires and wants is one state of mind. The endless mortal world and its worldly cause and effect might be another. Who can