At the Zhenwu Daoist Sanctuary on Mount Wudang, the purple aura lingers, creating a scene reminiscent of a celestial paradise.
Xu Xiao sat cross-legged on a futon in the side hall of the Daoist temple. On the table in front of him were three bamboo scrolls: " The Secret of the Golden Flower ", "The Yellow Court Inner Landscape Scripture" and " The Seven Techniques of the Hidden Talisman ".
These three classic texts were personally bestowed by the Great Emperor Zhenwu and are Daoist Sect Daoist cultivation methods, not something ordinary cultivators can obtain.
Although the Sutra Repository also contains other Daoist Canon scriptures, as Zhenwu said,
"I observe that my junior brother has only cultivated Uncle Guangcheng's Core Formation method and Five Elements Daoist techniques, but he has not delved enough into the Three Pure Ones' scriptures. He should start by comprehending these three books. Once one method is mastered, all methods will be mastered. There's no time to rush it."
Xu Xiao could only humbly listen to the instructions and obediently accept the arrangements made by the Great Emperor Zhenwu.
" The Secret of the Golden Flower emphasizes the dual cultivation of body and mind, the Yellow Court Scripture describes the inner landscape for refining the form, and the Seven Techniques of the Hidden Talisman emphasize talismans and incantations for understanding the profound..." Xu Xiao gently stroked the golden seal script on the bamboo slip with his fingertips, feeling the Daoist charm contained within.
These characters are not merely records; each stroke contains the true meaning of the Great Dao and is imbued with the Magic Power of the Great Emperor Zhenwu. Ordinary cultivators would be shaken to their core at a single glance.
'These cultivation manuals from Journey to the West may seem similar to ancient Daoist Canon texts from some other worlds, but they genuinely contain profound principles of Great Dao. Those unfamiliar with them might give up simply based on the name.'
Xu Xiao recalled the words Subhuti had taught the monkey his skills: the arts of seeking immortality and divination, exorcising evil and avoiding misfortune, chanting Buddhist scriptures and pilgrimage to the divine, meditation, and the skills of observing vows and fasting.
It sounds like some kind of cultivation method for ordinary Daoists, but in reality, the meaning behind it is quite different.
According to Xu Xiao, the arts of seeking immortality, divination, exorcising evil spirits, and avoiding misfortune should be Daoist practices related to cause and effect, since the ability to predict the future is itself Dao of Cause and Effect.
The latter two, one is probably the path of Incense-Faith Divine Dao, and the other should be the method to directly perceive the principles of the Dao. Both are methods that can directly cultivate the fundamental principles.
"It's laughable that this monkey chose that external technique. If it weren't for being a spirit monkey born of heaven and earth, destined for a calamity, and coincidentally possessing the character 'fight,' its path would have been completely misguided."
Daoist cultivation emphasizes cultivating the Tao and comprehending the ultimate principles of heaven and earth; methods are secondary, used to protect and guide one during the cultivation process.
Seeking the Dharma instead of the Way may seem to increase combat power, but it will never lead to true enlightenment.
Just like a monkey who has achieved great spiritual cultivation, but whose soul is captured by the Underworld's ghost messengers, and whose name is still hanging in the Book of Life and Death is clear proof of this.
"However, cultivating only the Dao is not enough; Dharma is a protective supernatural power, the ability to exert one's own strength, and one must also possess it."
The Five Elements Art that Xu Xiao obtained from Guangchengzi's remains were techniques, while the Dao was only the method that guided him to form his core; all subsequent insights were erased.
"Let's take it slow; there's no point in rushing things."
The Golden Pupil of Myriad Phenomena between his brows shone brightly, and Xu Xiao once again immersed himself in the process of experiencing the Daoist Canon, and time slowly passed by.
Outside the side hall, the melodious sounds of morning bells and evening drums drifted over.
Xu Xiao has been in the Daoist temple for a hundred days. Every morning, he first follows the young Daoists to do morning prayers and recite the " Scripture of Clarity and Stillness " (Scripture of Purity and Tranquility). At Chenshi (7-9 AM), he studies Daoist scriptures in this side hall. At noon, he occasionally goes to the martial arts training ground on the back mountain to practice sword techniques and discuss Daoism with the disciples of Zhenwu.
Besides the Golden Boy and Jade Girl and jade girl, Turtle-Snake Generals, this Zhenwu Daoist Sanctuary also has some Daoist Sect disciples from the mortal world who are fortunate enough to enter this blessed land of immortals to cultivate.
Xu Xiao occasionally chatted with them, discussing and debating, which deepened his understanding of the path of cultivation and brought him considerable gains.
This kind of structured life made Xu Xiao, who was used to traveling between different worlds, feel somewhat uncomfortable.
However, he also understood that the Dao of Cultivating Perfection emphasizes "reaching the ultimate emptiness and maintaining steadfast stillness," and that this kind of solitary cultivation is the orthodox way.
"Uncle-Master Xu, the master requests your presence at the Three Pure Ones Hall." A clear voice interrupted Xu Xiao's thoughts.
Looking up, I saw the beautiful girl I had met that day, named Taohua. She was a minor deity who was in charge of recording the good and evil deeds of the Three Realms by Zhenwu's side, and she wielded considerable power.
Xu Xiao closed the bamboo scroll and straightened his blue Daoist robe—a gift from Zhenwu, said to be Hagoromo woven by the Weaver Girls of Heavenly Court, impervious to water and fire, and imbued with divine power.
"Thank you for leading the way Taohua."
After passing through several halls, we arrived at the Three Pure Ones Hall.
Nine dragon-shaped pillars stand in the square in front of the hall, arranged according to the nine palaces, vaguely forming a huge formation.
Xu Xiao sensed it with his Divine Sense on his first visit and discovered that the formation was connected to all the Zhenwu Halls in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent and was related to the Zhou Tian Stars. If any evil spirits appeared, they could instantly summon the Zhou Tian Stars and Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to descend to the mortal realm to capture demons and monsters.
Clearly, the Heavenly Court attaches great importance to this Southern Jambudvipa Continent and keeps it under close surveillance at all times.
"Junior brother has arrived." The voice of the Great Emperor Zhenwu came from inside the hall, as gentle and refined as ever.
Upon entering the hall, one sees Zhenwu dressed in golden armor, with a sword at his waist, looking as if he has just returned from an outing.
"What brings you here, Senior Brother?" Xu Xiao bowed respectfully.
Over the past few days, he had become less reserved than before, but he still maintained the proper respect towards this one of the Four Sages.
Zhenwu pointed to the futon beside him. "Sit. Junior brother, you have studied the Daoist scriptures for a hundred days. Do you have any questions?"
Xu Xiao sat cross-legged, pondered for a moment, and then said, "There are indeed a few things I don't understand. In the past few days, I have talked a lot with many fellow practitioners and discovered that all three thousand Great Dao in this world have their masters, and even the nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine unorthodox paths have their predecessors."
"I've been thinking a lot lately about which path I should take, and whether it will cause further friction."
Xu Xiao raised his head, his eyes filled with sincerity.
In this world Celestials, choosing which path to take is indeed an art.
Those who share the same path are, in fact, close enough to be mortal enemies, especially for someone like Xu Xiao, whose ambitions extend beyond the Daluo realm.
Obstructing our path is a grave offense!
A Great Dao may accommodate many people to climb, but often only one person stands at the highest point. Choosing the right Great Dao is the first step before embarking on the path of cultivation.
Especially with a master like Zhenwu providing guidance, listening to his opinions is never a bad thing.
Upon hearing this, Zhenwu's face turned somewhat serious, then he chuckled and said, "Good question. Obstructing one's path is a great enmity. Although Junior Brother has not yet officially begun his ascension, it is commendable that he has considered this issue so early."
"I observe that besides the Immortal Dao, my junior brother has also dabbled in other pursuits. I wonder if he has achieved anything in any of them. Perhaps we could start by exploring these areas."
"If you trust me, you can tell your senior brother the general idea, and I'll give you some advice!"
"Of course!"
Xu Xiao didn't hide anything after hearing this. Having the personal guidance of the powerful Zhenwu was better than him feeling like a blind man trying to describe an elephant.
He decided to reveal everything he had learned, except for the Dao of Desire.