Cultivating Scriptures and Methods Together
After speaking, she stepped forward and returned Zhengji to Su Yao, then took out a Jade Slip from her bosom and presented it with both hands:
"The messenger said that he had anticipated that you would have Yang Zhao, Li Xu, Lin Shuang, Xu Qingluo switch Cultivation Method, and that Cultivation Method of the same nature had been prepared and given to me immediately."
She paused:
"The ' Vermilion Flame Condensed Truth Canon ' is contained within this Jade Slip. The four ' Crimson Brightness Bone-Swapping Pill ' are also prepared and are inside this jade bottle." As she spoke, she took out another jade bottle from her Storage Bag at her waist and presented it to her.
Su Yao accepted the Jade Slip and jade bottle, quickly scanned them with his Divine Sense, and understood their contents. He nodded slightly and put the items into his Storage Bag.
"Qingzhu is quite thoughtful. Although the ' Vermilion Flame Condensed Truth Canon ' and the ' Blazing Spirit-Nourishing Instruction ' are both fourth-grade, they are the original mountain Cultivation Method of Qixia Temple, refined and refined by generations of patriarchs using Blazing Fire as the framework. The Secret Method and complete sets are far superior to the crude version of the White Sand Lu Household. If the four of you switch to cultivating this technique, you will become proper disciples of Qixia Temple in the future."
He paused, then asked, "Did the messenger give instructions on when he would return?"
Li Siyi replied:
"The envoy said that Mount Lao and Golden Court are a bit far apart, but he will definitely return within ten days. At that time, he will bring back the ' Purple Canopy Morning Rosy Clouds Marrow ' that Daozi needs, along with the spiritual medicines for the five of us."
Su Yao nodded upon hearing this:
"If that's the case, then we shall wait for the messenger's return. Within ten days, each of you shall remain at your post and not slacken your vigilance."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Li Siyi:
"Siyi, go and summon Yun, Ziyi, Xuejie, and Ziyan. The plan has changed, and I have something to say to them."
Li Siyi responded and quickly turned to call the other four.
As soon as she turned around, Yang Xiu said again:
"Could Siyi call those people for me, Siyi?"
Li Siyi agreed and quickly headed downwards.
Only after Li Siyi's figure disappeared outside the hall did Zilin turn her gaze to Su Yao and speak softly.
Her tone wasn't accusatory, but rather carried a hint of belated realization:
"Back then, you taught the four disciples, including Yang Zhao, the scriptures but not the methods. You had them read Daoist Gate classics but hesitated to Daoist Gate cultivation Cultivation Method. I thought it was because you Holding the Profound (Daoist school) and did not want to bind your disciples with Cultivation Method. Now it seems that I was too naive back then."
She paused briefly, a very faint smile appearing on her lips, almost self-deprecating:
"After switching to Qixia Mountain's own Cultivation Method, these four became Qixia people in life and in Qixia. Heavenly Element Child, Ren Han, and Lu Yuan, on the other hand, had been cultivating the scriptures and methods together from an early age, which makes sense now. Only Zichuan was an exception."
Upon hearing this, Su Yao's expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded slowly.
His tone was calm and composed, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary:
"When I first arrived in Nanzhao, the situation was unclear. Ren Han was Heavenly Element Child, and I would never let him go no matter what. Lu Yuan's temperament was most suited to my path. As for the others, I could have abandoned them at any time. Now that the situation has changed, and the time has come, I should formally take them into my fold to promote my path."
He paused, his gaze falling on Zilin's face, and asked in return:
"If we don't cultivate together according to the Dharma, without the foundation of the Daoist scriptures or the constraints of the Cultivation Method, relying solely on human desires, do you think we can still restrain ourselves in the future? Human desires are endless, aren't we the same?"
Zilin was slightly taken aback, then fell silent.
She did not refute it, because this is precisely the most basic yet cruel truth in the world: unrestrained freedom is the breeding ground for betrayal.
Yang Xiu, who had been standing to the side with his arms crossed, lowered his hands upon hearing this and replied:
"Fellow Daoist Su has done well. Whatever one cultivates, one must naturally pay the corresponding price. In our Xuanmen sect, there has always been a debate about whether to separate the cultivation of scriptures and techniques versus cultivating them together. Those lineages that insist on separate cultivation of scriptures and techniques—such as Yuanfu, Yanggong, and several lineages under the Shangqing Biyou sect—think they are magnanimous, believing that by only transmitting techniques and not scriptures, their disciples will have more freedom. But freedom taken too far is like water without roots, easily dispersed."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm mixed with a touch of helplessness:
"Back then, the four Celestial Masters spearheaded an agreement to establish a system of simultaneous cultivation of scriptures and practices, aiming to ensure that all Mysterious Gate disciples across the land would base their practices on Mysterious Gate. However, several sects refused. The conflict escalated, and the three sect leaders, left with no other option, produced a Daoist Gate Talisman Edict prepared before the departure of the three Daoist Ancestors. This talisman served to distinguish between Daoist Gate disciples and between Daoist Gate and Mysterious Gate. From then on, Daoist disciples cultivated scriptures and practices together, while Mysterious Gate disciples cultivated them separately, a clear distinction. Those who adhered to Mysterious Gate principles were the most free; different Dao Path were permitted, including Buddhism, demonic practices, and Confucianism. While Daoist Gate practitioners could not switch to other paths, a deep understanding of Daoist scriptures greatly benefited their cultivation of Daoist Gate Cultivation Method."
Su Yao continued:
"We are members of the Daoist Daoist Gate, and also members of the Mysterious Gate. The Daoist scriptures passed down by our patriarch are our foundation. If we were not bound by this rope, and those who only practiced our Daoist Gate Cultivation Method were to eventually turn to Buddhism, demons, or Confucianism... that would truly be a disgrace to our patriarch."
He spoke in a calm tone, but Zilin and Yang Xiu could hear the undeniable certainty in his voice.
This is why the three of them sometimes refer to themselves as "Mysterious Gate" and sometimes as "Daoist Gate." Mysterious Gate is the general term, while Daoist Gate is their identity. Once you enter Daoist Gate, you must practice both the scriptures and the teachings; and if you practice both the scriptures and the teachings, you must accept the Daoist Gate philosophy.
If one does not agree with it, it is not uncommon for them to die on the spot.
After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
At this moment, Yang Xiu asked again:
"Fellow Daoist, what are the arrangements for Zichuan?"
Su Yao lowered his head and pondered for a moment:
"High Witch is the most free-spirited and undisciplined of all the shamans, closest to immortality. However, because of his undisciplined nature, he is most averse to the rules and regulations of the Daoist scriptures. Although his aptitude is higher than Ren Han and Lu Yuan's, his understanding of the Daoist scriptures is the worst. Ren Han, on the other hand, is willing to accept anything as long as he becomes stronger. Lu Yuan is single-minded. That's why the two of them were able to keep up with Zichuan's cultivation speed."
He paused:
"Once Daozheng returns from Jade Void, tell him everything and give him a choice. If he is willing, we can remove the High Witch Golden Nature from his body; if not, then so be it."
He looked towards Qixia Mountain, his gaze seemingly passing over the shimmering waves of Cibi Lake, as if he could see that mountain peak shrouded in rosy light.
"Whether it's Qixia Mountain or Golden Ao Mountain, both are places of my Qixia Dao lineage. If he's willing, he can stay by the statue of our ancestral master, offering incense and chanting scriptures to dispel his witchcraft. If he's not willing... then let him go... Ultimately, I cannot force him, but if he has cultivated my Dao's Cultivation Method... then naturally he must exchange something for them."
As Su Yao finished speaking, silence fell over the hall.
Neither Zilin nor Yang Xiu responded—they understood that Su Yao had considered the worst possible outcome when he said this. The High Witch Golden Nature was no ordinary seal; forcibly removing it would mean losing all one's cultivation; refusing would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains.
Yang Xiu broke the silence first, saying in a low voice, "That's true. Forced relationships are never sweet, especially with High Witch."
Zilin nodded slightly and said nothing more.