Chapter 420 - 230: Outer Dao Demonstration (2)

Chapter 420: Chapter 230: Outer Dao Demonstration (2)

Yet even after weathering that utterly abrupt Outer Dao Demonstration and its assault of falsehood, Xuzhuang still did not know when the opportunity to break through the Life and Death Profound Gate would arrive.

Xuzhuang had the sudden impulse to summon his Heart Sword and sever this wisp of confusion, but he suppressed it.

Even the most resolute of Cultivators was bound to have such a moment when faced with the ethereal nature of the Primordial Spirit Dao. It was perfectly normal.

’Perhaps the true terror of this assault of falsehood lies in how it can turn a magnificent, ever-advancing Great Cultivator into a panicked wreck, constantly doubting whether he is still true to his own heart.’

Xuzhuang suppressed these distracting thoughts and entered a deep meditation. Another hundred-odd days passed before he suddenly formed a Magic Formula, causing the Daluo Spirit Light to rise from behind his head.

’The path of the Dao is long. I still have plenty of time to search for it. Since I can’t find the way forward right now, I might as well sort through my Daoist arts and properly cultivate my Divine Techniques.’

As his techniques began to circulate, Xuzhuang once again entered a cultivation session of indeterminate length.

Compared to the short span of his life as a cultivator, this was perhaps a long time, but Xuzhuang only felt an incomparable serenity and deep satisfaction.

I am a cultivator, finding joy in the Dao among the mountains.

Never mind the distant path, for wonder springs from the heart within.

———

Meanwhile, on a day during Xuzhuang’s mountain cultivation, two travel-worn Daoists arrived at the Yunmeng Marsh.

"So this is the Yunmeng Marsh!"

"A vast, boundless expanse where water and sky merge into one. The sheer size of this marsh probably isn’t much less than the South Sea, is it?"

Time flowed like water; the little boy from years past had long since grown into a young man. He strode to the edge of the turquoise waves, and inhaling the misty lake wind, he took a deep breath and exclaimed in awe, "It truly deserves its name as the ’Living Sea’ that separates the Central Plains from Zeji Land."

That’s right. These two Daoists were none other than He Zaida and his disciple, who had started from Inverted Mountain and journeyed on foot across Zeji Land.

Because of the presence of Immortal Sects in the world, the names of the Divine Continent’s various great Earth Realms were actually known among mortals. To the mortals of Zeji Land, however, Yunmeng Marsh was no different from an ocean. The only distinction was—

The ocean to the south of their land was a bitter, undrinkable sea, whereas Yunmeng Marsh was the source of Zeji Land’s waterways—a Living Sea that nurtured countless lives.

As for the existence of the Central Plains beyond Yunmeng Marsh, or a boundless ocean to the east of the Central Plains—to most people, these were little more than fabrications.

In contrast to the youth’s growth, He Zaida’s appearance remained unchanged. His journey through the boundless mortal world had only added a touch of gentle warmth to his bearing.

Upon reaching the edge of the marsh, He Zaida’s gaze grew profound, seeming to peer into its very depths. After a long moment, he suddenly sighed.

"Master, why do you sigh?" The youth raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but ask.

"I see that the Mortal Realms within this Yunmeng Marsh are completely different from those in Zeji Land," He Zaida replied.

He Zaida had somehow peered across an immeasurable distance of water to observe the lives of the people in the Mortal Realms within Yunmeng Marsh.

Although Zeji Land fell largely within the Spirit Treasure Sect’s sphere of influence, the sect did not interfere in mortal affairs. They even forbade Cultivators from casually revealing their Daoist arts in front of mortals.

This turned the very existence of Cultivators in Zeji Land into mere legend, creating a complete separation between the immortal and mortal worlds.

The Mortal Realms within Yunmeng Marsh, however, were different. While their people had only a vague understanding of cultivation, they were all aware they lived under the governance of an Immortal Sect. Many Daoist Temples had been established, and the people revered the Dao. With efficient governments and harmonious societies, they lived in peace and contentment—a veritable utopia.

Listening to He Zaida’s description, the youth nodded thoughtfully. Having journeyed on foot with He Zaida, measuring the mortal world, he had essentially grown up immersed in the lives of common people.

However, his identity as a practitioner from an Immortal Sect also allowed him to examine the mortal world from a detached perspective.

The Spirit Treasure Sect and the Tai Su Sect had completely different philosophies on governing mortals. Of course, while Yunmeng Marsh was vast, it was incomparable in size to Zeji Land, to say nothing of their respective landmasses inhabited by mortals.

The youth did not yet have an answer as to which philosophy was superior.

For over a decade, He Zaida had taught him how to think. He didn’t rush to voice his questions, but instead asked, "How should we proceed?"

For over ten years, he had genuinely walked step-by-step with He Zaida across nearly half of Zeji Land to reach this place. But the Yunmeng Marsh was a Water Realm; without using Daoist arts, they would naturally need a boat.

He Zaida pondered for a moment before saying, "Yunmeng Marsh is under the direct governance of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect. It would be unreasonable to come here and not pay a visit to our hosts."

"We will find a ferry and first pay our respects to the Tai Su Orthodox Sect. We can discuss other matters after that."

The youth’s eyes lit up. After trekking through the mortal world for over a decade, the time had finally come to witness the splendor of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect. Still full of youthful spirit, he quickly replied, "An excellent point, Master."

For a moment, even his curiosity about the worldly paradise under the Immortal Sect’s rule faded.

Although the pair did not use any Daoist arts, they were still physically robust. After walking along the shore of Yunmeng Marsh for several days, they found a desolate area where a restriction, clearly set by a Cultivator, silently repelled any mortals.

They walked onward for the better part of another day, and by starlight, they saw a dock appear under the Moonlight. Many fine ships and boats were moored there, but a search of several vessels proved fruitless.

Although Cultivators did not necessarily need sleep, the cycle of day and night was a law of nature. As the saying goes, the Dao follows nature, so Cultivators usually adhered to this rhythm. Besides, no one wishing to visit the Tai Su Orthodox Sect would choose to arrive by starlight.

"It seems we’ll have to wait until tomorrow if we want to borrow a ferry to the Tai Su Sect," the youth said.

He Zaida mused, "Not necessarily."

The youth raised an eyebrow. The longer he cultivated under his master, the more he realized how unfathomably profound his master’s arts were. He knew a man like his master had a reason for everything he said and did, so without asking further, he simply followed in He Zaida’s footsteps.