Chapter 1353: Discourse on the Heavenly Dao
Chapter 1353: Discourse on the Heavenly Dao
Translator: CinderTL
"My youthful recklessness is hardly presentable, fellow daoist. I hope you’ll forgive my presumptuousness," Song Wen said with a smile, adopting an air of humility tinged with embarrassment, as if genuinely ashamed of his past actions.
"Fellow daoist, there’s no need for such modesty. The Human Serpent Hybridization Method recorded in this jade slip may appear simple, but it secretly aligns with the principles of yin-yang harmony and the creation of life. The Human Serpents you’ve cultivated possess a vitality far surpassing that of other demon beasts and humans at the same cultivation realm. Your work has already touched upon the profound mysteries of heaven and earth, glimpsing the true nature of the world. The only pity is that you chose the Green Jade Snake, a low-tier demon beast, which limited the Human Serpent’s innate potential and ultimately prevented it from achieving greatness," Ying Wu said earnestly.
"Fellow daoist, you flatter me excessively. These mere trifles are hardly worth mentioning before your profound expertise. I’ve long admired your mastery of spirit beast cultivation and transformation, and I came here specifically to pay my respects. Meeting you today has revealed that your achievements extend beyond spirit beast cultivation; your celestial grace and peerless elegance are truly breathtaking."
Ying Wu stood amidst the swirling white mist, her figure as straight as a sword, clad in a moon-white cloud robe.
Her features were exquisite, her eyebrows sharp as sword blades, her eyes like cold stars, and her lips as sharp as a knife’s edge. Though she wore no makeup, she possessed an awe-inspiring heroic aura.
Suddenly, a lake wind surged, causing the white mist to churn, her robe to billow, and her black hair to whip wildly, adding to her ethereal and otherworldly presence.
This was Song Wen’s first time seeing Ying Wu in person. During their previous encounter at the Primordial Qi Death Zone, he had only learned of her existence through Shadow Void’s account.
He had to admit that Ying Wu’s heroic spirit, as resilient as a pine tree standing tall against the snow, was strikingly different from the delicate and charming demeanor of ordinary women, making her truly captivating.
"Physical appearance is but vanity," Ying Wu said, her voice sharp. "Only supreme power can break free from the shackles of this world and attain immortality. Otherwise, even the most beautiful shell will eventually decay into a pile of bones. Fellow Daoist, having bred such extraordinary creatures as the Human Serpent, you surely aren’t one to be swayed by superficialities, are you?" Perhaps weary of excessive flattery, Ying Wu seemed slightly repelled by Song Wen’s praise.
Song Wen shook his head slightly, his expression inscrutable.
"Fellow Daoist, your words are mistaken! The Heavenly Dao nurtures all creation, and its profound wisdom lies precisely in its diverse and varied forms. The beauty and ugliness of all things are like the splendor and ruggedness of mountains and rivers—all are works of the Heavenly Dao. Beauty is beauty, and ugliness is ugliness; why should we deliberately deny either?"
Ying Wu’s brow furrowed slightly, clearly unconvinced by Song Wen’s self-serving argument.
At that moment, Song Wen continued, "Fellow Daoist, you must have hybridized demon beasts before. Have you noticed that only those with harmonious proportions can survive? The grotesquely deformed, even if they manage to reproduce, rarely endure. This is the Heavenly Dao’s natural selection: monstrously distorted creatures are deemed unworthy of prolonged existence in this world."
Ying Wu’s eyes lit up as if she had heard a profound truth, her expression suddenly enlightened.
"Fellow Daoist, your insights are truly the essence of the Great Dao. I am humbled by your wisdom. My previous understanding was indeed shallow. Beauty and ugliness are both manifestations of the Heavenly Dao, and we cultivators should embrace them without reservation."
As she spoke, her gaze lowered, sweeping over her own figure.
"If that’s the case, then I too am blessed by the Heavenly Dao."
Ying Wu’s lips curved into a gentle smile, as warm and serene as a spring breeze rustling through willow branches, softening even her martial aura.
"The Dao has truly blessed you with unparalleled beauty, fellow daoist," Song Wen exclaimed in admiration. "Like a lotus rising from clear waters, your natural grace needs no embellishment."
"Pfft!" Ying Wu couldn’t help but chuckle. "You certainly have a silver tongue. By the way, I haven’t yet asked your esteemed name?"
"I am Ye Hua, a humble rogue cultivator," Song Wen replied, bowing slightly.
"Then how did you find this place? Few know of its existence," Ying Wu asked casually, though her tone carried a hint of probing.
"I once had some acquaintance with Wu Bo of the Wu Clan near Wushang Lake. I heard about this place from him. Sadly, Fellow Daoist Wu Bo has already fallen victim to bandits. The Wu Clan also maintains close ties with True Lord Gu Huang of your sect, so I imagine Wu Bo learned of you from him," Song Wen explained.
Upon hearing this, Ying Wu’s willow-leaf eyebrows shot up, her earlier suspicion of Song Wen vanishing instantly, replaced by a surge of fury toward Gu Huang.
"Gu Huang again! That man is like a stubborn plaster—impossible to shake off!" Ying Wu spat through gritted teeth.
"Do you have a grudge against True Lord Gu Huang, fellow daoist?" Song Wen asked, feigning ignorance.
"An old matter best left forgotten," Ying Wu replied.
"My apologies for being so forward," Song Wen said.
"This has nothing to do with you, fellow daoist. It’s a personal matter between Gu Huang and me. If not for our shared status as fellow disciples, I would have..."
Ying Wu abruptly stopped, her tone shifting as she continued, "Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, we’ve hit it off so well. Would you care to visit my island for a chat? You could also see my Spirit Beast Workshop. Since you’ve shown me your Spirit Beast Hybridization Method, it’s only fair that I show you my Spirit Beast Transformation Path in return."
"This..." Song Wen hesitated. His primary goal was to uncover Zhenhou’s whereabouts, and befriending Ying Wu was merely a means to that end. He hadn’t expected their acquaintance to progress so quickly, let alone for her to invite him to her island.
Song Wen had no desire to set foot on the island. If Ying Wu harbored ill intentions, he’d be walking straight into a trap.
"You don’t trust me, fellow daoist?" Ying Wu saw through his hesitation. "We’ve only just met, so suspicion is understandable. However, I have no intention of harming you. If you’re still concerned, I can swear a soul oath."
Ying Wu paused, leaving her words hanging in the air as she gazed at Song Wen, awaiting his reaction. But Song Wen remained hesitant, offering no response.
Ying Wu smiled faintly, then channeled her divine soul energy and declared in a clear voice:
"I, Ying Wu, invoking my divine soul as witness, swear before the Heavenly Dao that within the territory of Great Communication Lake, so long as this man poses no harm to me, I shall never harm him."
"Fellow Daoist Ying Wu, what are you doing! How could I possibly distrust you? I was merely being cautious, as is my habit. My brief contemplation was not born of suspicion. Your solemn soul oath fills me with guilt," Song Wen said, his face flushed with shame.
"No need for further words. Follow me onto the island," Ying Wu replied.
"Respectfully, I shall obey. Please lead the way, fellow daoist," Song Wen said.
The two descended toward the island, Ying Wu leading the way.
As they pierced through layers of white mist, the island loomed closer.
Song Wen now realized that what he had seen from above and sensed with his divine sense was not entirely accurate—or rather, not the whole truth.
Hidden among the jagged black rocks of the island were numerous pits of varying sizes.
These pits were concealed by the mist, impossible to detect without approaching the island.
Within these pits, a diverse array of demon beasts were kept. There were fist-sized poisonous insects, hundred-zhang-long tigers, first-tier hyena-like hounds, and seventh-tier Flood Dragons.
(End of the Chapter)
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