328: On the Dao

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, please," Ying Mingkong gestured for Xiao Zhuo to take a seat.

Xiao Zhuo took his seat, and Ying Mingkong personally poured him tea.

The other High-ranking members of Myriad Shadow Sect stood far outside the pavilion, showing respect and not daring to disturb their Old Ancestor and honored guest's discussion of the Dao.

"Fellow Daoist Ying, this Shadow Peak of yours, observing the shadows of heaven and earth, comprehending the Dao of the illusory and real, truly has a good Concept," Xiao Zhuo lightly sipped the spiritual tea and praised.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. This old man is dull-witted; after comprehending the Great Dao of Shadow for 120,000 years, I still haven't fully grasped it," Ying Mingkong humbly replied, then changed the subject with a sincere desire for knowledge, "Fellow Daoist's Dao and Law are profound. This old man dares to ask for your esteemed insights."

"Esteemed insights are too much; we merely verify each other," Xiao Zhuo put down his teacup, his expression calm. "Three Thousand Great Dao, all lead to the same destination. The Dao of Shadow, where illusion and reality coexist, ever-changing and unpredictable. For Fellow Daoist to ascend to Golden Immortal with this Dao shows your profound Foundation. However, the extreme of shadow lies in light, in time, in the space between thoughts..."

The discussion of the Dao officially began.

Xiao Zhuo primarily cultivated the Dao Principle of Freedom, with the four Great Dao of Time, Space, Lightning, and Soul as his pillars. His Realm far surpassed Ying Mingkong's.

He spoke concisely, often using just a few words to directly point to the Origin of the Great Dao, analyzing the ultimate truths of how Laws operate, making Ying Mingkong listen in rapt attention, sometimes suddenly enlightened, sometimes lost in thought, feeling that the Bottleneck that had troubled him for tens of thousands of years showed a hint of loosening!

He had cultivated for 120,000 years, possessed vast experience, and had fought his way through countless challenges, establishing an incredibly solid Foundation. He held unique and practical insights into the understanding of various Great Dao Laws.

He, in turn, spoke from his own arduous cultivation experiences, describing how he comprehended the Great Dao of Shadow in desperate situations, how he captured traces of the Great Dao where light and shadow intertwined in Secret Realm, and how he used shadow to transform, mislead enemies, and temper his heart... These detailed life-and-death insights were precisely the kind of accumulation Xiao Zhuo lacked from his rapid advancement via the System panel.

Their discussion of the Dao was not merely a competition of power, but a clash of thoughts, wisdom, and understanding of the Major Thousand Worlds.

Xiao Zhuo's "high-level perspective" and Ying Mingkong's "discerning the subtle" formed a wonderful complement.

The profound sounds of the Great Dao echoed in the pavilion, sometimes transforming into illusory golden lotuses blooming, sometimes stirring spatial ripples, sometimes subtly altering the flow of time, as an abstruse Dao charm permeated the air.

Though the High-ranking members of Myriad Shadow Sect standing far away couldn't clearly hear the specific content, merely sensing the diffused Dao charm made them feel greatly enlightened. They all sat cross-legged, seizing this rare Opportunity to comprehend.

Wang Xianzhi, in particular, absorbed the profound truths contained in the words of the two powerful beings with insatiable thirst.

His Realm was still low, making many subtle points difficult to understand, but the fundamental principles concerning the circulation of magical power, the tempering of the Divine Soul, and the comprehension of heaven and earth seemed to open a door to a new world for him, giving him an unprecedentedly clear understanding of his own Cultivation Technique and Dao path.

After listening for just one day and one night, he felt his Golden Core become even more solid, and his Divine Soul subtly grew stronger!

Wang Xianyu, having just recovered from a serious illness, was still frail. After listening for over a day, she was respectfully invited by a female Disciple arranged by Ying Mingkong to rest in a hermitage below the peak.

Wang Xianzhi settled his younger sister, then immediately returned to the peak, continuing to immerse himself in this once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity for Dao comprehension.

The discussion of the Dao lasted for three days and three nights.

Inside the pavilion, Dao charm flowed ceaselessly.

The wrinkles on Ying Mingkong's face seemed to have smoothed out a bit, and his eyes shone with even greater brilliance. His gains far exceeded his imagination.

Xiao Zhuo also wore a smile. The secrets and personal experiences Ying Mingkong shared about various forces in the Immortal Realm, ancient Secret Realm, peculiar races, and perilous forbidden lands greatly enriched his knowledge, made up for his lack of experience, and would be of immense help for his future travels in the Immortal-Demon Realm and even exploration of unknown territories.

"Listening to your words for a moment is better than cultivating for ten thousand years! Fellow Daoist Xiao's Dao is as vast as an abyss; this old man has been thoroughly enlightened!" Ying Mingkong exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, rising to bow solemnly.

The slight apprehension he felt due to the other party's unfathomable depth had completely transformed into admiration and gratitude.

Xiao Zhuo also rose, smiling, "Fellow Daoist Ying's 120,000 years of arduous cultivation, your rich experiences, and profound insights have also greatly broadened my horizons. This journey to seek the Dao has not been in vain."

With a thought, a long sword, about three feet in length, completely enveloped in a purplish-gold electric glow, appeared out of thin air on the stone table.

The sword body was ancient and simple, exuding majesty without a sharp edge. Inside, countless lightning runes seemed to be born and extinguished, emanating a terrifying aura of destruction and vast Heavenly Might.

The sword's clear hum subtly drew the surrounding lightning power in space to converge.

"A small token, hardly a proper gesture, just as thanks for Fellow Daoist's hospitality, and also..." Xiao Zhuo's gaze swept over the High-ranking members of Myriad Shadow Sect standing in the distance, whose auras had clearly improved, "...an apology for disturbing your Sect's peaceful cultivation."

"A High-grade Heavenly Tier Immortal Artifact sword?!" Ying Mingkong's pupils suddenly contracted, and he cried out in surprise.

As a Golden Immortal and Sect Master, he possessed not only Heavenly Tier Immortal Artifacts but even Saint-Grade treasures. Yet, this Heavenly Tier Immortal Artifact sword was still an excellent weapon for an ordinary Loose Cultivator Golden Immortal, quite extraordinary!

What's more, it was High Grade, and contained such pure and powerful Lightning Origin!

The preciousness of this sword was enough for it to serve as the foundational treasure of some smaller Sects!

The Profound Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and True Immortal behind him were breathing rapidly, their eyes filled with unbelievable fervor and shock.

This Senior's generosity was simply incredible!

Ying Mingkong took a deep breath, suppressing the surging waves in his heart, and regarded Xiao Zhuo even more highly.

He understood that this Immortal Artifact sword was not just a thank-you gift, but another silent display of the other party's strength, and a weighty act of goodwill.

His previous choice was incredibly correct!

Ying Mingkong solemnly held the Immortal Artifact sword with both hands, feeling the immense power and spirituality emanating from the sword body, and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist's generous gift, Ying Mingkong and all of Myriad Shadow Sect are deeply grateful! This kindness, Myriad Shadow Sect will never dare to forget!"

"Fellow Daoist exaggerates," Xiao Zhuo waved his hand and looked at Wang Xianzhi, "Shortened name, call Yu'er. It's time for us to go."

Wang Xianzhi respectfully assented and quickly descended the peak to retrieve his younger sister.

Although Wang Xianyu did not participate in the entire Dao discussion, after resting for a few days in the hermitage and being carefully attended to by the female Disciples of Myriad Shadow Sect, her complexion had improved further. Her large eyes looked curiously at the people on the peak.

"Fellow Daoist Ying, we shall meet again," Xiao Zhuo nodded slightly to Ying Mingkong.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, take care. Myriad Shadow Sect always welcomes Fellow Daoist to return and discuss the Dao!" Ying Mingkong, along with all the High-ranking members of Myriad Shadow Sect, bowed in unison to see them off.

Xiao Zhuo said no more, rolled his sleeve, and with Wang Xianzhi and his/her siblings, transformed into a streak of clear light, soaring into the sky and instantly disappearing into the horizon.

Ying Mingkong gazed in the direction where Xiao Zhuo disappeared, silent for a long time, tightly gripping the Purple Lightning Immortal Artifact sword in his hand, his knuckles slightly white.

His eyes gleamed with relief, shock, and an ineffable reverence.

Today's events, seemingly a peaceful discussion of the Dao and a gift, were in fact fraught with hidden currents.

Had he not been cautious enough, appearing promptly and lowering his stance, Myriad Shadow Sect might have faced the danger of collapse!

And the Heavenly Tier Immortal Artifact sword the other party left behind at the end, while a reward, was also a silent warning, wasn't it?

He looked down at the Immortal Artifact sword, feeling the vast power of lightning, and finally let out a long sigh: "Such a person... unfathomable. Pass down the order: the matter of Fellow Daoist Xiao is to be listed as the highest secret of the Sect. Ying Bohao... his house arrest is extended by another ten years; let him reflect properly!"

He turned and looked towards the depths of his Immortal Cave, his eyes complex.

He carefully put away the Immortal Artifact sword; the purple lightning glow disappeared into his wide sleeves, as if it had never appeared.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhuo and his/her siblings had already appeared tens of thousands of miles away, aboard their flying ship.

This time, Xiao Zhuo not only gained the cultivation details of an old monster from over 100,000 years but also experienced the changes in Ying Mingkong's cultivation mindset.

At the same time, he gained considerable understanding of various regions, races, and Secret Realm in the Immortal Realm.

And his next target for Dao discussion had also been determined.

The flying ship traveled westward, with surging clouds behind them and the scorching sun like fire in the sky.