Chapter Thirteen: The Human Sect of Daoism

Five months later, under the influence of a purposeful force, this story quickly spread eastward to the other vassal states. As for the effects, Zhou Qing, deep within the heart of the Bajun Mountains, was naturally well aware.

In just five short months, his cultivation count had broken through the million mark. At the same time, his innate level of Perfection had been greatly solidified, though he was in no rush to advance into the realm of Transcendent Spirit.

Although Taoist cultivation emphasizes opportunities, breaking through great realms consecutively is somewhat improper. During his leisure time, Zhou Qing preferred to study the classics left behind by other sages in the Scripture Pavilion.

Under the Gate of All Mysteries, all wonders manifested clearly in Zhou Qing’s mind. Whether it was the Yin-Yang School or the Human Sect, their most fundamental legacies were the same—the various practices they cultivated all originated from the Dao Sutra.

However, each followed a different path, emphasizing different aspects. The Yin-Yang School sought the power of the Infinite, supplemented by ancient secret scrolls from other sources, forming their own system.

Sitting quietly in meditation before a small waterfall on the rear mountain of the Celestial Sect, Zhou Qing slowly waved his hands, manipulating the primordial energy of heaven and earth. Immediately, streams of water appeared around him, flowing with yin and yang in graceful undulation, their lingering resonance unceasing.

Driven by Taoist mental methods, he shifted through various forms, power contained within. With a snap of his fingers, the pool beneath the waterfall erupted with soaring splashes. Then, with a wave of his hand, an endless chill burst forth, instantly freezing the entire pool.

The cold air rose in accord, freezing the waterfall’s flow, dozens of meters high, imprisoning this natural marvel. Then, the water’s rhythm twisted and turned, a thin, gentle warmth circulating, and in an instant, the frozen waterfall returned to its original state.

“The realm of Perfection allows internal energy to break through the body and manifest as various attacks. The Transcendent Spirit realm, however, is a deeper level—focusing more on artistic conception, on imbuing the mysteries of heaven and earth within.”

To transcend into the Transcendent Spirit state means to merge the divine with heaven and earth, to comprehend the universe’s profound secrets. Being a Transcendent Spirit means making the force of attack lively and spirited, wielding it at will, commanding all rivers to return to their source. No matter the disturbance, a single power suppresses all.

Rising from a large rock before the waterfall pool, Zhou Qing murmured softly. With the strength he had accumulated, he could step into the Transcendent Spirit realm at any moment. Yet, despite his senior brother’s extensive teachings, it was only upon true reflection that he understood its difficulty—there seemed to be a faint barrier just before reaching that stage.

Under the blessing of the Gate of All Mysteries, many cultivation methods from the Dao Sutra were extraordinarily clear. Yet clarity was one thing; the true hardships revealed themselves only in practice.

“Junior brother, your progress astonishes me.”

Not long after, as Zhou Qing continued pondering the path of Transcendent Spirit atop the rock, a faint energy fluctuation suddenly appeared in the distant void. Sensing this, Zhou Qing met it with a palm strike, stirring the primordial energy of heaven and earth, condensing an unparalleled palm imprint.

Buzzing reverberations stirred the void lightly. Towering ancient trees swayed, their branches and leaves rustled, and withered yellow leaves fell. Two formidable energies clashed, creating a great commotion.

Taking a step forward, Zhou Qing rose with the wind as if riding it, manipulating the nearby waterfall’s water. A faint azure glow enveloped him, coldness manifesting as ice arrows, thousands shooting forth to meet his senior brother.

“Transform!”

With a soft word, the void within a hundred-meter radius trembled. Zhou Qing’s volley of arrows dispersed, then a mighty pressure surged, pressing down on him, forcing him to retreat in a single breath.

“Calm in the face of battle, you can be as gentle as light. The water’s rhythm flows softly, containing the myriad rivers of autumn waters. With a single thought, transformation occurs; yin and yang intertwine. Reaching this realm, junior brother, you are but one step away from Transcendent Spirit.”

“This step has trapped all warriors above the ninth tier in the Greater Xia. I told you before that Taoist cultivation emphasizes merging divinity with heaven and earth, comprehending the universe’s mysteries.”

“I spent ten years in quiet cultivation beneath a small tree before the bamboo hut, breaking into Transcendent Spirit. You should try the same—quietly meditate on the natural world. When you truly feel your spiritual awareness roaming between heaven and earth, then you can break through.”

The visitor was naturally Chisongzi, still clad in a pale blue and white Taoist robe, with a purple-gold lotus crown binding his hair, stepping forward with ease. In a breath, tens of meters were left behind as if teleporting.

Arriving before Zhou Qing, Chisongzi was quite satisfied with the young disciple’s earlier display of strength. Such a level was something he himself had only reached around the age of twenty, yet Zhou Qing had done so at six.

“Thank you for your guidance, senior brother.”

Gliding down with the wind, Zhou Qing landed on the giant rock at the waterfall pool. Facing his senior brother’s gaze, he cupped his hands in salute, bowing his small frame. Yet his senior brother did not come to the rear mountain without reason.

“Junior brother, in fifteen days, the Celestial Sect of Taoism will hold a sword discussion at the Miao Terrace on Mount Taiyi with the Human Sect. Would you like to accompany me?”

Nodding to Zhou Qing, the purpose of this visit was to bring his junior brother to the Miao Terrace on Mount Taiyi for the once-every-five-years sword discussion, where the right to govern would be decided, currently belonging to Xue Ji.

With Zhou Qing’s talent, it was expected that within a few years he could roam freely throughout Greater Xia. Although Taoism was divided between the Human Sect and the Celestial Sect, both belonged to Taoism. Meeting some from the Human Sect would certainly be beneficial.

“Of course. Who is the current head of the Human Sect?”

Zhou Qing did not hesitate to accept his senior brother’s invitation. A flicker of curiosity passed through his eyes. He had only heard rumors of the Taoist Human Sect and now would finally meet them.

“The current head is Mushanzi, whose cultivation is the same as mine, both at the Transcendent Spirit level. It’s unlikely he will break through in this lifetime, but a few of his disciples are quite capable.”

“This time you can meet them personally. Who knows? You might encounter them again in the future!”

Chisongzi nodded to Zhou Qing, then turned his body slightly and walked back the way he came. Zhou Qing stepped forward, the breeze stirring as he followed closely. As the Human Sect leader, Chisongzi’s Transcendent Spirit cultivation was assured.

Yet even within the same realm, there are strengths and weaknesses. According to Zhou Qing’s understanding of this illusory world, it seemed that for the next twenty years, the Human Sect would gain little advantage.

Moreover, being too closely tied to the myriad schools of thought and advocating engagement with the world, their entanglement with the mundane world was deep. Thus, in the coming catastrophe, the Taoist Human Sect would be unable to avoid calamity.

“Within the sect, although several of my disciples have decent talent, none can surpass me of old. Fortunately, now that you have appeared, when I return to dust, the Celestial Sect will naturally be entrusted to you, junior brother, so as not to let those useless disciples diminish our prestige!”