A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 221 165: Unfettered and Unfeeling

Ninghai Zen's gaze was indifferent, and his robe fluttered in the river breeze:

"I am the Sect Leader of Tongwen Hall. All disciples can be expelled."

The elder stationed on the isolated boat looked up and smiled:

"Hai Chan, do you still hold a grudge against me?"

He glanced toward the figure in green atop Yanzi Cliff, just standing there seemed to stir ten directions of tempests, radiating a dazzling brilliance that almost overshadowed the bright moon and river.

Having trained such a disciple in this life is already without regret.

"I never resented Master, for imparting me all your skills and martial arts, allowing me to glimpse the vast world of Martial Dao. This is a great favor.

I only regret why the person who once declared the three rules of Tongwen Hall so emphatically, ultimately violated his own words.

Devoting body and soul to the path of cultivation, unwavering day and night, life and death unconsidered, to reach the peak of the world!

Master, after the Fourth Cultivation Barrier, there is still a path ahead, why did you stop here?"

Ninghai Zen's tone revealed a slight disturbance.

"In this world, tangled in worldly affairs, how can one be without any entanglements.

I said long ago, Hai Chan, the path you walk, unbound and free, is truly a path of heartlessness and lack of justice."

The elder alone held the isolated boat steady, heedless of the surging waves, completely unmoved.

"You want to sever all within the heart, cut off all ties, leaving no room for anything else.

No kin, no cause, no friends, no past, a solitary existence.

Others cannot learn it, nor achieve it."

Ninghai Zen did not comment, somewhat nostalgic for the small Martial Arts Hall outside Yihai Prefecture, where the Master in rough garb taught him how to stand and cultivate Qi and Blood, grasp the stances.

The martial artists in the city were very particular, with heavy rules, outsiders seeking to establish a name found it difficult.

Tongwen Hall wasn't exactly a powerful entity with boundless fame, truly tracing back unless five generations ago, it might link to the so-called Upper Sect.

"Both from the same sect, Master and disciple ultimately going separate ways... You look down on Master, thinking they've lowered their head.

Yet, Black River County is one corner, Yihai Prefecture another, Celestial Water Prefecture yet another, how can life under the heavens not bow?"

The elder with broad shoulders and thick back, a beard like grass, extremely tall, stood up like a majestic mountain against the sky.

"The Seventeenth Lineage in the County City, most serve Prefecture City's nobles, earning silver. You wiped out half in one go, causing immense trouble. Two or three Dao Skill Fourth Realm couldn't stop you, but what if several Ghost Immortals who broke the life and death barrier joined?

As you said, after the Fourth Cultivation Barrier, there's still Divine Techniques. Everything advancing without retreating, afraid you'll die halfway."

Ninghai Zen remained unmoved, speaking softly:

"A single trouble can unravel countless causes and effects, if before killing, I must think clearly, might as well become a monk.

There's always someone above, beyond the skies there are always more heavens. Considering so much, I might as well stay in that small Martial Arts Hall for life, never achieving the Yihai Hidden Dragon plaque for Master."

The elder smiled with gratification, having seen countless Martial Artists and powerful nobles throughout life, only Ninghai Zen could say such words.

"Handing Tongwen Hall over to you, I do not regret, this inheritance in my hands might have been buried."

Ninghai Zen raised his head:

"The hall passed down from Master, I can take it up, so too can my disciple."

The elder raised his voice:

"What kind of young hero to receive such praise from you?"

Ninghai Zen viewed the distant Nu Yun River, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted:

"Someday, when he enters Yihai Prefecture, Master you will see him. I plan to lead him into the Ancestor Hall."

The elder's complexion slightly changed, then he rejoiced:

"I once thought, under the heavens there was Ninghai Zen alone, no second one.

Didn't expect, under your hand, Tongwen Hall still has successors."

Ninghai Zen shook his head:

"Not necessarily needing to follow my path, Ah Qi can walk his own way, once entering the Ancestor Hall, it will become clear."

The elder spoke no more, instead saying:

"The fallout from the disaster ten years ago, you've sought traces, finally some clues emerged. Meridian Sword Sect Daoist Kou Qiuyue, rumor has it, he was enamored by the Fallen Immortal, seeking to verify above Divine Techniques, resulting in sinking beneath the Turbid Tide.

Kou Qiuyue once secluded in Bijing Hall of Water Monarch Palace for three years, the matter quite strange, already advancing through the Fourth Qi Cultivation Barrier, simultaneously practicing the Five Veins Sword Scripture, yet inexplicably missed the Simurgh Platform battle, originally an opportunity for Meridian Sword Sect to gain fame worldwide."

Ninghai Zen furrowed his brow:

"He has bigger plots than winning Simurgh Platform?"

The elder laughed:

"Three thousand years ago, the Fallen Immortal fell from outside the domain to Red County Divine Land, causing the deterioration of Tao.

All verifiable historical records and rare copies state the Fallen Immortal's weapon was a sword.

Thereafter, Five Emperors emerged, subduing the source of the Turbid Tide, severing the Fallen Immortal's carcass, refining it into Six Profound Mysterious Divine Soldiers, controlling myriad spiritual energies.

Dragon Court, Five clans, Eight Pillars of the Realm, including Upper Sect Daoist Sect, who wouldn't covet the possibly still existing Immortal Sword above Divine Soldiers?"

Ninghai Zen understood:

"Meridian Sword Sect sacrificed a Daoist to seize it, truly daring."

The elder's expression was calm:

"If the Seventh Profound Mysterious Divine Soldier lies within Nu Yun River, right by your bedside, wouldn't you be tempted? Holding it means sweeping across the land, dominating a region."

Ninghai Zen replied:

"Kou Qiuyue had the highest grade from Root Bone Record: 'Unrivaled Swordsmaster', 'Bright Sword Heart', 'Pure Sword Sight', yet sat by Nu Yun River for three years without the Immortal Sword recognizing him. In terms of talent, he ranks first in Red County Divine Land."

The elder smiled:

"After the Fourth Cultivation Barrier, forging the bridge between heaven and earth, advancing to the Divine Power Secret Realm called 'Nine Turns Metamorphosis'. Extracting essential transformations from myriad true skills to forge an Immortals, Buddhas, Gods, and Demons Body."

From Taoist Sect's ancient texts, I saw a rumor, Taichu Dao Chronicles, Taoist soldiers led by Twelve Immortal Heads capable of nineteen Metamorphoses.

Speaking of it, Hai Chan, your talent isn't much less than Kou Qiuyue's, loitering at Nu Yun River for years, yet haven't gained favor?"

Ninghai Zen's eyes flashed, he said:

"In the present, there is likely no Seventh Profound Mysterious Divine Soldier. Otherwise, with Dragon Court's ways, it must be firmly held, a single command from the Supreme Emperor, mobilizing thousands of laborers to dig dry rivers, cut off water veins, wouldn't be hard."

The elder casually replied:

"Perhaps so, the world holds too many false rumors chasing shadows. Fallen Immortal's secret stash, Turbid Tide source, Four Saints blessings, Seventh Divine Soldier... Which is truly real?

Yet, still numerous people tirelessly pursue with life's devotion."

Ninghai Zen lowered his eyelids, hiding the shadowed expression, unable to confirm whether at seven years old, first swimming in Nu Yun River was real or illusion.

"Ah Qi indeed is fond of water, someday let him swim Nu Yun River, maybe, he'll find the Seventh Divine Soldier that Meridian Sword Sect sought for sixty years but never yielded."

The elder sighed:

"My reason for seeking you today involves another matter. My rebellious son might go to Black River County to trouble you, control your temper."

Ninghai Zen calmly raised three fingers:

"For the sake of Master, he can walk the Ghost Gate Barrier thrice."

...

...

"This jade token... What is this?"

Bai Qi wiped dry the water droplets from his face, never before seeing such dazzling radiance.

"Could it be, I'm more like the storybook protagonist than Master, finding treasure!"

He took out the palm-sized jade token soaked in the basin, used as an ancient method of imparting Cultivation Techniques before Tao fell, made from jade containing spirit and preserving mental will.

It's said one need only press it against the forehead, in a state of mental clarity, to comprehend the secret teachings within.

Bai Qi restrained his urge, choosing caution, the thing remained with the Alien Evil Monarch so long without yielding much benefit, otherwise it wouldn't end up with him.

"Wait for Master to return, in case of any mishaps, there'll be a chance to remedy."