Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 141: Chapter 88: Not My Wish

Chen Zongzheng said in surprise, "Junior Brother, aren’t you currently seeking to enter the Innate Tai Su Realm to cultivate?"

Xuzhuang shot to his feet and laughed heartily. "Accepting your kind offer against my conscience would certainly be the most beneficial choice for me, but it is not what I desire."

What did it mean to perceive one’s true nature? It was not about good or evil, nor right or wrong. It was simply about pointing directly to one’s own heart.

Many people understand this principle, so why can’t so many of them truly live by it? For no other reason than that they are trapped within the mountain itself.

The "correct" paths had been laid out before Xuzhuang, one after another, yet he found himself hesitating.

’Why is it so difficult for me to make a choice?’

’Am I afraid of the karmic entanglement, of being unable to repay the debt in the future? No!’

’Am I afraid of my heart being fettered, having already severed all sentiment and passion? No!’

’Am I so vengeful that I’m unwilling to let bygones be bygones with the Chen Family? No!’

’Do I feel I’m unworthy of this gift because my grievance with the Chen Family was never that great to begin with? No!’

It was all simply because it was not what I desire. It did not follow my heart.

That’s right. No matter the benefit or karmic ties, nothing was more important than his own will.

"I will take only this measure of sand from the censer, and we shall consider the matter settled. I will take my leave now." With that, he flicked his sleeve, collecting the sand, gave a brief salute, and strode out.

"Not what he desires?" Chen Zongzheng stood there, stunned. But that no longer had anything to do with Xuzhuang.

After leaving the inner chamber, Xuzhuang looked up at the vast, azure sky, a feeling of immense relief and openness welling up within him.

With his mind made up, his previous anxieties vanished completely. Xuzhuang leaped, transforming into a streak of rainbow light that shot into the clouds. He identified his direction and sped off. Before long, a peak as steep and sharp as a sword’s edge came into view.

’This must be Senior Sister Bu’s immortal abode.’ Xuzhuang halted his flight and stood upon a cloud. Without further hesitation, he flicked his fingers, sending a Talisman Book fluttering down toward the cliff face, where it vanished into a protective array.

Xuzhuang waited for a moment before the array parted, revealing an open gate on the cliff face. A flash of sword-light shot into the sky, arriving before him in an instant and revealing the graceful figure of the Sword Step Master.

"Senior Sister." Xuzhuang offered a small salute.

The Sword Step Master twirled a lock of hair from her temple around a fingertip. She nodded and said coolly, "Have you made your decision, Junior Brother?"

Xuzhuang said, "I have. After much consideration, I have decided to decline your kind offer. I hope you can forgive me, Senior Sister."

Perhaps his answer was not what she had expected. The Sword Step Master’s fingers tightened, pulling the lock of hair taut. After a long pause, she asked, "Why?"

Xuzhuang replied, "Because it is not what I desire."

The Sword Step Master asked, puzzled, "Is it because my appearance is ugly?"

"...Ahem." Xuzhuang had never expected her to ask such a thing and nearly choked. He quickly replied, "Senior Sister, your beauty is of the highest order. Please, do not misunderstand."

The Sword Step Master asked again, "Have you severed your emotions and passions, Junior Brother?"

"That is not it," Xuzhuang sighed. "It is simply that such an arrangement would be too pragmatic. It is not what I desire."

The Sword Step Master finally frowned. "And making a deal with one of the great families isn’t pragmatic?"

Xuzhuang said, "Dealing with the great families is also not what I desire. After today, I will put out word that I am rejecting all of their invitations."

The Sword Step Master’s eyes widened slightly. "Do you no longer wish to enter the Innate Tai Su Realm to cultivate, Junior Brother?"

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. "I will simply focus on my cultivation. If I succeed, I succeed. If I fail, I will accept it. The Innate Tai Su Realm is wonderful, but it is not so wonderful that I would betray my own heart to reach it. If I did that, what would be the point of cultivation at all?"

Her heart jolted.

Seeing that the Sword Step Master had fallen silent, Xuzhuang said no more. He gave a final salute, bid his farewell, and then streaked away through the sky.

She was left standing alone in the wind, her thoughts a mystery.

PS (This bit is free to read, since some readers skip the author’s notes): I’ve been on an IV drip for two days, and my brain is still a bit foggy. I feel like this Chapter is a bit of a mess, but I really didn’t want to delay any longer. I might revise some of the phrasing later, but the content will stay the same. Please forgive me, everyone.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!