Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 253: Chapter 141: Loose Immortal, Pure Yang

Granted, a cultivation prodigy with a genuine chance at reaching the Primordial Spirit realm could certainly resist the temptation of the Grotto Heaven method. They could stay true to themselves and steadfastly choose the Primordial Spirit Dao. But a Dao heart is not something forged overnight.

Perhaps there are natural-born prodigies in the world, born for the Dao, but most people must gradually understand their own nature and solidify their path through cultivation before they can forge a heart that seeks the Dao. This was also the direction in which the Tai Su Orthodox Sect nurtured all its disciples.

Regardless of aptitude, high or low, as long as one entered the Tai Su Sect, they were treated as equals—unless they chose otherwise. All disciples were nurtured with the goal of forming a Top-grade Golden Core. This was how the Tai Su Sect had produced Primordial Spirit True Men generation after generation and countless Top-grade Golden Cores, establishing a Dao lineage passed down through the ages.

Of course, for those disciples who had formed a Middle Grade Golden Core, reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, and had no further path forward, the Grotto Heaven method was undoubtedly a way out. If the sect could produce several more Grotto Heaven Masters, it would certainly be a boon to its overall strength.

Therefore, after pondering for a long time, Daochen Zhenren said, "You may give this method to the Book Immortal Taoist, but the sect must still deliberate on its use. For now, do not spread the Grotto Heaven method without authorization."

Xuzhuang nodded solemnly in agreement. Seeing this, Daochen Zhenren smiled. "In any case, the Grotto Heaven method is exceedingly precious," he said. "You’ve obtained this for the sect, so you must be rewarded."

Daochen Zhenren clearly already had a plan. With a graceful point of his finger, two Jade Talismans flew into Xuzhuang’s hands. "After you give the Grotto Heaven method to the Book Immortal Taoist," he said, "you can give this to him as well."

Xuzhuang took the Jade Talismans, and his heart stirred. "Could this be the Secret Dharma Seal?" he asked.

"Indeed," Daochen Zhenren said with a smile. "Aside from the reward for the Grotto Heaven method, all Nascent Soul true disciples are normally granted a Dharma Seal after establishing and presiding over a dojo for the sect for a hundred years. Although you, Junior Martial Brother, have been in charge of the True Form Temple for less than a century, your achievements have been truly outstanding. You deserve to be granted a Dharma Seal as well."

Xuzhuang carefully put away the Jade Talismans. He bowed with cupped hands. "Thank you, Sect Leader."

"I am merely acting impartially." Daochen Zhenren waved his hand. "Alright, Junior Martial Brother, you may withdraw if you have no other business. Also, since you’ve returned to the sect, it would be best to take up your post in the Three Halls as soon as possible."

Xuzhuang acknowledged his words. After rising, he bowed respectfully once more. Only after seeing Daochen Zhenren vanish from the hall did he turn and make his way outside.

Zhi Xing was waiting outside. Upon seeing Xuzhuang emerge, he hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Junior Martial Uncle Xu."

"Regarding the jade woman you brought back, Junior Martial Uncle, I have already made the arrangements. After her registration is completed today, another Daoist child will lead her to your residence."

The jade woman Zhi Xing spoke of was, of course, Xue Yuren. Although Xue Yuren was a woman of few words, she was deft and capable. Moreover, she possessed a long lifespan. During his decades at the True Form Temple, she had saved Xuzhuang the trouble of replacing his Daoist attendants.

Most importantly, Xuzhuang knew her origins and considered her trustworthy. Thus, when he was returning to the sect, he had asked if she was willing to follow him back to Profound Yellow.

As for Xue Yuren, although her cultivation was slow, she possessed a persevering heart for the Dao. Naturally, she was more than happy to accept such an opportunity.

Xuzhuang replied, "Thank you."

Zhi Xing bowed. "It is merely my duty."

Xuzhuang returned the bow with a single-handed salute, nodded to Zhi Xing, and departed without lingering. After leaving the Cloud Palace, he headed straight for Xiaotai Peak.

Xuzhuang was quite familiar with the way to both the Sect Leader’s Cloud Palace and Langhuan Tower. Today, Langhuan Tower had recovered its usual liveliness, with hardly an empty seat to be found.

The last time Xuzhuang had returned to the sect, Langhuan Tower had been deserted due to the first Sect Grand Competition. Now, with the competition being held once a decade, the third one had already concluded. ’I wonder if any new, talented disciples have emerged?’

Without dwelling on it, Xuzhuang ascended to the upper floors. The third floor was currently empty. However, not long after he entered, a voice suddenly sounded by his ear, "Hm? A Secret Dharma Seal?"

Xuzhuang looked toward the source of the voice. Sure enough, the Book Immortal Taoist’s cloud bed had appeared out of thin air. The Daoist himself was lying on his side upon it. "Come on up," he called out.

Xuzhuang flew up before the Book Immortal Taoist, bowed with cupped hands, and said, "Greetings, Senior Book Immortal."

The Book Immortal Taoist gave a lazy nod. "Are you here to choose a secret technique?" he asked.

"Yes," Xuzhuang replied. "But before that, I have a method I must give to you, Senior."

"Oh?" The Book Immortal Taoist’s interest was piqued. He propped himself up. "What method is it?"

Xuzhuang respectfully presented the jade slip. "This is the Grotto Heaven method," he said.

"Grotto Heaven?" The Book Immortal Taoist frowned. He took the jade slip, glanced at it, and fell into thought. After a good while, he said, "This is somewhat interesting, but it’s clearly still in a primitive stage. Following this method, it would be nearly impossible to survive the Three Calamities."

Xuzhuang wasn’t surprised that the Book Immortal Taoist’s sharp eye could spot the fatal flaw in the Grotto Heaven method. Hearing his assessment, however, stirred a thought in Xuzhuang’s mind. "This method was obtained in the Celestial Waterfall Realm," he said. "It was passed down by a founder who called himself an Earth Immortal. Does Senior have any insight into this?"

"Earth Immortal?" The Book Immortal Taoist shook his head. "You mean something like a Pot Immortal or a Painting Immortal?"

Xuzhuang was taken aback, not having considered that angle. However, the Book Immortal Taoist then shook his head at his own suggestion. "It’s probably just a type of Loose Immortal," he said.

"Loose Immortal?" The Book Immortal Taoist was as knowledgeable as expected. His words immediately piqued Xuzhuang’s interest. "What is a Loose Immortal?" he asked.

The Book Immortal Taoist explained, "Loose Immortals are those who seek Immortal Merits but fail to attain them, so they just call themselves immortals. Their cultivation is roughly comparable to the Pure Yang Realm."

Xuzhuang asked, puzzled, "If that’s the case, what is the difference between a Loose Immortal and a Pure Yang True Monarch?"

The Book Immortal Taoist chuckled. "Those from an orthodox Taoist School with the potential to attain Immortal Merits are Pure Yang. Those from unorthodox, side-door paths with no hope of attaining Immortal Merits are Loose Immortals."

Xuzhuang’s heart trembled slightly. "In other words," he asked, "no method other than the Primordial Spirit Dao can allow one to attain the status of a Celestial Immortal!"

"Correct," the Book Immortal Taoist said leisurely.

Xuzhuang pondered for a moment. "May I ask, Senior, are there any others besides these who bear the title of ’Immortal’?"

"Hm?" The Book Immortal Taoist sounded perplexed. "Where did you hear about others with the title of ’Immortal’?"

Xuzhuang thought for a moment before replying, "I once heard Master Yuanhua mention a place called the ’Five Directions and Five Elements, Immortal Venerable Dojo.’ It made me very curious. Could it be a Celestial Immortal Dao Lineage?"

This matter had occurred a long time ago. It traced back to the time after Xuzhuang and Sun Suzhen opened the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven. Something had been revealed during a conversation between Master Yuanhua and Master Xuanhu of the Yinji Sect: the founder of the Dharma Origin Sect had come from the "Five Directions and Five Elements, Immortal Venerable Dojo."

In fact, if not for his deepening cultivation of the *Five Elements Origin Fusion Art*, Xuzhuang would not have even recalled this matter. It was only when he unexpectedly discovered that the water-element aspect of his art and the *Myriad Rivers Return to the Source Upper Law* seemed to be different branches from the same root that the memory resurfaced.

Although the *Myriad Rivers Return to the Source Upper Law* was of a higher grade than the *Five Elements Origin Fusion Art*, Xuzhuang had long suspected that his own art originated from an even more profound Five Elements Dao Technique. Because of this, he was beginning to feel that Zhou Jun’s "accidental" arrival at the Tai Su Orthodox Sect was not so coincidental after all.

The Book Immortal Taoist shook his head. "It is not a Celestial Immortal Dao Lineage."

The answer did not surprise Xuzhuang, who simply listened intently.

The Book Immortal Taoist said, "In truth, speaking at length about such Great Divine Power Practitioners is of no benefit to your cultivation. But since you’ve asked, there is no harm in my telling you."

"A Pure Yang True Monarch is, in theory, an eternal existence. Their Magical Power and Divine Techniques can grow without limit. Even if they cannot advance further, as the eons of their cultivation pass, their power will only grow stronger. Playing with a Star River or manipulating the cosmos becomes a simple matter for them."

"Over time, there will naturally be some Pure Yang True Monarchs who have weathered innumerable calamities and tribulations. Having existed for an unknowable number of ages, their Divine Techniques and Magical Power will have grown to an unimaginable degree."

"These ancient beings of boundless Magical Power, although they have not cultivated into Celestial Immortals, consider themselves no less than them. They, too, call themselves ’Immortals,’ but they are on a level that Loose Immortals could never hope to compare with."

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