Chapter 311: The Dao
Chapter 311: The Dao
Having learned a new fireball technique, Mo Hua turned his attention to the intricacies of arrays.
After a few days of diligent practice, during which he gained proficiency over the Reverse Spirit Array, Mo Hua sought out Master Zhuang once more. After a moment of contemplation, Master Zhuang unexpectedly asked, "Hua'er, cultivators seek the Dao, but do you know what the Dao truly is?"
Mo Hua pondered for a moment before replying, "Is it longevity?"
"Longevity is the outcome, but not the Dao itself," Master Zhuang explained.
"Isn't achieving longevity the same as attaining the Dao?" Mo Hua inquired.
Master Zhuang looked at him intently and said, "Cultivators attain longevity by embracing the Great Dao and practicing the Dao's principles. Only then can they achieve true longevity."
"To desire longevity without comprehending the Dao and practicing its principles is to chase after branches and neglect the root. Such a path will inevitably lead astray," he added.
Mo Hua nodded, only partially understanding, but committed Master Zhuang's words to memory.
"What about the Five Phases?" Mo Hua asked after a moment's thought. "Do they represent the Dao?"
"Indeed, they do," Master Zhuang affirmed.
"If the Five Phases are part of the Dao..." Mo Hua trailed off, his thoughts racing, "then does that include the Two Instruments, Three Talents, Four Symbols, and Seven Stars as well? Or perhaps the ways of spiritual sense, physical body, and spiritual energy manipulation—are they all manifestations of the Dao?"
Mo Hua's uncertainty was evident.
Master Zhuang nodded.
Mo Hua paused, surprised, "In that case, isn't the Great Dao overly complex..."
"The Great Dao encompasses all things," Master Zhuang replied. "Everything in this world, from a blade of grass to a towering tree, from a delicate flower to a mighty river, conforms to the Dao."
Noticing Mo Hua's confusion, Master Zhuang elaborated, "In ancient times, cultivators observed the heavens above and the earth below, contemplating the myriad forms of existence. Through this, they gained insight into the laws governing the forces of nature, and from this understanding, they created cultivation techniques, magical arts, and all manner of methods for pursuing immortality, including arrays, pills, and talismans."
"Everything in this world follows the Dao," he continued, "and the strength of a cultivator stems from their alignment with the Dao."
Mo Hua pondered this deeply and asked, "If everything in this world follows the Dao, what of those who defy it? Are they considered followers or defiers of the Dao?"
"To defy the Dao is, in itself, to follow the Dao," Master Zhuang explained. "The Great Dao encompasses both creation and destruction. Those who follow the Dao align themselves with its creative aspect, while those who defy it are subject to its destructive aspect."
Mo Hua's eyes widened as he grasped this concept.
The Dao is divided into the Two Instruments, which are distinct yet interconnected.
Yin and Yang give birth to each other, and their interplay gives rise to all things. Light and darkness, good and evil, exist in a constant balance.
All things are part of the Dao, and human actions are no exception. Some paths lead to eternal life, while others lead only to self-destruction.
Mo Hua reflected on this for a moment before voicing another question, "If everything in this world follows the Dao, and everything we see and hear is the Dao, then what is it that cultivators seek when they pursue the Dao?"
"The Great Dao contains all things," Master Zhuang replied, "but this also means it contains chaos and confusion, righteousness and evil, truth and falsehood, appearances and true forms. We, as humans, perceive the world through our senses, but the information we receive is often muddled, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood. Over time, we can become mired in delusion and superficiality, unable to perceive the true nature of the Dao."
Mo Hua's eyes gleamed with understanding, and he said, "So, it's like observing an illusion painting. We must see beyond the surface to perceive the underlying truth?"
Master Zhuang's eyes softened with approval, and he gave a slight nod.
Mo Hua's curiosity persisted, and he asked, "Then what is the true nature of the Dao?"
"That is for you to discover," Master Zhuang replied. "Until one achieves immortality, their understanding of the Dao is inherently flawed. Some paths may even be flawed or entirely misguided."
Master Zhuang smiled and added, "I, too, have not achieved immortality, so my understanding is also imperfect. My perception of the Dao's true nature may simply be a deeper layer of illusion, not the ultimate truth."
"I understand, Master," Mo Hua nodded. "Only the insights I gain through my own experiences can truly be mine. No amount of instruction from others, no matter how correct, can replace the understanding that comes from personal enlightenment."
A smile graced Mo Hua's face, but it soon faded into uncertainty as he asked, "Master, I'm still at the Qi Refining stage. Is it too early for me to be pondering the Heavenly Dao?"
Master Zhuang shook his head, his voice gentle and reassuring, "Cultivation begins with Qi Refining, and enlightenment begins with small steps. It is a gradual process, from low to high, from weak to strong, and from shallow to deep. Only then can one forge a Dao Heart and truly comprehend the Grand Dao."
"It's like observing the world from a lofty perch," he continued, "where one's high position can obscure their vision, allowing them to see only themselves. Only by starting from the very bottom, by witnessing the struggles and hardships of fellow cultivators, can one perceive the most fundamental aspects of this world."
Mo Hua nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Master Zhuang's words.
However, being young and inexperienced, he had only a vague understanding of Master Zhuang's meaning. Though he had a rough idea, he had not yet ventured beyond the walls of Tongxian City into the broader cultivation world, and thus his comprehension lacked depth.
Master Zhuang heaved a soft sigh, "These principles... I hadn't intended to impart them to you at this time. It is still too early for you to fully grasp them..."
But if I don't tell him now, I may not have another opportunity in the future...
Mo Hua started at Master Zhuang's words, understanding their implication. He nodded solemnly and replied, "Master, I will remember every word."
A slight smile appeared on Master Zhuang's face, and he continued, "Now that you understand this principle, I can teach you how to use the Reverse Spirit Array."
Mo Hua's eyebrows furrowed in surprise, "Does the Reverse Spirit Array have something to do with what we've been discussing?"
"Cultivators seek the Heavenly Dao through both their Dao Heart and their cultivation," explained Master Zhuang, "To strive for the Grand Dao, one must cultivate both their Dao Heart and their strength; neither can be neglected."
"What I spoke of earlier pertains to the Dao Heart, and what I will teach you now relates to cultivation, array formations, and perhaps, the fundamental nature of spiritual power as it pertains to the Heavenly Dao."
As Master Zhuang spoke, his tone softened, and his gaze grew distant.
Mo Hua's eyes sharpened, and he sat up straight, listening intently.
Master Zhuang exhaled softly and continued, "The origin of the heavens and earth is Qi. In the beginning, there was chaos, and from this primordial Qi, all things in the universe were born."
"This primordial Qi is known as 'Hongmeng Qi,' chaotic and immensely powerful. After countless years, the chaos cleared, giving rise to the vital Qi of all things."
"Amongst this Qi, the purest and most concentrated form that cultivators can refine and utilize is known as 'Ling Qi.' Ling Qi contains the power of the Heavenly Dao, a force known as 'Ling Li.'"
"All the myriad cultivation techniques and magical arts in this world, despite their differences—be it the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, or ice—are, at their core, manifestations of Ling Li."
"Whether it's the spells of a spiritual cultivator or the blood energy and physical might of a body cultivator, though they may appear vastly different, they are all forms of Ling Li in essence."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up as the pieces fell into place, "So, the power of the five elements, as well as spells, blood energy, and physical might, are all superficial manifestations, and Ling Li is the true source of their power?"
Master Zhuang nodded, "Indeed, all magical arts, be they spells or martial skills, are formed from Ling Li."
"Does the same apply to array formations?" asked Mo Hua.
"Yes, array formations are also a manifestation of Ling Li," Master Zhuang confirmed.
Mo Hua pondered this for a moment before understanding dawned on him.
Array formations required spiritual power to be supplied by an array core, which then flowed through the intricate array patterns, ultimately producing the distinct powers of the five elements.
"Then, how is the Reverse Spirit Array different?" Mo Hua inquired.
Master Zhuang paused before answering, "Ordinary array formations are created by the convergence and transformation of Ling Li, resulting in the power of the five elements. However, the Reverse Spirit Array causes Ling Li to revert and decompose, generating a purer form of power that is closer to the origin of the Grand Dao—the power of destruction."
"The Grand Dao is a cycle of creation and destruction. When it gathers, it creates, and when it unravels, it destroys!"
"The Reverse Spirit Array embodies the power of destruction inherent in the Grand Dao! It doesn't unravel the array formation itself but targets the very essence of Ling Li within the array!"
(End of Chapter)
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