Volume One: The Turmoil of Yan and Yun Chapter Forty-One: Heading South (III)

After Murong Chengzhang and his companions had departed, Feng Qi approached Master Guan Shi Qizheng and asked, “Sir, you have waited here especially—what guidance do you wish to offer?”

Guan Shi Qizheng replied, “Since the compilation of the Dao Canon, its included scriptures have undergone numerous revisions. The current Dao Canon is quite different from its original version, yet its core volumes remain unchanged, especially the final ten scrolls—not a single word has been altered. It is said you had already read through the Dao Canon before the age of sixteen. With talent such as yours, how could I presume to instruct you?”

Feng Qi asked, “Then why have you waited here, sir?”

Guan Shi Qizheng responded, “I have come to discuss the Dao.”

Feng Qi said, “Though the Palace of Ji is closed, it is not destroyed. If you wish to discuss the Dao, the Palace hardly lacks worthy scholars.”

Though little news ever emerged from the Palace of Ji, it was not like the Chan Sect—people still had some understanding of its current state.

As for the great scholars, there were many in the Palace; even narrowing it to those closest to the Heavenly Dao, there were three or five. If the purpose were merely to discuss the Dao, traveling such a great distance north would make little sense.

“The Dao I wish to discuss has nothing to do with the Palace of Ji,” Guan Shi Qizheng said. “Since I came here for the heir, naturally the Dao to be discussed is yours.”

Feng Qi found Guan Shi Qizheng’s words intriguing. “How do you wish to discuss it, sir? Surely you haven’t come merely to teach me how to become a proper heir?”

Guan Shi Qizheng said, “How to become a proper heir is for the King of Yanbei to teach you. What I wish to discuss is the great Dao you seek in your heart.”

Feng Qi raised his brows. “It seems you know I have joined the Snowcloud Sect?”

Guan Shi Qizheng replied, “Some time ago, I managed to glimpse the rankings of the Lingyun List, and to my surprise, found your name among them.”

Lingyun corresponds to the Unrestrained, the Worldly corresponds to the Mortal.

Feng Qi asked, “Has the Free Pavilion published the list so soon?”

Guan Shi Qizheng responded, “It is only the preliminary list—not yet time for public announcement. Are you not curious as to where you have been ranked?”

Feng Qi said, “I won’t fall out of the top three.”

His battle with the Wind God Guard, regardless of its process, ended in victory for him. That alone gave him an advantage over anyone on the Lingyun List.

If the rankings of the Unrestrained List could be influenced by various factors, then the Lingyun List was much fairer.

It judged only combat strength. There might be those who matched Feng Qi in power at his level, but none possessed such impressive achievements.

Strength without achievement was but empty boasting.

Hence, Feng Qi would not drop out of the top three, no matter what.

Guan Shi Qizheng revealed his first smile. “You are correct. You are ranked third on the Lingyun List, just behind Daozi Ming Tai of Liyuan and Sword Child Zhou Zihan of Qianren Peak.”

Feng Qi asked, “And how does this relate to my Dao?”

Guan Shi Qizheng replied, “It is closely related. Before the age of sixteen, you not only read through the Dao Canon, but also cultivated immense strength. As I understand it, your attainments in Buddhist teachings, sword arts, and spear techniques all surpass your peers. To me, this is beyond mere talent.”

Feng Qi was slightly surprised. “If not talent, then what?”

Guan Shi Qizheng said, “Until now, I could not imagine. Today, seeing you, I have some conjectures.”

Feng Qi responded, “Since it is only conjecture, there is no need to say it.”

Guan Shi Qizheng said, “Just as well, but you have yet to answer my question.”

The green tallow trees lining the road swayed gently, their leaves whispering.

Feng Qi remained silent for a moment, then said, “I am indeed curious about the Heavenly Dao, that is true—but what I am most curious about is the starry sky.”

Guan Shi Qizheng replied calmly, “The starry sky is always above us.”

Feng Qi said, “No, what we see when we look up is merely the sky, not the starry sky.”

Guan Shi Qizheng considered this. “Above the sky is the realm of immortals; below ten thousand fathoms is the firmament, and within the firmament is the starry sky. This has been an unchanging truth since ancient times.”

Feng Qi responded, “The ninth chapter of the Hundred Herbs Abyss does state this as an eternal truth, but it may not be truth at all.”

Guan Shi Qizheng’s eyes narrowed. “You believe the Hundred Herbs Abyss is mistaken?”

Feng Qi said, “Above the sky lies the immortal realm. Many have ascended throughout the continent’s history, but none have ever returned.”

Guan Shi Qizheng understood Feng Qi’s point. “So you feel that, since no one has ever reached that place and returned, we cannot assert that the starry sky lies within the firmament?”

Feng Qi replied, “What is seen is not necessarily real. The starry sky may not be beneath the sky at all.”

Guan Shi Qizheng pondered this. “So your goal is to ascend as an immortal?”

Feng Qi said, “Having embarked upon this path, how could I not aspire to ascend?”

Guan Shi Qizheng fell silent for a moment, then asked, “What do you believe is the true meaning of cultivating the Dao?”

The answer to this question was vast. Du Gu Feiyun believed it was to protect all living beings; Li Jingxing believed it was to grow stronger; Wei Sanmu believed it was to seek survival… In the ten thousand years of the Dao Abyss continent, the stars in the sky and sand beneath the sea could not outnumber those who had answered this question, yet none had ever provided a definitive answer.

Feng Qi, too, did not believe he could offer a definite answer.

But he could share the answer in his own heart.

“The meaning of cultivating the Dao—does it not lie in the cultivation itself?” Feng Qi spoke softly. “Whether the ultimate goal is to become strong, to survive, to protect all living things, to rule through the ages—if one strays from the main path of cultivation, what meaning remains?”

“The meaning of cultivating the Dao… lies in cultivation itself.” Guan Shi Qizheng weighed the words. “You have entered the gate of Wuhen Peak, yet you hold to the ideals of Taixuan Mountain. Interesting.”

“The Dao is myriad and boundless. I have always chosen according to my own heart, and cannot say I follow anyone’s doctrine.” Feng Qi shrugged. “If I must say, I actually prefer the philosophy of the Snowcloud Sect.”

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