Techniques and Dao

Chapter 207 The Second Path
"Chaodu Xuancheng"! What is it?
Upon hearing this term for the first time, Taishang Xiaojun quickly asked, "What is this 'Chaodu Xuancheng' that you all speak of? Why would it affect the living beings within the city?"

“The dragon vein itself is not without defensive capabilities,” Master Yu Ran explained. “The dragon vein itself has a self-protection mechanism. When it is attacked, a protective shield will appear. When this protective shield appears, a mirage-like illusion will appear above the dragon vein. But this is not an illusion, but a physical protective shield shaped like a city. Therefore, this protective shield is also called: Xuancheng Shield.”

"Then what does the term 'capital' mean?"

Master Ruokong added, "Because the capitals of past dynasties were often built on dragon veins, this Xuancheng Cover often appears in the shape of an ancient capital, hence it is also called 'Chaodu Xuancheng' (Chaodu Xuancheng).

"Since you two say that the 'Chaodu Xuancheng' is a protective shield, wouldn't it be able to withstand the impact on the dragon vein? Why would living beings be affected?"

Master Yu Ran said, "When the protective formation of the dragon vein's 'Mysterious City Shield' was first set up, it was to prevent damage to the dragon vein. In addition to the solid 'Chao Du Mysterious City Shield' above the dragon vein, the inside of the shield will be a vacuum. Anything added after the Chao Du is established will be crushed into powder. The purpose is to destroy the forces that intend to damage the dragon vein in a very short time."

He continued, "However, this magic array did not take into account the future, that is, the situation we will encounter now. Because, according to Hua Sheng and the others, the attack on the dragon vein this time came from a six-pointed star magic array set up thousands of miles away. So once the 'Chaodu Xuancheng' appears, Jinling City and everything in the city will be immediately reduced to ashes."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this the destruction of new things? How can you call it a protective shield!"

Master Ruokong replied, "'Chaodu Xuancheng' is equivalent to a reset of matter, protecting the dragon vein, not new things on the dragon vein."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun hurriedly asked, "After the 'Chao Du Xuan Cheng' was formed, we also stopped the six-pointed star magic array. Is there any way to immediately remove this barrier?"

Master Jueguang said, "The only way is to break the barrier! But that would require immeasurable level immortal techniques."

"Boundless level..."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun gasped. With Dao Ling Xing Jun absent, he had no idea who else could still perform boundless level immortal techniques.

Master Yu Ran continued, "But a boundless level immortal technique can only break through one layer of the 'Mysterious City Shield'."

"What do you mean?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun asked in surprise, "Does the Immortal Master mean that the 'Mysterious City Shield' has more than one layer?"

Master Yu Ran nodded solemnly and said, "Every dynasty has a capital. The more times a capital is established throughout history, the more layers of this Xuan City shield will have. Because Jinling, where it is located, is a geomantically auspicious place..."

Before Immortal Master Yu Ran could finish speaking, Supreme Lord Xiao Jun blurted out, "Jinling is the ancient capital of six dynasties. Could the 'Chaodu Xuancheng' possibly have six levels?!"

Master Ruokong nodded: "That's right. Once the 'Mysterious City Shield' of Jinling City is formed, there will be a total of six layers. Breaking through each layer will require an immeasurable level immortal technique."

"Could the ultimate six-pointed star magic array that Hua Sheng and the others mentioned be able to break through so many 'Chaodu Xuancheng'?"

“We don’t know right now,” said Immortal Master Jueguang. “Therefore, our only hope is to prevent the dragon vein’s self-defense array from activating. Before that, we must use our array to resist the six-pointed star magic array. Once our array is broken, the dragon vein will be attacked from the outside, forming a six-layered ‘Chaodu Xuan City,’ where everything will be reduced to dust. But that would still be fortunate, because the damage would only be in Jinling City. If the ‘Chaodu Xuan City’ is destroyed by the six-pointed star magic array, and the dragon vein is shattered, then…”

"The heavens and earth will collapse, and floods will rage!" said the Supreme Lord Xiaojun. At this moment, Xuanwen anxiously addressed the crowd, "You all still have the leisure to discuss the 'Mysterious City Shield'? What use would it be even if we understood the principles completely? We cannot leave Shengping Ning, so no matter how the mortal world is destroyed, we can only watch helplessly!"

“What this young man says is true,” said Master Ruokong. “So we’ll head to Jinling now.”

Seeing Master Ruokong's confident demeanor, all the immortals felt anxious.

Master Jueguang asked, "May I ask Abbot, if we don't take the Hunyuan Path, how should we get to Jinling?"

Master Ruokong slowly replied, "The Tightening Spell still exists, and the Path to Primordial Chaos still exists."

These words shocked everyone present.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun's heart skipped a beat!
As was previously known, the only way to travel from the Sacred Peaceful Realm to the mortal world was the Primordial Chaos Path. All the immortals, spirits, and humans residing in the Sacred Peaceful Realm had only this one route to reach the mortal realm. Even Tai Shang Xiao Jun himself had never heard of a "second path" in his life.

This Primordial Path is not only a way to reach the human world, but it also facilitates the Holy Court's control over those who come and go. If there were other paths, wouldn't the Holy Court's control over the Primordial Path be a waste of effort?
Do the immortals of the Holy Court know this secret?

At this moment, Master Ruokong put his hands together and said, "Saving all living beings is the priority right now. I will take you all to the human world. We will leave no trace during our journey. Therefore, I ask you immortals to appear in different forms when you go to the human world. If you are asked about this matter in the future, I hope you will promise me that you will keep your mouth shut."

Although both Master Jueguang and Master Yuran nodded, Taishang Xiaojun noticed that their expressions were unusually complicated.

If I'm not mistaken, the Holy Court has always harbored resentment towards the Daqian Temple. The Holy Court and its officials have consistently believed that Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva holds a secret about the Daqian Temple, but they lack any evidence.

The relationship between the Holy See and the Daqian Zen Temple has been quite subtle since ancient times. As for the secret behind it, the Holy See has never obtained concrete evidence.

At least, it was not known to the immortals in the Holy Court and among the common people.

Whenever he heard rumors about this matter before, Taishang Xiaojun always thought that the Holy Court was overthinking it, or that it was being too cautious.

Since ancient times, Daqian Temple has maintained a peaceful relationship with the imperial court and the general public. Most of the time, Daqian Temple has kept its gates closed and has never overstepped any boundaries.

Zen temples never interfere in the affairs of Seihei-nin.

But now it seems that Daqian Temple has its own ideas! This temple is located in the heart of the Holy Peace Wonderland. Is it really a sharp sword that Guanyin Bodhisattva has planted in the heart of the Holy Court?
If a "second Hunyuan Dao" exists, how many more secrets does Daqian Zen Temple hold?
Master Ruokong did not smile, but stared silently at the immortals opposite him, as if he was still waiting for some kind of promise.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Xiaobailong Buxu said, "Esteemed benefactors of the Daoist Academy, my abbot has been dragged into this matter by you. Do you still have any doubts?"

(End of this chapter)