The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 74 The Grace of Enlightenment (210)

The old man, who was actually a white python, had his origins revealed. His expression changed several times, and his emotions were complicated. Even though Zhou Yan told him to retreat, he still subconsciously took half a step forward. The rain in this small area became even more intense. The autumn rain fell, and it was heartbreaking.

Zhou Yan planted his feet on the ground, and his magical power rapidly recovered.

The rainwater was swallowed by the hungry ghost jade talisman and transformed into wisps of magical power.

Pointing his fingers diagonally at the ground, the magic sword behind him faintly hummed, as if he were about to fight. Suddenly, the old man loosened his clenched fist, and a strong sense of melancholy and pain appeared on his face. Suddenly, he raised his head and let out a long howl, the sound clear and intense, echoing around him.

In the end, the old man controlled the bestial instincts within him.

With a wry smile and a touch of melancholy, he said, "What you say, my lord, may have some truth to it."

"But the feeling in my heart still can't be dispelled."

"Perhaps this is why I have been cultivating here in seclusion, yet I have been unable to cross that barrier. You seem to be a cultivator, sir. I wonder if you could enlighten me?"

He stared at Zhou Yan.

Both Zhou Yan and Yin Zichuan could tell that the old man in front of them was emotionally unstable.

Zhou Yan wanted to say that he was a self-taught practitioner who had only recently entered the world of cultivation. Just a month or two ago, he was being chased by hungry ghosts. But now, he simply tightened his expression and replied, "I may not be able to answer that."

The old man said:

"Past grievances cannot be pursued."

"But why have I been hiding in the mountains and rivers to cultivate myself for the past hundred years, and still not been able to attain enlightenment? I have visited many famous scholars, and they told me that even if people have the same level of understanding, they cannot be generalized because their origins are different."

"He simply told me to cultivate myself by lying dormant beneath the waves."

"Just as a tiger pounces on a deer, a dragon and python can also entangle and kill a tiger and a leopard."

"Both sides have obtained the Xuan Guan method and embarked on cultivation, but there will be differences."

"Even a dragon-python at the ninth-rank Xuan official level can easily kill a human at the eighth-rank Xuan official level; this is because of its inherent foundation and surging blood and qi. Only by stepping into the sixth rank can this gap be gradually changed."

"Back then, one's background didn't have as much of an impact."

"However, your human race has the lineage of laws and traditions left by the First Emperor. At each level, you can break through by following the steps and obtaining the method to break through. You can burn like fire during your short lifespan."

"But we have been stuck at a certain hurdle for a long time."

"Why?"

This seemed to be the old man's greatest pain and resentment. In addition, Zhou Yan revealed the sorrow in his heart. When he spoke, he finally lost control of his body, and his human form dissipated, revealing a giant python in front of him.

It didn't transform into its largest true form, but it was still terrifying enough as it looked at Zhou Yan.

Dark gold vertical pupils, snake tongue flickering.

Zhou Yan remained silent.

why?
I do not know.

I'm a newbie.

He exhaled and felt that his heart was actually very strong, and that it could still hold up. He said, "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

The snake flickered its tongue, its voice hoarse and low: "I have also read Laozi's Tao Te Ching, which Guan Yinzi copied. However, it is of no benefit to my current situation. Although the world is vast, I seem to be confined to the mountains and rivers."

"My lord, what is the Way?"

Zhou Yan had a slight headache.

Oh no, they know their stuff!

Although it is not my own world, the turning point of this seemingly real but actually different era was the ascension of the Qin Emperor, so the Tao Te Ching still exists.

The enormous white python spoke respectfully:
"My lord has rebuked me; please enlighten me."

Zhou Yan called out to Yin Zichuan.

All-powerful Yin Zichuan, please think of a solution!

However, Yin Zichuan seemed to be suppressed by the power emanating from the giant python and was unable to speak.

Zhou Yan let out a breath, his mind only able to rely on the skills he had developed in the past when he was arguing with netizens online. No matter what, he had to get through this ordeal first, and said directly, "You shouldn't have asked me."

The giant python stared at him. "Why?"

Zhou Yan said, "Because that's your business."

The giant python murmured, "My affairs?"

Zhou Yan gradually grasped the rhythm. In this era, there was no communication like the modern internet. These great demons who cultivated in seclusion might not speak to anyone for decades or even a hundred years, then engage in self-destructive internal strife. Zhou Yan said:
“Your own affairs, your past, your present, yet you ask others, ask the mountain god, ask me. If you listen to our advice, you will only become what we hope you will become.”

"Is this what spiritual practice is all about, turning you into this kind of person?"

Zhou Yan said, "You're asking me?"

"Then I can only say, I don't know!"

Zhou Yan's reasoning was flawed, but his spirit was strong.

The giant python fell silent. He thought about his experiences over the past hundred years, asking the mountain gods and various sages and Taoists. In the end, all he was told was to lie low and cultivate. When the black wind came to find him, he only wanted to fulfill his promise and then return to his secluded cultivation.

Yin Zichuan's voice rang in Zhou Yan's ears again.

“I’ve got an idea from the Daoist scriptures, my lord. It’s Zhuangzi’s theory of the equality of all things.”

Zhou Yan nodded, following Yin Zichuan's words, and said, "If one follows one's preconceived notions as a teacher, who is without a teacher? This was originally Zhuangzi's saying about people's preconceived notions. When people look at things with preconceived notions, they are already biased enough."

"And you actually take other people's opinions as your own truth."

"Then it is even worse."

"You ask others for advice, but have you ever asked yourself?"

The boy looked up at the giant python and said:
"Where is your path?" The white python transformed into the old man, whose face was pale. He looked at Zhou Yan blankly for a long time, then hastily bowed, opened his mouth as if to say something, but tears fell from his eyes. He raised his head and let out a long howl, a mournful cry.

The surrounding rainwater dispersed and turned into mist.

The earth trembled violently. Zhou Yan stomped on the ground, and his magical power had recovered to about two-thirds. Suddenly, the old man turned around and transformed into a giant python, which darted away, smashing through rocks and flattening vegetation, which was extremely terrifying.

The old man seemed to be greatly affected by the Dao, and left in a state of dejection.

Zhou Yan watched the old man walk away.

Standing with his hands behind his back, his magic sword humming softly, he exuded an air of elegance.

one two Three……

The boy let out a deep breath, plopped down on his back, and gasped for air, muttering, "Holy crap, at least three hundred meters long! Is this a python? A hundred zhang long, is it a dragon?"

"You guessed right, the Jinghe Dragon Clan?"

"If it weren't for some psychological issues, and the fact that staying home too much could have caused problems, something terrible might have happened."

However, just as the old man left...

Zhou Yan's eyes saw a glimmer of golden light appear on the old man's forehead.

Yin Zichuan said, "Young master, you actually managed to subdue the other side?"

Zhou Yan grinned, still shaken, but stubbornly insisted:
"Instead of wasting your own time, blame others."

Yin Zichuan pondered for a moment, then praised, "It's just like something a Taoist priest would do."

After praising him, he patted Zhou Yan on the shoulder in a fawning manner and said:

"My lord, about that... what just happened..."

He rubbed his hands together.

Zhou Yan took out a few copper coins and threw them over.

There weren't many, only five or six, but Yin Zichuan was already very happy.

After accepting the copper coins, he placed them in a small pouch, repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "You are so generous, young master!" On the contrary, Xiao Huiniang was obedient and brought a very large leaf to shield Zhou Yan from the rain.

Zhou Yan looked in the direction the giant python had gone and saw two scales embedded in the ground. One was about the size of a palm, semi-transparent, and made a crisp sound when struck against a stone. Zhou Yan could see the pure energy inside.

"I wonder if I can exchange my knife at the market in Wugong Town."

"It's not safe here, we have to leave."

………………

Zhou Yan, accompanied by Hui Niang, had Yin Zichuan find the donkey that had just run away in fright. They had only taken a few steps when they happened to run into Shen Cangming, who was returning.

Shen Cangming said he had just found the ferry and happened to be coming back.

"Luckily, just in time."

The man's face was expressionless.

Big Black turned his head, revealing his big front teeth and mocking, only to be kicked by Shen Cangming.

Big Black ran away, then barked as if it were laughing.

After hearing Zhou Yan recount what he had just witnessed, Shen Cangming said, "It's a giant python with dragon blood. This kind of strange beast is equivalent to a powerful Xuan Guan (a high-ranking official in the martial arts world), and it needs to be surrounded and killed."

"This place has the Jing River, as well as the Zhongnan Mountains and the Qinling Mountains. It's normal for such strange beasts to exist in famous mountains and rivers. There's no need to worry. Let's wait out the autumn rain and cross the river when it stops."

Crossing the river...

Zhou Yan thought of Li Zhiwei's suggestion.

It's uncertain whether the pursuers can be stopped. If the plan fails, nearly a hundred elite Xuan officials will come at us with a kill-or-die attitude. The best option is to cross the river, but crossing the river...

Zhou Yan thought of Black Wind.

He sensed that the road ahead would not be smooth sailing.

The world is in turmoil.

………………

The giant python slithered back to its dwelling. Every word Zhou Yan uttered struck him like a thunderbolt, making him reflect on the past century. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became, and the more regretful he felt.

His friend Hei Feng came to discuss a plan with him, saying that they had gathered all the big and small monsters within a hundred miles. Hei Feng used his position in Qingming Market to win them over: "These big and small monsters will all obey my orders and are all capable!"

“Each of them, although their cultivation may not be very high, can indeed exert considerable skill on the water. That beacon tower official, whose feet are not on the ground, has lost a lot of his abilities.”

"Plus, brother, could you help me hold off that one-armed man?"

"Hahaha, this time we're sure to succeed!"

"Come, come, this is the century-old sweet spring dew I obtained. The first sip can slightly enhance one's cultivation. Although the effect will not be there afterward, at least it tastes delicious! Haha, even the most powerful human beings should not even think about drinking this wine!"

"Have a drink, then we'll come back for a celebration banquet."

Black Wind urged someone to drink.

The old man drank several cups in one go, but suddenly stopped and said, "Brother Black Wind."

Black Wind smiled gently: "What's wrong?"

The old man exhaled and said directly:

"I'm sorry, but I cannot participate in your actions regarding those two!"

Black Wind's smile froze instantly.

(End of this chapter)