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Believing that the discovery of the Demonic Cultivator would stir up a huge uproar outside the Sect, it turned out that ever since Lao Luo visited Gu Ping's residence, the matter gradually faded from people's memories.
Outer Sect Disciples were more inclined to talk about Gu Ping, who had swept through the Outer Sect that month. I don't deny it. That seemingly righteous Demonic Cultivator was someone everyone wanted to speak well of in his presence. The discovery of a Demonic Cultivator hiding outside the Sect ultimately pointed to the lax supervision by the Sect, which allowed people to exploit loopholes, and it was a family disgrace that should not be aired publicly.
Everyone knew that Discipline Peak must have sent people to conduct a thorough investigation. It was said that the Peak Master had been scolded severely by the Sect Leader and several Chang Lan because of this incident. Naturally, no one would dare gossip openly in public, but what happened behind closed doors was another story.
In the mountains under the Wuyue moon, Gu Ping quietly spent another six months in cultivation. He watched as the peach tree he had planted grew tall enough to reach his waist, calculating that it had been a year since he entered the sect.
According to his plan, during those six months, he continuously sold various items at the nearby Fairy Market that were deemed unnecessary by ordinary cultivators but held great allure for a Demonic Cultivator. These included Qi Refinement materials and essential herbs for cultivation. He even secretly entrusted Ye You to sell a piece of Demon Armor at the Fairy Market nearby. Some items he obtained from Lao Luo were necessary for him to find a source for those things; after all, it was hard to convince anyone that a disciple who had never been to the Fairy Market could possess such treasures.
Gu Ping remembered that he had picked up that Demon Armor from the Righteous and Evil Battlefield. Although it was battered and broken, he thought it might be useful for studying the foundations of Yi Dong's Demonic Path, so he took it back with him when he found it—Yan Dong happened to be there too.
Those items could attract some Nascent Soul-level Demonic Cultivators. Half a year passed, and Gu Ping had completed his Foundation Establishment. He intended to lure out Dao Sect's Demonic Cultivators. Gu Ping had spread a wide net to catch even stronger Demonic Cultivators. On one occasion, he had Ye You specially buy an irresistible treasure for Demonic Cultivators from Hong Ling, just waiting for the lurking Demonic Path outside Dao Sect to take the bait.
There was nothing much left to prepare. After using Purification Technique to clean Yi Dong's room and changing into another set of clothes, Gu Ping planned to head out when he noticed Xiao Heng was about to knock on his door.
"Why is Senior Brother here?"
Gu Ping was somewhat surprised. Although he had intentionally spread news about his departure within the Outer Sect, Xiao Heng shouldn’t have known his true intentions. Why would he suddenly appear at his door? Perhaps he was overthinking it; maybe Xiao Heng just happened to have business with him.
"The Master sent word asking you to come over; it seems there’s something he wants to discuss."
Xiao Heng wore a slight smile when he spoke. As an Eastern person, he had developed this habit; since Xiao Zhe, the Ancestor, hadn’t said anything particular, Gu Ping didn’t find that smile insincere. After all, everyone behaves like this when given an opportunity; perhaps it was just part of their culture.
Without further thought, Gu Ping followed Xiao Heng into Cave Heaven and saw Xiao Zhe watering his cultivated celestial tea like an old farmer with a jug in hand.
"Disciple pays respects to Master. May I ask what you wish to discuss?"
"Can I ask about heading out?"
"Is that so?"
"What is happening in Dongshan?"
"It's about the Demonic Path."
"Do I know how dangerous this is?"
"The disciple knows."
"I know?" Xiao Zhe, the Ancestor, suddenly furrowed his brow and raised the water jug in his hand, ready to throw it at Gu Ping. "I don't know."
Seeing the old man’s furious expression, Gu Ping felt dumbfounded, unsure of how to explain himself. He wanted to say he had the means to protect himself, that he had someone watching over him, that he was confident about that matter. But facing his cheap master, who kept reminding him, Gu Ping found himself unable to utter a single word.
The old man released the water jug from his grip and took a deep breath. With the aid of the Great Dream Scripture, he could glimpse some events of the future—some might happen, others might not. Once, he saw Gu Ping dead.
"Dead?"
Gu Ping found it hard to believe. What kind of cultivator could harm him? Although he was firmly at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage and had insights into the Dao Foundation, he did not think there was anything in Transcendence that could pose a threat to his life. He had prepared for Dongshan with confidence, even without notifying Ye You.
With Cigarette Paper present, his master—a Great Master of the Transcendence Period—actually said that this journey could be one of no return. This made Gu Ping's previously calm heart suddenly feel uneasy.
"Does Master have other instructions?"
Gu Ping crossed his legs and deeply bowed to the old man, thanking him for the warning.
"Am I really so Minghong? There are some things Bu Fou I can change them now, just like in the Northern War. With my current realm and strength, I can't even guarantee my own life. How can I go save others? Even if I can ensure my own safety, have I considered that tomorrow I might save one Dong Lai? The Heavenly Demon Path, Oil Lu Dao, Underworld Path—I could kill ten. How can I manage that?"
As he spoke those words, Xiao Zhe suddenly felt old; it was as if all vitality had drained from him, and even his gaze seemed dimmer.
The Master’s words were known to the disciple, but the disciple also understood that if no one took action tomorrow, then tomorrow would come and go without anyone doing anything. The disciple believed that they would not be fighting alone, and they were not someone who cherished their life excessively. If it meant sacrificing their own life to save others, the disciple would never agree to such a thing.
Did the disciple think of the Master as someone who was completely ineffectual?
The disciple did not feel that way. Instead, they pondered that if everyone lived their lives in a routine, not striving for what belonged to them, then perhaps it was better for the disciple to be the first one to awaken the Dao Tradition that resided in everyone's hearts. That was what the disciple truly wished for.
To establish a heart for heaven and earth? Xiao Zhe felt a bit of Minghong's meaning but did not understand what Gu Ping referred to.
Gu Ping stood up and slowly shook his head.
To establish a life for the people?
Gu Ping nodded again, which left Xiao Zhe even more astonished, and he did not continue to ask further.
The disciple did not deny their aspiration to become a Sage; they simply wanted to find like-minded individuals who would pursue the Great Dao together, seeking a path that everyone could tread upon.
Looking into Gu Ping's determined eyes, Xiao Zhe suddenly realized something. He did not press Gu Ping for more words; instead, he slowly waved his hand and said, "I will take my leave now. The Master understands."
Indeed, those who pursue the heavenly path—who among them does not face a long and arduous journey? I shall seek in the east. Who among them values their own life above all else? Who is willing to share their path with others in exploration?
The heavenly path is like a narrow bridge; it cannot accommodate a second person by one’s side. Thus, there can only be one Primordial Dao respect and one Light Path Master—there will never be a second or third. This is the limitation of the heavenly path. Once someone merges with the Dao, that Great Dao becomes blocked. Hence, there are those who harbor deep grudges against others obstructing their path, leading to relentless vendettas.
If there truly existed a path that allowed everyone to explore Tiandong freely, perhaps no one would cling so tightly to their own treasures. The Tian Dong Cultivator and Daoist Sect would thus experience half as many conflicts.
But who would dare make such changes? Just like those immortals from Tian Zai—how could they abandon their identities and status?
At the site of the Light Path Classic, there had been public discussions about cultivation methods and secrets, which led other Daoist Sects to unite against them. This resulted in enmity; ten thousand years later, the Dao Tradition collapsed, and the Light Path Classic was destroyed.
Yin Tianheng once presided over an academy and sought change but was rejected by the Daoist Sects. Initially forced out of the academy, had he not encountered Gu Ping, he might have faced imminent doom in Nine Heavens while battling against Tian Zai's immortals in a grand exit.
No one is willing to give up their position of power, even if they know what they are obstructing.
People desire to become immortals not merely because immortals can enjoy endless blessings and wealth, but perhaps more so for the powerful strength and unparalleled authority that guarantees their own dominance and voice. Those who dare to challenge the existing regime will not be allowed to exist.
For those from Tian Zai, Easterners have two choices: either submit or die. Even after death, entering the Ninth Underworld still requires adherence to that principle; even the dead cannot escape it. How much less can the living? The Nine Nether Invasion proves this point about that world.
The Daoist Sect desperately needs Tiandong and the fortune of humanity, which is the root cause of The Battle of the Three Realms. It is like Dao Zun playing a grand game in the East; those fortunate enough can win everything, even break free from the constraints of heavenly law.
The term "transcendence" sounds incredibly sacred and mysterious. No one has seen what a true transcendent being looks like. Every Dao Zun wishes to be the first to break free from the constraints of heavenly law, yet they do not realize that from the day they align themselves with the Dao, they are destined to be bound by the rules of that world.
An immortal once said, "Man is in the East of Heaven, and Tian Zai is to his East."
If Easterners are bound by those from Tian Zai, then what binds those from Tian Zai?
One could say it is the Dao.
In the realm of Dao, all beings can be generalized; they are controlled by heavenly law, aligned with the Dao yet unable to grasp it, not mastering it, nor following the Righteous Path—this is the essence of Dao.
Dao Zun wishes to tread upon the Dao and borrow fortune from the entire World of Mortals, indifferent to how many lives will be sacrificed in that cruel war for Tiandong.
What Dao Zun sacrifices is precisely what Gu Ping and others cherish. Thus, in the struggle between Easterners and those from Tian Zai, it is destined that one side's downfall will mark the end of war—a true battle without life or death.
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