leonardwarren #761 - Unpredictable fate
#761 - Unpredictable fate
Li Chengfeng knew the other party was testing him, so he said with a smile, “How could I consider things so far ahead? Now, I'm fortunate enough to have established my foundation, but my roots are shallow. I can only find my own path in literary books.
I'm not on the same path as you, fellow Daoist, so there's no need to ask more questions.”
Li Cheng carefully observed the other party and had already seen some clues. The other party's Dao rhythm was extremely terrifying, clearly a great cultivator with profound cultivation.
Daoist Chang Xizhao smiled and said, “Does this Daoist friend know who I am? Why do I have that book? Don't you want to ask about its origin?”
Li Chengfeng shook his head and said, “If you want to tell me, I don't need to ask; if you don't want to tell me, why bother asking?”
Daoist Chang Xizhao laughed and said, “If you don't ask, how will you know if I'll tell you? In fact, I obtained this book by chance, and it contains endless mysteries and power.
I came here this time to see if you, Daoist friend, are destined to comprehend its true meaning.”
Li Chengfeng stared into the old man's eyes and slowly nodded, saying, “I don't want to ask, and I don't want you to tell me, because as far as I'm concerned, I already have some understanding, and I've already established my foundation.
That book no longer belongs to me; it's still waiting for its destined person.”
His tone revealed a sense of detachment and relief, as if he had seen through everything.
Daoist Chang Xizhao heard this, his smile carrying a hint of profound meaning, and said, “Daoist friend, you've had such a miraculous encounter, don't you have any insights to share with this old Daoist?
After all, I guided you onto the path of cultivation. Although I dare not call myself your teacher, I can be considered your close friend, right?”
Li Chengfeng nodded and said in a deep voice, “I naturally understand your Dao of the mind.
But the path of cultivation is not that simple. For me, it may be good, or it may be bad.
Although I have established my foundation, I'm just a lone boat with little lifespan left. It's still uncertain whether I can advance to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Moreover, what I seek is knowledge, and what you gave me is just a fragment. There's no path forward, so how can I cultivate, how can I achieve longevity? All of this is just smoke and clouds, a dream.”
Daoist Chang Xizhao's smile deepened upon hearing this, and he praised, “So that's how it is, Daoist friend is truly exceptionally intelligent. Indeed, Daoist friend, you do have great wisdom and are suitable for the path of initiation.
I can feel a unique Dao rhythm from you.
Although you are only at the Foundation Establishment stage now, you may be able to advance to a higher realm in the future.
At that time, you will understand the vastness of this world and the length of time.”
Having said that, Daoist Chang Xizhao shrunk his body. Although he didn't move, a special Dao rhythm spread out from him.
This Dao rhythm didn't feel oppressive like coercion, but rather it was a manifestation of the rules of the Dao, resonating with the heavens and earth, inspiring awe in people.
His disciple, Zhao Baichuan, stood aside, not fully understanding the profound conversation between his master and Li Chengfeng.
He only knew that his master was talking eloquently, opening his heart to the other party.
In the disciple's heart, his master was the best person, unmatched under heaven.
He stood there silently, his heart filled with respect and gratitude for his master.
Li Chengfeng listened to the old man's words and nodded, saying, “What you said, Daoist friend, makes me feel enlightened.
If one day I can advance to the late stage of Core Formation and become a great cultivator, you will be the one who guided me.”
Daoist Chang Xizhao chuckled and said, “Aren't I now? If it weren't for me, would you have been able to make a breakthrough?”
Li Chengfeng nodded and said frankly, “You're just testing whether everything said in that book you obtained is true.
Because it's too obscure, too strange, too unbelievable, and no one dares to try it easily because of the brief description of fate, and neither do you.
So, you're just using me to realize your dream.
The two of us are mutually beneficial. In the end, I returned it to you, which can be considered as repaying your favor. The cause and effect are over, and everything is finished.”
Daoist Chang Xizhao sighed upon hearing this and said, “So that's how it is, Daoist friend is truly magnanimous.
But I can't just come here this time and return empty-handed. Daoist friend, why don't you tell me how you comprehended the truth of fate?”
Li Chengfeng smiled and said, “Daoist friend already has your own Dao, so why bother pursuing the truth of fate? Your Dao should be nearing completion, so why be obsessed with pursuing other Daos? Life is inherently fruitless, so why bother forcing it?”
His words revealed a sense of indifference and transcendence, as if he had placed life, death, and fate aside.
Daoist Chang Xizhao smiled brightly, his eyes flashing with confidence, and said, “I just want to comprehend it a little. If you don't want to know, then I can only let you see my true Dao practice.
Tonight, my Dao will be complete. This is my fate with you, and it's also your repayment to me.”
Li Chengfeng looked at him with a solemn expression, saying slowly, “Daoist friend knows that you will be complete tonight, but you came to me. Is it because you want to use my blood to cleanse your achievements? Such behavior is contrary to your Dao.”
Daoist Chang Xizhao laughed loudly, his voice shaking the roof tiles, and he said, “Not so, not so, how could I be that kind of person? I want to share my achievements with you, Daoist friend.
Half-step God Transformation, how to temper the heart in the mortal world, do you know the mysteries within? This is the culmination of my centuries of cultivation, and today I will discuss it with you.”
He pointed to his disciple, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and said, “I raised this disciple of mine from childhood to adulthood. I've tempered my heart in the mortal world for a hundred years, endured the hardships of the world, and seen through the vicissitudes of life.
Finally, I realized that my Dao must cut off all seven emotions and six desires, be ruthless, desireless, and loveless, achieve great enlightenment, and abandon all great karma in order to achieve my Dao.
This is the price I paid to seek the true meaning of the Dao.”
Li Chengfeng looked at the old Daoist's disciple. The disciple's eyes flashed with a firm light. He shook his head gently and said, “I let you go, but you didn't leave. This is your karma, your destiny.
You may not fully understand your master's Dao, but your belief in him has also determined your destiny.
It's pitiful and sad that you are both bound by your own Dao and unable to see the truth.”
Zhao Baichuan sneered and looked at Li Chengfeng, saying, “You stinky pedant, messing around here, would I believe your nonsense? You don't need to sow discord. My master is the best person in the world.
He raised me like a father, taught me Dao techniques, and put in so much effort.
He even sold all his family property to cultivate the Dao for me, causing the entire Taoist temple to fall into decline.
But you say he wants to use me, how is that possible? I will never believe you!”
Li Chengfeng spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible heaviness: “You are indeed extremely clever, knowing that I am subtly reminding you. Sometimes, the Dao cannot be easily spoken, and I fear suffering the backlash of heaven and earth because of it.
But why did I still choose to tell you? Only because I am currently enduring that backlash.
The principles between heaven and earth are numerous and complex, and I don’t need to know them all one by one. However, some roads must be walked personally.
After that night, although I gave you guidance, I also lost decades of lifespan because of it, and was seriously injured.
Now, I am reminding you again, but you are still stubbornly deluded. This can only mean that fate cannot be changed or reversed.”