Chapter 391

Chapter 391: The Dao That Can Be Spoken Is Not the Eternal Dao

The two gate gods glanced at the command token in the handsome young man’s hand, surrounded by purple mist, exuding an indescribable nobility! Golden light flickered, revealing the Nine Cauldrons, while the white light surged skyward, filled with righteous energy.

Such an aura, combined with the shape of the command token for the outer disciples of the Jin Tian Sect, made the gate gods quickly bow deeply in respect, inviting the young Daoist to enter the branch.

Li Hui strode confidently into the Heart Refining Branch. He was a talented performer who had passed numerous trials, unafraid at any moment. What was mixing into the Heart Refining Branch? He believed he could still walk freely in the Jin Tian Sect afterward, and the Haotu Sect wouldn’t escape unscathed. Did they think they could erase everything by simply forgetting? He would return and still lead the Mirror Lake faction as the elder.

The branch was vast, where the miscellaneous disciples were perspiring profusely, and many vendors had squeezed in through connections. However, it was difficult to figure out where to go.

Many places exuded an imposing power, surrounded by restrictions and formations; not to mention entering, you couldn’t even get close.

Li Hui surveyed his surroundings, already having an idea. Bai Ze’s divine eye was the most perceptive; no matter how many treasures were hidden in the forbidden areas of the branch, they could not escape his watchful gaze.

Before long, he arrived at a small elegant building and stepped up the stairs. The two gate gods manifested, and upon seeing the young Daoist approach, they dared not obstruct him, quickly stepping aside.

The Jin Tian Sect was a Daoist sect, seeking longevity through cultivation and fate. While there was no strict requirement for outer disciples to be Daoists, it was not incorrect to self-identify as a humble Daoist.

Upon entering the small building, his view suddenly expanded, and the techniques apparent today seemed rather ordinary.

“Demonic energy?” Li Hui paused slightly as he saw two rolls of bamboo slips flying over, opening with a “whoosh” as two young women landed gracefully.

“This little girl Hongxiu greets the guiding Daoist.”

“This little girl Tianxiang greets the guiding Daoist.”

The two women offered graceful bows, witnessing once again the vast wealth of the Heart Refining Branch, managed by two female demons. Hongxiu was charming, while Tianxiang was alluring.

Li Hui smiled knowingly, “Hongxiu and Tianxiang read books at night; such elegance!”

With a glance, he could tell that the two female demons were comparable to mid-stage Bosa cultivators, much stronger than Yao’er and the others, making it improbable for them to assist him closely!

“You flatter us, Daoist.” Hongxiu and Tianxiang felt delighted; they regarded themselves as elegant demons, unlike the commonplace transformations of plants and stones, taking pride in being orthodox members of the Dao.

“Clouds aspire to clothing and flowers to beauty; spring breezes sweep the railing thick with dew. If not seen atop the Mountain of Jade, one would meet under the moonlight of Yao Terrace.” Li Hui smiled lightly, praising, “Today, upon meeting you two sisters, I understand what true beauty is, all I have seen before now seemed like mere common paint. Alas, they have sullied this humble Daoist’s eyes, how outrageous!”

“Ha ha ha!” The two female demons giggled, covering their mouths. If it weren’t for a certain handsome young man’s charm, would a coarse-looking man have the same fortune? He certainly would have encountered a series of tricky demonic spells.

Of course, in ballad terms, it was best not to dwell on such minor details.

Li Hui quickly grew friendly with the two female demons, as Master Yingjun’s eloquence was indeed impressive; casually mentioning a few Jin Tian Sect disciples left no room for doubt.

“Oh? As expected, it’s not without conditions if you wish to access the External Transformation scriptures in the Scripture Hall.”

“Junior Brother, how can this be difficult for you? Just swipe your Jin Tian Sect outer disciple command token and deduct some sect accomplishments.”

“Surely the two sisters don’t know?” Li Hui feigned surprise, saying, “That’s right; this matter is extraordinary. The Lord of Xuan Zhen specially summoned the disciples to return to the sect, instructing us to leave three hundred sixty true disciples after five years. Elder Hongmeng will distribute treasures at Baoyan Peak.”

“I have heard of this, but it’s not very detailed.” The two female demons’ curiosity sparked.

“The assessment is based on accomplishments; the Lord knows my tendency to be extravagant, so he sealed my accomplishments, allowing only entry without exit. Alas! Is there any reason for this? That messy old man is always preaching and neglecting others while focusing on me, how infuriating!” Li Hui spoke half-truths.

“Ah? Junior Brother, how fortunate you are!” The two girls were excited. How high was the status of the Lord of Xuan Zhen? He was the head of the Jin Tian Sect and also the Taoist leader of the Wutu Continent. It would not be an exaggeration to say he was the most powerful person on the Wutu Continent, surpassed only by a few legendary patriarchs. The guiding junior brother even referred to him as a messy old man, and for the Lord to worry about him was such a blessing! Could it mean he might be taken as a personal disciple?

It felt different! In the eyes of the two girls, Li Hui had transformed dramatically compared to before, his image elevated many times over.

“Alas! Speaking of Old Daoist Xuan Zhen, there was indeed something that caused him concern! Had it not been for him stepping forward to provide shelter, I would have been reduced to scraps by powers from other continents.” Li Hui spoke from his heart. Bai Ze discerned the heavenly secrets and realized that a high-level demon cultivator had shielded him during his previous calamity; otherwise, he would have been unable to escape doom, yet the old Daoist’s attitude remained ambiguous, not removing the calamity power to restore his outer disciple identity. Was he afraid of attracting trouble?

If he feared trouble, why intervene to protect him? Or perhaps disapproved of his acceptance of the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s lineage? Suspecting that talisman methods and Dao techniques were in conflict? That was also a possibility!

Regardless, Li Hui felt appreciative.

One must repay even a drop of water with a fountain of kindness; having experienced hardships from a young age, he deeply valued others’ goodwill.

Hongxiu and Tianxiang were left speechless. The young man even stirred up trouble in other continents, yet Elder Xuan Zhen had actually stepped in to protect him; he was undoubtedly a true disciple. In the future, the Jin Tian Sect’s outer disciples, branches, and sub-branches might all look up to this young man. When would be a better time to form good relationships than now?

“Junior Brother, go ahead and choose your scriptures; we have our way of covering the expenses.”

This showed that having connections within the sect made things easier, as any fortress could be breached from the inside.

“Thank you both.” Li Hui clasped his fists and took out two small pouches, saying, “I collected some trinkets on the way, such as locust jade rings and engraved seals from the Great Virtue Kingdom; here, for you two sisters to play with.”

Women, regardless of whether they were female demons or girls, held little resistance to accessories and trinkets!

Hongxiu and Tianxiang indeed enjoyed them; a gentle wave of their fair hands, Junior Brother wanted to see the scriptures — that was a great honor for the Heart Refining Branch, and they need not spend anything!

Throughout his journey, Li Hui faced no obstacles, exploring up and down and verifying things, eventually finding several pieces focused on External Transformation.

“Too superficial, not detailed enough.” After searching, he finally uncovered an ancient Dao text that had long been sealed. Using Bai Ze’s divine eye, he saw the energy attracting him, which was why he dusted it off to read.

“The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao?”

“Uh, this book is titled ‘The Dao That Can Be Spoken Is Not the Eternal Dao.’ Seems quite unreliable, doesn’t it? Why did the Dao Rhythm Residual Talisman lead me to find it?” Li Hui pondered carefully and discovered that this Dao text was full of nonsensical phrases, straying from established teachings, which explained why it had been sealed for so many years.

The more absurd it seemed, the more he valued it!

In the past, Chen Mengde’s legacy had been the same; many high-level thoughts had already outpaced the mainstream cultivation world by hundreds of years, seeming absurd and nonsensical yet directly pointing towards the Great Dao.

As Bai Ze contemplated the scriptures, a spark of inspiration hit Li Hui, and he gradually awakened.

“Wonderful! The Dao can indeed represent the Dao, but this Dao isn’t that Dao, and I am not the same as that I; this is the essence of External Transformation, with the true principle of mastering all things within it.”

“Not quite; this Dao text merely clarifies the direction. I wonder if there will be breakthroughs afterward; speaking voidly can’t help but be hollow.”

“Bai Ze gazes upon fate, continuing past connections.”

Li Hui used the Dao text in his hand as guidance to overlook a soft veil, seeing a thrilling scene unfolding; within, beautiful figures lay intertwined, engaging in a hot spring.

“Who dares to pry into our affairs?”

Well, he was caught red-handed, but the other party’s spiritual sense was impressive, and they had instantly identified him.