Chapter Eleven: Preaching
Early morning, at a cliffside cave dwelling on Verdant Meadow.
Shang Yingluo lay sprawled across her bed, fast asleep. The young girl had been brought here a year ago and had chosen a cave dwelling near the cliff's edge. Beside hers was an identical, unoccupied cave, clearly reserved for someone special.
Outside, tall green pines were alive with the crisp calls of brightly plumed birds. The girl awoke, sprang from her bed, and hurried to the entrance, pushing open the stone door.
After the mountain rain, the morning sun slanted into the cave. Just as she was about to stretch, she exclaimed in delight, “Oh, Shen Yu!”
Shang Yingluo’s eyes widened, her heart brimming with joy as she gazed at the youth standing at the door.
Shen Yu was soaked, rainwater dripping from his hair, his complexion pale. Yet despite his disheveled state, he stood upright, as steady as a mountain peak.
He glanced at her without a word and walked straight into the cave.
The girl, sensitive as ever, sensed his mood was a bit low, despite their months of separation. This made her both happy and curious, wondering what had happened.
Shen Yu sat down on a chair, lost in thought.
Shang Yingluo closed the stone door and ran over to him, asking with curiosity, “How did you know I lived here?”
“Your aura.”
“You seem out of sorts.”
“Not really.”
“When did you arrive?”
“Last night.”
“You weren’t given a cave dwelling?”
“No.”
Shang Yingluo was convinced Shen Yu had encountered some trouble. Seeing his bedraggled appearance, she pressed, “Why didn’t you come in? It was pouring last night.”
“So you noticed the rain….”
Shen Yu's tone finally shifted a little, and he said seriously, “I sent you three messages and knocked on your door for an hour.”
“Ah.”
Shang Yingluo blinked, trying to recall. She always slept deeply—she vaguely remembered some knocking, but she had been lost in a pleasant dream and didn’t want to wake.
At last, she understood the slight grievance Shen Yu had shown upon entering.
But, recalling the usually unruffled youth showing such subtle disappointment, Shang Yingluo felt oddly pleased, her eyes curving as she smiled.
Shen Yu gave a soft grunt and poured himself a cup of tea.
...
Shang Yingluo returned with some items belonging to inner sect disciples and a jade talisman to open the cave dwelling.
After Shen Yu accepted them, he asked, “When will we enter the Treasure Cliff?”
Since returning from the plaza, Shen Yu felt a pressing urgency: he needed to retrieve the celestial artifact, Heavenly Mystery, as soon as possible.
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There were many questions in the Dao Sect—what had happened three thousand years ago?
“Ever since I came here, I’ve been cultivating every day. Even Jiang Shaoqiu and his group came, but no one paid us any mind. So, I have no idea when we’ll be allowed in.”
She brightened, “But when I went to collect the jade talisman, a senior elder in charge told me that in three days, someone will come to instruct us. We might be taken straight to Treasure Cliff. You really arrived at the perfect time!”
Shen Yu replied indifferently, “Perfect timing? Nothing in this world is ever so coincidental.”
Three days later.
Shang Yingluo led him toward the Transmission Pavilion atop the peak. She no longer feared her identity being discovered, hopping along radiantly.
Shen Yu’s expression remained serene as he walked slowly along the mountain path.
On the day of the entrance test, Shen Yu had sent a stream of clear energy into the girl. In truth, it was the essence of his Dao, which masked her demon clan aura. It was nothing remarkable to him.
The innate Dao body contained the pure, vast essence of the Dao—yet, apart from him, no one knew.
Arriving at the Transmission Pavilion, they encountered several familiar faces: Jiang Shaoqiu, Liang Shi, Liu Yisheng, Ye Zhiqiu....
This generation had produced more than thirty inner sect disciples, all having distinguished themselves from the outer sect.
When the refined youth entered, the once lively hall fell silent.
On Emerald Bamboo Peak and Cloud Mist Peak, Shen Yu’s name was known to all.
“Shen Yu!”
In the center of the crowd, the handsome Ye Zhiqiu’s smile froze into cold fury. He clenched his fists and rose, intent on seeking revenge.
Shen Yu glanced at him, recognizing the youth, and said, “You’re dissatisfied?”
The truth was, the highest-ranked cultivators in the hall had either witnessed or personally experienced Shen Yu’s infamous blunt strikes. No one dared challenge him.
Ye Zhiqiu’s face changed slightly, his hand rubbing the back of his head as a wave of fear swept through him. Yet, he was too proud to retreat and was about to speak harshly when an immortal-like elder appeared at the doorway, slowly making his way through the crowd.
All eyes turned.
Shen Yu was moved, marveling that the Dao Sect valued this generation’s cultivation so highly.
“Today, I shall impart some knowledge of the path of cultivation.”
The elder sat at the head of the Transmission Pavilion, eyeing the crowd. In a voice both ancient and warm, he said, “I am Dao Xuan.”
Hearing his name, the disciples exchanged incredulous glances. The visitor was none other than Dao Xuan, Master of the Law Pavilion, one of the four highest authorities in the Dao Sect, famed across the land as one of its greatest cultivators—some said he was even the sect master’s senior.
Such a figure personally guiding new disciples filled everyone with excitement. The Dao Sect truly cared for them.
“In just two years, you have reached the threshold of the Dao. In a sect with a legacy over three thousand years, this is exceptional talent.”
“I know your thoughts are fixed on Treasure Cliff, hoping to inherit a spiritual treasure.”
“But entering the Dao is only the beginning. Even if you obtain a natal spiritual treasure, it merely means your start is a little better than others.”
The elder’s voice was not loud, yet it was clear and struck each heart, like a bell echoing through the soul.
None dared harbor pride—each disciple sat upright, respectful, hoping to make a good impression. Perhaps this great figure might one day become their mentor.
Even the proud Ye Zhiqiu and lively Shang Yingluo were subdued.
Only Shen Yu sat quietly, his mind wandering beyond the world.
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“In ancient times, our human ancestors forged new lands, contended with demons of the northern wastes and the southern wilds, and for countless years ushered in a golden age of cultivation.”
“Today, the Dao Sect stands among the nine sacred sites of the Mountain-Sea Spirit Wilderness continent, surpassing even the Azure Emperor City, the foremost sect in the world.”
“The human path of cultivation comprises nine realms, divided into upper, middle, and lower. The lower three are: Qi Refinement, Dao Entry, and Golden Core. The middle three: True Insight, Spirit Wandering, and Union. As for the upper three, it is too soon to speak of them now.”
“Golden Core means gathering spiritual essence in the dantian into a core, ranked nine grades, with nine as the highest.”
“True Insight: the core nurtures the embryo, perceives true meaning, probes the laws of heaven and earth, and is ever renewing.”
“Spirit Wandering: the soul departs to roam ten thousand miles, unbound and free.”
“The Union realm: the yin and yang souls unite, merging with the Dao’s intent.”
“As for the upper three realms, once you reach True Insight, you will naturally understand. Remember: the path of cultivation is arduous and winding. Do not be lazy, do not be proud, do not shrink back. Only thus will you avoid losing yourself in the long journey.”
Though his tone was gentle, to the disciples it was a thunderous call, stirring their hearts.
“We will heed the master’s teachings,” they responded, voices united and solemn.
Shang Yingluo tugged at Shen Yu’s sleeve and whispered, “What are the upper three realms?”
Shen Yu replied calmly, “Tribulation Crossing, Ascension, Immortal.”
The girl glanced at the elder on stage and asked, “What realm is Dao Xuan now?”
Shen Yu answered, “He’s on the verge… of entering the Ascension realm, I think.”
“Amazing!”
Shang Yingluo’s mouth fell open in awe, gazing worshipfully at Dao Xuan, surprised that Shen Yu knew such things.
In her mind, anything strange that happened to Shen Yu was simply ordinary.
The master on stage swept his gaze across the hall, stroked his beard, and smiled, “In a month, the Dao Sect will open the journey to Treasure Cliff ahead of schedule. Obtaining your natal spiritual treasure is a major step in cultivation—do your best.”
With confirmation from the Master of the Law Pavilion, the disciples’ anticipation finally became reality. Cheers broke out among the crowd, barely contained.
For these young initiates, the prospect of owning a spiritual treasure was exhilarating.
Dao Xuan was approachable, answering every cultivation question the disciples posed, making them yearn even more to join the Law Pavilion.
After several hours, the lecture ended. The elder rose and walked toward a corner.
To everyone’s surprise, Dao Xuan approached Shen Yu.
“This time, I am here mainly for you,” he said. “I repeat what I said before: after the journey to Treasure Cliff, if you wish, you may cultivate under me.”
Shen Yu nodded slightly, “I’ll consider it.”
“Good. I eagerly await to see what treasure you obtain from Treasure Cliff.”
Dao Xuan smiled, patted Shen Yu’s shoulder, and left.
Shen Yu, with Shang Yingluo in tow, also departed the Transmission Pavilion, leaving the stunned disciples behind.