Techniques and Dao

Chapter 61 Laozi
Like a soul that has lost its host.

All perception and consciousness are blank, floating in the void with no foothold.

I don't know how much time passed, but when I regained consciousness, everything that had just happened became blurry.

Hua Sheng found himself lying on his back, surrounded by clusters of flowing bright spots. Strangely, the colors of these spots were unlike anything he had ever seen before, and he couldn't quite describe them. He had previously read in a scientific book that the human eye could perceive tens of millions of colors, but the flowing colors he was now witnessing were completely unfamiliar. Aside from these unknown colors, almost no tangible objects could be seen in this void.

The only thing that could be described as having a "shape" was the kneeling Taishang Xiaojun not far away. Taishang Xiaojun's hands were tied behind her back, her hair was disheveled, and she knelt on the ground with her head hanging down.

"Supreme Lord Xiaojun!"

Hua Sheng tried to struggle to get up, only to find that her hands and feet were still bound by the Immortal Binding Rope.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun seemed to be in a daze. When he heard Hua Sheng calling his name, he instinctively moved his head slightly.

At this moment, Hua Sheng saw that his face was covered with streaks of blood, and blood was still flowing down, as if he had just been whipped.

"Hey! Are you alright?" Hua Sheng called out.

"It's nothing," Tai Shang Xiao Jun said weakly.

Hua Sheng barely managed to prop himself up with his arms. Although his feet were bound, he still knelt and moved with difficulty toward Tai Shang Xiao Jun.

"Hey! Don't you know there are laws protecting minors?" Hua Sheng shouted into the void. "Besides, he's your grandson! How can you be such an elder?"

Suddenly, the void before my eyes transformed into a dazzling white light, making it impossible for me to open my eyes.

Suddenly, a gruff voice rang out: "Violating the rules of the Dao, descending to the mortal realm without permission is a crime!"

Each word of that deep voice pierced through Hua Sheng's body, and the surrounding gravity vanished. Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun floated in a white light. As soon as the voice ended, they crashed down heavily, and the surroundings were once again enveloped in flowing, unknown colors.

"Grandpa, it is I..."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun looked up, about to argue, when the Immortal Binding Rope struck him like a whip, leaving a new bloody mark on his body with a crack, and tearing a hole in his Taoist robe.

"How could I possibly have such a vile and wicked grandson!"

The voice that Taishang Xiaojun called "Grandpa" must be none other than the Dao Ancestor, Taishang Laojun. His deep voice, accompanied by blinding white light and a piercing pain that penetrated his cells, echoed once more.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun wiped the bloodstains from his face with his Taoist robe on his shoulder and changed his words, saying, "Dao, Dao Ancestor! This disciple has indeed made a difficult decision to descend to the mortal realm without permission. Sheng Ping Ning has been invaded by foreign enemies, and Xuanwu Ling She and Ming You have captured my classmate. This disciple went there to save him."

"Shut up! Do you even know what the Way is?"

"The Dao disperses into Qi, which is the origin of heaven and earth and the mother of all things. The Dao is neither the Dao nor non-the Dao. The Dao is principle," replied the Supreme Lord.

What is the Dao?

"The Great Dao is formless, yet it gives birth to heaven and earth; the Great Dao is without emotion, yet it governs the sun and moon; the Great Dao is nameless, yet it nurtures all things; I do not know its name, so I call it Dao."

What is the Dao?

"Inaction."

"As a follower of the Dao, what is the purpose of your actions?"

"The Dao is Heaven and Earth, and the greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth is life!"

"I refuse!" The deep voice boomed.

Hua Sheng felt his insides churning, as if his body had been thrown into a meat grinder and shredded. Seeing Tai Shang Xiao Jun covered in wounds, he couldn't bear it and thought: So be it! I can't just stay silent!
Hua Sheng made up his mind and used his elbows to push himself up. But before he could steady himself, he was whipped away by the Immortal Binding Rope. Hua Sheng gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his forehead in pain. Unwilling to give up, he forced himself to stand up again.

Another lash, and the Binding Immortal Rope tore a rift in his Taoist robes, leaving his skin ripped open and blood gushing out.

"Don't be a hero! You don't know who's in front of you!" Tai Shang Xiao Jun shouted with his eyes tightly closed.

"I don't care who he is! It's just Laozi. It's not like I haven't read 'Journey to the West'!" Hua Sheng knelt down, not knowing where Laozi was, and could only shout with his head raised.

"Great Dao Ancestor! Your disciple, Hua Sheng, is also a half-Daoist disciple. Although I am not well-read and my Daoist cultivation is still shallow, I understand a little bit about benevolence and righteousness. Saint Pingning saved my life, and I will never forget such kindness. Similarly, how can I turn a blind eye to human calamities? The Dao is inactive, and Heaven and Earth are indifferent because the Dao, Heaven and Earth, and all living beings are equal, so all things are treated as straw dogs. But those who practice the Dao are neither Heaven, Earth, nor the Dao. Those who practice the Dao live in the world and should take it as their responsibility to spread the Dao, resolve doubts, and save all living beings. How can they stand by and watch the dying without helping, and do nothing in everything?"

With a snap, Hua Sheng was knocked down again by the Immortal Binding Rope. Just as he was about to get up, the rope struck him hard on the back once more.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun turned around and shouted at Hua Sheng, who was still unwilling to admit defeat: "Hua Sheng! Enough! If it weren't for the Dao Ancestor showing mercy, even ten or a hundred of you would have already been annihilated and turned to ashes!"

"So what if we turn to ashes? It's just death. But is this the Dao we seek? For thousands of years, the lives of both Daoist disciples and ordinary people have been influenced by the 'Dao.' Now, those who practice the Dao save their friends and help all living beings, and this is how they are treated?" Hua Sheng spat out a mouthful of blood. "The Dao is celebrated in the world because millions of people protect it. Heaven and earth are indifferent, simply because they inherently have no concept of benevolence or ruthlessness. The Dao has no flesh or blood, but Daoist disciples are filled with passion. Can't they act for the sake of all living beings?!"

At this moment, Taishang Xiaojun could no longer contain himself and stood up, shouting, "Grandpa... no, Dao Ancestor! Hundreds of millions of beings in the world protect the Dao, even at the cost of their lives. What they protect is not only faith, but also love. The so-called 'love' in the world, though without sect or school, and not a religion, is still worthy of the utmost protection by Daoist disciples! Can't Daoist disciples love all beings and love humanity?"

Two more lashes struck, and Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun fell to the ground, unable to get up again.

The deep voice came through, this time slightly calmer:
"Xiao Jun, you have been influenced too much by mortals. One day, you will regret what you have done today."

Seeing that the Dao Ancestor had softened his stance, Tai Shang Xiao Jun quickly said, "Tai Shang Xiao Jun only asks the Dao Ancestor to enlighten me and ask if I can use the power of Sheng Ping Ning to stop Ming You and Xuanwu Spirit Serpent?"

"You wretched creature! How can human calamities disturb the peace of the Holy Land? Humanity is destined to endure this tribulation. If you forcibly intervene, be careful of your own safety." The voice paused for a moment, as if considering, and then said, "Listen carefully, the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent will appear on the southeastern sea during the Moon Worship Festival. Not only will it unleash its moon-controlling technique, but it will also lead a million strange beasts to swarm here. How you deal with it depends on your luck and destiny."

"Thank you for your guidance, Dao Ancestor! But facing the Netherworld and the Spirit Serpent, and even a million strange beasts, if the immortals of Sheng Pingning cannot come to our aid, then the two of us are like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. What should we do?"

At this moment, a letter appeared in mid-air in front of Taishang Xiaojun.

"I grant you a letter, which you may deliver to Dao Ling Xing Jun."

Upon hearing this, Taishang Xiaojun quickly agreed and put the letter into his bosom.

"I hereby grant the disciples of the Dao of Arts Academy temporary permission to lift the restrictions on their immortal arts and freely use them in the mortal realm. If Dao Ling Xingjun approves, he may mobilize the disciples of the Dao of Arts Academy to go to the mortal realm to fight against the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent Qiankun. This matter will be decided by the Academy itself. However, firstly, no elixirs may be used for combat; secondly, not a single blade of grass, tree, or object outside the Dao of Arts Academy may be touched. Otherwise, I will immediately recall you all to Shengping Ning and imprison you, and punish you severely without leniency!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Sheng pondered to himself, realizing that the Supreme Lord Xiao Jun's words had indeed come true; the appearance of the Mid-Autumn Spirit Serpent would surely lead to a great battle. He hadn't expected it to be on the southeastern sea; it seemed that the only way to save Wei Yu was on the Mid-Autumn Festival night seven days later.

"This disciple will obey the Dao Ancestor's command!" Seeing that things had taken a turn for the better, Taishang Xiaojun seized the opportunity, "However, there is still one matter that has not been decided."

"What's the matter?"

"I beg the Dao Ancestor to reveal the method to break the Jupiter Veil," said the Supreme Lord Xiaojun.

"This magical artifact is extraordinary and cannot be broken by ordinary weapons. There is only one divine weapon in the world that can penetrate it."

"This disciple is foolish! Please enlighten me, Dao Ancestor!" Hua Sheng and Taishang Xiaojun knelt on the ground and bowed.

A palm-sized jade tablet appeared before the two, with the four characters "Taishang Laojun" written on it.

"This is my jade tablet. You should hand it over to the Victorious Fighting Buddha and ask him for help." The Supreme Lord Xiaojun's expression changed: "Ask the Victorious Fighting Buddha for help?"

"Just borrow a weapon from the Victorious Fighting Buddha, and that treasure will be the nemesis of the Jupiter Veil."

"Weapons?" Hua Sheng was afraid he had misheard.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun quickly gave him a wink.

The Victorious Fighting Buddha is Sun Wukong. What is his weapon?
"Could it be... the Ruyi Jingu Bang?! The one that can pierce through the Jupiter Veil is the Ruyi Jingu Bang!" Hua Sheng exclaimed in surprise. "Where can I find the Victorious Fighting Buddha?"

"At the summit of the East China Sea, where dragons gather!"

As soon as the words fell, the space around them began to shift and distort. In a daze, they heard the voice of Laozi:
"The Jupiter Veil is imbued with a backlash spell; it was not crafted by the celestial realm. Anyone who attempts to destroy it must proceed with extreme caution!"

Hua Sheng hurriedly picked up the jade pendant, but at the same time lost consciousness.

After an unknown amount of time, Hua Sheng, still half-asleep, felt someone patting his face, and then heard Tai Shang Xiao Jun say, "Hey! Are you awake yet?"

Hua Sheng opened her eyes and realized she was back in the underground passage.

Was that just a dream?
He quickly touched his face; the bloodstains from the slaps were still wet. He also saw that Tai Shang Xiao Jun was covered in wounds.

"I'll just say it, Grandpa can't bear to part with me!" Tai Shang Xiao Jun said stubbornly, with a nonchalant expression on his face.

“You almost lost your life just now,” Hua Sheng said.

"Just endure the beating," said Taishang Xiaojun, spitting blood onto the ground.

Hua Sheng knew he was just being stubborn, so he asked about what had just happened: "Where were we just now? I couldn't see your grandfather at all, only some indescribable colors and blinding white light."

"Grandpa is the master of the Great Dao. The Great Dao has no beginning and no end, no form and no name, no boundaries and no limits, no teacher and no supreme being. When gathered, it becomes Laozi, and when dispersed, it becomes Qi. All that can be seen and heard is merely an incarnation."

"I see. Thank you for persevering despite being whipped so many times."

"It's just ordinary domestic violence. 'Spare the rod and spoil the child.' You mortal children have suffered just as much beating as this, haven't you?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun's words were somewhat sarcastic.

“I grew up in an orphanage and was never beaten. But I would rather have grown up in a normal family, even if I was disciplined by my parents.” This is what Hua Sheng really thinks.

Leaving the underground passage, I found it was already late. The busy city streets were filled with police cars and fire trucks, and the underground was still engulfed in flames. Thick, acrid smoke was billowing out from several subway entrances, while firefighters continued to bravely rush down with water hoses.

The surrounding area has been closed off, and hundreds of police officers and armed police are on the scene dispersing the crowd. The main streets outside the blocked sections are packed with people, all holding their phones and trying to capture images of the scene.

"Everyone's going to be busy this time," Hua Sheng sighed.

Taishang Xiaojun looked at the bustling streets and said, "This is just a warning. The real test that humanity will face is the Qiankun Defense War in seven days. I hope that the world will not suffer any more bloodshed."

The two changed back into modern clothes, put on baseball caps, pulled the brims down, and blended into the crowd. They then found a bookstore nearby that was still open, bought a copy of "Dream of the Red Chamber," and found a quiet place to return to St. Pingning.

Just as it did on the way here, the passage connecting the Holy Peace Wonderland and the human world, the "Hun Yuan Dao," is hidden within this ancient book.

After returning to Shengpingning via the "Hunyuan Dao," Taishang Xiaojun and Huasheng went straight to the Daoist Academy to find Master Jueguang. The master was astonished by their actions over the past few days. After giving them a quick treatment of their wounds and changing their clothes, Master Jueguang led them to meet the abbot.

Several days ago, the Xuanwu Festival encountered an unexpected turn of events, and Dao Ling Xingjun had not entered seclusion for cultivation since. After reading the letter from Taishang Laojun, Dao Ling Xingjun immediately summoned the main immortals of the Daoist Academy, including Jueguang Immortal Master, Yuran Immortal Master, and Huolei Immortal Master, to discuss countermeasures. Among the disciples, only Tianjizi, the registrar of the academy's student council, attended the meeting. Hua Sheng and Taishang Xiaojun, being closely involved in the incident, were allowed to attend as observers.

The meeting was urgently convened at the "Lake Star Pavilion" in the middle of Zuixin Lake. This is a pavilion built in the middle of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides.

After Master Jueguang explained the current situation, Dao Lingxingjun said, "That's how it is. Mingyou, who previously infiltrated the Academy of Arts and Sciences, will use the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent to perform the Moon Control Technique in seven days. Given the great effort they've put in, they might very well manipulate the moon to collide with the Earth."

The assembled immortal masters looked at each other in bewilderment for a moment, and then began to whisper among themselves in discussion.

"If the mortal realm is struck by an impact, can Saint Pingning be spared?" a celestial master asked.

Although Dao Ling Xingjun looked still very young, his eyes exuded the imposing demeanor of a great general. He said, "Saint Pingning is in the tears of Avalokiteshvara, so no matter how dire the situation is in the human world, Saint Pingning will be fine."

Although all the immortal masters present knew that Saint Pingning never interfered in the human world, they were still shocked when they heard the phrase "in dire straits".

"What is your opinion, Star Lord?" asked Immortal Master Jueguang.

Dao Lingxingjun replied, "This calamity in the human world is related to the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent. The disaster originated from our Daoist Academy, and we are naturally responsible for it."

"If the Xi Academy is mobilized, then the other seven Immortal Saints..." Immortal Master Yu Ran hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Dao Lingxingjun replied, "The Dao Ancestor has entrusted this matter to me for a decision. However, only the Daoist Academy can be used; any power beyond the Academy's scope is forbidden."

All those present were well aware of the seriousness of the situation. Since the Dao Ancestor had given his approval, Sheng Pingning naturally wouldn't say anything more. However, to defend the human world, numerous difficulties would soon arise for the Xi Academy.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

"What should we do?" Master Jueguang broke the silence.

Dao Ling Xingjun said, "There is no time to lose. I have urgently summoned you all here in the hope that you immortal masters will express your opinions."

"In my opinion, the first thing to consider is how to counter the method of controlling the moon." It was Immortal Master Jueguang who first raised the problem. "The magic array set up by the immortal masters of the Magic Academy alone cannot withstand the enormous impact of the moon colliding with the earth. Even the immeasurable immortal technique 'Law of Heaven and Earth' cannot do it. The only feasible way is to use a more powerful barrier to resist the moon before it collidees with the earth, keeping it at a distance that would affect the earth."

Dao Ling Xingjun leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. Jueguang Xianshi continued:
"The average distance from the moon to the earth is about 384,000 kilometers, or about 760,000 li. The moon's movement accounts for nearly 70% of the changes in Earth's tides. Therefore, due to the influence of gravitational tides, as long as the moon is within a certain distance of the earth, the sea level will rise rapidly, and most of the land will be submerged in ocean. To reduce the influence of the moon's gravity on the earth, the distance must be kept at more than 108,000 li."

What Master Jueguang explained was more of a science than a magical art.

Dao Ling Xingjun nodded slightly: "What Jueguang said is very true, and this is also what I was worried about. Before the moon even arrives, the human world will no longer exist."

Hua Sheng thought to himself that his understanding of immortal arts had always been limited to the so-called "Earth." He simply couldn't imagine whether immortal arts would still work outside of Earth. Moreover, being able to cast immortal arts on a planet tens of thousands of miles away was completely beyond his previous understanding.

Just as Hua Sheng was letting his imagination run wild, he heard the powerful voice of the Fire Thunder Immortal Master: "The method of controlling the moon must be used by the spirit serpent. At worst, we can use the entire academy's strength to seal it first!"

Dao Ling Xingjun shook his head upon hearing this: "Then we need to seal the spirit serpent before it casts its moon-controlling spell. Otherwise, once it casts the spell, sealing it will be futile. Currently, both the spirit serpent and the Netherworld are nowhere to be found, I'm afraid..."

Immortal Master Yu Ran adjusted his glasses and said, "If we want to protect all living beings in the world, we must use immortal techniques with extremely long range. The only ones I can think of are the long-range formation 'Heavenly Covering Formation' and the power formation 'Earth Bearing Formation'. However, the Heavenly Covering Formation can reach a distance of 108,000 li but lacks power, while the Earth Bearing Formation is the opposite, with sufficient power but insufficient range."

Dao Ling Xingjun said, "Immortal Master Yu Ran's thoughts coincide with mine. If I personally supervise the formation and work together with the forty-nine immortal masters, the two formations can each give full play to their strengths and form the 'Heaven Covers Earth Supporting Formation'. Only then can we resist the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent's moon-controlling technique."

Master Jueguang said, “But both the Heavenly Cover and Earthly Support formations are extremely fragile, and the time allotted for practicing this combined formation is very short. If we draw the most skilled immortals from the Academy of Arts and Sciences to set up the formation, it will inevitably break if attacked by the Netherworld and the Spirit Serpent. Moreover, to be on the safe side, the formation must be placed closer to the moon. Furthermore, this formation should not be set up on the ground, otherwise it would be tantamount to bringing the flames of war directly to the human world.”

Dao Ling Xingjun asked, "What countermeasures does Jueguang have?"

"In my opinion, to ensure full support, the 'Heaven and Earth Combined Array' should at least be placed in the stratosphere..." Master Jueguang paused for a moment, then said.

(End of this chapter)