Raise a sword!

What is the "Tao"?

A series of echoes resounded in my ears, the sound coming from an unknown place, yet deafening.

"I don't know," Jiang Peng replied instinctively.

The voice rang out again.

"If you don't know the Way, how can you seek it?"

This time, Jiang Peng recognized the voice; it sounded familiar, like her own.

Without the slightest hesitation, he replied, "Is it necessary to know the 'Tao' before one can seek the 'Tao'?"

Before the voice could ring out again, Jiang Peng continued calmly, "Can't I cultivate supernatural powers and boundless magical strength?"

"Can't I cultivate a style that's independent, self-centered, and arrogant?"

"Living is better than dying, can't I just stay alive?"

It was that same overlapping voice again, asking the same question once more.

"So, what is 'Tao'?"

"I said I don't know." Jiang Peng was already getting impatient.

Some say that one attains enlightenment through experience, others say that the Tao is naturally formed, and still others say that mountains, rivers, flowers, birds, fish, and insects are all manifestations of the Tao.

"I observe that Senior Sister Sun's pure and innocent heart is no different from that of Senior Sister Ni Chang; neither of them can explain what 'the Way' is!"

Why is it that I, of all people, have to figure this out?

Jiang Peng glared angrily at her reflection in the sky.

Does the concept of "Tao" really matter?

"If I don't know the 'Tao,' does that mean the 'Tao' isn't within me?"

"I gazed at the stars and longed for them, so I plucked stars and grasped the moon; this is the Way."

"When I see injustice, I feel indignant, so I take up my sword and fight; this is also the way."

"I want to build a magnificent spectacle, to display my divine power before the public and have everyone worship me."

"I just want some peace and quiet; a simple meal and another day will pass."

Jiang Peng got up without realizing it, completely unaware that she was now standing in mid-air with her feet on the void.

"How can the 'Tao' in my heart be explained in just a few words?"

"How about doing whatever you want and seeking a carefree life?"

Finally, the phantom in the sky nodded.

"Can!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the illusory image shattered like a mirror.

Along with it, it seems that some kind of constraint within Jiang Peng's body also collapsed.

Jiang Peng suddenly opened her eyes.

When he realized he was standing suspended in mid-air, he had no doubts whatsoever.

Look around.

The back mountain is still the same back mountain, and the forest is still the same forest.

But something seems different now.

With a gentle flick of his finger, he drew upon a surge of spiritual energy to gather before him.

With a thought, the spiritual energy transformed into azure flames, burning before Jiang Peng for a long time without dissipating.

Jiang Peng was finally surprised.

"So it's possible to establish a foundation without Foundation Establishment Pills?"

...

Cangshan Sect, back mountain.

Sometime earlier, Master Lü was already standing atop a solitary peak, gazing into the distance towards Biwu Peak.

Not long after, another Golden Elixir True Man, who looked like a middle-aged Confucian scholar, appeared beside True Man Lü.

"Junior Brother Shen has also been alerted." Master Lü nodded slightly to the newcomer.

Master Shen also looked in the direction of Azure Mist Peak.

"Who is that?" he asked.

"Jiang Peng."

"Who is it?"

"Qin Yuanshou's apprentice."

Master Shen still didn't understand, and asked again, "How could such a promising talent fall into the hands of Junior Nephew Qin?"

Master Lü explained, "He didn't join the sect from a young age; rather, he was spotted by Junior Nephew Qin and recruited into the sect."

Master Shen looked enlightened, then remained silent for a moment before asking, "Senior Brother, who was the one in the Southern Mountain Region who achieved enlightenment at the Qi Refining Realm?"

"Zhang Lingsong of the Dragon and Snake Temple." Master Lü thought for a moment, then continued, "Seeing one's heart and understanding one's nature, the foundation of the Dao is naturally formed... Such a person... [System has matched you with a Xianxia novel category. Click here]"

Master Shen couldn't help but sigh.

"The last one was actually Zhang Zhenjun! Our Cangshan Sect, this little temple, is about to produce a great Buddha."

Master Lü remained calm and composed as he rose and flew away.

"I need to go and give that kid a piece of my mind."

Master Shen nodded.

"That's how it should be."

...

Biwu Peak, the back mountain.

Jiang Peng stood silently beside the cliff.

Since waking up from that mysterious state, he discovered two things.

Firstly, he has already established his foundation and does not need the help of the Foundation Establishment Pill at all.

Secondly, it turns out that someone had been secretly protecting him all along.

Jiang Peng turned her gaze to the shadows of the forest.

"Wow, you've got some skills."

Then, the Peak Master of Ni Chang and Sun Yinxi appeared, but they did not come closer.

"You still need to consolidate your cultivation level. Come back to drink with your junior brother in a few days!" Peak Master Ni Chang actually addressed him as an equal.

After she finished speaking, she led Sun Yinxi away, and faintly, one could still hear her scolding voice.

"Comparison is the thief of joy. Did you grow your superior spiritual root for nothing? Look at that kid, he's already achieved enlightenment and his foundation is complete. Back in my day, I was just... cough cough."

"Spirit Transformation Pool and Foundation Establishment Pills? I guess I took you in too early, you're such a money-loser."

From afar, Jiang Peng saw Sun Yinxi turn around with a resentful look, and even point at herself with a finger, seemingly implying some kind of threat.

Then, Jiang Peng looked to the other side.

This time, a burly man with a full beard emerged from the shadows.

This person is Wang Biao, an elder of the sect's law enforcement hall. Jiang Peng had only briefly interacted with him in the past because of Zhao Shan'ao's matter.

"Thank you, Senior Uncle Wang, for protecting your disciple."

Call me senior brother.

Elder Wang was also at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, but Jiang Peng did not know whether he was preparing to break through to the Golden Core stage.

After Elder Wang left, Jiang Peng turned her gaze away once more.

"Elder Wang discovered the unusual activity at Azure Mist Peak during his night patrol and learned that you were actually breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. So he sent a message to me and then secretly protected you here."

At this point, Chu Chun'an originally wanted to explain something else.

But at that moment, Master Lü descended from the sky.

"Chun'an, don't let anyone know what happened tonight."

Chu Chun'an immediately bowed and accepted the order.

But just as he turned to leave, Master Lü frowned and said, "There's one more thing. Send a message to Lü Lin and tell her to come to the back mountain to see me."

Master Lü had heard clearly what Lü Lin had been muttering to herself.

It was from those words that he gleaned some insight, realizing that his daughter was also someone who had achieved enlightenment on her own.

Back then, Lü Lin established her foundation while traveling outside the sect. She has always been independent and self-reliant, handling everything on her own.

As a result, Master Lü didn't know much about his daughter's cultivation.

Upon hearing Master Lü's instructions, Chu Chun'an stopped in his tracks, looking puzzled.

Ni Chang is right here in the sect; Master Lü can send a message with a single thought, so why would he need to do it for her?

But Master Lü looked embarrassed.

"That girl used some kind of trick to block my communications; I can't find her!"

Chu Chun'an pretended not to see Master Lü's embarrassed expression, bowed, and quietly left.

Only then did Master Lü's gaze fall upon Jiang Peng.

"Everyone present tonight will keep quiet. Don't let anyone know that you've been building your Dao foundation on your own, understand?"

Jiang Peng immediately agreed.

"Disciple understands."

Master Lü nodded slightly and waved his hand to summon a tea table and chairs.

"Sit down, and let me tell you about the wonders of this self-formed foundation."

"Raising a Sword!", a sweet and delightful novel released in late October, is available to read now!