Dao Equaling the Heavens

Apart from cultivating, the two also found pleasure in their casual conversations.

Yu Hua lived in the ivory tower of the sect, and rarely had the chance to interact with someone like Gu Wen, who defied conventions and strayed from the norm. His ideas were often eccentric, but she couldn't help but agree with them.

Especially his perspectives on relationships within the sect, family, elders, parents, and between master and disciple.

The sect provides shelter, the master nurtures, and the elders protect; naturally, I treat them kindly. Otherwise, I strike back with heavy fists.

If you can be in charge, why can't I?

You vermin who can only harm the sect.

Gu Wen's words awakened her: the animalistic nature of power always trumps emotions, and any attempt to seize the right to speak will be suppressed.

Moreover, in the context of the sect, have you ever met those in power, spoken to them, or dined with them?

The sect cannot represent an individual, nor can an individual represent the sect.

The heavy conversation lasted only for a moment.

Yu Hua took out the notebook she had swiped from Gu Wen yesterday, used for practicing calligraphy, and recited softly, "Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In which year did the river moon first shine on someone ..."

Her voice was clear, refined, and delicate, with a hint of etherealness under the moonlight. After finishing, she asked, "Is there more?"

Many sentences in this book were incomplete due to Gu Wen's personal tastes or perhaps his laziness—or to leave an impression of 'accidentally finding a lone piece'.

Gu Wen could feel that Yu Hua really liked this poem; even her tone became more cheerful.

He was troubled; he knew this day would come but couldn't help it—beggars can't be choosers.

Fortunately, he had already prepared his excuse and said, "This piece was obtained by chance by Gu."

"Hmm?" Yu Hua frowned slightly and let out a hint of dissatisfaction through her nose, "Make one up."

Goddess, you truly are naive. Can one just make it up on a whim?

Gu Wen was somewhat embarrassed; how could he have the ability to fabricate someone else's "Spring River Flower Moon Night"? To adapt is not to make up, to jest is not to fabricate.

At most, he could copy the original text but dared not to change it recklessly, for fear of being exposed. But he had to speak, to give Yu Hua a satisfying answer.

Perhaps Yu Hua had no other intention and simply adored "Spring River Flower Moon Night," eagerly wanting to know the rest. However, Gu Wen couldn't solely follow his own heart, for she was his investor.

When someone who has invested in you looks forward with expectation, this is not the time to conceal one's abilities, but rather to respond.

If you don't increase, why would others continue to sell?

If you aren't good, how can you expect others to think highly of you?

Trapped in a strange world, under others' control, what's wrong with asking for ancestral guidance?

Yu Hua read the poem over and over again.

She could sense the poetic charm in the poem, capable of furthering her cultivation. This was the mystery of descending to the human world to gain experience; the Dao is not always manifested as mana levels but exists in everything, including mortals.

This is what is meant by "the Dao can be conveyed through literature."

The sense of loneliness expressed by "Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In which year did the river moon first shine on someone," reflected the color of the river and the moon, and spoke of the eternal world versus individual brevity, which already resonated with her Daoist heart. She believed there should be a following part, yet she was somewhat unsure.

Suddenly, a serene melody came along, slow and steady, with a hint of solemnity.

"Life goes on from generation to generation, yet the river moon looks similar year after year. Not knowing for whom the river moon waits, I only see the Yangtze River sending away the flowing water. A piece of white cloud drifts leisurely by, the green maple on the riverside is too much to bear."

Yu Hua's eyes brightened, and she urged, "What's next?"

"Whose flat boat is it tonight? Whose lovesick heart pines away in the bright moon's bower? How pitiful it is for the moon to linger above, it should shine upon the makeup table of the one parted from their beloved."

Gu Wen continued reciting, as he had anticipated, the Goddess before him, bathed in moonlight, hesitated in her movements, caught in a predicament.

Clearly not fully satisfied, which was normal, with such a line as "Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In which year did the river moon first shine on someone" before, it was impossible for what followed to surpass it.

Otherwise, the quatrain wouldn't be called a 'quatrain.'

Yu Hua expressed her dissatisfaction, "Why does it turn to sorrow toward the end?"

"Because it was written by a mortal."

Gu Wen seemed to guide her to distinguish between the first and second halves of the poem—they are indeed different. He liked the grandeur of the first half as well as the human touch of the second, but the ancestors couldn't practice immortal cultivation.

"Life is brief, a mere few decades filled with seven emotions and six desires, with only longing being common to all; perhaps the immortals may not fully appreciate it."

It begins with the bright moon but ends in the Red Dust.

Yu Hua suddenly had an insight, stood up, and bowed to Gu Wen, saying, "Fellow Daoist, I've learned something."

Gu Wen returned the bow, affirming their relationship beyond just mutual interests.

Fellow Daoist, a good beginning to a relationship. I wonder if Zhao Feng, that fawning dog, has called her yet?

At Yu Hua's request, Gu Wen copied the entire "Spring River Flower Moon Night" into the book, though for some reason his own notebook seemed to have become hers.

He began to write; she ground the ink, leaving behind green screens adorned with flowers, adding fragrance with red sleeves.

Gu Wen was writing his 'scrawling script' and asked Zhao Feng, who was miles away, "Did Yu Hua grind ink for you too?"

Yu Hua's Daoist heart was clear and unencumbered by distractions, fully focused on watching Gu Wen's every stroke, otherwise, she might have struggled to recognize them.

"Why do you add 'One version' on the side?"

"Two ways to read it, different words, same meaning."

Due to their antiquity, ancient poems might have different versions or variations in phrases over time; "One version" is often used to denote such disparities.

Yu Hua softly read "Spring River Flower Moon Night."

Remembering the happenings at the tooth market, Gu Wen asked, "Since I started cultivating, I've never tested my skills against others. If I were to spar, what are my chances of winning?"

"With whom?"

"Mortals who are strong and skilled in martial arts."

"Life and death struggles are but a moment's decision; I cannot gauge, but with your current Foundation Establishment First Level of cultivation, mortals will struggle to block even one of your moves."

"What about Cultivators?"

Yu Hua paused, a spirit charm rising near her ear, but she did not catch Gu Wen's anxious thoughts. He didn't feel tense or afraid.

"If you encounter a Cultivator, run to my side, do not fight with them. Those who enter the world are all heirs of major sects, their techniques cannot be countered by just one Spiritual Treasure. Moreover, you have just started practicing and lack experience; you cannot recognize many techniques."

She had changed somewhat, no longer stingy about lending a hand due to her fondness.

"What if the situation is urgent?"

"Then attack with all your might; if you kill your opponent, you will be safe."

"Fellow Daoist speaks the truth," agreed Gu Wen, understanding that trouble often can't be avoided.

Handling the person who causes trouble is the right way.

He then asked, "Does Fellow Daoist know how many Cultivators there are in Daqian?"

"Normally, three hundred. Whenever Immortal Land opens, every session has the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion compile the Heavenly, Earthly, and Mortal Lists, ranking the prodigies from all sects. Even the lowest Mortal List requires one to have achieved Golden Core before the age of fifty to be included."

Yu Hua replied, hearing Gu Wen's surprised thoughts including the word "vulgar," she continued, "Do you know my ranking?"

"Naturally, first place," Gu Wen complimented.

Unexpectedly, Yu Hua did not deny it and held up a finger, "One hundred in the Mortal Elite List, fifty in the Earthly Talent List, ten in the Heavenly Destiny List, and I am at the top of all, first in the Heavenly Destiny List."

She was that strong?

Gu Wen hesitated for a moment, but then it seemed reasonable. If there were many external practitioners in the world, then Yu Hua was the only one who stood on equal footing with imperial power.

Yu Hua continued, "Those strong in destiny are naturally invincible, those with transcendent roots are naturally gifted, there are countless elites. The three lists have no hierarchy, the Heavenly List looks at fate, the Earthly List at roots, and the Mortal List at strength."

"To prevent large-scale sect conflicts, each sect with a True Monarch as a protector can only enter three people, one to enter the world, one to act as protector, and one to protect the Dao."

Yu Hua turned her head to look at Gu Wen as she spoke, pausing while the candlelight flickered through the gauze, casting a dim outline on her chin.

At first, Gu Wen didn't think much, but the sudden silence made something clear to him.

Obviously, the Gu family was meant to protect the Dao, but now it had become the Zhao family's role.

"You don't resent it?"

Yu Hua asked softly.

A breeze carried the silent thoughts to his ears while Gu Wen continued to lower his head to write poetry for her. The candlelight revealed his features, his eyes deeper than the night.

He wouldn't be considered handsome, but he definitely wasn't ugly. He was like a loach in the mud, a fish in the deep pool.

"This is the Gu family's karma; I've sold my life for survival, it's not for Gu Wen to seek."

"I have worried needlessly."

Yu Hua fell silent, her emotions unreadable behind the gauze.

The inner strife of the sect was ambiguous, protectors took advantages wantonly, protecting the Dao but not the monarch. She needed a new ally; otherwise, she couldn't stand alone, for she wasn't the only one in the mortal realm.

Without protectors or someone to safeguard the Dao, even if she found an Immortality Pill, it wouldn't ensure her departure from Immortal Land.

But Gu Wen was right; the sect had severed karma proactively, what virtue and capability could they have to seek help again? Discarding a four-day Dao Establishment genius, one-day spirit refinement talent, for a fool who has not yet established foundation.

She didn't insist but hoped this kind favor would be useful in the future.

Gu Wen put down the brush, changing the subject, "Because of a moment's kindness encountered, I, Gu, am willing to walk through fire and water for it. It's unrelated to the Daoist Sect, to the Gu family, even less to the Zhao family; I, a mundane and vulgar man, don't understand the laws of heaven, I only know gratitude."

He didn't know what Yu Hua was up to, but he could feel her unease. He knew he must reassure his investor, telling Yu Hua there would be a huge return.

So he quickly went all in.

Yu Hua was stunned. Although he was like a fish close to the abyss, shunning everyone, at least now he blew a bubble towards her.

"That's good, then."

For the first time, she showed clear emotion, like the jubilation of a hundred birds' chirps.

Then she seemed to think her reaction was too much and diverted the topic, "Your writing is ugly."

A four-day Foundation Establishment unparalleled genius, if he truly rises, would become her biggest support outside the sect.

Yu Hua found the karma quite fascinating; initially, it was only out of guilt and pity that she helped, but now it promised to be her greatest support. Although their original karma was severed, new karma could link them again.

It was as if destiny had ordained it three thousand years ago, something not to be fully severed overnight.

"A mere merchant, making the immortal laugh," Gu Wen replied with a slight smile.

The blazing sun nurtures the vines; the vines take root. Branches accustomed to the sun will not willingly return to the gutter; sprouts that break through the soil will not reverse into the earth.

His future was uncertain, his life nourished with Heavenly Marrow and royal jelly, he could not stay dormant forever. Having enjoyed Yu Hua's investment, he knew a return was inevitable; there was no such thing as a business with no capital in the world.

As such, he could only aim to be peerless in the world.

He seriously asked, "How can one avoid being on the list?"

He'd consider it once he was unbeatable; he wanted to be the unrivaled one, not to contend for it with others.

Yu Hua was taken aback, then laughed, "Others fight tooth and nail for it, but you take a different path. It's impossible not to be on the list. When you're weak, no one knows; when you're strong, the whole world knows."

She got up to leave, the full moon cast a silver halo around the Heavenly Girl. Gu Wen looked up as if to see her, and the Heavenly Girl looked down at him.

"I am already at the top of the Heavenly Destiny List, when will you be the first among Mortal Elites, unparalleled in Earthly Talent, without equal in the world?"