Chapter 292: Chapter 221: The Great Dao, a Narrow House a True Monarch Cannot Exit

The great void was vast and dark, silent and still. Only a single point of golden light flickered, appearing and disappearing.

Jiang Yi was stunned. He never would have imagined that True Monarch Xu, the ruler of Kun Peak, would offer to be his patron master.

The Daoists of an Ancestral Sect traditionally had three masters to assist them. True Monarch Lu of Kan Peak was already his classics master, responsible for teaching the scriptures and explaining True Skills.

And a patron master, to put it simply, was a "Guardian Daoist."

As the Crown Prince of a sect, a Daoist’s status was precious, and they could not easily put themselves in harm’s way.

But if one were to remain in secluded meditation within a grotto-heaven year-round, they would easily encounter bottlenecks and be unable to break through.

According to the ancient ways of cultivation, this was because a Dao heart that remained unpolished would ultimately struggle to achieve the fruits of Perfection.

Thus, they had to venture out to face tribulations, seek Opportunities, hunt for treasures beyond the heavens, and become entangled in layers of karma.

Such endeavors were often fraught with danger, making a Guardian Daoist especially important.

Jiang Yi considered this for a moment, but he wasn’t so flattered by the True Monarch’s favor that he agreed on the spot.

This was a matter of utmost gravity.

Choosing a Guardian Daoist was equivalent to entrusting your life to another.

If they were untrustworthy, you would sooner or later be doomed beyond redemption!

"Choosing a patron master is a major affair. According to the rules, I must have my classics master’s approval. I dare not decide on my own. Please forgive me, True Monarch."

Jiang Yi demurred tactfully. He was just a Qi Cultivation Cultivator; there was no way he could fathom the thoughts of a True Monarch Level figure.

Besides, True Monarch Xu occupied the position of a Great Daoist Lord. He was surely a being of complete self-nature and abundant Merit, far from ordinary.

’This matter required even greater caution!’

"Haha, Daoist, you need not worry."

True Monarch Xu’s voice was like a great bell, his laughter hearty.

"You are the Daoist personally appointed by the Ancestor and approved by the Sect Leader. How could I possibly have any ulterior motives?"

Jiang Yi calmed his Heart Spirit, his demeanor as tranquil as water, and replied softly,

"This matter is of great importance. Please allow me some time to reconsider."

True Monarch Xu did not press him, merely smiling as he said,

"I believe True Monarch Lu will nod his head in agreement."

The tall, powerful, lion-like elder’s gaze shifted. A majestic Qi Mechanism that seemed to cover the heavens and earth, filling the entire cosmos, radiated from him.

Jiang Yi, a mere Qi Cultivation Cultivator, had no way to resist. He was swept up into it before he could even react.

The next moment, he found himself standing amidst a vast, boundless expanse of majestic mountains.

The aura of the mountains and waters in this land was exceptionally dense. A glance from the corner of Jiang Yi’s eye revealed Water Veins and mountain roots taking the form of dragons, coalescing with natural, potent spiritual energy.

With the blessing of his Shao Yang Golden attribute, he could perceive even more "details." All around him, the laws of the ten directions crisscrossed, arranged in a strict and orderly fashion.

’A grotto-heaven?’

Jiang Yi’s heart stirred. ’Could this be the place where a Great True Monarch manifests their Dao?’

He had once heard True Master Xuanmiao mention that the Foundation Establishment Realm was about emulating the mechanisms of the four seasons and preparing the wonders of the Five Elements.

Stepping into the True Monarch level was another world entirely.

This was because a True Monarch’s spirit and form were both wondrous, and they were one with the Dao. To them, the Yanfu Vast Land was like a cramped room, too restrictive to move freely.

Therefore, the deeper a True Monarch’s cultivation, the more they would conceal their Dharma Body within a grotto-heaven to evade calamities and sever karmic ties.

Once their Cultivation advanced further to become a Daoist Monarch, even a grotto-heaven could no longer contain them. They would have to travel to the great heavens beyond the cosmos to open up a source stream of the Dao.

When he had first heard this, Jiang Yi had specifically asked True Master Xuanmiao what exactly a grotto-heaven was to have such a profound effect on a True Monarch.

The Cat Master hadn’t been vague, stating bluntly that a grotto-heaven was a Dao-land.

It is often said that the Great Dao is nameless and formless. A True Monarch borrows a seed of heaven and earth and seeks out creation itself, causing the Great Dao to manifest. They stabilize the four cardinal directions and the realms above and below, evolve the esoteric principles of the Five Elements, and ultimately form a world of their own.

From then on, they could hang their grotto-heaven high in the great void, roaming the cosmos and attaining true, great freedom.

True Monarch Xu stood upon an auspicious cloud. A thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers seemed to churn and surge within it, ever-changing.

"I entered the Dao rather early and cultivated the [Virtue of Earth]."

Jiang Yi’s eyebrows raised slightly. He found it strange. ’There’s actually a True Monarch of the Virtue of Earth in the Innate Sect?’

He had learned long ago from True Master Xuanmiao and Xiaoqiao that none of the great Daoist Lineages of Yanfu allowed their disciples to privately cultivate the [Virtue of Earth].

This was especially true in the Demon Dao, where a supreme demon master had once appeared who successively attained the two Golden Positions of [She] and [Ji], suppressing the [Thunder Core], which had flourished for millions of years, to the point it couldn’t even raise its head.

Learning from this past failure, the Immortal Dao burned all First and Second Grades Earth Element Techniques and Foundation Establishment True Skills. They also destroyed the corresponding Spiritual Objects, resulting in very few cultivators of the Virtue of Earth in the present age.

"Blessed by the Ancestor’s protection, I managed to survive several Killing Tribulations and was lucky enough to get half a foot in the door of attaining the Dao."

True Monarch Xu’s tone was slow and unhurried.

"But the positions of the Virtue of Earth are none other than [She] and [Ji]. My merits and achievements were insufficient to attract their favor.

So, I settled for the next best thing and attained the [Five Sacrifices], which is considered treading the path of the Divine Dao."

Having been influenced by the Celestial Book, which subtly enhanced his Dao Wisdom, Jiang Yi was no stranger to the path of a True Monarch.

’’[She] is the master of the earth, and [Ji] is the god of grain. There is also the saying, "The great affairs of a state are sacrifice and warfare."’

’True Monarch Xu failed to obtain [Sheji], so he switched to the Divine Dao, using the name of sacrifice to claim his position... His talent is truly world-shaking.’

True Monarch Xu gave him a strange look and said bluntly,

"Daoist, if you wish to praise me, you might as well say it out loud. Intentionally revealing your inner thoughts just makes it seem contrived."

Jiang Yi’s expression didn’t change as he replied calmly,

"My heart was sincere, which is why the True Monarch was able to perceive it. It was not a clever trick."

True Monarch Xu roared with laughter, openly accepting the compliment.

"Many thanks for your kind words, Daoist."

But Jiang Yi found it even harder to grasp the intentions of this veteran True Monarch who ruled Kun Peak, and he grew increasingly uneasy.

To this day, even though he had taken residence in the Ever-Bright Celestial Pool and bore the title of the Innate Sect’s Daoist, seeming glorious and distinguished...

Even though he had dealt with Lady Xuan’nv and even borrowed the might of the Slaying Sword to wound that [Thunder Core] being, setting an unprecedented record in the Yanfu Vast Land...

In the presence of a True Monarch who held a Golden Position, he still couldn’t hide his apprehension.

The reason was simple.

A True Monarch was already a giant on the path of the Dao. Their ambitions were far more vast and long-term than those of Qi Cultivation or Foundation Establishment Cultivators. It was truly impossible to guess their motives.

"Daoist, you have formed a yin bond and conducted a yang marriage with that lady from [Fengdu]."

Seeing Jiang Yi’s wariness, True Monarch Xu got straight to the point:

"I have a rough idea of that Lady Xuan’nv’s background. Since [She] and [Ji] are beyond my reach, it is very difficult for my path of the Dao to advance even half a step.

I can only delve deeper into the [Divine Dao] and make other plans. Therefore, I wish to form an incense bond with you, Daoist.

If that Lady Xuan’nv can truly break away from the [Ghost Dao] and draw upon [Tai Yin], perhaps it could create an opportunity for me to advance."

Jiang Yi was slightly taken aback. ’So that’s it. I’m riding on Lady Xuan’nv’s coattails.’

That was why a Great True Monarch of an Ancestral Sect would volunteer and condescend to be his Guardian Daoist.

"Daoist, your Realm is still shallow, so you don’t feel it deeply yet. You will understand after you achieve Foundation Establishment and attain your position.

What is the Great Dao? The Great Dao is like a room. The threshold is terrifyingly high, blocking ninety-nine percent of the world’s cultivators. But once inside, the room is exceptionally small, forcing you to stoop just to keep from hitting your head.

After a long time like that, you inevitably feel constrained and find it hard to feel joy. Your only choice is to find a way to jump out of that room and find a wider space to stretch your limbs."

True Monarch Xu was filled with emotion. An infinite brilliance appeared in his deep eyes. Jiang Yi saw it clearly and was inexplicably reminded of his time at Red Flame Peak in the Qianji Sect, when he had tasted Spirit Rice for the first time.

A True Monarch’s thirst for the Great Dao was probably just like that.

"I don’t have much talent. I’ve wasted away in my grotto-heaven for 2,700 years. The character for ’sacrifice,’ which defines my path, is deeply symbolic. It combines the radical for ’god’ with the symbol for the sixth Earthly Branch. This branch represents a time when Yang Qi has emerged, Yin Qi is hidden, and all things become visible and form patterns. Thus, this symbol also represents the snake.

One of my Divine Techniques is to draw out the yang and conceal the yin, to seek fortune and avoid disaster. I should be of some help to you, Daoist."

Jiang Yi looked at the tall, powerful True Monarch before him—with his frost-white hair and imposing, fierce aura—and felt quite surprised.

’Someone who looks so valiant and domineering is actually proficient in the arts of divination?’

"It is said that the [Virtue of Earth] can nourish all things, nurture all kinds of Spiritual Objects, and refine countless treasures. In ancient times, its practitioners were the wealthiest, with no one to compare.

My cultivation was insufficient, and I failed to attain the [Virtue of Earth]. However, as the saying goes, ’Heavenly gods receive rites, Earth Deities receive offerings, and ancestral temples receive libations.’

I command the Dao of the [Five Sacrifices]. Across the Yanfu Vast Land, from the mountain forests, famous rivers, and great marshes to the mausoleums and temples, and even to the ancestors and sages of old—a share of all the ’incense’ from their worship flows to me."

True Monarch Xu’s tone suddenly shifted. With a broad grin, he looked just like a ridiculously wealthy landlord, his aura overbearing and proud.

"Daoist, if you choose me as your patron master, I can promise you this: you’ll have more than enough spiritual currency to spend, an inexhaustible supply! I guarantee you won’t be any worse off than that bunch from the Taifu Sect!"