Eleventh: Seeking the Way is Precious

  Yuanshi received Xun Daozi's grand courtesy and bowed: "You may rise."

  "Is that so, Master!" He immediately got up.

  Yuanshi pointed at the Daoist with hair as white as snow and said: "This is my elder brother, your Master Uncle, Laozi."

  Xun Daozi hastily bowed down and said: "Master Bo!"

  Laozi smiled and stretched out his hand to help him up: "Get up."

  Xun Daozi said: "Yes, Master!" and stood up.

  There was a Taoist priest with a sword-shaped eyebrow and starry eyes who said: "This is my third brother, your master's uncle, Tongtian."

  Xun Daozi bowed again and said: "Shifu!"

  Tongtian smiled and said, "Well, since you're now my junior, it's only right that I give you a gift to celebrate our meeting. But what can I give you?" Tongtian stroked his chin, "You little scamp has more treasures than me, what could I possibly give you?"

  Xun Daozi quickly said there was no need for Shifu to see him off.

  Before long, Tongtian's eyes lit up and he said: "I see you have a long sword on your back, so I'll teach you a set of sword moves, consider it a gift for meeting each other." After that, he laughed loudly.

  Yuanshi stared at Tongtian with a glance, and the old man on the other side also smiled: "I see that your physique is special, so I'll pass on to you a set of Taiqing Lei Fa, consider it a gift for meeting."

  Xun Daozi stood up with a bow and thanked him, then stood aside under Yuan Shi's indication.

  Yuanshi Dao said: "Take out the long sword on your back and let me see it."

  Xun Daozi unsheathed his long sword and presented it with both hands to Yuan Shi in front of him.

  Yuanshi reached out and took the long sword, looking at the ancient and unadorned scabbard with a hint of emotion. After a moment, Yuanshi grasped the scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other, slowly drawing out the sword. His eyes widened in surprise as he gazed at the somewhat dull sword surface and the mysterious patterns on it, causing Yuanshi to be shocked again and again, with a faint green light flickering in his eyes.

  Laozi, seeing the appearance of Yuanshi, also felt surprised and wondered. He didn't know why this ordinary-looking long sword made Yuanshi so astonished. If it were a supreme treasure, with Laozi's cultivation, he should not be able to control it; if it were an opportunity for refinement, there would be no need to carry it on his back. If it were an ordinary treasure, with Yuanshi's vision, he absolutely wouldn't be surprised.

  After a while, Yuanshi withdrew his gaze and looked at Laozi and Tongtian's puzzled eyes, saying: "This is a Taoist instrument, born with the operation of the pre-heavenly Taoist instrument, its value is not lower than that of the pre-heavenly treasure, it is the protective object of the seeker of the Tao, there should be another object to match it into a set." Saying this, Yuanshi turned his head to Xun Daozi and said: "When you got this sword, was there any other object?"

  Xun Daozi replied: "There is. It's in the cave. I'll go get it." After finishing speaking, he bid farewell to the three Taoists and quickly walked towards the cave.

  After Zidu left, Tongtian couldn't help but stretch out his hand towards Yuanshi and said: "Quickly let me take a look."

  Yuanshi handed the sword to Tongtian. Tongtian hastily drew out the long sword and examined it carefully, exclaiming in admiration: "Good sword, good sword!"

  He looked at it for a while and then handed the long sword over to Laozi to take a look. Just as Laozi was looking, Xunzi returned with a feather duster in his hand.

  Tongtian held a duster in his hand and asked, "Is this it?"

  Xun Daozi nodded hastily and said yes.

  Yuanshi glared at Tongtian, but Tongtian ignored him, instead focusing on examining the duster in his hand. He was muttering to himself, "Good stuff, good stuff! I didn't know there were such great things in this world!"

  Tongtian played with the dust in his hand for a while before handing it over to Yuanshi.

  Yuanshi received the duster and glared at Tongtian again, but was ignored by Tongtian. Yuanshi could only helplessly ignore him and carefully examine the duster in his hand.

  Hand it over to me after you've finished watching.

  After the three of them had finished looking, Yuanshi placed the long sword and the feather duster on the tree stump table. He sighed and said: "I didn't think that there would be such a treasure in the world, although it doesn't have much use for us," then turned to Xun Daozi, "but for you, it will be of great help. With these two treasures, your cultivation will be worry-free."

  The old man smiled and said: "Unexpectedly, Xun Daozi has such good fortune, this is also the blessing of us all."

  Tongtian also congratulated with a smile.

  Xun Daozi listened to the heartfelt congratulations of the three Taoists, but he was unclear and looked bewildered.

  At first, he saw his confused appearance and could only shake his head. He said to him, "Let me tell you, these two treasures are born for those who seek the Tao. The dust-removing broom is called 'clearing the heart'. Wearing it by your side can clear your mind and nature, and solidify your Taoist heart. If a seeker of the Tao does not have enough self-control, they may be tempted by external things or fear the difficulties of the Taoist path, causing their heart to waver and lose their way, ultimately being abandoned by the Tao and disappearing into nothingness for eternity. However, if a seeker of the Tao has this dust-removing broom treasure with them, they can always clear their mind and see their nature, with an empty and bright spirit platform, and a permanent Taoist heart. The long sword is called 'protecting the heart', meaning to protect one's Taoist heart. A seeker of the Tao must examine the workings of the Tao in various environments, which inevitably involves encountering dangers that threaten one's life, causing them to lose their way and their life being cut off from the Tao. However, if a seeker of the Tao has this protecting heart sword to protect themselves, they will have more opportunities to prove the Tao on their journey, with the power of the protecting heart sword being immense, able to ward off many dangers for the seeker of the Tao. These two treasures can be said to be the ultimate treasures for seekers of the Tao.

  Xun Daozi was stunned, he didn't expect that the ordinary-looking long sword he had been fiddling with for a long time would be a treasure of cultivation. He was excited in his heart, but also puzzled. After listening to Master Yuanshi finish speaking, he quickly asked: "Master, but I don't know how to use it?"

  Yuanshi heard this and laughed, saying: "You little brat, you have a treasure but don't know how to use it, letting the treasure collect dust. Your mistake is not small. If these two treasures were used properly, it would be very simple. The duster only needs to be carried on one's person to achieve a certain effect of clearing the mind and clarifying the spirit. The long sword is originally a sharp treasure sword, just holding it can protect oneself." Saying this, Yuanshi smiled at Xun Daozi, "You also used it to chop stones, cut jade, break bamboo, and dig up medicine, didn't you?" After finishing speaking, he still smiled. Unexpectedly, Yuanshi would also tease his disciple.

  Xun Daozi's face suddenly turned bright red.

  The old man on the other side couldn't help but smile wryly, while Tongtian burst out laughing.

  After everyone's laughter had subsided, Yuan Shi continued, "To truly bring out the effects of these two treasures, they must be refined through a sacrificial ritual."

  Xun Daozi's face was still flushed with excitement as he hastily asked, "Master, how should we offer sacrifices and refine our skills?"

  "This two treasures, can't be cultivated by ordinary methods, must use the method of heart blood and soul to cultivate, when cultivating, two treasures are cultivated together, take nine drops of heart's essence blood, tear a thread of soul, attach it to the two treasures, then use the secret method to place the dustpan in the hall of recognition, the long sword is divided into two parts, placed in the heart chamber. After that, from time to time with the Taoist heart to nourish, until the two treasures recognize your Taoist heart, the Taoist heart is your seeking Tao's heart, towards the Tao's thought. If you get the recognition of the two treasures, it means the cultivation is successful. Then you can exert the power of these two treasures: The dustpan not only can sweep away the heart dust for you at any time, keep your spiritual platform clear and bright, and your Taoist heart forever solid, but also can resist soul attacks, and can be used to call out to clear the mind and nature for others, drive away heart dust, and can also be used as a handy weapon, of course, this requires learning a set of dustpan attack defense methods. The long sword will automatically protect you when you encounter danger, resist attacks, and can also be called out as a powerful weapon, accompany you to fight."

  Xun Daozi suddenly realized how misguided his previous actions had been upon hearing this.

  Laozi, Tongtian sat beside him eating fruit and drinking tea, watching Yuanshi teach his disciples. In his heart, he was also a bit eager. Especially Tongtian, who wanted to show off as the master, enjoy the taste of teaching and guiding his disciples. Seeing Yuanshi finish speaking, he took over and said: "Master uncle, I'll teach you swordsmanship first. Once you've refined it, the treasure sword will have a use. Come, follow me to learn swordsmanship." After finishing speaking, he wanted to pull Xunzi away.

  Xun Daozi innocently looked at Yuan Shi.

  Yuanshi had not yet spoken, when Laozi spoke up: "Third brother, you want to pass on the Xuanzhen sword technique, but it's not suitable for now. First let him absorb and refine these two treasures into his body, then he can practice the sword and learn the techniques. We have nothing better to do, and we can also use this opportunity to ponder what we gained from listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace." Having said that, Laozi turned to Xundao with a smile and asked: "Do you welcome us to stay here for a while, Master?"

  Xun Daozi was taken aback, but Xuan Er was overjoyed. This obviously meant that they were going to stay here and guide him, how could he not be happy? His face was filled with joy, and he said repeatedly: "Shibo, Shifu, and Shishu can stay here temporarily, it's the greatest blessing for me, how can I not welcome you, I'll go clean up your living quarters right away."

  Laozi said: "No need, this pavilion is already quite good. Sitting in meditation and contemplating the Tao are both fine here. You can also drink tea and taste fruit. This is perfect."

  Yuanshi nodded and said: "This place is indeed good, facing the pond, the scenery is unique, pleasant to the eye, not bad!"

  Tongtian also said: "Well, it's convenient."

  Yuanshi was delighted when he accepted his first disciple, Laozi Tongtian. Although Laozi Tongtian was Yuanshi's disciple, he also liked him very much. So he wanted to give him some benefits. Moreover, the tea they drank earlier had brought them a lot of gain, and Laozi Tongtian felt that he had taken advantage of Yuanshi, so he didn't feel too good about it. He thought of compensating him, which led to the idea of transmitting his teachings. Yuanshi knew Laozi Tongtian's thoughts and was quite satisfied with his first disciple. He was happy that his disciples could get some benefits from Laozi Tongtian's favor, so he strongly supported Laozi's opinion.

  Yuanshi pointed to the floor made of woven bamboo strips, and three rush cushions appeared on the floor. With another wave of his hand, a wooden tea table, a reclining chair, and the stone bench that had just been made appeared under the willow tree by the pond.

  When the Daoist turned his head to look, Laozi, Yuanshi and Tongtian were already seated on a rush cushion. Laozi sat in the middle, Yuanshi was on the left, and Tongtian was on the right. In front of them, dust was being swept away, and a long sword was floating in mid-air.

  Yuanshi turned to Xunzi and said: "Disciple, come here."

  Xun Daozi walked up to the three men and stood at attention with his head bowed.

  Yuanshi said, "I'll ask your Master Bo and Master Shu to assist you in refining these two treasures. You must be careful. Extracting the heart's blood is not difficult, but splitting the divine soul is extremely painful, not something ordinary people can endure. Are you prepared? Are you willing to refine these two treasures?" Yuanshi's face was stern and serious.

  Laozi was dignified and majestic in appearance, with a solemn expression on his face.

  Xun Daozi's heart tightened for a moment, and then his face became resolute: "I am willing to refine these two treasures!"

  At first, he saw his face was firm and resolute, and in his heart he was also pleased. His expression didn't change: "Since you're willing, come forward then."

  Xun Daozi followed his words and took two steps forward, standing in front of Yuan Shi with his body bent.

  Yuanshi spoke again: "You sit down cross-legged and relax your mind and body. I will first extract the heart's blood for you."

  Xun Daozi followed his words and sat down, relaxing his body and mind.

  Yuánshǐ yī shǒu niē jué, yī shǒu xū kōng bǐ huà, suí jí jiàn zhǐ yī zhǐ xún dào zǐ, xún dào zǐ zhǐ gǎn nèi xīn yī tòng, jiù jué quán shēn lì liàng lí tǐ ér qù, xiǎng sī tān dǎo zài dì, quán shēn xū ruò wú bǐ.

  English Translation:

  At the beginning, one hand grasped the key, and the other hand drew a virtual empty space. Immediately, the sword pointed to the Daozi, and the Daozi only felt a pain in his heart, and then he felt that all his strength had left his body, almost collapsing to the ground, with extreme weakness throughout his body.

  Nine drops of bright red blood with a faint golden light appeared in front of Yuan Shi, forming a circle and slowly rotating, emitting a dazzling halo.

  After a while, Xuan Daozi felt his body had some strength and could sit up straight, but his face was deathly pale.

  At first, he saw Xun Daozi slightly better, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he said: "I will separate your divine soul for you, are you prepared? Are you still willing?"

  Xun Daozi's eyes were firm and his face unchanged: "Disciple is ready, please Master cast the spell."

  Yuanshi said: "Good!"

  Laozi nodded secretly in approval.

  Yuanshi faced Laozi and bowed: "Please ask the three brothers for help!"

  Laozi smiled and returned the courtesy: "As a fellow student of the same master, why be so formal?"

  As soon as they finished speaking, the three of them simultaneously made a hand seal and cast their spells. Yuanshi struck out with one spell, summoning Xun Daozi's divine soul; Tongtian struck out with a stream of blue light, which was actually a sword energy that cut down onto Xun Daozi's divine soul, slicing off a strand of his divine soul; Laozi followed up by striking out with another stream of blue light, but this one was full of vigorous life energy, wrapping around and enveloping Xun Daozi's twisted divine soul.

  Yuanshi's hand made a single gesture, and the strand of divine soul that Tongtian had cut off was summoned before him. He placed it in the heart blood he had previously taken out, then struck out with a white light, which contained a vast energy. The white light enveloped the divine soul and heart blood, causing the heart blood to revolve around the divine soul, spinning faster and faster, as the divine soul began to mix into the heart blood.

  Soon, the white light was left with only a faint glow. Yuanshi raised his hand again, and with a wave of his sleeve, he placed the Long Sword in the white light. The two treasures also rotated along with it. Yuanshi's hands moved swiftly, striking out one seal after another that merged into the white light.

  Half a time later, there were only two treasures left in the white light, and a hint of Xun Daozi's breath was faintly revealed.

  Yuanshi's hand changed, and a green light shot out, separating from the white light. The long sword flew towards Xun Daozi, who was sitting in meditation, getting smaller and smaller. As it approached Xun Daozi, the sword and its scabbard separated, and with a flash, they disappeared in front of his chest. The dusting brush flew towards Xun Daozi's brow, also disappearing in an instant.