Thirteen, Sanqing said

  After a good two moments, Yuanshi and Tongtian finally let out a breath as they stared at Xun Daozi's father. They confirmed that the Xun Daozi in front of them was indeed a cultivator with a low realm, not a powerful being hiding his identity. However, this low-realm cultivator turned out to be an extraordinary being who had a very deep understanding of the Way. The three of them felt a mix of emotions in their hearts, which wasn't pleasant at all.

  Xun Daozi was stared at by the three Daoren, causing him to feel terrified. Thinking of their identities, those were the top-notch powers of the Honghuang era! He couldn't help but feel anxious in his heart: "Won't they discover that I'm a transmigrator? Are they going to eliminate this unexpected variable? What should I do?"

  Xun Daozi was nervous and uneasy, but Laozi and the other two had calmed down from their shock and regained their composure.

  Laozi turned to Yuan Shi and asked with a hint of a smile, "Seeker of the Way, what you just said, was it your own thought or something you heard from another cultivator?"

  Xun Daozi heard Laozi's question and hastily calmed the anxiety in his heart, respectfully answering: "Reporting to Master Shibo, it is what I was thinking." He had no choice but to force himself to say that it was what he thought.

  The three old men looked at each other and nodded.

  At first, Yuan Shi saw Xun Daozi and noticed that his face had a nervous look. He knew that the three of them had just lost their composure and startled him, so he smiled and said: "Disciple, don't be flustered. Your master and your Shifu's siblings were only shocked by your understanding of the Tao, which was deeper than we expected, so we lost our composure and startled you."

  Xun Daozi did not expect Yuan Shi to say this, and hastily said "I dare not", his heart filled with even more gratitude.

  Yuanshi looked at Laozi again, exchanged a glance with Tongtian, and said: "As for your understanding of the Tao, I'm ashamed to say that as a teacher, I can't enlighten you, nor can I determine whether it's right or wrong. But what you said sounds very reasonable. To be honest, my own understanding of the Tao has not yet reached the level where I can judge whether what you're saying is right or wrong. I'm ashamed to say that I'm not qualified to guide you. On the contrary, your words have greatly inspired me, and it seems like I've grasped something, but it's still very vague, and I don't know what it is. I should thank you!" Yuanshi spoke with a sincere and genuine tone.

  Xun Daozi was shocked to hear Yuan Shi's words: Is this the legendary Yuan Shi? The anti-hero of the later generations, the one who was beaten and scolded by everyone? That hypocritical saint? But what about Yuan Shi now? Could it be that this is the real Yuan Shi?

  Xun Daozi couldn't help but feel a little conflicted.

  In fact, this should be the true origin. Without a rigorous attitude towards knowledge, without tolerance and inclusiveness, without an open-minded heart, one cannot become a sage, obtain the title of Heavenly Honor, and be revered and worshiped by all people.

  Xun Daozi was both entangled and moved by Yuan Shi's sincerity, hastily standing up to bow: "Disciple does not dare."

  That old fellow nodded and said, "We also want to thank you!" Tongtian added, "From now on, I'll be watching over you. Let's see who dares to bully you again." After that, he burst out laughing.

  Xun Daozi hastily said he didn't dare and thanked Tongtian.

  The old man glared at Tongtian with a single glance, and Tongtian immediately stopped.

  Xun Daozi saw Tongtian's appearance and secretly laughed in his heart. He didn't dare to show it on his face, so he just bowed down to the ground with his head lowered.

  "Listen, old man said: 'Xun Daozi, you get up and sit down.'"

  "Disciple thanks Master!" Zidu hastily said, getting up and bowing to Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian before sitting back down.

  The old master saw Xun Daozi sit down and opened his mouth to say: "In the past, when we discussed the Tao, we often talked about the methods of cultivation, the high and low of the Tao, and the application of spiritual techniques. Rarely did we discuss our understanding and recognition of the Tao, nor did we have in-depth discussions about what the Tao is. Today, Xun Daozi has expressed his understanding and recognition of the 'Tao' in the most direct and clear words. This has given me a new understanding and recognition of the 'Tao'. Can we share this understanding and recognition of the 'Tao', exchange ideas, and point out a direction for our cultivation? What do you think, Second Brother, Third Brother?"

  In the beginning, all under heaven said: "Great is the virtue!"

  "As I look at it, I do not see its beginning; as I listen to it, I do not hear its sound; when I try to grasp it, I do not get hold of anything. It cannot be approached or questioned, and is blended into one whole. Its upper part is not bright, its lower part is not obscure. It is indefinite and elusive, and cannot be named. It reverts again to the realm of non-existence. This is called formless form, imageless image, this is called vague and indistinct. Meet it, and you do not see its face; follow it, and you do not see its back. The Tao is always nameless, uncut..."

  Xun Daozi was excited to hear Laozi's words, eager to listen carefully and comprehend thoroughly. However, after listening for a while, he didn't see the legendary great abilities of lecturing on the Tao, with golden lotus flowers emerging from the ground, heavenly flowers falling from the sky, strange fragrances filling his nostrils, or flying immortals dancing around. Instead, he felt dizzy and sleepy, but forced himself to concentrate, pretending to listen attentively. Sneaking a glance at Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, he saw that they were both listening with great interest, their faces filled with joy, completely absorbed in the lecture.

  The old man spoke for a good hour before stopping. Yuanshi and Tongtian repeatedly praised him. Xun Daozi also hurriedly expressed his admiration. In fact, after hearing the back, he was confused.

  "The Great Way is universal, it can go left or right. All things depend on it for their existence and do not abandon it, its work is accomplished without taking credit. It clothes and nourishes all things and does not lord over them, always without desire, this can be called small; all things return to it and do not make it their master, this can be called great. Because it ultimately does not consider itself great, therefore it can accomplish greatness. The Way is the secret of all things..."

  Yuanshi also spoke for a while, during which no unusual phenomenon occurred. Laozi, Tongtian was also full of praise.

  Xun Daozi also heard a bunch of nonsense, but still had to offer some flattering words.

  "I also say: The Way has emotions and sincerity, non-action and formlessness... From the perspective of the Way, things have no nobility or baseness... Ruling the world with the Way is great... The Great Way is level... The Way is empty, yet use it and it will not be exhausted... Reversal is the movement of the Way, weakness is the application of the Way..."

  Another moment, Tongtian is winning over Laozi, and Yuanshi's praise. Xun Daozi is flattering himself by presenting a gift.

  Xun Daozi didn't expect that Tongtian could talk for an hour, and thought that with Tongtian's temperament, he would be finished in just a few words.

  In the end, I still didn't understand much. After clearing up one confusion, another one emerged, and it can be seen that Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian are not even taking care of themselves, immersed in contemplation, as if they really gained something.

  Xun Daozi felt a bit bored, seeing Laozi, Yuan Shi, Tong Tian sitting on a meditation mat, eyes closed, seemingly asleep but not asleep, didn't know if he was cultivating or contemplating. Didn't dare disturb him, waited for a while, didn't see any movement, quietly got up and walked out of the pavilion, looked around east and west, returned to the valley almost two months sitting in meditation, just got up, accompanied Shifu, Shibo, Shishu sitting in meditation for several hours, felt suffocated in his heart, thought about taking a walk.

  Just as he was about to take a step, a beast emerged from the other side, taking three steps at a time with an air of leisure and contentment. For a moment, he was stunned: when did this valley have beasts? Fixing his eyes on it, wasn't this the very same dragon-like beast that Tongtian had brought back? It seemed that he had forgotten about it earlier, but now looking at it, the creature seemed to be living quite comfortably.

  Xun Daozi lifted his leg and walked towards Jidou Beast.

  The dragon beast was strolling leisurely when it suddenly saw Xun Daozi walking quickly towards him. Its eyes narrowed, and its footsteps shortened, as if it had a hint of fear. It seemed that the dragon beast was still intimidated by Xun Daozi from their previous encounter. On that day, it was thrown to the ground so hard that its bones were numb and its muscles were sore. If not for Tong Tian's help, it didn't know how many days it would take to get back up. After being brought into this valley, it was abandoned by everyone and left on its own. At first, it was afraid and didn't dare move, just quietly staying in the corner and watching everyone with trepidation. However, after several days passed, no one came to bother it, so it secretly ran off to a secluded area and began to explore the valley. To its surprise, this place turned out to be its own paradise - spiritual grass was everywhere, and there were countless rare fruits. It couldn't resist the temptation and secretly ate some of the spiritual grass and rare fruits, then hid for several days in fear of being discovered. However, when no one came to scold it, its courage grew, and every day it would eat some of the rare fruits and spiritual grass, wandering around the valley and resting wherever it pleased. Its days were spent in comfort and leisure. On this particular day, it didn't know why it had wandered back, but as soon as it lost focus, it bumped into Xun Daozi. Suddenly, its heart was filled with fear - on one hand, it was still intimidated by the previous encounter; on the other hand, it had secretly eaten many of the rare fruits and spiritual grass, and if the master saw this, it would be in trouble.

  The spear dragon beast did not say a word, but its heart was filled with fear. The seeker of the way also quickly walked up to the front of the spear dragon beast.

  Xun Daozi came to the side of Jilong Beast, tilted his head and looked at it, then circled around Jilong Beast once, making a "tsk" sound in his mouth. Jilong Beast was so nervous that its heart was racing, but it dared not move rashly.

  Xun Daozi walked around the Jilong beast, stood in front of it, and crossed his arms. His eyes had a playful glint: "How come this Jilong beast has shrunk? It seems to be different from before. Hmm! Why aren't its eyes blood-red anymore? They're clear and bright, and very lively. The three horns seem to be bigger, with a faint golden color on top. How did two long whiskers grow on the sides of its nose? Its scales are still shiny. It seems like it's gotten smaller overall?"

  Ji Long Beast made him feel uneasy, unsure whether to advance or retreat. In fact, Ji Long Beast was a rare species of the Desolate Lands, although it looked ferocious, it was an herbivore and had a relatively gentle nature. Due to its poor environment in the past, it had difficulty growing up, but these few days in the valley had brought it great benefits, and it began to show its extraordinary qualities. Xun Daozi's knowledge was shallow, so he didn't know this, which is why he was shocked.

  Xun Daozi was staring at the Jidao Beast in amazement, and the Jidao Beast was also trembling with fear, unsure of how Xun Daozi would deal with it. Suddenly, three powerful auras burst out from the bamboo pavilion, filling the entire valley. Before Xun Daozi and the Jidao Beast could react, they involuntarily fell to the ground. The clouds in the valley surged, the trees bent their waists; the sky was shaken by thunder, and the air was filled with a radiant glow, as if the sound of celestial music echoed through the air.

  After a while, Xun Daozi felt the pressure on his body slightly relieved, and he barely lifted his head to look around. He saw Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian smiling and walking towards him from outside the pavilion.

  Xun Daozi hastily got up, ignoring the spear-wielding dragon beast, and quickly walked towards the three old Taoist priests. Upon arriving in front of them, he bowed down: "Congratulations, Master, Senior Master, Junior Master; felicitations, Master, Senior Master, Junior Master."

  Laozi chuckled and reached out to pull up Xunzi: "Thanks to you, it's all thanks to your efforts!"

  Tongtian also stretched out his hand and patted Xunzi on the back: "Thanks!"

  "Nothing of the sort," said Zuo Lengchan, "it's all due to the efforts of our masters."

  The one beside the origin station stroked his three-inch-long beard, with a smile on his face and a loving look in his eyes: "Master is indeed grateful to you for this harvest. You should be thanked!"

  Xun Daozi felt a bit disheartened and also somewhat proud. His few words had allowed the three top-notch greats of Honghuang to break through and gain a huge harvest, which was quite satisfying. However, if allowing the greats to gain something didn't seem to have any effect on himself, he couldn't help but feel disheartened.

  But he didn't think about it, if it weren't for Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian and other figures, would others have such enlightenment?

  The old master, Yuan Shi, has been on the path of Tao for a long time and has traveled very far in his exploration and understanding of the Tao, accumulating a wealth of knowledge. He had just returned from listening to lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace, where he reached a critical point in his accumulation of knowledge, only lacking a catalyst to break through. Today, after hearing Xun Daozi's words, it was like a sudden enlightenment, breaking through the clouds and seeing the sun, which shocked him awake from his dream-like state, giving direction to his accumulated knowledge. With the push from the three men's discussion on Tao, this breakthrough came naturally.

  The three people's understanding and exchange of the 'Tao' this time, in their subsequent self-enlightenment, mutually referenced each other, gaining new insights into each other's 'Tao', especially Yuanshi and Tongtian's different understandings of the 'Tao', had a most direct exchange, to some extent alleviating the crisis of hidden contradictions, creating opportunities for future exchanges to resolve conflicts, and creating conditions for the ultimate resolution of the crisis. It can be said that to a certain extent, this brief discussion of the Tao changed the history of Honghuang.

  Of course, Xunzi did not know, he was still entangled in it.