Chapter 418 - 345: Guidance
"Greetings, Master!"
In the cold and quiet Star Hub Hall, Chen Sheng, clad in a Daoist Robe, bowed respectfully.
A short time ago, he was in seclusion, pondering the "Yin Yang Five Elements Annihilation Calamity Resolution", when Dharma Master Hong Jue summoned him here.
On the main seat in the hall, Dharma Master Hong Jue leaned against the Jade Throne embroidered with silver threads depicting the star tracks, faintly glowing.
Upon hearing his disciple’s voice, he gradually raised his eyes, his gaze deep and profound, scanning Chen Sheng with a hint of testing intent in his eyes.
Dharma Master Hong Jue’s voice was low yet carried a weight that pierced the heart:
"Rise, I have summoned you here after observing your Sword Technique during the Star Tower trial, which has shown some promise."
Following the instructions, Chen Sheng stood up, bowing his head to await further orders: "Master, please provide guidance."
Dharma Master Hong Jue nodded, stood slowly, and as his Profound Robe swept past the edge of the Jade Throne, it left a trail of shining Spirit Light:
"Go to the martial stage in the hall and execute the Swordsmanship you have comprehended completely."
Chen Sheng did not hesitate and stepped towards the martial stage in the center of the hall.
"Disciple presents clumsily."
Before his voice faded, Chen Sheng flipped his wrist, and Cyan Nether unsheathed like a meteor tearing through the long night.
A set of Swordsmanship unfolded, with the momentum of the Yin Yang Five Elements alternating in succession, subtly harmonizing with the Dao Rhyme of natural law.
Yet at its core, it converged into a faint grey, representing the ultimate state of annihilation after all things return to silence.
Dharma Master Hong Jue stood still before the Jade Throne, his hands behind his back, with the star tracks on his Profound Robe alternating light and dark with Chen Sheng’s Sword Momentum.
"Conclude."
Upon completing the set of Swordsmanship, Dharma Master Hong Jue’s voice rang out timely, breaking the silence of the hall.
Chen Sheng sheathed his sword respectfully, waiting for his Master’s words:
"Your Sword Momentum resembles form but lacks spirit. In terms of technique structure, it has surpassed the passing line, yet to be called ’annihilation’, it falls far short."
Chen Sheng’s heart tightened, bowing deeply: "I earnestly seek Master’s guidance."
Dharma Master Hong Jue raised a hand as if to press down, a pattern of Yin Yang Five Elements appeared in his palm, changing with his voice:
"Wood governs birth, Fire governs growth, nurturing and maintaining life is nature of Dao. The Dao follows, accommodating both heaven and human, so does Sword Technique."
The words were still echoing when the virtual image in his palm transformed suddenly, stemming from and ending in a point of grey radiance:
"Break force with force, reveal Dao through form, annihilation is the root of destruction, the true essence of Dao when Yin Yang Five Elements return to silence."
"Just like day and night rotate, daylight is ’revealing’, night is ’concealing’; without concealment, there’s no revelation; without silence, there’s no annihilation..."
Each word like a morning bell or an evening drum, ringing in Chen Sheng’s heart.
He looked at the grey radiance in his Master’s palm, feeling a tremendous echo in his mind.
In a flash, Chen Sheng envisioned countless scenes in his mind.
Spring wood budding with natural vitality, Summer fire raging and spreading wildly, Autumn metal harvesting in a blend of rigidity and softness, Winter water freezing with external softness and internal strength... ultimately leading to the annihilation of heavens and earth.
The demonstration in Dharma Master Hong Jue’s palm kept replaying in his mind, each annihilation transformation deepening his insight.
"So that’s it... Dao precedes momentum, momentum follows Dao!"
Chen Sheng suddenly saw the light, his eyes bursting with brilliant divine light, holding his sword for another practice guided only by instinct.
Sword Light circulated, his surrounding Dao Principles transformed, Yin Yang Five Elements evolving into a mystical flower of annihilation.
A clear entry into Secret Technique was achieved!
Dharma Master Hong Jue watched from below the stage, witnessing the transformation in Chen Sheng, feeling gratified: "Well said, Dao precedes momentum!"
Chen Sheng’s talent for enlightenment exceeded his expectations, especially in the intuition for Sword Dao, surpassing even his second disciple who practiced Sword Dao.
His resolve intensified!
After an incense stick of time, Sword Light subsided, and Chen Sheng returned to reality, immediately bowing deeply, his reverence surpassing before:
"Disciple is immensely grateful for Master’s revelation!"
Dharma Master Hong Jue nodded, providing a few more detailed pointers, each striking with precision, causing Chen Sheng further epiphany!
This is what it means to be a Dharma Master!
When Dao reaches sublimation, it becomes a law, one law evolving myriad Dao, with the formation of Dharma Seed, Heaven and Earth Dao Principles are nearly without secrets for them.
This is why the forces that possess Dharma Masters in Yun State almost monopolize the top hundred rankings of the state.
Even a mediocre person might transform into miraculous under such guidance.
Suddenly, Dharma Master Hong Jue paused, looked at Chen Sheng: "Next, I intend to send you to the Small Thousand World I have opened for cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng felt like a thunderbolt exploded in his mind.
Although he hadn’t been in Yunlu Daoist Palace for long, leveraging Inner Sect Disciple privileges, he had browsed many High Tier Immortal Dao Jade Scrolls in the Scripture Pavilion, filling gaps in advanced knowledge.
For Integration level forces, they generally control multiple Small Thousand Worlds to allow disciples to comprehend, and the Dao Palace is no exception.
Yunlu Daoist Palace holds two Small Thousand Worlds known as the Thunder Palace World and Thousand Mountains World, disciples can enter based on contributions for comprehension.
However, compared to the Cangyuan Dao Realm, these Small Thousand Worlds are far inferior, and not all Small Thousand Worlds are equal!
Yet the Small Thousand World mentioned by Dharma Master Hong Jue was different from either, it was his own Heaven and Earth!
Void Refining cultivators control Void Realms, Integration opens up Small Thousand Worlds, Tribulation crossing evolves Middle Thousand Worlds.
Such a Small Thousand World is not just a place for cultivation but an extension of the Dharma Master’s own laws.
Training within is akin to receiving Master’s instruction every moment and using adjusted laws by the Master to mitigate personal shortcomings, making enlightenment far more efficient than in ordinary Small Thousand Worlds.
Such a core location is the foundation of Integration Dharma Masters and is rarely opened, fearing breaches in their principles or damage to their foundations.
Chen Sheng quickly expressed his gratitude: "Disciple is deeply thankful to Master!"
Yet Dharma Master Hong Jue slowly began again, his tone suddenly becoming solemn:
"But opportunities must be carried by strength, I give you two thousand years."
"Should you reach the tenth level of the Star Tower after cultivation, you will become my fourth Direct Disciple."
"Two thousand years, the tenth level of the Star Tower!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng’s pupils contracted slightly, such demands were truly stringent!
Instantly, he recalled information about the current batch of thirteen Inner Sect disciples sent to participate in the state competition, each a selected elite.
Among them, Fairy Qinglan was as radiant as the full moon and once defeated a Void Refining Great Power, ultimately ranking seventh in the state competition.
Even though this year’s competition marked a stronger than average field, ordinarily they could contend for first!
Despite such achievements, she could only reach the eighth level of the Star Tower, far from the tenth, to achieve which would classify one as a formidable stronghold among Void Refining cultivators.
However, just because Fairy Qinglan couldn’t do it doesn’t mean Chen Sheng couldn’t.
Moreover, the Master was willing to let him cultivate in his self-opened Profound Silence Realm, a once-in-lifetime chance.
Chen Sheng’s eyes burned with determination, bending straight as a sword, his voice firm:
"Disciple shall exert all efforts, reach the tenth level of the Star Tower, and not fail the Master’s high expectations!"
Dharma Master Hong Jue laughed heartily: "Good, ambitious!"