Chapter Ninety-Six: Preaching

Wu Shaoyuan, who had been unable to interject all along, finally spoke up: “Whether Jun Huai is a prodigy or not is irrelevant. What truly defies the heavens is his magnanimity and deep sense of loyalty. Imagine, who else would willingly offer such a private treasure to share with everyone? Is it because he believes people have no selfishness? Or because he doesn’t care about such treasures? Neither. It’s simply because of his strong loyalty and principles! He is an anomaly—a unique freak in the cultivation world!”

Wu Wanren listened with deep emotion. “That’s right. This boy has been following me since childhood. His personality is almost nonexistent in the cultivation world today. Take this matter, for example. It had nothing to do with him, so why did he willingly wade into this mess? It’s because of his sense of justice; he despises those men in black.”

Fang Keyin said to Wu Wanren, “Indeed, when you and Jun Huai told me about this matter, my first reaction was fear that the Absolute Dust Palace would be implicated. On that point, none of us matches him—he possesses a truly selfless heart.”

Liu Jun Huai spoke solemnly, “Where in this world is there truly a selfless heart? As humans, there will always be selfishness. I simply act on impulse—I cannot tolerate the ugliness in the cultivation world. But if you want me to fight against even uglier celestial-level beings, I would rather die than do that. That’s not justice; that’s foolishness! Sometimes I think, as long as one keeps their true heart amidst this murky world, that is enough. Do what you can, and don’t overestimate yourself.”

Fang Keyin nodded, “A true heart—that is conscience. Well said! If everyone lost their true heart, then the path of cultivation would be pointless! No wonder Jun Huai, at such a young age, has achieved so much. His outlook differs from most because he always adheres to that true heart. Honestly, I am not as good as him! Do you know? At his age, he has already grasped two kinds of Dao. The treasures he acquired owe more to luck and opportunity, but his understanding of Dao doesn’t rely on those factors.”

Bian Yanshan was astonished and asked urgently, “Really, Jun Huai? What two kinds of Dao have you comprehended?”

Liu Jun Huai replied, “It’s hardly comprehension, just the surface.”

Wu Shaoyuan and Wu Wanren, still unable to fully grasp the true meaning of Dao comprehension, looked on silently. The elderly men, however, understood the profound significance and all turned to Liu Jun Huai with eyes like hungry wolves eyeing a flock of sheep.

Liu Jun Huai smiled helplessly. “I have merely grasped a bit of the Dao of Time and the Dao of Teleportation—just simple, minor divine abilities.”

The elders remained silent, their intense gazes fixed on him. Liu Jun Huai had no choice but to stand and say, “Shall I demonstrate outside?”

Immediately, everyone rose and followed him to the area outside the Cloud Piercer.

Liu Jun Huai looked at them with amusement. With a flick of his will, his form vanished on the spot. Moments later, he suddenly reappeared holding a small sapling.

Everyone’s faces showed shock. Wu Shaoyuan stammered, “Jun Huai, is this... teleportation?”

Wu Wanren thought to himself, how can one fight when the moment you strike, the opponent vanishes, and before you realize it, they reappear behind you? What’s the point of cultivating then?

He was not alone in this thought; even Fang Keyin, at the Nascent Soul stage, could not figure out how to counter such teleportation powers, unless one could immobilize the opponent at the very first move.

In the end, Fang Keyin gave up pondering and smiled at Wu Shaoyuan. “Do you have some understanding of Dao now? This is the divine ability one attains after comprehending Dao.”

***

Wu Shaoyuan’s speech was still halting. “Jun... Jun Huai, what about the time divine ability?”

Liu Jun Huai channeled a strand of the Time Dao pattern into the sapling. In the blink of an eye, the once vibrant green sapling withered and decayed; its bark cracked into pieces like large fish scales, the internal wood rotted away, contrasting starkly with its previous vitality. A faint aura of death emanated from the decayed trunk, causing the onlookers’ hair to stand on end.

“Terrifying!” Wu Shaoyuan shouted. This phenomenon far exceeded his understanding, filling him with an overwhelming dread. He knew this was only the Time Dao effect on a tree; to apply this to a human would be truly horrifying.

After a long pause, Bian Yanshan said, “Jun Huai, now I understand why you have the confidence to confront those hidden factions in black. With this kind of power, I must say, grandson, you have done well!”

Fang Keyin added, “With these techniques, fighting the Shen family is practically bullying!”

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Liu Jun Huai’s eyes. “That’s exactly my intention—to bully them, just as they bullied my mother back then!”

Seeing this reignited rage, Wu Yaohan quickly changed the subject. “Jun Huai, can you explain the Time Dao pattern to us? Can the time divine ability actually reverse time?”

Wu Yaohan’s question voiced the shared curiosity of all present. The others gathered closer to listen to Liu Jun Huai’s explanation.

Liu Jun Huai said, “A Dao pattern is a law of nature. The Time Dao pattern embodies the long passage of years, representing the vast extension of time. It does not control the sequence of events but reflects the natural laws of time’s flow in the universe. Reversing time is another law called the ‘Withered Tree Blossoms Again’ law. The two are completely opposite concepts.”

Fang Keyin asked, “Can you tell us what Dao is?”

Liu Jun Huai smiled wryly. “My understanding is but superficial. To speak of Dao is to invite ridicule. What level of person can truly explain Dao? I have only just learned to walk. If you ask me to run, I cannot. Moreover, everyone’s understanding of Dao differs; I cannot speak for all.”

Fang Keyin laughed, “Even so, that’s far better than our complete ignorance. Just share whatever little you know; if it grows too deep, we won’t understand anyway.”

Liu Jun Huai’s smile grew more bitter. “Then consider it parroting—I’ll tell it like a story. Dao is like the human heart: vast enough to contain all things in heaven and earth, yet small and elusive. Everything in the world is born from Dao and returns to Dao. We cultivators are but a part of Dao’s unfolding, a reflection of our understanding of life and the world, leading to breakthroughs—thus comes Dao comprehension and Dao realization.

“Dao lies within the heart; one Dao manifests all phenomena. Laws are naturally nurtured to confirm Dao’s existence. Everything in the mortal world—from a nation, a land, a universe, down to a leaf, a person, or even an ant—can be Dao.

“The law of Dao is nature itself. Simply put, Dao follows nature. Returning to the original state is like an infant. As one grows, influenced by fame and material things, one gradually drifts from Dao. Cultivation aims to remove such accumulated impurities and return to the primordial state.

“The power of Dao is ceaseless and inexhaustible—giving birth to heaven, earth, ghosts, gods, emperors, and sages, all differentiated from Dao’s natural functions without any human intervention. Dao is the operation of natural power; it is neither for a purpose nor because of a reason—it simply is, originally unmoved, without origin or end, without before or after, without birth or death. From this eternal state arise the universe, all life, and the natural phenomena of birth and death, generating time, space, and the unconscious flow of existence.”

***

“My understanding is this: those who cultivate the great Dao must emulate Dao’s natural essence, conform to the laws of heaven and earth, respect the characteristics of all life, and strive to maintain harmony in nature. In worldly matters, one should not force things but follow their natural course. One must know contentment, restraint, and constancy to find peace of mind and spiritual elevation.” Liu Jun Huai spoke gently, growing more embarrassed as he went on, yet explaining the principles clearly despite his limited understanding.

Among the listeners, Fang Keyin was most deeply moved. With his highest cultivation level among them and having consulted many elder experts on the great Dao, he often felt his grasp of Dao remained vague. Liu Jun Huai’s insights brought him a step closer to true comprehension.

Seeing Wu Shaoyuan and Wu Wanren’s even more puzzled expressions, Liu Jun Huai said, “To put it simply, some enter Dao through sound; others through cooking skills. It’s not just about martial cultivation.” Then he turned to Fang Keyin. “Grandfather, don’t worry over your temporary confusion. Let it be natural. Besides, I already have the materials to refine the Dao Comprehension Pill. Sitong is now a level five alchemist; when she reaches level nine, she can refine the Dao Comprehension Pill.”

Fang Keyin exclaimed with delight, “Sitong is level five? Hahaha, the Absolute Dust Palace finally has a high-level alchemist.”

Wu Shaoyuan asked, “Jun Huai, what is a Dao Comprehension Pill?”

Liu Jun Huai answered, “The Dao Comprehension Pill is a precious treasure. One pill can help an immortal gain a glimpse of enlightenment. For ordinary cultivators, it’s even more useful. Shaoyuan, you should know that one Dao Comprehension Pill in the Immortal Realm can trigger a war. It’s not something to be taken lightly or spread around!”

Even Fang Keyin didn’t fully grasp the pill’s value; the others were left dumbfounded. Liu Jun Huai’s stature in their eyes grew immensely.

The six of them spent the entire day immersed in intense discussion. As dusk fell, they decided to set out for the Celestial Machine Sect.

A few miles from the sect’s gate, they disembarked from the Cloud Piercer and mounted their flying swords.

Wu Wanren led them through several narrow paths, quietly arriving at his residence. There, Jiao Yihan and a black-haired, white-robed elder had been waiting.

This elder, Xiao Qingtian, was the sect master of the Celestial Machine Sect, at the early Nascent Soul stage. He was surprised to see Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan’s cultivation levels but maintained composure, having been prepared.

After brief introductions, Fang Keyin and the others stayed in the outer guest rooms, while Liu Jun Huai accompanied Xiao Qingtian and Jiao Yihan into the inner hall.