Taiyi Dao Fruit

Zhang Daoyi returned to Laojun Temple and saw a Taoist around fifty years old leading people in cleaning up the rubble and sweeping the court. A young Daoist dressed in a black Dao robe seemed to be inquiring about the situation, appearing as though he had just arrived.

The former was the temple master of this Laojun Temple, and by seniority, was still a senior brother of Zhang Daoyi. Of course, they did not share the same master but were fellow disciples under the same sect.

The latter was none other than Master Yuan Zhen, the disciple of the contemporary Sect Master.

Master Yuan Zhen was tall, about seven feet in height, with a handsome and dignified appearance, his brows like those of a dragon and his eyes like those of a phoenix, standing tall like a pine or cypress. In terms of temperament, he even seemed to surpass Zhang Daoyi by a notch.

However, when Zhang Daoyi approached, the natural and flawless manner in which he carried himself, as if in harmony with the universe, silently eclipsed Yuan Zhen's extraordinary temperament.

"Master Yuan Zhen," Zhang Daoyi called out.

"Junior Uncle," Yuan Zhen responded indifferently.

When the two met, there was no sense of closeness, rather a kind of professional detachment.

This was to be expected. Originally recognized as the number one disciple of the current generation and future Sect Master of the Daode Sect, Yuan Zhen suddenly had a junior uncle ranked above him, and in terms of seniority and Cultivation Technique, the junior uncle surpassed him.

Even more so, the junior uncle had always been in seclusion with that Ancestral Master, while Yuan Zhen had rarely even seen the Ancestral Master's face.

Given all this, it was quite grounded of Yuan Zhen not to show any enmity.

"You've just returned, nephew?" Zhang Daoyi asked.

"Yes," Yuan Zhen replied tersely.

Zhang Daoyi glanced at the sky; it was nearly 9 PM. Yuan Zhen's return at this hour was indeed quite late.

After all, Yuan Zhen was only meant to gather information about the Praying for Rain, not to conduct it.

Zhang Daoyi smiled and asked, "Nephew, do you know what 'Daode' means?"

"The Dao is the grand way, and virtue comes from being upright; it stands for righteousness. 'Daode,' therefore, is the Righteous Path," Yuan Zhen answered without hesitation.

The 'virtue' of the Daode Sect was not the same as the virtue of Confucianism; it had no connotations of moral character. The 'uprightness' here was not about good versus evil, but instead correctness versus deviation. The meaning of 'Daode' was to follow the straight and grand way, without diverging from the path straight to the end.

"Yes, 'Daode' is the Righteous Path," Zhang Daoyi nodded and said, "We of the Righteous Path prioritize the Dao and give importance to cultivation. If we resort to sneaky tricks, then we invisibly fall into a lower level, moving further away from the Dao. Because your Dao cannot suppress others, you would think to use underhanded tactics to assist your actions."

"Master Yuan Zhen, may we both walk the Righteous Path, without deviation."

Yuan Zhen's expression turned slightly colder, "If we follow the Righteous Path, there is no need for beating around the bush. If Uncle suspects me of being the assassin, then say it outright."

He discerned Zhang Daoyi's implication and did not avoid it, directly expressing his thoughts.

"Tomorrow during the Praying for Rain, I shall accompany Uncle at all times, without leaving your side, to prove my innocence. How about that?"

After Yuan Zhen finished speaking, he swept away and walked into the Daoist Temple, leaving everyone present exchanging glances, none daring to interject.

July 27, the year of 1995, Xinyou Month, Ren Shen Day, auspicious for sacrifices, moving, and breaking ground, inauspicious for openings.

Jun City was bustling with noise. Yesterday's heavy rain had already brought moisture to all living creatures around the city, and now with the upcoming Praying for Rain, the excitement of the people in and out of the city overflowed, bustling as they were.

From inside Jun City all the way to the rest of the scene at the Fengquan River's edge outside the city, the sight was one of gongs, drums, firecrackers echoing, red banners fluttering, and a sea of people. A large influx of people also attracted numerous small stall merchants, and with buying and selling among the crowds, the place was as bustling as a market.

And in the heart of the river of humanity, an altar stood beside the river with high platforms flanking left and right. Prominent figures of the city took their seats respectively, with the nearest to the altar being Jiang Zhihuan, the Prefectural Governor of Fufeng County, Heir of King Lu Ji Chengye, Zhong Shenxiu, Ming Yang, and others.

Zhong Shenxiu sat tranquilly on a Taishi Chair with his eyes slightly closed, resting in peace, his personal saber laying across his lap. Unperturbed by the noise and clamor around him, he maintained his ease amidst the din.

"Senior Brother Zhong's Mental State is beyond our reach," Ming Yang couldn't help but quietly admire upon seeing Zhong Shenxiu's composure.

"You are wrong."

Zhong Shenxiu suddenly spoke up, "My need to find peace in this moment only shows that my Mental State is not yet calm enough. Had it been an ordinary time, my mind would have been clear as a mirror before leaving home."

His eyes slowly opened, deep and tranquil like two deep pools, "A grand battle is imminent today, and my heart is inexplicably excited, making it necessary for me to find peace on the battlefield."

"Do you mean those few?" Ji Chengye was seated next to Ming Yang, and upon hearing Zhong Shenxiu's words, he said, "The Divine Travel Grand Protector has reported that Master Yuan Zhen of the Daode Sect appeared in Jun City yesterday, and he will likely participate in today's Praying for Rain ritual. Moreover, the Yin Law Department has received news: last night, there was a fight in the area around Linfeng Mountain. Judging by the scene, one of the combatants must be Yang Ji, the Young Sect Leader of the Taiping Sect, and the other is likely Jiang Li who absconded with the Rain Master Token. It remains uncertain who won and who lost."

"Jiang Li is already without means of protecting his life, and furthermore, Yang Ji's strength is probably above his. This battle, I fear, bodes more ill than good," Ming Yang speculated.

"Whether it is so or not, we will know if the Taiping Sect shows up," Ji Chengye smiled.

If the Taiping Sect did not appear, it would indicate that the Rain Master Token had not yet been obtained.

If they did appear, then it truly was more likely for Jiang Li to face misfortune.

As they conversed, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly seemed to sense something and looked up at the sky.

"They are here," he said.

A patch of frosty white appeared in the eastern sky, with Sword Light streaking across the heavens. Within moments, it crossed hundreds of yards, the sound of the sword's passage causing an uproar among the watchers.

"Sword Cultivator, it's Yuan Zhen," Ming Yang immediately said.

The Sword Light turned downward in mid-air and suddenly landed, the frosty white brilliance faded, revealing four figures. One of them, with a handsome and noble bearing, brows like dragons and eyes like phoenixes, was indeed the Yuan Zhen that Ming Yang had mentioned.

But Yuan Zhen, who should have been leading, was visibly half a step behind another young Daoist in front.

"Hmm?"

Zhong Shenxiu couldn't help but study with his gaze.

Before he could discern anything, another anomaly appeared in the sky.

A Calamity Cloud approached from the west, dragons and snakes writhing within, traversing the sky, to the astonishment of those below.

Even the newly arrived members of the Daode Sect showed shock.

"Dragon Trace?" Zhang Daoyi muttered under his breath.

The Mystic Sect had a Flying Skill, known as "Riding," and Dragon Trace was one of such techniques. It involved using dragons and serpents as mounts, traversing the sky and roaming the world without being hindered by mountains or rivers.

But in today's world, demon kind was all but extinct, and dragons and snakes as well as humans, riding them would contravene the Dao and virtue, thus this technique of Dragon Trace had essentially been abandoned, and it was unexpected to witness a similar spectacle today.

As the Calamity Cloud reached the space above the altar, the Dragon Shadow drew closer, and everyone could see its fangs and claws dancing in the air. There was also a monk in white, standing atop a Heavenly Dragon, exuding purity and ease. Suddenly, Buddha Light descended, illuminating heaven and earth.