Blade - Unbound

Li Yan glanced at Shen Sanyou with a raised eyebrow. "Using mystic arts as part of a performance?"

Shen Sanyou smiled. "Just watch. What's the rush? They normally wouldn't use these methods. These are merely appetizers."

Sure enough, after the Yang Troupe's strongman received a thunderous round of applause, the Wu Troupe sent out one of their own.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Accompanied by heavy footsteps, a towering figure stepped onto the stage. Standing nearly half a head taller than an ordinary man, the giant’s body also appeared somewhat deformed, likely due to abnormal growth. His entire body was covered in bulging muscles, making him resemble some monstrous beast from the mountains.

The giant seemed rather dull-witted, his expression vacant as he muttered, "I'll perform Wu Huo Lifting the Cauldron for everyone."

That was yet another traditional feat of strength. During the Warring States period, lifting cauldrons to build strength had become immensely popular, especially in Qin. Wu Huo himself was a legendary strongman who earned favor precisely because of his ability to lift cauldrons.

Although the giant appeared simple-minded and lacked the wit to banter with the audience or liven the atmosphere, what he did next was even more astonishing than the previous performer.

He actually lifted one of Calyx Pavilion's massive bluestone tables and invited seven or eight guests to stand on top of it.

The hall immediately erupted into thunderous applause.

Many in the audience were experts. While Wu Huo Lifting the Cauldron lacked the elegance of the earlier saber performance, it excelled in sheer overwhelming dominance. The giant's monstrous physique was already extraordinary, and combined with such terrifying strength, he resembled one of the divine guardian generals from ancient operas.

Naturally, the audience cheered enthusiastically.

Li Yan stroked his chin thoughtfully.

This giant had also employed Medium Possession.

Unlike his opponent, however, there was a faint musky scent of wild beasts clinging to him. Some sort of wild immortal spirit had likely possessed him.

The performance was certainly spectacular, but nevertheless, Li Yan shook his head slightly. "These are all harmful methods. They may earn applause for a while, but prolonged use inevitably damages the body. Eventually, illnesses will plague them, and they'll never meet a good end."

Whether spirits or wild immortals, possession had never been a harmless affair, much less when one relied upon it to forcibly unleash one's potential.

"That's exactly why you rarely see it." Shen Sanyou yawned. "Even they only bring out these methods when it truly matters."

The competition continued. During the dexterity round, one side performed Juggling Balls and Playing with Swords. The ancient acrobatic act existed both in the Divine Continent and lands outside. It involved tossing numerous colored balls or throwing and catching flying knives.

This time there was no possession involved. Instead, they relied upon a divine ability.

Using the extraordinary control granted by his Body Root, the performer simultaneously hurled countless flying knives and colored balls into the air. The hall became filled with dancing blades and spinning spheres, dazzling everyone’s eyes. For the finale, the flying knives shot upward with sharp whistles, piercing every colored ball before clattering noisily back onto the stage.

The opposing troupe demonstrated Rope Whip Techniques. The performer had apparently awakened a nose related divine ability and had already stepped into the Dark Jin Realm. Blindfolded with black cloth, he wielded his long whip with astonishing precision, extinguishing candles positioned in every direction.

However, the candles directly beneath him remained completely untouched.

Finally, he used the whip to spin a top, then lashed the whip around a nearby pillar. The spinning top leaped into the air and continued rotating while gliding back and forth along the taut rope.

Each of those tops was made entirely of iron, weighing over ten jin.

Li Yan quickly recognized what was truly happening. The two sides weren't merely competing in acrobatic skill anymore. They were effectively demonstrating martial techniques.

One was clearly an expert in hidden weapons. The soft whip and iron tops were likely specialized exotic weapons as well.

For the final round, both troupes unanimously chose to perform illusions. One side demonstrated Turning Rice into Goldfish. Inside a ceramic basin placed upon the table, grains of rice, millet, and other cereals spun rapidly under the accompanying incantation. An instant later, water splashed into the air as countless golden fish suddenly appeared, swimming about.

Li Yan could clearly see through the trick. It was merely a sophisticated sleight-of-hand illusion. The basin had been filled with water from the very beginning. Their astonishing speed, combined with illusion techniques, had simply convinced the audience that rice had transformed into fish.

The Wu Troupe, however, truly broadened his horizons. Someone lit a brazier, causing thick smoke laced with hallucinogenic powder to billow upward. Meanwhile, another performer hidden behind the scenes directed spirits to stir the smoke, sending it swirling toward the ceiling beams.

Above the rafters, someone unfurled an enormous painted scroll. Combined with subtle lighting effects, it created the illusion of clouds rolling across the heavens above Calyx Pavilion, revealing a magnificent celestial palace.

Several nimble young performers dressed in white crane robes bounced merrily about. Suspended by nearly invisible silk threads, with mist swirling beneath their feet, they seemed to ascend into immortality itself as they floated into the heavenly palace before vanishing entirely.

An elderly spectator cried out in astonishment, "T-that's... the long-lost Immortal Ascension Platform!"

Legend claimed that during the Tang era, this very illusion had once been performed in Calyx Xianghui Tower, earning lavish praise from both Emperor Xuanzong and his Imperial Consort. No one had expected the Wu Troupe to successfully recreate it.

Even Li Yan couldn't help applauding. As the saying went, outsiders watched the excitement while experts appreciated the craftsmanship. Although he could see that every performance relied upon mystic path techniques, a production on this scale still required the seamless cooperation of countless people.

In any era, it would have been a show-stopping spectacle. Once the performance concluded, the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Master Yang's face turned rather ugly. After respectfully cupping his fists and admitting defeat, he led his disciples out of Calyx Pavilion.

To be fair, the two troupes were evenly matched in terms of skill. However, Master Wu possessed the more inventive mind. He was willing to invest effort into developing new performances and presenting fresh ideas. Meanwhile, the Yang Troupe still relied upon their old repertoire. Their defeat was only natural.

Shen Sanyou took another sip of wine before asking, "Well?"

Li Yan smiled and nodded. "You were right, Senior. It truly was an excellent performance. It opened my eyes."

Shen Sanyou nodded before speaking to the woman beside him. "Lady Hua, I would like to discuss something with Brother Li. Don't let anyone disturb us."

The woman calmly rose to her feet. "Understood."

She repositioned the surrounding screens to shield the two of them from view, then hung yellow talismans and peachwood pendants upon the screens before forming several hand seals.

The atmosphere around them immediately transformed. The bustling noise of the hall faded into the distance.

Good heavens!

Li Yan was genuinely startled. This was Qimen Dunjia, combined with principles of Yang Residence fengshui. This woman was actually a mystic path practitioner as well, specializing in formations. Whatever method she had used to conceal herself had even deceived his extraordinary sense of smell.

Li Yan sighed to himself, Extraordinary people truly lurked everywhere among the common folk.

Calyx Pavilion was certainly expensive, but just witnessing everything that had happened tonight had already made the price worthwhile.

The surroundings had now been hidden, and the formation distorted perception. Even if someone attempted to investigate using divine abilities, they likely wouldn't be able to hear a single word of their conversation.

Only then did Shen Sanyou finally speak, "You wanted to ask about the mystic path?"

Li Yan nodded honestly. "Yes."

That was naturally the reason he had invited Shen Sanyou that night. After everything he had seen during his travels, he had come to realize that what he understood so far was likely only the outermost layer of the mystic path.

Wang Daoxuan didn't know, and Luo Mingzi wouldn't say. So Shen Sanyou was his only remaining source.

Shen Sanyou asked, "What is the mystic path to you?"

Li Yan frowned. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

Shen Sanyou pointed toward the stage below where Master Wu was still cracking jokes and entertaining the audience.

Taking another drink, Shen Sanyou sneered. "To outsiders, the mystic path appears profound and unfathomable. But to people like them, it is merely a livelihood. What they displayed is nothing more than a collection of techniques, no different from the ordinary methods used by the jianghu.

"To those people from the Shang Mountain Lineage, these arts are likewise only tools. Tools for pursuing personal gain and glorifying their own lineage.

"So, what are they to you?"

Li Yan fell silent. He genuinely didn't know how to answer.

Shen Sanyou continued, "The mystic path has never lacked heaven-defying geniuses. Someone like me doesn't even qualify. In truth, the mystic path has always divided its practitioners into categories.

"For ordinary people, the limit is the third level. Even someone with mediocre aptitude can reach the Third Storey after awakening a divine ability, cultivating diligently for a decade or more, and practicing a proper cultivation method.

"Here in Chang'an, a third level cultivator can easily establish themselves and make a comfortable living. If they serve powerful nobles, they can even secure prosperity for their descendants.

"So I'll ask you again. What exactly are you seeking? If all you seek is that, then what you already possess is enough. Knowing too much will only bring unnecessary troubles."

Li Yan remained silent for a moment before respectfully cupping his fists. "I seek the Dao."

"The Dao..." Shen Sanyou mused leisurely, "There are many kinds of Dao."

"For example, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect has bound itself to the fate of the Divine Continent. They protect the people and suppress evil. They dispel calamities. That is why the imperial court supports them and has established them as the state religion.

"As long as the Divine Continent lives, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect will remain as well. At the same time, the Shang Mountain Lineage also sought such a Dao. They simply chose the wrong path.

"There are others seeking their own Dao as well. The Queen Mother Courtyard atop Mount Taibai seeks to unravel the mysteries of the stars and comprehend the workings of the Great Dao.

"Certain Daoist physicians seek to heal the world, embodying the highest ideals of medicine. Many Buddhist schools seek to deliver all living beings from suffering.

"That is the Dao. When you possess a Dao, you possess a Way within your heart.

"Human life is like morning dew. It vanishes in the blink of an eye. No matter how powerful one's techniques become, they are merely tools for survival. If there is no Dao within your heart, then you are like a blind man trying to understand an elephant. You will never truly walk through this gate."

Li Yan remained quiet for some time. Recalling everything he had experienced over the past months, he finally looked up and muttered, "I wish to go further."

"Further?" Shen Sanyou chuckled mockingly. "Longevity? Immortality? How far do you wish to go?"

Li Yan couldn't help asking, "Are they truly nothing more than illusions?"

Shen Sanyou took several drinks before gazing at Li Yan with unmistakable pity. "The moment that thought enters your heart, your life will never again know peace. Countless people have destroyed themselves pursuing that path.

"Immortality and eternal life are merely words used by outsiders. If you can surpass the limits of mortal men and step into the fourth level, then perhaps you'll begin to touch upon certain truths.

"When that day comes, you may ask... What exactly is a God Ascendant?"

***

The pale light of dawn filtered through the paper windows as faint birdsong drifted in from the courtyard. The snowfall that had continued throughout the night had finally stopped.

Li Yan had long since awakened, yet he remained lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling beams.

"... God Ascendant..."

That was the second time he had heard that term. The first had been from his eccentric, half-mad master, who had led him deep into the Qinling Mountain Range because he refused to let the path to becoming a God Ascendant that he had discovered disappear into obscurity.

At the time, Li Yan had assumed it was merely a figure of speech. Now, it was obvious that it meant something far more profound. Moreover, judging from Shen Sanyou's words, becoming a God Ascendant seemed entirely different from attaining immortality or eternal life.

Did it mean becoming a true god?

Like the ancestral founders of those mystic path lineages...

Unfortunately, whenever Li Yan attempted to ask further, Shen Sanyou refused to elaborate. Instead, he simply dragged Li Yan into an endless night of drinking.

Li Yan stretched lazily and prepared to get out of bed. The night's revelry had been somewhat absurd, yet he had gained much from it. Not only had he learned many hidden truths, he had also come to understand why Calyx Pavilion enjoyed such extraordinary prestige.

To outsiders, people visited merely to indulge in fleeting pleasures of the flesh. But what Calyx Pavilion truly offered was far more than that. Shen Sanyou knew countless people there. Li Yan only remembered women constantly coming and going around them.

Beyond the occasional embrace, everything else had simply been relaxation. The two of them had drunk freely in the great hall while listening to women sing ancient Tang melodies.

There had been southern folk tunes, songs of the many facets of life, and songs of mighty rivers flowing eastward. It had been the first time in this lifetime that Li Yan had become truly drunk. The only thing he still remembered was staggering out of Calyx Pavilion together with Shen Sanyou.

After escorting Li Yan back to the Prince's Manor residence, Shen Sanyou had wrapped an arm around a courtesan before running off to another empty mansion to play ghost and frighten its occupants.

At that moment, Li Yan finally understood Shen Sanyou's choice.

He no longer wished to seek the Dao, nor did he wish to use mystic arts to pursue wealth and status. He only wanted to lose himself in fleeting pleasures, forget his pain, and spend the rest of his life that way.

Li Yan naturally had no intention of following that path. Yet that single night of indulgence had completely relaxed the tension that had been building inside him. His entire body felt remarkably clear and unburdened.

It seemed that debating the Dao in a brothel was something he ought to do more often.

Just then, the courtyard gate slammed open and Sha Lifei's booming voice echoed through the residence. "Little Yan! Daoist! Hurry up and get packed, we're leaving! Old Sha here just landed a huge job!"