Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

"The Great Dao is formless, the Great Dao is impassive, the Great Dao is nameless," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "The ’Dao’ is both a path and a direction. By taking ’Dao’ in our name, we constantly remind ourselves not to forget our original intentions, lest we take a wrong step."

Gu Zhao was only quoting a passage on the Dao from *The Supreme Lord’s Sutra of Constant Quietness* and did not elaborate.

Countless Daoists throughout history had produced endless interpretations and texts on the Dao. A true debate on the subject, with every sect and school offering its own thoughts, could last for three months and still not reach a conclusion.

Mo Zichen naturally didn’t understand a word, but he was still deeply impressed. He nodded sagely. "I see. The Cultivation Methods of Daluo Palace are truly profound and unfathomable. I am full of admiration!"

Yun Fei’ang looked up and suddenly interjected, "To reach such a realm as a Mage... it is indeed profound and unfathomable."

His words immediately drew a great deal of attention.

It was common knowledge that the true masters of this world were Fairies or Ghost Gods. There were powerful living humans present as well, but they were all Mages who cultivated through Harmony with Demons and Ghosts, borrowing their Demon Power and Ghost Qi.

For instance, Ye Yunsheng’s wife was a Mage who cultivated in Harmony with him and possessed over two thousand years of Dao Practice.

And it was precisely because there were human masters present—and because Ghost Gods were once human and Demons appeared in human form—that no one had noticed Gu Zhao had achieved several thousand years of Dao Practice as a Pure Mage.

But now that Yun Fei’ang had pointed it out, everyone naturally realized the truth.

"There’s a profound Dharma Gate for Mage cultivation now?"

"Daluo Palace has pioneered a new path!"

"I wonder how difficult it is to cultivate, and what the restrictions are."

Questions flew from all around. Some were simply curious, some were slightly worried, and others looked visibly excited.

Among them, Ye Yunsheng’s wife, Madam Ye, asked expectantly, "My daughter is also a Mage, but unfortunately, her Cultivation is low, and she has yet to find a suitable husband for Harmony. I wonder if she could practice the Dharma Gates of Daluo Palace?"

Gu Zhao replied, "Within Daluo Palace, there is a line of Fengyue Sect Cultivation Techniques that are most suitable for Ghost Gods or humans with Yin Qi. The palace previously accepted the daughter born of a union between a Ghost God and a human in Harmony, and she has now achieved some modest success."

Madam Ye’s eyes lit up. "Then my daughter..."

"A Cultivation Technique is not a panacea; it also depends on the Cultivator’s innate talent and disposition." Gu Zhao stressed the key point. "Furthermore, the Dharma Gates of my palace have very high requirements for one’s character and temperament."

Those who do evil, whose hearts are clouded by impurity, can never reach a profound realm, no matter what.

"We naturally know this," Ye Yunsheng said with a laugh. "Among Ghost Gods, you have the two Sect Leaders of the Xuanwei Divine Sect, Supreme Profound and Divine Power, who achieved Ten Thousand Years of Dao Practice, and then you have insignificant, wandering spirits."

Hearing Gu Zhao’s explanation, which was more or less what they had expected, the surrounding crowd relaxed.

From not far away, Divine Monarch Zhi Yuan asked, "The Dharma Gates of Daluo Palace—did Gu Palace Master create them himself?"

Gu Zhao shook his head. "They were bestowed by an Upper Realm Immortal through Dream Transmission."

Understanding dawned on the crowd once again.

Yun Fei’ang’s eyes shifted, and he asked again, "The members of Gu Palace Master’s sect call themselves Daoists, yet they are all Mages. It seems the Spirit Realm Upper God who passed down these Dharma Gates also achieved Ascension as a Mage?"

Gu Zhao looked at Yun Fei’ang, his mind racing.

From the moment he entered, Yun Fei’ang had been arrogant and aloof. Aside from offering birthday wishes to the Feihong Ancestor, he had rarely spoken to anyone, not even to the two individuals beside him whose Dao Practice and Magical Power were not weak.

’But after Mo Zichen came over to offer a toast, why has he suddenly spoken up twice, asking such probing questions?’

Yun Fei’ang was brimming with Evil Qi, so Gu Zhao had already been paying attention to him. Now, his focus intensified.

"The Upper Realm Immortals are compassionate and seek to enlighten the world. Whether human, Demon, or ghost, as long as their character and disposition are sufficient, they may enter Daluo Palace and cultivate the Longevity Technique," Gu Zhao said.

"So it really is a Mage’s lineage."

"The Xuanwei Divine Sect has Mages too, but their path is extremely difficult to cultivate."

"The lineage of Daluo Palace is extraordinary. They can even refine thousand-year Elixirs."

"I wonder which Upper God it was that created this new Dharma Gate of inheritance through Dream Transmission."

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, each harboring their own doubts.

But a sharp glint flashed in Yun Fei’ang’s eyes as he recalled the message the Demon God had sent to his Sea of Consciousness.

’A lineage from the Taoist Realm!’

’The members of Daluo Palace call themselves Daoists, and their Dharma Gate also came from an Upper Realm Immortal’s transmission!’

’The Spirit Realm Upper Gods are a bloodline inheritance of Demons; there’s no such thing as Dream Transmission among them. Therefore, this Daluo Palace lineage isn’t from the Spirit Realm, but from the Taoist Realm mentioned in the Demon God’s message!’

’Judging from the Demon God’s message, the Demon Realm I’m cultivating to ascend to probably doesn’t get along with this Taoist Realm.’

Yun Fei’ang’s eyes narrowed. ’No wonder I found this Daluo Palace Master so displeasing from the very beginning.’

Gu Zhao was already watching Yun Fei’ang closely, so he naturally saw the fleeting look of realization in his eyes. At the same time, his Taoist Skills, being attuned to nature and acutely sensitive, also detected the hint of malice hidden within that moment of understanding.

’Eh? I haven’t even come looking for you yet, and you’re already plotting against me?’

...

The Feihong Ancestor’s birthday banquet was a lively affair. Gu Zhao, both surprisingly and unsurprisingly, became a center of attention. Through introductions by Bai Fei, Ye Yunsheng, and Mo Zichen, as well as some who introduced themselves, he met several Spirit Monarchs and Ghost Gods.

The banquet lasted from noon until sunset before the first guest finally took their leave.

Seeing that it was about time, Bai Fei also made their farewells. Gu Zhao and Ye Yunsheng took the opportunity to leave as well, and Mo Zichen of Jinxing Platform followed them out. "In a few days, this little brother would like to pay a visit to Daluo Palace. I wonder if that would be convenient?"

Gu Zhao nodded. "If Brother Mo wishes to come, I would welcome it. However, I have a word of warning."

Mo Zichen was confused. "Please speak plainly, Brother Gu."

Gu Zhao said flatly, "Daluo Palace punishes evil and protects the region of Jiangnan. If Brother Mo finds himself unable to resist his urges in Jiangnan, the many Elders in my palace may not show you any courtesy."

Bai Fei and Ye Yunsheng were taken aback, and Mo Zichen’s pupils contracted sharply.

Madam Ye, however, interjected curiously, "But there are no rumors of Jinxing Platform indiscriminately slaughtering innocents in Xingzhu Prefecture, are there?"

"Oh?" Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning to Mo Zichen as a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

’He doesn’t indiscriminately slaughter innocents, yet he carries a significant amount of Evil Qi. Could this man be outwardly boisterous but secretly sinister?’

Bai Fei and Ye Yunsheng also looked at Mo Zichen with curiosity.

Compared to Mo Zichen, they naturally trusted Gu Zhao’s judgment more. In fact, it wasn’t just Gu Zhao; even the two old Daoists behind him were staring intently at Mo Zichen. If they weren’t on the Feihong Ancestor’s territory, they might not have been able to stop themselves from making a move.

Mo Zichen clasped his hands in shame. "Brother Gu’s eyes are like torches. I am ashamed. Years ago, in order to fight the Netherfire Old Demon, I slaughtered countless mortals to refine a treasure. I came to regret it immensely afterward. For the past thirty years, I have protected the region of Xingzhu Prefecture and have not committed another evil act."

"Oh?" Bai Fei and Ye Yunsheng looked at Gu Zhao in shock.

Mo Zichen’s battle with the Netherfire Sect Leader had happened thirty years ago. They never would have thought that Gu Zhao could see through to the truth of Mo Zichen’s past evil deeds with a single glance.