Chapter 405: Chapter 171: The True Master’s Integrity, Luotian’s Self-Resolution, the Dao-Seeking Obsession, and Zuo Shanhe Reopens the Sect!!
His voice slowly unveiled.
Many powerful sect experts seemed to have noticed something, among them, the Primordial Pill Martial Artist from Dongzhou Fuyao’s expression slightly changed, hesitating for a moment, but still couldn’t help speaking:
"Luotian, it’s just a loss in a duel, what’s the big deal? You’ve lost thirteen times in the first half of your life, one more time won’t make a difference. Besides, the world has opened, the path of the True Master is right before you!"
"The future is yet to be decided; how can victory and defeat be easily spoken of?"
At the foot of the mountain.
As the duel concluded.
A group of Celestial Prides came running up, covered in dust and dirt, their gazes toward Jixia mixed with awe and dread, rarely showing defiance or arrogance.
To these young ones, who saw above themselves,
Reaching this state, it was evident the shadow this youth, called ’Li Treading Immortal,’ had cast upon them...
Among them, Mu Qianqiu at the forefront, face tense, looked at his ’fellow sufferer,’ his also defeated master, his heart filled with pity, just wanting to step forward to support:
"Master, let’s go back..."
His words were cut off before they were finished by the raised hand of Luotian Daoist, who then, this diminutive ’second under heaven’ Daoist, looked at Zuo Shanhe, eyes lightly regarding ’life and death’:
"Master Zuo."
"This offense, crossed the line."
"You becoming True Master without slapping me to death shows your magnanimity, your... True Master’s style!"
Luotian Daoist chuckled lightly, neither walking nor moving, remained sitting cross-legged, head bowed as if reminiscing the days of youth:
"It was the same back then."
"You participated in our Luotian Sect’s ’Luotian Dharma Assembly,’ decided the first among the young generations of many human sects."
"That battle shattered the Dao Heart of our sect’s then famous senior brother, never to advance thereafter, inciting the old sect leader’s fury, because that was his painstakingly nurtured disciple."
"You did nothing, yet he saw you as a thorn in the eye, a stab in the flesh."
"In subsequent years, constantly targeting ’Life and Death Mountain and River Sect,’ yet each time, you thwarted him."
"This series of actions led to Luotian Sect’s name declining steeply, one could say, the name of Life and Death Mountain and River Sect was raised by him, not blaming others."
"As time passed, gradually, your Mountain and River Immortal name resonated across the Great Profound Five States."
"Even emperors, seeing you, would declare ’Admiration of Profound all life,’ eager to apprentice under you, listening to your teachings all day long."
"Our old sect leader... just couldn’t swallow his pride."
"Watching you grow stronger, he could no longer contain himself, hence with a hundred years cultivation, forced the signing of ’Life and Death Contract’ with you, even broadly inviting all sects, leaving you no choice but to respond."
"Back then, same as now."
"He was unjust."
"So was I, wasn’t I?"
"At the end of the day, it’s nothing but ’empty fame and fortune’..."
"Ultimately, it’s nothing compared to one’s own skills, seeking the Dao."
"He wasn’t a Primordial Pill before he died, couldn’t see through."
"Laughably, I, Half-step Heaven Opening Sect, can’t escape this barrier."
Zuo Shanhe appeared young, hair and beard white, looking at this younger by two or three decades, coming from behind, sat half a lifetime as ’East Vein Master’ revival Luotian Sect Leader, shook his head:
"Why bother so?"
"In truth... you should have been the world’s first True Master."
"Though your Divine Soul suffered in this battle, fortunately, your foundation remains, go back and meditate for recovery, True Zhenren Dao is within grasp."
"Your old sect leader valued ’empty fame’ heavily, but in my view, you aren’t the same."
"What you value more is your own ’Heart Demon’."
"If you can tame the monkey and horse of the mind, eradicate the Heart Demon completely, ensuring body and mind without flaw, then Realm of the True Master, for you, is as extracting things from a pocket."
"No need to get stuck in details, Luotian."
"Back then, with your old sect leader forcing me so, I never moved against him, let alone you?"
Zuo Shanhe flicked his sleeve, expression serious.
Mu Qianqiu heard the dialogue between these two giants of the East and West Dharma Lineage, faintly sensing something amiss:
"Master, you...?"
He wanted to step forward.
But in the next moment, Luotian Daoist suddenly raised his head, his sharp gaze locking onto him, causing Mu Qianqiu to halt instantly.
"Qianqiu."
Luotian Daoist spoke softly, yet like a thousand-pound stone, weighed upon Mu Qianqiu’s shoulders.
Causing Mu Qianqiu to feel uneasy: "Master...?"
"Master Zuo lives transparently."
"But we must not lack that transparency either."
"Otherwise..."
"Wouldn’t it, just let others laugh?"
"The old sect leader couldn’t pick up or put down."
"But I, Luotian... can take and let go!"
"Since I’m here, I am prepared for the resolve ’to succeed or become benevolent’!"
He suddenly looked up, gazing at Zuo Shanhe in the void, his dark pupils tinged with a rarely understood emotion by anyone but Zuo Shanhe:
"Master Zuo."
"Even if the fourth step is near at hand, then what?"
"No longer seeking is no longer seeking."
"Speaking of obsession..."
"In this sect, the name ’second under heaven’ means more to me than cultivation!"
"And after this occasion, where can I find the face to ascend Nirvana Mountain again, to duel with you again?"
"Don’t mention the mere fourth step."
"Even if I step on the path of seeking the Dao, reaching the legendary fifth step, even sixth step, I don’t have the face, can’t lower the face, to be like today again."
"Qianqiu."
"Upon my departure..."
"You must heed my advice, henceforth, do not provoke any member of the Life and Death Mountain and River Sect, nor show any disrespect toward Master Zuo, regardless of how far you advance in the future, this remains unchanged!"
