Chapter 108: Dao Heart Perfection
…Grandfather.
“…”
It was as though he had returned to that spring day, and everything afterward had been nothing more than a dream.
At this time, Song Yan was only eight or nine years old.
He could already read and write, and was gradually beginning to learn some medicine.
“Ah…”
Little Song played with mud in the herb garden, muttering under his breath. “That magistrate from Linzhou is truly pitiful.”
“Drinking ginseng soup just to cling to life, like a living dead, lingering until ninety-eight.”
“Grandfather, is your medicine really that brilliant?”
“That man who should have died long ago was able to live so many more years under your care…”
Little Song looked up at the old man with admiration. “You’re practically an immortal descended from the heavens, capable of granting eternal life.”
“Immortal life?” Grandfather paused, then burst into laughter. “Hahaha, if this old man truly had that ability, how wonderful that would be…”
Laughter tinged with tears.
He plucked a fresh herb seedling and tossed it casually into the basket behind him.
“Grandson, let me tell you something amusing.”
“Back in the day, there was a great official at court. His power was immense—second only to the emperor himself.”
“But he was old and frail, never practiced any health cultivation, and when illness struck, it struck like a mountain collapsing…”
“He heard of your grandfather’s medical skill and sent ten thousand gold coins, begging for a life-extending elixir…”
Little Song immediately seized on the point. “Grandfather, was he a bad man?”
“A bad man…”
“A good man…”
“I suppose neither.”
Grandfather’s expression grew complicated. “He was merely an ordinary man with power and wealth.”
“And then? Did you save him?”
The old man’s previously solemn expression suddenly turned light. “I slipped some croton beans into his medicine.”
“The old fellow had diarrhea for three whole days and nights, which actually cleared all the toxins from his abdomen, and he lived two more years.”
“Hahahaha…”
Little Song was amused by his grandfather’s mischievous streak.
The old man affectionately patted his head. “Silly child…”
“Eternal life… where in this world is there such a thing?”
“Do you think those immortals in the heavens who live for thousands of years never die?”
He gestured toward the herb garden before them, his voice gentle. “Life and death in this world are like the flourishing and withering of plants. If you forcefully preserve dead branches and fallen leaves, you only block the sprouting of new shoots.”
“Long life and enduring sight…”
“There is nothing to force.”
“A mortal’s life spans a mere hundred years. To live freely and with meaning—that is the destiny of mortals like us.”
Little Song felt his grandfather’s words made perfect sense.
The cycle of life and death was the law of heaven and earth.
Yet for some reason, he faintly sensed something was not quite right.
“All right, come back with me.”
The old man took his hand, and the two walked slowly toward the thatched cottage.
“…”
Neither spoke, walking step by step.
Thump…
Hmm? What was that sound?
A vague noise reached his ears.
The sound drew closer from afar, growing clearer and clearer.
Little Song suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The old man asked in puzzlement, “What is it, dear grandson?”
Now, Little Song recognized what it was.
It was a heartbeat.
“Grandfather…”
“You said just now that there are immortals in the heavens who live for thousands of years.”
Little Song suddenly looked up and asked, “Is that correct?”
Grandfather was somewhat surprised but still answered his question earnestly. “…Yes.”
Little Song continued, “Mortals who live in this world will also die.”
“Immortals who live in this world will also die, isn’t that right?”
“…Yes.”
“Grandfather…”
“But mortals are so insignificant…”
His gaze gradually grew clear. “Illness brings death, hunger brings death…”
“Offending the powerful brings death…”
“Blocking another’s path to wealth brings death…”
“…”
“I do not want to be a mortal.”
In that moment, only determination remained in his eyes.
“I want to be free!”
Whether they were immortals, spirits, Buddhas, or demons, ghosts, and monsters!
Or even evil spirits and all manner of creatures!
Whatever they may be!
What I want is not that name…
What I want is freedom.
Not to be manipulated by anyone.
Not to be constrained by any faction.
Not to be bound by any rules…
Or even eroded by the passage of time—true freedom!
This was true immortality!
In that instant, the seed within the Sword Stabilizing Residence trembled gently!
The pounding sound, like a heartbeat, grew ever louder!
The sword qi surrounding the Dao seed surged with even greater intensity.
Then a strand of gentle yet resilient spiritual light drifted from the Dao seed and slowly merged into the nascent Dao Heart.
The small sword hummed softly, its form becoming perfectly clear.
At that moment, the scene before him blurred like ink dispersing in water, and everything around him changed abruptly.
The mist of the Heart Tempering Path was slashed apart by a sharp, piercing spiritual will.
On Zuowang Peak, Song Yan slowly opened his eyes. His robes stirred without wind, and the myriad phenomena of the world seemed to reside within his gaze.
The Dao seed within the Sword Stabilizing Residence had solidified completely, like glass.
The surrounding lotus sword qi suddenly transformed into ethereal images.
Birds, beasts, insects, fish, plants, mountains, and rivers…
Finally, they became withered wood and howling wind and thunder, manifesting before Song Yan.
He suddenly laughed softly. “Unbound by scorched earth, dead wood sprouting anew—this too is a free way of life between heaven and earth.”
Beneath the Sword Stabilizing Residence, the heart of seeking the Dao had finally reached perfection!
“…”
Outside the Heart Tempering Path, the presiding disciple looked at him with astonishment.
Throughout history, when disciples emerged from the Heart Tempering Path, their expressions were mostly of lingering fear or dazed realization.
But this junior brother before him not only showed joy on his face but was also surrounded by a special ethereal manifestation.
He silently pondered, “Could this be what they call a ‘phenomenon’?”
He looked Song Yan up and down and nodded slightly.
The Heart Tempering Path was both a trial and an opportunity.
But everyone merely treated it as a trial.
Very few were able to truly face their true hearts and gain something from it.
The one before him was likely one of those few.
He thought to himself that this junior brother was clearly destined for greatness, and he should cultivate a good relationship with him in the future.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands in a bow. “Congratulations, junior brother, on successfully passing the Heart Tempering Path and officially advancing to the inner sect.”
“For the remaining transitional matters, we will handle them on your behalf.”
“You may take the inner sect disciple jade token and robe now.”
He glanced slightly to the side. “Ah Lian.”
“Yes.”
A young attendant stepped forward quickly, holding a tray in his hands.
On it lay a neatly folded inner sect disciple robe, with a jade token placed in the center.
Song Yan accepted it and stored it in his Cosmos Bag for the time being, nodding. “Thank you.”
The young attendant looked at him with undisguised envy but obediently stepped back behind the presiding disciple.
“Junior brother, the most important matter now is to choose a main peak so that we may arrange a cave dwelling for you…”
“Currently, aside from the two special main peaks—Guiyan Peak and Bamo Peak—the remaining six peaks still have open slots.”
The presiding disciple politely guided him into a great hall. On the far wall of the hall hung eight paintings.
“Ah, of course, Lianyou Peak does not accept male disciples.”