"The story is actually quite simple. Shuiyue Zhenren sees conquering the heart of a Buddhist disciple as the key to her spiritual practice, while the disciple, Liantai, sees not being disturbed by Shuiyue as proof of her enlightenment. Each of them harbors their own ulterior motives, and the situation remains deadlocked. To this day, no one has emerged victorious."
"Tsk, your lectures are so vivid, but your storytelling is so dry." Qi Yao laughed at her and said, "I think these two will never be able to decide the winner. Otherwise, if one of them becomes an immortal, the other will be condemned to hell. The ending is too tragic."
"Master Ayao, you said that Chaohua Palace has its own evaluation of cultivators from various sects. So how do they view our Taichu Sect?"
Qi Yao counted on his fingers and said, "Conservative, rigid, and sanctimonious. Even more boring than the unromantic Zhige Sect."
Shen Qingmang couldn't help but laugh, but Hao Xin didn't care. "I still dislike them, but now we're even."
"Second, don't belittle their martial arts in front of Chaohua Palace." Qi Yao raised two fingers, put away his smile and said seriously.
"This is basic etiquette. I told them before coming here," said Shen Qingmang.
"Third..." Qi Yao's eyes swept over the four masters and apprentices one by one, and said, "Don't even think about getting away from Chaohua Palace unscathed."
"What do you mean?" Shen Qingmang was puzzled.
"Junior sister, you should know the reputation of Chaohua Palace in the outside world."
She nodded and lowered her voice, saying, "People love and hate him, praise and criticize him. There are many different opinions, and no one can agree on one."
"There are no outsiders here, so you don't have to worry about anything. Outsiders have only a few words of praise for Chaohua Palace, but countless slanders. Some say that the way practiced in Chaohua Palace is evil, and because most of the cultivators in Chaohua Palace are female, some people also call the cultivators in Chaohua Palace witches."
Qi Yao glanced at Hao Xin intently. He felt a little guilty and said defensively, "I just think they're frivolous and superficial. As for the methods of cultivation, there's no such thing as the right path or the wrong path. Don't they all end up in the same place in the end?"
"That makes sense. In short, the reason outsiders are so repulsive to Chaohua Palace isn't just because its cultivation methods are rather unique, but more importantly, anyone who comes into contact with Chaohua Palace can't escape unscathed. They either gain something from it or lose something." Qi Yao smiled meaningfully and said, "I just don't know what you will gain or lose."
Shen Qingmang didn't take it seriously and chatted with Qi Yao for a few more words. Seeing the sun setting, Qi Yao said it was time to go meet his Taoist partner, so he said goodbye and left in a hurry. She then received an invitation from Su Miaoran to go to the other party's palace for a chat.
"Master will be back soon. You can move freely. Remember to be careful with your words and actions." Shen Qingmang reminded before leaving.
Hao Xin said "Oh" and drew out the "Hook Moon" to practice swordplay, while Si Rong took out a night pearl, apparently planning to go out and play.
Gu Suihan stared at the young male cultivator who was leading Shen Qingmang and pursed his lips.
The sun was setting in the west, night was falling, and in the silence, only the sound of footsteps echoed in the empty valley. Shen Qingmang looked at the monk from Chaohua Palace walking in front of him and felt that his temperament gave people a sense of familiarity.
"Master Qiongju, be careful with your steps. There is moss on the stone steps here." The other person stopped, stretched out his palm upwards, turned around and looked at her with a smile.
"No need to help me, I won't fall." Shen Qingmang smiled. "The layout of your Chaohua Palace is really full of natural interest."
If this happened in the Taichu Sect, the moss on the stone steps would have been cleared away without a trace.
She walked quickly up the stone steps. The other party withdrew his hand, his expression as usual, and continued to lead the way for her. After turning a corner, they saw Su Miaoran's residence, Jinghua Palace. The beauty stood far away under the lamp, and there seemed to be bright sparks in her eyes.
Shen Qingmang hurriedly took a few quick steps and was a little out of breath when he arrived in front of Su Miaoran. He smiled and said, "Sorry, I'm used to being lazy in the Taichu Sect and always using magic to get around. I'm a little out of energy."
"Master, there's no need to worry. Miao Ran isn't standing here in vain, it's also a form of cultivation."
"Why?"
"Miao Ran is feeling the emotions of the heavens, earth, mountains and rivers."
Shen Qingmang felt awe-inspiring. "Qiongju, I've learned your lesson. Palace Master, please stop calling me 'Sect Master.' Firstly, we in the Taichu Sect only address each other as 'Peak Master.' Secondly, we're gathered here today not to discuss matters between the Wuya Sect and the Chaohua Palace, but to exchange feelings. Calling you Qiongju or Qingmang is fine."
"Then Qingmang shouldn't call Miaoran 'Palace Master' anymore." Su Miaoran took her hand. "Let's go, let's chat, two sisters."
Shen Qingmang observed the youngest leader among all the sects without leaving any trace. The other party had a graceful manner and spoke in a pleasant way. After chatting for a few words, she smiled shyly and took out a thread-bound notebook from her sleeve.
Su Miaoran asked curiously: "Qingmang, this is..."
"To be honest, I brought my disciples on this trip not only to attend Third Senior Sister's wedding, but also to let them experience the customs and practices of various factions. Besides, I have thirty disciples left at home, and they are also very much attracted to Chaohua Palace."
"Qing Mang wants to record what he saw and heard in Chaohua Palace?"
"Well, but I can record these slowly. I wonder if I might have the honor of interviewing Miao Ran at this moment?"
"Interview?" Su Miaoran frowned slightly.
"I just want to ask you some questions about Chaohua Palace. I've noticed that the Taichu Sect's history records a lot about you, and the descriptions aren't very objective." Shen Qingmang picked up the pen, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Is that okay?"
Su Miaoran laughed. "You're the first outsider cultivator I've met who wants to seriously learn about Chaohua Palace. Of course you can."
Shen Qingmang laughed sincerely. She had indeed not misjudged him.
"What exactly is the so-called 'Entering Taoism through Emotion' practice at Chaohua Palace? Historical records are always very secretive about this."
"They probably thought our sect only practiced 'dual cultivation,'" Su Miaoran clasped her hands. "The path of bliss is indeed difficult to describe directly, but that's not our sect's primary method of practice. Entering the path through emotion, not desire, is the most important."
"So does this 'emotion' refer to all kinds of emotions, or just love?"
"Nature is the emotion of all things. We believe that all things possess emotions. Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are not unique to humans. If we feel with our hearts, we can perceive the emotions of all things. However..." Su Miaoran smiled. "Love is the most profound emotion. Family affection is born of blood and nature, but love is different. It is an acquired emotion. Once we understand love, we will be closer to the Tao."
"Oh... I understand." Shen Qingmang nodded. "Because love is innate, as long as you understand where love originates, why it flourishes, or why it declines, you will have mastered the laws of emotion, which is also the Dao of Chaohua Palace."
"Young mangoes are naturally smart."
"So what's the origin of this? Miaoran, have you come to any conclusion?" Shen Qingmang put down his pen and looked at the other party seriously.
Su Miaoran sighed. "If only Miaoran understood."
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