23: Chapter 23 Speaking recklessly, to put it bluntly...

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu personally led the way, welcoming Jiang Changge and his group of four into the Imperial Palace.

Passing through layers of palace gates, the carved beams and painted pillars of the halls lit up with Spiritual Qi one after another in the night.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu arranged for Jiang Changge to stay in Taihe Hall, located in the deepest part of the Imperial Palace where the Spiritual Qi was most concentrated.

This hall was originally the place where the Old Ancestors of the Zhouwu Dynasty went into seclusion; usually, even the Imperial Ruler could not enter it at will, but now, he had yielded it without hesitation.

"Senior, although this hall is humble, it is the place with the most abundant Spiritual Qi in the Imperial Palace. Please do not take offense, Senior."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stood before the hall, his posture extremely humble.

Jiang Changge lifted his eyes and swept across the furnishings inside the hall—white jade steps, Spiritual wood beams, and in the center of the hall, there was even a three-zhang square Spiritual spring pool, with misty Spiritual Qi rising like fog, almost condensing into substance.

"You have been thoughtful."

Jiang Changge nodded without changing his expression and stepped into the hall.

Lu Jinghan and Lin Yanzhou stood on either side behind Jiang Changge.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stood outside the hall, wanting to speak but hesitating, until finally, he could not help but open his mouth.

"Senior, this Junior has something unclear, and I do not know if I should say it or not."

Jiang Changge took a seat in the main position of the hall and raised a hand to signal: "Speak freely."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu took a deep breath, his gaze filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

"Senior previously guided this Junior, saying that the path to Ascension lies in self-realization. This Junior has pondered it repeatedly, and I always feel as if I have realized something, yet also as if I have realized nothing."

"This Junior dares to be bold and would like to invite Senior to stay in the Imperial Dynasty for a few more days. If you have any leisure time, could you perhaps offer this Junior some more guidance?"

Jiang Changge's heart stirred slightly.

This old fellow, has he latched onto me?

His expression remained indifferent, his tone distant and profound.

"The Dao cannot be taught lightly, and the Dharma cannot be imparted lightly."

"That you and I can meet here is fate. When I have some leisure time, I will naturally discuss the Dao with you."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu was overjoyed and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Senior! This Junior will take his leave and not disturb your rest."

He retreated from Taihe Hall, carefully closed the hall doors, and his steps were even lighter as he turned to leave.

Inside the hall, Jiang Changge looked at Lu Jinghan and nodded slightly.

"Jinghan, your performance this time was good; you did not lose face for Kunlun."

Lu Jinghan quickly bowed: "This Disciple dares not take credit. If not for Revered Master arriving in time and Elder Ling Xu offering assistance, this Disciple would likely..."

"There is no need to belittle yourself."

Jiang Changge raised a hand to interrupt him, "At the Golden Core realm, you defeated several Prodigies of the same level in a row."

He paused, his gaze filled with a touch of gratification.

"Being able to achieve this shows that your hard Cultivation during these days has not been in vain."

A warm current welled up in Lu Jinghan's heart.

"Thank you for the praise, Revered Master. This Disciple will certainly work harder and live up to Revered Master's high expectations."

Jiang Changge nodded and turned his gaze to Lin Yanzhou.

"Yanzhou, you were also frightened today."

Lin Yanzhou shook his head, his small face showing a composure unfitting for his age.

"This Disciple is not frightened, it is just—"

He hesitated for a moment before asking: "Revered Master, when will this Disciple be able to become as powerful as Senior Brother?"

Jiang Changge laughed and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"Why the rush? How long have you been Cultivating? Your Senior Brother's achievements today are the result of many years of hard work."

"Just focus on your Cultivation with peace of mind. When the time comes, it will naturally fall into place."

Lin Yanzhou nodded vigorously, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Jiang Changge looked at Lu Jinghan.

"Jinghan, your Junior Brother has just entered the path of the Dao and does not understand many things. During this time, take care of him more."

"Yes, Revered Master." Lu Jinghan replied.

Jiang Changge waved his hand: "Go, rest early. Tomorrow, I fear there will be quite a few people coming to pay a visit."

Lu Jinghan understood, and took Lin Yanzhou out of Taihe Hall.

The hall doors closed, and only Jiang Changge remained inside.

Jiang Changge leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh; the immortal, transcendent appearance he had just displayed vanished completely.

He gazed at the carved beams and painted pillars above, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

This trip down the mountain had been very fruitful.

He had taken in Lin Yanzhou as a fated Disciple, obtained a hundredfold reward for checking in at the Cave of Years, and incidentally made his presence felt in the Zhouwu Dynasty.

Next, he would just wait for the Purple Bamboo Forest to open.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside Taihe Hall.

Jiang Changge opened his eyes, swept his Divine Sense, and discovered that the visitor was Ancestor Zhou Huaixu.

This old fellow, he came before dawn; he really is quite diligent.

"Senior, this Junior, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, requests an audience."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's respectful voice came from outside the hall.

Jiang Changge adjusted his robes, sat upright, and spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Come in."

The hall doors were pushed open, and Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stepped inside, followed by two maidservants holding exquisite trays filled with various Spiritual fruits and Spiritual meals.

"Senior, this is the breakfast I had people prepare. It is all crude fare; I hope Senior will not take offense."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu waved for the maidservants to place the trays on the table and then dismissed them.

Jiang Changge swept a glance over the Spiritual fruits and meals; among them, there were quite a few rare Heaven And Earth Treasures that were extremely scarce outside.

This old fellow is quite generous.

Jiang Changge nodded indifferently, picked up a Spiritual fruit, and took a bite; the juice was sweet, and it was filled with Spiritual Qi.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu stood to the side, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Jiang Changge glanced at him: "Speak your mind."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu chuckled and rubbed his hands together.

"Senior, after I returned last night, I thought over and over again and felt that there was a deeper meaning in your words from yesterday. This Junior is dull and failed to fully grasp it."

"So this Junior would like to... like to ask Senior for a bit more guidance."

Jiang Changge laughed inwardly.

This old fellow is truly persistent.

But that is fine; he had to stay in the Imperial Dynasty for a while anyway, waiting for the Purple Bamboo Forest to open, and he was idle anyway.

"Very well."

Jiang Changge put down the Spiritual fruit in his hand and looked at Ancestor Zhou Huaixu with a profound gaze.

"Since you have such sincerity, I will speak with you once more."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu was overjoyed and quickly sat up straight, looking ready to listen attentively.

Jiang Changge cleared his throat and began to talk nonsense.

"For those who Cultivate the Dao, what they seek is nothing more than transcending life and death and roaming the heavens and earth. But have you ever thought about what is life? What is death? What is heaven and earth?"

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's expression turned serious as he fell into deep thought.

Jiang Changge continued: "In the eyes of us who Cultivate the Dao, life and death are merely the transformation between two states."

"Just like water turning into vapor, and vapor condensing into water; although the form changes, the essence remains unchanged."

"If you are obsessed with life and death, you will never be able to transcend life and death."

A glimmer flickered in Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's eyes; it seemed as if he had grasped something, yet also as if he had grasped nothing.

"Does Senior mean?"

"What I mean is," Jiang Changge said in a distant tone, "whether to undergo Ascension or not is merely a choice. If your obsession is too deep, it will instead become an obstacle."

"Let go of your obsession, follow the natural course, and perhaps one day, when the time is ripe, you will naturally undergo Ascension."

This statement, simply put, was "Don't worry too much; what is meant to come will come."

But coming from Jiang Changge's mouth, accompanied by his immortal, transcendent appearance, it seemed unfathomably profound.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu listened, mesmerized, and nodded repeatedly.

"This Junior has been enlightened! This Junior has been enlightened!"

Jiang Changge laughed inwardly, but his expression remained indifferent.

"The Dao cannot be taught lightly. I have said all I will say. As for the rest, it depends on your own good fortune."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu bowed deeply, moved to tears of gratitude.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This Junior will never forget it!"