Volume One: Youthful Encounters in Humble Times Chapter 102: The Daoist’s Instructions (Part 2)

After the Daoist left Liuguang, the last place he visited was the city lord’s mansion.

Zhang Helun hadn’t expected the visitor to come to see him. At that moment, he was in the main hall listening to others discuss how to hold the sacrificial ceremony when suddenly he heard the Daoist call his name.

Without showing any emotion, Zhang Helun found an excuse to leave and returned to the secret chamber where he often meditated and cultivated. No sooner had he entered than the Daoist appeared before him out of thin air.

The Daoist’s silent and sudden appearance shocked him deeply. With a wry smile, he said, “It seems the rumors were true. You really have reached that legendary realm. Now I’m curious—where in all under heaven is there a place you cannot go?”

The Daoist was straightforward, seating himself and pouring a cup of tea. He said calmly, “There is only where I do not wish to go; there is nowhere I cannot reach.”

Hearing this, Zhang Helun continued, “So, you’re going to the heavens now?”

The Daoist shook his head, “What I want to do is to prevent all of you from ascending to the heavens.”

These words weighed heavily on Zhang Helun’s heart. He knew the Daoist’s plans were serious, most likely concerning the Gate of Heaven.

But no matter how much he speculated, he never imagined the Daoist actually intended to oppose all cultivators under heaven and block everyone’s path to ascension!

“You—you can’t be joking, can you? This isn’t funny,” Zhang Helun said awkwardly.

The Daoist showed no contempt and explained plainly, “You’ve earned the position of city lord of Tianmen Town, so you must know something. Surely you have your guesses about what the Gate of Heaven truly means.”

Hearing this, Zhang Helun withdrew all his disdain and jokes, pondering deeply. “But no matter how much we know, it’s still speculation. There’s no proof that the Gate of Heaven is anything more than it seems.”

“I can’t tell you much more; revealing too much would attract the attention of those in the heavens. What I can say is this: ascension must be stopped. Death and the loss of the Dao are minor concerns—what I fear most is...” The Daoist stopped speaking, refraining from mental transmission, and instead handed Zhang Helun a book.

Zhang Helun took the book and saw three large characters on the cover: “Western Flow Canon.”

He had some knowledge of Daoist scriptures. The Western Flow Canon is a classic Daoist text on the laws of time, containing the supreme Dao within.

Though the Daoist gave him a handwritten copy of unknown provenance, Zhang Helun could still feel the faint Dao of time contained within.

Upon receiving the canon, Zhang Helun sensed a message hidden within the temporal Dao embedded in the text. This was the only way the Daoist could relay his information—by folding time itself to exchange messages across the temporal river.

After absorbing the message, Zhang Helun asked incredulously, “Is what you’re saying true?”

The Daoist replied, “I have no proof, but it is what I have personally sensed. Do you think I would joke with my own Dao?”

Zhang Helun was stunned for a moment, about the length of a cup of tea, before asking, “What do you want me to do?”

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“I need you to stand with me and use the great Dao of Tianmen Town to suppress everyone’s cultivation below the Dao realm. Only then can I accomplish what I intend.”

Zhang Helun immediately refused, “Sorry, without proof, I can’t help you. You want me to stand on the same side as you. You may be powerful and fear no one, but I’m still just a minor cultivator at the thirteenth realm.”

The Daoist fell silent for a moment, then continued, “Then just release the control over Tianmen Town. Don’t use the five edicts of Tianmen Town to suppress me. When I act, don’t interfere with Tianmen Town’s power.”

Zhang Helun was incredulous, “You even know about Tianmen Town?”

The Daoist laughed boldly, “Anything I want to do or know is within my reach.”

“Better be as strong as you claim, or why come to me?” Zhang Helun retorted, somewhat speechless.

The Daoist frowned and glared, “I’m not dead yet. Destroying you would be easy. If you want to die, just say so. Don’t provoke me so I have to kill you.”

Hearing this, Zhang Helun stopped arguing and said, “Alright, alright, I give in!”

Changing the subject, he asked, “But are you really confident you can stand against everyone?”

The Daoist said, “I’m not a true immortal. Even the immortals in the heavens likely aren’t fully confident they can alone eliminate all cultivators in the mortal realm.”

He smiled wryly and added, “This mortal world hides many powerful beings. If the Gate of Heaven truly opens, some old-timers who can’t wait will surely intervene.”

Though the Daoist didn’t elaborate, Zhang Helun understood the meaning clearly: because these cultivators lacked the courage to take the final step, they lost the chance to witness the ultimate truth. They remained stuck at the pinnacle of the fourteenth realm, relying on rare treasures or even demonic techniques to extend their lives, all in hopes of the opportunity to ascend.

If someone could truly overcome the fear of death and reach that final step to see what lies beyond, the quest to understand the Gate of Heaven would surely advance. That’s why now the Daoist must use his own strength, even his life, to prevent its opening and give all beings a chance to breathe.

Zhang Helun asked, “Is there truly no way to share what you know with others? Maybe then you wouldn’t have to walk this dark path.”

The Daoist chuckled, “Do you think I haven’t considered this? Am I some reckless fool only seeking death? I pondered this possibility early on and tried many simulations. There is no feasible method. The way I just showed you, using the temporal river, only works for those below the fourteenth realm. Once you step into the fourteenth, you are already watched by the immortals in the heavens. Do you think their understanding of time is weaker than mine? Impossible! This is our only method: cut off everyone’s path to ascension first. There is no alternative.”

This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Many had waited years for a chance to ascend. But this was also the Daoist’s only chance.

The Gate of Heaven possesses a spirit and possibly immortal guardians. Yet since ancient sages sealed it for so many years, there must be a profound reason. Without the Gate’s opening, no matter what methods the Daoist uses, he cannot harm it. Now that it is poised to leap from the celestial realm into the mortal world, this is his sole opportunity.

Hearing this, Zhang Helun no longer pressed. He looked at the Daoist deeply and bowed, “Your righteousness is vast, Daoist.”

Before leaving, the Daoist sneered slightly, “Save your thanks. I don’t do this for your gratitude. But if you truly mean it, watch over my young disciple for me. At least don’t let him be bullied in Tianmen Town. After all, the targeting he will face in the coming days will be because of me.”

Indeed, the Daoist was right. Once what he planned became known, Li Yu, his disciple, would be the first to suffer persecution from other cultivators.

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The sins of the father are borne by the son; those offended by the master are naturally the burden of the disciple.

What they did not expect was that Li Yu, who seemed a frail little beast and easy to bully, would one day repay them harshly, bearing the consequences of their greed.

But would the Daoist know this?

At this moment, he could no longer care.

After visiting all the places, the Daoist felt Li Yu’s location from afar, watching as he engaged in a battle of wits with Li Xiqing and the others.

When he saw Li Yu create a sublime and intricate formation, he silently rejoiced, “As expected of my disciple. Such talent is unmatched. To develop such a marvelous formation on his own—if placed in a sect specializing in formations, he would surely be a master.”

Later, he saw Li Yu, to compensate for his mistake, use his own flesh and blood to support the formation’s completion. He felt a deep pang of emotion.

The Daoist wanted to intervene to save him and deal with the Li family and the Beasts Sect, but he could not.

On one hand, he could not reveal himself lest he alert those hidden in the shadows. Any action would send ripples along the great Dao. His current state was extremely special, a state of being both present and absent, designed to deliver an unexpected surprise to those lurking in the dark.

On the other hand, he wanted to teach Li Yu one last lesson: if he acted rashly, a single mistake could cost him his life. Life is precious and singular. From now on, Li Yu must learn to protect himself.

Unfortunately, Li Yu could not see this.

When the Daoist saw Li Yu safely pass the danger and reach a turning point, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted. He knew Li Yu was alright.

He looked toward Tianmen Town and whispered, “Everything must come to an end.”

With that, he vanished without a trace.

As they gazed at the Gate of Heaven, the shock in their hearts was profound. Only Li Yu was different; he sensed his master’s plan was about to begin.

When he refused to leave, Chen Yuan grabbed him, “What use is it to stay now? Can anything still be salvaged?”

Li Yu refused to listen. Just as he was about to insist, he remembered Xu Kaijiang lying on the ground and hurriedly said to Chen Yuan, “Sir, please, help me save him. He’s innocent and shouldn’t be caught up in this.”

Chen Yuan replied, “I can save him, but only if you come with me. This is not my demand but your master’s order. Will you disobey your master’s command?”