Chapter 433

Chapter 433: Fishing for the Heart of Dao and Realizing True Intention

Li Hui closed himself off for two months and then exited Qingyun Cave to enter the Gulang Sea.

He had to break his retreat because he struck layers of bottlenecks in Condensing Essence to Bosa. His potential and cultivation were clearly much higher, yet he could not advance like before, needing opportunities and profound insights; even accelerating the flow of time would be of no use.

There were five bottlenecks in total, something he truly did not anticipate. Others could elevate to the Bosa stage without such difficulty, simply crossing tribulations, yet he faced thousands of challenges.

Huangting Mountain, Qingyun Cave, and Gulang Sea were the three great caves of the Royal City, with Gulang Sea being the most expansive, housing vast oceanic areas where cultivators liked to rent small islands for refining tools and alchemy.

“What? No islands available for rent?” Li Hui wanted to rent a small island, but the official informed him the list was booked until next year. He only handled registrations and said that those who wanted to wait needed to pay a deposit.

With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Li Hui immediately sensed deception; renting a small island required spending three to four times the price to obtain tickets from scalpers.

"If there are no small islands, there must be some reefs, right? I’m not refining pills or tools, just reaching a bottleneck and needing to relax—renting a larger reef will be sufficient.”

The registering official was just about to refuse when he suddenly caught a whiff of refreshing energy. He saw the unusually young Daoist pull out two precious pills.

“This?” The official smiled and quickly handed over a sign, saying, “Reefs are available, similar to the islands. Please, esteemed guest, enter.”

It seemed this official was not unlike a waiter, catering to the whims of customers.

Li Hui took the sign, identified the location, and soon stood on a black reef. His speed was truly unmatched, even faster than short-range teleportation. Standing with his hands behind his back, he gazed up at the cave sky, feeling far more open than in his own residence, his heart expanding alongside the vastness of the world.

“The five layers of bottlenecks do not stem from within myself!”

“The first layer comes from talisman methods; for top-grade treasure talismans, I must choose one among the paths of Yuan Transformation, Demonic Transformation, Divine Enhancement, or Formless Transformation. Perhaps I could even add Demon Transformation; there must be a clear focus. For me, an important choice in talisman methods is necessary.”

“The second layer arises from the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique; secret techniques merge with Dao arts, requiring a true transformation to comprehend a Dao technique uniquely my own. Currently, it is merely a combination, not a fusion.”

“The third obstacle relates to controlling talisman hand seals; there seems to be just a thin layer of window paper. Once I pierce through this paper, the talismans in my hands will undergo earth-shattering changes.”

“The fourth barrier lies with the Seize the Day Talisman. The limit has reached seventy times, and if I wish to continue accelerating the flow of time, the transformation criteria are extremely harsh. I would need to sell off all my pills and herbs and perhaps even the majority of my treasure talismans to gather those few items. My financial resources would be exhausted, leaving me with almost nothing.”

“The fifth bottleneck must begin with ancient cultivators’ teachings on profound qi. Ancient cultivators emphasized nurturing—nurturing life, spirit, virtue—until they finally nurtured the Dao. They believed that even insights were shallow; they revered the Dao being natural, naturally nurturing the Dao and cultivating it! Yet, I seek speed, and today I need to repay a debt; I require a heart of Dao to resolve these residual issues.”

The heart of Dao is not the heart toward Dao but a pure heart of Dao; this heart in my chest must align with the Dao, opening the door to myriad wonders, encompassing all!

Li Hui took out a fishing rod, sitting on the reef to fish, preparing to catch a heart of Dao. Ancient cultivators nurtured their hearts of Dao; nobody had ever fished for a heart of Dao before. If anyone knew, they would surely think he was insane.

The hook dangled into the sea, creating ripples as he sat there for ten days, like a wooden carving, unmoving even when fish bit the hook.

On the eleventh day, the fishing line exuded mysterious energy, causing Li Hui to raise an eyebrow, then shake his head; this was not the energy he desired.

On the twelfth day, the fishing line suddenly turned black, a terrifying energy creeping upward.

“Whose demonic heart is this? No, no!” Li Hui swung the fishing rod vigorously, instantly pushing back the darkness, murmuring, “The Fortune Ascending Talisman is about to exhaust its fortune; only half a day is left, the final half day.”

Two hours later, the fishing line suddenly changed to blue.

“Eh? This is…?”

“A divine cultivator possesses a pure heart of Dao?”

“Lü Chunyang? So he is the first among the Three Gods! This heart is in harmony with Dao, ensuring success in all endeavors, decisive in slaughter, wielding his sword against the heavens!” Li Hui carefully contemplated, smiling toward the fishing line, “Thank you, Daoist Brother Lü, for your help. Plant good causes, reap good fruits. Today, we establish a bond; one day I will repay this.”

The blue light on the fishing line flickered and then vanished completely.

Li Hui smiled slightly, shook his fishing rod, instantly causing crystalline bricks to fall and transform into the Spirit-Refining Formation, spreading across the reef and into the sea. He lay on the jade bed and fell asleep, as clouds and mist rapidly swirled around him, erasing all traces.

He slept for three days. During this time, all the fish and sea birds in Gulang Sea exhibited unusual behaviors; one eye turned red while the other turned golden, sometimes becoming fierce and battling the waves, other times peaceful, nestled in nests relishing maternal affection.

Gradually, many fish swam through the sea, leaving behind mysterious ripples, while birds flew above, tracing strange trajectories. Cultivators had to employ magical tools to catch them.

On the fourth day, all the waves in Gulang Sea exploded like pearls dancing on the surface, and moments later, all the pearls disintegrated into sand-like fineness, indistinguishable from water or sand.

A golden light and a red light surged into the sky—not treasure light, but gazes.

Many high-level demon cultivators were about to search for the source of the strange phenomena when all signs vanished in an instant. Li Hui stretched lazily, awakening peacefully and saying with a smile, “A few lives, a few deaths, life and death are endlessly uncertain. Once awakened, there’s no need for action; all worldly activities differ. This heart is the initial union with Dao; endless beauty awaits on perilous peaks. I will traverse all directions to certify my Dao, carefree and leaving no trace!”

“Indeed, I have been nurturing my heart of Dao without realizing it!”

“From the day I cultivated the Ideal Body, this heart has been unbound. The wind is my heart, the clouds are my heart, constantly climbing peaks is also my heart…”

As these thoughts emerged, the wind turned gentle and the clouds light; profound and mysterious energy rushed into his chest.

“What have I gained? What about talisman methods? Which path to choose? Enhancement? I heard Que San say that officials of three ranks or above in ancient dynasties could create Virtual Immortals by inscribing decrees, a realm to be envied! Inscribing divine talismans and eventually divine symbols should certainly suffice.”

“Demonic Transformation is not to be considered; it can be dismissed directly. Yuan Transformation is far too ordinary, Formless Transformation is relatively difficult, and Demon Transformation is just a temporary whim.”

“Demon Transformation? Do I really have to give birth to demons with my pen?”

Li Hui pondered seriously, as this concerned the future path of talisman methods. Even with the silver snake bracelet, which could allow for diversity, he ultimately had limited energy and could only choose one path.

He sat on the jade bed for an entire day, finally coming to a decision: “Demon Transformation, I will pursue this path of demon transformation and demon talismans, and afterwards merge them into a Jade Symbol to explore any extraordinary aspects. Once I take this step, I can never turn back. Demons are anomalies of heaven and earth, and Hundred Tribulation Cultivators are also anomalies of heaven and earth; let me bring even greater anomalies to the world!”

“Crack…” A vow shone with light, lightning struck, and heaven responded. The first layer and the fifth layer of bottlenecks had already opened, bringing him a big step closer to entering the Bosa stage.