Chapter Thirty-Four: Transcending the Worldly Laws

This was merely a formality; of course, Shen Lian would never say he was unwilling.

Shen Lian nodded and said, “The disciple is willing.”

Gu Caiwei smiled gently. Having never taken on a disciple herself—though acting on behalf of her master—it was quite an interesting experience. With a flick of her sleeve, a steaming cup of tea appeared. She first handed it to Shen Lian, then gestured for him to pass it back to her.

Shen Lian was helpless but compliant. In truth, the Qingxuan cultivation method was natural and unbound by many strict rules. Yet since Senior Sister Gu insisted on this ritual, and he was still waiting for her to transmit the teachings, he had no choice but to indulge her youthful whimsy.

Respectfully presenting the tea to his master, Gu Caiwei, standing in for her teacher, accepted it with delight.

After Shen Lian bowed and expressed his gratitude for the master’s grace, Gu Caiwei said, “From now on, we are fellow disciples from the same lineage. On the path of cultivation, we shall support each other.”

Then she pointed to a portrait. “This painting was not originally like this; it was the true likeness of the Pure Water Patriarch. Later, after the Patriarch attained enlightenment, a new painting was made, showing the current scene. Our master once asked the Patriarch the reason behind this, and she said it represented the ‘Great Void’ of Pure Water. Junior brother, can you tell me what the Patriarch truly meant?”

Shen Lian pondered briefly before replying, “The Great Void is the majestic aspect of the Dao. Could it be that the Patriarch’s path was realized through the tranquil reflections on the clouded pool?”

Gu Caiwei responded, “Actually, there is no answer to this question; the Patriarch never explained. When our master first showed me this painting, I was asked the same question, and today I ask you. At that time, our master had already reached the Core Formation stage, even the ninth cycle. Brother Chen was exceptionally talented, though still a bit behind our master. If it weren’t for the exceptional difficulty of cultivating the Great Void Divine Strategy, it could easily be regarded as the foremost method in the world.”

She could not help but show a trace of pride in her usually graceful and gentle demeanor.

Although Shen Lian had long known the Great Void Divine Strategy was difficult to master, he still didn’t fully understand why. Qingxuan had no shortage of talent, yet over the years, besides the Patriarch and the Ancestor, only his current master, Biyun Zhenren, had cultivated the Great Void Divine Strategy to the Core Formation stage.

He asked, “Senior Sister, what exactly distinguishes the Great Void Divine Strategy from other cultivation methods, and why is it so difficult?”

Shen Lian now understood that cultivation was about harmonizing oneself with heaven and earth and attaining various insights. Though there were differences in difficulty, none should be so vastly different as to be almost impossible to practice.

Gu Caiwei’s expression grew serious, no longer her usual gentle self. She said, “The cultivation methods of the world manifest through their power. Like Brother Yan, who ‘commands wind and summons rain,’ or Brother Chen, who slashes demons with his sword, or even Uncle Zhu’s ‘Ziwei Dongxuan True Explanation’—once mastered, they grant near-perfect control. These all contain the principles of heaven and earth, so ultimately, they lead to the same goal: achieving longevity. But if one wishes to transcend heaven and earth, these are still insufficient.

“Our Great Void Divine Strategy, when fully mastered, allows one to transcend the heavens and earth and escape the vast multiverse. Because of this, it is supremely difficult. Even the Ancestor, who never suffered any tribulation, did not fully perfect the Great Void Divine Strategy. The Dao is not something expressed in words. Although I have only a preliminary understanding, I can demonstrate it to you.”

Naturally, the demonstration would not be inside the hall, lest it seem disrespectful to the Ancestor.

Outside the hall, on a broad cliff with no one around, a gentle breeze blew, and the primordial energy drifted faintly—an ideal spot.

Shen Lian followed Gu Caiwei out the hall door and saw her standing calmly at the cliff’s edge, her robes fluttering in the wind, exuding an aura as if she were detached from the world.

In this ethereal realm, Gu Caiwei seemed somewhat out of place, strikingly prominent.

Shen Lian thought of Chen Jianmei, Yan Bugui, and the Three Questions Daoist. Leaving aside Chen Jianmei’s attainment of Core Formation, none of them gave Shen Lian this special feeling.

It wasn’t that Gu Caiwei’s spiritual pressure was overwhelmingly strong; rather, his keen spiritual perception told him she was unbeatable.

Gu Caiwei’s voice, light and melodious, entered Shen Lian’s ears. She said, “Junior Brother, I heard you have already entered the path of talisman crafting. You may use all the talisman arts you know and send them to me.”

Shen Lian was neither timid nor dismissive because she was a woman.

At first, he was cautious. He traced a talisman in the air, directing his energy as if it were a limb. A gusting wind talisman emerged, sharp as a blade, and he hurled it swiftly.

In midair, a blue wind blade appeared, its color due to the condensation of Shen Lian’s magical power.

Seeing the wind blade approaching, Gu Caiwei swept her wide sleeve, and the blade vanished instantly.

Although Shen Lian’s magical power was embedded in the blade, it disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, Gu Caiwei showed no strong energy fluctuations.

Occasionally, thunder rumbled atop the cliff, earth shifted, or a sword sliced through the air—such phenomena appeared intermittently.

At first, Shen Lian held back, but soon he unleashed all his strength. No matter what magical or sword techniques he used, all had no effect on Gu Caiwei, as if she were impervious to all methods.

Ultimately, Shen Lian employed everything except the ‘Mutually Generating Sword Qi.’

Of course, he did not use the Devouring God Sword, as it severs the soul irreversibly. Even if Gu Caiwei might withstand it, he would not risk it.

Besides, this was not a duel; Gu Caiwei was demonstrating the Great Void Divine Strategy.

Finally, Shen Lian broke into a slight sweat. Using so many techniques was exhausting, even for him.

Fortunately, Gu Caiwei’s means of dispelling attacks were extraordinary, leaving no marks of battle or magic on the cliff.

She then lightly approached with an airy step and smiled faintly, “I have only a preliminary grasp of the Great Void Divine Strategy. With your level of cultivation in either Dao techniques or martial arts, it’s already impossible to harm me. Once you reach Core Formation, at the same level, most worldly arts would have no effect on those practicing the Great Void Divine Strategy.”

“What then, after achieving longevity with the Great Void Divine Strategy?” Shen Lian asked, curiosity piqued. If Gu Caiwei could block all his Dao arts without chanting or even noticeable energy fluctuations, he wondered how formidable she would be upon reaching Core Formation or even immortality.

Gu Caiwei did not answer directly but said, “In the past, the Pure Water Patriarch ruled the universe with great might, offending many powerful enemies. Later, a group of mighty cultivators besieged her, but she defeated them all single-handedly. At that time, the Patriarch’s Great Void Divine Strategy was not yet complete.”

Speaking of the Patriarch’s grandeur, Gu Caiwei could not help but reveal a serene admiration. Even a gentle woman like her felt her heart stir at the thought of someone who, as a woman, subdued the world’s cultivators.

P.S. Thanks to Qu Ye Xiaoxiao for the generous 5888 reward, and congratulations on reaching fourth place in the book’s fan rankings; thanks also to Yue Ye Zhenhunqu for 1888, Yi Gan Da Yan Qiang for 588, and to Xiao N, Dao Dao Ying Sui, and Hei Hai Xuan Xiao for their support.