fantasy novels Chapter 23 Demon Master? Ancestor of Literature! Wise Men Gather to Discuss Yin and Yang
Chapter 23 Demon Master? Ancestor of Literature! Wise Men Gather to Discuss Yin and Yang
Kunpeng snapped out of his daze, looked at the wisps of steam rising from the spiritual tea on the table, made a snap decision, and with a flick of his sleeve, took out a large pile of items and arranged them neatly in the hall. These were all unique spiritual fruits and immortal flowers from the North Sea, as well as rare treasures from the deep sea.
Although it cannot compare to top-tier treasures such as innate spiritual roots or supreme spiritual treasures, it is rare and has extremely strict requirements for its growth environment.
Since the end of the Dragon-Han Great Calamity, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has changed, and the environment of heaven and earth has undergone drastic changes, making these spiritual objects increasingly difficult to find.
He clearly put a great deal of effort into collecting and preparing so much.
Kunpeng bowed to Lingxiao again, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of his mouth beneath his hooked nose, his face showing barely concealed awkwardness. He said, "Fellow Daoist, please forgive my poor fortune. I have little to offer and possess nothing of value but these unworthy local specialties from the North Sea. Since you are about to get married, I have prepared some small gifts to present to you for your wedding banquet, as a token of my goodwill."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I will accept this sentiment."
Even the usually aloof Xihe softened her expression and nodded slightly to Kunpeng.
Chang Xi's almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she happily got up to collect the spiritual fruits and rare treasures one by one, saying crisply, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng! These Northern Sea spiritual fruits are the most refreshing, perfect for brewing spiritual wine for the wedding banquet!"
After some pleasantries and several rounds of tea, the atmosphere in the hall gradually eased.
But Kunpeng's expression kept changing. His thin fingers clenched and unclenched on the table, looking hesitant and uneasy, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Seeing his restless appearance, Ling Xiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, you've come today not just to deliver this congratulatory gift, have you? Please speak frankly. If it's something I can help with, I certainly won't refuse."
These words seemed to give Kunpeng immense courage.
He gritted his teeth, disregarding the dignity of a primordial deity, and abruptly stood up. He bowed deeply to Ling Xiao and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist has discerning eyes. I have indeed come here today with a request I would like to ask for your guidance!"
"Previously, Fellow Daoist established the Twelve Yuan Chen, set the order of heaven and earth, and used the power of the stars to induce the Heavenly Dao to bestow a massive amount of merit. In the primordial world, Fellow Daoist claims to be second only to the Dao Ancestor."
"In your opinion, fellow Daoist, is there a suitable path for me, one that allows me to accumulate merit?"
After saying that, he bowed and stood up, looking at Ling Xiao with trepidation. His triangular eyes were full of longing and unease, as if he was afraid that Ling Xiao would refuse him outright.
He sighed inwardly:
Merit is a panacea, and any cultivator should have as much as possible. Even if Ling Xiao really had a way to reliably earn merit, why would he easily share it with outsiders?
Putting myself in their shoes, if I had found such an opportunity, I would definitely keep it a secret and would never tell anyone else.
Unless there are countless ways to gain merit in this world, how could such a thing be possible?
With this thought in mind, Kunpeng was already prepared to gain nothing and return empty-handed.
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao gently stroked the warm teacup with his fingertips, his mind racing with thoughts.
He first thought of the opportunity he had previously given to Nuwa to create humans from clay, thus gaining insight into immeasurable merit.
Then I thought of the painstaking efforts of Hongjun Daozu in order to protect the primordial world and mend the heavens by merging his body with the Dao.
Furthermore, considering that the present is different from later generations, that the world has just been created and the Great Dao is flawed, there are countless opportunities to plan meritorious deeds, and even if he had extraordinary abilities, he would not be able to do everything personally.
Therefore, it seems that it wouldn't be a bad idea to offer some guidance to the Kunpeng who is sincerely seeking knowledge.
Ultimately, since I am the one who proposed the opportunity, even if I don't take action myself, I can still share in the merits of Heaven after the matter is accomplished.
It's a win-win situation for both oneself and others.
Thinking of this, Ling Xiao raised his eyes to look at the bowing Kunpeng, smiled slightly, and slowly said, "Fellow Daoist, please rise. It is quite a coincidence that there is indeed a path of merit that is very suitable for you in this primordial world."
Upon hearing this, Kunpeng suddenly raised his head, his triangular eyes flashing with a sharp light. His previously uneasy heart instantly leaped into his throat, and he hurriedly asked, "Please speak frankly, fellow Daoist! If I can obtain this opportunity, I will never forget your great kindness in this lifetime!"
Ling Xiao put down his teacup, his tone calm, yet every word resonated with the profound truths of the Dao: "Fellow Daoist, do you know what in this primordial world is most capable of connecting heaven and earth, interpreting the Dao, establishing order, and resolving conflict?"
Before Kunpeng could answer, he continued:
"It is written language. The Great Way is formless, and oral transmission will eventually come to an end. Only by using written language can the formless Great Way be transformed into tangible symbols, and the ultimate truth of heaven and earth be passed on to future generations."
"In the primordial era, countless races existed, including scaled creatures, birds, beasts, and aquatic beings. Each race had its own inherited symbols, but due to differences in physical structure and origins, the writing systems they created were all separate and incomprehensible to one another. The lack of common language and written language created barriers, and as these barriers accumulated, conflicts arose, leading to countless pointless battles."
He paused slightly, then began to explain the profound and mysterious meaning of words:
"A single word can explain the universe, and a single article can convey the great Dao."
"Writing about 'Heaven' draws upon the pure spirit of the nine heavens; writing about 'Earth' incorporates the fertile soil and its profound virtues; speaking of 'life' contains the vitality of creation; and speaking of 'death' conceals the ultimate truth of killing and destruction."
"These words are the key to breaking through ignorance, the bridge to the Great Way, and the foundation for eliminating conflict."
"If you, fellow Daoist, could create a script that all beings in the primordial world could use, unify the heritage of all races, eliminate language barriers, and reduce unnecessary killings, it would be a great merit that benefits all living beings in the primordial world. Its importance may not be less than that of establishing the Twelve Earthly Branches."
These words have a scope that far exceeds the original trajectory of destiny, where Kunpeng was only responsible for creating characters for the demon race and unifying the many branches of the demon race.
Instead, it looks at all living beings in the primordial world and points directly to the origin of education.
"boom!"
Kunpeng was already exceptionally intelligent, and upon hearing this, he was struck dumb, his mind suddenly clearing up in an instant.
Having lived in the deep sea of the Northern Sea for many years, he had witnessed the various tribes of sea monsters fighting each other year after year for a little bit of resources because of their incomprehensible languages and conflicting traditions, and the blood feuds had accumulated more and more heavily.
If we could truly use a common written language to exchange information, pass on techniques, and integrate cultures, it would indeed reduce some meaningless fighting!
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is!" Kunpeng murmured to himself, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter. His previous unease had completely faded away, leaving only enlightenment.
Seeing this, Ling Xiao added, "Of course, the scripts of all races are exquisite in their own way, but you don't need to reinvent the wheel."
"We can first learn from the inherited scripts of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans. As the saying goes, 'Dragon and Phoenix writings, Qilin calligraphy.' The Dragon clan has Dragon seal script, the Phoenix clan has Phoenix seal script, and the Qilin clan has Qilin calligraphy."
"In the past, the three races each ruled over the sea, land, and air, and were the overlords of the primordial world. Their scripts inherited the fortune of heaven and earth and conformed to the ultimate principles of the Great Dao, making them unique. Fellow Daoist, you can take these three as the foundation, absorb the essence of the scripts of all races, and discard the dross to create this universal script."
If Kunpeng could truly unify all writing systems and create a script suitable for all living beings, then he would not be a demon master, but the progenitor of all writing systems in the primordial world!
"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist! I will never forget your great kindness!" Kunpeng could no longer contain his excitement and gratitude. He bowed deeply to Lingxiao, completely convinced of his sincerity.
Just then, a clear voice announced its name outside Lingxiao Palace, piercing through the golden flame barrier and clearly entering the hall: "Donghua from Zifu Continent has come to visit Fellow Daoist Lingxiao. I apologize for disturbing your cultivation."
Everyone was taken aback. Ling Xiao immediately stood up with a smile: "So it's Fellow Daoist Donghua! Please, come in!"
Before long, the Eastern King, dressed in a Taoist robe and with an elegant demeanor, entered the hall. Seeing everyone gathered inside and hearing the lingering echoes of Ling Xiao's discourse on the Great Dao of Literature, he became very interested and decided to sit down with everyone. As the mood struck him, they discussed the Great Dao together.
At the forum, Kunpeng first spoke of the two principles of Feng Shui, explaining the rise and fall of the tides in the Northern Sea, the soaring and traversing of the Nine Heavens, and how Feng Shui complements and evolves into infinitely profound principles.
Dongwanggong then spoke of the Pure Yang Great Dao and the vitality of Jia wood, explaining the Lesser Yang Qi of Donghua, which governs male immortals, generates all spirits, and ensures that the Pure Yang never dies and the vitality never ceases.
Xihe and Changxi spoke together about the Great Dao of Taiyin and the origin of Ren water, discussing the rising and setting of the moon, the cold light nourishing the world, the solidification of Taiyin, and the hidden potential of Ruoshui.
In the end, Ling Xiao used the Great Dao of the Sun and the origin of the Fire element as the core, and slowly evolved the Great Dao framework with Yin and Yang as the guiding principles and the Five Elements as the body. Every word he spoke was in accordance with the origin of heaven and earth, and the audience listened with rapt attention.
After Lingxiao finished speaking, the lingering Taoist chants in the hall remained for a long time, and the room was completely silent.
Kunpeng and Dongwanggong suddenly stood up, bowed deeply to Lingxiao, their eyes full of admiration.
Xihe, standing to the side, had a gentle yet proud look in her clear, phoenix-shaped eyes.
Chang Xi's almond-shaped eyes shone like stars. She gripped the hem of her skirt with both hands, her small face filled with undisguised admiration and joy. She felt that her elder brother was the most remarkable being in this primordial world.
After the formalities were completed and they took their seats, Dongwanggong hesitated for a moment before bowing to Lingxiao and asking, "Fellow Daoist, you have a profound understanding of heaven and earth and a clear grasp of the Great Dao. I have a question that I would like to ask you to enlighten me on—"
"I wonder what Fellow Daoist Lingxiao's opinion is on the matter of Dao Ancestor Hongjun appointing Fellow Daoist Xihua and me as the male and female leaders of the Immortal Realm?"