Zhang Fei - The Abandoned Son

Even though his eyes were closed, Zhang Xiaolong [3] could feel the changes in his surroundings. He could feel the emptiness and silence enveloping him, which made his mind, heart, and soul extremely calm.

Mu Ling, who was waiting in the distance, continued to watch Zhang Xiaolong [3] seriously.

'He's finally started! I hope you can make good use of this opportunity, kid.' Mu Ling turned his head when he heard two footsteps, and he saw Tian Baitian and Tian Baixing walking towards him. 'Heh! It took them a week to pass the loyalty and righteousness test! If they are like this, there's no way they can comprehend the Dao.'

Tian Baitian and Tian Baixing ignored Mu Ling and stood a short distance away from him, glaring at Zhang Xiaolong, who was sitting in mid-air with calm expressions on his face.

'Brother, he seems to be starting his final test.' Tian Baixing whispered.

Tian Baitian nodded in understanding as he stole a glance at Mu Ling. 'What do you think if we attack that brat when his test has already started?'

'Are you serious about that?' Tian Baixing asked with a frown. 'If we do that, the people from this realm will expel us, and our efforts in the past two years will end in vain. Moreover, you should remember that there are strong restrictions in the entire test area, and this guy will immediately activate them to stop us.'

Tian Baitian let out a heavy sigh as he nodded. 'Forget it, we'll take care of this kid after we finish the last test, and no one will stop us anymore at that time.'

Rumble... Rumble...

The sky above the area suddenly rumbled, and a pillar of light descended from it, enveloping Zhang Xiaolong.

"What Is the Dao?"

That question only appeared in Zhang Xiaolong [3]'s mind. 'The Dao is the path! It cannot be fully defined because it's beyond words or concepts! It is the origin of all things and the natural order of existence! It is the fundamental law of existence and the path of cultivation! It is the truth that governs the universe!'

"What in this universe embodies the Dao?

'Everything! Life, death, sky, earth, time, elements, emotions, heart, and even the sword have the Dao!'

"Why seek the Dao?"

'The Dao brings enlightenment, insight, and power. Cultivators seek it to comprehend and master it to achieve transcendence and immortality.'

"How to Understand the Dao?"

'Meditate to comprehend their Dao! Enlightenment may come through nature, life experiences, or insight in battle! Near-death experiences, tragedies, or emotional breakthroughs may spark Dao comprehension!'

"How to master the Dao?"

Zhang Xiaolong [3] thought for some time before giving his answer. 'A cultivator needs the Dao Heart to master the Dao, which is their mental clarity and resolve regarding their Dao! If your Dao Heart is unstable or impure, you'll likely fail and even face Qi deviation or death!'

"What is the Dao Heart?"

'The Dao Heart is the core of a cultivator's will. The faith in one path. The stability of a person's heart. A freedom from doubt, fear, and regret.'

"How to attain the Dao Heart?"

'The Dao Heart can be achieved through many things.'

"What is the hardest thing to achieve the Dao Heart?"

'Overcome our inner demons, such as guilt, fear, regret, desire, and weakness. One must confront and overcome them in order to achieve heart stability; only then can we achieve the Dao Heart.'

"What can damage and destroy the Dao Heart?"

'Extreme emotions like obsession, hatred, or excessive attachment to something can corrupt the Dao Heart, which will ultimately destroy it.'

"How to forge the Dao Heart to attain the Dao?"

'Like forging an equipment, the Dao Heart can be tempered through various things, such as experience, pain, loss, fear, betrayal, loneliness, fear, and many more.'

"What is your Dao?"

'I am the path! I am the Dao!'

After Zhang Xiaolong [3] said that, many illusions appeared in his mind. He momentarily frowned, but his negate illusion ability immediately kicked in and negated them.

After the illusion disappeared, many things that Zhang Xiaolong [3] desired appeared in his mind, tempting him to take them. Naturally, he knew that it was just a temptation to test his resolve, and he did nothing.

Next, many naked women appeared around him, and many of them were women he really wanted, including Feng Yao. They surrounded him, cared for him, hugged him, and kissed him. However, such things would never work against him, especially with so many women by his side, most of whom possessed peerless beauty.

A few minutes later, the women disappeared by themselves, and the sky above the area quickly darkened. Zhang Xiaolong [3] could feel the immense pressure coming from the sky, but he was not the least bit worried about it because it was still weaker than the pressure he experienced when he broke through to the Seven Divine Realm.

Mu Ling, Tian Baitian, and Tian Baixing were shocked when a large, golden lightning spear descended from the sky.

'This kid only needs to pass this tribulation to complete his Dao test.' Mu Ling inwardly muttered with a satisfied smile on his face.

'Hahaha!' Tian Baitian laughed triumphantly in his heart. 'Kill him for me! I don't need to bother killing him, and I will extract his bloodline to evolve into ten tails!'

Unlike his brother, Tian Baixing was confident that Zhang Xiaolong [3] would succeed, especially after witnessing the lightning tribulations they faced during the karmic test. 'Can I pass this test?'

*Rumble...Rumble...*

*Swoosh*

The lightning spear shot down toward Zhang Xiaolong [3], who immediately activated his lightning element and elemental law to counter it, causing the two to collide in midair and produce a loud explosion.

*Boom*

After the effects of the explosion disappeared, the pillar of light that enveloped Zhang Xiaolong [3] became brighter, and he felt something he had never experienced before, which made him much calmer than usual.

===

[Ding]

[The host successfully formed the Dao Heart, allowing the host to embark on a journey to understand the Dao.]

===

Zhang Xiaolong [3] breathed a sigh of relief and opened his eyes. He looked up at the sky with a calm but firm gaze, and his body exuded a gentle and calming aura, unlike his usual fierce and bloody aura. He raised both hands, clenched his fists, and felt the changes. "So, this is my initial path to comprehending the true dao, huh? Which dao should I comprehend first?"

[What else, Master? You are originally a dual cultivator, so you should try to comprehend the dao of dual cultivation first.]

'Hahaha!' Zhang Xiaolong [3] laughed inwardly upon hearing that. 'The dao of dual cultivation shouldn't be too difficult, right? In fact, I have long understood it, but not all dual cultivators can understand the true essence of the dual cultivation, and many of them misunderstand it. Dual cultivation is not merely about physical intimacy, but it is more about the balance of yin and yang, body and soul, desire and transcendence.'

[Since when do you understand that, Master?]

'Ever since I studied the Forbidden Lotus Codex and mastered the Lotus Ascension Art. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to form so many white lotuses in my soul, especially since that technique basically uses principles from the Dao of the dual cultivation.' Zhang Xiaolong [3]'s answer made Mei speechless. 'The dao of dual cultivation is to unite and balance the two different forces, Yin and Yang. True dual cultivators must resonate spiritually, not just physically, with their partners. After all, the dual cultivation path is a mutual path, like your gain and pain are mine, and we will grow together.'

"Congratulations." Zhang Xiaolong [3] turned to Mu Ling, who immediately handed him a plaque. "You have successfully passed the Dao test, and this is the end of it. From now on, you are a member of our realm, and you can come and go whenever you want. Our leaders are already waiting for you elsewhere, so I will take you to them now."

"All right." Zhang Xiaolong [3] glanced briefly at Tian Baitian and Tian Baixing before flying away following Mu Ling.

"That bastard! I didn't expect him to survive and successfully comprehend the dao!" Tian Baitian shouted angrily, and he immediately went to the center of the area to undergo his test.

Unlike her brother, Tian Baixing was in no hurry to undergo her test, and she chose to sit at the edge of the area to prepare herself, especially since she did not have the confidence to pass it.

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Before long, they had arrived at the place where the leaders of the Sovereign Heaven Realm were gathered together, but Zhang Xiaolong [3] frowned as soon as he felt the hostility from Leng Hua.

Since Yuan Tianling had told him about the old man, Zhang Xiaolong [3] could immediately recognize him, and he was sure that Leng Hua was the one who sent people to do something to him a week ago.

Zhang Xiaolong [3] paid no attention to Leng Hua and instead stole a glance at Leng Xueyan, who looked awkward while gazing at him. I've come to see her in her dreams in recent years, and she must be shocked to know that I'm a real person.'

Jia Yuyan immediately approached Zhang Xiaolong [3] and spoke to him. "As I expected, you successfully passed all the tests, including the Dao test. Moreover, you completed them all in just a few days, which is the best record so far."

"You know that I have a lot of questions for you, right?"

"Yes." Jia Yuyan nodded in response. "You can come to the eastern forest whenever you want, and I will answer all your questions then."

"All right, I'll see you soon." Zhang Xiaolong [3] then turned to Shangguan Yan, who was walking towards him. "Pardon me, but I'm still undecided about your offer."

Shangguan Yan nodded in understanding. "I'm not in a hurry about your decision, so you can take your time to think things over while enjoying your new life in our realm. Once you've decided, you can meet me at my Shangguan Clan, and we'll talk more then."

"Yes." Zhang Xiaolong [3] nodded at her.

Shi Yan, Qing Huang, and Tian Jingxuan approached Zhang Xiaolong [3]. "Kid, there are several sects in our realm, and you can join one of them if you are interested. However, the three of us want to take you as our disciple, and we hope that you will not reject our wishes."

Leng Hua frowned after Tian Jingxuan said that, and he immediately spoke to Zhang Xiaolong [3]. "Hey, kid! I also want to recruit you as my disciple, and I don't want to hear any rejection from you."

"Do you think I would accept a request from someone who previously tried to harm me, Senior?" Leng Hua frowned deeper after Zhang Xiaolong [3] mentioned that. "I was indeed focused on dealing with my lightning tribulations at that time, but I could sense someone sneaking up on me and trying to attack me. Luckily, someone stopped him in advance, or he would have died by my hands."

"You—" Leng Hua stopped speaking as soon as Zhang Xiaolong [3] released his aura. 'How is this possible? How can his aura match mine?'

Zhang Xiaolong [3] immediately spoke again. "Senior, I may be younger and weaker than you, but I will not be afraid of you because I have fought with many senior cultivators with strength equal to yours, and I managed to defeat them all."

Leng Hua narrowed his fierce eyes in response, but Tian Jingxuan and the others immediately prepared to stop him if he suddenly made a move. He snorted at them before leaving the room, but he sent a voice message to Leng Xueyan to bring Zhang Xiaolong [3] to their clan no matter what.

"Hahaha!" Shi Yan suddenly laughed and patted Zhang Xiaolong [3]'s shoulder. "Old Leng didn't witness it when you went through the battle test a week ago, so he doesn't know anything about your true strength. I know you're strong, but you should still be careful of him because he's a vengeful person, and no one in the younger generation has ever dared to challenge him before."

"Old Shi is right, Kid." Qing Huang said this while stroking his long beard. "Since you've challenged Old Leng like that, I'm sure he'll make a move on you sooner or later, and he won't hesitate to use all kinds of underhanded means to fulfill his ambitions. Therefore, you must always be on guard against him, or you'll suffer if you let your guard down."

Tian Jingxuan then spoke to him. "Welcome to our realm, and I hope you can think about our previous offer. Once you have decided, you can meet us here again, and the three of us will train you very well."

"Thank you for your offer and advice, seniors." Zhang Xiaolong [3] said this while cupping his hands to them. "I will definitely think about your offer well."

Tian Jingxuan and the others nodded at him. "We still have a lot to talk to you about, but you have just gone through a series of tiring tests, so Jiantang and Little Yun will take you somewhere else to rest."

"Thank you." Thereafter, Tian Jiantang and Qing Yun led Zhang Xiaolong [3] to leave that place and took him away to his new residence in that realm. He did not forget to send a voice message to Leng Xueyan. 'Senior, if you are so curious about me, you can meet me at my residence tonight.'

Leng Xueyan raised her eyebrows slightly after hearing that, but she immediately replied to him. 'All right, I will meet you tonight.'

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On the way, Tian Jiantang and Qing Yun explained many things to Zhang Xiaolong [3], especially about the sects and clans in that realm.

However, Zhang Xiaolong [3] did not come to that realm to join any of the sects or clans, so he was not interested in them. "Can you guys tell me about the Sky Flame?"

"Oh?" Both men were surprised by the question, and Tian Jiantang then asked Zhang Xiaolong [3] about it. "Did you come to this realm because of the Sky Flame?"

"Yes." Zhang Xiaolong [3] immediately admitted it. "I'm a fire cultivator by nature, and I heard from my father-in-law that the Sky Flame is here. I hope to get a little of the flame to strengthen my fire element."

"I see." Tian Jiantang nodded in understanding and pointed in the distance. "The Sky Flame is in that area, and all fire cultivators are free to go there. However, not all fire cultivators can approach the Sky Flame because it possesses a spirit that will reject anyone deemed unworthy. If you attempt to approach the flame forcefully after being rejected by the spirit, it will immediately attack you with great strength. Therefore, exercise caution when attempting this, as it could result in serious injury."

Zhang Xiaolong [3] turned towards the direction while nodding. "Thank you for your advice, Brother."

"Brother, how about we have another spar tomorrow?" Qing Yun suddenly asked.

Zhang Xiaolong [3] immediately refused, especially since he already had other plans. "I'm sorry, Brother. I wanted to get a full rest for tomorrow, but we can do that the day after tomorrow."

"All right, we will do it the day after tomorrow."

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Before long, they had arrived in front of a residence that was not too big but not too small either, and it was quite luxurious. On his map, Zhang Xiaolong [3] could see that there were two maids inside. Meanwhile, two male guards were stationed in front of the building, and they possessed a high level of cultivation at the 5-Moon Divine Transformation Realm. 'Such strong cultivators were assigned to be guards, huh?'

Tian Jiantang spoke immediately. "Brother, this residence will be your personal residence, and they will serve all your needs. So you only need to order them if you need anything, and they will bring it to you."

"Actually, this residence is too much, but I will accept your kindness." After Tian Jiantang and Qing Yun left, Zhang Xiaolong [3] immediately entered the residence, where the two maids greeted him. "What are the names of you two?"

The older maid immediately introduced herself. "My name is Qing Dongya, Young Master."

"My name is Tian Yiyuan, Young Master." The younger maid introduced herself.

'Two people from the Tian and Qing Clans, huh?' Zhang Xiaolong [3] muttered to himself. "My name is Zhang Xiaolong, and you two don't need to address me as a young master. By the way, I'm going to rest now, and I don't want any disturbances."

"Yes, Young Master." Zhang Xiaolong [3] could only sigh and leave the two women straightaway.

- To Be Continued -