Chapter 642: Shen Lian Expound Doctrine

As the commotion between the cultivators had not subsided, there was a thick yellow Qi in the sky. The power was similar to the Zen Master Fahai.

The sensation was greater than that of the Zen Master Fahai, because the person was the last immortal Zhenren in Guangqing. Guangqing fell because of Zhenren Shen. Although Zhenren Shen did not kill everyone in the sect, the courage that the immortal Zhenren came to Celestial Mountain Qing Xuan was commendable.

On the Taiyi Peak, Shen Lian felt his presence and told Chen Jinchan beside him, “He came to ask for it.”

The Daoist’s voice rang over the Qing Xuan Daoist Sect, “Zhenren Shen, I am here to die, please come out and see me.”

Before the voice ended, there was an exceedingly powerful sword river appeared above the Taiyi Peak. Immediately, the Daoist was drawn into that and what remained was silence.

From that day onwards, the gratitude and resentment towards Guangqing evaporated. Before he died, the only regret from the Daoist was not being able to talk to Shen Lian even.

Chen Jinchan sighed. Their difference was too far apart. If all the five deities of Guangqing were here, Shen Lain would meet them.

The cultivators who traveled from afar thought that they could witness a show. However, everything ended too quickly and they were not given the time to respond. What was left was just an awkward silence.

Soon, they realized that the Daoist was an immortal Zhenren, a land immortal. With at least a thousand years in the path and strong mana, he was reduced to ashes even before meeting Shen Lian.

The rumor that Zhenren Shen was better than Zhenren Xiangshan could be true after all. Then, the world number one would change.

Zen Master Fahai’s expression changed. He did not expect Shen Lian to be so powerful. He knew that he was slightly better than the Daoist, but with a limit. However, Shen Lian’s stroke of sword river was powerful enough to send him to incarnation.

Initially, he thought that it was hard to improve further beyond this stage. Hence, there would be a limit to Shen Lian’s power. However, it seemed that his first impression of Shen Lian and this time was incomparable. He could be on par previously but the gap this time was huge.

Luckily, Zen Master Fahai relationship with Shen Lian was good. He could still seek advice from him.

Later, another ten immortal Zhenren and three out of the Five Masters of Zen came. The guests were all big names. However, they had a tacit agreement to not discuss the past occurrence as they knew about the resentment between Qing Xuan and Guangqing.

The death of the Daoist was let to an end to that enmity.

Chen Jinchan realized that it was the time for his honored master’s appearance. The golden bridge was closed. Surrounded with mystique, the prominent cultivators were in a floating place of enlightenment.

The place of enlightenment was exquisitely structured. With the guidance from the people from Qing Xuan, the cultivators were brought to their seats. On the other hand, the immortal Zhenren were brought to other designated seats, which separated them from the ordinary cultivators.

Not long after, the celestial music rang and a lotus stage appeared. Shen Lian stood in the middle of the lotus stage and beside him were two Daoist children.

With Shen Lian’s permission, Jiazhen was one of the audience. Beside her stood a delicately beautiful girl who seemed to come from an extraordinary family. She was lucky to be here. Hence, she appreciated every moment and tried to be at her best.

Shen Lian did not pay attention to the both of them. He looked around and slightly nodded towards the celestials to show respect. He did not seem overly confident. The celestials also did not dare to give a cold reception as everyone witnessed what happened to the Daoist not too long ago.

Zhenren Shen was not a notorious person, so certain etiquette had to be maintained.

Furthermore, Shen Lian’s close friends like Zen Master Fahai also requited earnestly.

Shen Lian went straight to the point and started to expound doctrine.

He did not talk about the path of Dao but talked about the nine state of cultivation; Yangqi, Tongmai, Qiaodong, Yunhun, Chushen, Ruhua, Huandan, Buxu and Powang. He explained every detail clearly and the feature of each state. Most of the cultivators were in a trance state. It was just a step away from the next stage. However, after listening to Shen Lian, they realized that they themselves had missed out on many details.

On the other hand, the celestials who listened to Shen Lian’s remarks felt that they did not practice cultivation to perfection.

From time immemorial, nobody explained the nine state of cultivation such incisively. This time, Shen Lian’s concluded his understanding and described the reason behind the split among cultivation state by Taiyi Daoist Master.

Before Shen Lian finished, an immortal Zhenren told his friend, “After today, Zhenren Shen made his words the laws of the country and held himself up as the example of posterity.”

His comment was not hidden. Most of the immortal Zhenren who heard it felt the same way too.

Shen Lian used the heart seal of Buddhism to expound doctrine. The Buddhism used it on a one to one basis whereas Shen Lian sealed it on every cultivator’s heart. Hence, they would be able to remember clearly, what he preached. As they arrived at this state, they could personally experience the essence of the doctrine.

The three Zen Masters were utterly impressed. Founding Master Hui Ke said that Zhenren Shen was a genius and she did not overpraise.

Zen Masters paid attention to insights. Hence, the insights that all three of them had gained were not lesser than their Daoist friends in Xuanmen.

As the sun rose from the east and set in the east, Shen Lian finished his doctrine. Although he was talking about the nine state of cultivation, it was indirectly talking about longevity, the path and the fruition. The cultivators felt lucky to have experienced this incredible opportunity.

Later, the girl beside Shen Lian obtained her Founding Master’s order and uttered, “My Founding Master said he will randomly pick any of the Daoist friends to ask him questions, so please be prepared. Those who are picked will have their image in the air.”

The audience was excited. If they were picked to ask a question, they could enter Qingyun.

After some time, a cultivator was picked and his image was portrayed in the air. Cultivators from all sides could see him.

The cultivator was slightly nervous but managed to calm down quickly. He questioned, “Zhenren Shen, there is a saying that the God rewards the diligent. However, why do some try so hard to cultivate but still make little progression whereas some do not try hard but improve tremendously?”

He was fifty years old but he just reached trance. On the other hand, others reached trance by twenty years old. Therefore, he felt uneasy.

Shen Lian smiled and answered, “Someone asked the Zen Master Hui Ke, “Do the monks work hard to cultivate Daoism?” The Zen Master answered yes. Then he questioned, “How do you define hardworking?” The Zen Master replied, “Eat if you are hungry; sleep when you are sleepy.” He continued, “Everyone in the world sleeps and eats like that, is there a difference to the monks?” The Zen Master responded, “It is different.” He queried, “What is the difference?” The Zen Master explained, “When it is time to eat, the worldly people do not eat but demands others; when it is time to sleep, the worldly people do not sleep but disputes. That is the difference.”

The three Zen Masters looked at each other. Although Shen Lian referred to Hui Ke in the context, he highlighted the essence of cultivation.