Red Heart Patrols the Sky

"The Dao is vast, never full though it works constantly. Profound, oh! It seems the origin of all things. Blunt the sharpness, unravel the knots; soften the glare, merge with the dust. Serene, oh! It seems it may exist forever. I do not know whose offspring it is; it appears to precede even the Lord."

The old Taoist's voice, giving the sermon, was very soft, yet clear enough to reach the ears of everyone in the scripture hall. When he finished the last character, his brow and eyes suddenly drooped as if he were about to fall asleep the next moment, the very image of someone in the last years of his life.

Jiang Wang did not dare to be disrespectful, following his senior brothers in paying their respects before getting up to leave his seat.

Despite the inconspicuous appearance of this old man, he was, in fact, the vice director of Fenglin City's Taoist Institute, Song Qifang. More precisely, before Dong Ah arrived, he was the actual director of the institute, having put down roots in Fenglin City for decades. However, past the age of eighty and with his cultivation stagnating at Grade-7 for a long time, unable to open the Heaven and Earth Gate, he had long lost his ambition for progress, instead burying himself in the scriptures and dedicating his efforts to teaching. That was why he was quite beloved.

After Dong Ah arrived, he didn't compete or fight for control, working wholeheartedly to support Dong Ah, allowing him to take over Fenglin City's Taoist Institute smoothly. In return, Dong Ah gave him immense respect.

In the whole of Fenglin City, when it came to being respected for one's virtue and esteem, no one could surpass Song Qifang.

...

Even after walking out of the scripture hall's great doors, Jiang Wang's heart could not calm down, instead soaking in deep sentimentality.

What is the Dao? Invisible, intangible, yet omnipresent and limitless. How does one comprehend it, understand it, pursue it? The more one pursues, understands, and comprehends it, the more ignorant and insignificant one feels.

One can only sigh, "Profound, oh!", how unfathomable!

Ling He recited and walked, wishing he could savor the teachings over and over. Zhao Rucheng, although not usually keen on his studies, also appeared contemplative. Only Du Yehu yawned ceaselessly, as if he had just enjoyed a nap.

With only ten spots for Inner Sect Disciples selected each term, based solely on the fundamental breathing techniques, Du Yehu was second only in progress to Jiang Wang, who had already revealed his Dao channels early—it had to be said he possessed extraordinary talent. However, he just couldn't engage with the so-called grand Dao classics. On the contrary, as soon as it came to learning techniques, he would become lively and energetic.

Only the Inner Sect could be considered the true Taoist Institute—this was no lie. back in the Outer Sect, one would only receive simple martial arts training, and occasionally an Inner Sect senior would come by to provide unified guidance. Upon entering the Inner Sect, there would be a scripture lesson every five days, and a technique class every ten. The former taught scriptures, the latter practiced techniques—all instructed by experienced Taoists. And if there were any doubts about cultivation during ordinary days, one could always consult with the senior members. Also, the martial arts that had to be acquired with contribution points in the Outer Sect were now unrestrictedly available to Inner Sect Disciples.

However, for Inner Sect Disciples of the Taoist Institute, this was hardly a big attraction. Not that the martial arts weren't strong—it was just that the entire Zhuang Country's cultivation realm was primarily led by the Taoist methods of cultivation. Although Fenglin City's Taoist Institute had gathered some martial arts, they were merely a transitional supplement during the Outer sect's phase; naturally, they could not be very powerful, far less potent than Dao techniques, hence not many would forsake the near for the far.

...

"Brother Jiang, wait a moment!" a voice called from behind.

Turning around, Jiang Wang recognized him as Fang Helling—his peer who entered the Inner Sect with him, Fang Pengju's cousin.

Strictly speaking, Fang Helling did not qualify to be selected for the city's Inner Sect. However, within the ten spots for Inner Sect students, one was customarily reserved for the three major families—a rule virtually set in stone. Fang Pengju's selection was justified, but how much the Fang Family had to bargain behind the scenes for Fang Helling was anybody's guess.

It was harsh reality. Although cultivation was a transcendent path, any road trodden by humans could never be devoid of complex relationships and never be that pure. Even Fenglin City's Taoist Institute was no exception.

"Something the matter?" Jiang Wang asked indifferently.

"Ah, it's nothing much," Fang Helling, dressed in a white robe, cupped his hands in a greeting that exuded a certain grace, "I just wanted to apologize on behalf of Fang Pengju's wild ambitions. He has already been expelled from our family records—we of the Fang Family have no place for such heartless and immoral persons."

"He is him, you are you. There's no need for you to apologize for him; his actions have nothing to do with you."

Having stated that, Jiang Wang walked on, not having the mood to attend to such posturing.

But Fang Helling evidently felt insulted. With his background as one of Fenglin City's three major families, he personally offered an apology to Jiang Wang—someone of a less distinguished origin. Jiang Wang, instead of showing effusive gratitude, should have at least accepted the gesture with mutual respect, but Jiang's reaction was utterly indifferent.

"What's the hurry, Brother Jiang?" Fang Helling hurried a few steps, moved in front of Jiang Wang's group, and said with a smile, "I forgot to tell you, Brother Jiang—fortunately, I took a Channel-opening Pill yesterday, and my Dao channels have already been revealed."

He tried to restrain himself, but the sense of pride was ready to burst forth.

"And then?" Jiang Wang asked.

Fang Helling was stunned for a moment before he said, "For this period's Inner Court Selection, only the two of us have our Dao channels visibly emerge ahead of time. We really should be getting closer to each other."

Being young, though he had been taught to maintain proper etiquette since childhood, his words clearly showed his disregard for others. It was as though in his eyes, there were only two heroes in the world, you and I.

He actually didn't hold a grudge against Jiang Wang for Fang Pengju's death; without it, he wouldn't have had the opportunity he now possessed! If it hadn't been to maintain the reputation of one of the grand three families and secure the Inner Court Selection slot for the Dao college in Fenglin City, it would have been difficult to persuade his family to pay such a hefty price for the Channel-opening Pill—even with his father being the next Clan Leader of the Fang Family in all but name.

Otherwise, he would have had to wait until next year to enter the Inner Sect, and even then, it wasn't guaranteed. After all, only ten slots were available each year, and how many eyes in Fenglin City were fixated on them? If there were other family members more outstanding than he was, his father couldn't afford to be too obvious about it. The fact that Fang Pengju had secured that spot in advance was proof enough.

"Oh."

Jiang Wang let out an 'oh', then bypassed Fang Helling and walked on by himself.

Of course, he knew Fang Helling was the legitimate son of the next Clan Leader of the Fang Family, a direct descendant of one of the big three families. He also knew that, at least for now, Fang Helling had no intention of starting any conflicts with him and would likely even call him brother and maintain friendly relations to uphold the Fang Family's reputation.

But why should he? Why did such an outstanding man as Fang Pengju struggle in vain for a single Channel-opening Pill, becoming more and more radical and impulsive, whereas this Fang Helling, in just a few days after his death, possessed one? Others might not be clear about Fang Helling's background, but how could he and his brothers not be aware?

If Fang Helling had even the slightest bit of merit, Fang Pengju would never have needed to step forward for the Fang Family in the first place!

Even if Fang Pengju died an ungrateful death in one night, did it justify this clueless young master trampling over him?

That Jiang Wang didn't act out right then and there showed considerable restraint.

Ling He, Du Yehu, and the others didn't even glance at him from the beginning to the end.

The group walked away, leaving Fang Helling standing there, his smile slowly stiffening.

He hadn't expected to be completely ignored.

Even after he swallowed the Channel-opening Pill, manifested his Dao channel, and entered the Inner Sect in a single leap, he was still ignored!

He remembered the first time he entered the Outer Sect, when he encountered these prominent figures of the Outer Sect outside the college. Eager to say hello and get to know his cousin's friends, he had approached them enthusiastically.

But his cousin hadn't even looked at him, walking away arm-in-arm with these few.

The feeling of being left out at that moment had not been forgotten for a second, which was why he had sought out Jiang Wang and the others the moment his channels were stabilized post-Channel-opening.

He didn't know if he wanted to prove something, but at least, you people have to take a look at me.

Yet, nothing came of it.

It seemed like everything had changed, yet it was as if nothing had at all.

"Jiang Wang!"

Fang Helling shouted inwardly.

He tried hard to maintain his composure, but his expression had already grown extremely unsightly.