Chapter Ninety-Five: The Sacred Dharma of the Celestial Path of Brahma

“Supreme goodness is like water; water benefits all things without contending, and dwells in places despised by all, thus it is close to the Way.”

“The course of Heaven’s Way is precisely non-contention; that is why high mountains can be revered, and great virtue is sufficient to carry all things.”

“When the heart attains tranquility, the spirit is free of worries; by gathering the energy of Heaven and embracing the soul of Earth, merging within the void cauldron, one attains the immortal secret.”

As the Monk Saint intoned this passage of the cultivation formula with rising and falling cadence, imprinting it into Bai Mu’s consciousness, Bai Mu—already immersed in a realm of ethereal stillness—found the corners of his mouth involuntarily beginning to chant along.

Yet, regrettably, after reciting the so-called introductory formula repeatedly, he seemed utterly unable to grasp the profound mysteries hidden within.

Growing increasingly restless, his breaths unintentionally deepened, and the ethereal state of his consciousness began to collapse, on the verge of breaking from meditation.

This abnormal expression naturally caught the Monk Saint’s eye. Watching the youth before him, sweat pouring from his brow yet still persevering, the Monk Saint raised his hand once more. With a flick of his fingers, that melodious tune, as flowing as mountain streams, struck Bai Mu’s mind anew.

Just as Bai Mu’s meditative state teetered on the brink of collapse, a flute’s gentle melody sounded nearby. The soothing power carried within it was like the spring sun melting snow, dispelling the agitation growing in his heart. His entire spirit was shaken, and he stabilized once again within meditation.

Listening to the faint flute notes, a mountain breeze brushed the sweat from his forehead, stirring a subtle ripple in his heart, yet it no longer disturbed his inner calm.

Having steadied his mind, Bai Mu recalled the passage the Monk Saint had chanted. The spiritual energy stored within the void cauldron began to flow slowly alongside his consciousness, and amidst the dim night, Bai Mu seemed to glimpse a faint glimmer of hope.

Alas, the spiritual energy surged only to the threshold of the void cauldron, then abruptly stalled, no sign of further movement.

This helpless state troubled Bai Mu greatly.

On one hand, he cursed his own dullness; on the other, he lamented that he might never master the Supreme Goodness Like Water technique, thereby missing the chance to meet the extraordinary sword technique of the Monk Saint.

At this thought, Bai Mu clenched his teeth resolutely, forcibly mobilizing all his cultivation with his consciousness, while his lips continued muttering that profound formula incessantly.

Where his consciousness reached, the dense cultivation within stirred into motion. Yet, because he had not truly comprehended the essence of the formula, this power burst forth from the void cauldron like a wild horse unleashed, running rampant within his body, utterly uncontrollable.

Most terrifying of all was the sword qi lurking inside the void cauldron. Guided by his consciousness, it slithered forth once again like a sinister and venomous python, transforming into several strands of sword qi, preparing to rend his meridians inch by inch.

“Damn it.”

Bai Mu’s tightly closed eyes trembled slightly, his brows nearly knitting into a single dark line, sweat pouring from his forehead like yellow beans.

“Sigh…”

At this critical moment, the void cauldron echoed once more with the deep, ancient sigh of the mysterious figure who had previously taught him to dispel the Nine Extremes Demon-Slaying Sword Formation at the Return Ruins Sanctuary.

“Senior, is that you?”

“My sword qi is uncontrollable again. Could you lend me a hand?”

Bai Mu enveloped the void cauldron tightly with his consciousness, anxiously inquiring, caring little about the mysterious person’s identity, desperate for help.

“You are naturally so dull-witted. Even if I help you once, can I protect you all your life?” the mysterious voice answered with a tone of frustration.

“You must learn to grow on your own!” The sigh that followed was heavy with helplessness.

“Great deity…”

After hearing the scolding, Bai Mu felt a pang of disappointment. Yet, with his proud nature, he would normally have retorted fiercely upon hearing such disparagement.

But now, with Ling Yan’s life hanging in the balance, mastering this Supreme Goodness Like Water technique was key to her salvation.

So, after quietly adjusting his downcast mood, he steeled himself and pleaded, “Great deity, the secret of this formula is indeed profound; I find it difficult to comprehend in such a short time.”

“If you understand the essence of the Supreme Goodness Like Water technique, please do not hesitate to instruct me. Should fate allow, I will repay your kindness a hundredfold.”

“Hmm.”

The mysterious figure inside the void cauldron responded calmly, with a trace of satisfaction: “Although your comprehension is not the best, the Supreme Goodness Like Water technique was originally derived by the Monk Saint from the fluctuations of the Heavenly Way’s yin and yang; it is truly profound and unfathomable. It is only natural that a mere mortal like you cannot fully grasp it.”

“Indeed, on the surface, this formula is extremely abstruse. Especially the literal meanings, which can easily entangle you in an inexplicable level.”

“But if you follow your true heart and begin from the most fundamental Dao, perhaps everything won’t be so complicated, and the confusions brought by this formula will resolve smoothly.”

“What is the most fundamental Dao?” Bai Mu persistently asked, pondering deeply in his mind.

The mysterious figure paused briefly, then intoned in a far-reaching tone: “The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Being is the beginning of Heaven and Earth; non-being is the mother of all things.”

“The most fundamental Dao is actually Being and Non-Being. All things in the world cannot escape these two aspects.”

“Being?”

“Non-Being?”

Bai Mu reflected repeatedly on the meanings expressed by these two words. Meanwhile, his consciousness once more entered a state of ethereal emptiness.

As the notes of water striking stone played in his ears, the mountain breeze brushed his brow with coolness, and as the entire Supreme Goodness Like Water formula vanished completely from his mind, he suddenly felt his spirit bright and clear.

All things of the world disappeared at this moment, replaced by a nascent, indistinct chaos.

His body seemed to exist entirely within the boundless void; the surrounding mountains, waters, birdsong, flowers, and earth—all were erased from his world, and everything returned to its primordial state.

At this moment, gazing upon the void before him, Bai Mu’s mind flashed with insight: this chaotic, primordial state—is this not the “Non-Being” spoken of by the mysterious figure?

The earlier mountain breeze, the stream’s melody, even the whole Supreme Goodness Like Water formula—all of these are tangible “Being,” while the present chaotic emptiness is a return to the original, immaculate heart.