Under One Person: The Seeker of the Dao in the Lü Family

Chapter 73 The Difference Between Feathering and Ascension, The True Yang God

"Boom—"

As if it were the constant movement of all things after the creation of the world, a series of booming sounds echoed within this golden, flowing space.

Streaks of golden light converged into auspicious clouds that drifted throughout the space.

One after another, nine-petaled golden lotuses slowly emerged from the void, their golden petals swaying with the movement of auspicious clouds.

"Junior Lü Qian of Wudang greets Ancestor Guo!"

Lu Qian was taken aback by the astonishing changes around him, which seemed like a fairyland. After realizing the other party's identity, he respectfully bowed to the void.

"Hahaha...Young man, no need for such formalities."

After the voice from the heavens finished speaking, a giant golden lotus appeared beneath Lü Qian, lifting him up.

"Exactly, we're all family, why are we speaking like that!"

The old woman in black also sat on the golden lotus. She smiled at Lü Qian and said, "No need for formalities. Master Guo's true form is not here."

"Even I, a humble Taoist, only managed to bring you here thanks to the incense offerings of Taiqing Palace. We are both currently at Jiuding Tiesha Mountain, so it's not too late to pay our respects when you arrive there."

After saying that, she waved her whisk and pulled Lü Qian's golden lotus close. "Oh my god, it's tiring to talk with your head tilted back."

"Thank you both, seniors."

Upon hearing this, Lü Qian no longer held back. He looked around curiously and asked, "May I ask, Ancestor Guo, have you now ascended to immortality and attained the Dao?"

If we calculate based on time, this Master Guo was a figure from several hundred years ago. He was somewhat curious about the other party's current state and whether he had attained enlightenment.

Lü Qian is now on his own path, and those predecessors are all his goals to follow.

If these goals are achieved, then Lü Qian will have even more confidence in himself.

I will follow my own path, and my path will lead to the heavens!

Since enlightenment can be attained in this human realm, I am sure to be one of those who attain enlightenment!

However, in response to Lü Qian's question, laughter echoed from the void, "Hahaha..."

"If you attain enlightenment, what will you do? If you do not attain enlightenment, what will you do?"

The voice of Master Guo echoed from the void, inquiring about Lü Qian's attitude.

Faced with Master Guo's mysterious demeanor, Lü Qian replied loudly and respectfully, "If you attain enlightenment, I will naturally follow in the footsteps of those listed as patriarchs and attain my own Dao fruit; if you fail to attain enlightenment, then I will become the next patriarch to surpass you and point the way for future generations!"

His voice echoed in this fairyland-like space, and the auspicious clouds and golden flowers carried his resolute voice everywhere.

"Lü Qian is not humble, yet he is Lü Qian who is not humble!"

A teasing voice came from the void, but he quickly straightened his voice and said somewhat seriously,

"Hahaha... Fine, I'll tell you the truth: I failed to attain enlightenment; that's the realm of ascension."

"I am still on the path of cultivation, but my current state can be described as 'ascension'."

What's the difference between "Ascension" and "Attainment of Enlightenment"?

Listening to Master Guo's words, Lü Qian asked with great doubt, "People often regard ascension to immortality as their goal, so it seems that the two should be the same realm. Is there some difference between them?"

"Of course! As for the difference, it depends on how you interpret the word 'immortal'."

Master Guo patiently explained to Lü Qian, "In our Taoist school, immortals are divided into five ranks: Heaven, Earth, Human, God, and Ghost."

"I cannot tell you the specifics, but the answers are in the human world. The Taoist scriptures, the legacy of the patriarchs... these can all provide you with the answers."

Master Guo's voice interrupted the question Lü Qian was about to ask, and it made him realize that there was probably a restriction involved.

As for these five ranks of immortals, Lü Qian was well-versed in the Daoist canon and naturally understood them.

Ghost Immortals refer to those who, after death, attain a state of perfect tranquility, transcending the netherworld and entering the underworld, neither born nor dying.

Human Immortals are cultivators who cultivate the true nature of things. They are influenced by the five elements and, through misunderstandings and misinterpretations, their physical form becomes solid and unharmed by the eight evil plagues. They enjoy peace and few illnesses, hence the name Human Immortal.

Earthly Immortals are beings who possess the qualities of both heaven and earth, and the talents of immortals. Their achievements are not visible, but they live long and do not die in the mortal world.

Immortals, having attained perfect merit, transcend their physical form and naturally transform into celestial beings. When yin is exhausted and yang is pure, they possess a body beyond their physical form. They renounce worldly life and return to the Three Immortal Mountains; thus, they are called immortals.

Celestial Immortals, weary of dwelling on the three islands, spread their teachings to the human world. They achieve merit in the Way and perform good deeds in the human world. When their merit and good deeds are fulfilled, they receive a celestial book and return to their grotto heaven. This is what is meant by Celestial Immortals.

After interrupting Lü Qian, the other party continued, "I have cultivated the Golden Elixir Dao and achieved the Yang Spirit, so I can be considered above the Earth Immortal level, but not quite a Divine Immortal."

"There's still quite a gap between her and that of a celestial being."

Listening to the other party's words, Lü Qian asked in a deep voice, "But senior, didn't you pass on the Quanzhen Daoist lineage in the Northeast? Can't such achievements be considered virtuous in the mortal world?"

"It's not that easy. The two words 'merit and practice' are not so simple."

Master Guo's cryptic words echoed in the space, only making Lü Qian more confused.

Seeing Lü Qian frowning in deep thought, the old woman slapped her thigh and said, "Alright, don't think so much. You'll understand when you get to Nine Peaks Iron Mountain. I'm just a gatekeeper, I can't say too much."

Master Guo echoed, "Young man, do not be confused. With your talent, you will naturally understand. It's just that you still lack some knowledge and experience."

"As for your guess, this is indeed the [Inner Realm], and it belongs to me, but it does not belong to me alone."

"Alright, you'll understand all the answers once you arrive at Nine Peaks Ironclad Mountain."

When Lü Qian heard the old woman in black refer to herself as a "gatekeeper," he immediately made some connections. He was about to ask her a question when he was interrupted.

Master Guo's majestic voice resounded throughout the space: "Things can be contemplated! They can be observed! But they cannot be spoken!"

Lu Qian was slightly taken aback, not expecting the restriction to be so strict and demanding. He immediately suppressed his doubts, bowed and thanked the senior, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, senior. After I finish dealing with the trivial matters behind me, I will immediately head to Nine Peaks Ironclad Mountain."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for you there."

As soon as he finished speaking, the fairyland-like scene around them quickly faded away, and the streams of light converged again into a golden ray.

As if time had reversed, this golden light gradually dissipated into the space.

The desolate, space-like scene was restored, leaving only Lü Qian and the old woman sitting cross-legged in the void.

"Alright, stop looking so down. Master Guo asked me to give you a piece of advice before he left."

Upon hearing this, Lü Qian immediately relaxed his furrowed brows and looked at the dark-skinned old woman opposite him.

"All of this originates from the [Yang Shen]!"

"Remember, this is the true [Yang God]!"