Chapter 296: Three-in-one

What did Li Qi think of?

Of course, it was a way to solve his current cultivation base collapse.

He did have some ideas, but… he didn't know if this was drinking poison to quench thirst or something else.

The Dao he was most familiar with, yet hadn't introduced, was that of the Reclusive Daoist Faction.

Li Qi was very familiar with many things from the Reclusive Daoist Faction, all of which he had absorbed by being around Shen Shuibi, and even many of his spells bore traces of the Reclusive Daoist Faction.

For example, the Five Sacrifices Divine Qi. Li Qi had once used this move to deal with many Yin souls and demonic ghosts, but the orthodox Five Sacrifices Divine Qi had no concept of Five Elements. The method of the Five Gods corresponding to the Five Elements was something Li Qi added himself after observing Shen Shuibi's Five Elements spells.

Li Qi began to apply it experimentally.

The Backtracking Divine Talisman bought him at least fifteen minutes; although not entirely sufficient, it was enough for him to take a risk.

How does the Dao of Daoism integrate Human and Shaman Dao?

The Reclusive Daoist Faction proposed: “That which moves through all things is the Dao; that which pervades heaven and earth is Virtue.”

When the two combine, it is ‘Morality’. This does not refer to moral cultivation, but rather a power that can move through all things, a power that can make all things yield to it.

This was also the honorific title of the Dao Venerable who proposed the fundamental philosophy of the Reclusive Daoist Faction; his honorific title was ‘Morality’.

In his words, without desire, the world is sufficient; without action, all things transform; in profound stillness, all beings settle; without intention, ghosts and spirits submit.

To make the world better is nothing special; it's enough for everyone to reach ‘no desire, no action’. As long as everyone's spiritual Realm reaches this point, then this world will naturally become better.

There's no need to ponder over systems, Laws, or rituals like the Human Dao, nor is there a need to plan ‘positions’ for heaven and earth like the Shaman Dao Dao, and then expend effort to maintain these things.

Doing so, on the contrary, causes great chaos in the world and Dao conflicts everywhere.

As long as all beings focus on improving their self-cultivation and abilities, then everyone can live the life they desire. Even if there are disputes, they will only be conflicts between individuals and will not ignite Dao conflicts that sweep across all heavens.

Just like Shen Shuibi, she is a typical Cultivator of the Reclusive Daoist Faction.

Since birth, she has stayed at home, detached from worldly affairs, and her mind only researches things according to her preferences. Even the process of improving herself is done to satisfy her preferences.

If there were no external interference, she would have remained immersed in the process of improving her academic level and perfecting her moral cultivation, without any conflict with the outside world, and she would also attain inner peace and joy, without any distress or sorrow.

If all things in the world behaved like Shen Shuibi's Reclusive Daoist Faction, then this world could achieve ‘Great Governance,’ which could be called ‘unifying one and completing all things.’

As long as this one thing is done, then all things are accomplished.

This is the guiding philosophy of the Reclusive Daoist Faction in the broad sense.

This Dao Virtue Heavenly Venerable believed that there was no specific Heavenly Dao or Dao to speak of, no ultimate Law that dominated everything, and discussing it was meaningless.

Which is the famous saying: ‘The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.’

The Dao that can be specifically described and planned is not the eternal Dao and cannot control everything. If it can be described as controlling everything, it has already proven that it is not the so-called ultimate Law.

The true Dao is inconceivable, beyond logic; thinking about it is wrong, and speaking about it is even more wrong.

Therefore, there is no need to seek such an illusory thing, nor is there a need to interpret it; that is meaningless and futile.

We only need to focus on the actually existing myriad things in the world, because these myriad things are necessarily a side manifestation of that Ultimate Great Dao.

“Dao,” or “Law,” “True Knowledge,” or something else, is merely a name given to that thing by the myriad beings, it cannot be described, and all descriptions of it are wrong,

“It” can unify all levels—micro and macro, within the world and beyond, time and space, reality and illusion.

All things revolve around “It” respectfully, everything is built around “It,” the entire world exists because of “It,” there are no theoretical conflicts, the existence of “It” is the cornerstone of all rationality.

All natural phenomena are its manifestations in different Domains.

All principles and formulas are but a tiny, scattered description of “It.”

All Dao paths and spells are merely different facets of this “True Knowledge.”

All worlds are different angular presentations of it.

It's like an irregular geometric body; it appears as different shapes when viewed from different directions, but in reality, it hasn't changed at all.

It's not that the shapes are truly different, but rather that all these shapes simultaneously exist within it.

But such a thing does not actually exist, because such a thing cannot exist; this is merely a false designation.

Because, the myriad things in the world are this Law itself.

The myriad things in the world are not built upon the ultimate Law, but rather the myriad things themselves are this ultimate Law.

“Nameless, the beginning of all things; non-existence enters into no-gap.” Li Qi murmured the words from the Daoist classics.

“There is a thing, perfectly formed, born before heaven and earth. How silent, how boundless, standing alone and unchanging, it can be the mother of heaven and earth.”

He understood.

Not only did he understand, he was also prepared to do it.

How to unify the Human Dao and the Shaman Dao Dao with Daoist thought?

It's very simple: the thought of non-action, coupled with the guiding principle of the nameless mother of all things, to guide the Qi within the body.

If the Human Dao is to ‘regulate’ the Qi within the body, and the Shaman Dao Dao is to “arrange” the Qi within the body, then the Daoist Dao can only be called “guiding” it.

The crux of Li Qi's Human-Shaman Dao conflict lay in the differing interpretations of Heavenly Dao by both sides, which directly led to the emergence of the rift.

However, in the Daoist explanation, there is no need to focus on what the Dao is, only to focus on the myriad things of the world.

“That which has form and that which exists formless and shapeless are both nothing. Its movement is stillness; its death is life; its decay is rising. This is not what it is; movement and stillness, life and death, decline and rise, are all not where the Dao resides.”

“The Dao cannot be named; there are only traces of its governance and transformation among humans.”

Li Qi muttered his understanding of it.

The meaning is simple:

No one can clearly explain what that Ultimate Great Dao is, but what we know to exist is not it.

It is better to set it aside and focus on summarizing the myriad things in the world.

Li Qi introduced the Daoist thought into his Dao, thereby putting aside the Human-Shaman Dao dispute.

He divided the Qi within his body according to the three principles.

Upper Qi is called Shaman Dao, Middle Qi is called Dao, and Lower Qi is called Human.

The upper Qi is the Heavenly Qi; Shaman Dao connects heaven and earth. The Heavenly Heart is unchangeable, which is the theory of ‘position’.

The lower Qi is human Qi; humans govern all beings, rectifying the heart, removing selfishness, establishing clear systems, using rewards and punishments as two handles of the system, and adhering to rules.

The Middle Qi is nameless, setting aside disputes in the middle. Although Human and Shaman Dao each form their own manifestations, they are opposed to each other. Like a pair of opponents, soft and hard, cold and warm, life and death, they are opposite and naturally hostile.

But in the end, they complement each other, and there is no principle of eternal enmity.

Heavenly principle and human desire are not in opposition.

Heavenly principle and human desire are “the same body with different functions,” “the same journey with different sentiments.” The Dao cannot be separated from things and be Dao itself, nor can things exist without Dao and be things themselves.

The Dao having things is like wind having movement, water having flow, mutually dependent.

Seeking Dao apart from things is like seeking the movement of wind without wind, or the flow of water without water, which is absurd and unfounded.

Seeking things apart from Dao is even more absurd; things are the concrete manifestation of Dao, how can they be separated?

Thus, the Supreme True One split, uniting two into one, separating them into two, each with its own specialization, named Yin and Yang. The Middle Qi mediates between Yin and Yang, forming the posture of the Grand Ultimate.

Innumerable calculations, an incredible amount of data, hundreds of millions of strands of Qi began to arrange themselves within Li Qi's body according to different Daos, following different Dao Laws to accomplish different things.

Deduction, calculation, and putting it into practice—what Qi should do what, and why it should do it—each required careful deliberation.

Fortunately, Li Qi usually accumulated knowledge and was accustomed to processing the large amount of information brought by True Knowledge Dao Resonance. This unimaginable workload was completed by him in ten minutes!

Thus, the collapsing small heaven and earth within Li Qi's human body began to gradually mend. The Human and Shaman Dao no longer conflicted, but rather their conflict was neutralized by the Daoist Dao in the middle.

His risky introduction of Daoist thought actually succeeded.

However, Li Qi himself couldn't tell if this was drinking poison to quench thirst or what was going on.

By now, he already had three complete Dao paths within his body.

The Human-Shaman Dao conflict, instigated by the Heavenly Demon, had almost cost him his life.

The Reclusive Daoist Faction does not contend, has no desires, and thus can mediate. But who knows what it might become in the future?

But for now, it can be said that his life was saved, and at the same time, Li Qi perfected the theoretical foundation he had laid in the Holy Flame World, and it provided guidance for his future actions.

However, the Reclusive Daoist Faction also has a saying: “The Dao should not be mixed; if mixed, it becomes numerous; if numerous, it causes disturbance; if disturbed, it causes worry; if worried, it cannot be saved.”

Promoting the Dao should not be muddled. Once it becomes complex, many disturbances will arise. If there are many disturbances, worries will arise. If there are many worries, it will be difficult to remedy.

Li Qi was already too mixed, but he had no choice but to be mixed. He didn't know what his path would be like in the future?

But no matter what happened in the future, the Heavenly Demon's third move had already been declared a failure.

Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor's face completely darkened.

He was even a little scared.

This Young Master of Shaman God Mountain actually won three rounds against a Sixth Grade Cultivator in a fight.

Even if part of it was due to him not being able to exert his full strength, only being able to utilize the Heavenly Demon's Demonic Qi, how could he still lose given the vast difference between the Sixth Grade and Eighth Grade?

“A mere Eighth Grade, you can't win…” Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor said with a gloomy voice.

No matter what, you are still Eighth Grade.

Since the Heavenly Demon couldn't break through your Dao Heart, and even the Human-Shaman Dao Dao conflict was resolved, this is still the Demonic Qi of a Sixth Grade Heavenly Demon, and its methods are far from limited to these.

The Demonic Qi brewed, seemingly forming a spell, but Li Qi couldn't understand it at all, nor could he interfere with the opponent.

That eggshell-like chaotic cosmic light reduced Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor's ten parts of strength to one, and also made it impossible for Li Qi to interfere with the outside world.

But Li Qi didn't reply. He also knew his chances of winning were slim, but no matter how slim, he had to seize that glimmer of hope.

The Backtracking Divine Talisman had already been used. If he died again, it would be a true death.

What should he do now?

All his wisdom and mental energy were almost depleted from just resolving the internal Dao conflict. Now, his head throbbed, his mental energy was exhausted, and he felt drowsy.

But he still forced himself to pull himself together and continue to face the challenge.

However, just at this moment, the three lives ancient mirror trembled precariously, its surface already half shattered.

The three lives ancient mirror had already exerted its full power, and Li Qi was finally about to reach the location of the second wisp of True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

Li Qi knew that if he continued to fight Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor as he was, he would undoubtedly lose. The opponent was Sixth Grade; even if he could only exert half his strength, Li Qi had no chance of winning. He might win two or three rounds through luck and quick wit, but he couldn't keep winning indefinitely.

He had to find a variable; only with a variable could there be a chance of survival.

Within this situation, the only variable could only come from the three lives ancient mirror, because there was no other place to find a variable.

And among the variables the three lives ancient mirror could bring, the greatest was undoubtedly the second wisp of True Knowledge.

Therefore, Li Qi had unhesitatingly thrown in the last wisp of Great Blessing Divine Qi to accelerate earlier, precisely for this variable.

Taking advantage of the fact that Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor outside was brewing a spell, Li Qi quickly took out his other savings to add to the three lives ancient mirror, turning “almost there” into “already there.”

With this series of actions, he took out his most valuable items.

Two heads of former Third Grade Officials.

Though referred to as Third Grade, they were actually only Third Grade in official rank, their cultivation being Fifth Grade. However, they had also been tainted with some Third Grade Qi, so they should be able to serve as fuel for acceleration.

Just as Li Qi took out these things, preparing to throw them in, he saw Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor outside stumble, and a part of the spell structure in his hand collapsed.

Clearly, he was extremely shocked, so much so that he couldn't calm down to construct a spell to deliver a fatal blow to Li Qi.

Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor roared furiously, “Thief! How dare you!”

What Li Qi held in his hand was none other than the head of the Imperial Academy Vice-Chancellor, an Official who had shown great kindness to their faction. This assassination was planned precisely to avenge him.

And now, his head was being held by Li Qi, ready to be thrown in to be burned by the three lives ancient mirror!

You bastard!

However, Li Qi rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Thief, how dare you?

Do you guess if I dare?

Without hesitation, he threw both heads in. The three lives ancient mirror burst forth again, and as its surface cracked, the backtracking speed also dramatically increased.

At the same time, Li Qi finally drove the three lives ancient mirror to the location of the second wisp of True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

Although he didn't know how long it would be until he reached Earth, the second wisp of True Knowledge Dao Resonance had already arrived.

Li Qi's perception was backtracked to that place, but his body hadn't arrived, yet this did not prevent the two Dao Resonances from merging.

Almost simultaneously, the Heavenly Demon's attack arrived.

Infinite malice surged forth! Rolling black mist enveloped Li Qi!

All vexations, death, disasters, entanglements, and defilements descended. Blood light burst forth, and Demonic Qi suppressed the earth.

The soft sounds of sheng, xiao, zheng, dizi, qin, se, pipa, yunluo, and clappers echoed in Li Qi's ears, as if there were boundless Heavenly Demon dances, clanging demonic sounds disturbing his Dao Heart!

However, Li Qi's hundred-zhang Buddhist Kingdom suddenly expanded again around him!

With the support of the cosmic Dao Resonance, Li Qi's Buddhist demon-subduing spell took shape once more.

Previously, this thing was easily crushed by the Demonic Qi.

But at this moment, it actually blocked the descent of the Heavenly Demon!