The Eternal Way-Chapter 127: Dao Heart

### Chapter 127: Dao Heart

At this moment, in the outside world.

The Diviner Nobleman, located at another end of the continent, let out a dissatisfied click of his tongue. "Tch, what luck."

"But it's not like there was no gain," he said while playing with the shadow in his hand.

This was his innate Dao Rhyme.

A Demon Seed.

It was the root that allowed him to directly enter Wu Deity Mountain and receive the favor of the Grand Diviner, becoming a direct disciple.

The Demon Seed could directly invade the opponent's Spiritual Essence, entering their weakest point within their heart, then forcibly dragging them into a Demonic Realm.

There, everything was identical to reality, and everything that happened was real.

However, depending on the weakness invaded, the opponent would fall into different mindsets.

In such situations, if the opponent died, they were truly dead, and every technique used by the opponent would be recorded in his heart, equivalent to a previewed battle.

Conversely, if he lost, whether the opponent saw through the Demonic Realm or killed him within it, everything would revert back as if nothing had happened.

It was a forced battle where the person must win and could not lose, and it would forcefully attach a flaw in their Dao Heart, making them muddled and controlled by their instincts.

His master had said that his Demon Seed essentially worked by uncovering flaws in the Dao Heart and dragging people into fragments of Cosmic Light. What happened in these fragments was half-real and half-illusionary.

If one wanted it to be real, then it was real.

If one wished it to be false, then it was merely an illusion.

Because this strand of Dao Rhyme touched upon Cosmic Light, it greatly assisted divination techniques, which was why the Grand Diviner took him as a disciple.

However, there were limitations; it could only be used twice on the same person, after which they would become immune to the Demon Seed.

Since he began his journey from the sect, very few could break or resist the Demon Seed.

Li Qi, indeed, lived up to being a disciple of the Grand Diviner, proving to be a worthy opponent.

And then there was Bai Di. Seeing his sword, it seemed to be a Jiezhi Sword (Xiezhi Sword), perhaps from the White Snake State? So he must be someone from the White Snake State? A follower of Li Qi?

And who exactly was Shen Shuibei?

Why did she seem to see through all his techniques with just a glance? She probably wasn't from Wu Deity Mountain; maybe she came from another tradition and thus had broad knowledge?

Which traditions could have disciples capable of such feats at the ninth Rank?

Wan Zang Pavilion of Humanism? Or something else? Perhaps she also possessed an innate Dao Rhyme that he hadn't noticed?

"I don't know, but let's continue observing," he said, putting away the Demon Seed and continuing to watch.

His master had told him that when he couldn't find answers, it meant there weren't enough clues. As a diviner, he should use his own methods to gather more clues, striving for perfection.

As for using the Demon Seed on Shen Shuibei and Bai Di, he didn't even consider it.

The rivalry between diviners and grand diviners didn't need to involve outsiders. If the Demon Seed couldn't be broken, it resulted in death. There was no need to kill unnecessarily and make enemies.

He didn't regard the people of these small worlds as human, but he still considered those from Tianxia (Under Heaven) as humans.

---

On Li Qi's side,

he opened his eyes.

He found himself still in the car.

Bai Di sat in the front passenger seat, seemingly unaware.

Li Qi discovered that his back was soaked, and there were hands pressing against his temples.

These hands felt incredibly soft, and he saw a barrier separating the backseat from the outside world, preventing sound from escaping.

Turning his head, he saw Shen Shuibei.

She adjusted her position to place her hands on Li Qi's temples, providing crucial reminders during his time in the Demonic Realm.

Without these reminders, Li Qi might have fallen victim to the trap.

"Thank you, Miss Shen. Once again, I owe you my gratitude..." Li Qi immediately thanked her.

Shen Shuibei continued pressing on Li Qi's temples and said, "I had sensed it earlier, but I thought it might not necessarily be bad for you, so I didn't mention it."

"Indeed, it wasn't bad..." Li Qi's eyes were bloodshot, slumped in the car, allowing Shen Shuibei to channel cool energy into his body, circulating around his brain.

"I've been too arrogant. These past few days, I always stood high above, acting as if I was orchestrating everything. Arrogance and pride had already made me lose sight of myself."

"I thought that by being neither servile nor overbearing before officials like the prefect, I was maintaining humility. But I didn't realize arrogance doesn't come from how you treat superiors, but rather from how you treat inferiors."

"In Tianxia (Under Heaven), knowing its vastness, I was cautious and self-reflective. But in this small world, learning its shallowness and even manipulating its Heavenly Dao once, I developed a sense of superiority over Zhang Deming and others, reveling in my title of 'Young Master.' I believed that though I wasn't significant in Tianxia, here, I was undoubtedly a big figure." Li Qi reflected on his thoughts.

Then, he sighed, "Alas, being arrogant without realizing it, proud yet lacking self-restraint, my Dao Heart has left a flaw."

Li Qi genuinely recognized his mistake and the flaw in his Dao Heart, leading to his weakened state.

However, hearing this, Shen Shuibei's previously worried expression disappeared, replaced by slight joy. "Recognizing this means there's hope to mend this flaw."

"I didn't speak up earlier because the Dao Heart cannot be directly addressed. Too much talk can provoke rebellion; it needs to be realized independently. It seems you've done well, Li Qi!" she said happily. "Many powerful beings struggle with flaws in their Dao Hearts. Many recognize their flaws but can't mend them. You managed to wake up with just a small reminder, indicating that two-thirds of our purpose in this foreign land has been achieved." Shen Shuibei smiled.

Hearing Shen Shuibei's praise, Li Qi felt a bit pleased, but quickly calmed down, reflecting on why he was happy. Was it due to pride or something else?

After this experience, he became vigilant, understanding the importance of constant self-reflection to avoid falling into the trap of a flawed Dao Heart and losing oneself.

However, thinking further, he suddenly realized, "Two-thirds of our purpose in this foreign land? Weren't we here to learn Dao Rhymes?"

"Ahh, do you think the Dao Rhymes here are difficult?" Shen Shuibei asked in return.

Li Qi recalled and had to admit, "They're quite simple."

"Exactly. The Dao Rhymes in these small worlds aren't challenging. Following steps and observing naturally leads to understanding, nothing special about it."

"All travels to foreign lands aim to change your mindset, observing how your mentality changes away from Tianxia and how you stabilize your Dao Heart."

"Perceiving Dao Rhymes and acquiring knowledge can be done anytime, not requiring special training. However, stabilizing the Dao Heart is a lifelong task throughout your path. Thus, your first lesson after descending the mountain is this."

"I actually noticed early on. When the prefect invited you, I knew it was part of the Grand Diviner's plan for your training."

"The Dao Heart is the foundation of cultivation. Without a strong Dao Heart, warriors lose their perseverance, shamans lose their reverence for nature, Taoists abandon their pursuit of tranquility, and humanists become tyrannical and cruel."

Shen Shuibei continued, "Without holding onto the Dao Heart, cultivation ultimately becomes empty. Your entire cultivation will no longer belong to you."

No longer belonging to oneself?

This statement puzzled Li Qi.

Even with flaws in the Dao Heart, it shouldn't mean losing oneself entirely.

Thus, Li Qi humbly asked, "Why do you say so? Does having flaws in the Dao Heart mean losing oneself?"

Shen Shuibei looked at Li Qi and naturally replied, "It's quite simple. When a common man, enraged, kills someone in the street, do you think that decision was made by him?"

Hearing this question, Li Qi frowned, deep in thought.

Is it?

Yes, it is.

Even in anger, it should be a decision made by oneself.

But is it really?

When a common man, enraged, kills someone in the street, he is driven by impulse, instinct, and anger, clouding his true heart.

The decision made at that moment is no longer his own.

"So, think about the difference between a scholar's rage, where two bodies fall and blood flows five steps, and a common man's rage," Shen Shuibei asked him again.

Her tone was guiding, step by step leading Li Qi to contemplate the answer.

Li Qi continued pondering.

The difference between a common man's rage and a scholar's rage?

Both result in killing, seemingly identical.

But in reality?

A common man, in a fit of rage, stabs someone, likely regretting it afterward, feeling fear, sorrow, and hating his impulsiveness.

Driven by anger, he didn't think of better solutions, realizing later that killing wasn't necessary.

But a scholar, filled with rage, wouldn't regret it, having carefully considered the reasons and outcomes beforehand, concluding that it was the best course of action and acting resolutely.

This is the difference between "a burst of courage" and "righteousness."

This is the distinction between decisions made with a clouded Dao Heart and those made with clarity.

With such clarity, one can transcend life and death, face strong enemies unafraid, live for the Dao, and die for the Dao.

People who don't cultivate their minds are not free, confusing right and wrong, mistaking falsehood for truth, living like slaves bound by desires, impulses, and emotions.

Thus, they live involuntarily, dying involuntarily, loving and hating involuntarily, working tirelessly without knowing why or how to escape it, simply living habitually, aging, suffering, and dying, enslaved by desires and emotions.

However, Li Qi's confusion arose.

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"Miss Shen, according to this explanation, does cultivating require abandoning all emotions and desires, turning oneself into a machine? Analyzing pros and cons for everything, isn't that merely pursuing personal gain and safety? Is that still considered cultivation?" Li Qi asked, frowning, deeply puzzled.

Shen Shuibei tilted her head, puzzled, "How could you think that?"

"Preventing you from being driven by desires doesn't mean abandoning them. Desires are part of the 'heart.' If you discard them, is your heart complete?"

"Dao Heart clarity means using wisdom to observe yourself, constantly reflecting. Reflection brings inner brightness, not being driven solely by desires, recognizing your true heart."

"Understanding your true heart, clarifying doubts, identifying your desires, what angers you, your motives, and reasons."

"When your heart is clear, how could you act under the influence of desire?"

"Just like comparing your previous behavior to now, you were blinded by arrogance, clouding your Dao Heart. Do you think those actions were truly yours?"

Shen Shuibei posed a series of questions, forcing Li Qi to reflect.

Li Qi had to admit, she made perfect sense.

Being driven by instincts and letting desires run wild isn't freedom; it's enslavement by desires.

Clarity of the Dao Heart means not being confused by greed, anger, ignorance, or various causes, understanding one's true heart and acting accordingly.

Acting without hesitation on your path, knowing what you truly love and pursue, dedicating all your energy and wisdom to achieve your goal.

This is the heart of a seeker of the Dao, the 'Dao Heart.'

Seekers of the Dao must possess such a heart to persist steadfastly, maintaining initial passion through a long life, avoiding being controlled by power and desires over time.

After comprehending this, Li Qi felt many of his confusions dissipate.

The dust obscuring his heart from gaining strength and cultivating seemed swept away.

Externally, the Dao governs the laws of the great universe.

Internally, it's the principle governing the human microcosm.

Now, with the dust cleared from his Dao Heart, his human microcosm seemed clearer, with smoother flow of internal Qi and divine essence.

Seeing this, Shen Shuibei happily removed the barrier.

No one noticed what had just transpired.