Chapter 1942: Great Vehicle

“Baozi?”

The owner’s mouth twitched, and his tone shifted slightly. Fortunately, Qin Sang was a distinguished guest invited by Qingyuan; otherwise, given his temper, he would have found it difficult to tolerate. Qingyuan chuckled and shook his head, unsure what to say.

The owner was silent for a while. He then said, “One dish at the Seven-Head Feast is called 'Jade Pouch Presenting Treasures.' It’s made from seven precious fish species that thrive in the capital’s Blue Lake, processed into fish paste. Mountain delicacy white jade bamboo shoots are sliced as thin as cicada wings to form the jade pouches, which are then filled with the fish paste and other ingredients. It is truly a treasure among treasures. If it doesn’t suit your taste, Daoist priest, we can prepare a separate main course for you…”

After the Seven-Head Feast was settled, the owner went to the kitchen to get busy. Qin Sang wasn't genuinely trying to trouble the owner; he merely wanted to stall for time to consider his next move.

Qin Sang’s true body stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance towards Jinxian County. His expression was unusually grave as he repeatedly ran deductions in his mind. No matter how many times he deduced, there was only one answer – he couldn't do it! He even doubted whether a cultivator in the late stage of Void Refining could achieve it.

Qin Sang had not yet genuinely confronted a Void Refining cultivator, but based on his own inferences, he could estimate their general capabilities. Before breaking through a major realm, there wouldn't be a fundamental transformation, unless Qingyuan possessed unique cultivation techniques or divine abilities. Unfortunately, Lin Baoshan's cultivation was too low, and the gap between him and Qingyuan was like a chasm; based on this single move, he couldn't discern much more. If Qingyuan could act similarly against a Soul Transformation cultivator, that would be truly terrifying; anyone performing Daoist arts in front of him would have to be extremely wary.

At Zuixiang Tower, Qin Sang decided to wait and see what Qingyuan's true intentions were. Before the main meal, cold dishes were served, all made from precious ingredients rarely seen by ordinary people. The tea was also imperial tribute tea from the Yan Kingdom. Qin Sang dismissed the maids, having Yulang serve tea and water, with Tao Teng also assisting.

Qingyuan sipped his tea and looked out the window, where houses stretched continuously to the base of the city wall. The street downstairs was bustling. There were vendors' cries, children's laughter, New Year greetings, and even the sounds of arguments. Firecrackers, gongs and drums, the drumming of rattle-drums... After Lin Baoshan left, Qin Sang removed the restrictions, and all the sounds flooded into the private room, making it quite lively.

“It’s a time of human celebration,” Qingyuan remarked. He seemed to be moved, sighing lightly, “Daoist priest, did you also find the mountain too lonely after coming down?”

“Cultivators like us must endure loneliness. This poor Daoist came down the mountain for other reasons, and it hasn't been long,” Qin Sang replied. Qin Sang spoke the truth, merely omitting crucial information. He turned his gaze to Qingyuan, “Have you been traveling around, fellow Daoist?”

“Indeed,” Qingyuan responded. “I have a fondness for good food. Every land has its unique flavors and customs, and no matter how much I see, I always find new surprises.” Qingyuan smiled faintly, then his expression grew serious. “It’s a pity that not every place is as prosperous as the Yan Kingdom, with its people living in peace and contentment. Even within the Yan Kingdom, it’s not all joy; the human world is always filled with joys and sorrows, partings, and hardships.”

“Is it only in the human world?” Qin Sang mused. “The sea of suffering is vast; how many can cross it?”

Since Qingyuan was so keen to converse, Qin Sang put aside his distracting thoughts and echoed the sentiment. This sigh came from the bottom of his heart. If ascending to immortality could free one from the sea of suffering, yet looking across the entire Great Thousand World, how many have truly succeeded in ascending? Every realm is a formidable barrier, keeping countless individuals from advancing.

“You and I are always stronger than those people,” Qingyuan said. He pointed at Qin Sang, then at himself, and suddenly turned to look at Yulang and Tao Teng, who were quietly listening nearby. “You are both scholars, studying the texts of sages. People often speak of the ‘human way,’ but what truly is the Great Dao of humanity?”

Yulang and Tao Teng were startled, not expecting Qingyuan to call on them. At this moment, they felt an inexplicable pressure, more intense than being called upon by their teacher, and couldn't help but sit up straight. Yulang furrowed his brow deeply, falling into contemplation.

Tao Teng waited for a while, and seeing his companion remain silent, he bravely replied, “Between father and son, there is affection; between ruler and minister, righteousness; between husband and wife, distinction; between elder and younger, order; and between friends, fidelity.”

Qingyuan hummed in acknowledgment. “This can be called the way of human relations, which can serve the state.”

Tao Teng didn't receive praise, so he scratched his head. After pondering for a moment, he recited again: “When the Great Dao prevails, the world is shared by all; the virtuous and capable are chosen; trust and harmony are cultivated. Thus, people do not only treat their own parents as parents, nor their own children as children, ensuring that the elderly have a dignified end, the able-bodied are employed, the young are nurtured, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and disabled are all provided for...”

Qingyuan smiled but said nothing, looking at Yulang. “Little Daoist priest, it seems you have a different view?”

Yulang glanced at his master, then at his companion beside him. In this room, Tao Teng was the only mortal. He hesitated, then instead of answering, posed a question: “Are mortals only destined to be fish on the chopping block?”

What Tao Teng described, if there were no external intervention, would naturally be the most ideal world humans could imagine. But the world contains not only humans, but also immortals, gods, demons, and monsters. Mortals without transcendent power are like pigs and dogs, to be slaughtered at will. Even if the mortal realm truly achieved the "Great Harmony" spoken of by the sages, without the ability to protect itself, it would be like flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water. For instance, Jinxian County: if not for the protection of ghost deities like Yu Chenghuang, could the city be so peaceful and harmonious today? Could this ‘human way’ be considered a Great Dao?

Tao Teng stared blankly at Yulang, a little confused, unable to grasp the deeper meaning of the question. Qingyuan's eyes, however, lit up, and he laughed heartily. “To think of these things at such a young age, and clearly after serious consideration, is truly remarkable. Daoist priest, you’ve taught your disciple well. This question aligns perfectly with the worldly discussions of Mahayana and Hinayana.”

At this point, Qingyuan suddenly stopped speaking. Then, a knock came at the private room door.

“Come in,” Qingyuan said.

A man dressed as an attendant gently pushed open the door. He first bowed to the main seats. “Greetings, gentlemen.” Then he turned to Tao Teng. “Young master, it’s getting late. It’s time to leave; the master asked me to call you downstairs.”

“I...” Tao Teng looked reluctant. Not only did he not want to part with his companion, but he also wanted to hear what profound insights this gentleman had to offer. His intuition told him that the gentleman, like Daoist Qingfeng, was an extraordinary person.

The attendant, however, was oblivious, urging, “Young master, the master is waiting for you downstairs.”

“Alas!” Having no choice, Tao Teng sighed and stood up, gripping Yulang's hand tightly. “Yulang, you must come to the capital to find me someday!” Then he bowed to Qin Sang and Qingyuan, reluctantly following the attendant out.

“Mahayana, Hinayana...” Both his true body and the avatar at Zuixiang Tower were momentarily lost in thought, the two terms repeating in their minds. Faintly, it seemed he had grasped something.

“This Mahayana isn't that Mahayana, but there should be a connection,” Qingyuan said. He glanced at Qin Sang and continued, “Hinayana and Mahayana differ only in their pursuits, not in their superiority. Broadly speaking, Hinayana saves oneself, while Mahayana saves others!”

Saving oneself! Saving others!

In Qin Sang's mind, it was as if lightning had flashed, instantly illuminating many of his past doubts. The way of Hinayana, saving oneself—doesn't its ultimate cultivation lead to becoming an immortal, attaining the Dao, and transcending? What about the extreme of the Mahayana way? This world contains not only humans, but also demons, witches, all living beings, and even the entire Great Thousand World. Could it be that it involves saving this world and all its beings along with oneself?

“Divine Dao...” Qin Sang murmured. He had always harbored doubts about the Divine Dao, especially since he knew that its origin might be linked to the Dao Court. Back then, why did some people in the Dao Court switch to cultivating the Divine Dao? What Daoist theories did they rely on?

Divine Dao cultivation, relying on incense offerings, was clearly contrary to the immortal Dao that Qin Sang had always understood. Immortal Dao cultivation pursues ascension to immortality. But what about the Divine Dao? If a Divine Dao cultivator ascends himself but cannot bring his mortal followers to the immortal realm, even if their faith isn't directly severed, variables would likely arise easily in the lower realm. Unless the immortal realm and the lower realm could communicate freely. Furthermore, the more followers a Divine Dao cultivator has, the more ties they accrue; how could they then transcend? So, there is also the Mahayana way in this world!

“The Divine Dao can be called Mahayana, but in my opinion, as the Divine Dao has evolved, some Divine Dao cultivators have become biased, merely viewing the human way as sustenance for the Divine Dao, making it difficult for it to be considered the orthodox human way. The Mahayana way, spread across the world, involves cultivating merit, saintly virtue, blessings, or accumulating hidden virtue... rooted in the human way, as I've traveled the world, I've seen some promising signs. Some are even inspired by the Divine Dao, leading to Kingly Ways, or Saintly Ways, or various other practices, with a promising future. Perhaps one day, a hundred flowers will bloom, and diverse Great Daos will contend, capable of resolving the little Daoist priest's questions.”

Qingyuan spoke eloquently. Qin Sang couldn't interject, nor did he wish to; he only wanted Qingyuan to continue speaking. Joy upon hearing the Dao! Qin Sang felt precisely this way now. This karmic encounter came unexpectedly, catching him off guard. Encountering the Dao on the roadside, hearing it from a stranger's mouth, seemed absurd and made one wonder if there was some trap. However, Qin Sang could judge in his heart that he had vaguely perceived these insights before, though they weren't systematized. Qingyuan's discourse aligned perfectly with his thoughts and ideas, and it was even more comprehensive. It not only resolved many of Qin Sang's doubts, but upon hearing these words, Qin Sang felt a subtle stir in his understanding of his own cultivation.

Yulang's cultivation realm was insufficient, so he couldn't grasp too much of the deeper meaning; at this moment, he was still thinking about his own question. Even after hearing these words, his brows remained furrowed. How could his thoughts escape the eyes of these two?

“The little Daoist priest still seems a bit unwilling,” Qingyuan said with a slight smile. “Whether it's the Divine Dao, the Kingly Way, or the Saintly Way, mortals must always rely on others and cannot truly control their own destiny, isn't that right? You only see cultivators as the butcher and mortals as the fish. Haven't you also seen strength and oppression among cultivators, and among mortals themselves? If I were to weave the story of Miss Yin and Jinxian County's ghost deities into a tale, what could they do to me? If everyone could cultivate, wouldn't Qi Refining cultivators become like ordinary mortals are now? And could the Great Thousand World sustain that? Haven't you seen locusts pass through, leaving no blade of grass behind!”

Qin Sang also looked at his disciple, saying in a deep voice, “Have you forgotten what your teacher said? A person without ambition stands on shaky ground, but beware of empty talk and aiming too high.”

“Indeed, there's a good saying in the mortal world: one who is not in a position to govern should not meddle in its policies. If you want to change this world, hmm... at least catch up to your master first,” Qingyuan remarked. He finished the water in his cup and picked up the teapot.

“This disciple respectfully accepts your teaching,” Yulang said as if waking from a dream, quickly taking the teapot and refilling the cups for Qingyuan and his master. The tea poured smoothly. His mind seemed to settle, and he sat down properly, his brow no longer furrowed.

Qin Sang and Qingyuan continued their previous discussion.

“In the cultivation world, the debate concerning Hinayana and Mahayana has increasingly gained traction, particularly fiercely within Buddhism. However, there are exceptions, for example, the Daoist sect’s Pill Cauldron lineage. Although they cultivate Hinayana Daoist methods, they possess the grandeur of Mahayana!” Qingyuan's face showed admiration.

Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ask, “What is the meaning of this?”

Qingyuan picked up his folding fan and drew a large circle in the air. “In the Great Thousand World, elemental spiritual energy is ubiquitous. Cultivating by comprehending the five elements can be said to be the easiest compared to all other paths. Once one embarks on the Dao, switching to other paths is akin to building a bridge over a chasm. Although this bridge leads in another direction, walking on land is undoubtedly much easier than flying directly across the chasm. Legend has it, this bridge originated precisely from the Daoist sect’s Pill Cauldron lineage!

“Originally, the Daoist sect integrated the five elements and created the Path of the Golden Core, pointing directly to the Great Dao, and subsequently, they spread their Daoist methods throughout the world. Since then, it was as if humanity found its foundation for cultivation. Regardless of sect or school, one first cultivates the five-element techniques to enter the door of cultivation, then gradually clarifies their path and pursues their own Dao. It can be called the general outline of all methods! Humanity’s great rise, overpowering all other races in the Great Thousand World, owes an immeasurable debt to the Daoist sect! The five-element spiritual root also became the most important method for distinguishing human talent. The cultivation realms of the Pill Cauldron lineage—Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and even Mahayana—also became prevalent throughout the world and progressively perfected. Each step across a realm was accompanied by a transformation, with clear and convincing principles, and is now regarded by the world as a standard. Thus, it is evident that the Pill Cauldron Sect’s naming of their final realm as ‘Mahayana’ was by no means arbitrary! Cultivating the Dao to save oneself, and spreading the Dao to save others—what immense merit that is!”

These words deeply shocked Qin Sang. When he had read Daoist scriptures in the Talisman Realm, he had seen some records about the Pill Cauldron lineage, knowing that the Pill Cauldron Sect was once mentioned alongside the Talisman Sect as the two most important branches of Daoism. Due to the scarcity of texts, Qin Sang could only glimpse it vaguely, guessing that the Pill Cauldron Sect might have declined later, or had a dispute with the Talisman Sect and parted ways. During the Talisman Sect's heyday, their strength was astonishingly formidable. But Qin Sang hadn't imagined that the achievements of the Pill Cauldron Sect were in no way inferior to those of the later Talisman Sect! Nowadays, most cultivators enter the immortal gate by relying on the five elements, and for that, they all owe gratitude to the Daoist sect!

“Food and wine coming up!” A shout came from outside the private room.

A waiter quickly approached the door, tapped twice, and pushed it open, holding a tray in his hands. On the tray was an incredibly exquisite dish, a true work of art, steaming hot and emitting a rich aroma. Instantly, a fragrant scent filled the room. It was perfect in color, aroma, and taste, stimulating one's appetite.

The waiter, with a broad smile, announced, “The first dish: Phoenix Welcoming Spring!” Along with the dish came a pot of wine. “This is the finest ‘Drunken Spring Breeze’ wine. Please enjoy, esteemed guests.” The waiter bowed slightly and withdrew from the private room.

Qingyuan put down his folding fan and looked at Qin Sang. “If the Pill Cauldron lineage is like this, then what kind of grand vision must the Talisman lineage have had, which was once known as the Mahayana Daoist sect!”

“This humble one has always yearned for it!”