Chapter 166: The Woodcutter Passes on His Art

The Imperial City, Grand Tutor's Residence.

The Head Clerk rushed in to report, saying, "Grand Tutor, there's been an unusual development in Yongzhou City. High-ranking members of the Demonic Cult have gathered there, along with countless bandit leaders. Suddenly, the City Lord's Mansion in Yongzhou vanished without a trace, leaving behind an empty plot of land."

Grand Tutor Yan Kang was reviewing various memorials sent by the Emperor. Without lifting his head, he replied, "Understood."

The Head Clerk hesitated, then said, "Grand Tutor, this is the Demonic Cult, the foremost sect of the demonic path. Such an occurrence now necessitates caution..."

Grand Tutor Yan Kang looked up and asked, "Yunyang, do you know who the Demonic Cult's founder is?"

Yunyang, the Head Clerk, shook his head.

Grand Tutor Yan Kang calmly stated, "If you knew who he was, you wouldn't be so flustered. He was once the Grand Libation of my Imperial Academy."

Yunyang was deeply shaken, exclaiming, "Him? Grand Tutor, the Demonic Cult's founder served as Grand Libation at the Imperial Academy for so many years? This smacks of rebellion! How many officials and generals has he trained over the years? His influence must have spread throughout the imperial court and the military! Grand Tutor, this matter cannot be overlooked; I fear our army might be full of his people!"

Grand Tutor Yan Kang was momentarily speechless, then shook his head. "You're overthinking this. Just because the Demonic Cult founder taught scholars, does that mean all scholars are members of his cult? If that were the case, wouldn't I also be arrested and executed?"

He stood up and slowly paced, his gaze sharp. "Years ago, I traveled extensively, learning from various schools. I observed how each sect operated independently, guarding their secrets and hindering the advancement of divine arts and spells across the land. Thus, I visited them, hoping to break down the barriers between major sects. The first person I encountered was the Demonic Cult founder. He was the first to set aside sectarian biases and wholeheartedly teach me, and he was also the one who showed me a clear path."

A look of reverence appeared in his eyes. "Afterward, he personally recommended me, sending me with his letter to meet the Dao Lord of the Dao Sect. It was because of his letter that the Dao Lord regarded me favorably, taking a special interest and allowing me to study the 'Fourteen Dao Swords.' He also sent me to the Great Thunderclap Temple, where I met the Tathagata and received his scriptures. Although he never revealed his identity, he couldn't hide it from me, nor did he intentionally try to."

Yunyang, the Head Clerk, was utterly astonished.

Grand Tutor Yan Kang continued, "Why did I ask him to come out of seclusion and manage the Imperial Academy for me? Not because of his abilities, nor because he was the Demonic Cult's founder, but because he possessed such breadth of vision. I had never before met someone with such a grand and pure spirit; only he was fit to oversee the Imperial Academy! His departure now is likely due to his efforts concerning the Demonic Cult's next sect leader."

"The next Demonic Cult leader?"

Yunyang composed himself and said, "The Demonic Cult hasn't had a leader for over forty years, and now they've actually chosen one? Grand Tutor, this is a significant matter. Should we inform the Emperor?"

Grand Tutor Yan Kang replied, "Go write a memorial and present this matter to the Emperor. As for the Demonic Cult founder's background, you don't need to elaborate."

Yunyang accepted the order and added, "News from the Imperial Academy indicates that the Emperor has ordered Gu Lihuan to succeed as Grand Libation."

"Understood."

Grand Tutor Yan Kang waved his hand. "My influence is vast, and it's natural for the Emperor to be concerned; otherwise, I would be uneasy myself. However, Gu Lihuan's scholarship and virtue are insufficient for the position of Grand Libation of the Imperial Academy. He would be suitable as a Tutor to the Crown Prince, but he is far from qualified to be Grand Libation. Yet, I cannot say much about this matter."

Yunyang pondered, then asked, "How should we respond to the Demonic Cult selecting a new leader this time?"

Grand Tutor Yan Kang calmly stated, "Those who comply prosper; those who resist perish. You don't need to consider this; I will personally meet this new leader."

Yunyang, the Head Clerk, withdrew from the room.

Dao Sect, Dao Mountain.

Danyangzi quickly ascended the mountain to the Dao Saint Hall, where an old man with white hair and white eyebrows sat on the ground, observing a pool of clear water before him.

Danyangzi promptly said, "Dao Lord, there's been an unusual development at the Demonic Cult's stronghold. Their experts have gathered in Yongzhou, and with a sweep of their banner, the City Lord's Mansion vanished along with them."

The white-browed, white-haired elder opened his eyes and slowly said, "It seems the Demonic Cult has a new leader. The Demonic Cult fabricates history, misuses the name of sages, spreads false doctrines throughout the world, and brings chaos to the people. Their internal strife, with a Saintess murdering a cult leader, defies moral principles, and a leader marrying a disciple violates human ethics. Many of their followers practice wicked arts, not a few of whom cultivate using human lives, accepting all without discrimination. They have been without a leader for forty years, and now they have chosen one again; I fear this is not a blessing for the common people."

Danyangzi asked, "What should our Dao Sect do?"

"Discover the identity of this demonic leader and eliminate him when the opportunity arises."

"Your will be done."

Danyangzi continued, "Grand Tutor Yan Kang operates under the principles of the Demonic Cult's teachings. The Yan Kang nation itself is like an immense Demonic Cult, accepting all without discrimination. What then should our Dao Sect do?"

The Dao Lord's gaze was profound as he quietly observed the clear pool before him. He spoke unhurriedly, "Grand Tutor Yan Kang is ambitious, but his capabilities cannot support his aspirations. Historically, there have been empires grander than Yan Kang and geniuses more exceptional than the Grand Tutor, yet they all eventually turned to dust, becoming part of the Great Ruins. This world is far more complex than he imagines; he will understand when he shatters himself against its walls."

Danyangzi dared not say more, bowing and withdrawing.

"Reporting to the Tathagata, the Demonic Cult members have vanished from Yongzhou City, and the City Lord's Mansion has also disappeared."

At the Great Thunderclap Temple, an old monk arrived in the main hall to see the Tathagata. He reported, "The Prefect of Yongzhou is Elder Yulin of the Demonic Cult, a formidable individual. Yongzhou has become an impenetrable stronghold for the Demonic Cult. Furthermore, someone in Yongzhou saw the woman who defeated the Buddhist Son, and it is speculated she belongs to the Demonic Cult."

The Tathagata opened his eyes, surprised. "Wasn't that woman a scholar from the Imperial Academy? Why would she be a Demonic Cult member?"

The old monk explained, "Her name is Si Yunxiang. She only entered the Imperial Academy this year; the academy hardly had time to teach her anything. How could she possibly have defeated the Buddhist Son? This woman is from the Si family, the same clan as Si Youyou, the former cult leader's wife. The Si family is also a powerful noble clan in the Yan Kang nation."

The Tathagata asked, "Then, could the Demonic Cult's new leader be from the Si family?"

"We don't know yet. No news has arrived on that front."

The Tathagata nodded. "The Imperial Academy using a Demonic Cult Saintess to defeat my Great Thunderclap Temple's Saint Son cannot be dismissed lightly. Go now, and continue to have all temples gather information."

The old monk acknowledged the order, then added, "One more thing: the Horse King God has emerged from the Great Ruins." With that, he turned and descended the mountain.

The old Tathagata was startled.

On Saint Arrival Mountain, various profound and wondrous sounds reached Qin Mu's ears. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and he found himself a passerby, walking through the mountains. In the distance, he heard the sound of chopping wood.

He followed the sound and saw a woodcutter chopping wood beneath a pine and cypress tree. The woodcutter's axe left profound marks as it struck the tree, strike after strike, captivating Qin Mu. He felt as if he could comprehend something from the movements.

He stood beside the woodcutter, staring intently at the axe. Each time it struck the tree, it left a deep gash, yet when the axe was lifted, the wound on the tree would seamlessly heal, leaving no trace of damage.

Each swing of the woodcutter's axe made a distinct impression on him.

"Passerby, you've been watching here for so long, what have you seen?"

The woodcutter put down his axe, turned, and looked at him. "Your family members have long since turned to dry bones buried in earthen graves. Your children are older than you, and your grandchildren have already started their own families and had children. Passerby, you have been watching here for a century."

"Please, Master, teach me."

Qin Mu watched as the woodcutter sat on a stone beneath the pine and cypress, imparting his wisdom to him.

He listened, entranced, as myriad profound principles flooded his mind. Qin Mu stood by the stone, listening for decades, and within this marvelous discourse, the Grand Unifying Art of the Great Cultivation Demonic Scripture was transmitted to him.

The woodcutter reached out and touched his head. Qin Mu opened his eyes and saw Granny Si stepping back.

He was still on Saint Arrival Mountain, still in the present, not transported to the past.

This was an empowerment ritual from the previous Demonic Cult leader, passing on the experiences of the founding patriarch to the next leader, a tradition continued through generations, keeping the flame alive.

Qin Mu sat on the stone, dazed. "A sage touched my head, and I received longevity with my hair bound." The Grand Unifying Art of the Great Cultivation Demonic Scripture was not recorded in text or diagrams; it could only be transmitted through empowerment from one holy leader to the next throughout generations.

His mind was now filled with complex information, though it was not yet systematically organized.

Although this empowerment did not directly enhance his cultivation, it imparted a vast amount of knowledge that he still needed to sort through and comprehend.

Only now did he understand why the founder said that the Grand Unifying Art could only be passed from one leader to the next.

This was because the Great Cultivation Demonic Scripture did not actually contain a fully formed Grand Unifying Art!

Or rather, the Grand Unifying Art had not yet been finalized.

The Grand Unifying Art of the Great Cultivation Demonic Scripture was hidden within the woodcutter's teachings on the stone. However, each successive leader had to comprehend it for themselves from these teachings. How much they understood, and what they grasped, depended on each holy leader's personal insight, chosen direction, intelligence, and destiny.

It could truly be said that the Grand Unifying Art comprehended by each holy leader of the Demonic Cult was different. While some concepts might be similar, the specific Grand Unifying Art cultivated by each holy leader was absolutely distinct from others.

Three hundred and sixty leaders would result in three hundred and sixty different cultivation methods; ten thousand leaders, ten thousand methods.

Qin Mu's first thought was, "What a scam."

It was too much of a scam; the legendary Grand Unifying Art couldn't be used directly but required personal comprehension.

His second thought, however, was that this was true imparting of knowledge and discipline; this was a true sage master.

What one comprehends is truly one's own; what one learns is someone else's. The Heavenly Saint Cult's method of transmitting cultivation had a unique quality that no other sect, including the Imperial Academy, could match.

The young patriarch let out a breath and looked at Granny Si. From Granny Si's mouth came the voice of Cult Leader Li: "Master, I am no longer the Holy Cult Leader. This is my chance to break free from my inner demons. Please, Master, do not stop me!"