After Chisongzi and Xiaoyaozi talked for a while, they took Xiaomeng away. Their target was Guigu.
As soon as they entered Ghost Valley, they were discovered by Qin Qi and his men.
"Just as one left, another one came. How come they came in a group to pay New Year's greetings?"
Qin Qi looked at Chisongzi who was walking over. He reached out and pasted the couplet on the door, then smiled.
"Your Excellency seems to be wishing to celebrate the New Year, but the year keeps turning, and the festivals keep coming. Whether it's joy or sorrow, in the end, nothing will change."
"Is there anything to celebrate this holiday?"
Chisongzi did not speak, but his voice reached Qin Qi's ears. This is the Taoist art of transmitting sound through nature.
"We're face to face, and we're not talking about anything inappropriate. Why are you trying to communicate in secret? You could just say no directly."
Qin Qi looked at Chisongzi, looked at his head full of white hair and shook his head. These old men just like to pretend to be otherworldly masters.
The two of them had to communicate in secret even when they were face to face.
"Your Excellency has not yet answered my question."
Chisongzi didn't feel embarrassed at all and continued to ask.
While talking, Chisongzi kept looking at Qin Qi. He could not see any trace of a Taoist practitioner in him.
On the contrary, Qin Qi is full of worldly air. Writing couplets, hanging lanterns, and pasting blessing characters are things that ordinary people would do.
Those who practice Taoism should exclude all these distractions and return to the most essential state between heaven and earth.
"Old man, there may not be anything worth celebrating during the festival, but people are busy all year long."
"We have to find some reasons to relax and some reasons to get together."
"These festivals didn't exist in the beginning, they were just created by people and have no meaning in themselves."
"It is people who give it meaning."
What is the meaning of the couplet in Qin Qi's hand, the "happiness" character on the window, and the lanterns hanging on the house?
No, the important thing is that the couplet was written by Qin Qi himself, the lantern was made bit by bit by Xue Nu, and the character for "冶靜" was carved out bit by bit by Yi Niu using a sword.
What's important is that they put aside their other worries and gather together to celebrate with joy. This is the true meaning of the festival.
"Whether it's joy or sorrow, if a person cannot transcend the seven emotions and six desires, how can he truly attain enlightenment?"
"You boast of challenging all the schools of thought. What are you seeking? Fame? Profit? Or a sense of accomplishment?"
"If you cannot transcend these feelings, no matter how many people you defeat, no matter how strong you become, you will never attain enlightenment.
Chi Songzi showed his sharp edge as soon as he arrived. He had no intention of being polite to Qin Qi and got straight to the point!
"Don't worry, come sit inside and I'll pour you some tea."
After Qin Qi put up the couplets, he called Chisongzi and Xiaomeng into the house, still in the same position.
Everyone sat at the table again, and Jingwei came out with three cups and a teapot.
"Would you like some snacks, little sister?"
The Snow Girl took out some candied fruits and snacks they had bought, placed them in front of Xiaomeng, and asked.
"No, you don't have to treat me like a child. I am also a cultivator."
Xiaomeng did not take the candied fruits, but just held the wooden sword tightly in her hand. She did not behave like an eight-year-old child at all.
"Both the teapot and the teacup are merely tangible objects. If you cling to them, how can you attain enlightenment?"
Chisongzi looked at the empty space in front of him. He felt that this was Qin Qi's counterattack against him. Every word and action was a manifestation of Tao.
He reached out and picked up the teapot, then poured it directly into the air, and the tea seemed to fall into an invisible cup.
After Chisongzi finished all this, he looked up at Qin Qi. His skill in transforming the void into a cup was pretty good.
"Go get him a cup."
Qin Qi looked at Chisongzi, then spoke to Jingniu, Jingniu nodded, then took out a cup and placed it in front of Chisongzi.
"Next time you want tea, just tell me directly. Although we are quite poor here, we still have cups.
Qin Qi said that he had no intention of testing Chisongzi with this, he just wanted to drink tea.
"Well... the important thing is not the tea, but to break free from the shackles and not be restricted by material things."
Chi Songzi looked at Qin Qi. For a moment he couldn't tell whether the other party was pretending to be stupid or he was really mistaken.
"To break free from the shackles... What are the shackles?"
Qin Qi asked back.
"Seven emotions and six desires, everything in the world, only by transcending everything in this world can one become a minister of the great way!"
Chisongzi spoke without hesitation. The Taoist Tianzong's philosophy was completely different from the Renzong's. The Renzong believed that all living beings were equal and should be treated equally.
Tianzong believes that everything in the outside world is just a shackle, and only by transcending the mundane world can one truly attain enlightenment.
"Really? I remember there was an article in Zhuangzi's "Zhi Bei You" that talked about the existence of Tao, saying that Tao is everywhere."
"The truth is in the ants, the truth is in the weeds, the truth is in excrement. Well, it sounds a bit harsh, but it is true.
"At the time, Zhuangzi was talking to a fellow named Dongguozi. He was just like you are now, always talking about the great way.
"You even asked Zhuangzi, since you are so powerful, do you know where the Tao is? Zhuangzi got angry at that time."
"I told him he was an ant, but he was still not satisfied and asked how he could stand Zhuangzi's temper. He replied again, 'I was a weed.'
"After the task was completed, the man was still not satisfied and continued to ask questions. Zhuangzi immediately became even more annoyed. Why do you care so much about where the Tao is?"
"Tao is invisible and intangible. Everything in the world can be Tao. Why do you have to make it concrete?
"Such behavior will alienate the Tao. Afterwards, Zhuangzi will tell him that the Tao is shit, nothing."
Qin Qi said this and looked at Jing Niu beside him and asked, "Do you know what Tao is now?"
"have no idea."
Jingwei shook her head decisively. She was a killer, not a teacher. She couldn't understand what the mysterious avenue was.
She only knew that people died when they were killed and that they had to eat when they were hungry.
"And you?"
Qin Qi turned to look at the Snow Girl and asked again.
"I don't know either."
Xue Nu heard what Qin Qi said before, but she didn't want to say the word "Taoism is shit", anyway, she was not a person who talked about Taoism.
It didn't matter to her whether she knew what the Tao was or not. Even if she didn't know, she could still play the music she liked and dance the dance she liked.
Living a peaceful life with the one you love doesn't seem to be that important.
"Chisongzi, what do you think Tao is?"
Qin Qi finally threw the question to Chisongzi.
"Your debating skills are indeed impressive, but isn't it excessive to insult my Taoist ancestors like this?"
"Did Zhuangzi originally mean what you said? When did Zhuangzi ever say that Taoism is bullshit?"
Chisongzi's face was calm. After all, he was still an immortal who had practiced for many years, and these words could not shake him.
"Zhuangzi never said that, I said it."
"But Zhuangzi is dead now. Who knows what he meant? Do you know? Or do I know?"
"No one knows, so any explanation is acceptable, just like the Great Dao: the Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name."
"The Tao you see, the Tao you know, the Tao you talk about, is not the true Tao. Lao Tzu has told everyone from the beginning that the Tao cannot be known."
"You keep talking about the Great Dao and transcending everything, but don't forget that everything in the world today is a manifestation of the Great Dao."
"To want to experience the Dao while being away from it, isn't that a joke?"
"Just as ants on the ground cannot understand birds in the sky, and fish in the water cannot understand lions on land."
"What you think is ultimately just what you think, just like the teacup in your hand. You think it doesn't matter whether you have it or not."
"But it's definitely used for drinking tea. Who says we're born to be straw dogs? Everything in the world has its own use."
After Qin Qi finished speaking, he picked up the teacup and drank a sip of tea. Chi Songzi looked at Qin Qi, and Chen Jiu was speechless.
Indeed, they cannot prove that the Tao they identify with is correct, as the Tao is originally an invisible material existence.
They pursue the Tao and try to turn it into a concrete image, which may be wrong or even impossible.
"When I came here before, I met Junior Brother Xiaoyaozi. He told me that although you are called a madman, you are not restricted by it."
"I initially disagreed with your unfathomable realm, but after a discussion, I was convinced."
"But I still have a question in my mind: can you fight me?"
Chi Songzi was convinced, but he still wanted to see for himself how high Qin Qi's realm was. He wanted to experience the other person's way firsthand!
"I knew there would be a fight in the end. Sister Xiaomeng, come over here and be careful not to get caught up in their fight."
Xue Nu shook her head, put away the cup, then called Xiao Meng over and stayed away from Qin Qi and Chi Songzi.
"Then let's fight outside."
Qin Qi said.
Qin Qi and Chi Songzi arrived at the open space outside, looked at each other, and then immediately started fighting!
"Ten thousand rivers and autumn waters!"
Chisongzi waved his hand and the air currents around him were controlled by him. The snow around him turned into water, and the water gathered in Chisongzi's hands along the air currents.
This is the autumn water of Wanchuan. The rivers in the world have been like this since ancient times, from high to low. This is the way of nature, and the west is the general trend of heaven and earth.
Water cannot flow backwards, and when Wanchuan Qiushui is launched, it also carries an irresistible momentum! Just like a huge wave!
"I don't know why, but the moves they use all seem so powerful!"
The Snow Girl sighed beside him. Whether it was Xiaoyaozi's Snow Queen Chuqing before or Chisongzi's Wanchuan Qiushui now, they were both very handsome and gorgeous!
"Um."
Jingwei nodded. There wasn't anything fancy when she was fighting. There wasn't even a sword energy special effect.
It's simply fast! Accurate! Ruthless! Every move is deadly!
Qin Qi looked at the huge waves that were rushing towards him, and just stretched out his hand and grasped the air, and the huge waves stopped in an instant.
Then he opened his hands, and the huge waves turned into countless fine rains, washing away the dust on the house and the surrounding area.
"The world is eclipsed!"
.....***.......
In an instant, the pure internal force in Chisongzi's body burst out, and for a moment the world seemed to stand still. Everything around him turned gray in Chisongzi's eyes.
The move "Heaven and Earth Lost Color" requires a lot of pure energy, but the effect is also very powerful, it can make the surrounding area fall into thunder and stop time!
But in this process, everything around will gradually wither and die. It is a very powerful unique skill!
"it's over?"
Chi Songzi looked at Qin Qi who was motionless. He only used two moves.
Every move is extremely powerful!
It was considered top-notch at the time, but even so it was useless!
Chi Songzi looked at Qin Qi, who was still staring at him calmly. His eclipse of the world had no effect on him at all!
"The Eight Trigrams unfold the Five Elements, the Five Elements push forward the Four Directions, the Four Directions return to the Two Principles, the Two Principles return to the Great One, and the Great One is the Great Dao."
"The Tao gave birth to one, one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, and three gave birth to all things. Now, Chisongzi, do you still think that enlightenment requires transcendence of everything?"
Qin Qi looked at Chisongzi and asked.
At this moment, Chisongzi suddenly realized that it was not the world that had lost its color, but he himself had lost his color. He was no longer tolerated by the world!
Just now, when he was performing the Heaven and Earth Shattering Technique, Qin Qi also used the same, but more advanced technique to kick himself out of the world!
In the eyes of Xue Nu, Jing Niu and Xiao Meng outside, Chi Songzi suddenly disappeared from where he was, and Qin Qi was talking to the air.
"I lost."
Chisongzi sighed deeply and admitted defeat. When he said these three words, the surrounding sky and earth began to regain their color.
His figure also began to reappear in the open space. He looked at Qin Qi, and then at Xiao Meng.
"I give up. Are you planning to stay here?"
Chi Songzi asked.
"Yes, the New Year is coming soon. I won't run around during this period. I'll stay here for the New Year and leave after it's over."
Qin Qi said.
"I want to keep Junior Sister Xiaomeng here temporarily and let her study with you for a while."
Chi Songzi spoke.
"You have a good idea, old man. Take your men and get out of here right now."
Qin Qi immediately became unhappy. This old man wanted him to babysit his child for free, but he refused to do that.
Besides, it seems that Xiaomeng is a difficult girl to deal with. Even though she is only eight years old, she may actually be a lot of trouble.
"Fellow Daoist, fellow Daoist, don't be angry. I originally wanted to take Junior Sister Xiaomeng around. Although she is extremely talented and has excellent understanding,
"But she's still a child after all, and her character isn't very mature. I plan to take her on a tour of the Seven Kingdoms while I still have the strength to train her."
"But... after discussing Dao with my fellow Daoist, I suddenly realized that it would be better for this child to follow you, so please, Daoist, please!"
"It will only take a while. I'll come pick her up after that."
Chisongzi was determined to keep Xiaomeng with Qin Qi, and even started to act like a rogue for this purpose, losing all his former demeanor as a master.
"Hmm... okay, just stay with me for a while."
Qin Qi agreed to Chisongzi's words, but when he spoke, he did not look at Chisongzi, but looked at the open space not far behind Chisongzi.
Chisongzi didn't notice anything wrong and left after saying a few words to Xiaomeng.
"Junior Sister Xiaomeng, you can see a wider world by following him, and I will also seek the meaning of Tao."
Chisongzi was about to go back to seek the Dao. Qin Qi's words made him think a lot. Was his persistence in the Dao, in his pursuit of transcendence, right?
He didn't know, so he wanted to go and see for himself. He went back and traveled around the seven countries, looking at the world with his own eyes and seeing what this world was like.
The Tao is in the ants, the Tao is in the weeds, the Tao is in feces and urine. The Tao is everything and nothing. This is what makes it magical.
...
"Sister Xiaomeng, please celebrate the festival with us from now on."
The Snow Girl spoke to Xiao Meng with a very gentle smile.
"I was left behind."
Xiao Meng asked with a very cold tone and no expression on her face.
"Well, maybe they think you're too troublesome, so they don't want you anymore."
Jingwei spoke up. She had seen many children like this before. Once they were drawn into the trap, they would be trained to become killers and cannon fodder.
"Xiaoyu, don't say such things to children. Sister Xiaomeng, please don't misunderstand. The old man just asked you to stay with us temporarily."
"He'll come back to pick you up after he finishes his own business. It doesn't mean he doesn't want you anymore."
The Snow Girl coaxed.
"Well, you might come back, but the chances are you've been abandoned. I've seen this happen a lot.
Jingwei said from the side.
While the three women were arguing, Qin Qi walked outside and looked at the empty space on the snow.
"To blunt its sharpness, to resolve its conflicts, to be one with the light, to blend in with the dust, is the mysterious unity, to blend in with the light and the dust to the point of almost merging into heaven and earth."
"If I'm not mistaken, you should be Bei Mingzi, the most powerful and most senior Taoist priest currently alive."
After Qin Qi finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared on the deserted snowy ground. Standing there, it gave people an indistinct feeling.