Chapter Thirty-Two: Daoist Arts and Technology—Tradition, Too, Must Move with the Times (Part Two)

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Boom!

What exploded in Yi Beidou’s mind was not merely the thunderous crash of the palm technique, but also the surging true intent carried by his opponent.

Thunder roared!

Yet this was not the thunder of destruction, but the thunder of new life.

After the spring thunder, all things revived, life flourished, and the world took on a new beginning.

When lightning struck the mountains and forests, it swept away demonic mists, eradicated lingering maladies, and renewed heaven and earth!

This was the thunder of reform, the thunder of creation. It possessed the boldness to clear away the old and open a new path, resonating with the world and the spirit of the age.

This was an age of innovation. New ideas and new things emerged one after another, constantly reshaping human society. Those who lagged behind would be eliminated.

That was precisely what this man had done: combining traditional Daoist arts with technology to create an entirely new form of thunder magic.

His fists and techniques possessed not only the fierce, unyielding might of thunder magic, but also the overwhelming momentum of the surging tide of the times.

To rely on individual strength in an attempt to halt that tide was like an insect raising its limbs against a moving chariot. It would inevitably be crushed to pieces.

Under this man’s assault, Yi Beidou seemed to have become a conservative, relying on a body of flesh and blood. Even one who had attained sainthood through the physical form could not contend with weapons of immense power. This was an impassable obstacle faced by martial artists of the present age—and, indeed, by every living being.

Yet Yi Beidou’s expression remained calm, like a mountain rock unchanged through the ages.

What was new? What was old?

Arts, techniques, and weapons would all change with the times, eventually being submerged in the tide. Only the enlightenment born of seeking the Dao remained unchanged.

There was no landscape that could endure for ten thousand generations. Only enlightenment could.

Modern technology, too, had arisen from enlightenment.

Without the resolve to explore the limits and the unknown, without the courage to sacrifice oneself, the achievements of the present age would never have come into being.

The heart that sought the Dao grew ever newer with the passage of time.

Boom!

The demonic nature within Yi Beidou was fully awakened.

A body born for the Dao—the body of a heavenly demon.

With his demonic body, he struck his palms together and challenged the heavens!

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For a moment, the heavenly demon’s heart of inquiry broke through the tide of the times and rose high above the sky.

Bang!

The two men’s palms collided. Within a radius of several yards, the shockwave swept through the vegetation. Many branches and leaves were blasted apart and sent flying, as though a small grenade had exploded.

Yi Beidou felt as if his palm had been struck by electricity, a powerful tingling spreading through it. But his body was simply too robust. Once he circulated his vital energy and blood, the sensation vanished at once.

Tao Zihong, meanwhile, was forced back two steps by that terrifying power, astonishment flashing through his eyes.

He had attained sainthood more recently than Wei Cheng, and his Dao-body had only just begun to take shape. Moreover, his abilities did not lie entirely in sudden, close-quarters combat. It was only natural that he was inferior to Yi Beidou in that regard.

“A demonic body seeking the Dao? You overcame your demonic nature and attained sainthood on the spot, yet you possess a heart that seeks the Dao as well. You are an extraordinary man. Who are you, and why have you appeared in Cloud Prison Mountain?”

Tao Zihong frowned as he studied Yi Beidou.

At first, he had assumed Yi Beidou belonged to some foreign power—a furtive creature that dared not show its face. Yet after that exchange, their wills having intertwined, he had already discerned the truth of his origins.

He possessed a demonic body, yet also a heart that sought the Dao—domineering, fierce, and upright. A man like this was no petty schemer lurking in the shadows, much less some so-called “super soldier” cultivated by a foreign power.

“I attained sainthood through my physical body not long ago. Wei Cheng recommended me, so I came to Cloud Prison Mountain to pay a visit to Fang Xiuyuan. I happened to encounter you, and rashly thought I might test myself against you.”

Yi Beidou answered.

“You only recently attained sainthood?”

The surprise in Tao Zihong’s eyes deepened when he heard that Yi Beidou had entered sainthood only a short while ago.

He had only just attained sainthood, yet already possessed such strength? The attack he had used moments ago could already be considered his strongest technique. Anything beyond that would depend on more than the cultivation of his physical body alone.

“I never expected another figure like you to emerge within Donghua. I am Tao Zihong of the Maoshan Shangqing tradition. Though unworthy, I hold the title of Celestial Master. At Fang Xiuyuan’s invitation, I came to lend him my aid.”

As Tao Zihong introduced himself, he reached toward the raised button on his chest and pressed it. The electric arcs coiling around his body vanished instantly.

“So you are the Maoshan Celestial Master?”

Watching the changes in the black, close-fitting suit, Yi Beidou’s eyes filled with interest.

“As a Daoist, you do not practice talisman arts or refine magical treasures, but instead employ technology. How novel. Are you not afraid that dividing your attention will hinder your cultivation?”

From their brief exchange, he had already discerned some of the truth. The garment used technological means; the bulge on its back was likely a battery. Once activated, the entire suit released powerful electric currents, which traveled through the wearer’s body along those golden lines resembling talismans.

To an ordinary person, the garment would be a lethal instrument of torture. Even an expert capable of seizing souls and spirits likely could not endure it for long.

But to Tao Zihong, who cultivated thunder magic, had attained sainthood through the physical body, and forged a Dao-body, it was an enormous aid.

It drew thunder into his body, stimulating his meridians, cells, and spirit throughout. It could even infuse the force of electricity into his fists, allowing him to injure his enemies. It was truly a formidable magical treasure for combat support.

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“Hahahaha! That is a fair point, but we must keep pace with the times, must we not? These days, even temple donations can be made by scanning a code on a mobile payment app.”

“We live in a new age. Ancient culture must be preserved, but we must also forge new paths upon the foundations laid by those who came before. How could we cling stubbornly to the old and wait for death? Sooner or later, we would be discarded by the times. That would be the greatest disrespect to the wisdom of our predecessors.”

“Many of the techniques and methods within our Daoist tradition actually possess scientific principles behind them. The sages of antiquity were constrained by their era and could not fully explain them. Naturally, it falls to people of our age to take up that task. This is the path I have chosen. The power of technology and the wisdom of all living beings—surely you do not still reject modern science?”

Tao Zihong laughed heartily. He devoted himself equally to cultivation and scientific research.

“You are right. We live in a new age, and if we wish to reach new heights, we must draw upon the power of the times.”

Yi Beidou nodded in agreement.

He was no conservative. He had never opposed the use of modern technology, provided it was employed for the right purposes.

“Although I am the Maoshan Celestial Master, I am also a visiting professor at Capital University. I have my own laboratory abroad, where I focus primarily on research in physics and biological science. If you are interested, I invite you to come and take a look.”

“In truth, many organizations around the world are currently researching beings who have attained sainthood through the physical body. Some such individuals are also secretly recruiting talent and forming teams, gathering the wisdom of humanity to explore the road ahead. Perhaps you and I may have an opportunity to work together in the future.”

Tao Zihong smiled at Yi Beidou.

“That would indeed be a worthy connection to make.”

Yi Beidou readily agreed.

Only moments earlier, the two had been poised for battle. Now they were laughing and conversing with ease. The sight left the Maoshan disciples waiting nearby staring at one another in bewilderment.

Before long, under Tao Zihong’s guidance, the two arrived before several young people.

“Come here. Let me introduce you to one another. This is Mr. Yi, an expert from our country who attained sainthood through the physical body not long ago. His purpose here is the same as ours. What happened just now was merely a misunderstanding. Come and pay your respects.”

Tao Zihong beckoned to his disciples.

The young people exchanged glances. Only when they saw Yi Beidou up close did they realize that he was astonishingly young, probably not much older than they were.

They had never heard of anyone so young attaining sainthood.

And during the exchange moments ago, their master had even activated his thunder suit, yet he seemed to have fallen into a disadvantage.

It was utterly inconceivable.

Compared with him, they felt as though they had wasted their entire lives despite being the same age.

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