C3 Heaven Defying Spell

"Really, why would I need to lie to you? If you're going to be skeptical, then so be it; I can't be bothered to teach you anyway." The fellow's voice was ancient, yet his words carried a petulant tone that sounded quite jarring.

Lau Yiheng, of course, wasn't about to pass up such an opportunity. At this point, he was willing to seize even the slightest glimmer of hope. "I believe you," he asserted. "Please, teach me the Heaven Defying Spell. I want to grow stronger—no, I must."

Hongkun chuckled and began, "That's more like it. Pay attention now. Hongmeng represents the void—the absence of heaven, earth, law, and order. Yet from this nothingness springs everything: the heavens, the earth, laws, and order. Ultimately, nothing becomes everything, and everything returns to nothing. This is the essence of the Dao—the primordial unity from which all things arise. It is silent and vast, standing alone and unchanging, cycling endlessly without falter. Its name is unknown, but we forcefully call it the Dao. If we must give it a name, let it be the Great..."

As Lau Yiheng listened, he slowly digested Hongkun's words, etching them deep into his memory.

After hearing the teachings once, Lau Yiheng felt a flicker of insight. A unique power seemed to be stirring within his meridians, something he had never experienced before. For the seven or eight years since he was of age to cultivate, his meridians had been still. Now, with this newfound activity, he was thrilled.

Sensing Lau Yiheng's excitement, Hongkun cautioned, "Calm yourself. You've barely scratched the surface, and you're already this worked up. Such impatience won't lead to greatness. Remember, a cultivator's talent is crucial, but the right mindset is paramount. Understand?"

Lau Yiheng felt as if he'd been doused with a sudden downpour of wisdom. "Yes, thank you for the guidance, Senior."

"Good, your attitude is commendable. Now, tell me, how much did you grasp of what I just explained?"

Lau Yiheng replied earnestly, "Less than two layers?"

"Is that so? Less than two layers?"

"Yes, it's less than two layers. Is my ability to comprehend really that inadequate?"

Hongkun paused, then responded, "It's somewhat lacking. Your state of mind isn't fully settled yet. Forcing your cultivation now could have repercussions later on. Tell me your story first. Once your mind is at peace, then you can proceed with your cultivation."

Lau Yiheng had initially intended to seize the moment, but after listening to Hongkun, he abandoned the thought and said, "Alright, then I'll share my story with you, Senior." He proceeded to recount his experiences over the past few years to Hongkun.

In the past, reflecting on these events would always unsettle Lau Yiheng's mind, but this time, he was completely unaffected. He spoke with the serenity of someone discussing another person's life, a testament to his formidable composure, which had only grown stronger now that he knew he could cultivate.

After listening to Lau Yiheng's account, Hongkun chuckled and remarked, "Kid, you're quite the oddity. Anyone else enduring such hardships would have crumbled long ago. If not outright collapse, they'd be left with a warped psyche and a trail of calamities. Yet, you stand unaffected, your mind as tranquil as a still lake. Your family truly missed the mark by letting go of a talent like you. But in a way, their oversight is my gain; otherwise, who knows when I would have awakened."

Lau Yiheng responded calmly, "The blame doesn't entirely lie with my family. The patriarch and my Fourth Uncle have always treated me well."

"Well, it's true, they're not entirely at fault. From what you've told me, your family members are... well, they simply lack the capacity to understand your situation."

"Senior, how long have I been out? I'm terribly hungry."

"You've been unconscious for two full days and nights, so hunger is expected. But are you in any state to find food now? If I hadn't been safeguarding your heart meridian, you'd be dead. For now, focus on your cultivation. Once you've recovered and strengthened your body, you'll be able to find something to eat."

"Now that your mind is completely at ease, continue your cultivation. Oh, and one more thing, 'The Dao is action without intent, and yet there is nothing it does not accomplish. If ordinary people can uphold this, all things will naturally transform.' That's the secret to converting spiritual energy into the primordial grandmist energy."

Upon hearing this, Lau Yiheng furrowed his brow but soon relaxed, murmuring to himself, "Action without intent, yet nothing is left undone. If one can embrace this, all things will transform. So, to let things take their course, to act without forcing, yet nothing is beyond one's reach. By understanding the Dao, all things will naturally serve me, allowing me to unleash my greatest strength in the illusion of life and death." As Lau Yiheng finished reciting, he entered a profound state of enlightenment.

Moments later, Hongkun's voice emerged: "This kid is something else—a real freak of nature. To think he's grasped the first and more layers of the Heaven Defying Spell so swiftly, and with such a remarkable state of mind. To enter a state of sudden enlightenment under these circumstances, he's truly a prodigy in the making."