"Seekers of the Tao, what Tao do you seek?" a voice echoed from within the room. Within a few breaths, a slender old man appeared before Gu Yuan. His skin was delicate, and his eyes held a dim light.
It was rare to see an elder of this age, yet this old Taoist priest bore no age spots. This indicated that he had cultivated the art of "seeing the gods and remaining unhurt" to an extreme degree, allowing him perfect control over his body.
Gu Yuan offered a solemn martial artist's salute. While this elder might not possess greater strength than him at this moment, his cultivation realm far surpassed Gu Yuan's. It was only proper to show respect.
The old Taoist squinted, his gaze sweeping over Gu Yuan. He spoke slowly, "Are all martial artists outside so formidable now? It has been many years since this old man emerged into the world. I never expected to see someone who has achieved 'seeing the gods and remaining unhurt' in their early twenties."
"Senior jest," Gu Yuan replied humbly. "My current realm is a matter of pure luck."
The old Taoist chuckled, shaking his head. He turned and walked into the small courtyard, muttering, "Follow me."
Gu Yuan quickly followed. At their level, martial arts were no longer about life-and-death struggles but about comprehending the path ahead and exchanging insights.
Arriving behind the courtyard, they found a flourishing peach tree. Beneath it stood a stone table and benches, upon which sat a tea set. Steam rose from the teacups.
The old Taoist smiled and gestured to Gu Yuan, "Please."
"Thank you."
Gu Yuan took his seat. The old Taoist picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for Gu Yuan.
Setting down the teapot, the old Taoist picked up his own teacup, took a sip, and asked with a smile, "May I ask, lay follower, what brings you to this old man's humble abode?"
Gu Yuan replied with a smile, "For the sake of martial arts!"
"Martial arts, heh heh." The old Taoist lightly chuckled and shook his head.
"I know what you desire. Everything you have experienced, I have experienced before."
"On the path of martial arts, you and I know clearly that 'seeing the gods' is not the end, but the end of this world. There is no other way. But you must understand, the human body is finite, but the human heart is boundless."
"A person has a soul, and a fist has spirit!"
The old Taoist's words resonated like a great bell. For him, the martial arts he had pursued his entire life, the strength he had attained decades ago, had seen no progress even as he neared death. It was not due to his lack of talent or insufficient cultivation, but because the martial arts of this world had reached their limit.
"Perhaps in the future, one can advance further, but certainly not in our time. Gu Yuan, I know your ambition, but the road is dead!"
The old Taoist stood up, his gaze fixed on the distant green mountains. His eyes held a trace of sorrow. The man who once pursued martial arts with fervor, the proud prodigy he once was, the man who once commanded authority in the martial world of Da Ming – all of it had vanished. Now, only an old man hiding in the mountains, facing his impending death, remained.
Gu Yuan remained silent. He drained the tea in his cup, then stood up and turned to leave. However, at the doorway, he paused, turned back towards the old Taoist who had his back to him, and said, "Daoist priest, I tell you, martial arts have not ended. There is still a path ahead."
With that, he turned and departed.
The old Taoist did not turn around. Hearing Gu Yuan's words, a smile touched his lips. He gazed at the distant green mountains and murmured, "Whether there is a path or not, what does it have to do with this old man? I am about to die anyway."
Gu Yuan left Longhu Mountain directly, without alerting anyone. With his current realm, if he did not wish to be detected, no one could find him.
This was his confidence as he traversed the world.
Gu Yuan's next destination was the sacred land of Buddhism in China: Jingang Temple.
Three days later, Gu Yuan left Jingang Temple without engaging in any confrontation. This was because the elder monk at Jingang Temple who had achieved 'seeing the gods and remaining unhurt' was over a hundred years old. He was once known alongside the old Taoist of Longhu Mountain as the twin glories of Buddhism and Taoism. Now, nearing his end, Gu Yuan saw no reason to fight with an old man on the verge of death.
Over the next two and a half years, Gu Yuan traveled across the globe. When he encountered young practitioners of 'seeing the gods and remaining unhurt,' he would fight them first and foremost.
He first went to Baixiang Nation, where Gu Yuan found an ancient yoga master. His physique was no less impressive than Gu Yuan's, and he was known locally as Buddha, capable of throwing elephants with one hand. However, by the time Gu Yuan arrived, the master was already a hundred years old and no longer engaged in combat. Gu Yuan sat in his dojo, facing him in silent meditation for a day, and then departed.
He then journeyed to the island nation, where he encountered an elder who had achieved 'seeing the gods' through the art of swordsmanship. Gu Yuan left his dojo three hours after entering. Three days later, the elder passed away, and half of the island nation's high-ranking officials attended his memorial.
Alone, he boarded a cruise ship and sailed to the other side of the ocean, where he had a duel with the Grand Elder of the Free Stars. Gu Yuan emerged slightly victorious.
Ten days later, he appeared in the British Empire and engaged in a philosophical discussion with the Archbishop of the Catholic Church. The Archbishop, in front of a crowd of followers, declared his inferiority to this mysterious Eastern master.
Having met all the known masters of 'seeing the gods and remaining unhurt' across the globe, Gu Yuan then arrived in Yanjing.
This was his final destination, and his encounter would be with the most mysterious person: the Pavilion Master of the Martial Pavilion, an enigmatic man.
Presenting his identification, Gu Yuan entered the exclusive Diamond Walker's room. He told the staff to have the Pavilion Master come out or to let him seek him out.
The staff were aware of Gu Yuan's strength. The Martial Pavilion, with its intelligence network spread across the globe, could not possibly be unaware of a mysterious powerhouse who, under their name, was visiting 'seeing the gods' practitioners worldwide.
During this time, many global powers had inquired about the origin of this formidable individual. Even the Pavilion Master, who generally remained detached from internal affairs, had specifically inquired about this matter.
He had not expected the visitor to be a Diamond Walker. He immediately sent a message to the Pavilion Master's exclusive secretary, informing her that the mysterious 'seeing the gods' expert had come seeking the Pavilion Master.
This prompted the secretary to immediately go in search of the Pavilion Master.
In a beautiful courtyard, the secretary, with a respectful demeanor, gently knocked on the wooden door before her.
A voice called out from within, "What is it?"
The secretary immediately replied with respect, "Pavilion Master, the mysterious 'seeing the gods' expert has appeared. It is Gu Yuan, one of our Diamond Walkers."
*Whoosh!*
A gentle breeze swept through. The secretary, lowering her head, saw a pair of cloth shoes appear in her line of sight and bowed even lower.
"Oh, tell me thoroughly, who is this Gu Yuan?"
Thus, the secretary reported all the intelligence she possessed about Gu Yuan to the Pavilion Master, word for word.
The Pavilion Master took a sip of tea, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. He said to the secretary, "It seems I must have a good look at this Gu Yuan. Please invite him over."
The secretary nodded, then left the room to arrange for Gu Yuan's arrival.
Meanwhile, Gu Yuan's side, upon receiving the news from the staff, was directly informed.
Gu Yuan smiled and said, "Let me see the mysterious Martial Pavilion Master!"