Chapter 108 White, Robe-like, Floating Clouds in the Sky (2/2)

A person’s physical body will rot as they age and that would make it more difficult when practicing Qigong that involves the Conception and Governor vessels. However, the spiritual training would never stop.

It was just that, cultivation was more difficult compared to Qigong practice. Buddhism did not focus on the liberation of the physical body but was dedicated to the emancipation of the mind. In this aspect of cultivation, they sure have outdone Daoism.

However, unlike any other ordinary Daoist cultivator, Shen Lian’s strength lied within his spirit.

It had been many years since Kuhui last saw Shen Lian. This time around, he was stunned, to the extent where people around him were not able to understand his excessive reaction. When he met eyes with Shen Lian, he felt that he saw an endless ocean with calm waves; but once it's stirred up, he could be easily crushed by it.

The pedestrians did not notice the oddness in the two people. While Kuhui was still stunned, Shen Lian had come by his side like a breeze of wind.

”It has been 16 years since we last saw each other,” Shen Lian said with a voice as young as his appearance.

He sounded calm and friendly, just like the reflection of the clouds in the river.

Kuhui replied, ”I didn’t expect you to remember so well.”

”It is a natural talent for me to remember things.”

”Do you still remember Ye Liuyun then?” Kuhui replied with all smiles.

”He was an interesting person, in fact, he was more outstanding than I am in certain aspects. But my purpose of existence in this world is not to compare with others,” Shen Lian said as the Dao robe flutters in the wind. He looked empty with nothingness.

Kuhui presumed that even if Shen Lian practiced for another ten years, he would still not be able to win against the Empress. But his presumptions were shaken once he saw Shen Lian.

It was not that Shen Lian had given up on the world but he had adapted to the principles of Daoism that practices to not fight, so that the world too, will not fight against each other.

He finally responded, ”Her Highness would like to meet you the day after tomorrow at the Xiangji Temple.”

Shen Lian replied, ”Her Majesty seems like a ferocious person. She could have summoned me in the Imperial City.” If they met at the Imperial City that was filled with desires, the atmosphere there would have been tensed and suppressive for people who were deeply cultivated like Shen Lian.

Even if Shen Lian was too afraid to show up, it could at least cast a dark shadow in his heart.

However, the Empress gave up the home advantage and picked another venue to meet Shen Lian. This showed that she was highly confident in herself.

Kuhui replied, ”Considering that you’ve long abandoned earthly pursuits, why do you bother getting into the dirt again? Her Highness was beyond any ordinary cultivators and her level could match yours. My advice for you is to be more cautious”

Through his words, he implied that he did not want Shen Lian to meet the Empress but he could not lay it out directly.

He would not have advised Shen Lian if there was a distinct difference in levels between Shen Lian and the Empress. But as both of them equals each other, it was hard for him to tell who was more advantageous than the other.

None of them would benefit should they start fighting. The Da Zhou Dynasty too would not gain anything from it.

If something happened to the Da Zhou Dynasty, it would be the people who would suffer the most.

Shen Lian responded, ”Needless to advise me further. I am intrigued by the Empress and would like to meet her. It is not a big deal. But will you give me this wooden fish?”

Kuhui replied, ”It was my intention to return Tai Wei to you. If not why would I have brought it here?”

Kuhui handed over the silverish grey wooden fish as Shen Lian accepted it; the wooden fish returned to where it came from. It was just that his wooden fish was not any ordinary instrument. Shen Lian was still puzzled why did Qing Xuan not tried to retrieve it when it was smuggled out back then.庄周说梦蝶 － A Chinese proverb meaning to describe a dream that was so vivid, that one could not differentiate the reality and dream anymore, whether did the dream become a reality, or that the reality became the dream.