Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 358 - 2: The Legacy of an Old Friend

Chapter 358: Chapter 2: The Legacy of an Old Friend

Emerging from his cage, Gu Wen seemed like a country bumpkin entering the city for the first time, curiously peeking around and entering every shop that caught his eye.

Pills, Spirit Fruits, Magic Treasures, Vestment robes, Arrays, secret manuals, and more—he could barely take them all in.

Standing in front of a stall, Gu Wen spotted a string of "candied hawthorns" and curiously asked,

"Excuse me, how much are these candied hawthorns for sale?"

"What ’excuse me’? Where are you from, bumpkin? At least address me as True Man or Fellow Daoist. These aren’t candied hawthorns; they are Five Elements Spiritual Fruits."

The Foundation Establishment female cultivator looked disdainfully at Gu Wen, unable to discern his cultivation level due to her limited perception.

Of course, she wouldn’t recklessly probe someone else’s cultivation—it’d be akin to flipping through someone’s wallet to count how many copper coins they had.

"Look at you, can’t even afford a Vestment robe. How about I offer you some ways to make a living? I see your appearance is decent, though not handsome, your disposition has the aura of an ascetic monk, which quite a few older women find attractive."

Hearing this, Gu Wen was not angry; instead, he found it amusing.

Laughing, he said, "I was born a farmer. My appearance isn’t ugly but also not outstanding. You’d want to recommend me into the flesh trade?"

Cultivators are indeed worldly, merely linking various trades to cultivation, even prostitution is termed as Dual Cultivation. This was Gu Wen’s initial impression, and he wasn’t too surprised by it.

After all, cultivation wasn’t about instantly becoming an Immortal upon receiving Spiritual Energy. That kind of divine poise was at least upheld by True Monarchs. The rest of the cultivators still farmed or sold themselves if need be.

The only difference was that lineage inheritance among cultivators wasn’t universal; hence, hierarchy was often masked by gifted talents and cultivation levels.

There were disciples of Major Sects, minor sects, and Loose Cultivators and others, but they weren’t inherently wealthy.

Mortals live as ordinary people in ancient times, and cultivators live as contemporary people in ancient settings.

They materially enjoyed a richer lifestyle and longer life than modern beings, with a lifetime free from sickness and pain, starting from an average age of a hundred.

Gu Wen felt this suited him. If all cultivators were cast from the same mold, all reclusive like Brother Xiao, that would be too dull.

Exploring the manifolds of life, the myriad forms of beings—that’s what made it interesting.

"Oh, who cares about being mundane or not? Qingcang Immortal once said not to distinguish between Immortals and mortals since we’re not Immortals to begin with. Isn’t it all just flesh and blood?"

Thinking Gu Wen had interests, the female cultivator quickly added fuel to the fire, "Think about it, with Spirit Stones you can afford a Vestment robe, and with a robe, find a Dao companion. Look at those youths over there, then at yourself."

Gu Wen followed where she was pointing and saw, about thirty meters away, a group of young men and women standing in front of a Magic Treasure shop, wearing the same sect uniforms, graceful in white robes and carrying swords.

Exactly fitting the stereotype of cultivators in Gu Wen’s mind.

’It looks very much like Brother Xiao’s attire.’

The nearby female cultivator seemed to confirm his guess, saying, "You don’t recognize it, do you? That’s recognized as the foremost among militaries, beyond Buddhist, Daoist, and Demons; disciples of Broken Sword Mountain. That Vestment may seem silken, but it’s actually made from millions of refined iron threads with astonishing defensive capacities."

She then gave a long lecture to Gu Wen about the Vestment robes.

To sum up, Vestments were of three kinds: top-grade Golden Silk Cloud Pattern, middle-grade Fine Iron and Copper Robes, and even the lowest grade was fireproof and waterproof.

Due to different materials and refining methods, they would present these three different forms.

"Even the lowliest dressed in silky robes, and you’re dressed too shabbily, your clothes are both old and worn. Out in the world, man relies on clothing just like Buddha relies on gilding."

Gu Wen looked down at his old Daoist robe, recalling that it used to have gold threads and cloud patterns, but eight hundred years had left nothing.

"It’s true, but if not for poverty, how would my Dao exist?"

He joked, then stood up to leave, but the female cultivator followed him a few steps, saying,

"Are you sure you don’t want a way to make a living? I’m an external steward in Qianfeng Tower; if you change your mind, come find me. With your disposition, you can truly earn a great amount of Spirit Stones."

At that remark, the surrounding people turned to look.

Even the disciples of Broken Sword Mountain afar glanced over, those quick enough could still see Gu Wen’s face, those a bit slower missed him entirely.

Youngsters most cared about three things, appearance, reputation, and talent.

Those who didn’t see asked around, those who did shared their views, then they were interrupted by the tallest female Sword Cultivator among them.

Her voice cold, she said, "Trouble comes from careless talk, don’t speak poorly of others. If he were a great power senior, what would you do if he held you accountable?"

"Senior sister, he’s dressed like that. Even if he were a great power senior, I believe a senior who could dress so simply wouldn’t mind such comments."

One of the male disciples waved his hand nonchalantly, garnering agreement from others.

Those who cared about appearances wouldn’t dress so shabbily; the opposite indicated a lack of concern.

"It’s not a great power, but we shouldn’t casually speak of others. Being a person is like refining a sword; if the heart isn’t straight, how can the body be proper or the sword be refined?"

The woman’s gaze shifted slightly, and her junior brothers and sisters closed their mouths at once, demonstrating her long-held authority.

"However, that man just now indeed seemed special, unknown from where this ascetic monk might be. In coarse blue cloth, carrying nothing, not even a Qiankun Bag."

"Senior sister, you’re making a judgment too."

"Compliments bring no offense."

"Senior sister preaches tolerance!"

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Wandering for a day and a night, Gu Wen had not even seen one-thousandth of what Two Realms City had to offer.

Endless shops, diverse people, different matters—walking into any alley brought new discoveries.