Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 83 - 74: Finally Becoming a Guardian

Chapter 83: Chapter 74: Finally Becoming a Guardian

Consideration?

Does this still need consideration?

A nearby old donkey raised its head, its faint Divine Thought urging Yu Hua.

"Little ancestor, don’t scare him away. Don’t you know our situation? Although Yun Miao’s Master is blocking people outside, there are no walls in this world that don’t leak air. Those old monsters always find ways to sneak in."

Dozens or hundreds of names are not an exaggeration. The Cultivation World spans billions of miles, and a True Monarch could take a decade of Flying Escape and might not be able to traverse the heavens and earth. Their Grotto Heavens are as numerous as the stars in the Cycle. No one knows if a hidden exemplary powerhouse or an unknown Grotto Heaven like Taohuayuan might exist in some small ravine.

Furthermore, the life span of the Human Race cultivators is extended. A cultivator with a Seventh Level foundation has a high probability of becoming a True Monarch within a thousand years, and True Monarchs live for three thousand years, with each level of the Fourth Realm extending life by a thousand years.

Though they are not comparable to the bloodline of Innate Divine Beasts, the Human Race has a fast cultivation speed and a complete transmission system. A sect can ensure the stable birth of a True Monarch, and if it cannot guarantee this, it will be eliminated.

Humans too, the majority do not live to die of old age. They either die in Dharma battles, seeking breakthroughs or by celestial tribulations, or they suffer underhanded injuries and die early.

There once was a Wu Yuan True Monarch who was exceptionally skilled at avoiding harm. To avoid karma and not engage in good or evil bonds, he took no disciples, formed no relationships, and possessed no Cultivation Techniques, Magic Treasures, or even Spirit Stones. He then lived to the ripe age of five thousand. When he died, over a hundred True Monarchs attended his funeral.

They had no relations with the deceased; they merely wanted to see a True Monarch who could die of old age.

Survival of the fittest.

Even mortals rarely live to their life’s limit, let alone cultivators with their complex karmas, making old age a rare spectacle.

Gu Wen felt similar to Wu Yuan True Monarch, especially adept at evasion, and the old donkey genuinely feared scaring him away.

Especially since this was a top talent with the Five Spirit Forms! Even a second-generation Three Pure Daoist couldn’t compare to him, making him even more valuable to them.

The old donkey could hardly imagine how much brighter its future would be if it could switch places with Yu Hua. A person who might become the next Venerable of the sect was something he had cultivated himself.

Gu Wen saw Yu Hua’s solemn face and asked with some surprise, "Apart from protecting you, what else should a Guardian do?"

He had known about the role of the Guardian from the beginning, and Yu Hua had mentioned it to him more than once. Originally, one should become a Guardian and then benefit from entering the Immortal Sect; but now that it was reversed, Gu Wen wouldn’t go back on his word.

Mental methods, Cultivation Techniques, recognition of help, and life-saving grace.

To completely benefit from these would make him Zhao Feng, but Yu Hua’s strength likely didn’t need his help much, at least not for him to play babysitter.

Facing a True Monarch, he’d rather need her protection. Still, to be called a Guardian was truly living off her.

Yu Hua ignored the old donkey winking and signifying and straightforwardly stated, "I have already been targeted by sects all over the world and will likely be besieged from all sides in the future. Every cultivator you saw in Bianjing, and those you haven’t, could be deadly enemies."

She knew Gu Wen preferred benefits and avoided harm, but unlike the old donkey, Yu Hua understood his character better.

Moreover, the more dangerous it was, the more important trust became.

Gu Wen asked, "May I know the reason?"

Hostility without cause is impossible, and being an enemy to everyone is difficult.

Life everywhere revolves around profit, and when it moves, it’s also for profit. Otherwise, why would you think my actions are personally against you?

Yu Hua shook her head, "If you agree, I will tell you everything. But if you are reluctant to get involved, knowing might entangle you in karma, and I fear dragging you into this."

Seeing this, the old donkey scratched its head in anxiety, stomping its feet. This statement was indeed about resolving karma.

The saying goes, ’The bell’s ringer can untie the bell.’ With Gu Wen, all karma lies with Yu Hua. By saying to let go, she really meant letting go.

Unexpectedly, Gu Wen didn’t refuse but smiled, "Fellow Daoist, do you know what my current status is? Murdering the Crown Prince in public, the court has offered a reward of one hundred thousand taels for me, and I heard any Daqian soldiers can execute me first and report later. Hehe, the Lord Emperor isn’t afraid of causing a rebellion, to kill me he even decentralized military power."

Gu Wen found this out from a nearby town. One hundred thousand taels were enough for local troops to mobilize a siege. How many years had it been since those soldiers last received their salaries? And such a decree from the Lord Emperor was unprecedented, undoubtedly handing out a knife for rebellion.

Granting autonomy to the military undoubtedly hastened death but seemed to introduce no issues.

Because Daqian had already reached this point, historically, kingdoms tended to decentralize military power in their final years. The authorities knew the consequences—once military power was released, it was hard to get it back. Yet not releasing it could lead to an earlier demise.

"Where I am, wherever the kingdom’s troops are, I’m actually afraid of dragging you, Fellow Daoist, into seeking celestial fortune."

Sshh!

The old donkey gasped, struggling to hold it together.

You boy, hitting on our Heavenly Girl here!

No wait, these two youngsters aren’t dismissing me as trivial, are they? You’re afraid of dragging her down, she’s afraid of dragging you down?

The two paid no mind to the old donkey’s reaction; the firelight reflected on their faces, and they exchanged smiles, understanding each other without words.

"You against Daqian, me against the sects of the world. It seems we offset each other, neither dragging the other down."

Yu Hua extended her hand and said, "Hold my hand, and you will be my Guardian."