It was like a cold spring in the mountains, suppressing all the lively laughter at the entrance.
Gu Tang's heart stirred slightly, and he turned to look into the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
The other party did not appear, but had already figured out what was happening at the door.
Moreover, the sound came through the layers of eaves, sounding so clear, yet it didn't make people feel pressured at all.
Most importantly, Gu Tang was unable to discern the level of cultivation of the other party from this voice.
It seems that the other party is stronger than me.
So, is this person the Imperial Advisor?
After the voice spoke, the area outside the door immediately fell silent.
The man who had been most cheerful in mocking Gu Tang even bowed respectfully towards the main gate and said, "Listen to the Imperial Preceptor's admonition."
"Gifts are illusions, birthdays are illusions, love letters are illusions. All things in the world are but fleeting clouds to me, a cultivator; only cultivation is the true path."
The voice rang out again: "I have told you all before that today's banquet is merely a gathering to discuss the path of cultivation. If you let gifts shake your resolve to cultivate, you are putting the cart before the horse, and that is utterly absurd!"
Gu Tang: "..."
These words sound rather familiar!
"Besides, I have repeatedly advised His Highness not to waste his energy on such matters. If he does not bring anything into my National Preceptor's residence this year, it would be the best gift for me."
After a moment of silence, the Imperial Advisor slowly said, "I am very pleased that Your Highness has come empty-handed today. Please, please take the seat of honor!"
Gu Tang: "..."
Guan Yan was so excited that his face turned completely red.
He looked in the direction of the Imperial Preceptor's residence, his eyes shining brightly, and said, "The Imperial Preceptor is truly wonderful. No wonder my mother always said that only someone like the Imperial Preceptor deserves the title of a deity. Only a kind person like the Imperial Preceptor can probably ascend to immortality."
After Guan Yan finished speaking, she quietly tugged at Gu Tang's sleeve: "Your Highness, the Imperial Preceptor invites you in."
Gu Tang: "...I know."
His expression was unusually complicated.
Yes, what he just said sounded exactly what he wanted to hear.
The path of cultivation is arduous. Even if one is wholeheartedly devoted to the path, it is too easy to go astray and, if one is not careful, one's soul and spirit will perish.
Therefore, practitioners should, as the National Preceptor said, regard all things as illusions.
Only spiritual practice is the right path.
If the time and place were different, Gu Tang would almost consider this imperial advisor a close friend.
But doesn't he still have a mission to complete?!
Surprisingly, Gu Tang even felt a bit of a toothache.
However, we can only take it one step at a time.
At least Gu Tang did feel that the Imperial Advisor had just helped him out of a predicament.
After he said those words, no one around him laughed at him anymore.
As if they had heard some sacred teaching, those people stood silently in place, lost in thought.
Gu Tang led Guan Yan straight into the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
After passing a screen and crossing a spacious area, we finally arrived at the main hall of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
Even from the outside, one can see that the entire Imperial Preceptor's Mansion is magnificent and spacious.
As Gu Tang walked along, he noticed that although the buildings were tall and imposing.
However, the interior decoration is very simple, even rustic.
Thinking back to what the Grand Preceptor said earlier, he was truly devoted to the Dao, and had even integrated the principle of the Great Dao being simple into his daily life.
Numerous tables and chairs had already been prepared inside the main hall.
On the table were some ordinary food items and teacups.
There was no alcohol, nor any delicacies to satisfy our appetites.
Even the servants who walked through the main hall to pour tea and water were all simply dressed young men.
Gu Tang looked around, his gaze finally settling on the man sitting in the main seat.
The other person was wearing a blue robe with a matching belt casually tied around their waist.
The entire robe had no superfluous decorations or patterns.
It's just ordinary clothes that everyone wears when walking down the street.
"Your Highness, Ninth Prince." The other person greeted Gu Tang politely as he entered, "Please."
Gu Tang: "..."
He looks so much like Qin Junche.
No!
His breathing suddenly became heavy.
It should be said that this imperial advisor and another person deep in his memory are almost identical in appearance and temperament.
But Gu Tang quickly calmed down.
He bowed to the other party, saying, "Thank you, Grand Preceptor, for rescuing me from that predicament."
"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities." The Imperial Preceptor smiled slightly, his eyes clear and bright. "I am also happy for Your Highness that you have suddenly become enlightened, let go of your obsessions, and devoted yourself to the Dao."
When he said these words to Gu Tang, his expression showed genuine joy.
But there was an indescribable sense of estrangement in that joy.
It was as if he were truly a god overlooking the world, with the entire world contained in his heart.
All life is in his eyes, yet all life is not in his eyes.
Gu Tang smiled bitterly.
Following the other person's directions, he casually chose a small table and sat down.
The Grand Preceptor's offer to take a seat was not a casual remark; the seat he invited Gu Tang to sit was indeed not far from him.
So close that Gu Tang only needed to raise his eyes to see the other person's face clearly.
The other person's long, jet-black hair was tied back with an ebony hairpin.
Then there are his deep and handsome features, just like Qin Junche's.
Unlike his aloof Daoist partner, this Imperial Preceptor possessed a detached and indifferent demeanor.
Gu Tang knew perfectly well where that composure came from.
It is a heart filled with compassion and kindness for all living beings, and a steadfast heart that truly and wholeheartedly pursues the Dao.
Gu Tang felt that this joke had gone too far.
For a fleeting moment, he even considered giving up on the mission in despair, regardless of the ups and downs of the world or whether he could be reborn and overcome the tribulation.
He'll just stay in this world and be a useless prince with no talent for cultivation.
As for children and such...
He didn't even dare to think about it.
Gu Tang picked up his teacup and took a sip.
The delicate aroma of tea wafted from his tongue, but it did nothing to soothe the anxiety in his heart.
"Your Highness." Perhaps sensing Gu Tang's inner anxiety, the Imperial Advisor turned to look at him again.
“At the beginning of cultivation, there will always be various inner demons causing trouble, you don’t need to worry about them.” The National Preceptor said with a slight smile, “Just like the inner demons you had three years ago, you have overcome them now.”
He nodded to Gu Tang: "I am very pleased."
Gu Tang: "..."
I'm afraid you'll be terrified if I tell you!
His inner demons not only did not dissipate, but became even more terrifying.
"If you encounter any problems in your cultivation in the future, feel free to come and discuss them with me." The Grand Preceptor continued to smile at Gu Tang. "I started earlier than you. Although I dare not say that I can help you with everything, I can always share my experience so that you can avoid detours."
I have a problem right now!
Gu Tang remained silent, taking one sip of tea after another.
For the first time, he actually wished that it was wine instead of tea.
Either let him get so drunk that he's unconscious.
Alternatively, give him the courage to take that first step.
Unfortunately, even the flavor of the tea is getting weaker and weaker.
After that, until the banquet was almost over, Gu Tang did not say another word.
Many people came to the banquet, but the Imperial Advisor did not speak to him again.
But occasionally, during discussions, he would smile at Gu Tang and nod encouragingly.
Gu Tang: "..."
I'm feeling a bit anxious.
Even after most of the guests had left, Gu Tang remained seated and did not move.
The Imperial Advisor did not urge him.
He sat in the main seat, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were recalling something.
“Imperial Preceptor.” Gu Tang suddenly stood up.
There was one question he absolutely had to get to the bottom of.
Ask them directly.
"Hmm?" The Imperial Advisor looked at Gu Tang with a gentle smile. "Ninth Prince, please speak."