Qingxu Temple's prestige grew daily, with ten thousand sects paying homage. Every day, countless cultivators came drawn by its reputation, including many young talents with outstanding aptitude and great ambitions. Though Tang Xiaoqi delegated most sect affairs to senior brother and focused on compiling the "World-Purifying Dao Canon" and his own cultivation, he knew deeply that the sect's future lay in the growth of the younger generation, and the concept of "education without discrimination" needed him, as Temple Master, to personally practice and set an example.
Therefore, he established a rule: on every first and fifteenth of the lunar month, at the newly built "Teaching Platform" on the main peak, he would personally expound the Dao for half a day to all young disciples within and outside the sect who had hearts for the Dao, regardless of background or origin, judging only by their determination and moral foundation.
On this day, coinciding with the fifteenth, before dawn, the area around the Teaching Platform was already packed with people. Not only were there inner and outer disciples of Qingxu Temple, but also many young cultivators who had not yet formally entered the sect and were staying in temporary camps at the foot of the mountain awaiting assessment, and even some disciples from other sects who had received special permission to audit while accompanying their elders. Everyone sat cross-legged, silent, looking forward with anticipation, their eyes filled with excitement and longing.
As the morning sun first rose, ten thousand golden rays pierced through the clouds, illuminating the simple white jade podium at the center of the Teaching Platform. A streak of green rainbow flashed, and Tang Xiaoqi's figure quietly appeared on the podium. He was still dressed in a simple green Daoist robe, his expression peaceful, his entire body exuding no imposing pressure but rather a gentle warmth that calmed hearts.
He did not immediately begin expounding profound Dao methods and divine abilities. Instead, his gaze gently swept across those young, spirited faces below as he slowly spoke, his voice not loud but clearly entering everyone's ears like a clear spring in the mountains, cleansing their hearts:
"Today, I will not discuss techniques of slaughter or transmit mysterious cultivation methods. I will only chat with you all about what is 'Dao' and what is 'cultivation.'"
At these words, quite a few young cultivators who had come hoping to learn peerless divine arts couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment on their faces.
Xiao Qi took in everyone's expressions and smiled slightly: "Perhaps some of you think that cultivation is about becoming powerful, about immortality, about living freely and settling grudges as you please. There is nothing wrong with this—pursuing power is a living being's instinct. However, if your eyes see only power and your heart holds only yourself, you are like children holding sharp blades—not only can you not protect yourselves, you may easily hurt yourselves and others, even bringing calamity to the common people."
His tone was peaceful, yet every word struck deeply in everyone's hearts.
"Our Qingxu Temple established the 'Mind-Clearing Institute' and advocates 'equal emphasis on virtue and law' precisely to help you understand that cultivation begins with cultivating the heart. If the heart is not clear, the Dao will not be upright. Power is the vessel that carries the Dao, not the endpoint of the Dao. Do you all know about the western border incident not long ago?"
At the mention of the western border, all the young disciples immediately perked up, their eyes erupting with worshipful light. That was the legend of their Temple Master (True Lord) single-handedly intimidating a hundred thousand alien troops!
Xiao Qi, however, shifted the topic: "The reason I could repel the enemy relied not merely on my cultivation realm. It was because behind me was a sect that needed protecting, a peace that needed defending, and countless living beings who trusted me. This thought of 'protection,' this responsibility of 'shouldering'—this is the source of my power, and also the 'heart-lamp' that you all cannot do without on your future cultivation paths."
He did not speak empty grand principles but combined his own experiences to explain the relationship between "Dao" and "virtue," between "power" and "responsibility" in an accessible and concrete way. From the destruction of Xu Lan Villa to the steadfast defense of Qingxu Temple; from personal growth to responsibility for the Three Realms. He told these young people that true power lay in the light and firmness within one's heart, in the courage to do what seemed impossible, in the cherishing and protection of beautiful things in the world.
As he spoke, the disappointment in the disciples' eyes below had long disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and contemplation. Many disciples from humble backgrounds with mediocre aptitude were moved to tears. For the first time, they felt that the path of cultivation was not only about cold aptitude and resources, but even more about a heart that yearned for the Dao and goodness.
After finishing the concepts, Xiao Qi began answering practical questions disciples encountered in their cultivation. He did not directly give answers but guided them to think, starting from the essence of problems.
An outer disciple was troubled by slow progress in drawing qi into his body, seeming to have poor aptitude. Xiao Qi did not scold or dismiss him but instead asked: "Have you ever observed the mountain streams? They wind when they meet stones, fill when they encounter depressions. Seemingly weak, they ultimately flow into rivers and seas. Cultivation is the same—do not be obsessed with momentary speed. Find your own suitable 'channel,' persist unwaveringly, and water will eventually pierce through stone—you will achieve results." He even combined this disciple's own weak earth spirit root characteristics to point out a clumsy yet solid method of absorbing earth vein spiritual energy and accumulating gradually, making that disciple suddenly enlightened and grateful to tears.
Another young man from overseas with deep blue skin, a sea clan youth, asked anxiously whether Qingxu Temple's human cultivation methods were suitable for him. Xiao Qi carefully sensed the different water-attribute energy fluctuations within his body and smiled: "The Great Dao has the same origin, ten thousand methods return to one source. I see that the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion has collected several fragments left by ancient water immortals—their operational principles may have commonalities with your clan's natural gifts. You may go to the pavilion and consult Elder Luo Feng (spirit form); perhaps you can find a new path." The sea clan youth was so excited he nearly revealed his true form, bowing repeatedly.
There was also a disciple with an impatient temperament who repeatedly injured himself while cultivating fire-attribute techniques. Xiao Qi used his own experience controlling the Purifying Lotus Heart Fire as an example, cautioning him that "fire" did not only have the aspect of violent destruction, but also the meanings of warmth, light, and creation—it needed to be controlled by the mind, not be enslaved by power.
His guidance was not one-size-fits-all but tailored to each individual, teaching according to aptitude. Regardless of disciples' backgrounds, aptitudes, or what methods they cultivated, he could always start from their own situations and give the most appropriate, most enlightening direction. His knowledge was so vast, his insights so profound, his vision so broad that everyone present, young and old, was deeply convinced.
Half a day of teaching passed in a flash. When Xiao Qi announced the end of today's lecture, the disciples below all showed reluctant expressions, many still immersed in their earlier realizations.
"I hope you all remember," Xiao Qi said finally, "entering my Qingxu Temple, what you cultivate is not only techniques but even more so character. I hope you can be like this rising morning sun, with light in your hearts and feet on the ground. In the future, regardless of how high your achievements, may you all become pillars who illuminate and protect your own regions. Qingxu Temple's gates will forever be open to those with hearts for the Dao and upright character!"
As his words fell, the Teaching Platform was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous, heartfelt voices of respect: "We will respectfully follow the Temple Master's teachings!"
From then on, the lectures on the first and fifteenth of each month became the event most anticipated by young cultivators in Qingxu Temple and even the entire cultivation world. Tang Xiaoqi, with his profound and vast cultivation, high and broad vision, and patient and inspiring teaching, truly put the concept of "education without discrimination" into practice.
Under his personal guidance, Qingxu Temple's new generation of disciples grew rapidly. Their cultivation was solid, and even more rare was their pure and good character, broad vision, and spirit full of vitality and responsibility. Within the sect, a good atmosphere of respecting teachers and the Dao, mutual help and friendship, courageous exploration, and concern for the common people was formed. Large numbers of outstanding disciples with different backgrounds and aptitudes emerged, making Qingxu Temple's atmosphere entirely new, truly displaying the majestic bearing of a sacred land with noble righteousness and all-encompassing inclusiveness.
And this fresh wind, as these disciples grew and spread out, gradually influenced the future direction of the entire cultivation world. The seeds Tang Xiaoqi had planted were taking root and sprouting on this fertile soil, growing strong.