Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Fifty-Five: The Seed of Dao

Yin Jia looked at the group who had just awakened, and noticing their lingering confusion, she said, “It seems everyone has just finished their first enlightenment session, and you all look a bit disoriented. Why don’t we have a chat?”

The others were surprised, as if they hadn’t expected her to say this. Observing Yin Jia’s demeanor, it was clear she was trying to accommodate everyone’s state of mind; realizing this, they all nodded in agreement.

Seeing no objections, Yin Jia smiled happily and continued, “Everyone has now experienced enlightenment, so I imagine each of you has your own unique impressions. Is there anyone who would like to share what you gained or felt during the session? Of course, if you have any questions arising from your enlightenment, feel free to ask me. I will answer everything I can.”

The group exchanged glances, each trying to read something from the others’ eyes. They discovered that everyone’s gaze was filled with confusion, mingled with other emotions—excitement, fervor, sadness… a myriad of feelings.

While they sized each other up, those familiar with one another couldn’t help but begin discussing among themselves, recounting their experiences. Amidst this sporadic chatter, a quiet girl in the corner raised her hand and looked toward Yin Jia, saying, “Teacher, I have a few questions for you. May I ask?”

Yin Jia, delighted, nodded and replied, “Of course. Ask away. If you’d also like to share your impressions from earlier, that would be wonderful.”

“Alright,” the girl said, standing and calmly articulating her questions.

“First, during the enlightenment, it felt as though I entered a mysterious space, where I saw many enigmatic symbols floating in the air. I wonder if everyone experienced the same thing?” she asked.

As she spoke, the group, now quiet, nodded in agreement, indicating they had encountered similar phenomena.

On the stage, Yin Jia smiled, as if reminded of something, and said, “Forgive me, I forgot to ask your name earlier. What should I call you?”

“You can call me Jiang Qin, Teacher,” the girl replied graciously.

“Very well,” Yin Jia nodded, then continued, “Just as Jiang Qin described, I can confirm for everyone that what you saw was the same as what Jiang Qin saw. The only difference lies in the choices each of you made.”

No sooner had Yin Jia finished speaking than she turned to Jiang Qin and asked, “What did you choose, Jiang Qin?”

“When I saw those mysterious symbols, I felt an immediate affinity for one shaped like a water droplet. I reached out and placed my hand on it, and then I began the enlightenment experience, though everything felt rather muddled,” Jiang Qin answered truthfully.

“Good, I understand,” Yin Jia nodded and continued, “I imagine everyone is curious about those mysterious symbols you saw?”

Hearing this, the group nodded eagerly, their eyes full of yearning for answers.

Yin Jia did not disappoint. Looking into their hopeful faces, she explained, “Those symbols are the marks of the Great Dao, crafted by generations of elders at Anze Academy using secret techniques as vessels for traces of the Dao. The purpose of the enlightenment class is to perceive these traces. Thus, the symbols you saw are collectively called the Marks of the Dao. The water droplet that Jiang Qin mentioned is the symbol of the Water Dao.”

With Yin Jia’s explanation, realization dawned upon the group, their expressions practically spelling out, “So that’s how it is.”

Seeing their satisfaction at having their questions answered, Yin Jia smiled and turned to Jiang Qin, asking, “Do you have any other questions, Jiang Qin? Please, share them.”

“Yes, I do,” Jiang Qin replied. “After I touched the water droplet symbol, it began transmitting energy into my body. This energy gathered together, stopping at my dantian, where it formed a small droplet—the same shape as the symbol, but much smaller.”

Yin Jia listened patiently and then explained, “That little droplet in your dantian is a Dao Seed, or specifically, the Water Dao Seed. Different marks create different Dao Seeds, but ultimately, they all serve the same purpose. I imagine everyone here has experienced something similar.”

The group nodded, affirming Yin Jia’s words.

Having received her answer, Jiang Qin nodded and continued, “Once the Dao Seed settled in my dantian, I tried to control it, but after many attempts, I couldn’t. It felt like it was asleep—completely unresponsive.”

Ye Junze, who listened quietly like everyone else, wondered inwardly, “Has she not thought to use her spiritual sense to probe it?”

Ye Junze might have forgotten that he himself had trained two years longer than the others and, with the help of the Illusory Realm, had strengthened his sea of consciousness daily. He possessed an unusually powerful spiritual sense, unlike most others. Gaining the first strand of spiritual sense is rare; those with good talent might achieve it in the later stages of Qi Refining, while others may not until Foundation Establishment.

Aside from Ye Junze, many of the students had encountered the same issue as Jiang Qin. They looked to Yin Jia, eager for an answer.

Yin Jia, as ever, did not disappoint. After a moment of thought, she replied, “Because this is your first time perceiving the Water Dao, Jiang Qin, what you experienced is perfectly normal. For everyone here facing similar circumstances, there’s no need to worry. When a Dao Seed first appears in your body, the time needed for it to harmonize with you varies. If your constitution is highly compatible with the Dao Seed, the process is swift; if not, it takes longer. Some special constitutions may require different amounts of time as well.”

Seeing their still puzzled expressions, Yin Jia decided to clarify further. “Perhaps my explanation was unclear. Let me put it another way: since this is the first time a Dao Seed has appeared in your body, it’s normal that you can’t yet command it, as Jiang Qin described. As time passes and you continue to cultivate, this will change. Once your Dao Seed adapts to your body, it will naturally integrate with you, becoming like a part of yourself. So for now, all you need to do is focus on your cultivation.”

With this simple explanation, the group finally understood and nodded in agreement.

Yin Jia, seeing their comprehension, turned to Jiang Qin once more, gently asking, “That answers your previous question. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

Jiang Qin paused to think and then asked, “Based on what you’ve just said, Teacher, does this mean that each person who possesses a different mark will have a different method of cultivation in the future?”

Yin Jia’s eyes shone with appreciation at Jiang Qin’s perceptive question. She looked at Jiang Qin for a moment before praising her, “That’s an excellent question, Jiang Qin. In fact, I was planning to address this later, but since you’ve raised it now, I’ll explain to everyone.”

“In a little while, near the end of class, I’ll be conducting a survey to record the Dao Marks each of you have perceived. This will allow us to tailor future lessons and cultivation methods to help everyone master their Dao Marks more effectively. So, yes, those who possess different Dao Seeds will naturally follow different methods in their cultivation.”

Yin Jia explained patiently.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask, Jiang Qin?” Yin Jia looked at her gently, showing no impatience whatsoever.

Jiang Qin shook her head, indicating she had no further questions.

Yin Jia gestured for her to sit down.

Once Jiang Qin was seated, Yin Jia looked over the group and said, “I’ve answered Jiang Qin’s questions. If anyone else has anything to ask, please feel free.”

No sooner had Yin Jia finished speaking than a young man, who had clearly been waiting, raised his hand. “Teacher, I have a question as well.”

Yin Jia looked toward the voice, recognized the student, and said, “Go ahead.”

The young man stood and spoke directly, “Teacher, I listened to what Jiang Qin and you just discussed. But during my enlightenment, I didn’t perceive any Dao Mark or Dao Seed. I asked a few classmates, and some of them had the same experience. Does this mean we won’t be able to master them in the future?”

After he spoke, several others looked up at Yin Jia, evidently the ones who hadn’t sensed a Dao Mark either.

“Don’t worry,” Yin Jia reassured him. “Remember, our enlightenment class is held every week. Each session is an opportunity to experience enlightenment just like today. So for those who haven’t perceived a Dao Mark yet, there’s no need to be anxious. After class, talk with classmates who succeeded, learn from their experience, and keep trying next time. With effort and dedication, success will come.”

“Do you have any other questions?” Yin Jia asked.

“No, thank you, Teacher,” the young man replied gratefully.

“You’re welcome,” Yin Jia gestured for him to sit.

With Jiang Qin and the young man paving the way, many students who had been harboring questions could no longer contain themselves. Hands shot up all around, and Yin Jia began patiently addressing each query in turn.