The Urban Dao Child

The phoenix laughed and the world became radiant. The laws of Dao overpowered the laws of physics. Yang Dao sat on the boulder with a serene smile on his face. After a few moments when the phoenix calmed down, she flickered her wings, and magically the black and white dress of the Dao Child was wrapped over Yang Dao.

The boy stood from the boulder and found a pair of cloth shoes on the ground. He put the shoes on and raised his head to look at the phoenix but only to find Feng Yun standing in front of him. She wore attire similar to him but the top was styled for a lady.

This was also the first time when Yang Dao noticed a trimming on the dress worn by the familiar. Recalling the past travels, Laohu Bai had a green thread seam on her dress, Ryu Jinshi had an Azure thread, while now Feng Yun had a vermillion thread seam. These thread seams must be the representation of their elements.

The boy looked at his attire and found nothing like this. He asked, “Where is my elemental color thread?”

Feng Yun smiled and said, “When all the elements come together they form the gold color. You have a golden seam already, do you not?”

Yang Dao opened his eyes wide and raised a thumb to praise the lady. Feng Yun said, “Master, now we get past the gate.”

Unknown to the boy the archway now seemed to be holding a glowing curtain within its bounds. Yang Dao also found that the marks on the archway were all glowing with a dim vermillion light. He did not ask what it was and directly walked through the glowing light while he held onto Feng Yun’s jade palm.

…

On the Dao Island, the three people heaved a sigh of relief collectively. Atsuji Kurogame said, “Thank heavens, for bestowing Master with his talent.”

Laohu Bai said, “The heavens had given everyone an equal qualification. It is the choices we make that make us better than the rest. He suffered things like none others, he prevailed and made himself what he is. So, thank Master for being Master.” her voice was not cold but it was indifferent.

Ryu Jinshi nodded and said, “The way we tried to deal with things was wrong. It could have destroyed everything before it was even created. It is his choice that we all could see this day, otherwise, he could have killed us all and diverted from his path.”

Atsuji Kurogame nodded heavily, he realized that in his excitement of the completion of the trail he has forgotten the edge of destruction they had faced a month ago.

… ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

After passing through the curtain of light, Yang Dao and Feng Yun arrived at a barren-looking place. The boy looked at the beautiful lady beside him with a look of askance. Feng Yun replied with a smile, “This place is the Eternal Battlefield.”

She waved her hand and the two people rose into the sky. Feng Yun continued speaking, “This place is where the future is either created or destroyed. This is the land of elements. Fire is the most volatile element in the chain, it can create a master artwork if handled with care, but a slight mishandling and the artwork will be destroyed.

Fire also represents the word strength in the world. So, the people of this world all use strength to make decisions. This land is governed by four forces, all mastering one element each. The surprising thing is that never in this world, there has been a person who can practice the fire element born in the water elemental forces. The reason, unknown. The same is true for every other force.”

Yang Dao was given the basic knowledge of this place by Feng Yun. This led him to a different series of questions. He asked, “Where are the books of laws?”

Feng Yun sighed and said, “Non-existent. None of your predecessors passed the trial of fire, so the records of their visits do not exist. You will have to learn and master the laws on your own. However, I can give you a hint.”

Yang Dao nodded to her, he had expected this when he was told outside that no one ever passed this trial. Feng Yun said, “Horizon is your journal.”

That was it, another obscure hint. However, this hint could help him in the future. Feng Yun did not help him much, she was there to guide him and not to make things easier for him. Neither did the boy expect her to do anything like that. He has relied on himself when it came to strength. Why would he need someone to pave the way for him now?

This land was going to be his work. He believed that improvising was good, but when you get to start something from scratch you have a greater room for the creation process, you can do things the way you want and you will not be limited by the predefined criteria.

He asked Feng Yun, “Can we go to a civilized place first?”

The lady nodded and they were about to fly when the spirit of the ring asked, “Master, can I be the mount for you two?”

Yang Dao nodded, the ring turned into a giant golden crow. Amber bowed her head to the two people and positioned herself below them. Yang Dao was the first to land on her back and sit down while Feng Yung followed him and sat down on the feathery back. She said, “Choose a direction at random, Amber. We will let you take us to our first destination.”

The golden crow nodded and let out a caw. Then it flew toward the east direction. It was the basic instinct of the bird. She was born from the core of the sun and liked to travel from the direction the sun rose.

Yang Dao looked forward to what he will learn in this place. It was a surprise to him when Feng Yun told him he will be the first one to leave a mark here.. He wanted to do the best that he could and with such thoughts, the people flew away in the sky.