Chapter 958: Cultivation (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Votes)
Chapter 958: Cultivation (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Votes)
There were many teachers in the Shu region, and some were quite renowned, but Fang Xi met several who were mostly pedantic mediocrities, only knowing the classical literary particles and rote learning.
It was only by chance, during a visit to a bird and flower market, that he saw inscriptions on an antique gold artifact that were somewhat similar to flower and bird script. He then had a sudden realization and went to find several old antique appraisers, and also ordered Yan Jia to find some masters specializing in epigraphy. Only then, bit by bit, did he piece together some fragmented texts.
Finally, that one page of the 'Earth Source Golden Tome' was completed by Fang Xi, using his own wisdom, by a combination of deduction and educated guesses.
Fortunately, most of these ancient seal scripts expounded upon the principles of heaven and earth, almost akin to laws. . . translating them with his Earthly Immortal level insight should not lead to any major errors.
Alas, Fang Xi had only seen one page of the 'Earth Source Golden Tome' and had not read the entire work.
At this moment, the bright moon hung high.
Inside the mansion.
Fang Xi sat cross-legged, opened his pouch-like artifact bag, and took out the Daoist scriptures of Cloud Rain Daoist.
However, Fang Xi wasn't picky now. He took out a scroll and carefully studied it, comparing it with the introductory chapter of the 'Earth Source Golden Tome' he had deduced, gaining much understanding of this world's cultivation methods:
"Cultivators of this world, whether from orthodox Daoist sects or unorthodox demonic paths, should all first cultivate a strand of True Qi and magic power! Magic power solidifies into talismans, forming the basis for many spells!"
"But even at this step, there are many differences."
On the 'Earth Source Golden Tome', an entire page was used to describe this step. It required cultivators to first quiet their minds and bodies, remain untainted, maintain this state of "six senses purity," and undergo "Hundred-Day Foundation Establishment. " It was essential to make the furnace-cauldron perfect and forge a superior Dao foundation. Then, using this Dao foundation to refine qi, one would collect the purest and cleanest energies of heaven and earth, such as the 'Great Sun Purple Qi' and 'Nine Heavens Pure Qi'. The True Qi magic power thus cultivated was named 'Earth Palace Primordial True Qi', ranked as the sixth tier among the nine grades and twenty-seven qualities of True Qi, with limitless wondrous uses. Furthermore, using it to refine magic power would result in an incredibly solid foundation, surpassing those of unorthodox paths by tens or even hundreds of times. Their future achievements would naturally far exceed others, with the hope of ascending to true fruition!
"In contrast, the Old Crow Monastery cultivation method involves visualization and spirit preservation, regulating breath and absorbing qi, combined with talismans, and harmonizing magic power. . . The magic power cultivated is extremely impure, likely barely reaching the first tier. . . Future achievements will naturally be extremely limited. Not to mention achieving the Rogue Immortal Dao Fruit, even entering and exiting the Azure Nether as a Sword Immortal would be difficult. At most, one could use 'Hundred-Step Flying Sword' and be merely a Sword Knight. . ."
"Could this be the biggest difference between orthodox Daoist sects and unorthodox paths in this world? Is the quality of True Qi determined from the very beginning? It's also greatly different from the 'spiritual root cultivation method'."
The spiritual root cultivation method involves first Qi Refinement, then Foundation Establishment, followed by Core Formation and Nascent Soul, progressing upwards. As long as one is in the same major realm, there isn't much difference in magic power quality.
However, the methods of this world mostly involve 'Foundation Establishment' first, then 'Qi Refinement'.
Even after cultivating True Qi magic power, one needs to continuously purify it. Some even don't follow the path of Golden Core and Nascent Soul, directly refining qi to its peak, continuously purifying their own 'Innate Primordial Qi', ultimately achieving the 'Celestial Immortal Dao Fruit' where form and spirit are perfectly wondrous, and a single breath gives birth to creation, somewhat similar to the path of ancient Qi Refiners.
Others directly manifest a Nascent Soul from True Qi, and then refine the Nascent Soul into a Primordial Spirit, gaining the Rogue Immortal Dao Fruit.
Fang Xi deduced these conclusions from the 'Earth Source Golden Tome' and couldn't help but feel speechless.
The contents of this book ended here, after all, he had only seen one page.
If it weren't for the multi-meaning nature of ancient flower and bird script, containing infinite information, he probably wouldn't have been able to comprehend these mysteries.
"According to what Mo Yi Zui said, major figures who have refined a Primordial Spirit are either sect masters of major factions, or giants of evil paths, or overseas Rogue Immortals. . ."
"It seems that the renowned orthodox sects indeed have high standards for accepting disciples, all aiming to become immortals. . . Even if they don't succeed in one lifetime, they can reincarnate several times to try again, which is quite a tricky advantage."
Fang Xi gave a wry smile, knowing that his previous idea of joining a major sect was ultimately like the moon in the water or flowers in a mirror.
Holding the Old Crow Monastery's Daoist scriptures, he skipped the superficial methods of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement from before and looked at the later few magical arts and divine abilities.
Old Crow Monastery was a third-rate unorthodox path, and the highest achievement in the monastery didn't even reach the Primordial Spirit stage.
The later chapters were all about spells, including the incantations and forbidden arts for refining the 'Flying Fire Shuttle', and techniques for condensing and utilizing several types of malevolent qi, such as 'Black Wind Crow Blood Fiend Qi'.
If these were obtained by ordinary martial artists and they cultivated a bit of skill, they could be called "unorthodox Sword Knights," Grandmaster-level figures who establish sects in the martial world.
If they had great ambition, perhaps they could even contend for the position of Martial Alliance Leader?
Fang Xi merely skimmed through it, then came to the last chapter.
The final chapter of this Old Crow Monastery Daoist scripture was a method for taming exotic crows. It required finding crows of innate spiritual intelligence, or simply taming an exotic divine crow. Then, combined with various spell incantations, talisman water, and blood meals for rearing, it would make them more ferocious. After mastering the refining process, one could attach a wisp of divine consciousness to them, allowing them to roam the Azure Nether and investigate intelligence. They could also be refined into 'Crow Dao Soldiers', and if there were many, they could even form a 'Black Demon Grand Array', whose power was considered decent among unorthodox paths.
If the Old Crow Monastery's cultivation method were cultivated to its extreme, one could also kill the crows they had tamed to be as responsive as an arm, add other spiritual medicines, and refine a 'Crow Transformation Pill'. After circulating their cultivation to refine it, the cultivator themselves could transform into an exotic divine crow. Their flying speed would be unparalleled, their iron beak and steel claws would be sharper than any divine weapon or sharp artifact, and a pair of red eyes would be adept at seeing through all kinds of illusions and falsehoods. . .
"Indeed, the gap between orthodox Daoist sects and unorthodox paths is too vast."
"This Old Crow Monastery cultivation method, even cultivated to its peak, would probably still be fodder for Mo Yi Zui to casually slay with a single sword strike. . ."
Fang Xi was utterly speechless: "However, this world's karma is strict, and its tribulations are like a net. If a cultivator lacks sufficient merit or external achievements, as soon as a thought arises, it's easy to attract disaster. . ."
"My forcibly seeking immortal destiny, I'm afraid there might also be some obstacles. . ."
"At this moment, I still need to quickly cultivate magic power and step into the great gate of the cultivation world, only then can I maximize my own advantages!"
His greatest advantage was his extremely high Dao cultivation, being an Earthly Immortal of a realm. Although from the True Immortal World, he was also at the Primordial Spirit level!
Once he obtained magic power, the key, he could gradually transform.
Besides that, high Dao cultivation represents profound divination techniques!
One could say that if he cultivates another excellent divination technique, Fang Xi's divination ability would not be inferior to the sect masters of major factions!
Only in this way can he survive in this world!
Otherwise, it would truly be a step-by-step net, falling into a trap with a single misstep.
"Hmm. . . Unorthodox cultivators have impure magic power and are not skilled in heavenly secrets. They often remain clueless even when disaster strikes. In contrast, orthodox Daoist sects can seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, and even help disciples transfer tribulations, calculating all kinds of good fortune. . . This is again the difference between heaven and earth. ""In recent times, before cultivating magic power, it's best to go out less. . ."
Fang Xi already faintly sensed that his own tribulation was not far off.
If he passes this tribulation, then there is hope of continuing to cultivate the Dao. If he cannot pass it, he might have to succumb to the tribulation and face the calamity of a wisp of his true spirit reincarnating anew.
As for more detailed information, without cultivating magic power, he couldn't deduce it at all.
"Actually, reincarnation isn't bad either. . . I was just thinking of comprehending the laws of reincarnation. As for danger? Would my External Avatar be afraid of danger?"
"But even ants cling to life, I should still struggle a bit when necessary. . ."
In fact, Fang Xi immediately thought of a choice.
"If I take the path of orthodox Daoist sects, the Hundred-Day Foundation Establishment would take too long. . . If I take the unorthodox path for magic power, then perhaps in a short while, I could cultivate magic power!"
This was also a clever trick, but unfortunately, changing one's magic power foundation is extremely difficult. Otherwise, so many orthodox Daoist disciples wouldn't, with a single wrong thought, fall into unorthodox paths and be forced to reincarnate and re-cultivate. . .
Fang Xi also discovered that the orthodox Daoist methods of this Great Thousand World prioritize innate talent, or cultivation aptitude!
Comparatively speaking, even a Heaven-grade spiritual root from the True Immortal World would probably be a useless person with imbalanced Five Elements in this world.
"In other words, the 'Spiritual Root Cultivation Method' of the True Immortal World is instead considered to have opened a great door of convenience. As long as one has resources, they can gradually advance? Perhaps, this could also be called 'Mortal Law'?"
Upon this thought, Fang Xi's true spirit trembled, sensing an even greater tribulation.
This was a struggle between cultivation lineages!
If he were to establish his Dao in this world, saving countless people, boundless merit would surely descend. At the same time, there would also be boundless karma!
I fear that with a single thought, I could trigger a great calamity for all living beings!
This was the terror of a mighty being from outside this world!
However, Fang Xi was always lazy and had no such thoughts.
He came to this world to collect laws of reincarnation, Celestial Immortal inheritances, and even various immortal flying swords. . .
Foolishly making himself an enemy of heaven and earth would be far too unwise.
Moreover, this world is not the Earth Immortal World, where his main body could sweep all before him, unmatched.
He still needed to be cautious when necessary.
Of course, if pushed too hard, it's hard to say.
Fang Xi meditated in quiet contemplation. Before he knew it, a night had passed, and the eastern sky had already turned white.
He came into the garden, silently visualizing and preserving his spirit. . . breathing in and out facing the East, where dawn was breaking but not yet fully bright.
For mortal people, this first step in cultivating the Dao is incredibly difficult.
How difficult is it to gather all one's thoughts and subdue the 'mind monkey' within?
However, for Fang Xi, it was incredibly easy. It wasn't long before he entered meditative absorption in stillness, his mind becoming ethereal and clear, drawing in a wisp of the morning sun's purple qi from the East.
This is the most selfless gift bestowed by heaven and earth upon cultivators, available only for this brief moment each day, and it is extremely beneficial for tempering one's True Essence.
Inhale. . . exhale. . .
As Fang Xi's nostrils flared, in his meditation, he saw a wisp of purple qi descend, integrating with his physical body. The joints throughout his body crackled like popping beans.
"Cough, cough!"
His lungs felt a tingling itch. He coughed up several clumps of bloody phlegm, and then felt completely refreshed throughout his body.
Cultivators gather qi to form magic power, therefore, the first step of Foundation Establishment is naturally to clear the lungs.
At this moment, Fang Xi only felt his pores open throughout his body, and his already perfected breathing technique actually seemed to break through a major bottleneck, entering the realm of 'Innate Embryonic Breathing'.
"As expected, cultivators are stronger than martial artists. . ."
"This is only the first step of Foundation Establishment, and it already brings me such great benefits. . ."
A trace of emotion appeared on Fang Xi's face.
Perhaps in other Great Thousand Worlds, there exist realms where martial arts reach divinity.
But in this Great Thousand World, cultivation of immortals remains supreme, and the difference between immortals and mortals is unimaginably vast.
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