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Chapter 351

On the second day, Su Hao, carrying two vials of prepared genetic modification liquid, arrived at a secluded corner within the immortal sect. After confirming no one was around, he quickly manifested a diamond armor beneath his feet, forming a runic teleportation array.

Su Hao placed one vial at the center of the teleportation array and relayed a message to Yashan through a small black room, “Yashan, are you ready? Initiate the runic array disc!”

The voice of Yashan manifested in the small black room, “Ready, Boss Wei. Activate the runic array disc now!”

Su Hao then activated the runic array disc beneath his feet. In the next moment, two distant runic array discs simultaneously activated and sustained operation. In less than ten seconds, a faint smile appeared on Su Hao’s lips, “It worked!”

The spaces connected within the two spatial runic array discs, and a small disc nested inside the inner circle of the spatial runic array disc started up. The light above slightly distorted, and the reagent on the disc vanished.

Entering the space of the ball, Su Hao asked, “Yashan, did you receive it?”

Excitedly, Yashan replied, “Received, Boss Wei!”

Su Hao smiled, “It seems the runic array disc is indeed effective!”

Having sent the reagent to Yashan, Su Hao’s task was complete. He leisurely returned to his room, entered a meditative state, and began cultivating his ‘mind.’

“According to the Master’s explanation, merely sensing spiritual energy is not enough. At least, the ‘mind’ needs to possess a stronger ‘meticulous’ ability to transform spiritual energy into spiritual power. So, what is ‘spiritual energy’? I understand that, but what about ‘spiritual power’?”

A month passed as Su Hao focused on cultivation.

One day, Su Hao reached the peak, where Feng Cheng had been waiting. As Su Hao arrived, Feng Cheng quickly ran over with a small stool, “Senior Brother Feng Wei, please have a seat.”

Being born into a noble family and surrounded by lackeys, Feng Cheng had learned a bit of finesse. Now, when he employed his ‘lackey’ skill, it felt completely natural.

Su Hao sat down as a matter of course, took out a book, and started reading. Seeing the dazzling sunlight, Feng Cheng moved to the sunny side to shade Su Hao.

For the smooth progress of cultivation and the extension of life, Feng Cheng was also putting in great effort.

When Feng Ling arrived, Feng Cheng, in high spirits, set up a small stool, “Master, please have a seat!”

What should have been a solemn master-disciple meeting turned into a casual teatime talk.

Feng Ling didn’t mind and sat down, saying, “Feng Wei, Feng Cheng, let’s hear about your current progress in cultivation.”

Su Hao stated, “Master, my ‘mind’ has achieved meticulousness, and I can proceed to the next stage of cultivation!”

Feng Cheng added, “Master, I can now enter a meditative state…”

Feng Ling, unsurprised, said, “Very well. Feng Wei, let’s move on to the next phase of cultivation. Feng Cheng, continue practicing your cultivation technique!”

Feng Ling casually handed a small booklet to Su Hao, “This is the ‘Qi Induction’ part of the ‘Cloud Amidst Moon Spirit Technique.’ Memorize it all, and I’ll explain it to you.” Su Hao took it, read through it, and said, “Master, I’ve memorized it.”

Feng Ling, though anticipating it, always found it somewhat unbelievable whenever she witnessed Su Hao’s performance of the ‘Speed Memorization Technique.’ Could a person truly achieve such memory speed?

Feng Ling said, “Before explaining, let me talk about the subdivision of the early stages of the Qi Induction. This is just for reference, not absolute.”

“As the name suggests, the Qi Induction is the process of converting spiritual energy into spiritual power and accumulating enough spiritual power in the body. The Qi Induction has four small stages: ‘Sense Qi,’ ‘Accumulate Purity,’ ‘Simulate Existence,’ and ‘Form Residence.’ Of course, you can also abbreviate them as Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Completion. Of course, if you prefer to say Qi Induction Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4, I won’t object. However, those who truly have a profound understanding of cultivation won’t use clear distinctions like Initial, Intermediate, Advanced because the names of the small stages inherently guide cultivation. If encountering a bottleneck later on, repeating the names might bring enlightenment and help break through.”

Su Hao silently noted Feng Ling’s words and then pondered the meaning of these terms repeatedly.

These words widely circulated in the cultivation world must be the essence summarized by senior cultivators with a profound understanding of cultivation. Su Hao had no doubt about the accuracy of these terms.

‘Qi Sense,’ ‘Purity Accumulation,’ ‘Existence Simulation,’ and ‘Residence Formation’ correspond to the characteristics of each small stage of the Qi Induction.

Su Hao asked, “So, Master, now that I can sense spiritual power, and my ‘mind’ is meticulous, can it be considered that I have reached the ‘Sense Qi’ stage?”

Feng Ling smiled, “Feng Wei, in our cultivation, we only distinguish clear realms, not specific small stages. The division into Initial, Intermediate, Advanced is just to give cultivators a clearer idea of how to proceed on their cultivation path. You don’t need to worry about whether you’re at ‘Sense Qi’ or ‘Accumulate Purity.’ In general, it’s all part of the Qi Induction.”

Su Hao realized, “I see.”

Feng Ling said, “These stages are just guidelines. Let me tell you, the approach to cultivation is just a roadmap. You need to know where you want to go, but it doesn’t mean that to achieve your cultivation goals, you must follow the same roadmap. As long as you achieve your cultivation goals, any path you take is correct! If you get stuck in the subdivision of small stages, thinking today I’m in ‘Accumulate Purity,’ tomorrow I’ll strive for ‘Simulate Existence,’ you’ll fall into a fixed pattern of cultivation, and the path of cultivation is destined to be short-lived. Truly advanced cultivators in the Nascent Soul and Fusion stages are insightful and agile in thinking. Those who rigidly stick to a path, regardless of their outstanding spiritual roots, reach Foundation Establishment and then disintegrate in around three hundred years, turning to ashes!”

“In our cultivation, before the Golden Core stage, we look at spiritual root talent; after the Golden Core stage, we consider the realm of thought. Don’t let your superior spiritual root talent make you arrogant. Do you understand, Feng Wei?”

Su Hao furrowed his brow, pondered, and then asked, “Master, does that mean that each realm, like Qi Induction, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, etc., has a final purpose, and as long as you smoothly achieve this final purpose, regardless of the process, it’s okay? Similarly, everyone’s ultimate goal in cultivation is to break through the Fusion stage, and the standard method for breaking through the Fusion stage is ‘Qi Induction,’ ‘Foundation Establishment,’ ‘Golden Core,’ ‘Nascent Soul,’ ‘Fusion.’ However, there is no rule stating that you must follow this process to achieve the goal. The reason why the cultivation world follows this process is simply because it is universally applicable, right?”

Feng Ling said, “You can understand it that way! What I want to tell you is that in cultivation, the initial intention is more important than anything else. What we detest the most is losing direction midway through cultivation. Cultivation is not something that can be achieved overnight; it takes ten, a hundred, or even a thousand years. During this long period, sitting in meditation every day, it is easy for inner demons to arise. If one day you cannot resist the temptation of inner demons, forget your initial intention, forget the ultimate goal of cultivation, the path of cultivation will be completely cut off.”

Su Hao thought, “In other words, cultivation is an activity oriented toward goals. So, there is much more flexibility in the space that can be manipulated!”

Achieving goals was something Su Hao excelled at; he believed he had many methods. If Plan A didn’t work, there was always Plan B… up to Plan Z.

After thinking for a moment, Su Hao asked directly, “Master, what is an inner demon? Is there any specific explanation?”

Feng Ling shook her head, “There is no specific explanation. Any thoughts contrary to the initial intention can be called an inner demon.”

Su Hao understood. The so-called ‘inner demon’ wasn’t a sinister creature that emerged from the heart to devour the soul. The term referred to thoughts or ideas deviating from the established path due to external temptations.

In the long years of cultivation, what was most easily lost was the purpose of cultivation. Who could guarantee that they would sit in meditation daily for ten years, maintaining their initial intention? Unintentionally, one might head in a different direction.

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    Chapter 351

    The next day, carrying two prepared vials of genetic modification serum, Su Hao arrived at a secluded corner within Cloud Moon Valley.

    After confirming that no one was nearby, he quickly manifested his Diamond Armor beneath his feet, forming a teleportation rune array.

    Placing one vial at the center of the formation, Su Hao contacted Yashan through the Marble Space.

    "Yashan, are you ready?"

    "Activate your rune array."

    Yashan's voice immediately sounded.

    "Ready, Boss Wei."

    "You can activate yours now."


    ---

    Su Hao activated the rune array beneath his feet.

    The two rune arrays, separated by an enormous distance, resonated simultaneously and maintained a stable connection.

    Less than ten seconds later...

    A faint smile appeared on Su Hao's face.

    "It worked."

    The two rune arrays successfully linked their spatial coordinates.

    A small transmission array nested within the central circle immediately activated.

    The space above it distorted slightly...

    Then the vial disappeared without a trace.


    ---

    Entering the Marble Space, Su Hao asked,

    "Yashan."

    "Did you receive it?"

    Yashan's excited voice immediately replied,

    "I received it, Boss Wei!"

    Su Hao smiled.

    "It seems the teleportation rune array works exactly as intended."


    ---

    Having successfully delivered the serum, Su Hao's task was complete.

    He leisurely returned to his room, sat down cross-legged, and resumed cultivating his Mindfulness.


    ---

    "According to Master's explanation..."

    "Simply sensing Spiritual Energy isn't enough."

    "Mindfulness itself must become increasingly refined before Spiritual Energy can be transformed into Spiritual Power."

    "I understand what Spiritual Energy is..."

    "But what exactly is Spiritual Power?"


    ---

    Another month quietly passed.

    Su Hao devoted himself entirely to cultivation.


    ---

    One day...

    Su Hao arrived atop the mountain.

    Feng Cheng had already been waiting there.

    The moment he saw Su Hao...

    He hurried over carrying a small stool.

    "Senior Brother Feng Wei."

    "Please have a seat."


    ---

    Having grown up in a wealthy family surrounded by servants, Feng Cheng had naturally learned how to flatter others.

    Now...

    His "lackey skills" were becoming increasingly polished.

    Su Hao accepted the stool without hesitation.

    After sitting down, he casually took out a book and began reading.

    Seeing the bright sunlight shining directly onto him...

    Feng Cheng immediately moved to the sunny side, using his own body to provide shade.

    For the sake of smooth cultivation...

    And a longer lifespan...

    Feng Cheng truly was working very hard.


    ---

    When Feng Ling arrived...

    Feng Cheng enthusiastically placed another stool beside them.

    "Master."

    "Please have a seat."

    What should have been a solemn meeting between master and disciples had somehow become afternoon tea.

    Fortunately...

    Feng Ling didn't mind.

    After sitting down, she smiled.

    "Feng Wei."

    "Feng Cheng."

    "Tell me about your cultivation progress."


    ---

    Su Hao answered first.

    "Master."

    "My Mindfulness has already become sufficiently refined."

    "I believe I can proceed to the next stage."

    Feng Cheng followed timidly.

    "Master..."

    "I can now successfully enter a meditative state..."


    ---

    Feng Ling nodded.

    She wasn't surprised.

    "Very good."

    "Feng Wei."

    "You may now begin the next stage."

    "Feng Cheng."

    "Continue cultivating the Cloudy Moon Heart Technique."

    Then she casually handed Su Hao a thin booklet.

    "This is the Qi Induction section of the Cloud Amidst Moon Spirit Technique."

    "Memorize it first."

    "I'll explain it afterward."


    ---

    Su Hao accepted the booklet.

    He quickly flipped through every page.

    Then calmly replied,

    "Master."

    "I've memorized it."


    ---

    Although Feng Ling had already become somewhat accustomed to this...

    Every time she witnessed Su Hao's terrifying memory...

    She still found it unbelievable.

    Could someone truly memorize an entire cultivation manual that quickly?


    ---

    After composing herself, Feng Ling began explaining.

    "Before teaching the technique itself..."

    "I'll first explain the subdivisions within the early stage of Qi Induction."

    "These are merely references rather than absolute classifications."


    ---

    "As its name suggests..."

    "Qi Induction is the process of transforming Spiritual Energy into Spiritual Power and gradually accumulating enough Spiritual Power inside the body."

    "The realm itself contains four minor stages."

    "They are..."

    "Qi Sense..."

    "Purity Accumulation..."

    "Existence Simulation..."

    "And Residence Formation."

    "If you prefer..."

    "You may also call them Initial, Intermediate, Advanced and Peak."

    "Or even Levels One through Four."

    "I won't object."


    ---

    "However..."

    "Cultivators who truly understand cultivation rarely use those simplistic names."

    "The names of the four stages themselves already serve as guidance."

    "If one day you encounter a bottleneck..."

    "Merely reflecting upon those names may inspire a breakthrough."


    ---

    Su Hao silently memorized every word.

    Then he repeatedly contemplated the meanings behind those four names.

    They had circulated throughout the cultivation world for countless years.

    Surely they represented wisdom painstakingly summarized by generations of great cultivators.

    He had no reason to doubt their value.

    Qi Sense.

    Purity Accumulation.

    Existence Simulation.

    Residence Formation.

    Each name likely described the essential characteristic of that stage.


    ---

    Su Hao asked,

    "Master."

    "If I can already perceive Spiritual Energy..."

    "And my Mindfulness has reached the required level..."

    "Does that mean I've already entered the Qi Sense stage?"


    ---

    Feng Ling smiled.

    "Feng Wei."

    "In cultivation..."

    "We only distinguish major realms."

    "These minor stages merely provide guidance."

    "You needn't concern yourself with whether you're currently in Qi Sense or Purity Accumulation."

    "Overall..."

    "They all belong to the Qi Induction Realm."


    ---

    "I understand."

    Su Hao nodded.


    ---

    Feng Ling continued,

    "These stages are simply guideposts."

    "Let me tell you something important."

    "Cultivation methods are merely roadmaps."

    "They tell you where your destination lies."

    "But they do not mean you must travel the exact same road as everyone else."

    "As long as you ultimately arrive at your destination..."

    "Any path is the correct path."


    ---

    "If you become obsessed with labels..."

    "Thinking today you've reached Purity Accumulation..."

    "And tomorrow you'll strive only for Existence Simulation..."

    "You'll eventually imprison yourself within fixed patterns."

    "And a cultivator trapped by fixed thinking..."

    "Will never walk very far."


    ---

    "The truly great cultivators..."

    "Those in the Nascent Soul Realm and Unity Realm..."

    "All possess flexible minds."

    "They know how to adapt."

    "Those who stubbornly cling to rigid methods..."

    "No matter how outstanding their Spiritual Roots..."

    "Will usually stop at the Foundation Establishment Realm."

    "Within three hundred years..."

    "They simply become dust."


    ---

    "Before reaching the Golden Core Realm..."

    "Talent determines everything."

    "But after the Golden Core Realm..."

    "The most important factor becomes one's state of mind."

    "So..."

    "Never become arrogant simply because your Spiritual Roots are exceptional."

    "Do you understand, Feng Wei?"


    ---

    Su Hao frowned thoughtfully.

    Then he asked,

    "Master..."

    "Does every cultivation realm possess an ultimate objective?"

    "As long as one successfully achieves that objective..."

    "Doesn't the specific method become secondary?"

    "Likewise..."

    "The ultimate goal of cultivation is reaching the Unity Realm."

    "The conventional route is..."

    "Qi Induction..."

    "Foundation Establishment..."

    "Golden Core..."

    "Nascent Soul..."

    "Unity."

    "But nothing says this exact sequence is absolutely mandatory."

    "It's merely the path that has proven universally effective."

    "Is that correct?"


    ---

    Feng Ling nodded approvingly.

    "You may understand it that way."

    "What I truly want to tell you..."

    "Is that your original aspiration is more important than anything else."

    "What cultivators fear most..."

    "Is losing their direction midway."


    ---

    "Cultivation isn't something accomplished overnight."

    "It requires decades..."

    "Centuries..."

    "Sometimes even a thousand years."

    "After meditating every single day for that long..."

    "Inner Demons inevitably arise."

    "If one day..."

    "You fail to resist them..."

    "If you forget your original aspiration..."

    "If you forget why you began cultivating..."

    "Then your cultivation path ends there."


    ---

    Su Hao silently reflected.

    "So cultivation is fundamentally goal-oriented."

    "That leaves enormous room for flexibility."


    ---

    Achieving goals...

    Had always been Su Hao's greatest strength.

    If Plan A failed...

    There was always Plan B.

    If Plan B failed...

    There were still Plans C through Z.


    ---

    After pondering for a while, Su Hao asked directly,

    "Master."

    "What exactly are Inner Demons?"

    "Is there a specific definition?"


    ---

    Feng Ling shook her head.

    "There isn't."

    "Any thought that runs contrary to your original aspiration..."

    "Can be called an Inner Demon."


    ---

    Su Hao immediately understood.

    So-called Inner Demons were not literal monsters lurking inside one's heart.

    Rather...

    They referred to thoughts and desires that gradually pulled a cultivator away from the path they had originally chosen.

    Over the countless years required for cultivation...

    The easiest thing to lose...

    Was one's original purpose.

    After all...

    Who could guarantee that after meditating every day for ten years...

    Or a hundred years...

    They would never unknowingly begin walking down an entirely different road?
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