Chapter 157 ·Explaining the Entire Path of Cultivation

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍three-month period was drawing near.

Within ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the Supreme Creation Lesser Luo Grotto Heaven, the Taiyi Dao Sect’s sect grounds had become exceptionally lively these past few days.

The ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍disciples packed their things early and traveled toward Mount Buzhou in groups of three or five.

Some ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍carried bundles on their backs, some held food boxes in their hands, while others somehow dug out meditation cushions and hugged them tightly in their arms.

Along ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the road, figures could be seen everywhere in an endless stream.

There ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍were young disciples at the Qi Refining Realm, their footsteps light and eyes full of anticipation.

There were Foundation Establishment disciples, calm in expression and steady in step.

There were Golden Core true inheritance disciples, their auras restrained as they advanced silently.

There were also stewards and elders of the Taiyi Dao Sect, traveling in small groups while conversing in low voices.

Further ahead, Xuanchenzi and Yunchenzi could be seen, one before the other, stepping onto the mountain path.

The two old men did not walk quickly, yet every step was incomparably steady, as though this was not mountain climbing but some kind of solemn ritual.

The mountain path twisted and turned, layer upon layer of stone steps stretching directly into the clouds.

No one flew with magic artifacts.

No one used escape techniques.

No one even dared walk too quickly.

Everyone followed that stone stairway step by step as they climbed upward.

Clouds and mist occasionally drifted around both sides of the mountain path, making it seem as though they were walking amidst the clouds.

Some people paused briefly and looked down the mountain, only to discover that the path they came from had already vanished into the clouds and mist, without end in sight.

Looking upward again, the mountain summit still remained far away, with only the vague outline of the platform visible.

At the foot of Mount Buzhou, there were still many disciples who had only just arrived.

The lowest cultivation among them was merely at the Qi Refining Early Stage.

In the outside world, cultivators of such level could not even achieve flight through magic artifacts.

Even climbing a mountain was rather difficult for them.

Yet they did not hesitate. They lifted their feet and stepped onto the mountain path, climbing upward one step at a time.

After walking for a while, some were already gasping heavily, sweat appearing upon their foreheads.

“Want to rest for a bit?” a companion asked.

“No rest.” The disciple shook his head. “The Dao Lord preaching the Dao is a rare opportunity. Even if I have to crawl, I’ll crawl my way to the summit.”

After saying that, he gritted his teeth and continued onward.

A passing senior brother nearby saw this and nodded slightly, yet did not offer assistance.

When the Dao Lord preached the Dao, what one listened to was the heart, and what one comprehended was the Dao.

If one even sought shortcuts for the mere hardship of climbing the mountain, then how could one calm one’s mind while listening to the Dao?

Thus, everyone climbed on their own. No one helped anyone else, nor did anyone complain.

At last, the three-month period arrived.

Atop Mount Buzhou, upon the platform, everything was empty.

Only a single meditation cushion rested quietly at the center.

Around the platform, people had already filled every seat.

The disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect sat in order according to cultivation, from Qi Refining to Golden Core.

Further behind were the stewards and elders.

Xuanchenzi and Yunchenzi sat in the front rows, eyes closed in concentration.

Lin Wei and Old Chen were also seated cross-legged upon nearby mountain rocks.

Although they could have directly arrived from Longevity Hall, they too had chosen to climb the mountain.

At this moment, everyone sat quietly and waited.

No one spoke.

No one moved recklessly.

Only the gentle breeze drifted by, causing sleeves and robes to flutter lightly.

At this moment, faint ripples appeared upon the meditation cushion at the very front.

A figure gradually materialized out of thin air and sat there calmly.

The man wore a black robe, his aura restrained, as though he had merged together with heaven and earth.

The newcomer was naturally Gu Yan.

Or rather—

Daoist Longevity.

Everyone’s hearts trembled as they uniformly lowered their heads in salute.

Gu Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

From Qi Refining to Integration Realm, from young disciples to elderly elders, everyone sat upright with solemn expressions filled with reverence.

He withdrew his gaze and slowly began speaking:

“The path of cultivation has never possessed a fixed method.”

“Some pursue speed, crossing tribulations within a hundred years and ascending within a thousand.”

“Some pursue stability, advancing steadily step by step until success naturally arrives.”

“Some pursue power, slaying demons and monsters, using battle to nurture the Dao.”

“Some pursue the heart, entering secluded cultivation and ignoring worldly affairs.”

“But then… what is Dao?”

Gu Yan paused briefly.

Everyone held their breath and concentrated.

“Dao is the beginning of heaven and earth, the mother of all things.”

“Dao is without form or shape, without beginning or end.”

“Dao may be comprehended, but not sought. It may be obtained, but not seized.”

“All of you have cultivated until now—but have you ever considered what exactly it is you cultivate?”

“Some cultivate strength, opening mountains with one punch and severing rivers with one sword.”

“Some cultivate techniques, summoning wind and rain, moving mountains and filling seas.”

“Some cultivate the heart, illuminating the mind and seeing one’s true nature, comprehending Dao and attaining longevity.”

“But where does strength come from? Where do techniques come from? Where does the heart come from?”

“All come from Dao.”

“Dao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things.”

“All things carry yin and embrace yang, harmonizing through the circulation of qi.”

“What cultivators seek is merely to return to their origin and become one with the true Dao.”

“How does one return to the origin?”

“Observe the Dao of Heaven and act according to Heaven’s operation.”

“The Dao of Heaven reduces excess to make up for deficiency.”

“The Dao of Man takes from deficiency to serve excess.”

“Cultivators should use the Human Dao to accord with the Heavenly Dao, using the finite to pursue the infinite.”

“But what is finite? The fleshly body, the primordial spirit, lifespan.”

“And what is infinite? Dao.”

“To use the finite to pursue the infinite is like using a ladle to measure the sea, or peering at heaven through a bamboo tube.”

“Thus, the path of cultivation lies not in seeking, but in comprehension.”

“Comprehend one fraction, and you advance one step.”

“Comprehend ten fractions, and you ascend to the peak.”

“Comprehend perfection, and you unite with the true Dao.”

Upon hearing this, some fell into contemplation, some experienced sudden enlightenment, while others became confused.

Gu Yan observed these reactions and understood clearly.

Some had understood.

Some had not.

Some thought they understood, but actually did not.

Some did not understand now, yet remembered it within their hearts and might comprehend it in the future.

He continued speaking, his voice carrying a certain rhythm that directly entered the hearts of the listeners.

“The beginning of cultivation lies in refining the qi of heaven and earth for one’s own use.”

“With daily accumulation, the qi within the body gradually becomes purer, denser, and more condensed.”

“When spiritual energy becomes abundant, Foundation Establishment naturally follows.”

“Foundation Establishment means establishing the foundation of Dao.”

“The fleshly body is the ship, the spirit is the rudder, and the Dao heart is the sail.”

“If the ship is not sturdy, one cannot cross the bitter sea.”

“If the rudder is unstable, one easily loses the path.”

“If the sail is crooked, one drifts aimlessly with the wind.”

“Thus, the Dao of Foundation Establishment lies in equally emphasizing all three. None can be neglected.”

“Some focus on the fleshly body, tempering it day and night until they possess bronze skin and iron bones, invulnerable to blades and spears.”

“Yet no matter how strong the body becomes, there will eventually be an end.”

“When the great limit arrives and the flesh decays, upon what can the primordial spirit rely?”

“Some focus on the spirit, condensing spirit and gathering qi.”

“Yet if the spirit surpasses the body too greatly, the flesh becomes rootless duckweed, dispersing with the slightest wind.”

“Some focus on the Dao heart, comprehending Dao day and night, illuminating the mind and seeing their true nature.”

“Yet though the Dao heart may be clear, without cultivation to support it, it is merely flowers in a mirror and moonlight upon water—visible, but untouchable.”

“Thus, Foundation Establishment must emphasize all three equally before it can be considered the Great Dao.”

Everyone silently nodded.

It was not that they had never known these principles.

But during ordinary cultivation, everyone naturally had areas they emphasized more heavily.

Only now, after Gu Yan pointed it out, did they suddenly realize that they had long since deviated from the proper path.

Gu Yan did not pause and continued speaking:

“The next step is condensing all spiritual energy into a core, becoming the Golden Core.”

“The Dao of the Golden Core lies in condensing without dispersing, gathering without chaos.”

“Once the Golden Core is formed, one can be considered to have truly stepped through the gates of cultivation.”

“Above Golden Core lies the Nascent Soul.”

“The Nascent Soul is the embryonic form of the primordial spirit.”

“When qi and spirit become one, the Nascent Soul gradually strengthens.”

“Once the Nascent Soul stabilizes, one may prepare to break through into the Transformation Spirit Realm.”

“Transformation Spirit means the Nascent Soul transforming into the primordial spirit.”

“Once the primordial spirit is formed, it can leave the fleshly body and travel ten thousand li beneath the sun.”

“Above Transformation Spirit lies Void Refinement.”

“Void Refinement means refining the void and comprehending the laws of heaven and earth.”

“This realm can no longer be reached through merely accumulating spiritual energy.”

“One must comprehend Dao, endure tribulations, and illuminate the mind to see one’s true nature.”

“Some remain stuck at the peak of Transformation Spirit for hundreds of years, forever unable to enter this realm.”

“Some experience sudden enlightenment in a single day and directly step into Void Refinement.”

“This is the difference between comprehension and lack of comprehension.”

“However, the Void Refinement Realm possesses one wondrous aspect.”

Gu Yan’s tone paused slightly.

Everyone immediately perked up their ears.

“Once one steps into Void Refinement, one can truly be considered beyond the limits of lifespan.”

“From that point onward, there is no longer such a thing as lifespan exhaustion.”

“In theory, so long as one is not killed or encounters tribulation, one can live forever and share the same lifespan as heaven and earth.”

Everyone’s hearts shook violently upon hearing this.

Longevity?

True longevity?

Those disciples at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Realms immediately filled with endless yearning.

Even Void Refinement cultivators such as Xuanchenzi and Yunchenzi felt their emotions surging.

Although they had already entered Void Refinement, they had never deeply considered the meaning behind “limitless lifespan.”

Only now, hearing Gu Yan personally speak it aloud, did they truly realize what step they had reached.

Yet Gu Yan suddenly changed the topic.

“However, heaven and earth maintain balance, and the Great Dao is impartial.”

“Since longevity is granted to you, tribulations must also be granted.”

“After stepping into Void Refinement, every three thousand years, a great heavenly tribulation will descend.”

“This tribulation is called the Five Declines of Heaven and Man, though some also refer to it as the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.”

“Heavenly lightning roars while tribulation flames burn the body.”

“Yin winds erode the bones while heart demons disrupt the mind.”

“If you survive it, you gain another three thousand years of lifespan and continue roaming freely.”

“If you fail, body and Dao perish while soul and spirit scatter.”

“And each tribulation is more terrifying than the previous one.”

“The first may merely be nine bolts of heavenly lightning.”

“The second will bring heavenly lightning and earthly fire together.”

“The third will cause heart demons and tribulation flames to descend simultaneously.”

“And every tribulation afterward becomes ten times more dangerous than the last.”

Everyone listening felt their hearts tremble.

So this longevity actually had to be exchanged with one’s life.

One tribulation every three thousand years, each capable of taking one’s life.

Survive, and one lives.

Fail, and one dies.

This was both the Heavenly Dao rewarding diligence and the Heavenly Dao’s mercilessness.

Gu Yan found everyone’s reactions somewhat amusing inwardly.

Yet his expression remained calm as he continued speaking:

“However…”

Everyone froze.

“You all currently reside within my Supreme Creation Lesser Luo Grotto Heaven.”

“This world is self-contained. Though connected to the outside greater world, it can conceal heavenly secrets.”

“To put it simply, the heavenly tribulations cannot sense you.”

“Even when it should be time for tribulation, the heavenly tribulation still cannot find you.”

“Thus, so long as you do not leave this world, you need not worry about the great tribulation that comes every three thousand years.”

Everyone froze blankly.

Then someone could not help laughing out loud.

“So basically, while we stay in this grotto-heaven, we get longevity without tribulations?”

“Seems like that’s what it means…”

Someone muttered softly, only to be glared at by a nearby senior brother and immediately shut his mouth.

Yet the joy within his eyes could not be hidden.

Xuanchenzi and Yunchenzi exchanged glances, inwardly sighing in relief.

Although they had already entered Void Refinement, claiming they felt no fear whatsoever toward the three-thousand-year heavenly tribulation would have been a lie.

Now that they learned the grotto-heaven possessed such wondrous functions, a huge weight in their hearts finally lifted.

After allowing everyone some time to digest the information, Gu Yan continued:

“Beyond Void Refinement lies the Integration Realm.”

“Integration means the primordial spirit and fleshly body becoming one, and becoming one with heaven and earth.”

“At this stage, every movement accords with the Heavenly Dao.”

“With a single thought, heaven and earth respond.”

“This is the Integration Realm.”

As Gu Yan spoke to this point, he looked toward where Lin Wei and Old Chen sat.

The two remained calm in expression, but light flickered within their eyes.

Clearly, among everyone present, they understood these words the most thoroughly.

Gu Yan withdrew his gaze and continued:

“Above Integration lies the Great Ascension Realm.”

“Great Ascension means one’s Dao attainments reaching perfection and one’s cultivation touching creation itself.”

“At this realm, one may fully integrate everything one has learned and establish one’s own school.”

“Yet beyond Great Ascension still lies Tribulation Crossing.”

“The Tribulation Crossing Realm is likewise divided into nine layers.”

“Cultivators of this realm already stand before the threshold of ascension, only one final step away.”

“Yet this final step is incomparably difficult.”

“For outside cultivators, beginning from Tribulation Crossing First Layer, every breakthrough to a higher layer brings down a heavenly tribulation.”

“The power of these tribulations is no weaker than the great heavenly tribulations of Void Refinement that descend every three thousand years.”

“Heavenly lightning and earthly fire, yin winds and heart demons—all increasing layer by layer, every step filled with danger.”

“Tribulation Crossing First Layer is one gate of the underworld.”

“Tribulation Crossing Second Layer is another life-and-death tribulation.”

“And only after reaching Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer and surviving with a narrow chance at life can one ascend to the Immortal Realm and become a Human Immortal.”

“Thus, the outside world says: among those at Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer, fewer than one in ten survive.”

“Those capable of reaching Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer are already one among ten thousand.”

“Those capable of surviving the nine heavenly tribulations and ascending are rarer still.”

Everyone listened with racing hearts.

So beyond Great Ascension, there was still such a perilous road.

Nine layers of Tribulation Crossing. Nine heavenly tribulations.

Each layer was a trial of life and death.

This path of cultivation was truly one where one gambled with one’s life.

Gu Yan continued speaking:

“It is precisely because the path of Tribulation Crossing is too dangerous that outside cultivators often seek external assistance.”

“Some search for heavenly treasures to refine tribulation-crossing magic treasures.”

“Some seek blessed grotto-heavens and sacred lands, using terrain to weaken the might of tribulations.”

“And some…”

“Seek out individuals possessing great fortune and establish karma with them.”

“They borrow the other party’s fortune to assist themselves in crossing tribulations.”

“Those with great fortune are favored by heaven and earth. Tribulations naturally dissipate around them.”

“If one can form ties with such a person, it is akin to sharing in a portion of their fortune, allowing one to grasp a slim chance of survival amidst certain death.”

“Thus, in the outside world, there are often old monsters at the Tribulation Crossing Realm searching everywhere for young cultivators blessed with great fortune.”

“Some take them as disciples and nurture them carefully.”

“Some become Dao companions with them, sharing life and death.”

“Some plant karmic ties and leave them for the future.”

“All for the sake of that single thread of survival.”

Everyone present fell into thought.

Individuals possessing great fortune…

Did such people truly exist in this world?

Among the crowd, a young disciple froze slightly.

It was Ye Chen.

At this moment, hearing Gu Yan mention people with great fortune caused him to recall something.

Back in the Spirit Realm…

He seemed to have once encountered a powerful female expert.

At that time, he had been hunted by demonic beasts, grievously wounded and on the verge of death, falling into an abyss with his fleshly body almost completely dissolved.

Fortunately, that woman had helped reconstruct his body, allowing him to survive. From that point onward, his cultivation speed had skyrocketed.

Yet afterward, the woman had said nothing and simply turned around and left.

Ye Chen thought to himself—

Could it be that he too was someone blessed with great fortune?

Had his fortune been borrowed?

Gu Yan’s gaze swept across the crowd, pausing momentarily on Ye Chen before moving away.

He said nothing further.

Instead, he continued:

“After Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer comes ascension.”

“One ascends to the Immortal Realm and becomes a Human Immortal.”

“Only at that point can one truly be said to have stepped onto the immortal path.”

“However, regarding the Immortal Realm, I shall not speak today.”

“To explain too much would instead disturb your Dao hearts.”

“You need only know that the path of cultivation stretches endlessly into the distance.”

“The ten-day Dao lecture concludes here today.”

Everyone froze.

Ten days had already passed?

They had immersed themselves so completely within Gu Yan’s preaching that they had utterly forgotten the flow of time.

Gu Yan’s figure gradually faded away.

Only a final sentence remained echoing within everyone’s hearts.

“The path of cultivation lies beneath your feet, and also within your hearts.”

“I am merely one who points out the road. How far you walk depends entirely upon yourselves.”

The voice faded.

The meditation cushion at the front was now empty.

After a long while, Xuanchenzi slowly rose to his feet and deeply bowed toward the meditation cushion.

Yunchenzi immediately followed after him.

Then came the many elders and disciples.

Atop the mountain summit, everyone saluted with reverent expressions.

After the ceremony ended, everyone began descending the mountain.

Still following that same stone stairway, step by step, slowly downward.

Some descended with light footsteps and shining eyes.

Some descended while frowning deeply in contemplation.

Some descended while muttering to themselves, as though reciting something.

Some suddenly stopped midway down the mountain and sat cross-legged upon the spot.

Moments later, spiritual energy surged around them—they had broken through on the spot.

Those nearby were not surprised. They merely walked around them from a distance, careful not to disturb them.

This was the lingering effect of Gu Yan’s Dao lecture.

Ye Chen descended the mountain along with the crowd, neither too quickly nor too slowly.

His mind still revolved around what had just been said.

People possessing great fortune. That powerful woman.

He gently shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

No matter what, he was currently within Daoist Longevity’s Supreme Creation Lesser Luo Grotto Heaven. This place could shield heavenly secrets, so presumably no one could continue borrowing his fortune.

He merely needed to peacefully live in the present. Once his cultivation succeeded in the future, making another trip to the Spirit Realm would not necessarily be a bad thing.

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