Seventeen, Cultivation

  Yuanshi also made a relatively clear division of ranks:

  The practitioner begins to cultivate, using various methods to strengthen the body, in order to gain life extension and anti-aging, increase longevity, without having perceived the traces of the Tao, cannot comprehend the Tao, not classified into levels.

  The practitioner holds it to practice, and under the opportunity, he can observe the Dao marks, examine the Dao traces. At first, he understands a little bit of the Dao mark and gets the initial recognition of the Dao. He can slightly experience the behavior of the Dao in his practice. This is the beginning of the practice, called the Xuanxian Dao fruit. The mysterious and mysterious, the gate of all wonders, has the qualification to participate in the wonderfulness of the Dao.

  After entering the door, persist in it, and the more you comprehend the Tao, the deeper your understanding will be. As you gain more recognition of the Tao, your cultivation will gradually reach a higher level. According to the depth of comprehension, it can also be called "Tao Xing" or "Jing Jie". From low to high, they are: "Di Xian Tao Guo", "Tian Xian Tao Guo", "Tai Yi Tao Guo", "Da Luo Tao Guo", and "Hun Yuan Tao Guo". Tai Yi Tao Guo is further divided into Tai Yi San Xian Tao Guo, Tai Yi Zhen Xian Tao Guo, and Tai Yi Jin Xian Tao Guo; Da Luo Tao Guo is further divided into Da Luo San Xian Tao Guo, Da Luo Zhen Xian Tao Guo, and Da Luo Jin Xian Tao Guo; Hun Yuan Tao Guo is further divided into Hun Yuan Da Luo San Xian Tao Guo, Hun Yuan Da Luo Zhen Xian Tao Guo, Hun Yuan Da Luo Jin Xian Tao Guo, and Hun Yuan Wu Ji Da Luo Jin Xian Tao Guo. In everyday language, they are referred to as Di Xian, Tian Xian, Tai Yi San Xian, Tai Yi Zhen Xian, Tai Yi Jin Xian, Da Luo San Xian, Da Luo Zhen Xian, Da Luo Jin Xian, Hun Yuan Da Luo San Xian, Hun Yuan Da Luo Zhen Xian, Hun Yuan Da Luo Jin Xian, and Hun Yuan Wu Ji Da Luo Jin Xian.

  As for whether there is a higher realm above, Yuanshi is currently unaware. As for Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian's current realm, they are in the Tai Luo True Immortal Realm, facing the critical point of breaking through to the Tai Luo Golden Immortal Realm. Only Hongjun Daoren has crossed into the Hunyuan Realm, but as for what lies beyond that realm, it is unknown.

  The division of cultivation levels by Yuanshi is also the mainstream division for cultivators in the Grand Primordium.

  For some innate great divine powers in the vast wilderness, Yuanshi corresponds to the cultivation division with its divine power combat power, among which the Hongyuan Witch tribe is representative.

  Yuanshi emphasized the first step of Ti Dao, and considered Wu Dao and Zheng Dao to be traceable. However, he believed that Ti Dao was difficult and untraceable, making it the most important and challenging part of cultivation. After years of practice and discussing with other cultivators, Yuanshi developed three methods for Ti Dao:

  1. Sit and forget (Zuo Wang): Unite with the Tao.

  2. Guard stillness (Shou Jing): Attain complete emptiness and guard stillness deeply.

  3. Observe objects (Cha Wu): All things arise together; I observe them to return.

  Yuanshi considered these three methods as the supreme gate of Ti Dao, which is the foundation of daily cultivation.

  Yuanshi also mentioned in Yuqing Wudao jue the relationship between gongde, fabao, liandan, lianqi, buzhen and xiuxing.

  Merit, Yuan Shi believes that it is the recognition of the things done by this side of heaven and earth, which is considered to be beneficial to this side of heaven and earth. Therefore, a reward is given, appearing as a mysterious yellow energy, which can enhance the vitality of the Dao marks and footprints during cultivation, making it easier for cultivators to perceive, understand, and realize the Dao. Sufficient merit can directly imprint the Dao marks and footprints on the cultivator's spirit and soul, elevating their realm, but will leave behind drawbacks.

  Treasures, Yuanshi believes that treasures are items that have imprinted Dao marks and can exert their effects. Heavenly materials and earthly treasures are also included in this category. The more powerful the treasure, the more Dao marks it has imprinted. These are represented by various pre-heavenly objects. Treasures assist cultivators in their cultivation because when cultivators refine these treasures, they can communicate and resonate with the Dao marks within them, thereby deeply experiencing and understanding these Dao marks, gaining insight and recognition, and thus elevating their Dao realm. At the same time, various treasures are also protective objects for cultivators.

  Alchemical refinement, tool refinement, and array deployment are also considered cultivation by Yuanshi, but he didn't elaborate much, only saying that they will be discussed separately in the Cultivation Methods and Techniques.

  Yu Qing's enlightenment is a summary of Yuan Shi's countless years of practice, with some randomness. When Yuan Shi first taught his disciples, he didn't have systematic teaching experience and was busy closing the door to digest the breakthroughs, so he gave his own practice experience as teaching materials to Xun Daozi. He didn't have time to do a systematic sorting, which caused some confusion for Xun Daozi's initial practice, but his original enlightenment opened up an even broader door for him, and it was still very beneficial for his later practice.

  Thus, Xun Daozi began his study of Yu Qing's Wu Dao Jue, researching and cultivating it simultaneously.

  Xun Daozi, after a year of study, finally figured out his situation: he was at the Earth Immortal realm and had enlightened to the Heavenly Immortal realm's Dao marks and footprints, but had not yet obtained recognition. Therefore, Xun Daozi's cultivation during this period mainly focused on using the Jade Clear Understanding Dao Secret's method of verifying the Dao to obtain recognition for his Heavenly Immortal realm Dao marks and footprints. During this time, he also tried to communicate with the two treasures in his heart chamber and sea of consciousness.

  At this time, Xun Daozi had also entered a state of closed-door cultivation, sitting upright on the cloud bed, his consciousness immersed in contemplation. However, he himself did not know that during his meditation, where both the self and the external world were forgotten, Zhou Tian Gong was quietly circulating his internal energy, drawing in the spiritual energy from heaven and earth to refine his physical body. Although Xun Daozi had wasted a considerable amount of the Nine Dragon Snow Jade Pine Nuts he had eaten previously, the enormous quantity had allowed a large amount of pine nut energy to accumulate within his body. During Xun Daozi's closed-door cultivation, Zhou Tian Gong slowly guided this energy out, gradually bringing it into play and participating in the refinement process, improving Xun Daozi's physical constitution. As a result, Xun Daozi underwent a transformation that was nothing short of earth-shattering, all without his knowledge or awareness. The countless cups of Wu Dao Tea that Xun Daozi had drunk were not entirely without effect either. Although he had squandered the majority of its benefits, the sheer quantity had allowed some of the tea's effects to take hold, with the dao marks and dao traces within the tea slowly imprinting themselves onto his body, granting it some of the properties of a precious treasure. This time, Xun Daozi's closed-door cultivation had also unintentionally brought out this effect. When Xun Daozi emerged from his meditation, he would likely be astonished by these unimaginable changes.

  Time slipped away quietly, and sixty years passed in the blink of an eye. In Xundao Cave, where many people were still meditating with their doors closed, everything was as quiet as it had been initially.

  The happiest thing in the valley is that Jilong beast, since everyone closed their doors, no one managed it, free and easy, eating spiritual grass, sunbathing, strolling around at leisure. The scales are brighter, and the face is more humanized, not so fierce.

  More than ten years have passed, Xun Daozi is immersed in contemplation, forgetting the world and himself, indulging in the mysterious aura of the Tao. His spirit freely roams within, awaiting unity with the Tao to gain recognition. At this moment, Xun Daozi has apparently reached the final step. Upon completion of the final step, Xun Daozi truly enters the realm of celestial immortals, attaining the fruit of the Celestial Tao.

  Years passed, and in the Wudao Cave, Xun Daozi sat upright on a cloud bed. His eyes suddenly opened wide, and a majestic aura flashed across his body. His physical form was now in a mysterious state of both reality and illusion.

  After a while, Xun Daozi finally came to his senses, sitting upright on the cloud bed, with eyes shining like stars and a joyful expression. After more than 80 years of experience, he finally gained recognition from the Heavenly Immortal Realm and obtained the position of Heavenly Immortal Fruit. At this time, he was truly a cultivator, not comparable to the confused half-baked person before. The next step is to learn the corresponding divine techniques, and obtain the combat power corresponding to the Heavenly Immortal Realm fruit position.

  He made up his mind and got down from the cloud bed, walking towards the outside of the cave. Having sat for tens of years, it's time to go out and take a walk, and see if he can still practice his divine arts.

  Xun Daozi walked out of the cave and came to the platform in front of the cave, stretched his waist for a long time, twisted his head, and looked around.

  The sky is still bright and beautiful, the mountains and valleys are as picturesque as ever, and I'm in a good mood.

  Xun Daozi strolled leisurely in the valley, plucking a few fruits to nibble on as he wandered aimlessly, gazing east and west, with no purpose in mind, his heart completely at ease.

  So it galloped freely and turned around, and after turning for a while, it arrived at the place where those few lingzhi mushrooms grew.

  Looking at the crystal-like, all-white lingzhi in front of him, Xun Daozi couldn't help but think of that day when he and his master, Shibo, and Shishu went on a trip together. When they saw this lingzhi, Shishu said that it had already become spiritual and would take shape in another hundred years. It's almost been a hundred years now, if this lingzhi successfully takes shape, the mountain valley won't be his alone anymore, and he'll have someone to talk to from then on.

  Xun Daozi really looked forward to Lingzhi's transformation, and couldn't help but whisper to Lingzhi: "Practice well, transform early, I also have a companion."

  Unexpectedly, the lingzhi seemed to have understood his words and gently shook its head, as if responding to him.

  Xun Daozi smiled and waved his hand at Lingzhi, then turned around and walked towards the Bamboo Pavilion.

  Arriving at the Bamboo Pavilion, Daozi brewed a pot of tea and sat down, starting to plan: "I'm not considered a wild cultivator anymore, I already have a strong backing, generally speaking, my life can be preserved. However, there are still several great calamities in the Hongyuan, without some means of preserving one's life, it won't be easy to get through these calamities. Now, I don't know how much time is left before the next great calamity, so I must seize the moment and learn some skills. Currently, my masters are in closed-door meditation, I must hurry up and cultivate the divine techniques they left behind, striving to gain some self-preservation abilities as soon as possible. First, let's take a look at these divine techniques and come up with an optimal cultivation plan, then follow the plan to cultivate."

  Xun Daozi looked at the divine methods left by Yuan Shi, Lao Zi, and Tong Tian, which included: 'Yu Qing Lei Fa', 'Yu Qing Dun Fa', 'Yu Qing Teng Yun Jue', 'Yu Qing Lian Qi Jue', 'Yu Qing Lian Shen Jue'; 'Tai Qing Lei Fa'; 'Shang Qing Jian Jue'. Looking at these divine methods, Xun Daozi was momentarily unsure where to start his practice.

  "'Yu Qing Lian Shen Jue' is what Master asked me to practice first, there must be a reason for it. I'll follow his words and practice it first, then see if I can practice other divine methods at the same time."

  I love the Thunder Arts, creating my own incantation, a powerful thunderbolt will split the enemy's skin and flesh, charred like wood, so mighty, so elegant. The Thunder Arts have two branches, 'Taiqing Thunder Arts' and 'Yuqing Thunder Arts', which one to practice first? Let it be, let's take a look at the rest first.

  The sword technique is good, with a sword in hand, you can go anywhere in the world, very heroic. You can try it out first.

  Riding on clouds and driving through fog is a dream, isn't it? Why don't you try first?

  Escaping techniques can be a lifesaver, why not practice it first?

  Forget about refining equipment for now, let's practice it later when we have time.

  After hesitating for a long time, Xunzi thought that he wanted to master all these magical skills at once, but this was unrealistic. In the end, he decided to cultivate "Yu Qing Lian Shen Jue" and "Shang Qing Jian Jue" first.