Chapter 7

"Boy, to cultivate the Dao, you must first understand it, and then you can comprehend it. As the ancients said, 'Sincerity brings miracles,' which can be used to describe the Dao. Only with sincerity in your heart can you sense the Dao heart. With the Dao heart, you can wield Dao techniques. Without sincerity, you cannot even enter the door, let alone receive true teachings. Therefore, remember, the Dao is in your heart, and all evil will be repelled."

As Jiang Le assumed a serious listening posture, Mao Xiaofang's expression became solemn, and he spoke earnestly.

Jiang Le's expression turned serious.

Mao Xiaofang did not start by teaching techniques or explaining Daoist principles but instead said these words, clearly indicating their importance.

After some thought, Jiang Le had a moment of enlightenment. A true teaching is a single sentence, while a false one is a thousand volumes. Mao Xiaofang's words, though seemingly just common sense, contained the essence of the Dao, the true foundation of Daoist cultivation. If you don't listen, you will be blocked outside the door of the Dao. If you listen, you can understand the path of the Dao.

Realizing this quickly, Jiang Le nodded and smiled, "I have remembered, Master."

Mao Xiaofang also smiled. A wise disciple is like this; a little hint is enough for them to understand thoroughly. This is true insight, which is more valuable than hard practice. Only ordinary disciples need constant explanations, which tires both the teacher and the student.

"Good, since you understand, I will now teach you how to cultivate."

"Daoist cultivation is gradual and focuses on the fundamentals. The fundamentals are the power of the Dao, and the depth of this power determines how far you can go."

Jiang Le's eyes lit up, "Then, Master, how do I gather the power of the Dao?"

Mao Xiaofang smiled, "Refine essence into energy, refine energy into spirit, refine spirit into emptiness, and refine emptiness into the Dao."

Jiang Le's face turned black, and he said speechlessly, "Can you be more specific? Nowadays, those so-called qigong masters on the internet use these phrases as the foundation of their practice, and it feels a bit like a scam."

Mao Xiaofang laughed and scolded, "This is the summary of cultivation by the Daoist predecessors. You actually think it's a scam, you little brat."

"Hehe, it's just that these phrases have been misused by scammers too much. After hearing them so many times, it's natural not to believe them. Master, you're not telling me this is the cultivation method you mentioned, right?" Jiang Le asked with a conflicted expression.

Mao Xiaofang laughed, "Of course not. Just these sixteen words are not enough to enter the path of the Dao, even if you were a reincarnated immortal. However, these sixteen words summarize the entire process of cultivation, and you must remember them."

Jiang Le quickly agreed and then eagerly said, "Then, Master, please tell me the detailed cultivation method. Maybe I'll succeed as soon as I practice."

Mao Xiaofang was speechless. This kid is truly fearless due to ignorance.

However, seeing Jiang Le's thirst for knowledge, he was quite pleased. Willing to learn is good; it means he can soon be on the right path and promote the lineage.

"The Daoist cultivation method, when divided in detail, has five major realms: Condensing Power, Unblocking Meridians, Dao Soul, Primordial Spirit, and Half-Immortal. Condensing Power is the foundation. Only by gathering the power of the Dao can you be considered a cultivator. After that, Unblocking Meridians. There are eight meridians, and when all are unblocked, your power is boundless. At this realm, you are considered to have made some progress in cultivation and can travel the world, subdue demons, and accumulate merit. After Unblocking Meridians comes the Dao Soul. The Dao Soul realm is the combination of power and soul. When the Dao soul is united, you have the foundation to become an immortal. Even if the path of the Dao is hopeless, you can still seek a position in the underworld as a ghost or deity. After the Dao Soul comes the Primordial Spirit. The Primordial Spirit is a higher existence than the Dao Soul, capable of existing outside the body, manifesting in the daytime, and exploring the depths of the earth. At this realm, you are called a True Person in the Daoist tradition."

Jiang Le was filled with excitement. This is right. Daoist cultivation can't just be sixteen words. This division of realms gives a general understanding of cultivation.

Wait, there are only four realms. What about the Half-Immortal? If the Primordial Spirit True Person is so powerful, wouldn't becoming a Half-Immortal be even more amazing?

"Master, what about the Half-Immortal realm? You haven't mentioned it yet," Jiang Le asked curiously.

Mao Xiaofang sighed, "The Half-Immortal realm is a legend."

Jiang Le was surprised. What does that mean? Has no one reached this realm? What's the point then?

Seeing Jiang Le's confusion, Mao Xiaofang smiled, "Don't guess wildly. The Half-Immortal realm exists and is the final realm before becoming an immortal. At this realm, your power is boundless, and even ghosts and deities yield. In the Daoist tradition, you are called a Celestial Master. However, this realm is extremely difficult to reach. Throughout history, many diligent cultivators have tried, but only a few have achieved the Half-Immortal realm, each a legendary figure in the Daoist tradition."

Jiang Le frowned, "If someone has reached the Half-Immortal realm, why is it a legend?"

Mao Xiaofang said, "I only know that after the late Ming Dynasty, the Dao in the world became much more obscure. Since then, cultivation has become difficult, not just for Daoists but even for demons and ghosts. For hundreds of years, the number of those who have achieved the Primordial Spirit True Person realm can be counted on one hand. Moreover, from the information I got from Old Jin, it's possible that even Dao Soul realm cultivators are hard to find now."

Jiang Le was silent.

Previously, when he heard Mao Xiaofang and Old Jin talking, he felt confused and couldn't understand.

But combining Mao Xiaofang's words, he had some thoughts.

Perhaps there has been a great change in the world, deliberately making the Daoist path decline and promoting the development of technology.

However, now it seems that the development of technology is not necessarily a good thing. The improvement in material life is making the Earth's environment worse, and if this continues, humanity will be destroying itself.

"Never mind, you won't understand these things. Thinking too much is futile. Your task now is to condense power and become a true cultivator as soon as possible. Boy, focus and listen to my teachings." Mao Xiaofang's stern voice interrupted Jiang Le's thoughts and began to explain the method of condensing power.

"The path of cultivation starts with visualization. Use the Daoist principle as a guide, and your thoughts as a lead to connect with your own essence and energy. Repeatedly refine them, transforming them into energy, and circulate them through the eight extraordinary meridians, condensing them without dispersing, forming the power of the Dao."

"Listen to my Daoist principle, focus your mind, clear your spirit, and let your thoughts be like a pearl. Connect with your essence and energy, blend them like a lake or sea, transform energy into spirit, circulate through the eight meridians, and the power of the Dao will form."

The method of condensing energy is not complicated, and Mao Xiaofang repeated it several times, which Jiang Le memorized.

Of course, he might forget it after a good night's sleep.

But now that he remembered, Jiang Le couldn't resist starting to practice according to the method.

Gradually, his expression became natural, his brows relaxed, and a smile appeared on his lips, as if he had entered a state between sleep and wakefulness.

Mao Xiaofang had been observing Jiang Le's performance and was greatly surprised.

This kid has already entered the state of cultivation!! How is this possible!!

He himself was called a cultivation prodigy, but it took him a week to enter the state of cultivation.

This kid, after just listening to the Daoist principle, entered the state of cultivation without any guidance from me? His talent is already so monstrous?

Mao Xiaofang looked at Jiang Le, feeling speechless, envious, and a bit jealous.

Different people have different fates, and you can't compare everything with this kid, or it will be too stressful.

Then, Mao Xiaofang suppressed his various thoughts and looked at Jiang Le with anticipation.

Entering the state of cultivation is one thing, but whether he can achieve anything is another.

He remembered that when he practiced, it took seven days to enter the state, another seven days to visualize his essence and energy, and a whole month to condense the essence and energy into the power of the Dao.

He wondered if this kid could have a double joy and directly visualize his essence and energy.

Mao Xiaofang thought a bit optimistically.

Of course, he didn't dare to think that Jiang Le could directly cultivate the power of the Dao. If that were true, he would suspect that Jiang Le was a reincarnated immortal.

Unconsciously, time passed quietly.

Jiang Le sat on the bed, smiling, in a state between sleep and wakefulness, as if he had entered a strange realm.

Suddenly, his eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Ah, that's so comfortable. I feel warm and my spirit is full, without the dizziness and confusion I usually feel after waking up." He moved his body, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. Could this be the result of cultivation? Even if I don't cultivate the power of the Dao, it's still worth it.

However, he was very hungry, as if cultivation had consumed a lot of energy, and his stomach kept growling.

Looking at the window, Jiang Le was surprised again.

It was already broad daylight outside.

Checking the time, it was already 7:00 AM.

I actually practiced for so long?

Hmm, where's Master?

Turning his head, he saw that Mao Xiaofang had disappeared, leaving only a Pure Yang Bagua on the bed.

Is Master in the Dao Soul state, and like a ghost, he can't be in the sunlight?

After some thought, Jiang Le gave up on searching and quickly got dressed and out of bed.

He was so hungry that his stomach was protesting strongly. All he wanted was to go out and find a breakfast shop for a hearty meal.

In the living room, his mother, Jiang Hua, was already gone, probably to get the materials for the handicrafts she needed to complete today.

However, on the table in the living room, there were five yuan, the money Jiang Hua left for Jiang Le's breakfast every day.

After some thought, Jiang Le ran back to his room, opened a drawer, and took out a stack of small bills, counting 136 yuan.

This was Jiang Le's private money. His stomach was really too hungry, and he was afraid that five yuan wouldn't be enough.

Putting the money in his pocket, Jiang Le ran out of the house.

At the entrance of the neighborhood, he shouted to a breakfast shop, "Aunt Yang, give me a bowl of noodles, a steamer of buns, no, make it two steamers."

"Hehe, Little Le, did you not eat last night? You're eating so much in the morning?" A middle-aged, plump woman in her forties, who was busy in the shop, looked at Jiang Le with a smile.

Jiang Le smiled bitterly, "Aunt Yang, don't ask, I'm starving."

"Okay, don't worry, it's coming right away." The middle-aged woman looked at Jiang Le in surprise and skillfully placed two steamers of buns in front of him.

Jiang Le couldn't wait for the buns to cool and took a big bite.

He was really too hungry. At first, it wasn't obvious, but as time passed, his stomach became increasingly uncomfortable, as if everything he ate last night had been completely consumed.

This cultivation is intense. Master didn't say it would make me this hungry. I'll have to question him thoroughly tonight. It's too much.

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