Chapter 9

In the room, Xu Muyang continued to tell Tang Jie about the world of cultivation.

"Cultivation is divided into five realms, each realm further divided into three stages, except for the Immortal Platform Realm, which has only two stages, hence the term 'five realms and fourteen stages.' Among these, the Spirit Platform Realm is divided into Spirit Spring, Spirit Lake, and Spirit Sea, primarily referring to the amount of spiritual energy accumulated within the body. Cultivators cultivate spiritual energy, so the first realm focuses on the absorption and application of spiritual energy. The Spirit Platform Realm improves the body's constitution and increases the amount of spiritual energy stored through breathing techniques, hence it is often called the Breathing Stage or the Qi Cultivation Stage."

"At this stage, cultivators are still physically human and have not yet reached the stage of true transformation. They can learn spells, but can only use them by consuming the spiritual energy within their bodies, which limits their power. Therefore, cultivators at this stage are generally called Spirit Apprentices, and the spells they use are often referred to as techniques rather than spells. Only after entering the Transcendence Realm can they use the spiritual energy within their bodies to draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, allowing them to use true spells. This is the stage where cultivators truly transform from human bodies to spiritual bodies, hence it is called the Transcendence Realm. Because building a spiritual body and transcending the human form is the foundation of cultivation, it is also often referred to as the Foundation Building Stage or the Spiritual Body Stage. Do you understand?"

"Brother Xu's explanation is clear and concise. I understand. In simple terms, realms represent qualitative improvements, and stages represent quantitative improvements, right?" Tang Jie replied.

Xu Muyang nodded with a smile, "This is a fresh and interesting way to put it, and it has some truth to it, even if it's not entirely accurate."

Although the realms are the same, different cultivation methods can have different effects.

According to Xu Muyang, the human body has meridians, blood and qi, tendons and bones, and the five organs, each with its unique function and significance. Different cultivation methods and processes can bring about different changes in the practitioner, making their strengths vary. Even the most basic spells like Wind Blade, Frost Sword, Fireball, and Lightning Chain can have different manifestations and powers in the hands of practitioners with different cultivation methods.

Experienced practitioners can often determine the main cultivation direction and background of an opponent just by observing their techniques.

Moreover, not all cultivation methods are compatible. The key is whether they conflict with each other. For example, the Heavenly Fire Scripture focuses on the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, with its energy spreading to the heart meridian and returning to the liver and gallbladder. The liver belongs to wood and is responsible for growth, while the heart belongs to fire and is responsible for spirit, so the fire energy is strong, and after successful cultivation, it has the power of a raging heavenly fire. However, the Condensing Water Scripture focuses on the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, starting from the spleen and returning to the kidney. The spleen belongs to earth and is responsible for transformation, while the kidney belongs to water and is responsible for storing essence. After successful cultivation, it has the might of a vast sea.

These two are independent and do not belong to each other.

This is just independence; some are even contradictory. If one does not understand the principles and cultivates them together, it can be counterproductive.

Therefore, cultivation methods are not something where more is always better; it is better to focus on the fundamentals and ensure they complement each other.

"This is also why I am reluctant to teach you the Xu family's inheritance," Xu Muyang said. "The Void Cave Scripture focuses on the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, emphasizing the eye meridian, with the main focus on breaking through illusions. The Moon Washing Sect focuses on the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, emphasizing the heart meridian. They do not belong to each other, but the heart is the master of the five organs and the ruler of the body. From a foundational perspective, it is better to start with the Moon Washing Sect's Purple Jade Heart Method and the Divine Lightning Sword Canon."

"So, if I cultivate the Moon Washing Sect's Purple Jade Heart Method and the Divine Lightning Sword Canon, I can still cultivate the Xu family's Void Cave Scripture, but if I cultivate the Void Cave Scripture, I might not be able to cultivate the Purple Jade Heart Method well, is that right?" Tang Jie asked.

"Yes, that's right. The Moon Washing Sect is a great sect with vast heart methods and strong inclusiveness. Using this as a foundation, you can learn anything in the future, and your prospects are limitless."

"I understand. This is like the sea containing lakes, capable of holding a hundred rivers, while a lake cannot contain the sea, which would cause chaos."

"Exactly, that's the idea," Xu Muyang smiled.

Tang Jie's mind was sharp, and he grasped things quickly. Xu Muyang was very pleased with such a student. Although he did not take Tang Jie as a disciple, he already treated him like one.

"Then, if I cultivate the Zang Xiang Scripture, it won't be useful, right?" Tang Jie asked again.

"The Zang Xiang Scripture is a method for breaking through barriers and cleansing the meridians, but it does not focus on any specific meridian, so there won't be any problems with cultivation. Moreover, this scripture was created by the Lord of War, and I feel it's not that simple. Keep practicing it, and you might have other gains in the future. My meridians are already solid, so cleansing the meridians is of no use to me." Xu Muyang sighed.

Cleansing the meridians is essentially the refinement and expansion of the meridians.

After the Jade Gate is opened, the energy flows through the meridians, and different methods of energy flow are different cultivation techniques. Cleansing the meridians is the expansion of the meridians, allowing more spiritual energy to flow through and increasing the meridians' capacity.

If the human body is compared to a country, then the meridians are the roads, and each acupoint is a station. The wider the roads, the more developed the transportation, and the more spiritual energy can be transported, increasing its power.

There is an old saying in China: "To get rich, first build the roads."

In the world of cultivation, there is also an old saying: "To cultivate, first cleanse the meridians."

In addition to cleansing the meridians, beginners in cultivation also need to open the spirit eye, the storage place for spiritual energy. Only by opening the spirit eye can the absorbed spiritual energy be stored, expanded, and form the basic energy for using spells.

However, different cultivation techniques have different methods for opening the spirit eye, and even the location can vary. Therefore, Xu Muyang did not teach Tang Jie the method for opening the spirit eye—since he would eventually join the Moon Washing Sect, where better techniques were available.

So, cleansing the meridians is the foundation, but until the spirit eye is opened, Tang Jie cannot be considered a formal cultivation apprentice.

"Does that mean I have to wait until I enter the Moon Washing Academy to start formal cultivation?"

"Are you in a hurry?" Xu Muyang asked with a smile.

Tang Jie blushed but did not argue, "I just feel a bit anxious."

"I understand your feelings," Xu Muyang smiled. "But cultivation is not something that can be achieved overnight. A solid foundation is crucial for efficient cultivation. At your age, your bones and muscles are still developing, making it the best time to cleanse the meridians. Unfortunately, many young people, driven by the allure of spells and powers, often seek quick gratification... Many talented individuals, after passing the difficult and painful barrier-breaking stage, fail at this simple cleansing of the meridians, leading to limited achievements."

His words were heartfelt, and Tang Jie felt a sense of solemnity, knowing that Xu Muyang was advising him.

"I understand. Patience is key to success, no matter where we are or what we do."

"Very well said!" Xu Muyang clapped his hands. "You don't need to be in a hurry. The expansion of meridians has its limits, and cleansing the meridians usually takes about a year or so. By then, you can start formal cultivation. I will introduce you to the Moon Washing Sect when the time comes, and with my status as a great array master, it shouldn't be a problem."

He did not mention his status as a Heavenly Heart True Person, only his status as a great array master, showing his confidence in array techniques.

From that day on, Tang Jie began to practice the Zang Xiang Scripture daily, cleansing his meridians.

Despite his young age, his soul was that of an adult, having long passed the stage of youthful impulsiveness and lack of self-control. After one initial rush, he did not repeat his mistake, and his steadiness surprised even Xu Muyang.

"Clearly cunning, yet surprisingly mature for his age, truly hard to fathom." Xu Muyang had to admit that while Tang Jie might not have the best cultivation potential, his maturity in dealing with people and situations was beyond that of a child.

Despite his busy cultivation, Tang Jie did not neglect his care for Xu Muyang. He diligently cleaned the yard every day and worked outside to earn money for the household.

Xu Muyang mostly stayed in the house to recover from his injuries. As time passed, his injuries improved, and he could move around freely, occasionally practicing a set of boxing to loosen his stiff muscles.

One day, with nothing to do, he was wandering in the yard, admiring the scenery. He suddenly noticed that the arrangement of the rock formations, pavilions, stone tables, and surrounding flowers in the small courtyard unintentionally aligned with some principles of the universe. He felt that with some adjustments, it could be turned into an array, and he immediately began to study it.

He had a natural affinity for array techniques and could even give up the position of the Xu family's head to study arrays.

Recently, he had been focused on recovering from his injuries and had no time to study, but now that he was much better, he naturally wanted to do what he loved.

Under his control, array patterns flew from his feet and connected to the rock formations, pavilions, and other objects in the yard, emitting brilliant light. In a short time, a small array was formed.

Xu Muyang then pointed at the array and said, "Hide!"

The glowing array patterns gradually dimmed and disappeared, and no one would know that an array had been set up in the yard without being told.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Xu Muyang nodded in satisfaction at his new creation. During the process of setting up the array, he suddenly had many good ideas, and his inspiration burst forth. Without hesitation, he rushed back to the house to record his insights and feelings, writing them down in great detail.

After finishing, Xu Muyang felt a sense of release and satisfaction, and only then did he look up and realize it was already night.

The Void Cave Scripture of the Xu family, which focuses on the eye meridian, makes the night as bright as day, so he had not noticed the arrival of night.

"Strange, why hasn't that boy brought the food yet?" Xu Muyang muttered in surprise.

At this time, Tang Jie should have already returned and prepared dinner.

Suddenly realizing something, Xu Muyang slapped his head, "Oh no!"

He rushed out of the house and saw Tang Jie circling in the yard, clearly disoriented, shouting, "Brother Xu!"

But his voice did not carry beyond the array, so Xu Muyang had not heard him at first.

Seeing his state, it was clear that he had been trapped for quite some time.

"Phew! Fortunately, it's just an illusionary array," Xu Muyang let out a cold sweat.

If it had been a killing array, Tang Jie would already be dead.