Chapter 3

"Xiaoxiu, I believe you," Yu Duxiu said very seriously.

The beggar was taken aback, then replied, "The legends of immortals are far removed from the mortal world. I thought you would think I was exaggerating."

Yu Duxiu shook his head, "Since there are legends of immortals in this world, there must be some truth to them. Even a hollow rumor may have profound implications."

The beggar nodded and looked up at Yu Duxiu, "I am a cultivator of the Taiping Dao. As for my name, it's best not to mention it. I am a dying man, and it would be a disgrace to my ancestors."

At this point, the beggar looked at Yu Duxiu, "I accidentally discovered a rare treasure in the world. I was severely injured and even lost my cultivation. My life is now in its final stages. I felt very guilty for not returning this treasure to the Taiping Dao, but unexpectedly, heaven brought me to you."

At this, the beggar coughed, "Everyone in this village is ignorant, with no trace of spiritual energy. I didn't expect you to have a bit of spiritual light."

"What is spiritual energy?" Yu Duxiu asked in confusion.

The beggar smiled and coughed for a while before saying, "Spiritual energy is the enlightenment one gains from reading and understanding the truth, which opens a glimmer of spiritual light. This light is spiritual energy."

Yu Duxiu was enlightened. His previous incarnation was a scholar, though not very accomplished, he was still a scholar and had a trace of spiritual energy.

The beggar looked at Yu Duxiu, "Are you willing to join the Taiping Dao?"

This was a rare opportunity for immortality. If Yu Duxiu said "no," he would be a fool, the greatest fool in the world.

"Disciple is willing," Yu Duxiu knelt down without hesitation.

He wasn't afraid that the beggar was deceiving him. From the unusual aura in the beggar's eyes, he was clearly not an ordinary person.

The beggar nodded in satisfaction, "Very good, very good."

Yu Duxiu said earnestly, "Please, Ancestor, grant me the great Dao."

The beggar coughed and stroked his chin, "Do you know what cultivation is?"

Yu Duxiu shook his head.

The beggar said, "Cultivation is the enlightenment of the great Dao of heaven and earth, understanding the ultimate truth, and cultivating great powers and abilities to transcend the cycle of rebirth and achieve eternal life."

At this point, a trace of sorrow flashed in the beggar's eyes, "However, the path of cultivation is extremely difficult. Since ancient times, countless cultivators have existed, but only a dozen or so have become immortals."

"So few?" Yu Duxiu exclaimed in surprise.

"Few? Immortals can achieve eternal life and coexist with the universe. Even if a cultivator has boundless power, if they are not an immortal, they will eventually succumb to the three calamities and five decays, and be reborn as mere dust," the beggar's eyes were hazy, filled with longing.

Yu Duxiu was stunned, recalling the classifications of immortals in the legends of the future, such as Celestial Immortals, True Immortals, and Golden Immortals. He asked foolishly, "Ancestor, are there different levels among immortals?"

The beggar shook his head, "An immortal is an immortal, invincible in the world, transcending the mortal realm, and eternally alive. There are no levels or classifications. Immortality is eternal."

Yu Duxiu nodded, getting a sense of it. The beggar continued, "Our human race has nine supreme sects. The founders of these nine sects have achieved the Dao of immortality and live eternally, residing in the secret realms of their sects. Besides the founders of the nine sects, the known immortals include the Four Sea Dragon Kings and a few immortal beings from the endless wilderness. The rest are just cultivators."

Yu Duxiu understood. Immortals in this world were few. It made sense; achieving the Dao of immortality was not easy.

The beggar looked at Yu Duxiu again, "The path of cultivation involves three calamities. Before the three calamities, one's lifespan is five hundred years. Surviving one calamity extends one's life by five hundred years, surviving two calamities extends it by another five hundred years, and surviving the third calamity extends it by yet another five hundred years."

"Does surviving the three calamities mean becoming an immortal?" Yu Duxiu asked.

The beggar glanced at Yu Duxiu, "It sounds simple, but the three calamities grant a total of one thousand five hundred years of life. If one fails to become an immortal within one thousand five hundred years, they will suffer the five decays and be reborn. Achieving immortality is extremely difficult and requires extraordinary good fortune. To progress further on the path of cultivation, you need to join the Taiping Dao, leave your true name, and receive the true teachings to reach the pinnacle of the immortal path."

The beggar looked at Yu Duxiu, "I will now grant you the great teachings. Gradually refine your body, and in the future, you will cultivate your first strand of power. The path of cultivation is about refining power. Once you have enough power, the path to the great Dao will be clear."

Seeing Yu Duxiu's indifferent expression, the beggar's face turned serious, "Do you understand? The prerequisite for surviving the first calamity is to cultivate five hundred years of power. From the moment a cultivator begins their path, cultivating the first strand of power grants five hundred years of life. It sounds long, but you must understand what five hundred years of power means."

At this point, the beggar's eyes showed a trace of reminiscence, "Five hundred years of power means you can go five hundred years without eating, drinking, or resting, constantly refining your power."

Looking at Yu Duxiu, the beggar said, "But think about it. On the path of cultivation, refining techniques takes time, understanding the great teachings takes time, refining power takes time, eating takes time, and completing sect tasks takes time. In these five hundred years, you have less than three hundred years to refine your power. How can you cultivate five hundred years of power in three hundred years to survive the three calamities?"

Yu Duxiu was speechless, not expecting so many complexities, "So, according to this, the path of cultivation is a dead end. Apart from the founders of the sects, no one can achieve the Dao of immortality."

"You're right. Apart from the founders of the sects, no one can achieve the Dao of immortality."

Seeing Yu Duxiu's gaze becoming uncertain, the beggar thought he was afraid. This was a hard-won disciple before his death, and he couldn't scare him away. He quickly said, "But don't be afraid. The sect's ancestors have boundless power and countless means to help disciples overcome difficulties. For example, celestial treasures can enhance one's power when refined."

The beggar didn't dare to say that celestial treasures were limited, and some cultivators might never see one in their entire lives.

At this point, the beggar took out an ancient scroll from his chest and handed it to Yu Duxiu, "This contains the foundation cultivation method of the Taiping Dao. To join the Taiping Dao, you need to refine your physical body and cultivate your first strand of power. Then, you can enter the ancestral temple of the Taiping Dao to receive the true teachings."

Yu Duxiu sighed inwardly, "Just the foundation method, quite stingy. But I understand. The true teachings are the path to immortality and are not easily passed on. Without great contributions, one cannot receive the true teachings."

The beggar didn't care about Yu Duxiu's expression and took out another object that looked like animal skin, "This is the root of my severe injuries. I hope you can return it to the Taiping Dao and hand it over to the ancestors. At that time, the ancestors will naturally grant you the true teachings."

Yu Duxiu nodded, "Thank you, Master."

The beggar smiled, "I never thought I could pass on the great teachings before my death and return the Taiyi Map to the sect. Heaven is protecting the Taiping Dao. Ancestor, I die without regrets. I only hope that when you meet the ancestors, you will plead for me. I hope the ancestors will revive me in recognition of my great contributions, and it will not be in vain to have guided you onto the path of the great Dao."

After saying this, a fierce flame suddenly erupted around the beggar, and his body turned to ashes.

Holding the two objects in his hands, Yu Duxiu was speechless. The beggar had deliberately left things unfinished, making the situation awkward and disappointing.

Looking around the hall, the beggar had left nothing. Yu Duxiu sat by the fire and opened the Taiping Dao foundation method. Vivid images appeared on the paper, showing a small figure performing various movements, as if practicing a cultivation technique.

It was just a method to strengthen the body and cultivate the first strand of power, but this first strand of power was the gateway to the great Dao. With this power, one would transcend the mortal realm and be separated from ordinary people.

Yu Duxiu carefully examined the small figure, then slowly opened the other animal skin. According to the old beggar's last words, this was the Taiyi Map, a precious treasure, certainly not an ordinary object.

Upon opening it, Yu Duxiu was disappointed. The animal skin only showed a black and white yin-yang fish, revealing no secrets.

"This Taiyi Map must be extraordinary, but my cultivation is limited, and I cannot see its secrets. Perhaps when my cultivation is higher, I can understand it," Yu Duxiu put away the two scrolls and walked back to the village.

Regardless of the future, Yu Duxiu's gains today were significant. With this foundation method, he had stepped onto the path of cultivation, the key to the path of immortality.

"Immortal, the legendary immortal, an eternal being. I wonder if I, Yu Duxiu, can reach the pinnacle and overlook all the mountains," Yu Duxiu muttered in the darkness.

In the dilapidated courtyard, there was not a single weed.

Yu Duxiu stood in the sunset, looking at the blood-red sky, his eyes flashing with red light.

In the next moment, Yu Duxiu moved, slowly extending his arms and clumsily practicing a set of movements that could hardly be called a martial art in the courtyard.

Although Yu Duxiu practiced the movements poorly, he was very serious, constantly adjusting his posture.

The courtyard was filled with the aroma of fish soup. Yu Shiniang, taking advantage of the break, stood at the door, watching her brother's clumsy movements, covering her mouth to suppress her laughter, trying not to laugh out loud.

After finishing the set of movements, Yu Duxiu glared at Yu Shiniang, "Laugh, laugh, laugh until your teeth fall out."

Yu Shiniang turned and walked into the house, afraid that she would burst out laughing and embarrass her brother.

Wiping the sweat from his body, Yu Duxiu took a deep breath. Others might not feel it, but he could sense that his body was getting stronger day by day. His bones were being slowly stretched, and with the nourishment from the fish, his body was improving.

After breakfast, Yu Shiniang looked at Yu Duxiu, "Brother, what are your plans for the future? The fish meat is enough to eat, but the imperial examinations are more important."

Yu Duxiu stopped his movements. He had no plans for the future. He didn't even understand this world, let alone make plans.

"Eat your meal. I have everything under control," Yu Duxiu put down his chopsticks, "I'm going fishing. You can eat slowly."

Returning to the rock, Yu Duxiu skillfully threw the fishing gear into the water, "Fish, fish, come on, bite the hook."

Lying on the rock, basking in the warm sun, Yu Duxiu, weak in body, fell into a daze.

After an unknown amount of time, a strong wind carrying a fishy smell woke Yu Duxiu. Opening his eyes, he saw that the warm sun had disappeared, replaced by dark clouds covering the sky.

A drop of rain fell on Yu Duxiu's face. He touched the water and looked at the dark clouds, surveying the surroundings, "It's going to rain. It's too late to return to the village. I need to find a place to shelter from the rain."

There were rocks by the stream, and there were no shortage of caves to shelter from the rain.

Finding a relatively dry cave, Yu Duxiu entered and looked at the dark clouds, feeling poetic, "The dark clouds press down on the city, and the armor gleams like gold in the sun." It was no different.

As he spoke, a storm broke out, and the rain poured down like a deluge, creating a dense curtain of water.

Yu Duxiu slapped his head, "Oh no, I forgot that the rain would cause the water to rise. What will happen to my fishing gear? I'll probably go hungry tonight."

As he spoke, he suddenly heard a strange cry, and his head buzzed with a loud ringing.

"What is that sound? It's so terrifying, almost shattering my head," Yu Duxiu said, still shaken.

"Boom."

"Crack."

The thunder and lightning continued, a massive bolt of lightning like a sword slicing through the dark clouds.

The stream had risen, and the fishing gear was truly lost.

In the next moment, a black shadow broke through the water and shot out.

"What is that?" Yu Duxiu couldn't believe his eyes.

"How can there be such a large fish?" Yu Duxiu was incredulous.

If it were a whale or a giant fish, the size wouldn't be so surprising, but this ordinary fish with golden fins was a hundred meters long and dozens of meters wide, which was abnormal.

At a glance, the fish was like a dark cloud covering the sky.

"Roar~~" A strange roar came from the fish's mouth, and the water curtain in the air paused.

"Transcending the tribulation?" The thought of the tribulation that countless beasts must endure to transform in the novels Yu Duxiu had read in his past life flashed through his mind.

Not only Yu Duxiu, but the villagers could also see the giant fish jumping in the clouds, trembling in fear. It was undoubtedly a monster, and ordinary people were no match.

"May the great god strike this monster with lightning and save our village."

"Great god, please take this fish monster away and spare our village from its harm."

The villagers fell to the ground, praying to the heavens, not knowing if the gods would answer.

In a dilapidated temple not far from the small village, a beggar's eyes flashed with divine light, then he shivered, "Too terrifying. This is the tribulation of a fish leaping the dragon gate to become an immortal. I can't get involved, I can't get involved."

A bolt of lightning struck the sky, instantly hitting the giant fish, the sound of metal clashing with metal echoing, and ripples spreading through the air.

A strange force enveloped Chen Jiu. He could feel a mysterious aura from the tribulation clouds calling to him.

Black threads of energy drifted through the air and entered Yu Duxiu's crown and purple palace.

The fish monster's tribulation shook the heavens.

The world had legends of immortals, but those who truly achieved the Dao of immortality were few.

Immortals were the true rulers of the world, overlooking all things, truly eternal and invincible.

In the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, four dragon kings, each with a human body and dragon head, wearing imperial crowns, gathered together.

The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea stroked his dragon beard, "Our water clan finally has another member achieving the Dao. Besides the four of us, if this cultivator can successfully transcend the tribulation and transform into a true dragon, our water clan will gain another great power, and our influence in the heavens will increase."

The Dragon King of the Northern Sea remained calm, "Let's wait and see. The tribulation of becoming an immortal is not easy to overcome. Our water clan has a strong physical body, but under the three calamities, all beings become mere ants. Whether they can achieve the Dao depends on their good fortune."

The Dragon King of the Western Sea smiled, "Why don't the four of us go to support him? It will prevent anyone from interfering."

The Dragon King of the Southern Sea shook his head, "It's not feasible. The Taiping Dao is very active in the Central Region. The old immortal of the Taiping Dao has a powerful innate treasure, and the various sects are wary of the four seas. We cannot easily enter the Central