Chapter 96

Although Gu Caimei did not specify what kind of great power the so-called great adept possessed, it must be no less formidable than a Core Formation cultivator, and more likely, it would be on par with Earth Immortals, the likes of the Immortal Zhenren who had achieved longevity.

The cultivation methods are myriad, and due to the differences in paths, they may counteract each other. However, if one can defeat many top cultivators, they must be at the pinnacle, flawless, and almost in harmony with the Dao.

Such a person is naturally beyond the constraints of heaven and earth.

Shen Lian said, "Senior Sister, you haven't explained the source of the妙用 of the Great Void Divine Strategy yet."

"Little Brother, whenever you sit in meditation and practice qi, do you have any insights when perceiving the primordial qi?" Gu Caimei's gaze, like water, fell upon Shen Lian, and she asked in a gentle tone.

"Senior Sister, are you referring to the eight natural forces? They manifest in the world as heaven, earth, mountain, marsh, wind, thunder, water, and fire, which also constitute the world we see." Shen Lian replied naturally. He had already felt these eight natural forces when he entered Qingxuan and practiced qi in the bamboo hut. Later, when he entered the basics of talisman dao, the talisman techniques were based on the primordial qi, which channeled these eight forces to display their power.

The talisman techniques he used earlier all stemmed from these eight forces, or rather, most of the world's techniques that allowed cultivators to develop extraordinary abilities were based on these.

Gu Caimei said, "Since you have reached the basics of talisman dao and have these insights, it is only natural. The first step of the Great Void Divine Strategy is to practice these eight qi to enter the body, comprehend a thread of the Great Void Dao intent, and transform it into the foundation for your Core Formation, while simultaneously allowing you to enter the 'Ruhua' realm."

The so-called 'Ruhua' realm means obtaining the divine intent and using it to manifest techniques, thus enabling one to cast spells and display supernatural abilities effortlessly and without any hindrance.

Therefore, when Yan Bugui inscribed talismans in the void, he did so with ease and without any trace of effort.

However, in terms of casting techniques, even if the same talisman technique is used, by the time Shen Lian completes it, Yan Bugui might have already cast three or four spells.

Those who have entered the 'Ruhua' realm can use their techniques and supernatural abilities at will, already possessing the demeanor of immortals.

******

In the mountains, time seems to stand still, and the cold and warmth pass unnoticed.

Fifteen years have passed, and Qingxuan holds a Dao trial every five years, with the top three always being Gu Caimei, Yan Bugui, and Shen Lian.

Shen Lian has also inadvertently become the most famous disciple below the Core Formation realm. His character is excellent, and whenever fellow disciples ask him about cultivation knowledge, he is always willing to share.

Most of the upper courtyard disciples are relatives of the elders and have had excellent conditions for cultivation since childhood. Initially, they were somewhat jealous of Shen Lian's sudden rise, but Shen Lian's attitude towards people and matters, though not overly smooth, was never condescending or biased.

Some disciples who were不服气 secretly challenged him but were easily defeated. However, Shen Lian never boasted about these victories in front of others.

It was some of his fellow disciples who felt ashamed and spoke about it, which led to their punishment by the Discipline Hall.

Zhao Siming, the white-clad young man, lost a bet to Lu Shouyi. Lu Shouyi had a sudden enlightenment and advanced rapidly, reaching the 'Out of Body' realm, just one step away from 'Ruhua.' Compared to Chen Jianmei, he was indeed slightly inferior, but no one questioned whether he deserved to be a disciple of the sect leader.

The young man taken in by Ge Yuan, with the Dharma name Zhao Wujie, had never participated in the Dao trial. It seemed that his cultivation method was not among the 108 methods of Qingxuan, and Ge Yuan had ordered him not to use any Dao techniques.

This led to a conflict with three senior disciples from Tianyuan Peak. The result was shocking: Zhao Wujie emerged unscathed, while the others nearly had their cultivation foundations destroyed. This incident prompted two elders to join forces to seek an explanation from Ge Yuan, and it also demonstrated to the disciples just how formidable Elder Ge was.

He had secretly reached the 'Bu Xu' realm, standing in the void without any reliance on magical artifacts or techniques, defying the gravitational pull of the earth. In just a few breaths, he made two Core Formation elders retreat in defeat.

Although the two elders had reached the 'Core Formation' realm through external elixirs, it still demonstrated the unfathomable power of Ge Yuan.

Fifteen years have passed, and Chen Jianmei has not returned to the mountain. However, the cultivation world has gained a top sword cultivator who has eradicated all the demons on a mountain in the Western Wastelands and established a Daoist temple.

Named 'Killing Life Temple,' it has caused a stir throughout the world.

Zhang Ruoxu also recognized 'Killing Life Temple' as a 'special transmission' of Qingxuan.

Although many events have occurred, they have little to do with Shen Lian.

His cultivation of the spirit has been smooth, and after reaching the 'Out of Body' realm again, he formed a spiritual consciousness.

This is usually a result of the yin spirit being nourished by the Core Formation and growing stronger, but he achieved it prematurely through his supreme cultivation method for the spirit.

This allowed him to see through the techniques of cultivators below the Core Formation realm, giving him a significant advantage in battles.

However, these achievements were not enough to make him truly happy, as after fifteen years, he still had not managed to achieve the step of the eight qi entering his body in the Great Void Divine Strategy.

The eight qi of heaven, earth, mountain, marsh, wind, thunder, water, and fire entering the body and combining with his magical power would result in eight types of magical power. Even if just two or three types appeared simultaneously in the body, they would conflict endlessly.

If not for Shen Lian's yin spirit being far stronger than his own magical power, he would have been severely injured several times when he insisted on practicing the eight qi entering his body.

This made Shen Lian realize why few people cultivated the Great Void Divine Strategy.

Moreover, the eight qi are divided into yin and yang, representing two different realms. Each conflict made him feel as if his mind was in a state of water and fire, agitated and restless. Even with the visualization method from the "Supreme Clarity Lingbao Natural Lock Heart and Stabilize Spirit True Explanation," it took a long time to calm down. Even so, he felt that he no longer had the light and carefree demeanor he had when he first entered the mountain.

He also understood why Gu Caimei was so gentle and elegant, as it helped to calm her mind and prevent the magical power in her body from disrupting her cultivation.

His willingness to guide others in cultivation was also to refine his mind and gain inspiration from their cultivation, hoping to find the key to the eight qi entering the body in the Great Void Divine Strategy.

Gu Caimei was not hiding her skills; the eight qi entering the body happens between intention and non-intention. If others told him their methods, he would become overly focused.

Zhang Ruoxu was right in saying that he was suitable for this cultivation method.

The Great Void is qi, is Dao, encompassing everything and pointing directly to transcendence.

Shen Lian, with his supreme method of cultivating the spirit, had a greater advantage in perceiving the Dao and comprehending the Dao intent.

The Yuh River flowed quietly as it always did, and Shen Lian was immersed in it, as the pain and stimulation to his yin spirit helped him forget the troubles brought by the cultivation bottleneck.

He looked at the figure on the shore and said, "Senior Sister, although you are already quite old, there is still a difference between men and women. It's quite awkward for you to come to me every time I am undressed."

Gu Caimei laughed, holding her stomach, and said, "Then next time when I take a bath, you can come and watch."

"Then you have to promise not to kill me," Shen Lian replied.

Gu Caimei giggled, "I can't promise that, but it's impressive that you've been so patient for fifteen years without going crazy."

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