The Lord of Void and Real

45  Chapter 44 The Difficulty of Cultivating Daoism

"You wouldn't understand even if I explained... well, let me tell you anyway. The so-called 'Understanding the Dao' is, in simple terms, the process of generating the first strand of mana in the body through the stimulation of Yang Gang Qi and the cultivation of the first layer of the Pure Yang Sword Technique. If you can't overcome this, then you will have no chance of cultivating immortality in this lifetime." Bai Xiaotian, seeing Shen Luo's eager expression, said this.

"If I understand correctly, this is like a key point. Only when this point is unbolted can one continue to cultivate. Is it a kind of enlightening sensation?" Shen Luo, deep in thought, nodded and asked.

"You're not completely wrong, but not completely right either. Understanding the Dao is not an enlightening sensation, but rather a transformation from within the body that needs to be assisted by external forces to succeed." Bai Xiaotian explained.

"What external forces?" Shen Luo inquired further.

"Are you seriously thinking about cultivating the Pure Yang Sword Technique? Honestly, instead of overthinking, you're better off focusing on improving your Small Transformation Yang Skill and figuring out how to get more elixirs from Master Luo..." Bai Xiaotian rolled his eyes and said.

"Who in the world only speaks half-sentences?" Shen Luo glared back in response.

"There's no getting through to you. As for what specific external forces are needed, I can't say too much, but they generally include spiritual pills, miraculous medicines, and other such things. These are items that you stumble upon rather than seek. And even with the help of external forces, only one out of a hundred can succeed." Bai Xiaotian sighed and said.

"The success rate is that low?" Shen Luo couldn't help but widen his eyes.

"That's why in recent years, the sect has recruited so many disciples, but to this day, there are only three Inner Sect Disciples. The difficulty of Understanding the Dao is self-evident." Bai Xiaotian chuckled.

"Is it possible to tell me more about the Pure Yang Sword Technique? If it touches on taboo rules of the sect, you don't have to force yourself."

"Ha, as long as I don't touch the specific content of the skill, it doesn't hurt to tell you some things. Actually, these things aren't worth keeping secret. The Outer Sect Disciples know a little, but they tend to generalize or exaggerate. The Pure Yang Sword Technique, in summary, has twelve levels. The most difficult ones are the first level and the last two levels. The first level is difficult in Understanding the Dao, and the last two levels are hard because of the skill itself. If you overcome the hurdle of Understanding the Dao, for the next nine levels, even if you are not talented and progress slowly, you will eventually succeed after a few decades." Bai Xiaotian explained.

"I forgot to mention just now, as soon as you manage to Understand the Dao and enter the Qi Refining Stage, your lifespan will increase by about sixty years, which is generally enough for practicing these skills." Bai Xiaotian clapped his forehead and said.

"If I cultivate to the ninth level, how much would my lifespan increase?" What Shen Luo cared about the most was this matter.

"If you can't break through the Qi Refining Stage, the increase of sixty years in your lifespan won't change much. But if you can perfect the tenth level of the Pure Yang Sword Technique, you can attempt to break through the Qi Refining Stage and enter the Grain Avoidance Stage. Once you're in the Grain Avoidance Stage, your lifespan can increase by at least two hundred years." Bai Xiaotian responded with a smile.

"Two hundred years…" Shen Luo muttered to himself.

"You should focus on extending your lifespan for now, and then consider the matter of two hundred years. Young man, don't aspire to things beyond your reach. Ha ha ha." After Bai Xiaotian laughed, he suddenly switched topics and asked, "Are you still fiddling with talismans?"

"I'm still studying, but there hasn't been any significant progress." Shen Luo shook his head.

Earlier, after receiving guidance from Yu Yan in the dream, his comprehension of talismans had indeed deepened significantly. However, he hadn't had time to practice and verify his skills, so he couldn't talk about any major progress.

"I knew you wouldn't give up easily. I can't use these things anymore, so you take them." Bai Xiaotian, with a satisfactorily predicted look, threw over a small closed cloth bag.

Shen Luo caught it and shook it, finding that it felt heavy in his hand.

He opened the cloth bag with a puzzled look and found seven or eight Yuan stones inside. His heart instantly rejoiced.

"Brother Bai, you're like rain in a drought to me. I just ran out of these treasures. This time you can't let me go away empty-handed, tell me, how much?" Shen Luo asked cheerfully.

"Talking about money between brothers, that's damaging to our relationship. In a few days, invite me to a good meal at the restaurant in town. Everything else is negotiable as long as you supply enough alcohol. The alcohol worms in my stomach have been calling for days." Bai Xiaotian laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"No matter how you look at it, all your deals seem to be at a loss?" Shen Luo thought for a moment and then said.

"Okay, if you're feeling guilty, give me a hundred or a thousand taels of gold, I won't refuse extra weight to my coin purse." Bai Xiaotian put on a grin, and rubbed his hands together. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

In the tranquil summer night, under the light of the bright moon, the insects chirped like a bell, crisp and pleasing to the ear.

A lone figure was making his way to the top of the mountain along a path. After passing by the Jade Emperor Hall, he soon arrived at a solitary courtyard.

The outer door to the courtyard was open from which the candlelight from the two-story stand-alone loft inside was visible.

"Master Luo, your disciple Shen Luo wishes to see you." Shen Luo stood in the shadow by the door, respectfully bowed toward the inner courtyard and shouted.

"Come in and talk..." After a moment of silence in the room, a voice was heard.

Upon hearing the voice, Shen Luo hurriedly stepped into the inner courtyard. Before he could get close to the door, there was a creaking sound, and the two black doors swung open by themselves.

Daoist Luo, dressed in a Daoist robe, was seated on the Grand Master Chair in the hall. Beside him was a pot of freshly brewed tea, from which thin wisps of white steam rose along with the aroma of tea.

"Disciple heard from Brother Bai that Master has returned to the mountain, so I came to pay my respects." Shen Luo looked at the weather-beaten face of Daoist Luo, bowed respectfully with lowered eyes.

After parting with Bai Xiaotian, he had been pondering for a long time and finally decided to come and meet this master who had just returned from outside the mountain.

Daoist Luo, holding his tea cup, glanced over this registered disciple of his, his brows furrowing slightly.

"It seems that your Senior Uncle was right, you really did make a mistake while cultivating the Hua Yang Technique. Your vital essence, which at best is a tenth of what it should be, is even more apparent in its decline, and death is imminent." Daoist Luo put down his tea cup and spoke bluntly.

This statement struck Shen Luo hard, fully extinguishing his last bit of hope.

"I beg Master Luo to save me and teach me how to extend my life." Shen Luo bowed deeply again.

Daoist Luo watched him, his wrinkled and reddish face not changing much. He simply picked up the teapot beside him, filled his tea cup, and positioned it near his mouth to gently blow the leaves floating on the surface.

Shen Luo rose slightly, stepped forward, and produced a heavy purple-red wooden box from his chest. He placed it with both hands on the tea table next to Master Luo, then bowed again and spoke:

"Master Luo, this is a token of my appreciation. I'd be grateful if you could keep it. If there is a way to extend my life, I'm willing to exchange it for a substantial amount."