In a simulated life scenario, how do you defy fate and change your destiny every time?

Chapter 479 Eight Lifetimes: Practicing Martial Arts is Practicing the Mind, Only I Have the Cultivation Method!

"Practicing martial arts is also about cultivating the mind."

"We practitioners are all just passersby in the mortal world, using our bodies as boats and our minds as guides."

"If your will is strong enough, the whole world will make way for you!"

The Hall of Transmission of Merit.

An old, loud voice came from above the main hall, echoing in the ears of every outer disciple.

"Does practicing martial arts begin with cultivating the mind?"

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, agreeing with these words.

The body is the vessel of the mind.

If your will is not firm, no matter how high your cultivation level or how strong your physique, you will eventually perish in the heavenly tribulation.

Why are those reincarnated powerhouses able to rise rapidly in a short period of time even after losing all their cultivation?
Besides their past life's spiritual experiences.

The most important point is that their will is extremely firm.

Even if they were struck by swords and axes, or struck by lightning, nothing could stop their pursuit of the Dao!
"From this perspective, the idealistic martial arts of this world do have their merits."

Lu Yuan pondered to himself.

"Elder, how should one cultivate the mind?"

One of the outer disciples couldn't help but ask a question.

Although body tempering is arduous, as long as they follow the steps and diligently practice martial arts techniques, they can forge their bones and muscles to the point of invulnerability.

But the mind and will are elusive and untraceable.

Without guidance, many outer disciples probably wouldn't know where to begin.

"Good question."

The black-robed elder, seated cross-legged above the main hall, nodded approvingly upon hearing the disciple's question.

"The so-called tempering of the heart means to see your heart and understand your nature, to understand your true heart amidst thousands of difficulties and dangers, and to strengthen your martial arts will."

"Even if the world insults me, despises me, laughs at me, deceives me, or hinders me, I will never change my original intention and will still wholeheartedly pursue the Tao."

"For example, Elder Sun Xiao, who practices the Joyful Zen, was born a man but had the heart of a woman."

"He replenishes his yang energy by absorbing yang energy, and spreads his knowledge throughout the world in his male form. Now he has reached the state of being both yin and yang, and it is impossible to distinguish between male and female."

"If he can go one more step, he can be reborn and attain great bliss, joy, and freedom in the mundane world."

The elder in black robes spoke calmly, his words revealing a hint of genuine admiration.

"Yin and Yang in one body, offering up one's physical body as alms?"

Lu Yuan's eyelids twitched as he listened, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Although he knew that the rules of this world were chaotic and there were definitely many crazy people, he had never seen anyone as crazy as Sun Xiao before.

Upon hearing these words, the outer disciples erupted into a considerable commotion.

But the old man in black robes ignored him and continued speaking to himself.

“When you first begin your quest for the Way, you will certainly encounter many doubts and ridicule.”

"These idle words are extremely harmful, like the ravings of the devil, and can easily corrupt your faith."

"To help you strengthen your beliefs and avoid being disturbed by gossip, I will teach you a method of self-cultivation today."

The Sole Self Cultivation Method?
This statement came out.

Not only the outer disciples, but even Lu Yuan's curiosity was piqued.

He had heard of dialectical materialism and dialectical idealism.

But this method of self-cultivation is something I've never heard of before.

Moreover, it was clear from the black-robed elder's tone that he held this solitary cultivation method in high esteem and had unwavering faith in it.

It seemed that in his eyes, this method was even more powerful than those peerless martial arts techniques.

Amidst the expectant gazes of everyone.

The old man in black coughed twice to clear his throat before continuing.

"The Buddha said that there is no fixed law in the Dharma, and there is no good or bad in things. The formation, existence, decay, and emptiness are all within our own thoughts."

Whether something is good or bad depends on how you view it.

Seeing the puzzled looks on the faces of his disciples, the old man in black robes shook his head.

To make this easier for everyone to understand, he looked around and selected two outer disciples from the crowd.

"You two, stand on the high platform in the main hall."

When Lu Yuan saw the two disciples, he frowned, somewhat puzzled as to why the old man in black robes had done this.

Because one of the outer disciples was tall, imposing, and dressed in fine clothes.

Just by standing there, he exudes an extremely powerful aura of confidence, clearly indicating that he comes from a wealthy family.

The other outer disciple was short in stature, dressed in tattered clothes, and acted with a restrained and unnatural demeanor. He had a timid gaze and dared not make eye contact with anyone.

This person clearly came from a remote mountain village, and even though he had considerable talent for cultivation, he still couldn't shake off his rustic air.

When he stood on the high platform of the main hall, feeling the strange looks from everyone, he lowered his head, looking very embarrassed, his dark face turning as red as a pig's liver.

I wish the ground would crack open so he could crawl inside and hide.

As for the disciple in brocade robes, he remained calm and composed, showing no change in expression even under the gaze of the crowd.

"Elder, may I ask what your meaning is?"

Other outer disciples, seeing this, couldn't help but ask questions out of curiosity.

"Look at their appearance and demeanor, and see who is superior."

"Don't worry about anything, just tell the truth."

The old man in black robes suddenly changed the subject and asked a question.

Upon hearing this question, the other outer disciples all looked puzzled.

Is that even a question?
The difference in status between the two is immediately apparent simply by them standing together.

From any perspective, the disciple in brocade robes was definitely the winner.

"Reporting to the elder, in my opinion, the disciple in brocade robes is clearly more outstanding."

"It's a straightforward statement from an outer disciple."

But the old man in black robes smiled and shook his head: "No."

"People are often easily blinded by appearances. In my opinion, that disciple in hemp robes is not only superior, but also ten times better!"

"Ten wins? Has the elder gone mad?"

Upon hearing this, the other outer disciples immediately became restless.

If it weren't for the fact that the other party was an elder, many people would probably have been unable to resist cursing.

After all, the difference between the disciples in brocade robes and those in hemp robes is so vast that even an ordinary person can see their superiority or inferiority.

Moreover, let's set aside things like appearance, temperament, and family background.

The disciple in brocade robes was a genuine ninth-level Body Tempering Realm cultivator, while the disciple in hemp robes had only just reached the seventh level of Body Tempering Realm.

The difference in strength between the two is obvious.

But the old man in black robes said that the disciple in hemp clothing actually had ten wins. Wasn't that just blatant lying?
Faced with the questioning looks from the crowd, the old man in black robes remained calm and slowly explained.

"The essence of the Self-Cultivation Method lies in its flexibility and adaptability, allowing one to view a matter dialectically from multiple perspectives."

"For example, a noble son may come from a poor family, while a spoiled brat may be born into a wealthy family; this is the first advantage."

"The potential of the ninth level of Body Tempering has been exhausted, but the future of the seventh level of Body Tempering is promising. This is the second victory."

"When you are rich, you squander your wealth; when you are poor, you seek change. This is the third advantage."

"Wealth breeds lust, poverty breeds unyieldingness; this is the fourth superiority."

"The strong are prone to arrogance, the weak strive for strength, and when the enemy is strong and we are weak, this is the fifth victory."

"When you are penniless, you can take a gamble; when you are rich, you are prone to hesitation. This is the sixth advantage."

“Those with outstanding appearances are easily tempted by beauty, while those with ugly features can single-mindedly pursue the Dao. This is the seventh advantage.”

"The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind, while the humblest ant can transform into a dragon or snake. This is the eighth victory."

"Time is like a knife, cutting down even the most talented; those with mediocre talent may achieve great things later in life—this is the ninth victory." "Past failures are not failures. Even if you lose ten thousand times, as long as you don't admit it, it's as if you've never been defeated—this is the tenth victory!"

……

"Have you not heard that there is always a way out? As long as you want to win, you will definitely find a way."

"This disciple in hemp robes has ten wins, which is a huge victory. He has won by too many points, so how can he be considered at a disadvantage?"

The old man in black robes said leisurely.

Upon hearing this, the disciple in hemp robes suddenly raised his head, and his previously timid and downcast eyes suddenly burst forth with an unprecedented brilliance.

all the time.

He felt inferior because of his background and couldn't hold his head up high among the other outer disciples.

But now, after listening to the old man in black robes' analysis...

He has already beaten his opponent by so much, so what is there to feel inferior about?
"Thank you for your guidance, Elder."

The disciple in hemp clothing suddenly understood, his demeanor changed abruptly, he stood tall and proud, no longer as timid and humble as before.

"So I'm really this worthless?"

Upon hearing these words, the disciple in brocade robes turned deathly pale, as if his Dao heart had collapsed in an instant, and he had lost all his spiritual support.

It should be noted that he comes from a family of martial arts practitioners, and is not only of noble status, but also handsome and exceptionally strong.

Wherever she goes, she is always surrounded by admirers.

But now, faced with the words of the old man in black robes, all his advantages vanished, and he became a useless piece of trash!

“Your cultivation is still incomplete. We seekers of the Dao must endure countless hardships to achieve perfection. How can you let a few words from others shake your resolve?”

The old man in black robes shook his head and sighed.

"This disciple is dull-witted and humbly requests guidance from the elder!"

The disciple in brocade robes clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and earnestly asked for guidance.

He had been so devastated that he began to doubt his own existence. If no one had guided him in time, his resolve to cultivate would have been hindered, his progress would have stalled, and he would have been unlikely to achieve anything in this lifetime.

"What is the Self-Cultivation Method? It means that black can be white, and white can be black. Whether it is black or white depends entirely on one's own thought."

"In short, I have the final say on all interpretations, and I decide everything myself."

The old man in black robes spoke slowly and deliberately.

He then changed the subject and pointed out its drawbacks.

"Of course, doing so is tantamount to burying one's head in the sand, deceiving oneself, and is merely a minor approach."

"Just like a beautiful dream, no matter how real it may seem, there will always be a moment when you wake up."

The old man in black robes uttered a startling statement.

Upon hearing his words, the Jinyi disciple, who had been deeply discouraged, perked up and showed a look of enlightenment.

The old man in black robes was right.

What's the difference between this unilateral declaration of victory and self-hypnosis?
Even the best dreams eventually end.

If you are not as strong as others, then you are simply not as strong as others.

Facts speak louder than words; even if that disciple in hemp robes hypnotized himself ten thousand times, it wouldn't make a difference.

Think of this.

The disciple in brocade robes let out a long breath, his gaze becoming firm again. He felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and all his previous fear and dejection vanished.

On the contrary, the disciple in hemp clothing, who had just regained a sliver of confidence, was now trembling uncontrollably, as if someone had shattered his beautiful dream, and he was unwilling to accept the reality.

He hesitated for a long time before raising his pale face and asking with his last bit of strength.

"Elder, does this mean that the so-called 'Self-Cultivation Method' is a complete lie?"

"of course not."

The old man in black robes had lived for over a hundred years; how could he not see what the disciple in hemp robes was thinking?

"Life is fleeting, like grass and trees in autumn; this mortal world is nothing but a grand dream."

"And this solitary cultivation method is merely a means to enter the Dao."

"As for how to understand and prove the Way, that depends on your individual opportunities and destiny."

The old man in black robes spoke profound truths, guiding the crowd through their confusion.

Hearing these words, all the outer disciples were somewhat confused, feeling that the old man in black robes was just repeating himself.

It seems like he said a lot, but it's also like he said nothing at all.

But Lu Yuan seemed to understand something, realizing the true meaning the old man in black robes wanted to convey.

Because the rules of the Holy Realm are reversed, many things cannot be judged by common sense.

While this solitary cultivation method may seem like self-deception, it is actually a very effective way of cultivation for ordinary disciples.

The best way to make someone believe a lie is to deceive yourself as well.

When someone can repeat a lie ten thousand times and still believe it without a doubt, then they have entered the path of enlightenment.

Therefore.

The cultivation geniuses in this world are often either illiterate mortals or eccentric geniuses who are blessed by God.

Because Zhang Yu's mind is empty, he only wants to believe what he believes.

Furthermore, his thinking is extremely biased, and he cannot listen to any opposing opinions. Even if the facts are right in front of him, he can ignore them. He is simply a peerless genius in learning the solitary cultivation method.

As for the crazy people, needless to say.

Such people are born with unique ways of thinking and are forever immersed in their own world.

If they learn the solitary cultivation method, it will disrupt their own thinking logic and reduce their cultivation talent.

“Normal practitioners know the common sense of yin and yang being mutually generative, and they cannot perform the kind of performance art of absorbing yang to replenish yang and giving it to the world.”

"So the ones who suffer the most are actually those ordinary disciples who are half asleep and half awake, neither good nor bad."

"Knowing full well that self-deception is false, yet still forcing yourself to believe it."

"On the other hand, those truly born madmen can reach a level that ordinary cultivators cannot achieve with just a little effort."

Lu Yuan muttered to himself, gaining a deeper understanding of the idealistic martial arts of this world.

To some extent.

The martial arts of this world are unrelated to birth, physical constitution, or talent; they are almost entirely unrelated to any external factors.

It all depends on the practitioner's mental state.

The more eccentric one's mind is, the more convinced one is of the path one is on, and the stronger one's abilities will naturally become.

For example, Zhao Tie attained enlightenment in one night and transformed into an iron man, not eating, drinking, or sleeping, and his strength increased at an astonishing speed.

of course.

A small number of cultivators possess great perseverance, diligently studying countless scriptures, and ultimately achieving profound enlightenment, successfully understanding their own Dao.

Such a person is willing to pay any price for their own principles.

Even if it means death to prove the truth, I am willing to do so.

In the eyes of the world, they are probably no different from madmen or fanatics.

"Elder, I am dull-witted and have not yet grasped the essence of the Self-Cultivation Method."

The disciple in hemp clothing stood there for a long time, pondering deeply, repeating his ten-win advantage to himself over and over again.

But he wasn't one of those unparalleled geniuses, and ultimately he couldn't convince himself in a short time.

"It's normal that you're new to this method and find it difficult to get started right away."

"The sect's predecessors have all encountered this problem and have long since developed many solutions."

The old man in black robes smiled slightly.

While talking.

He reached out with his right hand.

He then took out a red-umbrella-shaped mushroom with a white stem from the storage bag at his waist.

(End of this chapter)