This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 9 Xiang Yuan, Hao Wentian
The heartless Taoist looked at Xiang Yuan with a bit of resentment, thinking that he was asking for trouble and had very confused thoughts.

He skipped over this and said calmly, "Benxin Dao, Quexin Daoist, our sect has few rules, but only one."

Xiang Yuan sat upright.

He really didn't know who Quexin Taoist was, but he knew a little about Benxin Dao, one of the five Taoist schools and a first-rate force in Northern Qi. This was what he meant by exchanging disciples with the abbot of Dajue Temple in Western Chu.

"Our sect is the descendant of Lingbao Tianzun. If you come across a Taoist temple of Tianzun in the future, you must pay homage to him and not neglect it."

"Disciple understands."

"Other than that, our sect doesn't have any rules. We use our hearts to explain the Dao. Our hearts are the Dao. We use our hearts as horses to travel far away. In the future, we just need to stick to our hearts when practicing."

The Taoist Master Quexin repeatedly warned: "Observe the Tao with the heart, the Tao is the heart. Observe the Tao with the heart, the heart is the Tao. Define the ultimate Tao with the clear, empty and quiet original heart. The heart and the Tao are integrated, which is the foundation of this school's spiritual practice."

Xiang Yuan nodded as if he understood, and said hesitantly: "Master, since you know my origin, I will not hide it. It is difficult to be calm when my mind is restless. Is this also my true nature? Can I practice cultivation?"

"Anyone with nine orifices can cultivate to become an immortal!"

The heartless Taoist nodded firmly: "What do you mean by peace? Can you be peaceful by sitting alone in the mountains with the company of the old forest? Can you not be peaceful by dancing with spears and sticks in the world? If you like the mountains, you can get the peace of the empty valley; if you like the world, you can get the peace of the secular world. Don't go against what your heart desires."

"My disciple means that my mind is too distracted and I don't look like a cultivator."

"Who isn't!"

The heartless Taoist replied casually, and seeing Xiang Yuan's eyes widened, he quickly straightened his face and put on the image of a famous teacher from the otherworldly world again: "Fool, you still don't understand the fundamentals of our sect's sexual skills. There are no ordinary people in the world. All living beings find the way of all living beings. This is what anyone with nine orifices can practice. You don't need to suppress your heart and force purity, otherwise you will be trapped and difficult to get out, and it will be difficult to take a step if you go against the way."

Xiang Yuan didn't understand, he only knew that his master was not a pure person, so if his master could practice, then he could also practice.

In this way, the huge rock that was pressing on my chest fell down, and I felt light all over.

Since I traveled through time, I have been walking on thin ice every day, fearing that I would not be able to reach the other side. Now I am finally free.

After breaking free from the shackles, Xiang Yuan's active mind was no longer hidden, and he asked all the questions in his mind: "Master, you always talk about cultivation and becoming an immortal, but where is the great way? Can practicing martial arts really make you an immortal?"

"Master, I still say the same thing, anyone with nine orifices can become an immortal."

The Taoist Quexin first pointed out the key point, and then sighed: "In ancient times, humans could ascend to heaven and become immortals without martial arts. Nowadays, the nine orifices are blocked and the tendons and veins are blocked. Only by practicing martial arts can one become an immortal."

"Why?"

"First, the vitality of heaven and earth is declining. The vitality gives birth to all things. If the vitality is insufficient, all things will be insufficient. Although food can replenish it and refining elixirs can save it, it is ultimately an acquired method. The short lifespan of our cultivation is in line with this principle... Alas, it is far worse than in ancient times. Cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult!"

Xiang Yuan suddenly realized that the martial arts school supplies spiritual rice and spiritual meat every day, and occasionally gives out a few pills to moisten the throat. The county government's constables also have corresponding benefits. I guess this is the reason.

Well, although Lingmi is not expensive and ordinary people can afford it, the quality of Lingmi is rather average after the masters allocated funds from various levels.

What you call Nine-Turn Dragon Tooth Rice is not tasty at all!
"Secondly, it is related to the demon race. In ancient times, the demon race fought a great war with our human race. After being defeated, the demon race cursed the human race. As a result, although the human race has nine orifices, it is extremely difficult to practice. Otherwise, our human race would be born with the innate nature. Why would we need to use martial arts to enter the Tao? It's really not good to work so hard now!" said the heartless Taoist unhappily.

After hearing such ancient secrets, Xiang Yuan became even more curious and asked several questions related to the demon race.

Why do you have so many questions? Why are you asking me this? I haven’t figured them out yet. You might as well go ask God directly!
Xiang Yuan's questions were all related to the ancient times. How could the heartless Taoist know the answers? In order to maintain his image as a famous teacher, he stroked his long beard and smiled faintly: "These are all in the books. Read more books in your daily life. A bell will not ring if it is not struck, and a person will not be smart if he does not learn. Remember, learning is not the purpose, but applying what you have learned is."

The logic was too great to be refuted, so he successfully fooled me.

Xiang Yuan kept the advice of reading more in mind. He had suffered from lack of knowledge and common sense, so he deeply believed it. "There is also a third rule. The damn Yan Xuanhe, he is so powerful that he can cut the sky with one sword. It is getting harder and harder for us to practice!"

The heartless Taoist cursed loudly, probably meaning that if Yan Xuanhe had not exposed the truth, he would have become an immortal and lived a carefree life.

"Master, can you tell me about Yan Xuanhe? I have many questions." Xiang Yuan's eyes lit up. This was the best in the world who would never be surpassed.

"What's there to talk about with a dead person?"

The heartless Taoist didn't want to say more, and still asked Xiang Yuan to read more books. Then he deliberately said, "It's a good thing that you have a desire to learn. I am very happy, but I can't tell you directly, it will harm you. You can only seek answers by practicing. Your Taoist name will be 'Wentian'."

Xiang Yuan, called Wen Tian!

"Thank you, Master, for the name." Xiang Yuan bowed.

He was confused for several days, feeling uneasy and insecure every day. He finally found a master and naturally wanted to take advantage of him. He said, "Master, I learned the 'Five Tigers Breaking Door Knife'. Can this martial art lead to enlightenment?"

"Show it to me and let me see it."

"Master, please correct me."

Xiang Yuan drew out his sword, and began to dance with his footwork and sword skills. The sword light rolled, and it was as cold and frost-like as thunder or vast clouds. If there were towering mountains blocking the sky, he would use his sword to split the way forward to make the road unobstructed in all directions.

After a while, Xiang Yuan finished practicing the sixty-four sword techniques, exhaled gently, and asked Taoist Quexin for guidance.

"Not bad, all the basic moves are covered."

The heartless Taoist nodded: "You have solid basic skills and good swordsmanship."

"Master, the Five Tigers Breaking Door Sword is a popular martial art. Any idler in the world can buy it for a little money. Can it be used to enter the martial world?" Xiang Yuan asked again.

"Hello everyone. After thousands of years of practice, there is no better sword technique for beginners than this."

The heartless Taoist smiled and said, "Master, I understand what you mean. It's just that you don't understand and insist on forcing it. Just remember, the way of martial arts emphasizes starting from the simple to the complex, and then from the complex to the simple. The two are repeated alternately, and you will definitely achieve the great way."

After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "No need to ask any more questions. You have just started your martial arts. I really can't say any more."

Xiang Yuan nodded and looked at Taoist Quexin with a pure face. He had no other intention, but he had heard that people would get various rewards for becoming their disciples. Taoist Quexin was a master and came from Benxin Dao, one of the five Taoist families. He would definitely not be stingy with the rewards.

The heartless Taoist didn't say anything, just looked at Xiang Yuan with a pure face. He didn't have any other intentions, but he heard that people would show all kinds of filial piety when becoming a disciple, so at the very least, there should be a cup of tea.

The two of them stared at each other. Xiang Yuan's skill in cultivating Qi was obviously inferior, so he was the first to lose. He said helplessly, "Master, if it really doesn't work, please tell your disciple's fortune."

"How difficult is that? I am not a stingy person."

The heartless Taoist hid his hands in his sleeves, calculated, frowned and said: "It will rain tomorrow. When you go out tonight, you can choose to bring an umbrella or not."

"Why?"

"With you, it's one situation. Without you, it's another. It's up to you to decide where to go. This is your path. I can't help you choose."

(End of this chapter)