Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 674 I've mistaken you for someone else
The puppet chose a room, and the two chatted for a while. Ji An then cupped his hands and said:

"Senior, I have some questions about the cultivation method to ask you. Do you have time right now?"

After a night of fruitless cultivation, he needed to seek help to find out what went wrong.

"I always have time for someone whose life is nearing its end and who has already fulfilled their wishes."

Lianshan Zhenjun replied with a smile that one can truly understand another's level through questions.

The two sat down in the living room, and Ji An recounted the predicament he had encountered the previous night, summarizing it as follows:
"The two loops are completely incompatible. I even think they are two lines that are destined never to intersect and cannot run in parallel."

His problem is that his magical power and soul transmission cannot be synchronized at all; they will always interfere with each other.

Lian Shan Zhenjun twitched his short eyebrows. "Have you had any experience with training in the spiritual realm before?"

The other party said that the sect's cultivation methods can only be practiced up to the middle stage of the Golden Core, so it is impossible to come into contact with the secret method of condensing the power of the soul to enter the Golden Core.

After listening to the story, I learned that the other party was already able to skillfully condense the power of their soul into their golden core, which is normally impossible.

No matter how talented a cultivator is, it is impossible to reach this level in a short time after obtaining a cultivation technique. It requires a long period of practice to orderly transmit the condensed spiritual power into the golden core.

His soul was naturally powerful, and it took him more than two years to achieve this.

Ji An scratched his head, "I guess so."

"It's either yes or no. What does 'consider' even mean?"

"In order to refine my body, I purchased a Buddhist cultivation technique called the Immovable King Technique. By chance, I created a void passage that allows me to enter and exit the Golden Core stage."

Lianshan Zhenjun immediately interrupted him, "You've been visualizing the image of Immovable King residing within yourself?"

The Acala mantra is also very famous among Buddhist cultivation methods. It focuses on physical training, but the necessary visualization and contemplation are still included.

The methods of Buddhist practitioners are rather unorthodox. Visualizing guardian deities is equivalent to inviting external gods into one's body. If a practitioner can see through the illusion, he can realize his true nature and naturally transform the external gods into his own.

However, these kinds of methods that can enlighten one's mind and see one's true nature are all secret teachings, and outsiders and low-level Buddhist practitioners have no chance to see them. As a result, they are influenced by external gods and willingly become enslaved by some high-level Buddhist practitioners, becoming 'Dharma Guardian Vajra' without self.

If the disciple has already visualized the Dharma body of Acala, then it will be necessary to expend effort to gradually shatter it, during which time the soul will inevitably suffer severe damage.

"Well, I realized that the method of visualization is beneficial to the soul, so I modified the technique. Instead of visualizing the image of Immovable King, I visualize my own appearance."

The training method's route was also modified and adjusted to better suit the individual disciple.

Ji An recounted how he had improved his cultivation technique, and then took out two jade slips:

"This contains the disciple's ideas for improving the cultivation method and his insights into cultivation at different stages. The other jade slip contains the cultivation method of the Immovable King Technique."

He sensed a hint of urgency in the other person's tone and was slightly alarmed, wondering if he had practiced it incorrectly.

Lianshan Zhenjun took the jade slip and simultaneously probed both jade slips with his divine sense.

After a moment, the expression on his face relaxed a little, and he glared at Ji An:
"Ignorance is bliss! They dare to modify this Nascent Soul level cultivation technique, and not only that, they dare to cultivate it!"

Following the modified incantation, and without visualizing external spirits entering the body, the situation wasn't too bad.

The meditation chapters of the cultivation method contain profound secrets. If one does not cultivate according to the method, there should be no possibility of success. However, this disciple was able to succeed by accident. It is hard to say whether it is luck or bad luck.

Ji An became slightly nervous. "Senior, what kind of aftereffects might occur, and how can they be remedied?"

He didn't notice any problems when he practiced the improved technique, and he deliberately practiced slowly, thinking that it wouldn't cause any irreversible consequences.

“The cultivation methods of Buddhist monks are different from ours. Random cultivation will only cause conflicts. You can continue with the pure body-refining techniques, but you should stop with visualization and contemplation.”

Although the body and spirit are conceived based on yourself, other thoughts inevitably arise after its formation.

It's not apparent yet, but as it grows, all sorts of things will inevitably happen, the worst outcome being the emergence of a second you.

Ji An realized that this was just like the subconscious and conscious mind of a person, and what was visualized was another hidden personality.

Lianshan Zhenjun continued:

"Only when the divine consciousness is integrated into the golden core and slowly nurtured into a soul can it be called a nascent soul, which is the true me."

What you need to do now is to transform the originally visualized divine soul into pure divine soul energy to nourish the golden elixir.

Transforming one's physical body into a spirit is not difficult, but it's not easy either. Don't rely on the power of the Five Elements Divine Palace to wear it down.

The inherited cultivation method that allows one to reach the late Nascent Soul stage contains a secret technique to erode the body and spirit; it's a technique used in the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture. Find it yourself.

He laughed in exasperation and said:
"You could have saved a lot of time, but now all your advantages are gone."

Ji An smiled sheepishly and explained:
"Without teachers to instruct you directly, and without any training methods to refer to, it would be abnormal not to take detours."

It was too difficult to cross the river by feeling for stones. At this moment, he felt fortunate for his wise decision. Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.

Lianshan Zhenjun curled his lips and said, "You are quite objective and have a good attitude. In the future, when facing any difficulties and hardships, you must have the mindset of overcoming obstacles to achieve the Great Way."

He turned to look at the incense burner, pointed at it, and said:
"Wearing away at the body and spirit consumes a great deal of spiritual power, because it will instinctively resist. You should keep this sandalwood soul-nourishing incense for yourself."

If you have enough spiritual objects to restore your consciousness, you will be able to complete the mission sooner.

The next step is to synchronize your spiritual power and magical power. Without interference from your physical body, and with your existing foundation, this process will be much smoother.

He didn't realize that this disciple was a genius, completely unconstrained by his thoughts, and possessed a high level of comprehension; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to improve the cultivation method.

With proper guidance and sufficient resources, growth can be very rapid.

Thinking of this, he gave the instructions:
"What you need to do now is acquire as many resources as possible so that you can maintain rapid progress. Once you break through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm, advancing to the ninth level of the Golden Core realm will not be difficult."

The recognition from the bigwig made Ji An very happy, and he nodded emphatically:
"I will make good use of my resources and strive to reach the Nascent Soul realm as soon as possible."

They chatted for a while about cultivation techniques, and a special fluctuation of magical power came into the cave from outside.

Ji An made a hand seal to break the magical barrier, and golden light flashed in from outside—it was a golden communication sword.
He grasped the golden sword, probed it with his divine sense to read the information, and stood up, saying:

"There are matters in the Immortal City that require my attention. Senior, please stay in the cave for now."

Crimson Flame Pavilion, living room.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ji An got straight to the point:

"Fellow Daoist, I have some important matters to attend to and need to leave Cloud Sea Immortal City."

Master Guangping was startled and said:
“Fellow Daoist, we have signed an agreement that if you leave before the lease term is fifty years, you will have to pay a considerable price.”

Under the other party's tutelage, the family has produced competent alchemists and reliable talisman makers over the years. From the bottom of his heart, he does not want the other party to leave.

Ji An nodded helplessly and took out two jade slips: "This decision was also difficult for me, but I had to do it for the sake of my path."

I've compiled a list of alchemists' and talisman-making tips, which includes some pill formulas as compensation. Perhaps we can collaborate again in the future.

There are only a few pill formulas, all of which are for those at or below the Chaoyuan stage. The knowledge gained in making talismans can be used to draw second-tier talismans.

These kinds of tips are readily available in the market, but his are more detailed, so it's a favor.

The reason he kept this connection was that he felt the sect would inevitably have to interact with Zhongzhou in the future, and the other party's family would be useful, so it was a strategic move.

After the two completed the handover of the shop, Ji An said:
"I need your help to pass on a message. After I leave, some fellow disciples will come to the Crimson Flame Pavilion. Please help inform them of my situation."

"Where does Fellow Daoist intend to go? Should they be sent to find him?"

Master Guangping was happy to help with just a few words. He had checked both of them and found the contents to be very detailed, so he didn't pursue the matter of the other party breaching the agreement.

With this legacy, the family can continue to run the shop.

"I can't say for sure where I'll go, but I occasionally keep in touch with Flying Cloud Master of Phoenix Mountain Range. If anyone comes looking for me, please let me know."

Ji An explained that he left his contact information because he still had connections with Zhenyue Zhenjun.

If he leaves without saying goodbye and causes a change in Huayin Zhenren's condition, the original friendship will turn into hatred.

Zhenyue Zhenjun looked at Huayin Zhenren with gentle eyes. If Huayin Zhenren were to meet with misfortune due to the pill, he had no doubt that he would be hunted down by Zhenyue Zhenjun.

After chatting for a while longer, Ji An took his leave.

He rode a cloud to the rental office of the cave dwelling and explained his purpose:

"I want to cancel the lease on two cave dwellings. Also, I have another question. The spirit fields in the Black Stone Mountain cave dwelling have been upgraded in grade after my careful cultivation. Is there any additional reward?"

The person in charge smiled and nodded, "There is a reward. What grade and rank was the spirit field you rented, senior?"

Some cultivators have been renting cave dwellings for hundreds of years, including many high-level spirit farmers. As long as the quality of the spirit fields improves during the rental period, they will receive a reward of spirit stones.

"It was a mid-grade tier 3 before the lease."

The manager retrieved the rental records for Blackstone Mountain and smiled, saying:
"According to our rules, if a spirit field is upgraded to the third-grade superior level, it will be rewarded with five hundred superior spirit stones."

This spirit stone will be distributed after the lease termination procedures are completed. Senior, would you like to terminate the lease today?

Ji An nodded. "Yes, let's withdraw now."

Jinlong Mountain, with its summit cave.

Master Xuanye recounted the story of Master Xuanji's soul lamp going out, and then said:
"My junior brother once sent back a message that a cultivator from the Western Continent took out a third-grade superior Vajra Bodhi tree twice in a row, and he suspected that the other party had a secret treasure."

After his soul lamp went out, the Hall Master of the Soul Palace conducted a thorough investigation and discovered that the Western Continent cultivator had left the Immortal City before his junior brother left.

I suspect the two events are related, but I have no evidence.

The Western Continent cultivator never returned after leaving. The Soul Palace Master had returned to his sect, but left several disciples in the Chaoyuan stage to keep watch.

He cautiously glanced at True Monarch Tianyan. Junior Brother Xuanji was a descendant of the other party. Although several generations had passed, it was impossible to say what the ancestor's attitude was.

He was supposed to hand over the results of a matter, but the patriarch's sudden emergence from seclusion disrupted his plans.

Tianyan Zhenjun was not particularly moved by the death of his descendant, but he was very interested in a cultivator who could produce three high-grade spirit woods in succession.

"We don't need evidence, just suspicion is enough."

Tell me immediately if you have any leads; I want to personally investigate the disappearances and deaths of people of ethnicity.

Since the target's backing wasn't powerful, and he might possess some valuable treasures, he naturally decided to check them out.

If there really is a secret treasure that can reliably produce third-grade high-quality spirit wood, he could also benefit from it at his level.

If not, it was just a matter of a little effort.

As they were talking, a golden sword for communication hovered outside the cave.

True Lord Tianyan opened the cave door with a hand seal, and the golden sword flew in and stopped in front of True Person Xuanye.

Master Xuanye grasped the golden sword and read the information within it, then said in a deep voice:
“Ancestor, the target has returned to the Immortal City, but the Hidden Star Compass has not detected anything unusual. Junior Brother’s situation may be unrelated to the other party.”

This situation indicates that the death of Master Xuanji was not directly related to the other party.

"I will make my own judgment, find someone to guide me, and go to the Immortal City myself."

After receiving the refunded rent and the reward of high-grade spirit stones, Ji An took the puppet and flew north on a cloud.

He will search for a flying ship to leave the northern region of the Central Continent, as there are some large immortal cities that trade with the far north.

Ji An pointed to the setting sun in the distance and laughed:

"Senior, when we return to the Western Continent, the sunset we see above the vast forest will be even more spectacular."

A look of reminiscence flashed in Lian Shan Zhenjun's eyes, "In my time, the Western Continent was still the territory of a few Nascent Soul level demon beast races. I never imagined that they would decline to the point of abandoning the outer areas of the Ten Thousand Mountains."

Over the years, the human cultivators have grown and developed at a much faster pace than the demon beasts, which is very good.

However, the spiritual veins in the outer areas of the Ten Thousand Mountains are barren, and your sect's spiritual veins need to be cultivated to a higher grade as soon as possible.

"Hehe, our Five Elements Sect is quite adept at cultivating spiritual veins."

As the two were talking, Lian Shan Zhenjun seemed to sense something, turned his head and saw a golden light appear on the horizon, flying swiftly like a rainbow.

As the light drew closer, he spoke:

"Have you messed with someone? I can feel them coming for us."

Before Ji An could even open his mouth, a massive hand, as large as a mountain range made of spiritual energy, reached out to grab him.

Lianshan Zhenjun activated his Nascent Soul power and immediately shattered the giant hand that had grabbed him.
"Who dares to ambush this True Lord!"

He exerted all his strength to unleash the divine soul pressure belonging to a Nascent Soul eighth-level cultivator, his voice spreading like rolling thunder.

Tianyan Zhenjun was startled when he sensed the soul fluctuations of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He had assumed that Ji An's location was a sure thing, but he hadn't expected to encounter such a powerful cultivator.

“Brother Dao, I have mistaken you for someone else. This piece of fourth-grade low-level Phoenix Pattern Gold is my apology.”

He immediately backed down, realizing that the other party appeared to be a puppet, likely an avatar of some old monster.

(End of this chapter)