In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 154 Heavenly Divine Power: Subduing Dragons and Tigers

"You seem to have adapted."

The old Taoist priest sensed his disciple's yearning for extraordinary power.

Previously, his disciple's desire for extraordinary power was not very obvious, just like his own when he was young.

He believed that now that he had become the supreme ruler, he only needed to be at the fourth or fifth rank in strength, and that everything should be prioritized for the sake of the country and its people.

The path of cultivating both body and mind is different from modern life development; it requires a great deal of energy and resources, and is excessively wasteful of manpower and money.

Later, as he grew older, he came to understand.

All talk of the state is illusory; every dynasty will eventually end. Only immortality is true.

Thus, the old Taoist priest found a path to immortality that did not require merging with heaven and earth, but allowed him to retain his true self.

Lu Zhao said calmly, "We can't rely on strength alone, but we also can't do without it. I hope that in the future I can have the power to move mountains and fill seas, just like my teacher."

The old Taoist priest asked, "You said before that the power of the masses is limitless, so what about now?"

Lu Zhao replied, "It is now too."

"Oh?"

The old Taoist priest narrowed his eyes slightly. He had thought that Lu Zhao would change his mind after experiencing the great power.

That kind of power is a more addictive poison than power itself.

Throughout history, countless sages and saints, in their pursuit of the power of according to the Tao, have said that if they could hear the Tao in the morning, they would be content to die in the evening.

He used to criticize Lu Zhao, saying that he was inexperienced and his cultivation was not up to par, which is why he believed in many modern doctrines of those who had not yet attained enlightenment.

Now that Lu Zhao has attained enlightenment, the old Taoist priest naturally has to give him basic respect.

"As your teacher, I am all ears."

Lu Zhao said, "Teacher, we've talked about this many times already."

He doesn't like arguing with people, especially with an old man who might hit you if things get heated.

When it comes to one's own teacher, a seasoned feudalist warrior, no amount of reasoning can reach a consensus.

But his teacher loved debating scriptures and wanted to change his mind, believing that only he was right and the smartest person in the world.

After spending a lot of time with him, Lu Zhao no longer regarded his teacher as a "god".

The old Taoist priest, holding a ruler, sneered, "If you won't talk, then listen to my teachings. Aren't you supposed to have unlimited power? But when faced with a giant beast, you still have to run away with your tail between your legs and rely on me to solve the problem in the end."

"This time, the problem was indeed solved thanks to the teacher's help."

Lu Zhao did not deny it, acknowledging the facts as a fundamental principle of dialectics.

"Even if the teacher doesn't intervene, other extraordinary experts will. More people may die, but the problem will eventually be solved."

The old Taoist priest said, "Then other extraordinary experts are not the people either, and they certainly don't consider themselves to be the same kind of people as ordinary folks."

"Perhaps not in ancient times, but in modern times, even extraordinary individuals are still people."

Lu Zhao shook his head and retorted, "I also come from an ordinary family, as do many martial marquises and extraordinary individuals. Moreover, there is no conflict between the people and the strong."

"I have never denied the importance of leaders. Is there really such a thing as destiny when dynasties fall?"

The old Taoist priest said, "Of course not. So-called destiny, fate, and physiognomy are not absolutely fixed. As for the common family background that you mentioned, which led to the rise of a prime minister and the title of a marquis, it already existed in the Song Dynasty, and it is only with the continuous concentration of power that we have the situation we see today."

"Everything is just the inevitable result of how things developed. You still can't answer why the strong serve the weak?"

Lu Zhao had to think for a moment.

When a teacher discusses scriptures, it is never just a simple emotional outpouring; he is also constantly learning modern knowledge and verifying what he already knows.

They can often see through the essence of things, but they always use it in the art of thick-skinned and black-hearted tactics.

Lu Zhao vaguely felt that he resembled someone.

Perhaps it's a case of one emperor, one set of ministers.

Lu Zhao suppressed his doubts and focused more on the answers he was about to give.

If you don't answer well, you'll get scolded, and then you'll have to obey.

This was a tacit understanding between the old Taoist priest and Lu Zhao: a teacher should not force a student, and a student can have their own ideas, but cannot be unreasonable.

Knowledge and action must be unified; only by knowing can one act.

Lu Zhao replied, "In the past, rulers of dynasties all claimed that they were ordained by Heaven, but in modern times we only say that we are elected by the people."

"The Mandate of Heaven is the symbol of the legitimacy of the dynasty, and the people are the basis of the legitimacy of the federation. The two have something in common and are real forces."

When answering a teacher's question, you shouldn't just follow their lead; otherwise, you'll easily get misled.

Take, for example, the argument about extraordinary individuals and the people, and the relationship between heroes and the masses.

This is a trick that some people with ulterior motives like to use.

They use past history and deceased great figures to prove heroes, and they use dogma to expound on the people's view of history.

The glorification of great figures, the rejection of heroes, and the deconstruction of the relationship between the masses and heroes.

Lu Zhao did not want to get entangled in these verbal arguments; he was neither a sage nor a thinker.

What he needs to do is to be realistic and solve the existing problems.

"That makes sense, but you still haven't answered my question."

The old Taoist priest did not deny it, but asked, "When ordinary people become extraordinary experts, they are no longer ordinary people."

"As long as society continues to develop, and as long as extraordinary power cannot be inherited through bloodlines, one day the extraordinary will coexist with the people."

Lu Zhao said firmly, "Ideals and reality are about taking root downwards and blossoming upwards."

The old Taoist priest asked, "I would like to know how you resolve the relationship between the extraordinary and the ordinary?"

Lu Zhao countered, "Disciple also wants to know why the Ming Dynasty perished. You speak of the Jiajing Emperor as having great supernatural powers, so why did the Ming Dynasty still fall?"

"Dynastic changes are inevitable."

"Then it is inevitable that the people will be with the extraordinary."

"There is no precedent for this."

There was no precedent before Yao, Shun, and Yu.

In their question-and-answer session, the master and apprentice remained as sharp-tongued as ever.

On one side were seasoned feudalists, and on the other were staunch anti-feudalists.

These two people shouldn't have ended up together, but they became master and apprentice.

After arguing for a while, the old Taoist priest grew tired and waved his hand, saying, "I will not argue with you anymore. Let's get down to business. Now that you have achieved perfect inner and outer cultivation and entered the second stage, I will accept you as my disciple as promised."

"However, would you still be willing to become my disciple?"

The teacher looked directly into Lu Zhao's eyes.

If it were him, he wouldn't have become an apprentice. Since he has already attained enlightenment, he has his own path to follow, so why bother with a master-disciple relationship?

Without any hesitation, Lu Zhao knelt down and kowtowed three times, solemnly saying, "Disciple Lu Zhao greets Master."

He didn't understand ancient etiquette very well, but he was grateful for kindness shown to him.

Without his teacher, he might not be where he is today. The best-case scenario would be that he would be noticed by Lin Zhiyan, submit to her, and use her influence to escape his predicament.

It was impossible for him to fight against Zhao De. He was promoted to border station chief and then went on to achieve further merits.

The old Taoist priest beamed with joy, and his gaze toward Lu Zhao became more affectionate.

Students and apprentices may seem similar, but in reality they are worlds apart, just like the difference between a prince and the eldest legitimate son/crown prince.

Moreover, Lu Zhao possesses exceptional talent and aptitude.

The old Taoist priest vaguely sensed the feeling of Emperor Taizu Gao back then: a good successor is indeed comforting.

In particular, his son and grandson were not very capable of taking on the responsibility of leading the family.

If it were Lu Zhao, perhaps he wouldn't have taken that final step.

With this thought in mind, the old Taoist priest stepped forward and lifted Lu Zhao up with both hands, saying, "We have already established a master-disciple relationship, so we won't bother with formalities. The monthly tuition fee will also be cancelled."

Initially, he only considered taking on disciples, so he charged tuition fees according to etiquette. Every three months, he would need a piece of life bone, which could be an animal bone or a top-quality supernatural life bone.

According to Lu Zhao, the two types of life bones, small and weak, can be taken from first and second-tier demonic beasts, and their power is extremely small.

It can be purchased directly from the federal government. Some people use it to make soup or grind it into powder, which can have a similar effect to a life supplement.

However, it is not as efficient as a life supplement.

Lu Zhao said, "Teacher, if you need anything, please let me know, and I will do my best to help."

“I do need it, but not for myself, but for you.”

The old Taoist priest asked, "Do you remember the Five Elements Elixir I mentioned?"

The old Taoist priest needed some life bones to refine elixirs, but then he thought of Lu Zhao's personality and felt that paying tuition was unnecessary.

Being overly defensive and calculating can actually arouse suspicion.

He could sense that Lu Zhao was sometimes deliberately testing him.

Lu Zhao replied, "Disciple remembers that reaching the second stage of perfection requires tempering the five internal organs and then manifesting the imagery of the five internal organs' divine palaces."

The former is mentioned in life development, which Lu Zhao learned in school.

Second-tier transcendents need special medicines to assist their cultivation, training the five internal organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, which is also known as breaking through the five barriers.

The heart governs qi; when strengthened, it produces a long and sustained breath, which nourishes and strengthens the whole body.

It is also the first part that needs to be strengthened, because the medicine to strengthen the five internal organs is injected intravenously and must first pass through the heart.

According to the Five Elements theory taught by the teacher, the heart governs fire, and only by igniting the fire can the body's great medicine be refined.

It requires 70 points of vitality, which manifests as the skin recovering, the Qi flowing to the wound, and the wound turning into a blood vessel after the steaming heat dissipates.

However, Lu Zhao's first-stage perfection was achieved naturally. He could circulate Qi without breaking through the mental barrier and also possessed Qi perception.

The second is the spleen gate, which enhances digestion speed, strengthens recovery ability, and increases physical strength.

The spleen belongs to the earth element and strengthens the physical body.

It requires at least 100 points of vitality; muscles and muscle bundles can twist and regenerate like earthworms.

The third is the lung gate, which strengthens endurance and cultivates Qi.

The lungs belong to the metal element and are sensitive to changes in Qi (vital energy).

It requires at least 130 points of vitality. Tendons and ligaments can automatically reconnect and enhance explosive power.

Fourth is the kidney gate, which strengthens bones and energy.

The kidneys belong to the water element, and their energy is continuous and long-lasting.

It requires at least 160 points of vitality for bones to heal and recover quickly under muscle restraint.

Fifth is the liver, which can help the body fight off many toxins.

This final stage is the most difficult. Strengthening the liver is only secondary; the key is to achieve the unity of Qi in the five internal organs and to circulate Qi.

Only when the five internal organs are in harmony can one break through to the third level.

In general, the second stage can be divided into five phases, each of which requires a corresponding potion.

Compared to the ethereal cultivation of sexuality, the cultivation of life force is very practical. As long as there are enough resources, it can be practiced. Only the final step of harmonizing the five internal organs is relatively difficult.

It is said that the Federation also has medicines that help people achieve the unity of the five internal organs.

Sexual cultivation requires extending these five internal organs into the spirit and soul, just like the inner and outer aspects, to condense the imagery of the five internal organs and their divine palaces.

Lu Zhao recounted the two matters of life and death in detail, without a single mistake.

The old Taoist priest nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Then do you know what constitutes perfection?"

Lu Zhao said, "If both are cultivated, wouldn't that be considered perfect?"

The old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "Cultivating both is for the dual cultivation of body and mind, but it cannot be considered perfect."

Lu Zhaomin immediately thought of the Five Elements Pill and asked, "Does Master mean we need the Five Elements Pill?"

"good."

The old Taoist priest pointed to a stone fish tank to the side and said, "Disciple, look what this is."

Lu Zhao turned his gaze and noticed the six-foot-wide stone fish tank with a small blue goldfish swimming inside.

He immediately thought of a water monster.

"Is this a giant aquatic beast?"

"Yes."

The old Taoist priest said slowly, "Before I established my foundation, I only cultivated my life force. But when I first wanted to become an immortal, I found that the Golden Elixir method of the ancients was not enough to achieve longevity."

"When I thought about how to condense a more powerful Golden Core, I found that the Foundation Establishment stage was not enough to support it. I tried to repair the Foundation Establishment stage, but found that relying solely on the five internal organs was far from sufficient."

“As your teacher, I could have risen to the top in one step, but I made one mistake after another, and spent twenty years making amends for my mistakes.”

"This Five Elements Pill is what you need to prepare."

Lu Zhao asked, "Master, does the Five Elements Pill require five elemental beasts?"

A skeptical gaze fell upon him; this rigid disciple, however, possessed intelligence no less than his own.

The old Taoist priest replied without changing his expression, "It would be best if it were available, but if not, we can find something to substitute. The medicines used in the new method to temper the five internal organs can also be used as raw materials for refining the Five Elements Elixir."

"There's one more thing. You need to find a physical-type divine ability. A physical-type divine ability can accelerate your cultivation speed at the second level and also make up for your weaknesses."

Lu Zhao's attention was immediately diverted, and he asked, "The Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends are fixed, but there are countless branch supernatural powers. How should I choose?"

It would be easy for him to obtain a new supernatural power. With his current status and achievements, he could easily apply for a moderate supernatural power.

But Lu Zhao didn't have a clear understanding of what kind of supernatural power was considered good.

It is said that some people with connections choose supernatural powers based on their sequence, potential, and aptitude.

Some supernatural abilities are very powerful, but there are no gaps in the life bones for higher sequences. Some supernatural abilities are only good at the current stage, and have no potential for further improvement.

There are also dead ends, completely impassable paths, and some of the Heavenly Divine Powers are the Ancient God Circle itself.

For example, manipulating creation, reversing yin and yang, bringing the dead back to life, shifting stars and changing constellations, and turning back the heavens and the sun.

These things have not been clearly documented and are not known to humankind to date.

"Let me calculate for you. There is a limit to the number of supernatural powers in the world, and their influence is intertwined with fate."

The old Taoist priest calculated with his fingers, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he opened his half-closed eyes and said:
“I have calculated three that are suitable for you. One is the Earthly Fiend Divine Power Pill Manipulation, which is a Longhu Mountain lineage pill technique passed down from the Earth Immortals.”

Lu Zhao said with difficulty, "The Federation of Divine Powers does not have any sects, and in principle, we cannot seize the sect rankings."

"There is another Earthly Fiend Elixir, which has the most side-branch supernatural powers and should be easy to obtain. However, I do not recommend taking it, as this path will make you bloated and harm your fortune."

At this point, the old Taoist priest smiled.

Every time his master smiled, Lu Zhao felt that the other party was full of malice.

Lu Zhao said, "Then let's go with this one."

The old Taoist priest asked in surprise, "Don't you want to hear the third one?"

Lu Zhaoyi said righteously, "If my image can be sacrificed for the revival of humanity, it will be an honor."

"The third one is the Heavenly Gang Divine Power of Subduing Dragons and Tigers, which can make the physical body become a saint."

The old Taoist priest smiled slightly and said, "It is also the easiest thing for you to obtain. The Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming Technique is possessed by that girl surnamed Lin, and she is destined to marry you. You should be able to obtain it without breaking a sweat."

"My disciple is as handsome as Pan An, which truly makes his master envious. He can even easily obtain the Heavenly Gang."

Lu Zhao's lips twitched, as if he had swallowed fly droppings.

He didn't dislike Lin Zhiyan, he just found it annoying that people used their appearance to measure their own worth.

Initially, the reason he patrolled the mountains for four years was because of his face, which made Lu Zhao somewhat sensitive about this aspect.

This disrespectful master must have seen through it, but he still took every opportunity to disgust himself with it.

Next time, he'll find an opportunity to criticize the Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)