In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 47 The True Nature of the Great Dao
Lu Zhao recounted the general cause and effect of the incident, as well as his current situation at the border post.

After listening, the old Taoist priest asked in return, "Where do you think you went wrong?"

Lu Zhao said firmly, "I am not wrong. I am just sticking to what is right. You said that cultivation requires great perseverance. If I am swayed by their words, how can I achieve great things?"

"Hahahaha." The old Taoist priest's face showed a hint of appreciation. "Back when the Jiajing Emperor entered the capital, Yang Tinghe greeted him with the etiquette due to a crown prince. The Jiajing Emperor demanded that he be greeted with the etiquette due to an emperor, otherwise he would have to go back to his residence and become a prince."

"You handled it very well. Those who do great things should not be subservient to others."

Lu Zhao discovered that his teacher was quite talkative, not the detached person he had initially thought he was.

On the contrary, he was like the old man at the village entrance, who loved to reminisce about the past and would talk to him about the Ming Dynasty whenever he had the chance.

The old Taoist priest praised Emperor Jiajing to the skies, even saying that Emperor Wen was the best among the three emperors of all dynasties, and that Emperor Jiajing was slightly inferior.

Lu Zhao wanted to complain, but he wasn't stupid.

He's just 'rigid' when it comes to principles; there's no need to argue with a teacher about their personal preferences.

Lu Zhao said, "I rely entirely on Master's Spirit Refining Technique. Without mental attacks, I would not have been able to kill the villains quickly."

With his supernatural powers and impressive physical attributes, he was virtually unstoppable in the chaos of battle.

If Lu Zhao hadn't mastered mental attacks, causing the target to momentarily lose focus, they might have escaped.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” The old Taoist shook his head with a smile. “In the past five hundred years, you’re the only one who has reached the inner realm. If you couldn’t get in, how could I have taken you as my disciple? If you weren’t exceptionally talented, how could the effects of the Spirit Refining Ceremony have taken effect so quickly?”

"You've also made another mistake. Do you know where it is?"

Lu Zhao looked deep in thought, racking his brains but still unable to figure it out. He asked, "Please enlighten me, teacher."

"Only fame and titles should not be given to others."

The old Taoist priest muttered some incantations, then smiled without saying a word, and resumed his role as the riddle teller.

Lu Zhao did not press further, but instead began to talk about the bottlenecks in his cultivation.

"Teacher, when I first entered the Refining Spirit stage, I felt like I was swallowing needles."

"Learning for the first time is like a child learning to walk. If you feel like you're swallowing needles, it's because you're using your internal energy incorrectly."

The old Taoist priest was not surprised; he deliberately did not teach the tricks of the trade when he was passing on his knowledge.

This was mainly to make Lu Zhao suffer a bit, because if his cultivation is too smooth, he will lose his sense of awe, which will be detrimental to his future growth.

Only by understanding the difficulties of spiritual practice can one ride the waves and overcome obstacles.

"I'll teach you a trick to avoid the feeling of swallowing needles when you practice your internal energy."

"Teacher, I've figured out the trick."

Lu Zhao's answer made the old Taoist priest's expression stiffen slightly.

It's only been a little over ten days, and he's already figured out the trick himself?

Back then, it took him half a year to figure out how to achieve 'painless spirit refinement', and that was only after he knew the trick beforehand.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

The old Taoist priest, with a serious expression, criticized, "Sincerity is the most valuable quality in a gentleman."

Lu Zhao demonstrated it on the spot, and when he opened his eyes again, the old Taoist priest was as calm and composed as ever.

"Not bad, not bad, you have even a fraction of your former teacher's style."

"How many days did it take you, teacher, to master this skill?"

"One day."

The old Taoist priest replied calmly, and Lu Zhao did not doubt it.

After all, the other party is already an enlightened immortal, so he can't be inferior to himself.

"I suppose you're nearing a bottleneck..." "The student has already noticed the bottleneck."

"..."

The old Taoist priest was silent for a moment, then commanded, "From now on, when you come in, first report to me what stage your course has reached. Don't always be so impulsive. You can't even finish your sentence."

Lu Zhaoxin was a little confused, but she still nodded and said, "Yes."

The old Taoist priest said, "Do you feel that your divine sense can no longer grow or increase?"

“That’s right.” Lu Zhao reached out and conjured a white worm, which changed from a 'thread' shape to the size of his little finger.

The power ranged from causing dizziness to causing vertigo; this was demonstrated by Lu Zhao using himself as an example.

This thing, once 'fired,' is like a bullet; it will cause damage to anyone it hits.

"This means you are about to achieve minor success in refining your spirit, and you are just one step away from breaking through. Refining your spirit is closely related to cultivating your nature; the former is the method of application, while the latter is the method of foundation building."

The old Taoist priest took out a book from his sleeve and asked, "I can directly initiate you and lead you to the minor success of refining the spirit, or you can comprehend it yourself."

Lu Zhao asked, "What's the difference?"

The old Taoist priest replied proudly, "For others, it is naturally better to cultivate on their own, but I can help you achieve a breakthrough that is even better than you can comprehend it on your own."

Lu Zhao looked thoughtful, his eyes filled with doubt.

It wasn't that I doubted the old Taoist's abilities, but rather that I suspected he was setting a trap. What if, once he agreed, the old Taoist would seize the opportunity to punish him with a ruler?

"The concept of 'enlightenment' has existed since ancient times, and I have no reason to lie to you," the old Taoist priest stroked his beard and said. "Since you don't believe me, then I will tell you."

"This method is called enlightenment. It is to understand the Way in one's heart. One should let one's mind be free from attachment and yet give rise to it. Hence the saying that one must first understand the Way before one can cultivate the Way."

"This is why cultivating sexuality is difficult, and cultivating both sexuality and life is even more difficult than ascending to heaven."

The old Taoist priest began to recount the enlightenment experiences of past masters.

Lao Tzu read extensively, observed the rise and fall of the world, and wrote the Tao Te Ching when he arrived at Hangu Pass.

Zhuangzi attained enlightenment while fishing in the Pu River, transforming his butterfly dream into nature.

Confucius traveled throughout the states, mastering ethical principles and determining the Mandate of Heaven.

There were no specific methods or formulas; it was just like casual conversation.

At first, Lu Zhao found the lecture tedious, but later he vaguely understood what the so-called method of enlightenment was.

It is neither an object nor a method; it does not exist in itself, yet it is omnipresent.

Following in the footsteps of predecessors is a breakthrough; seeking one's own path is a natural progression. The difference lies in the process, but not in the result.

However, this ancient method of cultivation is truly obscure, which explains why it has not spread widely in modern times, nor has it been included in textbooks.

After recounting Wang Chongyang's enlightenment at the Tomb of the Living Dead, the old Taoist priest asked, "Now do you know how to attain enlightenment?"

Lu Zhao replied, "The Great Dao is everywhere, but there is no method to it; one must comprehend it oneself."

"Ruzi can be taught."

The old Taoist priest nodded and said leisurely, "Where can you find the Great Way? Lao Tzu already wrote it in the opening of the Tao Te Ching, and all the masters of the past have already found it. Why should you walk the path that your predecessors have already walked?"

"Now I'm asking you, which one do you want to choose?"

Lu Zhao pondered for a moment, then answered with a firm gaze, "Since the Great Dao is ever-present, I should naturally go and seek it out."

The great path that one comprehends is no different, but it must be relevant to the person cultivating themselves; otherwise, why would masters throughout history have had to comprehend it themselves?
If he's going to fix it, he should fix it to the best of his ability, or at least do it to the best of his ability.

The old Taoist's smile deepened, and he added, "The Great Way is inherent within us; it does not depend on others."

"Go and try it. If you don't see results in six months, then you should honestly accept my guidance."

(End of this chapter)