Why is my Hundred Lifetimes Book different?

"How can cause and effect be transmitted?"

"If I understood cause and effect, would I be in this situation?"

"It was just a minor, low-level practice."

After learning Ren Qingshan's purpose, Tao Qingran felt somewhat at ease, though still harboring some doubts. She decided to have a chat with him.

Ren Qingshan frowned slightly: "How many levels are there in gaining insight into cause and effect?"

Tao Qingran's eyes flickered slightly. He took a sip of tea and slowly opened his mouth.

"In terms of the order of things, there are roughly seven realms through which one can glimpse cause and effect. For us cultivators, to be able to grasp even one or two of them is already a sign of divine wisdom."

Ren Qingshan was overjoyed upon hearing this, staring intently at him with eager curiosity.

Seeing the intensity in his eyes, Tao Qingran secretly thought to herself that he was a man with an exceptionally firm Dao heart.

"This situation is not absolute. I am only sharing my understanding with you. You can judge for yourself if there are any omissions."

He first issued a disclaimer.

Ren Qingshan nodded: "Of course. I wouldn't stoop to the level of eating from a bowl and then cursing the cook."

"I figured it out myself. Cause and effect should have seven realms. The first realm is... the trace of observation."

"In the endless mysteries of heaven and the vast expanse of cause and effect, to glimpse a trace is like seeing ripples on the surface of water, knowing that there is something underwater, but not knowing whether it is a fish or a stone."

"One can use copper coins, tortoise shells, compasses, etc., to predict good or bad fortune, but it is difficult to know where the good fortune comes from and where the bad fortune comes from."

"Like that wealth, there is a trace of it, but it is too vague and easily disturbed, so it is not even as good as a glimpse."

Ren Qingshan nodded.

"This second realm can be called, tracing back to the cause."

"Once you glimpse that trace, and your thoughts begin to stir, you can trace the cause using the Dharma. You can see this line of cause and effect, like seeing ripples in water. By following the direction of the ripples, you can find the place where the cause and effect originated."

"The second and third realms are not easily distinguished in terms of superiority or inferiority, each with its own emphasis. This third realm can be called 'observing the result,' which allows one to deduce the result from the cause. Or one can directly see the result and then deduce the cause in reverse."

"However, one cause often has several effects, and one effect may also have multiple causes."

"Once you see it, the cause and effect will change again. If you try to change it, you might actually cause it to go back to its original path."

Ren Qingshan understood immediately.

This is a tangled web of cause and effect.

Before cause and effect are established, anything is possible; but once cause and effect are observed, things are bound to change.

It's incalculable.

It's impossible to calculate it all.

Therefore, the Dao Fruit of [Escape One] is extremely powerful even within the Dao of Cause and Effect, almost capable of eliminating all wrong answers and seeing the most correct path.

It was precisely through this that Zhuge Sheng was able to obtain the Heavenly Book and begin his foundational cultivation.

"As for the fourth realm, I call it entanglement of causes. It is no longer about passively observing, but actively intervening. You can lay out your moves and weave cause and effect. You can weave cause and effect for others, and others can weave cause and effect for you. This realm is the most dangerous."

Ren Qingshan nodded.

From chess piece to chess player.

It seems that Master Jin Qianyuan's [Yi Tian] Foundation Establishment Path has some resemblance to this realm.

However, he seemed unable to trace the cause or see the full effect; he was mostly cautious before making a move and had no regrets afterward.

"These first four realms not only connect the past and the future, but can also coexist without contradiction, and one can even see only a part of it."

Ren Qingshan interjected slightly.

Tao Qingran was slightly taken aback, as if she had vaguely realized something. For a moment, her breathing became slightly disordered, and she murmured, "Only a corner?"

He has already grasped the concept of connecting the past and the future while maintaining parallel development.

As for why only a corner is visible... what does that mean?

What does it mean to only see a corner?

Ren Qingshan thought for a moment: "Some people can observe celestial phenomena, some can understand the secrets of the earth, some can fathom human hearts, some can trace bloodlines, some can deduce from spiritual objects, and some can weave cause and effect but cannot control the course of events. Naturally, each has their own strengths... It's just that their methods are different. Like a chess player, one can make a move first, and whether it's a brilliant move or a bad one, only time will tell."

Tao Qingran took a deep breath, a look of bewilderment in her eyes, and bowed, saying, "I have learned a lot."

It's hard to imagine that a cultivator who has just entered this path could have such insights.

Looking back on her life, Tao Qingran felt a pang of regret.

How difficult it is to "make a move and never regret it"!

Ren Qingshan returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "It's mutual confirmation. Please continue."

He composed himself: "The fifth realm should be about severing ties, cutting off karma with a sword, and ending entanglements. However, it is inevitable to suffer backlash. Severing karma does not mean killing people; killing is the root cause."

As he spoke, he looked at Ren Qingshan's changing expression. Seeing that there was no reaction, he continued, "As for this sixth realm, it should be the reversal of self, the transformation of body into cause and effect. It can transform cause into effect, and effect into cause. It is the so-called 'what is done to me, is done to them.'"

Ren Qingshan remained unresponsive, simply listening.

With a single thought, a seed of desire silently emerges.

Ren Qingshan had previously been wary of such a master, but seeing him waver and be moved by him, he realized that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. So, with his aura slightly shattered, he decided to give him a try.

The seed was planted in him without any hindrance.

He was completely unaware.

Ren Qingshan was somewhat surprised and delighted. This person's understanding of the Dao was so profound, yet... it seemed that he had no experience in combat.

Tao Qingran suddenly found Ren Qingshan in front of her to be particularly pleasing to the eye, but she didn't think much of it and continued to say: "The seventh realm is a mind as clear as a mirror, untouched by cause and effect. The past, present, and future are all one, which cannot be predicted, seen, or traced. All actions are the first cause and the final effect."

Ren Qingshan nodded, only thinking of the "Book of a Hundred Deaths".

The only thing that can be called this realm, not to mention myself, is the Hundred Deaths Book, which is the only one that can be described as such.

In this light, my worry that the Book of a Hundred Deaths might be exposed was nothing but needless anxiety.

Sensing that the seed of thought had taken root in his heart, Ren Qingshan asked, "Senior Tao, since you have such profound understanding, why are you unknown and obscure in this Heavenly Ruins?"

Tao Qingran smiled bitterly, unwilling to answer, but an endless sorrow welled up in her heart in an instant.

No one else in this world knows my origins. If I die, who will remember me?

Take a deep breath.

He said with a sigh, "I am the Hidden One."

"Um?"

What is a hidden aspect?

Ren Qingshan was surprised.

Tao Qingran felt a pang of sorrow: "I was once the hidden form of the Zhao family. The head of the Zhao family was undergoing a major cultivation of Foundation Establishment and had already attained the Human Foundation. The so-called Human Foundation refers to a person who is closely related to the fortune of Foundation Establishment. It is divided into two forms: left and right, and three messengers: Heaven, Earth, and Man. The head of the Zhao family had a strange idea and cultivated a hidden form in addition to the two forms, which is me."

"He raised me for a hundred years, so that I never saw this world, only read various books and practiced talismans, alchemy and artifacts."

"I still had hope in my heart, hoping that the Zhao family patriarch would obtain the foundation and perhaps see the light of day again, but I never expected... his entire family was suddenly wiped out, and he died and his spirit vanished. My hidden form is now just hidden, with no more form."

"The world is vast, yet I am utterly alone."

Ren Qingshan saw tears streaming down his face, and he was extremely saddened. It was his true feelings, but it also had the power to capture the soul and plant the seed of thought.

The Zhao family was the same Zhao family that had reached the Foundation Establishment stage. When I was practicing the Pangu Great Power Visualization Method, I had heard about the Zhao family's past.

Unexpectedly, Tao Qingran is actually the hidden manifestation of the Zhao family's foundation building stage!

Being able to hear the secrets of "human genes" is also an unexpected surprise!

Two phases, left and right!

The Three Envoys: Heaven, Earth, and Man!

This foundation of humanity seems to be based on one's own foundation as a "court," and then seeks five "ministers."

Putting aside his emotions and doubts for the time being, Ren Qingshan offered words of comfort.

"Fellow Daoist Tao, there is no need to be too sad."

"You have been hiding your talents for a hundred years, simply because you have not yet met a wise ruler. In this Heavenly Ruins, I have established an alliance of rogue cultivators and taken in all those barbarian leaders."

"Our Loose Cultivator Alliance is determined to conquer the Heavenly Ruins and rebuild Qinghua. If you are interested, you are welcome to join us. I will treat you as an honored elder."

"With your abilities, you're sure to make a name for yourself."

Upon hearing this...

Tao Qingran was still in tears, and surprise appeared in her red eyes.

Loose Cultivator Alliance?

Alliance Leader?

……

……