All Heavens: Becoming a Saint Begins in Deep Space

"I was reluctant to tell you about the division of the levels of the ancient arts before because I was afraid it would limit your path. I think there are problems with the ancient arts path. From the pre-Qin era to the early Taoism, the cultivation methods were constantly changing. In addition, the cultivation methods changed again in the middle and late Taoism," Old Chen said seriously.

Wang Xuan's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said, "Old Chen, you seem to have noticed something from time to time. After I came out of the inner realm, the Sword Fairy told me some things. I always feel that those ancient people left some pits and traps on the old road."

During the pre-Qin period, a Taoist priest accidentally entered the Inner Realm using the method of "roots," causing a qualitative change in the old techniques.

"In that era, a considerable number of top-tier alchemists embarked on the path to immortality, enduring the bombardment of lightning, and ascended to heaven one after another. But with the passing of these people, the era of alchemists came to an end," Old Chen sighed.

Now, looking at what happened to you, I understand a bit more: "The old techniques have several secret paths: celestial medicine, secret realms, and inner realms. But celestial medicine is hard to find, and inner realms are hard to enter, so the decline of the alchemist path was inevitable."

Early Taoism emphasized "fasting of the mind," which means inner peace and cultivation of the mind. Taoist classics mention "attaining utmost emptiness and adhering firmly to the classics" and "only the Tao gathers emptiness, and emptiness is the fasting of the mind." However, such statements are too abstract for ordinary people.

Who proposed this idea? It was Laozi and Zhuangzi! Ordinary people couldn't possibly reach that level.

"Later on, Taoism made another significant discovery, proposing the concept of 'finding the path.' According to classical texts, this path is no less important than the inner vision and the celestial medicine. Unfortunately, over the long years, few people have been able to find it, which is reflected in other aspects." As he spoke, Old Chen glanced at Wang Li.

Wang Lichan shook her head, indicating that she didn't know.

"Later, when Taoism reached its peak, Lü Dongbin's 'Secret Formula of Lü Gong's Golden Elixir' developed the internal alchemy method into the Great Dao of Golden Elixir," Old Chen said.

Wang Xuan listened intently: "Sword cultivators appeared after the Golden Core Path emerged, right?"

"Yes," Old Chen nodded.

Old Chen took a sip of water and continued, "Let me talk about the levels of old techniques that apply to both ancient and modern times. The first stage is the fog, the second stage is the lamp, the third and fourth stages are respectively the earth of life and the gathering of herbs, and the fifth stage is quite special. This stage is when you choose your own path. You can choose to follow the path of the pre-Qin alchemists or the path of the Taoist alchemy."

As for what lies ahead, let's leave that aside for now.

Wang Xuan then asked, "Old Chen, what level are we at now?"

Aoki was also staring longingly at Old Chen.

Old Chen glanced at them disdainfully: "In ancient times, the division of realms only included Grandmaster and those below Grandmaster. Grandmasters were considered amateurs, and breaking through to the next level fell into the category of 'professional,' which meant true cultivators."

At this moment, Aoki felt a bit uncomfortable and wanted to hit his master! These words were extremely insulting.

"Alright, go on." Wang Xuan wasn't disappointed; instead, he was even more motivated to get back at them in the future.

Old Chen said, "I am now officially in the fog stage. At first glance, my body is completely dark, and I cannot see the surrounding scenery."

Remember, the fog isn't a figment of my imagination; it's what I truly witnessed. These are my observations based on experience, meant to tell you that when you reach this level, don't waver. Even amidst the fog, you'll always see a glimmer of light; just keep pursuing it.

The so-called glimmer of light refers to the spiritual realm.

"The second stage is igniting the lamp, which requires sufficient spiritual energy. Only when one has enough spiritual energy can one step into it. However, igniting the lamp does not mean burning one's spirit, but rather forming a spiritual realm, condensing it, and finally hanging it like a lamp under the already dark night sky of immortality, illuminating one's path ahead and guiding one's own direction."

The third level is Earth, a crucial realm said to be the origin of all laws, the place where the extraordinary stand, though it has no direct counterpart in flesh and blood, it truly exists. It is the place that nourishes life.

As for gathering herbs, it refers to gathering the precious herbs from one's own body. When entering this field, one must pay close attention to the timing and not be careless. If one can gather celestial herbs, that would be the best.

The rest is up to you to choose.

Finally, Old Chen gave Wang Xuan and Wang Li a bright look and said, "There are so many roads ahead. We need to actively pave the way. The era of old techniques is coming, and it is also coming to an end."

Towards the end, Old Chen became somewhat wistful and dejected.

Wang Xuan was puzzled, not understanding why Lao Chen had suddenly become a riddle teller as well.

Suddenly, Old Chen's eyes sharpened. He picked up the long sword beside him, stood up, and looked out the window.

"It's finally here! It didn't disappoint me, a super big fish has arrived!" Old Chen's entire demeanor changed, his sharp edge revealed, and he exuded a murderous aura.

Old Chen turned to look at Wang Li and Wang Xuan, saying that they would likely have a tough battle tonight: "Wang Li and Wang Xuan, get ready. There is a Grandmaster and several other Grandmasters."

"Old Chen, someone's coming! He can fly!" Wang Xuan was shocked. Was this really a big fish? Could Old Chen, this old fisherman, stop him?

In the rainy night, a person silently floated in the air, surrounded by a hazy glow. The rain could not wet his clothes. He looked to be in his fifties, with long, light-gold hair and sharp eyes. He was like two bright lights in the long night.

He was wearing bronze armor from the Western Age of War and carrying a greatsword that was half his height.

"Old Chen, don't be fooled by his armor. That's the latest supernatural armor developed by Nova, capable of storing supernatural substances," Wang Li transmitted his voice.

Old Cheng glanced at him, then turned and hurried toward the reed marshes.

"Find me an energy cannon!" Wang Xuan said, and Wang Li followed him.

Aoki led them to a warehouse filled with all sorts of firearms. Wang Xuan picked up an energy cannon and ran out.

Aoki stared, dumbfounded: "You want to shoot down the spaceship?"

Wang Li, standing nearby, quietly took away a lot of firearms, such as grenades, ordinary cannons, and a number of RPGs, putting them into the panel space, intending to use them when they arrived at the extraordinary planet. Aoki and the others turned around and ran out with their energy cannons, and Wang Li took the opportunity to take a lot more, leaving a large number of RPGs missing from the warehouse.

Then, Wang Li looked around and also picked up an energy cannon just like the one used by Wang Jiaozu and ran out.

He sensed that many mechs had arrived at the manor. Based on the principles of convenience and safety, Wang Li ran towards the VIP area where Wang Xuan and the others were.

At this moment, apart from Old Chen, Wang Li had the strongest perception in the manor.

Soon, they spotted their target: six mechs hovering in mid-air in the rainy night, charging toward them from all directions.

Without saying a word, Wang Li adjusted his angle and began firing. With his powerful mental perception, Wang Li's shots were very accurate.

Wang Li fired four beams of light in one go, while Wang Xuan's beams were even more exaggeratedly dense, illuminating the dim night sky.

The mechs in mid-air really did all crash.

Old Wu was shocked. Why was it so bright outside? The sun was out.

He gradually regained consciousness and realized that there was a firefight taking place.

Wu Yin also regained consciousness, watching the mecha explode in the sky and beams of light shoot into the sky from the courtyard.

Wu Yin finished dressing, pushed open the door, and saw Wang Xuan and the others carrying energy cannons, about to leave.

"Then what are you going to do carrying those energy cannons?" Wu Yin asked.

"It's nothing. There were a few big mosquitoes in the sky. Lao Qing and I were going to swat them down so they wouldn't bother you," Wang Xuan replied.

"Swatting mosquitoes?" Wu Yin was still in a daze.

Suddenly, Wu Yin's expression changed. The heavy rain washed down the half-hand fragment left on the roof by the mecha explosion, almost hitting her uncle on the head.

Old Wu looked down at the severed hand, a chill running down his spine. It was truly unbelievable.

Zhong Qing was awakened by the commotion in the manor. She opened the window a crack and saw Wang Li, Wang Xuan, and Qingmu carrying two energy cannons as they passed through the courtyard.