Heavenly Dao's Partiality, Three Teachings Merge into the Supreme Contemplation Method

Jinmen

In front of a sprawling old mansion on the east side of the city.

"Knock, knock."

After stepping forward and lightly tapping the bronze door knocker twice, Zhang Fuhu said loudly:

"Zhang Fuhu of the Life-Slaying Martial Hall, bringing my disciple to pay respects today."

As his voice fell, the previously tightly shut, dark cyan main door slowly opened on its own, as if two invisible attendants had come to open the door and welcome guests.

Zhang Fuhu strode in first, followed by Li Xijun behind the elder Zhang.

He looked around the vast garden as he walked. Meandering streams wound their way through pavilions and rockeries, sometimes hidden beneath stones, sometimes appearing along the corridors, their murmuring sounds fading in and out. The stone peaks were rugged and steep, with through-holes. Some rockeries stood majestically by the water, forming dangerous cliffs; others were piled into ridges, creating the momentum of undulating peaks.

While marveling at the unparalleled tranquility and recognizing it as a good place for cultivating the mind, Li Xijun also naturally understood what Zhang Fuhu's great opportunity was.

Anyone who could possess such a secluded residence in Jinmen and have doors open seemingly by themselves was most likely Grand Secretary Li Boyan, who had returned home a few days prior!

He continuously visualized the "Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart" in his mind, gradually calming his state of mind.

Until he followed them to a hall built by the lake, named 'Retreat and Reflect Hall'.

The huge floor-to-ceiling lattice doors and windows were bright and transparent, bringing all the surrounding lake and mountain scenery into the room.

But similarly, the slender old man sitting on a rush cushion by the tea table in the hall was perfectly coordinated with the surrounding scenery, appearing before the two as one with nature.

Although his eyes saw the other person sitting there naturally, Li Xijun's divine soul and senses made him feel as if there was only emptiness, the mountains, water, and hall before him.

"After parting ways in the capital years ago, Lord Boyan's demeanor remains the same," Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Just a few days ago, upon arriving in Jinmen, you thwarted the foreign church's scheme. The unity of the three teachings is truly unparalleled in history, a solitary brilliance."

"Heh, this old body of mine, what elegance can it speak of? It is you, Yuan Rong (Zhang Fuhu's courtesy name), who I haven't seen in a long time, who remains vigorous."

Seeing the friend he made during the war between the East and West, Li Boyan's expression softened considerably. He shook his head with a light laugh and made a gesture of invitation.

Zhang Fuhu stepped forward and took a seat, accepting the tea offered by the other party. While appearing calm on the surface, he breathed a huge sigh of relief inwardly.

The two had met during the great war against the Western foreigners. Because they both held strong pro-war views, their participation in that war had indeed forged a bond of life-and-death shared on the battlefield.

However, with the passage of decades, times had changed.

The other party had long since become a Grand Secretary with immense power and influence, a True Monarch who had achieved Spirit Refinement and Manifest Saint. He himself was merely a Blood-Exchange Martial Sage comparable to someone in the Astral Projection realm.

Moreover, with only correspondence exchanged over the years, he harbored some doubts about coming today.

Fortunately, the other party's attitude remained as before.

Zhang Fuhu glanced at Li Xijun discreetly, not rushing to get to the point. Instead, he began by discussing the recent actions of the Seven Gods Church, then chatted about their past shared experiences.

After more than an hour had passed, seeing that the time was about right, Zhang Fuhu pointed to Li Xijun and said:

"This young man is named Li Xijun. He came to my Life-Slaying Martial Hall to study martial arts after returning to the country a few days ago."

"He is not yet eighteen years old, yet he has already achieved some cultivation in both martial arts and Spirit Refinement."

"Not only has he achieved minor success in Spirit Refinement, with a promising future, but in martial arts, he has cultivated both Spirit Refinement and martial arts simultaneously, following the books you, Lord Boyan, wrote. He achieved perfection in flesh and skin in one month, and in tendons and bones in three months. He has now reached the Viscera Refinement realm."

"I originally intended to take him as my personal disciple, but later, seeing his exceptional talent in both Spirit Refinement and martial arts, I felt that doing so would hinder his future."

"I have brought him here today to ask if you, Lord Boyan, would take this boy as your disciple."

After saying this, Zhang Fuhu looked at the other party with anticipation.

However, the slender old man, after taking a sip of tea from his cup, scanned Li Xijun from head to toe, then sighed slightly and said:

"He is indeed an excellent prospect. When I added those words to the end of 'Introduction to Spirit Refinement' without permission back then, I also felt that, theoretically, a genius who cultivated both Spirit Refinement and martial arts would progress at such a rate. I never expected you to actually achieve it."

"This is all thanks to the martial hall and my master's guidance, and the good fortune of reading your earnest teachings in your book, which allowed Xijun to make such progress."

Li Xijun had already sensed that something was amiss, but he still quickly got up, bowed, and replied.

"However, there is one point where Yuan Rong misspoke. You have not achieved minor success in Spirit Solidification, but are close to great success. You are indeed a Spirit Refinement genius. What Contemplation Method are you cultivating?"

"Replying to sir, it is the 'Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart' that I obtained from an enemy."

If Zhang Fuhu hadn't hinted at it before they arrived, Li Xijun probably wouldn't have told the truth, or would have hesitated greatly if he did.

But being prepared, he stated it very frankly.

This made Li Boyan nod slightly, then shake his head, saying:

"He is indeed sincere. If you had concealed it or hesitated earlier, I could have politely seen you out. But since you are like this, I will speak plainly:"

"If you had met me a few years earlier, with Yuan Rong's recommendation, I would have definitely taken you as my disciple and poured all my effort into cultivating you."

"It's just that you've come too late. I am no longer exploring the possibility of dual cultivation of Spirit Refinement and martial arts. I only wish to live up to His Majesty's entrustment, to live in seclusion in the countryside, care for the Ninth Princess, and end my days."

"Lord Boyan, this! Why is this so!"

Zhang Fuhu could no longer contain his emotions, straightening his body.

"Back then, on the battlefield, when we slept side-by-side, didn't you firmly believe that dual cultivation might lead to a breakthrough and open up a new path?"

"Why have you lost your ambition now? Not even willing to try?"

His reaction made Zhang Fuhu feel even worse than being rejected himself.

However, the slender old man opposite them spoke calmly, revealing something that made both their bodies tremble.

"Yuan Rong, the Seven Gods of the West have begun to awaken these past few years. I spoke with the God of Machinery and Steam a year ago."

"From His words, I confirmed one thing: not only is the path of martial arts a dead end, but the path of Spirit Refinement can never reach a realm comparable to the Seven Gods. While dual cultivation of martial arts and Spirit Refinement might offer breakthroughs, becoming a god is still impossible."

"We were all wrong," Li Boyan said faintly.

"What! This... this..." Zhang Fuhu's worldview was shattered, unable to believe it. "Are you saying what the gods say is right? Perhaps they were just trying to intimidate us!"

"It's not intimidation; it's the truth. Because the Eastern Continent lacks 'Uniqueness,' and only by embracing Uniqueness in this world can one ascend to become a deity."

Li Xijun listened silently to this earth-shattering secret, while Zhang Fuhu remained in disbelief.

"Back during the war between the East and West, I already sensed something was amiss."

"At that time, three deities from the West descended successively, nearly shaking the entire Da Sheng."

"Back then, the cultivators of the Three Religions almost exhausted all their resources. My teacher wielded the Engraving Knife of the Most Sage Teacher, the sweeping monk from the back mountain of the Great Enlightenment Temple brought 108 sariras from past generations of eminent monks, and the Celestial Masters Sect used the Celestial Master Sword and the Dao Ancestor Diagram, channeling the entire incense and spiritual foundation of the Da Sheng's Three Religions. Their combined strength was almost unprecedented."

"Even though their power back then could contend with deities, not a single one could trigger the third heavenly tribulation and achieve the highest realm of Spirit Refinement, the Yang Spirit."

Li Xijun couldn't help but find his breathing quickening.

It seemed that in this world, after reaching the realm of Manifest Saint in Spirit Refinement, one had to undergo heavenly tribulations, and those Spirit-Refining cultivators who could withstand the tribulations were powerful enough to fight against deities.

He had never heard of such power from the mental-spiritual energy users in the main world.

Zhang Fuhu, hearing this secret for the first time, lost his composure and looked bewildered.

Only the thin old scholar before him continued to pour tea, occasionally spilling some as he set down his purple clay teapot and continued:

"It wasn't just them. Back then, the collective will of tens of millions of Da Sheng citizens brought forth the power of the common people, allowing His Majesty to enter the fray when the Three Religions were defeated. He transformed into an Azure Dragon and almost fought the three deities to a mutual destruction. However, after the battle, His Majesty was critically wounded and has been in this state ever since, while those deities merely fell into slumber and would surely return after a few decades."

"When I held my position as Grand Secretary, I conversed with His Majesty. As he said, his power at that time was already comparable to the Seven Gods, but that step further seemed locked, as if without a key, it could never be opened."

"It's not that you or I are insufficient, nor that martial arts or Spirit Refinement are insufficient. It's that the Heavenly Dao is biased, the Heavenly Dao... is biased!"

Upon saying this, the thin old scholar could no longer maintain his calm demeanor. He sighed towards the heavens, his expression filled with desolation and sorrow.

This made Li Xijun recall the expression of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang in the old version of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' before his death: "Oh, heavens, why are you so unfair to me?"

The entire hall fell into silence. The surrounding lake, mountains, bamboo forest, and courtyard seemed to be affected by his words, becoming incredibly quiet, with only the rustling autumn wind blowing.

Zhang Fuhu slowly stood up, while Li Boyan silently picked up his teacup, preparing to see him out.

Just as Li Xijun felt the matter was hopeless and was also preparing to leave, Zhang Fuhu said solemnly:

"Master Boyan, I am merely a humble Blood-Exchange Martial Sage. I cannot see the divine immortals of the Three Religions or the Heavenly Dragon Emperor above, so it is indeed difficult for me to understand how unreachable the deities are, as you do."

"However, the Black Night Church and the Church of the God of War are pressing in on us. It is common knowledge that the foreigners of the Western Continent intend to destroy us."

"My old bones are expendable, but when I think of my descendants, who will be abused and forced to believe in the churches, treated like slaves and cattle, I cannot rest even in death."

"My disciple has exceptional talent and might be able to forge a new path by cultivating both Spirit Refinement and martial arts. Even if he fails, it would be good for Da Sheng to have another Manifest Saint."

"I am well aware that the path of Spirit Refinement heavily relies on inheritance. Without a renowned master and a supreme Contemplation Method, it is difficult to become a Manifest Saint in a lifetime."

Having said that, the old man with white hair and beard clasped his hands and bowed slowly, a gesture of extreme humility.

"I only beg Lord Li, for the sake of my old face, to give him a chance."

The world became extremely quiet, with only the autumn wind blowing outside the window.

Pale yellow daisies swayed in the wind, causing the young girl squatting before the flowers to cautiously lower her head and sniff them.

Li Xijun subconsciously opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment, he felt lost.

His years of stock market trading in his past life had instilled in him a transactional mindset.

Therefore, When Zhou Yibai, his so-called brother, cut ties with him and befriended Zhou Shenghao and others, He felt no anger, only a sense of calm.

Because, given his situation at the time, the other party's actions were a strategic move to shed the weak and keep the strong, and it was a correct operation.

He could accept Zhang Haifeng's 200,000 investment without guilt, Because he knew he would provide adequate returns.

When Su Nianying offered to be his guiding teacher and teach him sword techniques, he could accept it with peace of mind, Because he was confident he would surpass the Wood Sage, become the strongest in history, and become the genius she anticipated on the flag-raising platform.

But now, seeing the old man with white hair and beard humbly pleading for his future in Spirit Refinement, He felt an uncharacteristic sense of panic and bewilderment.

"Alas, after so many years, you still have that stubborn temper, refusing to turn back until you hit a wall."

The old scholar, with his elegant demeanor, shook his head and gave a wry smile. He finally emerged from the transcendent state of "unity of heaven and man" and showed a bit of human warmth.

"Fine, fine. I will impart to him the supreme Contemplation Method of the Three Religions' Convergence that I created back then."

Hearing this, Zhang Fuhu straightened up. Just as he was about to grin in relief.

"However, this Contemplation Method requires three foundational Contemplation Methods from the Three Religions, and at least one of them must be a high-level Contemplation Method."

"Back then, during the war between the Eastern and Western Continents, the Three Religions exchanged resources, which gave me the opportunity to borrow and study several Contemplation Methods from the Three Religions. I also swore a Divine Soul oath that I could not pass them on."

"If you wish to receive my legacy, you must switch to a higher-level Contemplation Method when you reach the Sitting in Oblivion Realm. This shall serve as your test, for now."

As he spoke, Li Boyan looked at the young man before him and asked, "You are close to achieving great success in Spirit Solidification. Do you possess a Mystic Item flying sword?"

"When I looted bodies before, besides the 'Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart,' I also acquired a Mystic Item flying sword made of Blood Vein Cord."

Li Xijun continued to tell the truth in front of the elder.

"Mm, you cultivate both Spirit Refinement and martial arts. Since you have a flying sword and have also learned the 'Twenty-Four Rank White Lotus Salvation Chart,' now that you've entered the Viscera Refinement realm, you should learn some sword techniques for self-protection."

As his voice fell, in a corner of the library at the edge of the manor, a thin sheet of brass paper transformed into a golden light and flew out. In an instant, it landed in Li Xijun's hand.

"Regardless, since Yuan Rong brought you here, I can't be stingy. This sword technique will be my welcome gift."

Hearing this, Li Xijun instinctively glanced at the paper.

He was immediately struck by a bone-chilling, terrifying sense of death that swept through his entire body. It was as if hell itself had descended, with ghosts and gods claiming souls and snatching spirits, causing him to shiver involuntarily. His back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.

His heart immediately understood that this sword technique was definitely not ordinary. He quickly got up and bowed to express his gratitude.

After Li Boyan calmly accepted the thanks, he finally made a gesture of serving tea and seeing the guest out.

"Go. Come back when you reach the Sitting in Oblivion Realm."