Divine Ability: Father-Son Heart Link—Thanks to Silver Alliance 'sfqk' for the Generous Support!

Although the Myriad Cloud Sect's Vice Sect Master had been present when Li Dazhi arrived, Steward Wei Yanzi of the Flowing Cloud Temple's Outer Sect was still somewhat uneasy.

After Li Dazhi left, Wei Yanzi specifically asked someone to make inquiries. Only after asking around among several Outer Sect Elders did he finally receive a definite reply:

'Ancestor Master Kongming had indeed recently taken a mortal merchant as his disciple.'

'That mortal merchant possessed supreme fortune and was deeply favored by Old Ancestor Kongming.'

Now there was no problem.

Although Wei Yanzi had also heard that several Heavenly Immortals within the sect were quite dissatisfied that this mortal merchant had gained Ancestor Master Kongming's favor;

it did not affect Wei Yanzi's 'fondness' for Li Ping'an in the slightest.

Whether Li Ping'an would amount to anything in the future or not, with his father around, Li Ping'an was bound to become an important figure in the Myriad Cloud Sect!

Thus, Wei Yanzi became even more attentive toward Li Ping'an.

Wei Yanzi suggested several times that Li Ping'an move to the Front Courtyard, but Li Ping'an merely declined with a smile, saying he felt more at ease living in the back courtyard.

Naturally, Wei Yanzi would not force Li Ping'an.

Since Li Ping'an would not come over, he would take the initiative and go to him.

With a grand wave of his hand, Wei Yanzi had Li Ping'an's small courtyard rebuilt with a two-story pavilion. The bamboo bed was replaced with a soft couch, the stone prayer mat with a Gold-Thread Meditation Cushion, and tables, chairs, screens, ornaments, floor tiles, and every necessity for daily living were all provided.

Although the surrounding boys and girls were surprised, they did not ask questions.

Li Ping'an felt somewhat embarrassed, but he did not refuse Wei Yanzi's goodwill. After all, he would be cultivating at the Flowing Cloud Temple, and maintaining a good relationship with Steward Wei Yanzi could only benefit him.

Wei Yanzi also knew that he seemed rather inclined to curry favor with the powerful.

He was now only half a step away from the Immortal Ascension Realm, but that half-step was like an uncrossable chasm, blocking countless Qi cultivators.

If he could comprehend it, he could enter the Carefree Primordial Immortal Realm;

if he could not, then even if he had another three to five hundred years to live, his body would ultimately enter the earth and his soul would return to the underworld.

What hope was left for Wei Yanzi in the rest of his life?

Did he not Just Wanted to rise another step in status within the sect, changing his title from 'Outer Sect Deacon' to 'High-Ranking Outer Sect Deacon'?

Wei Yanzi had guarded the Flowing Cloud Temple for hundreds of years. Whenever he encountered disciples with decent aptitude, he would make their acquaintance and offer them some benefits, forging good ties far and wide in hopes that if these disciples someday rose with the wind, they would lend him a hand.

Unfortunately, a few hundred years was still too short. The disciples who had left the Flowing Cloud Temple remained merely disciples within the sect.

But Li Ping'an's Father was truly extraordinary!

He was Daoist Master Kongming's final disciple, nominally the current Sect Master's junior brother, and his actual seniority even preceded that of the current Sect Master!

If Li Dazhi said a few kind words for Wei Yanzi, would not the position of High-Ranking Deacon be within easy reach?

From that day onward, every few days Wei Yanzi brought Li Ping'an some mountain game rich in spiritual energy, while all cultivation resources supplied to Li Ping'an were provided at the Flowing Cloud Temple's highest standard.

During one casual conversation, Wei Yanzi deliberately offered Li Ping'an a few pointers.

Wei Yanzi had assumed that Li Ping'an had only cultivated for a short time and had begun cultivation as an adult, so a few slight pointers would not make much difference;

yet after just those few pointers, Li Ping'an seemed to gain sudden enlightenment, directly crossing the threshold of the Qi Refining Realm as an incomparably pure thread of Primordial Qi was born within him.

This was the beginning of cultivation.

Immediately afterward, Li Ping'an meditated for three days and directly entered the third stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The Primordial Qi within his body flowed like a babbling stream, and he could already perform Lesser Heavenly Circulation.

Initial Dao comprehension!

Wei Yanzi was utterly dumbfounded.

Not everyone could achieve initial Dao comprehension. Either one's fortune was astonishing, or one had truly comprehended something, casting aside confusion as inspiration surged forth.

Li Ping'an was clearly the latter!

After his initial Dao comprehension, Li Ping'an gave a Daoist salute to thank Wei Yanzi, who had been guarding his seclusion all this time;

Wei Yanzi shifted aside and accepted only half the salute.

Wei Yanzi calculated carefully. If Li Ping'an had been eleven or twelve years old, with that thread of Innate Qi in his body not yet dispersed, this initial Dao comprehension would likely have propelled him straight to the sixth or seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm!

'Good heavens, this boy himself was quite extraordinary!'

Thus, Wei Yanzi became even more invested in Li Ping'an, fulfilling every request Li Ping'an made.

However, Wei Yanzi soon discovered...

Li Ping'an simply never took the initiative to ask him for anything.

Every day, Li Ping'an cultivated in his own courtyard. Except for cultivation, he did nothing else. Several times, he had even forgotten to go to the Front Courtyard for more Five Grains Pills after finishing his supply.

The only thing that could make Li Ping'an leave his small courtyard was the Immortal's Lecture held three times each month.

Wei Yanzi observed Li Ping'an closely for a full three months. Whenever he drank and chatted with the other Outer Sect Deacons and Li Ping'an came up, he could not help but praise him:

"This child has a touch of madness in him. His temperament is excellent, and his comprehension is astonishing.

"If he truly gets hold of an opportunity to become immortal and forms an Immortal Spirit Body, he may soar into the sky in a single leap!"

The other deacons merely smiled without speaking.

For an adult to cultivate without Innate Qi to assist him, how could becoming immortal be easy?

Finally, after Li Ping'an's initial Dao comprehension, Wei Yanzi waited a full hundred days before receiving Li Ping'an's first 'request.'

"Steward, does the Entry Incantation only correspond to the Qi Refining Realm?"

Wei Yanzi immediately nodded. "Correct. This is the Qi Refining Chapter of our Myriad Cloud Sect's Basic Cultivation Method."

"I feel that I have already grasped some of its profundities."

Li Ping'an pondered for a moment, then said seriously:

"May I ask whether Steward could test me and help me identify any gaps? If there is anything I have comprehended incorrectly, it can be corrected in time."

Wei Yanzi immediately perked up. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he said with a smile:

"You actually took the initiative to ask someone to test you? Those young disciples are all terribly afraid of that."

Li Ping'an nodded earnestly and sat upright before Wei Yanzi.

"Thank You, Steward."

"Very well, then let me question you!"

Wei Yanzi cleared his throat. Thinking of the incantations from the sect's elementary mental cultivation method, he slowly asked:

"What is Mysterious Dao?"

Basic exam question.

Li Ping'an smiled.

"Mysterious Dao is the Beginning of Heaven and Earth, and also the Ancestor of Nature. Within chaos, Mysterious Dao is called law; within Heaven and Earth, it is called principle; within primordial origins, it is called Pangu; in the present world, it is called the Great Dao. We Qi cultivators are all seeking the gate of the profound and mysterious.

"The sect's incantation gives a detailed explanation—where Mysterious Dao resides, its wonders are endless; where Mysterious Dao departs, vessels decay and spirits fade.

"From my reading of this incantation, half of its contents do not introduce cultivation, but rather explain how Qi cultivators should perceive where Mysterious Dao resides.

"Cultivation is not simply absorbing the things of Heaven and Earth for one's own use. Qi cultivators must likewise uphold righteous virtue, unite word and deed, follow nature, and reach the state of becoming one with nature. Only then can they command their own spirit, essence, Qi, soul, spirituality, and body."

"Not a bad answer. Now I shall truly test you!"

Light gradually appeared in Wei Yanzi's eyes. Gazing At Li Ping'an, he softly asked:

"The matter of longevity and premature death does not lie with Heaven and Earth. Explain."

Advanced exam question.

Li Ping'an answered:

"All things sense Qi and are likewise part of nature. Alongside Heaven and Earth, each is its own thing.

"Heaven and Earth are vast, while all things are small. All things are encompassed by Heaven and Earth, so there is often the reasoning that all things are born of Heaven and Earth. Yet are Heaven and Earth not themselves also among all things?

"Therefore, my lifespan, fortune, and blessings are all determined by how I interact with all things and how I resonate with Mysterious Dao. They have nothing to do with Heaven and Earth.

"Yet Heaven and Earth are where you and I dwell. How to live harmoniously with Heaven and Earth, and reach the true state where Heaven and Earth, body, and soul become one, is also something we must continually ponder upon the path of cultivation."

Wei Yanzi leaned back and stared at Li Ping'an. "What is Virtue of Heaven and Earth?"

Li Ping'an blinked.

This question goes beyond the syllabus.

However, he had seen fragments about it in the books Wei Yanzi had sent him, so he considered carefully before answering:

"The Heavenly Dao moves without accumulation, thus all things come to fruition.

"Heaven and Earth, Qian and Kun, yin and yang, motion and stillness—they are all one principle.

"The virtue of Heaven and Earth lies in selflessness and non-action, neither moving because of selfishness nor acting because of emotion. This is the state we Qi cultivators seek: borrowing the self from the Dao and entrusting ourselves to Heaven and Earth, thus it is called purity and non-action.

"A person lives one lifetime, while grass and trees live one spring. If one insists on seeking the virtue of Heaven and Earth while forgetting the human virtue and human principles of being human, one merely becomes assimilated by Heaven and Earth. How would that differ from beasts, insects, grass, and trees?

"Therefore, Virtue of Heaven and Earth is not my virtue..."

Wei Yanzi could not help but slowly nod. Then, after several soft sighs, he continued questioning him.

What he asked was no longer within Li Ping'an's current studies, yet after pondering briefly, Li Ping'an could always offer some insight.

Half an hour later.

"Ping'an," Wei Yanzi said seriously, "are you planning to enter seclusion soon?"

Li Ping'an smiled. "You know my progress in cultivation. I am hardly faster than a snail, but fortunately, I am proceeding steadily. The path ahead has already appeared, so I only need to spend more time refining myself."

"Very well."

Wei Yanzi nodded with a smile.

"I have gained some insight and must now enter seclusion to cultivate... This is my Deacon Token. I will temporarily leave the Flowing Cloud Temple in your care. At best, I will Came Out of Seclusion in three to five days; at worst, three to five months.

"You need only keep an eye on these youngsters and make sure they do not cause trouble. This place is not like the Outer Sect recruitment grounds. Only a few young disciples come here throughout the year."

"This?"

Li Ping'an hesitated slightly.

It was not for any other reason. He was mainly worried it would waste his cultivation time.

He currently had to squeeze out two hours every day just to read books. He wished he could use every hour for meditation and maintain the circulation of Primordial Qi and Dharma power within his body.

That's all. It is time to think about how to make the Dharma power within my body form its own heavenly circulation.

"Yes, this disciple accepts the order. I hope Steward's seclusion proceeds smoothly."

Li Ping'an accepted the Identity Token with both hands. After bowing, he turned and left.

Wei Yanzi suddenly Took a Breath. He craned his neck to glance at Li Ping'an's retreating back, then hurriedly arranged an array to envelop the house. Muttering "unity of knowledge and action" and "all things are nature," he grasped that Light of Spiritual Inspiration in his heart and quickly immersed himself in the profound and mysterious state of cultivation.

In a Bamboo Forest hidden by layers of great arrays on the Myriad Cloud Sect's Back Mountain.

Li Dazhi wore a gray-white hemp Daoist robe and sat upright before a massive Dao character.

Below the Dao character stood a small statue of Saint Mother Nuwa.

Li Dazhi's master, Daoist Master Kongming, one of the Myriad Cloud Sect's three Golden Immortals, was slowly pacing behind him.

The old Daoist held a Jade Ruler in his hand, continuously waving it lightly before Li Dazhi's forehead while chanting under his breath. Streams Of Immortal Light filled every corner of the forest.

"Dazhi, you have cultivated for some time now and have already entered the Light Condensation Realm. Today, as your master, I will open the bloodline of the Ancient Human Race for you.

"Our Human Race was born in ancient times, blessed by Saint Mother Nuwa. We multiplied and thrived between Heaven and Earth, enjoying Innate Dao Bodies, yet our Innate Divine Abilities were sealed. You possess great fortune, complete Five Elements, and exceptional aptitude. Your master will spend a hundred years of cultivation to open the Light of Spiritual Inspiration for you and condense the power of the Human Race bloodline.

"You must remember that this divine ability is Saint Mother Nuwa's protection over our Human Race. Its strength cannot be predicted. If the divine ability you obtain is utterly useless, you need not regret or despair.

"Visualize Saint Mother Nuwa's jade statue. Calm your heart and focus your mind!"

Li Dazhi sharply inhaled.

Daoist Master Kongming shouted, "May Saint Mother bestow her blessing!"

Azure light surged Around Her. The Jade Ruler in his hand heavily struck Li Dazhi's forehead.

Dong!

Li Dazhi's eyes abruptly opened. The image of the Big Dipper appeared behind his head, while Streams Of cyclones surged around him.

An incomparably pure spiritual energy spread in All Directions.

Daoist Master Kongming was overjoyed at the sight.

Though he did not know what divine ability his disciple had gained, given such a phenomenon, it was highly likely to be useful.

But then Daoist Master Kongming's expression changed slightly.

The Big Dipper behind Li Dazhi slowly rotated, and within it appeared the phantom of a great star. This great star was naturally the Emperor Star guarded by the Big Dipper, yet the Emperor Star was faint and insubstantial. It did not belong to Li Dazhi.

About one-tenth of Li Dazhi's Dharma power unexpectedly surged toward the Emperor Star and vanished in an instant.

This?

Daoist Master Kongming did not quite understand its meaning, while Li Dazhi frowned in thought.

Meanwhile, in the Flowing Cloud Temple on the Front Mountain, Li Ping'an, who had been meditating, opened his eyes. Looking at the swollen veins covering his body, he was somewhat bewildered.

What's Going On?

Why had my Primordial Qi and Dharma power suddenly increased by so much?

No, Dharma power is still appearing out of nowhere, pouring endlessly into the thin meridians throughout my body!

Li Ping'an let out a pained groan. Veins bulged all over his body, and he felt as though he were about to lose his life at any moment. Every part of his body, including the meridians around his heart, felt as if they were about to explode!

(Note: Many of this book's contemplative passages are drawn from "Baopuzi." Read them for enjoyment; there is no need to examine them too deeply.)