"I'm saying, you really don't have any thoughts at all?"
On the way to the airport, the system spoke up, which was unusual for it.
To be honest, it didn't understand either; even now, Li Xingkong could still hold back.
If it weren't one with Li Xingkong and knew that Li Xingkong was healthy and everything was normal, it would also think that Li Xingkong was no good.
"Yes, of course there are desires."
Li Xingkong drove lazily while communicating with the system.
"Then why?"
The system was also curious about Li Xingkong's thoughts.
"First of all, we've never met before, we've barely even exchanged a few words, so I don't think it's appropriate."
Li Xingkong explained calmly.
"In modern society, very few people care about this anymore. Some people can have a child after only three hours of meeting."
Although the system only resides within Li Xingkong, it is quite knowledgeable about social dynamics; after all, it can't escape the news when Li Xingkong is watching entertainment news.
"Secondly, my small head has ideas, but my brain doesn't."
Li Xingkong continued with his second reason: cultivating immortality is about cultivating one's own mind, emphasizing the mind's control over the whole body. If one's physical desires override reason, it only means that one's cultivation is not yet complete.
Cultivating the mind is not about completely severing emotions and desires, nor is it about mindlessly indulging in desires. To put it bluntly, cultivating the mind is about cultivating one's own values. If something aligns with one's own beliefs, then it's acceptable to do it. If it also aligns with one's desires, then doing it will be more fulfilling. Conversely, if one merely indulges in one's desires while violating the principles one has already established, then that will be the greatest obstacle to one's own mind.
Ultimately, different people have different understandings of self-cultivation, and no one can say who is right or wrong; everyone has their own path.
In the melting pot of society, people's thoughts are changed, distorted, and deformed by worldly customs. They lose their original selves for money and become unrecognizable.
But Li Xingkong is different. He already has the right to say no to society. He doesn't have to compromise for anything, nor does he have to change himself for a little benefit.
Putting everything else aside, right now, if he wants something, it's hard for anyone to stop him. Whether it's stealing or robbing, whether it's done openly or covertly, he can get it. In fact, since he has already embarked on the path of Qi Refining, his greatest enemy in life, his lifespan, is already much longer than that of ordinary people.
But does increased ability mean he can do whatever he wants? Of course not.
Physical desires and spiritual cultivation are inherently separate.
Of course, these were just ideas he formed on his own during his years of cultivating immortality. As for the courses provided by the system, it was not responsible for guiding people's spiritual development.
If one's values and beliefs must be instilled by a system, then what difference does it make who becomes the host? The system can simply mold them into whatever it wants.
"I won't comment on that, but your personality is compatible with mine."
The system surprisingly offered a word of agreement.
"Thirdly, many books say that virginity is more beneficial for spiritual practice, and I don't want to be happy for a moment and regret it for the rest of my life."
Li Xingkong spoke casually, but the system knew that this was probably his most crucial reason.
Although Li Xingkong was an ordinary person, his dedication to the Dao was truly exceptional, one in a million.
To persist for so many years without any extraordinary abilities, remaining steadfast and never letting up, is something that already puts one ahead of 90% of people.
Even for capital or nations, it's difficult to sustain an investment in a seemingly vague plan for so many years without seeing any results.
But Li Xingkong did just that. He abandoned almost everything and said he wanted to embark on the path of cultivation, and he really focused all his attention on it.
The system is watching all of this.
"Actually, it has some impact, but not a big one. The biggest impact is that people become addicted. Most people who cultivate immortality become completely obsessed with various miscellaneous things and forget their original intentions."
The system said, "The vast majority of ordinary people are trapped by wine and women, and can never take a single step into the Foundation Establishment stage in their lifetime. As for Foundation Establishment cultivators, most are trapped by their families and businesses, supporting their families and children, spending a lot of time maintaining their families, and losing the opportunity to advance their cultivation. As for the Golden Core, they are just beginning to explore the mysteries, and many True Immortals choose one path to study in detail, neglecting sleep and meals. By the time they regain their cultivation, it is already too late."
At each level, a large number of people stagnate for various reasons. If one wants to single-mindedly cultivate to the Great Dao, one cannot relax at any step.
Having explained the reasons, Li Xingkong felt much clearer-headed, which would be of great help to his future cultivation path.
"Actually, I think you could consider finding a partner after you return to China."
Since the topic has already been brought up, the system couldn't help but mention it first.
Li Xingkong a little curious. Why had the system started doing this too? Shouldn't he be focusing on cultivation?
"Because this world lacks Spiritual Qi, you can only cultivate alone for the time being."
The system explained.
"Have you noticed that, after cultivating for so long, you've become noticeably different from ordinary people?"
Li Xingkong was naturally aware of this; his current physique was superhuman, and ordinary people could not compare to him.
"Yes, your body is no longer that of an ordinary person. So, your biggest problem now is that if you continue cultivating, you will have to be reproductively isolated from ordinary people."
The system made it sound simple, but Li Xingkong was far from calm after hearing it.
Reproductive isolation? How could this be?
If that were really the case, I'd be stuck being a bachelor for life.
"It's a kind of reproductive isolation. Think about it, your genes are already extraordinary, but your girlfriend's aren't. If your genes combine and you have a child, that child will inevitably carry your extraordinary genes."
"But since your girlfriend is just an ordinary person, she can't provide the material and energy a child needs to grow."
"Forced pregnancy drains a woman's life force, making it difficult for the child to grow up."
Li Xingkong was caught in a dilemma after hearing the system's words.
Either pause your cultivation journey and start a family first, or focus entirely on cultivation until you have the strength to lead the entire society onto the path of cultivation, only then will you have the opportunity to consider starting a family.
It's a difficult choice. I've only been on the path of cultivation for a short time, and it would take a very long time to popularize cultivation.
However, it wouldn't be appropriate to stop here and waste a few years getting married first.
Having a child inevitably shifts one's focus towards the child, greatly reducing the time available for self-cultivation.
Whether to continue the lineage of his descendants or to wholeheartedly pursue the Dao, this is indeed a question that Li Xingkong should consider now.