Seek Nothing Outside Yourself

Since it concerned the Merit of [Continue Lost Teachings], even though Duanmu Ren had a strong [High Shaman] Manifestation, Li Chengxuan still made full preparations.

"You should now know the origin of the [Resentment of the Myriad People] that you used to cultivate your Qi Ingestion," Li Chengxuan said solemnly as he saw Duanmu Ren nod. "This [Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi] was obtained by your senior brother Liu Zhijian, who directly exempted you from the arduous task of Qi Gathering. If you achieve success in your cultivation in the future, be sure to remember to repay him profusely."

Duanmu Ren nodded repeatedly and readily agreed.

"The difficulty you face in entering the Dao through Qi Ingestion lies precisely in this [Resentment of the Myriad People]." Li Chengxuan sorted out his thoughts. "Perhaps it's because the [High Shaman] lineage is too barbaric and primitive, even the hurdle of entering the Dao through Qi Ingestion is quite fierce, and there is even a risk of death."

"I've consulted many Daoist scriptures, and I've come up with two paths."

"The first method is to seek it externally."

"The most intense Manifestation emanating from you is [Drink the People's Blood], followed by the still-unfinished [Do Not Investigate Me]."

"The people already harbor resentment, and now you've encountered the fully accumulated [Drink the People's Blood] power. I worry that your Manifestation is too strong, but your Qi Ingestion is insufficient; you'll be instantly overwhelmed and killed by the [Resentment of the Myriad People]."

"Therefore, I intend to appoint you to take over the Deng Kingdom, clean up the chaos, and appease the people. This will not only resolve the [Resentment of the Myriad People] at its source, but also cultivate the [Manifestation of Respond to Emperors and Kings]."

"When Qi Ingestion, one should receive it with the Manifestation ' Drink the People's Blood,' evade it with the Manifestation ' Do Not Investigate Me,' and finally resolve it with the Manifestation ' Respond to Emperors and Kings.'"

"Within the sect, there are still some magical Law Artifact suppressing and breaking illusions that we can borrow."

"That adds at least a 30% chance of winning."

Duanmu Ren had heard Liu Zhijian mention this before: the Old Method of cultivation placed great emphasis on imagery and Daoist theory.

The rebel army, fueled by public resentment, encountered a corrupt official who exploited the Drink the People's Blood and power. To make matters worse, this official boasted that he had powerful connections and no one could investigate him, so it was only natural that he was beaten to death on the spot.

The sect leader's method was somewhat opportunistic. He had corrupt officials confront the rebel army directly, explaining that they were not the culprits behind the people's misery. Then, they would try their best to clean up the mess, appease the people, and defuse their hostility. Finally, he would make grand promises, saying that once he became emperor, he would definitely be a good emperor who would not torment the people and would lead everyone to a better life.

Duanmu Ren listened attentively, then lowered his head in thought.

This approach, while seemingly cautious and prudent, is actually far too complicated in its process.

If anything goes wrong, all the hard work can easily be wasted.

Based on Duanmu Ren's twenty years of experience in politics, the more complex the process and the more steps involved, the lower the probability of success.

On the contrary, things that require only a few decisions, or even just one person, have a higher probability of being accomplished.

Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard is an example.

Seeing that Duanmu Ren remained silent, Li Chengxuan continued, "The second method is the method of internal seeking. It involves neither avoiding nor hiding, neither resolving nor transforming, but rather using the Manifestation [Drink the People's Blood] to stir and refine the [Resentment of the Myriad People]."

"This method is simple and straightforward; there's not much to say about it."

"There's only one drawback: it demands an extremely high level of mental fortitude."

"You need to stay true to yourself and resist the entanglement and constraints of [the Resentment of the Myriad People]."

"If one cannot break free, either one's soul will be damaged, or one's body will perish."

This matter concerned life and death, Duanmu Ren's expression turned solemn as he listened, his head bowed in deep thought.

Li Chengxuan did not urge him, but waited quietly for Duanmu Ren to make a decision.

"May I ask, Sect Leader..." Duanmu Ren raised his head, surprisingly inquiring about something unrelated, "This disciple has heard that the path of cultivation is now divided into the New Method Old Method."

"The New Method refines external things to strengthen oneself; it is a method of seeking externally."

"The Old Method enlightenment, realizing one's true nature and achieving harmony Celestial Person, is a method of inner seeking."

"Are the two methods of entering the Dao that the sect leader chose for me derived from the Daoist theories of the New Method Old Method?"

Li Chengxuan glanced at Duanmu Ren, somewhat surprised.

Without even having read the entire Daoist scriptures, Liu Zhijian's brief remarks were enough to reveal the essence beyond appearances, demonstrating exceptional comprehension and astonishing Daoist wisdom.

"That's right." Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and said, "Although Supreme Mystery Mountain is Old Method sect, it does not restrict its disciples from practicing New Method."

"I'll choose the second option," Duanmu Ren sighed, then quickly made up his mind. "It's better to rely on myself than on others. Although I don't yet understand what true intention is, I still want to believe in myself this once."

Whether you choose to be a good person or a cultivator, if possible, don't seek it externally.

After choosing the method of Qi Ingestion, Duanmu Ren had to go through a trial that all disciples of Supreme Mystery Mountain had to pass: being locked in a side hall to read Daoist scriptures.

Liu Zhijian initially persevered through sheer willpower.

By the end, Hua Chunning was in a daze and her consciousness was unclear.

After hearing this, Duanmu Ren simply chuckled, showing no fear but rather a hint of anticipation. "To be honest, Sect Leader, I was once a top-notch exam-taker in a mountain village."

"For the first twenty years of my life, all I really knew was how to study and solve problems; I couldn't do anything else."

"He got into the best university from a small village on the frontier solely through studying and doing practice problems."

Duanmu Ren seemed to be recalling his past studies, his expression somewhat wistful. He sighed, glanced at the side hall, and said, "These Daoist scriptures are probably equivalent to textbooks on Earth."

"I never imagined that twenty years later, I would be secluded in my studies again, preparing for a major exam, the kind where failing it would be fatal."

"Before the college entrance exam that year, my mother locked me in my room..."

Duanmu Ren's voice trailed off as he spoke, then he lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before looking up and explaining with a self-deprecating smile, "I'm getting old, so I like to reminisce about the past. I hope you'll forgive my reluctance, Sect Leader."

"Between life and death, there is great terror; some emotional fluctuations are perfectly normal." Li Chengxuan shook his head, not mocking Duanmu Ren for being sentimental. After all, he still remembered the Merit of accumulating the [Continue Lost Teachings]. So he comforted Duanmu Ren: "In this situation, it's not necessarily a bad thing that you're moved and recalling the past."

"Perhaps the way to understand one's true nature and discover one's original self lies within your memories."

"What we call our true nature may also be an obsession, or even resentment."

"These thoughts are neither righteous nor evil, good nor evil. As long as they can serve as a solid anchor point during the practice of Qi Ingestion, maintaining your original mind and helping you withstand the impact of [the Resentment of the Myriad People], that is enough."

Duanmu Ren paused slightly upon hearing this, then nodded in realization, saying, "I see..."

The master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to you.

Li Chengxuan could only speak of general common sense or Daoist theories.

How to truly understand one's mind and nature, and discover one's true self, is a matter for Duanmu Ren to decide for himself.

"You should diligently recite the Daoist scriptures and let me witness the style of a so-called top-tier test-taker," Li Chengxuan chuckled, then added, "Reading can enlighten the mind. When you feel you've read enough, you can call me."

"I will arrange for you to enter the Dao through Qi Ingestion."

Ancestral Master Hall.

Li Chengxuan offered incense to the ancestor once again, and seeing no new changes in the portrait, he then connected with the [Two Worlds Pearl] to sense Hua Chunning's presence.

With the passing of the great master, the Old Method and fortunes of Southern Reach have been revived.

Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Alliance, has even witnessed the extraordinary phenomenon of radiant light emanating from it, indicating that it has received great benefits.

[Wu Earth] is also Yang Earth, which matches the [Yang Spring] Manifestation on Hua Chunning's body.

On her journey to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, Hua Chunning might be able to borrow some of its fortune to aid her cultivation.

"Huh?!"

"I sensed my location just now, it was still at Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, how could it have vanished in an instant?!"