In a Daze

Liu Zhijian was so shocked that he was speechless.

When I was repairing the [Kan Water] (a type of acupoint), I never thought about all this.

However, since the Manifestation was suitable and it was convenient for fishing, I continued my cultivation in this way.

Looking at Duanmu Ren, he clearly hadn't yet Qi Ingestion the Dao, yet he analyzed and sorted out the [High Shaman] lineage from High Antiquity times to the present, and he found it all very reasonable, unable to find a single fault in it.

This is absolutely outrageous, downright monstrous.

Li Chengxuan noticed Liu Zhijian's emotional turmoil, glanced back at him, and reassured him, "There's no need for that. Your simple and pure Dao heart, and your resilient character, are your strengths."

"His mind is complex, yet he possesses exceptional wisdom; this is his innate talent."

"You don't need to compete with him in wisdom, and he can't compete with you in heart."

Liu Zhijian took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I understand."

I'm just a fisherman, and all I want to be is a fisherman. I've never thought about starting my own school or becoming a king. There's really no need to compare myself to people like that.

The lineage of cultivation practiced by Li Chengxuan himself was also a huge pitfall.

He's still striving to climb the ladder, so I can understand Duanmu Ren's feelings.

"I never expected you to be so insightful; I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse." Li Chengxuan looked at Duanmu Ren, sighed, and asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"

"I don't know either." Duanmu Ren was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Ever since I finished reading the Daoist scriptures, I've had a vague feeling that something is wrong."

"That's why I've been hesitating."

"Otherwise, I would have already Qi Ingestion and entered the Dao, and might even have been able to get there before Senior Sister Hua..."

It's a bureaucratic mentality ingrained in their bones, leading to a morbid sensitivity and emphasis on rankings and positions.

In fact, the rankings were already determined long ago.

Even though Duanmu Ren entered the Qi Ingestion earlier, his rank would still be after Hua Chunning's.

But those things are no longer important now.

After pondering for a moment, Li Chengxuan asked, "In your opinion, could you compile a set of Daoist theories and cultivation methods suitable for yourself and the [High Shaman]?"

"Absolutely impossible!" Duanmu Ren shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this. "The sect leader overestimates me."

"To reshape a discipline, or a tradition, requires countless outstanding individuals to dedicate themselves for hundreds or thousands of years."

"It's absolutely impossible for me to do this alone."

After hesitating for a moment, Duanmu Ren still frankly said, "Actually, my previous analysis of the history of the [High Shaman] lineage, while initially sounding astonishing, didn't actually stem from any extraordinary wisdom on my part."

Ultimately, it's just a mindset or instinct for navigating life that's been forcibly instilled through decades of studying, doing exercises, and serving in government and politics.

"I am not being self-deprecating, but I am long past the age of vanity, arrogance, and self-importance."

"Dao Hui, you have it, but no one cares where you got it from." Li Chengxuan smiled upon hearing this, becoming even more satisfied with Duanmu Ren, and also offered his own opinion. "I can't find any fault with the [High Shaman] Daoist theory that you have compiled and summarized."

"However, I remember a saying: practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

"No matter how eloquent your theories are, they are nothing but empty talk."

"Whether you want to innovate or change the world, you must first embark on a path of self-cultivation."

"Standing outside the door and hesitating will not do any good."

Duanmu Ren was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "The sect leader's words are correct, this disciple understands."

Li Chengxuan still tried his best to fulfill his duties in order to accumulate Merit for [Continue Lost Teachings]: "[Do Not Investigate Me], just assume it was truly borrowed from the Immortal Dao. Anyway, you chose the method of inner cultivation, so you won't need to use it for now."

"[Respond to Emperors and Kings], you haven't yet accumulated enough Manifestation, and you don't need to worry about whether it violates the original meaning of [High Shaman]."

"Now we only need to determine whether the Manifestation of [Drink the People's Blood] within you deviates from the [High Shaman] tradition and whether it will sow the seeds of danger for your future cultivation."

Duanmu Ren naturally understood this principle, but he was unsure, which is why he had been delaying making a decision until now.

"I don't think it deviates from the correct path; it can be corrected. Even if danger arises later, it can be remedied." Li Chengxuan's tone was firm, making a decisive statement, encouraging Duanmu Ren: "[Drink the People's Blood Manifestation indeed looks fierce and evil, not very honorable."

"But in High Antiquity times, humanity was weak, and the Immortal Dao had not yet flourished. As the tribal leader, how could the [shaman] suppress internal rebellions and deter external enemies if he was neither fierce nor ruthless?"

"[Drink the People's Blood] inherently implies sustenance from all the people, which also aligns with the position of the [shaman] in High Antiquity times."

"Having received sustenance from all people, one must naturally also protect them; only through this cyclical and mutually supportive relationship can things endure."

"However, the pursuit of personal gain in the Immortal Dao path has led even the [High Shaman] cultivators astray, who only think of oppressing the people for sustenance, yet refuse to show any kindness or protection."

"What the sect leader says makes sense." Duanmu Ren nodded repeatedly, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Therefore, that Immortal Foundation [Respond to Emperors and Kings] might also be related to this."

"The [High Shaman] cultivator only accepted offerings without giving anything back, causing problems with the [Drink the People's Blood] immortal Immortal Foundation, the cause of which could not be found. When he cultivated the [Respond to Emperors and Kings] realm and went to govern the people, he inadvertently filled the gap left by the [Drink the People's Blood] foundation."

"That makes sense now."

Li Chengxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be best if you could figure it out on your own.

No matter how brilliant the Daoist theories may be, they must be ranked after the Merit of [Continue Lost Teachings].

Duanmu Ren was remarkably intelligent and insightful; he was born with the potential to attain enlightenment.

Therefore, whether it's coaxing, deceiving, or coercing, Duanmu Ren must cultivate [the High Shaman].

"Since that's the case, there's no need to hesitate. Let's find a place to cultivate our Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao!" Li Chengxuan urged Duanmu Ren to act quickly, and suggested, "The [Drink the People's Blood] Manifestation is quite suitable for refining the [Resentment of the Myriad People]."

"However, you might need to put more thought into 'protecting all people'."

"Think back carefully, there must be someone you want to protect, right?!"

"The person I wanted to protect..." Duanmu Ren was taken aback upon hearing this, and seemed somewhat dazed. After a long while, he slowly nodded and said, "Indeed, there was someone like that."

Duanmu Ren went to find a comfortable place for himself and entered the Qi Ingestion.

Hua Chunning's Merit in entering the Dao have not yet been fully digested, and another Merit of "Continue Lost Teachings" is on the way.

Duanmu Ren's wisdom, whether it's a framework of thought or the instinct of a test-taker, is something else entirely.

In short, it seems to have an extremely high potential.

Perhaps he really will be carried to great heights by this third disciple whom he went to great lengths to recruit.

In high spirits, Li Chengxuan returned to the Ancestral Master Hall and, as was customary, first offered incense to the statue of the Ancestral Master.

As the number of disciples grew, they all Qi Ingestion the path and embarked on the right track.

Although there are still some dangers outside and the future is uncertain.

Overall, things are looking good, and I might actually be able to revive Supreme Mystery!

In that case, how can we not record this history of hardship leading to great rejuvenation, so that future generations can admire the unparalleled brilliance of their ancestor who brought about this revival!

Li Chengxuan acted immediately, taking out a blank book from the library, recalling for a moment, and writing down the conversation he had just had in the side hall.

The name should be subtle, so that people can't immediately tell that the author is boasting.

Got it!

Let's call it "[Duanmu and his teacher discuss three ancient and modern witches]".