Offering Incense on the Bridge

It turns out that the reason why people who have tried to break the Taboo for over a thousand years have died is not because they couldn't overcome that hurdle.

It's not because they've all crossed over, but because they've become unable to stop.

There is a very clear dividing line between ordinary spiritual practice and the Taboo realm.

Many schools of sorcery refer to this as "Observing Heaven to Attain the Dao."

"From ancient times to over a thousand years ago, even for those who had accumulated a great deal of knowledge and experience, taking that final step to cross the threshold was extremely difficult."

"But since over a thousand years ago, anyone who has reached that threshold has been able to successfully cross it if they wish."

"But once they cross over, they become so engrossed in observing the world that they can't extricate themselves, and their minds quickly fade away."

The Helai recount the speculations of our ancestors.

"At first, some people suspected that the energy of the Spirit Realm was overlapping more deeply with that of the Human World."

"Like certain ghosts, in places where the Spirit Realm's aura is thick, it's easier for them to manifest physical power. Perhaps it's because the two realms overlap so deeply and for so long that their auras are no longer in conflict or chaos, but rather mutually nourishing, making it easier for everyone to break through. They become so intoxicated that they don't even realize it, and thus, they turn good fortune into misfortune."

"But soon, our ancestors discovered that the Spirit Realm was not only not overlapping more deeply with the Human World, but was actually becoming less connected and more distant from Human World."

Therefore, new theories have surfaced.

"It might be a power that exists outside of the Human World and the Spirit Realm."

"It is this force that has made the connection between the Human World and the Spirit Realm more distant, and it is also this force that makes it easier for those in Taboo realms to attain enlightenment and perish."

Helai at this point.

"The ancients made many attempts to cope with this situation."

"Some even abandoned cultivation altogether, retaining only knowledge, preparing to forge a new path by relying on herbalism, health preservation, and the art of external mechanisms."

"It's a pity that even with knowledge but no supernatural powers, as long as one's knowledge reaches a certain level, it's equivalent to enlightenment, and one will ultimately pass away quickly."

After hearing this, Chu Tianshu remained silent for a long time.

Therefore, the drastic decline in cultivation levels over the past thousand years is not due to a sudden increase in the difficulty of cultivation, but rather because cultivation has become easier.

Instead of appreciating this immense benefit, it turned into a disaster.

"That doesn't make sense."

Chu Tianshu suddenly realized, "From what you've said, senior, it seems that the reason we can gradually attempt to break through the Taboo level in this era is because the influence of the third force is gradually disappearing."

"In other words, the difficulty of cultivation for everyone has begun to increase again."

"But I saw statistics before that the number of Aperture Opening individuals has been increasing in recent years."

"This clearly means that cultivation has become easier."

Helai smiled and said, "Because of the proximity to the Spirit Realm, it is indeed easier for people to become Aperture Opening, but this is only the beginning."

"Getting started has become easier, while breaking Taboo has become more difficult; these are two different points in time."

"It's not surprising that one node is declining while another is rising."

Chu Tianshu said "Oh," and understood.

He was just recalling in his mind whether the "Sky-Spanning Divine Art" contained any descriptions of Taboo.

I only had a small amount of focus on listening to the lecture, so I didn't quite grasp it right away.

Upon closer examination, there is no explicit word like "Taboo" in the "Sky-Spanning Divine Art".

However, if we consider the characteristics of "enlightenment" and "Observing Heaven to Attain the Dao," the description of how the Sky-Spanning Divine Art could break through to its peak is indeed quite unique.

When one's skill has accumulated to a great depth, one's entire body will be overflowing with power, leaving no room for anything else.

The Qi disperses outward, and the intention arises from heaven and earth, revealing the mysteries of the power of water in heaven and earth, and understanding the changes in the alternation of water power, Submerged Current, the Sea Skimming sea, Sky-Spanning.

Then, one's body and mind undergo a transformation, one achieves mastery of the skills, and enters a completely new realm.

The correct guidance provided by the token deduction is only an instruction on how to complete this sprint. In the process of preparing for the sprint, you can avoid making mistakes.

As for what practical gains one will actually make after enlightenment, that remains to be seen once one has reached that level of practice.

Just like when Chu Tianshu first practiced the "Gluttonous Tongbei Fist," the correct guidance in his mind showed him where the force should go in order to temper his physical body.

However, how much hardship will one endure during practice, and what other things will one be able to do besides those mentioned in the boxing manual, relying on the significantly increased physical strength once mastered?

You have to experience these things for yourself.

"My internal strength is actually not yet at the level where I can break through to the next stage."

Chu Tianshu said, "But I must thank you for the reminder, senior, so I could be mentally prepared in advance."

Helai said with delight, "It's good that you know what's going on. Just be careful."

"If you decide to break through, you can inform us, and we will protect you and help you find an Overflow Zone."

Chu Tianshu asked in surprise, "Senior, how could you know in advance where the Overflow Zone would be?"

"I don't know, but among the veterans of our Special Investigation Bureau, there's a monk who can predict the future."

Helai, "Asking him to calculate the locations and dates of all Overflow Zone is like asking him to bite someone, but if you just ask him to calculate the places in the country most likely to experience Overflow Zone in the near future, he's quite accurate."

"A friend of mine in the Northwest consulted a fortune teller, who then positioned himself at a suspicious location beforehand. This not only averted the danger of the Overflow Zone but also allowed him to attempt a breakthrough."

"Although my old friend did not succeed, he did not die, which is a very good omen."

Chu Tianshu paused for a moment.

Of the Great Yuan of the Special Investigation Bureau, it seems there's only one genuine monk, the one who's in charge of Hong Kong.

Chu Tianshu had heard many interesting stories about this from Fang Jun.

In those stories, Master White Horse often appears as if he's about to spit blood to prove he's truly too exhausted to do any more calculations.

It turns out he not only does fortune telling for Hong Kong, Macau, and the coastal areas, but sometimes he also does it for the Northwest.

They are incredibly capable; ordinary animals simply cannot match them.

"Well, thank you very much, senior."

Chu Tianshu said, "I made this call to inquire about External Elixir from you, senior."

Helai casually said, "You're interested in this too? Okay, I'll send you a catalog. It will also include some items that are only sold internally. Take a look and see which one catches your eye and choose one yourself."

"However, you can only choose one of the newest items at most. Production is limited, and one person can't monopolize them all."

He said everything he needed to say and then hung up the phone decisively.

A moment later, he sent me a webpage link.

Chu Tianshu clicked on it and found that it was not the same website address as the internal resource communication website that everyone used before.

On that old website, anyone who registered could upload their own resources and sell them.

This new website is dedicated to showcasing the research and development of External Elixir and Spirit Realm weapons.

Chu Tianshu flipped through the pages as he walked.

Based on the description, the effects of those basic External Elixir are meaningless to him.

The latest products were somewhat tempting, but their effects varied, making it difficult for him to choose.

And more importantly... it's so expensive!

With his current account level, the price of those basic External Elixir is about the same as the price the school gives to students.

Hmm, there are many precious jade pieces on the scabbard of the Demon Blade. I'll see if I can pry some off and sell them later.

Also, find some time to write down all the martial arts manuals you've seen in the Great Ming world, and then sell them all on resource websites.

If all those manuals can be sold, the profits should be quite substantial.

And a pharmacy...

The pharmacy definitely won't be able to operate before the Lunar New Year; we'll have to wait until next year.

As Chu Tianshu walked, he left the village path and stepped onto the main road, where he put his phone away.

He planned to go to the market first and bring some things to visit his second grandfather.

After crossing the intersection, we arrived at the market, where shops lined both sides, and then there was another small intersection ahead.

To the left is an old bridge spanning the harbor, and to the right is a gentle slope leading down to the market.

When Chu Tianshu arrived here, he found that his second grandfather was actually on the bridge.

He carried a small incense burner with two red candles stuck in the handles, and three plastic bags containing sponge cake, fruit, and dried longan.

The old man was facing the railing, muttering incantations, and burning incense.

(End of this chapter)