Attaining the Dao Is Beyond Being Human, but Is Completeness Better Than Being Human?

Chu Tianshu's gaze had originally encompassed all the patterns.

He only glanced at it, but his eyes started to sting. His mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, but when he tried to think about it, he felt that he hadn't grasped anything.

He closed his eyes briefly, placed the two stone slabs flat on the table, and when he opened them again, he pressed his right hand on the slabs, stroking each of the fingernail-sized patterns with his fingertips.

This time, Chu Tianshu focused his attention on only one pattern at a time. After looking at them all, he focused his gaze on the third pattern in the second row.

By discerning the subtle differences in his mental perception, Chu Tianshu vaguely realized that this was the one that touched him the most.

Within this small design, numerous lines twist and turn.

At first glance, it resembles a very unique eye, or a handful of flames.

A lotus bud, a bird with its head held high and wings folded.

But if you look at it for a while longer, the complexity of the lines will break the original association.

On the land of Nine Provinces, the origins of writing are inseparable from pictures.

But regardless of which era the ancients who left this stone slab belonged to, the imagery they drew from certain celestial omens suggests a deeper and more complex meaning.

What it pursues is more of a complete expression of artistic conception, not necessarily the language that was prevalent in a certain era, but perhaps just a unique personal touch.

Trying to interpret these patterns using the principles of interpreting words is likely to be like talking to a brick wall and won't work.

If it's not about interpreting the words, then is it about interpreting the feelings?

Chu Tianshu had a slight idea in mind, and pressed his fingertips more gently on the pattern.

If it were me, what kind of feelings and emotions would I have after practicing martial arts and creating techniques, in order to leave behind these lines and traces?

Is this stroke rough or delicate? Is it fine and deep, or rough and deep? Is it smooth in the middle, or is there a pause?

Chu Tianshu gradually became immersed in his own contemplation and deliberation, his Qi changed with his mind, his blood flowed freely, and his aura underwent subtle changes.

The old scholar looked up and felt as if there were wisps of rosy light emanating from him, rising slightly, swirling back down, hanging on his eyebrows, and floating on his temples.

The deeper a martial artist's cultivation, the easier it is to mobilize their own power. As long as they focus, various unusual phenomena may occur on their body.

This unusual phenomenon clearly indicates that a state of enlightenment has been achieved, but the accuracy of this state remains to be seen.

Xiao Liang stared at him for a long time, and before he knew it, he brought the wine pot to his lips and drank it all down.

"This wine..."

Xiao Liang snapped out of his daze and smacked his lips. "It doesn't taste good enough. It's not as good as the tea we had before."

"You don't know how to appreciate wine, nor are you a wine lover."

The old scholar glanced at Xiao Liang and said, "I see you've been in a bad mood lately due to the Yellow Mountain Sect's investigation, and your temper is agitated, which is why you've been drinking so much water."

They both spoke in low voices, subconsciously holding their voices down.

In fact, someone with Chu Tianshu's physical strength and foundation could hear the buzzing of flies and the crawling of earthworms within a two-mile radius, instantly discerning their location.

Even at night, the area around the pub, located in a bustling downtown area, is filled with countless noises and disturbances.

Even in the most remote and desolate places, the noise of nature is not necessarily less.

Fortunately, as long as a martial artist's state of mind matches their own foundation, they can naturally achieve this: when it's time to comprehend the techniques, their mind is clear and their vision is unblemished.

Even if the old scholar spoke loudly beside him, as long as he didn't clearly intend to contact him urgently, he wouldn't worry.

But the two of them still maintained some of the habits of ordinary people and found enjoyment in it.

"Stop drinking alcohol and have some tea. I just remembered, there's some good stuff that just arrived in the cellar these past couple of days."

The old scholar spoke quietly, a smile appearing on his face, and held up one finger, "Wait for me a moment."

He deftly moved the stool aside, walked away silently, and soon returned with a copper basin.

The copper basin Zhongdu crushed ice, with wisps of cool white steam rising from it, which accentuated the juicy, refreshing fruit.

"Wow, grapes."

Xiao Liang reached out and pinched off a fruit, without peeling it, and put it in his mouth. He chewed it once and then stopped, enjoying the sweet and cool taste in his mouth.

"You can't find such good grapes in Pengcheng, Denglai Mountain Market is even further east of Mount Tai. It's truly remarkable that you were able to source such excellent grapes."

During the Han Dynasty, grapes had already been introduced to both the eastern and western capitals.

During the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, it was even mentioned in the "Imperial Edict to Physicians".

"Now, let's talk about grapes... eaten with dew on them, they are sweet without being greasy, crisp without being stale, cool without being cold, with a lingering flavor and abundant juice, relieving thirst and quenching irritability."

"It was also brewed into wine, which was sweet with fermented rice, and made one easily intoxicated but also easily sobered up..."

At that time, grapes became abundant in various places.

However, grapes used for winemaking are actually quite different from grapes used for eating.

The grapes used for winemaking in this era were nearly purplish-black in color, with thick skins, tough flesh, and small berries; they were also both sour and astringent.

The bunch of grapes the old scholar took out was a bright purplish-red, large and translucent, each about the size of a thumb.

The initial taste is almost entirely sweet and icy, with only a slight sourness and no astringency whatsoever.

This type of grape can still only be found in a few places around the world today.

It's difficult to grow good quality grapes elsewhere; the grape growers haven't yet figured out the secret.

"Denglai Mountain Market is indeed a prosperous place; these goods are all transported by sea, and both the imperial cities of the Northern and Southern Dynasties received supplies from them."

The old scholar ate one and said, "If you're willing to get involved, it won't be difficult to arrange for someone to send tribute to the Marquis of Pengcheng every year."

"Forget it, why make things difficult for people over a few grapes?"

Xiao Liang ate a few grapes, then pinched a piece of ice, popped it into his mouth, chewed it, and then ate the grapes again; they still tasted sweet and fresh.

"But I don't think I've seen this variety before. You can ask around later if they have any seedlings."

"Maybe this can actually be grown in Pengcheng."

The old scholar nodded, ran to the counter, and brought over a pot of tea.

He loves tea and can pair it with anything he eats; he uses a weak tea with grapes.

"Oh."

As Xiao Liang ate, he suddenly smiled and said, "My name is Xiao Liang, as if I were born with a connection to coolness and breeziness."

"I remember when I was young, whatever happened, I could sense a chill in the air."

"I only felt that the various aspects of life in the city—the white-haired old men, the poor couples, the young children—even if there were moments of warmth, they were all intertwined with hardship, and their lives were uncertain from day to day. Upon closer reflection, there was always a sense of desolation."

He shook his head as he said this.

"Now that Spring and Autumn Annals 'm in my prime, I can sense warmth in everything I see when I walk around Pengcheng. But when I encounter something outside, I still get easily agitated."

"Looks like he's been eating too much rich food; it's making him too irritable."

The old scholar disagreed. "I think you were just frail when you were young, easily blown around by the wind. Now that you feel your fists are strong, naturally your temper is hot."

"Under your protection, hasn't Pengcheng become much better? Of course, it's not so cold anymore; it's warmer now."

The old scholar's words contained a mixture of admiration and comfort.

Xiao Liang held a grape in his hand and stared at it for a while.

"Is my fist big enough?"

Xiao Liang disagreed, "No one can fight the world alone. In the end, it all comes down to the number of allies and one's wisdom."

"And I have never been able to understand most of the Attaining the Dao beings in this world; perhaps I am destined to be left behind in the future."

The old scholar stopped drinking, his brow furrowed, not understanding why he had such feelings.

Xiao Liang popped the grape into his mouth, then reached out.

The white porcelain wine glass was not fixed in the table at all; he simply placed two fingers on the rim of the glass and pried off a piece of porcelain.

Then I popped the porcelain shards into my mouth!

The old scholar was taken aback. "What are you doing?"

Xiao Liang was chewing, and the sound of the porcelain shards cracking was inaudible in his mouth.

Just as some precious swords can cut through iron like mud without making a clanging sound, his teeth can do something similar when cutting into porcelain shards.

Did you know that Attaining the Dao beings can actually easily control their sense of taste and touch?

Xiao Liang seemed to have a hint of a smile in his eyes, "After eating those grapes, as long as I control the changes in my taste buds, even if I eat these porcelain shards now, the texture will be about 80% similar to grapes."

"If it were a damp piece of metal, I'd eat it pretty much the same way."

"For an Attaining the Dao person, there is little difference in the amount of nutrients a grape or a piece of porcelain would provide, or how they would be digested."

The old scholar was stunned. "Attaining the Dao being can actually do such a thing?"

"It's impossible at first, but you can do it if you go a little deeper."

Xiao Liang's smile remained unchanged. "For us, the energy of heaven and earth is the most important thing. Everything else is just water. We can simulate the taste of all delicacies by drinking water."

"Human enjoyment is usually nothing more than food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and desires. For those who Attaining the Dao, all of these can be easily achieved through martial arts."

Xiao Liang threw another piece of porcelain into his mouth, this time making a sound like he was biting an ice cube.

"Of course, we can be too lazy to use these simulation methods in normal times, but in any case, at this stage, our wisdom can be greatly liberated."

"Transcend the worries of daily necessities, and get rid of the burdens of food, clothing, shelter, and basic necessities."

"With a carefree spirit, we can freely roam in pursuit of higher goals, enjoying fun a thousand times more easily than those who are idle, making our surroundings even more beautiful."

The old scholar also felt a sense of longing upon hearing this.

Yes, since the life of Attaining the Dao being can reach this level.

They can even make the world a better place through laughter and play.

But that's not the case.

Even those who Attaining the Dao still face immense pressure.

This kind of pressure will only come from those who are also Attaining the Dao.

The old scholar said, "However, the method of Moon Refining is destined to be limited even to those who have Attaining the Dao..."

"You should know that even those who cultivate the Demonic Dao actually cultivate two other paths as well."

Xiao Liang said, "Every Attaining the Dao being has more potential. Old Huang and I have calculated that if everyone had prioritized remaining unpolluted, then twenty years ago, we should have been able to deduce the rudiments of new Daoist methods."

"It does not rely on medicine, magic weapons, or the suffering of the human heart."

But actually...

Xiao Liang laughed, "We're using our intelligence more on hurting each other, so that prototype is still a long way off for us."

When Xiao Liang stormed the East Sea back then, although his combat strength was not bad, he did not know what level of life the people known as the Six Sects and Five Sages had reached.

After he finds out.

He could not forgive what the patriarch of the East Sea Xiao Family had done back then, nor could he understand their mentality.

"Even the Demonic Dao, which now seems high and mighty, oppressing outsiders, in essence, relies on the suffering of the human heart to help it harmonize the Moon Turbidity. This is also a kind of dependence on ordinary people."

"If they have enough pride, they should also find a way to break free from these shackles."

Xiao Liang sighed, "Helping others in the hope of finding more like-minded people, being aloof and detached from others, and sometimes hurting others by doing things your own way—these three are all somewhat normal. But to specialize in controlling subordinates and causing them suffering, without seeking to break free from dependence—that's something I truly cannot understand."

"Attaining the Dao the Dao and sought immortality, with such profound changes in body, mind, and wisdom, one should be more complete than a human, rather than remaining merely a villain despite possessing immense power."

The disappearance of the Yellow Mountain Ancestor has caused deep and inexplicable anxiety among the world's top swordsmen, and their long-standing doubts can no longer be suppressed.

This led to a feeling that I would eventually become outdated.

Although the old scholar had known him for many years, he was still taken aback and didn't quite Attaining the Dao what kind of mind and body a Daoist would have, nor did he know how to comfort or persuade him.

The restaurant was quiet, the moonlight and the night breeze still gentle.

"You're still too much of a hipster."

Chu Tianshu's voice broke the silence as he reached out and picked a grape.

The sweet taste brought a slight smile to his face.

He never expected that he could still find such good grapes in this era.

Xiao Liang turned to look at him. "Literary youth? Judging from your tone, it doesn't sound like a good word."

"It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad. 'Artsy youth' are generally those who experience pressure, have plenty of free time, and suffer from a certain lack in some aspect of their lives."

I think you just lack comrades.

Chu Tianshu grabbed two grapes, threw them into his mouth, closed his eyes, and savored them, chewing away.

"How could you bear to let such delicious grapes end up in your stomach along with the porcelain shards?"

Xiao Liang smiled.

Chu Tianshu hadn't finished speaking.

Ultimately, they chose not to be human long ago, and they've embarked on this path with no turning back. How can you expect them to suddenly repent after attaining Attaining the Dao?

Chu Tianshu said, "If a mudslide had submerged the village today, would you also want to understand why the mudslide would unleash its power on the village?"

Xiao Liang shook his head. "They're different after all."

"In my mind, those who are powerful yet do evil are like landforms that cause disasters."

Chu Tianshu smiled, but his tone was incredibly decisive.

"Don't try to understand them. If you can beat them, fight them now. If you can't, run far away. But if I see them, I'll fight them."

"If he is a mountain, I will blast away the rocks; if he is a river, I will hammer the riverbank until he is no longer able to do evil."

Chu Tianshu paused, as if remembering something, and said leisurely, "You call the realm of using the power of heaven and earth 'attaining the Attaining the Dao '."

"In my hometown, we call this realm Taboo!"

"Taboo is something that is not supposed to be trodden upon, but we always wanted to trod upon it, and somehow we did."

His eyes lit up.

"We've even broken into Taboo, how could we possibly try to understand the mentality of those who have committed countless heinous crimes and are irreconcilable enemies?"

"It's specifically designed so that even if faced with a malevolent force akin to a cataclysmic disaster, we can blast it to smithereens!"

Wisdom should not only include strength, but also determination.

Sensing Chu Tianshu's state of mind, Xiao Liang's eyes held a complex expression as he smiled and asked, "How's your understanding of this stone slab coming along?"

"Good."

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianshu's voice suddenly became calm.

He stared at it for a long time, and probably understood about one-tenth of the pattern.

Based on this calculation, even with his extensive knowledge and experience gained from traversing various realms, and with his current talent and comprehension, it would still take him at least six months to decipher the cultivation method on this stone slab.

This thing is just too abstract.

However, if he can decipher even this small amount, it proves the correctness of his reasoning.

Then, memorize all the remaining parts that you haven't yet understood; that will be enough to serve as material for your training methods.

Chu Tianshu secretly summoned the token screen and glanced at the first simulation, which barely met the requirements.

The Evil Spirit include Fa Wendao, Song Zixian, and nine monks.

You saved me more than six months of agonizing thought; you all deserved to die!

The initial simulation has been completed.

The Penglai Supreme Method General Principles.

The essentials of the techniques, the outline of the formulas.

A thousand moves lead to the same path; one move can overcome a thousand paths.

Mastering this method is like adding an extra general outline to all the techniques you've learned before, bringing together the entire set of moves into one move, applicable to fists, palms, fingers, swords, whips, hammers, and so on.

The teachings of Penglai, the most virtuous of all, are broad in scope and refined in depth—a supreme and sublime Dharma!

(End of this chapter)