The Fooled and the Not Fooled

Chaos and disorder permeated Zhang Xuezhou's spiritual practice.

In his early years, he didn't understand spiritual practice, and regardless of whether there would be any consequences, he learned almost anything he could find.

Previously, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi believed that Zhang Xuezhou was a disciple of a prestigious and orthodox lineage. However, after Zhang Xuezhou recounted his Realm Technique, including the difficulties and corrections, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi was able to guess how Zhang Xuezhou had stumbled and struggled to reach his current state of cultivation.

Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou's spiritual practice is not replicable; it's rare for someone to practice in the same way.

"The practice of fusing the Great Compassion Mantra and the Great Joy Mantra to create an Infant Elixir is unheard of. If you can achieve something with it, you will have pioneered a new way of cultivation!"

The power of Qi Refining Techniques is inferior to that of Golden Elixir Techniques; this conclusion has been drawn from years of comparison.

Zhang Xuezhou's Qi Refining Technique is almost on par with Celestial Venerable Yuanshi's Golden Elixir Technique, and he even has a cultivation method that allows for transformation and advancement, which greatly interests Celestial Venerable Yuanshi.

If Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation can be successfully guided, it even means that he also has room for improvement.

However, Zhang Xuezhou's fusion of the Nascent Soul and the Nascent Soul is only a theory at present. People who have cultivated to the current level and still dare to risk everything are extremely rare.

Without mature theoretical and practical evidence, even the Celestial Venerable Yuanshi would not easily attempt it.

He had previously thought that Zhang Xuezhou was only lacking some elixirs in his attempt to break through to the True Self Realm, and that obtaining some corresponding elixirs from the Jade Void Palace would be sufficient. Now that he had figured it out, the Celestial Venerable Yuanshi was somewhat troubled.

"Being unconventional and innovative is a thorny path; few people can traverse it successfully on their first attempt. You need to allow for a margin of error!"

The Celestial Venerable Yuanshi pointed out the biggest problem in Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation.

Even following the rules blindly cannot lead to correct imitation, let alone innovation.

Zhang Xuezhou's approach to spiritual practice destined him to have a high probability of failure and a low probability of success.

If the margin for error cannot be improved, the moment Zhang Xuezhou steps into the True Self Realm could very well turn into a fatal situation.

"My Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle contains Sunlight Divine Water, which can erode blood essence and flesh; Moonlight Divine Water, which can corrode the Primordial Spirit and soul; and Starlight Divine Water, which can dissolve True Spirit consciousness. When the three are combined, they become a holy medicine that can cure all poisons, heal injuries and diseases, and even resurrect the dead!"

After listening to Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation of the Realm Technique, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi did not rashly make corrections, but instead reached out and took out a treasure.

This is a three-foot-long round bottle with only one opening, but the liquid poured out comes in three different forms.

There's the Sunlight Divine Water, as scorching as sunlight; the Moonlight Divine Water, as gentle as moonlight; and the Starlight Divine Water, with its pale blue hue and twinkling stars.

The three types of water are mixed together, with heat and gentleness blending, and starlight adding a touch of harmony, thus creating a sacred medicine as clear as water.

"The effects of the Three Lights Divine Water are preserved when sealed, but once ingested, its effectiveness only lasts for half a month. After that, it becomes useless. You need to use it with caution!"

Celestial Venerable Yuanshi had previously agreed to lower the threshold for the True Self Realm for Zhang Xuezhou, but he refrained from speaking rashly at this moment.

The Nanji and others could follow him in cultivation, adhering to the established framework. These cultivators did not stray from the overall framework of cultivation, while Zhang Xuezhou was extremely unconventional, exceeding the scope of the guidance provided by the Celestial Venerable Yuanshi based on experience.

Zhang Xuezhou is no longer an ordinary cultivator, but one who can establish his own sect.

Such monks are not suited to teaching from a superior position; they are better suited to discussing things with each other.

Thinking back to the fact that Zhang Xuezhou hadn't uttered a single word during his three-day sermon at the Jade Void Palace, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi knew that Zhang Xuezhou didn't appreciate his teachings.

This gave him a sense of being outdated and wistful, but he waved his hand to indicate that he had fulfilled his promise to accept defeat and give his gift.

"I thought you were going to give me this Law Treasure bottle, but all you did was pour some water into it!"

When Zhang Xuezhou accepted the Three Lights Divine Water and began to complain, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi waved his hand repeatedly, indicating that the other party could leave quickly.

"I still need the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle for protection, so I won't give this treasure away!"

"If only I hadn't gotten that jade ruyi, I would have chosen a much better vase!"

No gift!

"I'll send Zhenyuan to demand it from you!"

Zhang Xuezhou joked with a grin, but Celestial Venerable Yuanshi couldn't help but shake his head.

Celestial Venerable Yuanshi may have had a lot of bad luck and misfortune, but his cultivation and strength were genuine, and it was difficult for anyone to defeat him in a head-on confrontation, including Divine Lord Zhenyuan.

Once he figured out Divine Lord Zhenyuan's methods, he could recoup his investment with interest.

"I await your challenge once you've reached your True Self. If you're capable of defeating me, this bottle is yours to have. However, you'll need to be prepared to challenge my treasure; don't come here to freeload!"

Celestial Venerable Yuanshi was willing to exchange and learn from Divine Lord Zhenyuan, but he had higher hopes for Zhang Xuezhou, who had broken through to the True Self Realm.

His usually serious face broke into a rare joke, which Zhang Xuezhou readily agreed to.

"I happen to have a treasure called the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle. I'll exchange it with you for it sometime; you definitely won't lose out!"

"Did you pick up the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle from Zhu Jiuyin?"

Zhang Xuezhou admitted to obtaining the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle from Zhu Jiuyin, while Celestial Venerable Yuanshi seemed to ponder this.

"The Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle is a treasure that blends the pure and turbid energies of Heaven and Earth. You can explore how this treasure operates. Although it cannot help you achieve the unity of Yin and Yang in your cultivation, once you understand its principles, you should be able to eliminate many incorrect directions of fusion!"

"I was wondering why this bottle seemed somewhat useful back then; thank goodness for your reminder, Celestial Venerable!"

Zhang Xuezhou expended considerable effort to bring the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottles back to Chang'an City from the Xieluosi River Holy Land.

He initially felt that the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle was somewhat useful, but after Celestial Venerable Yuanshi explained it to him, Zhang Xuezhou finally figured out how to use this treasure.

"Thank you for your guidance, Heavenly Venerable!"

When Zhang Xuezhou first met Celestial Venerable Yuanshi, he felt that the other party was cold and unapproachable, regarding Ao Sheng as if he were an ant. However, after getting to know him, he realized that Celestial Venerable Yuanshi had simply experienced many things over the long years, which made him cold-hearted and unable to resonate with others.

If they possessed comparable strength and could engage in in-depth exchanges, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi might even come across as a kind-hearted and benevolent old man.

"Che Xian's swordsmanship is extremely powerful, second only to Lingbao. It is no exaggeration to say that his swordsmanship is the best in the mortal realm. As for you, your flying is extraordinary. The Jade Void Immortal Court restrain you," said Celestial Venerable Yuanshi. "You may cause trouble in the mortal realm, but you must remember that the union of yin and yang is the right path. You must not disrupt human relations and physiology, and you must not take pride in your behavior or mislead others!"

"Why!"

After obtaining the Three Lights Divine Water, Zhang Xuezhou intended to flee. However, Celestial Venerable Yuanshi saw through his intentions but did not stop him. Instead, he gave him some serious advice.

Zhang Xuezhou smiled awkwardly, realizing that the relationship he had hastily cultivated with the new emperor had indeed brought him many benefits.

A person's character cannot be too perfect. For example, he followed this survival strategy in the imperial court, thus making few enemies.

In the Immortal Court, Zhang Xuezhou is equally reliable.

Although he is very talented, his twisted personality can make others lower their guard, and people will focus more on his personality flaws.

"You fooled Yuanshi like a fool, and you're happy with the advantage, aren't you?"

Only after Zhang Xuezhou accepted the instructions and stepped out of Yuxu Palace did he hear the Jade Emperor's voice, Zhang Xuezhou expression tightened.

"Rong Tianding and Ren Anran are in the Pixiang Palace. Would you like to come over for a drink?"

He was about to ignore the Jade Emperor and leave when the Jade Emperor added a sentence, forcing Zhang Xuezhou to retract his right foot.