I Must Cultivate the Northern Dipper at Once

As soon as he spoke the truth, Lü Yuan noticed Liu Bang's surprise; he never deliberately suppressed his emotions.

"[Northern Dipper] Cultivation Method?" As usual, Liu Bang did not inquire about what "Chuilian" meant; he was only puzzled by Lü Yuan's words.

Are you sure it's [Northern Dipper]?

Liu Bang repeated himself; he truly hadn't expected this answer.

Without waiting for Lü Yuan's reply, he muttered to himself, "But... how could it be [Northern Dipper]?"

Why must it be "Northern Dipper"?

Initially, when Lü Yuan uttered the first part of the sentence, "The lord has shown mercy," Liu Bang subconsciously believed that his guess was correct.

He was trying to figure out how to explain to the child that an adult's pity isn't always for your own good.

Rather than practicing the scheming [Southern Dipper] lineage, it's better to practice the [Sun] lineage with me.

At the very least, you should practice the [Great Yin] lineage of your mother.

But Liu Bang never expected that the First Manifest Under Heaven would actually require Lü Yuan to cultivate the [Northern Dipper] lineage.

Lü Yuan was "born of the sun and moon, and loved by yin and yang," so as long as he cultivated a lineage that was compatible with yin and yang, he was not actually deviating from his destiny.

This will not affect his ability to hold both Residual Position in the future.

From this perspective, the Three Enclosures and Five Luminaries, as well as the Northern and Southern Dipper Constellations, all meet the requirements, so it's not impossible for him to cultivate the [Northern Dipper] lineage.

The problem is, given the current situation, why would he choose to cultivate this long-declining lineage when there are so many other options available?

The deeper Liu Bang thought about it, the more his brows furrowed. "Why did that official want Lü Yuan to cultivate this path?"

"Since the [Northern Pole Court] was overthrown in the first great battle between good and evil, and the 'Second Northern Dipper' that suppressed Outer Dao in the world lost its position, this lineage has been in decline."

"Now, there are only remnants of the lineage still entangled with Esoteric School in Tibet, with no rightful successor and only one confirmed survivor among those who have changed positions."

It no longer possesses the power it once had.

"Besides, even if we disregard the fact that this path is currently obscure, given this child's personality, how could we possibly let him cultivate it—"

"And it's Intercalary Position?"

"It's one thing for the [Southern Dipper] to be at its peak and for the Yin-Yang leap year to be presentable, but how can the now-declining [Northern Dipper] and the Yin-Yang leap year be worthy of Lü Yuan?"

After much deliberation, Liu Bang could only think of one possibility.

That is, the "Southern Dipper" in the sky is preparing for the world situation after the completion of the great task of mending the sky and His ascension to the Golden Immortal and His passing away.

"Could it be that He wants Lü Yuan to seek the proper position of the Northern Dipper while He is still alive, becoming the 'Third Northern Dipper,' and also holding two other Residual Position..."

"Revitalize the [Northern Pole Court], reopen the Demon-Slaying List, so that after His departure, the Northern and Southern Dipper Constellations can support each other, preventing a repeat of the past and keeping the world from sinking into chaos?"

Liu Bang was somewhat annoyed. "What does He mean by this? It's not enough that E Ju and I died for the greater cause of mending the heavens, does He also want my child to dedicate his life to the world?"

"That's ridiculous!"

Previously, Liu Bang thought that the person who chose Lü Yuan and bestowed upon him favor might have done so because of his value and thus planted a seed for him.

Or perhaps it was to cultivate a future [Sun] Fruit Position, so that the order that would inevitably be rebuilt in the Middle Earth at that time could continue.

But now it seems that He wants Lü Yuan to do more.

Northern Dipper, Northern Dipper--

What is the Northern Dipper, and how can one seek its Northern Dipper? Why, for two thousand years, has no one yet been able to sit in the correct position of the Northern Dipper?!

This is because the powerful figure who once dominated the world is deeply missed by the person in the Northern Dipper position.

His own achievements and divine might were only half a step behind that of the "Second Sun" who almost unified the Nine Provinces.

Under these circumstances, how difficult would it be to gain proper status in the Northern Dipper system?

If we cannot emulate the ancient [Northern Pole Court] and use our own lineage to clarify the past affairs of Outer Dao, how can we ascend to the rightful position of the Northern Dipper?

But if we do that, the fate of that person back then will be the same as Lü Yuan's.

"No!" Liu Bang's face grew increasingly grim as he thought about it. Lü Yuan had never seen him so angry since they first met.

"You can't fix [Northern Dipper] no matter what you repair!"

He stood up and paced back and forth beside Lü Yuan: "You know your own character better than I do, not to mention that you are not suited for this tradition—"

"Most importantly, the problem with this tradition is too great..."

"I can't explain it to you right now, but no matter what, you can't fix it yourself. You'll have to fix [the Sun] with me."

"Don't worry, I've got everything under control. Even if the First Manifest Under Heaven holds you accountable for this, you absolutely, positively must not attempt to repair [Northern Dipper]!"

Liu Bang's reaction was something Lü Yuan had not anticipated.

Before speaking, he thought a lot. He felt that perhaps Liu Bang would think that the one who had shown mercy was not that "Southern Dipper," and would then make connections to other people.

Or perhaps, after learning about the grade of the Cultivation Method, they would become curious about the existence of Immortal Book.

But to his surprise, none of the above scenarios occurred; Liu Bang was only concerned with his own choice regarding the succession of the orthodox lineage.

The former still believed that it was the First Manifest Under Heaven made the move.

He was only angry because He who gave him the Cultivation Method knew about the problems with the [Northern Dipper] lineage, yet still insisted that he cultivate.

As for the latter, he still didn't delve into the nature of the compassion itself, nor did he inquire about the grade of the Cultivation Method.

Lü Yuan didn't know what to say or how to react, only that he felt he should be more honest.

He said, "But... that Cultivation Method has seven ranks—"

"Didn't you tell me that a seventh-grade Cultivation Method can already be called Immortal Method, and its preciousness and value are immeasurable?"

Upon hearing that it was a seventh-grade Immortal Method, even Liu Bang, Golden Core True Lord, showed a moment of surprise.

Just when Lü Yuan thought he would press the matter further...

But then they noticed Liu Bang's face darken, and they heard his resolute reply, "If you still trust me, then don't go and repair the Northern Dipper..."

Seventh Rank... Seventh Rank... Aside from the relics left behind by that person, where in the Northern Dipper Sect would one find a seventh-rank Immortal Method?

It couldn't possibly be some kind of Immortal Method left behind by the "First Northern Dipper," could it?

Just as I suspected, could this really be his plan?!

Lü Yuan was puzzled, but Liu Bang became even more determined in his decision.

However, in the end, considering that person's way of dealing with people, he still hesitated.

He was confused because of Lü Yuan's concern, and only thought of this possible rationality and possibility.

However, they overlooked whether that "Southern Dipper" was actually the kind of adult who would make such a choice.

Although... it's unlikely, what if He really did give us the Immortal Method of the "First Northern Dipper"?

Just to be on the safe side, after pausing for a long time under Lü Yuan's gaze...

Liu Bang finally spoke up, "Wait, tell me, which path—the [Immortal Foundation] or the [Divine Ability]—that Cultivation Method ultimately requires you to master?"

This dramatic change in attitude made Lü Yuan realize that Liu Bang must have come to a realization—

This relieved him.

Having just witnessed Liu Bang's attitude towards the [Northern Dipper] Daoist tradition, even someone who firmly believed that the Immortal Book would not harm him could not help but have some doubts.

Could Northern Dipper really be some kind of sinkhole?

Fortunately, now that his attitude has changed, it must mean he's considered the positive possibility.

So the Immortal Book allowed him to cultivate the [Northern Dipper] Cultivation Method was probably because of this favorable possibility.

Therefore, he did not hesitate at all and for the first time began to browse through the seventh-grade Northern Dipper Immortal Method in his mind.

A moment later, he turned to the last page and gave the answer.

He said softly, "The Turning the Dipper Handle, the [Immortal Foundation] and [Divine Ability] that this Immortal Method ultimately requires me to cultivate, is this very path."

The moment the four characters "Turning the Dipper Handle" appeared.

Lü Yuan looked up and saw that Liu Bang's expression had changed noticeably and was beginning to soften.

"I see... Is it really this one?" he murmured softly, lost in thought.

Then, Liu Bang's attitude changed. "If it's this kind of Immortal Method, perhaps it wouldn't be a problem."

After saying this, he suddenly turned his back. "There are some things I need to confirm with someone at Great Marsh Mountain first. Don't rush to cultivate this Cultivation Method."

"We'll make plans after you see me at Great Marsh Mountain."

After Liu Bang disappeared, Lü Yuan chose to heed his advice and did not rush to cultivate.

However, he was very curious as to why Liu Bang's attitude changed so drastically upon hearing that it was an Immortal Method.

Therefore, although he did not immediately begin practicing, Lü Yuan still read through the entire Immortal Method technique.

Three minutes later-

Lü Yuan made a decision. "If Liu Bang is confirmed to be without problems, I must immediately begin cultivating the Northern Dipper!"