The Qi Ingestion Outer Dao, the Purple-Gold Orthodox Dao, and the Principle of Attaining Gold

Divine Ability – What are Divine Ability Divine Ability, and where do they originate?

Lü Yuan was aware of this, as the Foundation Establishment chapter of "A Record of Riding the Emperor's Chariot to View the North Pole" provides a detailed explanation of it at the end.

Divine Ability are actually just a clumsy imitation and simplification of the changes and powers of Fruit Position level of attainment by a practitioner.

It originates from the monks' exploration and imitation of the Fruit Position of enlightenment.

Embryonic Breathing, Qi Refinement, and Foundation Establishment —the first three stages of the Purple-Gold Dao are actually a gradual deterioration of Divine Ability, laying the foundation for achieving true Divine Ability abilities later.

Although it is merely a clumsy imitation and simplification of the Fruit Position, the Divine Ability still possesses unimaginable might.

It can not only change the color of the sky and earth, alter mountains and rivers, and change the course of waterways...

Without interference from other cultivators, it would be no problem to permanently alter the terrain and climate of a region.

Lü Yuan answered the question correctly; he could tell the result just by looking at Chen Sheng's face.

"That is indeed Divine Ability— "

Chen Sheng answered, and then began to explain to Lü Yuan what the Qi Ingestion Dao and the Purple-Gold Dao.

What is the Qi Ingestion Dao?

"The Qi Ingestion Dao involves observing and aligning oneself with certain changes at a Fruit Position through corresponding Cultivation Method, thereby enabling cultivators to directly master various Divine Ability."

"--And ultimately, through this, one refines the metallic nature that perfectly aligns with the intentions and requirements of attaining Fruit Position, thus realizing Fruit Position."

Go directly to seek Divine Ability?

In other words, is simply entering the Qi Ingestion Dao equivalent to ascending directly from an ordinary mortal to the Purple Mansion?

Is this really possible?

Even with his talent, Lü Yuan wasn't sure if he could do it... Well, he probably could.

But for others, like the guy next door, it's likely that even a lifetime of cultivation wouldn't be enough to defeat the Embryonic Breathing of the Purple-Gold Dao.

"This is really... a bit too difficult--" Lü Yuan couldn't help but sigh softly.

Chen Sheng did not deny it, after all, he himself had gone through this process. "That's right, just by listening to the principle, you can tell how difficult it is for ordinary people."

"And that's certainly true..."

"The advantage of the Qi Ingestion Dao is that those who are capable will ultimately succeed, and those with exceptional talent can even achieve it quickly."

"But those who cannot succeed will never truly embark on the path of spiritual cultivation in their entire lives."

"Moreover, cultivators of the Qi Ingestion Dao can only cultivate the Divine Ability of their own Cultivation Method from beginning to end, and the same applies to those who attain the Golden Realm."

"Because the advantages and disadvantages were so obvious, the [Three Enclosures] sect not only passed down the Qi Ingestion Dao, but also the simpler Purple-Gold Dao."

Chen Sheng continued eloquently, "As for the situation of the Purple-Gold Dao, I'm sure I don't need to elaborate further..."

"And its advantages and disadvantages are also obvious. Its advantage lies in the fact that as long as one has Spirit Root and the Cultivation Method— "

"Then everyone can cultivate, not only gradually mastering power, but also potentially giving those who have been stuck in the Qi Ingestion Dao control their whole lives the opportunity to attain Divine Ability powers."

"And one can cultivate Divine Ability from different lineages, seeking other Fruit Position, without being confined to one school."

The drawback is...

Lü Yuan wanted to know what the shortcomings of the Purple-Gold Dao were, but Chen Sheng gave him an unexpected answer after a leisurely long recitation.

"Flawless--"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yuan, certain he hadn't misheard, was somewhat taken aback. "No flaws?"

"Yes, it has no flaws..."

"The Purple-Gold Dao is good everywhere, except that no one can master it quickly. Even a genius like you must build a foundation step by step."

"The Qi Ingestion Dao is nowhere near as good as the Purple-Gold Dao."

"Otherwise, the Purple-Gold Dao wouldn't have always been the orthodox and righteous path, while the Qi Ingestion Dao would often be considered a heretical or demonic path."

Under Lü Yuan's astonished gaze, Chen Sheng added, "Of course, if being restricted by the grade of the Cultivation Method is considered a drawback."

"So this must be the only drawback of the Purple-Gold Dao."

That makes a lot of sense...

Lü Yuan had no way to refute it, since it was all for the sake of obtaining Divine Ability.

One approach aims for instant success, while the other requires building a solid foundation step by step. The latter seems to have no flaws, doesn't it?

However, Chen Sheng did not stop lecturing, so Lü Yuan was no longer distracted.

Under his gaze, Chen Sheng concluded, "Having learned all of this, you should now understand..."

"That's why I said before that Divine Ability are where they all lead to the same goal, but they are also the reason why the path of cultivation is divided into the Purple-Gold Dao and the Qi Ingestion Dao."

Lü Yuan nodded. "I understand roughly, but it's not hard to understand, so why did you go through all that trouble in the first place...?"

He still didn't understand. Was it really necessary to personally witness the Fruit Position of enlightenment just because these things were being explained?

But the person's next words made him immediately change his attitude.

Chen Sheng reached out and tapped him on the head, saying, "Because all of the above was laying the groundwork for what I'm about to tell you."

"In other words... the principle behind securities lending --"

"Once you understand this, along with what I've already explained, you'll be able to roughly see the essence of the Immortal Path."

Lü Yuan's mouth involuntarily gaped open. He really hadn't expected to encounter such advanced questions on his very first day of enlightenment.

I think I'm only at the Qi Refinement yet?

On the very first day, he explained the principles of securities trading to me. Is this the true value of a mentor who Golden Core one's spiritual path?

"I'm seated." Lü Yuan became serious.

"Please continue, teacher."

Chen Sheng didn't think much of the face-changing technique that Lü Yuan had learned from his neighbor, which involved not using a bean.

Therefore, they didn't keep us in suspense.

"That's right, Divine Ability are where the Purple-Gold Orthodox Dao and the heretical Qi Ingestion Outer Dao ultimately converge, and also the reason why the path of cultivation diverges..."

Chen Sheng asked again, and then said to Lü Yuan, "But... why Divine Ability? What exactly do Divine Ability mean?"

I'll answer your questions one by one.

"Why is it Divine Ability?"

"It's very simple. The reason why Divine Ability powers can be a common feature of both cultivation methods is because the ultimate goal of both methods is to attain enlightenment."

"But to attain enlightenment and ascend to Fruit Position, one must gain the approval of that Fruit Position."

"And what does Divine Ability mean...?"

"Divine Ability represent changes in Fruit Position, and are the manifestation of that Fruit Position's power in the hands of a cultivator—"

Lü Yuan was listening attentively, understood the key point. "So, the way to gain recognition of Fruit Position is to gradually master the changes in Fruit Position through cultivating Divine Ability?"

Cultivating Divine Ability...

Divine Ability powers are Fruit Position attainment, and practitioners ultimately gain recognition for their Fruit Position by mastering Fruit Position.

Is this the principle behind securities lending?

It wasn't profound, but Lü Yuan understood that this was because an outsider's perspective was clearer...

Moreover, putting it into practice would be incredibly difficult.

Just like in science, there's a difference between simply applying the laws of nature and being able to summarize formulas.

He was very talented and quick to grasp concepts. Chen Sheng stood up and patted Lü Yuan on the head as a reward for his performance.

"Good."

"Now that you understand this, the essence of the Immortal Path is already quite clear in your eyes--"

"Because the Fruit Position is the source of a cultivator's power, we approach it and want to completely master Fruit Position."

"And Divine Ability are the way we found it."

That's right. At this point, the Dao of Immortality was quite clear to Lü Yuan, because he realized that it was actually very similar to the science he had studied in his previous life.

It's not hard to understand.

"What a good teacher..."

He sighed inwardly once again.

But then, Lü Yuan saw several mountains of books fly in from afar as Chen Sheng waved his hand—

These can't be...

Recalling the terrifying time he spent in high school in a province with fierce competition for college entrance exams in his previous life, Lü Yuan suddenly felt something was wrong.

Then, Chen Sheng's words plunged him into despair.

"Alright, you said you wanted to see the world clearly, I've laid the foundation for you, and you now have a basic understanding of immortals and mortals."

Chen Sheng said expressionlessly, "Then in the time to come, I will teach you the history of immortals and mortals, the situation of various Dao lineages, the basic common sense of cultivators in various aspects, the classification of major races..."

"Words, philosophy, poetry, and so on and so forth--"

Do you have any objections? If so, you can raise them now.

I don't think my protest will make any difference.

Lü Yuan sighed inwardly, but did not regret the answer he had given earlier. Instead, he accepted the reality that he would probably have to study until he died from overwork.

His face showed the same expression as when Liu Bang died, and he answered in a low, complicated voice:

"No, it's just that I'll be troubling you during this time."