The Dao Is Not Lightly Passed On

Seeing that he had successfully shifted the blame, Guo Xun put on an even more deferential expression and cupped his hands.

"Master, your reprimand is well deserved."

He then dropped his humble demeanor and spoke sharply to Yang Xun, the emperor of Ning Kingdom, who was attending them at the side.

"Have all the preparations for the palace examination been made?"

Yang Xun hurriedly bowed, his face wreathed in a fawning smile.

"Protector Guo, everything is ready. Over all these years, how would this lowly one have dared make the slightest mistake?"

Daoist Lu picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip, his tone a shade more pleasant than usual.

"Good, good. Yang Xun, you've followed me in cultivation for eighteen years now. Though you've learned only some rudimentary breathing exercises, your sincerity is plain to see. Once this palace examination is over, I'll formally pass the Dao on to you."

Yang Xun's whole body trembled. He had pleaded for eighteen years, presented the whole of Ning Kingdom with both hands, and made the entire court, civil and military alike, as well as the realm itself, dependent on these immortal masters. Wasn't this the very moment he had been waiting for?

He fell prostrate with a thud, knocking his forehead hard against the cold gold bricks, utterly forgetting that he was still wearing the dragon robe of Ning Kingdom.

"Thank you, Immortal, for granting my wish!"

A sneer appeared on Daoist Lu's face, and he waved a hand dismissively.

"All right, all right. You may leave."

Yang Xun scrambled to his feet on hands and knees and backed out of the hall, bent at the waist the whole way, never daring to raise his head.

Only Daoist Lu and his disciple remained in the hall. Guo Xun stepped forward and lowered his voice, his tone somewhat probing.

"Master, are you truly going to pass a Cultivation Method on to Yang Xun?"

Daoist Lu set his teacup on the dragon desk, the mockery in his eyes finally rising to the surface without restraint.

"The Dao is not lightly passed on. I traded my life for this 'True Explanation of Blood Sha Chain Form' back then. You disciples followed me through life and death, licking blood from the edge of a blade, before you earned the right to practice it. He is a mere mortal animal, nothing but a dog that tends this sheepfold for us."

Only then did Guo Xun feel at ease. His fellow disciples had risked their lives to bring this method back. If their master truly passed it so casually to an outsider, everyone in their lineage would surely be chilled to the bone, even if they said nothing.

In the Shattered Star Sea, spiritual resources could be gathered everywhere, but a superior Cultivation Method that led straight to Foundation Establishment was exceedingly rare. Such methods had always been handed down generation to generation only among great Aristocratic Clans and the direct heirs of immortal sects. Ordinary Rogue Cultivators could spend their entire lives without even glimpsing the surface of one.

"Master, your Cultivation Method leads straight to Foundation Establishment. Once you've taken this batch of Blood Pills, you should reach Qi Refinement Great Perfection, shouldn't you?"

Guo Xun weighed his words carefully, quietly studying Daoist Lu's expression.

The words had evidently scratched Daoist Lu right where he itched. The corners of the old Daoist's eyes relaxed, and the few white whiskers beneath his chin lifted with them.

"Naturally. When that time comes, I'll pass the third chapter of the 'True Explanation of Blood Sha Chain Form' on to you."

Guo Xun's heart gave a violent leap. He hurriedly lowered his head, afraid his master would see the unrestrained delight in his eyes.

The first chapter of the method could only bring one to the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer, and the second only to the Qi Refinement Seventh Layer. Only with the third was there hope of Foundation Establishment.

By keeping control of the method, Daoist Lu had divided his disciples into ranks and locked down their paths to advancement.

In the Shattered Star Sea, cultivators could freely switch to other methods, but the Devil Cultivators all knew their master possessed a method that led straight to Foundation Establishment. Naturally, they were unwilling to change paths and practice those common Cultivation Methods.

After all, in the Shattered Star Sea, only Foundation Establishment immortal sects possessed Cultivation Methods of this caliber.

Guo Xun had served him carefully for so many years, and now that he could finally see his chance to rise, he could not help showing his delight.

"I will see that this palace examination is carried out without a single flaw, ensuring an ample supply of grandmasters' flesh and blood to help you achieve success in one stroke, Master!"

He was even more eager than Daoist Lu himself for his master to reach Qi Refinement Great Perfection. His eyes turned, and he edged half a step closer, asking tentatively:

"Master, what if... we had those first-rank martial artists enter the palace too? Their Qi and Blood are a little lacking, but they could at least make up the numbers."

The next step for a first-rank martial artist was to become a grandmaster. Their Devil Cultivation Method was not yet complete and their Qi and Blood were somewhat lacking, but they could still be used.

Daoist Lu fell silent for a moment. He had certainly entertained the same thought.

The number of grandmasters had suddenly fallen by nearly half this year. Heaven knew how many Blood Pills this batch of material would yield, or whether it would be enough for him to attempt that final step.

But when he thought of the crude alchemy inheritance in his possession, he forcibly put the idea aside.

The requirements for Qi and Blood in refining Blood Pills were exceptionally stringent. First-rank martial artists had yet to cross that threshold, and their Essence Blood was mixed and impure. Adding it might instead ruin the quality of the entire batch.

He shook his head. "Forget it. First-rank martial artists lack sufficient Qi and Blood. Forcing their use would only lower the chances of forming pills. The loss would outweigh the gain."

Guo Xun nodded, assuming his master was lamenting the inadequacy of his alchemy inheritance, and followed his lead.

"Master, you're absolutely right. Sigh! Your talent for alchemy is so great, yet the grandmaster refused to pass on the true inheritance all those years ago, forcing you to turn to body refinement. Those high cultivation immortal sects of the Shattered Star Sea are truly overbearing. They clutch superior Cultivation Methods and the inheritances of the hundred arts in their hands, keeping them sealed up tight. Rogue Cultivators beneath them have to exchange an astronomical amount of resources just to learn. They do nothing themselves, yet sit back and reap the rewards, filling their pots and bowls to overflowing. If you had obtained that alchemy inheritance, Master, why would we have been reduced to living here..."

Halfway through, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He looked up to meet Daoist Lu's icy gaze and immediately realized his mouth had landed him in trouble again. His voice grew softer and softer until he was nearly mumbling as he swallowed the rest of his words.

"Forgive me, Master! I wasn't complaining about our present circumstances, and I certainly wasn't, wasn't making veiled accusations..."

Daoist Lu snorted coldly, though there was little frost on his face. Instead, he seemed somewhat more reflective.

"It's all right. I know you harbor resentment. You resent me for taking so long to pass on the Cultivation Method, and you resent me, your master, for being cold-hearted. Back then, I too believed I had a fine talent for the Dao of Alchemy, and I too hated my master for refusing to hand the alchemy inheritance to me. Only later did I understand. On the Great Dao, all struggle to be first. If I were a senior, what could I use to keep the juniors in check? Only two things: Cultivation Methods and spiritual resources. Spiritual resources aren't exclusive to sects. They're everywhere in the Shattered Star Sea, and one couldn't restrict them even if one wanted to. Only Cultivation Methods are different. Hold a Cultivation Method in your grasp, and you hold the lifeline."

He rose and walked with his hands behind his back to the dragon desk, looking down at the empty hall below the steps.

"Take Ning Kingdom. Why are there methods to keep the people ignorant? Why aren't the common people allowed to read? Why are the scriptures and classical texts all in the hands of Aristocratic Clans? Simply to keep the poor from competing with those clans for profit. As the saying goes, the poor study and the rich practice martial arts. The martial path is harsher than study: once you can read, you can teach yourself, but without a master, you can't even find the entrance to martial arts. Before we came, Ning Kingdom's martial teachings were likewise held in an airtight grip by those powerful clans. Every path open to the common people was blocked. From birth to death, from father to son, generation after generation, they were trapped scratching a living from the soil."

Daoist Lu paused, as though something had occurred to him, and gave two dry chuckles.

"It was our arrival that broke that system. For a very low price, we gave them a way to live beyond farming, and the hope of climbing higher. Why do you think those commoners practice martial arts like mad? Do you really think it's to strengthen their bodies and keep fit? They're looking for a better way to live, and at the end of that road lies the imperial palace of Great Ning. This palace holds not only the pinnacle of the martial path, but also an immortal opportunity to seek the Dao and eternal life! When the time comes, no one will need to drive them. They'll fight with their lives to crowd into the capital."

"The martial path in Ning Kingdom is like this, and so too is the immortal path in the Shattered Star Sea."

He turned and looked at Guo Xun. There was less malice in his gaze and more of an indefinable meaning.

"The immortal sects control the superior Cultivation Methods, and the lower cultivators have no choice but to accept it. They can either become Rogue Cultivators and practice those third-rate, common methods, spending their lives in a muddle without ever seeing the threshold of Foundation Establishment. Or they can join an immortal sect and toil like oxen and horses for the higher cultivators, hoping that one day their masters will be pleased enough to toss them a bone. Xun, I raised you from childhood. I'm telling you this today only because I want you to understand sooner: in the cultivation world, talent isn't the most important thing, nor are spiritual resources. Superior Cultivation Methods and skills are the foundation on which one stands and makes a life. As for those elusive fortuitous opportunities, I don't deny they exist, but how many people in this world truly stumble into great luck?"

He walked slowly down the palace steps and came before Guo Xun, speaking gently.

"My foundation is damaged, and I have no hope of Foundation Establishment. Everything I have will be yours in the future."

Guo Xun was silent for a long time, a mixture of emotions in his heart.

This was not the first time he had heard such things. He did not deny that some Rogue Cultivators managed to achieve Foundation Establishment or even Core Formation.

But those people had to endure greater hardship, and their cultivation progressed very slowly.

Truth be told, Guo Xun had more than once thought of leaving as soon as he obtained his master's Cultivation Method. After all, there were plenty of spiritual resources nearby. As long as he had the method, why should he worry about failing to reach Foundation Establishment?

Yet he had to admit that his master's words, "the Dao is not lightly passed on," had indeed bound him firmly to this place.

Without Cultivation Methods, Law Techniques, or inheritances of the hundred arts of cultivation, even if the world were full of spiritual things, he would be nothing more than a laborer guarding raw materials for others.

For example, if a cultivator wanted to trade for even the crudest Qi Condensation Powder, he had to offer dozens of times its value in spiritual materials and beg someone for it.

And an Alchemist? For one, it took no more than lifting a finger.

In the end, Guo Xun let those thoughts go. Rather than go outside and live in a muddle, he at least had something to look forward to by staying with his master.

Besides, he was now close to finally rising. Once his master consumed this batch of Blood Pills, he would pass on the Cultivation Method and the method for refining the Blood Pills to him!

At that thought, Guo Xun took a deep breath and solemnly knelt, touching his forehead to the ground. In a deep voice, he said:

"My Dao heart was unsteady, my mind a restless monkey and a galloping horse. I have failed to live up to your years of care, Master. I have engraved every word of your teachings today on my heart. From this day forward, I will never again let my thoughts run wild. I will follow your instructions in all things."

Daoist Lu sighed and waved a hand. Clearly unwilling to discuss it further, he changed the subject.

"By the way, have you found out where those cultivators by the sea at the border last month came from?"

About a month earlier, the presences of several unfamiliar cultivators had appeared at Ning Kingdom's border, and Guo Xun had happened to encounter them while passing by.

Guo Xun had not dared take the matter lightly and had immediately reported it to Daoist Lu, who had ordered him to investigate discreetly.

Guo Xun hurriedly said, "Rest assured, Master, I've verified it. Those cultivators were not sea patrol envoys of the Zhulu Immortal Alliance, nor were they connected to Listening to Thunder Island. They should merely be Rogue Cultivators from the surrounding islands, passing through."

Daoist Lu breathed a sigh of relief and continued:

"The islands of the Shattered Star Sea are as numerous as the stars. Ning Kingdom's island is as remote as can be, yet even so, there are still plenty of traces of cultivation forces nearby. In this world, finding a truly peaceful place is harder than ascending to heaven."

He paused, his expression growing more solemn.

"We must never let them see through us. The Devil Lord has been in seclusion for many years now, and the righteous path is at the height of its power. All of us cultivators of the devil path can only eke out a living in the cracks. One careless step, and the whole game is lost."

Guo Xun nodded in agreement and sighed as well.

"I thought of that too. When I came face-to-face with those cultivators that day, I only said that we were a body-refinement sect formed by Rogue Cultivators, cultivating here in seclusion. They didn't grow suspicious. They only said that if we had time in the future, we could trade what we had for what we lacked."

Hearing of trading what they had for what they lacked and exchanging spiritual resources, Daoist Lu's head ached all the more.

"Trade what we have for what we lack? Heh, what would we trade? The spiritual Qi in Ning Kingdom is already thin and sparse. Only that range of mountains in the northwest is somewhat richer, and a tiger demon at Peak Qi Refinement has made its lair there. If not for that, why would we have settled for living in this mortal capital?"

He rubbed the space between his brows, his tone growing more irritable.

"We have a batch of spirit seeds we brought out of our lineage back then, but we have no inheritance for the art of nurturing spiritual things. We know next to nothing of the path of Spirit Plants. Those spirit seeds have an extremely low survival rate near the capital. We can't grow them or refine them into pills, so in the end they're just a pile of dead things. Year after year, we can only rely on the Qi and Blood of these grandmasters to barely sustain our cultivation. What spiritual things could we possibly have left over to trade?"

When Daoist Lu had fled south in a panic with his disciples years ago, he had indeed brought quite a few spirit seeds. But their lineage specialized only in devil-path blood refinement and body cultivation, and knew almost nothing of alchemy, spiritual nurturing, formations, and the other hundred arts of cultivation.

To make matters worse, Ning Kingdom's finest immortal mountains and spiritual fields were all occupied by a tiger demon at Qi Refinement Great Perfection.

Daoist Lu had gone to test it. When there were many people, the tiger demon would not show itself, but whenever someone was alone, or no Late Qi Refining cultivator was present, it would suddenly appear, kill with one blow, and immediately flee far away.

After this happened several times, Daoist Lu lost several disciples and was wounded himself. He had no choice but to retreat in bitterness and settle instead in Ning Kingdom's capital, practicing blood refinement under the name of the palace examination and planning to proceed slowly and patiently.

The reason he placed such high hopes on this palace examination was to use the Blood Qi of this batch of grandmasters to refine Blood Pills, break through to Qi Refinement Great Perfection in one stroke, and then return to fight the tiger demon to the death.

As long as he secured that mountain range, gained the spiritual fields and immortal mountains, and found a way to obtain the art of nurturing spiritual things, he and his dozens of disciples would no longer have to remain trapped in this palace.

Knowing what his master had in mind, Guo Xun said earnestly:

"Master, with the precious pills you refine this time, you will surely break through to Qi Refinement Great Perfection in one stroke! When that happens, how could a mere tiger demon be your match?"

Daoist Lu's expression eased somewhat, and the deep furrow between his brows relaxed a little, but the few words of flattery did not ultimately go to his head.

He pondered for a moment, then asked:

"Has anything unusual happened around the capital? Have you patrolled the area these past few days?"

What worried him most had always been the possibility that the surrounding cultivation forces would see through his devil-path background.

In these waters, Devil Cultivators were like rats scurrying across the street, chased by everyone. Once exposed, even without an attack from the righteous path, those of their own kind who wanted to prey on fellow criminals would be enough to give him a bitter time.

Guo Xun patted his chest, his expression confident.

"Rest assured, Master. I sent my junior brothers to patrol the capital and the entire surrounding region several times with the detection Law Artifacts you gave them. Let alone cultivators, they didn't find even a single Demon Beast that had begun to develop intelligence. But then again, even if some blind cultivator really did sneak in on the day of the palace examination..."

He paused briefly and glanced at Daoist Lu's expression before presenting him with a perfectly timed bit of flattery.

"With your cultivation in both techniques and body refinement, Master, an ordinary cultivator of the same rank couldn't last ten moves against you! And you also have that soul banner you've nurtured for decades, containing countless resentful souls. Its power has long since surpassed that of an ordinary first-tier mid-grade Law Artifact. Let alone a few blind Rogue Cultivators, even if a Foundation Establishment mighty figure came, you might still be able to fight for a chance to live beneath the banner!"