In the last chapter, it should have been Xu Fu; that was a typo and has been corrected.

Not understanding something, Wang Xuan interrupted Old Chen, showing a look of confusion. "Old Chen, that's not right. Could it be that you learned the Bodhisattva Fist from the Ghost Monk and are planning to convert to Buddhism? How does a Buddhist title end up in your realm?"

Old Chen shook his head. "The waters of Buddhism are too deep; they easily abandon their physical bodies, and I genuinely fear that. It's fine to learn their body techniques like the Bodhisattva Fist, but if you ask me to convert to their fundamental practices, I wouldn't dare—I'm afraid I might end up burning myself to ashes in the process."

Qingmu was speechless, realizing that his master was indeed very cautious.

After explaining, Old Chen glanced at Wang Xuan and said, "Speaking of ‘Lighting the Lamp,' you actually made such an association. This won't do; you need to read more books related to the Old Technique path and enrich your foundation."

Wang Xuan wanted to hit his old colleague. Was he being serious about belittling him?

Old Chen spoke earnestly, advising him to read the Daoist canon and occasionally browse through the Old Technique literature, as it would benefit him.

Wang Xuan held back; he had no choice but to listen quietly as Old Chen elaborated on the classifications of realms that apply to both ancient and modern times.

Old Chen explained, "Lighting the Lamp means igniting the heart lamp, allowing the light of the spirit to illuminate the long night of immortality, helping us see the dim path ahead and recognize our direction."

Wang Xuan thought for a moment and asked, "Could you start from the beginning and explain what the Mist stage is? Have I reached that level?"

Old Chen was surprised. "Didn't I mention this last time? If we categorize it like the ranks in Go, I just became a professional player, while you two are still honing your skills as amateur players."

At this moment, not only did Wang Xuan feel belittled, but Qingmu also felt the impact of an indiscriminate blow.

"The Mist stage refers to those who have just become true practitioners. They can introspect and see parts of their internal condition, as if shrouded in a hazy fog," Old Chen explained.

Noticing their unkind expressions, he added, "You want me to delineate the ranks for the ‘amateur players'? Fine, I'll keep it simple: below Master, there are the Masters and Great Masters. Breaking through those levels would classify one as a ‘professional player,' meaning a true practitioner in the Old Technique realm."

At this point, even Qingmu wanted to hit his master! Those words were less harmful than deeply insulting.

So, the Masters became a transitional category, with all those who hadn't achieved it classified as below Masters. If this got out, everyone would want to beat up Old Chen!

"Alright, go ahead and continue!" Wang Xuan urged, not wanting to hear him pontificate further. He needed to work hard on improving himself so he could beat Old Chen later.

Old Chen nodded. "I am currently in the Mist stage, initially introspecting, but my interior remains dark and I cannot see the surrounding landscape."

Wang Xuan felt a sense of awe; Old Chen had truly stepped into the mysterious realm of the Old Technique, marking a qualitative change and beginning to encounter the terrifying power of the extraordinary!

"Remember, the Mist is not a vague term; it represents a real vision I have seen. These are experiential insights. If you suddenly step into this level, don't be afraid or hesitant. There will be a glimmer of light in the fog; just follow it."

That glimmer refers to the spiritual realm.

Old Chen smiled and said, "In the past, I frequently touched on the tactile state. Although it's unfortunate I couldn't enter the Inner Landscape, my spirit underwent a qualitative change, ultimately forming the spiritual realm. For me, after consolidating and calmly accumulating for a period, I can directly light the lamp!"

In the Old Technique realm, the second level of Lighting the Lamp requires a substantial accumulation of spiritual energy. It's not about actually igniting the spirit but refining the spiritual realm to condense it until it hangs like a lamp in the previously dark night of immortality, illuminating one's path and indicating the direction to move forward.

"Are these the real visions seen during self-introspection?" Wang Xuan asked.

Old Chen nodded and then described the third level: "Although I haven't yet entered the Lighting the Lamp stage, I can vaguely sense the path behind it. Combining insights from the Daoist canon and records in the pre-Qin bamboo slips about the secret landscapes of the Old Technique, I understand what the third level entails; it's the ‘Ming Tu' or ‘Fate Soil.' Do not underestimate or ignore this realm; it concerns your future. Both pre-Qin practitioners and Daoists place immense importance on this area, as it can nurture life and is the origin of vitality."

He hadn't yet reached the Ming Tu level himself, so he could only discuss it based on written records without demonstrating the process of reaching it.

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"The fourth level is Gathering Medicine," Old Chen quickly stated the next realm.

"Gathering Medicine? Does that mean one needs to rely on medicinal herbs for cultivation at this level?" Wang Xuan asked.

Resulting in yet another round of mental "beatings" for Wang Xuan!

Old Chen glanced at him and said, "When you're at work, I've seen you sneaking looks at the Daoist canon daily. What were you reading? Didn't you notice this term ‘Gathering Medicine'? It's a process that Daoism places great emphasis on."

"Old Chen, you've been spying on me every day!"

Old Chen replied solemnly, "As your supervisor, I've noticed you slacking off at work, and I've already been quite tolerant by not marking you down or docking your pay. How can you slander your old supervisor like this?"

Wang Xuan was left speechless, wanting to retort that it was merely a retirement home.

"Gathering Medicine refers to harvesting the precious elixirs from within your own body to cultivate yourself. When you step into this realm, mastering the timing of Gathering Medicine is crucial; one must never be careless. I'll send you two books to study carefully. This knowledge has always been kept secret, passed down orally between masters and disciples, with very few recorded in written form."

Old Chen's words were no exaggeration; the secrets of Gathering Medicine were extremely rare, particularly precious.

"Of course, since you practice the foundational techniques from the pre-Qin bamboo slips, your base is solid enough. Not having the secret isn't an issue; my guidance will suffice."

Wang Xuan nodded and continued to ask questions.

Old Chen replied, "That's about it for these four levels. One must remain low-key and proceed step by step."

"Don't tell me you still haven't grasped the path beyond this?" Wang Xuan asked suspiciously.

Surprisingly, Old Chen nodded calmly. "What I've described are universal stages applicable to all paths, with no issues or hidden dangers. Beyond these, I do have some concerns."

He elaborated, "Completing these four realms allows for various paths: whether you aim to transform elixirs into golden pills, follow the Daoist's early path of ultimate emptiness and tranquility, or continue the brilliant way of pre-Qin practitioners, you'll be well-positioned!"

Old Chen stood with his hands behind his back, exuding calmness. In many ways, the path he summarized from ancient texts was indeed safe.

"Coincidentally, I've perused numerous ancient texts and discovered clues indicating these four realms are applicable to all paths, perhaps even vaguely linked to certain secret routes."

Old Chen muttered, revealing a remarkable discovery. These insights were not explicitly recorded but sensed through hidden meanings.

"The Mist stage is self-explanatory. Lighting the Lamp is about the heart lamp illuminating the path ahead, possibly related to ‘finding the way.' As for Ming Tu, it's rumored that the first person among pre-Qin practitioners to enter the Inner Landscape likely did so after reaching the Ming Tu stage. The Gathering Medicine field, if one could later obtain celestial herbs, would become even more formidable."

Wang Xuan was astonished, and Qingmu was left speechless; Old Chen had indeed found significant insights from those texts, affirming the importance of these realms.

"However, ordinary people need not dream. Even geniuses shouldn't expect much; only extremely unique or abnormal individuals might occasionally gain something." He glanced at Wang Xuan, who was a bit special, being able to access the Inner Landscape already.

Wang Xuan felt as if he had been scolded and glared at Old Chen.

They discussed these topics for quite a while. Finally, Old Chen's eyes sparkled as he said, "As for the path ahead, it requires us to practice boldly and courageously explore. The most brilliant era of the Old Technique has yet to arrive; we await our rise!"

This time, Qingmu didn't internally ridicule his master; he suddenly felt that Old Chen had some valid ideas.

Wang Xuan pondered, feeling something resonate within him. "The Old Technique is not old!"

"Exactly, the New Technique is not new!" Old Chen nodded in agreement.

"How so?" Wang Xuan's interest was piqued. He had never fully understood the New Technique in the depths of space.

Old Chen sneered, "The New Technique is a big pit; eventually, some people will be ground to dust!"

Then he turned to Qingmu, saying, "You can study the New Technique, but don't get fully immersed. You must learn it in conjunction with the Old Technique."

Qingmu was surprised; Old Chen had previously supported him in pursuing the New Technique, but his stance had now shifted.

"I once thought your path with the Old Technique was reaching its limit, which is why I encouraged you to explore the New Technique. But now, you have Wang Xuan by your side, who can help you enter the Inner Landscape once or twice more, likely paving your way. Moreover, soon you'll have a Chen Lighting the Lamp around you; it may be best to avoid fully committing to the New Technique and just use it as a reference!" Old Chen seemed quite confident.

Wang Xuan and Qingmu exchanged glances, eager to hear more.

Old Chen clearly had more to say. He sighed, "It was only after my recent experiences in the Inner Landscape that I was suddenly struck with shock. Comparing the two, I realized the New Technique might not be so simple!"

He then asked, "Do you know where the New Technique originated?"

Wang Xuan replied, "Wasn't it discovered in some mysterious location where they found super materials, eventually leading to the development of the New Technique?"

"Do you really think they could have come up with that? They're just glorifying themselves. The truth is, it all comes from digging it out of the earth!"

Old Chen became extremely serious. "Have you not questioned this? Many types of the New Technique resemble the methods manifested by those who mastered the Old Technique in ancient times. Yet, those in the New Technique realm start out with these almost magical abilities, which is quite unusual. Of course, the power of both cannot be compared."

Wang Xuan nodded; the New Technique indeed felt strange.

Old Chen continued, "The New Technique is not new; it's all been dug up from the earth, buried long ago. Who knows what astonishing things might still be unearthed in the future? I increasingly suspect this is a trap; it seems like someone intentionally left these benefits for future seekers to engage with and explore."

Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow. "That sounds quite cunning, and it feels familiar. Doesn't it resemble the traps left in the Inner Landscape by those who transcended?"

Old Chen nodded solemnly. "After my experiences in the Inner Landscape, I too vaguely sensed the similarities, leading to some unease and suspicion."

"I feel that the ancients were too deceptive; they deserve a beating! They should have buried what needed to be buried and burned what needed to be burned!" Wang Xuan exclaimed.

Quickly, he glanced at the jade box containing charred bones nearby and added, "Only those fair, kind-hearted, and beautifully unparalleled sword immortals who don't deceive future generations deserve respect and will endure in this world!"

"So, who knows what terrifying troubles will arise from those in the New Technique realm!" Old Chen lamented.

Wang Xuan felt puzzled. "Does that mean the celestial beings entered the starry skies earlier than modern people with super battleships?"

Additionally, he recalled the female practitioner wanting to keep him on the Old Soil for three years; did she discover something after entering deep space?