"What follows after Foundation Establishment?" inquired Long Aotian.
"After Foundation Establishment comes the Golden Core Realm. This stage involves the creation of a core, utilizing the Dantian as a crucible and the cultivation base as the raw material. The Dantian, where an individual's Qi is concentrated, resides three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel," explained Ming Xuan.
"Master, why is this stage called the Golden Core Realm?" Long Aotian further queried.
"An astute question, my disciple. This stage is called the Golden Core because, according to their aptitude, they form different types of cores. These distinctions manifest as follows:
Violet Color (Perfect)
Yellow Color (Top Grade)
Orange Color (Upper-Moderate)
Blue Color (Moderate)
Green Color (Lower-Moderate)
Mixed Color (If you have this, you might as well stop cultivating and do farming instead.)
Upon successful core formation, cultivators witness a significant increase in their lifespans, potentially extending up to 600 years during the later stages of Core Formation," Ming Xuan said.
"Master, is there a grade higher than Violet Color?" inquired Long Aotian, his curiosity piqued.
"Initially, I hadn't planned to divulge information beyond Violet Color, but given your curiosity, I'll elaborate. Beyond Violet Color lies the Golden Color, a level attainable only by one in ten thousand. When I say ten thousand, I mean among the exceptional heavenly prides, only one in ten thousand achieves this feat," Ming Xuan revealed.
"Master, are there varying grades among heavenly prides as well?" Long Aotian further questioned.
"Absolutely!" confirmed Ming Xuan.
Long Aotian paused, reflecting, "I see, just as there are distinctions even among beautiful girls, heavenly geniuses also exhibit differences."
Ming Xuan remained silent for a moment, contemplating Long Aotian's response, and then remarked, "You have an interesting way of interpreting my teachings."
"Your analogy, though straightforward, holds significance. Attaining a Golden Color Core will place you on par with ancient prodigies, smoothing your path along the Dao. Achieving a Golden Core isn't solely about talent; it requires patience and a stroke of luck," Ming Xuan imparted.
"I'm not expecting you to reach the Golden Core level. Attaining a Violet Core is commendable," reassured Ming Xuan.
"Master, rest assured. I'm determined to reach the Golden Color Core," affirmed Long Aotian confidently.
"Excellent! Your ambitions are admirable. Dedicate yourself to cultivation and seek guidance whenever needed," encouraged Ming Xuan. Having already led his apprentice to believe he was an unparalleled expert, he saw no harm in perpetuating the facade.
"Now, I shall go back and pursue the Eternal Dao, a path that will further increase my cultivation and grant me survival in this era. Once you attain immortality, I'll reveal the truth about this world. Farewell for now. Remember, do not falter," he declared before departing, carrying a weighty burden as if the sorrows of countless worlds rested upon his shoulders.
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"Hiss! The master still wants to increase his cultivation. I can't fathom how powerful he is. I must not let Master down!
Long Aotian calmed down and walked towards the nearby mountain peak. He started thinking about his Master's words.
One hour passed.
Unfortunately, he could only understand the basic meaning of his Master's words. His Master said he had to see beyond reality and not be trapped in an illusion.
Nonetheless, he was not impatient. His comprehension of the Dao these days and the nourishment of the white rune had changed his mental state.
Three hours passed.
Still no clue.
Five hours later...
The sun was shining brightly in the sky. His body became all sweaty. But he didn't stop. Long Aotian still walked with his Master's words in his mind like divine decree.
At that moment, his mind suddenly shook as a wave of clarity washed over him.
He couldn’t help but close his eyes.
There are two concepts hidden in Master's words. Firstly, Master wants him to understand the concept of duality. Everything in nature possesses duality. It is a concept that illustrates the fact that balance is experienced between two opposing forces. Too much of one breaks the balance, just as the absence of one breaks the balance.
These contrasts are not isolated but rather define and give meaning to each other. It emphasizes that one cannot exist without the other, as they are interdependent and mutually defining.
The concept of duality encourages embracing the balance inherent in these opposites, understanding that each aspect complements and shapes its counterpart.
Secondly, the master wants to say that if one allows himself to align himself with the Tao, one's actions become effortless and natural. A man should let go of his need for control and trust the natural order of things. Only then will the thing truly be everlasting.
The mystical technique for achieving immortality is revealed only to those who have dissolved all ties to the gross worldly realm of duality, conflict, and dogma. As long as your shallow worldly ambitions exist, the door will not open.
So that's why this scripture is called 'Harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Self.'
Long Aotian slowly muttered, "Heaven, Earth, and I alone are eternal."
Upon opening his eyes, an intensity emanated from within him, causing even the heavens to tremble.
"In my perception, if I deem you false, vanish from existence! Yet if I declare you true, who would dare refute?" He proclaimed it with pride.
With these words, the sky rumbled loudly, and dark clouds converged above Long Aotian.
In an instant, the mountain landscape underwent a dramatic transformation. Trees, grass, animals, and all flora vanished, leaving only him standing in the desolate terrain.
"If I proclaim these mountains true, then they are eternally true. Return, mountain!" he commanded.
The vanished mountain silently reappeared, restoring the chorus of bird songs, the lively movements of wildlife, and the gentle rustling of plants in the calm breeze. The scene regained its serenity, presenting an image as if nothing had occurred previously.
Thankfully, no witness observed his actions. For if seen, they would undoubtedly be confounded, as he had comprehended a lesser Dao known as the True/False Dao, rooted in a deep understanding of duality. Legend had it that nature harbored 12 Supreme Daos, 3000 Greater Daos, and 1000 Lesser Daos, yet mastering even one was an arduous task.
Typically, cultivators embark on comprehending a Dao at the Venerable Realm, yet Long Aotian achieved an unprecedented feat. Despite his Dao being in its preliminary stages, the earth-shattering achievement lay in the fact that no one had ever comprehended a Dao at the Qi Condensation Stage.
Had the hidden experts of the Wu Xian world discovered Long Aotian's accomplishment, they would go to great lengths to refine his initial stage Dao, integrating it into their own Dao to significantly increase their cultivation.
But the surprises didn't cease there. Long Aotian delved into the contemplation of another Dao, this time pondering the Greater Dao of Karma.
"Master encourages belief in the natural flow of the world. To create without possessing, to act without expectations, and to forget about it. Yet something feels amiss. I cannot grasp it. I must seek guidance from my Master. He must hold the key," Long Aotian pondered.
...
At the base of Skyview Mountain, a middle-aged man, draped in a black robe, sprinted as if evading pursuers. At intervals, he cast furtive glances around, checking for any sign of pursuit.
"Hahahah! Those old fogeys from Misty Immortal Sect and Rainbow Cloud Sect are insignificant. I, their grandfather, Chen Fugui, managed to slip away right under their noses. Throughout the Shanmu Domain, they would become the biggest laughingstocks," he proclaimed with triumphant laughter.
Chen Fugui's raucous laughter echoed through the air until tears streamed down his face. Renowned for the past decade as the infamous thief across the Shanmu Domain, he had a reputation for being elusive—no one had ever successfully apprehended him.
Respectfully referred to as "Chen Fugui, The Corpse Collector," his latest escapade involved pilfering the ancestral corpses belonging to both the Misty Immortal Sect and Rainbow Cloud Sect. This audacious theft led to his current frantic escape, fleeing from pursuit.
He devised a plan to lie low on the rugged and slippery terrain of the mountain, a spot where he believed no one would suspect his hiding place.
Hastening towards Skyview Mountain, Chen Fugui abruptly halted, fixating his gaze on its summit.
"What in the world is this aura? Have they discovered me? That's impossible—such a grand aura. Besides, if they were after me, they wouldn't expose their aura outright. They'd capture me," ruminated Chen Fugui.
Gazing at the mountain peak, he sensed a profound Dao intent, indicating an exceptionally high cultivation level.
"Perhaps a Senior has made a breakthrough in cultivation. I should make my exit while I still can. If the Senior's in a foul mood, it could mean my demise," he contemplated.
Just then, a gentle voice carried over, saying, "Fellow Daoist! Please halt."