Chapter 28

Unofficial Biography of the True Outsider

"Thunder! It's thundering!"

"Everything was fine, why such a loud clap of thunder all of a sudden? Could it be that some demon has been born nearby?"

"It must be thunder triggered by a response from the Heavenly Secrets! The Altar City never has thunder at this time of year!"

"Could it be that the Heavenly Boat has landed, and the movement was so great that it pulled out those immortal mansions lost in the shattered space?"

Originally, the sky was clear for ten thousand miles, but in an instant, it turned pitch black. Dark clouds rolled, and thunder rumbled, one clap after another, accompanied by lightning striking above the Altar City. It seemed as if it wanted to strike down the Altar City floating in the air. If it weren't for the fact that it contained no tribulation power, it would be just like some cultivator trying to break through their realm and undergoing a heavenly tribulation.

"Activate the grand formation!"

Orders from soldiers came from the city walls. The peddlers and shop assistants in the Altar City hurriedly packed up their goods and hid inside their houses. A ball of light slowly rose above the Dao Palace, flashing violently, wrapping the entire Altar City within it. No matter how the lightning struck, it was absorbed by the misty formation power. Several people walked out of the Dao Palace, looking up at the sky, seemingly preparing to deal with the next unexpected changes in the weather. Only the giant turtle at the entrance of the Altar City paddled its limbs, swimming contentedly amidst the lightning.

"At this time of year, how could there be thunder in the Altar City?"

The thunder lasted for about half an hour before gradually fading away. Not a single drop of rain fell. The Dao Palace withdrew the grand formation and sent many cultivators in all directions. The cultivators in the market were discussing it endlessly, most of them guessing whether space fragments had passed over the South Zhuzhou, or whether some demon or spiritual treasure had been born, shaking the heavens. After all, such giant thunder, even if common in the rainy season of South Zhuzhou, must have a reason for suddenly roaring.

"My lord, the Altar City Dao Palace has already dispatched personnel, holding the Star-Fixing Compass, to go into the clouds to find that weak point in space."

In Chen Jun's cave dwelling, several stewards knelt to report. Chen Jun sat cross-legged, nodding without speaking. After pondering for a while, he said, "Send word to all the disciples. The space in the Altar City may be unstable, and the Heavenly Boat may need to avoid it temporarily. The situation will become even more complex, so tell them to be careful."

He then threw a small flag from his sleeve, "Send this One-Qi Cloud Sail to Zhou Yanqing for his protection."

Everyone received their orders and left. Chen Jun closed his eyes, seemingly about to enter meditation again, but as if remembering something, he said, "Go ask Lin Ji what Miss Ruan is doing."

Within his cave dwelling, nothing, big or small, could actually be hidden from the master, but Chen Jun chose not to check, waiting only for Lin Ji's reply. After a while, the maid returned, knelt, and reported, "Miss Ruan has been reading books these past few days."

She paused and added, "Sister Lin Ji said that Miss Ruan ate three plates of fragrant muntjac meat today."

The corners of Chen Jun's mouth twitched. As his thoughts turned, a copper plate in front of him lit up, revealing the scene in the Pine Pavilion. Both Both Ruan Ci was leaning on a chaise longue, a plate of meat jerky placed on her stomach. She held a book in one hand and slowly fed the meat jerky into her mouth with the other. Although her movements were slow, they never ceased. She chewed one piece in her mouth while her hand reached for the next. This slow and steady consumption was quite significant; only a small half of the plate of meat jerky remained.

"She is quite leisurely."

Chen Jun naturally knew the books in the Pine Pavilion. Seeing Both Both Ruan Ci reading "True Explanation of Intent Cultivation," he cared even less. With a flick of his sleeve, he said indifferently, "Lin Ji is also acting on her own authority. Who let her into the Pine Pavilion?"

He only scolded her lightly and didn't mention it again. Thinking that Both Both Ruan Ci hadn't even come to the front hall for a while, it saved him some trouble and reduced karma. The next day, he still issued an order for people to purchase some spiritual food to bring into the mansion.

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Both Both Ruan Ci, on the other hand, was naturally unaware of the Altar City's reaction as if facing a formidable enemy. She had only been in the Altar City for two years and was not familiar with the weather, assuming it was just an accidental thunderstorm. She was startled at first but soon calmed down. Leaning back and reading that "True Explanation of Intent Cultivation," she found it funnier the more she read. After finishing it, she couldn't help but joke with Wang Panpan, "There are so many unofficial biographies of true outsiders, and many parts are absurd, but it's not impossible to imagine. It's just that the conditions are too harsh, no wonder they don't spread. The method of intent cultivation I saw today is truly incredible. Has anyone really ever succeeded in this tradition?"

"That's why I told you not to read those miscellaneous books," Wang Panpan seized the opportunity to lecture Both Both Ruan Ci, "Intent cultivation is incredible? It's just that your cultivation base hasn't reached that step yet. Many miscellaneous cultivation methods were invented by true cultivators to assist their own practice. Intent cultivation is for Dao Ancestors reincarnated or great beings practicing a second path. Of course, you find it incredible when you look at it."

"Reincarnated? Isn't it said that cultivators only cultivate for one life and cannot be reincarnated?" Both Both Ruan Ci became curious again.

"Doesn't the Dao Ancestor set this rule too... The Netherworld Li Fire Dao Ancestor dislikes cultivators being reincarnated, so he set this rule. All cultivators' true spirits flying into the underworld will go to another place, not entering the six paths of reincarnation." Wang Panpan said, "But how can a Dao Ancestor manage another Dao Ancestor? These are all stories that everyone in the cultivation world knows... If you want to read, you should read 'Heavenly Boat Crossing,' not some miscellaneous cultivation classics."

"Heavenly Boat Crossing" is a book of miscellaneous notes and essays, recording many stories of the Langhuan Zhou Tian, as well as the conditions of the major continents. It is named after the time when the Heavenly Boat crosses realms, when cultivators cannot cultivate and can only chat. This book is for providing conversation topics for cultivators from all sides. Both Both Ruan Ci wanted to finish the classics and read it to pass the time when bored. She smoothed Wang Panpan's fur and brought out the meat jerky she had specially brought back for her to eat. Wang Panpan was a little happier and carefully pointed out, "There are many purposes for a Dao Ancestor's reincarnation. Sometimes it is to break free from innate limitations. Just like innate spiritual treasures of the universe, although they are Dao Ancestor status as soon as they are born, if they don't reincarnate, they will never be able to transcend in their lifetime. To seek transcendence, most will reincarnate for one life. And after reincarnation, how can they merge with the Dao again? This intent cultivation method was born from this."

The so-called intent cultivation is a mysterious and profound cultivation method that looks extremely impossible—the true cultivation tradition of this universe, to put it bluntly, is to absorb spiritual energy, polish oneself, open up the Qi Sea, dantian, consciousness sea, etc., in the body. Spiritual power and the physical body stimulate each other to forge a Golden Core, and thus step by step, one penetrates the three thousand Great Daos of the universe and steadily ascends to the Dao Ancestor realm. But the cultivation method of the true outsider abandons the mutual tempering of spiritual power and the physical body, directly using a mortal body to touch the power of laws. For example, law cultivation and vow cultivation are all like this. A mortal can also make vows and set methods, but doing so takes more time and is more difficult than true cultivation. With this spare time, it is better to practice true cultivation properly.

And intent cultivation also has this flavor. The so-called intent cultivation refers to what a cultivator firmly believes in their heart, that is what they are—for example, if a mortal firmly believes that they are a Qi Condensation stage cultivator, then they are a Qi Condensation stage cultivator. If they firmly believe that they are a Dao Ancestor, they are a Dao Ancestor.

Of course, everyone can fantasize. If just firmly believing something makes it so, then the world would be in chaos. Find someone to confuse their mind and make them think they are a Dao Ancestor; wouldn't they then possess all the power? The difficulty of this intent cultivation method lies here—this mortal who firmly believes they are a Qi Condensation stage cultivator must imagine every subtle detail of the Qi Condensation stage in their mind, exactly the same as the real situation, so that they can obtain the cultivation base of the Qi Condensation stage in an instant. By the same token, if they want to become a Dao Ancestor, they must first construct the Dao Ancestor's control over the rules before they can ascend to the sky in one step, refine the law, and merge with the Dao.

If one is not a Qi Condensation stage cultivator, how can one know the details of a Qi Condensation stage cultivator like the back of one's hand? If one is already a Qi Condensation stage cultivator, then what is the need for an intent cultivation method? This intent cultivation is laughable to most cultivators. Both Both Ruan Ci only learned from Wang Panpan that it was for Dao Ancestors reincarnated to re-merge with the Dao. After a Dao Ancestor reincarnates, there will naturally be karma that allows them to retrieve their previous life's memories. At that time, by relying on the intent cultivation method, they can ascend to the sky in one step and re-merge with the Dao. Or there are some Grotto-Heaven Ancestors who have begun to study the laws and are preparing to merge with the Dao. Sometimes they will set up other incarnations to perceive the Great Dao, and they will use the intent cultivation method to evolve a split spirit. In this way, even if the perception fails and they suffer qi deviation, the impact on the true body will be minimized.

"This cultivation method was originally prepared for great beings. For bottom-layer cultivators, it is indeed absurd. For example, this intent cultivation method is limited to the cultivation base only. Your cultivation base has risen to a higher level, but your physique will not be strengthened in any way. How can a mortal's physical body carry a great being's consciousness sea? I'm afraid they would die of exhaustion on the spot. The physical body has not been tempered, and there is no corresponding magic treasure. Even if the cultivation base goes up, they will always be several notches weaker than cultivators of the same rank."

Wang Panpan talked eloquently, "Only a Dao Ancestor reincarnated, who has prepared all the magic treasures and spiritual materials in advance, and whose previous life's shell has already been refined into precious medicine, just waiting for their current self to take it. The previous life's magic treasures have also been waiting for a long time. Only in this way can one use the intent cultivation method. So you say the intent cultivation method is useless, which is also correct. It is indeed useless to us. Many miscellaneous cultivation methods are like this; it was never meant for ordinary cultivators."

Both Both Ruan Ci was thoughtful and nodded without speaking. Wang Panpan looked at her and smiled, "Are you thinking in your heart, if you were the reincarnation of the Donghua Sword, how good would that be?"

Both Both Ruan Ci shook her head and said, "I am who I am, why would I hope to be someone else's reincarnation?"

"Even if you hoped, there is no such good thing. When a Dao Ancestor reincarnates, their true spirit is complete. Qing Jun's true spirit, however, was shattered into ten million specks of dust long ago." Wang Panpan said, "So this intent cultivation method does not suit you. I know what you are thinking. Within the Langhuan Zhou Tian, if you cannot sense the Dao rhyme, you cannot refine spiritual energy. The path of intent cultivation can bypass this limitation and directly touch that trace of law in the dark, allowing you to possess spiritual power—but this is an endless cycle. If you cannot refine spiritual energy, you will not know the feelings of a Qi Condensation stage cultivator, and then you will never be able to use the path of intent cultivation."

As for weapon cultivation, it is also a true outsider's biography. There are no divisions like Qi Condensation stage or Foundation Establishment stage. It only depends on the quality of one's natal magic treasure. At most, the realm is divided from the perspective of equivalent combat power for outsiders to understand. No matter how far Both Both Ruan Ci goes on the path of weapon cultivation, it will not help the path of intent cultivation. Both Both Ruan Ci said, "I'm just chatting with you. Panpan, your defensive heart is too strong. Are you so afraid that I won't follow the path of weapon cultivation?"

Wang Panpan's cat ears drooped, her tail flicked back and forth, and she sneered, "I was afraid you would suffer a loss, so I told you more. It turns out I was being sentimental. You treat me the same as those demons in Yanshan."

Both Both Ruan Ci thought, "Actually, there is no difference. You said you would let me choose, but isn't it still asking others to wait for me in the Altar City for three years?"

Her joining the Profound Heaven Sect was indeed led by Wang Panpan, and the Profound Heaven Sect's hatred for Xie Xie Yan Huan didn't seem as deep as Wang Panpan said. Both Both Ruan Ci had never mentioned these things, but it didn't mean they could be ignored. It was like a stone that couldn't be bypassed in their conversation. Both Both Ruan Ci didn't speak, but Wang Panpan's tail flicked harder and harder, and finally, she meowed loudly, "It is true that I arranged for you to join the Profound Heaven Sect, but I didn't lie to you once. You are equally dangerous wherever you go. Now, the Profound Heaven Sect is still the safest place for you. I have worked hard for more than three years; am I not good enough to you?"

Both Both Ruan Ci hurriedly said, "Good enough, good enough, thank you for your hard work, Panpan."

She comforted her for a long time before Wang Panpan gradually calmed down. Sobbing in Both Both Ruan Ci's arms, she said, "You said you wanted to return the sword to the master yourself, so you must be taking the path of weapon cultivation. Isn't everything I arranged following your own wishes? Why are you blaming me instead? If you change your mind, tell me early; don't speak ill of me in your heart."

This cat had a very bad temper and scolded Both Both Ruan Ci for a long time with meows. After Both Both Ruan Ci finished comforting her, she felt physically and mentally exhausted. She collapsed on the bed, not even wanting to contemplate the sword intent diagram. She thought, "Cats are even more unreasonable than women. I definitely want to return the Donghua Sword to Sister Xie, but that doesn't mean I have to listen to other people's arrangements for everything. Could it be that returning the sword is the only thought in my life? I am very grateful to Sister Xie for saving me, but that doesn't mean I live for her."

Looking back now, starting from the time the civet cat led the way, every step she took had a strong sense of manipulation, one link after another. Although Xie Xie Yan Huan had left, Both Both Ruan Ci seemed to still be living in her arrangements. A key point was that Both Both Ruan Ci could not sense the Dao rhyme and could not practice true cultivation in the Langhuan Zhou Tian. Imagine, if she could practice true cultivation, then after Xie Xie Yan Huan returned, she would return the Donghua Sword, and she would still have her own cultivation base. Whether it was high or low, she wouldn't die on the spot. She looked closely at the room full of miscellaneous cultivation classics, and there were considerations in this regard, but it was indeed as Wang Panpan said, the path of miscellaneous cultivation had many limitations. No wonder it was just a biography and not the mainstream.

Originally, she had a trace of interest in that intent cultivation method, but after hearing what Wang Panpan said, it was indeed not for her. Both Both Ruan Ci felt a trace of loss in her heart, but it passed quickly. She gathered her spirit and continued to contemplate the sword intent diagram as usual.

In her consciousness, an ancient long sword rotated endlessly as if it had solidified. Both Both Ruan Ci's consciousness wrapped around it, wrapping the long sword in strands, trying to merge with it. This seemed to anger the long sword, and the sword body trembled slightly. Both Both Ruan Ci's mind was greatly shaken, and she seemed to see the long sword that pierced the heavens and wore the moon and stars again—

When a sword user connects with a long sword, it often triggers illusions, just like when sensing it for the first time, falling into a mysterious realm. The insights gained after waking up cannot be expressed in words. Both Both Ruan Ci was already used to this and was not panicked. In a trance, she gradually fell into a deep sleep—

After an unknown amount of time, someone patted her cheek and called, "Junior Brother, Junior Brother, it's time to get up."

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Updated, sorry for the wait, everyone. Tonight I'm going to have steak noodles! After the noodles are cooked, mix them with steak soup, add some chili, it's fragrant and delicious!

I've read several books recently: "Guan Mian Tang Huang," "Nong Jia Xiao Fu Nv," "Wu Lun Wei Jin," and "World Tree's Game." They are all quite good. The first one is a time-travel novel to the Tang Dynasty, where the protagonist becomes Wu Zetian's grandson. The author's foundation in classical Chinese is super deep, and the word choice is very careful. I just feel that there aren't many "cool" points, but the book itself is definitely a boutique.

"Nong Jia Xiao Fu Nv" is a farming novel. It has 1800 chapters, and the male and female leads are only 14 years old. It started writing from when they were 4 years old. There are no chapters from a few years later. Isn't that amazing... But I don't feel it's particularly watery; I think it's quite good OTL.

"Wu Lun Wei Jin" is a Fourth Disaster + hardcore farming infrastructure novel, a book from Jinjiang. After I finished reading it, I wanted to read Fourth Disaster type novels again, so I went to watch "World Tree's Game," which is also not bad, but it's still not enough to read. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Alright, double update delivered, see you tomorrow at 12 o'clock!