Chapter 146

The so-called Asura Zen method is actually just Shipi Lao Ren giving Chan Sect thought a new guise and building a theory from it; although it looks odd, its logic is actually coherent, but Shipi Lao Ren himself cannot see through it, and Zhou Shuo does not bother studying the theory and scriptures, instead directly cultivating the Asura Zen techniques.

Zhou Shuo does not devote effort to studying the theory and scriptures, but directly cultivates the Asura Zen techniques.

We need to keep it concise.

Let's craft: "The so-called Asura Zen method is actually just Shipi Lao Ren giving Chan Sect thought a new guise and building a theory from it; though it looks odd, its logic is coherent, but Shipi Lao Ren himself fails to see through it, and Zhou Shuo does not bother with studying the theory and scriptures—he goes straight to cultivating the Asura Zen techniques."

The so-called Asura Zen method is actually just Shipi Lao Ren giving Chan Sect thought a new guise and building a theory from it; although it looks odd, its logic is actually coherent, but Shipi Lao Ren himself cannot see through it, and Zhou Shuo does not put effort into studying the theory and scriptures, but directly cultivates the Asura Zen techniques.

Ok.

The Asura Zen techniques are also techniques modified by Shipi Lao Ren based on the greater and lesser heavenly Asura magic, combined with Chan Sect theory, starting with sexual function meditation, then cultivating life force, giving rise to a series of techniques: such as the Greater and Lesser Asura Obscuring Divine Light, Luoxiantuo Divine Sound, Vimoksha Divine Flame, Asura Escape Method, Rahu Divine Claw, Asura Relic Dharma Body, Great Flying Heaven Sword Technique, and Other Transformation Self-satisfied Non-Heaven Sword Qi, etc.

Translate: Asura Zen techniques are also Shipi Lao Ren's modification of the Greater and Lesser Heavenly Asura demonic arts combined with Chan Sect theory, starting with sexual cultivation meditation, then life cultivation, giving rise to a series of techniques: such as the Greater and Lesser Asura Obscuring Divine Light, Luoxian Tuo Divine Sound, Vimoksha Divine Flame, Asura Escape Method, Rahu Divine Claw, Asura Relic Dharma Body, Great Flying Heaven Sword Technique, and the Other Transformation Self-satisfied Non-Heaven Sword Qi, etc.

Greater and Lesser Asura Obscuring Divine Light.

Luoxiantuo Divine Sound.

Given uncertainty, I'll translate literally: "Luoxiantuo Divine Sound". But that's still pinyin. However maybe we can treat as "Luoxiantuo Divine Sound" and note it's a technique name; but the rule says we should translate meaning, not keep pinyin. I'm conflicted.

Vimoksha Divine Flame.

Asura Escape Method.

Rahu Divine Claw.

Asura Relic Dharma Body.

Great Flying Heaven Sword Technique.

Other Transformation Self-satisfied Non-Heaven Sword Qi.

Now line 【2】 translation.

Every Asura Zen technique is exquisitely designed, integrating thought, spirit, flesh, and elemental energy; their effects match those of Buddhist techniques, they emphasize the sexual function aspect, and they are remarkably effective against demonic heads.

Translate: Every Asura Zen technique is exquisitely designed, combining thought, spirit, flesh, and elemental qi; its efficacy matches that of Buddhist sect techniques, leaning toward sexual cultivation, and it is remarkably effective against demonic foes.

Although the techniques are extremely profound, Zhou Shuo believes Shipi Lao Ren himself has never practiced them, because his deep-rooted obsession cannot be relinquished; practicing his own greater and lesser heavenly Asura magic alongside these Asura Zen techniques would cause conflict.

Translate: Although the techniques are extremely profound, Zhou Shuo estimates that Shipi Lao Ren himself has never practiced them, because his deep-seated obsession cannot be let go; practicing his own Greater and Lesser Heavenly Asura demonic arts together with these Asura Zen techniques would cause conflict.

Of course, if Shipi Lao Ren were willing to relinquish his obsession, he wouldn't need to practice these techniques either; given his cultivation, these techniques are his own creations and he could master them with a mere thought, but Zhou Shuo cannot.

Translate: Of course, if Shipi Lao Ren were willing to let go of his obsession, he wouldn't need to cultivate these techniques either; given his cultivation, they are his own creations that would come easily with just a thought, but Zhou Shuo cannot do that.

The Asura Zen techniques are completely different from the Daoist arts and martial arts Zhou Shuo previously practiced, so learning them requires starting from scratch; fortunately, his cultivation of life and destiny is adequate, and his infant soul has already formed, so there will be no interference or conflict between them.

Translate: Asura Zen techniques differ completely from Zhou Shuo's previous Daoist arts and martial skills, so learning them requires starting from scratch; fortunately his cultivation of life and destiny is solid, and his nascent soul is already formed, so the two will not interfere or clash.

Zhou Shuo rushed to practice these techniques, undoubtedly to boost his attack power, so he first cultivated the most powerful Other Transformation Self-satisfied Non-Heaven Sword Qi; this Non-Heaven Sword Qi specifically slays formless heavenly demons, and once mastered it can rival the formless sword qi of the Emei Sect's Taiqing Xuanmen.

Translate: Zhou Shuo rushes to learn these techniques undoubtedly for offensive power, so he first cultivates the most powerful Other Transformation Self-satisfied Non-Heaven Sword Qi, which specifically cuts formless heavenly demons; once perfected, it can rival the Formless Sword Qi of the Emei Sect's Great Purity Mysterious Gate.

To cultivate the Non-Heaven Sword Qi, one must first pass the sexual function stage; one can condense sexual light from one's own mind-nature using a unique method, then combine it with life-force cultivation in the meridians, using true essence together with heavenly and earthly gang sha to condense the Non-Heaven Sword Qi.

Translate: To cultivate the Non-Heaven Sword Qi, one must first pass the sexual cultivation stage; one can condense sexual light from one's mind-nature using a unique method, then combine it with life cultivation in the meridians, using true essence together with heavenly and earthly gang sha to condense the Non-Heaven Sword Qi.

Although it sounds easy, the basic requirements are extremely demanding: the spirit must at least be at the ghost immortal level, the flesh must at least be at the martial sage level, and the spirit and energy must be tightly combined; this is the foundation, and afterward condensing the sexual light and circulating internal energy will take at least several years, even a decade or more, to produce the first thread of sword qi.

Translate: Although it sounds easy, the basic requirements are extremely demanding: the spirit must be at least Ghost Immortal level, the flesh at least Martial Saint level, and the divine energy must be tightly combined; this is the foundation, and afterward condensing sexual light, circulating internal energy, and so on will take at least several years, even over a decade, to produce the first thread of sword qi.

Zhou Shuo's life and destiny cultivation is adequate; using the Asura Zen meditation method, he spent half a month condensing the sexual light in his mind-nature into form, then began condensing the Non-Heaven Sword Qi, internally refining with true essence and externally absorbing heavenly gang and earthly sha, producing within his body the first thread of golden-yellow sword qi.

Translate: Zhou Shuo's life and destiny cultivation is adequate; using the Asura Zen meditation method, he spends half a month condensing the sexual light in his mind-nature into form, then begins condensing the Non-Heaven Sword Qi, internally refining with true essence and externally drawing in heavenly gang and earthly sha, producing within his body the first thread of golden-yellow sword qi.

"Chi!", a golden-yellow laser flashed out from the rock, instantly splitting the huge rock in two with a perfectly smooth cut.

Translate: "Swish!" A golden-yellow laser flashed through the rock, and the huge boulder instantly split in two, the cut surface perfectly smooth.

"Tsk", it seems not much different from ordinary sword qi. Zhou Shuo looked at the split rock, involuntarily curling his index finger; after condensing the sword pellet, he could independently drive the sword qi of the long narrow sword, which when used is no different from this Non-Heaven Sword Qi, but there must be a difference, and the only way to know is to cut a person.

Translate: "Tsk, it doesn't seem much different from ordinary sword qi." Zhou Shuo looks at the split rock, involuntarily curling his index finger; after condensing the sword pellet, he can now independently drive the sword qi of the long narrow sword, which when used is indistinguishable from this Non-Heaven Sword Qi, but there must be a difference between them, and the only way to know where it lies is to test it on a person.

Merely condensing sword qi is not enough; one must continually temper it, like the repeated forging processes in sword-making, to make the blade sharp and tough, but that is merely accumulated painstaking effort; Zhou Shuo is not in a hurry, what he anxiously awaits is when he can leave.

Translate: Merely condensing sword qi is not enough; it also needs continual tempering, like the repeated forging in sword-making, to make the blade sharp and tough, but that is accumulated painstaking effort; Zhou Shuo is not in a hurry about that—what he anxiously awaits is when he himself can get out.

Having stayed in the demon palace for nearly a year, Shipi Lao Ren never summoned him; Zhou Shuo took many elixirs and secret manuals from the palace's treasury, and no one came to reprimand him, leaving him somewhat bored, wanting to find him but unable to enter the Heavenly Desire Palace.

Translate: Having stayed in the Demon Palace for nearly a year, Shipi Lao Ren never summoned him; Zhou Shuo took many elixirs and secret manuals from the palace's treasury, yet saw no rebuke from him, leaving him somewhat bored, wanting to seek him out but unable to enter the Heavenly Desire Palace.

Within the entire Asura demon palace, only the Heavenly Desire Palace and West Ping Lake are places Zhou Shuo cannot enter and dare not enter; he has visited the Transformation Joy Palace and seen Princess Mingzhu, but she is a typical lovesick recluse, constantly thinking about men while staying indoors.

Translate: Within the entire Asura Demon Palace, only the Heavenly Desire Palace and West Peace Lake are places Zhou Shuo cannot enter and dare not enter; he has visited the Transformation Joy Palace and seen Princess Mingzhu, but that girl is a typical lovesick shut-in, constantly thinking about men while staying indoors.

There are also some maidservants in the demon palace, but most of them are ordinary mortals, while the magic-armored guards are entirely puppets; Zhou Shuo cannot find anyone to talk to, feeling a bit lonely, and after thinking it over, he decides to let his infant soul venture out.

Translate: The Demon Palace also has some maidservants, but most are mortals, and the demon-armored guards are entirely puppets; Zhou Shuo cannot find anyone to talk to, feeling a bit lonely, and after pondering left and right, he decides to send his nascent soul out on an excursion.

Without orders, Zhou Shuo truly dare not leave the demon palace, for he cannot afford to provoke that inscrutable demon master; although his body cannot leave the demon palace, his infant soul is not restricted, and while he cannot run wild in Shu Mountain, going to the Yangshen World would do.

Translate: Without orders, Zhou Shuo truly dares not leave the Demon Palace, for he cannot afford to provoke that inscrutable demon master; though his body cannot leave the Demon Palace, his nascent soul is not restricted, and while he cannot run wild in Shu Mountain, going to the Yang God World would do just fine.

Having made up his mind, Zhou Shuo lets his infant soul escape; after a period of nurturing, his infant soul fully matures and can leave the body to travel far, although both infant soul and body remain fragile, but he carries a divine-communicating whip for protection, while his physical body remains in a state of self-imposed confinement within the Asura demon palace.

Translate: Having made up his mind, Zhou Shuo lets his nascent soul escape; after a period of nurturing, his nascent soul is fully formed and can leave the body to travel far, though both nascent soul and body remain fragile; however he carries a Divine Power Whip for protection, while his physical body remains in a state of mortal peril inside the Asura Demon Palace.

In the Shu Mountain world, those who dare to provoke Corpse-Veil Old Demon are few; in the Divine Sword Edge battle, the three immortals and two elders together summoned the deities Tianmeng, Zunsheng, and Baimei, and also brought forth the earth immortals Jupanbo, Yuyi, Yixiu, Linghun, Cui Wugu, and the Ape Elder, which finally forced the old demon to submit; this is also why Zhou Shuo truly fears him—his strength needs no justification.

Translate: In the Shu Mountain world, those who dare to provoke Corpse Old Man's misfortune are few and far between; in the Divine Sword Edge battle, the three immortals and two elders together summoned the three divine monks Tianmeng, Zunsheng, and Bai Mei, and joined forces with the earthly immortals Jupanpo, Yuchi, Yixiu, Linghun, Cui Wugu, and the Ape Elder, finally forcing the old demon to submit; this is also why Zhou Shuo truly fears him—strength needs no justification.

Although he is terrifyingly strong, Zhou Shuo has after all taken a master, so he has some reliance; his physical body hidden in the Asura demon palace is utterly safe, so he can calmly let his infant soul escape, use divine power to summon an interworld window, and then directly leave this realm.

Translate: Although he is terrifyingly strong, Zhou Shuo has after all taken a master, which counts as a reliance; his physical body hidden in the Asura Demon Palace is utterly safe, so he can confidently let his nascent soul escape, invoke divine power to open an interworld window, and then directly leave this realm.

"Hey!", as Zhou Shuo enters the spacetime shuttle, he feels a slight surprise, because he senses that after closing the window to the Shu Mountain world, he can actually feel the condition of his physical body left in Shu Mountain, which was previously impossible.

Translate: "Hey!" Upon entering the spatiotemporal shuttle, Zhou Shuo cannot help but feel a slight surprise, for he senses that after closing the window leading to the Shu Mountain world, he can actually perceive the condition of his physical body left behind in Shu Mountain, which was previously impossible.

Even during the Tianxing Jiuge period, Zhou Shuo had the idea of sending his second incarnation into another world while keeping his true body in reality, so that he could sit at home and his spirit wander myriad realms; however, closing the world window blocks spiritual sense, thwarting this idea.

Translate: Even during the Tiān Xíng Jiǔ Gē period, Zhou Shuo had once considered projecting a second incarnation into another world while keeping his true body in reality, so as to achieve sitting at home and roaming myriad realms with his spirit, but the closed world window would block spiritual sense, thwarting that idea.

But at this very moment, although Zhou Shuo has sent his infant soul fleeing the Shu Mountain world, he still can sense his physical body in the Shu Mountain demon palace, as well as the second primordial spirit within his body, which makes him a little delighted, but after this delight comes a wave of despondency.

Translate: But at this very moment, although Zhou Shuo sends his nascent soul fleeing the Shu Mountain world, he still can sense his physical body in the Shu Mountain Demon Palace, as well as the feeling of the second primordial spirit within his body; this makes him somewhat delighted, yet after that delight comes a wave of discouragement.

One must know that the spacetime shuttle has also been damaged before, so hiding here is not necessarily safe; Zhou Shuo abandons the idea in his mind, exhales a mouthful of immortal qi, pushes open the window to the Yangshen world, and then enters it.

Translate: One must know that the spatiotemporal shuttle has also been smashed before, so hiding here is not necessarily safe; Zhou Shuo abandons the thought in his mind, exhales a mouthful of immortal qi, pushes open the window to the Yang God World, and then enters it.

Although the infant soul can traverse realms and travel far, it is still quite weak, so upon reaching the Yangshen World, Zhou Shuo's first action is to search everywhere, intending to find a body not too poor to borrow for soul rebirth.

Translate: Although the nascent soul can traverse worlds, it is still quite feeble, so upon arriving in the Yang God World, Zhou Shuo's first move is to search everywhere, intending to find a decent body to borrow for a soul's return.

In the Yangshen World, when Daoist cultivation reaches the ghost immortal level, the body's spirit and flesh mutually transform; if the physical constitution is not strong, a collapse phenomenon occurs, at which point one needs corpse-liberation transmigration, placing the spirit and soul into a selected family for reincarnation.

Translate: In the Yang God World's Daoist cultivation, once one reaches the Ghost Immortal realm, the body's spirit and flesh mutually transform; if the physical constitution is not strong, collapse ensues, at which point one needs corpse-liberation transmigration, placing the spirit into a selected family for rebirth.

The reason for choosing reincarnation rather than directly possessing an adult is that an adult's body is already fixed, making it hard to reshape; furthermore, forcibly taking an adult's body inevitably requires spells to obliterate the other's spirit and soul, which inevitably harms one's own spirit and soul, and the spirit and soul have many weaknesses.

Translate: The reason for choosing reincarnation rather than directly possessing an adult is that first, an adult's body is already set, making reshaping difficult; second, to forcibly take an adult's body regardless of cost inevitably requires spells to erase the other's spirit, which would also inevitably harm one's own spirit, and the spirit has many weak points.

Even with corpse-liberation reincarnation, there is an intangible danger of the womb's bewildering maze; only those who have survived a single thunder tribulation can endure the torment of the fetal body and transmigrate smoothly, while others, if they cannot endure it, will have their memories gradually worn away during the transmigration process.

Translate: Even with corpse-liberation reincarnation, there is an intangible peril of the womb's labyrinth; only those who have survived a single heavenly tribulation can endure the torment of the fetal body and transmigrate smoothly, whereas anyone who cannot withstand it will have their memories gradually worn away during the transmigration process.

As someone who has cultivated orthodox alchemy and produced an infant soul from a primordial womb, Zhou Shuo does not need to be as miserable as a ghost immortal in the Yangshen World; he has few restrictions on the physical body, as long as it hasn't been destroyed and is not overly thin or withered, it will suffice.

Translate: As someone who has cultivated orthodox alchemy and whose primordial womb has produced an infant, Zhou Shuo does not need to be as miserable as the Yang God World's Ghost Immortals; he has few restrictions on the physical form, needing only that it be undamaged, not overly thin or withered.

Although the conditions are not high, finding such a body is still quite troublesome; Zhou Shuo traveled a thousand miles, yet failed to find a suitable corpse, so he simply flew straight to Jade Capital City, where upon inquiring he discovered an astonishing fact.

Translate: Although the requirements are not high, finding such a body is still quite troublesome; Zhou Shuo travels a thousand miles, yet fails to locate a suitable corpse, so he simply flies straight to Jade Capital City, where upon inquiry he discovers an astonishing fact.

"Nima, what the hell, only four days have passed." Zhou Shuo looks at a huge pit on Yulong Mountain; he stayed in Shu Mountain for nearly a year, yet the Yangshen World's last encounter with Hong Xuanji and the Tai Shang Dao siege was only four days ago; the suns of the two worlds appear similar in volume, indicating that the distance between celestial bodies is not as great as imagined!

Translate: "Ni ma, what the hell, only four days have passed." Zhou Shuo gazes at a huge pit on Jade Dragon Mountain; he stayed in Shu Mountain for nearly a year, yet the Yang God World's time since he was last besieged by the combined forces of Hong Xuanji and the Supreme Dao is only four days, and the suns of the two worlds appear similar in volume, indicating that the celestial distance is not as great as imagined!

"MMP, what the hell is this? No pattern at all." Zhou Shuo looks up at the sun in the sky; as his time spent traversing increases, he feels more and more that his pitiful basic physics knowledge is insufficient, or rather, that such knowledge cannot be established in a multiverse spacetime.

"MMP, what the hell is this? No pattern at all." Zhou Shuo looks up at the sun in the sky; as his time spent traversing increases, he feels more and more that his pitiful basic physics knowledge is insufficient, or rather, that such knowledge cannot be established in a multiverse spacetime.

Only four days have passed, and Zhou Shuo has also lost the interest to continue staying in the Yangshen World; he returns to the spacetime shuttle, closes the gold-red window, then lets his infant soul enter a sitting-forgetfulness mode to repair the few cracks on the window and readjust its orientation.

Translate: Only four days have passed, yet Zhou Shuo has also lost the desire to linger in the Yang God World; he returns to the spatiotemporal shuttle, closes the gold-red window, then lets his nascent soul enter a sitting-forgetfulness mode, repairing the minor cracks on that window and re-adjusting its orientation.

The Dao gives rise to One; One gives rise to Two; Two gives rise to Three; Three gives rise to all things. Three windows can lead to countless worlds, but a window can only be opened three times at once—that is, opening one world requires closing another; fortunately, worlds that have been connected before can be reopened.

Translate: Dao gives birth to One, One to Two, Two to Three, Three to myriad things; three windows can lead to countless worlds, but a window can only be opened three times at once—that is, opening one world requires closing another—yet fortunately, worlds that have been linked before can be reopened.

Zhou Shuo transformed the gold-red hue of the Yangshen World window into black and white, opened a passage to the world of strangers, but after a moment's thought he changed the window's orientation again, randomly reorienting it toward another world.

Translate: Zhou Shuo transforms the gold-red hue of the Yang God World window into black and white, opens a passage to the World of the Different, but after a moment's thought he changes the window's orientation again, randomly re-targeting a world.

With his current level, going to the otherworld, Zhou Shuo can consider himself a bit cowardly, not daring to provoke those lethal masters, but he also doesn't have that nasty pleasure of bullying newcomers to satisfy himself, is it fun for a max-level expert to go slaughter a newbie village?