Chapter 92: Heavenly Dao, Sages, Earth Immortals

Engraved upon the Heavenly Dao?

This made Fang Shi recall the laws within the Force Ocean on Blue Star.

Those laws that caused the gods to halt at Blue Star.

Just like the Method of Forging Spirit Roots, it too is a principle engraved upon the Heavenly Dao.

The Force Ocean on Blue Star is part of the Heavenly Dao within the worldview of Qi Refiners.

It is also that part which governs energy and principles.

In the worldview of Qi Refiners, even the River of Fate summoned by Lady Luck is part of the Heavenly Dao.

The Heavenly Dao is the supreme, inconceivable, unfathomable, unguessable, and immeasurable existence that manages all time and space, all existences, all powers, all causes and effects, all principles, all affinities, and all worlds.

"Do you know what the Heavenly Dao is?" Fang Shi asked.

Zhang Cheng answered: "The birth and growth of heaven and earth, the movement of the sun and moon, the nurturing of all things—all are the Heavenly Dao."

Fang Shi sighed, "The sages speak of the Method of Forging Spirit Roots, engraved upon the Heavenly Dao."

"It is equivalent to adding a law to nature, just like the sun and moon rising in the east, or flowers blooming and falling."

"It forms a phenomenon in life; what an extraordinary achievement this is."

"Has your master mentioned what realm the sages have reached?"

Zhang Cheng shook his head: "I have asked my master as well."

"My master said, a sage is a sage; what kind of realm division is there?"

"Realms are merely a division created by mortals to distinguish cultivation progress."

"At the level of a sage, one exists with the Dao; no realm can describe it."

Fang Shi remained noncommittal; having no realm is itself a realm.

Most likely, Zhang Cheng's master's realm was too low, he didn't know the sage's realm, and used such empty words to deceive Zhang Cheng.

"Enough, let's not talk about sages. So, after forging a Spirit Root, what realm comes next?"

Zhang Cheng said: "Forging a Spirit Root allows one to connect with the spirit of heaven and earth, condensing magic power within the body; this is the first realm of cultivators, Qi Refining."

"After Qi Refining comes the second realm, Foundation Establishment. The body is like a dwelling; Foundation Establishment is using magic power to forge a superior physical body, preparing for the opening of the Divine Sense."

"Thus, the third realm is also named Divine Sense. Once Divine Sense emerges, every detail of all things becomes visible; this is also the realm where my master resides."

"At this realm, even on the vast land of Shenzhou, one is a remarkable existence, a guest of honor at the tables of the Inspectors of the various provinces."

Speaking here, Zhang Cheng emphasized the point, seemingly fearing Fang Shi might commit some bad act.

Fang Shi smiled; he was a kind person, where would he get the idea to do anything bad?

"Then the fourth realm, what is the fourth realm? How many people on the vast land of Shenzhou can reach it?"

Zhang Cheng said: "The fourth realm is not something anyone can reach."

"I don't know the reason, but my master calls it Earth Immortal."

"Living forever in the world without dying among mortals, often wandering the mountains and rivers; these are figures hard to find traces of."

"It is said that Mr. Wu Jiao and the High Immortal of Purple Void have reached such a realm."

Jin Dan is called Earth Immortal?

Fang Shi felt strange in his heart; the previous three realms indeed matched up.

But the fourth realm was different; the Sword Art clearly recorded that above Jin Dan lies Nascent Soul, and above Nascent Soul lies Divine Spirit.

Are these not yet immortals? Why can Jin Dan be called Earth Immortal?

He thought for a moment, guessing it was probably because the worlds were different, so the names were different.

Just like the ancient titles of Gong, Hou, Bo, Zi, and Nan in Huaguo, are they the same as those in the West?

They are completely different matters, yet previous translators translated them according to Huaguo culture.

This caused most people later to confuse the distinction between the two.

"Then, can you tell me how to break the limit? I am very interested in this method."

"I am thinking, if a person with Immortal Bones"

"also forges a Spirit Root at the same time, would their cultivation talent be better?"

Zhang Zihui and Zhang Cheng looked at Fang Shi with great surprise, as if looking at a madman.

Zhang Zihui said: "Your idea is not bad; those born with Immortal Bones can indeed forge Spirit Roots."

"But forging a Spirit Root shortens one's life; each time the limit is broken, thirty years of lifespan are lost."

"Mortals live at most one hundred and fifty years; adding cultivation time, there are at most four chances to break the limit."

"A Spirit Root forged with one limit break is the worst Immortal Bone; two breaks are equivalent to Lower Grade Immortal Bone; three breaks are equivalent to Middle Grade Immortal Bone; four breaks are equivalent to Upper Grade Immortal Bone."

"You were born with Middle Grade Immortal Bone; it is not worth using a method that shortens life to improve your aptitude."

"Even if you break the limit twice and forge a Middle Grade Spirit Root, the improvement is truly limited."

"The improvement gained by spending ninety years of lifespan is not even as fast as your own autonomous cultivation."

"The Way is pursued for long life and longevity; without becoming an Earth Immortal, one only has two hundred years of lifespan."

"These ninety years are truly not worth it."

Zhang Zihui advised Fang Shi; historically, people had already had thoughts similar to Fang Shi's.

And indeed, someone had put it into practice.

That person had remarkable talent, born with Upper Grade Immortal Bones, and was hailed as a seed of Earth Immortals.

But that person was not satisfied with this, declaring they would become the number one immortal in the world.

Thus, they spent one hundred and twenty years of lifespan to forge an Upper Grade Spirit Root.

Ultimately, too much time was wasted, and before their life ended, they had not broken through to Earth Immortal.

After all, cultivating the Way is like rolling a snowball; it gets faster and faster.

The higher the realm, the more spiritual energy one can absorb and expel within a single day.

The amount accumulated in the first ten years of the early stage equals the amount of a single month in the late stage.

Therefore, time is an extremely precious thing.

Zhang Zihui was also terrified that Fang Shi would stray onto the wrong path, causing the Zhang family to lose a promising cultivator for no reason.

Fang Shi smiled: "I was just curious; once you mentioned it, I no longer had that thought."

"However, Zhang Cheng said that Breaking Limits can shatter human limits; roughly how much can one breakthrough improve?"

Zhang Zihui wanted to say more, but the gap in their strength was too great; she feared Fang Shi would become angry.

Thus, she said nothing more; she believed any normal person would cherish their lifespan and would not do anything irrational.

"Each breakthrough is roughly twenty percent," Zhang Cheng said after thinking: "In fact, those possessing a Spirit Root do indeed have a stronger physique than those possessing Immortal Bones."

"Moreover, possessing a Spirit Root is merely the foundation of cultivation; cultivation also requires comprehension."

"If comprehension is lacking, entering the Dao is difficult."

"Therefore, many who Break Limits do not forge a Spirit Root, but instead become fierce generals on the battlefield."

"Just like Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, who was a famous three-time Breaker of Limits."

"He was originally selected by the Xiang family to be a cultivator, but alas, he could not enter the Dao."

"He could only enjoy a life of wealth in the mortal world."

"And because of the three Breakthroughs, the Overlord had little lifespan left; his actions were radical, leading to his military defeat."

"His final suicide by the Jiangdong River was due not only to a broken heart, but also to his lifespan."

"Few mortals can live to the limit of their lifespan; a hundred and fifty years is merely speculation."

"In reality, a Breaker of Limits who suffers no illness or disaster can live to, well, only about a hundred years."

"Only by cultivating and drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth can one live to the theoretical limit of lifespan."

Zhang Cheng spoke with a sigh; he himself walked the path of Breaking Limits, so his lifespan was naturally one tier shorter than those possessing Immortal Bones.

But without cultivation, who would be willing to accept this?

Immortality and long life have been humanity's dream since ancient times; did you not see that even Qin Shi Huang pursued the Elixir of Life in his later years?

The strength of a Spirit Root or Immortal Bones only affects the lower limit of one's achievement.

On the path of cultivation, comprehension and opportunities are also included.

From ancient times to the present, there have been those with low-grade Immortal Bones or Spirit Roots who achieved the status of Earth Immortal.

Twenty percent?

Fang Shi pondered; previously, teasing Zhang Cheng about being unable to defeat the Zhang family Retainer was just a joke.

In reality, he had already noticed that Li Xiang and Zhang Cheng's strength had both reached the human limit.

That is, Strength, Constitution, and Agility all at eighteen points.

Each breakthrough increases by twenty percent; converted to attribute points, this equals one point.

Four breakthroughs equal four points, which made Fang Shi quite tempted.

If his Strength, Constitution, and Agility could each increase by another four points, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

As for lifespan, Fang Shi did not care at all.

The apocalypse is not that easy; if strength is not improved quickly, one will eventually perish.

Do not think that because Fang Shi is currently trapped here, as long as there are no other dangers, he can stay forever and safely survive the apocalypse.

Before the next impact arrives, Fang Shi will sooner or later return to Blue Star due to some accident.

This is an absolute certainty.

Even before his rebirth, someone proposed the matter of migrating to another world.

That happened at the end of the Fourth Impact.

By that time, humanity had Legendary Mages who naturally mastered interdimensional teleportation spells.

Thus, they organized a group of human elites to migrate to another world in advance.

Their idea was simple: since Blue Star could no longer be defended, why die defending it?

The multiverse is so vast; where is not a home?

With human strength, they could secure a place among the many races.

Occupying a continent or a planet was no problem at all.

Some even obtained great opportunities, acquired Divine Artifacts, broke through the atmosphere, and roamed beyond the universe.

In the end, the calamity came, and not a single person could escape.

When the Fifth Impact descended, everyone returned to Blue Star due to various factors.

Whether by spell accidents, encountering powerful enemies, or accidentally stepping into a teleportation array.

Even if you do nothing, a falling meteor will strike, opening a teleportation channel and sucking you in.

Furthermore, due to the randomness of teleportation arrays, those who fled to other worlds were scattered across the globe, isolated and without aid.

Suffering at the hands of otherworldly creatures, they died even more miserably.

Why did Fang Shi know so much? Because he encountered a dying fugitive.

His father was a Legendary powerhouse and naturally had the privilege of migrating to another world.

This fugitive told Fang Shi many things, mostly secrets circulating among the human high command.

He soon died from his grievous wounds.

Fang Shi, also fleeing, did not have overly excited emotions because of this.

Fang Shi could also understand the thoughts of the human high command.

A collective interdimensional teleportation array consumes too many resources; certainly, not everyone can enjoy it.

They would surely tilt resources toward certain specific groups.

Before his rebirth, Fang Shi was just a nobody in the Ancheng gathering place; lacking such treatment was only too normal.

Moreover, most of these people ultimately paid with their lives.

Some among them were the true elites of humanity, its most precious wealth.

Losing them dealt another heavy blow to human civilization.

Therefore, no matter what, one's own strength is the most critical factor.

Even if this strange world held no danger whatsoever.

Fang Shi must still strive with all his might to improve his strength; otherwise, he would remain until the Third Impact and only emerge due to an accident.

If he were teleported to the wilds and beaten to death by a horde of otherworldly creatures, there would be nowhere to seek justice.

Furthermore, at that time, he would also face the transformation of heaven and earth; if he could not withstand it, he would die instantly.

"Then, about the Break Limit Method, can you speak of it? It is not a method for forging a spiritual root."

"It is merely a mortal-world object; there is nothing significant about it."

Zhang Zihui tugged at Zhang Cheng's clothes and glared at him with some dissatisfaction.

Zhang Cheng smiled helplessly; he understood Zhang Zihui's thoughts, which were simply that Fang Shi possessed immense potential and she did not want him to stray onto the wrong path.

Currently, the Zhang family is embroiled in fierce internal strife; every ally one can win over counts.

But have you not considered whether Fang Shi is willing?

He is now a powerful force in terms of martial might; if he were to anger the other party, his life would be in danger.

Even if his master later avenged him, he would already have gone to the Underworld to be reborn.

"Indeed, for us who cultivate the Dao, these life-shortening methods are truly not precious matters."

"I will tell you the Break Limit Method."

Afterwards, Fang Shi asked many questions about the Zhang family and the powerful clans in the surrounding counties.

Both Zhang Zihui and Zhang Cheng sensed from this that Fang Shi was truly extremely ignorant.

Just like a commoner with no experience.

This also confirmed to them that Fang Shi was truly a wild-born Awakener of the Immortal Bone.

Such a scene is truly moving; whether one possesses an Immortal Bone truly depends on fate.

In this vast world, among the myriad beings, it is quite possible that a beggar by the roadside suddenly awakens an Immortal Bone.

Thereby ascending in one step to become a cultivator who rides clouds and mist.

Yet it is somewhat strange that Fang Shi seems to know a great deal about certain things.

For instance, his understanding of cultivation and martial arts is so deep that he can even speak of the Heavenly Dao with some insight.

Especially when Zhang Cheng was recounting the Break Limit Method.

Fang Shi could always find the key points, causing Zhang Cheng, who originally intended to speak casually, to naturally elaborate in more detail.

"Thank you both for your guidance. It is getting late; I, Fang, must continue on my journey. Let us part here."

Zhang Zihui still wanted to say something, but was ultimately stopped by Zhang Cheng's gaze.

She could only watch helplessly as Fang Shi, like a galloping horse, quickly moved far away.

"Hui'er, many things we need not force. Moreover, once we pass this trial, the road ahead will be smooth sailing; whether or not we have True Person Fang is irrelevant."

Zhang Cheng saw that Zhang Zihui was in low spirits and comforted her.

Zhang Zihui said gloomily, "I know all this, but I simply cannot feel at ease."

"If it were not for True Person Fang this time, I would be fine, but you would have lost your life."

Zhang Cheng smiled: "This is merely a test on the path to becoming a cultivator. If one cannot pass it, it simply means one lacks the fate to become a cultivator."

Zhang Zihui quickly covered Zhang Cheng's mouth: "Do not speak such nonsense; you will definitely become a cultivator."

Zhang Cheng nodded affirmatively: "Yes, I will definitely become a cultivator. By that time, I will definitely marry you openly and honorably."

Zhang Zihui's cheeks instantly turned red as she muttered, "Do not talk nonsense."