Chapter 257: Important Places for Cultivation

After walking for about an hour, the path ahead suddenly opened up. A canyon that looked as if it were naturally formed appeared before the group. The rock walls on both sides of the canyon were carved with dense clusters of caves, and from time to time, fluctuations of Qi could be felt emanating from within. Occasionally, one could even see strange rays of light flickering at the cave entrances, clearly indicating that people were practicing inside.

"This is the most important cultivation site of our Tang Sect." Tang Miaoxing's tone carried a hint of pride. "Each cave is an independent cultivation chamber, and right now, over twenty inner sect disciples are attempting to grasp the mysteries of the Dan Shi. It is just a pity..." His voice lowered, carrying a trace of regret, "that to this day, not a single person has been able to fully master its essence."

Just then, a figure walked out from the highest cave. The man looked to be about thirty years old, dressed in a black martial outfit, with eyes as sharp as knives. It was the rising star of the new generation of the Tang Sect, Xu Xin.

"What is the meaning of this?" Xu Xin looked down at the group from above, his tone carrying obvious disdain. "Sect Leader, why have you brought outsiders here? This is a forbidden area of our Tang Sect; is this a place just anyone can enter?"

"Xu Xin!" Tang Miaoxing sternly reprimanded, "Do not be rude! This is Lin Daozhang, who has come specifically to provide guidance on our alchemy path. Just moments ago, Lin Daozhang already unraveled many mysteries of the Nine Dragons Awakening the World Map for us."

"Guidance on the alchemy path?" Xu Xin sneered, a flash of disdain in his eyes. "Based on them? Our Tang Sect's Dan Shi has been passed down for a thousand years; is it something outsiders can understand? Furthermore..." He looked Lin Xuan up and down, "A little Daoist, what could he possibly know?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere immediately became tense. A cold glint flashed in the eyes of Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai, and even the usually mild-mannered Wang Ye showed an expression of displeasure. But the most surprising was Wang Zhenqiu, who actually took the initiative to step forward.

"Brother Xu," Wang Zhenqiu's tone became uncharacteristically serious, "do you know who Lin Daozhang is? The pills he refines with a casual wave of his hand can trigger celestial phenomena. Such a realm is something that perhaps even your Tang Sect's founding master might not be able to reach."

Xu Xin was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained his arrogant expression: "Hmph, so what if there are celestial phenomena? They are just flashy, superficial things. Our Tang Sect's Dan Shi is a genuine, peerless art!"

Yet Lin Xuan remained as calm and composed as ever, as if he had not heard Xu Xin's provocation at all. His gaze rested on the surrounding rock walls, seemingly more interested in the naturally formed textures. This attitude only made Xu Xin even more annoyed.

"You..." Xu Xin pointed at Lin Xuan, "What a high and mighty attitude! You don't even look at people directly; who do you think you are?"

"Silence!" Tang Miaoxing finally could not hold back, "Lin Daozhang's abilities are beyond what you can imagine. Just now, he took a few casual glances at the Nine Dragons Awakening the World Map and pointed out mysteries we hadn't discovered in hundreds of years of research. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe there could be such astonishing insights in this world."

Xu Xin was taken aback by these words, and the arrogance on his face finally showed a crack. But he quickly forced himself to remain calm: "So what? Dan Shi is not merely an alchemy path, but a unique peerless art of our Tang Sect. Even if he knows a lot, it is impossible that..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Xuan suddenly spoke: "The way you practice is wrong."

The simple six words struck Xu Xin's heart like a thunderbolt. He was stunned for a moment, then asked in a cold voice: "What did you say?"

"Your current problem is that your control of Qi and heat is not precise enough." Lin Xuan's voice remained flat, yet it seemed to carry an invisible power, "Every time you circulate Dan Shi, thirty percent of your Qi goes down the wrong path. If this continues, not only will you be unable to break through, but you will damage your foundation. Especially the meridians in your right pinky finger; they have already developed a slight blockage."

Xu Xin's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Because what Lin Xuan said was exactly the problem he had been troubled by recently. Especially the symptom in his right pinky finger, which he had never mentioned to anyone—how did this person know?

"Not just you," Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the surrounding caves, "others have similar problems as well. Dan Shi is indeed a good technique, but your understanding is too shallow; you only know its form, not its spirit. It is as if you are just copying the moves left behind by your founder, without understanding the principles within."

These words left everyone present in silence. Even the usually haughty Xu Xin could not help but lower his head. They all felt that the young Daoist before them truly seemed to possess some kind of unimaginable mystery.

"Lin Daozhang!" Tang Miaoxing stepped forward again, "Please..."

"No need to say more." Lin Xuan waved his hand lightly, "The time is not yet right. When you truly understand the mysteries of the Nine Dragons Awakening the World Map, you will naturally understand the true meaning of Dan Shi. The path of cultivation lies in enlightenment, not in forced pursuit."

In the Tang Sect's canyon, Xu Xin stood there, watching Lin Xuan's back, complex emotions churning in his heart. His years of pride seemed to become the greatest irony at this moment. He took a deep breath and suddenly spoke: "Wait!"

As this shout rang out, the sound echoed through the canyon. The surrounding Tang Sect disciples held their breath; they all knew Xu Xin's personality, and they knew what this shout meant.

Lin Xuan stopped, but did not turn around. Moonlight spilled down from above the canyon, plating his white Daoist Robe with a layer of silver radiance, his sleeves fluttering gently in the wind, like an Immortal.

"Since you say you know so much," Xu Xin suppressed his inner agitation, his voice still carrying a trace of stubbornness, "then I would like to ask a few questions. Do you know what the three most important realms of Dan Shi are?"

As soon as this question was asked, the Tang Sect disciples present all gasped. The three great realms had always been the secret of the Tang Sect, and even they, the direct disciples, might not have fully mastered them. Xu Xin asking this was undoubtedly testing Lin Xuan's bottom line.

"Condensation of Qi, Refining of Fire, Transformation of Spirit." Lin Xuan's voice was calm and clear, as if he were stating a most ordinary truth, "The first realm lies in condensing Qi into form; the Qi must be condensed without stagnation. The second realm lies in tempering with fire; the fire must be intense without being dry. The third realm is the transformation of the soul; the spirit must be transformed without scattering. Each realm has nine minor stages, progressing step by step; none can be omitted."

These words were so precise that Xu Xin could not find any room to refute them. But he was unwilling to give up and continued to press: "Then do you know why many people suffer from Qi deviation during the second realm?"

"Because of improper control of the heat." Lin Xuan's tone remained flat, "You pay too much attention to external fire, but neglect the internal 'Heart Fire'. The path of Dan Shi lies in 'intent', not in 'form'. Without the correct state of mind, even the strongest heat is futile. Just like you now, every time you circulate your power, there is three parts of impatience; this is the fundamental reason why you are slow to break through."