Chapter 35: Chapter 33 The Affairs of Scholars
Gui Po Tianhuang felt sowhat guilty; why had he stopped talking?
The night was tranquil, with the occasional chirping of insects. In the crackling campfire, branches would sporadically burst with a “pop.”
There was silence for a while.
Zhao Rong’s voice was cold, “You thought for so long, just to co up with this thing?”
“It’s just a common cultivation technique; what use do I have for you?”
Seeing him speak, Gui suddenly felt less guilty, “Who says it’s common? Do you know how powerful the ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ is? Back in the day, it was this very technique that the Human Clan relied on to rise to power and reach the peak of Xuanhuang!”
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“The ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ was the earliest cultivation technique encompassing the thods for the first seven realms in the Cultivation World. In ancient tis, it was not owned by any tribe or power within the Human Clan but was open to all. Nearly every cultivator of the Human Clan practiced it. Because of it, the first cultivator reached the Seventh Realm; because of it, Saints erged, and Human Emperors were born. The Human Clan transcended the primordial mire, ants ascending to heaven! It is the very foundation stone of the grand and flourishing Xuanhuang Cultivation World, without which the thousands of years of Human Clan’s prosperity would not exist.”
“Although the thods for the later realms of the ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ were gradually phased out by the Cultivation World over the years and replaced by more superior cultivation techniques, resulting in their loss, its thods for the Ascending Realm have always been passed down. They have been improved and perfected by Saints through the ages and the geniuses of past and present, becoming the ‘Number One Foundation Establishnt Skill’ in the Cultivation World. Even after being away for so long, I am confident that this thod is still mainstream in this world. If you don’t believe , go and ask that Liu Sanbian.”
Zhao Rong’s expression eased slightly.
Taking advantage of the montum, Gui continued, “Co on, don’t fret about it. Although many practice it, it’s certainly not common; it’s a top-notch Foundation Establishnt Skill. Just the fact that it’s suitable for both geniuses and slow learners shows its worth. This seat began with it as my very first cultivation technique. Are you saying it’s not worthy of Zhao Gongzi’s status?”
“Fine then, but why didn’t you tell earlier that it was this one, since it’s mainstream? I could have just gone up the mountain to buy a copy myself, saving all this needless anticipation.”
“I was also in a dilemma about which Ascending Technique to choose for you; I was uncertain between the ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ and another cultivation technique that I acquired from so great sect beyond the stars. At that ti, it seed promising, so I morized it, planning to eventually bring it back for the younger mbers of my clan. Ha, I never thought that today, you would reap the benefits.”
“What cultivation technique is it?”
“Hmm, it’s called the ‘Spring and Autumn Life and Death Decision.’ How should I put it, its cultivation thod is quite peculiar.”
“What’s so peculiar about it?”
“Heh, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained in detail, but I can describe it to you like this… You must cultivate in your dreams. The essence of this thod can be sumd up in one sentence, ‘Both in life and after death is but a deep sleep, and to be awake in the world is to suffer from insomnia.’ To sleep profoundly is like a minor death, to dream grandly is akin to cultivation; the real and the unreal are inverted, yin and yang are reversed—it is quite mystical. However, I eventually chose the ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ for you, since you are in the Xuanhuang Realm. Starting your cultivation with such an odd thod from beyond could easily attract unwanted attention. Wait until your cultivation is higher before considering these things.”
Zhao Rong nodded, briefly imagining the scenario; indeed, it would be incredible to improve his cultivation just by sleeping. However, Gui was right—it was better to be cautious. Despite his talk of cultivation requiring one to shine brightly and act decisively, that didn’t an exposing oneself to danger when weak, like a child flashing gold in a bustling market seeking death.
Simply put, lay low first, rise later.
The two chatted for a bit, and then Gui began imparting the Heart thod Mantra of the ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ to Zhao Rong.
“Originally, I wanted you to go buy the technique yourself from the mountains, given that I have been away for so long; over the years, the Ascending Technique must have been improved upon by others. However…”
Zhao Rong didn’t respond, sensing what was coming.
Indeed, seeing Zhao Rong silent, Gui felt bored, but he still had his skills to show off.
“Nevertheless, I’ve made so changes to it myself. Just use this version of mine.”
Zhao Rong’s lips twitched slightly; at that mont, atop his Heart Lake, Gui manifested a golden sheet of paper with dense black script, lacking any illustrations.
The ‘Ant Ascending Heaven Technique’ was not lengthy; it was an internal cultivation thod that didn’t involve moves.
He closed his eyes to morize it, and in less than three minutes, he opened them again.
Zhao Rong realized early on that the mory capacity of this body was exceptional. The issue with the original Zhao Rong’s academic underachievent stemd from his sole reliance on rote morization without any flexibility or adaptability, which made him indistinguishable among the masses at the Imperial College in Qianjing.
“Alright, I’ve morized it. How do we start now?”
“How do we start what?”
“How do we start cultivating, of course. You’re not just going to give a cultivation technique and let practice on my own, are you?”
Gui’s voice beca stern, “Ahem, you an that. Actually, you don’t need to take action; you already have a great teacher.”
Zhao Rong’s tone was blunt, “My great teacher is you, so hurry up and teach .”
“The Ascending Realm is quite simple. You just ditate and recite the mnemonic a few tis, find the Qi Sensing, enter the Clear Void Stage, then circulate the Primordial Qi, break through the two vessels, operate the small Circulation, and just like that, you’ll be shaking off the dust of the realm. Lastly, with a little polishing and breaking through six of the remaining Eight Extraordinary ridians, you’ll successfully step into the Fu Yao. Go on, believe in yourself. A few more tries and you’ll get it.”
Zhao Rong: “…”
Gui: “…”
Zhao Rong felt this was complicated just listening to it, not to ntion he did not even know how to ditate, let alone the latter steps involving Qi Sensing and ridians. Speaking of which, what exactly are the Eight Extraordinary ridians and the Twelve ridians, again? He rembered seeing them ntioned in so ancient book before… Ah, there’s sothing about the governor and conception vessels.
“It turns out you only know how to cultivate, not how to teach.”
Gui seed to realize his unreliability, coughed, and said solemnly: “No, that’s not it. The path at the foot of this mountain is sothing you must explore on your own. I grasped it on my first try and don’t have many experiences to share. In fact, it’s not that difficult. Ah, these very basic things that rely on sensation are hard to explain to you. If you asked about the nurturing thods of the Golden Core or the soul-casting techniques of the Nascent Soul, I could tell you a plethora of unrevealed secrets. I could even teach you so of the Fu Yao, but the Ascending is purely about sensing Qi and establishing the foundation, running Circulations. I don’t have much insight to share with you about that…”
Gui felt troubled; what was there to teach about such a trivial First Realm? Wasn’t it just a matter of pushing through the door? Born as the highest class Sword Immortal Seed in the world, his family placed grand expectations on him. From the womb, he could sense the Innate Primordial Qi. The Qi flowed naturally within his body; his Eight Extraordinary ridians and Twelve ridians were innately connected, placing him directly at the Perfection Stage of the Ascending Realm. He rembered that when his family’s elders transmitted the “Ant Ascending Heaven Technique,” he broke through the Ascending Realm the first ti he practiced it. Hey, co to think of it, it seems like he had only practiced the “Ant Ascending Heaven Technique” once. Haha, his mory was really exceptional, rembering it just like that. Zhao Rong, you really should be thanking …
Zhao Rong finally understood why, when they had set the vast agreent on the Qingfeng Pavilion ferry, Gui had emphasized repeatedly that it could only offer a little help in the first two realms.
It really was just “a little” help.
“You an… Brother Sanbian?”
“Yes, yes, exactly. He should be a great teacher. He can do it without lifting a finger.”
“But wouldn’t that be troubling him too much?”
“Ha, I’ve told you, a high-grade Martial Artist is most suitable for helping soone who’s just begun their cultivation hone the Ascending Realm because Martial Artists focus on attaining sainthood through the physical body. They understand it deeply since their developnt is primarily physical, and the Ascending Realm is focused on the physical cultivation and foundation establishnt for mortals. Hence, it’s best for ordinary people without innate talent to take the path of a Martial Artist in the Ascending Realm.”
“You won’t find this opportunity again if you miss it. Think carefully, do you want to ask for his help? Besides, you can write an entry-level poem, right? If it cos to that, just write him another one. Even though Martial Artists have no use for it, there are plenty on the mountain who need them. You won’t have trouble finding takers. In fact, you could find other Martial Artists to help you refine the Ascending Realm, but you currently have one who’s well-acquainted with you, which is always better than seeking out strangers and taking risks.”
“Young Master Zhao, will you ask for help or not?”
Zhao Rong thought for a mont, then released the pure white Jade Token embroidered with “Beautiful Jade” that he had been fiddling with in his hand the whole ti.
He had been nurturing this piece of white jade close to his body lately.
Zhao Rong stood up, stretched, squinted at the break of dawn in the distance, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
“Can a scholar’s business really be called asking?”
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