35: What is cultivation?

However, while shocked, Li Xingyan was already fantasizing about the benefits he would gain from this trip.

After all, with so many Spirit Medicines, the Old Ancestor would definitely hand them over to his teacher for refining. By then… “Hehe…” Li Xingyan chuckled foolishly.

At the same time, another heavyweight figure made an appearance.

This person was Mo Lingfeng, also known as "Heaven and Earth Palm."

“I didn’t expect even he would come, but thinking about it, it makes sense. Mo Lingfeng has been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Peak for so many years; he certainly wouldn’t miss any Opportunity to advance to the Golden Core stage.”

His arrival also brought the "extremely yin wood" that Li Xiangyun had been longing for.

Mo Lingfeng, who had arrived below the Dao platform, casually scanned his surroundings, finally fixing his gaze on Li Xiangyun, who was on the Dao platform.

Li Xiangyun immediately opened his eyes and met his gaze.

There was no imagined animosity; Mo Lingfeng smiled kindly, was the first to look away, and found an empty seat to sit down.

With Mo Lingfeng's arrival, the atmosphere seemed to be pushed to a climax. Following him, two more Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators arrived: the Old Man of Bliss and Granny Meihua.

Both of them were long-renowned Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators in the Southern Barbarian Province.

After this, although there were still strong individuals, none were as formidable as these three.

Just as everyone thought it was about to end, the Fourth Elder on the stage shouted again, “Wang Ning, present the second-grade superior Spirit Medicine, Profound Sun Grass.”

Everyone was a bit surprised. One must know that this gift was even more precious than the gifts from many Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Moreover, the person who came was merely a young lad, and his cultivation was only at Qi Refinement fifth-level.

For a moment, the crowd's gazes towards Wang Ning held a hint of strangeness.

Wang Ning didn't mind this; instead, he let out a huge sigh of relief, “I finally made it!”

Recalling the danger of last night, Wang Ning still felt lingering fear. When he was caught by that mysterious ghost shadow, his life was truly hanging by a thread.

Fortunately, he sobered up at the critical moment and timely hid in the Floating Pagoda.

Subsequently, that ghost shadow remained guarding the surroundings, making Wang Ning not dare to come out at all.

Fortunately, perhaps because the ghost shadow’s plan was about to begin, it left first.

Otherwise, he would have truly missed it… However, Wang Ning, who arrived at the square, was not there to listen to the lecture.

Since those demonic Cultivators dared to cause such a commotion, they clearly intended to wipe out all the Cultivators gathered in Purple Cloud City.

The reason they hadn't acted yet was clearly out of consideration for Ice Peak Zhenren, a Golden Core Cultivator.

Therefore, he needed to report this news to Ice Peak Zhenren before those demonic Cultivators were ready.

But just then, a figure appeared beside him. In an instant, Wang Ning found that he couldn't move.

“Oh no!”

At the same time, Li Xiangyun on the high platform also opened his eyes. “Wang Ning?”

Li Xiangyun was a little puzzled and couldn't help but look in Li Muwan's direction. Seeing her calm expression, he didn't think much of it.

Coincidentally, at this moment, the time had arrived.

The Grand Elder ascended the Dao platform and delivered the opening speech,

“Fellow Daoists, hello everyone! In this beautiful moment of clear skies and Immortal Qi, we gather here in the ancient Purple Cloud City to collectively witness the grand lecture organized by Ice Peak Zhenren.

Today, we have invited the profoundly skilled and highly respected Ice Peak Zhenren to impart the Dao of Cultivation and answer questions for everyone.”

“In this long journey of Cultivation, we strive tirelessly, only to pursue the ethereal and boundless path to Immortal Ascension.

And Ice Peak Zhenren will illuminate a bright path for us, leading to the Grand Dao of Golden Core, with his unique insights and rich Cultivation experience. Today's lecture is a baptism of the soul, a Legacy of Dao methods, and even a rare Opportunity.”

“Now, let us extend our warmest cheers to invite Ice Peak Zhenren to the stage to commence this grand Cultivation feast for us!

May the Dao that the Immortal Master expounds be like brilliant stars, illuminating our path forward; like sweet dew, nourishing our hearts eager to grow. Let us listen together, progress together, and soon embark on the Grand Dao of Golden Core to create brilliance together!”

After a passionate opening speech, enthusiastic cheers erupted from below, gradually subsiding only when a crystal-clear snowflake slowly lifted Li Xiangyun.

At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Li Xiangyun, filled with hope, anticipation, and admiration, but without exception, all were waiting for his lecture.

Li Xiangyun couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Those adoring gazes were like intoxicating narcotics, making one feel enchanted.

Li Xiangyun smiled slightly. What had he painstakingly Cultivated for? Wasn't it for this very moment?

Thus, without the slightest hesitation, he spoke, “What is Cultivation?”

Without waiting for everyone to answer, Li Xiangyun continued, “This Immortal Master believes that Cultivation is to strengthen oneself by absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi through one's Spiritual Root, possessing the power to move mountains and overturn seas, to pluck stars and seize the moon.”

“Then what is practice? Or rather, what is the difference between Cultivation and practice?”

Li Xiangyun did not immediately delve into profound questions, nor did he explain how to Cultivate.

Instead, he posed a question, the most fundamental question in the Immortal Cultivation world.

“What is practice?”

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone was instantly stumped. They seemed to have an answer in their hearts, yet they always felt it wasn't quite right.

Fire Old couldn't help but exclaim, “Xiao Yanzi, listen carefully! Your Old Ancestor is not simple!”

“If he can achieve Nirvana and Rebirth this time, his future will be limitless.”

Li Xingyan was somewhat shocked. He had been pondering, but instantly became focused, afraid of missing a single word.

At the same time, Wang Ning was also like this. Although his personal freedom was restricted at this moment, because Li Xiangyun was directly above, that demonic Cultivator did not dare to act rashly.

Since he couldn't escape, he might as well listen carefully. Perhaps this was the Opportunity mentioned by the mysterious person.

“Practice is not quiet meditation, nor is it in remote mountains or humble dwellings. It is precisely in following origin (yuanqi), in walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, and in the daily necessities of life.”

“Therefore, practice is comprehending the Dao!”

“What is comprehension?”

“Comprehension is observing mountains and seas, experiencing life, understanding myriad forms, and grasping the essence of all things in the world to achieve a qualitative change in one’s spiritual life.”

...“What is the Dao?”

“The Dao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things. All things carry yin and embrace yang, and through the blending of Qi, they achieve harmony.”

“The Dao is the essence of all operations of all things in the world!”

“Therefore...”

Li Xiangyun first began by discussing practice, explaining to everyone what true practice should be like.

Then he spoke about the various methods and Breakthrough techniques from Qi Refinement to Golden Core, as well as various knowledge related to practice.

It can be said that in this lecture, Li Xiangyun not only explained their future path of practice but also broadened their horizons, planting a seed called “Dao” in their hearts.

If they were fortunate enough to Cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Peak, it would definitely help them Breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

It can be said that, compared to the gifts they offered, it was absolutely not a loss!