62: Chapter on the Dao.

Sun Jingxing took in the fleeting confusion in his eyes, pausing for a moment before realization dawned on him. The astonishment in his eyes transformed into a complex expression of wry amusement.

"Junior Brother... you do not know about 'Dao Lineages'?"

Gu Changsheng shook his head honestly, a trace of embarrassment on his face. He felt like a bumpkin who had just run out of the mountains, appearing completely out of place when faced with common knowledge that the city folk took for granted.

"This Disciple is dull-witted; I only know how to Cultivate in seclusion, and I know very little about affairs in the outside world." He brought out his usual set of excuses.

Upon hearing this, Sun Jingxing fell silent for a moment. He looked at Gu Changsheng with an expression like one watching a child holding a peerless treasure but using it only to crack walnuts.

He sighed, sat back down, and gestured for Gu Changsheng to sit as well. He personally refilled the cup of expensive spirit tea for Gu Changsheng. This time, his attitude contained less probing and more of the earnestness of a Senior guiding a Junior.

"Very well. Within the Sect, this matter is only mentioned by teachers when one's cultivation reaches Qi Refining Perfection and one begins to prepare for one's own immortal foundation. It is normal that you do not know, Junior Brother."

Sun Jingxing gathered his thoughts and, using the simplest and most understandable way possible, opened the door to a new world for Gu Changsheng.

"What we usually refer to as Embryonic Breathing, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion... these are merely 'Realms' of cultivation. They represent how much mana we have accumulated and how long we can live; they are the ladder for measuring strength."

"However, why is it that among those at the seventh level of Qi Refining, some can easily crush several of their peers? Why do the same techniques vary so drastically in power in the hands of different people? This is determined by the 'Dao Lineage'."

Sun Jingxing extended a finger, and a wisp of crimson flame emerged from his fingertip.

"The Dao Lineage is a Cultivator's Foundation; it is the most original 'attribute' and 'law' of mana. It determines your future path, what you are good at, and what your Divine Abilities are. This immortal foundation Dao Lineage is the very bedrock of a Cultivator's cultivation."

Gu Changsheng's mind was shaken; each of these terms seemed to contain some profound truth of heaven and earth, leaving him feeling dizzy.

He had always thought that a Cultivation Technique was just a Cultivation Technique, and the Five Elements were simply Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. He had never imagined there were such profound distinctions within them.

Seeing that he was listening intently, Sun Jingxing continued to explain: "Take our Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World as an example. The most prevalent and common Dao Lineages are the Jia Wood, Geng Metal, and Ren Water."

"The Jia Wood Dao Lineage focuses on growth and flourishing. Its momentum is magnificent, and its mana is vigorous and domineering, making it the most fierce during combat."

"The Geng Metal Dao Lineage focuses on slaughter and sharpness. Eight or nine out of ten Sword Cultivators are inheritors of this Dao Lineage. Its mana is condensed and indestructible, and its offensive power is unmatched among peers."

"The Ren Water Dao Lineage focuses on change and inclusivity. Its mana is enduring and versatile, skilled in various techniques for trapping enemies and defense, making it the most troublesome to deal with."

Gu Changsheng silently committed this to memory. He thought of his Azure Origin Sword Art; that extreme sharpness might be related to the Geng Metal Dao Lineage.

"Then... what about yi wood?"

Hearing Gu Changsheng's question, which carried a pure desire for knowledge, a smile appeared on Sun Jingxing's lips.

He appreciated this attitude of getting to the bottom of things, as it represented a Cultivator's seriousness toward their own path.

"The yi wood Dao Lineage and the Jia Wood Dao Lineage share the same Origin but differ in principles."

Sun Jingxing dipped his finger in the tea and drew two distinct marks on the smooth jade table.

One was rugged and bold, the other slender and winding.

"Jia Wood is like a towering giant tree. Its momentum is fierce, pursuing extreme growth and expansion. Its mana is vigorous, breaking ten thousand techniques with one force. Eight or nine out of ten Wood-attribute Cultivators in our Eastern Wasteland Cultivate this path."

He pointed his finger at the rugged mark.

"As for yi wood, it is like vines and weeds. Its momentum is tenacious, pursuing the essence of life and Reincarnation. It moistens things silently; wild fires cannot burn it all away, and the spring breeze makes it grow again."

His finger slowly traced the slender mark.

"It does not pursue instantaneous bursts, yet it possesses the most enduring vitality and the most terrifying restorative power. In the Eastern Wasteland, this path is not popular and is even considered by many to be a heterodox path, because its combat power in the early stages is far less direct than that of Jia Wood or Geng Metal."

Gu Changsheng was stunned as he listened.

Jia Wood, yi wood.

The scriptures of the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture flowed automatically in his mind. The eight-character guiding principle of "Withered wood meets spring, living towards death" perfectly matched the yi wood path described by Sun Jingxing!

So that was it!

So this is the kind of Dao Lineage I have been cultivating!

A monstrous wave surged in his heart; this was more shocking than obtaining any Magical Artifact or Medicinal Pill. It was equivalent to someone lighting a lighthouse leading directly to the Great Dao on his confused path of cultivation!

This Sun Jingxing, he truly does not have good intentions!

A trace of vigilance rose in Gu Changsheng's heart, but no, it was that he had too good of intentions!

The value of this information gap was worth more than a thousand gold pieces; it was simply a priceless treasure! What was he after? Was it because I helped him save two plants? This deal was a massive profit for me; what could he possibly be aiming for?

Could this be the legendary... charisma?

Gu Changsheng was amused by his own absurd thought, but he dared not show the slightest bit of it on his face.

"Junior Brother, I have also perused the records in the Sect's classics regarding your Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture." Sun Jingxing, seemingly unaware of the turmoil in Gu Changsheng's mind, continued speaking unhurriedly.

"This Cultivation Technique is extremely unique. If one can use it to achieve Foundation Establishment, the resulting immortal foundation is called 'Withered Meets Spring'."

"Withered Meets Spring"!

In an instant, all the obscurities regarding the Cultivation Technique and all the confusion about the future seemed to be pierced through and illuminated by these three words!

Withered wood meets spring, living towards death.

His immortal foundation, his Dao, had actually been named by his predecessors long ago.

This was not an ordinary Cultivation Technique; this was a complete, clear, and heaven-reaching path that could point directly to the Great Dao!

Gu Changsheng could no longer sit still.

He stood up abruptly, walked around the table, and performed an extremely solemn Daoist salute to Sun Jingxing, bowing deeply, almost at a ninety-degree angle.

This time, there was not a shred of performance; it was all heartfelt gratitude.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for clearing my confusion! I, Changsheng, will engrave this grace in my heart!"

The value of this information far exceeded those two Spirit Medicines. This was the grace of guidance on the Dao, which, in the Cultivation World, was equivalent to being a half-master.

Sun Jingxing calmly accepted his salute before rising to help him up.

"Junior Brother, there is no need for this."

He re-examined Gu Changsheng, his attitude growing even closer.

"We are both from the same Sect, and mutual support is only right and proper. Besides, Junior Brother has helped me greatly today, and I am merely returning the favor. As for this matter of the yi wood Dao Lineage, after you achieve Foundation Establishment, the Sect elders will naturally explain it to you; I am just informing you in advance."

Sun Jingxing flipped his wrist, and a cyan jade talisman appeared in his palm.

"This is my Sound Transmission Talisman, which carries a wisp of my Divine Thought. In the future, if you encounter any trouble in the Sect that is difficult to resolve, or if you have further confusion regarding your cultivation, you can contact me through it at any time."

Gu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat.

This was no longer just making an acquaintance; this was practically handing over a protective talisman!

A Sound Transmission Talisman from a True Disciple of Danyang Peak, the grandson of the Peak Master! In the Outer Sect of the Taiqing Sect, and even in the Inner Sect, this thing carried more weight than a deacon's token!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart, accepted the jade talisman with both hands, and carefully placed it in the most intimate position within his Storage Pouch.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your generous gift!"

"Very well, I have delayed you for a long time today. I presume you have many insights that need to be digested in peace, so I will not keep you." Sun Jingxing smiled and issued a polite dismissal.

"This Disciple will take his leave."

Gu Changsheng bowed once more, then turned around decisively and exited the elegant courtyard.

The moment he stepped out of the courtyard's Restriction, the cold wind on the mountainside blew, and Gu Changsheng felt his body, which had been floating from excitement, settle back onto solid ground.

He looked back at the mist-shrouded Immortal Cave of the True Disciple, then looked down at his own simple Inner Sect Disciple attire.

The world seemed to be the same world.

But he himself was already completely different.

Gu Changsheng did not linger for a moment; almost without his feet touching the ground, he returned at top speed to his Cave Dwelling No. Ding 97, located in a corner at the foot of the mountain.

Bang!

The stone door slammed shut, cutting off everything from the outside world.

Gu Changsheng leaned against the cold stone door and let out a long, turbid breath.

He immediately sat cross-legged, not pausing to savor the taste of the spirit tea or tally up today's gains.

His mind was completely immersed in the words Sun Jingxing had spoken.

Dao Lineage, immortal foundation, Withered Meets Spring!

He opened his palm, and a wisp of pure, verdant light swirled in his palm.

Before, he only knew this was the mana cultivated from the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture, which was good at healing and promoting growth.

But now, he knew this was called yi wood Spirit Power!

Its essence was tenacity, vitality, and Reincarnation!

He closed his eyes and operated the Cultivation Technique again; this time, the feeling was completely different from before.

If he had previously been driving according to a manual, now, it was as if he had personally dismantled the engine of the car, seeing the operation of every gear and the path of every line.

His understanding of the Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture instantly rose to a new level.

Many scriptures that were previously obscure and difficult to understand now became clear and intelligible in his mind.

So that was why the Cultivation Technique would stagnate here; it was not because his Meridians were blocked, but because he had not understood the true meaning of "Withered".

So that was why when stimulating vitality, it was not the more vigorous the better, but rather finding the node of "Spring" to break through the surface with a single point!

Gu Changsheng's mind was completely immersed in the joy of this Epiphany.

He even had a feeling that if he were willing, he could attempt to charge towards the eighth level of Qi Refining right now, and the success rate would be extremely high.

But he forcibly held back.

No, his Foundation was not yet stable; the insights he had just gained needed time to settle.

Impulsiveness is the devil; only stability can lead to longevity!

[Crying, the data drops as soon as I release an extra chapter, and there are no more requests for updates. I should just go back to seriously writing four or five thousand words a day. I also feel like I've been slacking off a bit these past two days; I'm really sorry.]