txolops Chapter 108 Cultivation Art
Chapter 108 Cultivation Art
Zhao Yuanlang pushed the cloth bag back into Shen Qing's hands, then looked at the spirit field and said, "The spirit grain will sprout in June, fill with grain in July, and be ripe by the end of August. Counting the days, the first harvest will be ready in two more months."
"Exactly."
Shen Qing said, "If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the harvest can begin in late August. We will split the profits 50/50, and I will personally deliver the county magistrate's share to the yamen at that time."
Zhao Yuanlang waved his hand: "This matter is not urgent. I came today for two reasons: first, to check on the progress of the spirit field, and second, because I've been cooped up in this county government office for too long and wanted to find a quiet place to sit. This spirit field is quite nice, with a gentle mountain breeze, much more comfortable than the backyard of the government office."
He looked at Shen Qing, then changed the subject: "Sect Master Shen, your spirit field is quite well cultivated, but when you mentioned mole crickets earlier, it seemed you didn't know much about spirit insects? Besides those written in the cultivation methods, do you know anything else?"
Shen Qing was taken aback, then frankly said, "To be honest, my Qingyun Sect has a shallow foundation, and the records left by our ancestors contain very little information on such things. Apart from the cultivation method sent by the county magistrate, my understanding of spiritual plants and insects is almost blank."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanlang's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by a meaningful smile.
"I seem to be in a good mood today, so I might as well tell Sect Leader Shen about it. The various arts of cultivation are not limited to meditation, qi cultivation, and sword fighting. I wonder if Sect Leader Shen would be interested in learning more about them?"
"Please enlighten me, Your Excellency."
"The Hundred Arts of Cultivation," Zhao Yuanlang began slowly, "refers to all skills in the cultivation world that are based on spiritual power, excluding cultivation techniques. Array formations, talismans, alchemy, weapon crafting, spiritual plants, beast taming, puppetry, divination, medicine, feng shui, spiritual food preparation... all of these are included."
Do you know why it's called "a hundred arts" instead of "a hundred skills"?
Shen Qing shook his head blankly.
"The difference between 'skill' and 'art' lies in whether it resonates with the Great Dao. Anyone can learn a skill, but only when a skill is cultivated to the point of resonating with the laws of heaven and earth can it be called an 'art'."
At this point, Zhao Yuanlang changed the subject, saying, "The various arts of cultivating immortality are actually far more suitable for the vast majority of cultivators than 'secluded cultivation.'"
He stretched out one hand and started counting on his fingers one by one.
"Those at the pinnacle of Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation, and Immortal Sect are certainly on the right path. But the vast majority of cultivators simply don't have the potential to reach that level, because the resources, aptitude, and opportunities of most cultivators are insufficient to support a purely internal cultivation path."
"A rogue cultivator with three spiritual roots has mediocre talent and his cultivation method is even more indescribable. If he only pursues the path of internal cultivation, he will never hope to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in his lifetime, and after a hundred years he will just be a pile of bones. Such people make up the vast majority of cultivators. But if one can choose one of the various arts of cultivation to enter the Dao, the situation will be completely different."
"For example, with array formations, a rogue cultivator only needs to go to great lengths to obtain a scroll of true explanations of array formations and set up a spirit-gathering array to continue cultivating even when spiritual energy is scarce; as for alchemy, as long as one gathers enough materials to open a batch of Qi-cultivating pills and sells them, it will be enough to support one's cultivation for a while."
"This skill is their means of rewriting their destiny."
"The various arts of cultivating immortality are like countless different doors leading to the 'Dao'. Some people glimpse the workings of the laws through the cracks in the doors and achieve enlightenment in one fell swoop. Others use their skills to create resources for their continued cultivation. Although the paths are different, they all ultimately point to the same Great Dao."
He paused, then looked at Shen Qing with a hint of solemnity in his eyes: "Sect Master Shen, I cannot presume to inquire further about your sect's techniques and methods. However, since Brother Mo and you intend to establish your own sect, this is an unavoidable path. For the sake of your personal cultivation, for the sake of putting your principles into practice, and for the sake of the sect's inheritance, all the arts of immortal cultivation are hurdles you cannot bypass."
"Without a skill to rely on, a sect has no foundation. A sect without a foundation is like duckweed in the wind."
Shen Qing remained silent for a long time. Zhao Yuanlang's words contained too much information, and he needed to digest them word by word in his mind.
He thought of his master, the Taoist of Mount Fushan. His master was stuck in the early stage of Foundation Establishment his whole life. It wasn't that he wasn't hardworking enough, but that at that time, the Qingyun Sect had no other skills to support its disciples' cultivation except for the Foundation Establishment inheritance that was on the surface.
He recalled how he had faked his death and entered the coffin to achieve Foundation Establishment, exhausting all means and almost reaching the end of his rope. If Qingyun Sect had had even one decent skill back then, they wouldn't have been forced into that situation by the Huang family.
Zhao Yuanlang is right. Cultivating immortality and mastering various arts are not just icing on the cake, but a trump card for survival and the foundation for the continuation of a sect.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency." Shen Qing solemnly clasped his hands in thanks.
Zhao Yuanlang waved his hand and laughed, "I've gone off on a tangent. I was in a good mood today and said a few more words. Sect Leader Shen, please don't find me too noisy."
Shen Qing shook his head. Every word Zhao Yuanlang said today was extremely valuable, clarifying many vague thoughts in his mind.
Zhao Yuanlang then turned his gaze to Mantian Linggu and suddenly said, "Sect Master Shen, do you know that what you are doing now is itself one of the many arts of cultivation?"
Shen Qing was taken aback.
"Ling Zhifu."
Zhao Yuanlang slowly uttered three words, "One of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, it is responsible for cultivating spiritual plants, opening up spiritual fields, and understanding the properties of plants. It is ranked alongside alchemists and weapon refiners as the three major 'foundational skills' in the cultivation world."
He pointed to the spiritual field: "From breeding to transplanting, from irrigation to pest control, you've been doing everything a spiritual plant master should do. It's just that you've been figuring things out on your own with a cultivation method book, without a master or a complete system of inheritance. If you have the opportunity to truly step into the realm of spiritual plant masters, the output of this spiritual field could at least double."
Looking at the fields full of spiritual grains, Shen Qing felt a sudden sense of relief.
For the past two months, he has spent every day with the spirit valley, observing its roots breaking through the soil, sprouting and growing, and comprehending the principle of life and reproduction. Isn't this the cultivation path of the Spirit Plant Master lineage?
The cultivation of spiritual plants is not achieved through sitting in meditation to attain enlightenment, but through daily interaction with spiritual plants, feeling the pulse of the laws of heaven and earth in every breath and every growth of the spiritual plants.
He observed the Spirit Valley and gained enlightenment, and unknowingly, he had already stepped onto the threshold of becoming a Spirit Plant Master.
Zhao Yuanlang stood up: "Sect Master Shen, the cultivation world is vast. Rogue cultivators have their own way of life, and sects have their own ways of doing things, but in any case, someone with a skill always has one more path than someone with nothing."
"I cannot linger here any longer, so please do not see me off, Sect Leader Shen. I will descend the mountain on my own."
"I have benefited greatly from your words today, Your Excellency. I will certainly see you off on your journey."
Shen Qing insisted on escorting Zhao Yuanlang to the mountain gate and watching him and Xuanji leave before turning back to the back mountain.
After Zhao Yuanlang left, Shen Qing sat cross-legged under the pavilion by the spirit field for a long time.
The stalks, soon to sprout ears, swayed gently in the night breeze. Shen Qing gazed at the lush green fields, his mind replaying Zhao Yuanlang's words from earlier that day.
The cultivation of immortality encompasses all arts and crafts, including formations, talismans, alchemy, weapon crafting, spiritual plants, beast taming, puppetry, divination, medicine, feng shui, and the preparation of spiritual food.
Zhao Yuanlang said that all of this was not just icing on the cake, but the foundation for the sect's continued existence.
Shen Qing had to admit that Zhao Yuanlang's words were indeed very reasonable.
He recalled that his master, the Taoist Fushan, had struggled throughout his early foundation-building period, not because he hadn't worked hard enough.
In the past, to break through his bottleneck, my master would sit in a quiet room for months on end, breathing in the meager spiritual energy between heaven and earth.
However, Qingyun Mountain is not a famous scenic spot, and its spiritual energy is scarce. No matter how hard the Taoist priest on the mountain works, his gains are meager.