Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2408 - 205: Preparations (2)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
While lost in deep thought, it abruptly detected a hazy notion gradually infiltrating the 'ocean' that served as its dwelling.
It appeared to notice something unusual.
Suddenly, this ocean erupted into a fierce, soundless turmoil!
"Hmm?"
The awareness felt a touch of astonishment, directing its focus toward the man dressed in the green robe.
Spotting the 'horn' gripped in his grasp, its eyes bulged wide with disbelief:
"How could this item end up in his possession!"
Its core jolted in alarm, prompting it to swiftly trigger a shift, which caused the raging ocean to halt abruptly, as though time itself had paused.
Right then, the probing thought was forcefully expelled once more.
'It' refused to remain, terrified of being uncovered, fleeing like a panicked rodent, it quietly submerged into the surging 'waves', vanishing entirely...
Meanwhile.
In the Yin Family's immortal cave located in Baiqu.
Wang Ba creased his brow faintly, staring at the weathered ancient horn held in his palm, marked by the ravages of ages past.
The subtle golden immortal power in his hand gradually dissipated.
"Even immortal power fails to activate it?"
"Yet earlier, when I poured immortal power into it, there was definitely a strange sensation..."
Thinking back intently, the instant he channeled immortal power into it, his mind felt pulled into an immense, endless ocean, where a mere intention seemed enough to command the entire expanse...
However, that sensation proved fleeting, vanishing almost as soon as it appeared, like a mere mirage.
"I can't ignore my instincts."
Wang Ba mulled over it with focused eyes, trying to channel immortal power into it again, but this attempt yielded absolutely nothing.
"Odd..."
"It looks like the moment isn't right yet."
He knitted his brows, dwelling on the matter for some time, before eventually storing the horn away.
Opposite him, a look of worry flickered in his eyes.
A form in gold and red robes sat in lotus position with shut eyes; detecting his shift, it gradually lifted its lids.
Those golden dual pupils lent an air of enigma to its striking yet icy features.
This was Wang Ba's True Martial Incarnation, Chong Hua.
Linked through their minds, sensing Wang Ba's musings, Chong Hua furrowed his brow and shook his head:
"No breakthroughs for me... as expected, the Dao of True Martial might truly be a blind alley. All those doctrines you've come across lately feel so shallow by comparison. To push ahead, I need to tread the road of rules."
Even without words from Chong Hua, Wang Ba could sense his insights and feelings, but upon hearing his statement, he reflected briefly and, as usual, offered a concise recap:
"Across the years, every doctrine I've run into, no matter the style, all point toward grasping the rules, wielding the rules, employing the rules, and in the end, merging with the rules. That's known as 'harmonizing with the Dao'—starting with 'harmonizing with the Dao', progressing to 'forgetting the Dao', until one embodies the Dao itself, rejected by the Realm Sea, thus attaining cultivation ascension... yet the Dao of True Martial requires minimal outward reliance from the outset, drawing out one's maximum inner potential, aligning with the notion of 'self-reliance, shunning external aids'."
Having absorbed vast legacies, whether in cultivation level or wisdom, he stood as a pinnacle existence in the Realm Sea; thus, his words carried undeniable weight.
Through their fused memories and learnings, Chong Hua grasped Wang Ba's intent, though his face displayed confusion:
"If it's truly self-reliant, why bother reaching for outside help at all?"
The Dao of True Martial doesn't completely reject external aids; in fact, greater resources would accelerate progress markedly. Still, relative to typical cultivators, the demand for such resources remains trivial. Resource shortages barely hinder it, offering a remarkably solid foundation, though its lifespan falls well short of peers at the same rank, earning it the label 'ephemeral'.
Wang Ba shook his head, explaining:
"That's simply because you and I aim too ambitiously."
"Treat the human body as a Heavenly Cycle, its complexity rivals the Great Dao—if satisfied with mortal limits, no spiritual energy is required for self-sufficiency, but our goal is to surpass the Realm Sea, far beyond mere mortals? Naturally, we must draw in outside energies, igniting transformations in blood and vitality, unlike us, where no matter the practice, we always turn outward in the end..."
Chong Hua experienced a flash of clarity, as if a deep truth had unveiled itself, everything clicking into place:
"Exactly!"
"You pursue harmonizing with the Dao, forgetting the Dao, surpassing the Dao."
"I have no need to cultivate the Dao, for I am the 'Dao' by nature—now, I'm just manifesting my core essence outwardly, explaining the swift advances..."
"Brilliant!"
Wang Ba struck his palms together in praise, delighted yet tinged with sorrow:
"Your journey, fellow Daoist, is fraught with peril and hardship. Lacking Immortal Blood's nourishment and exceptional gifts, you might not have climbed this far, and forging onward grows ever tougher. I can't provide further aid; it all hinges on your own strength to forge ahead."
Chong Hua, refreshed as if cleansed of all dross, his gaze gleaming with golden light, replied with a grin:
"Don't fault me for failing to merge with you; at best, I can aid in clearing the path when you ascend to Mahayana later on."
"Regarding my own road... I have to traverse it alone in the end."
Wang Ba chuckled despite himself, nodding in agreement:
"You're right—I'd planned to merge with you for the Mahayana breakthrough, but now it's clear that won't happen, though weighing pros and cons isn't solely about immediate gains."
Creating the True Martial Incarnation had been intended for that eventual leap to the greater realm.
Yet now, both recognized the truth, perceiving the core split in their cultivation routes.
The Dharma Lineage preaches endless paths, but at heart, it's still a cultivator's journey, fundamentally a quest of sacrifice for advancement.