fifth form

Chapter 3098 The Cultivation Path of Resource Reduction

The Yangpo Technique can be considered a method that has been spread far and wide.

If any cultivator secretly learns a technique, the sect that is targeting them will inevitably investigate and kill them, as it is forbidden to spread such knowledge.

However, once a technique becomes known to many cultivators across the world, such an investigation becomes unnecessary.

What Confucianism excels at is spreading its teachings far and wide. Over the centuries, it has incorporated and disseminated the methods and techniques of various schools of thought.

Such acts of envy and resentment have led to the accountability of Confucian scholars, but while many schools of thought were held accountable, many others were also persecuted.

Ultimately, the Confucian school of thought continued to diversify and increase, while other schools of thought continued to disappear.

Gongsun Hong did not shy away from being overheard while lecturing, and Confucianism even had its share of large-scale public sermons.

"This old man speaks eloquently, but I wonder if his skills are any good!"

Zhu Fuyan lay on a rattan chair placed outside the mansion, rocking back and forth, while occasionally eavesdropping on Gongsun Hong's sermons.

The techniques taught by Gongsun Hong were not suitable for Zhu Fuyan, and Zhu Fuyan felt that he did not have enough cultivation resources to squander on cultivation.

However, Gongsun Hong's lectures were meticulous and thorough, a style that Zhu Fuyan had never experienced before.

If someone like Gongsun Hong had been there to guide him, Zhu Fuyan felt he wouldn't still be a mediocre person at nearly forty years old.

He had frequented various brothels and associated with wealthy and powerful men seeking a living. He had heard many people's opinions about Confucianism, and these hearsay had given him unhealthy ideas. However, when Zhu Fu Yan listened carefully to Gongsun Hong's explanation, he realized that Gongsun Hong was indeed very knowledgeable, and his impression of him changed greatly.

"This Taoist art requires a lot of time and effort to cultivate. I really envy Dongfang Shuo for being rich and having so much free time. He even has time to learn a Confucian art that he somehow got his hands on!"

He envied Zhang Xuezhou's freedom, and couldn't help but sigh as he glanced at the two swords hidden in his sleeve.

"Brother Master, Master Gongsun's Taoist arts are quite interesting. You could also participate!"

When the invitation came again, the somewhat distracted Master Yan responded with an awkward laugh.

He's only able to afford a horse at his age, and he's started training his own horsemanship. He doesn't have the financial means to blindly follow Zhang Xuezhou's example.

“If you can grasp the subtleties, you might be able to significantly reduce the amount of medicine you need for your cultivation,” Zhang Xuezhou continued.

"real or fake?"

Zhu Fuyan felt that no matter how Zhang Xuezhou tried to persuade him, it was useless. He didn't have the means to do such a thing, and he could only ignore whatever he heard.

But when Zhang Xuezhou mentioned that he could reduce the amount of cultivation medicine, he immediately became interested.

"You're not lying to me?" Master Yan asked.

“That’s exactly the direction I’m cultivating in,” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile. “If you believe it, then follow along and learn; if you don’t, then forget it!”

"I believe you, I definitely believe you!"

Zhu Fuyan cried out and sat up abruptly from his wicker chair. Gongsun Hong looked on in astonishment, unable to understand why Zhang Xuezhou kept pulling at Zhu Fuyan, who seemed like a street urchin.

Moreover, the Yang Soul Incarnation Technique has nothing to do with drastically reducing the amount of pills needed for cultivation. On the contrary, the cultivation and integration of this technique requires a large number of pills to achieve success.

Anyone who isn't a fool knows that creating something from nothing inevitably requires transformation, and this transformation means making sacrifices.

This investment could be time or cultivation resources; one of these must be put in, otherwise how can one possibly master the techniques?

On the fundamental principles of cultivation, Gongsun Hong believed that even the Three Pure Ones would have to agree if they came.

Zhang Xuezhou's contrarian approach was illogical, and Zhu Fuyan's earnest agreement and trust were even more illogical.

If he himself wasn't mentally impaired, Gongsun Hong thought these two were.

“Mr. Gongsun, the cultivation of Yangpo Technique inevitably involves certain requirements, but this technique may have a positive effect on entering the True Self Realm, thereby greatly reducing the requirements for high-level cultivation,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

“The cultivation of Yangpo Technique is almost equivalent to creating a human being. Such cultivation is extraordinary. It is difficult to master without ten or eight years of hard work. To be honest, I have only just entered the threshold. It was only after Zhongshu repeatedly persuaded me to start cultivating.” Gongsun Hong said, “Does this Taoist technique really have the miraculous effects you described?” “I am relying on this Taoist technique to seek to step into the true realm. I will not speak nonsense casually,” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

"You have a long way to go, no rush," Gongsun Hong advised. "The most important thing in cultivation is to build a solid foundation so that you can move forward steadily. If you try to do too much at once, you will inevitably end up with a mess!"

"We need to hurry," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"No hurry, no hurry!"

Gongsun Hong offered a word of advice, only to hear Zhu Fuyan, who was sitting in the rattan chair, sneer again. This made Gongsun Hong glare at him angrily, feeling that Zhu Fuyan's personality was quite annoying.

"You old man, don't you even know who he is?" Master Yan sneered. "Dongfang Shuo has already reached the Realm of Selflessness. If he doesn't want to enter the Realm of True Self, what do you expect him to think about!"

"What 'Self-Realm'? Dongfang Shuo, you've reached the 'Self-Realm' realm?"

Gongsun Hong's voice was somewhat hesitant, and his expression changed slightly.

How can one know a cultivator's cultivation level without them showing their skills? The time was not long, and Gongsun Hong still remembered Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation level when he explored the Mechanized City.

During the years he spent recuperating and consolidating his cultivation at the Realm of Selflessness, Zhang Xuezhou made great strides forward, completing in his thirties the journey that had taken him over sixty years.

Even though Gongsun Hong repeatedly warned himself not to compare himself with others, this progress in cultivation truly shocked him.

“It’s just a matter of realm; techniques and methods that don’t count are just empty words,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

“Cultivation that emphasizes realm over techniques does indeed require intensive study in the Solitary Self Realm,” Gongsun Hong felt slightly relieved and then asked, “Are the two supernatural abilities you taught me practical?”

“It’s not useful for others, but it’s very useful for me,” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

"That's good!"

Gongsun Hong nodded and did not ask any further questions, but Zhu Fuyan, who seemed to have some ulterior motives, added a couple of comments from the side.

“It’s not that I can’t talk about it,” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile. “I can endure long periods of wind and rain, take large amounts of pills at once, and digest their effects quickly. This kind of supernatural ability is quite favorable to me personally!”

"Your ability is truly amazing!" Master Fu Yan praised, "When I entered the Realm of Selflessness, I also wanted to learn your supernatural power. Could you teach me?"

"As long as you're okay with it, I don't mind!"

Zhang Xuezhou chuckled, while Gongsun Hong's gaze swept around, and finally he couldn't help but ask a question.

"Have you turned fasting into a supernatural power?" Gongsun Hong asked.

"Sir, you have great insight!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded, and Gongsun Hong felt a sharp pain in his liver. His previous shock at Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation level turned into sympathy.

Of course, Gongsun Hong did not deny that this technique was more suitable for Zhang Xuezhou, after all, the other party's physical condition was poor, and a fasting technique could maintain his vitality for a long time.

"Fasting...what a pity!"

Zhu Fuyan did not mock Zhang Xuezhou's supernatural abilities; he only regretted not having mastered the art of fasting in his early years, as he had suffered from hunger and hardship over the years.

By now, Zhu Fuyan no longer needs the art of fasting, let alone transforming it into supernatural powers to avoid prolonged hunger.

He felt a pang of regret, but kept a close eye on Zhang Xuezhou and Gongsun Hong.

The ability to avoid hunger through fasting is merely the most basic skill; the true purpose of this technique lies in the ability to consume and digest large quantities of elixirs at once.

Zhang Xuezhou can produce hundreds or even thousands of pills in one go in the pill room of Shanglin Garden. Such a wealthy and resource-rich cultivator would not speak up casually. The Yang Soul Technique might really save the other party a lot of cultivation resources.

If the other party could do it, Zhu Fuyan felt he could give it a try too.

If there is any possibility of reducing the consumption of cultivation resources, his future will be much brighter.