Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

The Great Qian Dynasty - Imperial Palace Square.

Three hundred thousand people stood solemnly, a vast expanse of black, silent as the tide, covering the entire ground paved with the golden core of the star. Their auras varied, converging into an invisible sea, utterly still.

A figure hovered silently above the square, dressed in a simple white robe, tall and imposing.

As soon as Li Mu appeared, 300,000 gazes below instantly focused on him, filled with astonishment, and they could vaguely sense the extraordinary aura of this being.

Li Mu's gaze fell, calm and undisturbed. His eyes were slightly closed, and deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, the Chaos Treasure Palace opened!

In the center of the Treasure Palace, the Chaos Sea surged. In the center of the sea, the majestic Chaos Dao Tree took root in the chaos, its trunk gnarled and twisted, its branches and leaves flowing with the Daoist rhyme of "nothingness" and "beginning".

Li Mu's consciousness sank into the Dao Tree, communicating with its origin. The silent, chaotic Dao Tree's branches and leaves trembled slightly, emitting a low hum. Above the tree's crown, two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven Dao Fruits, indistinguishable to the naked eye, withdrew their radiance and detached from the branches!
These Dao Fruits varied in form and aura. Some had a hidden sharpness, as if containing the intent of a sword; some were as heavy as mountains, bearing the earth's veins; some were full of vitality, containing the essence of plants; some were ethereal and fleeting, like the wind and illusion... The three thousand Great Daos were in their nascent stages! They detached from the Dao Tree, like stardust falling into the sea of ​​chaos, disappearing into the depths of the Treasure Palace.

In an instant, two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven imperceptible streams of light materialized out of thin air above the Imperial Palace Square! The colors and auras of the streams of light varied, some were golden, some were azure, some were mysterious, and some were blazing white... They ignored space and, as if drawn by an invisible force, transformed into lightning bolts that precisely entered the dantian consciousness seas of two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven people randomly selected from the crowd below!

puff!puff!puff!
The light flowed into their bodies silently, yet it took root deep within their dantian and sea of ​​consciousness! The bodies of the 2,997 chosen individuals trembled violently! A strange Daoist aura, whether sharp, profound, ethereal, or fiery, erupted and stabilized within them, as if imprinting a unique mark deep within their souls.

A mixture of astonishment, elation, and bewilderment washed over their faces. They subconsciously looked inward and felt that a "seed" of a completely different attribute had appeared in their dantian and sea of ​​consciousness, subtly resonating with them.

The others only felt a complex and vast aura sweep across the square before disappearing. They looked around blankly, not understanding why.

Li Mu hovered high in the sky, his eyes open. He clearly sensed that 2,997 Dao Seeds of different attributes had taken root and were connected to the origin of the Chaos Dao Tree, like three thousand invisible roots.

Li Mu's gaze swept across the crowd below, and his voice clearly reached everyone's ears: "Those who have attained the seed of enlightenment, stay. The rest, retreat."

The Imperial Palace Square fell silent for a moment, then erupted in uproar. The nearly 300,000 people who were not selected had a mixture of disappointment, resentment, envy, and doubt on their faces, like a surging tide.

No one dared to disobey, and the crowd began to retreat from the square silently and swiftly, like a receding tide. The heavy footsteps blended into a low, muffled thud.

A moment later, the noise subsided.

On the empty imperial palace square, only 2,997 figures remained isolated. They looked at each other, their faces still showing shock and bewilderment. The newly born Dao Seeds with different attributes in their dantian sea of ​​consciousness were emitting faint but real Dao rhythm fluctuations, reminding them of the turning point in their fate.

Li Mu hovered high in the sky, his white robes billowing. Below, 2,997 people, each with a different aura, all looked up, their gazes fixed intently on the figure in the air. In their dantian, the newly formed "seed" pulsed slightly, drawing their entire attention.

Li Mu spoke again, each word seemingly piercing into the minds of everyone present: "What you have obtained is the seed of the Dao."

Li Mu lowered his gaze, sweeping over the young faces: "This is neither a gift nor parasitism, but an aid to the Way."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. The Dao Seed in their sea of ​​consciousness seemed to echo these words, emitting a faint, indescribable tremor, as if it were alive.

"The seed of the Dao takes root in your body, drawing nourishment from your Dao foundation, your insights, and your Dao heart." Li Mu's voice was calm and even, stating a cold fact: "When the nourishment is sufficient, the seed of the Dao will sprout, helping you break through obstacles and understand the Great Dao. When the nourishment dries up, the seed of the Dao will also wither, and your body will become wasteland."

Silence reigned, broken only by the heavy breathing. The earlier elation and bewilderment were instantly replaced by a chilling sense of unease. This wasn't a windfall; it was a shackle, a gamble.

“The seed of the Dao grows and nourishes in return.” Li Mu’s tone shifted slightly: “The true meaning of the Great Dao contained within it will gradually permeate your body. Comprehend its true meaning and understand its essence, and your path of the Dao will naturally open up.”

Li Mu paused, looking down at the tense crowd below.

"This path is called 'breeding'."

"The day the seed of the Dao grows will be the day you attain the Dao."

As the words fell, the square grew even quieter, and even the wind seemed to freeze. Everyone was frantically looking inward into their sea of ​​consciousness, sensing that tiny "seed."

To assist in the path, to give back, to attain enlightenment? Immense pressure and equally immense temptation weigh heavily on everyone's soul.

The square was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. The 2,997 people held their breath, their eyes fixed on Li Mu, their consciousness pulsating with their heartbeats.

Li Mu's figure descended slightly, hovering three zhang above everyone's heads. His plain robes fluttered without wind, and his aura was as deep as an abyss.

"The seed of the Dao has been planted. Today, I will pass on to you the foundation for its cultivation." Li Mu's voice was like a resounding bell, directly striking into the souls of everyone present.

He raised his hand, his fingertips devoid of light or luster, yet he made a vague slash in the air.

hum!
An indescribable "meaning" arose out of nowhere. It was neither metal nor wood, neither fire nor water, yet it carried the most primal sense of "sharpness" and "penetration," instantly permeating the entire square.

"This is the rudimentary form of the true meaning of 'Metal Element'," Li Mu said, each word crystal clear: "It does not refer to ordinary iron or metal, but to all the solid, austere, restrained, and sharp qualities of the world. If any sharpness or restlessness is present in your sea of ​​consciousness, carefully sense this meaning. The seed of your Dao is like an embryo, which needs to be tempered by this true meaning, its sharpness honed, and its essence forged. Without the proper method, the sharpness will backfire, and your foundation of Dao will crumble."

As soon as the words were spoken, dozens of people in the crowd trembled violently, their faces turned pale, and they felt a pricking pain in their dantian. Within their sea of ​​consciousness, the Dao seed containing the meaning of "gold" pulsated wildly, as if it wanted to break out of their bodies, but it was pulled, suppressed, and regulated by the invisible "intention" in the air.

Li Mu moved his fingertips again, the movements as smooth as paddling water, and a completely different "intention" spread out, warm and nourishing, yet containing a penetrating power that could seep into every crevice, carrying the vitality of burgeoning plants and flowing water. The air seemed to become a little more humid.

"This is the rudimentary form of the true meaning of 'Water Flow'." Li Mu's gaze swept across the crowd: "It does not refer to rivers, lakes, or seas, but to the nature of all things in the universe that flow, nourish, permeate, and change. If the Dao Seed manifests as ethereal and ethereal, yet possesses inner vitality, it can draw upon this true meaning, like water nourishing withered wood. However, water has no fixed form; if it is too soft, it will wither. It must be shaped and its power solidified with the mind. Otherwise, the true meaning will dissipate, and the Dao Seed will become empty and superficial."

Another group of people trembled slightly, their faces showing a comfortable yet slightly bewildered expression. Their consciousness greedily absorbed the "water" essence permeating the air, and their own aura became softer but slightly looser.

Li Mu didn't stop; he pressed his finger down. A profound, weighty, all-encompassing "intention" descended with a thunderous roar! Like the earth awakening, mountains collapsing.

The golden ground of the plaza's star core seemed to sink slightly. "This is the rudimentary form of the true meaning of 'Earth Element'," Li Mu's voice also carried a sense of heaviness. "It does not refer to mud, sand, or dust, but to the nature of everything in the world that bears, stabilizes, nurtures, and stores. If the Dao Seed appears as heavy as a mountain, it draws upon this true meaning, like roots penetrating the earth. However, thick earth is prone to stagnation, so it needs 'metal' to break its stubbornness, 'water' to moisten its dryness, and 'wood' to clear its blockages, so that it can bear all things with its virtue and continue to thrive."

Many people swayed, almost unable to stand, and felt a sinking and solid feeling coming from their dantian. Their sea of ​​consciousness frantically absorbed this "earth" essence, becoming more and more stable, but also showing signs of sluggishness and stiffness.

Li Mu withdrew his hand, and the three nascent forms of true intent that permeated the air vanished instantly, as if they had never appeared. However, in the minds of all the disciples, the subtle insights into the sharpness of metal, the permeation of water, and the weight of earth were etched like a brand.

“The three thousand great paths each have their own unique nature.” Li Mu’s gaze swept across each face, whether in pain, comfort, or contemplation, like cold lightning. “Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, light, darkness, time, space… even killing, cause and effect, creation, and annihilation, all have their source, their nature, and their laws.”

"Your Dao seed is the seed of one of the three thousand origins. The path of cultivation begins with 'understanding your nature'—understanding the true nature of your Dao seed and the nature of the true meaning it needs."

Li Mu's voice suddenly turned stern: "The true meaning is not sought externally! The true meaning is everywhere, existing in the rhythm of heaven and earth, in every breath, and in the flow of thoughts. You must use the seed of the Dao as a guide, and yourselves as a furnace, observe heaven and earth, examine yourselves, and capture the true meaning in the smallest details, guiding it into your bodies to temper the seed of the Dao. Forcing it is not the true meaning; it is like boiling oil in a raging fire, and the seed of the Dao will surely be burned!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines; the discomfort from forcibly sensing the true meaning still lingered, and they were covered in cold sweat.

"The seed of the Dao takes root, drawing nourishment from your foundation of the Dao, your insights, and your spirit." Li Mu's tone returned to calm, yet every word carried immense weight. "Your daily cultivation, your comprehension of heaven and earth, and your tempering of your Dao heart are all 'fertilization.' When the nourishment is sufficient, the seed of the Dao sprouts, feeding back into the true meaning of the Great Dao, helping you break through to enlightenment. When the nourishment dries up, or your spirit collapses, the seed of the Dao withers, your body becomes wasteland, and there is no more path to the Dao."

Li Mu paused, looked down at the more than two thousand faces below, some resolute, some struggling, some confused, and sighed helplessly.

"Om-!"

An indescribable wave silently spread out from Li Mu as the center.

The entire Imperial Palace Square suddenly distorted and blurred, the light dimmed, and the surrounding scenery faded and stretched, eventually being replaced by a gray, churning, boundless chaos.

Chaotic Dao Domain!

Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven people were instantly enveloped, as if they were in the primordial chaos before the creation of heaven and earth. All external perception was cut off, and only the Dao Seed in the sea of ​​consciousness emitted an unprecedented, thirsty throbbing at this moment!

Li Mu hovered in the center of chaos, his figure blurred, as if he had merged with the Dao Domain, his hands forming hand seals that were unpredictable.

Within the Dao Domain, the scene changed drastically!
Chaos evolves into Tao.

Jin Xing: Amidst the gray haze, countless tiny golden points of light suddenly condensed, transforming into billions of invisible blades! They were not physical entities, but rather pure expressions of "sharpness," "killing intent," and "condensation"! The golden light intertwined and pierced, emitting a silent shriek, tearing through the chaotic airflow.

Dozens of disciples who possessed the Golden Path Seed were instantly struck as if by lightning. Their sea of ​​consciousness was in excruciating pain, but their Path Seed trembled wildly, greedily "devouring" this sharp ocean. Their bodies involuntarily exuded a sharp aura, and golden patterns appeared on their skin. Their aura rose steadily, as if they were about to transform into a drawn sword!
Wood Element: Within the chaotic flow of energy, specks of emerald green light stubbornly emerge. They are not plants, but rather the will to "grow," "burgeon," "resilient," and "entwine"! The green light spreads like vines, taking root and stretching in the chaos, drawing energy from the disorder, and tenaciously carving out vibrant areas.

The disciple who possessed the Wood Element Dao Seed felt a surge of vitality flowing into his limbs and bones. The Dao Seed in his sea of ​​consciousness sprouted like a seed breaking through the soil, and old injuries and hidden ailments in his body healed rapidly. His whole body exuded the fragrance of grass and trees.

……

This is just the beginning!
Wind: It stirs up invisible turbulent currents in the chaos, cutting, weaving, and moving freely!
Thunder: Blinding lightning tore through the grayness, carrying the violent majesty of judgment and creation!

Light: The pure, penetrating, and purifying will dispels chaos!

Darkness: A profound, engulfing, and silent realm that quietly expands!

Spacetime is chaotic and distorted, light and shadow are disordered, and fragments of the past and future flash by.

Killing: A pure and extreme destructive intent descended, chilling everyone to the bone!

Cause and effect: Invisible threads appear and disappear in the chaos, connecting the vague origin and the end.

Creation: A spark of inspiration blooms in nothingness, giving birth to an incredible form.

Nirvana: All things return to nothingness, and the coldness and deathly silence of the end quietly pervade.

years:

……

The nascent forms of the Three Thousand Great Daos evolved, intertwined, and collided in the Chaotic Dao Domain! Whether clear or blurry, grand or subtle, they laid bare the most fundamental Dao principles before these two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven people!

The seed of Tao takes root and sprouts!
The deathly silence in the square had long been broken.

“Buzz…” A female cultivator of the Wood element sat cross-legged with her eyes closed. Illusory roots of grass and trees sank into the ground beneath her, and her aura grew stronger and stronger like bamboo shoots after a spring rain!
"Hiss!" A crimson light, about an inch long, rose from the Fire Path cultivator's body, accompanied by rolling heat waves, and his eyes burned brightly like fire!
……

Breakthroughs occurred one after another! Some people's aura surged, breaking through major realms one after another; some people's Dao seeds shone brightly, sprouting tender shoots in their sea of ​​consciousness, taking initial shape; some people sat cross-legged in meditation, entering a deep level of enlightenment, with Dao rhyme flowing endlessly around their bodies.

The Chaotic Dao Domain became the best furnace, and the true meaning of the Three Thousand Great Daos was the purest nourishment. The true meaning that matched one's own Dao Seed was frantically absorbed and refined, turning into a powerful force for the Dao Seed to take root, sprout, break through realms, and improve!

Li Mu's figure grew increasingly blurred at the center of the chaos, like the very Dao itself, silently watching below:

Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven Dao seeds, nourished by the Dao Domain, are taking root, sprouting, and growing at an unprecedented speed! Countless invisible "roots" penetrate the Dao Domain and connect to the Dao Tree deep within the Chaos Treasure Palace.

Within the Chaotic Dao Domain, chaos surged and the Dao principles flickered. Over two thousand figures either roared as they broke through, sat in meditation to comprehend the Dao, or grasped the true meaning. Deep within their seas of consciousness, the Dao Seed that would determine their fate greedily absorbed this unprecedented opportunity, pulsating with ever-growing strength. (End of Chapter)