Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 73: From Demon to Taoism, Advancement to the Twelfth Level of Qi Training
Walking and stopping, the bamboo stick and straw sandals are lighter than a horse.

Even if there were cultivators in the Foundation Establishment or Condensation Realm flying by in the sky, they would probably not notice the Taoist who was practicing alone below.

Traveling during the day and reading at night, Lin Tianshu lives up to his name and has a huge collection of books. In addition to reading his notes, Lu Cheng will of course also focus on reading the Five Elements classics.

In order to cultivate the Five Elements foundation, broad meridians, pure magic power, and even a deep understanding of the Five Elements and a strong spiritual consciousness, Lu Cheng believed that these were all indispensable.

Huhu.

A strong wind was blowing, and if the young Taoist was willing to cast a spell, he could avoid it with a small spell, but he chose to lower the brim of his hat and walk against the wind.

Of course, sometimes you encounter a group of beasts and cannot hide, so you can only unsheathe your sword, and they are your food for those few days.

They walked forward and forward again, walked and walked again. On the day of their return journey, it rained heavily again. The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. Lu Cheng's hat was blown away. The rain poured down on his head and flowed into the seams of his clothes, making his whole body cold.

Of course he could use magic, but Lu Cheng did not use it. Instead, he raised his head and watched the rain falling from the sky.

"Forget the power, just walk with this heart."

After persisting day after day, Lu Cheng even began to avoid the beasts and no longer killed at will just because he had a sword in his hand.

Not held with the sword, but with the heart.

"Swallowing the world, I am the only one who is supreme. This is the magic method. But if the magic is really stronger than the righteous, the twelve top sects in the world would not be the eight orthodox religions and the four magic sects. With the mentality of the Lin Dynasty back then, the magic formula they wanted to create must be the best in the world."

“…From the devil to the Tao, he established the foundation of the supreme Tao.”

"It's just like the story of Ananda breaking the Buddhist precepts: 'If you don't enter the world, don't experience the sea of ​​suffering, and don't violate the precepts, how can you know the true meaning of the rules, how can you see through the illusion of worldly affairs, see your own Buddha nature, and realize the true emptiness and wonderful existence?'"

"If we follow this line of thought, then the Heaven-Seizing Spirit Transformation is indulgence, while the Five Palaces Refining Essence is restraint. If this is really the case, then Burning Wood Mountain would have almost half turned into a demon cave by now, and the descendants have completely forgotten the teachings of their ancestors."

The sun and the moon alternate, all things rotate, but the Taoist's steps never stop.

Lu Cheng was completely immersed in reading the Taoist Canon and understanding Taoism, forgetting everything else. As a result, his mind gradually became empty, washing away all the discomfort inside and outside his body.

In this state, the magic power in his body started to circulate naturally, breaking through a barrier naturally, allowing Lu Cheng to advance to the twelfth level of Qi training. His magic power became deeper and purer, and he was able to control it from his heart.

However, at this moment, Lu Cheng no longer cared about it.

Sometimes he would stare at the starry sky in a daze, sometimes he would stare at a campfire in a daze, sometimes he would look at rivers and streams, and sometimes he would lie on the ground for days and nights without moving, as if he had become one with the earth.

"Seize the spiritual power of the world until the five elements are running smoothly and are self-sufficient."

"I understand, I understand. It turns out that if you want to cultivate the Heaven-Snatching Spirit-Transforming Technique to the highest level, you need a self-restrained heart that can swallow but not take away the world. In other words, I am self-sufficient, so what can external techniques do to me?"

I suddenly stood up from the ground and felt dizzy.

It was then that Lu Cheng realized that he had almost starved himself to death. He quickly took out a fasting pill and swallowed it. He then fell down and took a long time to recover.

Get up and keep moving forward.

I don’t know how much time has passed, whether it was ten days or several months.

Lu Cheng had become much darker and thinner, and his Taoist robe had become even more ragged and tattered. However, during this process, his spirit became stronger and stronger. The circulation of the true energy in his body seemed to have become one with his energy with every breath he took, and he could control everything as he wished:
The metal element represents the sharp and murderous intention.

The wood element has hidden power, entangled, and changes of withering, flourishing, birth and death.

Water movement, tides, accumulation, waves, vortices, transforming forces and leveraging power.

Fire moves, explodes, burns, and everything is burned.

Earth element, accumulation, plainness, heaviness, mountains.

The theories of the five elements that Lu Cheng comprehended must be incomplete and imperfect, and even contain many errors and mistakes.

But it didn't matter. He was in the late stage of Qi training and was about to reach the foundation-building realm. With the guidance of countless Taoist classics, his understanding of the five elements gradually reached the realm of practicing the Five Palaces Tempering Yuan Jue and the operation of the five elements.

Although Lu Cheng was aware of this, he was not in a hurry. He quite enjoyed his journey and was not in a hurry to cultivate to the foundation-building stage. Instead, he preferred to immerse himself in this harmony and perception with the heaven and earth and learn more.

However, sometimes, things don't go as planned and not everything goes as planned.

Late at night, Lu Cheng was looking at Lin Tianshu's practice notes in the moonlight. This man was a genius of his generation. He became a fourth-rank formation master in the foundation-building stage. And according to the records in his notes, he said that if he had not been distracted too much, he would have a high chance of practicing to the golden elixir stage with his accumulated practice. He even created a method of using formations to change the five-qi foundation-building method, which reduced the difficulty of foundation-building for the Lin family cultivators in Ranmu Mountain.

Click.

When Lu Cheng was flipping through the notes in the Heavenly Book, the paper was torn because he flipped through it too much. The Taoist frowned slightly, blaming himself for being careless, but with the help of the moonlight, he unexpectedly saw a layer of bloody red under the paper.

It was written in blood and filled with tiny handwriting.

Lu Cheng read the broken pieces of paper bit by bit, which turned out to be a section of cultivation techniques:

About to be born but not yet born, about to die but not yet dead... A chaotic mind, a ray of spiritual clarity... Abandon all external constraints, abandon saints and wisdom, return to the innate nature, and supernatural powers will naturally emerge.

Knowing that there were other profound spells hidden in Lin Tianshu's notes, Lu Cheng was stunned, but he still copied Lin Tianshu's notes first, and then took out the blood book from the notes: Blood Demon Heart Transformation Chapter.

One of the thirteen chapters in the nine volumes of "Blood Nerve", the Blood Demon Transforms the Heart.

At this moment, Lu Cheng finally understood why, despite Lin Tianshu's talent, he still couldn't break through even after taking the Meridian Protecting Pill five times in a row.

He probably wanted to integrate the Blood God Technique into his own Taoist practice, which led to his end.

Suddenly, Lu Cheng thought of something and picked up the remaining heavenly book notes again. He turned to the last page and saw a book title recorded on it: "Purple Mansion Golden Elixir Qi".

This is a theoretical Taoist book. Before, Lu Cheng thought it was just Lin Tianshu's reading notes, but now, how could he not make the connection?

He found the book "Purple Mansion Golden Elixir Qi" among the Taoist books in the Qiankun Ring, and slightly tore a corner of it. Sure enough, a blood-written book appeared inside the Taoist book.

After doing it one by one, Lu Cheng finally found a total of nine blood scriptures in Lin Tianshu's classics. He didn't know whether they were authentic or not, but Lin Tianshu must have spent countless efforts and energy to collect this supreme magic formula.

If his ambitions were not so lofty, he would probably still be alive and kicking now.

“I’m afraid even the Lin family doesn’t know this secret.”

……

Ishihara County, Chixin Temple.

Since the Taoist priest Chixin moved in five years ago, the atmosphere of the entire county has changed greatly.

They formulated village conventions, maintained public order, built water conservancy projects, and restrained merchants, and only then did they spread the faith in the Taoist guardian deity, Chixin Shenjun.

In a very short period of time, the appearance of Ishihara County was greatly improved, the population increased, the economy developed, and even the trend of nourishing yin and raising poisons was eliminated.

The most obvious change is that every night, Ishihara County, which used to be pitch dark, now has lights on in almost every household.

Because both ghosts and poisonous insects are afraid of fire. So as long as you practice these methods, your family will not light a lamp even if they have money.

Now it seems that people are more willing to bathe in the warm glow of Lord Redheart.

"Mother."

A dark-skinned heroic young man called out in a low voice. Inside the Taoist temple, in front of the statue, a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes with burns on her face ended her pious prayer, stood up, and turned around.

"Xu Sheng, what's wrong with being so flustered?"

He Lan knew clearly that her son would never come to disturb her at this time unless it was an urgent matter.

"Master, you have been gone for three years. Because of the beast tide in the south, many independent Taoists were forced to live near Shiyuan County. If Nanling Mansion had not transferred two teams of black armor soldiers to station here, I am afraid I would not be able to preserve the temple left by the master. If I lose this temple, how can I face the master again in the future?"

No one in Ishihara County wants to go back to the days of the past, so He Lan was even able to organize local militia to practice martial arts and join the Chixin Temple to assist the Xuanjia Army in maintaining local security.

However, even if mortals who have practiced martial arts form a formation, they are still unable to compete with the immortal cultivators. Especially as Ishihara County becomes increasingly prosperous, more and more cultivators in the surrounding areas are eyeing this place.

"Li Wu reported that a slovenly Taoist priest came to the door and wanted to see you, mother. I wanted to send him away, but you scolded me for this kind of thing a few days ago, so I came to tell you."

The young Xu Sheng felt a little aggrieved. Gou Sheng from back then has grown up now. He has been practicing martial arts since he was young, so at the age of less than fifteen, he has the height of an adult and even a stronger physique.

"Since you are a Taoist, I will meet you. Please don't be impolite. Your martial arts skills are not enough to withstand even one finger of the real Taoist."

As He Lanyan spoke, she walked outside.

The reason why she was able to maintain her loyalty was because she was very cautious and prudent in her actions. She was polite to everyone and could not find fault with them. However, she was willing to fight to the death for core interests. This combination of firmness and flexibility was the only way she could barely maintain the situation. Arrived at the front hall.

Xu Sheng stood beside He Lan, who was still thinking about how to deal with possible situations.

A sloppy Taoist priest with ragged clothes but no foul aura, just messy hair and long beard, walked in.

After seeing He Lan and Xu Sheng, he said directly:
"Manager He, long time no see."

Snap.

The tea bowl that He Lan was holding fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

"Master, you are finally back."

He Lan and Xu Sheng's expressions changed drastically, and then they bowed down. The surrounding militiamen were a little confused at this moment, but they quickly reacted and bowed down as well.

That year, the master of Chixin Temple who left with the wind finally returned.

After bathing, changing clothes, shaving and getting a haircut, Lu Cheng put on his old linen Taoist robe and finally turned completely back into the former abbot of Chixin Temple.

In the eyes of He Lan and Xu Sheng, the appearance of the temple master had not changed at all after three years of absence, but the temperament and demeanor of a Taoist priest was even better than before.

"Where is Xu Ying?"

Xu Sheng was Gousheng back then, and Xu Ying was Erya back then. The names of these two people were given by He Lan at the request of Lu Cheng.

"One year after you left Chixin Temple, Immortal Qingyun sent a letter saying that he had found a good sect that was recruiting disciples. Unfortunately, only female disciples were accepted, so Erya went alone." He Lan replied with a smile.

"It should be a lineage in Huoyun Mansion. However, it is a bit dangerous to go all the way to Huoyun Mansion. Is Xu Ying going alone?"

"He is traveling with the caravan. It is impossible for a mortal to seek the truth without going through hardships. He has received a reply saying that he has arrived."

"That's good." Lu Cheng nodded when he heard it.

"If I had known that you would be back so soon, I would not have gone to find a master. I would have stayed in the temple and waited for you to come back and teach us."

Xu Sheng looked excited.

"No, you can't even enter a state of meditation. You should practice the divine sacrifice method with your mother."

Lu Cheng talked with He Lan and her son for a while and learned about the difficulties that Chixin Temple had been facing recently. Due to the outbreak of the beast tide in the south, many monks had moved to nearby areas. For He Lan, who only knew some simple Shinto spells, the pressure was enormous.

"It's okay. They shouldn't bother us again after today."

Lu Cheng said this calmly, causing He Lan and Xu Sheng to look at each other in confusion.

That night.

Lu Cheng dismissed his men and deployed heavenly soldiers and generals to protect him.

Then he set up the Five Elements Formation in the main hall of Chixin Shenjun Temple, laid out the formation flags, and the white jade altar, and prayed.

Fasting, burning incense, bathing, meditation, etc. are a series of methods used to adjust one's mental and physiological state to reach an optimal state.

In addition, Lu Cheng added an extra step, praying, so that his mind could be aligned with that of the Taoist guardian god Chi Jun, so that his own divine will could be constantly contaminated by Chi Jun's charm, burning away impurities, becoming pure as one, and receiving blessings.

Take out the five elements spiritual objects: White Tiger Inner Elixir (gold), Tree Demon Inner Elixir (wood), Tianmu Crystal (water), Purple Heart Warm Jade (fire), Stalactite Stone (earth).

"Seize the sky and transform into a spirit, capture."

Lu Cheng pressed his palm on the White Tiger's inner elixir, and the golden energy continued to flow into his body, gradually it was almost like being stabbed by a sword.

However, Lu Cheng had a solid foundation in Taoism and broad natural meridians, so even though he felt pain at this moment, his expression remained unchanged.

When it reached a certain total amount, Lu Cheng's palm moved to a transparent crystal, and the water-based energy continued to flow into his body. The gold and water were stirred and generated. For a moment, Lu Cheng felt that the violent energy and magic power almost tore his body apart.

Even he groaned at this.

"Metal and water are born together. Tearing the flesh is an illusion. Continue."

As the magic formula was activated, his palm moved to the tree demon's inner core. With a crackling sound, water and wood were born. In a very short time, Lu Cheng felt that his arm had turned into wood, and this feeling and change were still rapidly increasing. It seemed that as long as he did not pull back his arm in time, he would turn into a wooden man.

However, the Taoist looked indifferent and moved his palm towards the purple heart warm jade.

At this moment, his body was burned by raging flames. Lu Cheng sat back on the Five Elements platform and waved his hands. He felt that he had turned into a burning fireman. At this moment, the four qi had already entered his body and his foundation was established.

The whole person was in a state as if being burned by a raging fire, but the Taoist still maintained a trace of clarity in his mind.

Finally, he sat up again, and used the Heaven-stealing Spirit Transformation Technique to absorb the fifth spiritual object, the stalactite stone.

boom.

Fire and earth were born from each other, and the violent five elements magic power was running. For almost a moment, Lu Cheng thought that he had been shattered into powder.

At that moment, it seemed as if the soul left the body and the entire body was destroyed and crushed.

Lu Cheng's consciousness seemed to fly out of his body. He could see a Taoist sitting behind a white jade platform in the formation below. A large amount of dark red blood was oozing out of his body, soaking through his Taoist robe. He looked like a bloody man.

Swallowing the five energies, integrating the five elements into the body, seizing the wonders of heaven, and being unable to be contained.

"With my Qi Sea innate magical power, I am completely unable to handle this technique?"

"That's why I came back here. Sometimes, success requires a little luck." He was confused at first, but then he strengthened his mind.

Lu Cheng's consciousness slowly spread and grew, flying out of the Chixin Temple.

Just at this moment, he gently turned sideways and saw the entire Ishihara County behind him. There were lights in thousands of houses, and it was a time of prosperity and peace.

Then he turned his head gently again, and at this moment, a huge red phantom appeared in the sky above the entire Chixin Temple.

He stretched out his huge hand and held up the weak consciousness:
“If there are people who practice cultivation and learn the Dao in the future, if they practice three-tenths, I will respond to them seven-tenths; if they practice ten-tenths, I will be there to help them at any time!”

"Thank you, God, for your presence."

Standing in the palm of the huge phantom of the god, Lu Cheng held his hand and performed a Taoist salute.

The next moment, when he opened his eyes, he was still sitting on the Five Elements Platform, with the Five Elements Qi still surging wildly in his body. The scene just now might not have happened at all. It was just what his heart desired and what he felt at ease with.

"Metal gives birth to water, water gives birth to wood, fire gives birth to earth... and earth gives birth to metal."

Because his mind was at peace, his magic power naturally became more stable as well. Lu Cheng began to practice a Taoist technique that no one had ever practiced since the creation of the Five Palaces Tempering Yuan Technique: the Five Qi Circulation Method, Yi Jin Xi Sui.

At this moment, Lu Cheng, whose mind had gained great peace, vaguely realized that he could integrate the five elements into the Chiji Heart Method and cultivate the Five Elements Divine Sword Heavenly Dao Foundation.

In this way, he could return to Huoyun Mansion to study and inherit the sword cultivation method of the ancestor Chi Shenzi.

Such a huge temptation almost made Lu Cheng unable to resist taking a step forward.

But before crossing this threshold, Lu Cheng slowly retracted his steps:

"Is sword cultivation the most powerful method in the world? Or is it that the method that suits oneself is the most powerful method in the world?"

"I want to be a man holding a sword, not a sword. Even if this sword is invincible and can break anything."

He wanted to advance and retreat. Originally, the five elements of vitality in Lu Cheng's body were almost completely transformed into the five elements of sword energy, and he cultivated the foundation of the Heavenly Dao.

But at this moment, under the guidance of the Taoist's will, the five elements of vitality are all integrated into the five internal organs, transformed into five qi in the chest, rotating like a wheel, forming a blazing fire: the great five elements earth extreme true fire, the pinnacle of the earth foundation, which can dissolve all the laws of the world.

With the unity of god and self, five-colored light shone out of his body. Lu Cheng sat on the platform holding the Taoist seal. His magical power and the power of faith accumulated in the Chixin Temple over the years merged into one. A huge red god's image appeared in the Chixin Temple, overwhelming all directions.

Many monks who had moved here from within a radius of hundreds of thousands of miles were all terrified and moved when they saw this scene.

It was at this moment that, without Lu Cheng himself knowing it, the long sword that he had habitually placed horizontally on the altar in front of him began to vibrate with a clear sound echoing from his own five energies like a wheel. A stream of the most refined and pure five-colored sword light projected from it, poured into his dantian and merged into his magic power.

The foundation is thus harmoniously sublimated, laying the foundation for the great way of harmony between heaven and earth.

　I would like to explain in advance that the protagonist of this book wants to unite the three fires of heaven, earth and man into one, cultivate the Samadhi True Fire to forge the supreme Dharma body, and cultivate the Eight or Nine Caves True Pill, so he cannot take the pure sword cultivation path; the reason why this book is called "Walking Alone with a Sword to Kill Ghosts and Gods" is that the "sword" here refers to courage rather than just a sword.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)