Advance the future and become a martial saint on earth!

Chapter 197 Breaking Free from Mortal Imperfections in a Dream: The Son of a Demonic Cultivator Spends Three Years Chopping Wood, Carrying Water, and Sweeping Steps! All for the Pursuit of Enlightenment

Square Inch, Spiritual Platform, Sumeru Cave
Becoming an apprentice, seeking knowledge, and receiving true teachings
When the Daoist magic of the 'Yellow Millet Dream' was activated once again.

The transparent yellow butterfly fluttered its wings, using the 'Chapter of Immortals' as its anchor point, taking Ji Xiu to an unknown year, month, and place.

All he knew was that when he woke up again, he felt as if he were in a sea of ​​misty energy, as if the world was full of vitality, and with each breath he could strengthen his spirit and thoughts.

Before even figuring out where he was or what his identity was, Ji Xiu felt a surge of joy and excitement from his soul with just a thought, and was instantly overwhelmed with awe.

Here
What exactly is this 'hidden treasure land'?!

Compared to the Golden Turtle Island of the Heavenly Blade School and the Small Spirit Pool in the Beicang Marquis's Mansion, it was far superior. Ji Xiu even had a misconception at this moment.
If you want to practice the 'Taoist arts' here!
So even ordinary people can overcome the three hurdles of reading and receiving ordination, practicing breathing exercises and fasting, and mastering the mind and spirit in less than three years, and advance to a high level of Taoist skill!
"This is the Sumeru Cave, one of the direct lineages of the Celestial Venerable, known as 'White Lotus, Red Flowers, and Green Lotus Leaves, all bearing the fruits of the Celestial Venerable's Great Dao'!"

"Hiss, it truly lives up to its reputation."

"This time, after a sixty-year interval, the 'Ancestor Master Sumeru' has once again opened his mountain gates, inviting disciples and students from all sects and clans to come here. He teaches without discrimination. Even if it takes a long and arduous journey to get here, it is all worth it!"

"There are very few great masters like him who disregard background and origin, and will accept anyone who can pass on the true skills of the 'Sumeru Cave' as their disciple!"

Ji Xiu looked around and found himself in a mountain forest Taoist temple.

At this moment, in the center of the mountain courtyard, each disciple was adorned with jewels and precious stones. They were either from noble families or were accomplished cultivators with flowing robes and a pure aura. Their appearances were quite extraordinary.

As these people talked to each other, whispers could be heard among them.

Ji Xiu rubbed his forehead, vague memories gradually welling up in his mind.
However, this time the progress was somewhat clearer than when he refined the divine talisman fire, dreamt of entering the righteous law heaven, became a true disciple of the Nanming Mountain Taoist Temple, and used the alias 'Zhang Xuanye'.

However, just as Ji Xiu was accepting the memories in his mind...
Those people's gazes gradually fell on Ji Xiu without him realizing it, and their expressions changed drastically before he had fully accepted the memories!

"It's him?"

"How could it be him!"

"They're that demon's offspring. Weren't they supposed to have been imprisoned in the Dragon Locking Well, a forbidden area within the Xuanfu Sect? How could they be allowed to emerge and participate in the once-every-sixty-years 'Sumeru Cave' Dharma transmission?!"

"That demon cultivated the 'method of transformation' back then, infiltrated various sects, stole scriptures, and seized true teachings and fruits to become a 'True Person.' The karma and debts he incurred have long been irreconcilable with many righteous sects!"

"The true successor of my lineage was none other than the Prodigy Master, but he was ambushed and his cultivation was stolen, leading to his downfall."

"What is the former goddess of the Xuanfu Sect thinking? Could it be that she still harbors feelings for him and has secretly released this wicked offspring?"

"I did not bring any magical artifacts with me when I came to Sumeru Cave this time. Fellow Daoist, please lend me your sword. I am determined to settle the score with him for the grudges of my Shaoshang Sword Sect from back then!"

When these scions of noble families, including Dao Qingxiu, saw Ji Xiu's true face, their original composure vanished, and they were immediately filled with righteous indignation.

Some even drew their swords on the spot, their magical power surging up. Surprisingly, they had not reached the third level of Daoist arts, but had opened their Purple Mansion and achieved true Daoist skills. They looked quite young, and before they could even say a word, the tip of their swords was pointed directly at Ji Xiu!

The scene was a bit chaotic for a while.

At this moment, Ji Xiu finally began to receive the memories in his mind.

In this 'Dream of the Yellow Millet', his name is 'Jiang Jing'.

Names are not important.

The important thing is
This time, their identity is far more profound and terrifying than that of the Daoist disciple from 'Nanming Mountain' last time!
It is no exaggeration to say that it is even comparable to the ancestral home of the sword path and the Zhenwu Mountain that he carries in this world.

Jiang Jing was born into the Xuanfu Sect. His mother was Meng Qingfan, the previous goddess of the Xuanfu Sect.

Ji Xiu did not know where this place was located.

All that is known is that the world is in chaos and disorder. The Taoist lineages with profound foundations, such as the Immortals and the Pure Land, each protect their own territory. There are also evil celestial beings and external evil gods who govern the land.

There seems to be a system that claims to be 'Human Immortal Martial Arts', but its influence is not very widespread.

According to my memories, the 'Xuanfu Sect' is a behemoth within the Immortal System of the land.

If compared to the current world order, it would be at least at the level of a 'pillar of heaven', and might even surpass it.

According to common sense.

Born as a divine daughter with a status comparable to that of a Daoist, Ji Xiu's identity in this "dream of the yellow millet" can be described as being born with a silver spoon in his mouth; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a top-tier noble.

but.
As luck would have it, his biological father was an absolute 'demonic tycoon' named Jiang Shenji!
No one knows where he came from or what his original identity was.

All that is known is that when this scoundrel rose to fame, he had already mastered the art of transforming himself into a thousand faces, infiltrated the Five Sects and Eight Religions, and traveled through the various lineages of immortals, Pure Land, and Heavenly Beings, stealing all thirteen heavenly techniques that directly pointed to the Great Dao!
This is not counting.

After Jiang Shenji had studied the classic texts and mastered all the true skills, he was still not satisfied. He also seized the true skills of all the promising disciples of the thirteen major sects, stored them in his body, and nurtured them to create a heaven-reaching "supernatural" true person position!
No one knows what level of attainment he achieved as the 'Divine Power Master'.

Even the most powerful experts or the oldest members of sects who personally intervened could not capture this fiend. They were forced to disappear without a trace, which speaks volumes.

The Xuanfu Sect is one of these five sects and eight factions.

Back then, Jiang Shenji entered the Xuanfu Sect to seek magic and techniques, and became a Daoist couple with the previous goddess Meng Qingfan. They had a son named Jiang Jing, Ji Xiu.

As Jiang Shenji's ostensible heir, based on his memories, Ji Xiu's identity in this dream was incredibly unlucky.

Clearly, the father was a divinely powerful immortal, and the mother was also at the direct attainment stage!

In the end, it turned out that the father was an undercover demon, and after the mother discovered that she had been deceived, she resigned from her position as a goddess and secluded herself from the world ever since.

He was all alone, and immediately became the target of the furious leaders of the great sects and the powerful immortals.

Fortunately, his mother still had some consideration for their relationship and protected him, but imprisoned him in the forbidden area of ​​the Divine Talisman Palace, the 'Dragon Locking Well,' where he remained for thirteen years.

It wasn't until recent years that he was released, which resulted in Ji Xiu, even though he was nearly twenty years old, still being a 'foolish man' who didn't understand cultivation in this dream.

The Xuanfu Sect does not teach him cultivation.

Other major sects were even less willing to accept him as a disciple.

Those from places inferior to these major sects would likely tremble with fear at the mere mention of 'Jiang Shenji''s name, lest they bring disaster upon themselves.

Ji Xiu, who was destined to be trapped in the sect for his entire life, accidentally came across the Sumeru Cave in a volume of "Annotations on the Sects of Immortals".

Legend has it that the Ancestor of Sumeru Cave taught without discrimination and was a direct descendant of the Heavenly Venerable, the source of all immortals. He was known as the "Ancestor of Earthly Immortals" and would open his mountain gate once every sixty years to accept disciples.

However, over hundreds or thousands of years, very few have been able to be taken under his wing.

But those few disciples all became famous figures, and even those who could not become disciples could still gain a lot of good fortune by cultivating in his cave.

However, regarding the 'cultivation' within, every disciple who emerged from the Sumeru Cave seemed to have had this part of their memory removed, knowing little about it.

However, this did not affect many powerful cultivation sects and major schools from sending their most talented disciples here for training.

And that's when we received this news.

Ji Xiu, who was known as 'Jiang Jing', prayed for three days in front of the palace of his birth mother, the goddess Meng Qingfan, and obtained an opportunity to leave the sect and a name card from the Divine Talisman Palace.

However, he could not get any help from the Divine Talisman Palace, and the distance between Sumeru Cave and Xuanfu Sect was such that a flying boat might be able to reach them in the blink of an eye, but he could only rely on his two fleshy legs.
It's more than ten thousand miles away!

However, he still trekked through mountains and rivers, enduring wind and rain, following the directions of the map, and after three years, he arrived at this small, sacred mountain, before the Sumeru Cave, and entered this mountain courtyard.

Now, he is waiting alongside hundreds of other successors from high-ranking Taoist sects and major esoteric schools.

Unexpectedly, his face was recognized, causing a huge uproar.

Looking at the young master who claimed to be from the 'Shaoshang Sword Sect', he was filled with righteous indignation and, without saying a word, was about to take his life.

Ji Xiu couldn't help but twitch his lips, feeling utterly speechless.

Sumeru Cave.

In the analysis of the "Chapter of Immortals" through the Primordial Dao Records, even the first Xuanjun "Great Xuanzun" who opened up the Great Mystery once cultivated and comprehended here, and paid homage to the Ancestor of Sumeru, making it extremely mysterious.

But before he could even use the 'Primordial Dao Record' to uncover this secret, it seemed he was about to be cut off by a single sword strike.

"Will this 'dream of the Yellow Millet' allow me to choose my own identity next time?"

"I already have so much debt in this life, why do I have to take the blame every day in my dreams?"

If we die like this, is it possible to change our perspective, such as using the identities of these high-ranking Taoist priests to pay homage to the 'Sumeru Cave' one more time?
Ji Xiu was not afraid. After all, death was not real death. So when the sword was at his neck, he did not blink and was still thinking about the possibility of entering the dream again.

But to outsiders, this appearance seemed as if he had broken free from the fear of 'life and death'. Even those who hated him with a passion would feel a sense of awe upon seeing this.
"This child possesses such composure."

"Pity."

"If it weren't for that demon's offspring relying on the Xuanfu Sect, he might have been able to cultivate into a 'Divine Power True Man' one day."

Some disciples from major sects who had no prior grudges against Jiang Shenji whispered among themselves, shaking their heads in regret.

However----

Creak! "Wait."

A melodious Taoist voice slowly spread.

And the gate of the 'Xumi Cave Temple' was finally opened.

Among them emerged an old Taoist priest with a tall hat and wide belt, a flowing beard, and a whisk in hand. His eyes were calm, as if he had seen through the ways of the world.

The moment he walked out.

The magic sword in front of Ji Xiu's neck froze completely an inch away.

"Ancestor!"

"Master Sumeru!"

Upon seeing this old Taoist priest, all the disciples from the high-ranking Taoist sects and major schools were shaken and hurriedly bowed down.

The old Taoist priest slowly scanned the area, pausing briefly before Ji Xiu. His gaze lingered on the creases of Ji Xiu's tattered clothes and the dusty corners of his boots before moving away.

“In my ‘Sumeru Cave,’ I advocate education for all. Anyone, even an ordinary person, who does not possess your visiting cards or religious documents, as long as they hear my name and can break through the external illusions to enter the mountain, is considered to have a special connection.”

"Anyone who is willing can stay and study for a period of time, let alone the son of a mere demon?"

The old Taoist priest smiled:
“It’s just that my life in the mountains is simple and the Dharma is difficult to practice, so perhaps you don’t want to stay.”

Upon hearing Master Xumi's words, many disciples from prominent families had already shifted their gazes away from Ji Xiu, the 'son of a demon,' and focused their attention on the old Taoist in front of them.

The karmic debts and grudges of the sect can be dealt with by the patriarch after leaving the sect.

Now that the opportunity is right in front of us, if we continue to be persistent and displease this patriarch, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?

These Qi cultivators were all perfectly lucid.

Upon hearing this, the Sumeru Patriarch smiled, neither confirming nor denying, but simply pointed to the steps beneath his feet:

"Cultivation emphasizes 'going with the flow'."

"Whether you like it or not, you can leave at any time."

"but"

He turned his back, about to lead the group inside, but then suddenly paused and said:
"Those who cultivate in my 'Sumeru Cave' can absorb spiritual energy for three months unless they are certain they are leaving. Otherwise, anyone who participates in the pursuit of the Dharma and wishes to register their name with me..."

"No cultivation is permitted during this period."

"Can you comply?"

Unable to cultivate?

The group exchanged bewildered glances, all of them taken aback.

You need to know.

Spiritual practice is like climbing a mountain; one cannot easily give up even a day's effort, or one will easily fall behind.
So how long will this 'trial' of the Sumeru Patriarch take?
Following this patriarch, I entered the Mount Sumeru Monastery.

Before the many scions of noble families could even make out the interior, they saw rows of stone axes neatly arranged on the gravel path and immediately fell silent.

The Patriarch Sumeru then pointed to the low-lying huts and houses around him and said:

"Those who wish to stay, take an axe and from this day forward, go to the back mountain every day to chop down spirit trees. Do not slack off. You only need to practice for six hours each day to complete your 'work' for the day."

"If you do this every day for the first three years, you may stay longer."

“No one may practice during this period; those who disobey will be expelled from the ‘Sumeru Cave’.”

"Those who cannot stay."

"You can gather spiritual energy for three months to enhance your cultivation, and then leave on your own."

After saying this, Patriarch Sumeru went to the main hall on his own.

The remaining group looked at each other, completely bewildered by these strange rules and trials.

Chopping wood for three years?

No.

We are all from distinguished families. If you, old Taoist, do things this way, who will stay?!

However, they only dared to mutter these thoughts to themselves. On the surface, they all picked up their axes and chose houses, working harder than anyone else.

joke.

Trials are something that make a disciple of a sect; they've seen all sorts of trials.

Three years of firewood, if it can be exchanged for a lifetime of achievements.
How can you not gamble!
And so the cold and heat came and went.

There were a total of 127 disciples.

Day after day, his cultivation stagnated. He stopped cultivating his spirit and soul, and stopped gathering spiritual energy to increase the power of his Purple Mansion. He simply sealed his physical body in the back mountain of Sumeru Cave and chopped firewood for three years!
During that time, only thirty-seven people couldn't hold on and left.

There are still ninety people left!

Ji Xiu was one of them.

When the three-year period was up, everyone rubbed their hands together, having wasted three years of cultivation. They stood expectantly before the main hall, which had remained sealed for three years without opening its gates, awaiting the appearance of the Sumeru Patriarch.
The old Taoist priest, holding a whisk, walked out calmly as always. Looking at the weathered prodigies, he nodded noncommittally and gave a soft "hmm."
"Hmm, not bad. Then stay and carry water for another three years."

“The trees on the back mountain are ‘thorn trees.’ Without using spiritual energy to regulate the body, simply cutting them with bare hands for three years must have left one exhausted.”

"And the stream flowing through Mount Sumeru is also 'weak water,' so heavy that ordinary people would have to exert all their strength to carry it."

"There happen to be three water vats behind my yard. You will carry water there every day for the next three years to fill them up."

"Then stay here."

The Patriarch of Mount Sumeru smiled.

All the Qi cultivators who had been delayed for three years and dared not even use a trace of their divine soul or purple mansion power were stunned.

Chopping wood for three years, carrying water for three years—not a single trace of spiritual cultivation can be tainted!
Six years!

What if there are further trials if we delay?

Wouldn't that mean handing over the prestigious positions of true disciples, Daoist disciples, and goddesses of one's own sect to someone else? Moreover, one might not even be able to survive and be remembered by this 'ancestor'!
Three years is a reasonable delay.

But what if in the end it's all for nothing?

For a moment, most of the disciples weighed the pros and cons. After a moment of silence, they did not take the bamboo pole again, but instead sat cross-legged and gathered their spiritual energy, intending to cultivate here for three months to make up for the previous losses.

Only Ji Xiu.

Unnoticed in this 'yellow millet dream,' he chopped wood day after day, grinning and revealing a slight smile:

"turn out to be."

"Is this what they mean by 'establishing the sacred mountain and refining the Purple Palace'?"

He muttered to himself.

at the same time!

Three whole years, more than a thousand days and nights of arduous work, are now clearly displayed on the Primordial Dao Register.

[The Immortal Path Chapter: (301/900)!]

[The Great Dao Purple Mansion True Skill nourishes the Niwan Spirit Mountain; after three years of chopping wood, carrying water, and sweeping the steps, one can advance to a high-ranking position!]

In this fleeting dream, he opened and closed his eyes in the blink of an eye.

Every day, one can take another step closer to becoming a 'high-level Taoist master and a great expert in the Purple Mansion'.
Where can you find a lack of motivation?

These other disciples all held prominent positions outside the sect.

He had been out of contact for three years and his cultivation had not improved at all, but he could still endure it.

What if it's six years, nine years, or even longer?
If all our efforts come to nothing, who can accept that!
So most of them gave up, and the remaining small group was still hesitating. Only Ji Xiu was the most open-minded. He took the lead, picked up a bamboo pole, and went to the mountain stream to fetch water!
Even the gaze of the Sumeru Patriarch lingered for a moment, and he nodded inwardly.

(End of this chapter)