From the Carp that Brings Children to the Celestial Officials

Chapter 386 First Cultivation

You Ming took Yang Qinglian's hand and slowly walked towards the magnificent palace standing on the lakeside.

It was that cave dwelling, which had already been upgraded to level eight.

Over the past eight years, You Ming has also gathered a lot of resources to further upgrade these buildings.

Therefore, the current [Cave Abode] is larger in scale and more effective.

Looking up, one sees clusters of palaces, with spiritual light flowing between the flying eaves and overlapping tiles. The main hall is surrounded by faint magical light bands, like the interplay of Yin and Yang, the cycle of life and death.

Before the palace gate, stone lions stood silently, their mouths exhaling spiritual mist, appearing majestic and sacred, with faint Taoist chants faintly emanating from them.

"what……"

Yang Qinglian had just stepped into the main hall and was looking around curiously when she was startled by what she saw inside.

Inside the main hall, a black-backed old fox sat cross-legged, its narrow eyes seemingly open and closed. With each breath, its energy surged, and spiritual energy was drawn into its chest and abdomen, transforming into black and white light patterns that shimmered along its fur.

A white snake demon coiled beside the lotus pond, its tongue flicking in and out. A bluish luster appeared on its scales, as if runes were leaping between the scale patterns.

There was also a figure with a full head of white hair but bloodshot eyes, whose shape was ethereal, sitting cross-legged. His body was surrounded by a chilling aura, and the flames of his ghostly spirit flickered on his shoulders. The phosphorescent flames reflected on his face, making him appear particularly sinister.

Over the years, Yu Ming has not stopped expanding the Shinto path.

Some of the more talented demons in the mountains were allowed to enter his grotto for cultivation after undergoing a series of tests. Some elderly rogue cultivators who had died and turned to the path of ghosts also came to join him.

Once these demons reach the "enlightenment" level or the ghost cultivators have cleansed themselves of their ghostly aura, they will be granted divine positions.

"Greetings, Mountain Lord."

Upon seeing You Ming appear, the group of demons and ghost cultivators hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

You Ming simply nodded and led Yang Qinglian to the innermost part of the main hall.

"Qinglian, you have diligently practiced martial arts over the years and have laid a solid foundation. Today, I will pass on to you a true cultivation method."

"As long as you cultivate diligently, you will surely become an immortal in the future."

The doors to the main hall behind them slowly closed, and the hall fell silent.

"Hmm."

Yang Qinglian nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation.

She now completely believes that Brother Youming is a deity, and a very powerful one at that.

"I will teach you a method called the Pure Lotus Water Method."

You Ming's gaze was gentle, yet it revealed a rare hint of solemnity.

"Why is this the same name as mine? We're both called Qinglian, hehe."

Yang Qinglian burst out laughing upon hearing the name of the technique.

You Ming didn't speak, but simply reached out and pointed, his fingertip landing on Yang Qinglian's brow. In an instant, nine light patterns appeared in the void, merging to form a lotus flower mark, which was gently imprinted on Yang Qinglian's brow before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

The name of this method is naturally similar to that of Yang Qinglian, because it is the result of You Ming's countless efforts over the past few years to deduce, and it is most suitable for Yang Qinglian's physical constitution.

The fundamental mystery of this method lies in the fact that even those with dull constitutions and aptitudes can gradually shed heavy impurities and cultivate a "pure lotus heart".

Even in the most humble and mundane mire, pure spirituality can still be nurtured.

You Ming's good intentions are evident here, but Yang Qinglian is unlikely to comprehend them yet. "Using mortal bones as mud, mind and nature as roots, water as the environment, and the pure lotus as the way, even in the most insignificant place, one can still reflect all things."

"In cultivating this path, one should first calm the mind, making the thoughts and breath as still as water, not following external influences. Next, regulate the breath, drawing in the pure energy of heaven and earth, which flows into the body like a spring nourishing the veins, and exhaling the turbid energy like mist carried by the wind."

"As the Qi enters, the lotus bud gradually unfolds; as the Qi exits, impurities dissipate. Following the Ren and Du meridians, one gradually completes the Small Heavenly Circuit. If one can maintain thirty breaths without disorder, a single petal of the pure lotus in the Dantian will open on its own, radiating inner light, bringing peace to the mind and spirit..."

The first layer of text concerning this Dharma was deliberately broken down by You Ming into simple and easy-to-understand language.

He now habitually uses "heavenly script and insect seal script" when compiling his teachings because it is more concise and accurate. However, for a young child to learn, it is still necessary to break it down into ordinary characters.

"How is it? How much do you understand?"

You Ming saw Yang Qinglian open her eyes with a bewildered expression, but he was not discouraged.

"what……"

"Brother Youming, I don't understand."

Yang Qinglian felt dizzy; these words were far too complicated for a child.

Even though You Ming had taught her to read and write from time to time over the past three years, she still couldn't understand it at all.

"It's alright, this is a normal phenomenon. If becoming an immortal were so easy, then everyone could become an immortal."

You Ming was very patient, and most importantly, he could understand Yang Qinglian's current state.

When he first transmigrated, he was just a clumsy little carp. He could hardly understand the [Mysterious Origin Water Technique] he initially cultivated. He asked people for advice everywhere and gradually came to understand it. It took him half a year to get the basics down.

There is no such thing as spiritual roots in this world. To some extent, it can be understood that everyone can cultivate.

However, forcing someone who lacks the aptitude to cultivate is an extremely painful experience.

It's like asking an ordinary person to understand quantum mechanics or imagine a four-dimensional Klein bottle; it's like reading gibberish.

"In a moment, you will feel a cool energy flowing through your body. Just let your mind follow along, and then carefully remember the route of this energy's movement."

"Close your eyes first, and don't sit cross-legged. Do whatever makes you comfortable."

You Ming decided not to make things difficult for Yang Qinglian, nor for himself.

"Uh-huh."

Yang Qinglian nodded and sat down very obediently.

You Ming directly separated a wisp of magic power and placed it into Yang Qinglian's body. The wisp of magic power was wrapped around the spiritual light and transformed into water-like energy, flowing through Yang Qinglian's meridians. At first, it was sluggish, but then it gradually became smooth.

With her eyes closed, Yang Qinglian felt as if a little mouse was scurrying around inside her, and she was like a kitten chasing the mouse, having a great time.

The moment she began cultivating, all the bonuses from the [Cave Abode] activated immediately.

Currently, the [Cave Abode] has been upgraded to level eight, increasing cultivation efficiency by 50% and mana/mental energy recovery by 70%.

In addition to the original effects, a new effect called "Innate Talent" has been added, which temporarily increases the aptitude of anyone cultivating in the cave by 50%.

With the successive support of these forces, even though Yang Qinglian's aptitude was poor, her cultivation speed was not slow on her first attempt.

Seeing Yang Qinglian immersed in cultivation, You Ming nodded slightly, indicating that everything was progressing according to his plan.

However, he was also quite emotional, thinking that when he first started cultivating, he didn't have such good conditions.

(End of this chapter)