Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 131 The Seven-Vein Spiritual Root Technique is Not Lightly Taught
"Yin and Yang, Five Elements, Seven Spiritual Roots."

Fang Shu stared intently at the booklet in his hand, silently reciting to himself.

A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.

According to the booklet, the spiritual roots of this world are not simply divided into five types—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—as rumored in Guling Town, but rather into seven types, encompassing Yin and Yang and the Five Elements.

Furthermore, these spiritual roots are respectively called Lord Horse, Lord Medicine, Lord Dragon, Lord Kitchen God, Lord Yama, Lord Tai Sui, and Lord Heaven and Earth, corresponding to the seven meridians of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, yin, and yang.

However, according to the booklet, this correspondence is not entirely accurate.

There is a long-standing debate about which lineage, the King of Hell or the Grand Duke Jupiter, is more skilled in cultivating Yin-based or Earth-based Taoist arts, and there is still no definitive conclusion.

In addition to the seven recognized spiritual roots, there are many other spiritual roots in the world. Their ability to enhance and promote the Dao is not necessarily inferior to that of the seven spiritual roots.

For example, the innate thunder spirit root called the Thunder God has a far greater power to enhance thunder and fire magic than the Kitchen God, but it is often too singular and too intense.

Fang Shu silently processed the information, still puzzled: "It's quite interesting to refer to spiritual roots in the name of deities."

He quickly flipped through the pages and understood why the immortals used "deities" to classify the types of spiritual roots.

According to the book, there are two interpretations.

Firstly, it is said that these seven deities were seven righteous gods worshipped and believed by mortals in ancient times. They had no personality and were born from humans, which is the beginning of the "borrowing the false to cultivate the true" in the study of immortality.

The immortals of yesteryear acquired their power to nourish spirits and exorcise ghosts by worshipping and spreading their teachings. Their behavior resembled that of shamans, but in doing so, they successfully protected the human race, allowing it to stand out among all races.

Later, the immortals broke free from their old ways, established various covenants, and gradually observed the natural world, shedding their shamanistic habits and creating the immortal studies we know today. Only then did these seven righteous gods gradually fade into obscurity, eventually becoming legends.

However, based on the types of spiritual roots classified by the Seven Deities, even though there are now nine disciplines of immortal studies, it is still a conventional practice, and has even become part of the Great Dao rules in the world beyond.

This first explanation is also considered the most likely explanation in the classic texts on the Five Organs Temple.

The second explanation is much simpler and more straightforward.

He stated frankly that most of the human race today are descendants of the seven gods of that time; though called gods, they are in fact the progenitors.

This explanation posits that everyone possesses spiritual potential and that everyone can become a god.

The so-called innate spiritual root is nothing more than returning to one's ancestral origin. The various qualities of the spiritual root are merely the amount of ancestral divine blood within the body, a legacy from ancestors to their descendants.

Furthermore, this explanation has also given rise to various chaotic phenomena of inbreeding within some immortal clans.

Such behavior is condemned in ancient texts as "residual shamanistic habits," and is considered a short-sighted and despicable act. It is believed that the descendants of such clans often become increasingly insane, neither human nor ghost.

In the quiet room, Fang Shu learned a great deal about the origins of the seven spiritual roots and felt that he had gained a lot of knowledge.

However, it doesn't matter to him which of these two interpretations is right or wrong, or which is closer to the truth.

The reason is simple: regardless of the explanation, as a mere mortal, the seven innate spiritual roots have absolutely nothing to do with him.

What is truly associated with him is the "pseudo-spiritual root".

According to the book, those with pseudo-spiritual roots can cultivate a myriad of spiritual roots, not limited to the seven types of spiritual roots.

After cultivating a spiritual root, one only needs to select a similar spiritual root from among the seven types based on its performance as a reference for future cultivation.

After gaining some knowledge, Fang Shu finished reading one book and took out another from the bookshelf to carefully search for information about "cultivating spiritual roots".

What made him frown was that these books only talked about the differences between spiritual roots, the quality of planting spiritual roots, and how to test the attributes of the planted spiritual roots... but they did not mention the specific steps of "planting spiritual roots".

Just then, Manager Sun, who had been feigning sleep at the counter, suddenly spoke up:

"Are you looking for a way to cultivate spiritual roots? Don't waste your energy. Such specific methods are not left here for you to look through for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu was slightly taken aback and sighed inwardly, knowing that it was the truth.

Without hesitation, he immediately bowed to Steward Sun:
"Please enlighten me, Elder Sun, on how I can obtain the method to cultivate spiritual roots."

Upon hearing this, Steward Sun revealed a strange smile: "Temple rules dictate that laws are not lightly imparted and no convenient exceptions are made."

The old man's words had a double meaning. He then took out a stack of papers from the cabinet, tapped the table, and said:
"These are recruitment notices written by the disciples of the temple, including the Foundation Establishment elders. They contain rewards for various spiritual root cultivation methods, as well as corresponding conditions and tasks. You can decide for yourself."

After a pause, Steward Sun continued, "Besides the places where the servants take on odd jobs, there are also corresponding notices. Those places often have lower requirements, but there are also risks involved."

After speaking, the other person looked at Fang Shu with narrowed eyes, following the signs.

Fang Shu thought for a moment and then obediently handed over another one or two spirit stones.

"Hey, take your time," the other person said with a smile, releasing his hand from the paper as Fang Shu seemed to be taking advantage of the situation.

Fang Shu stepped forward, went over a stack of notices, and quickly flipped through them.

As Fang Shu looked at the rustling sound, his brows furrowed more and more.

[Looking for long-term drug users, under 30 years old, who need to take medicine three times a month. Those who complete one year will be given a formula for a spiritual root diagram, along with corresponding materials.]

[Those aged 18 to 20, of good appearance, male or female, who promise to take care of someone's daily life for three years, may receive the Spirit Root Record.]

[A complete catalog of spiritual roots is available, suitable for cultivating metal and stone-type spiritual roots. Purchase quickly. Note: The planting process must be observed by a witness with a promise of no interference. However, if the planting fails, the seller reserves the right to claim the plant.]

……

These conditions and requirements on paper, whether high or low, all come with a considerable price to pay.

Being enslaved or served as a maid is only a secondary concern; the more critical issue is the unknown risks and the near lack of personal safety.

Fang Shu patiently read through all the notices, but couldn't find a single one that satisfied him.

He looked at Manager Sun in front of the counter and said hesitantly, "This..."

When Manager Sun saw his bitter face, he immediately burst into a strange laugh.

However, the other party showed no remorse for having tricked Fang Shu, and instead spoke up:

"There are naturally some conditions and thresholds for recruiting in advance. At least those recruiting here, I've seen, all of them have real skills. If you find people on your own, you might suffer later, and the benefits will be delayed again and again."

Shaking his head, Steward Sun said, "Go back and think it over carefully. If you want it, you can come to me anytime. There will be no need to charge extra then."

This explanation eased Fang Shu's expression slightly. However, he didn't leave immediately. Instead, after pondering for a moment, he cupped his hands in a gesture of inquiry:
"May I ask, Elder Sun, is there a less risky way to obtain the Dharma within the temple?"

Manager Sun glanced at him and nodded: "Of course we do."

Fang Shu's heart stirred, and he bowed even more deeply.

Then he heard the other person say lazily:

"According to the temple's rules, those who serve as menial servants for a full year and pass the evaluation can accumulate one Taoist merit."

Three Taoist cultivation points can be exchanged for a spiritual root cultivation method in the Taoist Scripture Pavilion inside the temple.

However, you'll have to spend extra money to buy it when exchanging it. Even after acquiring the method, you'll not only have to study it yourself, but you'll also have to prepare the materials yourself. Aside from being more secure, there are no other benefits.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu's expression remained unchanged. He simply asked to confirm, "Are you sure there are no other requirements besides Daoist cultivation?"

Manager Sun nodded lazily.

When Fang Shu tried to ask for more details, the other person muttered, "Useless. What's so good about doing hard labor? It's a waste of time. You'll understand more when you become a handyman yourself."

After saying that, his eyelids drooped, and he looked bored and unwilling to say anything more.

Seeing this, Fang Shu could only purse his lips and bow as he returned the notices.

However, he did not leave immediately.

He had just been given another one or two spirit stones as a reward, so he had no choice but to stay here and read all the books on the bookshelf.

With a rustling sound, Fang Shu glanced at the page and turned it.

When Manager Sun saw that Fang Shu hadn't left yet, he opened his eyes and looked again.

Seeing that Fang Shu was flipping through the books very quickly, the old man assumed that Fang Shu was still determined to find a feasible method from these tattered books.

He scoffed inwardly, too lazy to chase Fang Shu away, and let him go.

After all, in Manager Sun's opinion, it was quite interesting that a few delusional guys like Fang Shu would appear every now and then.

really.

When Fang Shu had thoroughly read through all the books on the bookshelf, and all the contents had been copied into the Daoist talisman word for word, there wasn't a single feasible step or method among them.

The only slightly valuable information is some experience about cultivating spiritual roots. However, this experience is fragmented, evasive, and deliberately mysterious, far less straightforward than what the master of the pavilion said.

Helpless, Fang Shu could only put down his books, bow to Steward Sun, and slink away from the place.

………………

After leaving the quiet shop, Fang Shu became more and more disappointed as he pondered the matter.

Even so, he had no intention of turning around and going back into the shop to pick up the notice.

It's still early.

He decided to continue wandering the streets and even went to the place where odd jobs were offered, hoping to find out more information.

As it turned out, the places that offered casual jobs did indeed have lower entry requirements, but they also seemed less reliable. The man surnamed Sun wasn't lying.

Fang Shu wandered around and saw someone selling methods for cultivating spiritual roots on the street. The prices were cheap and there weren't many requirements.

But when Fang Shu took a closer look, he found that the method was just a handwritten copy, without even a single secret text, and he didn't know who it was trying to fool.

As for the spiritual root cultivation methods on the stall, which contained a few secret texts, they were all copied and pasted from some unknown spell, and their contents were contradictory from beginning to end.

Fang Shu continued strolling around and soon learned the details from the people around him.

Within the Five Internal Organs Temple, every method must bear the imprint of the Five Internal Organs Temple before one can cultivate it with peace of mind. Otherwise, one is playing with one's own life and may be easily plotted against, especially methods like cultivating spiritual roots.

Secondly, it's one thing for sellers to sell counterfeit goods and books on the market. But if anyone dares to sell genuine goods privately, the people in the temple will buy them first and make sure that person suffers the consequences.

All of this shows that the Five Organs Temple's control over cultivation methods is undoubtedly stricter than that of Guling Town, clearly intending to make the disciples exchange their hard work and time for it.

"No, I can't even be considered a disciple yet; at most, I'm just a prospective servant," Fang Shu thought to himself.

Within this temple of the five internal organs, only those who have successfully cultivated their Qi can be considered disciples of the Immortal Sect.

finally.

As darkness approached, Fang Shu wandered to a place that appeared to be selling fortune slips.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that this place was indeed selling fortune slips, and the method was quite novel.

Unlike the ones in Guling Town, this one has a pond with mist floating in it, giving it an ethereal feel, and toads of all sizes, shapes, and shapes, some big and some small, some ugly and some clumsy, lying on it.

The seller would sell a long straw root to people to poke at the frogs in the pond.

If you're lucky, you can hang the toad up with a straw stick or make it open its mouth and spit out what's inside, and you'll get a reward for that.

The larger the toad, the more stuff it can hold inside its belly.

Fang Shu mingled in the crowd, listening to the lively discussions among those around him.

According to everyone, this pool contains not only spells, spirit stones, and magical artifacts, but also spiritual root records, spiritual root medicines, and even slots for inner disciples!

Out of curiosity, he spent two hundred coins to buy a stick and join in the fun.

Soon, the result was naturally that nothing was accomplished.

The toad snapped the straw root in one bite and spat the half-buried straw root in front of him, almost hitting his face, croaking as if cursing "poor bastard".

Fang Shu sighed, and could only return dejectedly, clutching the remaining half of the straw.

As he left, the sky grew even darker, but the area in front of the Toad Pond was still crowded with a steady stream of immortals and servants, and the curfew on the beach could not stop them.

They were clearly different from Fang Shu; they weren't just joining in the fun, but seemed to see this Toad Pond as a way to turn their lives around, just like the Blood Demon in Guling Town.

(End of this chapter)