Sect Leader! Please strengthen our Dao Sect!

Halfway up the mountain.

Apart from Tang Yan and Qian Duoduo, all the new generation disciples of the Dao Sect were present, each striking extremely difficult and bizarre poses, stretching their bodies to their limits.

Everyone was drenched in sweat and looked pained, but they still gritted their teeth and didn't utter a sound.

Liu Jiujiang sat not far away, with a desk he had brought from the county government office in front of him, leisurely drinking tea.

He arrived at Tianyi Mountain three months ago. After the farce that day ended, Wu Lianshan began his seclusion.

Originally, Liu Jiujiang wanted to discuss some matters with Shen Shanshui, but he did not expect that the other party was going through a calamity. So he took the initiative to assume the responsibility of teaching the disciples as an elder, and also protected the other party.

The Foundation Establishment stage, which is in the second stage of the disaster, is the most vulnerable. Liu Jiujiang felt that Shen Shanshui was too careless and did not inform him in advance.

"This body-forging technique was something that Elder Wu and I obtained by chance when we were in the Qi Refining stage."

Although it's not a particularly powerful supernatural ability, its actual effects far surpass those of so-called great supernatural powers, as it can strengthen muscles and bones.

"When immortal sects recruit disciples, they value talent the most, but they don't bother to explain what cultivation talent actually is?"

"The initial stage of cultivation is to draw qi into the body. Reaching this stage means that your bones and muscles can withstand the tempering of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."

"Some people are born with strong bones and muscles, and can absorb and exhale a huge amount of spiritual energy to cultivate. Their speed is like a thousand miles a day. This is talent."

Liu Jiujiang looked at his disciples, who were struggling to keep going, with a smile. He took a sip of tea and nodded in satisfaction.

Those who were able to persevere and reach the summit that day, in terms of their determination to cultivate themselves, were far stronger than ordinary practitioners.

There are too many impetuous people in the world who practice spiritual cultivation. They think that entering the path of cultivation is like a fish leaping into the sea. But when they truly see the difficulty of cultivation, the gap in their mindset leads to self-abandonment. No matter how good their talent is, it is just a waste.

"Of course, the level of talent will affect the speed of cultivation, but it will never be the final conclusion of your future cultivation level."

If that's really the case, what's the point of seeking immortality? Immortal sects wouldn't need to recruit so many disciples.

As the disciples practiced their body-strengthening techniques, they listened to Liu Jiujiang's teachings. Amidst the pain, time seemed to drag on endlessly.

Finally, it was noon, and Liu Jiujiang finally spoke up, telling the group to take a short rest.

Xu Hu jumped around a couple of times to loosen up his bones and joints, which were sore from stretching. Then, he skillfully picked up the axe not far away and went to prepare firewood.

He Wenzheng also set up a pot and went to the mountain stream not far away to wash the rice. He was the oldest here, so even though he was a scholar, he would never have done such rough work in the past, but after his junior uncle went into seclusion, he took the initiative to take on the responsibility.

Li Daniu and Han Wuming each chose to help one side.

As for Li Qinggang, seeing that neither side needed any help, he took the initiative to serve his master, adding tea and water for him.

"Master, have some tea."

"Hehe...okay." Liu Jiujiang chuckled and symbolically took a sip of tea.

"Master's body-tempering technique is truly miraculous; it has completely transformed me. After practicing for over a month, my speed of absorbing spiritual energy has increased significantly."

Li Qinggang was very respectful and highly agreed with the effects of the body-strengthening technique.

In less than a year, he became the first disciple of the Tianyi Sect, besides Tang Yan, to step into the second level of Qi Refining.

A complete transformation?

Liu Jiujiang shook his head as he listened to Li Qinggang's obviously flattering words.

"Qinggang, while talent is important for cultivators, it only allows you to cultivate faster within this realm. It has no direct relation to whether you can cross over and step into the next level."

"Do you know why the Qi Refining stage is considered the starting point for cultivators, but only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage can one be considered to have truly embarked on the path of immortality?"

Li Qinggang: "This disciple is ignorant and does not know."

Seeing that his disciple couldn't answer, Liu Jiujiang simply shook his head with a light smile.

"Because after you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, the faster you cultivate, the closer you are to your death."

"Leaving aside the Heavenly Tribulation, there are three calamities in Foundation Establishment, and five signs of decay for Heaven and Man in Golden Core. Although the Nascent Soul Dao Venerable does not know about them, he must also have his own tribulations. And these tribulations, if overcome, lead to life; if defeated, one's life, death, and Dao are extinguished."

Cultivators often say that cultivation is defying the heavens, fraught with countless difficulties and dangers, but most cultivators in the Qi Refining stage merely parrot what they hear and cannot truly comprehend it.

Hearing these words, Li Qinggang was stunned for a long moment. Although he came from a merchant family, he didn't know much about cultivation. High-level Qi Refiners were people he used to look up to, let alone those above the Foundation Establishment stage.

In his mind, achieving the Foundation Establishment stage would grant him a long lifespan, allowing him to ride the wind and roam freely across the world—how carefree that would be!

Sensing that Li Qinggang was somewhat agitated, Liu Jiujiang realized it was a bit premature to discuss these matters with his disciple, and appropriately changed the subject, saying, "Your fellow disciples are all busy with their own things, why don't you go and help them?"

Upon hearing his master's question, Li Qinggang's expression darkened.

"Disciple...disciple senses that they dislike me."

"Hehe... If you treat others sincerely but they don't like it, that's their business. It means they're not worthy of your company, not your problem."

But the crux of the matter... Qinggang, have you put your heart into it?

Liu Jiujiang stroked his beard and looked at his disciples with a smile. After spending these days together, he had a general understanding of the personalities of the new disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect.

Li Qinggang may have come from a merchant family, and from a young age, he was influenced by his surroundings, making him quick-witted and full of thoughts.

Teenagers at this age are mostly indifferent to what they hear and what they say. They don't easily take what others say to heart, and they don't even care about what they themselves have said.

But Li Qinggang is very conflicted; he tends to overthink things based on what others say or do.

This is also a common problem for teenagers of this age: they are sensitive and easily misunderstand others, as well as themselves.

"Master, I..."

"Go, go help Xu Hu chop wood, or help Wen Zheng."

You are fellow disciples, brothers in arms, destined to support each other on the path to immortality. Why are you so distant?

"Yes, Master!"

Li Qinggang took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed respectfully.

Watching Li Qinggang depart, Liu Jiujiang couldn't help but turn his gaze to the mountaintop.

"Aren't you coming out of seclusion yet?"

"Young friend Shen, you truly possess astonishing talent! To have entered the second calamity so quickly."

Liu Jiujiang couldn't help but sigh.

Although I just said that cultivation talent cannot determine a cultivator's future potential, who doesn't envy those who cultivate as easily as eating and drinking?

After all, loneliness is a cultivator's greatest enemy during a long period of cultivation.

"It's better to be strong; only the strong can seize that slim chance!"

Smoke rose from the mountainside, and soon the aroma of cooking food wafted through the air.

The young disciples gathered around a large pot, enjoying their meal with gusto, their laughter echoing throughout.

The young man did not covet profit, but treated his brothers with sincerity.

Looking at these young people, Liu Jiujiang couldn't help but reminisce about the past.

They've all been through this age, and he and Wu Lianshan once had a group of like-minded friends.

But the path to immortality is merciless. Some climb the ladder, advancing triumphantly, while others become stepping stones on the path, disappearing into the dust, never to be seen again. Some even turn into dust, becoming a wisp of breeze in this world.

……