The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

The contents recorded in the "True Scripture of Primordial Dao Qi" greatly shocked Wang Zhenhuan. At the same time, the cultivation methods in it were also progressive, from shallow to deep, layer by layer.

The book includes passages ranging from Seeking Truth to the Supreme Mystery. It is also divided into three parts according to the level of attainment: upper, middle, and lower. The lower three levels are: Pale Red Seeking Truth, Red Aura Seeing Truth, and Deep Red Bright Truth.

The book's descriptions of the lower three levels mainly focus on cultivation and enlightenment. It delves less into the fundamental principles of Yin and Yang, such as the yin and yang of heaven and earth. However, Wang Zhenhuan could understand this, as this stage is considered the initial entry point, as can be gleaned from the names of the realms themselves.

The primary focus is definitely on consolidating one's cultivation level. The three levels of the Profound Realm—Light Blue Knowing Profound, Blue Qi Ascending Profound, and Deep Blue High Profound—are considered the middle three ranks, with the methods of cultivation gradually decreasing. The insights gained from cultivation increase, and some aspects of Yin and Yang in the universe are also considered.

In Taoism, this stage is considered equivalent to becoming a sorcerer. Having established a certain foundation in spiritual energy, they have mastered about 60% of the spells and talismans. They begin to gradually move towards the Great Tao, signifying a profound understanding of Taoist magic.

However, the book's descriptions of the Cave God Department, namely the three upper-level Light Purple Dwelling Gods, Purple Qi Abyss, and Deep Purple Tai Xuan, are different. The cultivation methods only account for 30% or even less of them, with more emphasis on the understanding of Yin and Yang in the universe.

This part was beyond Wang Zhen's reach. Although he could understand all the words in the book, he mostly only grasped the words, not the meaning.

Fortunately, there was a Purple Qi True Man nearby, so Wang Huanzhen directly asked, "Sir, what is the Great Dao of Yin and Yang? Why is it described so simply in the book, yet I find it difficult to understand?"

Master Xuanyangzi pondered for a moment, seemingly trying to figure out how to explain it to Wang Huanzhen. After a while, he spoke: "The Great Dao of Yin and Yang in Heaven and Earth is what we Daoists call the Heavenly Dao."

Although the Way of Heaven is mysterious and profound, it is also simple and easy to understand. In general, it teaches those who cultivate themselves how to conduct themselves virtuously in their interactions with others. For example, this saying: "Do not expose the shortcomings of others, nor flaunt your own strengths."

This means that those who cultivate themselves should be indifferent to fame and fortune, not flaunt their achievements, nor discriminate against others' shortcomings. The goal is simply to become a virtuous person.

People will respect him, Heaven will bless him, and fortune will follow. Then all evil will naturally stay away, and under the protection of immortals and gods, his endeavors will surely succeed; he may even aspire to become an immortal.

"I understand, sir." Wang Huanzhen nodded, and seeing that the fire was almost out, he went forward to add some more firewood. Then he sat down again next to Daoist Xuanyangzi.

Master Xuanyangzi paused for a moment before continuing, "Cultivation is like rowing against the current. Without cultivating the body, one has no ability to row; without cultivating the mind, one has no intention to steer. If either of these two aspects malfunctions, the boat will stop and the current will be against it. At best, one's cultivation will regress; at worst, one will go astray."

"I understand, sir. You mean that a person with profound cultivation must have impeccable virtue. The greater the ability, the more upright the character," Wang Zhenhuan replied.

"That's right, that's exactly what I meant." Xuan Yangzi nodded in satisfaction.

"But sir, this true scripture left behind by the Dao Ancestor was so easily left to the world without any restrictions or restrictions. What if it falls into the hands of evil people and causes harm to the region?" Wang Zhenhuan pondered for a moment before asking.

"What you say is true, but do you know that no one is perfect? ​​Good and evil are never opposites, and among all living beings in the world, humans are the most changeable, with good and evil existing in the blink of an eye."

Even those who do good deeds may harbor evil thoughts. The same is true for those who do evil. If we demand that everyone do good, the world would be at peace long ago. Why then are there years of war and widespread suffering? Xuan Yangzi countered.

"Well... it's better for the true scripture to be obtained by a kind person than by an evil person, right?" Wang Zhenhuan was a little confused by what Daoist Xuanyangzi said.

"No, we Taoists believe that all things in the world are born from the two energies of Yin and Yang, and humans are no exception. If there is Yang in the heart, there will naturally be Yin. What we Taoists seek is not to completely eradicate evil thoughts from our hearts."

This evil thought, when spoken of to others, is the dark side of our hearts; it is our nature, and naturally, it cannot be eliminated. Therefore, spiritual cultivation teaches us how to control evil thoughts, keeping them hidden in our hearts rather than letting them manifest in our actions.

After Master Xuanyangzi finished speaking, he fell silent. Wang Zhenhuan felt as if he had been enlightened by the Master's words. If one were to compare evil thoughts to a raging flood, the Daoist teaching would be that it is better to guide than to suppress.

Since we cannot eliminate evil thoughts, we must learn to control them. Let them remain dormant in our hearts within a controllable range. Only by confronting our own inner selves can we ensure consistency between our actions and our beliefs.

Although Daoist Xuan Yangzi couldn't see Wang Zhenhuan's expression, he could guess that he was deep in thought. He patted Wang Zhenhuan on the shoulder encouragingly:

"Spiritual practice is difficult, but with predecessors paving the way, there is naturally a path to follow. Cultivating the mind is the same; as long as one learns to distinguish between good and evil, does good and eliminates evil, the path of spiritual practice will naturally be smooth."

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, sir," Wang Huanzhen said, rising and bowing respectfully. Master Xuanyangzi's words had deeply moved him. He got up and laid out the thatch on the ground.

Then, he helped Daoist Xuanyangzi lie down to rest, while he himself lay on the other side, his mind restless and unable to find peace, unable to sleep at all. He couldn't wait to get up and begin his cultivation.

However, Master Xuan Yangzi's words were all profound wisdom. How could one cultivate if one's mind was not at peace? In this way, Wang Zhenhuan drifted off to sleep, still clutching the "True Scripture of Primordial Dao Qi" tightly in his hand.

When Wang Zhenhuan woke up the next morning, he felt refreshed. He first helped Xuan Yangzi get up, and then they washed themselves with the rainwater they had collected the night before. He then took out a few steamed buns and heated them by the fire.

He sat down next to Xuan Yangzi, warming himself by the fire as he asked, "Sir, where should we go from here?"

"After the meal, we will head south. The true scriptures have been found, and I will return to my sect to report back. I will find the necessary items to open your meridians along the way, at which time you can begin your cultivation," Master Xuan Yangzi replied.

"What is the substance that opens the meridians?" Wang Zhenhuan asked.

"A person who has just begun their spiritual practice needs to open their meridians in order to store spiritual energy. Relying solely on their own practice is a very slow process. Only by using medicines to open the meridians or by receiving empowerment from a master can this process be truly effective."

"Although I can perform the initiation ceremony for you, the pain of it is far worse than being torn apart by five horses, and you will not be able to get out of bed for three months afterward. Are you willing?" Master Xuanyangzi asked with a smile.

Wang Zhen shook his head like a rattle drum. Being torn apart by five horses was bad enough, but to have to lie in bed for three months was unacceptable. The thought of having to be waited on hand and foot for everything made him resolutely abandon that method.

He handed one of the warmed buns to Xuan Yangzi first, then picked up another for himself and took a bite. He had barely taken a bite when he saw Xuan Yangzi frown, and instinctively asked:

"Sir, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. It's just a bit noisy outside; it's probably the locals who got up early to go up the mountain..."