Becoming a leader of the immortal path begins with sowing the seeds of inner demons.

Zhou Jiangyuan fell into deep thought when asked the question. Lu Ming did not urge him. He split off and hid in mid-air, stirring the black and white liquid on his face to form various new patterns, while writing down Zhou Jiangyuan's reaction in his notebook.

As a constantly evolving inner demon, the most important thing is to learn by doing and to constantly summarize experiences and lessons learned.

Every seed of inner demon is precious, and unless there are special circumstances, it is best to choose a host with a deep-seated obsession.

Aside from lacking cultivation, Zhou Jiangyuan met all my requirements... except that he had other connections to immortality before meeting me.

However, it seems there are no major problems so far, and with this experience, we'll be able to handle things more easily next time.

Thinking of this, Lu Ming added a few more sentences after what he had just written before closing the book and looking down with his arms crossed in confusion.

The question just now concerned what cultivation path he should plan for Zhou Jiangyuan. Why has Zhou Jiangyuan been thinking about it for so long?

Is it hard to answer?

Just as he was about to infiltrate Zhou Jiangyuan's consciousness to find out what was going on, Zhou Jiangyuan's face darkened, and he knelt down, trembling as he said, "This junior dares not deceive senior, this junior... does not know."

She gripped the ground tightly with both hands, her body trembling slightly uncontrollably, her eyes wide open as if afraid she would see familiar furnishings at any moment.

Oh?

Lu Ming then took out the small notebook.

Whether she cultivates for wealth, longevity, status, or love... no matter which answer she hears, Lu Ming knows how to choose a cultivation method for her.

After all, interest is the best motivation.

Given Zhou Jiangyuan's workaholic nature, he must have something he deeply yearns for, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to persevere until today.

But she couldn't say it?

This is a special case worth noting.

As Lu Ming took notes, he said calmly, "You've been doing useless work all this time, yet you still can't shake your desire for Xuan."

But now you don't even know what's on your mind?

Zhou Jiangyuan slammed his head on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "I...I really didn't know."

The younger generation wishes to enter the Taoist sect in order to help share the burdens of their father.

But when the senior asked the question, I felt that it was not the fundamental principle of my pursuit of the Dao.

Please forgive me, senior.

"To turn to the Way when there is none?"

"Senior, you are wise!" Zhou Jiangyuan's eyes lit up. "This junior is indeed so. Please enlighten me, senior!"

Another problem.

Lu Ming sighed and began to write furiously in his notebook.

Zhou Jiangyuan didn't dare to breathe loudly, secretly raising her eyes with anticipation.

After a moment, Lu Ming said in a deep voice with a tone full of reminiscence: "In ancient times, two cultivators accidentally entered a secret realm and were blocked by a mountain from retreating."

The mountains block out the sky and earth; only at midnight can one see the sun and moon rising over the rocky mountains.

The cultivators tried every means to escape but could not, and could only dig mountains and carry soil like ordinary people.

A monk decided to work hard, day and night, in order to move the mountain out.

The other person went around the mountain, trying various methods to find a weakness.

Who do you think will succeed?

Zhou Jiangyuan was taken aback. After a long pause of thought, he hesitated and asked, "The cultivator who does hard labor under his name?"

Why?

"As the senior just said, the key to cultivation is 'perseverance'."

The monk persevered, and although progress was slow, he eventually found a way to escape.

Conversely, the other monk, who only sought shortcuts, will likely end up with nothing.

The clone sitting cross-legged on the lotus platform suddenly changed its expression, gradually forming a tai chi symbol. "You're only half right."

Both of them managed to escape in the end.

One man, while moving mountains, tempered his body and finally broke through a path;

Another person diligently practiced the art of escape, and finally attained enlightenment. With a thought, he bypassed the high mountain, and the world suddenly became vast.

After saying that, Lu Ming paused for a moment, then smiled at Zhou Jiangyuan, who looked surprised, and said, "In cultivation, one cannot simply choose one thing over the other."

The great path leads to the same destination, but there are countless paths to take. There is no distinction between high and low in which path one chooses or how one chooses to take it.

You may not know your own heart, nor the breadth or narrowness of the road ahead, but that's alright, just go ahead...

At this point, Lu Ming's voice suddenly became distant and grand, echoing throughout the space.

"Zhou Jiangyuan, haven't you figured it out yet?!"

Zhou Jiangyuan was struck dumb, his eyes glazed over, and he knelt on the ground, muttering, "This junior only wants to enter the Jade Flower Sect now, to help my family retain the right to mine spirit stones. I beg you, senior, to grant my request... This junior is short-sighted, I hope you will forgive me!"

Zhou Jiangyuan came to her senses, feeling increasingly uneasy, fearing that Lu Ming would be disappointed and send her back again.

Lu Ming's eyes lit up.

Joining a sect is great!

He only needs to go with the flow and use the resources of the Huayu Hua Sect to nurture his own inner demon host, which will save him a lot of trouble.

But just as the smile appeared, Lu Ming suddenly thought of a very important question.

Zhou Jiangyuan's current identity as a cultivation genius is fake. If he goes to participate in the Jade Flower Sect's disciple selection, he will be eliminated in one go.

However, if we use cultivation techniques and elixirs to guide her into the Dao, traces will definitely be left in her body.

Putting aside whether the Jade Flower Sect recruits "geniuses" who are created through elixirs, the very act of having prior skills to become an apprentice is a troublesome matter.

According to what I've learned these past few days, the Jade Flower Sect does not reject cultivators who come with their own skills to become disciples, but the screening process is very strict, even checking the three generations of the person and their master.

Furthermore, if a cultivator possesses a cultivation technique that the Jade Flower Sect cannot teach, they will not be accepted.

Now Lu Ming either needs to find a way to make Zhou Jiangyuan obtain the Taiyin Xuanshui Scripture in a reasonable way, or he needs to make Zhou Jiangyuan a genius.

As he pondered, Lu Ming's gaze fell upon the jade-like fruit, and a sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.

If we do that, we might kill three birds with one stone...

Laurel Hill.

Feng Zai, who was engrossed in cultivation, suddenly found himself standing in the Moon Palace.

Before he could bow in greeting, twenty-one golden characters appeared in the void, gleaming brightly.

[Those who count the past follow the natural order, which is the way of Yang; those who know the future go against the natural order, which is the way of Yin. The cycle of past and future is inherent in the cycle of life, and all life is ultimately a process of going against the natural order.]

Feng Zai was immediately captivated by it at first glance, his face showing surprise and fascination as he murmured, "This, this is..."

"Don't let your mind be clouded!" Lu Ming noticed that Feng Zai was not in a good state and shouted to stop him.

Feng Zai suddenly realized what was happening, quickly looked away, and with all his might stared at his toes, saying in a trembling voice, "Yes."

Seeing this, Lu Ming erased the golden characters and said calmly, "How much have you comprehended?"

Feng Zai once again looked obsessed, as if he were possessed, and murmured quickly: "Heaven and earth are divided into Yin and Yang, and the generation of Yin and Yang is wonderfully reversed."

Those who follow the natural order of Yang will reach their peak and flourish, but will also reach their stagnation and exhaustion. Meanwhile, those who follow the natural order of Yin will rise up and move against the natural order below.

The reason why Yang does not reach its limit is because the Yin of the Five Elements operates in reverse order... I understand! I understand!

The Taiyin Youxuan Scripture can go even further... No, it's not that the two are inherently incompatible; the key is not the harmony of Yin and Yang, but their reversal.

However, the path of cultivation is based on following the natural order; if one goes against the natural order, wouldn't that lead to demonic possession...?

"Do you want to achieve enlightenment in one step?"

Lu Ming's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it was like a sharp blade, severing all of Feng Zai's thoughts.

Feng Zai awoke with a start, only to find that most of his body had dissipated. Overwhelmed with fear, he quickly said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, senior!"

This method... is not something I should be interested in at this time.

Please rest assured, senior, I will never act so impulsively again in the future!

Lu Ming wiped away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, watching Feng Zai gradually recover with lingering fear.

This talent is simply too high!

It caught my eye at first glance.

Next time, let's give it out one word at a time; it's safer that way.

Seeing that Feng Zai's condition was stabilizing, Lu Ming said in a deep voice, "Do not reveal the method you just used to anyone."

"yes!"

"When I return today, I will write a reflection on this method. It doesn't need to be too profound; it will be enough to inspire ordinary people."

"yes....?"

Feng Zai looked up in confusion.

"Don't look at me," Lu Ming said calmly. "I never imagined that being below the Golden Core stage could be considered a bottleneck."

"yes!"

Feng Zai admired him greatly and had no further doubts; in fact, he found it quite reasonable.

That's right. With your extraordinary abilities, senior, every word you say is a gem, far beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.

I just don't know what kind of person could be valued by the senior?

Back in the stone chamber, Feng Zai sighed with a hint of envy. Without delay, he calmed himself and carefully began to deduce the truth.