Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, Heresy

The banquet continued, and guests arrived one after another.

In the garden, Liu Hongyi spoke about the alliance between the Lu Family and the Ye Family.

Old Ancestor Jin listened and couldn’t help but laugh: “That girl Ye Xue, is she really just meddling?”

“Old Ancestor, should we intervene?”

Liu Hongyi asked.

“No need!” Old Ancestor Jin said, “This is child’s play, we shouldn’t meddle. Announce to everyone, in half an hour, this honor will lecture on the Dao.”

“Ah!”

Liu Hongyi was pleasantly surprised and went to inform everyone.

The Old Ancestor has been giving lectures more frequently lately, but it’s a good thing.

…

Half an hour later, in the square, numerous cultivators sat cross-legged on the ground, quietly and orderly waiting.

Even the arrogant and domineering ones were as quiet as lambs.

They were arranged according to cultivation level.

Purple Mansion cultivators were in the front, Foundation Establishment cultivators next, and Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators at the back, all in order and silence.

A gentle breeze swept by, and Old Ancestor Jin sat with dignity on the high platform, looking down at everyone, saying: “This time, I shall discuss the righteous path, the alternative paths, and the arts of the left hand.”

“The righteous path is the path of proving the Dao. Grinding the foundation at the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation, expanding the Dantian at the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment, strengthening the Divine Soul at the Ninth-Layer of the Purple Mansion, and experiencing the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations to gain freedom, seeking a Flawless Golden Core. When a Golden Core is taken into the abdomen, from then on, my life is controlled by me, not by heaven. This is the supreme righteous path, the bright road to becoming an Immortal.”

“Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Talisman Making, Array formation, etc., are all considered alternative paths. Such paths can earn a living, can enhance combat power, but cannot lead to longevity, hence they are considered alternative paths.”

“Raising Gu, Corpse Refining, Ghost Control, Possession, Puppetry, Blood Dao, Curses, etc., are arts of the left hand, capable of enhancing combat power, but they come with Karmic Force entanglement, detested by both heaven and ghosts, and surely heaven will send down Thunder Tribulations to obliterate them. In the Ancient Era, there was a sect named Jie Sect, where all immortals gathered, with numerous disciples and powerful cultivators, but since many disciples practiced the arts of the left hand and were entangled by Karmic Force, they were ultimately destroyed by the Chan Sect.”

“Seemingly destroyed by the Chan Sect, but in truth destroyed by the Heavenly Dao. If the Heavenly Dao wishes to destroy you, who can survive?”

Old Ancestor Jin spoke, expressing his understanding of the righteous path, alternative paths, and arts of the left hand.

Every word was like a pearl, every sentence profound.

On the surface, he spoke of the distinctions between the three, but in essence, he spoke of the future path for cultivators.

The righteous path demands excellence in talent, comprehension, resources, Daoxin, and so on, suitable for prodigies.

The alternative paths demand lower talent and comprehension, suitable for ordinary talents.

The arts of the left hand, suitable for the untalented.

Lu Xuanji listened and felt enlightened inside.

“My talent is poor, my comprehension average, so I can only follow the alternative and left paths to seek the righteous path!”

If one has outstanding talent and exceptional gifts, the grand and bright road can be pursued to seek longevity.

But if one’s talent is lacking, insufficient for the righteous path, then the alternative and left paths must be pursued.

Using the alternative and left paths to complete the initial primitive accumulation, striving to step into the Golden Core before lifespan runs out. Once in the Golden Core, one can attempt to abandon the alternative and left paths and walk the righteous path.

This is called laying down the slaughter saber and becoming a Buddha on the spot.

Moments later, Old Ancestor Jin finished his lecture, asking: “Do any of you have questions?”

A Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator was the first to speak: “Old Ancestor, is it really difficult for a Five Spirit Root Cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment?”

At that moment, everyone present was filled with anger, especially those few Purple Mansion cultivators.

Before the Purple Mansion cultivators could speak, what do you mean by speaking out of turn?

Old Ancestor Jin nodded, waved his hand, indicating everyone not to blame him, and asked, “What is your name, young friend?”

“Junior, Ning Bufan!”

The Qi Cultivation cultivator replied respectfully.

“A cultivator should have the heart to stand tall and firm. If one holds fear in their heart, their future will ultimately be limited. You have no fear in your heart; you are excellent material for cultivating immortality.”

Old Ancestor Jin praised.

Numerous cultivators showed various expressions.

There were expressions of surprise, envy, and jealousy.

Surprised that the typically indifferent Old Ancestor Jin would actually praise a junior.

“Cultivating to the Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation, Celestial Spirit Root requires ten to twenty years, Dual Spirit Root requires twenty to thirty years, Three Spirit Root requires forty to fifty years, Four Spirit Root requires eighty to one hundred years, Five Spirit Root requires at least two hundred years… but the lifespan of the Qi Cultivation Stage is less than one hundred and twenty years. Without great opportunities, it is difficult for Five and Four Spirit Roots to establish a Foundation.”

“After Foundation Establishment, cultivating to the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment, Celestial Spirit Root only requires forty years, Dual Spirit Root requires one hundred years, Three Spirit Root requires two hundred years, Four Spirit Root requires four hundred years, Five Spirit Root requires one thousand years. But a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan is only two hundred and forty years. Let’s not even talk about Five and Four Spirit Roots. As for Three Spirit Roots, the probability of becoming a Purple Mansion is only one in ten.”

Listening to these figures, many cultivators felt enlightened.

Old Ancestor Jin spoke, saying: “You ask me if a Five Spirit Root can achieve Foundation Establishment. I say… they can!”

Ning Bufan’s expression was excited.

Old Ancestor Jin continued: “As long as your father is a Nascent Soul True Monarch, as long as he is willing to invest great effort, even with inferior Five Spirit Root talent, one can become a Purple Mansion cultivator.”

Ning Bufan was left only with a bitter smile.

Old Ancestor Jin continued: “There is another way, when going out, if you encounter a cliff, leap off it, perhaps in the next moment, you could acquire a senior’s treasure. If you don’t break your leg, keep looking for cliffs, and keep leaping off them. As long as there is a chance encounter, a Five Spirit Root can also become a Golden Core Ancestor, a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and become an Immortal.”

The crowd could no longer hold it in, and burst into laughter immediately.

Letting everyone laugh, once the laughter subsided, Old Ancestor Jin said: “On the path of cultivation, first is talent. If the spirit root is good, the future is bright. If the talent is bad, but you have a good father, a top-notch background, you can still become strong. If talent fails, and the background is lacking, then you need luck and chance encounters.”

“Which Purple Mansion cultivator doesn’t have fortuitous encounters and opportunities? As for those Golden Core cultivators, the opportunities and fortuitous encounters they possess are only greater and more numerous. Solely relying on secluded practice, planting fields at home, to become a Golden Core, or even a Nascent Soul, is almost impossible!”

Listening to this, the atmosphere felt a bit oppressive.

Old Ancestor Jin said: “Young friend, although you are a Five Spirit Root with limited future prospects, do not despair. If you wish to achieve something, there are two paths. One is to master a skill, accumulate Spirit Stones through it. For example, some people’s spirit root is lacking, talent isn’t good, but he is a Third Grade Spirit Plant Cultivator, capable of hastening the maturity of spirit medicine, accelerating its growth. I’m willing to pay a high price to make him a Purple Mansion cultivator!”

“The other is to travel more outside, where you might encounter a fortuitous encounter that changes your destiny.”

Ning Bufan bowed and said: “Thank you for the guidance, Old Ancestor.”

After this person stepped back, cultivators continued to inquire, and Old Ancestor Jin responded to each one.

Moments later, a cultivator asked: “May I ask Old Ancestor, is the Demon Dao a righteous path?”