Chapter 14: Taoist Arts

When he woke up, the day was already bright. Xu Xian felt his mind was as clear and open as the morning light, without a hint of the grogginess common upon waking.

He sensed that the golden radiance within his mind, which previously held some impurities, had now faded into a pure gold. Though he had no teacher to guide him, he understood that he must have taken another step forward.

However, he still couldn't say what use this orb of light had. Xu Xian couldn't help but secretly guess that the Taoist who gave him this technique probably hadn't passed on any profound Dharma. Although it had a fancy name like Records of the Star Sea Teachings, in the world of martial arts novels, it was probably just some run-of-the-mill technique like "Iron Sand Palm."

If Perfected Taiyin, who had devoted his life’s energy to this cultivation heart-method, knew his work was being treated like common goods, his Taoist heart would likely tremble. Regardless of Boundless Merit or morality, he would have probably summoned heavenly lightning to strike Xu Xian down where he stood.

Yet, if he were to see Xu Xian’s current state, he would probably forget how to cast the lightning spell. It was only because Xu Xian’s current condition was simply too bizarre.

There are three thousand Great Daos, and the Taoist sects under heaven possess countless Dharma arts. Each has a different way of cultivation, and the names of the different realms vary as well. However, if one were to broadly categorize the stages, they could generally be divided into: Foundation Building, Refining Essence into Qi, Refining Qi into Spirit, Refining Spirit into Void, Refining Void into the Dao, and Shattering the Void.

The methods of the Sea of Constellations took a different path, completely abandoning the physical body to cultivate the soul. "Star Ignition" corresponds to "Foundation Building," after which they entirely discard "Refining Essence into Qi" and begin accumulating astral power for "Refining Qi into Spirit." However, borrowing power from the heavens is impossible without a great stroke of luck.

This is because at the beginning of cultivation, one possesses only a mortal body. Talking about drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is nonsense; the true path lies in refining essence into Qi from the body's own energy, derived from the daily consumption of grains and food. This path is incredibly slow, relying entirely on the persistence of water dripping through stone.

Xu Xian was exactly the kind of person with such a stroke of luck. Not only did he have the opportunity, but by relying on his singular worldview, he had chosen the Sun Star—an unprecedented choice throughout the ages—as his Primary Star.

Normally, to reach the stage of Refining Spirit into Void, one must first clear the heart and quiet the mind, purifying the soul to cultivate a Yin Spirit. Then, through the transformation of Yin and Yang, one cultivates a Yang Spirit. A Yin Spirit is merely similar to a ghost; only a Yang Spirit possesses the true power of an immortal—capable of gathering into form, dispersing into Qi, creating incarnations outside the body, and truly escaping the shackles of the physical shell.

If Foundation Building is the moment a cultivator just steps over the threshold, then the Yang Spirit is when they truly enter the inner halls; only then does the path of cultivation truly begin.

Xu Xian had only been practicing for a short time and should, at most, be at the Yin Spirit stage. However, the Sun was the most Yang thing in the world. For Xu Xian, who purified his soul by absorbing the astral power of the Sun Star, even his master probably couldn't say whether his current state was a Yin Spirit or a Yang Spirit.

But Xu Xian didn't understand the wonder of his current state. Since he didn't know any way to use his power, he was like a miser who only knew how to save money but not spend it. He possessed vast wealth but didn't know how to use it, so he assumed the treasure was just there for show.

If he had followed another Dharma that refined essence into Qi, Xu Xian might have been able to enjoy being a martial arts expert by now. But the Sea of Constellations followed the principle of "cultivating the spirit, not the body; cultivating the heart, not the form," based on the mindset that "this physical shell is something to be discarded sooner or later, so why bother training it?"

Since he didn't know any techniques, Xu Xian couldn't taste much sweetness from his progress. It was only because this cultivation allowed him to have a photographic memory that he had become a scholar. In his heart, he was often grateful for that Taoist's kindness. Therefore, he was never slack with this cultivation and treated it as the most important thing to do every day. Only because of this was he able to achieve the stage of a refined Yin Spirit and a clear mind in just a few short years.

In the path of cultivation, whether Taoist or Buddhist, the key is the "heart." If the heart attains enlightenment, it is naturally a path to heaven; if the heart is lost in confusion, no matter how hard one works, they will only spin in place.

The Sage once said: "How virtuous was Hui! With a single bowl of rice and a single ladle of water, others could not endure such hardship, yet Hui does not let it change his joy." He was speaking of his disciple, Yan Hui, who remained at peace and happy despite a destitute life. But that was a realm praised even by the Sage; how many ordinary people could truly calm their hearts in such circumstances?

Xu Xian was the same. Though he had a free-spirited personality, made even more casual by being a transmigrator, how could he completely ignore the poverty of his home? This concern wasn't very obvious at first, but as his cultivation deepened, it gradually became a shackle.

The necessities for cultivation can be summarized in four words: "Method, Wealth, Companions, and Land."

"Method" refers to the way, the so-called Dharma arts and techniques. This is the prerequisite; otherwise, sitting at home and letting one's mind wander aimlessly cannot be called seeking the Dao. Xu Xian had already obtained this—it was the heart-method he currently practiced.

Second only to Method is "Wealth," which ranks above even Companions and Land. For those in the secular world, if they cannot even eat, if they spend their days toiling for a living with a restless mind, and if all they see are the disdainful looks of others, it is inevitable that they would feel ashamed. If they cannot even calm their hearts, then speaking of the Dao is nothing but a joke.

It wasn't until today that Xu Xian could be considered free from the worries of food and clothing. His only sister’s life was also settled. Casting aside that small bit of worry from his heart, the path ahead was naturally a clear road to heaven—it was truly exhilarating.

Xu Xian looked back and saw that Pan Yu's bed was already empty, the bedding folded neatly. The windows were wide open, letting in the sunlight. It was clear that the room had already been cleaned. On the green wooden table, a gilded incense burner slowly exhaled a wisp of blue smoke.

Xu Xian lay peacefully on the bed, soaking in the morning sun. The beds at the academy were much more comfortable than at home. Lying in this ancient, elegant room, Xu Xian finally felt a bit of the superiority of being a transmigrator.

"Who awakens first from the Great Dream? Throughout life, I alone know. In my thatched cottage, spring sleep is plentiful; outside the window, the song lags behind." Xu Xian couldn't help but sigh. "If Zhuge Liang couldn't even afford to eat and was busy working for a living all day, he probably wouldn't have had such elegant interests. One must first be fed and clothed to understand the various joys of life."

"Excellent poem, excellent poem!" A voice of praise pulled Xu Xian back from his wandering thoughts.

Pan Yu was holding a food box, looking at him with admiration. Xu Xian smiled sheepishly and said, "This was something a passing monk chanted when I was a child. Don't tell anyone else."

Pan Yu smiled faintly but didn't press further, placing the food box on the table and opening it. "Come and eat something!" As he spoke, Pan Yu laid out the contents of the food box layer by layer. They were side dishes, porridge, and steamed buns served in exquisite vessels.

Pan Yu filled a small white porcelain bowl with porridge and handed it to Xu Xian. Holding the bowl, it was hard to tell which was whiter and more delicate—the porcelain or his hand. Xu Xian took it, feeling that having such a person serve him was immensely comfortable, yet he also felt a slight sense of unease.

The two sat opposite each other, following the rule of silence during meals, and ate quietly.

After finishing breakfast, Xu Xian felt at ease and sighed, "Mingyu, you are truly a kind soul!"

Pan Yu was taking a small sip of porridge. Hearing this, he smiled. "Last night you wanted to break off our friendship, but today I’ve become a kind soul. Brother Hanwen's thoughts truly are inscrutable!"

Xu Xian’s face turned red, but he found it hard to explain. He vaguely felt that the jade-like young master before him seemed to have regained his usual calm and composure. Even his jokes were perfectly measured, which left a faint, inexplicable sense of melancholy in Xu Xian's heart.

After washing up, they went outside. They saw a group of people gathered in front of the screen wall in the academy's plaza, talking amongst themselves.

Xu Xian stepped forward and saw the results of yesterday's examination posted on the wall. He carefully found his name in the middle of the list. Pan Yu, however, didn't need to go to such trouble. His name hung high at the very top of the list; he was the first-place scorer of this examination.

At that moment, several students stepped forward, seemingly acquainted with Pan Yu, and began to congratulate him. "Brother Pan is indeed first again. You truly deserve the title of Jiangnan's number one talent!"

Pan Yu modestly demurred, naturally exchanging pleasantries with the group and immediately becoming the core of this small circle. While Pan Yu handled the social interaction, he glanced around, worried about neglecting Xu Xian. However, he saw Xu Xian huddled with his fellow townsman, Wang An, seemingly not noticing what was happening here at all. Pan Yu couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

A very refined young man among the students was constantly observing Pan Yu's expressions. Seeing that Pan Yu seemed dissatisfied with Xu Xian, he sighed. "Although everyone who comes to Jintian Academy is a person of great talent, it is inevitable that some are merely famous in name only. Some are boastfully called child prodigies or talents in small counties, only to reveal their true colors once they reach Hangzhou Prefecture. Especially Brother Xu—yesterday, he was perhaps a bit too impulsive."