16
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The changes in others can serve as a mirror to reflect upon oneself.
The two words 'Lifespan' convey many things.
“What about me?” Lu Qing didn't know why, but on this rare night when silver streams of light descended, and there was no sound except for the chirping of birds, this thought suddenly and naturally emerged, as if it was meant to be.
He didn't hesitate. After his self-dialogue during his Golden Core Transcending Tribulation, and the exchanges and discussions with his different selves, he would not be misled by this thought or fall into distress.
“No matter what, whether there is a way to Averting Misfortune in this life, or whether Lifespan can be increased, I will still choose to cultivation steadily, only seeking the Dao, only seeking truth, and only seeking to witness Cultivation.” Lu Qing no longer had any Opportunities, nor did he have a mindset of fearing loss. Steadiness was inherently his attitude.
As Lu Qing pondered, and with an unquestionable answer, he suddenly felt a long sense of relief, as if a trace of a shackle had fallen off from the part of him that belonged to his Dao Heart, within his mind, his Purple Mansion, his Golden Core, and his Divine Soul, throughout his entire body.
“What is this?”
“Lifespan Life-Death Obstacle?” Lu Qing's expression showed a hint of peculiarity. He hadn't expected this obstacle to be overcome so easily; it was a type of Heart Obstacle.
The Lifespan Life-Death Obstacle, this Heart Obstacle is formless and intangible, unlike the discernible Heart Tribulation or Heart Demon. It resembles a Cultivator's instinct—an instinct to fear death, an instinct to escape. Cultivators refine their bodies and minds, and there is no end to the Cultivation of the mind.
Just as Cultivation has no end, one must constantly practice.
“I didn't expect such a gain from tonight's Cultivation.” Lu Qing thought with ease. He didn't know what Heart Obstacles other Cultivators would encounter, but everyone faced the Lifespan Life-Death Obstacle differently.
Although he had passed it with ease and nonchalance, it was also because there had been a premonition, and he had long since clarified his Dao Heart. As long as his Dao Heart remained, no matter the winds from east, west, north, or south, once he saw through it, he would pass through it without any ripples, just as Lu Qing did now.
However, for some Cultivators who already had deficiencies in their mental state, facing the Lifespan Life-Death Obstacle might lead them down another Dao, and they might not even realize that it was abnormal.
This is also why Lu Qing believed that nothing in the world was absolute. He didn't think that the Demon Sect spies could be completely excluded from the daytime discussions. No matter how spiritual a Dharma Treasure was, it probably couldn't see through the complexities of the human heart. Some spies might not even know they were spies, only thinking that what they were doing was good for the Sect. There were too many such situations to list one by one.
As for this Lifespan Life-Death Obstacle, it was quite common among Cultivators whose Lifespan was nearing its end.
“Though people grow shrewd with age, there is also more to fear and more to be reluctant to give up.”
No longer thinking about this Heart Obstacle, Lu Qing drew upon the starlight from the sky, and specks of starlight transformed and merged into his Purple Mansion.
His Purple Mansion Divine Soul closed its eyes, and the aura of his Divine Soul grew significantly stronger.
“Now that my Divine Soul has achieved Soul Emergence, I am no different from a normal Cultivator.”
Lu Qing used his mind for two purposes, observing his Divine Soul while also introspecting his Golden Core.
The Golden Core was utterly flawless, but within it, there were waves of vast, chaotic Qi, ebbing and flowing without a fixed form.
Ever since the day the world was created, the chaotic Qi within this Golden Core had only deepened as his Realm advanced.
A trace of Water vitality appeared within it.
“Formation.”
The second aura that appeared was Formation.
“Yin and Yang Five Elements. My next Cultivation will likely involve comprehending them, but the world is vast, and without special Opportunities, it's difficult to ascend to heaven in one step and refine them into my Inner World.”
The changes arising in the Inner World are essentially the Cultivator's own comprehension of the Great Dao.
Among the Five Elements, Lu Qing had a profound comprehension of the Water Origin Dao. As for the Metal, Wood, Fire, and Earth Daos, he wasn't entirely without a basic understanding of the Wood Element.
After all, he was also a Spirit Planter, though he did lack some spells that connected with the Wood Element in their practical application. Nevertheless, spell Cultivation was also a method for comprehending the Five Elements.
“Now that the Tribulation Qi is gradually emerging, all things in heaven and earth cannot escape it, and the celestial phenomena are also changing. If I want to continue Cultivating the Golden Core World, it's like covering a blank sheet of paper with my Divine Sense, outlining my own world.”
“It cannot do without foundational support. The comprehension of the Great Dao is its Foundation. At least within the Golden Core, the Golden Core's Inner World itself provides the Cultivator with the confidence to persist without dissipating Qi.”
“Beyond Cultivation, one must also steadily and diligently cultivation. As for other miscellaneous matters, I will be on duty at the Reception Peak for a day. The Spiritual plant income from last year should also be inspected by someone soon. The Chief's stipend will also be collected in the next few days. With no out-of-Sect missions, I am temporarily safe here at Sun Moon Peak.”
“Moreover, with the rise of the Demon Sect, and the Nine Great Immortal Sects present, no matter what, the situation within our Sect should not deteriorate to an irreversible point.”
Lu Qing slowly pondered. For the foreseeable future, as long as no major problems arose, he could safely remain at Sun Moon Peak to cultivation.
As for going out to listen to the Dao, not to mention that the fated opportunity to listen to a Dao lecture was extremely rare, he only learned later that his Master generally wouldn't specifically lecture to all the disciples in the Dao field. Sometimes, only direct disciples, and occasionally top-ranked disciples who were remembered by his Master, could also listen to the lectures with the direct disciples.
“It usually happens once every few centuries. I was lucky last time to encounter that lecture.” The Fate Severing Sword, this was a sword aimed at Celestial Secrets and Qi Fortune. At least, Lu Qing felt that the power of this sword could even sever the stars in the myriad phenomena high in the sky, let alone Cultivators beneath the stars.
Precisely because of this, although Lu Qing felt it was highly probable that a part of the lecture's reason was due to the Tenth Direct disciple, who was clearly a Child of Qi Fortune, he was content as long as he gained something.
“Although the contribution points here aren't as convenient as a token that can store them at any time, there are very few restrictions. As for spirit money, I can buy more Five Elements spells when I have time.” Observing the heavens and comprehending the earth was also a path. The Five Elements are ubiquitous in heaven and earth. If one had the Comprehension of an immortal god, they might even achieve instant enlightenment as in ancient times.
The night passed, and it was daytime.
Streams of light flew across the sky, like shooting stars streaking through the air, with flashes of white light.
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