Chapter 392 : The Path of Mountains and Rivers

As Path Master Unreal began to speak in a measured, compelling tone, the assembled cultivators all turned their attention to him, listening intently.

Path Master Unreal expounded upon his personal understanding of cultivation, detailing his own philosophies and methodologies for the path of spiritual refinement.

Eldrin Chen listened in serene silence, finding many of the concepts presented to be novel and profoundly enlightening.

The cultivation path described by Path Master Unreal was, in essence, a common one: observing the myriad phenomena of heaven and earth, meticulously contemplating the laws governing their operation, and continuously deriving one's own cultivation techniques from these observations.

This was the practice followed by the vast majority of high-level cultivators under the heavens; a cultivator's life was largely spent in the pursuit of comprehending the profound mysteries woven into the fabric of the world.

Of course, to even begin contemplating the laws of heaven and earth, one must first achieve the unity of the Heaven Earth and Human Souls [the three foundational spiritual essences], reverse the Primordial Solar [the stage of pure yang energy] stage, and successfully break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm.

For only a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivator can perceive the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths that govern reality] woven throughout the cosmos, and is qualified to contemplate their power, ultimately evolving their first Path Fruit [a crystallization of profound comprehension, representing mastery over a specific aspect of the Dao].

Yet, for the cultivators gathered here, such heights remained a distant prospect, far beyond their current reach.

The path Path Master Unreal was elucidating at this moment involved contemplating the power inherent in mountains and rivers, emulating the patterns and veins of the natural world, and deriving one's own techniques from this grand design.

This step was truly remarkable, for the ability to perceive the grand momentum of mountains and rivers was typically a capability reserved for Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their nascent soul, a powerful spiritual entity]. The story continues at audio-novel . com.

The cultivation art 'Ancient Vast Sea Scroll' that Eldrin Chen obtained from the Verdant Void Sect, along with the method for refining the Lifebound Spiritual Treasure 'Ancient Vast Sea Map Scroll', were all creations of the Vast Sea Patriarch of the Verdant Void Sect.

In ancient times, the Vast Sea Patriarch sat contemplating the boundless sea, day and night comprehending the power of the infinite, vast ocean. He spent a thousand years refining and advancing the Ancient Vast Sea Scroll to the astonishing level of the Infant Soul Late Stage.

Another example is the 'Ancient Setting Sun Scroll', which was successfully created by the Setting Sun True Lord after he spent several hundred years emulating the profound mysteries of the setting sun.

Even the 'Five Veins Infant Transformation Formation' created by Vast Righteousness True Lord was derived by comprehending the power of the world's grand momentum and utilizing the energy of mountains, rivers, and the Five Elements Grand Cycle.

This Path Master Unreal has only reached Golden Core Perfection, yet he has already embarked upon this path. He truly possesses the bearing of a Peerless True Lord.

After speaking for a short while, Path Master Unreal ceased expounding on his own Dao.

He smiled at the assembled crowd and spoke calmly, "All of you may also step forward and engage in discourse on the Dao with us."

"I shall."

A voice rang out as a man clad in golden robes strode forward.

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He sensed this man's aura was exceptionally profound and majestic, likely having already reached the False Infant Soul Realm.

The Kunxu Child standing nearby glanced over and, without any change in expression, introduced him to them: "That man is named Hugo Huo. He is the foremost Golden Core cultivator in Celestial Dawn Province. It is said he not only possesses a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a core of spiritual energy of intermediate quality and power], but his lifespan has not yet reached six hundred years."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly. A False Infant Soul Realm Cultivator [a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage, on the cusp of the next major realm] under six hundred years old—such a foundation suggested his hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the realm where one's nascent spiritual consciousness takes form] was likely not small.

After stepping forward, Hugo Huo spoke directly: "My Path is akin to the mighty Long River, vast and unyielding, flowing ever onward without return…"

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, understanding that while this Hugo Huo might not reach the heights of Path Master Unreal, he still possessed genuine substance and insight.

Like Path Master Unreal, this man had also begun to touch upon the power of the land's grand momentum, to feel the edges of the world's own force. It seemed the threshold of the Infant Soul Realm was not far off for him.

"It seems there are many hidden masters in this world," Eldrin mused inwardly.

After Hugo Huo finished his discourse, Eldrin Chen felt he had gained no small measure of insight and sighed with admiration in his heart.

The assembly continued. One by one, Golden Core Cultivators began to express their views, expounding their personal philosophies of cultivation. Time seemed to blur, and before long, it was finally Eldrin Chen's turn.

As Eldrin Chen ascended the platform, many in the audience were momentarily taken aback.

It had to be admitted that while high-level cultivators often possessed remarkable bearing, one as exceptionally distinguished as Eldrin Chen was still a rare sight in the world.

Hugo Huo glanced over with a faint smile, his expression unreadable as he asked a cultivator from the Heavenly Star Continent beside him, "This man possesses remarkable bearing. From which continent does this outstanding individual hail?"

"His name is Eldrin Chen, and he seems to be from the Ji Continent," the cultivator replied.

"I see," Hugo Huo murmured.

A flicker of interest passed through Hugo Huo's eyes. He smiled and said, "The Eldrin Chen who annihilated the Deng Clan of the Ji Continent?"

The cultivator from the Heavenly Star Continent beside him shifted slightly, a frown creasing his brow. "Why? Did you have ties with the Deng Clan?"

"Not at all, not at all," Hugo Huo replied. Join our community of readers at audio-novel dot com.

Hugo Huo's smile widened into a genuine one as he stated calmly, "That Old Ghost Deng and I have some... unfinished business."

"Ah, I understand now," the other cultivator said, comprehension dawning.

The Heavenly Star Continent cultivator let out a subtle sigh of relief. He could ill afford to offend either Eldrin Chen or Hugo Huo. He had genuinely feared there was enmity between them, for being caught in the middle of such a conflict would have been exceedingly troublesome.

At the center of the Path-Field, Eldrin Chen took his seat with serene composure and began to expound upon his philosophy of cultivation.

"My path."

Eldrin Chen paused, his gaze resting upon the majestic Spirit Island, and spoke with serene composure.

"My path is to contemplate the Rotation of the Five Elements [a profound cultivation art based on the cyclical interplay of the five fundamental elements], and to comprehend the profound mysteries of heaven and earth."

"I observe the Solar Disc's Benevolent Might [a divine ability harnessing the benevolent, life-giving power of the sun], contemplate the Vast Earth's Profound Thickness [a divine ability embodying the earth's immense stability and nurturing depth], witness the Withering and Flourishing of Plants [a divine ability reflecting the natural cycle of plant life and decay], discern the Water Essence Cycle [a divine ability representing water's endless flow and transformative nature], and comprehend the Venus's Mystic Essence [a divine ability channeling the sharp, refining essence of metal]."

"Thus, through Five Elements Unification [the art of harmonizing and unifying the five elemental forces], one evolves towards the Great Path Returning to Origin [the ultimate path leading back to the primordial source of all things], which is naturally the Great Path Returning to Truth [the path of returning to the fundamental truth of existence], the road to transcendence beyond the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortal affairs and dust]."

"..."

After listening for a long while, the crowd could not help but narrow their eyes slightly, their attention captured as they began to listen with earnest focus.

An indeterminate amount of time passed. When Eldrin Chen finished expounding his philosophy, Path Master Unreal spoke up: "Your cultivation insights are profoundly deep, Fellow Daoist Chen. I have several points of confusion and would ask for your guidance to resolve them."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, understanding that the true moment of doctrinal debate had now arrived.

The previous discourse on the Dao was, in essence, merely an exposition of one's own path. The degree of enlightenment one could gain from listening ultimately depended on one's own innate comprehension.

However, a true debate on the Dao is more akin to a dialectical exchange. Such an engagement often yields profound insights for both participants upon its conclusion.

For Path Master Unreal to personally propose a debate on the Dao with him clearly indicated a high degree of recognition and regard.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Agreed."

"Then let us begin."

Seeing the two prepare for their debate, the others present revealed expressions of delight. They quickly stepped forward and settled into a state of quiet anticipation, awaiting the commencement of the discourse.

Path Master Unreal smiled and began by posing a question: "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, from whence does the Celestial Sundial derive its benevolent martial virtue?"

"The Celestial Sundial is the sun, the solar star."

"It is the source of the Primordial Solar essence [the fundamental energy of the sun, a cornerstone of cultivation], and likewise the fount of energy that nourishes all life and vitality."

"In my view, the Celestial Sundial is also the origin of all flames within heaven and earth."

"It blazes with a resplendent and majestic radiance, sacred and compassionate yet martial. It possesses the supreme yang energy [the active, masculine principle of the cosmos] capable of refining and purging evil demons—this is its martial aspect. Yet it also casts down light that nourishes all living things—this is its compassion."

"This is the essence of the Solar Disc's Benevolent Might..."

Eldrin Chen spoke eloquently, expounding his understanding of the sun.

This philosophy was also the foundational intent behind his creation of the Solar Solar Fire Scripture, or rather, the 'Root Art' [the core principle or law upon which a cultivation technique is built] of this method.

In truth, the conceptual foundation of his Five Elements Root Art itself stemmed from his comprehension of the five fundamental forces within heaven and earth.

In his view, whether mountains and rivers, or even plants, trees, and the Sun and Moon, all were merely manifestations of these five forces within the mortal realm.

As long as one could thoroughly contemplate and comprehend them, one would naturally understand the principles of their operation. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel dot com.