Chapter 602 3 Questions of Mingxin

To maintain eternal youth, a cultivator must continuously nourish their physical form with spiritual power, which significantly hinders their cultivation progress.

Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) had forsaken eternal youthfulness and attained the state of Dao Heart Unblemished by Dust, no wonder his cultivation progressed with such astonishing speed.

Though there were such benefits to abandoning eternal youth, Chen Ethan shook his head and declared: "Cultivating the nature while neglecting the life force is the primary malady of practice. Yet focusing solely on ancestral nature without refining the elixir would leave even the most heroic spirit stranded from sainthood through 10 1000 kalpas."

"I understand."

Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) nodded. If 1's physical body was not strong enough—or worse, if their vital energy had withered and drained—then even with overwhelming magical power and a formidable soul, it would likely be unsustainable.

Even those who follow his path must later pay a far greater price to reverse their aging and return to their peak state, for only then can they hope to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

Yet knowing this full well, he still chose to proceed. With serene composure, he remarked, "A person's life is much like a leaf: it sprouts, buds, grows, matures, then withers and falls with the wind."

"I do not seek the path to eternal life; it is enough to experience the sensations of birth, aging, sickness, and death."

Chen Ethan (Person Name) froze momentarily, then after a long pause shook his head. "In this mortal life, 1 might accept lacking spiritual roots. But having been blessed with them, to not contend for the chance at immortality would be to waste 1's very existence."

"You have come a long way to reach this day—do not squander the fortune this life has bestowed upon you."

Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) shook his head in silence before speaking, "I've been pondering—for what purpose does 1 live this life?"

"Why is it that couples are deeply in love, with a houseful of children, experiencing the joys of family happiness?"

Or perhaps to preach and enlighten, imparting wisdom to disciples, vanquishing demons and monsters to expand humanity's territory?

"Or is it to ascend at all costs, ultimately achieving the status of the 9 Heavens Immortal or Demon?"

At this point, Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) shook his head and asked with some bewilderment, "If spouses can turn against each other in mortal combat, what meaning is there in managing sects and expanding territories? Even the most magnificent life ultimately returns to dust."

Yet upon becoming a Celestial Demon of the 9 Heavens and attaining eternal life, what 1 might ultimately gain is merely everlasting solitude.

"I don't know how to answer these questions of yours either." Chen Ethan furrowed his brow, yet spoke with earnest determination in his gaze. "But in this lifetime, 1 should act according to their capabilities and follow the dictates of their heart."

"If 1 day I truly find myself blessed with a loving spouse and a brood of children, possessing the power to expand our human territories, and even ascend as 1 of those 9 Heavens Immortals—then I shall return to your graveside and give you my answer."

"Ha ha ha!"

Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) was also amused. For a mere Golden Core cultivator to question the meaning of life was no different from an ant questioning the heavens—how could there ever be a reply?

If 1 day I truly ascend to become 1 of those immortal 9 Heavens Celestials or Demons, only then would I be qualified to ponder such philosophies.

Chen Ethan smiled. He had matured considerably over the years, yet retained an unjaded heart within. Seeing his close friend so engulfed in despondence, he finally remarked, "Since my grand-uncle summoned you, why not take this... enthusiasm of yours and debate these matters directly with him?"

"Uncle?"

Soren the Heart-Seer felt a faint tremor in his heart. Within the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization), only 3 cultivators of the Nian generation remained: Chen Seraphina (Person Name), Kael (Person Name), and Eldrin (Person Name).

Among these 3 individuals, the 2 male cultivators were both renowned True Monarchs whose prestige shook the world.

At this thought, Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) inquired, "Might I ask what matter prompted my summons?"

"For you, this may well be a stroke of serendipity."

Chen Ethan (Person Name) let out a sigh and told him about the matter of the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object). "However," he continued, "with your state of a dust-free Dao heart, if you can find the Qi of the Earthly Path, there might still be a glimmer of hope for you to break through to the Dao Sovereign in the future."

"You should deliberate on this yourself."

Soren the Heart-Seer followed behind Chen Ethan, striding forward until they arrived at Spirit Isle Lake.

A young man caught sight of the 2 and offered a slight bow toward Chen Ethan (Person Name), saying, "Greetings, Elder Brother."

"No need for formalities." Chen Ethan nodded slightly before saying, "Brother Wenyuan, is our clan uncle present?"

Lu Wenyuan smiled faintly and said, "The master is playing the zither, but he already informed me earlier that you may proceed directly upon arrival."

"Many thanks."

Chen Ethan (Person Name) gave a slight nod and stepped onto Spirit Isle Lake (Location), where the ethereal strains of a zither melody reached his ears like celestial music from beyond the heavens, possessing an exquisite beauty akin to divine harmonies.

The ground was carpeted with fallen peach blossoms. Following behind him, Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) strode through the 10-Mile Peach Blossom Grove (Time & Distance) until he saw, beneath an ancient and gnarled peach tree, a youth clad in snow-white robes resting a zither across his knees. With lowered eyes, he plucked the strings with serene detachment.

He resembled a banished immortal, quietly strumming the qin, with an indescribable divine charm between his brows.

Mingxin suddenly felt that such an extraordinary individual before her eyes was likely unmatched in this mortal realm. Perhaps only the immortals dwelling within the 9 Heavens could possess a fraction of his divine grace.

The lingering notes of the zither gradually faded into silence. After what felt like an eternity, Eldrin opened his eyes. He cast a fleeting glance at the 2 figures before him and spoke, his voice calm and measured.

"Take a seat."

"Many thanks, True Lord."

Mingxin respectfully bowed and then seated himself upon the peach blossom.

Eldrin gazed faintly at Mingxin, watching quietly for a long moment before finally inquiring, "Regarding the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, I presume Ethan has already informed you."

"Hmm."

Mingxin nodded, falling silent for a moment before speaking. "This elixir... perhaps it would be better reserved for someone else."

"Oh."

Eldrin's eyes dimmed slightly. It was the first time he had ever heard someone refuse the reward of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object). "Why decline?" he inquired.

"For me, cultivation is its own purpose, and I never sought to advance further."

Mingxin spoke thus, then inquired further: "I have 3 questions. Might I trouble you, Elder, to dispel my doubts?"

With that, he proceeded to share his 3 questions with Eldrin (Person Name).

Eldrin did not reply immediately after hearing this, merely smiling as he said, "Those with a dust-free Dao Heart seldom concern themselves with the affairs of the mortal world."

"The Immortal remains untainted by worldly dust, serenely seated upon the Divine Mountain, watching the clouds unfurl."

"Such cultivators possess undivided focus, and their cultivation often progresses with astonishing speed. Thus, this is truly the ideal Dao Heart for an immortal."

As he spoke, Eldrin shook his head again. "However, in my view, this is merely mortals' conjecture about immortals. True immortals may not be like this."

"Oh?"

Mingxin’s eyes flickered slightly before he asked, “I beg for a word of guidance, Elder.”

Blossoms number in the hundreds of millions, each year's blooms distinct from the last; lives unfold in myriad forms, each existence singular and unparalleled—how much more so for those celestial immortals of the 9 Heavens?

Eldrin (Person Name) smiled faintly and said, "You glimpsed the veins of a single flower and believed you had seen the entire world, thinking mortals and even immortals were merely so. This is but an ant gazing at the heavens."

"Contemplating the great path of life and comprehending the philosophies of heaven and earth is indeed a noble way to cultivate 1's Dao heart. However, you must understand 1 fundamental truth."

This is akin to mortals gazing at the starry skies—they must remember their feet are still planted on solid ground, and only by ascending step by step can they truly comprehend the mysteries of the cosmos.

"If I were you, I would carry these 3 questions with me and walk on, until the day comes when I experience them firsthand, rather than sitting idly in a corner pondering them in abstraction."

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of blood and decay. A young man in tattered blue robes knelt amidst the snow, his breathing ragged. Before him lay the corpses of 3 cultivators, their blood staining the pure white snow crimson. "System," Lin Feng (Person Name) whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the wind. "Display my current status." A translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes: [Host: Lin Feng] [Cultivation: 3rd Layer of Qi Refining] [Health: 17/100] [Spirit Stones: 32,000] [Technique: 9 Revolutions Heavenly Art - 2nd Layer] [Inventory: Low-grade Healing Pill x12, Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure)] A bitter smile touched his lips. The battle had nearly cost him everything. He reached into his spatial pouch, retrieving a small porcelain bottle. With trembling hands, he consumed 2 of the precious Low-grade Healing Pills. The medicinal energy surged through his meridians, knitting his wounds with visible speed. After a dozen or so breaths, his complexion had improved significantly, though his health had only recovered to 20-some points. "These low-grade pills are barely effective," he muttered, rising to his feet. His gaze fell upon the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in his hand, its blade gleaming with a faint crimson light. "If not for this magic treasure..." Suddenly, his expression changed. The air around him grew heavy, charged with spiritual energy. Dark clouds gathered overhead, swirling into a massive vortex. Lightning danced within the clouds, accompanied by the faint roar of thunder. "Heavenly Tribulation?" Lin Feng's eyes widened in disbelief. "But I'm only at the 3rd Layer of Qi Refining! This shouldn't be happening!" The pressure intensified, forcing him to his knees. Countless memories flashed through his mind - his transmigration to this cultivation world, the mysterious system that appeared upon arrival, his relentless training over the past 3 years... A golden light erupted from his body, forming a protective barrier. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss trembled violently, as if responding to the heavenly power. "Since heaven wishes to test me," Lin Feng declared, rising slowly with newfound determination, "then I shall face this tribulation!" The first bolt of lightning descended, pure white and thick as an ancient tree. It struck the golden barrier with devastating force, causing cracks to spread across its surface like spider webs. Lin Feng gritted his teeth, channeling all his spiritual energy into maintaining the defense. The system interface before his eyes flickered rapidly, displaying warning messages in red text. [Warning: Host's spiritual energy depletion at critical levels!] [Warning: Heavenly Tribulation strength exceeds calculated parameters!] [Suggestion: Utilize all 32,000 spirit stones to form Emergency Defense Array!] Without hesitation, Lin Feng waved his hand, releasing all his spirit stones into the air. The glittering crystals formed a complex circular array around him, emitting a soft blue glow. The second lightning strike came, this 1 tinged with purple. It shattered what remained of his golden barrier and struck the emergency array. The spirit stones dimmed rapidly, their energy being consumed at an alarming rate. "Not enough..." Lin Feng whispered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His vision began to blur. "Is this where my journey ends?" Just as he was about to lose consciousness, a system notification appeared: [Detecting host's critical condition...] [Activating emergency protocol...] [Initiating Bloodline Awakening...] A searing heat spread through his veins, as if his blood had been set ablaze. Golden patterns emerged on his skin, glowing with ancient power. His eyes, once dark brown, now shone with brilliant gold. The third and final lightning strike descended - a massive pillar of violet energy that seemed capable of destroying mountains and evaporating seas. But Lin Feng simply raised his hand. The violet lightning froze mere inches from his palm, then dissolved into countless sparkling motes of light that swirled around him before being absorbed into his body. [Bloodline Awakening complete: 1%] [Cultivation breakthrough: 6th Layer of Qi Refining] [New Technique Unlocked: Heavenly Thunder Dominion] The dark clouds dissipated as suddenly as they had appeared, revealing the clear blue sky. Lin Feng stood alone in the aftermath, his tattered robes fluttering in the gentle breeze. The system interface displayed his new status, but his attention was focused on the distant peaks where several powerful spiritual senses were probing in his direction. "It seems my tribulation has attracted... unwanted attention," he murmured, his golden eyes narrowing. Gripping the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss tightly, he vanished in a flash of light, leaving behind only the scarred battlefield and countless questions.