Chapter 88: An Evenly Matched Battle (Part One)

Chapter 88: An Evenly Matched Battle (First Update)

The Daoist tradition holds that the Primordial Qi, or the Original Ancestral Qi, is the fundamental essence that gave birth to the heavens, the earth, mankind, and all living things—it is the basic substance from which everything is formed. From the void, Dao produces the Primordial Qi; from this Qi, Yin and Yang arise. When Yin and Yang merge, a trinity is formed, and from there, all things spring forth anew.

All things under heaven are born of this Qi. Every wondrous technique, every divine power, at its root, is merely a transformation of the Primordial Qi.

In this world, only the Primordial Qi is neither born nor destroyed. It is neither tainted nor pure, neither increased nor diminished.

The Earth Immortal comprehends space, wielding the power of blessed lands, thus attaining an extraordinary lifespan—one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred years.

The Celestial Immortal comprehends time, mastering the power of mystical realms, thereby achieving immortality, living as long as the heavens themselves.

The Golden Immortal attains a strand of the Original Ancestral Qi—also known as the Primordial Ancestral Qi, the Primordial Qi—which is neither born nor destroyed, neither tainted nor pure, neither increased nor diminished.

The Primordial Ancestral Qi is the root of all things. Once attained, it is never lost, which is why Golden Immortals are imperishable.

To wield the Primordial Ancestral Qi is to grasp the foundation of all laws in existence; thus, Golden Immortals are also known as Enlightened Golden Immortals.

This is the theoretical basis for the saying: when one’s Dao attainment reaches unity, divine powers arise spontaneously.

Yet theory is theory, and reality is reality.

If attaining Golden Immortality meant instantly mastering all the world’s laws, wielding the Thirty-Six Heavenly Techniques, the Seventy-Two Earthly Arts, and all divine powers at will—that would be impossible.

Cultivation follows fundamental principles.

Even in worlds that value innate disposition, there is no such thing—unless one is a reincarnated sage, born with exceptional wisdom.

Any cultivation that disregards numbers and makes arbitrary assertions is mere trickery.

It is like discussing toxicity in alchemy without considering dosage—pure nonsense.

It is true that Golden Immortals wield myriad powers, their Dao attainment reaching unity, and their divine abilities spontaneously arising.

But this requires time to refine.

Sometimes divine inspiration strikes, and a marvelous technique is born in an instant; more often, it is years upon years of accumulation, gradually shifting from incremental understanding to sudden enlightenment.

Divine powers are like seeds—they require the right environment to sprout, grow, and mature.

This demands substantial time and effort.

As the Daoist Patriarch Hongjun once said: "There was no path in the world, but when many walk it, it becomes a path."

There was no immortal in the world, but when many cultivate, the first to attain enlightenment becomes an immortal.

In the primordial world, many paths have been trodden by the mighty; among them, there is mystery—some good, some bad.

The benefit is that these mighty ones left behind countless words of Dao, sacred scriptures, and fundamental truths.

Later generations use these texts to create new techniques and paths.

The current world is not like ancient times; the road has already been paved by those who came before.

Sect techniques and countless spells are the distilled experience of predecessors, intentionally left as treasures for their disciples.

They may not be written in books, but by drawing upon the wisdom of elders, one can greatly shorten the time needed for a divine power’s seed to mature.

Those with talent may even comprehend new divine abilities, plant a mysterious seed, and await its sprouting in centuries to come.

The grand sect boasts three hundred techniques, which can be summed up in one phrase: freeloaders.

Freeloading feels good for a moment; freeloading always feels good.

Luo Feng came seeking sect knowledge with a pure, passionate, sincere, and friendly heart, hoping to bring love and justice to the vast world.

Now, Luo Feng’s path of study has met its first obstacle.

The Test of Perseverance—Ascending the Mountain.

But what rank should he aim for?

A sect’s recruitment emphasizes four things: aptitude, fortune, perseverance, and destiny!

Perseverance is the most straightforward—it can be tested directly. The first trial is perseverance.

All around, verdant peaks and towering ridges frame the landscape, the mountains lush with green trees. Gazing afar, amidst the sea of clouds, a vast platform emerges.

Upon the ethereal cloud terrace stand more than twenty Nascent Soul cultivators and three Earth Immortal elders.

A white-haired Earth Immortal from Huaqing Temple smiled and said, “Fellow Daoists, I wonder how many seedlings will ascend to the immortal platform by perseverance this time?”

At his side, a red-robed Earth Immortal snorted, “Daoist Huang, we’re all friends here, no need for empty words. Speaking for the Seven Sects of Xuanyuan, how many have ever become immortals through perseverance alone?”

The white-haired Earth Immortal paused, then laughed, “Daoist Gu, that’s not quite right... As the ancient immortals said: Without great perseverance, no matter how good your aptitude, you’ll always be a salted fish.”

...

The red-robed Earth Immortal shook his head, “That saying is just used to fool the passionate young lads and girls at the foot of the mountain.”

The last Earth Immortal, the master of Tianyi Pavilion, added leisurely, “In reality, those with exceptional talent can cultivate for a few years and form a core, condense a baby, or reach divine transformation.”

The white-haired Earth Immortal’s face stiffened.

Why speak the harsh truth? Their bluntness made things difficult for him.

But he knew the other two spoke so bluntly to make it easier to select disciples with outstanding aptitude.

As an Earth Immortal of Huaqing Temple, he could not let that happen.

He smiled, “Of the four trials in cultivation, in my view, aptitude is secondary; perseverance is key. The further one progresses on the immortal path, the less important aptitude becomes. After surviving the heavenly tribulation, all become innate Dao bodies, standing on the same level.”

The master of Tianyi Pavilion sneered, “Daoist Huang, that’s a biased statement. Some become immortals in a hundred years, some in a thousand, some labor for ten thousand and never reach immortality—how can they be the same?”

The white-haired Earth Immortal shook his head, “Some become immortals in a hundred years, some in a thousand, but the achievement is merely Celestial or Earth Immortal fruit.”

“Have any of you ever witnessed someone attain Golden Immortality in a hundred years, outside a Sage’s lineage? Not in the East Sea, not in the wilderness, I fear.”

...

With his spiritual sense withdrawn, Luo Feng pondered. It seemed the Seven Sects of Xuanyuan did not value perseverance.

Which makes sense—if one hasn’t become immortal and gained longevity, what use is perseverance?

The early stages of cultivation emphasize aptitude; the middle stages, comprehension and perseverance.

As for the late stages, only those with great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity can succeed.

Knowing the Seven Sects of Xuanyuan do not value perseverance, Luo Feng understood how he should act.

The top three ranks must not be sought—they are the focus of attention and the source of conflict.

The bottom ranks are also undesirable—that is the path of mediocrity, the cliché of the "Dragon Proud Sky" getting slapped.

In the wilds, the "Dragon Proud Sky" archetype is no longer favored.

Those always scheming for trouble have already been dealt with by the Daoist Patriarch.

The bottom three are also out.

The Immortal Ascension Gathering jointly held by the Seven Sects of Xuanyuan attracts tens of thousands.

By convention, the top hundred may enter the immortal sects.

So Luo Feng decided to aim for thirty, strive for thirty-five, and set twenty as his lower limit.

The mountain ascent is no simple climb.

The elders of the Seven Sects of Xuanyuan have set a forbidden realm upon the mountain—regardless of one’s cultivation, all must proceed as mortals.

Earth Immortals and Celestial Immortals are exempt and may use some magic.

But should any appear, the immortals of the Seven Sects would immediately detect it.

As for Golden Immortals?

No Golden Immortal would be so bored.

...

Three hours later,

Making his way along the mountain path, Luo Feng was drenched in sweat. Ahead, thirty or so people; behind, hundreds more.

Everyone gritted their teeth, persevering for a sliver of immortal fate.

Truly, it was an evenly matched battle!

(End of chapter)