novelraw Chapter 58: Consequences
Chapter 58: Consequences
Although Li Qi didn't mind, Old Horse seemed very ashamed and voluntarily chose to leave.
Li Qi was anxious. If Old Horse left, would he have to rely on his own two legs to find Lady Luofu?
After he said this, Shen Shuibi looked very happy. She stood up and called out to a nearby spot.
Old Horse eventually returned.
However, even though horses can't blush, his feelings could still be seen in his guilty eyes.
As expected of a dragon steed that had awakened its spirit, its expressions were so vivid.
Li Qi didn't say much. As Old Horse approached and rubbed his face against him, he simply propped himself up, patted the horse's neck, and said, "Why talk about such things? We help each other, we help each other~."
After that, he let Old Horse go back to grazing.
Then, he began to focus on the part that truly interested him: the so-called "Carp Flowing Intent."
According to Shen Shuibi, this was a Martial Dao technique that mimicked carp, and it was quite crude, only able to be cultivated to the eighth-rank at most, which was why it was also called an eighth-rank cultivation method.This was the first time Li Qi had heard of such a grading system for cultivation techniques, but it seemed quite scientific.
Cultivation methods had their limits. Crude ones, like Wave-Breaking Force, even when cultivated to completion, could barely produce a trace of internal Qi as Li Qi had done, and that required physically draining himself. It was simply unranked garbage.
Methods like the Zhu Book, however, were first-rank cultivation methods, meaning they could directly lead one to the first-rank without detours. All the dangers had been pioneered by previous cultivators, who had paved the way with their lives.
However, cultivation methods were all written by humans. One could still break through limits and forge their own path even after cultivating a low-grade cultivation method, though it would certainly involve much hardship.
A complete cultivation method generally consisted of four books:
The Cultivation Method, the Classics, the Treasury Records, and the Records of the Strange.
The Cultivation Method, as the name suggested, was the method of cultivation itself. These were usually very simple, because if a cultivation method was too complex, it would be inconvenient to spread and learn.
Generally, they were easy to get started with, but most required persistent effort over time. For example, Li Qi's ritual priest cultivation method required him to sacrifice to the Heavenly Gods of the Four Seasons, and then to the corresponding Earth Deities, daily without fail. Only after a year, when the Qi of the Four Seasons was complete within the human body's miniature heaven and earth and the Earth Deity divine Qi was perfected, would one be considered to have entered the ninth-rank.
Cultivation Methods were usually not very long, just a bit, a few hundred characters, at most ten thousand. Anything longer was unnecessary to read, as it was surely a garbage cultivation method.
A Cultivation Method contained profound principles in concise words, clearly outlining the crucial points of cultivation. How could there be so many crucial points? Those that were too long were generally not worth reading; they were definitely empty talk and nonsense.
Therefore, in some Daoist sects, the core cultivation method might simply be a poem.
Then, there were the Classics, which were the main part of cultivation.
With only a Cultivation Method, you could practice it, but you wouldn't understand the reasons behind it, nor the intent of the cultivation method. You'd just be a fool who could only practice, someone fit to be a dead warrior, not a true cultivator.
Only by obtaining the Classics that complemented the Cultivation Method would the "Dao" be expounded upon. The philosophy, core, pursuit, and essence of the Dao you were cultivating would be explained within the Classics.
Every cultivator was a Seeker of the Dao. If one only cultivated but didn't even understand their own Dao, then they were merely a strong brute with cultivation, not a Seeker of the Dao.
Generally, Cultivation Methods would come with corresponding Classics; these two could not be separated.
With only the Classics, it was mere theorizing on paper. With only the Cultivation Method, one was a barbarian who cultivated for a long time without knowing what they were cultivating.
After that came the Treasury Records.
The Treasury Records, as the name suggested, recorded the treasures of one's cultivation path, the resources needed for cultivation, the various Fellow Daoists and sects along one's path, the divisions of Daoist orthodoxies, and various spells, methods for using one's cultivation, and various ingenious techniques. While these might not lead one closer to the Dao, they could effectively enhance one's methods and combat power.
The Dao was the fundamental principle.
Techniques were the skills of utilizing principles.
This was generally only available to major Daoist orthodoxies and was created for their disciples. For those in ordinary Daoist orthodoxies, they didn't actually have that many spells to use; only a few were passed down by word of mouth. It was generally unlikely that a Treasury Record would be specifically needed to document and introduce them.
Following that were the Records of the Strange.
This was an encyclopedia for your path, recording countless pieces of knowledge, various taboos, adaptations, and so on. According to Shen Shuibi, reading this was optional, but not reading it would make one seem uncultured, unable to recognize anything they encountered.
As for what exactly was recorded in the Records of the Strange, that depended on the level of your sect or Daoist orthodoxy.
Smaller Daoist orthodoxies could only record some local anecdotes or rumors.
Larger Daoist orthodoxies encompassed everything, lacking nothing.
After explaining all this, Shen Shuibi gave an example: "For instance, your Zhu Book, Li Qi, is a complete cultivation method that includes the Cultivation Method, Classics, Treasury Records, and Records of the Strange. As one of the world's leading orthodoxies, the Shaman Dao is naturally very complete."
"But disciples of major Daoist orthodoxies are, after all, a minority. For those who start cultivating halfway, or who enter the cultivation path due to fortuitous encounters, these four aspects will more or less be lacking something. Therefore, their path of seeking the Dao will also be exceptionally arduous. However, the Dao should not be lightly transmitted. You must not casually hand over your cultivation method; otherwise, not only will you be punished, but they will definitely be cursed and killed by the Diviners of Wushen Mountain," Shen Shuibi cautioned.
In the past, various Daoist orthodoxies had joined forces, intending to spread the Daoist orthodoxies throughout the world, allowing everyone to follow the Dao.
But it ultimately brought disaster, a great chaotic era that swept across the land.
Li Qi nodded, indicating he understood.
If knowledge was acquired too easily, it would definitely lead to chaos.
Especially cultivation knowledge; it wasn't just knowledge, but also a weapon.
Completely opening the path of cultivation to all, without any screening, was tantamount to opening an armory to the entire populace.
Some people could restrain themselves, but others didn't care what the "Dao" was; they just wanted to unleash chaos.
Ultimately, it would only lead to disaster.
The Dao not being lightly transmitted was surely a bloody lesson. Seekers of the Dao required too many qualities, mental fortitude, and various other miscellaneous requirements. If cultivation methods were casually given to others, it could indeed unearth many previously buried cultivation geniuses.
However, it would also grant a multitude of ordinary people weapons and powers they shouldn't possess.
Holding a sharp blade, the intent to kill arises naturally.
Humans were like this; once they mastered power beyond their mental capacity, they would become lost in it.
Therefore, Li Qi agreed with the principle that the Dao should not be lightly transmitted.
After being cautioned by Shen Shuibi, this rabbit also became very serious in this regard.
However, after being serious, she immediately became adorable again, moving closer to Li Qi to explain the Carp Flowing Intent cultivation method to him.
(Chapter End)