Chapter 1: The Environment Influences the Spirit, and Nurturing Transforms the Body
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"Let's go to the store and take a look." Zhao Futu stretched his muscles a bit, then cooked himself a few fried eggs, cooked to seven-tenths doneness. After finishing his meal, he planned to go to the store. He did not have a fixed job and preferred a free lifestyle, which is why he occasionally wrote some pieces to earn a little money. However, due to the national circumstances, very few people are willing to spend money on books, and the income from writing is quite meager. He writes more out of hobby; his actual source of income comes from a clothing store.
Sandalwood, this is something that an ordinary person is quite familiar with, yet seldom utilizes
Many women consider this principle to be a profound truth
Shutting down the computer, Zhao Futu picked up the cup beside him and drank it in one gulp
This is essentially two different evolutionary paths
Some things that I once believed in, I now realize were merely the fabrications of certain individuals, leading me to understand that the path must be forged by oneself
The place closest to heaven is also the place closest to hell
It is akin to a person whose thoughts are complex and scattered, making it difficult to focus and truly calm oneself. However, one can achieve a state of concentration and tranquility through external means. In some novels, there is a saying about 'seizing the natural world and transforming it for one's own use,' which is not without its origins. A person with a cluttered mind, if able to adopt a vegetarian diet and seek out a serene and picturesque location each day, complemented by calming substances such as sandalwood, can attain a state of mental peace.
Evolution
Zhao Futu comes from a single-parent family, and Aunt Lan is also a divorced woman. Perhaps it is due to their shared experiences that she became a close friend of Zhao Futu's mother. Aunt Lan has only one daughter who is fourteen years old, so she has always treated Zhao Futu as her own, caring for him immensely. The only downside is that Aunt Lan is even stricter than his mother, which often leaves Zhao Futu feeling somewhat helpless
In fact, Aunt Lan is not old; she is only thirty-six this year and appears to be just over thirty. She has a naturally doll-like and bookish face, well-maintained. According to the novel, she is at an age where her charm still lingers.
Generally speaking, apart from places like temples, there are not many locations where sandalwood incense is lit. Sandalwood has many special effects, but the most evident ones are calming the mind and soothing the spirit. Sandalwood possesses unique aphrodisiac properties, yet it can dispel feelings of anxiety and pacify the heart.
I come from hell, seeking redemption ーー Revelation
The clothing store was left to her by her mother. After her mother's passing, she entrusted its management entirely to Aunt Lan.
If one cannot become an immortal, then suffocating oneself is hardly worthwhile
Generally, those who have achieved success in their spiritual practice tend to possess a calm and peaceful state of mind, exuding a natural aura that makes others feel at ease. This is an inevitable truth, for without such a state of mind, one cannot overcome the subsequent challenges, nor can one enter into the essence of life through tranquility. Strictly speaking, if one cannot attain this state of mind, it is impossible to break through the obstacles that lie ahead and to enter into deeper realms.
A man becomes corrupt when he has money
Truly allow yourself to calm down
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How long has science been developing?
Zhao Futu nodded slightly, revealing a somewhat stiff smile, and said: "Yes, let's go to the store and take a look"
Those who engage in online verbal disputes are essentially from this faction
Aunt Lan was a close friend of his mother during her lifetime. The two shared a strong bond and later partnered to invest in this clothing store, which has now expanded to two branches, with business performing reasonably well. Aunt Lan is a kind-hearted woman. After Zhao Futu's mother passed away, she could have easily established her own business and opened a separate store, as she had all the clientele in her hands, and Zhao Futu was not skilled in business.
This ultimately led him to follow the path of traditional Dan Dao, and this journey lasted for eight years
There is neither a master to take on nor any secret manuals
Therefore, many individuals online who claim to be practitioners of the Dao and engage in mutual disparagement, in Zhao Futu's view, are not worth commenting on
The concept of health preservation actually arises when individuals feel that their bodies are not well
However, Zhao Futu is currently at a critical juncture in his life, making it entirely inappropriate for him to consider a girlfriend at this time, so he can only avoid it
Sometimes, when hearing those charlatans spouting nonsense to deceive people, Zhao Futu feels like picking up a brick and smashing it down with all his might
This world operates on the principle of cause and effect, and nothing is absolute; there are often ways to remedy the situation
Over the years, apart from purchasing the current three-bedroom apartment for him, all other expenses must be earned by Zhao Futu himself, as Aunt Lan continues to oversee his finances
However, she has consistently insisted on this, and the store still retains half of Zhao Futu's shares, although he is basically unable to contribute much.
Currently, there are only two schools of thought among practitioners of Taoism. One school is represented by individuals like Zhao Futu, who belong to the sect of quiet cultivation. Their starting point is health preservation, often arising from a realization of the need for self-care due to poor health. As they delve deeper, they begin to understand certain aspects beyond the mundane world. Such individuals generally do not proclaim themselves as practitioners of Taoism and do not indiscriminately teach their methods. They are quite similar to ordinary people, with no significant distinction.
This is a land covered in yellow sand, a burial ground. In ancient times, it was known as 'Jerusalem', said to be the place closest to the Kingdom of Heaven in this world
The ancient saying "burning incense and bathing" primarily refers to sandalwood incense
"Xiao Zhao? Are you going out!" A middle-aged woman asked with a smile as she came down the stairs
Another faction is the so-called "mystics," who always enjoy spinning tales that are seemingly profound yet ambiguous. Their most notable characteristic is their tendency to act as self-appointed teachers.
The practice of Dan Dao is somewhat mysterious, yet it is not mysterious at all. The key lies in a single word: 'stillness.' However, this seemingly simple word is something that many people struggle to comprehend throughout their lives. Initially, the concepts are quite superficial, but as one progresses, the requirements for 'stillness' become increasingly demanding, and it is no longer something that can be achieved merely by adjusting one's breathing.
Mencius stated: "One's environment influences one's disposition, and one's habits shape one's character"
Cultivation is not miraculous, nor is true qi. Ancient Chinese medicine in Huaxia has long utilized true qi in conjunction with acupuncture to treat illnesses. Zhao Futu spent eight years nurturing his true qi; he had never practiced martial arts, yet under the influence of true qi, he could effortlessly break bricks with his bare hands. As for any supernatural powers, divine light, or sacred light—colorful and varied—he does not believe in any of it at all
If a person is in excellent physical condition, it is difficult to think in this direction unless they have read a lot of martial arts or fantasy novels. When Zhao Futu first came into contact with the path of alchemy, he had not yet been exposed to many novels, so his initial purpose was very simple and direct: to improve his health. His physical condition was poor, with a weak innate foundation, and relying solely on exercise was insufficient; he also needed nurturing.
Because Zhao Futu is inherently a person who lives quite casually and does not have high aspirations for material possessions
In terms of wealth and relationships, I have finally understood why wealth has been prioritized since modern times Zhao Futu glanced at the unfinished sandalwood incense broke it off and prepared to save it for next time His savings were not abundant relying solely on his meager manuscript fees was insufficient to fully support his expenses In this era, prices are soaring significantly saving even a little is crucial
The current environmental degradation has gradually proven that science is not the best path forward
Eight years of time, a gradual process of refinement
Some who originally did not believe have now personally experienced it and have begun to believe
The story originates from Jerusalem, beginning with a wicked skinning ritual
One body, two souls, the devouring and occupying of the outsider, on the golden scales of death, the soul of one person bears the weight of two
Therefore, Aunt Lan often educated Zhao Futulu, earnestly saying: "Little Futulu, these funds cannot be given to you for the time being. Your mother entrusted me to keep this for you to marry and buy a house. Look at how precious prices are now; how can we not save a bit more? If I give it to you now, I fear that having money will lead you astray!"
However, he is not very concerned about this
The Golden Scale, the most just place in this world is in hell, where the Grim Reaper will impartially judge all the sins you committed in your lifetime
Being frail and sickly in his youth, this led Zhao Futu's life path to diverge from that of others
To speak of cultivation and the like, it is actually not mysterious at all
As a practitioner of the path, one should neither be superstitious about the legendary attainment of immortality nor be overly reliant on the materialism of science. All answers are derived from one's own journey of verification and exploration, based on what one has witnessed and understood.
Zhao Futu is well-liked in this community; however, the downside is that many middle-aged women want to introduce their daughters or others' daughters to him. This is also the reason why he just smiled a bit stiffly. For him, these matters cannot be rushed. As a practitioner of Taoism, unless one is from the Quanzhen school, there is no strict monastic code. Although one should restrain their desires, absolute celibacy is not advocated. This is also the reason why he just smiled a bit stiffly. For him, these matters cannot be rushed. As a practitioner of Taoism, unless one is from the Quanzhen school, there is no strict monastic code. Although one should restrain their desires, absolute celibacy is not advocated.
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This is talent, having expertise; whether one can enter the realm of alchemy hinges on this one word: 'stillness'.
It is similar to the money in the store; often, Aunt Lan does not allow Zhao Futu to handle it, because she fears that if he has money, he might go astray
Those without qualifications find it very difficult to truly calm down. As a result, they are unable to sense energy, nor can they consolidate it, ultimately leading to the energy transforming into the body's fundamental energy. Individuals possess varying degrees of talent; some are quick-witted but have restless minds, making it hard for them to settle down. Others may have a simple character but possess a pure mindset, often finding it much easier to get started.
Having finished speaking, he quickly ran away
This requires talent, also known as aptitude
The morning sunlight poured in, filling the room with a faint scent of sandalwood. A pair of long, fair fingers gently tapped on the keyboard. After finishing the line of text above, he finally let out a long sigh and said slowly, "Ah! I have finally come up with the synopsis for the new book. Now those bastards can't nitpick and say that I have been fooling them with my synopses."
However
Zhao Futu also believes that he does not need these things, as his fundamental starting point is not about Daoist cultivation or achieving immortality. He seeks out knowledge bit by bit from the surviving fragments of ancient texts, organizes it himself, and explores it on his own, discarding the dross and extracting the essence, gradually finding his own path. His purpose is simply to nourish his body and compensate for inherent deficiencies, nothing more.
It was from the age of fourteen that he began to engage with the Dao of Elixirs, commonly known as 'Neidan'. Qigong is an extension of this practice, which had a period of fervent popularity in the 1980s, but ultimately subsided.
Thus, whenever she spoke so earnestly, Zhao Futu always felt helpless
Sandalwood, vegetarian cuisine, and Lantian jade
It is called in one word
The sandalwood incense lit in the room is a secret recipe, essentially unavailable on the market even for those with wealth. It was only through connections that Zhao Futu was able to customize it from certain channels. Just this one box is equivalent to a month's salary for an ordinary white-collar worker. Lighting such luxurious sandalwood incense in the room is certainly not merely for enjoyment; in fact, Zhao Futu is not a person who seeks pleasure. The reason he is willing to spend such a large sum of money on this is for another purpose.
Every day, he starts his morning with a cup of warm water, a habit he has maintained for many years. In his childhood, he was in poor health and physically weak. Having experienced significant fright at a young age, he developed a fear of darkness and being alone, which made him prone to fevers and illnesses. It was not until he grew a bit older that his condition improved. However, some fragmented memories from his early years indirectly fueled his curiosity about certain mysterious phenomena.