Chapter 3, embarking on a long journey

As evening approached, she politely declined the old gentleman's invitation to dinner, bid him farewell, and slowly made her way home under the vast evening glow.

Mother heard that Lou'er would soon be leaving on a journey, and inevitably felt heartbroken and began to fuss. She took Yunlou to her own fabric shop, where they measured and selected materials. After all, it was her own fabric shop, so Bai Yunlou went along with Mother as she busied herself.

Looking out the window, a faint glow of dawn is just beginning to appear on the horizon, it seems to have been only about a quarter of an hour.

The Qi Condensation Stage is the threshold of cultivation, where one condenses spiritual energy to refine their own vital essence, connects the meridians, circulates energy throughout the body, eliminates impurities within, and strengthens both the meridians and the physical body

Clearing my mind, I stepped onto the open space outside the study and began practicing the set of Paiyun Palm. After completing two full sets, I concluded my practice, feeling a sense of physical and mental ease, with my energy fully replenished.

After the successful completion of the Qi Condensation stage, one may attempt to establish the Foundation. During the Foundation Establishment stage, one practices the transformation of Qi into liquid, solidifying true Qi, further refining the essence, Qi, and spirit, and thoroughly eliminating the impurities from the physical body and meridians, thereby establishing a solid foundation for cultivation.

A cultivator in the Golden Core stage can live up to 800 years. The true essence of a cultivator in the Golden Core period is profound, with the refinement of vitality, energy, and spirit unified as one. With a mere gesture, they can summon the primordial energy of heaven and earth, wielding their sword through the void, freely traversing the realms of heaven and earth

As the mind emptied, consciousness returned to the physical body, and Baiyun Tower instinctively moved its limbs, appearing to be without any abnormalities

The Yuan Ying realm after the Golden Elixir is not described in the Daoist scriptures; there are only a few sparse sentences, which are merely conjectures and deductions.

Savoring this exquisite delicacy that even the immortals would not exchange, watching the wisps of smoke swirling in the alley, this morning is worth preserving, that moment, the consciousness of Baiyun Tower is both released and retracted.

Cultivation is essentially the result of countless predecessors who, through their explorations and attempts to understand the Dao, have identified a path leading to the natural laws of the Dao and the unity of heaven and humanity. There are myriad paths, yet they all converge towards the same destination

Having achieved a modest degree of success, satisfying my father's small aspirations, it is time to leave this small county town of Luoshui and explore the potentially bizarre and colorful world outside.

The blue fluorescent dot flickered slightly, yet there was no abnormal reaction. After a brief hesitation, Bai Yunlou focused her mind and pounced towards the light spot

Observing the drifting specks of light all around, and then looking down at the dark, turbulent sea of clouds below, Baiyun Tower dared not attempt recklessly any further. It is wise to take a step back when things are favorable; one should not pursue matters to their end. As for one's own sea of consciousness, it is better to wait until the reasons are clarified before attempting again.

After devouring the two light spots, the consciousness also exhibited a faint blue glow, larger in size than the ordinary light spots, and no longer as ethereal as when it first entered

The glow of the sunset spreads along the path, and the youth is about to embark on a journey

Upon regaining my senses and looking at the empty bowl before me, I couldn't help but exclaim that delicious food always seems to disappear before one is aware of it

The medium-length article elaborates on several stages of cultivation in the pursuit of immortality

In the afternoon, Baiyun Building carried two pounds of braised meat and two jars of liquor, arriving at the old gentleman's house at the east end of the street along the riverbank. He spent half the day conversing with the old gentleman, discussing the upcoming study abroad plans, and received a heap of admonitions.

Although there is still nearly a month until the academy opens, since the desire for an external study trip has arisen, Baiyun Tower cannot wait any longer and has set the departure date for the day after tomorrow

Upon entering the Foundation Establishment stage, one can live for over 300 years. During the Foundation Establishment stage, one can refine their innate items and use them for self-defense.

The Bai family is not lacking in funds, and their own cargo ships can conveniently transport goods along the way. There is no need to worry about the journey to the academy; the Great Xia Kingdom has enjoyed peace and stability for the past several decades, with more than fifty years having passed since the last turmoil.

This scripture, which I previously found obscure and difficult to understand, now appears to me with clarity, as thoughts flow like a spring and insights flash forth. Some of the previously perplexing phrases are no longer hard to comprehend. It seems that I can finally begin to study this scripture in depth.

The text contains three sections; the first section is relatively obscure. The general meaning of the scripture is that the way follows nature, returning to simplicity and authenticity, with the Dao being the fundamental source of the universe

The assistant went to the shop across the street to fetch a pound of scallion pancakes, prepared a small dish of pickles in his own shop, scooped a large bowl of hot and sour soup, and brought it to Baiyun Tower

The White Cloud Tower feels warm and cozy, akin to entering a hot spring; this thread of consciousness, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, unexpectedly brings about a joyful sensation

At this moment, there was a feeling of fullness in the consciousness, as if having overeaten, and the desire to devour other light points diminished; it seems that the consumption of light points also has its limits

Upon first entering the sea of knowledge, such gains have already been achieved, and I am thoroughly satisfied with the White Cloud Pavilion

Having satisfied my appetite, I casually bought some fresh melons and vegetables on the way back, and brought a jar of bean juice for my father

The middle section of the Taoist classics is indeed much more accessible, interpreting what cultivation is. Cultivation is the practice of refining one's true self, seeking the genuine self through cultivation, and discarding the false to preserve the true.

Although unable to cultivate, Baiyun Tower remains undaunted. Since it has encountered that door, there is no reason it cannot be pushed open. Having gained an opportunity from the green jade, it has further strengthened the conviction in its heart

Setting aside the Taoist scriptures, the divine consciousness reached towards the jade within the wooden box, and that sense of familiarity seemed to intensify a little.

Although the cook from the Bai family has decent skills, she still cannot replicate the flavor of this shop

When the time comes, we will dock our cargo ship at a town several dozen miles away to rest, and then conveniently visit the Liuyun Temple to pay a visit to the old Daoist priest who is the temple master

Approaching the table, Bai Yunlou picked up an ancient book from the desk, which was the "Liu Yun Dao Jing" gifted by the old Taoist of Liu Yun Temple

With a moment of concentration, the fragmented and chaotic sounds from the alley next door entered my ears: the sound of wheels, the splashing of water, calls of greeting, and the sizzling of oil cakes entering the pan, all distinctly discernible

I greeted my mother who wakes up early, then left home from Baiyun Building and headed to the morning market through the back alley

Strolling slowly from the entrance of the alley to its end, I arrived at a shop selling hot and sour soup, and called out to the young waiter: "As usual."

The young attendant perked up and replied, "Alright, Young Master Bai, please wait a moment."

Having gained experience in devouring, this strand of consciousness pounced towards another light point, and indeed, just like the first one, it successfully devoured the second light point

The latter part of the Dao Sutra is precisely the method for cultivation, yet the aptitude of Baiyun Tower is nearly nonexistent, with obscure meridians and a difficulty in sensing qi. After several attempts, there has been no progress, and it can only be set aside for the time being

This stage is extraordinary yet not detached from the mundane. Upon entering the Condensation Stage, the physical body is nourished by spiritual energy, allowing one to potentially reach a lifespan equivalent to the full cycle of the Small Heavenly Circuit, which is one hundred and eight years. However, due to limitations in aptitude and opportunities, those who can step into this threshold are truly one in ten thousand.

After Master Bai finished his breakfast, Bai Yunlou engaged his father in a conversation about studying abroad, discussing every detail and asking questions as they arose. Although there are countless comforts at home, it is difficult to be away for even a single day.

The blue fluorescent dot was smoothly enveloped by the consciousness of Baiyun Tower, gradually merging into the consciousness.

Baiyun Tower rubbed its belly, feeling a bit hungry

Reaching the perfect foundation and breaking through to the Golden Core stage is yet another significant threshold. It requires the power of the soul to compress, refine, and liquefy the true energy. Only those with great willpower or exceptional fortune can hope to form a Dan.

A brief glance at Baiyun Tower reveals that I can understand most of the upper part, but there are still some phrases that remain unclear. It seems that during this study trip, I should also visit Liuyun Temple to seek guidance from the old Daoist.

Although the Baiyun Tower also enjoys the flavor of the bustling world and loves this leisurely and tranquil life, after all, with the nature of youth, there is always a surge of passion in the heart

This strand of consciousness floated gently and soon arrived before this point of light