Chapter 8, The Great Calamity, Mahāgaru Mīra Dharma

Different sects have their own rules, just as everything exists for a reason. According to the rules of the Luofu sect, when you grow up and take on disciples, you can only accept one, Young Master

Only cultivators who have reached the legendary tribulation period will face their own "heavenly tribulation." In fact, within the cultivation world, there has long been a saying about the three layers and nine levels of heavenly tribulation. It is referred to as the three-nine heavenly tribulation because it is said to be divided into three layers and nine levels. However, throughout history, it remains unknown whether any cultivator has truly been able to overcome the nine levels of heavenly tribulation. For thousands of years, anyone who can pass the first level of heavenly tribulation is already regarded as a tribulation immortal by cultivators. Depending on individual circumstances and the different cultivation methods practiced, the resulting "heavenly tribulation" varies. Some cultivators practicing the Wind and Thunder technique may trigger the Nine Heavens Gale and Seven Levels of Thunder Tribulation, while those practicing the Primordial Spirit secret method may face the True Realm of Heavenly Demons and the Three Lives Memory Illusion Tribulation. Others practicing the Mind secret method may encounter the Cycle of Greed, Hatred, and Delusion Tribulation. Yet, among the countless cultivators across the world, very few have been able to reach this final step over the centuries. Therefore, no one can definitively indicate what kind of nine-level heavenly tribulation one will face when practicing a particular cultivation method.

"The two-headed mountain salamander will not die unless both of its heads are severed, so you can rest assured." Old Zhao Nan squinted his eyes and smiled.

That is the Baota fruit. It is not some extraordinary item; it is merely the fruit that the mountain salamander enjoys the most, much like a certain species of golden-haired wild monkey found here in Luofu, which has a particular fondness for a type of yellow-shelled nut, regarding it as essential to its existence. This is purely a matter of insufficient cultivation, as it has not yet transcended its inherent nature. However, upon hearing this question, a rare solemn expression appeared on Old Zhao Nan's face, "To cultivate the 'Maha Jialuo Secret Method,' one must first be able to resist the temptations of one's own nature."

Is Master not going to hetushucom.com?

The young boy looked up. The colorful brilliance reflected in his eyes; at that moment, after the rain on Mount Lu, the sky cleared, and a rainbow arched across the horizon. This rainbow, like the colorful dragon boat and the disdainful gazes of the two elegantly dressed beauties, ignited a fervent heat in the boy's eyes

He is currently engaged in other matters, but he mentioned that when you reach the second level, he will be able to take you to meet him

The elderly Zhao Nanshan, with a frail appearance, set aside the coarse linen garment he was sewing, squinted his eyes to take a look, and smiled, "Young Master, what you wrote is indeed correct"

Indeed, I just didn't expect you to come up so quickly

The boy shook his head with difficulty, saying, "I have no name." Since he could remember, he had been an orphan, unaware of where he was born. Only the little girl, who depended on him, called him Brother Stone. This name came from a day when the little girl heard an impoverished fortune-teller, who could not even know the boy's birth details, mumble that the boy lacked earth in his five elements, suggesting that his name should ideally include earth or stone. Thus, she called him that. However, the kind-hearted girl could not even distinguish between a surname and a given name, so the title Brother Stone could not truly be considered a name.

"As you command, young master." Old Zhao Nan grinned and said, "Luo Bei, that name sounds very nice."

What is your name?" The original Tianyi, who did not receive an answer, seemed unconcerned and continued to ask.

Only those cultivators who reach this realm can possibly comprehend the "Heavenly Tribulation" they are about to face. In the balance between gain and loss, Yuan Tianyi's cultivation inadvertently advanced another step, finally taking this last step. What made Yuan Tianyi smile wryly in his heart was the realization that his "Heavenly Tribulation" was, surprisingly, the "Karmic Heavenly Tribulation," which fewer people have experienced.

The chariots and iron cavalry, unable to withstand the might of heaven, lead some individuals to cultivate the Dao in pursuit of transcending the power of others

Creaking and groaning, the wind howled atop the mountain, causing the window frames to rattle and the oil lamp's flame to flicker. Yet, the heart of the young man was filled with warmth. Although he had only known Tianyi and Old Zhao Nan for a few days, they had allowed him to experience a sense of home that he had never known before. Aware of his ordinary talents, he resolved not to let this name disappoint his master

"Why do you want me to take you as my disciple?" The old Shaonan, squinting his eyes and hunching his back with his hands hanging down, stood behind Yuan Tianyi, who was standing in front of several wooden houses, asking the young man before him, "What is it that you seek?"

But why is only one being transmitted? Don't other sects have many disciples?

In fact, the youth did not know that if he could not climb this peak, Yuan Tianyi would not even need to know his name. However, the situation was now entirely different. The youth shone with an unwavering, determined gaze in pursuit of the Dao, a fearless and fierce look that had once flickered in Yuan Tianyi's own eyes. As Yuan Tianyi looked at this youth, he recalled the first time he saw him holding the Miaocha Pearl, and then thought of how he had placed that pearl into the hands of the Cangyue Fairy, remembering the moment he first encountered her north of the Luo River. The passage of decades, like clouds and fleeting shadows, flashed through his mind in an instant. No one had anticipated that at this moment, Yuan Tianyi would actually see his own "Heavenly Tribulation"!

"That is a two-headed mountain salamander. It is a spirit beast unique to Luofu. However, a typical two-headed mountain salamander resembles a large lizard with two heads. The one you encountered must have consumed some spiritual herbs or extraordinary fruits, which awakened its consciousness, gradually allowing it to take on a human form." Lao Zhaonan paused his work with his twig-like hands, "The herb it gave you is called Zhanxikezha, which in the local dialect means the power of the mountain god. If it consumes it, it is equivalent to several years of absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. For an ordinary person, consuming it not only poses a risk of illness but also significantly enhances their vitality and strength by several times. You saved its life, and it indeed knows how to be grateful."

"Uncle Zhao Nan, please do not call me Young Master, just call me... call me Luo Bei, as it always sounds awkward to me."

After meticulously reciting the "Mahāyāna Sūtra" once again, spending a full nine days on it, the ordinarily talented Luo Bei finally memorized the entire thirty-four volumes of the "Mahāyāna Sūtra," including the annotations made by Lao Zhao Nan for the phrases he did not understand.

Emperors and high officials ultimately meet their demise; some individuals cultivate the Dao in pursuit of liberation from the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death, seeking immortality

In "Luobei," under the dim light of an oil lamp, the originally nameless youth set aside the yellowed "Mahāyāna Sutra" that he had memorized by rote and wrote his name once in the sand table. "Uncle Zhao Nan, look at what you taught me; did I write it correctly?"

Luo Bei looked at the "Maha Garu Mi Fa" in his hands, nodded, and suddenly asked, "Has that celestial master been watching me climb this peak all along?"

Before Luo Bei began to engage with this completely unfamiliar world, he found it intriguing, even if he did not fully understand everything he heard. He then asked, "If it loses a head, will it be fine?"

The subtle explanation from Yuan Tianyi caused the young man to tremble all over

The celestial cave was not as imposing as imagined, nor was there the jade pool and liquid described by the fortune-telling elder, with immortals riding on exotic beasts, and resplendent palaces and towers. Observing the aged Zhao Nan, resembling a frail Miao Yi elder, and the solitary Yuan Tianyi, the innocent youth could not help but ask, "Where is our Luofu Sect? Where are the other masters?"

At this moment, barefoot and surrounded by books, the original garment of hemp resembles a white lotus, standing alone amidst the mountains.

"Can spirit beasts also cultivate?" the young man asked curiously

"You shall be called Luo Bei."

From today onward, you are my disciple of Luofu. I have already told you that practicing the Luofu techniques is a matter of life and death, and since you have made this choice, you have entrusted your life and death entirely to me. Therefore, starting today, you must not defy me in any way regarding what I ask of you, nor may you even harbor doubts in your heart. Can you do this?

"Luobei?" The young man repeated this name. He had not yet entered the realm of cultivation and was completely unaware that Yuan Tianyi had finally reached a level that only a few had attained over the millennia. When Yuan Tianyi spoke these words, his tone remained calm and indifferent, cool and detached, yet as the young man looked at him, a trace of warmth inexplicably arose in his heart

"Old Uncle Zhao Nan, are you not also a disciple of Luofu?"

"Can I start my training a day early?" Luo Bei inquired of Lao Zhao Nan, reminiscent of a probing question. He initially thought this question should be directed to his master, Yuan Tianyi, but when he looked at Lao Zhao Nan, he did not feel the same reverence as he did in front of Yuan Tianyi.

In his heart, there are many reasons, but he is inherently dull and cannot articulate well. For a moment, he raised his head to look at Yuan Tianyi, yet he could not utter a single word in response

The young man nodded vigorously. A roll of yellowed silk fell from Yuan Tianyi's hand, and he casually said to the young man: "If you cannot read, Lao Zhaonan will read it to you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him. However, within ten days, you must memorize it all. After ten days, you will begin your own cultivation."

"Then what are those fruits it took away?" Luo Bei seemed to have endless questions, "It must be because it thought I wanted to snatch those fruits from it that it attacked me"

Where you and I are located is precisely where the Luofu Sect resides. The Luofu Sect has always been passed down through a single lineage.

The mysteries of heaven and earth are profound, and the stars are vast. Some individuals cultivate their path to seek the origin and to comprehend the secrets of the universe

The emaciated and stooped old Zhao Nan nodded and said, "The master has instructed that as long as you can recite it completely and understand its meaning, I can take you to practice."

Of course. In the amber-like eyes of Lao Zhaonan, a glimmer of light flashed, only to fade again. All things in the world, from plants to animals, enjoy the nourishment of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Regardless of the type of being, as long as one understands the methods of cultivation, one can certainly practice. However, humans are born with an innate awareness, capable of exploring the mysteries of heaven and earth. Among them, those who have attained enlightenment have left behind many cultivation techniques for future generations. In contrast, beings like the mountain salamander are mostly born ignorant, their lives and deaths entirely dependent on fate. Among them, a few may accidentally awaken their awareness, but most lack established cultivation methods and, coupled with a lack of guidance, act solely according to their nature. Many are not accepted by society and are thus labeled as demons. Conversely, some who cultivate according to their inherent nature, or who refine inner elixirs or treasures, are regarded as precious by many cultivators. They are often hunted and pursued, making such cultivation far more difficult than that of ordinary people.

What was that two-headed monster the other day?" The boy finally asked the question he had been holding in for a long time, "And what did it give me to eat? I still feel like I have endless energy.

The young man took a deep breath, picked up the yellowed silk scroll, on which the golden characters and images appeared as obscure as they could be. He nodded somewhat stiffly, looking at the old Zhao Nan who was grinning at him.

Indeed, hasn't the master already told you? The Luofu lineage has always been passed down in a single line, with only one disciple per generation. I am merely the master's servant