Chapter 7: The Tao Te Ching

This technique has no name, for it encompasses the principles of heaven and earth, thus it is called "The Classic of the Dao"

Jiang Cen wrapped the wild pear in a scholar's outer robe, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and then persevered step by step.

He swiftly picked the fruits, without being selective, solely focused on quantity and efficiency

"Because I am fated to be connected with you!" the old man said. "I have only a wisp of residual soul left, and I cannot cultivate independently; I can only reside within the bodies of other cultivators. Now, I have merged with your body, becoming one with you in life and death. If you die, I too will be scattered like a wisp of soul."

After seizing the body and launching a counterattack, Jiang Cen urged the old man's residual soul to assist him in breaking through the meridian seal using the same reasoning.

However, I have a small request

The old man said: "From your actions, it is clear that you are a person with a strong will to survive, so there is no need for me to repeatedly remind you. I have my own past, and you are likely a person with a story as well. I hope that we can mutually respect each other's privacy. I will not inquire about your story, and you should not ask about my past, how about that"

Just before he took flight, Jiang Cen unhesitatingly swallowed the dragon-patterned jade in front of him

The old soul chuckled and said, "The Flame Wolf is merely a first-level demon beast, equivalent to a Qi Dan stage cultivator. A Golden Dan stage cultivator can easily annihilate a whole group in the blink of an eye; they are not comparable at all"

Having arranged all of this, quite some time has passed. If we calculate, the two disciples of the scholar should be arriving soon. However, they are likely to be deterred by the scholar's corpse and should not discover this hidden cave

Each major realm can be further divided into three minor realms: early stage, middle stage, and late stage

Although not yet fully mature and still somewhat raw, these wild pears can provide Jiang Cen with moisture and energy. Moreover, the skin of wild pears is hard, making them more suitable for longer storage

Jiang Cen had long discovered this cave and had hidden there several times, but each time he was easily found and killed by the scholar

Jiang Cen's speculation has been confirmed, but unfortunately, this is not good news

To survive, one must be strong; only the strong can control their own destiny! Senior, please impart to me the methods of cultivation!

The old man sighed, saying: "No need for that, you and I are in a cooperative relationship, with equal status. I am left with only a wisp of golden light as my remaining soul, so from now on, you shall call me 'Soul Elder'."

"Have you eaten?" Jiang Cen was taken aback

Do you know why that scholar wants to take over your body

It seems the rumors are incorrect, "Jiang Cen said with a bitter smile: "There are no techniques within the dragon-patterned jade, only the remnants of my predecessor's soul."

A few hours later, Jiang Cen once again entered the world of dreams

What are the requirements? Jiang Cen asked: Is it once again a matter of seeking survival rather than seeking death?

A person who is utterly powerless, no matter how cautious or careful they are, finds it very difficult to survive in an environment fraught with danger

The old man's lingering soul hides within the dragon-patterned jade, waiting for a fated person. The old man looks forward to collaborating with this fated person to eventually reshape his immortal form. And you are the old man's fated person

"Survival!" Jiang Cen said, "The senior will know soon enough"

He has once again transformed into a youth in white, reappearing in the valley, still carrying the dragon-patterned jade.

"Since you have passed on your skills to me, should I not address you as Master?" Jiang Cen inquired

He examined the dragon-patterned jade carefully ... ! ... Indeed, a fourth crack had appeared in the dragon-patterned jade !

Jiang Cen said: "Senior, there are lurking demon beasts here, present everywhere. If one wanders aimlessly, it is very likely to lead to a dead end, and one may never escape these vast mountains"

Jiang Cen began to prepare for survival, knowing that the Sword Master would arrive soon, and during this time, he could not afford to waste a moment

I want to devote myself fully to my practice

Jiang Cen felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this, clenching his fists tightly; he did not wish to die again at the hands of the Flame Wolf's minions

The old man was taken aback for a moment, then exclaimed repeatedly: "Good, very good! I did not expect that not only do you possess an exceptionally high innate talent, but you also act with great caution and thorough consideration, which is quite rare!"

A word is a promise! Jiang Cen immediately agreed.

If your first level of cultivation has not reached minor perfection, facing the Flame Wolf will still result in great peril

Jiang Cen threw the wild pear into the cave, moved several stones to block the already very concealed entrance even more securely, and then hid inside the cave

I want to become stronger

Jiang Cen speculated: "Is it related to the dragon-patterned jade?"

The dragon-patterned jade was swallowed by you; if he were to kill you, the technique would also vanish. Therefore, in order to obtain the technique, he can only project his primordial spirit out of his body, enter your being, devour your primordial spirit, and acquire the technique

"Yes, Senior Soul." Jiang Cen replied

Thank you, senior! Jiang Cen was overjoyed and then asked: "Why give this to me?"

Jiang Cen asked, "If I can cultivate to the Golden Core stage, will I be able to deal with demon beasts like the Flame Wolf?"

Not long after, Jiang Cen arrived at a deep cave, carrying a large bag of wild pears.

Next, the Sword-wielding Scholar chose to seize control once again. Jiang Cen persuaded the old man's lingering soul to cooperate with him, and for the third time, he shattered the scholar's soul.

There are many cultivation methods you can practice, however, I shall provide you with the best and most powerful method

What is the name of this technique

This cave is deep, but not too large. The inner walls of the cave are smooth, as if they were artificially excavated, yet they are covered with moss, indicating that it has been abandoned for many years

The old man continued, saying: "Let me first explain the system of cultivation to you. Similar to other practices, the "Dao Sutra" divides the realms of cultivation into thirteen major stages, ranked from low to high as follows: Qi Dan Stage, Ning Dan Stage, Jin Dan Stage, Yuan Dan Stage, Hua Dan Stage; Xu Shen Body, He Yi Body, Da Cheng Body, Du Jie Body; San Xian Realm, Zhen Xian Realm, Jin Xian Realm, Tian Xian Realm"

However, cultivation is not easy! There are a total of three levels of techniques in the initial stage of Qi Dan. Even if your spiritual root is exceptional, whether you can complete the first level of the technique before finishing these wild pears remains uncertain

Your qualifications are exceptional, and your disposition is highly suitable for cultivation; you are truly the best candidate for collaboration with me!

Not bad! The old man said with a smile: "Now only I know the cultivation method, and I am willing to impart this method to you for your practice"

Therefore, I can only hide in a safe cave and begin my cultivation. Only by cultivating and possessing magical power can I unlock the storage ring left by the scholar, deal with the monsters in the mountains, and have the ability to leave this mountain range

When he had picked enough wild pears, so many that one could hardly carry them, the Sword Scholar arrived as scheduled

"What are you trying to do? Why are you sealing yourself in a cave?" The old man was even more puzzled

Jiang Cen has indeed searched for information online, and this is undoubtedly a wild pear tree that has borne quite a few fruits

"That is incorrect!" the old man said, "There is indeed a technique within the dragon-patterned jade, but the technique has been consumed by my lingering soul."

It is hard to imagine that a person who clearly knows that a formidable enemy is approaching would still be picking wild fruits at this critical moment, and this is precisely a part of Jiang Cen's plan

Only after killing the scholar three times did Jiang Cen's resentment diminish a little. After all, this scholar had killed him over one hundred times, making him the great demon in Jiang Cen's heart

With your Five Elements Heavenly Root aptitude, it is not difficult to cultivate

The scholar you killed earlier was indeed a practitioner at the mid-stage of the Golden Core.

After breaking the seal, Jiang Cen immediately removed the scholar's storage ring, stripped off his outer robe, then altered the posture of his hand seals, and finally plunged the sword into the scholar's heart.

He did something he had never done before ... . ... went to pick wild pears

The elder smiled with satisfaction and said, "Very well, I shall impart my techniques to you now"

I want to live

The elder said: "Indeed! It is rumored that within the dragon-patterned jade lies a supreme cultivation technique. Those who obtain and practice this technique will become the supreme true immortals of the entire vast world!"

"Where are you going?" the old man asked curiously. Jiang Cen's actions just now were executed in one go, as if they had been planned in advance