Starting Cultivation During a Trip

The Primordial Spirit rises, radiating infinite light; traveling from the North Sea at dawn to Cangwu at dusk.

Above High Skill, there is Mahasattva.

The Daoist Scripture says, those who step into this realm command the Nature Heavenly Tao Skill, Heart Thunder, Primordial Light illuminating all, transforming into feathered form to ascend the heavens.

When the Primordial Spirit emerges, one can Divine Travel in all directions, no longer restrained by the physical vessel.

It must be known, when ordinary cultivators have their Primordial Spirit emerge—even for those with High Skill—at best, they can only venture ten or so kilometers from their body; any further and they are affected. Moreover, there are severe limits on how long they can stay apart from their body.

Just like WiFi: if you go beyond the set range, there's no signal; to surf the net, you'd have to use your own data, and exceeding your data means you owe money and get your service cut off!

Back in East Mountain Province, Zhang Fan imprisoned the Observatory Master of Lao Mountain Daoist School's Primordial Spirit. Being apart from the body for too far and too long led to demonic afflictions: the flesh withered and died, and the Primordial Spirit slowly became a homeless, wandering soul.

Yet, once one ascends to the Mahasattva rank, these limitations vanish. To travel a thousand miles at night, to be apart from the body for over a month—these are nothing unusual.

Precisely for this reason, High Skill advancing to Mahasattva is a matter of transformation, not something easily comprehended and attained.

Now, Xu Qinglai unexpectedly exposed that Meng Qinghuan had already stepped into this realm; this left the genius from Daoist Alliance Headquarters rather surprised.

"In days past, our Ancestral Master of Qingcheng Mountain once taught the Dao at Qi Yun Mountain; by this count, our two sects share incense ties, and moreover, within the Daoist Alliance, Qingcheng and Qi Yun have always walked in kinship…" Xu Qinglai intoned solemnly.

"With such a promising talent emerging from Qi Yun Mountain's current generation, how could there be not the slightest rumor?"

As two of the Ten Great Taoist Sects, each is naturally familiar with the other's foundations, especially regarding the younger generation, who are always the focus of all sects and schools.

When embers fade, the transmission of the flame is vital—new strength is the hope of incense and candle inheritance, the weightiest matter to any sect or school.

"Mahasattva is hardly easily achieved; I too was fortunate lately, and with the enlightenment from President Jiang, luck chanced upon me, allowing me to enter this realm."

Meng Qinghuan spoke in a steady undertone, her eyes showing an unusual glimmer, yet her words were full of composure and poise.

"The path of cultivation has never been about mere luck; to gain President Jiang's guidance is your own merit, to reach this realm is your own merit." Xu Qinglai could not mask envy on his face.

Meng Qinghuan is the outstanding disciple of Qi Yun Mountain's current generation. Two years ago, she entered the Shangjing Daoist Alliance Headquarters, able to intern at Jiang Wansui's side—a blessing many can only dream of.

That man now holds half the world's Daoist authority; his renown is no less than Chu Chaoran.

After all, Jiang Wansui is not only the Chairman of Daoist Alliance Headquarters, but also the Observatory Master of White Crane Temple, representing the highest will.

"Since you know I serve at President Jiang's side, every action must be taken with utmost care." Meng Qinghuan spoke with a subtle implication.

"Zhang Fan… he is no ordinary disciple of Zhenwu Mountain."

"Oh?"

Xu Qinglai's brows arched, unable to help asking, "Does he have some unusual background?"

"Xu Qinglai, you have cultivated at Qingcheng Mountain for many years; you've at least gained some Fire Time, yet you act so carelessly, not even investigating the other's roots before daring to take reckless action."

Meng Qinghuan lifted her beautiful eyes and smiled lightly, "The world is vast, full of hidden dragons and tigers—even at President Jiang's level, one holds three parts reverence in their heart, so how could you not?"

"This is Jiangnan, not Chuanshu."

Just a few words, yet they revealed boundless force, as if towering above, instructing and admonishing at will.

Xu Qinglai and Lanting Bamboo exchanged glances, but dared not retort. They could only listen silently.

First, with Meng Qinghuan's status and strength, she was indeed owed this respect. Second, they had come by their own initiative, asking a favor.

"Please guide me out of this confusion," Xu Qinglai requested with humility.

Such attitude greatly pleased Meng Qinghuan.

"This Zhang Fan, I've only met him once. Though he's nameless and little known in the Daoist Sect, nonetheless…"

"I heard from Chairman Lou of Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance that he may be the closed-door disciple of Transcendent Zhenren!"

"What?"

At these words, Xu Qinglai and Lanting Bamboo's expressions shifted dramatically, eyes filled with deep suspicion and astonishment.

On the cultivation path, seeking longevity, only by stepping into the Path of Pure Yang Wuji can one glimpse the only true gate to immortality.

Yet for a hundred years, aside from the erstwhile world's number one expert, Three Corpses Daoist, only Chu Chaoran has stepped into such a realm.

The closed-door disciple of the Transcendent Zhenren—by that identity alone, he's as rare as dragon dung in the Daoist world—unique, and untouchable.

"But… wasn't the closed-door disciple of Transcendent Zhenren Xia Weisheng?" Xu Qinglai asked in confusion.

This is common knowledge. Back then, when Transcendent Zhenren took Xia Weisheng as a disciple, it was a grand event, inviting all sects and factions to witness.

Therefore, Xia Weisheng has an extraordinary standing within the Daoist Sect; many big figures know him, and great gifts were presented at the time.

"A being like Transcendent Zhenren, would hardly be bound by worldly rituals; just because the door was closed once, does it mean it can never open again?" Meng Qinghuan replied indifferently.

"This…"

Xu Qinglai was stunned, exchanging glances with Lanting Bamboo.

This was something unheard of.

"Of course, there's no confirmation on this. Even if not a disciple of Transcendent Zhenren, within Zhenwu Mountain he is not a common figure…"

"To reach High Skill at such age, his prospects are boundless." Meng Qinghuan gave Zhang Fan the highest praise.

"In that case, he's even more worth your attention." Xu Qinglai thought for a moment, then spoke suddenly.

"How so?" Meng Qinghuan said nonchalantly.