Chapter 88: Chapter 84: Three Methods—Upper, Middle, and Lower!

As the brilliant silver light descended, before everyone could react, there was already a figure on the jade cushion at the center of the Dharma Hall.

It was a middle-aged Daoist wearing a white Daoist Robe, jade at his waist, hair tied with a cyan pin, and a handsome face.

He had a gentle demeanor, but his eyes were deep, exuding an unfathomable aura. With just a light sweep of his gaze, everyone in the hall bowed their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Having refined Heaven-Earth Qi to forge the Dao Foundation, possessing miraculous techniques, and enjoying a lifespan of four hundred and fifty years.

"Greetings, Steward!"

Gu Yuan and the others bowed their heads in salute, respectfully addressing the Daoist on the stage.

This person was the Steward of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, Xiang Ronghua, with the Daoist title Huaguang, from a Humble Lineage.

"Stand up, all of you!"

The Daoist lightly swept his sleeve, and everyone felt a tranquility in their hearts, as if all agitations and fears dispersed, looking calmly and fearlessly at the Daoist.

"All are disciples of the Daoist School, seeking the path without fear, what is there to be afraid of?"

The Daoist laughed softly, his attitude very gentle.

Everyone felt a warmth in their hearts.

"I came here today not for much else, but to impart some insights on cultivation, listen well..."

The Daoist spoke succinctly, without delay, and then began to speak on his own.

The way of cultivation, perception, and Root Bone are of utmost importance.

Whether it is True Visualization Diagram, breaking through bottlenecks, or refining Dharma Seals, it is a continuous understanding of the self, the heavens and earth, and the Dao. Over time, many confusions inevitably arise.

At this time, the Daoist spoke eloquently, from a high vantage point, explaining the difficulties and subtleties lightly.

Gu Yuan, after listening, also greatly benefited, feeling that his past cultivation was indeed somewhat "reckless".

Relying solely on resources to pile up, breaking realms through Dharma Fruit, in fact, the way of cultivation also has various key points for skilful and meticulous breakthroughs.

If Gu Yuan were to cultivate again, he estimated he could save a hundred Spirit Stones.

For a time, the entire Dharma Hall was extremely quiet, only the Daoist’s gentle voice continuously echoed, like a murmuring spring, flowing slowly.

Seventy-two people outside the hall listened very attentively, fearing to miss a single word.

These are real and precious experiences that can save Spirit Stones and reduce cultivation time.

But on the sixteen cushions in the hall, Gu Yuan and others remained rather calm.

Because what the Daoist said was basically insights for those below the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, which they had already surpassed, now just revisiting and verifying, gaining one more understanding.

The real teachings were yet to come.

Unknowingly, a long time passed before the Daoist’s voice slowly stopped, and the Dharma Hall fell silent again.

But soon after, the Daoist’s voice sounded again, this time addressing the sixteen in the inner hall:

"Today is a cultivation teaching, any of you with doubts, feel free to speak."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the crowd were filled with joy, but they did not dare to speak too much, instead looking at the leading cushion.

Senior Brother Li cleared his throat, bowed to the Daoist, and then asked:

"I have a doubt, please steward guide me."

"Feel free to speak."

"I have cultivated to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and imprinted the True Qi Refining Diagram in the Transmission Hall, but have always failed to enter the path, especially seek the steward’s guidance!"

The middle-aged Daoist’s gaze was like electricity, sweeping over Senior Brother Li, then sighed slightly.

"The way of cultivation emphasizes Root Bone and perception. Your failure to enter the path is due to insufficient perception, making it difficult to comprehend the Dharma Gate."

"This barrier is the second level of cultivation, obscure and indescribable, I can’t guide you, there are now only two methods."

"Please, steward, impart your wisdom!"

"First, seek a Golden Core Ascendant, to guide you and clear your doubts, who can assist you in achieving the Dharma Gate."

"Second, look for Dharma Seals and Exotic Treasures that can enhance perception. I see you already have some understanding of the Qi Refining Technique, with just a little assistance, you can succeed."

"Do you know where to..."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Li rejoiced greatly and wanted to ask more, but the middle-aged Daoist had already swept his sleeve and stopped speaking.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Li’s robe shook lightly, seemingly unintentionally, dropping a cyan jade stone from his sleeve.

The jade stone shimmered brightly, with natural patterns, resembling a cyan carp swimming within, vivid and lifelike, extremely mystical.

Witnessing this scene, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but turn his head in surprise, looking at Senior Brother Li.

And the gaze of the middle-aged Daoist on the dais also descended, landing on the jade stone.

He had no expression on his face, but a golden light arrived abruptly, landing in Senior Brother Li’s hand.

Senior Brother Li’s face was instantly filled with joy, tightly gripping the golden light, then thanked the Daoist, without saying more.

All this happened very quickly, almost unseen by others, and then the Daoist’s gaze lightly moved, falling on Gu Yuan.

"Any doubts?"

Gu Yuan composed himself, saluted the Daoist, then asked: "My cultivation is at the Peak of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, but the bottleneck is like shackles binding me, preventing reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, please steward guide me!"

The Daoist glanced at Gu Yuan, seemingly surprised, but still answered:

"This matter is both difficult and easy, I have Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Techniques, and it’s up to your choice."

"Please, steward, impart your wisdom!"

"The Upper Technique is to find a Body Seal, improving the Root Bone. If the Root Bone is excellent, then the so-called bottleneck naturally ceases to exist."

"The Middle Technique involves Dual Cultivation and the path of Exotic Treasures, using External Forces to break the shackles."

"The Lower Technique is to consume pills and practice hard without stopping, using grinding perseverance over time, continuously wearing down the shackles. The Qi Refining Ninth Layer is not an insurmountable chasm, and although this method is clumsy, it’s still a way."

After speaking, the Daoist swept his sleeve again, no longer speaking, similar to how he treated Senior Brother Li.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan’s robe shook lightly, like Senior Brother Li, seemingly unintentionally dropping an item from his robe.

It was a piece of purple wood, brightly colored, with mystical natural patterns.

Senior Brother Li immediately turned his head, surprised and looked at Gu Yuan, astonished.

But Gu Yuan couldn’t bother to look at him, only looking at the Daoist.

"Swish!"

With a flick of the Daoist’s finger, a golden Jade Talisman appeared in Gu Yuan’s hand.

Gu Yuan felt a relief in his heart, holding the Jade Talisman in reverse, and then remained silent, just listening quietly.

Then a respectful inquiry sounded from the right side cushion.

"In my recent cultivation, there were some mistakes, causing hidden pain in my meridians..."

"I want to seek a method to refine a Dharma Seal..."

"Disciple..."

The inquiries one by one arose in the inner hall, continuous, and the Daoist answered them one by one, but with a very rapid pace, not giving the disciples a chance to ask again.

When the last person finished asking questions, the middle-aged Daoist turned into a stream of light, disappearing in an instant, as if he had never appeared.

Then, the inner hall was suddenly buzzing with discussions, some showing relaxed expressions on their faces, others sighing.

And Senior Brother Li at the front seat turned to look at Gu Yuan, a playful smile on his face:

"I didn’t expect Junior Brother to also be a clever person!"

"This Purple Jade Calming Incense was chosen well, the steward favors such refined items."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan also turned his head and smiled lightly: "It is just the steward’s favor, nothing compared to Senior Brother’s Cyan Carp Jade!"

The two glanced at each other, looking at the Golden Talismans in each other’s hands, smiles appearing on their faces.