Chapter 723 - 520: Everyone’s Situation (2)
"The ’Supreme Emotionless Phantom True Art’?"
Qin Ping’an’s eyes flashed with a hint of confusion. He subconsciously repeated it, focusing on the words "emotionless," with his brow slightly furrowed.
Seeing his perplexed expression, Chen Sheng immediately raised his hand, interrupting his thoughts, and slowly enlightens him:
"The world often misunderstands the term ’Supreme Emotionless,’ thinking that being emotionless means severing love and affection, sitting in silence, and meditating blankly. In truth, it’s not so."
"The emotionlessness mentioned in this technique does not mean cutting off emotions or desires but is about reaching the pinnacle of emotions, untainted and unattached."
"What is the pinnacle of emotions? It is to know joy, to know sorrow, to know gratitude, to know resentment, to be aware of the suffering of all beings, to know the vastness of time, to embrace heaven and earth, and to fill the world with emotion."
"And what does untainted and unattached mean?"
"It means that even when emotions fill the world, one can still remain unconfined by them, not led astray by illusions, enduring innumerable hardships and emotional tribulations, yet still maintaining an unchanging original heart and returning to true self."
Chen Sheng’s voice slowly echoed in the palace, bringing with it the endless mysteries of the Great Dao, like morning bells and twilight drums, awakening the bewildered Qin Ping’an.
He continued to speak, elaborating on the subtlety of this technique:
"The practice method of this technique is to use emotions as fire, illusions as the furnace, and the heart as the cauldron... refining all illusions, washing away dust, and ultimately returning to the true self, achieving the Great Dao."
"Once the cultivation is successful, without movement it’s fine, but once moved emotions connect with heaven and earth, illusions cover all, falsehood can become truth, and the void can turn real."
"Where emotions lead, illusions arise, and even the most insubstantial illusionary realm can transform into a real world."
"This is the true essence of the Supreme Emotionless Phantom True Dao."
After hearing Chen Sheng’s detailed explanation, Qin Ping’an’s confusion vanished instantly. His eyes burst with dazzling light, and his face was filled with joy and excitement.
This ’Supreme Emotionless Phantom True Art’ seemed tailor-made for him!
Using emotions as fire and illusions as the furnace perfectly aligned with his understanding of entering illusions through emotions and refining false into true, it’s a perfect fit, no inheritance could be more suited to him than this!
Seeing the gleam in his eyes, Chen Sheng knew he was tempted. A satisfied smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and he gently waved his hand, speaking calmly:
"Alright, I won’t say more. You’ve just arrived at the Immortal Mountain, it’s been a long journey. Rest for a while and familiarize yourself with the mountain’s rules."
"As for the ’Supreme Emotionless Phantom True Art’ and the contribution points you need, you must earn them yourself through mountain trials and participating in Dao discussions, to exchange for them."
At this point, he paused and added with a hint of guidance in his tone:
"The spirit of the Immortal Mountain favors young cultivators with exceptional talents and potential like you. As long as you work hard, earning enough contribution points is not difficult."
Qin Ping’an immediately bowed:
"Thank you, Grandfather, for your guidance. I assure you that I will strive diligently in the mountain challenges, and will not disappoint your expectations!"
Chen Sheng nodded slightly and waved his hand:
"Go ahead, Qi Mang, accompany Ping’an to get familiar with the Immortal Mountain."
"As you command."
...
After bidding farewell to Chen Sheng, Qin Ping’an followed the guidance directly to the eighty-eighth layer of the Immortal Mountain.
Ultimately, he stopped steadily at the sixth layer.
This kind of achievement, precisely corresponds to his current cultivation at the Void Refining Eleventh Tribulation.
Upon completing the mountain trial, he received a small amount of contribution points, enough for him to exchange for the first three volumes of the ’Supreme Emotionless Phantom True Art’ - the cultivation techniques of the Void Refining stage, in the mountain’s Treasure Vault.
Qi Mang chuckled:
"Ping’an, a successful first trial."
"There is no rush for cultivation techniques, let me take you to a place first."
Qin Ping’an nodded, smiling:
"Alright, I’ll follow your lead."
The two stepped onto the transport Spirit Light, and in an instant, they arrived at a residence located on a side peak of the Immortal Mountain.
Though less grand and sacred than the Eight Treasures Palace, the residence was exceptionally elegant, with a gilded plaque bearing the inscription "Little Pan Martial Hall."
Qin Ping’an looked up and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. He turned to Qi Mang and asked:
"What is this place?"
Qi Mang smiled, raising his hand to lead him towards the main door, speaking with warmth:
"This is a small residence I exchanged for, using contribution points. Not luxurious, but tranquil."
"Usually, it serves as a gathering place for the master’s friends and fellow disciples, providing support for one another."
As they spoke, the two entered the courtyard.
Inside, Spiritual Qi swirled around, with rare flowers and exotic plants dotting the landscape.
Over ten cultivators sat around a stone table, sipping tea and discussing the Dao, their auras impressively majestic.
Qi Mang led Qin Ping’an forward and introduced him warmly:
"Ping’an, these are our kin and fellows, and it’s good to have mutual support while on the Immortal Mountain."
Qin Ping’an looked up and saw many familiar faces among the group.
Golden Saint, Primordial Limit, and Primordial Tyrant were all present, their expressions unchanged, but there was a deeper sense of age upon their brows, and their aura had become even more substantial.
Aside from these familiar figures, the other cultivators were all Innate Sacred who hailed from the Pan Wu Realm.
They rose from the Pan Wu Realm, achieved success in cultivation, and upon entering the Void Refining Realm, they gradually became disciples under Chen Sheng and came under the banner of the Antarctic Immortal Mansion.
All who appeared here were Inner Sect Disciples, with cultivation at the pinnacle of Void Refining.
Qin Ping’an greeted them one by one with cupped hands:
"Ping’an greets fellow Daoists."
Everyone returned the salute, their tones humble:
"We’ve long heard of your esteemed name, Daoist friend, and today, seeing you in person, you indeed have an extraordinary bearing."
After some pleasantries, Qi Mang raised his hand and brought over a Daoist who looked like a boy.
The boy had delicate features, wore a blue Daoist Robe, had a tall and straight posture, and his eyes showed some wisdom and respect. He was at the Void Refining Seventh Tribulation.
"Ping’an, this is my disciple, Cang Lan."
Cang Lan immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Qin Ping’an:
"Cang Lan greets Martial Uncle."
Qin Ping’an looked at the boy in front of him, a slight smile in his eyes, his tone gentle, and praised softly:
"What a brilliant youth, with solid foundation and pure disposition. Your brother has taught his disciple well, and in the future, he will surely achieve great things."
Cang Lan heard this and quickly bowed, thanking:
"Martial Uncle over-praises."
Qi Mang also smiled and nodded at the side, his eyes full of comfort.
Qin Ping’an smiled and nodded, his gaze shifting to a young man standing next to Cang Lan.
The young man wore a Profound Daoist Robe, with an ancient look, and was none other than the third Direct Disciple under Chen Sheng—Zhang Longhu.
Qin Ping’an: "Longhu, you have also come out of seclusion."
Qi Mang smiled beside him:
"Back then, Longhu and I both stopped at the sixth step of the Transcendent Immortal Path."
"Several thousand years ago, he successfully came out of seclusion and devoted himself to comprehending the Loose Immortal legacy within the Immortal Mountain, and not long ago broke through to the Void Refining Eleventh Tribulation."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ping’an couldn’t help but feel a few sighs in his heart, and his gaze fell on Zhang Longhu with sincere admiration:
"Truly, the waves behind drive the waves ahead!"
Primordial Limit and Primordial Tyrant exchanged a glance upon hearing this, their eyes filled with a bit of sighing.
The two of them had always followed their eldest brother, witnessing generation after generation of young cultivators rise, seeing these young ones strive to catch up, and even surpass themselves.
But they themselves, as time washed over them, grew older each day, and gradually felt the threat of the Longevity Dao Tribulation.
Over the years, their cultivation had progressed more and more slowly, and now they remained trapped in the Seventh Heaven of Gods and Demons (Void Refining Ten Tribulation).
If they cannot take another step forward, the next Dao Tribulation that arrives could be the end of their lives.
With helpless hearts, they thought:
"Brother Changkong succumbed ten thousand years ago; perhaps our time is not far off!"
Golden Saint stood aside, listening to Qin Ping’an’s praise, and sighed gently in her heart.
Time is merciless, and the Great Dao is arduous!
Watching these juniors rise, there was relief, but also some contemplation of their paths.
She had barely stepped into the Ninth Heaven of Gods and Demons (Void Refining Twelve Tribulation), yet she had not been able to comprehend the perfect Dao Domain...
The higher the realm, the more she understood the great gap between herself and a Dharma Master.
What seemed like a fine line was actually a world of difference!
The ultimate leap, hope was dim!
The atmosphere in the courtyard became slightly more subdued.
Zhang Longhu shook his head with a smile, his tone sincere:
"Indeed, compared to Second Senior Sister, I fall far short."
"Sister Yu Zhen has not yet set foot off the Transcendent Immortal Path; according to the current timeline, she has already stepped to the eighth step."
"Within nearly ten Primordial Assemblies, on the Transcendent Immortal Path, Senior Sister has gone the farthest, with talent and aptitude far beyond mine."
Qin Ping’an felt a stir of joy for Yu Zhen.
The Transcendent Immortal Path, nine-step Dharma Master!
Qi Mang also nodded beside him, expressing a sense of admiration:
"The talent of Junior Sister is probably the highest among us. Given time, she is bound to become a Dharma Master and bring glory to the master’s house."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes carrying a sense of expectation.