Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 42 The Choice of Dao Foundation

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Lu Ming's state of mind became increasingly calm and composed during his cultivation at Tianyan Peak.

That night's conversation with Senior Brother Zhao Ling was like a soothing medicine, dissolving the obstacles in his heart caused by his emotions and making him clearer about his own path.

He devoted all his energy to cultivation, comprehending the true meaning of Taoism, refining the wisp of Qingping sword intent, and diligently practicing the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.

After five years of arduous training in the outer sect and guidance from the inner sect masters and fellow disciples, he finally achieved his goal and succeeded naturally.

On a clear, spiritually rich morning, as he stood beneath the waterfall, his mind and spirit completely merged with the harmonious and ever-renewing rhythm of nature. Suddenly, the vortex of energy within his body solidified, and his spiritual power surged like a tide, yet remained perfectly unified.

Lu Ming's "Nine Revolutions Profound Technique" has reached its third level, now complete.

Feeling the Dao Seed slowly rotating and breathing in spiritual energy within his dantian, and the spiritual energy in his body that was several times purer than it had been half a year ago, Lu Ming felt little excitement, only a sense of calm that "it should be this way".

He knew that he had reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage, and ahead lay the crucial hurdle that would determine how far he could go on his path—Foundation Building.

However, as he cultivated the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, he learned from the inheritance of the technique and the many secrets of the Scripture Pavilion that using this method to build a foundation was by no means a simple accumulation of spiritual power and breaking through bottlenecks.

Foundation building, foundation building, is the foundation for the future great path!

Ordinary cultivators either rely on their own spiritual power to break through barriers or use magical treasures or spiritual objects as a guide to condense their Dao foundation.

However, if you want to use the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique to forge an unparalleled foundation, you must find a sufficiently powerful "carrier"!

This vessel may be an unparalleled treasure containing fragments of the laws of heaven and earth, or a powerful magical artifact with a naturally formed spiritual essence and an inner cave.

Using this object as the core, one can combine one's own Dao seed with a vast amount of spiritual energy to build a perfect Dao foundation.

Not only does it have a foundation far superior to its peers, but it also brings immeasurable benefits to understanding the laws and breaking through to higher realms in the future.

The quality of one's Dao foundation directly determines the upper limit of a cultivator's potential.

This matter was of great importance, and Lu Ming dared not be negligent. After stabilizing his cultivation level, he went straight to the Tianyan Hall to request an audience with his master, Xuanji.

Inside the Tianyan Hall, after listening to Lu Ming's report, Xuanji scanned him with his divine sense, especially carefully examining the Dao Seed contained within the spiritual light in his dantian, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

"Triple perfection, solid foundation, pure spiritual power, and the Qingping Sword Intent has also been nurtured to the point of possessing initial spirituality... Not bad, not bad."

Xuanji nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "Now that you know the key to the foundation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, you should understand the importance of the 'carrier'."

"Disciple understands, and humbly requests Master's guidance," Lu Ming said respectfully.

Xuanji pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The Daoist academy has a history of ten thousand years and a profound foundation. Within the sect's treasure trove, there are naturally magical treasures and spiritual materials suitable as the foundation for one's Dao."

For example, the 'Five Elements Spirit Pearl' can build a solid foundation for the Five Elements Dao. The 'Star Tear' contains a trace of the laws of the stars and can draw upon stellar power to temper the body.

Even the embryonic forms of natal magic treasures left behind by some senior masters, whose spiritual essence has not been extinguished, are also excellent choices...

He looked calmly at Lu Ming: "If you choose this path, I can try to get you a superior vessel; it shouldn't be a problem."

"With this foundation, one will surely become an outstanding member of the inner sect, and the future Nascent Soul stage is within reach."

Lu Ming's heart stirred. The sect's resources were indeed tempting, saving him from countless trips and dangers.

However, he did not immediately express his opinion, because he knew that his master had not finished speaking.

As expected, Xuanji continued, "However, although such treasures are of superior quality, they are ultimately 'man-made' objects and have their limits."

"While the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, which directly points to the supreme Dao, can be used to build a foundation, it may not be able to fully unleash its potential and build the legendary supreme Dao foundation."

"Supreme Dao Foundation?" Lu Ming's gaze sharpened.

"Not bad." A hint of reminiscence and sigh flashed in Xuanji's eyes.

"The foundation of the supreme Dao is so solid that it is comparable to that of ancient great beings when they first embarked on the path of immortality. Their affinity with the laws of heaven and earth far surpasses that of ordinary people, and they are more likely to give birth to unique innate divine abilities."

"To establish this foundation, one must possess great opportunity, great perseverance, and great courage."

"The vessel it requires must be an extraordinary opportunity bestowed by heaven and earth, which is often something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after."

He paused for a moment: "According to the ancient records of the sect and the explorations of our predecessors, such an opportunity exists in an ancient forbidden area controlled by the Dao Academy—the Land of Immortal Remnants."

"The Land of Immortal Remnants?" This was the first time Lu Ming had heard of this name, but for some reason it felt somewhat familiar.

"It was a shattered ancient battlefield. Although there were true immortal mountains and blessed lands, as well as the ruins of lost sects, the space was chaotic, full of dangers, and contained countless powerful restrictions, strange creatures, and unknown inheritances and treasures."

Xuanji's tone was solemn, "There is indeed an extraordinary opportunity within it. Those who defied the heavens once brought out celestial gold and divine materials, as well as fragments of ancient treasures containing cave heavens."

"But with this comes an extremely high risk of death. Not to mention Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, even someone as strong as me could perish in it."

"The land of immortal ruins is said to be the immortal realm that fell during the ancient immortal era. The power of nothingness permeates it, and no matter how powerful your Taoist magic is, you can't exert much power there. Instead, your spiritual power and soul will be constantly eroded."

"The depths of the Immortal Remnant Land are even more perilous, where time and space are chaotic and space is fragmented, and no Dao principles are manifest. Anyone who goes there will only face certain death."

Xuanji looked at Lu Ming with a deep gaze: "Now, you have two paths before you."

"Firstly, exchanging massive contributions for sect treasures to establish one's foundation ensures safety and a smooth future, which is the choice of the vast majority of disciples."

"Secondly, enter the outer perimeter of the Immortal Remnant Land and seek opportunities on your own."

"This path is fraught with peril; one may return empty-handed, or even perish. But if one succeeds, the world will be vast and boundless, and one will truly possess the qualifications to ascend to the supreme Dao!"

"The choice is yours."

After Xuanji finished speaking, he said no more, leaving Lu Ming with plenty of room to think.

Lu Ming stood there, his heart surging with emotion.

There are two paths. One is a bright future that is visible and stable, but may leave regrets.

The other path is a perilous journey shrouded in mist, where one could either ascend to heaven in one leap or plunge into an abyss.

Lu Ming recalled the dream he had mentioned when he first started his journey, smiled slightly, and made his choice without hesitation.

The path of cultivation is inherently defying the heavens and fighting against fate!

If one doesn't even dare to strive for the best future at the Foundation Establishment stage, how can one talk about overcoming obstacles and pursuing the supreme Dao in the future?

Lu Ming slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with an unprecedented determination.

He faced Xuanji, bowed deeply, and his voice, clear and bright, echoed in the silent hall:

"Disciple wishes to travel to the land of immortal ruins to seek opportunities and establish an unparalleled foundation for the Dao!"

Xuanji looked at the young man with burning eyes in His Highness, and a smile of approval appeared on his face.

"good."