CHAPTER 692: CHAPTER 262: SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION, SITTING FORGET, AND THE OTHER SHORE

It seemed as though there was a momentary freeze between Heaven and Earth!

As the force exploded, sweeping across like a storm, Jing Qiu stepped back several times, unloading power beneath his feet, causing the snow-covered mountains to shake with every step.

He steadied his stance, looked up, and saw a black and white serpent coiled in the void, only as thick as a finger.

This was indeed the former companion of Master Meng Pingchuan, the Void Giant Beast, Swallowing Realm Snake.

He glanced at his palm, a deep red mark visible, feeling as though even his hand bones had fractures.

Truly worthy of being a Void Giant Beast!

Jing Qiu marveled inwardly.

Witnessing this scene.

Meng Qianyun, who arrived as well, suddenly contracted his pupils.

Snow Ancestor, now in his youth, held a rank equivalent to the Heavenly Human rank, yet his power surpassed many Heavenly Persons within the Federation, though still unable to compete with a Grandmaster, existing above the Heavenly Person but below a Grandmaster.

This is the pure-blooded Void Giant Beast, famed for being invincible within the same realm.

One might say, Snow Ancestor now is fundamentally one of the Federation’s foundations, especially in the absence of Grandmasters, Great Grandmasters, serving as a core protector of the Federation.

And now, Jing Qiu unexpectedly caught Snow Ancestor’s tail with one hand without shattering!

This kid’s physical body is indeed as absurdly incredible as rumored!

Snow Ancestor reached out its tail tip and scratched its head, not expecting the little guy in front of him to catch its tail so effortlessly...

Just two years ago, even a breath could have blown away the little guy!

Suddenly.

The dark golden serpent eyes of the Swallowing Realm Snake abruptly inverted and, with a stretch, crossed the void to arrive in front of Jing Qiu, staring at the bracelet on his wrist.

In fact, the reason Jing Qiu visited was for his Swallowing Realm Snake.

Since coming out of the Ancient Road, after almost a year, the little guy remained inactive.

Snow Ancestor stared for a moment, then transmitted a thought with a muffled voice:

"Why does this color seem wrong?"

Jing Qiu: "..."

He felt a bit embarrassed.

Indeed, Snow Ancestor’s serpent body, black and white intertwined, subtly aligned with the essence of the Dao’s energy.

Whereas his serpent was fundamentally black as ink, like a burning charcoal, vibrant red and bright, with specks of scarlet.

Everything seemed related to the Bitter Sea, where some anomaly occurred under its energy.

Snow Ancestor looked all around, finding that aside from the unusual color... everything seemed off!

Oh no, raised crookedly by this kid!

Jing Qiu lightly coughed, explaining the current state of the little guy, asking if there was any accident.

Snow Ancestor shook its head: "Just ate too much, naturally sleeping longer, but it’s almost fully digested. Indeed, following you was the right choice, having a feast right after birth. Back then, following Pingchuan, I couldn’t even get enough to eat!"

Listening to Snow Ancestor’s irritated tone, the corner of Meng Qianyun’s mouth twitched, pretending not to hear.

"Uncle Meng." Jing Qiu’s gaze turned, smiling.

"Jing Qiu." Meng Qianyun was a taciturn person, not good with words, only nodding and inviting him to join for a seat.

The three entered the wooden house, Snow Ancestor coiled atop Jing Qiu’s head, claiming the feng shui here was excellent.

After consulting Snow Ancestor about the Swallowing Realm Snake’s heritage, Jing Qiu engaged Meng Qianyun about his current realm.

As they talked, the conversation gradually shifted to spiritual cultivation, with Jing Qiu asking about [Sitting Forget] beyond Fetal Breathing.

"[Sitting Forget]..." Meng Qianyun paused, saying, "Do you know the difference between a Supreme Grandmaster and a Grandmaster?"

Jing Qiu’s interest was piqued.

As far as he knew, the Supreme Grandmaster belonged to the Seven Realms, yet far surpassed a Grandmaster, thus being listed separately, as an independent realm.

Like someday when he breaks through to Heavenly Person, the world will learn where the ’Extreme Realm’ of the Heavenly Human Realm truly lies.

Perhaps, atop the three steps of the Heavenly Person ladder, a separate realm might be created for him alone.

"Is it not because the Supreme Grandmaster is infinitely close to Eight Realms?" Jing Qiu asked.

Currently, the suppression from Heaven and Earth in the Great Universe is extraordinarily severe, not allowing beings beyond the Seven Realms to exist.

Based on what Jing Qiu understood, this was related to the fall of the Five Pillars years ago, but the specific reason remained unknown.

The recent departure led by the Federation Grandmaster related to the mutation of the cosmic law, reportedly aiming for further progress.

Hence, the group of "old men" decided to seize the opportunity, relying on themselves more than their successors.

"You could say that, but it’s not inherently why." Meng Qianyun slowly stated, "The true gap between a Supreme Grandmaster and a Grandmaster lies in the Spirit Realm, the difference between Fetal Breathing and Sitting Forget."

Jing Qiu’s gaze sharpened; he knew the height of [Sitting Forget] but didn’t anticipate its exceptional nature to this extent.

In the Federation Martial Arts System, introducing the Spirit Realm typically halted at Fetal Breathing.

Few expounded on Sitting Forget, as this realm utterly lacked circulation.

In the majority of martial artists’ minds, Fetal Breathing represents the highest spirit realm, profoundly arcane, with the condensation of the Spiritual Holy Embryo merely the first step.

Yet beyond Fetal Breathing lies Sitting Forget—

Jing Qiu gently spoke: "Abandoning limbs, dismissing intelligence, departing form and knowledge to align with the Great Connexion, this is Sitting Forget—"

"Indeed."

Meng Qianyun also revealed a longing expression,

"Only by forgetting bodily sensations and abandoning worldly wisdom can one reach the realm of unity with the cosmic Dao. In ancient times, this realm was also referred to as ’Saint.’

Jing Qiu nodded.

This step differed slightly from what he foresaw in novels in his previous life about Dao Saints.

The distinction lies not in harmonizing with the Dao, becoming its avatar, impartial and just, but ascending from "Enlightenment of the Dao" to "Enlightenment of the Self."

Simply put, the ultimate return is to the True Self.

In fact, within Heavenly Person’s Three Calamities, virtually each calamity harbors the risk of self-loss.

Whether performing the divine Heavenly Human Unity or enjoying the freedom of Divine Travel among realms, the risk of losing oneself accompanies it, posing a major challenge for Heavenly Human martial artists.

Ahead of this obstacle, the weight of a martial artist’s True Self is immensely significant.

"No delusion..." Jing Qiu softly uttered.

The one who sits in forgetfulness, achieves it through sustained imagination, forgets through sustained imagination.

What is sustained imagination?

Also delusion.

The Sitting Forget realm, in truth, had a subtle connection with his Formless Path.

"The paths of Dao diverge yet converge." Jing Qiu sighed, then consulted, "Uncle Meng, what comes after Sitting Forget?"

Meng Qianyun shook his head: "Beyond Sitting Forget, even ancestors are unaware, leaving messages suggesting that beyond Sitting Forget, only the Seven Marshals glimpsed into it millennia ago. Legend has it that Marshal Mu truly crossed that step."

Upon learning that even a Supreme Grandmaster doesn’t know what’s beyond Sitting Forget, Jing Qiu grew curious, promptly seeking external assistance, inquiring Hel.

"Sitting Forget is the ultimate of the Dao on This Shore; beyond Sitting Forget naturally leads to the Other Shore."

The Other Shore?

Jing Qiu privately contemplated.

Fetal Breathing, Sitting Forget, the Other Shore, are these the final three realms of spiritual cultivation?

"How to ascertain Sitting Forget?" Meng Qianyun shook his head, saying, "Right now, don’t think so far ahead, to break through this realm, you must at least attain Grandmaster, see where the Dharma Realm is, and then open the way. If you can’t see the Dao, how talk of merging with it?"

Seeing where the Dharma Realm resides... Jing Qiu’s expression shifted slightly, for the embryonic form of the divine skill he created, [The Beginning of One Element], blended the marvels of the Dharma Realm.

Nonetheless, his current spiritual cultivation indeed stands far from Sitting Forget, even Fetal Breathing, not having fully grasped its mysteries—merely entering.

For now, Jing Qiu discussed the cultivation of Fetal Breathing with Meng Qianyun.

"Upon entering the Fetal Breathing Realm, the spirit can wander among countless universes, thereby analyzing the wonders of these realms, extracting various energies from infinite worlds for personal use, and the Holy Embryo will receive a baptism from them. This is the true essence of the Fetal Breathing Realm, the gap within this realm is vast, entirely depending on personal ’accumulation.’

Meng Qianyun pondered, saying,

"You must quickly achieve Heart and Body Unity; this grants an opportunity to pry open the gates of various realms to truly appreciate the profoundness of Fetal Breathing."

Heart and Body Unity?

Jing Qiu shook his head inwardly.

His logic is precisely the opposite—using the power of various realms to aid in achieving Heart and Body Unity!

[Formless Heavenly Demon Technique]... truly evokes anticipation.