CHAPTER 793: CHAPTER 016: SOUL WANDERING TALENT

The previous generation had nowhere to go, and in such an environment, cultivation became even harder, resources scarcer, with even fewer paths forward.

Zhou Yan finally understood why some cultivators were so selfish and self-serving; it seemed that aside from cultivators like Hua Qiudao, who truly had seen through it all and had an indifferent nature, the rest of the cultivators had their natures twisted by obsession and other driving forces.

This was the doing of the world, the consequence of the Supreme Dao of this land.

Sometimes, when hope was completely out of sight, it could drive people to hysteria, to the point where nothing mattered anymore.

It could be said that it was a relief just that this Cultivation World had not perished.

Zhou Yan really felt relieved, thinking that even the Xuanyuan Ancestor, knowing the outcome, would probably feel a tinge of sighs.

The perspective from which one viewed a problem shaped their state of mind. Seeing things from a positive angle brought disappointment, but seeing the bigger picture left Zhou Yan feeling content knowing that some smaller sects still had the chance to survive in the Cultivation World.

And it wasn’t like acts of brazen wrongdoings or violent robberies happened all that frequently.

At least, the fact that the Pure Yang Sect, possessing the Supreme Treasure, Yu King’s Nine Cauldrons, was still doing well was very telling.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou Yan, my condolences."

Hua Qiudao sighed, apparently seeing the dispiritedness in Zhou Yan’s expression, he couldn’t help but offer words of comfort.

"Alas..."

Zhou Yan sighed, his sigh encapsulating the glory and vicissitudes of the Cultivation World.

"Over the years, I often helped cultivators to resolve their grudges and safeguarded the peace of the Cultivation World. I also guided some in their cultivation techniques and practices, earning the affirmation of many cultivators.

This affirmation wrapped around me like a predestined force, giving me keen senses. Even upon reaching the limit of my lifespan, I could remain deathless.

Furthermore, I feel that this energy, akin to a concentration of beliefs, can improve many things."

Hua Qiudao stopped walking and stood there, sharing his cultivation insights with Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan knew that Hua Qiudao must have a reason for saying this.

Indeed, Hua Qiudao continued, "Many times, because of the accumulation of this energy, I found myself sinking into a dreamlike state resembling that of ordinary folk. In these dreams, there was always an ancient figure clad in golden battle armor with hands clasped behind the back, speaking to me in an unfathomable language."

"The first time, I did not understand; the second time, I did not understand."

"But after many times, even the dullest mind would become enlightened."

"Later, I understood; the spoken words were in oracle bone script, strange in tone, but the meanings touched me deeply."

"Four lines were spoken—’Hou Yi’s blood sets the universe right, Chang’e’s soul enforces the Void’s restraints. Emperor Qi Pangu transforms the Heavenly Dao, Sword Soul Xuan Yuan defies the mortals.’"

"These lines mentioned mythological figures, but according to the records within Tianshu Linglong Pagoda, they all perished in an ancient era. The legends left behind seemed to have been deliberately distorted, straying from the real truth."

"But the real truth has been buried in history."

"After understanding the meaning of these four lines, I could no longer enter that particular dreamscape."

"To us cultivators, dreams are the power of Heavenly Pivot Ancient Town, preventing souls from being suppressed and decaying. Instead, they allow the soul to soar through ’True Illusion Scenes’ which are fictitious, enabling the soul to grow without constraints."

"It’s like a goldfish kept in a fishbowl; the goldfish is raised, but when it is feared the fish might die, oxygen is pumped into the bowl."

"The sign that an ordinary person is awakening is being aware that they are in the Void Realm. At this point, it’s simple to verify; one can call out their own name within the Void Realm, which will return the soul to its place and wake them from the dream state. Furthermore, some especially gifted ordinary people can not only control the Void Realm with their will, making them omnipotent within it but also can derive supreme pleasure in knowing they are within the Void Realm, such as being invincible and seeing and doing everything. Even if horror and danger arise in the Void Realm, they can forcefully make themselves fly to the skies, fleeing and avoiding disasters.

If avoidance is impossible, they have the power to forcefully leave the Void Realm. Such ordinary people are indeed those with extraordinary talents.

For such people, we conduct a ’Divine Travel’ test, allowing them to attempt soul projection, flying through the void.

The height a soul can fly, if they can manage ’three feet above the head,’ makes them eligible."

"And by ’three feet above the head,’ it means after reaching a certain height, one would find themselves falling, unable to fly any higher. If one perseveres and manages to fly a helpless height plus another three feet, they would be considered a peerless genius."

"However, nowadays, geniuses emerge one after another, yet we have not recruited cultivators from the mundane world for a long time."

"Without resources to nurture them, their future is bleak, with no way forward."

"Even we ourselves can hardly be described as ’dying a good death,’ how can we let ordinary people step into this realm of suffering?"

"People envy the immortal life, but where do they know that the lifetime of an ordinary person is the truly blessed one, while the life of a cultivator is filled with hardships."

Hua Qiudao had much to lament, and even using the term ’hardships’ brought a wry smile to Zhou Yan’s face.

But Zhou Yan finally began to understand this world on a deeper level.

"Taoist Qiu, it seems you frequent the Red Dust as well."

Zhou Yan sighed deeply, his voice laced with melancholy.

"Mmm, we must understand the world of the ordinary people, which is why I’ve also ventured into the Red Dust. Look, I even have a mobile phone, and it contains pictures of my students...

In that world, I am a professor, teaching students about archaeology, and passing on the ancient culture of China. I undertake a cultural pilgrimage to collect disciples with resolute hearts."

"I was accompanied by Professor Zhou, your foster father. A true cultural person, he opposed the profit-driven education system and faced severe suppression. There was a time when I provided for him. Sadly, on one occasion when disaster struck a certain land, I rushed over to find that he had already been buried beneath the ground.

An Evil Spirit wreaked havoc there, created by some extreme cultivators who refined the souls of ordinary people and extracted something from the corrupted blood of ancient beings to use in terrifying cultivation practices."

"I obliterated the Evil Spirit there, suppressed the land, erased all traces, and erected a monument for Professor Zhou’s family..."

"That’s why when you said you were Zhou Yan, I understood your circumstances and was willing to share these things with you."

"Lee Ran has become a mystery, so if there’s any hope for the cultivators, it must lie with your soul, which he has taken beyond our realm."

Hua Qiudao explained.

"So that’s how it is..."