Li Yu was taken aback, not knowing how to answer the Great Elder's question. She struggled to recall, and it seemed that she never thought that Ning Que would not be able to enter the academy, which was the most difficult academy in the world to enter. Where did her faith in him come from? Is it from the storytelling meeting by the fire, or from the coolness of the lad as he jumps over the firewall like a tiger?

She subconsciously leaned sideways and looked out the window. She remained silent as she watched the silhouette of her master and servant as they walked past the fire.

...

...

Ning Que knew that his temperament and determination were suitable for cultivation, but he still couldn't embark on the path of cultivation. In fact, he was used to such empty surprises. Seven years ago, he met Xiao Hei in Minshan in the Yan Kingdom, and two years ago in Weicheng, when the military department wanted to check his potential after he successfully completed a military mission, he had once.

If he could embark on the path of cultivation, with his military exploits in Wei City, he would have already become the cultivation object of the Tang Dynasty army. Otherwise, why did he need to work so hard to kill the caravan and earn credits in the army before deciding to enter the academy?

Since he had been prepared, he was not so disappointed when he heard this bad news. However, Elder Lu Qingchen was a master he had seen recently, and he had close contact with him. So, when he met him, he still had some hope. It's a pity that his hopes, like two-thirds of the peach blossoms in a painting, are always hidden in a corner of the garden and always look fabricated.

Just as he was about to muster up the courage to give up his dream and concentrate on practicing the art of wielding a knife until he arrived in Chang'an and began to plan how to enjoy his life, Lu Qingchen invited him to the carriage the night after they set up camp.

This time, Sangsang did not join him. Maybe it's because His Highness misses the feeling of talking to a maid as a maid in the past, or maybe the little prince of the barbarian tribe missed Sangsang. Whatever it was, Sangsang was ordered to report to the princess's carriage.

"I'm sure you've memorized the text 'The Reaction of the Dao', but after all these years, you haven't been aware of the existence of Nature's Breath. This means that my judgment was correct. Lu Qingchen grinned and said.

Ning Que shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Sir, you called me over today." I suspect your purpose is to hit me with a second blow.

"You are ready to enter the academy the moment you arrive in Chang'an. As for me, I'm old. I will most likely spend the rest of my life by the princess's side, recuperating quietly. It's hard for us to see each other again, so I thought I'd spend more time talking to you now. Lu Qingchen looked at him kindly and added, "I understand that most people are curious about the path of cultivation, and often imagine it. While you can't embark on such a path, there may be things you would really like to know more about.

"A lot." Ning Que answered him honestly.

Grand Elder Lu Qingchen smiled softly and asked, "Then what do you want to know?"

Ning Que thought for a while before replying. "I want to know... What is cultivation.

Lu Qingchen grinned and said, "You are really greedy.

Ning Que didn't show a trace of embarrassment on his face, and continued: "So...... Can you tell me how many states there are for cultivation and what different abilities each state has?

"Of course it was not what I expected." Great Elder Lu Qingchen grinned and added, "Although normal people in this world don't know these things, it's not a secret.

"Even if it's not a secret, they're still secrets," Ning Que replied with a smile. "I'll keep it a secret for you."

"Okay." Grand Elder Lu Qingchen chuckled, was silent for a moment, and asked, "Do you know the Haotian Daoist Sect?"

Ning Que nodded, staring at this Nanhao Heavenly Dao Cultivator.

"I am a member of the southern sect of Haotian Taoism, and I am ordered to travel around the world. Civilians usually know that we are disciples of travel. Since you want to know more about cultivation, then I'll start with Haotian Taoism.

"Haotian Taoism believes that Haotian is the only way to cultivate. This is because Haotian enlightens the world, and all living things breathe through it. I'm referring to the natural or primordial qi that I mentioned last night. Therefore, Haotian is the beginning of everything.

"Humans are one of the many creatures in the world, but many people live in this world without knowing anything about these things. It is only when Haotian brings enlightenment to the chosen one that the chosen one begins to understand the logic behind the creation of the world. These chosen ones will then be able to use their minds to control the qi of heaven and earth and create all sorts of mysteries in this world. For this reason, we call them cultivation.

"The process of cultivation is long, slow, and tedious, and it is very burdensome on willpower. We've broken down the journey into five phases, which are the five states you mentioned.

"The initial state is called the initial state of consciousness, where the minds of cultivators from the Qi Sea and the Snow Mountains are exposed to understand the existence of the Breath of Nature."

"The second state is called the perceptual state. In this state, the cultivator will be able to sense the Yuan Qi floating within the heavens and the earth and live in harmony with it. He can also interact with his perceptions.

"The third realm is called the Undoubtedly Realm, where cultivators have been able to fundamentally understand the flow laws of the Yuan Qi in heaven and earth and make use of them. The Sword Masters and Talismans, who are usually known to civilians, will fall into this realm.

"The fourth state is called the Perspective State. Cultivators who have entered this realm have been able to merge their consciousness with their vital energy, merging heaven and earth into one. For meta-thinking, this means that he can use his consciousness to attack enemies. Staying in this state for a long time may allow them to come up with advanced combat methods.

"Young man, you don't have to look at me like that. I've certainly gotten into perspective. Unfortunately, I barely got it until I was old. Now that I'm frail and old, I doubt it's possible for me to fully grasp the state of perspective, otherwise...... Kill that Great Sword Master that night, and I won't be in such trouble.

The light of the oil lamps in the carriage became dim. It seems that the oil is running out. Lu Qingchen, the Great Elder explained with a smile, then lowered his head and glanced at his left foot. He sighed, thinking that time flies so fast, and time really waits for no one.

"The fifth state is called the state of knowing the destiny of heaven."

"As the name suggests, this state is about knowing your destiny.

"Cultivators who have entered this realm no longer only understand the flow pattern of Heaven and Earth Qi from the surface, but have grasped the essence of Heaven and Earth Qi movement patterns. He should understand the connection between Haotian and all living beings in the world, and understand the principles of this world. I think that those who enter this realm may be able to see the real Taoism.

Ning Que listened to his words with interest. When he realized that the Great Elder's explanation had ended, he hurriedly raised his hand and asked, "Sir, is there a state that is higher than the five states?"

"Why do you think that?" Lu Qingchen glanced at him curiously.

He then replied, "If cultivation is a long and slow journey, then there should be no limits to that journey. In fact, there is no journey that one person can take, so I believe there must be a higher state.

"A lad like you can't even get into the original state, but instead of being frustrated by it, you're more interested in it.

Hearing the Great Elder's joking scolding, Ning Que smiled innocently and said, "Just treat me as a keen learner."

"I've never seen a boy in this world who is as eager to learn as a man who is keen to get to know women," Lu Qingchen said with a smile.

Ning Que silently liked this sentence in his heart, so he opened his arms and corrected. "That's not a passion for learning. That's curiosity.

Lu Qingchen hummed for a long time before he raised his head and looked at Ning Que. He said slowly: "Legend mentions that outside of the Heavenly Mandate Realm, there are many mysterious realms, but there are only two realms in the classics. One is Tianqi, and the other is unruly.

"In Tianqi, a cultivator can directly receive Haotian's enlightenment, where he can worship Taoist divine skills devoutly, temporarily borrowing Haotian's power and greatness from the void state. Haotian can protect the world, so when it puts one of its many powers on a cultivator, you can imagine how powerful and powerful this state is.

Ning Que imagined a mighty man in this world kneeling to the sky in the wind, wearing a white coat swaying in the wind. The dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and a beam of light shone down. The man waved his hand, and the clouds rolled and the mountains shook. This made him nervous and his mind went into disarray. His voice also became a little hoarse.

"There are no rules... What is this status?

"The scriptures only record the appearance of this state in this world, but do not elaborate. Just a short description - from the heart, without any rules.

In the early morning of Lu Qingchen, the Great Elder frowned slightly, and his expression was still calm. He then casually added, "According to my speculation, the state of randomness allows those sages to use their minds even when they are thousands of miles away...... Imagine how impressive that would be.

"From the heart, there are no rules..."Ning Que was deeply moved by these seven words. Does this mean no rules or an infinite state? ”

He vaguely felt that he had grasped the secret outrageous sense that these two words wanted to bring out. He didn't find it as impressive as the elders naturally felt, in fact, he felt it was just natural and uninhibited.

"About the absence of rules ... I'm sure the academy will have more details about it.

In the early morning of Lu Qing, the Great Elder noticed the absent-minded expression on the young man's young face. He regretted, "I believe that cultivators who can enter these two realms are all saints. Although the old saying takes a thousand years for a saint to be born, it has been a long time since no saint was born in this world. Therefore, these... Just legends. I suggest you listen to it. Thinking too much won't do you good.

Ning Que stood up and thanked him again for his teachings.