Chapter 392: Past Events

Chapter 392: Past Events

"Daoist cultivation?" Li Huowang felt as though struck by a thunderbolt, his mind wrestling with this word that was both familiar and alien.

He knew what "cultivation" meant, but he was certain these two were not the same thing at all!

The Way of Forgetfulness cultivated falsity, while Xin Su cultivated truth? Were they mortal enemies? That was why they held such hatred for Xin Su? For a moment, Li Huowang seemed to understand everything—or perhaps nothing at all.

"No, no, no, Brother Zhuge, give me a moment to sort this out," Li Huowang closed his eyes, pressing his temples where a headache throbbed, trying hard to think clearly.

Seeing his reaction, Zhuge Yuan did not rush. He moved the chessboard aside and began slowly arranging various tea utensils, starting to brew tea with deliberate leisure.

Just as his new cup of tea was ready, Li Huowang spoke again.

"Brother Zhuge, I still don’t feel right about this. Look, the Way of Forgetfulness cultivates falsity, so they want to turn everything else into falsehoods. If our Xin Su can cultivate truth, wouldn't that mean we have the ability to create something from nothing? But I definitely don’t possess such power!"

"Really no such ability?"

"Absolutely none! What I’ve gained from my Xin Su identity are only those unshakeable hallucinations or misaligned abilities!" Li Huowang answered firmly, knowing his own body well.

Li Huowang had been in this strange world for over a year now. He had experienced much and acquired many bizarre powers.

But he had never gained any true cultivation ability. If he truly possessed such strength, would he still be suffering so much hardship?

This was a matter of life and death for him—no one could simply believe what others said without questioning it thoroughly.

"Brother Zhuge, is this so-called cultivation method of Xin Su reliable? Is there really such a method?"

Hearing this question, Zhuge Yuan thought carefully before continuing calmly. "Actually, I've seen it once in a miscellaneous book. I don't know whether it's real or fake."

"But judging by the actions of the people of the Way of Forgetfulness, I believe there's at least an eighty percent chance that this cultivation method is genuine."

"Moreover, you haven't experienced anything related to cultivating truth through falsehoods? It shouldn't be impossible. From what I know, anything can happen to someone like Xin Su. Perhaps you did it without realizing it."

"Those caught in the situation often lose clarity, while observers see clearly. Why don’t you tell me your experiences? I’ll help you sort them out together."

Li Huowang looked at the man before him, considered for a moment, then nodded.

Since he already knew that Li Huowang was Xin Su, there was no point in hiding anything private anymore.

"Alright then, Brother Zhuge, let me start from Qingfeng Monastery. There was a rogue cultivator named Danyangzi—a blind lunatic who found some nonsense celestial scripture and obsessed over becoming immortal until he went mad..."

In the tranquil bamboo pavilion, with gentle breezes rustling through the leaves, Li Huowang recounted the story that had unfolded more than a year ago.

Li Huowang had lived through much. He had expected to speak for quite a long time and even prepared himself for staying up all night. However, just when he reached An Ci Nunnery, Zhuge Yuan stopped him.

"Brother Li, look closely—was this the formula you gave to your master Danyangzi?" A piece of rice paper covered with densely written characters was pushed toward Li Huowang.

Though Li Huowang wasn’t particularly skilled in calligraphy, he could tell Zhuge Yuan’s handwriting was elegant. The paper neatly copied the immortal elixir formula he had given to Danyangzi, with detailed steps for circulating internal and external energies at the bottom.

Li Huowang glanced at it briefly. "Yes, that’s it. So what?"

Hearing Li Huowang’s question, Zhuge Yuan, whose voice had been calm until now, raised his tone slightly. "So what? This elixir formula is like your chess skills—you really think this could help your master become half-immortal?"

"Yes, I used to wonder too—why should Danyangzi succeed—" Li Huowang paused mid-sentence, eyes wide open. Suddenly, he understood what the other was implying.

"You’re saying I used Xin Su’s power to make Danyangzi immortal? No no, I hate Danyangzi deeply—I’d never let anyone become immortal!"

"But Danyangzi did become immortal, Brother Li. Think again—what did you have inside you back then?"

"What did I have inside me? I had half of Danyangzi’s face in my belly—how—?" As soon as he said that, Li Huowang realized instantly.

Zhuge Yuan nodded, voicing what Li Huowang had just figured out. "Exactly! Though he only had half a face, he was alive! His flesh and blood existed within your belly! His obsession with immortality borrowed your Xin Su power to achieve immortality."

His words exploded like thunder in Li Huowang’s mind. Previously confusing points suddenly made sense. He hadn’t expected that Danyangzi’s accidental path to immortality was actually rooted in his own body.

Zhuge Yuan nodded in agreement. "You see, how can one say that those involved are confused, while outsiders see clearly? Although your master forcefully used Xin Su and became grotesquely unnatural, he still achieved half-immortality."

"Even if you don’t understand anything, others using your body allowed a mere mortal to become immortal. Still think Xin Su lacks the ability to cultivate truth through falsehood?"

With facts laid bare before him, Li Huowang could no longer argue. As Xin Su, he indeed possessed a special ability—but he had never known it existed until now.

"Wait! Since I have this ability, have I used it elsewhere besides making Danyangzi immortal?"

Li Huowang struggled to recall. He had gone through so much, yet he couldn’t distinguish which events were real and which were creations of his power.

"What is real?"

Just as Li Huowang pondered this question, he saw Zhuge Yuan flick his folding fan in front of his face.

"How about it, Brother Li? Now you must realize that there are other paths besides seeking answers from Beifeng, correct?"

Li Huowang quickly calmed himself and solemnly nodded. "Thank you, Brother Zhuge, for enlightening me! Indeed, I now have another path to choose from. May I ask—how exactly is this so-called cultivation method practiced? And how does one utilize the innate Qi within my body?"

"This..." Zhuge Yuan’s fair face showed a trace of difficulty. "I’m afraid I’m powerless on this matter. I merely came across this method once in a random book and took note of it. I haven’t found where it might be located."

(End of Chapter)