Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 97 The Secret to Entering the Dao Through Martial Arts

As dawn breaks and twilight fades, the first rays of sunlight appear.

Liu Sheng fed the blood pill to Du Bingyan, patted her back lightly a few times, and then left the cave.

A gentle morning breeze blew as the master and disciple stood before the cave, speaking softly.

"Besides the skills in the Black Tiger Zen Sutra, have you practiced other martial arts?"

Wu Song stared calmly at the huge crater in front of him.

what?
Is this a taboo?
Does that mean that once you've taken a master, you can't practice other martial arts?

Liu Sheng's heart tightened, his mind raced, but he spoke honestly:

"I have killed some opponents and seized some secret manuals, which I practiced when I was bored."

There aren't many, just the "Green Snake Sword Manual" and the "Hawk Ascending to Heaven Technique".

"I have spent my life wandering and have no prejudice against any particular school of martial arts. Whether you choose to practice other martial arts is up to you."

Wu Song waved his hand, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said:
"More than twenty years ago, the world underwent a strange change, the path of immortality revived, and many ancient relics and secrets were revealed, which is how I came to know them..."

Martial arts are the beginning of immortality.

"Of the four realms—Qi and Blood, Tendons and Bones, Internal Organs, and True Form—what is the meaning of 'True Form'?"

"True form?"

Liu Sheng was taken aback for a moment, then honestly shook his head.

Although he had read the first volume of the Black Tiger Zen Sutra, the Green Snake Sword Manual, and the Hawk Ascending to Heaven Technique, and knew the term "true form," he was not clear about its specific meaning.

"Martial arts originated from our ancestors' imitation of demons."

True form means tempering oneself to be indistinguishable from a demon. From the inside out, truly identical, without any difference.

At this point, Wu Song paused, his expression turning solemn:

"At that time, delusions will arise in the martial artist's body, confusing their identity and making them unable to distinguish whether they are human or demon."

"This……"

Liu Sheng clicked his tongue in disbelief and couldn't help but steal a glance at his master.

It seems that the two True Form Martial Artists he had encountered, Du Bingyan and Zhang Mubai, did not have this problem.
"If a creature looks like a pig, walks like a pig, and makes a sound like a pig, then it is a pig."

After speaking softly, Wu Song gave Liu Sheng a deep look.

boom!
These soft words, however, struck Liu Sheng like a thunderbolt, bringing him sudden enlightenment.

Martial arts originated from our ancestors' imitation of demons and monsters.

They imitated the form, movements, fighting, roars, and even every action of the demons.

They also developed various decoctions, pills, medicinal foods, and spiritual elixirs to aid in cultivation.

As a result, after martial artists condense their strength, their bodies undergo various mutations, exhibiting characteristics of various demonic creatures...

Isn't it just about making martial arts masters look like monsters, walk like monsters, and scream like monsters?

How is this any different from a demon?

Only demons can fight demons; practicing martial arts is turning a person into a demon!
Does that mean I've slept with a monster?!

Liu Sheng took a deep breath and stammered:

"So, upon reaching the True Form Realm, a martial artist... actually becomes a demon?"

"Yes and no."

Wu Song made a cryptic remark, opened the yellow gourd, and took a sip of wine:

"If a martial artist's mind is dominated by delusions, then he is a demon."

But if he can suppress delusions, then he is human.

The secret to entering the Dao through martial arts lies in using delusions to generate demonic blood within the body, then slaying those delusions, and finally using that blood to forge the foundation of the Dao.

This is called a struggle between two hearts, forged from the blood of true warriors.

So that’s it!
A true teaching can be conveyed in a single sentence, while false teachings fill countless volumes!

Sure enough!

Liu Sheng suddenly realized that the road ahead had become clear.

Therefore, the difference between those near-superior martial arts and mid-level martial arts lies in whether there is a method to suppress delusions. "This hurdle is a natural barrier in the martial arts path. Once you pass through it, you can enter the Dao through martial arts and become a Qi cultivator."

If you fail to overcome this obstacle, you will be possessed and controlled by your delusions, your personality will drastically change, and you will ultimately become a demon.

At this point, Wu Song paused, looked at Liu Sheng, and said in a deep voice:

"This is also the significance of the sect's inheritance. What kind of martial arts one cultivates will lead to what kind of delusions? Our predecessors paid a heavy price to summarize how to deal with it."

Disciples only need to follow the steps.

However, if one practices different martial arts, the delusions that arise within one's body will also be different. Without experience to draw upon, one can only rely on oneself to solve them.

The more diverse and complex the martial arts a martial artist learns, the stronger and deeper the delusions that arise when they reach the True Form Realm, greatly increasing the difficulty of breaking through the barrier.

He sighed, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes:
"I never expected you to be so talented. In less than a month, your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, and you have even mastered the One Skill and Three Techniques that I taught you..."

He thought that the skill and methods he left for Liu Sheng would be enough to practice for two or three years, but to his surprise, Liu Sheng mastered them all in less than a month!

As a result, some tips and experiences involving higher levels of expertise could not be taught in time, leading to such a troublesome outcome.

Ultimately, it was his master who failed him.

However, Liu Sheng didn't care about this.

Generally speaking, the bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish.

Similarly, the stronger the delusions, the greater the benefits one should gain after suppressing them.

"Indeed, the stronger the delusions, the more concentrated the true blood is produced, and the stronger the foundation of the Dao will be after the devastation is suppressed."

Wu Song nodded, and then revealed another secret:
"Major clans and aristocratic families all have methods specifically designed to amplify delusions. Once the delusions have been amplified to a certain stage, they are then suppressed and killed to increase the concentration of true blood."

This method is called the "Strengthening Delusion Method," and it also appears in the "Crimson Fiend Tiger Technique."

Liu Sheng remained silent, recalling some mental techniques and incantations related to the "True Form" section of the three martial arts manuals he had read. At the time, he had been completely confused by them, but now, combined with what his master had said, he suddenly understood.

However, what's done is done. When one reaches the True Form Realm, the delusions one will face will likely be several times greater than simply cultivating the Crimson Fiend Tiger Technique.
Thinking of this, he became somewhat uneasy and quickly asked:

“Master, I will now abandon all other martial arts and dedicate myself to one…”

"It's too late."

Wu Song shook his head and said quietly:

"You've already mastered the kung fu; your level of skill is not much weaker than the martial arts in the 'Black Tiger Zen Scripture'..."

So, even though I'm quick to learn and master skills, I'm still wrong?

Liu Sheng licked his lips, unable to speak.

Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue about it. Things will work themselves out. I'll figure something out when the time comes.

More importantly, he practiced so many martial arts without experiencing any discomfort!
"There is no need to worry too much about this matter. When I enter Qingyuan Cave this time, I may be able to find one or two treasures from the past to help you subdue your delusions and break through the barriers to enter the Dao."

Wu Song waved his hand, hung up his wine gourd, picked up his sword, and left.

"You must be careful of Xie Bao. He is weak but cunning, opportunistic, and adept at using tricks."

Inside Qingyuan Cave, though there is a chance to become immortal, a battle is inevitable. Your cultivation is still too shallow; do not get involved…

He could cover a hundred feet in a single step, shrinking the distance to an inch; after two or three steps, he had already disappeared into the mountains and forests, leaving no trace.

Only earnest words travel on the wind.

"Master!"

Liu Sheng bowed in the direction he had left, filled with emotion.

Is Xie Bao weak?

Only our master could say that!
After a moment, he composed himself and turned to enter the cave.

What should we do with this woman?

Should we just leave her in this cave to fend for herself?
The blood pill refined by her master could temporarily preserve her life, but it could not heal her spiritual wounds.

To heal the spiritual wounds, one must use the "Combined Cultivation Method" to refine the demonic spirits and yin souls.

Where can we find demons and ghosts?
Headache!

As soon as he approached, Liu Sheng's breath hitched, his gaze meeting a pair of beautiful eyes—

She is awake!
(End of this chapter)