Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 44 Nine Disciplines of Immortal Studies
The sect leader noticed the gazes of her disciples, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

The old woman then changed the subject again:
"However, before I talk about these shortcuts to immortality, I must repeat something old and test you."

He also instructed the newly initiated disciples on the broad path to becoming a member of the immortal sect, which is what people call immortal studies, and what its various disciplines actually consist of.

Apart from Fang Shu, the other disciples paused in excitement when they saw that the headmaster was deliberately keeping them in suspense, but they also perked up so as not to miss the content of the sermon.

The owner's gaze swept over them, finally settling on one person:
"Li Hou'er, come out and explain yourself."

Li Hou'er's expression was serious, showing none of the playful smile he had when he was with Fang Shu in private.

He spoke in a clear, reciting voice, as if reciting a menu:
"Master, the nine disciplines of immortal studies are: the discipline of securing one's life, the discipline of divination and numerology, the discipline of enhancing one's dignity, the discipline of witchcraft and sorcery, the discipline of refining one's body through sexual practices, the discipline of external alchemy, the discipline of divine intervention and communication with the spirits, the discipline of the Five Elements Thunder Magic, and the discipline of spirit beast taming."

When this knowledge reached Fang Shu's ears, he immediately felt that it sounded somewhat familiar, and he should have heard some of the words before.

However, this was the first time he had heard of the concept of "Nine Disciplines of Immortal Learning," and he found it incredibly novel.

The innkeeper nodded slightly when he saw that Li Hou'er had answered correctly, and then added:
"These nine disciplines are also the nine major schools of magic spells in the world, the source of all the Taoist lineages in the world."

The spells and techniques learned by us immortals, excluding those that are too crude and don't even require secret texts, such as the methods of gazing at the moon and spitting out moonlight commonly used by demons.

All other things originate from these nine categories.

For example, the insect techniques and skills of my Gu Pavilion…

The sect leader's gaze shifted, landing on the group of disciples. Li Hou'er was about to answer, but the sect leader instead looked at Fang Shu:
"Fang Shu, you've just entered the inner academy, so this is probably the first time you've heard of such a principle. Which subject do you think I excel at?"

Fang Shu answered in a deep voice:

"Master, the temple has a scorpion pit and insect magic, which should be the witchcraft and sorcery technique that Senior Brother Li mentioned."

“Exactly.” The owner of the private club nodded.

Then the old woman slightly raised her head and said calmly:
"All the cultivation methods in this hall originate from the witchcraft and sorcery techniques. They are a unified whole and a genuine lineage of immortal cultivation, unlike the scattered and miscellaneous cultivation methods on the market."

The spells they practice are extremely complex, and the secret texts they have learned are diverse. They may be virtually flawless in combat, and because of their unpredictable methods, they may even have their own unique tricks. They should not be underestimated.

However, in terms of prospects on the path to immortality, they are far inferior to us orthodox practitioners of immortality.

Immediately afterwards, the master of the pavilion gave a detailed and easy-to-understand explanation of the principles based on the nine disciplines of immortal studies.

The other disciples around him didn't react much; they must have already heard the same principles, so it wasn't surprising.

However, Fang Shu was completely captivated when he first heard such knowledge and principles.

He never imagined that the study of immortality in this world had developed to such an extent that all the myriad paths and methods in the world were included in the "Nine Categories".

Furthermore, according to the account of the master of the temple, the founders of these nine disciplines were all celestial beings, and because they each pioneered their own path, they were hailed by the world as "masters of the Dao" and "ancestors of the Dao".

Among them, the most well-known to the world is the ancient sage who pioneered the "divination and numerology" discipline more than 90,000 years ago and established the framework of the nine disciplines of immortal studies.

When this sage attained enlightenment through refining emptiness, he preached the Dao to all living beings in the outer heavens, reserving four empty spaces on each of his left and right sides.

Sometimes, those who heard the teachings would ask the ancient sages and teachers what their intentions were.

The other party replied that these eight empty seats were reserved for future fellow practitioners.

Later generations referred to this event as "making friends after a long time".

Every ten thousand years thereafter, in the outer world, there are descendants who, building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors, create new paths, ascend to the level of Refining Void Celestial Immortals, and add a new discipline to the study of immortality.

To this day, nine Celestial Immortals have been born in the world beyond the mortal realm. The art of immortality has now reached its zenith, encompassing nine disciplines and flourishing to a point of unprecedented prosperity!

Later generations no longer need to expand their territory in the study of immortality, but only need to cultivate step by step, or repair and patch up the great building built by their predecessors.

Fang Shu listened intently, feeling as if his eyes had been opened.

This was the first time he had learned about the origins and roots of the immortal path in this world, and the first time he had known that the immortals named the world they inhabited "Fangwai" (meaning "beyond the mundane world").

After a long and eloquent speech, the owner of the guesthouse suddenly sighed softly:
"Unfortunately, these nine disciplines of immortal arts are something you can see but can't use."

These words surprised Li Hou'er in the crowd, who bowed in acknowledgment.

Having received permission from the owner of the private club, Li Hou'er immediately spoke up:

"Reporting to Master!"

Didn't you say before that if you want to make solid progress and go far in the study of immortality, you must choose one of the nine disciplines and study it diligently?

Once we have chosen our major, we must not be impatient and try to explore other subjects. At most, we can use other subjects to supplement our studies, so that we can specialize in one subject and gain insight into its principles.

Otherwise, even if one joins a celestial sect, achieves Qi Refining, or even by chance succeeds in Foundation Establishment, their path to immortality will end there, and they will never again be able to refine a Golden Core.

Li Hou'er recited it as if it were a memorized text, then suddenly wondered:

“You taught us that although these things are too far away, it would be best to choose one and follow it from now on… Why do you say now that the nine disciplines of immortal studies are useless to us?”

Li Hou'er's question was exactly what Fang Shu wanted to ask, so he immediately became even more focused and listened attentively.

Other disciples, such as Qin Min, remained unresponsive when they heard Li Hou'er's question.

The owner of the guesthouse smiled as he looked at Li Hou'er and Fang Shu, and said:

"You've hit the nail on the head, you little monkey. This is exactly what I'm going to explain to you today—the shortcut to immortality."

The other party spoke:

"Although the nine disciplines of immortal studies are good, you are nothing more than beginners in the path of immortality. Although you have embarked on the path of immortality, you are just like children in the mortal world. You don't even know a few words, so how can you pursue any kind of learning?"

The owner of the independent hotel said earnestly:
"If you want to enter the Dao and study the nine disciplines of immortal studies, you must be a disciple of the orthodox Xuanmen sect or an immortal family. They are all born with spiritual roots and can be given enlightenment through initiation or enlightenment. They don't even need to learn ordinary words from childhood, but only secret texts."

Only someone with such a background would take the nine disciplines of immortal studies as their initial enlightenment for entering the Dao.

As for you, although the Nine Disciplines of Immortal Studies are the righteous path, you are only qualified to consider it after you have cultivated into a Spirit Immortal and entered an Immortal Sect.

All you can do now is try to hone your strength, accumulate some magic, and learn a few more secret texts.

As for spell combinations and theoretical studies, that's too early for you. Learning those things would only be unrealistic and a waste of your energy. What truly needs to be addressed, I will pave the way for you.”

Li Hou'er listened, his expression showing a mixture of understanding and confusion, slowly processing what he was hearing.

Fang Shu, who was standing to the side, immediately understood.

The owner's teaching can be summarized in one sentence:

"Everyone present is unworthy."

This broad road is good, but if they want to truly study the nine disciplines of immortality, they must first reach the Qi Refining stage and join an immortal sect before they will have the opportunity!

(End of this chapter)