Travel through the heavens

These thoughts raced through Fang Muye's mind in an instant, but then he heard Yu Lingzi continue speaking.

"These are the six realms of Taoist cultivation. Next, I will talk about Buddhism."

Yu Lingzi stroked his long beard and said slowly, "Buddhist practice and Taoism have similar goals, both seeking transcendence, but both place greater emphasis on the awakening of the mind and nature."

"Upon entering the Buddhist order, one must uphold the precepts, recite scriptures, strengthen the body, and cleanse the mind of worldly desires in order to eliminate distracting thoughts and thoroughly understand one's true nature. This is called 'enlightening the mind'."

"After realizing one's true nature, one should delve into meditation, practice the method of wisdom and insight, awaken prajna wisdom, and see that the five aggregates are empty. This is the 'state of concentration and wisdom'."

"After awakening wisdom, one should extensively study Buddhist scriptures and delve into their meaning. One can also open a Dharma platform to preach the Dharma and help those with affinity. This stage is called the 'hearing the Dharma realm'."

"When one's Buddhist practice is profound and one has accumulated three thousand merits, one can condense 'relics' within one's body. This is the 'Relic Realm.' Only when one reaches this realm can one be called a high monk."

"After the relics are fully formed, one should use profound Buddhist cultivation to temper the physical body and create an indestructible golden body. Once the golden body is formed, it is impervious to all laws and as immovable as a mountain. This is the 'Golden Body Realm'."

"Above the golden body is the one who has comprehended the cycle of life and death and attained the 'Nirvana Realm'. The holy monks of the Nirvana Realm have transcended the suffering of the cycle of life and death and can be reborn in the Pure Land or reincarnate to cultivate again. They are the true pillars of Buddhism and it is no exaggeration to call them 'living Buddhas on earth'."

Yu Lingzi paused for a moment, then continued, "As for the path of martial arts, it is the most widespread and practiced path in the world. Although it may not seem as profound as Taoist or Buddhist practices, when practiced to the extreme, it can also have the power to reach the heavens and the earth."

"At the beginning of martial arts training, it is called the 'Body Tempering Realm'. It requires tempering the skin, muscles and bones, forging the body, and condensing the qi and blood. At this stage, martial artists have extraordinary strength and are not afraid of ordinary cold and heat."

"Once the Qi and blood are abundant, one can try to open up the meridians in the body. Once the meridians are open, the Qi and blood will flow more smoothly, and internal strength will be generated naturally. Opening stone tablets and splitting rocks will be a piece of cake. This is the 'Meridian Opening Realm'."

"After opening the meridians, one must use the blood and qi throughout the body as a furnace to forge a fearless and valiant spirit. At that time, a roar like thunder can repel evil spirits and ghosts. This is the 'Martial Spirit Realm'."

"Beyond martial courage, one must comprehend the true meaning of one's own martial arts, so that every move can contain spiritual will and the force can be transformed into energy, which is called the 'Divine Intent Realm'."

"It is said that General Gu, the female garrison commander of Anping Prefecture, is in this area."

Fang Muye's heart stirred. Both Taoism and Buddhism have six realms of cultivation, so he figured martial arts should too.

Gu Yueqing has actually reached the fourth realm. No wonder she is able to hold the position of guarding a prefecture at such a young age.

"After the divine will, the blood and qi are as vast as the sea, manifesting as a blood and qi furnace, and a 'martial domain' is formed within several feet around the body. Within the martial domain, everything is under the control of the martial artist, and all evils are repelled. This is the 'Grandmaster Realm'."

"As for those above the Grandmaster level, that is the legendary 'Martial Saint' realm. Upon reaching this realm, one's martial intent has reached the divine level, possessing all sorts of incredible supernatural powers. Throughout history, those who have reached this realm are few and far between, and each one is an earth-shattering existence."

"Let's talk about monsters again." Yu Lingzi changed the subject.

“In this world, apart from humans, all birds and beasts, plants and insects, fish, and even rocks and objects, as long as they have just begun to develop intelligence, can be called ‘demons’.”

"In the beginning, demons are called 'spirits'. Demons of this level mostly act on instinct, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon and refining it into demonic power."

"Once enough demonic power has been accumulated, a demonic core can be formed, which will double the demonic power. Furthermore, the transverse bone in the throat can be refined, allowing one to speak human language. This is the 'Demon Core Realm'."

"If a demon wants to shed its original form and transform into human form, it needs to undergo the 'Transformation Tribulation.' After passing through it, it can freely switch between human and demon forms. Therefore, this stage is called the 'Transformation Realm.'"

"After taking human form, the demonic power becomes increasingly refined and pure, and the innate divine abilities inherited in the bloodline gradually awaken and grow stronger, becoming extraordinary. Such a demon can be called a 'great demon'."

“Great demons often occupy a place, and ordinary cultivators dare not easily confront them. It is said that the mountain lord Yin Lie of the Black Wind Mountain Range became a great demon more than two hundred years ago. He occupies the Black Wind Mountain and has many demon followers under his command. Now he is probably close to the realm of ‘demon king’.”

At this point, Yu Lingzi frowned slightly, as if talking to himself, and murmured, "But it's strange, I received news a few days ago that Yin Lie was actually killed in the residence of the garrison general of Anping Town. This is quite unexpected. I wonder which expert made the move..."

Fang Muye was surprised that Yu Lingzi, who was far away on Erlong Mountain, knew about this matter. He remained calm and did not reply. Instead, he picked up the pottery pot on the stone table and slowly poured hot water into the empty teacup in front of Yu Lingzi.

Yu Lingzi nodded slightly in thanks and continued, "The so-called 'Demon King' is the realm of a great demon after undergoing another tribulation and its demon core undergoes a fundamental transformation. Those who become Demon Kings possess immense demonic power and great supernatural abilities, and even the imperial court must be wary of them."

"Above the Demon King is the existence known as the 'Heavenly Demon.' It is said that Heavenly Demons have transcended the category of ordinary demons, and their bodies can grow to hundreds or thousands of feet long, capable of moving mountains and filling seas."

"Finally, let's talk about ghosts." Yu Lingzi lowered her voice slightly.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, then put the teacup down and continued speaking.

"After a person dies, the soul leaves the body. At first, it wanders aimlessly without consciousness, and is called a 'wandering soul.' A wandering soul is like a candle in the wind, which may dissipate at any time and is not included in the realm of cultivation."

"If a wandering soul is nourished by yin energy, or if it has deep attachments from its previous life, it can solidify its soul body, manifest yin wind, and possess some abilities, such as sending dreams and creating illusions. This is the first realm, 'yin soul'."

"If a ghost takes a step further and absorbs more yin energy or resentment, its ghostly body becomes more stable. It can briefly manifest itself in broad daylight while avoiding sunlight and can also perform ghostly arts. It can then be called a 'fierce ghost'. That painted-skin female ghost is probably already in this category."

"After the 'fierce ghost,' the ghostly energy becomes more concentrated, capable of influencing the weather in a small area. It is filled with deep resentment and has more ways to harm people, and is thus called 'evil spirit.'"

“If a ghost’s body transforms from the ethereal to the real, becoming nearly flesh and blood, and is able to command and control lower-level ghosts, then it can be called a ‘ghost general’.”

Above the Ghost Generals are the Ghost Kings. The Ghost Kings are the overlords of the Ghost Path, possessing great supernatural powers. They can open up or occupy a Ghost Realm or Yin Domain, and command numerous Ghost Soldiers and Ghost Generals, forming their own power.

"If the Ghost King can overcome the Yin Thunder Tribulation, he can reach the realm of 'Ghost Immortal'. It is said that this realm is neither ghost nor immortal. I only know a little about it from ancient fragments and oral traditions passed down by my predecessors. I can't really say for sure what it is like."

Having said that, Yu Lingzi finally finished explaining the five categories of realms.

He picked up the teacup and drank the remaining tea in one gulp, as if the long conversation had taken a toll on his energy.