Master

After breakfast, Xu Jinghuai was in no hurry to make Xia Jin begin her training. Instead, he had her sit for half an hour to let her digestion settle.

During this time, he began to explain some fundamental common knowledge of the cultivation world.

“In the Cangnan Realm, cultivation realms are divided into two categories: the Mortal Realms and the Immortal Realms. One covers the stages before attaining godhood, and the other for after.”

“However, today I will only tell you about the Mortal Realms.”

“I could discuss both together, but I am separating them specifically to ensure you don’t become overly ambitious or set goals that are too high, which could disturb your future Dao heart.”

Seeing Xia Jin nod obediently, Xu Jinghuai continued.

“To put it simply, the Mortal Realms consist of: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Great Perfection, and finally, the Tribulation Transcendence. You only need to memorize these names for now.”

“The Mortal Realms in the Cangnan Realm are quite rigid and dull. Take the very first stage you will encounter—Qi Condensation. As long as you successfully draw Qi into your body, you are classified as being in the Qi Condensation stage; nothing else is considered.”

“Mortal Realms are called ‘mortal’ because they focus on the body rather than the heart. The reason many experts fail to break through is exactly this: while their bodies have been transformed, their state of mind has not improved. They lack a deeper perception of Heaven and Earth and remain limited by rules. Even if they cultivate until the end of their lives, it is difficult to reach the Immortal Realms, leaving them stuck at the Great Perfection stage.”

Xu Jinghuai paused again.

Xia Jin furrowed her brow slightly, seemingly trying her best to digest this information.

Xu Jinghuai did not rush her. He had touched upon things related to the Immortal Realms, so her reaction was expected. Allowing her to comprehend this on her own would be beneficial.

Evidently, Xia Jin’s comprehension was excellent. After a short while, her brow smoothed over, replaced by a look of sudden realization.

Xu Jinghuai nodded with appreciation.

“Xia Jin.”

Hearing her name, Xia Jin immediately responded, “Present!”

Xu Jinghuai looked at her and spoke very seriously: “I have high expectations for you, so I will be very strict with your cultivation.”

“As my disciple, I will impart to you all the insights I have gathered throughout my life on this path.”

“Those insights will benefit you for a lifetime, far more than mere paper-thin cultivation levels ever could!”

“So, do not be distracted. Listen carefully.”

Xia Jin sat as straight as a board and nodded heavily, her small face filled with focus.

Then, Xu Jinghuai asked her a question: “Xia Jin, what do you think is the goal of cultivation?”

Xia Jin fell into thought, then took a cautious glance at Xu Jinghuai.

He offered an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. Just say what is in your heart.”

This acted as a reassurance for her. Xia Jin plucked up her courage and tentatively said, “To become stronger?”

“Oh? And why is that? Can you tell me more?” Xu Jinghuai asked with a smile.

Xia Jin answered honestly: “Daddy said that as long as Jin’er becomes strong, no one will bully me. Since cultivation makes Jin’er strong, I think cultivation is the pursuit of becoming stronger.”

Xu Jinghuai was momentarily stunned.

Unexpectedly, it was a very pure answer. But it was exactly what this girl would say.

Seeing Xu Jinghuai remain silent, Xia Jin’s spirit dampened. She hung her head and said weakly, “Immortal Master… did Jin’er say something wrong?”

Xu Jinghuai smiled and shook his head. He didn’t correct her or voice agreement, but continued instead.

“I have asked many people that question. Many cultivators have given me the same answer as you—that strength is their pursuit.”

“However, there is another answer held by a large number of cultivators.”

“They pursue the Dao of Longevity—the path to eternal life.”

“Or perhaps a mix of both. After all, there is essentially no conflict between the two.”

‘Except for a few suicidal demonic lunatics who only care about power,’ Xu Jinghuai grumbled internally before continuing. “In truth, a long time ago when I first stepped onto the path of cultivation, I also sought longevity and strength. So, I won’t say your answer is wrong.”

“However, later in my journey, I experienced a parting that made me realize something profoundly.”

“There is always a person beyond the person, and a heaven beyond the heaven. No matter how high your cultivation is, there will always be things you cannot do.”

“Everything has value only if you are alive. Existence is the prerequisite for all worth.”

Xia Jin clearly couldn’t fully grasp the weight of his words; she only felt the atmosphere turn somewhat heavy. She nodded, understanding only half of it.

Xu Jinghuai himself remained very calm, as if telling a small illustrative story. Finally, he gave a simple summary.

“So, remember: never become self-satisfied just because you’ve gained a bit of cultivation.”

“The path of cultivation is very, very long. If you fall midway, you lose everything. Be as cautious as possible; staying alive is the greatest victory!”

“As long as you live long enough, there will come a day when you surpass those who fell before you. You will replace them and become the ‘Heaven beyond Heaven’ that others speak of!”

In Xia Jin’s eyes, the figure of Xu Jinghuai sitting there grew tall once again. His words felt like a grand motto.

“Immortal Master, Jin’er understands!”

At this moment, the naive girl who had just touched the surface of the immortal world was thus indoctrinated with someone’s “Way of the Coward” (Strikethrough).

And so, she received the legacy of the great Venerable of the Cangnan Realm.

Truly a cause for celebration.

“Now, back to the topic at hand.”

Xu Jinghuai propped his chin on his hand and looked at Xia Jin. “Disciple, now that you have accepted the most important legacy of my lineage, it is about time you changed how you address me.”

Xia Jin blinked, repeating the words in confusion, “Change… how I address you?”

“That’s right. You no longer need to call me ‘Immortal Master’.”

Xu Jinghuai nodded seriously, stood up from his seat, and paced toward the door. Xia Jin hurried down from her chair and followed at his side.

Leaving the pavilion, the early sun had already climbed high into the sky. The morning chill brought by the thin mist had vanished completely. The clear, bright sky made it a perfect day for cultivation.

Xu Jinghuai stood at the entrance, bathed in light, with his hands behind his back.

“From this day forward, you should call me ‘Master’ or ‘Shizun’, my disciple.”

Xia Jin looked at Xu Jinghuai’s silhouette in the light and murmured softly, “Shizun…”

Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

Indeed, compared to the formal “Immortal Master,” the titles of “Master” and “Shizun” removed a lot of the distance between them and felt much more natural.

“Shizun!”

This time, Xia Jin’er spoke up clearly, her tone far more cheerful than before. “Mhm! This disciple understands! Shizun!”

Xu Jinghuai looked back at Xia Jin and gave a gratified smile, nodding slightly.

“Good. I have heard you, my disciple.”