Chapter 225: The Dao Heart
Chapter 225: The Dao Heart
After watching the fireworks, Aunt Xue thanked Mo Hua and bid farewell to Mo Shan and his wife before leaving with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi.
Mo Shan and a few brothers from the Demon Hunter team had plans to drink together.
Liu Ruhua, on the other hand, went to see the flower lanterns with Jiang Yi and, along the way, sample some treats from newly opened pastry shops.
With the fireworks still lighting up the sky, Mo Hua was left to wander the streets alone.
As she strolled, her spiritual sense suddenly stirred. Looking up, she spotted Elder Yu sitting alone on a rooftop, drinking by himself.
Using the 'Flowing Water Step', Mo Hua climbed vertically up the wall and stepped onto the roof.
Elder Yu's eyes lit up at the sight of Mo Hua, and he patted the tiles beside him. "Come, sit here and have a drink with me."
Mo Hua sat down beside Elder Yu and took out some fruit wine from her storage bag, clinking cups with the elder.
Elder Yu's drink was strong and spicy.
Mo Hua's wine, on the other hand, was sweet and refreshing, and one could drink as much as they liked without worry.
The fruity wine slid down her throat, sweet and lingering. Mo Hua shook her little head, turned to glance at Elder Yu, and asked, "Elder, are you here alone?"
"What's wrong with being alone?"
"You look a little lonely..." Mo Hua sympathized.
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow and sighed, gazing into the distance. "I'm happy, so I came up here to enjoy a drink by myself."
Mo Hua nodded. It was good that he was happy, as long as he wasn't feeling desolate.
After a moment's thought, she suddenly asked, "Elder, is it very difficult to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
"Why? Are you thinking about establishing your foundation?" Elder Yu was a little surprised.
"It's still early for that," Mo Hua said with a shy laugh. "I'm just asking in advance."
Currently, he was at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, not yet at the late Qi Refining stage, so it would indeed be some time before he could attempt Foundation Establishment.
"Foundation Establishment... it's not that difficult, but it's not that simple either," Elder Yu replied.
"Elder, please be straightforward," Mo Hua urged.
Elder Yu gave a slight cough and decided not to beat around the bush. "There are only two main difficulties in Foundation Establishment: one is the spiritual root, and the other is spirit stones..."
"There's no need to elaborate on spiritual roots. A good spiritual root means abundant spiritual power and an easier breakthrough. As for spirit stones, it goes without saying that without them, cultivation itself is a challenge, let alone Foundation Establishment."
"What about spiritual objects?" Mo Hua asked.
"Most spiritual objects still require spirit stones to purchase," Elder Yu explained. "At least, the spiritual objects needed by ordinary cultivators like us can be bought with spirit stones."
Mo Hua nodded. "So, in the end, it all comes down to spirit stones."
Elder Yu inclined his head in agreement. "Indeed."
"Then, if one has a decent spiritual root and an ample supply of spirit stones, is Foundation Establishment guaranteed?"
"Nothing in this world is certain," Elder Yu said. "Unexpected things can always happen, but as long as you have enough spirit stones, the chances of successfully establishing your foundation are very high."
He took a sip of his drink and continued, "Prepare enough spirit stones and gather the necessary spiritual objects. If you fail the first time, try again. Eventually, you will succeed, and once you do, you'll be a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Mo Hua frowned slightly. "It doesn't sound that difficult..."
"Cultivation begins with Qi Refining," Elder Yu explained. "Foundation Establishment is a step higher, but it's just one step beyond Qi Refining. It's from the Golden Core stage onwards that things become increasingly challenging, with stringent requirements for spiritual roots, talent, comprehension, and inheritance."
Elder Yu sighed wistfully. "As for Foundation Establishment, all you really need are enough spirit stones."
Foundation Establishment just required enough spirit stones, yet in the past hundred years, Elder Yu had been the only wandering cultivator to successfully establish his foundation...
"Does Foundation Establishment require a lot of spirit stones?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu sighed. "It varies from person to person. Including cultivation costs and the purchase of spiritual objects, you'd need at least tens of thousands of spirit stones."
Mo Hua did a quick calculation in her head. For an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator who earned one spirit stone per day, that would amount to around three hundred and sixty spirit stones per year. To accumulate over ten thousand spirit stones, it would take... about thirty years.
Thirty years of saving without spending a single spirit stone.
And that was just for a single breakthrough attempt. If it failed, all those years of effort would be for naught.
"There are many obstacles on the path of cultivation, but poverty is the most despair-inducing."
"If one's spiritual root is insufficient, they know from the start that this path is impassable. But poverty first gives you a glimpse of hope, then plunges you into despair. No matter how many spirit stones you gather, it's never enough, and the path to immortality remains out of reach."
A mix of melancholy and resignation flashed in Elder Yu's eyes.
"Is this the case for all wandering cultivators under the heavens?" Mo Hua asked.
"More or less," Elder Yu sighed. "In the cultivation world, Qi Refining cultivators are the most numerous, and also the most miserable. When you leave Black Mountain Realm and explore the vast lands of the Nine Provinces, you'll find countless immortal cities poorer than Tongxian City, and innumerable cultivators living more arduous lives than us Demon Hunters."
Mo Hua's expression turned glum, and he fell silent.
Only then did Elder Yu realize he had spoken too much, and that these words weren't meant for a child like Mo Hua.
Placing a hand on Mo Hua's shoulder, Elder Yu changed the subject. "We can't concern ourselves with the affairs of others. At the very least, the lives of wandering cultivators in Tongxian City will improve thanks to you."
Mo Hua felt a bit embarrassed. "I didn't do much; I just drew some arrays."
"Arrays are of utmost importance," Elder Yu said solemnly. "Without an array master to draw arrays, it wouldn't matter if another wandering cultivator reached the Foundation Establishment stage, or even if there were three or four of them. It wouldn't change the plight of the rest."
Mo Hua was taken aback.
He knew that array masters held higher status and that arrays were challenging to learn, as they were essential in various aspects of the cultivation world. But he didn't think their role could be more critical than that of three or four Foundation Establishment cultivators, as Elder Yu suggested.
Noticing Mo Hua's confusion, Elder Yu patiently explained:
"Qi Refining is the lowest level of cultivation. The next step is Foundation Establishment, which grants one the qualification to pursue the Dao and change their destiny."
"I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage and altered my fate, but I can't change the fate of other wandering cultivators. I can stand up to the Qian Family and try to protect wandering cultivators from oppression, but in reality, I can't do much to help them."
"They remain poor, miserable, and toiling through life. They are stuck at the Qi Refining stage for their entire lives. Even if I were to steal or rob, my cultivation would only bring me so many spirit stones."
"But arrays are different!"
Elder Yu's eyes sparkled as he looked at Mo Hua. "Even if you're only at the Qi Refining stage, as long as you know arrays, you can truly benefit all wandering cultivators. You can help them earn a living, acquire spirit stones, and advance in their cultivation."
"Cultivation can be used to take lives, but arrays can bring blessings to countless lives!"
Mo Hua's heart stirred, and he nodded. "I understand, Elder."
Elder Yu nodded in satisfaction and fell silent, his eyes gazing at the myriad lights of Tongxian City.
Mo Hua followed Elder Yu's gaze.
Vibrant lanterns adorned the streets from end to end, illuminating children playing and chasing each other. Cultivators exchanged greetings or walked alongside each other, creating a lively atmosphere.
Fireworks blossomed in the sky, and the bustling market streets were filled with people.
Laughter and chatter blended with the glow of the lanterns, and the dazzling fireworks illuminated the night sky.
The lights of the city and the sparkling fireworks reflected in Mo Hua's eyes.
The young Mo Hua gradually solidified his Dao heart:
He would strive in his cultivation, delve into the mysteries of arrays, and seek the path to longevity through the power of earth-shattering arrays, defying the heavens and reshaping his destiny.
He would change not only his fate but also the fate of all low-level cultivators under the heavens.
From then on, not just in Tongxian City but across the entire world, no wandering cultivator would be stuck at the Qi Refining stage for their entire lives!
(End of Chapter)
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