Chapter 832: Divine Soul
Chapter 832: Divine Soul
Mo Hua spoke without batting an eye, his expression earnest.
Yu Canghai nodded, "I see..."
He thought about the issue at hand, approaching it from a logical standpoint. He never could have imagined that the incredibly precious Water Prison Casket, something he dared not even dream of, was now in Mo Hua's possession.
He also couldn't fathom how Mo Hua, a mere cultivator at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, could have forcefully taken the supreme legacy of the Water Hell Sect from the cunning and treacherous Water Yanluo, a man notorious for his malicious schemes.
Fearing that Elder Yu might overthink things, Mo Hua quickly asked another question, "Does Water Yanluo's ability to use eye techniques imply that he knows something about the method of cultivating the positive shas, or at least the technique of visualizing the Dao Prison Picture?"
Yu Canghai's expression turned solemn, his attention clearly captured by this question.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, "It's very likely. The fact that he's able to use eye techniques suggests that he has, to some extent, stumbled upon certain principles."
"Then wouldn't he become very powerful once he masters the eye technique?" Mo Hua asked.
"He won't be able to master it," Yu Canghai shook his head.
"Why not?" Mo Hua was puzzled.
A solemn expression appeared on Yu Canghai's face as he sighed, "Eye techniques are not that simple. The legacy of eye techniques in the cultivation world is extremely rare. Aside from those that require a certain powerful bloodline to cultivate, all other inheritable eye techniques, without exception, are related to the divine soul."
"The path of the divine soul is mysterious and unpredictable."
"Since it's related to the divine soul, it's not something that can be understood simply by looking at a picture."
"Water Yanluo's eye technique may be powerful, but it's merely a superficial imitation. Ultimately, it's a deviation from the true eye technique legacy of the Water Prison Sect."
Mo Hua asked, "Is it related to the divine soul or the divine sense?"
"Divine soul."
"What's the difference?"
"This..." Elder Yu hesitated again, his expression troubled. "The orthodox teachings of my Water Prison Sect have already declined. I know that there is a difference between the divine soul and the divine sense, but I can't explain it clearly..."
Mo Hua fixed his gaze on Elder Yu and saw the bitterness in his eyes, indicating that he wasn't lying. So, he didn't press the issue further.
After a moment's consideration, Mo Hua asked another question, "There's a Dao Prison Picture on the Water Prison Casket, which contains the cultivation method for the forbidden technique. But what about inside the casket itself?"
"Since it's called a 'casket', it should be something that can be opened, right?"
"What's inside the casket then?"
Yu Canghai smiled bitterly again, "Only the sect leader is allowed to open the casket of prohibition. I don't know what's inside either, but I assume it contains some superior Taoist teachings that only the leader of the Water Prison Sect can learn."
"Like the Water Prison Technique you mentioned?" Mo Hua asked.
"It's possible," Yu Canghai nodded.
"What else?" Mo Hua asked further.
Yu Canghai shook his head to indicate that he wasn't sure.
Mo Hua continued, "Then how do you open this casket..."
The entire casket looked like a single piece of jade, with no lock, key, or even a slit...
Mo Hua swallowed the last part of his question, realizing that it might arouse Elder Yu's suspicion since the Water Prison Casket was not technically in his possession.
Yu Canghai pondered, "The requirements for opening the casket are very strict. One must learn the eye technique and use the sect leader's essence blood to nurture it. However, as an elder, I'm not very clear on the specific methods."
Mo Hua glanced at Yu Canghai and sighed inwardly.
This Elder Yu always seemed to skirt around the main issues, only providing superficial information. He seemed to know nothing about the core matters.
If the orthodox teachings of the Water Prison Sect were lost, it would be entirely deserved.
Mo Hua wondered if Yu Canghai was truly ignorant or merely pretending to be so.
Shaking his head, Mo Hua realized that further questioning would be futile. He bid farewell to Elder Yu and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, "By the way, what's the name of the Water Prison Sect's eye technique?"
Yu Canghai hesitated for a while before slowly answering, "According to the sect's records, this eye technique is called... the Seven Soul Blood Prison Eye."
"Seven Soul Blood Prison Eye?"
Mo Hua nodded, making a mental note of the name before turning to leave. However, he was stopped once again by Elder Yu.
"Little brother..."
Yu Canghai's expression was worried, a hint of hope in his eyes as he asked, "Can that casket be retrieved?"
"Rest assured," Mo Hua comforted him, "I'll ask Uncle Gu to hurry up and capture Water Yanluo. Once he's caught, we can get the casket back."
Yu Canghai felt slightly relieved and bowed his hands together, "Thank you, little brother."
After leaving Yu Canghai, Mo Hua pondered, "Should I return the casket to Elder Yu?"
Since it was the supreme legacy of the Water Prison Sect, it should rightfully be returned to its original owner. He didn't feel right about keeping it for himself.
However, there was no rush to make a decision. He could figure it out later after he had thoroughly studied the casket.
Moreover, Elder Yu was currently in a precarious situation, relying on the charity of others for his survival. Returning the casket might only bring him more trouble.
It would be better to wait until he was more stable and then secretly give it back to him.
That would be for the best!
Mo Hua justified his thoughts, convinced that keeping the casket for now was in Elder Yu's best interest.
For the time being, the casket was safest in his hands!
Mo Hua then went to see Aunt Wan, shared a meal with her, and returned to the Tai Xu Sect. Back in the disciples' residence, he continued his research on the Water Prison Casket.
"There must be something inside the casket..." Mo Hua mused.
But since he couldn't open it yet, and even if he could, the contents would surely be superior techniques that he wouldn't be able to learn or use with his limited spiritual power.
Therefore, he didn't need to rush to open the casket. Mastering the eye technique was the priority.
Mo Hua felt that this eye technique might be even more suitable for him than the precious and exclusive high-level water system techniques of the Water Prison Sect.
It didn't require the use of spiritual power, could be used covertly, and was perfect for tricking others.
Furthermore, given the strength of his divine sense, he shouldn't have to worry about any backlash.
The problem was, how do I learn it?
Mo Hua carefully thought back to his conversation with Elder Yu and deduced a few key points: The method of cultivating the eye technique was hidden within the Dao Prison Picture.
Studying this eye technique requires nurturing the "positive sha."
The mystery of this eye technique is also related to the "divine soul."
This eye technique is called the Seven Soul Blood Prison Eye.
Seven souls...
Mo Hua looked at the jade casket in his hand again. "But the picture on the casket has seven prisoners, punishments, and jailers."
What does seven souls mean? Furthermore, if the seven souls are related to the divine soul, then what is the connection between the divine soul and divine sense?
Mo Hua sighed. "This is a bit troublesome..."
Any one of these terms is a difficult point.
These unconventional cultivation methods are indeed profound and abstruse, making them hard to fathom.
"According to Elder Yu, eye techniques are related to the divine soul. Then, 'divine soul' may be the key to unraveling the 'Seven Soul Blood Prison Picture' and the secret to cultivating the Seven Soul Blood Prison Eye..."
"What exactly is the divine soul, and what knowledge does it encompass?"
It's difficult to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
With too little information, Mo Hua couldn't even begin to guess just from the name.
Although he walked the path of the divine sense, his master had disappeared early in his cultivation, leaving him to forge his own path.
"Divine soul..."
Mo Hua began counting people in his head, going through everyone he knew to decide whom to ask.
First, Elder Xun should definitely know.
But Elder Xun seemed preoccupied with something lately, busy and not easy to disturb.
Huang Shanjun should also know; after all, he was a mountain god, and although he had changed from his former self, his knowledge remained.
However, he was quite far away.
After much thought, Mo Hua decided to ask Elder Xunzi.
Elder Sage Zi, a late Golden Core cultivator, a third-rank formation master, and a proficient formation expert with a deep interest in the realm of spiritual awareness.
Most importantly, Mo Hua got along very well with Elder Xun.
Elder Xunzi was also very friendly and approachable, and he would tell Mo Hua anything he could.
Mo Hua took the opportunity to visit Elder Xun Zi's residence, also known as Elder Virtuous.
1. "" (Wo jiao Wang Yu, zhe shi wo de zhu ming ka.)
Upon entering, a young servant greeted him.
These servants were also from prominent families, sent to serve the elders at a young age to strengthen relationships.
At the same time, by living and interacting with these elders who possessed profound cultivation, they would be unconsciously influenced by their aura and lay a foundation for their future cultivation.
Don't underestimate these servants; the positions they held were highly sought-after.
Those who served as servants came from notable backgrounds.
Mo Hua stated his purpose for the visit, and the servant went to inform Elder Zixian.
Elder Ziwu was in the midst of sketching a formation when he learned
The servant respectfully replied, "Yes," but he was puzzled.
Elder Zisen was skilled in formations, highly esteemed by the sect, and renowned for his quirky nature. Normally, he would grow irritated if interrupted whilst crafting formations, yet today, his demeanor was unexpectedly friendly.
The servant wondered as he served the tea, secretly observing Mo Hua.
Mo Hua drank his tea and chatted with Elder Xian.
"Divine soul?"
"Yes," Mo Hua replied. "Recently, I met an elder from another sect who mentioned the 'divine soul,' and I became curious. I couldn't figure it out on my own, so I came to seek your guidance..."
Elder Zixian took a sip of tea, his eyes deep as he looked at Mo Hua. "Some things shouldn't be learned carelessly."
Mo Hua smiled awkwardly. "I'm just curious."
Elder Zixian said indifferently, "Tell me briefly about the context, and I'll decide whether to tell you or not. I need to be accountable to the grand elders.
Mo Hua sighed inwardly, impressed.
Elder Zixian was indeed knowledgeable and perceptive, just as expected of a fellow array master.
However, it was not easy to talk about the Water Prison Casket.
Seeing Mo Hua's hesitation, Elder Zixian said, "You don't have to go into too much detail. Just give me a general idea, and I'll know what to do. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain to the grand elders."
Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright!"
He quickly organized his thoughts and said, "I helped the Court of Laws with a small matter, investigating a case involving a criminal cultivator. This criminal cultivator possessed a strange eye technique..."
Elder Zixian's eyebrows rose. "Eye technique?"
"Yes," Mo Hua continued. "This eye technique can capture people's hearts and is very troublesome. It is said that one needs to visualize a picture to cultivate it."
"I asked an informed elder about it, and he said that this visualization technique is related to the divine soul, but he's not an expert in the way of the divine sense, so he couldn't explain the specifics. That's why I've come to ask you..."
"Eye technique, divine soul, visualization..."
Elder Xian pondered for a moment and then nodded. "I understand."
"Then..."
"I can tell you about the divine soul."
Mo Hua was delighted. "Thank you, Elder Xun!"
"However," Elder Xian said solemnly, his expression turning serious, "spiritual power and flesh are tangible, but divine sense is intangible. Therefore, in the path of the divine sense, including the knowledge of the divine soul, many things that cultivators understand are based on experience and may not be entirely accurate."
"What I'm about to tell you is what I've learned, studied, or researched over the past few hundred years."
"I believe that this knowledge is mostly correct, but there may still be errors. So, listen carefully, but don't take it as absolute truth. You must use your own judgment."
Elder Xian spoke with great caution.
Mo Hua nodded seriously.
Seeing Mo Hua's earnest expression, Elder Zixian knew that he understood and nodded slightly. "First, there is a distinction between the divine soul and the divine sense. Lower-level cultivators only know about the divine sense and rarely come into contact with the 'divine soul.' Even if they occasionally mention the soul, they don't truly understand it.
"Indeed, not only novice cultivators, but most practitioners, including those who have attained the Gold Core or Featherfall levels, might still be bewildered by the path of the divine spirit.”
"Because the existing cultivation system only targets spiritual power and the physical body, with divine sense merely playing a supporting role. Aside from a very small number of cultivators who dare to tread unconventional paths, almost no one primarily cultivates their divine sense..."
Elder Xun gave Mo Hua a meaningful look and then pointed to his forehead with his slender fingers.
"Within a person's sea of consciousness lies the three souls and seven phantoms."
"The three souls are the Celestial Soul, the Earth Soul, and the Vital Soul."
"The seven phantoms are the Corpse Hound, the Hidden Arrow, the Sparrow Shadow, the Devouring Thief, the Non-Toxic, the Purifier, and the Stench Lung."
"Among the three souls, the Celestial Soul and the Earth Soul roam outside the cultivator's body, dwelling within the heavens and the earth, elusive and indescribable. Only the Vital Soul remains within oneself, intimately tied to one's life force."
"The Vital Soul is the foundation, and upon it, the seven phantoms parasitize. Without the phantoms, the soul cannot thrive, and without the soul, the phantoms cannot flourish."
"These three souls and seven phantoms together are called the divine soul."
"The divine soul is the foundation of a cultivator's divine consciousness, and the willpower that stems from it is what we call 'divine sense'."
"With a soul, there is will, and with will, there is consciousness."
Hearing this, Mo Hua's eyes widened as he finally understood.
Elder Xun's words revealed to him more secrets about the path of divine consciousness, but the more he learned, the more confused he became.
"So, divine sense isn't the foundation of the sea of consciousness; it's merely the derivative willpower?"
Elder Xun nodded, explaining, "As an array master, you should understand this profoundly..."
"Divine sense recovers every time it is expended."
"If divine sense itself is the foundation, then once it's depleted, the root of divine sense would be severed. How could it possibly recover then?"
"Precisely because divine sense is derived from the divine soul, as long as the divine soul remains, divine sense will naturally regenerate from the divine soul after being expended."
Elder Xun gave an example, "Think of the divine soul as the trunk of a tree, and divine sense as the branches and leaves. Even if the branches break and the leaves fall, as long as the tree's roots remain, new branches and leaves will grow."
Mo Hua nodded repeatedly, "I understand now. It's like a leek; as long as the root remains, even if you cut one shoot, another will grow back!"
Elder Xun remained silent for a moment, pondering.
He felt that Mo Hua's analogy was a bit odd, but upon further reflection, he found it quite apt.
"I suppose so..."
"Then, what does this divine soul have to do with eye techniques? Must eye techniques rely on the divine soul to be cast?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Xun nodded, "Indeed. You should know that divine sense itself is passive and lacks offensive capabilities."
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Elder Xun's statement went against his intuition.
After all, within his sea of consciousness, he had always relied on his divine sense to slaughter his foes.
But upon further reflection, it seemed to make sense.
He slaughtered his enemies with his willpower incarnation and the power channeled through it, not with his divine sense alone.
Pure divine sense was what those demons invading his sea of consciousness craved and wanted to devour—pure willpower.
Seeing that Mo Hua understood, Elder Xun nodded slightly and continued, "You're familiar with the concept of projecting your divine sense. But projecting your divine sense is, in essence, not projection but a form of 'perception'."
"It's like when you look at something; you're not really 'looking'—instead, the myriad lights and shadows of the world enter your field of vision, giving you the sensation of 'seeing'.
"Seeing is inherently passive. Projecting your divine sense is the same; it's a passive form of perception."
"Projecting divine sense has no offensive power."
"Whether it's the Tempering Body, Foundation Building, or even the Golden Core stage, projecting divine sense is the same for all cultivators. Their divine senses cannot harm each other, at most, they can perceive each other—that is, if you're perceptive enough."
"However, if you want to refine your divine sense to possess offensive capabilities, such as the power to kill, bewitch, or intimidate, then you must necessarily infuse your divine sense with your divine soul."
"Only with the divine soul can your divine sense possess lethal power!"
"The divine soul possesses lethal power..." Mo Hua murmured, his expression stunned as he quietly muttered to himself.
He recalled all his past encounters with willpower entities and carefully contemplated, gradually gaining some insight.
According to Elder Xun's explanation, all the willpower entities he had encountered indeed consisted of two aspects: soul and will.
Evil spirits had ghost souls, corpse demons had corpse souls, and demon spirits had demon souls.
This "soul" was a complex concept, but in simple terms, it was equivalent to the evil entity's "self-will".
It was this self-will that allowed evil entities to kill and eat people.
Once this soul was eradicated, the evil entity ceased to exist, leaving behind only pure willpower.
In other words, evil entities could harm others because they possessed a greedy and malicious "evil soul".
Once this soul was destroyed, the evil entity would no longer exist, leaving behind only pure "willpower".
This willpower was harmless and could be "consumed".
Mo Hua's thoughts gradually became clearer, and he slowly said, "The divine sense projected by cultivators has no offensive power because... the projected divine sense is merely pure 'willpower', which does not contain the divine soul. In other words, it does not contain a certain type of 'will', and therefore, it cannot harm others."
"Then, conversely, if one wishes to kill using divine sense itself, one must infuse a portion of the 'divine soul' into the projected divine sense and inject a certain type of 'will'?"
"Precisely," Elder Xun affirmed.
"But can the divine soul be projected?" Mo Hua asked again.
Elder Xun shook his head, "It's not called projection. In the path of divine sense, there's a special term for this..."
Elder Xun's eyes turned solemn as he said, "Soul Departure!"
Soul Departure?! Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat.
So, did that mean the Dao Prison Picture on the Water Prison Casket was essentially a cultivation method for "soul departure"?
Soul Departure...
Mo Hua's mind swirled with thoughts, and he felt like a powerful divine gate was slowly opening before him, but his thoughts were still a bit chaotic. Yet, he vaguely sensed that his willpower-forged sword would soon be able to "unsheathe"...
(End of Chapter)
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