I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 371Book 2: : Three Methods United, New Xuanyi Technique
Vol 2 Chapter 371 Three Methods United, New Xuanyi Technique
It was not only Yan Wushuang who understood the flaws of the three methods;everyone present, at the very least Nascent Souls, clearly grasped these shortcomings. After Xie Qingxue finished speaking, they all frowned and looked toward Zheng Fa, who sat in the main seat. Their expressions were heavy, and the earlier enthusiasm quietly diminished.
Yan Wushuang understood that at this moment, a thought quietly entered everyone’s minds: Could these people actually create a new method? It wasn’t that they underestimated themselves;after all, the Demon Method, Yang Spirit Method, and Heavenly River Method were each pioneered by exceptionally talented cultivators. Even though these men were Nascent Souls or Yang Spirits, what were they compared to those great powers?
The discussions in the small courtyard gradually quieted down. Yan Wushuang rubbed his arm, sensing a pervasive chill of despair in the air. Xie Qingxue asked with hopeful eyes, “Zheng Fa, do you have a preliminary plan for creating a new method?”
Yan Wushuang’s spirit lifted instantly. That’s right! They could not compare to those great powers, but Zheng Fa could! “I only have a framework,” Zheng Fa replied.
“A framework?”
Zheng Fa nodded lightly and glanced around at their interested faces, then explained, “Ever since I learned the three Nascent Soul methods, I have been pondering a question.”
“What question?”
“Why do we cultivate Nascent Soul?”
...
Senior Sister Zhang felt a strange sense of familiarity in her heart—her junior brother’s ‘why’ had come again. But the others were confused. Xie Qingxue murmured, “Nascent Soul cultivation is just for Nascent Soul...”
Zheng Fa shook his head. “If we design a cultivation method without understanding its purpose, it would be as absurd as racing forward without knowing where we’re going.”
Xie Qingxue was silent for a moment, then softly said, “To become stronger?”
Zheng Fa nodded slightly, not opposing her view, but added, “That’s true, but it’s not the essence. Strength is just the result.”
Xie Qingxue’s expression shifted slightly, as if she understood. Then Senior Sister Zhang said, “It’s for the cultivator’s own evolution.”
Those words sounded familiar to everyone;Zheng Fa had spoken about this interpretation for a long time. This time, when Senior Sister Zhang repeated it, everyone thought about it and agreed it made sense.
“Yes, in my opinion, it’s the cultivator’s own evolution,” Zheng Fa said in return. “Looking back at the three methods, their flaws actually lie in this very statement.”
“The biggest problem with the Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya methods is that they distort the cultivator’s temperament, even causing them to lose their self-will,” Zheng Fa paused, “This changes the cultivator themselves.”
Simply put, whether it is Dao transformation or indulging in fleshly desires, it all turns a person into something other than themselves.
“What about the Heavenly River Method?”
Zheng Fa shook his head slightly. “The Heavenly River Method violates the concept of evolution.”
The Heavenly River Venerable’s Heavenly River Method, frankly, carried a meaning of frail flesh and mechanical ascension. Of course, this was not the essence of its flaw.
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The real problem was that to preserve the self, the Heavenly River Method was too stable.
“Evolution is a kind of change. Take Dao transformation, it might be an insight into the Great Dao. Although risky, it also implies progress. If I were always the same as before, how could I speak of enlightenment or transcendence?”
Zheng Fa’s idea was simple: the Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya methods were too unstable and could easily drive a cultivator mad. But cultivation progress itself was an unstable process. The Heavenly River Method was stable but caused cultivators practicing it to almost never advance on their own.
In essence, the difficulty of Nascent Soul cultivation was balancing the self and the non-self, change and constancy.
Yan Wushuang listened, quite surprised. Was what Zheng Fa said difficult to understand? Not at all, it was even easy to grasp at once. But had anyone in Xuanyi Realm ever clearly explained these straightforward ideas before? At least he had never heard such a thing.
Since childhood, what he had always heard was how profound and unfathomable Nascent Soul cultivation was, full of obscure meanings. Only Zheng Fa, with simple language, was utterly irrefutable.
He had been at Jiushan Sect for several years and had felt the differences between this sect and others everywhere: for example, the Heavenly River Sect’s Nascent Soul methods were indeed miraculous but written in a way that was difficult to understand. According to Zheng Fa’s complaints, they just didn’t speak human language.
Jiushan Sect’s style, like Zheng Fa’s, was almost afraid you wouldn’t understand, even to the point of speaking nonsense. Which was better, he felt he wasn’t qualified to judge, but looking at the young Nascent Souls around him from Jiushan Sect, he already had his answer.
More importantly, he suddenly realized that Zheng Fa’s philosophy directly pointed to how to create Nascent Soul cultivation: what was a good Nascent Soul method, or in other words, the direction Jiushan Sect’s Nascent Soul cultivation should take, was actually already clear as day.
He looked at Senior Sister Zhang’s face and saw a gleam of insight in her eyes, as if inspiration had struck, dispelling previous confusion. Xie Qingxue spoke, “You mean to combine the strengths and compensate for the weaknesses—taking the evolution from the Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya methods, and the self-preservation from the Heavenly River Method?”
Zheng Fa smiled and nodded, “Exactly. There is no fundamental conflict among the three methods;they might just be too complicated, which is why no one has successfully created them before.”
If not for the Nine Chapters Calculation Array, and even Senior Sister Zhang’s Innate Eight Trigrams, plus modern knowledge combined with the Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations, he wouldn’t have confidence to take this path.
“Integrate Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya, cultivate both body and spirit. Use the life artifact to preserve the spirit and reflect the self.”
Xie Qingxue’s eyes lit up as she murmured, “Cultivate both body and spirit, preserve the spirit and reflect the self.”
“From my perspective, the power of Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya is secondary, but their embedded evolutionary mechanisms cannot be abandoned. However, if this ‘evolution’ causes me to lose myself, then I must rely on the Heavenly River Method to restore it.”
Zheng Fa’s idea was actually quite simple: the Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya methods were for Dao comprehension. An imperfect analogy: if Zheng Fa were a computer system, these two methods were for system upgrades. The Heavenly River Method was system backup. The problem was if the upgrade went wrong, the Heavenly River Method could be used to roll back to a previous version.
As for why cultivate Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya simultaneously, it was Zheng Fa’s speculation: both were based on the human body and did not conflict, even complementing each other. This was the so-called cultivation of both body and spirit.
On the other hand, the Dharmakaya method posed a risk to Zheng Fa that others didn’t have—his physical body was equivalent to Fusang Wood. Fusang Wood was naturally strong. If affected by Dharmakaya cultivation, and his temperament skewed later, would he still be himself or just Fusang Wood?
He could never give up Fusang Wood, that would be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. So he not only needed to cultivate the Heavenly River Method but also the Yang Spirit Method to counter Fusang Wood’s influence.
After hearing Zheng Fa’s conceptual framework, even Yan Wushuang understood. His mind was swirling with countless insights, not to mention the others who were Nascent Souls.
“In this way, the Heavenly River Method becomes simple. Each time cultivation advances or there is some enlightenment, it is compared against the self in the life artifact. If the self is lost or the direction wrong, then restart from the beginning. Otherwise, refine the enlightenment into the artifact.”
“So, there is no need to worry about the Heavenly River Method holding one back, but instead it allows the cultivator and life artifact to advance together?”
Xie Qingxue’s eyes shone brighter as she excitedly said, “In this way, my Heavenly River Method finally has a direction for future development!”
Xie Qingxue’s explanation was complex but ultimately, it was just the cultivator and life artifact stepping in sync, spiraling upward together.
“Actually… I think the Heavenly River Venerable might not have never thought of this.”
Zheng Fa suddenly said.
“Hm?”
Xie Qingxue was stunned, then Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Zhang and Xiao Yuying and said, “Do you still remember that Heavenly River disciple from the Bronze Hall?”
A memory flickered in Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes as she said in astonishment, “You mean… his physical body and artifact were merged…”
“Yes, which differs from the Heavenly River Method we see now but contains the idea of merging Dharmakaya and Heavenly River Methods.”
“So my Heavenly River Sect…”
“Either this method is forbidden in the four sects, or the Heavenly River Venerable never passed it to your sect’s founder, only to that disciple.”
Xie Qingxue’s expression was complicated as she softly sighed, “I always knew the founder was no less than anyone, only that the disciples were unworthy.”
Yan Wushuang blinked and glanced at the Jiushan Sect Nascent Souls around him. Seeing the reverence in their eyes when looking at Zheng Fa, he dared not say the words he had in mind in front of Senior Sister Zhang:
“No less than anyone? Just on the matter of unworthy disciples, the founder lost completely.”
...
After listening for a long time, everyone basically understood: According to Zheng Fa’s framework, what they needed to perfect were just details. Or rather, they only needed to think about how to merge Yang Spirit and Dharmakaya cultivation to achieve the dual cultivation of body and spirit.
Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes were bright, as if she had figured it out. She said, “If that’s the case, it’s actually quite simple. The Dharmakaya already includes the human nervous system, so it just needs to be perfected.”
The Old Man nodded as well. He stood up and a spiritual light flashed all over him, revealing the Divine Cloud Dharmakaya, and said, “Zheng Fa and I both cultivate the Divine Cloud Golden Core, so using my Divine Cloud Dharmakaya as the foundation is fine.”
Before anyone reacted, the Old Man added, “The essence of my Divine Cloud Dharmakaya is...”
No one expected the Old Man to publicly share the Divine Cloud Dharmakaya he had just created!
Zheng Fa was stunned and looked at the Old Man, who seemed unaware and focused solely on explaining.
He felt moved;after all, the Old Man’s honesty was probably to help him create the cultivation method.
After explaining the cultivation method, the Old Man began discussing the creation ideas, Nascent Soul experience, and insights, leaving nothing hidden.
Even cultivators like Xie Qingxue, from such a background, had never seen a cultivator capable of creating a Nascent Soul method. His insights naturally captivated everyone, inspiring many realizations.
When the Old Man finished, everyone was deep in thought. Senior Sister Zhang stood up again and said, “Master Yuan’s Divine Cloud Dharmakaya is extraordinary. I will humbly talk about the Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit I created.”
Yan Wushuang marveled silently. This cultivation meeting was getting more exciting!
He loved thunder cultivation most. The Divine Cloud Dharmakaya had already fascinated him, and Senior Sister Zhang’s Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit was a cultivation method with innate divine ability. Could he really listen? Jiushan Sect really did not treat him as an outsider!
Even Senior Sister Zhang gripped her sword hilt, faintly excited.
“The Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit, ultimately, focuses on one thing—calculation!” Senior Sister Zhang said. “It originates from the Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit. Although its power may not be as great as the Nine Suns Yang Spirit of Haori Mountain, it conflicts less with other Dharmakaya methods, making it more suitable for fusion with Divine Cloud Dharmakaya.”
After speaking, Senior Sister Zhang explained the method of condensing the Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit, its essence, experiences, and insights one by one.
After hearing this, Zheng Fa felt Senior Sister Zhang was too modest: the Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit was by no means weak;it contained the true meaning of Jiushan Sect’s talisman path. He could tell it also included the art of linked talismans and some knowledge from formations and the Mountain River True Form Rune.
Senior Sister Zhang was almost the top talisman expert in Jiushan Sect, and her creation of the Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit was best suited for talisman cultivators.
When Senior Sister Zhang finished, nearly everyone in the courtyard showed a look of obsession on their faces, clearly having great realizations.
When she sat down, Xie Qingxue stood and said, “Master Yuan spoke of Dharmakaya methods, Senior Sister Zhang spoke of Yang Spirit methods. Your generosity moves me. I have no Nascent Soul method of my own, so I can only borrow the Qingping Sword Manual from our founder to contribute a little.”
The atmosphere in the courtyard grew even more heated.
The Qingping Sword Manual ultimately came from the Heavenly River Venerable. Now, Xie Qingxue’s generosity, though inspired by the Old Man and Master Yuan, showed her magnanimity.
After Xie Qingxue finished, Jiao Wuji stepped forward nervously, “The Myriad Demons True Solution is no secret in the sect, but I once witnessed how the Demon Ancestor created it and gained some small insights... especially on how to fuse different bloodlines to create a Dharmakaya.”
This was an unexpected boon for Zheng Fa.
The Divine Cloud Dharmakaya was not entirely suitable for him—after all, he had Fusang Wood as his physical body. How to use his own bloodline as the foundation to fuse with the Divine Cloud Dharmakaya was now one of the difficulties.
In this regard, the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s Myriad Demons True Solution, especially the research process behind it, was invaluable.
After Jiao Wuji finished, everyone fell into thought. These four cultivation methods—one from the Demon Ancestor, one from the Heavenly River Venerable. The Eight Trigrams Yang Spirit was powerful enough to attract the heavenly Dao and bestow innate divine abilities. The Divine Cloud Dharmakaya contained supreme thunder techniques that could rival Heavenly Venerates. None were ordinary.
For all cultivators, listening to one method would be enlightening;now all four together, this small courtyard was like a paradise to them.
After contemplating for two days, Zheng Fa slowly said, “Now, using the four methods as a foundation, the new method already has a prototype, roughly...”
After sharing his thoughts, Senior Sister Zhang flicked the Feixian Brush in the air, and the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram flashed. She frowned, “The feasibility of this method is less than fifty percent. First, the Divine Cloud Dharmakaya conflicts with Fusang Wood and needs further modification, though I don’t know how yet...”
Yan Wushuang couldn’t help but speak, “I... I have an idea.”
“Hm?”
Zheng Fa looked at him, eyes encouraging.
“I have learned a thunder technique that can avoid this conflict...”
After he spoke, Zheng Fa looked back at Senior Sister Zhang.
The Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram moved, and Senior Sister Zhang smiled, “There is an eighty percent chance. It needs more modification but is indeed insightful.”
Hearing this, Yan Wushuang couldn’t help but grin widely, puffing out his chest proudly. His words seemed to have opened everyone’s last hesitation.
“Let’s try it...”
“In the Great Freedom True Technique, there is a method somewhat similar to this.”
“Actually, it’s not very necessary.”
...
The cultivation meeting lasted more than a month.
Yan Wushuang sat among them, feeling the month had flown by, but thinking back, so much had happened.
He saw the Ancestor of the Blood River exchanging insights on artifact spirits with Senior Sister Zhang.
He saw Jiao Wuji and the Old Man show their Dharmakayas halfway through a conversation and begin to compete.
Even the Jiushan Nascent Souls around them, if they felt something was wrong, dared to boldly voice suggestions.
Everyone was comprehending the Dao.
Everyone was discussing the Dao.
He felt that in this month, he had gained more Dao insight than in a lifetime.
Moreover, the cultivation method he created far exceeded his expectations—he didn’t even know he had so many wild ideas.
He didn’t even know that discussing Dao could be so open, so exhilarating, making one forget day and night, feeling time fly.
When the meeting ended, not only Yan Wushuang but everyone wore an expression of reluctant parting.
The Ancestor of the Blood River softly said, “Is it over?”
Senior Sister Zhang nodded, “Based on the deductions, this method is ninety percent assured. To perfect it, one must personally try it.”
Everyone understood that discussion and deduction had limits. To succeed, Zheng Fa would have to personally cultivate Nascent Soul.
The Ancestor of the Blood River looked at the small book in Zheng Fa’s hands recording the method. Seeing the three characters on the cover, he suddenly smiled, “When I lost my physical body, I never dreamed I’d one day create such a peerless cultivation method...”
Everyone heard this and felt a hint of pride in their eyes.
“Don’t say you, I never thought either...” Xie Qingxue looked at the Ancestor of the Blood River, smiling slightly, “I can discuss cultivation methods with demon cultivators and demon clan great saints, and feel exhilarated.”
Her words made everyone glance at each other and laugh unconsciously.
Yan Wushuang sat in his chair, laughing heartily.
He understood Senior Sister Zhang’s words deeply: the Heavenly River Sect had always been mortal enemies with the Demon Sect. In the past, killing Demon Sect disciples felt satisfying. But now, discussing the Immortal Dao together with these demon Nascent Souls, regardless of origin, brought a different kind of joy.
He looked at Zheng Fa, feeling even more admiration—Jiushan Sect, no, Zheng Fa’s Jiushan Sect, was truly different.
But looking at Zheng Fa’s face, he suddenly felt those four characters written on it: It Should Be This Way.
...
Yan Wushuang returned to his courtyard and took out the Tongjian. Seeing it shaking slightly, he guessed something.
Sure enough, when he opened the Spirit Message, his father’s video came through:
“You bastard, have you been avoiding me all this month?”
Sect Master Yan scolded him on sight but seemed to exhale in relief.
Before, Yan Wushuang would have retorted, complained, or cursed back. But after this cultivation meeting, he felt he had transcended. Looking at his father, he strangely felt superior and even forgiving:
“You wouldn’t understand what I’ve done, Father.”
His expression was gentle, even carrying a hint of pity that Sect Master Yan was too low-level to communicate with him.
“Bastard!” Sect Master Yan exploded in rage, seeming ready to break into the Tongjian and beat him up.
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s figure appeared on the screen. He grabbed Sect Master Yan and looked at Yan Wushuang with curiosity in his eyes, “What have you done?”
...
“Create a new method, you?”
...
“The Huangting Scripture?”
