Chapter 58: Consequences

Although Li Qi didn't mind, the old Dragon Steed seemed very ashamed and chose to leave on his own.

Li Qi was anxious. If the old Dragon Steed left, would he have to rely on his own two legs to find Empress Luofu?

After he finished speaking, Shen Shuibi looked very happy. She stood up and called out to a nearby place.

The old Dragon Steed eventually came back.

However, even though a horse can't blush, his feelings could still be seen from his remorseful eyes.

As expected of a Dragon Steed that had already awakened its spiritual intelligence, his expressions were so vivid.

Li Qi didn't say anything. Facing the old Dragon Steed who leaned over and rubbed him with his horse face, he just propped himself up, patted the horse's neck, and said, "Why say such things? We help each other, we help each other!"

After that, he let the old Dragon Steed go eat grass.

Then, he began to focus on the part he was truly interested in, which was the so-called "Carp Current Intent."

According to Shen Shuibi, this was a crude Shaman Dao technique that mimicked carp, and it could only be Cultivated to the Eighth Grade at most, so it was also called an Eighth Grade cultivation method.

It was the first time Li Qi had heard of this grading method, but it seemed very scientific.

Cultivation methods have limits. Crude ones, like Wave-Breaking Force, even when Cultivated to Major Achievement, like Li Qi's, could barely produce a trace of inner Qi, and that was by squeezing the body. It was simply unranked trash.

Something like the "Zhu" book is a First Grade cultivation method, meaning this Cultivation method can lead directly to the First Grade without detours. All dangers have been paved over by Seniors with their lives.

However, cultivation methods are all written by people. Even if one Cultivates a low-grade cultivation method, they can still Breakthrough their limits and forge their own path, but it will definitely involve a lot of hardship.

A complete Cultivation method usually consists of four books.

cultivation method, Classic, Treasure Scroll, and Records of Anomalies.

The cultivation method, as the name suggests, is the method of Cultivation. These are mostly very simple, because if a Cultivation method is too complex, it's not convenient for dissemination and learning.

Generally speaking, they are easy to get started with, but most require persistent effort. For example, Li Qi's Invoker Cultivation method requires him to sacrifice to the Heavenly Gods of the four seasons, and then to the corresponding Di Qi (Earthly Qi), day after day without ceasing. After one year, when the Qi of the four seasons in the human body's microcosmic world is complete and the Di Qi Divine Qi is full, only then is one considered to have entered the Ninth Grade.

cultivation methods are generally not too long; they're just a little bit, a few hundred characters, at most ten thousand characters. Anything longer is unnecessary to read, because it's certainly a trash cultivation method.

A cultivation method conveys profound meaning in subtle words, clarifying the key points of Cultivation. But how many key points can there be? Those written too long are generally not worth reading; they're definitely empty talk and nonsense.

Therefore, in some places within Dao Orthodoxy, the core cultivation method is even just a poem.

Then, there are the Classics, which are the main part of Cultivation.

If you only have a cultivation method and practice it without understanding the reasons or the intent behind it, you're just a fool who only knows how to practice. Such a person can only be a dead-end, not a Cultivator.

Only by obtaining the Classic that accompanies the cultivation method will there be a discourse on the "Dao"—what the philosophy, core, pursuit, and essence of the Dao you are Cultivating are. Only in the Classic will these be explained.

Every Cultivator is a person who seeks the Dao. If one only Cultivates but doesn't even understand their own Dao, then they are merely a savage beast with Cultivation, not a seeker of the Dao.

Generally speaking, cultivation methods will be accompanied by Classics; these two cannot be separated.

If there's only a Classic, it's just theoretical talk. If there's only a cultivation method, it's like a barbarian who Cultivates for a long time without knowing what he's Cultivating.

And then there's the Treasure Scroll.

The Treasure Scroll, as the name suggests, records the treasures needed for one's Cultivation path, the Cultivation resources required, the various Fellow Daoist Schools and Dao Orthodoxy divisions of one's Cultivation path, as well as various spells, methods for using Cultivation, and various ingenious techniques. Although these cannot lead directly to the Dao, they can effectively enhance one's means and combat power.

The Dao is the fundamental principle.

Techniques are the skills that utilize the principles.

This is generally only found in large Dao Orthodoxy, made for Disciples. As for people from ordinary Dao Orthodoxy, they don't have that many spells to use; a few passed down orally are enough. It's usually not necessary to use a Treasure Scroll specifically for recording and introduction.

After that, there are the Records of Anomalies.

This is like an encyclopedia about your Dao, recording countless pieces of knowledge, various taboos, adaptations, and so on. According to Shen Shuibi, you can choose whether or not to read this, but not reading it makes you seem uncultured, recognizing nothing you see.

As for what exactly is recorded in the Records of Anomalies, that depends on the level of your School and Dao Orthodoxy.

Small Dao Orthodoxy can only record some local trivial matters or some rumors.

Large Dao Orthodoxy, however, is all-encompassing, with nothing left out.

After Shen Shuibi explained these, she gave an example: "For example, Li Qi, your 'Zhu' book is a complete Cultivation method that includes a cultivation method, Classic, Treasure Scroll, and Records of Anomalies. Shaman Dao, as a first-class major Dao Orthodoxy in the world, is naturally very complete."

"But Disciples of major Dao Orthodoxy are after all a minority. For some who started Cultivating halfway or entered the path of Cultivation due to a fortuitous encounter, these four aspects will more or less be lacking something. Therefore, their path of seeking the Dao will also be extremely arduous. However, the Dao cannot be easily transmitted; you must not casually hand over your Cultivation method. Otherwise, not only will you yourself be punished, but they will certainly be cursed and killed by the Diviner of Shaman God Mountain," Shen Shuibi warned.

Once, many Dao Orthodoxy joined forces, wanting to spread Dao Orthodoxy throughout the world so that everyone could follow the Dao.

But what it ultimately brought was disaster, a great chaotic era that swept across the world.

Li Qi nodded, indicating he understood.

If knowledge is too easily acquired, then problems will certainly arise.

Especially Cultivation, this kind of knowledge is not just knowledge, but also a weapon.

Completely opening the path of Cultivation and seeking the Dao, without any screening, is equivalent to opening an armory to the entire populace.

Some people can restrain themselves, while others don't care what the "Dao" is; they just want to use a Gatling gun to shoot.

What it ultimately brings is only disaster.

The Dao cannot be easily transmitted; it must be a lesson learned from bloodshed. The qualities, wisdom, and various other miscellaneous requirements for a seeker of the Dao are too many. If Cultivation methods are casually given to others, it can indeed unearth many Cultivation Geniuses who were originally buried.

But, it will also allow a bunch of ordinary people to gain weapons and power they shouldn't possess.

With a sharp blade in hand, the urge to kill arises naturally.

People are like this; if they grasp power beyond their mental capacity, they will get lost in it.

Therefore, Li Qi expressed his approval of the idea that the Dao cannot be easily transmitted.

After being warned by Shen Shuibi, this rabbit also showed great seriousness in this regard.

However, after being serious, she immediately became adorable again, moving closer to Li Qi to explain the Carp Current Intent cultivation method to him.