Dao Equaling the Heavens

In the dead of night, the faint sound of a gong came from beyond the walls.

Yu Hua spent another night over at Gu Wen's house, where she taught the "Treasure of Magic Weapon" over and over again. However, for some reason, Gu Wen was a slow learner, or rather, his talents did not align with those destined for Four-day Dao Establishment.

Even within the Sanqing Taoist Sect, Gu Wen's aptitude was considered average: he wouldn't get it the first time, understood it the second, and mastered it by the fourth, always humble and seeking guidance when he didn't understand.

He was neither arrogant nor impetuous, showing a decent temperament.

When she had learned the Artifact Control Skill, she hadn't been much quicker than Gu Wen. The endpoint of cultivation wasn't about speed, but about maintaining a calm and unrushed demeanor.

Many had the perseverance to maintain their practice for decades, yet inside they were still impatient.

"Artifact refining is divided into superior, intermediate, and inferior levels. The superior is when one refines Magic Artifacts oneself, infusing Dao rhymes into them, this is the life-bound artifact. Intermediate is when the treasure willingly recognizes its owner and actively absorbs Dao rhymes, this is a Spiritual Treasure. The inferior is when one uses Spiritual Fire to smelt and transform the spirit into an object, this is a Magic Treasure."

Gu Wen sat cross-legged on the ground, silently reciting the mnemonic. His Qi sank to his dantian, and the Spiritual Fire in his palm flickered on and off.

Qi Cultivation is about absorbing Spiritual Energy and transforming it into Mana, similar to how the body takes in oxygen to sustain itself, yet humans do not naturally possess a set of organs to help with this intake. Therefore, Qi Cultivation is like manually grinding a millstone, turning diamond-hard Spiritual Energy into water.

Artifact Refining, on the other hand, is like blowing glass, which requires dexterity and control over Mana.

Eventually, it stabilized into a small flame that quivered in the void.

He had succeeded in the entry level of artifact control.

With the foundation of Second Level Yuqing Daoji, even without the enhancement of Heavenly Marrow, entering the realm of artifact control wouldn't take much time. Cultivation methods ultimately converge—knowing how to cultivate Qi means understanding the basics for refining artifacts and using Mana in other Magic Skills.

There is a saying in the Yuqing Heart Method by a great power of the Yuqing Sect: "Out of all the arts in the world, it's all about refining and controlling."

The extent of one's Mana and the depth of its control.

He ceased his cultivation and asked, "What's the difference between the three?"

"There's no difference except in the level of power. Even the best Magic Treasure can't help you cultivate," Yu Hua replied, shaking her head.

"Life-bound artifacts, Dao Artifacts, and Magic Treasures are all about temporarily borrowing external power to amplify one's own strength. But in the end, no matter the Magic Treasure, it requires the corresponding cultivation; if your cultivation reaches the heavens, why would you need to borrow external aids?"

It's better to have something than nothing. Can bare hands be compared to wielding a blade?

Gu Wen gave a wry smile. He probably understood the preferences of this immortal, or rather, the style of the Yuqing Sect.

All are low-quality compared to the lofty art of Qi Cultivation, which values sheer force, capable of hurling bricks.

But he currently lacked the ability to perform miracles with brute strength and preferred to borrow powers from external sources.

"However, there are still differences in refining the three," Yu Hua continued, changing her tone slightly. "Life-bound artifacts require no refining, and Spiritual Treasures, as their name suggests, have their own spirituality; rather than refinement, they mostly require recognition."

"What if one fails to get recognized?"

"Eradicate its spirituality and transform it into a Magic Treasure."

"Wouldn't that be a bit of a waste?"

Gu Wen was reluctant. He struggled to obtain even a bit of Spiritual Medicine; if he finally got hold of a treasure, he surely couldn't just turn a Spiritual Treasure into a Magic Treasure, could he?

Yu Hua spoke calmly, but her words carried an undeniable truth: "An object is just an object; why should you lower yourself to rely on a Spiritual Treasure. Refine it now; if it doesn't recognize you, just erase its spirituality."

The Jade-eyed Water Wave Pearl was handed to him, and with his eyes closed, he circulated the Cultivation Technique. A band of Spiritual Fire enveloped the Spiritual Treasure, and as the spell activated, Mana flowed into the treasure. In a flash, it was as if he had gained an extra organ, and he could sense the presence of the pearl.

Instantly, the shadow of an eel appeared and swallowed him whole, expelling his Mana with a great force of rejection.

Gu Wen groaned, feeling a dull pain in his chest, and the pearl in his hand somehow became scorching hot. He wanted to throw it away but was afraid of damaging the treasure.

The "Treasure of Magic Weapon" mentioned that Spiritual Treasures that are too proud to recognize a master require extremely complicated processes for refining.

Yu Hua watched as Gu Wen stubbornly clutched the Jade-eyed Water Wave Pearl, its spirituality resisting him strongly, yet he still refused to let go.

Sighing, she bent down, steadied his disordered True Qi by placing a hand on his forehead, and then pried his fingers open to take away the Jade-eyed Water Wave Pearl.

With that, Gu Wen's breathing slowed, he opened his eyes, and tilted his head back slightly to distance himself from Yu Hua.

"Although cultivators all need a suitable Magic Artifact, there's no need for you to be so desperate," Yu Hua said, unfazed by his slight movements, familiar with the slippery nature of eels.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Gu Wen chuckled, "It's just a bit itchy, definitely not fatal."

Yu Hua tilted her head, suggesting, "What about refining it into a Magic Treasure? You'll lose just 20 percent of its power and a reduced capacity."

"How valuable is this Spiritual Treasure? Is it something you can find anywhere?"

"Invaluable. If it were to be sold, it could buy a city with a population of a million people. It could grant you entry to any sect in the world to seek the Dao, even persuade a mighty cultivator capable of moving mountains and filling seas to take you as a disciple," Yu Hua's tone shifted again.

"But compared to your Yuqing Daoji, it's insignificant. You should just focus on your Qi Cultivation. Don't let this thing damage your meridians."

Gu Wen's mouth twitched involuntarily, "Let me try again; maybe it'll work if I try a few more times."

After all, he was reluctant to lose 20 percent of its power and the capacity—it was his only Spiritual Treasure.

"Fate and Dharma are not about the number of attempts; immortal fate is always reserved for those with affinity. This has been spawned by a spirit beast, and destiny has decreed it's not meant for you; using it will only harm your meridians."

Yu Hua took a step back, raising the Spiritual Treasure high away from Gu Wen, as a greenish phantom spiraled within the beads, showing its fangs and claws towards him.

Despite the restrictions of the Immortal Land's fate, the Spiritual Treasure was ultimately a Spiritual Treasure, its mystical power not half weakened compared to anything outside.

"You could even give up the Jade Pendant, why bother with a Spiritual Treasure? This Spiritual Treasure isn't even one thousandth as valuable as the Jade Pendant."

"The pain is skin deep, but in the face of life or death, what is the Jade Pendant? Now that the immediate pain is gone, I must consider the future when the stomach is not starving."

Gu Wen stood up, he was half a head taller than Yu Hua, stretching out his hand would be enough to reach the Jade-eyed Water Wave Pearl that was held high. And Yu Hua did not stop him, only looking at the dark eyes that were half an arm's distance away from her, sparkling with spirit.

"All the good things in this world have been taken by the Zhao family; is it not alright for me to take a Spiritual Treasure?"

The voice from behind the light veil was as always gentle, and also remote:

"Spiritual Treasures are like wolves and tigers; with the spell of the Treasure of Magic Weapon as your blade, a quick slice will sever its spirit. If you wish to tame it, you must do so barehanded, how can you not be hurt?"

"A lapse in Divine Thought could spell irreparable doom; the Immortal Land might have elixirs to mend the Divine Soul, but after all, it is a trouble."

Yu Hua chattered incessantly, in just a brief ten seconds she spoke more words to Gu Wen than Zhao Feng could have heard altogether, and her concern was something others couldn't reach. But it went no further, the two had no name or reality between them, no shared sect ties, nor did they share blood.

She didn't believe she had the right or the obligation to stop Gu Wen, overstepping boundaries would only be annoying.

Moreover, Gu Wen should suffer a bit to temper his character; being proud after a Four-day Dao Establishment was inevitable, a lack of reverence in cultivation was understandable. At least for now, she was still by his side, ready to salvage any problems that might arise.

Gu Wen asked, "Can the immortal ensure my safety?"

A debt too large doesn't weigh one down, at this point.

How does that saying go? Love is about making the other party increase their sunk costs, to get them invested in you. Just like the great Dao, the exchanges and collaborations between people are the same; only with investment do others expect returns, and only with the expectation of returns will they continue to invest.

"Go ahead and practice, I'll be your protector."

Yu Hua sat back, her hands sweeping back over her robe, revealing a hint of the curve of her slender waist. She sat down in the chair and turned the pages of her book, seemingly carelessly saying, "But how much hardship you endure depends entirely on your own skills, I will only make sure you don't die."

Gu Wen once again sat down cross-legged on the ground, grabbing hold of the Jade-eyed Water Wave Pearl, which held malicious intent towards him, and closed his eyes, hearing only the slight sound of pages turning.

He, a bit uneasy, opened his eyes again to see the figure in white flipping through the book under the candlelight. Realizing his gaze, she lifted her head with a smile to reassure him, "With me here, you needn't worry about your life."

Gu Wen closed his eyes, and soon after, the trembling from the repulsion of the spirit arose again. Before he could open his eyes, a cool sensation came from his forehead.

A hand gently rested on his forehead.

"Stay calm, guard your spirit."

He entered meditation once more, faced rejection once again, time after time, it was like Gu Wen solving math problems, always encountering issues at certain places.

Gu Wen understood the Artifact Refining Skill without using Heavenly Marrow, but fortunately, practice makes perfect, and on the basis of his original Dao foundation, he gradually fully mastered the Artifact Control Skill.

But the failure to refine, the rejection by the spirit, came with a cost for each trial and error.

He opened his eyes, a tinge of light gauze caught his sight. Yu Hua retracted her hand; even Gu Wen could feel her breath disordered.

A significant part of the cost had been transferred onto Yu Hua. In any field of expertise, having a senior to guide you can always prevent injuries.

Artifact refinement achieved minor success.

"Very well done; you have achieved minor success with the Treasure of Magic Weapon. Although it's not a Divine Skill or Miracle Method, it's still not something just anyone can master carelessly."

Yu Hua was always generous with her praise for Gu Wen. She pulled an orange-colored pill from her sleeve.

"Take it, this is your reward."

Gu Wen swallowed the pill; it had a slight sweet taste followed by a rich orange flavor.

"The first time tasting a sweet pill," he said with some surprise, "what is this pill?"

Yu Hua replied, "A sugar pill. When I was young, my master used to give me one after training; it is a tradition of the Yuqing Sect."

"......"

But the happiness was short-lived.

Gu Wen found the sugar pill rather tasty. In ancient times, sugar was regarded as a luxury, and the highest quality sugar frosting was something only the royal family could enjoy.

It had been five years since he last tasted such delicate sweetness.

His Fate Diagram vibrated slightly, increasing about one-fifth of a unit of Heavenly Marrow.

"Is there any more?"

"Don't be greedy."

Yu Hua nagged like an old mother, but then she took out another sugar pill.

"This is the last one."

Then Gu Wen ate five more pills before being scolded by a somewhat annoyed Yu Hua.

[One Year of Heavenly Marrow]

The poor Daoist has money to spend again.