Chapter 775: Three Thousand Great Paths, One Hundred Thousand Minor Paths
Immediately afterward, Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged, six feet away from the red-robed old woman, placing his hands on his knees like a student seeking knowledge, appearing extremely serious and earnest.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen so courteous, with a temperament that was also quite ethereal and transcendent, the red-robed old woman nodded and said, "Your cultivation has already reached the eighth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm. Soon, you will begin to comprehend the Sacred Dao. So, what is the essence of the Sacred Dao?"
"Some say that the Sacred Dao is the continuous pursuit of knowledge, constant learning, and endless exploration, making one's own knowledge more profound, ultimately penetrating all things in the world, elevating the spirit and energy to a state of transcendence. For example, cultivators of spiritual power and the Confucian path."
"Others say that the Sacred Dao is a kind of mysterious rule. For instance, sunlight shining on leaves leaves shadows on the ground—that is a rule; water flowing from high to low is also a rule."
"Humans comprehended the first rule, and thus knew to hide under tree shade to cool off. Humans comprehended the second rule, and thus knew that going downstream could cover a thousand miles in a day."
"However, these are the most basic rules of nature. Any intelligent being can easily perceive and understand them, thereby enhancing their ability to adapt to the environment and accomplish some incredible things."
"Sacred Dao rules, however, are even more profound. Ordinary people simply cannot perceive their existence. Only through continuous learning and comprehension can cultivators grasp them and become Half-Saints or Saints."
"The Sword Dao is one form of the Sacred Dao, representing its sharpest aspect."
"Of course, the Natural Great Path, the Sacred Dao, the Sword Dao, and even the mysterious Way of Time and Way of Space are all part of the Heavenly Dao."
...
...
The red-robed old woman's lecture lasted for nine days and nine nights, covering not only the Sword Dao and the Natural Great Path but also explaining some principles about space and time to Zhang Ruochen.
Given her cultivation level and age, her knowledge was naturally quite profound. The things she explained encompassed everything, from astronomy and geography above to the myriad living beings below.
The red-robed old woman was like an incarnation of heaven and earth, seemingly omniscient.
Even though she was not an Heir of Time and Space, her understanding of space and time far exceeded Zhang Ruochen's, leaving him far behind.
Some of the things she explained opened a brand new door for Zhang Ruochen, like a sudden enlightenment, making his heart clearer and his view of all things gradually more distinct.
Zhang Ruochen had absorbed Qi Hong's Sword Dao knowledge and Sacred Dao knowledge, but he was still somewhat confused, unable to understand many things. Only now did he feel on the verge of a comprehensive integration.
"Hua!"
A pillar of light shot out from above Zhang Ruochen's head.
The next moment, his Martial Soul condensed within the light pillar, taking on a human form identical to Zhang Ruochen.
At the same time, the first Sacred Dao rule continuously condensed, eventually taking shape like an extremely fine thread of light, merging with the Martial Soul.
Then, the second Sacred Dao rule, the third Sacred Dao rule... emerged one after another, like strands of spider silk.
No one knew how much time passed before Zhang Ruochen's Martial Soul stabilized, having condensed a total of thirteen Sacred Dao rules.
The red-robed old woman nodded and said, "To be able to condense thirteen Sacred Dao rules at just the eighth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm is already quite impressive."
Given the red-robed old woman's realm, for her to say the word "impressive" was already a very high evaluation.
It was worth knowing that a cultivator at the ninth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm who could condense twelve Sacred Dao rules was already qualified to attempt breaking through to the Half-Saint realm.
However, true prodigies, even after condensing twelve Sacred Dao rules, would not break through easily. Instead, they would continue to comprehend and accumulate, striving to condense more Sacred Dao rules.
Why do this?
The twelve Sacred Dao rules had already merged with the cultivator's Sacred Soul, forming their twelve Sacred Dao paths. Even if a Half-Saint comprehended a thirteenth Sacred Dao rule, it could not be integrated into the Sacred Soul.
Because once one breaks through to the Half-Saint realm, their Sacred Soul becomes fully formed and stable, unable to continue merging with Sacred Dao rules. At that point, any newly comprehended Sacred Dao rules can only serve as auxiliary support.
A Half-Saint can only continuously perfect those twelve Sacred Dao rules, or choose one of them as their main cultivation path, cultivating it to the extreme, in order to become a Saint.
However, the more Sacred Dao rules integrated into the Sacred Soul, the stronger and more comprehensive the Sacred Soul's power becomes, bringing endless benefits to future cultivation.
The red-robed old woman continued, "Between heaven and earth, there are nine 'Eternal Ancient Paths,' seventy-two 'Supreme Sacred Paths,' three thousand 'Great Paths,' and one hundred thousand 'Minor Paths.'"
"In the Fish-Dragon Realm, the stronger the Sacred Dao rules integrated into the Sacred Soul, and the more Sacred Dao rules integrated, the higher one's future achievements will be."
"Right now, the thirteen Sacred Dao rules you have condensed are all just Minor Paths. If you were to break through to the Half-Saint realm now, this fairly promising seedling of yours would be completely ruined."
Clearly, the red-robed old woman was warning Zhang Ruochen, lest he be too utilitarian and destroy himself.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "May I ask, grandmother, how does one cultivate a Great Path, a Supreme Sacred Path, or an Eternal Ancient Path?"
The red-robed old woman appeared very patient and said, "Minor Paths are easy to achieve; Great Paths are difficult to cultivate. Supreme Sacred Paths are unparalleled under heaven."
"Any of the three thousand Great Paths is quite profound. Only geniuses with extremely high comprehension have a chance to cultivate a Sacred Dao rule of a Great Path in the Fish-Dragon Realm."
"As for the seventy-two Supreme Sacred Paths, they are even more extraordinary. Being able to comprehend even one of them is enough to benefit one for a lifetime."
"For example, the Sword Dao is one of the seventy-two Supreme Sacred Paths."
"However, only cultivators in the Fish-Dragon Realm who have cultivated Sword One to the tenth level of Great Perfection have the opportunity to condense a Sword Dao rule."
Zhang Ruochen suddenly understood and said, "No wonder cultivators who cultivate Sword One to the tenth level of Great Perfection in the Fish-Dragon Realm mostly become Sword Saints later on. It turns out it's because they have integrated the Sword Dao rule into their Martial Soul. This alone is something other sword cultivators cannot compare to."
The Sword Dao, being one of the seventy-two Supreme Sacred Paths, naturally meant that those who could integrate it into their Martial Soul were quite remarkable, and their future achievements would be astonishing.
The red-robed old woman said, "In the Fish-Dragon Realm, comprehending the Sword Dao rule and integrating it into the Martial Soul is just opening a door. In the future, one must continue to cultivate unremittingly, perfect the rule, and with the assistance of some Minor Paths and Great Paths, one can have the chance to become a Sword Saint. For example, the Path of Sharpness, the Path of Dexterity, the Path of Speed. Any Minor Path should not be underestimated."
"The Path of Sharpness, though just a Minor Path, if cultivated to a very high realm, does not necessarily preclude the chance of becoming a Sword Saint. However, a cultivator using the Path of Sharpness as a foundation to charge toward the Sword Saint realm will find it extremely difficult, no matter how deep their understanding of the Sword Dao is at the Half-Saint stage."
"In the end, any Great Path requires the assistance of Minor Paths. Therefore, the more Sacred Dao rules a cultivator comprehends in the Fish-Dragon Realm, the greater the future benefits."
Zhang Ruochen nodded, finally gaining a certain understanding of Minor Paths, Great Paths, and Supreme Sacred Paths. He then asked, "Do time and space also belong to the Supreme Sacred Paths?"
The red-robed old woman shook her head and said, "Time and space are two of the nine 'Eternal Ancient Paths.' Besides them, there are seven other Eternal Ancient Paths: Truth, Morality, Origin, Light, Darkness, Fate, and Nothingness."
"Time and space construct the world we live in."
"Truth and Morality have evolved into countless forms of knowledge, scattered between heaven and earth."
"Light and Darkness have given rise to life and death, good and evil."
"Of course, the most powerful of the nine 'Eternal Ancient Paths' are 'Fate' and 'Nothingness.' Fate can decide everything; Nothingness can destroy everything."
The red-robed old woman's words were very profound, completely detached from martial arts and even surpassing the Sacred Dao. Even at Zhang Ruochen's current realm, he only half-understood.
The red-robed old woman seemed to see the confusion in Zhang Ruochen's heart and said, "In fact, it's normal that you cannot understand at your current realm. The reason I told you about the nine Eternal Ancient Paths is that you possess the Time and Space Divine Martial Mark, giving you a good chance to cultivate Time rules and Space rules."
"If you truly succeed, you might have the opportunity to become the third Time and Space Controller in the history of the Kunlun Realm. However, for you, this path will be very difficult."
Zhang Ruochen's expression was solemn, his gaze firm, and he said, "This junior will definitely work hard. No matter how difficult, I will go all out to pursue the Eternal Ancient Paths."
The red-robed old woman, however, shook her head and said, "Since ancient times, those who have comprehended one of the nine Eternal Ancient Paths in the Fish-Dragon Realm can be counted on one's fingers. Each one was a genius of unparalleled talent."
"I am not telling you that you must comprehend the two Eternal Ancient Paths of time and space. Rather, I hope that when you find it impossible, you can learn to let go. Cultivating the Sword Dao to its extreme can still make you a towering figure."
"Time and space can instead become two auxiliary paths. You can slowly comprehend them when you reach the Saint realm. That way, your Sword Dao can become even stronger."
Clearly, the red-robed old woman did not believe that Zhang Ruochen could comprehend Time rules and Space rules in the Fish-Dragon Realm.
Therefore, she was worried that Zhang Ruochen would go down a dead end, trapping himself in the Fish-Dragon Realm forever, never reaching the Half-Saint realm.
Although Zhang Ruochen had his own thoughts, he did not refute her. He humbly accepted the red-robed old woman's advice and said, "This junior will remember grandmother's words. If, in the future, I truly cannot comprehend Time rules and Space rules, I will certainly not force it."