Chapter 40: The Dao Scripture
Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had gone by. Ye Fan and Pang Bo gradually adapted to life here. This change was first and foremost a shift in their mindset, as they slowly came to accept everything.
During this period, the two did not engage in so-called cultivation. Instead, they spent their time absorbing common knowledge and contemplating their future path. Old Man Wu Qingfeng did not urge them; on the contrary, he actively imparted various experiences and insights from cultivation.
This was very important for Ye Fan and Pang Bo. It wasn’t until another month had passed that they felt they had fully integrated and understood everything, believing they could begin cultivation.
"The Wheel of Life and the Sea of Suffering merge and complement each other. To cultivate the Wheel of Life, one must also cultivate the Sea of Suffering. So, in a sense, all cultivation begins from the Sea of Suffering."
Cultivation is a difficult process, especially for those who first set foot on the path of immortality. They must have guidance; otherwise, they would have no idea where to start or how to break through the door.
"In the next two months, I will help you step onto the immortal path and officially become cultivators. After that, I will no longer teach you individually. You will go to the Spirit Ruins Cliff and listen to the profound teachings together with the others."
Although Ye Fan had not joined the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven, Old Man Wu Qingfeng did not exclude him when imparting teachings, treating him the same as Pang Bo. The old man knew that even if Ye Fan persisted in cultivation, there would be no results. Before the ancient times, Ye Fan’s physique was known as the number one Sacred Body in the world, but now it was merely a waste body.
For those who first step onto the immortal path, laying a solid foundation is the most important thing. Only then can they climb higher in the future. Old Man Wu Qingfeng brought out a foundational technique known as the strongest in the world—the *Dao Scripture*.
The *Dao Scripture*, daring to take such a name, fully illustrates its significance. It records the scriptures of the Great Dao and is a supreme technique. Legend has it that it is an immortal classic. In the vast and boundless Eastern Wasteland, only a few ancient scriptures can stand alongside it, and none can completely surpass it.
Of course, the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven could not possess the true *Dao Scripture*. A mere cave heaven blessed land simply did not have such a foundation. What they had collected was only the opening chapter of the *Dao Scripture*. Moreover, even this opening chapter was not a unique copy within the Yan territory; otherwise, it would surely invite disaster upon their sect.
Undoubtedly, having the opening chapter of the *Dao Scripture* was a great blessing for talented disciples. It could lay an incomparably solid foundation for them, bringing immense benefits to their future cultivation.
Although this foundational technique was precious, it was no longer a secret manual exclusive to one family. Therefore, Old Man Wu Qingfeng did not avoid Ye Fan and directly passed it on to both of them.
The *Dao Scripture* was indeed a profound and extensive ancient scripture. Otherwise, it would not have shaken the Eastern Wasteland for endless ages. Even this opening chapter contained supreme true meaning. Though it was only a few thousand words, Old Man Wu Qingfeng spent a full half-month explaining it.
Every sentence of the *Dao Scripture* contained deep meaning, with infinite wondrous principles gathered within. It explained cultivation to the utmost subtlety. Even a powerful expert, upon obtaining this opening chapter, would sigh in admiration, realizing that even foundational cultivation could be so mysterious.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo cultivated earnestly every day. According to the *Dao Scripture*, they first had to sense their own Wheel of Life, then guide their essence energy to impact the Sea of Suffering. In this process, there were naturally extremely subtle methods of sensing and unique techniques of guidance.
However, this was still not enough. Cultivating on one’s own made it very difficult to break through the door. One needed someone to guide them with "immortal qi." Old Man Wu Qingfeng personally took action every day, circulating the foundational techniques recorded in the *Dao Scripture* and placing his hand against the area below Ye Fan and Pang Bo’s navels.
After more than ten days, Pang Bo finally sensed something. He became aware of the existence of his Wheel of Life. In the following days, he began to attempt to guide the essence energy hidden within his Wheel of Life to impact the Sea of Suffering.
But Ye Fan still gained nothing. His Wheel of Life was completely still, as hard as divine iron. Even someone as powerful as Old Man Wu Qingfeng could not break his "immortal qi" into it, let alone guide it.
"It’s truly hard to imagine why there is such a physique…" Old Man Wu Qingfeng frowned and ultimately had to give up. He had almost used all of his essence energy to impact Ye Fan’s Wheel of Life, but it remained unshakable.
"Old sir, you must help! Give Ye Fan another hand. Maybe it will succeed next time," Pang Bo said urgently, seeing that Old Man Wu Qingfeng was about to give up.
"Alas, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but there’s simply no way. With a physique like his, no one can guide him. In the end, he has to rely on himself," Old Man Wu Qingfeng shook his head.
"How can this be? How about… you try again?" Pang Bo pleaded with a flattering smile.
"This physique was called the number one Sacred Body before the ancient times. Naturally, it’s not something we can understand. There must be many unknown secrets. But for some reason, it can no longer display its former glory. Whether it requires a special cultivation method or some other reason is hard to say."
At this moment, Ye Fan was still in a state of stillness, not yet awake.
Pang Bo continued, "I think it’s necessary for you to investigate thoroughly, old sir. If you happen to discover the reason, you might be able to revive the unparalleled might of the ancient number one Sacred Body. Then the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven’s rise to prominence would be just around the corner."
Old Man Wu Qingfeng had lived for so many years and was well-versed in worldly affairs. How could he be fooled by such words? He shook his head with a wry smile and said, "In the post-ancient era, this physique has appeared a few times. Even the mighty Holy Lands of the Eastern Wasteland were helpless against it. With the foundation of our Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven, do you think we have a chance?"
"Oh?"
Just then, Old Man Wu Qingfeng seemed to sense something. He reached out and pressed his hand against the area below Ye Fan’s navel again, gathering all his essence energy to probe.
"What is it, old sir? Is there hope?" Pang Bo asked anxiously.
After a long time, Old Man Wu Qingfeng wearily lowered his hand and shook his head. "The Wheel of Life and the Sea of Suffering are still as hard as divine iron, silent and without any fluctuation. However, I had a strange feeling. His blood essence seems to be even more vigorous. Although it is restrained and hard to detect, I still sensed a momentary fluctuation just now."
"Vigorous blood essence?" Pang Bo was puzzled.
"That’s right. The two of you accidentally ate a sacred fruit in the Ancient Forbidden Land and drank the water from the divine spring. Your physiques have been reborn and greatly improved, and your qi and blood are exceptionally vigorous." At this point, Old Man Wu Qingfeng showed a puzzled expression. "These past few days, he has made no progress in cultivating the *Dao Scripture* and still cannot sense his Wheel of Life. But now, his blood essence seems even more abundant, surpassing yours."
Pang Bo clicked his tongue in amazement. "Didn’t you say that the *Dao Scripture* is known as the strongest foundational technique in the Eastern Wasteland, a legendary immortal classic? It should be highly targeted. The opening chapter is used to cultivate the Wheel of Life. How did he end up cultivating it into his blood essence?"
"This…" Old Man Wu Qingfeng also furrowed his brow, unable to figure out the reason.
Just then, Ye Fan opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp and spirited, full of vitality.
Seeing him in such high spirits, Old Man Wu Qingfeng became even more uncertain and asked, "Did you sense your Wheel of Life?"
Ye Fan shook his head and told the truth. "No."
"Then do you have any special feelings?" the old man continued.
Ye Fan did not want to hide anything from him, because the old man had been very good to him, giving his all without any discrimination or prejudice due to his special physique. Instead, he spent a great deal of essence energy every day to help him.
"Although I didn’t sense my Wheel of Life, I feel completely relaxed and full of surging energy."
"Do you feel any changes?" Old Man Wu Qingfeng asked again.
"It’s like I have endless strength." Saying this, Ye Fan lifted a huge stone in front of the thatched hut with one hand, looking calm and composed, as if he had hardly exerted any effort.
Old Man Wu Qingfeng immediately gasped in shock. "Seeing how easily you did that, your single arm must have several thousand jin of strength. If you used both arms together, you’d probably be close to one elephant’s strength."
Beside him, Pang Bo was also astonished. He and Ye Fan had both undergone the strange transformation of rejuvenation, and their strength was similar, but now he felt he could not match Ye Fan’s divine power.
Old Man Wu Qingfeng left with confusion, unable to understand why this was happening. The other party still could not sense the existence of his Wheel of Life, but could he still be called an ordinary person in this state?
After the old man left, Ye Fan suddenly started running, sweeping past the small hill like a gust of wind. Pang Bo showed a surprised expression. "Not only has your strength increased greatly, but your speed has also improved significantly!"
In the following days, the old man taught with even more dedication, because he would no longer be able to guide them individually. Soon, Ye Fan and Pang Bo would have to go to the Spirit Ruins Cliff to listen to the profound teachings with the masses.
The master leads you in, but cultivation depends on the individual. Once one officially steps onto the immortal path, they must rely entirely on themselves. The Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven would provide profound teachings and medicinal liquids, but the transmission of teachings and the resolution of doubts would all be conducted collectively. After all, the elders also needed to cultivate and did not have the time or energy to teach individually.
"Before long, you will go to the Spirit Ruins Cliff. When you get there, you must keep a low profile. Endure what you can and do not act rashly."