The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 67: Confucian Cultivation Methods

"You haven't even started yet, and you're already thinking about becoming a supreme grandmaster? Ambitious, aren't you?" Yin Luo interjected, laughing at Li Yu."Aiming high isn't a bad thing," Steward Yin chuckled and nodded. "Since you asked, let me explain our Confucian cultivation methods to you, so you have a clear idea."Steward Yin stood up from his desk, walked to the window, pointed to the horizon, and then looked back at Li Yu, saying, "Heaven and Earth nurture all things. Therefore, our cultivation comes from this Heaven and Earth.""Heaven and Earth?" Li Yu shook his head in confusion."Yes, Heaven and Earth," Steward Yin turned around, pointing to himself, then to Li Yu and Yin Luo. "The world is Heaven and Earth, and the human body is also Heaven and Earth. Our cultivation is about using our inner Heaven and Earth to connect with the outer Heaven and Earth.""There are countless sects and various methods of cultivation, but fundamentally, it's all about connecting the inner and outer Heaven and Earth. The entire process is about understanding, comprehending, and mastering Heaven and Earth.""Please enlighten me, Master," Li Yu was completely lost by Steward Yin's philosophical explanation. The concepts of Heaven and Earth were still foreign to him."Alright," Steward Yin laughed, shaking his head. "These things are too advanced for you now. I'll simplify it.""Yes, yes, Dad always talks about these mysterious concepts that put me to sleep," Yin Luo complained, looking bored as she sat on a stool, tapping her cheek."Let me simplify it for you," Steward Yin glared at Yin Luo before turning to Li Yu, "In our Confucian school, cultivation starts with nurturing the body and qi, then progresses to understanding things and acquiring knowledge, and finally to sincerity and uprightness.""Nurturing the body and qi involves absorbing the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, and the essence of the sun and moon, to strengthen the foundation and cultivate Haoran Qi."Steward Yin extended a finger and lightly pressed it onto the bronze paperweight on the desk, leaving a clear fingerprint on the bronze surface."See this? I didn't use any spiritual power, only my physical strength. This is the result of nurturing the body."Steward Yin withdrew his finger and continued, "Nurturing the body means strengthening the physical form, making the qi and blood abundant and the body powerful.""Strengthening the body is the foundation for cultivating qi. Cultivating qi involves refining true qi from the body's qi and blood. The stronger the body and the more abundant the qi and blood, the easier it is to cultivate qi and the faster it is to refine true qi.""Our Confucian method of strengthening the body is direct and vigorous, focusing on stimulating qi and blood to refine true qi quickly.The Daoist method emphasizes nurturing life, being gentle and soft, producing true qi slowly but steadily, prolonging life even without refining true qi.The Buddhist method of Golden Body cultivates an unbreakable form with immense strength, producing true qi the slowest, but having the strongest physical power among the body-nurturing methods.Other sects have their own diverse methods of strengthening the body.As for the demonic beings in the wilderness, they naturally have strong bodies, refining demonic qi directly from their qi and blood, and through continuous fighting and plundering, they devour others' qi and blood to refine their true qi."Steward Yin then detailed the methods of cultivating the body.He described various exercises for training qi and blood, tempering the body, various pills for nourishing qi and blood, medicinal baths to aid cultivation, and foods made from the flesh and blood of powerful beasts.Li Yu noted these methods but had no intention of using them.With the Innate Sacred Body and Dao Embryo, his body didn't require such supplements. Even if he did need them, a single drop of blood from the Crocodile Ancestor's corpse, with its immense life force, would be more than enough."After nurturing the body comes cultivating qi."Seeing Li Yu attentively noting the information, Steward Yin nodded with approval and continued."The human body is an inner Heaven and Earth, and the world is an outer Heaven and Earth. However, the inner and outer Heaven and Earth are not naturally connected. To connect them, one must use the true qi cultivated within to open the acupuncture points, allowing the external spiritual energy to flow into the body.""Therefore, the qi cultivation stage involves continuously opening acupuncture points, drawing in spiritual energy, and enhancing one's true qi. When all the acupuncture points are opened, and true qi flows seamlessly, one has achieved great success in qi cultivation.""At the stage of body and qi cultivation, practitioners are called scholars. In our Confucian school, those who cultivate the body are called scholars, and those who cultivate qi are called literati. In the outside world, these practitioners have various titles such as warriors, swordsmen, Daoists, hermits, and so on.""After cultivating the body and qi comes the stage of understanding things and acquiring knowledge. At this stage, practitioners begin to connect with Heaven and Earth, able to control the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, achieving feats like flying and moving mountains.""Understanding things and acquiring knowledge is our Confucian term. In the outside world, this stage is usually called spirit communication and Dao enlightenment. Spirit communication is about connecting with the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, while Dao enlightenment involves comprehending the great Dao of Heaven and Earth.""Practitioners at this level are called masters. In the outside world, they are usually called spirit communication masters or Dao enlightenment masters."At this point, Steward Yin's throat was dry, so he picked up his teacup for a sip."Master, the tea is cold. Let me get a fresh pot."Seeing this, Li Yu quickly reached for the teapot on the desk."I'll make the tea!" Yin Luo jumped up from her stool, snatched the teapot from Li Yu, and ran out."That girl just wants an excuse to slip away," Steward Yin set down his teacup, shaking his head with a smile."My junior sister is already familiar with these things, so she doesn't want to listen again. Please don't mind her, Master," Li Yu said, trying to cover for Yin Luo."She just wants to slack off," Steward Yin shook his head. "Never mind her. Let's continue.""Understanding things and acquiring knowledge, or spirit communication and Dao enlightenment, is a significant stage. Many people are stuck at the spirit communication stage. Thus, those who reach this stage are exceptionally gifted."Steward Yin sighed, "After understanding things and acquiring knowledge comes sincerity and uprightness. In the outside world, this stage is called attaining Dao, realizing Dao, and achieving Dao. Sincerity and uprightness involve understanding, practicing, and fulfilling one's Dao. Practitioners at this stage are called grandmasters.""Those who attain Dao are called grandmasters, those who realize Dao are called great grandmasters, and those who achieve Dao are called supreme grandmasters.""The Qinglian Patriarch achieved the supreme Dao, his Dao declaration was heard everywhere; this is a supreme grandmaster.""It's said that after achieving Dao, there is the Dao of Heaven and Man, but I don't know much about that."Finishing his explanation, Steward Yin walked up to Li Yu and said, "You have extraordinary talent. You must cultivate diligently. I have high hopes for you.""Yes."Li Yu nodded, then suddenly thought of something and quickly asked, "Master, what is your current stage?""Me?"Steward Yin laughed and shook his head, "I am still practicing my Dao, far from breaking through.""Practicing your Dao? Great grandmaster? Master, you are a great grandmaster?"Li Yu stared at Steward Yin in surprise. It wasn't apparent at all. The administration was like a logistics department, not a significant position, yet a great grandmaster was in charge."Practicing one's Dao involves leading by example. I follow the principle that adequate provisions cultivate manners, so I work as an administrator to practice my Dao."Seeing Li Yu's surprise, Steward Yin explained, "Without small steps, there are no miles. We even have great grandmasters hauling water here.""Leading by example, I see."Li Yu nodded thoughtfully, reminding himself not to overplay his hand. You never know when the doorman might be a great grandmaster practicing his Dao.