Li Muxuan never actually intended to succeed in severing ties. His actions were merely an attempt to repay a debt to the Sanyi Sect before he died and pass on the Reversal of Eight Directions.
He could sever his karmic ties with Quansheng, but he couldn't let go of his bond with Wugensheng.
In his eyes, Wugensheng was a revered mentor, just like Wang Yaozu and Zuo Ruotong.
Wang Yaozu had once taught him techniques, Zuo Ruotong had once shaped his character, and Wugensheng had also enlightened and guided him.
However, neither Zuo Ruotong nor Wugensheng succeeded; instead, he had severely hurt them. If the Reversal of Eight Directions wasn't passed on, then Wang Yaozu would also have been let down.
"Brother Huang, I've already taken pictures of the content of this Reversal of Eight Directions. Here's the original."
Qingshui handed the original Reversal of Eight Directions to Huang Ninger, glanced at a soaring bird in the sky, and then walked towards Lu Jin.
"Elder Lu, congratulations! You've avenged a great wrong, and your profound cultivation has advanced significantly. If the Great Abundance Immortal and the seniors of the Sanyi Sect from back then could see you today, they would surely be pleased."
Qingshui bowed respectfully to Lu Jin.
"This vendetta is only half-avenged. Wugensheng is still alive. As for the hopes of my mentor and fellow disciples..."
The handsome white-haired old man exited his Reverse Life state, shaking his head, without a trace of joy on his face.
"This old man is incompetent. I still ended up taking this step. Never mind restructuring the three Dantians now; even if this profound cultivation breaks through the third layer, it won't reach the heavens or resolve my mentor's unresolved issues. How can I possibly live up to his expectations?"
"If the third layer can't reach the heavens, what about the fourth?"
A faint smile appeared on Qingshui's face.
"No, the third layer is already the limit. There's no path forward."
Lu Jin shook his head again, his face filled with regret.
Reverse Life Triple: The first layer allows one to transform skin and flesh into Qi, ignoring ordinary injuries and strengthening the body. The second layer allows one to transform internal organs and bones into Qi, enabling rapid self-healing and regeneration of severed limbs. At the peak of the second layer, one can even reconstruct the three Dantians, repairing the core positions representing essence, Qi, and spirit—even if the heart, Dantian, and brain are destroyed. By the third layer, the entire body is transformed into Qi, allowing one to become an energy-bodied life form.
This already encompasses a person's entire body. Without the ability to transform Qi into Innate Qi, this is the ultimate limit achievable by this path.
"But what if there truly is a method to reverse Qi back into Innate Qi? Then, would this path of Reverse Life truly be able to reach the heavens?"
Qingshui asked Lu Jin.
"You have a way?"
Lu Jin questioned.
"I've recently made some progress in my research. If it can be combined with Reverse Life Triple, it might just be possible."
Lu Jin was silent for two seconds, knowing that Qingshui wouldn't make such claims lightly.
Moreover, Qingshui's research abilities had been proven, so he might truly be able to develop something.
Lu Jin's spirits lifted as he said, "If it can truly be achieved, this old man is naturally willing to discuss Reverse Life Triple with Professor Zhuo. If there truly is a path to Reverse Life reaching the heavens, and it can resolve my mentor's unresolved issues before his death, then this old man will also rebuild the Sanyi Sect."
"Elder Lu, you can come with me to my research institute in a bit to take a look."
"Good! Let's go now!"
Lu Jin's expression at this moment became excited, a stark contrast to his listless demeanor after killing Li Muxuan earlier.
"Grandpa!"
"Elder Lu!"
"Elder Lu!"
At this moment, the others also gathered around, either congratulating Lu Jin or offering comfort.
However, Lu Jin paid them no mind at all, only wanting to follow Qingshui and see where this so-called fourth layer's path truly lay.
Only Huang Ninger called for a car with a coffin, and accompanied by Ding Daoan and Na Ruhuo, collected Li Muxuan's body.
...
...
The next day, Ma Xianhong left the dark fort and joined the Mohist Sect.
That afternoon, in a biological laboratory at Peking University in the Capital City.
"Elder Lu, how is it? Is this Natural Energy truly real?"
Qingshui put away the small bottle containing the remaining volatile substance and spoke to Lu Jin, who was sitting cross-legged on the cushion in front of him.
Even though Lu Jin had already passed on the Reverse Life Triple technique to Qingshui, Qingshui had only been learning for a short time and hadn't even grasped the first layer. He certainly couldn't use it directly. For any real research, he still needed Lu Jin's help.
"Hmm, this old man did perceive it. And this breathing technique can indeed draw the so-called Natural Energy from heaven and earth into the body. However, it cannot be retained for long. This old man has only just learned the basics, but I can infer that even if one cultivates this technique day and night, it will only passively strengthen the body. Perhaps one can become stronger than ordinary Anomalous Humans, but ultimately, it does not cultivate life or enter the Grand Dao. No wonder this old man has never heard of it before."
Lu Jin stroked his long beard.
"Exactly. So the problem now is how to absorb Natural Energy, fuse it with Qi, and transform it into Innate Qi, just like unborn fetuses whose consciousness hasn't yet formed."
Qingshui sat opposite Lu Jin.
Lu Jin stroked his long white beard and said, "So you want to use the method of Reverse Life Triple, because the essence of Reverse Life Triple is the concept of the Inner Elixir path. It's just that their method involves cultivating a Nascent Soul within the body, usually stored in the Mysterious Pass, to simulate the process of Innate Qi manifesting during the birth of life, thereby achieving immortality.
As for our Sanyi Sect's Reverse Life Triple, it's simply from the inside out, transforming the entire body into Qi. If the third layer is achieved, the entire person becomes a Nascent Soul. If the physical body can acquire the ability of an infant embryo to collect Natural Energy from heaven and earth and evolve Innate Qi, then this would be the fourth layer after the third, and this path would truly reach the heavens."
"Exactly," Qingshui said to Lu Jin.
"In that case, I shall give it a try."
As he spoke, Lu Jin's hair stood on end, his eyes glowed blue, and his body turned pale, emitting the white mist that appears when Qi transforms. He had clearly entered the Reverse Life state.
Then, the handsome old man suddenly opened his mouth and inhaled a large amount of air.
"Senior Lu, how was it?"
Lu Jin nodded, then shook his head.
What does that mean?
"Do you mean the method is feasible, but you can't do it right now? Is it because Reverse Life Triple is only at the peak of the second stage, and not the complete third stage?"
"No," Lu Jin said.
"Even the first stage of Reverse Life would work. The third stage simply raises the upper limit. The real problem is this."
Lu Jin raised a hand that was emitting white mist. Soon, sharp barbs sprouted from it, looking like the bodily tissue of some animal.
Qingshui's eyes narrowed.
This phenomenon...
It's like the abnormal state seen in Sage Mode and the Cursed Seal.
"I can feel that in the Reverse Life state, the pure Qi formed from the body can combine with Natural Energy. The ratio is hard to say, but two parts Qi to one part Natural Energy is the most comfortable, otherwise, there might be some accidents.
Also, this Natural Energy isn't clean. I speculate that since Innate Qi is the origin that sustains life and guides its development, it's not only useful for humans but for all living beings in heaven and earth.
This aligns with what our ancestors said: all things have Qi, and all development of things in the world is based on Qi as the origin and 'Li' (principle) as the law.
What we need to do next is find that so-called 'Li,' and figure out a way to purify Natural Energy, or some other method, to transform it into Innate Qi suitable for humans. Once that's done, the path to the fourth stage will be clear!"
As Lu Jin spoke, Qingshui, through the effects of those volatile substances and his own powerful perception, sensed that Lu Jin was forcing the abnormal Innate Qi within his body into that arm.
The arm's abnormal transformation became increasingly obvious until Lu Jin, with a hand chop, severed the transformed limb.
As the white Qi dissipated, Lu Jin's arm regenerated, but the severed, abnormal arm on the ground continued to struggle.
"Oh? It didn't dissipate even after losing the support of Qi." Lu Jin crouched down, examining the arm that was reverting from its Qi state.
"Perhaps it's the role Innate Qi played within it. If there's enough Innate Qi and nutrients absorbed from the outside, who knows, this thing might even become a new life form, like a fetus. In that case, congratulations are in order, Master Lu, you're over a hundred years old and you could have another son!" Qingshui joked with Lu Jin, looking at the arm on the ground, which was covered on one side with sharp barbs and on the other with snake-like scales, writhing frantically.
"Then let's quickly destroy this thing," Lu Jin said, a look of disgust on his face.
"Alright." Qingshui shot a Separation Release ray at the arm on the ground, incinerating it into charcoal.
"Oh, right, Professor Zhuo, there are some things I need to explain in more detail, lest you accidentally suffer misfortune in the future. The dangers of this Natural Energy are not limited to this," Lu Jin said, pointing at the charcoal on the ground and addressing Qingshui.
"First, this Natural Energy, if untreated, is unsuitable for humans and will cause abnormalities. It might cause the human body to mutate, as you said, or perhaps those abnormal Innate Qi can be expelled by some means, thereby eliminating the Natural Energy. However, doing so might not be easy.
This brings me to the second hidden danger: perhaps because this Natural Energy remains untreated, it's extremely volatile and can even reverse-affect your own Qi. When Qi changes, life itself changes. The change in 'life' is reflected in the physical body, as you just witnessed. And the change in 'nature' can affect one's consciousness.
If I hadn't cultivated for nearly a century, practicing the orthodox Sanyi Sect's Reverse Life Triple, and had a foundation in 'nature' cultivation, and if Zhang Zhiwei hadn't given me that Heart Purifying Divine Incantation to suppress my inner demons, and if I hadn't now killed Li Muxuan, resolving half of my inner demons—otherwise, I truly might have been affected by this Natural Energy and gone mad again. And with you so close to me, your life would surely have been in danger."
Lu Jin spoke with a solemn expression, cautioning Qingshui.
When he had gone mad before, he had almost killed the Old Heavenly Master... well, not almost, but he had broken two of the Old Heavenly Master's ribs!
That was already enough of an achievement for him to boast about for a while.
Not to mention that Lu Jin could now reconstruct the three dantians, breaking through Reverse Life Triple to its second stage peak. His strength had once again improved, and he could now be considered a top-tier master!
Although Lu Jin knew Qingshui was very powerful, possessing strength beyond his age, he couldn't possibly be stronger than the Old Heavenly Master, could he?
Back at Longhu Mountain, when he was subdued before reaching the peak of the second stage, the Old Heavenly Master still broke two ribs. What about now?
However, Lu Jin didn't know that Qingshui also possessed top-tier combat power, and when equipped with his armor, he was even stronger than this old man who had just crossed the threshold of the top tier.
"Ah, yes, please continue. Are there any other points to note?"
"Yes, the third point is that one must precisely control the ratio of Qi to Natural Energy. I was in the Reverse Life Triple state just now, so the adverse effects didn't manifest, but I still felt uncomfortable. If the ratio of Qi to Natural Energy isn't controlled at two to one, then this newly generated Innate Qi cannot be controlled."
Lu Jin extended a finger, his expression still serious.
Qingshui nodded frequently as he listened.
It seems this path is the right one.
He remembered that in the Naruto World, the Sage Mode training methods of the three great holy lands indeed had similar problems. For example, to condense Sage Art Chakra, one had to distribute spiritual energy, physical energy, and Natural Energy in a 1:1:1 ratio. Otherwise, if the balance was lost, the Natural Energy would become uncontrollable and rampage, causing the body to be eroded by Natural Energy and turn into a petrified toad.
These points perfectly aligned with what Lu Jin had said.
Clearly, Mount Myōboku's so-called Sage Mode is simply the cultivation method of those Toads. At most, it was later refined and integrated with the Chakra system, specifically the parts concerning physical and mental energy.
Whether it's the frog-like features that appear to varying degrees in successful cultivators, the petrification into frogs for those who fail, or the increased lifespan of the Toads themselves, it all points to that being the Toads' Innate Qi.
Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest are certainly the same: one is suited for snakes, the other for slugs.
However, at least the three great sacred lands have systematic applications of Natural Energy. While humans can't synthesize Innate Qi suitable for themselves to extend their lifespan through cultivation, they can still use it as a means of battle enhancement.
Mount Myōboku is probably the most human-friendly. As long as one's body can adapt to the erosion of Natural Energy, has a sufficient amount of Chakra, can withstand a certain degree of mutation, has some margin for error, and possesses competent Chakra control to properly distribute energy, then under these conditions, one can use Mount Myōboku's toad oil to sense and absorb Natural Energy. If the Natural Energy in the practitioner's body goes out of control, they can simply use Sage Art whips to expel it.
This way, even if one's talent in this area is somewhat lacking, they can still barely master it like Jiraiya. Those with better talent can achieve the so-called "perfect Sage Mode" like Naruto.
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