Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2418: 208: Preaching the Dao (Part 2)

Although he felt a bit shocked at first, after pondering it deeply, the situation struck him as perfectly ordinary.

In the end, these reincarnation bodies of Innate Divine Demons strive for eternal life and the pursuit of the Dao, so they place little value on worldly possessions. They trust that through steady meditation and drawing in Spiritual Energy, they can attain immortality and grasp the Dao. Yet, shaped by the innate instincts of the original Innate Divine Demons, they fail to grasp the use of such external items. As a result, the riches that cultivators from other realms have long claimed are left untouched here, allowing them plenty of time to flourish.

Witnessing this sight, Wang Ba couldn't resist giving a faint shake of his head, letting out a soft sigh:

“As the saying goes, ‘A gentleman’s essence remains the same, yet he excels at making use of what’s around him.’ No wonder their advancement has been so limited.”

Xuan Yuanzi appeared a touch confused but still gave a nod of approval:

“That phrase rings true. I’ve never been skilled in such matters myself, and back when I seized those cultivators, I always suspected they might plot in the shadows. That’s why I kept them out. If it piques your interest, you might want to share some insights.”

Wang Ba gave a nod at hearing this.

His own knowledge of Alchemy and Artifact Refining remained rather shallow. Out of the Hundred Arts, he shone brightest in Beast Control, along with crafting spirit food from spirit beasts. Thus, the guidance he could provide stayed quite narrow.

Naturally, he possessed a few techniques for preparing spirit food using spirit plants, though their efficiency fell short. It made more sense to craft spirit food from lesser ingredients, while reserving premium ones for Elixirs blended with spirit materials.

Even so, despite his lack of Alchemy expertise, the Little Cang World brimmed with capable Alchemists.

We'll skip over those details for the moment.

Tailing Xuan Yuanzi, Wang Ba descended rapidly.

The cultivators down below, spotting Xuan Yuanzi, rushed forward to show their respects. These reincarnation bodies mirrored true cultivators in every way—their speech and manners were just as refined. They displayed mild surprise at Wang Ba's presence but still approached to offer greetings, revealing none of the wild savagery typical of Innate Divine Demons. This shift clearly stemmed from their human forms reshaping their dispositions.

Xuan Yuanzi formally presented Wang Ba to the group of cultivators:

“Behold the famed True Man Taiyi from beyond our borders. Even Bodhisattvas at the mid-stage of Crossing Tribulation fall short against him. With him lingering here for a spell, make the most of it and learn from his wisdom.”

The cultivators quickly bowed to Wang Ba in reverence.

Wang Ba dismissed it with a wave and a grin, modestly claiming he didn't deserve such praise.

Still, these cultivators didn't hold Wang Ba in high esteem. After their polite bows to him, they clustered around Xuan Yuanzi, eagerly pressing for his counsel.

“Master Xuan, my Dao Domain feels off somehow. Why does it turn murky when I try to wield it?”

“Master Xuan, what’s the precise way to shatter the Class IV Dao Domain barrier from Void Refining into Unification?”

“Master Xuan, why does my Nascent Soul look unlike anyone else’s Nascent Soul?”

“Master Xuan, no matter how I try, why won’t my Dao Secret take shape?”

Bombarded by this barrage of inquiries, Xuan Yuanzi handled them smoothly, addressing each in turn.

In the end, after dwelling in the Little Cang World for so long, even without personal practice, he'd mingled with countless cultivators. His grasp of cultivation rivaled that of typical Unification experts, making explanations a breeze. While not exceptionally brilliant, his insights came across as solid and trustworthy.

Yet, as Wang Ba observed and listened, noting the cultivators' nods of apparent comprehension, a faint suspicion dawned on him.

Once Xuan Yuanzi wrapped up his brief clarifications, he turned to Wang Ba, aware that Wang Ba had already attained Dao within the Little Cang World. His mastery of Dao Domains and rules outshone all others, so with a smile, he suggested:

“Fellow Daoist, now that you've arrived, why not lend them your guidance and display your expertise?”

Wang Ba first thought to turn it down, but recalling Xuan Yuanzi's fervent endorsement before the Master of Quiet Cave, he paused and chose not to decline. He glanced at a nearby late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, sized him up swiftly, and stated bluntly:

“Your path has gone astray.”

“Astray?”

The cultivator blinked in confusion at first, then grew faintly defiant.

Though only at Nascent Soul, he had been a Seventh Tier Innate Divine Demon in his previous existence, boasting a deep-rooted foundation he trusted. Rediscovering it now seemed simple. Wang Ba's comment naturally irked him.

Xuan Yuanzi barked sharply:

“True Man Taiyi deigns to advise you. How dare you act so presumptuous!”

The cultivator bit back any retort, fixing his gaze on Wang Ba, his eyes plainly conveying:

“Fine, speak your piece.”

Noting this, Wang Ba offered a relaxed smile, unbothered by the doubt, and merely continued:

“For cultivators, one must behold their true self and thoughts, grasp the grand Dao, fully perceive Dao Intention in the end, and merge that Dao Intention into one's being, evolving it into Dao Secret. This Dao Secret serves as the foundation for a coming Dao Domain and the root of Crossing Tribulation along with rule comprehension. Though your talent runs deep in this lifetime, somehow you've just followed in others' footsteps rather than forging your unique route. That's why you struggle to perceive or form your Dao Domain, leaving your Dao Secret uncondensed.”

“Regarding why you've trailed others' routes, it largely stems from your former life's power clouding your true essence, blocking you from discovering what truly fits you today. The route you require must emerge from your own realizations.”

The cultivator stood frozen for a beat, half-grasping it yet still skeptical, and shot back:

“How do your claims hold water? When have I ever mimicked another's way?”

Wang Ba kept his calm, indifferent smile, paying no mind to the disbelief, and simply noted:

“The way belongs to you alone. Who else could define it? Still, validating my point isn't out of reach. I see a bold, haughty streak in you that might count as a weakness but could also open a door. Since you thrive with Fire Methods, why not weave in ‘Thunder Law’? Musing on them together may spark your true path.”