In the guest room.
Chen Yunxu humbly asked, "Master, what are the nine retreats?"
Zuoci said: "The nine retreats are the heaven retreat, earth retreat, people retreat, wind retreat, cloud retreat, dragon retreat, tiger retreat, god retreat and ghost retreat. The heavenly scriptures are a total of nine scrolls, each scroll contains myriad universes. I once accidentally obtained the heavenly scriptures and the human scriptures. Later on, I was fortunate enough to find the other six retreats and only then did I manage to gather all nine."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun roughly understood why Ge Xuan had only mastered three of the retreats.
From Zuoci's words, we can infer that the other six retreats may have been collected only recently.
Thoughts in mind, Zuoci spoke again: "Early in my life, I was of poor talent. In order to attain immortality and the Dao, I had to turn to the Corpse Expiation Realm. However, there was no significant improvement. I always remained between ordinary people and mortals. Later on, I discovered the Ghost Escape in the nine retreats and understood the changes of yin and yang. With pure yin generating pure yang, yin and yang combining, my cultivation progressed rapidly. Nowadays, I have been fortunate enough to cultivate up to the summit of earthly immortals and faintly touched the edge of the realm of immortals."
Chen Yun looked astonishingly and said, "The Ghost Escape can allow the Corpse Expiation Realm to break the shackles and achieve the realm of immortals?"
Zuoci smiled and said, "One retreat is a kind of fruit of attainment, understanding the source. Even if it is not the Earthly Immortal, one can reach the realm of the Great Immortal."
If this statement were to come from Yu Ji's mouth, Chen Yun might not believe it.
Because the author of the "Taiping Qingling Shu" is him.
People usually exaggerate their abilities to some extent, boasting about them.
However, Chen Yun's trust in Zuoci's words is as high as 90%.
Why?
Because the "Retreats of Heaven and Earth" scripture was not created by Zuoci, but rather an accidental acquisition he obtained.
Moreover, Zuoci candidly admitted that his talent was not enough for him to transform into the Corpse Expiation Realm, which is a degree of open-mindedness that not everyone possesses.
Most people would likely find various reasons to justify their necessity for the Corpse Expiation Realm.
After all, the Corpse Expiation Realm is among the lowest-status group of immortals.
The immortals are divided into three levels. The upper-levels are the heavenly immortals and the immortals. The middle-levels are the earthly immortals and the mortals. The lower levels are the ghost immortals, the corpse expiation immortals, and the demon immortals, etc.
It is worth noting here that while the concept of "ascension to immortality" may appear similar to the Corpse Expiation Realm, in fact, there is a significant difference between the two.
The Corpse Expiation Realm is achieved by becoming a deity after death, which means switching to a new way of cultivation.
The concept of ascension to immortality differs. It refers to shedding off the essence and rising to immortality, which is equivalent to gathering all the cultivation into the divine essence, without having to switch the way of cultivation.
Moreover, the lowest level of ascension to immortality is the realm of "immortal."
That's why Zuoci is so open-minded. People like him generally don't exaggerate.
Therefore, Chen Yun believed in his words.
He respectfully asked, "Teacher, what is so special about the nine retreats?"
Zuoci slowly said: "The Heavenly Retreat is the understanding of the Dao of heaven. Everything in the world and space, all things in the cosmos, are all contained within the Heavenly Retreat. It is known as the profound and infinite method. One contains an infinite amount within it, and an infinite amount returns into one, forming a endless cycle, an endless cycle that is hard to fathom." One captures all things, and all things capture one, and one and many are interpenetrated with each other, sufficient at the same time. Unlimited."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun was greatly shaken in his heart.
If Zuoci's words are true, then mastering the Heavenly Retreat could lead to a state of cultivation that is akin to the "Infinite Box" mentioned in the previous forum discussions.
Before this, Chen Yun had heard Li Dongbin discuss the worldview of this world, knowing that it is vast and boundless. However, he did not have a very accurate understanding of it.
Now, hearing the old immortals of Zuoci talking about the fruit of Heavenly Retreat, Chen Yun gradually understands the world he lives in. At least it has reached the level of "Infinite Box".
If the world he is in is at the level of the "Infinite Box," then what about the "Great Will" that Lü Dongbin mentioned, which is said to transcend infinite levels higher than this world?
Multi-level infinite boxes?
Infinite levels of infinite boxes?
Infinite exponentials of infinite boxes?
Or maybe, high-level infinite exponent infinite boxes?
Or even beyond the index tower or higher realms beyond his imagination?
Though greatly shocked, Chen Yun was still listening attentively.
Zuoci said: "The Earth Retreat is the hiding of the earth. The boundless universe, the endless worlds, it returns to an infinite extreme. A sacred hidden force keeps people and things aloft without having to struggle or compete. Human beings possess divine power, which is the state of being in harmony with the Dao, also known as the Great Immortal. Once one reaches this state, one can open up heaven and earth, create galaxies and change the world with ease, which is the power of creation."
Chen Yun roughly analyzed that such a realm might not transcend the infinite box, but it should be infinitely synchronized with the infinite box.
Zuoci continued: "The People Retreat is when the spirit of a person begins to transcend and elevate, accumulating qi and breaking through passages, integrating the essence, spirit, and primordial true qi with the Tao. With the power of the Tao at one's disposal, one can truly live as long as the Tao does. This is the realm of the true self, transcending time and space. It will never be lost in reality or illusion; it is eternal."
This is also the realm of being in harmony with the Dao.
It's just a bit lower than the infinite box.
Chen Yun analyzed that this realm is probably capable of utilizing all the power within the infinite box.
Later, Zuoci explained the magical properties of the Tiger Retreat, Dragon Retreat, Cloud Retreat, Wind Retreat, Ghost Retreat, and God Retreat.
Chen Yun listened carefully one by one, and secretly analyzed and calculated in his heart.
Finally, he drew a conclusion: the nine retreats are as follows—the Heavenly Retreat can transcend the infinite box, the Earth Retreat is similar to the infinite box, the People Retreat is attached to the infinite box and can achieve a "omniscient and omnipotent" state within this infinite box. As for the remaining six retreats, they are similar to the People Retreat but cannot achieve "omniscient and omnipotent," only being able to achieve "omniscient and omnipotent" in one aspect.
It can be very definitely said that all six retreats, though not as good as the People Retreat, can reach the highest level only through being in harmony with the Dao.
Chen Yun then realized that his previous contemplation about the cultivation level that can be achieved by mastering several retreats was mistaken.
In fact, each retreat is considered a path in itself, capable of leading to the fruit of the Dao.
Just that the lower six retreats cannot reach the high level of the Three Heavenly Retreats.
After listening, Chen Yun couldn't help but exclaim: "The 'Retreats of Heaven and Earth' scripture truly deserves the name of a heavenly scripture. It is a profound law that shakes the heavens and earth, moves ghosts and gods."
Zuoci glanced at Yu Ji and then turned his gaze back to Chen Yun, "If you are to cultivate the 'Retreats of Heaven and Earth' scripture, it's best not to touch the Three Heavenly Retreats at first. Just get a basic understanding of them. While cultivating the lower six retreats, the 'Taiping Qingling Shu' can assist you, allowing you to perceive more quickly and make it easier to master the lower six retreats."
Yu Ji had no sign of displeasure. He nodded slightly and said, "The 'Taiping Qingling Shu' is indeed the wisdom I have condensed. It is not as great as the 'Retreats of Heaven and Earth', but it contains many profound Daoist practices. In fact, all of them were completed with the help of my master, Nan Hua Old Immortal, but in reality, I myself have not yet cultivated them."
Chen Yun blinked and said, "Nan Hua Old Immortal... is that..."
Yu Ji nodded slightly, "That's right."
Chen Yun took a deep breath, realizing then why Yu Ji dared to boast so grandly just now. It turned out that the other party's "Taiping Qingling Shu" was a creation assisted by Zhuangzi.
The status of Zhuangzi in the Daoist pantheon of immortals is not actually high.
However, in Taoism, Zhuangzi is one of the top-tier figures, one who can be ranked alongside Laozi.
When people discuss Laozi and Zhuangzi, they often use the term "Lao Zhuang," indicating the great respect that Taoists have for Zhuangzi.
Chen Yun knew that a "Worthy Man" like Zhuangzi, who had been renowned for millennia, would not care about such things as divine offices. He himself was already a titan in the realm of cultivation, with accomplishments that shook the heavens and the earth. How could he care about divine offices?
After getting to know both the "Taiping Qingling Shu" and the "Retreats of Heaven and Earth" scripture.
Chen Yun had a rough understanding of the limits of these two profound techniques, and he also knew how to start practicing them.
Simple, start with the 'Taiping Qingling Shu', begin to comprehend one of the six retreats from the 'Retreats of Heaven and Earth' scripture, this is the most reliable method.
Of course, one can directly cultivate the Three Heavenly Retreats. However, the realm of the upper Three Heavenly Retreats is too high for one without sufficient cultivation. Attempting to cultivate them prematurely might waste a lot of time and be detrimental.
Thinking of this, Chen Yun couldn't help but exclaim at the genius of Ge Xuan. He directly cultivated the Three Heavenly Retreats and actually achieved them, continuously refining his cultivation to reach the heavenly spirit realm.
While feeling awe in his heart, he bowed deeply to Zuoci and Yu Ji, "Thank you, two teachers, for passing on the wisdom of Chen Pu. In the future, I will diligently cultivate and not disappoint your great love."
"Very good! Very good! Very good!" Zuoci called out three times, looking very pleased. He reached out with his hand and suddenly produced three volumes of heavenly books and a map. "These are the Three Heavenly Retreats, and this map shows the lower six retreats. Chen Pu, take them and meditate on them."
Chen Yun looked up and saw that the three volumes of heavenly books and scrolls were radiating with colors.
The three volumes of heavenly books shone with one hundred and eight different hues, the earth book was enveloped in seventy-two kinds of mystical light, the human book was filled with thirty-six kinds of radiant light, and the scroll shone with six colors.
He bowed respectfully and knelt down, lifting his hands high overhead to receive the heavenly books and scrolls, "Thank you, teacher."
Zuoci did not let him rise immediately but instead gave a piece of advice: "The three volumes of heavenly books and the six retreats map are both supreme treasures of the world. If you can understand one of the retreats, you can activate one of the treasures, but if you cannot understand it, you will not be able to activate it. Do not let others know about this, or else they will covet it and bring continuous misfortune."
Chen Yun was surprised that Old Immortal Zuoci had given him the bottom-of-the-box treasures.
Now he was even more puzzled. Ge Xuan, as a direct disciple of Zuoci, had not received the three volumes of heavenly books and the six retreats map. He had only obtained the inheritance from them. Why did Zuoci give him these treasures instead of his own biological or adopted children?
He thought, "It wouldn't be related to my future disciple, would it?"
Although he was unaware of the specifics, Chen Yun still kowtowed and thanked, "Disciple follows the teacher's instructions."
"Study and comprehend well. I'll leave now."
"Chong Yong, do not rely on the great law to bully others. I will leave as well."
The two voices seemed to be etched into his consciousness, not actual sounds that were heard.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun looked up and saw that the figures of Zuoci and Yu Ji had disappeared.
He did not lose any courtesy because of the departure of the two teachers, but instead respectfully and clearly declared: "Farewell to both teachers."
After performing all the proper courtesies, Chen Yun slowly stood up and looked at the three volumes of heavenly books and the scroll of the six retreats in his hands.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss when he just touched the three volumes of heavenly books. It felt like he was about to be lost in them and couldn't find his way back to himself.
Chen Yun knew that his cultivation base was low and he couldn't understand the profoundness of the three volumes of heavenly books, so he quickly stored them in the Hutian Art Space and did not continue to look at them.
The next moment, he opened the scroll of the six retreats to see what mysteries it contained.
(Chapter complete)
