Chapter 350: Vital Energy Theory and Spiritual Energy Theory, Preaching the Profound

The Grand Dao Debate was scheduled for the Beginning of Autumn in the first year of Yuanshuo, with promotions commencing in the spring.

As an event hosted by the Grand Minister of Agriculture, its significance was immense. Once the decision was made, officials at all levels immediately mobilized. In addition to officials from the Ministry of Agriculture's headquarters, leaders from the three great agricultural holy sites – Xuantian, Kunyuan, and Shangluo – participated in discussing the details. Furthermore, ten top academies, including Qingmu and Lianhua, contributed their wisdom. The planning meetings for the debate's ceremonies and protocols were entrusted to Jiang Hua, the Principal Official of the Ministry of Rites, who held a first-rank junior position.

The Ministry of Rites, like the Ministry of Community Deities that Zhao Xing had once overseen, was an overlapping administrative body. Jiang Hua, holding a first-rank junior position, was both a practitioner of rites and a high priest. From early spring to mid-summer, countless meetings, both large and small, were held. Jiang Hua found presiding over these meetings to be a constant headache. The powerful individuals from the three holy sites and ten top academies, representing various schools and prefectures, were incredibly difficult to coordinate.

A simple example was the seating arrangement based on seniority at the meetings. If they were officials, it would have been straightforward; Jiang Hua could just arrange them by rank. However, many attendees were not officials, as the Grand Dao Debate invited not only powerful agricultural practitioners from the court but also many from outside official circles. Their qualifications, prestige, and power were often similar, with the only real difference being their respective schools of thought.

In the past, Jiang Hua would have followed the custom of the three schools: Heavenly school first, Earthly school second, and Self school third. This would have posed no significant issue. But now, it was completely unworkable. The Self school strongly protested such a seating arrangement.

"Lord Jiang!" Zhuang Danian boomed, "The debate is being held at my Shangluo Academy, and this event will also announce a major breakthrough in the Way of Self! How can you make our Shangluo Academy sit in the third row, huh?!"

Listen to that volume! Two hundred years ago, would Zhuang Danian have dared to speak so loudly? But things were different now! The Self school had completely risen! Zhuang Danian's spittle was practically spraying onto Jiang Hua's face! The elders of the Self school behind him also glared at Jiang Hua, looking as if they would lie on the ground if he didn't place them in the first position.

Jiang Hua was no pushover. Having worked in the Ministry of Rites for so many years, what kind of situation hadn't he seen? Scrambling for the center position was all too common.

"Please calm yourselves, esteemed sirs," Jiang Hua said, letting the spittle dry on his face, still smiling. "This was a mistake by a junior clerk. The meeting hall is not even in Willow Palace, so the seating certainly isn't arranged like this. How could I possibly underestimate you, revered elders? Please lower your sleeves; it's a bit chilly, don't catch a cold."

Hearing Jiang Hua's words, the group of old agricultural practitioners behind Zhuang Danian, who had rolled up their sleeves, softened their expressions slightly but still refused to back down. "Since it was a mistake, then please, Lord Jiang, quickly present a plan. Don't delay the Grand Minister's affairs."

Jiang Hua waved his hand, and a shimmering water screen appeared in the air, displaying a seating chart. "Please see, everyone, this is the actual seating chart for the venue."

After seeing it, Zhuang Danian's expression was a bit strange. This was because Jiang Hua had ingeniously devised a round table meeting, with one large circular table and the master of ceremonies' position in the center. This eliminated any front or back rows, or distinctions between chief and secondary seats. Although Zhuang Danian and the others were dissatisfied with Jiang Hua's mediating approach, they stopped making a fuss. After all, everyone was there to discuss matters, not to compete for superiority in such a setting.

"Lord Jiang, don't let your subordinates make such mistakes again."

"Of course, of course," Jiang Hua replied, smiling. He watched the group of bare-armed agricultural practitioners leave.

A subordinate officer next to him quietly murmured, "My lord, we don't even have a meeting hall like this. We've always arranged it this way before, and there's never been a problem..."

Jiang Hua glared at his deputy. "The past is the past, and now is now. The Self school is no longer what it once was! If we don't have such a meeting hall, why don't you have the Ministry of Works build one?"

"I'll go at once," the subordinate officer quickly nodded.

"Wait, build several of them. All meetings related to the Grand Dao Debate, regardless of level, should be held in such a meeting hall."

"Yes, I understand."

As the meetings progressed, the details of the Grand Dao Debate became increasingly refined. Jiang Hua also witnessed the formidable prestige of Zhao Xing, the Grand Minister of Agriculture. More and more people were involved, not only participants but also those offering suggestions. A month after the promotions began, Jiang Hua discovered that the originally prepared venue was simply not large enough.

"My lord, the number of registered participants for the Grand Minister's debate has already surpassed any previous debate we've hosted," the subordinate officer reported.

"Can't we find a venue in Daoyuan Continent capable of accommodating so many people?" Jiang Hua asked. "And why so many? Are you mistaken? Even people from abroad are coming. At this rate of growth, by the time it officially convenes in autumn, the number will have to increase tenfold."

"Forget Daoyuan Continent, my lord," the subordinate officer said with a wry smile. "There isn't a debate venue that large in all nineteen prefectures."

Jiang Hua mused, "In that case, I will report to the Grand Minister and see if we can use Yunmeng Academy to manage the overflow."

"Hmm? You mean..."

"Since there's no suitable place in the nineteen prefectures, we can ask the Grand Minister to allocate some time to lecture at Yunmeng Academy. This would also save many people from constant travel and allow those unable to reach Daoyuan Continent to still listen to the Grand Minister's discourse."

"Lord Jiang, you are brilliant!"

With the debate locations confirmed, the agenda was expedited. Jiang Hua couldn't make final decisions on all issues, and by the beginning of summer, several crucial questions were presented to Grand Minister Zhao Xing.

"Jiang Hua of the Ministry of Rites pays his respects to the Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"Lord Jiang, you are too courteous. Please be seated." Zhao Xing smiled, invited Jiang Hua to sit, and then poured him tea. He had heard that Jiang Hua's work presiding over the meetings this past month had been challenging, but ultimately, Jiang Hua had handled it well.

"Thank you, Grand Minister," Jiang Hua said, first handing over an official document, then taking his seat, and finally spreading out paper and a brush on the desk. "Grand Minister, there are still a few critical issues concerning the Grand Dao Debate that require your decision."

"Please, Lord Jiang, speak."

Jiang Hua: "Since it is a Grand Dao Debate, someone should engage in a discourse with the Grand Minister. The selection of the first person to debate with you has become a focal point of contention. Your subordinate dares not make a decision unilaterally and can only ask for the Grand Minister's ruling."

Zhao Xing picked up the meeting minutes, read them, and then smiled. Since it was a Grand Dao Debate, there naturally had to be someone to engage in discourse. Of course, according to the representatives of the three schools, no one was truly qualified to debate with Zhao Xing. Even just being chosen to ask questions was an immense honor. Who would go first became the issue.

Some suggested it should be Liu Tianning, as he was the former Grand Minister and Zhao Xing's teacher, so he should go first. Others said it should be Ling Tianchen, because Ling Tianchen had also been Zhao Xing's teacher. There were also mentions of Wang Tianzhi and Qiu Yuanshan, but they received fewer votes. Some clever individuals even suggested inviting the three Yin Gods—Li Boqian, Xuanyuan Qingtian, and Fu Tianyang—from underground to be the first.

Zhao Xing didn't deliberate for long before making a decision. "Place Mi Fu first."

Jiang Hua was slightly taken aback: "Grand Minister, isn't Mi Fu..."

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "Are you trying to say his status is a bit low, or his power a bit weak?"

Jiang Hua nodded; that was indeed what he was thinking. Most people thought the same. Even though Zhao Xing had previously stated that Mi Fu had made significant contributions to this research, no one took it seriously. If Zhao Xing was involved, it was naturally all the Grand Minister's credit! Mi Fu? He was just in the right place at the right time! How could he be worthy of being first?

Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "Actually, it's not like that. Mi Fu developed the first version of the spell, I improved it into the second version, and then he, building on my work, developed the third version. Later, we collaborated to develop the advanced version. Of course, the advanced version will not be announced this time, but Mi Fu's contribution is beyond doubt. You can spread my exact words. Anyone who has doubts can come to me directly." Zhao Xing would, of course, not usurp Mi Fu's credit. This was the courtesy he deserved.

"Yes," Jiang Hua nodded, noting it down. He then put down his brush, cupped his hands, and said, "For the second question, please, Grand Minister, make your decision. Before the debate, a sacrifice will be held. Should we sacrifice to the Community God, the Grain God, or the Heavenly God? If all three are honored, who should be sacrificed to first?"

This was another issue stemming from sectarian disputes. Zhao Xing pondered, "The Ministry of Rites can set up three altars, arranged side-by-side, with no distinction in height. The rites and music will be positioned in the east, south, and north respectively."

After a pause, Zhao Xing continued, "To prevent outside speculation, you can record my following words. The Way of Agriculture encompasses Heaven, Earth, and Man. These three merely represent different focuses, with no inherent superiority or inferiority among them. Internal factions only emerged because of limited energy and resources. Now, things are different. We have Yunmeng Academy and more time and energy to study. In this great era of qi tides, we also have more resources to cultivate all three schools simultaneously. The three schools cultivate the Grand Way of Agriculture from the same root and origin; energy should not be wasted on factional disputes."

Jiang Hua was somewhat shaken. He knew that the struggles between the three schools had a long history and wouldn't simply cease just by saying so. He had initially thought Zhao Xing's avoidance of taking a stance on these details was to facilitate leading the team, but now it seemed Zhao Xing intended to use the Grand Dao Debate to unify the three schools!

Zhao Xing glanced at Jiang Hua. For some reason, Jiang Hua suddenly felt a surge of excitement, as if he were witnessing something momentous.

"Grand Minister, the number of registered participants for this Grand Dao Debate has reached an unprecedented level. Would the Grand Minister be able to lecture simultaneously at Yunmeng Academy and the Daoyuan Continent debate venue?"

"Yes."

"The officials and the Grand Commandant have asked me whether to allow people from abroad to listen to your discourse, Grand Minister, and if so, whether they should be screened."

"There's no need to stop them. Anyone who enters the Great Zhou territory through legitimate means can listen. This debate will only reveal the initial version. To learn the subsequent second, third, or even advanced versions, there are only three conditions: becoming a vassal of Great Zhou, entering official service in Great Zhou, or being a high-ranking official."

The initial version would be free to learn, that was definite. The initial version of the Primordial Earth Divination Art was the one Zhao Xing had first obtained from Mi Fu. To popularize it, its spread could not be prevented. But even if it spread externally, it didn't matter; it would be several versions behind Great Zhou's. In terms of spiritual energy utilization efficiency, the three versions of the Primordial Earth Divination Art were not on the same level.

The Primordial Earth Divination Art created by Mi Fu was merely a mid-level spell. The second version developed by Zhao Xing had already reached advanced, and the third version was top-tier. The advanced version, which reversed primal qi into spiritual energy, could already be called an ultimate technique, known only to a limited number of high-ranking officials. To attract agricultural talents to Great Zhou and enhance its fortune, the initial version naturally had to be released for free.

"Yes," Jiang Hua nodded. Next, he asked Zhao Xing if he had any further instructions regarding the Grand Dao Debate.

Zhao Xing took out four items from his Qiankun pouch. "Agricultural practitioners have five treasures: the Hundred Flowers Bamboo Hat, the Golden Straw Raincoat, the Cloud-Rain Orb, the Cloud-Treading Boots, and the Nine-Segment Staff. These are all new models crafted by the Ministry of Works. Some sales areas will be set up around the debate venue, primarily to sell these items."

In truth, agricultural practitioners should have six treasures, including the Almanac, but there was nothing to improve about it, so Zhao Xing only presented these five. The Hundred Flowers Bamboo Hat and the Golden Straw Raincoat saw the smallest functional changes, as their materials only improved slightly with the evolution of derivative species. The Cloud-Rain Orb, Cloud-Treading Boots, and Nine-Segment Staff underwent significant changes. Due to the qi tides, future agricultural officials would face stronger natural disasters, and regulating weather and land would become more difficult.

Zhao Xing, having cultivated the "Twenty-Four Solar Terms Decree," "Return to Houtu," and "Yin-Yang Self Scripture," instructed the Ministry of Works to extensively modify these three pieces of equipment based on his insights. This enabled them to better adapt to changes in the heavens and earth and exert stronger effects. Among them, the Cloud-Rain Orb received the most significant research and development, with even treasure-grade Cloud-Rain Orbs now appearing. In Zhao Xing's vision, it would eventually be able to collect spiritual energy rain!

There were also many changes in appearance. The original staff was one meter long, with sun and moon beads inlaid at the top. The sun above and moon below symbolized heaven and earth, but the Self school's symbol was not prominent; only the bamboo material itself had symbolic meaning. Now, the staff's body would be engraved with a classic quote from the Self school, for example, the line from Zhao Xing's annotated "Treatise on Material Law": "Things reveal their principles, I reveal their Way, the Way reveals its methods." The boots and clothing were also standardized. Unifying the three schools required starting with various subtle details, like a gentle rain permeating everything.

The Grand Dao Debate was set to begin on the Beginning of Autumn, August 6th. By early May, many people had already arrived at Great Zhou's Daoyuan Continent. This included the Four Great Barbarian Royal Courts of the South, the Great Serpent Nation of Dongying, and the Moss Nation, Beitu Nation, Sarke Nation, An Nation, etc., from the Western Continents.

At this time, on the edge of Daoyuan Continent, at an official boat management office. Mistwalker was carrying a bamboo scroll box, following grim-faced behind a stick-thin old man. The old man was arguing with the reception official, his face cold: "Why are you charging extra?! I am clearly a person, why are you treating me as cargo, not allowing me into the passenger cabin, but making me sit in the cargo hold?!"

The official said impatiently, "Do you think I don't know you used a shapeshifting spell? You're using a straw effigy body, made of ninth-grade supreme 'Spirit Sophora Wood,' 'Moon Essence Grass,' 'Kongtong Bamboo,' and 'Pangyuan Fire Vine'..."

"What?!" the old man exclaimed in shock. "You're just a small fifth-rank official, how can you discern the intricacies of my straw effigy spell?"

The fifth-rank junior official patted a black box beside him and said with some disdain, "Old man, times have changed. What backwater sect did you crawl out of? This is the new version of the Commerce Balance Instrument, crafted by order of the Grand Minister. It can even detect treasure-grade materials. What's a mere ninth-grade to it? Do you want me to keep listing? The Commerce Balance Instrument shows all the components!"

"You..." Daoist Yueying stroked his beard and glared, but was helpless. Theoretically, he could wipe out the entire boat management office with a flick of his hand. But in reality, he couldn't act. The Emperor of Great Zhou possessed unfathomable divine power and had set rules for all outsiders attending the Grand Dao Debate: no one was allowed to fight or kill outside of designated areas. Besides, it wasn't worth it. This clone of his was precious; even if he could act, if he killed someone, the clone would definitely not be able to leave Great Zhou. He hadn't traveled tens of thousands of miles just to kill a fifth-rank official.

"Grand-uncle-master, let's just follow the rules. Cargo hold it is. It might even be more comfortable lying down," Mistwalker came over to persuade him.

Daoist Yueying glared. "What, are you ashamed of your grand-uncle-master?"

"No, no, absolutely not," Mistwalker quickly shook his head.

"Kid, your spellcraft isn't perfected yet. Your expression changes are too stiff; you clearly are ashamed!" Daoist Yueying grumbled, "Damn it, the world is really going downhill! If this were my era, who would dare speak to me like that? They'd all be dragged out and beheaded!"

Mistwalker was utterly helpless. With the appearance of the qi tides, many old monsters from the Xuantian Divine Sect began to awaken! Only after becoming the interim Sect Master did he realize that the Divine Sect still possessed so many ancient ice-sealed repositories, filled with figures from the sect's history! Although most had turned to dust, those who did awaken were all at the Rule Realm! This made his dream of ruling the Divine Sect and leading it to pledge allegiance to Revered Deity Zhao even more distant. Of course, he later found that the situation wasn't so dire; not everyone adapted to the new era, and their strength was still recovering. Furthermore, he discovered that many old figures from his own lineage had resurrected, and upon emerging, were still bound by life-soul oaths to him. Among them, Daoist Yueying was one such elder ancestor from his lineage.

After Elder Ancestor Yueying resurrected and was confirmed to be on their side, Mistwalker informed him of his grand plan. However, to completely gain the support of the elder ancestors, they had to personally meet Zhao Xing. And so, Mistwalker acquired several passes. For this Grand Dao Debate, Daoist Yueying accompanied Mistwalker to Great Zhou in the form of a straw effigy clone. Daoist Yueying was considered one of the faster old timers to adapt to the new era, but he still found some things unfamiliar after entering Great Zhou.

He cursed at Mistwalker, his disciple-grandson removed by who-knows-how-many generations: "This Zhao Xing, even in a small place, he wants to popularize such knowledge! A mere fifth-rank official, with a Commerce Balance Instrument, can actually see through my composition! It's simply, simply..."

"Nonsense!" the fifth-rank official in charge of reception immediately roared, "Old man, how dare you defame the Grand Minister of Agriculture! Do you want to go to prison, huh?!"

"You..." Daoist Yueying was dumbfounded. He had actually been reprimanded by a fifth-rank junior agricultural official. Unbelievable audacity, simply unbelievable!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my grand-uncle-master, he..." Mistwalker subtly pointed to his head.

"Hmph." The official in charge finally let them off the hook. "Hurry up and wait over there."

"Yes, yes, yes," Mistwalker said, pushing the grumbling Daoist Yueying into the waiting hall.

"Alright, stop pushing me, old man," Daoist Yueying said, shaking off Mistwalker's hand.

"Grand-uncle-master, please calm down," Mistwalker said, trying to appease him.

"How can I calm down? I can fly but I'm not allowed to; I have to obediently take a boat. What nonsensical rules!"

Mistwalker said, "We're still fortunate. Look at our Daoist friends from the Corpse Puppet Sect over there."

Daoist Yueying looked to the other side, where an elder from the Corpse Puppet Sect, carrying a coffin on his back, was paying money. "Hmm? What are they doing?"

"They're paying a corpse storage fee."

Watching the Corpse Puppet Sect members obediently pay the corpse storage fee before exiting the formation gate, Daoist Yueying sighed, truly marveling at how times had changed. "Let's go," Daoist Yueying said no more. If a first-rank expert from the Corpse Puppet Sect had to pay a corpse storage fee, then his straw effigy clone sitting in the cargo hold was no longer unacceptable.

Fengjing, Tianyong Prefecture, Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, as of July 18th, 4.56 million outsiders have entered Great Zhou's territory from all directions. Of these, 99% have remained at the border, merely wishing to listen to the Grand Minister's discourse via Yunmeng Academy, and do not intend to venture deep into our imperial heartland. Only forty to fifty thousand are making their way to Daoyuan Continent," Ji Si reported. "These are mostly experts of third-rank and above."

Ji Che looked at the names flickering on the Heavenly Fortune Golden Ranking. He then looked at the trajectory of the light points on the Rivers and Mountains Map and couldn't help but sigh, "Of these forty to fifty thousand people, thirty percent are first and second rank. My brother has truly attracted all the powerful individuals under heaven this time. Such a grand occasion, tracing back fifty thousand years, would likely be a rare sight."

Ji Si bowed and said, "Your Majesty's blessings are boundless, and your wisdom divine."

"What does this have to do with me?" Ji Che said modestly.

"Your Majesty, while this grand event is certainly due to the Grand Minister's debate, your Majesty's grand plan for ascension and ambitious aspirations are the main reasons attracting them!"

"The announcement of ascension and its promotion throughout the world happened a hundred and ten years ago in Yuanshou; those who were going to come would have come earlier," Ji Che said, though he still felt very pleased inside. In recent decades, he had clearly felt that Great Zhou's destiny was on the rise! This year, it was particularly evident. Over four million people arrived in Great Zhou, and within less than half a year, official letters requesting permanent residency in Great Zhou flowed in from all directions. Many were attracted by Great Zhou and decided to stay indefinitely. These people were all of high caliber. After all, those capable of international travel usually possessed some ability; low-rank individuals rarely had such mobility. Thus, Great Zhou's destiny naturally surged upwards.

"I hope that after the Grand Dao Debate, my royal brother can retain even more people," Ji Che said with anticipation. "Even if these powerful individuals are unwilling to serve as officials in the court, their mere presence in Great Zhou would be an immense benefit." Ji Che could feel that he was just one step away from truly ascending.

August 6th, Beginning of Autumn, Daoyuan Continent.

The "Heaven" designated area within the Dao venue was already packed. Ji Che personally came to show his support, and most civil and military officials who could attend were present. Before the debate, there was a series of rituals, including the worship of the Three Gods. This time, however, the Three Gods were no longer worshipped separately but together, treated equally, with no distinction of rank.

After the sacrifices, with music and dance accompanying, Zhao Xing arrived before the Heavenly Heart Palace and, together with the civil and military officials, bowed to Ji Che. He then stepped on clouds, exited the palace, and landed on the debate platform.

"Boom!"

The debate platform continuously ascended, and simultaneously, the Eight-Directional Earth Mirrors also rose with it, disappearing into the sky. The divine wood lecture platform now glowed with rings of light from its annual rings. On it was a Hundred Flowers cushion, where Zhao Xing sat cross-legged. As he sat down, the rings of annual growth around the divine wood immediately rose. The amplifying annual rings reappeared. Afterwards, rite practitioners performed spells to calm the mind and strengthen the body, enhancing the experience for the audience. These segments were part of showcasing Great Zhou's strength; hundreds of rite practitioners, led by Tong Wenzhuo, exerted their full power in casting spells.

Once everything settled.

"Buzz!"

The divine wood debate platform closest to Zhao Xing continued to rise, stopping at a height one foot below Zhao Xing. The sky projected the figure on it, which was none other than Mi Fu!

"Who is this person?"

"Mi Fu? Doesn't seem very famous. Is he actually the first to debate with the Grand Minister?"

"He's not even a Junior Minister of Agriculture. Well, he's famous now."

"What virtue or ability does Mi Fu possess?"

"How enviable."

Mi Fu couldn't hear the voices below, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see many lips moving. He knew without thinking that these people were gossiping about him.

"Brother Mi, relax. Don't mind others," Zhao Xing transmitted telepathically.

In truth, Mi Fu was not a person who cared about fame or status. If he did, he wouldn't have experienced such ups and downs, rising then falling, falling then rising. Mi Fu had even considered giving up this honor, for example, letting Liu Tianning be the first to debate. However, Zhao Xing, overcoming all objections, directly affirmed his position.

"Alright," Mi Fu took a deep breath. To avoid disappointing Zhao Xing, he quickly adjusted his mindset.

Zhao Xing began the discourse: "Primal qi, without designation, gives rise to names; primal qi, encompassing all, gives rise to diverse forms. That which encompasses all forms, yet has no form itself, is the one qi called Primal." To explain the Primordial Earth Divination Art, one must first explain the theory of primal qi. Zhao Xing was opening by addressing the core topic, defining what primal qi is. "Primal qi is the origin of all things; when gathered, it gives rise to countless divine mechanisms; when dispersed, these divine mechanisms dissipate." The second section extended the concept of primal qi to humans. "So vast it has no exterior, so minute it has no interior; chaotic and unrefined, yet holding infinite vitality, like the seed of an embryo, nurturing the foundation of all ways..."

The third section began to elaborate on the Way of primal qi, progressing step by step, using primal qi to explain the Way of Agriculture. "The Way of Agriculture encompasses Heaven, Earth, and Man. Humans are born of the earth, their lives sustained by heaven. When heaven and earth unite in qi, that is called a human. Uniting qi to cultivate the Way, gathering primal qi as method – this is the essence of cultivation."

Up to this point, it was all common knowledge. The first realm of ancient cultivation systems was 'Gathering Primal Qi,' and advanced cultivators already had a thorough understanding of primal qi. However, after this, Zhao Xing shifted the topic:

"Heaven and Earth, primal and profound, the beginning of the Grand Way. Primal qi transforms to create living beings, hence heaven and earth possess two qis. One qi is called 'Primal,' the second qi is called 'Spiritual.' Primal qi is the substance, spiritual qi is the function. Primal qi is like the stillness of the deep sea, a fundamental store; spiritual qi is like the movement of waves, a manifestation of creation. All things in the world rely on these two to exist; this is the Grand Way of Heaven and Earth."

At this point, it was no longer merely a theory of primal qi, but a 'Qi Theory' that included spiritual energy. Many felt doubts in their hearts, but still listened patiently. "Primal qi is the substance, the root of the body's hidden reservoirs. Agricultural practitioners gather primal qi, build the Heaven-Earth Spiritual Bridge, refine Earthly Fiends and Heavenly Gangs, and transform qi into pure primal essence, thus giving birth to pure primal soil." This part was still normal, simply explaining how agricultural practitioners, through the four realms of Gathering Primal Qi, Spiritual Bridge, Earthly Fiends, and Heavenly Gangs, eventually entered the Pure Primal Realm, where they could cultivate pure primal soil. "Spiritual qi is the function, the manifestation of creation. In the era of the Primordial Earth and the New Moon, spiritual qi seizes the creation of heaven and earth and enters the body's hidden reservoirs. Within the inner landscape, there are no Fiends on Earth, no Gangs in Heaven, and pure primal essence is also born. Mi Fu and I created this method, calling it the Primordial Earth Divination Art."

By this point, even experts like Mistwalker were utterly confused. However, Daoist Yueying, beside him, listened with glowing eyes.

"Grand-uncle-master, do you understand?"

"Of course," Daoist Yueying nodded. "In the era I lived in, there were still many places between heaven and earth where spiritual qi had not dissipated and the world had not decayed. Agricultural practitioners could, after completing the construction of the Heaven-Earth Spiritual Bridge, go to such secret realms to cultivate. They could bypass the process of refining Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Fiends, allowing pure primal soil to be born within their bodies."

"Such a thing exists?" Mistwalker was utterly shocked.

"However, in our time, we only knew of such phenomena, and the birth of pure primal soil was merely a possibility, not a certainty. Zhao Chenan explained the essence of pure primal soil's birth, entering through the primal qi theory, telling you that agricultural practitioners only gain the conditions for pure primal soil after undergoing the transformation of Earthly Fiends and Heavenly Gangs. Then he used the primal qi theory to segue into the spiritual qi theory, saying that spiritual qi can bypass this process. Why can it be bypassed? Because spiritual qi is the manifestation of creation. Of course, he has only lectured on the 'Way' part for now. How to capture such creation, that would be the 'method' of cultivation. He has probably truly mastered such a spell," Daoist Yueying's eyes gleamed with divine light. "The beginning of the New Moon, the birth of spiritual qi... Primordial Earth Divination Art, what a brilliant Primordial Earth Divination Art! His willingness to spread this Way throughout the world, even in my era, would have made him an unparalleled genius capable of founding a new school!"

Mistwalker didn't understand, but he could feel the old man's deep admiration for Revered Deity Zhao: "Grand-uncle-master, do you believe what I've said now? Are you willing to support my plan?"

Daoist Yueying had already made up his mind, but he still stroked his beard and smiled, "Don't rush, let's observe a bit longer."

After Zhao Xing finished his discourse, he began to debate with Mi Fu, further elaborating on the Primordial Earth Divination Art. Mi Fu asked, "May I ask, Grand Minister, what is the difference between the 'spirit' (灵) of spiritual qi and the 'spirit' (灵) of a soul?"

Zhao Xing replied, "Please enlighten me, fellow Daoist Mi."

Mi Fu then wrote a character in the air: "This is 霝." Then he wrote another character: "This is also 靈."

Zhao Xing asked, "What do these two characters mean?"

Mi Fu replied, "The 'rain' radical indicates rainfall, and the three pedestals below correspond to the three gods of Heaven, Earth, and Man: the Heavenly God, the Community God, and the Grain God."

"And what does 靈 mean?" Zhao Xing asked again.

"The horizontal stroke in the middle represents a human, prostrate on the ground, grateful for the blessings of heaven and earth. The 'earth' radical at the bottom represents the great earth, signifying that spiritual qi has completed a cycle."

Zhao Xing then asked, "What does fellow Daoist mean by 'rainfall'?"

Mi Fu said, "It means that although spiritual qi is not prominent in this era, outside the Xuanhuang Realm, a great rain of spiritual qi will descend. By utilizing this spiritual qi within it, people can comprehend divine powers of creation and achieve ascension through the void."

Hearing their Q&A, Ji Che in the Heavenly Heart Palace blossomed into a smile. "Oh, Zhao Xing and Mi Fu, you two! This is smuggling in private goods, indirectly promoting my ascension plan!"