Chapter 40: Dao Scripture

**Chapter 40: The Dao Scripture**

Three months had passed in the blink of an eye. Ye Fan and Pang Bo gradually adapted to their new life, a change that began with a shift in their mindset as they slowly came to accept their reality.

During this period, the two did not engage in what they considered formal cultivation. Instead, they spent their time absorbing common knowledge and contemplating their future paths. Elder Wu Qingfeng did not rush them; on the contrary, he proactively shared various experiences and insights about cultivation.

This was extremely important for Ye Fan and Pang Bo. It was another month before they felt they had fully assimilated and understood everything, and were ready to begin cultivating.

"The Wheel of Life and the Sea of Suffering are intertwined," Elder Wu Qingfeng explained. "To cultivate the Wheel of Life, one must cultivate the Sea of Suffering. Therefore, in a sense, all cultivation begins with the Sea of Suffering."

Cultivation is a difficult process. Especially for those just starting on the path to immortality, guidance is essential; otherwise, they would have no idea how to begin or how to break through its barriers.

"Over the next two months," Elder Wu Qingfeng continued, "I will help you embark on the path to immortality and become official cultivators. After that, I will no longer teach you individually; you will join others at Spirit Void Cliff to listen to the profound scriptures."

Although Ye Fan had not joined the Spirit Void Holy Land, Elder Wu Qingfeng did not make him leave during the lessons, treating him and Pang Bo equally. The elder knew that even if Ye Fan persisted in cultivation, it would yield no results. Before the ancient era, Ye Fan's physique was considered the greatest in the world, but now it was merely a useless body.

For those embarking on the immortal path, laying a solid foundation is paramount; only then can they climb higher in the future. Elder Wu Qingfeng produced a foundational scripture known as the "Dao Scripture," reputed to be the strongest in the world.

The very name "Dao Scripture" speaks volumes, as it records the scriptures of the Great Dao, making it a supreme cultivation method. Legend has it that it is an immortal scripture, and in the vast Eastern Wasteland, only a few ancient scriptures can rival it, with none truly surpassing it.

Of course, the Spirit Void Holy Land could not possibly possess the complete Dao Scripture. A mere holy land like theirs lacked such profound heritage. What they had was merely the introductory chapters of the Dao Scripture. Furthermore, these introductory chapters were not unique even within the Yan territory; otherwise, it would surely invite disaster and the destruction of their sect.

Undoubtedly, the Spirit Void Holy Land possessing the introductory chapters of the Dao Scripture was a great boon for exceptionally talented disciples. It allowed them to lay an incredibly solid foundation, which would be immensely beneficial for their future cultivation.

Although this fundamental scripture was precious, it was no longer a secret manual unique to one sect. Therefore, Elder Wu Qingfeng did not exclude Ye Fan, teaching it directly to both of them.

The Dao Scripture was indeed a profound and extensive ancient text; otherwise, it would not have been renowned throughout the Eastern Wasteland for countless ages. Even these introductory chapters contained supreme truths. Though only a few thousand words long, Elder Wu Qingfeng spent half a month explaining them.

Every sentence of the Dao Scripture held deep meaning, encompassing endless subtle principles. It elucidated cultivation with incredible subtlety and precision. Even powerful cultivators, upon reading these introductory chapters, would marvel at how profound foundational cultivation could be.

Ye Fan and Pang Bo diligently cultivated every day. As taught in the Dao Scripture, they first needed to sense their own Wheel of Life, and then guide their vital energy to impact the Sea of Suffering. During this process, there were naturally extremely profound methods of perception and unique guiding techniques.

However, this was still not enough. It was very difficult to break through simply by cultivating on one's own; someone needed to guide them with "immortal energy." Elder Wu Qingfeng personally acted every day, circulating the fundamental principles recorded in the Dao Scripture through his body, and placing his hand below Ye Fan and Pang Bo's navels.

Ten-odd days later, Pang Bo finally had a sensation, perceiving the existence of the Wheel of Life. Over the next few days, he began to attempt guiding the vital energy hidden within the Wheel of Life to impact the Sea of Suffering.

Ye Fan, however, still gained nothing. His Wheel of Life was completely silent, as hard as divine iron. Even Elder Wu Qingfeng, powerful as he was, could not force his "immortal energy" into it, let alone guide it.

"It's truly hard to imagine why such a physique exists..." Elder Wu Qingfeng frowned, eventually having to give up. He had almost used all of his vital energy to impact Ye Fan's Wheel of Life, but it remained unshakable.

"Elder, please, you must help him! Just one more push for Ye Fan. Maybe he'll succeed in the next moment!" Seeing Elder Wu Qingfeng about to give up, Pang Bo quickly pleaded.

"Alas, it's not that I don't want to help; it's simply impossible," Elder Wu Qingfeng said, shaking his head. "With a physique like his, no one can guide him. Ultimately, he must rely on himself."

"How can that be? How about... you try again?" Pang Bo asked, forcing a smile.

"This physique was known as the First Sacred Body before the ancient era," Elder Wu Qingfeng explained. "Naturally, it's beyond our comprehension, surely holding many unknown secrets. It's just that for some unknown reason, it can no longer display its former glory. Whether it requires special cultivation methods or is due to other reasons, it's hard to say."

At that moment, Ye Fan was still in meditation, not yet awakened.

Pang Bo continued, "I think it's necessary for you, Elder, to thoroughly investigate. If you discover the reason, perhaps you could reawaken the supreme power of the First Sacred Body from the ancient era. Then, the Spirit Void Holy Land's rise to prominence would be just around the corner."

Elder Wu Qingfeng, having lived for so long and being astute in worldly affairs, was hardly one to be fooled. He shook his head with a chuckle, saying, "In the post-ancient era, this physique has appeared a few times. Even powerful Holy Lands in the Eastern Wasteland were helpless. Given the foundation of our Spirit Void Holy Land, do you think we would have a chance?"

"Hmm?"

Just then, Elder Wu Qingfeng seemed to sense something. He reached out and again placed his hand below Ye Fan's navel, then gathered all his vital energy to explore.

"How is it, Elder... Is there hope?" Pang Bo asked eagerly.

After a long time, Elder Wu Qingfeng wearily lowered his hand. He shook his head and said, "The Wheel of Life and the Sea of Suffering are still as hard as divine iron, silent and without any fluctuations. However, I had a strange sensation. His entire body's essence blood seems to have become even more vigorous. Although it's introverted and hard to detect, I still sensed a momentary fluctuation just now."

"Vigorous essence blood?" Pang Bo was puzzled.

"Indeed. You two accidentally consumed a sacred fruit in the Ancient Forbidden Land and drank the water from the divine spring," Elder Wu Qingfeng explained. "Your physiques were fundamentally transformed and greatly improved, making your vitality exceptionally vigorous." Here, he looked perplexed and added, "For all these days, he has made no progress cultivating the Dao Scripture, constantly unable to sense his Wheel of Life. Yet, his essence blood now seems even more profound, more vigorous than your vitality."

Pang Bo clicked his tongue in amazement, saying, "Didn't you say the Dao Scripture is known as the strongest foundational method in the Eastern Wasteland, a legendary immortal scripture? It should be highly targeted; the introductory chapters are for cultivating the Wheel of Life. How did he end up cultivating his essence blood instead?"

"This..." Elder Wu Qingfeng also frowned, unable to make sense of it.

Just then, Ye Fan opened his eyes. His eyes glowed with divine light, full of spirit and vigor.

Seeing him so full of spirit, Elder Wu Qingfeng became even more puzzled. He asked, "Have you sensed the Wheel of Life?"

Ye Fan shook his head and honestly replied, "No."

"Do you feel anything unusual then?" the elder continued to ask.

Ye Fan didn't want to hide anything from him, because the elder had been truly kind to him, dedicating himself wholeheartedly, without any discrimination or prejudice due to his unusual physique. Instead, he expended a great deal of vital energy helping him daily.

"Although I haven't sensed the Wheel of Life, I feel incredibly comfortable all over, with boundless energy surging through me."

"Do you feel any other changes?" Elder Wu Qingfeng asked again.

"It's like I have endless strength." As he spoke, Ye Fan single-handedly lifted a massive stone in front of the thatched hut. He looked calm and composed, seemingly exerting little effort.

Elder Wu Qingfeng gasped immediately. He said, "Given how effortless that was for you, your single arm likely possesses several thousand pounds of strength. With both arms, you'd probably be close to the strength of an elephant."

Beside him, Pang Bo was also astonished. He and Ye Fan had both experienced strange rejuvenating changes simultaneously; their strength had been comparable. But now, he felt he couldn't match Ye Fan's divine strength.

Elder Wu Qingfeng departed, still puzzled. He couldn't figure out why this was happening. Although Ye Fan couldn't sense the Wheel of Life, could he still be called a mortal in his current state?

After the elder left, Ye Fan suddenly started to run, sweeping past the small mountain like a gust of wind. Pang Bo immediately showed a surprised expression and exclaimed, "Not only is his strength much greater, but his speed has also increased considerably!"

In the following days, the elder taught even more diligently. This was because he would no longer be able to teach them individually; soon, Ye Fan and Pang Bo would have to join the masses at Spirit Void Cliff to listen to the profound scriptures.

While the master leads one to the door, cultivation depends on the individual. Once officially on the immortal path, one must rely entirely on oneself. The Spirit Void Holy Land would provide profound techniques and medicinal liquids. As for teaching methods and answering questions, these would all be done collectively, as the elders also needed to cultivate and did not have ample time and energy for individual instruction.

"Soon, you will go to Spirit Void Cliff," the elder advised. "Once there, remember to keep a low profile, endure what you can, and do not act rashly."