The Eternal Way-Chapter 116: The Universe

Upon hearing this, Li Qi also wanted to quickly go and examine the fingerprint, hoping for some enlightenment. However, Shen Shuibei held him back.

"What use is looking at that fingerprint now? You can't understand it yet, and by the time you can, you won't lack such things," Shen Shuibei found Li Qi's choice puzzling.

"You have four strands of divine energy bestowed by the Grand Diviner, which are genuine essences from the Grand Diviner. In the future, when you can comprehend them, your teacher will surely take you under his wing to learn slowly. These things will be within reach then. Why rush now?"

After listening to Shen Shuibei, Li Qi couldn't help but marvel again.

The governor and his officials were like owls fighting over a decaying dead mouse.

But Shen Shuibei and Li Qi were like lofty phoenixes, only perching on the wutong tree, only eating refined fruits, only drinking sweet spring water, and these things were even brought to them.

No wonder others were terrified at the mere mention of Wu Deity Mountain.

The world truly had a clear hierarchy.

In the cultivation world, each rank was a different realm, almost a different species altogether.

Since Shen Shuibei said that this fingerprint wasn't particularly useful for them, Li Qi naturally didn't care.

Shen Shuibei wouldn't lie to him.

So, Li Qi simply sat down and continued reading.

Reading was still the only way out.

---

This reading lasted for four full days.

Four days later, the governor finally returned. Some people hadn't come back.

Li Qi wondered if the owls had killed each other while fighting over the dead mouse or if they simply couldn't make it in time.

Who knew? But it didn't matter.

This was the typical scenario seen in novels—everyone rushing to seize an opportunity, resulting in chaos and battles.

Fortunately, Li Qi had no intention of risking his life in such places.

As Shen Shuibei pointed out, he was a true prodigy in their eyes.

What was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them was just a dead mouse on the ground to Li Qi, not even worth a glance.

The disparity between worlds was greater than imagined.

Once a mere laborer who could be bullied over a few vegetables, now a prefectural governor treated him with respect.

And all he did was have a Grand Diviner as his teacher.

A meteoric rise indeed...

But surprisingly, Li Qi didn't feel particularly elated.

Having experienced the transmigration, three years of hardship, various interactions with Shen Shuibei, and recent battles, Li Qi felt that the current praise was empty.

From witnessing the grandeur and awe of qi for the first time, completing divination duties, communicating with ghosts and gods, to seeing the Dao resonance during battles, these experiences made him indifferent to the current luxuries.

True wealth must be earned through one's own efforts.

Recognizing oneself might be what Shen Shuibei meant by "remaining calm amidst changes, unperturbed by honor or disgrace."

Thus, for four days, Li Qi calmly read and practiced, steadily progressing.

After all, his teacher had already given him real techniques; he just needed to practice slowly.

His path as a diviner was far slower than martial cultivation, but it became increasingly profound.

When the governor returned, instead of moving out, he decided to continue camping, saying they would wait for others.

During this period, there were daily banquets.

Li Qi didn't refuse the banquets but always returned to serious practice and reading afterward.

His behavior surprised the officials, who gradually stopped treating him merely as a noble youth and praised his composure.

How genuine these praises were was debatable, but Li Qi didn't care.

He wasn't practicing for their compliments.

After waiting for seven more days, some people returned safely, while others came back insane, their cultivation ruined.

Curious, Li Qi asked Shen Shuibei why their cultivation was ruined.

Shen Shuibei replied nonchalantly, "Because they delved deeply into the Dao resonance left by the Great Seer, realized it differed from their own understanding, and their minds collapsed in fear."

"These people have no future. One's way is their own. Even the Great Seer's way suits only him. To despair because your way differs from a great one's... death is inevitable."

Shen Shuibei showed no pity for such people, seeming to despise them.

Conversely, she seemed to admire Li Qi.

Good news.

With matters settled, those who achieved their goals departed, leaving Li Qi, Shen Shuibei, and the governor to head towards White Snake Prefecture City.

Li Qi considered refusing and leaving alone with Shen Shuibei, but the governor persuaded him, "Why leave so hastily, young master? You've granted us an opportunity; we can't repay you with just a banquet. Come with me to White Snake Prefecture City, where I have prepared a substantial gift."

Li Qi agreed.

Who doesn't love gifts?

The carriage set off again.

Within two hours, the governor invited Li Qi for a private meeting.

Li Qi had no objections and went to meet the governor.

Inside the carriage, the long table was replaced with a sandalwood desk.

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They sat facing each other.

"Do you know what my substantial gift is?" the governor poured Li Qi a cup of tea.

"How could I know? Governor, please don't play games," Li Qi accepted the tea politely.

"Then I'll be direct. As a disciple of Wu Deity Mountain, you should know about the outer realms," the governor confidently stated, assuming Li Qi knew.

Did Li Qi know?

Of course, he did—he came from there.

But what was the governor getting at?

Li Qi frowned, silent, waiting for further explanation.

"Seeing your expression, you do know. Even for disciples of Wu Deity Mountain, gaining access to the outer realms without reaching a rank is rare, isn't it?" the governor smiled.

"You gave me an opportunity, and I want to return the favor. I have a letter of recommendation from the King of Great Deer Kingdom, allowing a talented individual to enter the outer realms. This will greatly benefit you."

"This particular outer realm is called Fanghuang Realm, an eighth-Rank world. Its ruler is only eighth-Rank, posing no threat to you. As a resource realm for Great Deer Kingdom for a long time, its resources are plentiful, though you probably don't lack them. However, the different Dao resonances in another world will greatly aid your advancement."

The conversation didn't last long; the governor simply wanted to reciprocate Li Qi's kindness.

Li Qi understood this was not just returning favors but also an investment and goodwill gesture from the governor.

After all, the governor could distinguish between a lowly owl and a potential soaring phoenix. Building a relationship now had no downside.

Li Qi accepted the gift, knowing the governor had no reason to harm him.

If the governor wanted to harm him, being sixth-Rank, equivalent to the Curse Demon King and Bear Slayer King, it would mean certain death.

So Li Qi gladly accepted but planned to consult Shen Shuibei first.

After the conversation, Li Qi sought out Shen Shuibei.

"Miss Shen, what is the outer realm?" Li Qi asked.

"Huh? Aren't you from the outer realm?" Shen Shuibei was surprised.

No, word had spread that he was an outsider.

Li Qi slapped his forehead, "I don't know much about the outer realm. Please explain, Miss Shen."

"Well... there's nothing particularly special about it."

Shen Shuibei thought for a moment and explained.

The outer realm referred to worlds beyond this universe.

Here, the concept of 'universe'(宇宙) needed to be introduced: 'Yu'(宇) encompasses all space, and 'Zhou'(宙 encompasses all time. The universe is vast, containing countless worlds, each governed by different Dao principles, interacting through qi to create myriad beings.

The outer realm referred to other worlds outside our own.

Shen Shuibei explained, "According to the Sage's nine-Rank classification, worlds are divided into nine ranks based on the strongest beings they can support. If a world can support ninth-Rank beings, it's a ninth-Rank world."

"Our world supports multiple first-Ranks and even transcends first-Rank beings like Sages, True Immortals, and Wu Deities, making it known as 'Tianxia' (Under Heaven)."

"Tianxia implies beneath the heavens. So far, exploring countless outer realms has revealed only one Tianxia. According to Lady Luo Fu, True Immortals say that although there are no traces within the universe, there are signs of other Tianxias in the flow of time, suggesting the existence of other Tianxias."

"The influence of Tianxia extends to numerous worlds, spreading similar myths and legends. You likely arrived knowing how to read and recognizing some beings due to the influence of Tianxia on your original world."

"In short, most outer realms are subordinate to Tianxia, often having a 'transcendence' concept—breaking free from their world's constraints to reach higher-rank worlds. Their ultimate destination is our Tianxia."

"Conversely, our Tianxia can venture into outer realms, sometimes conquering natives or collecting resources. Though rich in resources, no one complains about having too much wealth."

"This should be a controlled outer realm by Great Deer Kingdom. Being eighth-Rank means its strongest being is eighth-Rank, posing minimal danger. Visiting will greatly benefit your advancement." Shen Shuibei concluded.

Reassured, Li Qi continued his practice.

With no need to travel himself, he used the journey to White Snake Prefecture City to focus on cultivation and reading, aiming for early advancement.

---

During Li Qi's cultivation period, Shen Shuibei wasn't idle either.

Her preparations complete, she was ready to advance.

Months ago, after self-destructing her cultivation, she began preparing for rebuilding.

After dealing with Yang Ning and the two demons, she obtained additional resources.

Now, everything was ready.

"Hmm, regaining ninth-Rank gives me some self-protection," Shen Shuibei hummed while working around the alchemy furnace.

Preparing pills, filtering liquids, setting up rituals, and igniting the furnace.

Alchemy was crucial in Daoist cultivation, with a dedicated sect focusing on the 'Golden Elixir Path.'

This 'elixir' referred not only to consumable pills but also to the cultivator themselves.

The Golden Elixir Path emphasized refining oneself first.

The celestial pole represents the center of the sky, unchanging, with stars revolving around it, each revolution called a 'cycle.'

Luofu Mountain uses the celestial pole metaphor for golden elixirs, emphasizing refining oneself until seeing colors without wavering, achieving purity and making oneself the center around which everything revolves.

This was the core of Shen Shuibei's cultivation and Luofu Mountain's teachings:

She herself was the celestial pole, the center of the universe, with everything revolving around her.

Such cultivation prioritized heart nature over resources, hence Shen Shuibei's previous stagnation.

Had her flawless body remained intact, advancing to fifth-Rank would have been straightforward after gathering necessary resources.

However, with her flawless body damaged, recovery wasn't simple.

Though repaired, it wasn't perfect anymore, requiring gradual nurturing.

But she wasn't in a hurry.

With Lady Luo Fu safe, there was no urgency, just steady progress.

Time wasn't valuable to her.

The golden elixir is not literally a golden bead inside the body; if there were, it could only be called a stone.

The golden elixir refers to a state where, upon inner vision, the primordial spirit is condensed and flawless, unified, and radiates brilliant golden light; this is called the "golden elixir."

This state prevents leakage of true qi, enhancing longevity and enabling some supernatural abilities.

However, Shen Shuibei couldn't achieve this due to her injuries. Her flawed flawless body, forcibly restored by the Grand Diviner, was far from perfect, barely functional.

For rapid recovery, external elixirs were needed—the very thing she was currently refining in the alchemy furnace.