Chapter 750: The Path to a Long Life
Humans were curious creatures; Lu Zhou was not an exception to this. When he heard Sikong Beichen mentioning the Birth Chart earlier, he had been wondering what it was. Initially, he planned to ask Xia Changqiu after they left this place. However, Yu Zhenghai had voiced his thoughts out for him. ‘Will you refuse to answer my disciple, Sikong Beichen?’
Naturally, Sikong Beichen would not refuse such a trivial question. In fact, he was rather invigorated. He now had the chance to draw attention to himself and talk about the Birth Chart in the presence of a Birth Chart elite. He was more than happy to answer Yu Zhenghai’s question.
“Since humans began to cultivate, they’ve gone against the will of heavens. We’ve overcome hards.h.i.+ps, obtained powers, and prolonged our lives. It’s part of the cycle to be born, fall sick, and eventually, die. However, powerful cultivators are able to keep illnesses at bay and slow the aging process. Therefore, the path of cultivation is also known as the path of longevity,” Sikong Beichen said. Then, he paused for a moment and cupped his fists together at Lu Zhou as he said, “Kindly correct me if I make any mistakes.”
Lu Zhou nodded before he raised his hand and motioned for Sikong Beichen to continue.
Sikong Beichen continued to speak. “From the Body Tempering realm to the Divine Court realm, a cultivator could gain 500 years of life. In the Nascent Divinity realm, each leaf would grant the cultivator 100 years of life. From the Eight-leaf to the Nine-leaf stage, the cultivator would gain 200 years…”
All the realms before the Nascent Divinity realm were similar to the golden lotus domain. In the golden lotus domain, after the Nascent Divinity realm, every leaf would grant a cultivator 50 years of life. When the ninth leaf sprouted, those with a golden lotus would be granted 50 years for every leaf. Hence, every leaf would give those in the golden lotus domain 100 years as well.
“From the Nine-leaf to the Ten-leaf stage, the cultivator would gain 500 years.”
Yu Zhenghai was puzzled. He asked, “Why did Zhu Xuan say that cultivators could live up to 3,000 years?” After careful calculations, he found Ten-leaf cultivators would only gain 2,000 years of life, not 3,000 years.
Sikong Beichen looked at Yu Zhenghai and said, “Perhaps, the taboo set by the G.o.ds is unique. The remaining 1,000 years of life can be gained from life hearts. Therefore, 3,000 years is the limit of a cultivator’s life.”
“What does this have to do with the Birth Chart?”
“Young man, have you ever thought about why the limit is 3,000 years. After all, cultivating is already going against the heavens’ will since it prolongs our lives?”
Yu Zhenghai shook his head.
Sikong Beichen said, “By initiating the Birth Chart, one could overcome the limits of life. Two millennia ago, there was a predecessor who successfully activated his Birth Chart. However, he went missing after that. Ever since then, no one has managed to activate their Birth Charts.” He paused for a beat before adding, “Birth Chart is the foundation for forming the Thousand Realms Whirling.”
Apart from Lu Zhou, those who were unaware nodded when they heard this.
“If you think I missed anything, please feel free to add in, Brother LuI.”
Lu Zhou’s expression remained unchanged; he did not answer the question. ‘Who knows if this 1,000-year-old fox lay a trap for me in his words? I won’t make any mistake as long as I keep my mouth shut.’
Yu Zhenghai said, “It’s no wonder there are no Thousand Realms Whirling here.”
Sikong Beichen asked curiously, “Why did you recruit two golden lotus cultivators as your disciples, Brother Lu?” He did not suspect Lu Zhou’s ident.i.ty as well. After all, he had seen Lu Zhou’s red lotus avatar with his own eyes. Regardless of all the evidence that was presented to him by the others, his judgment would not be swayed. Most grand cultivators, especially one like Sikong Beichen, were like dictators.
Lu Zhou replied, “These two have been with me since they were young. They’re incredibly talented so I accepted them as my disciples. Initially, I cultivated the Buddhist Zen. There’s a Buddhist saying that all life is equal and should be treated as such. There’s no difference between golden lotuses and red lotuses. Not only do I have golden lotus cultivators as disciples, but I have a red lotus cultivator as a disciple as well.” He paused for a moment and beckoned Conch over. “Conch, come here…”
Conch skipped over.
From the beginning until now, Sikong Beichen did not pay any attention to Lu Zhou’s disciples at all. For him, Lu Zhou’s att.i.tude was the most important. When Conch appeared in front of him, his eyes lit up. He saw her dark s.h.i.+ning eyes that were as clear as water. They complemented her delicate features. Most importantly, there was fluidity in her aura that was similar to water. He could tell she was a rare genius cultivator.
“Manifest your avatar,” Lu Zhou said.
“Oh.” Conch felt slightly awkward. Nevertheless, she obediently circulated her Primal Qi before manifesting her avatar.
Soon enough, a Two-leaf Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar appeared in front of everyone’s eyes.
At this moment, the five First Seats had just entered the hall after completing their tasks. They were about to say their greetings when they saw Conch’s avatar.
In the s.p.a.cious and silent Holy Palace, that avatar’s buzzing noise was not grating to the ears. Instead, it sounded rather pleasant. It was just like when Conch played the Lantian Jade Flute. Just like her smiles and frowns; they were all pleasant. She was destined to be gifted in the tune.
Sikong Beichen looked at the avatar and said in shock, “She’s still young, but she’s already a Two-leaf cultivator! She’s bound to be a great cultivator in the future.”
However, Conch disagreed with his words and replied, “Compared to Ninth Senior Sister, I’m nothing. Ninth Senior Sister is almost at the Eight-leaf stage…”
“…”
The others quickly s.h.i.+fted their gaze from Conch toward the other little girl, Little Yuan’er.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “These four are my disciples.”
Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, Little Yuan’er, and Conch.
Zhu Xuan had always been curious about the kind of person who was the master of the two elites, Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong. After meeting the old man in front of him, the answer was clear.
Lu Zhou added, “You said that the people of the world can’t from their Thousand Realms Whirling. Have you tried?”
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “I’ve tried it countless times, but I’ve never succeeded… If I can see a Thousand Realms Whirling while I’m still alive, I won’t have any regrets even if I die.”
The First Seats fell on one knee upon hearing these words and said in unison, “Temple Master, you will live as long as the heavens!”
“n.o.body in this world can live forever… n.o.body knows where the path of longevity ends,” Sikong Beichen said.
Lu Zhou was reminded of Jiang Wenxu’s words: n.o.body can live forever.
After Sikong Beichen finished speaking, he cupped his fists together at Lu Zhou again before he flipped his palm up. A miniature appeared above his palm in just an instant. “Kindly give me your opinion.”
Their avatars were similar. Apart from the Other Tribes, the cultivators in Great Yan and Great Tang had humanoid avatars.
The five First Seats looked at their temple master. They had never seen their temple master manifest his avatar for no good reason. Such a powerful person like their temple master was behaving like a student in front of the old man, waiting to be taught or corrected. However, when they recalled the shocking palm strike they had seen earlier, they felt it was not too shocking.
Everyone had skills they were good at. Those who were stronger were naturally superior. They had already verified Lu Zhou’s profound cultivation base. There was no need for the weak to speak at this point.
This was Lu Zhou’s first time seeing a Ten-leaf avatar up close. A red lotus bloomed under the red avatar’s feet. Ten leaves could clearly be seen as they spun around the red lotus. The center of the lotus was as bright as blood while the outer layers were slightly more faded like red skies. Then ten blade-like lotus leaves that were as slender as swords were a sight to behold.
The Holy Palace remained silent.
Everyone watched respectfully as the two great cultivators discussed the path of cultivation. Those with working brains would not speak up for no good reason at this moment. Moreover, who knew if they would be enlightened from the conversation?
After a while, Yu Zhenghai broke the silence first. He looked at the red lotus and asked, “Can cultivators live longer than 3,000 years after activating their Birth Charts?”
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “It’s said that just by activating one Birth Chart will give the cultivator 500 years of life.”
“There are more than one Birth Charts?” Yu Zhenghai was stunned by this revelation.
“You’ll have to ask your master about this. I’ve cultivated for many years, but I haven’t understood Birth Charts yet. I dare not display my meager knowledge in your master’s presence,” Sikong Beichen solemnly said. He was more than happy to answer Yu Zhenghai’s question earlier because he had hoped the answer would lead to this point. He hoped to gain some insight about Birth Charts from Lu Zhou. Up until now, Lu Zhou had remained tightlipped about Birth Charts. However, he was not surprised. After all, Birth Charts were important; it was not something that could be casually taught to others.
Yu Zhenghai turned to look at his master and asked, “Master, how many Birth Charts are there?”
“…”
‘First, let’s give a general and vague answer using fine words…’
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and looked at Yu Zhenghai as he said, “Every cultivator has different talents. There are those who couldn’t activate their Birth Charts even if they tried their entire lives, and then, there are also those who successfully activated their Birth Charts without meaning to. It’s the same as sprouting leaves. Some tried their best but could only reach the Three-leaf or Five-leaf stage. Some could easily reach the Nine-leaf stage.” After he finished answering the question, he turned to look at Sikong Beichen and asked, “Do you know why no one has managed to activate their Birth Charts over the last 2,000 years?”