Chapter 62: The Ancestor of the Revitalization of the Qi Refining Lineage

Hu Zhao's thoughts were deeply conflicted.

On one hand, he hoped that what he had learned could spread throughout the world, earning him the revered title of a Master. On the other hand, he knew in his heart that if his divine ability were casually disseminated, it would inevitably bring immense harm to all living beings.

After much deliberation, he decided to set a steep tuition fee of one hundred jin of gold. This way, the potential victims would remain confined to a specific group: corrupt aristocrats who subverted the law, and roaming swordsmen who used martial prowess to defy prohibitions. In this manner, his learning could spread across the realm without harming the innocent.

Of course, this was merely Hu Zhao's personal perspective. Lu Ge's thoughts were the exact opposite. If one truly wished for the common people of the world to stand up, Hu Zhao should transmit his knowledge to the commoners rather than the nobility. Only when the common masses grasped power would they possess the capacity to overthrow all injustices.

Naturally, worldly affairs move in cycles, revolving endlessly. If such a day were truly to arrive, it would simply be a repetition of the present scenario, with merely a new batch of people replacing the old aristocracy. Therefore, Lu Ge did not dwell on the matter further. He kept his primary objective firmly in mind.

"I ask Master Hu to impart your divine ability to me."

Lu Ge rose and greeted Hu Zhao with the formal courtesy of a disciple. Among any three people walking together, there must be one who can be his teacher. Whenever one seeks knowledge and asks for instruction, the only existing identities are those of teacher and student; all other considerations pale into insignificance. Seeing Lu Ge being so courteous, Hu Zhao moved to stop him.

"Master Hu, please remain seated and accept my bow."

Lu Ge cupped his fists and bowed deeply. Witnessing this, Hu Zhao sighed inwardly. It was no wonder people regarded Lu Ge as the patriarch of Taoism and the foremost person in the world. For such a monumental figure to seek instruction from him with such humility—it was vastly superior to those arrogant nobles and swashbuckling knights.

"Since Master Lu wishes to learn, how could I be stingy?"

With that, he reached out and picked up a bamboo slip from the side. "In recent years, as I have gradually found myself unequal to the task, I carved the secret methods onto these bamboo slips. Whenever someone comes to study, my other disciples teach them in my stead. Master Lu, please take a look."

Lu Ge accepted the bamboo slip handed over by Hu Zhao, unfurled it, and began to read. The text of this divine technique was quite concise, consisting of merely a hundred characters. Lu Ge finished reading it very quickly. Rolling the bamboo slip back up, Lu Ge closed his eyes slightly. Hu Zhao and Shen Dao dared not disturb him and maintained a profound silence.

Time ticked away steadily. Roughly the span of a single incense stick passed. Lu Ge abruptly opened his eyes and slowly raised his right hand. With a subtle shift of his intent, a cluster of flames blossomed in the center of his palm. Hu Zhao's eyes widened in shock, and he hurriedly cried out, "Master Lu, quickly withdraw your divine ability!"

"Although this fire possesses formidable destructive might and can incinerate all things, it simultaneously burns away the wielder's own lifespan."

Lu Ge smiled faintly, unconcerned. If there was one thing he had an abundance of, it was lifespan. However, with a slight flick of his hand, the flames vanished without a trace. Lu Ge had already completely comprehended the secret technique.

"Master Hu, there is something I must tell you." Lu Ge looked at Hu Zhao. "This method of yours... well, this divine ability—it is actually not a divine ability at all."

Hu Zhao was stunned. "How can that be?" To be able to command heavenly fire, how could it not be considered a divine ability? Even if you are the patriarch of Taoism, you cannot learn my divine ability and then turn around to belittle me, can you?

Lu Ge continued, "So-called divine abilities are the realization of the supreme Dao of heaven and earth, driven by one's mind. Therefore, with a single thought, the Dao follows, miraculous phenomena manifest, and one wields various unimaginable, wondrous powers. But your technique, the moment it is unleashed, incurs a consumption. It truly does not deserve the name of a divine ability. Its correct designation should be a spell."

Hu Zhao was left in a daze, listening in bewilderment. A spell? What was that?

"A divine ability is the most direct manifestation of the Great Dao. A spell, on the other hand, is extracting a single method from the Dao, and deriving a technique from that method. Its difficulty of cultivation is far lower than that of a divine ability; almost anyone can learn it. But similarly, every time it is invoked, it consumes a portion of energy to summon the might of heaven and earth. From what I can see, the stone tablet you encountered back then, when complete, should have been a manual for Qi refiners, encompassing everything from how to cultivate Qi to operating spells through Qi. It is only a pity that when you found it, it was already damaged, and the most crucial Qi-refining manual had been destroyed, leaving only this spell."

Listening to Lu Ge's words, Hu Zhao muttered to himself, "Qi refiners? Spells? Is that really how it is? Is this truly not a divine ability?"

Hu Zhao's hands trembled. The achievement he had taken the utmost pride in throughout his entire life now seemed like a mere joke.

"The hundred schools of thought were right to reject me. It seems I truly do not deserve it."

Hu Zhao's spirit and vitality seemed to have been instantly drained, and his gaze grew hazy.

"No, you do deserve it." Seeing this, Lu Ge spoke in a stern tone. "If it were merely this spell, it would indeed fall short. But what if we add a Qi-refining manual? Combine the two, and propagate them widely across the world; the path of Qi refinement will experience a revival because of you. By then, all living beings in the realm who practice Qi refinement will revere you as their patriarch and honor you as a Master."

Hu Zhao stared blankly at Lu Ge. "B-But I do not possess any such Qi-refining manual. That stone tablet was destroyed..."

Before he could finish, Lu Ge spoke again. "You may not have it, but I do."

As he spoke, Lu Ge's figure flickered slightly. Utilizing the technique of carefree wandering, he flashed back to the guest house and retrieved the Qi-refining manual he had previously obtained from the Hall of Utmost Justice. Going and returning took merely an instant.

"This is the Qi-refining manual."

Hu Zhao looked at the bamboo slips Lu Ge produced out of thin air. Was this also a divine ability? To be able to summon objects from nothingness?

"Today, I learned your spell, and I shall repay you with this Qi-refining manual. The combination of the two forms the complete path of Qi refinement. However, this Qi-refining manual is merely the foundational threshold; I do not possess the subsequent techniques. But it does not matter. If you can carry this forward, countless brilliant talents across the land will inevitably use this as a foundation to pioneer the path ahead."

Hu Zhao's body shuddered, and his voice trembled slightly. "Y-You are giving this manual to me?"

Lu Ge smiled. "The path of Qi refinement has existed since antiquity, and as it has been passed down to the present day, it is on the verge of extinction. People of our generation naturally have the duty to revive neglected teachings for past sages and prevent them from being lost. But I have always been lazy and truly lack the time for such endeavors. Therefore, I can only trouble you to undertake this task."

Hu Zhao tremblingly accepted the Qi-refining manual, still finding it hard to believe. Such incredible good fortune could actually fall upon him? He was not foolish, so he understood very well that once the Qi-refining manual was combined with his own spell and spread throughout the world, his influence and prestige would soar to terrifying heights.

"No, no, no." Hu Zhao ground his teeth hard and placed the bamboo slips of the Qi-refining manual back down. "Master Lu, you can see it yourself. My days are numbered; I fear I am powerless to accomplish such a task. You should seek out someone more capable to do this."

Although deeply reluctant, Hu Zhao possessed self-awareness. With his current physical condition, he might not even survive the next moment; how could he speak of propagating the Dao and transmitting teachings?

Lu Ge, however, remained unconcerned. "The path of Qi refinement was originally pioneered to attain longevity. The so-called spells are merely means to protect the Dao. You are currently only in your early forties. If you diligently cultivate this Qi-refining manual, you will naturally be able to use the primordial energy of heaven and earth as a divine medicine to mend your own deficiencies. The lifespan you have consumed over the years can gradually be restored."

Hearing these words, Hu Zhao instantly regained his spirit. With lightning speed, his hands scooped up the Qi-refining manual he had just put down.

"Such a monumental task could not possibly be entrusted to anyone else."