Chapter 00191: The Foundations of Cultivation
# The Foundations of Cultivation
Chapter 191
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 191: The Foundations of Cultivation
At this moment, Ding Huan was nothing but skin and bones, his mind burdened with a single, persistent question.
How could he ensure that his foundations would not limit the heights he could attain in his future cultivation?
He had merged various genetic roots into his cultivation path.
Were these roots truly different from ordinary spiritual roots?
Initially, he had incorporated genes that aided in healing, detoxifying, and the Eye of Illusion.
Suddenly, a thought struck him; hadn’t he resolved this issue before? He had long considered that regardless of which type of genetic ability he fused with, the power he acquired would remain fixed at the level it was obtained.
As his cultivation advanced, this ability would become insufficient.
To tackle this dilemma, he had dissolved useless genetic fragments to identify the abilities he required—these were known as alien genetic ability fragments.
Transforming these fragments into his own skills was not simply about borrowing the innate abilities of alien genes.
Instead, it involved expressing these abilities in a manner that aligned with his own attributes.
He had succeeded in this endeavor, creating entirely new genes.
These new genes were uniquely his, evolving as his cultivation improved.
What was the point of relying on the detoxifying genes of a common monkey to resist the poison of Cold Specter?
It was because the detoxifying genes he possessed were no longer those of the common monkey, but his own, developed as he grew stronger.
With this understanding, he could approach the forging of his foundations in the same manner.
He sought to build a foundation that strengthened alongside his cultivation.
He could never allow the pressure of later advancements to rest solely upon the foundations he cultivated in the early stages; otherwise, even if his foundation was deep, it would inevitably collapse one day.
So how could he ensure that the foundation he established would strengthen with each advancement in cultivation?
No, it should be that each time he practiced, his foundations would naturally rise.
He was different from others; he had genetic roots...
Genetic roots?
Then why should he cling to the ordinary methods of cultivation? What did refining essence into qi and qi into spirit have to do with him?
He only needed to make his genetic roots stronger, and his methods must harmonize with them.
By fusing with the antidote genes of the common monkey, he had created detoxifying genes; by merging with the healing genes of the fire lizard, he had greatly enhanced his recovery...
But he couldn’t keep seeking out various genes for the sake of improving his abilities.
In the vast universe, how many genes existed?
If he attempted to extract each one, even if each extraction took only a minute, he would never finish.
Could he create a method whereby no matter where he practiced, as long as there were the genes he needed, he could choose to merge with them or not?
The thought flashed in his mind, bringing forth a torrent of endless knowledge and techniques flooding into his consciousness.
Ding Huan's intense focus was nearly overwhelmed by the influx of information.
He did not know how long it took, but when he finally expelled a spray of blood, he felt as though he had awakened.
Rubbing his still groggy head, he swallowed an energy capsule.
He had no fasting pills and had to rely on the energy capsules instead.
This wouldn’t do; it absolutely couldn’t continue like this.
Relying solely on the Genetic Linking Scripture would not allow him to realize his vision.
The reason was simple; it was far too limited for him, incapable of containing the vastness of his ideas.
He needed a broader platform for his methods, a way to let his thoughts flourish and bear fruit.
Even merging countless genes wouldn’t cause this platform to collapse.
That boundless method platform could only exist within the vast universe.
No matter how many genes there were, how many species, or lives existed, all resided in this limitless expanse.
As long as he had not placed the universe beneath his feet, his methods would have no end, and his foundations would never crumble.
Ding Huan’s spiritual awareness was forged within this great cosmos.
At this moment, he thought once more of the vast universe and felt a deep desire to find the direction of his foundational path within it.
The map of the universe that he had refined over two years appeared in his mind, going from blurry to clear, then gradually gaining layers of depth…
In this endless universe, he was like a speck of dust.
The instant he recognized himself as such, a vivid starry sky materialized in his mind.
Yes, he was stardust now.
He would begin his cultivation from this dust.
His first step toward the greater path was stardust, and this speck would drift through the vast universe.
If he wished to cease wandering the cosmos, he must grow stronger and larger, becoming a nebula.
At that moment, Ding Huan felt as if he had transformed into a newborn universe.
His blood, flesh, bones, even his hair and breath were all part of this boundless cosmos.
"Greatness without corners, vastness without limits, profound sounds that are barely heard, grand forms that are unseen, the path obscured and nameless…"
(The essence being that the universe is limitless, the starry sky akin to a vessel, and the countless stars are silent and formless, held within endless mysteries and universal principles… These words are inspired by the Tao Te Ching.)
Ding Huan inadvertently sensed his first celestial cycle.
At this moment, he was the universe; his cycle was the celestial cycle, and the laws he felt belonged to his own universal principles…
As the first cycle concluded, that profound feeling vanished in an instant.
Ding Huan excitedly opened his eyes, realizing that the place he was in was distorted.
The realm he had derived for stardust was equivalent to the Qi Refinement stage, while the nebular realm he had conceptualized was akin to the Foundation Establishment stage as described by others.
His foundation was rooted in the vast universe; as long as the universe continued to exist, regardless of how much he improved, his foundation would not collapse.
Ding Huan rose to his feet, knowing he must leave West Wind City to seek the Foundation Establishment ground.
Unlike before, he was clear about his destination.
It was within the vast starry sky that he would transform his Genetic Linking Scripture through this new method, converting the Qi Refinement stage into the Stardust stage.
Once he established a nebula, his vast universe would take shape, marking his successful foundation establishment.
“Brother Huan, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion…”
Yan Mei, watching Ding Huan step out, paused mid-sentence.
After a while, he stammered, “Brother Huan, how did you end up like this?”
During seclusion, others would not only enhance their cultivation but also their vitality and spirit.
But after a few months, Ding Huan emerged looking even more emaciated than before, his hair a wild mess.
Surely consuming joy leaves for months wouldn’t result in such a state, right?
“How long have I been in seclusion?” Ding Huan asked without concern for his appearance.
He felt that these past months of isolation would determine the height of his future.
“Over three months. By the way, during that time, Nuru came looking for you multiple times.”
Almost as soon as Yan Mei's words fell, a woman's voice rang out from outside:
“Team Leader Yan, has Dao Friend Ding emerged?”
Ding Huan chuckled. “Sister Rong, perfect timing! Please, come in.”
Angry and anxious, Nuru rushed into the courtyard, her shock even greater than Yan Mei’s upon seeing Ding Huan’s state.
“Dao Friend Ding, what happened to you…?”
Ding Huan waved his hand dismissively. “I have something to attend to. You needed me for something?”
Nuru quickly said, “I went to Zhenyun Dao City and discovered that a sect seems to be searching for you—looks like it's the Soul Dual Sect.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Mei instinctively shivered.
The Soul Dual Sect was a sect he dreaded the most.
Ding Huan nodded. “Thank you. Since they’ve set their sights on Zhenyun Dao City, that means they won’t find West Wind City anytime soon.”
“Right, I came to inform you about this.” Nuru said and was ready to take her leave.
Ding Huan then asked, “Sister Rong, is there a simple way to leave the Three Layers of Stars and head to the starry sky?”
Nuru paused before replying, “There are many locations in the cultivation realm that lead to the starry sky. However, all these places are controlled by sects or certain powers, and ordinary people can't enter. Some trading houses can lead people from the mortal realm into the starry sky, but for cultivators like us, it’s a bit difficult…”
As she spoke, it seemed she remembered something.
She quickly added, “Dao Friend Ding, I recall telling you that there’s a rumored vortex connecting to the starry sky at Cangjian Mountain. However, this rumor has been circulating for ages, and no one has confirmed it. Moreover, Cangjian Mountain is now perpetually shrouded in poisonous mist, making it inaccessible.”
Ding Huan’s eyes brightened, and he hurriedly expressed his gratitude again.
Nuru chatted a bit more before intending to take her leave, having primarily come to alert Ding Huan about the Soul Dual Sect’s search for him.
She held Ding Huan in high regard and had guessed that his appearance in West Wind City might be due to inadequate qualifications.
Otherwise, someone with Ding Huan’s abilities would have long been a disciple of a major sect.
Her intention was to foster a good relationship with him and to prevent someone like Ding Huan from being taken by the Soul Dual Sect.
“Brother Huan, are you planning to leave the Three Layers of Stars?” Yan Mei asked anxiously.
“You’ve done well, managing West Wind City exceptionally and reaching the Qi Refinement fourth layer. I’ll first head to Cangjian Mountain. If I find a way to leave, I’ll come back and bring you and Old Liu with me. If I’m unable to return to fetch you, just wait here.” Ding Huan was pleased with Yan Mei’s efforts.
Yan Mei was overjoyed. “Thank you, Brother Huan.”
Ding Huan clapped Yan Mei on the shoulder, “Don’t worry. The Soul Dual Sect definitely won’t find this place anytime soon; in fact, they would never think we’d be in such a remote city.”
“I just worry that someone might go to Zhenyun Dao City like Sister Rong and inform the Soul Dual Sect about us,” Yan Mei expressed her concern.
Ding Huan nodded. “That is a possibility, but it’s not very likely. Sister Rong is in the business of houses, coupled with our support, so she has plenty of crystals. Among those living here, how many qualify to visit Zhenyun Dao City?”
(End of Chapter)