"Therefore, the Dharma Seed is not merely a collection of spiritual power, but the very foundation of the Dao. It can be called the kindling that ignites the flame of a cultivator's own Immortal Path.” The voice of Clear Void True Master, seemingly murmuring with indifference, settled into the hearts of all the cultivators.
Jaekyung was somewhat bewildered. It felt as if he had understood Clear Void True Master’s words, and at the same time, as if he had not understood them at all. While savoring the essence of the Dao contained within the indifference as much as he could, he also tried to commit every single word to memory.
In truth, the teachings of a senior cultivator as venerable as Clear Void True Master were not something he could fully grasp at his current level. Even if he could, it would only serve as a reference; he could not simply retrace the path a senior had walked.
After all, if there are ten thousand cultivators, there are bound to be ten thousand Immortal Paths. Thus, listening to a senior cultivator's sermon was for the purpose of broadening one's own foundations and expanding one's Immortal Path through their experiences. For by widening one's path even slightly, the chances of taking a misstep could be reduced, however small.
“As expected of Clear Void True Master.” “It seems he has steeled his heart to face the Transformation Tribulation.” “I heard that Clear Void True Master still has quite a bit of his lifespan remaining.
Isn't he being too hasty?"
"He probably thinks that if it's a path he must walk eventually, there's no need to delay it."
"What an admirable Dao Heart."
After the sermon ended, the cultivators of the Garden of Remembrance gathered in their own groups to talk. Jaekyung, too, joined the cultivators of the Twilight Gathering at a suitable spot to share their respective enlightenments.
The realizations of cultivators who were merely at the early or middle Foundation Establishment stage were nothing extraordinary, but still, such discussions on the Dao held meaning for them. They gained some small insights and could also foster a sense of belonging to the small group called the Twilight Gathering.
“They say that the reason seniors give sermons to juniors like us is to gain good karma. But what exactly is good karma? Some call it merit, others say the meaning lies in the connection itself… but what meaning could there be in a connection with insignificant beings like us?”
“Haha.
Well, I don't know, but I won't worry my head about it in advance. I suppose I’ll find out when the time comes." Woo Do-baek shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Yes. You’re right about that.”
Jaekyung stole a glance at Woo Do-baek, who exuded an air of emptiness. Woo Do-baek was still stuck in the middle Foundation Establishment stage, unable to break through his bottleneck. 'Perhaps he's given up.'
From what he knew, Woo Do-baek was not young. Moreover, from their occasional casual conversations, he learned that Woo Do-baek had a family, and it seemed to be a rather large one. For the past few years, he had often spoken of a bright grandson, saying he had high hopes for his future on the Immortal Path.
It was the classic image of an Immortal pinning his hopes on his descendants. Jaekyung couldn't understand Woo Do-baek's heart, but he neither scorned nor looked down on him. Everyone has their own circumstances; how could one fathom another's heart without walking in their shoes?
Still, seeing the Dao Heart of one he called Dao Friend falter left a corner of his own heart unsettled.
“Senior Woo. I've been running into a wall recently and would like to ask for your guidance regarding fire arts.”
“Oh?
If I can be of help, then by all means." Woo Do-baek was the only cultivator in the Twilight Gathering who practiced fire arts. Jaekyung often sought his guidance on the subject, and Woo Do-baek would answer all of Jaekyung’s questions without difficulty.
Of course, as Jaekyung wielded demonic power, not spiritual power, he couldn't take Woo Do-baek's teachings at face value, but even as a reference, it was a great help. Jaekyung believed that thirty percent of the progress he had made in fire arts over the past ten years was thanks to Woo Do-baek's contributions.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“Guidance?
You're too modest. We should call it an exchange." As the eldest among the Twilight Gathering cultivators, Woo Do-baek also knew the most.
Jaekyung often asked him about things other than Cultivation, and each time, Woo Do-baek would diligently explain everything without a hint of annoyance. “Deciding to pour your efforts into alchemy was a good decision.
Cultivators like us who practice fire arts naturally have an advantage in using fire, so it’s easy to show talent in fields like alchemy or artifact refinement. However, those cultivation arts, especially alchemy, are bound to consume a lot of spirit stones from the very beginning…………….” “That is certainly true.
I’m still only dabbling in a few Qi Refining Stage pills; I can’t even dream of attempting anything more advanced.” "That's perfectly normal. Other cultivation arts also require spirit stones to advance, but in my view, it's nothing compared to alchemy.”
That was why solitary alchemists were so rare. For an alchemist to build their skills, they needed countless trials and failures on top of their legacy, and all of that cost spirit stones. Solitary cultivators with no one to rely on simply couldn't afford such an expense.
Naturally, alchemy became the exclusive domain of wealthy sects and cultivation families. But even knowing these difficulties, most cultivators would dip their toes into alchemy at least once. That was how alluring the art of alchemy was.
It wasn't for nothing that alchemy was considered the foremost among the hundred arts of cultivation. Once a cultivator reached a level where they could present themselves as an alchemist, they would at least never have to worry about a shortage of cultivation resources. Spiritual herbs for ingredients?
Those seeking pills would gather them on their own.
Spirit stones?
Those seeking pills would also gather them on their own. The only problem was the threat from those who coveted their skills and wealth, but that wasn't a major issue either. A skilled alchemist was like a noble; those who wished to befriend them would flock from all corners like clouds.
If one feared schemes, they could simply find a skilled friend or a backer to serve as a patron among those who gathered. However, this was only the best-case scenario. In any field, it is easy to enter but difficult to reach the top, and this was especially true for alchemy.
To build one's cultivation in alchemy, one needed not only spirit stones but also a cultivator's aptitude. Lately, Jaekyung had been feeling this fact more keenly than ever.
“Controlling the fire is difficult.”
It might sound strange coming from someone who had refined his spiritual nature with the fire energy of a Fire Crystal, but it was true. As his understanding of alchemy deepened, Jaekyung found himself struggling more and more to control the fire. It was not just about controlling the fire energy; there was a problem with the fire itself.
“From what I can feel, my demonic flame is not suited for alchemy.”
The demonic flame was savage and destructive. Since the demonic power that formed its foundation had such a nature, the demonic flame born from it was bound to possess the same qualities. Jaekyung tried to control this nature, but there were clear limits.
In a field like alchemy, where even the slightest difference could lead to vastly different results, this quality of the demonic flame was like poison.
“Hmm. I don’t know much about demonic flames, but I have heard stories of those who practice powerful, destructive techniques struggling to control their fire.”
“So it’s not just my problem.”
Should he consider that a relief? Jaekyung wore a bitter smile. He was already having this much trouble concocting Qi Refining Stage pills.
If he started trying his hand at higher-grade pills, he might just end up mass-producing a pile of waste pills. Of course, even if the cost was great, Jaekyung was willing to bear it as long as he could make progress. But what if he couldn't?
As Jaekyung was lost in a slight sense of despair, Woo Do-baek, who had been silent for a while, spoke up.
“Take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt. In my opinion, if the fire is the problem… shouldn’t you just fix the fire?”
“Fix the fire? What do you mean by that?”
“Have you ever heard of Origin Fire?”
“I have not.”
“Hmm. Then have you heard of something called a Lifebound Dharma Treasure?”
“Yes.”
Just as Qi Refining cultivators used spiritual artifacts and Foundation Establishment cultivators used spirit artifacts, Core Formation cultivators used dharma treasures. And a Lifebound Dharma Treasure was a dharma treasure connected to a cultivator’s Origin. Such a Lifebound Dharma Treasure was more powerful than an ordinary dharma treasure, and its might increased as the cultivator’s cultivation deepened.
However, if a Lifebound Dharma Treasure was damaged, or even destroyed, the cultivator’s Origin would also be harmed, resulting in anything from serious injury to death. “Origin Fire is similar to a Lifebound Dharma Treasure.
However, while a Lifebound Dharma Treasure is merely connected to a cultivator’s Origin, an Origin Fire is different in that it becomes one with the cultivator’s Origin."
“Are you suggesting, Senior Woo, that I should obtain an Origin Fire to change the nature of my demonic flame?”
“It’s one possibility. However, I have only heard about Origin Fire in passing and do not know much about it. I don’t know what kind of fire is suitable for an Origin Fire, and even if you find a suitable fire, I don’t know how you would guide it into your Origin. I also, of course, have no idea what effects and changes might follow. That is why I told you to take my words with a grain of salt.”
Woo Do-baek’s words were filled with uncertainty, but Jaekyung saw a possibility in them. 'At least I have one reason not to give up.' Having dipped his hands into alchemy, Jaekyung wanted to become a proper alchemist.
For his future on the Immortal Path, he needed to master a trade, and alchemy was by far the best choice. Unless it was truly unavoidable, he did not want to give up on alchemy.
'Origin Fire.
Seeing as Senior Woo used a Lifebound Dharma Treasure as an example, is it something one can only attempt after reaching the Core Formation realm?' It could be, or it could not be. As Woo Do-baek himself said, he was merely suggesting a possibility based on something he had heard.
He didn't even know what the Origin was. 'Core Formation cultivators would know, but…' Not all human Core Formation cultivators possessed a Lifebound Dharma Treasure, but those who had reached that realm would know what the Origin was.
'I should look into it.' Just because Woo Do-baek didn't know didn't mean other Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't. The cultivators of the Prosperous Treasure Guild, in particular, were well-traveled and had access to a great deal of knowledge, so there was a high chance they knew about the Origin. They might even know about Origin Fire.
Black Flood Dragon Hall. Jaekyung sat across from Gwak Jeong-shin, conversing. After inquiring about each other’s well-being, Jaekyung got straight to the point.
“Do you know about the Origin?”
“The Origin?”
Gwak Jeong-shin’s eyes lit up with surprise, but he nodded readily.
“Not in detail, but I have a rough understanding.”
“Would you be willing to teach me? I will pay a price if necessary.”
"No. It’s quite alright. There’s no need to speak of payment for something like this between us."
“Haha.”
Gwak Jeong-shin, who had been chuckling while sipping his tea, furrowed his brow slightly.
“Hmm. But as I said, what I know is only a general concept. So please, take it only as a reference.”
Jaekyung straightened his posture and listened intently to Gwak Jeong-shin’s words.
“The three elements that make up a living spirit are Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Essence refers to the physical body, Qi to one's energy, and Spirit to the spirit soul. But these three are not one. They are closely connected, but they are, as the word suggests, merely linked. The Origin is what binds these three elements together and makes them belong to the cultivator.”
Gwak Jeong-shin’s explanation was somewhat lengthy and sounded a bit disorganized. It was likely because, as he himself had said, he only had a rough understanding. But through Gwak Jeong-shin’s explanation, Jaekyung was able to grasp a general idea of what the Origin was.
In a sense, the Origin was the foundation of a cultivator. Although the three elements that make up a living spirit are Essence, Qi, and Spirit, a cultivator could exist even without them. A ghost cultivator, for example.
A ghost cultivator has no physical body, and therefore no Essence; it is a being made of only Qi and Spirit. From this, one could see that the conditions for a living spirit could not be the same as the conditions for a cultivator. But the Origin was different.
It was the true foundation of a cultivator.
“Origin Fire…………. I have heard of it. A story about a cultivator who obtained a precious fire and made it his Origin Fire." Gwak Jeong-shin had heard of Origin Fire as well, but he did not know the details. "I will try to find out more.”
“Thank you.”
Jaekyung smiled and bowed his head. As expected, Gwak Jeong-shin did not disappoint him.