Chapter 434: Chapter 243: Purifying Body and Spirit Requires a Prolonged Retreat

After frying the pork belly, He Kao used the leftover oil in the pan to make a stir-fried dish with chopped bamboo shoots.

Many people have only seen spring bamboo shoots emerging from the ground, or winter bamboo shoots that have not yet surfaced, but have never eaten another type of shoot—the tips sprouted from bamboo rhizomes, known as bianqiao or whip bamboo shoots, which are even fresher and crisper in taste.

Bianqiao will not grow into bamboos above ground but will develop into new bamboo rhizomes hidden beneath the soil. Whether stir-fried or stewed, bianqiao is best not prepared as a vegetarian dish; a little bit of meat can significantly enhance its flavor.

The pan had just been used to fry pork belly, and the wild boar oil extracted was mixed with Jade Phoenix Tree Seed Oil. When stir-frying bianqiao, He Kao used his divine sense to collect the juice, not wasting a drop.

The bianqiao wasn’t bought from outside; it was freshly dug from his own courtyard.

He Kao’s home is a series of courtyards, with a space over a meter wide left between the small building’s sides and the surrounding walls, with a row of bamboo planted along the walls from the front yard to the back, which not only blocks the neighbors’ view but also serves as a good scenic embellishment.

Growing scattered bamboos in the yard is quite troublesome because their rhizomes spread everywhere, sometimes damaging the wall foundation. So, to limit their spread, one can pick off the bianqiao exceeding the designated range.

This thing is buried underground and completely invisible, but it’s not a problem for He Kao.

Looking at today’s meal—wild boar pork belly, parasol seed oil, Cloud Dawn Leaf, and bianqiao—none of it was bought from the market; it was all harvested and prepared by He Kao himself.

This is like an ancient natural economy model, yet it makes He Kao vaguely perceive what it truly means for power to reside within oneself.

Some people understand “power residing within oneself” as merely having superhuman strength and not relying on social, especially production relations, to occupy a higher status or class position.

Although this understanding isn’t completely wrong, it somewhat misses the mark as it still seeks externally, assuming that once one possesses great power, they can possess and control others, gaining various satisfactions.

The essence of power is not wealth or military might; those are merely external manifestations. More precisely, it is a self-sufficient ability, where many desires no longer need external seeking, or cannot even be felt by external seeking alone.

Like the home-cooked meal He Kao prepared today.

Even if power resides within oneself, interaction with the world and others is still necessary. Some believe it diverges from the path of technology and civilization, but that’s another misunderstanding.

The ultimate in cultivation, it is said, can transform the world, which of course includes technology and civilization.

Such a realm is naturally beyond He Kao’s reach for now, and even Elder Jiang is far from it, but its theoretical existence does not hinder it; otherwise, why would people continue to cultivate?

No one seeks merely Tier Three, Tier Five, or Tier Seven for complete self-sufficiency. As long as there’s a sliver of possibility, they will pursue a higher realm of cultivation, even if it is just a fleeting glimpse of light and shadow.

Watching Wei Luo, who was eating with relish, He Kao became lost in thought again, and began pondering the question of power residing within oneself. For some reason, he found himself distracted today.

In his distraction, He Kao got up and brought two bottles of oil from the kitchen. The bottles were small, only half a pound each, and beside them was a small gourd.

“The Jade Phoenix Tree Seed Oil made this year is scarce. Please take this pound for Elder Jiang, so he can also taste the flavor of his homeland over there.

This gourd contains Jade Phoenix Tree Seeds, aged seventeen, nineteen, and twenty-three years. They can be consumed directly, though I’m not sure if they can assist you in your cultivation; they are just a little local specialty.”

Wei Luo had already devoured all the food on the table, not leaving a single leaf, and pouted, “Why do you always act so serious when talking to me?”

He Kao was a bit caught off guard: “Am I not serious?”

Wei Luo: “I clearly said just now that after this meal, I intended to fast, and now you bring me two bottles of oil to tempt me?”

Perplexed, He Kao asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask, why are you fasting?”

Wei Luo: “Don’t you know?”

He Kao: “How would I know!”

Wei Luo: “According to my master’s instructions, after I return this time, I’m going to enter long-term seclusion in the Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven, for forty-nine days!”

There are many types of fasting. Even ordinary people can attempt it, with varying duration, purposes, and methods. Cultivators often fast too, with methods and durations linked to cultivation levels.

To fully fast without eating requires at least Tier Seven cultivation. Wei Luo is a Tier Five Cultivator, and fasting for forty-nine days is almost the limit under normal circumstances.

There are many types of seclusion. Ordinary seclusion just means closing doors to visitors, ignoring mundane affairs, and not seeing outsiders. In modern society, it also means no phone browsing and no internet, but meals are still provided daily, delivered by designated personnel.

But there’s another kind of seclusion, called long-term sitting meditation, where one cuts off all external ties during this time, not eating or drinking.

In such long-term meditation, one sits for several days or even dozens of days, entering a state like hibernation, where the stomach cannot retain food or residue.

So, to enter long-term meditation, one must start fasting at least three days in advance to clear the stomach, like Wei Luo now. That’s why she wanted to eat well for this meal because there will be nothing to eat for many days ahead.

He Kao had obtained the fasting technique inheritance long ago, which is a must for high-tier sorcerers, but he had never practiced fasting or undergone long-term seclusion, so he didn’t react in time earlier.

He Kao: “I see, then it must be hard for you!”

Wei Luo tilted her head, looking at him, “Hard? Haven’t you ever done long-term seclusion?”

He Kao: “Indeed not, my power is not deep enough and my time is also limited. I’m just a regular office worker.”

Wei Luo: “That’s not right! When your cultivation is shallow, it’s natural not to have this power. But upon reaching a certain realm, you must engage in long-term meditation to purify your form and spirit; otherwise, it’s hard to advance in cultivation.

It’s not that you need to always be in seclusion and cultivating, but upon reaching a certain stage in your practice, this step and these basic skills are essential.

Don’t have time usually? Do you not have time even during holidays? I suggest you take advantage of the Spring Festival holiday. Start with a seven-day long seclusion, and don’t forget to begin fasting at least three days in advance…”

This statement surprised He Kao, there are actually such intricacies, but upon thinking carefully, it seems reasonable.

Lately, he felt his cultivation had reached a certain limit and required adjustments in his cultivation methods, starting from internal practice, for which he personally crafted Awakening Incense.

Jade Phoenix Tree Seeds replenish Primordial Qi, and Awakening Incense nourishes the Divine Soul. From the perspective of cultivation resources, current needs are met, and he can maintain his current rhythm of nightly meditation to practice the Fundamental Heart Method.

No one had reminded him that this wasn’t enough; the nightly midnight meditation is just routine. Upon reaching a certain level of cultivation, it’s necessary to purify form and spirit by entering long-term seclusion.

The three elders may not have had the time or considered it not the right time to remind him, or simply didn’t think of it. This is basic cultivation knowledge, and He Kao should be aware of it.

Yet, He Kao truly hadn’t realized until Wei Luo pointed it out today.

He Kao quickly nodded and said, “Thank you for the reminder, I will give it a try.”

Wei Luo: “If you can’t spare seven days, three or five days are also acceptable. Long-term meditation for purifying form and spirit should be at least three days. You can use this time to test your skills, but don’t force yourself if you can’t manage it.”

He Kao: “Is there anything else to consider?”

Wei Luo: “You must have a place of tranquility. If there’s a possibility of unexpected disturbances, someone needs to specially guard it.”

He Kao: “Understood, I will pay attention.”

Wei Luo: “After this meal, I will depart soon. Do you have anything to ask?”

He Kao was thinking and didn’t answer immediately. Wei Luo slightly frowned and said, “If you can’t recall, then so be it! I’m here to bid you farewell, but instead, you’re asking all sorts of questions. Is there nothing else you want to say?”

He Kao: “Safe travels, successful cultivation, Happy New Year! Next time, I’ll treat you to roast suckling pig…”

Before he finished speaking, He Kao suddenly felt dazed, seemed to be distracted, and not just his mind; his body also seemed to be frozen with his brain. Then he felt warmth at the corner of his mouth, a soft and delicate sensation accompanied by fragrance.

By the time he came back to his senses, Wei Luo had disappeared with her belongings outside the door.

He had just eaten some roast pork belly, a bit of oil was on his lips, and now it seemed someone had wiped it off! Did someone just take advantage of him?

He Kao surprisingly wasn’t angry and even blushed as he realized it just now!

He clearly had been sneak-attacked, controlled by Wei Luo’s technique for several seconds. As far as He Kao knew, there are several techniques with similar effects; Wei Luo’s was not Lingxi Skill but should be Spirit Awakening Skill.

This girl also practices Spirit Awakening Skill? With her cultivation level and her relationship with Elder Jiang and Elder Li, practicing Spirit Awakening Skill is not impossible, but unlikely to surpass Tier Five; reaching Tier Three would be impressive, at most Tier Four.

But this doesn’t seem right.

Although He Kao hasn’t practiced Spirit Awakening Skill, he has received complete inheritance and understands its mysteries. The method Wei Luo used was the simplest application of the Fundamental Heart Method, not exceeding Tier Three.

When Wei Luo suddenly cast the technique, He Kao should, in theory, have reacted and countered the action, not allowing her to succeed. But He Kao didn’t do that; he believed Wei Luo had no ill intentions and naturally wouldn’t counterattack.

However, the level of Spirit Awakening Skill she used should only influence a person by guidance, not forcibly change one’s innate will, especially someone like He Kao, a Tier Four Sorcerer.

This implies that if He Kao truly didn’t want it, she likely wouldn’t have controlled him for several seconds… As long as she succeeded, it means in He Kao’s subconscious, he didn’t resist such behavior.

It’s not because He Kao’s thoughts are particularly meticulous to think of these things, but logically deducing from the technique’s mysteries, anyone can reach this conclusion. Just that someone else might not logically deduce in this situation.

What did she mean? Simply took advantage and ran! Did Old Man Jiang know?

Wei Luo is four years younger than He Kao, twenty-two this year, not tall but slender, with delicate features. Although not as plump and sweet as President E, she’s mature and full in her own style… another type of beauty…

“Ahem! What am I thinking about?” He Kao seemed to be looking at a nonexistent mirror, critiquing the self-reflection, “Hum, scum! Hmm, an excellent scum indeed…”

The next day, He Kao finally returned to work in the company, sitting at his familiar desk doing familiar work, and went downstairs to the restaurant for the complimentary buffet lunch.

He had just sat down with his meal when someone placed a tray opposite him and greeted him: “You must be He Kao? I’m Mei Guyu, the new employee in the business department. We’ll be colleagues from now on.”

**

PS: National Day celebration! Happy long holidays! Seeking double monthly votes!

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