Chapter 111: Chapter 109: Root Planting Technique

The Sect Leader of Jingming Tao, unwilling to lag behind, said loudly, “I believe the Spirit Root should refer to the ’root of spirituality’!”

“In the ’Chanting of the Qiao Yao’ by the Pure Yang True Man, it says: Oral transmission without texts, requiring a firm spiritual root. Firm marrow and bone, refining the spirit root, spring in a peach blossom cave!”

“No, no, no!”

The Sect Leader of Louguan Tao shook his head and refuted, “The Spirit Root in the ’Chanting of the Qiao Yao’ is actually the Heavenly Soul among the three souls!”

“The spirit root should be the tongue!”

“In the ’Yellow Court Scripture’, it’s mentioned: ’Water the Five Blossoms to plant the spirit root’, and also, ’The spirit root is firm and never ages.’”

Seeing these two talking eloquently, the Sect Leader of Taiyi Dao couldn’t sit still either.

He smiled slightly and said, “In the ’Yellow Court Outer Scenery Scripture Liangqiu Zi’s Words’, it is recorded: Protect the upper spirit root, which is the tongue; protect the middle spirit root, which is the navel; protect the lower spirit root, which is the essence chamber…”

These four Sect Leaders, each saying their piece, left Elder Song looking bewildered.

What exactly does this spirit root refer to?

Is it the root of life’s origin? Or the root of spirituality? Or perhaps the tongue?

“Four of you, please listen to Taoist Zhenyuan to clear up our confusion!”

Elder Song couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke out directly.

Upon hearing this, the four were taken aback and soon showed a bit of embarrassment on their aged faces.

“We ask the old Taoist to clear our confusion!”

Elder Song spoke up again.

Xuan Cheng and the other three Sect Leaders also turned their gaze over, wanting to understand the true meaning of this “spirit root.”

Lu Heng’s eyelids twitched; this question was a bit out of syllabus!

He hadn’t discussed the specific content of the spirit root with “Zhenyuan” before.

To prevent “Zhenyuan” from being stumped by the question, he quickly said, “The old Taoist mentioned to me earlier that the spirit root is very simple, it’s actually the root of Spiritual Qi!”

“Is that right, old Taoist?”

Lu Heng turned his head to look at Zhenyuan with a slight smile.

Zhenyuan got the hint, nodded slightly, and then continued, “In ancient times, Spiritual Qi was abundant, and people were born with spirit roots.”

“Spirit roots can be divided into different attributes such as gold, wood, water, fire, earth, ice, wind, thunder, yin, and yang.”

“Different attributes of spirit roots require cultivating corresponding cultivation techniques to avoid going astray and dying from an exploded body.”

“During cultivation, the spirit root can absorb compatible Spiritual Qi into the body, refine it, and store it for one’s use…”

Zhenyuan recounted the “setup” that Lu Heng had crafted prior, neither hurriedly nor slowly.

“I see!”

Elder Song didn’t think too much about it; understanding the meaning of spirit root was enough.

However, Xuan Cheng and the other three frowned tightly after listening.

The “spirit root” as described by Zhenyuan and what is recorded in the Tao scriptures are two completely different things!

Especially the three Sect Leaders, who subconsciously clenched their fists.

If the spirit root recorded in the Tao scriptures is what they thought, they might still have a chance to step onto the path of cultivation.

But this “spirit root” connected with Spiritual Qi, where are they supposed to get it from?

The Sect Leader of Jingming Tao couldn’t sit still and asked directly, “Old Taoist, you said that if mortals want to cultivate Tao, they must have a spirit root.”

“So do we have spirit roots, and can we cultivate Tao?”

The Sect Leaders of Louguan Tao and Taiyi Dao also looked over, staring intently at Zhenyuan.

Zhenyuan looked at the three and scanned them one by one.

The three Sect Leaders’ eyes showed hope, naturally hoping to have spirit roots.

However, waiting for them was a negative answer.

Zhenyuan gently shook his head and said: “After the depletion of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, those born with spirit roots are one in ten.”

“And when Spiritual Qi is exhausted completely, there will be no more humans born with spirit roots!”

“This…”

This answer made the three Sect Leaders’ faces instantly turn pale, losing all color.

The immortal path they wanted to pursue was over before it even began.

In contrast, Xuan Cheng seemed much more composed.

Lu Heng couldn’t help but nod to himself.

This cheap master’s state of mind is truly unparalleled!

The huge disappointment of the three Sect Leaders made the atmosphere in the guest hall somewhat silent.

After a while, Elder Song said again, “The spirit root mentioned by Taoist Zhenyuan is closely related to Spiritual Qi.”

“Where there is Spiritual Qi, naturally there are spirit roots; without Spiritual Qi, the spirit roots disappear.”

“Now that Spiritual Qi has revived, will some people develop spirit roots?”

“Naturally!”

Upon hearing this, Zhenyuan nodded slightly and said, “But given the current levels of Spiritual Qi, those born with spirit roots may be very few.”

“Perhaps when Spiritual Qi fully revives in the future, things might be promising!”

“Full revival of Spiritual Qi?”

Elder Song muttered to himself.

According to previous concepts, for Spiritual Qi to fully revive, it would take at least a few hundred, or even a thousand years.

Previously, he thought such a long period was good, providing plenty of time for planning.

But now, he felt this timeframe was a bit too lengthy.

Heaven knows how many unsettling factors might emerge in such a long time.

“Old Taoist, is there no method for those of us without spirit roots to cultivate?”

The Sect Leader of Taiyi Dao asked with an unresigned expression.

The other two Sect Leaders felt the same way.

They thought to themselves that they had single-mindedly pursued Tao, avoiding indulgence, money, and power.

But in the end, they found themselves lacking spirit roots, unable to cultivate Tao; such a result was hard to accept.

“Yes!”

Zhenyuan nodded slightly, saying, “If you lack spirit roots and wish to cultivate, you need ’Root Planting’!”

“There’s really a way?”

“May I ask, old Taoist, what is ’Root Planting’?”

“Can we ’plant roots’ too?”

The three Sect Leaders hurriedly inquired.

Zhenyuan lightly stroked his long beard, smiling as he explained, “The so-called ’Root Planting’ means planting a spirit root.”

“After planting a spirit root, it’s equivalent to having a spirit root, naturally allowing you to embark on the path of cultivation.”

Hearing this, the three Sect Leaders couldn’t help but show pleased expressions.

It seems there is indeed a path given by Heaven!

“May I ask, old Taoist, how does one plant this spirit root?”

The Sect Leader of Louguan Tao couldn’t contain his excitement and asked eagerly.

Elder Song also showed a curious expression.

If ordinary people without spirit roots could be given spirit roots, could they cultivate a group of cultivators before the complete revival of Spiritual Qi?

“Spirit roots are naturally born, planting them afterward is no easy task.”

Zhenyuan shook his head and sighed, “’Root Planting’ is as difficult as ascending to Heaven!”

Upon hearing this, the faces of the three Sect Leaders turned pale once more.

The hope they had just ignited was quickly extinguished.

“Please elaborate, old Taoist!”

The Sect Leader of Taiyi Dao bit his teeth and bowed his head.

“We implore the old Taoist for explanation!”

The other two Sect Leaders mimicked this, bowing to request.

“Since the three young friends want to know the ’Root Planting Technique’, I will tell you about it…”

Seeing this, Zhenyuan solemnly explained, “’Root Planter’ should not be too young, nor too old, must be over eight years old, and under twelve!”

“’Root Planter’ requires a master to help open various meridians within the body, allowing the Spiritual Qi to enter without blockage!”

“’Root Planter’ must consume Spiritual Pills and Spiritual Springs daily to improve the body and eliminate impurities…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep