Luo Lianxin was practicing in the Earth Element Grotto to temper her state of mind under her Master's instruction, but unexpectedly, she stumbled upon the solution to a major Dao mystery. A sudden burst of joy lit up her face, but upon seeing Feng Zikang’s vacant expression, she immediately recalled her Master’s teaching: "Be cautious with your words, diligent with your actions, and stern in demeanor." She quickly replaced her pleased look with an icy facade.

“Today I have gained so much from Junior Brother’s insight; I have nothing worthy to repay you with…”

She had intended to remove the verdant bangle from her wrist, but paused after a moment’s thought.

“…I intended to offer some material artifacts, but remembering that Martial Uncle Ye of the Bamboo Grove holds vast collections, my meager possessions would only serve to embarrass me. Instead, I offer a few insights on the path of cultivation, hoping they will aid Junior Brother in your future practice.”

Stingy…

Feng Zikang remained silent. That bangle she was about to take off shimmered with a brilliant light; it must have been a fine item. Who knew that at the last moment, this woman would begrudge giving it away, opting instead to substitute it with a few scattered cultivation notes? What could anyone teach him, Feng Zikang, who cultivated the Great Dao of the Formless Celestial Demon?

However, all methods converge into one; perhaps some principles would be applicable by analogy. He was neither arrogant nor reckless, understanding the merit of drawing from diverse sources, so he settled down and listened intently.

“In the path of cultivation, Junior Brother, the most crucial thing to remember is this: what you cultivate is the Dao, not mere divine abilities or magic arts!”

Luo Lianxin waved her sleeve lightly, and dozens of silver rays shot out, swiftly annihilating the earthen puppets nearby in an instant before gracefully returning to her sleeve.

“Junior Brother, my ‘Ten Thousand Slashes of the Armored Barbarians’ Divine Ability has reached the thirtieth level. With a mere gesture, I can sweep away an army. To the average observer, it is naturally quite astonishing.”

Although her tone held a hint of lament, it was impossible to entirely conceal a measure of proud display. Feng Zikang gasped inwardly. This woman had actually cultivated a mere Yellow-Grade Fifth-Rank divine ability to the thirtieth level? She was already at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage; why wasn't she focusing on Foundation Establishment? Instead, she spent so much effort perfecting this one divine ability—and yet she insisted that cultivating the Dao was more important than cultivating abilities. What exactly did she mean?

“You must naturally be wondering why I say cultivating the Dao is more important than cultivating divine abilities, yet I have personally brought this specific ability to its current highest realm…”

Luo Lianxin maintained an indifferent expression, yet she sighed softly, “I reached the tenth layer peak of the Qi Condensation stage—Great Perfection—last Lunar New Year. However, my Master forbade me from establishing my Foundation, instead ordering me to temper my state of mind here in the Earth Element Grotto. While slaying the earthen puppets, I concurrently practiced this divine ability, and before I realized it, I had brought it to the thirtieth level…”

“What?”

Feng Zikang was profoundly shocked. Which Master in the world would prevent their disciple from establishing a Foundation? As far as he knew, even the descendants of the various Military Schools on Dragon Tiger Mountain were eager to see their disciples reach Foundation Establishment so they could finally show off. The dream of most third-generation disciples was simply to achieve Foundation Establishment sooner rather than later.

Was Martial Aunt Xiao of Moonwater Pavilion truly so eccentric?

“My Master does this for my own good. If the Dao Heart is unstable, forcefully establishing a Foundation, even if it grants temporary advantage, will have a massive impact on future success in immortal cultivation!”

Feng Zikang was intelligent. Hearing Luo Lianxin repeat this emphasis, he understood her meaning without needing further detailed explanation.

To the eyes of a low-level disciple, the path of cultivation seemed to involve cultivating only two things:

One, the Heart Method; two, Divine Abilities.

The Heart Method is the foundation. After officially receiving the Great Dao transmission at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, the level of the Heart Method is almost intrinsically linked to the cultivation stage. Feng Zikang had obtained the True Method of the Formless Celestial Demon early on; perfecting this True Method to the thirtieth level—Minor Perfection—would precisely coincide with the nascent stage of the Demon Fetus. As for the Military School disciples, they also possessed their own true methods. For instance, the Subtle Calculation Heart Method, ‘Strategizing a Thousand Miles to Decide Victory,’ practiced by the Bamboo Grove lineage, would only be transmitted once Feng Zikang reached the fourth layer of Qi Condensation. Only upon perfecting this Heart Method to the thirtieth level would he barely cross the threshold into Foundation Establishment.

Divine Abilities are different. The Military School naturally has various exclusive abilities. Lesser ones include the ‘Splitting Fire Chop’ cultivated by Miao Yuchun, while the strongest is General Lu’s ‘Movement Above the Nine Heavens,’ each with its unique use. Outer sect abilities are harder to cultivate, and applying them with Military School Heart Methods inevitably results in various issues, making it difficult to reach the highest tiers. Yet, these abilities are filled with myriad variations and can often prove useful. For example, the abilities accompanying Feng Zikang’s armor, the ‘Single Bell,’ such as the miscellaneous school’s ‘Instant Step’ and the Pure Land Sect’s ‘Vajra Body Protection,’ are extremely practical. If a sect’s own teachings lacked methods with similar effects, disciples often took up these external skills.

But Heart Methods and Divine Abilities do not constitute the entirety of cultivation.

“The primary focus of the path of cultivation is tempering the Heart. If the Dao Heart is not firm, then the so-called Heart Methods and Divine Abilities are merely illusions in a mirror.”

Martial Aunt Xiao of Moonwater Pavilion did not hinder her favored disciple by preventing her Foundation Establishment; clearly, she intended genuinely to perfect her.

Only a Dao Heart pure as lapis lazuli can cut through obstacles swiftly, making the path of cultivation smooth and unimpeded. If the heart is riddled with doubt, even after establishing a Foundation, or even condensing a Golden Core, further breakthroughs become immensely difficult.

Feng Zikang felt a chill run through him, realizing he had gained an immense advantage today. A casual remark from him had secured a fundamental principle for his future cultivation.

“Junior Brother Feng must know that once one enters the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, one is certain to undergo the Dao Inquiry from a senior member of the sect…”

Feng Zikang nodded. Before entering seclusion, his Master, Ye Tiansheng, had specifically left behind a Sound-Transmitting Golden Bell, just in case he advanced too rapidly and reached the fourth layer of Qi Condensation early. At that point, he could awaken his Master for the Dao Inquiry ceremony and the transmission of the secret Military School Heart Method.

He had initially assumed this was merely a formality, but after hearing Luo Lianxin’s words, he understood it was far more significant.

“The Dao Inquiry is meant to question the disciple’s Dao Heart. Our Military School’s Great Dao, boil it down, is nothing more than the concept of ‘Struggle’—struggling against Heaven, struggling against Earth, struggling against others. If a disciple cannot maintain this Dao Heart, no matter how brilliant their talent, they can only be sent down the mountain to seek another lineage…”

As a Military School successor, lacking the intent to strive for victory truly meant there was no future for them.

“Our Military School emphasizes ‘Struggle,’ the School of Names emphasizes ‘Truth,’ the School of Yin-Yang sees balance as the Dao, and the Miscellaneous School regards inclusion as the rule. Every sect and school has its own Dao, and only the suitable disciple can truly realize their innate potential…”

So that was it!

No wonder the Heart Method was only transmitted at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation. The preceding stages were all preparation, designed to temper and test the disciple’s Dao Heart. If a Military School disciple possessed compassion, benevolence, and a non-aggressive stance, even with supreme talent, they would only be politely escorted away and advised to visit the Ink School in Linzi to learn the methods of the Grandmaster—that would be the righteous path.

“Junior Brother Feng’s talent is exceptional; reaching the fourth layer of Qi Condensation is imminent. Before then, you should spend more time reading Military School classics and contemplating your Dao Heart…”

“Thank you for your instruction, Senior Sister!”

Feng Zikang’s thanks held genuine sincerity. Through this exchange, he had finally grasped the essence of Military School cultivation, which, conversely, was immensely beneficial to his own practice of the Formless Celestial Demon Dao.

Cultivation requires a Dao Heart; cultivating the Demon must similarly require a Demon Heart.

How to truly uphold the genuine nature of the Formless Celestial Demon—that was the part he needed to explore on his own.