Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had gone by. Ye Fan and Pang Bo had gradually adapted to life here, and this change began with a shift in their mindset, slowly accepting everything that had happened.
During this time, the two of them did not engage in any so-called cultivation but focused on absorbing common knowledge and thinking about their future paths. Old Man Wu Qingfeng did not rush them; instead, he took the initiative to impart his experiences and insights into cultivation.
For Ye Fan and Pang Bo, this was extremely important. It wasn't until a month later that they felt fully integrated and understood, feeling ready to begin their cultivation.
"The Life Wheel and the Sea of Suffering are interlinked. Cultivating the Life Wheel inevitably requires cultivating the Sea of Suffering. Therefore, in a certain sense, cultivation starts from the Sea of Suffering."
Cultivation is a difficult process, especially for those who are just beginning their journey to immortality. One must have guidance, otherwise, there's no way to start and no clue how to break through.
"In the next two months, I will help you both step onto the path of immortality and officially become cultivators. After that, I will no longer personally teach you. You will need to go to the Lingxu Cliff and listen to the teachings of the profound laws along with others."
Although Ye Fan had not joined the Lingxu Cave Heaven, Wu Qingfeng did not make him leave when transmitting the teachings, treating him the same as Pang Bo. The old man knew that even if Ye Fan insisted on cultivating, it would not yield any results. Before the Ancient Era, Ye Fan's body was considered the world's top Saint Body, but now it was just a useless body.
For those who are just beginning their journey to immortality, the most important thing is to lay a solid foundation. Only with this foundation can one climb higher in the future. Wu Qingfeng took out a book known as the strongest foundational method in the world... the "Dao Sutra."
The Dao Sutra, a name that speaks for itself, recorded the scriptures of the Great Dao and was considered a supreme method. Legend has it that it was a manual for immortals. In the vast and boundless East Wilderness, only a few ancient texts could be compared to it, and none could completely surpass it.
Of course, Lingxu Cave Heaven could not possess the true Dao Sutra. A mere cave heaven and blessed land did not have that kind of foundation. What they had was just the introductory chapters of the Dao Sutra. Moreover, these introductory chapters were not even unique to the Yan region. If they were, it would certainly have caused a disaster.
There was no doubt that possessing the introductory chapters of the Dao Sutra was a great blessing for talented disciples, as it would solidify their foundation and be of tremendous help in their future cultivation.
Although the foundational method was precious, it was no longer a unique treasure. Therefore, Wu Qingfeng did not avoid Ye Fan and directly passed it on to both of them. The Dao Sutra was indeed an incredibly profound ancient text. Otherwise, it would not have been renowned in the East Wilderness for countless years. Just these introductory chapters contained the highest truths. Despite being only a few thousand words, Wu Qingfeng spent half a month explaining them. Every sentence of the Dao Sutra contained profound meanings and countless mysteries, offering a perfect explanation of cultivation. Even powerful individuals, upon receiving these introductory chapters, would marvel at how foundational cultivation could be so exquisite.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo diligently cultivated every day. According to the Dao Sutra, they first needed to sense their Life Wheel, then guide their vital energy to strike the Sea of Suffering. Throughout this process, there were extremely subtle methods for perception and unique guiding techniques.
However, this alone was not enough. Cultivating on their own was insufficient to break through; they needed someone to guide them with "immortal energy." Wu Qingfeng personally took action every day, circulating the basic techniques recorded in the Dao Sutra, placing his hand on Ye Fan and Pang Bo's lower abdomen.
After more than ten days, Pang Bo finally began to sense something. He became aware of the existence of his Life Wheel, and in the following days, he began trying to guide the vital energy stored in the Life Wheel to strike the Sea of Suffering.
However, Ye Fan still experienced nothing. His Life Wheel remained silent, as solid as divine iron. Even someone as powerful as Wu Qingfeng could not break through the "immortal energy" and could not guide him.
"It's hard to imagine why he has such a physique..." Wu Qingfeng frowned and finally had to give up. He had almost used all of his vital energy to try to impact Ye Fan's Life Wheel, but it remained unshakable.
"Master, please help him once more. Perhaps he will succeed next time," Pang Bo quickly interjected when he saw Wu Qingfeng about to give up.
"Sigh, it's not that I don't want to help. It's simply impossible. With his physique, no one can guide him. In the end, it still depends on him," Wu Qingfeng shook his head.
"How can this be? Perhaps... you could try again?" Pang Bo smiled and requested.
"This type of physique, in the Ancient Era, was known as the first Saint Body. Naturally, it's beyond our comprehension. There must be many secrets that are unknown. It's just that for some reason, it has not regained its former brilliance. Whether it requires a special cultivation method or something else, it's hard to say," Wu Qingfeng explained.
At that moment, Ye Fan was still in a meditative state, unaware of what was happening.
Pang Bo continued, "I think you should investigate carefully. If you discover the cause, perhaps the first Saint Body of the Ancient Era could be restored, and then the Lingxu Cave Heaven would soar to new heights!"
Wu Qingfeng, having lived for so long, was no fool and would not be easily persuaded. He shook his head with a smile and said, "This kind of physique has appeared a few times after the Ancient Era. Even the powerful sacred lands in the East Wilderness were helpless. Do you think Lingxu Cave Heaven, with its meager foundation, has a chance?"
"Huh?"
At that moment, Wu Qingfeng seemed to sense something and immediately placed his hand back on Ye Fan's lower abdomen, gathering all his vital energy to explore.
"Has there been any progress, Master?" Pang Bo eagerly asked.
After a long time, Wu Qingfeng finally withdrew his hand in exhaustion, shaking his head and saying, "The Life Wheel and the Sea of Suffering are still as hard as divine iron, silent and unmoving, without any fluctuations. However, I did sense something strange. His blood essence seems to have become even more vigorous. Although it's repressed and difficult to detect, I sensed a brief fluctuation just now."
"Vigorous blood essence?" Pang Bo was confused.
"Yes, both of you accidentally consumed a sacred fruit and drank the divine spring water in the Ancient Forbidden Land, which drastically improved your physique. Your blood and vital energy are particularly vigorous." Wu Qingfeng looked puzzled and continued, "Despite practicing the Dao Sutra, Ye Fan has not made any progress in sensing the Life Wheel, but his blood essence has become much more powerful. It's even more vigorous than yours."
Pang Bo was stunned and said, "But you said the Dao Sutra is the strongest foundational method in the East Wilderness, and it's a legendary immortal text. It should be highly targeted. The introductory chapters are meant for cultivating the Life Wheel. Why is he cultivating his blood essence instead?"
"That's..." Wu Qingfeng frowned, unable to figure out the reason.
At that moment, Ye Fan opened his eyes. His gaze was bright and full of vitality.
Seeing him so full of energy, Wu Qingfeng was even more confused and asked, "Did you sense the Life Wheel?"
Ye Fan shook his head and truthfully said, "No."
"Then did you feel anything special?" the old man asked again.
Ye Fan did not want to hide anything from him, as the old man had been so kind and dedicated, treating him with respect and never showing any prejudice due to his special physique. He had spent so much vital energy helping him every day.
"Although I haven't sensed the Life Wheel, I do feel very comfortable. My whole body is filled with energy," Ye Fan replied.
"Do you feel any changes?" Wu Qingfeng asked again.
"It feels like I have endless strength," Ye Fan said, before easily lifting a large stone in front of the thatched hut with one hand, remaining calm and seemingly using very little effort.
Wu Qingfeng gasped in surprise, "Looking at you so relaxed, with one arm, you must have at least several thousand pounds of strength. With both arms together, it's probably close to the strength of an elephant."
Pang Bo was equally astonished. He had experienced the same youthful transformation as Ye Fan, and although their strengths had been similar, now he felt that Ye Fan's strength far surpassed his.
After the old man left, Ye Fan suddenly started running, like a gust of wind passing through the small hills. Pang Bo was stunned and said, "Not only has your strength increased a lot, but your speed has also improved!"
In the following days, the old man taught even more attentively because, after a while, Ye Fan and Pang Bo would have to go to Lingxu Cliff to listen to the profound laws with the others.
"Master leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to you. Once you officially step onto the path of immortality, everything will depend on yourself. Lingxu Cave Heaven will provide the profound laws and medicinal liquids, but as for teaching and answering questions, it will all be done collectively. After all, the elders need to cultivate as well, and they won't have the time and energy to teach one-on-one."
"Soon, you'll be going to Lingxu Cliff. Once you're there, be careful to keep a low profile. If you can endure, do so. Don't act impulsively."