The Difference Between Wear and Tear and the Inner Calamity of a Cultivator's Self
Jiang Yan's words about overcoming the tribulation left Zhongli and the others silent for a long time.
Just moments ago, Jiang Yan had faced the tribulation with seeming ease, barely showing signs of exertion.
Yet, no one had expected the sheer number of crises he had navigated.
Every step he took was like walking a tightrope at a perilous height—one misstep, and he would have been reduced to ashes.
After a long silence, Zhongli let out a quiet sigh.
> "To defy the natural order is to invite fatal tribulation. This holds true in any world."
> "And yet, perhaps this very defiance is what makes you immortal cultivators so powerful."
Jiang Yan did not argue.
After enduring such relentless trials, if there were no worthy rewards, then what would be the purpose of immortal cultivation?
Zhongli's gaze flickered with a complex emotion, as though weighing his next words carefully.
Finally, he asked,
> "Tell me… in the path of cultivating immortality—"
Jiang Yan immediately understood what Zhongli wanted to ask. With a knowing smile, he nodded.
> "Yes, in immortal cultivation, there is no such thing as wear and tear."
Zhongli's expression darkened slightly, and Liu Yun and the others beside him looked stunned.
> "Is that so…"
Zhongli let out a bitter chuckle, his sigh tinged with regret.
> "In that case… I truly envy you."
Jiang Yan spoke calmly, explaining:
> "Cultivators seek to harness power from heaven and earth. Lifespan, naturally, is also drawn from heaven and earth."
> "Thus, a cultivator's longevity is in their own hands."
> "In other words, so long as they survive the tribulation and their lifespan remains intact, an immortal cultivator's fate is their own to command."
> "What you call 'wear and tear' is nothing more than shackles imposed by heaven and earth upon your kind—to restrain you."
> "That is why it has no effect on us, who walk the path of breaking heaven and earth's rules."
Jiang Yan's voice carried a hint of amusement as he continued,
> "To put it in terms you might accept—we immortal cultivators are a group of beings who refuse to abide by the laws of heaven and earth. In fact, we despise them most of all."
He then glanced at Zhongli with a knowing look.
> "If my guess is correct, your 'wear and tear' affects not only your body but also your soul and Dao heart, does it not?"
> "When the condition worsens, you likely lose control, unable to recognize friend from foe—reduced to a frenzied state."
Zhongli's expression turned solemn. He pressed his lips together before responding,
> "From the perspective of your cultivation path… would this be similar to what you call an 'inner calamity'?"
Jiang Yan fell silent for a moment before nodding slightly.
> "There are similarities, but the essence is different. The calamity of the self is a tribulation imposed by the Dao—a debt that immortal cultivators must repay."
> "Your wear and tear, however… is largely man-made."
Jiang Yan did not elaborate further, but the way he gazed at the sky with an enigmatic smile made Zhongli understand more than words could convey.
A surge of unspoken fury swelled within Zhongli, his fists clenching. But in the end, he said nothing.
After a long pause, Jiang Yan suddenly spoke in a soft voice,
> "Do you know how long it takes for a cultivator to reach the stage of the inner calamity?"
His words drew the immediate attention of Zhongli and the others.
Jiang Yan raised four fingers.
Liu Yun muttered,
> "Four thousand years?"
That seemed reasonable.
After all, Ruotuo had begun to suffer from wear and tear around four thousand years ago, and Zhongli himself had accumulated it for three thousand years.
But Jiang Yan shook his head.
> "At the very least—four Yuanhui."
Gan Yu looked at him in confusion.
> "Yuanhui? What is that?"
Jiang Yan spread his hands casually.
> "The lifespan of immortal cultivators stretches so long that they can witness the birth and death of countless worlds with their own eyes."
> "In time, they begin to view the passing of years as meaningless."
> "Thus, cultivators measure time in larger cycles. One Yuan consists of twelve Hui. One Yuan spans thirty fortunes. One Yun lasts twelve lives. And one life…"
Jiang Yan paused briefly, observing their expressions before continuing:
> "Thirty thousand years."
Zhongli's hands clenched tightly. A fine crack appeared in the teacup he was holding.
> "One Yuan lasts 129,600 years… meaning the calamity of the self…?"
Jiang Yan shook his head and replied casually,
> "Those who have cultivated to the level of inner calamity have already ascended to the pinnacle of the immortal world. Their longevity rivals the heavens, their radiance akin to the sun and moon."
> "To them, the rise and fall of worlds are fleeting moments. Time itself becomes meaningless."
> "Only when one reaches this stage can they truly understand the terror of the inner calamity—the tribulation of the self after eons of existence."
> "The greatest fear of an immortal cultivator is not combat, but introspection."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
> "But such concerns are far beyond me. I am nothing more than an insignificant little monk who has yet to even achieve immortality."
Zhongli studied him closely.
Could Jiang Yan truly not be considered an immortal?
No… what they cultivated was something beyond simple immortality.
Zhongli let out a wry smile.
Yet, many questions still burned within him—questions that needed answers.
After a brief pause, he spoke again.
> "Earlier, I heard you mention the 'Dao' several times. What exactly is the Dao?"
At that moment, everyone noticed a shift in Jiang Yan's demeanor.
Gone was the relaxed, free-spirited aura.
Instead, he grew solemn, his gaze turning profound.
> "The Dao… is the Dao."
> "It can be anything, or it can be nothing."
> "It can be singular, or it can be infinite."
> "I cannot explain it to you. Each person's Dao is different. There are countless paths, none superior or inferior."
> "But only by finding one's own path can one carve out a greater future."
> "To cultivate immortality—is to cultivate the Dao."
Zhongli seemed to grasp something, though Liu Yun found Jiang Yan's words frustratingly vague.
She scoffed inwardly.
If it weren't for the lingering mystery of the current situation, she would have already torn into his words with her usual sharp wit.
Zhongli hesitated before speaking again.
> "I still have more questions…"
But then he stopped, pursing his lips apologetically.
> "Is this too much? You've just overcome a tribulation. You should rest."
> "If you're tired, we can discuss these matters another day."
Jiang Yan shook his head.
His hand lightly touched the stone table.
The broad sleeve of his robe fluttered gently in the breeze.
And then—
The tea in their cups refilled as though time had reversed.
Around them, the barren trees suddenly sprouted vibrant blossoms, their fragrance wafting through the air.
Gan Yu and the others, previously fatigued, felt their energy instantly restored.
Jiang Yan smiled.
> "This is merely a minor technique in immortal cultivation. No need for surprise."
> "There's no need to wait. A mere tribulation isn't enough to tire me."
> "What we are doing now—this is something cultivators often do."
> "Discussing the Dao, exchanging insights, confirming one's own path—this is a rare and valuable opportunity."
Hearing this, Zhongli felt a subtle warmth. Though his hood concealed his expression, he gave a small nod.
> "Very well… it is an honor to learn from the cultivation traditions of another world."
Zhongli's gaze turned sharp.
> "Then let me ask—how does one achieve the Dao of immortality?"
Liu Yun and the others immediately perked up.