Chapter 7: Old Deng, Are You Finally Going to Surrender the Burning Secret?

“Old Li, how do you find my divine skill?” Lu Ge stared intently at Lao Dan, his face full of anticipation.

Lao Dan stroked his beard and smiled, “Not bad, it can be considered a minor divine skill.”

Lu Ge was taken aback—minor divine skill?

Lao Dan continued, “Divine skills are divided into two types and three levels.”

“The two types refer to innate divine skills and those obtained through self-enlightenment.”

“The three levels are minor divine skills, great divine skills, and supreme divine skills.”

“Your divine skill, called the Big Dipper’s Fatal Sword Qi, is not something you comprehended on your own. Instead, it was granted by the Big Dipper constellation in the heavens when you wielded my Seven-Star Sword.”

“This is an innate divine skill.”

“When one first acquires such a skill, they understand the effect but not the underlying principles.”

“To fully master it as your own, you must spend many nights observing the stars and comprehending the path within.”

Lu Ge felt a sudden clarity; he was still self-aware.

He had only studied the Way for a few months—how could he have fully grasped a divine skill so quickly?

Indeed, with the Big Dipper hanging high in the sky, it made sense that the divine skill they granted was innate.

“Now, let me explain the three levels of divine skills.”

“Minor divine skills are means to manipulate the great path of material energy.”

“For instance, your Big Dipper’s Fatal Sword Qi channels starlight.”

“Similarly, the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth function this way.”

“Great divine skills involve the perception of intangible, illusory paths.”

“Like time, space, fate, and cause and effect.”

“As for the supreme divine skills, they touch the very origins of heaven, earth, and the cosmos, possessing the power to reshape the world.”

At this moment, Lao Dan dropped all pretense.

This discourse on divine skills was not something any ordinary mortal could utter—even revered Taoist sages in history would not dare.

Only those of mythical lore would truly understand such matters.

After hearing Lao Dan’s explanation, Lu Ge grasped a basic understanding of divine skills.

“Hey, I have a few questions.”

Lu Ge raised his hand.

“Since I have no cultivation base and no magical energy, how am I able to wield this Big Dipper’s Fatal Sword Qi?”

“Surely it’s not consuming my vitality or energy, right?”

Lu Ge felt he had to clarify this point to avoid suddenly dropping dead while using it.

Lao Dan laughed heartily, “You’re overthinking.”

“All cultivators practice spells and divine skills as means of protecting their path.”

“Do you know the difference between spells and divine skills?”

Lu Ge pondered and answered, “Divine skills are more powerful than spells?”

Lao Dan nodded, “That’s only part of it.”

“Spells are simplified versions of divine skills.”

“Many cultivate, but few possess exceptional innate talent.”

“Many have only a shallow connection with the Way and might never touch divine skills in their lifetime.”

The (1/3) page

“Therefore, later generations simplified divine skills into various spells.”

“Divine skills are like instincts, freely controlled without consuming anything.”

“Whereas spells require the use of one’s magical energy to pry open the great path of heaven and earth, triggering a reaction to unleash power.”

Lu Ge understood.

Simply put, spells consume energy, but divine skills do not.

“So, if I wanted, I could continuously release this Big Dipper’s Fatal Sword Qi for twelve hours straight?”

Lao Dan nodded, “Naturally.”

Lu Ge’s eyes brightened.

What was this? Unlimited power?

This was too thrilling.

“Now that you’ve obtained a divine skill, you should also understand a bit about cultivation.”

Lao Dan looked at Lu Ge.

Lu Ge’s spirit lifted.

Old Dan was finally going to hand over some secrets of the Flame Technique?

“I divide cultivators into two kinds.”

“One kind is like me—no meditation, no absorption of cosmic energy.”

“Simply comprehending the great path until divine skills arise naturally, and longevity follows.”

“The other kind is like those described in your later tales.”

“Absorbing the cosmic energy, cultivating magical energy, either forming a core or refining the primordial spirit.”

Lu Ge and Lao Dan discussed various paths of cultivation.

Lu Ge hoped to glean fragments of the Flame Technique from Lao Dan’s words.

But usually, Lao Dan only smiled faintly when such topics arose.

Sometimes he’d change the subject or simply not answer.

Unexpectedly, today he brought it up proactively.

“Old Li, which method of cultivation do you think suits me best?” Lu Ge asked curiously.

Lao Dan shook his head and smiled, “Cultivation should not be rushed.”

“Calm your heart.”

“Restrain the restless mind and curb the wild thoughts.”

“Otherwise, whichever path you choose, you will struggle to succeed.”

Lu Ge’s only virtue was that he listened well.

With Lao Dan’s advice, he forced himself to quell his impatience and relax.

“From now on, continue as before.”

“Morning tending cattle, afternoon discussing the Way.”

“But at night, there is one more thing you must do.”

Lu Ge quickly raised his hand, “Observe the stars.”

Lao Dan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, “Exactly.”

That night.

As darkness fell, Lu Ge moved a bamboo mat outside into the courtyard.

The (2/3) page

The Blue Ox looked on curiously.

“Isn’t it still before summer? Why are you out here cooling off already?”

Lu Ge shook his head, “I’m not cooling off.”

“I am observing the stars.”

The Blue Ox nodded in understanding and fell silent, watching Lu Ge.

Lu Ge lay on the bamboo mat, gazing at the vast starry sky.

At first, nothing special—the stars looked no different than usual.

But gradually, he seemed to see seven large stars in the night sky begin to radiate brilliant light.

Moreover, these seven stars grew larger and larger, even surpassing the size of the sun and moon.

Hmm?

Something was wrong.

Those seven stars appeared to be falling.

Watching the seven giant stars seemingly plummet toward him, Lu Ge panicked and sprang to his feet.

All the strange phenomena suddenly vanished.

Lu Ge looked around and realized it was already dawn.

“Awake?”

The Blue Ox approached.

“You said you’d observe the stars at night.”

“You only looked for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn last night—how did you fall asleep?”

The Blue Ox tilted his head in puzzlement.

Lu Ge scratched his head, “Huh?”

“I fell asleep?”

“But I feel very clear-headed.”

“I even saw the Big Dipper falling from the sky.”

The Blue Ox rolled his eyes.

“You say you weren’t asleep?”

“How could the stars fall in reality?”

“You must have started dreaming after gaining the divine skill yesterday.”

Hearing the Blue Ox’s words, Lu Ge was momentarily unsure whether it had been a dream.

Inside the house, Lao Dan heard the conversation between man and ox and shook his head slightly.

This old ox was fine in all respects except for his fondness to tease children.

According to Lu Ge, seeing the stars fall clearly indicated some understanding of the path of stars.

When one can embrace the stars, it marks the true beginning of the path.

However, Lao Dan did not reveal this outright.

Enlightenment depends entirely on oneself.

Too many external words only mislead.

After all, the Way lies between heaven and earth; everyone has their own insight.

If Lao Dan spoke too much, Lu Ge’s understanding would become Lao Dan’s Way rather than the Way of heaven and earth.