Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree

Yang Yan opened his eyes, casting a dubious glance at the disciples before him.

He had just used the Power of the Spirit to survey his surroundings, only to find that someone had disappeared without a trace.

This meant that someone had evaded his Spirit God's detection.

Either the person's spiritual realm was not weaker than his own, or they had entered the Spirit Ocean!

The former was almost impossible.

Could it be that Yang Yao had made a breakthrough?

The Spirit Ocean, also known as the Spiritual Wilderness, or Spiritual Network, is the fundamental heightening destination at the end of the Martial Arts path, also known as the second world for martial artists.

Yang Yan's gaze finally rested on Ji Jingqiu.

The latter seemed asleep but not entirely, breathing evenly and lengthily,

When Yang Yan's Spirit God probed, the spot where Ji Jingqiu was sitting appeared as nothingness in his spiritual sensing.

At this moment, what he saw with his eyes and what he felt with his spirit formed a stark contrast.

His expression grew increasingly grave.

This was not something that could simply be explained by meditation…

Could this young man be the one rumored to be talented?

He stared at Ji Jingqiu for a long while, as if having perceived something, his eyes gradually deepening, revealing a hint of worry as he looked at Ji Jingqiu.

…

The pointers on the wall moved steadily.

Zhang Xingshan was the first to open his eyes among those present.

The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was to look at the clock on the wall.

"One hour and thirty-seven minutes; you have not yet practiced martial arts and your vitality is weak, this amount of time is still acceptable. In the future, this old man will guide you several more times, mastering meditation is just a matter of duration."

Yang Yan's voice transmitted to his ears, filled with the kindness and expectations of an elder.

Zhang Xingshan's face showed joy, as meditation was the first major threshold of Martial Arts.

But he quickly noticed that he was the first to wake up among everyone present!

Even Luo Xi and another peer woke up later than him!

The pleasure in his heart quickly subdued, he took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions within.

This was not a test, but it was no different from one.

Under such circumstances, waking up later meant a deeper first meditation, and a higher likelihood of entering meditation autonomously in the future!

And in this session, he had already lost to Ji Jingqiu and Luo Xi.

As time trickled by, martial arts hall disciples woke up one after another.

Luo Xi was the fourth to wake up, which did surprise Yang Yan somewhat.

From the previous reactions, this girl's Spirit God strength should be similar to Zhang Xingshan's, yet she surpassed his two disciples in her first meditation.

This would have been quite a pleasant surprise in the past.

But today…

Following Yang Yan's whispered instructions, everyone got up, tiptoed in the dark, and left the room.

During this, everyone tacitly took three steps and then looked back, gazing at the "Starving Tiger Holding a Knife" under the slanted sunlight as if deep in thought, feeling as if they had realized something, yet as if they had not realized anything at all, truly frustrating.

Zhang Xingshan's and Luo Xi's gazes, however, kept unconsciously shifting.

Looking towards the silhouette in the darkness that was turned away from them.

It was as if the Mid-grade Visualization Map on the wall had lost its appeal.

Still in the meditative state now, other than the eldest disciple Yang Yao, there was only Ji Jingqiu, who started training on the same day as the other two.

…

Dusky light escaped through the gaps in the curtains, casting shadows on the wooden floor.

The Purifying Divine Incense had long been burnt out, leaving only a few strands of its lingering scent in the room.

After Yang Yao had risen and left, Yang Yan stared at the wall's pointers in a trance.

It's been over four hours, and the boy showed no sign of "coming out of meditation."

When would this wait end…

Yang Yan coughed softly, the Spiritual Waves undulating, awakening Ji Jingqiu.

Moments later, Ji Jingqiu came out of meditation and slowly opened his eyes.

Master Yang was sitting in front of him; all the other brothers and sisters had left, leaving just the two of them.

In Master Yang's sunken eyes was a glow of profundity and wisdom; he cut to the chase:

"Jing Qiu, I will address you so for now—"

"Before today, you had already mastered a Visualization Method, and successfully entered meditation, right?"

Ji Jingqiu was momentarily taken aback, choosing to conceal the truth to a certain extent: "Yes, I was fortunate recently to have grasped a Visualization Method by chance, but I have no concept of Martial Arts cultivation, which is why I came to the Martial Arts Hall, hoping to learn the specific practices of the Visualization Method."

He did not hide the fact that he had grasped a Visualization Method but did not reveal which specific Visualization Method he had mastered.

He had already faintly realized that Visualization Maps might be extremely precious.

Just lucky…

Yang Yan silently mulled over these words in his heart.

It was a bit embarrassing to say.

Hint to Zhang and Luo to deliver the Purifying Divine Incense sooner rather than later was just in passing.

His real intention was to use Ji Jingqiu's first meditation as an opportunity to drive home the point how arduous Spiritual Cultivation truly is, to warn him not to aim too high without foundation, and to reassure him that beginning from the ground up with Practicing and learning Martial Arts is the true path.

But now, it seems...

He still needs to say these words, but in a different way, and for entirely opposite reasons.

Master Yang spoke with a heavy tone: "From today on, you must put aside the practice of Visualization Method and fully commit to Pile Skill, temper your physical body, and strive to complete Opening Veins as soon as possible!"

"Please bestow your teachings, Master Yang." Ji Jingqiu said, his face filled with confusion.

To him, Spiritual Cultivation was key to alleviating suffering, but now Master Yang was insisting on putting it on hold to focus on Practicing Piles; wasn't this getting things backwards?

Master Yang sighed:

"A tree without roots, a flower all alone, in silent meditation, with Qi turning to bone."

"In the practice of Martial Arts today, both life and spirit are essential. Yet, your spirit cultivation has far outstripped your physical strength; your body is exceedingly frail, a perilous sign."

"Since ancient times, many geniuses like you have had smooth sailing in spiritual cultivation, deducing the late year from a single falling leaf, becoming obsessed with it, sitting in meditation to comprehend the grand Dao of Heaven and Earth. But in the end, most lose themselves in the vast expanse, withering away in their seat."

Ji Jingqiu felt somewhat ashamed. Was he also considered a genius?

He merely happened upon an unexpected affinity with the Visualization Method.

"By laying it down, does Master Yang mean stop all activities related to visualization?"

Ji Jingqiu pondered for a moment before asking.

Yang Yan thought for a while and replied diplomatically:

"Do you mind telling me why you are so fixated on the Visualization Method?

While spiritual cultivation is certainly important in the practice of Martial Arts, it is only one aspect. Our physical body is the essence, the vessel that carries us through life."

"I am ill."

"…?"

Yang Yan was caught in a rare moment of bewilderment.

If it weren't for the utter sincerity in Ji Jingqiu's tone, he would suspect the boy was teasing him.

"I am a sufferer of Evil Poison Disease; I recently found that practicing the Visualization Method can alleviate the pain during an outbreak."

Yang Yan's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably.

"You're a sufferer of Evil Poison Disease?!" He grabbed Ji Jingqiu's arm incredulously, "How have you managed to survive until now?"

He was well aware of the gene-editing craze from 120 years ago and knew full well what the term "Evil Poison Disease" meant.

"I guess it's because I don't want to die."

Ji Jingqiu said with a smile, as if making a light joke.

He didn't use this opportunity to share his sufferings or recount the hardships of the years.

Some hardships are better savored alone.

After a moment of silence, Yang Yan watched the young man seriously.

The latter had no trace of bitter resentment or self-pity on his face; he merely sat there calmly, earnest and clear-eyed.

Master Yang loosened his grip, feeling strangely moved within.

"So that's how it is," he murmured softly.

He seemed to have found answers to some questions, still shocked and puzzled, though.

Adversity can indeed temper a person and strengthen the spirit, but that wasn't the reason for Ji Jingqiu's ease in entering meditation and igniting the Heart Fire.

Spiritual cultivation is not just about enduring hardship but also about "preserving one's true nature" and "breaking through the torment."

The latter two are the fundamentals of spiritual transformation.

Since ancient times, when disasters were rife, how many lost and displaced faced deadly crises? And among them, how many saw through the dust of confusion and attained sudden enlightenment?

There are very few named in the history books.

Take himself, for instance, after over a century of Martial Arts practice, he has only reached Residence, not knowing if he could touch Pan Ding in this lifetime.

After a long silence, Yang Yan suddenly spoke:

"Since you have persisted till now, heaven has not forsaken you. I will show you two paths that can completely liberate you from the snare of Evil Poison Disease!"

Ji Jingqiu immediately sat up straight, his expression solemn.

Yang Yan raised his first finger and said earnestly:

"The path of Martial Arts, where the ordinary flow with the current and geniuses ascend to the heavens.

In the Body Refining Realm, if you can open the Heavenly Person Door and break through the Five Limits of Heavenly Person, you will be qualified to attempt Reverse Innate!

The ancients say, 'My destiny is mine, not heaven's. To reverse to Innate is to change one's Innate Physique fundamentally, a core transformation. Even Evil Poison Disease would vanish in a snap!'"

"How difficult is this path?" Ji Jingqiu's eyes were fierce with passion.

"As tough as reaching the heavens!"

Yang Yan answered without hesitation,

"The Five Limits of Heavenly Person are the strongest foundation of Martial Arts in the Body Refining Realm, the very limit of current Martial Arts theory!"

"And Reverse Innate is the strongest foundation of the True Seed Realm!"

"Only the Martial Arts Geniuses are able to break through these two barriers!"

Ji Jingqiu was silent for a moment before asking, "What about the second path?"

"Fetal Breathing! Beyond Pan Ding is Fetal Breathing!"

"This step can also fundamentally transform one from Innate. And this step is also only within reach for the truly gifted!"

"Jing Qiu, these two paths are not conflicting. Having endured the very depths of hell since birth, how could you be content with a mediocre life? You are a talented person. Why not venture to higher, broader realms of Heaven and Earth?"