Clarifying the Mind

On the second day of the Dharma assembly,

Today was even more lively, but since everyone present was a cultivator, there was no need for mortals to watch the discussions.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be like putting on a monkey show?

At this moment, a huge open space was filled with people, which was the place where the discussion was about to begin.

Since everyone here is a noble and elegant cultivator, this discussion of the Dao cannot be a chaotic brawl among a group of people; that would be undignified.

However, it's too time-consuming to have one person go up and discuss the Dao with another person after the discussion is over.

So what should we do?

The organizer, Famen Temple, came up with a solution: to allow people to go up and discuss the Dao, they either needed a recommendation from a powerful being at the Golden Core level or above, or a representative from Famen Temple would draw lots.

What if I don't get a recommendation or get drawn in the lottery?

Then you can't participate. Famen Temple's explanation for this is that you simply don't have the opportunity and can only accept your fate.

Yes, that's the reality.

With the prestige of Famen Temple in place, no one would have any objections. Those who could afford to offend Famen Temple wouldn't risk offending them over a debate, and those who couldn't afford to offend them would dare not say anything.

After Yu Zhao learned about this rule of discussion, she couldn't help but give Famen Temple a thumbs up in her heart; this rule was really quite outrageous.

At this moment, the person in charge of the discourse at Famen Temple stepped onto the stage and loudly proclaimed:

"The discussion is now beginning. Fellow Daoists participating in this discussion, please come up to the stage according to your number."

The drawing of lots and the recommendation were completed in advance, and the selected person could go on stage with a number to discuss the doctrine.

Yu Zhao was naturally chosen as well, thanks to the recommendations of Monk Huizhen and Qingxuan. It's worth mentioning that Shen Yunshu was not selected.

Qingxuan felt that her cultivation level was too low and there was no need for her to go on stage and get beaten up, so he did not recommend her.

The monk Huizhen simply didn't take Shen Yunshu seriously, so naturally he wouldn't recommend her.

However, what intrigued Yu Zhao was that even with her junior sister's good fortune, she hadn't won the lottery. She had reason to suspect that there was something fishy about the lottery.

However, she didn't say it aloud, but only comforted Shen Yunshu.

Shen Yunshu didn't care. With her cultivation level, if she didn't use all her methods, it would be difficult for her to achieve good results even if she went on stage to discuss the Dao.

Without good grades, there are no prizes to be won, so she wasn't very interested.

As soon as the monk from Famen Temple finished speaking, two people jumped onto the high platform and began to discuss the Dao.

Yu Zhao had been watching with great interest, but as she looked on, her expression began to falter.

That's it?

Are you sure you are Foundation Establishment cultivators?

How could someone be so bad at this?!

It's no exaggeration to say that she could take on a whole group of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

She could even take on a group of enemies when she was at the Qi Refining Realm.

Soon, this debate, a battle of wits between two novices, came to an end.

Several more matches followed. Yu Zhao initially thought that the previous ones were exceptional, but as she watched, she realized that all the Foundation Establishment cultivators seemed to be quite weak.

Midway through, one of the opponents was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator who was at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, and the fight ended up being evenly matched.

You guys are fixing the match, aren't you?!

Yu Zhao thought to himself, "This is what I'm thinking."

Not only did Yu Zhao notice how weak these people were, but Shen Yunshu did too. She whispered in Yu Zhao's ear:

"Senior sister, are these really Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

At this moment, Zhang Yanqiu, who was standing nearby, heard this and spoke up, but his words were not so tactful.

"Do you think they're weak?"

The two women were speechless, thinking to themselves, "Do you have to be so direct? Wouldn't you offend people for no reason if someone overheard?"

Given Zhang Yanqiu's status, he was naturally unafraid of offending anyone, and he continued speaking as if nothing had happened:

"It's normal to be weak. Those who have taken the stage are either rogue cultivators or disciples from small sects. They lack powerful protective techniques and supreme cultivation methods, so they are naturally weak."

"Judging from what Senior Brother Zhang said, it seems that it's difficult for rogue cultivators and disciples of small sects to produce prodigies?"

Shen Yunshu asked this question.

Zhang Yanqiu did not answer the question directly. Instead, he asked in return, "In Junior Sister Shen's opinion, what constitutes a prodigy?"

After thinking for a moment, Shen Yunshu replied: "Exceptional comprehension, innate affinity with the Dao, or perhaps a special physique or bloodline."

"Then let me ask you again, even if you have high comprehension, what can you do with an ordinary cultivation technique?"

No matter how close you are to the Dao, you can't possibly comprehend anything out of thin air. Besides, special physiques or bloodlines require resources to be accumulated if you want to turn them into combat power.

Where would independent cultivators or disciples of small sects find such resources?

Even ordinary disciples of major sects cultivate techniques that allow them to absorb spiritual energy several times faster than independent cultivators. What can independent cultivators use to compete? And how can they produce geniuses?

Zhang Yanqiu's words reveal a stark reality in the cultivation world today: what independent cultivators and disciples of small sects may spend their entire lives pursuing is what even ordinary disciples of large sects need for their daily lives.

At this moment, Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu both realized that their luck was truly extraordinary.

In terms of background, they were no different from rogue cultivators, but the cultivation techniques, spells, and magical treasures they obtained were all top-notch.

The reality for true independent cultivators and disciples of small sects is that they have very few magical artifacts, and those are all of the lowest grade.

They could crush these magical artifacts with their bare hands.

Realizing this, neither of the women was in a good mood. It wasn't that they felt grateful for the hardships faced by rogue cultivators and disciples of small sects, but rather that they were struck by how clearly the cultivation world was divided into different classes.

Those from privileged backgrounds have an advantage, while those from humble backgrounds fall behind at every turn.

Even if one has the opportunity to cultivate to the Golden Core Realm, one is still weaker than a cultivator of higher birth among those of the same level.

Because they have few cards to play and few options.

This further solidified the two women's resolve to find a reliable backer.

"Been taught a lesson."

The two women bowed to Zhang Yanqiu.

This made Zhang Yanqiu a little embarrassed. He didn't think he had done anything that deserved the two women's gratitude, so he returned the greeting.

"You two are too kind."

While the three were talking, the debate on the stage continued. Looking at the debate on the stage again, Yu Zhao's mindset changed.

It's no longer about looking down on someone for being weak, but about feeling sorry for their hardships.

On this path to immortality, cultivators of humble origins like them face extraordinary difficulty with every step.

They walked with exceptional stability, and Yu Zhao had a feeling that they would eventually reach a point of ultimate transcendence.

Their Dao heart is more resilient than that of disciples from higher backgrounds. They cannot compare to those in the Foundation Establishment stage, nor to those in the Golden Core stage, but as long as they continue to walk this path with such determination, there will eventually be a day when they can surpass them.

However, this is too difficult; both good fortune and strong luck are indispensable.

Yu Zhao had initially thought her path to immortality was not smooth, but compared to these people, she suddenly felt incredibly lucky.

She has an advantage, and the cultivators she comes into contact with are all wealthy and noble, and they also have a certain amount of luck. It can be said that she has no shortage of connections, resources, and luck.

If this doesn't lead to the supreme path, then I'd truly be a pig.

At this moment, Zhang Yanqiu noticed with puzzlement that her junior uncle seemed to have changed; her Dao heart seemed to have become more steadfast.

So what happened? Why does this junior uncle suddenly seem so full of fighting spirit?