Chapter 206: Purchasing books
Studying the Dao scriptures and understanding the Dao teachings is not something that can be achieved overnight. Even if one diligently devotes decades of continuous study, without sufficient comprehension or bad luck, there may not be much accomplishment.
On the other hand, by taking elixirs daily and practicing Refining Qi, one can clearly feel their gradual progress and subtle changes. Moreover, in the Cultivation World, most cultivators are constantly running around for cultivation resources, competing with the heavens for their destiny. They hardly have the time to settle down and contemplate the Dao teachings.
Even the disciples of sects and clans, who are required by their elders to casually read the Dao scriptures, might find it difficult to achieve immediate results, even if they are geniuses. Over time, though the tradition of encouraging younger disciples to read more Dao scriptures persists, even those elders educating the younger generation may see it more as a formality rather than truly believing in the benefits of reading them extensively.
The real treasures are hidden within the mundane and seemingly useless discussions, overlooked and ignored by the world, leaving one speechless. In this Cultivation World, it is primarily dominated by Daoist sects. Even in the mortal world, there is a strong atmosphere of discussing the profound and the Dao, and many insights can be gained from the Dao scriptures written by ordinary people, which can also enlighten higher-level cultivators.
In the Taiyi Sect's history, there have been instances of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs breaking through their realms due to reading an ordinary person's Daoist discourse. Thus, under the covert influence of major cultivation forces, various mortal dynasties actively promote the study of Daoist classics among their people, encouraging them to explore Daoist theories.
In the ancient times of Meng Zhang's past life, the Four Books and Five Classics were the foundation of the literati. In this world, all scholars study various Daoist scriptures.
The imperial court uses Daoist scriptures in their civil service examinations to select officials. Those who excel in the study and comprehension of Daoist scriptures hold a high status in the mortal world and may even become guests of certain major sects in the Cultivation World.
While the major forces subtly promote the development of Daoist teachings, they do not openly reveal the significance of Daoist cultivation. Some cultivators with outstanding aptitude and talents, even if they inadvertently sense the benefits of studying the Dao scriptures and understanding the Dao teachings, may keep it to themselves and rarely reveal it.
At most, they might pass this knowledge on to their close junior disciples and encourage them to read more Daoist scriptures with dedication and contemplation. However, whether these junior disciples can absorb and achieve results from the teachings is another matter altogether.
Given the cautious nature of the Cultivation World, where even the tiniest secrets are treated like something of utmost importance, nobody would selflessly publicize such profound secrets related to cultivation. Even if some outliers do reveal these secrets, how many people would truly believe in them? And even if some do believe, how many would persist in studying the scriptures over time?
As a result, the vast majority of low-level cultivators in the Cultivation World remain in a state of confusion and bewilderment. However, this is not due to their lack of ambition. Their status in society prevents them from obtaining information that is not accessible to others.
Before reaching the Foundation Building stage, Meng Zhang, like most cultivators in the Endless Sea of Sand, was preoccupied with advancing his cultivation base. At that time, managing the sect, dealing with external enemies, and surviving in challenging circumstances all took precedence. There was little time and energy to devote to studying the Dao scriptures.
After reaching the Foundation Building stage, Meng Zhang now has enough time to catch up on this aspect. He knows that within the Endless Sea of Sand, the success rate of forming the core is low, not only due to restrictions on resources and techniques but also because many lack understanding in this area.
Without grasping this knowledge and contemplating the Daoist scriptures, even if one's luck is extraordinary enough to successfully form the core, it will be difficult to make further progress in the future.
Meng Zhang is not content with remaining at the Foundation Building stage for the rest of his life; he aims to break through to Gold Core, Primordial Spirit, and even higher realms. To achieve that, studying the Dao scriptures and understanding the Dao teachings is an inevitable lesson.
He has bought all the Daoist scriptures available in the Wenhua Tower, and fortunately, these are not expensive books that directly aid cultivation. Additionally, Meng Zhang has visited several bookstores in Great Wind City to purchase some rare Daoist scriptures not found in the Wenhua Tower.
After a busy shopping spree, he has filled numerous storage bags with the scriptures and stored them in the flying boat. If time were not limited and the flying boat's capacity were not restricted, Meng Zhang would have considered searching for even more Daoist scriptures.
But for now, he must stop here.
Upon returning to his sect, Meng Zhang plans to place these Daoist scriptures in the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, providing them for free to his disciples to read. Although the benefits of studying and understanding the Daoist scriptures might not be obvious during the Refining Qi stage, Meng Zhang wants to encourage his disciples to read them and cultivate a culture of studying Daoist teachings within the sect.
When some of his disciples reach the Foundation Building stage in the future, Meng Zhang will enforce a rule that requires Foundation Building disciples to dedicate some time to studying the Daoist scriptures. However, whether these disciples can absorb and benefit from this knowledge will depend on their own choices and efforts. Meng Zhang has done what he can; as a Sect Master, he cannot monitor the study progress of each disciple.
Although there is currently only one Foundation Building stage cultivator in the sect besides Meng Zhang, Deep Earth Spirit General, he still aims to cultivate a culture and habit of studying the Daoist scriptures within the sect. While Meng Zhang is deeply engrossed in contemplating how to proceed upon returning to the sect, other cultivators have completed their purchases and returned to the warehouse.
When everyone is almost gathered, they are only waiting for the people from the Qiaoshou Sect to arrive.
Ruan Dadao is getting impatient and begins to complain, "Women are troublesome. They take forever to make decisions when buying things, wasting time."
After waiting for a long time, Jin Qigu and Jin Qiao'er finally rush back, accompanied by several female disciples, their expressions anxious.
Observing the situation, Meng Zhang takes the initiative to greet them, "Sect Master Jin, is there something wrong? Your expressions seem a bit off."
The other cultivators present also look inquiringly, and Ruan Dadao's face is filled with curiosity.
Jin Qigu hesitates for a while, then sighs and slowly begins to speak, "We are all companions traveling together, and I can't hide anything from you."
"I've had some bad luck; I encountered a troublesome individual."
Beside him, Jin Qiao'er sees Jin Qigu struggling and quickly interjects with a slightly tearful voice, "It's not Qigu's fault. It's all Qiao'er's fault that we've gotten into trouble." [Read at /maxnkoga , without ads and support the work.]
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter