Chapter 250 - 140: The Grotto Heaven Method, Zhengquan’s Courtesy

Chapter 250: Chapter 140: The Grotto Heaven Method, Zhengquan’s Courtesy

This was also why the Grotto Heaven Zhenrens of the five sects, when their Dharma bodies roamed, ultimately never strayed too far from the Celestial Waterfall Realm in search of other worlds.

However, Xuzhuang speculated that if a technique for a Second Primordial Spirit existed, perhaps this shackle was not unbreakable. But the Celestial Waterfall Realm had a short history, and its Daoist lineage was monolithic. With no precedent for a Grotto Heaven Zhenren cultivating a Second Primordial Spirit, Xuzhuang couldn’t be certain.

More importantly, although Grotto Heaven Zhenrens, like Primordial Spirit True Men, enjoyed longevity, their cultivation could only grow in tandem with their Grotto Heaven’s origin source.

This process was excruciatingly slow, yet the Three Calamities would not delay by even a single step. This made it extremely difficult for Grotto Heaven Zhenrens to survive them. This was the true reason for the fall of Grotto Heaven Zhenrens among the Five Domains Great Sects and the subsequent changing of the guard.

So, were the methods used by Primordial Spirit True Men to avoid and overcome tribulations—including Innate Spirit Roots like the Cyan and Purple Pearl Fruit—effective for Grotto Heaven Zhenrens? This remained an unsolved mystery.

Of course, even without mentioning the Earth Immortal Ancestor Grandmaster, there was the example of Zhengquan Taoist, who had survived the Fire Calamity. It wasn’t as if Grotto Heaven Zhenrens had no possibility of advancing further.

Lastly, Primordial Spirit Practitioners communed with heaven and earth. The capacity of a cultivator’s Spiritual Sense for things like sudden inspirations and intuitive flashes would be greatly enhanced. And while they couldn’t compare to a master of divination arts like the Immoral Taoist, they would still gain a minor ability to divine heavenly secrets, granting them glimpses of the past and future.

Yet Yang Bijie’s Grotto Heaven Technique made no mention of this. Perhaps this was a fundamental way in which Grotto Heaven Zhenrens were inferior to Primordial Spirit True Men.

All in all, aside from its much simpler method of attainment, the Grotto Heaven path seemed inferior to the Primordial Spirit path in every respect. Although Xuzhuang, with his knowledge, could already imagine some potential workarounds, to someone like him who aimed for the Great Dao, it was a lackluster option at best.

However, Xuzhuang wasn’t too disappointed. He had already firmly chosen the Primordial Spirit Dao long ago. His reasons for seeking out the Grotto Heaven Technique were twofold: first, to learn from its principles, and second, to sever the seed of temptation it had planted in his heart.

Finally, as the acting head of the True Form Temple, he was now involved. Whether one said he had been unavoidably swept up in the Celestial Waterfall Dharma Assembly, or that he simply wanted to make some achievements for the temple he now managed, it wasn’t in his nature to leave the affairs of this realm unfinished.

Moreover, compared to the ethereal and uncertain Primordial Spirit Dao, the Grotto Heaven Technique was, after all, a step-by-step method to achieve the rank of Zhenren. It still had its merits, including techniques to strengthen one’s foundation. Though a bit extravagant, the overall gains were still substantial.

’And while the Grotto Heaven technique might be lacking for someone aiming for the Great Dao, for others it is undoubtedly a path to the heavens. If I bring this technique back to the Tai Su Orthodox Sect, it could greatly enhance our strength. Could this be the real reason the sect established a presence in the Celestial Waterfall Realm?’

’But Senior Brother Daochen also had a chance to obtain the Grotto Heaven Technique, and he refused it...’

’I’ll have to discuss this with Senior Brother Daochen after I return to the sect before making any decisions.’

Xuzhuang pondered for a moment, temporarily setting aside the Grotto Heaven Technique. ’It’s about time I returned to the sect,’ he thought. ’When I do, I can visit Langhuan Tower again and look into the matter of those who take on the title of "Immortal." What’s the story behind that?’

After all, it involved the Immortal Merits that cultivators so desperately coveted, and Xuzhuang remained keenly interested.

However, even though he had decided to return to his sect, he had to wait until the True Form Temple was properly stabilized. Xuzhuang could only leave with peace of mind after, at the very least, the Ancestral Master Jade Statue was properly enshrined in the Ancestral Hall. For now, he might as well use this time to cultivate diligently.

After all, both the Celestial Waterfall of the Celestial Permanence Domain and this Grotto Heaven were rare Blessed Lands for cultivation. And Xuzhuang’s list of cultivation tasks was only growing longer; slacking off was simply not an option.

Just as this thought crossed his mind and he was about to leave, Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. He waited on his seat for a moment, and as he heard footsteps approaching, he called out, "Enter."

At his word, a person entered from outside. This time it was a different disciple, who bowed respectfully and said, "Reporting to you, Venerable. The Zhengyuan Sect has sent a congratulatory gift to celebrate our sect’s ascension into the ranks of the five great sects and taking charge of the domain."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang was slightly surprised. The Zhengyuan Sect was one of the Five Domains Great Sects, and the strongest of them all. This was especially true because its leader, Zhengquan Taoist, was a Grotto Heaven Zhenren who Mingjing Zhenren himself had stated had survived the Fire Calamity. He was the only person among the Five Domains Great Sects in several generations to have overcome such a tribulation.

Although Xuzhuang hadn’t found any records specifically about Zhengquan Taoist, he had discovered that the Zhengyuan Sect once had an exceptionally talented individual who had formed a Top-grade Golden Core. It was easy to surmise this was Zhengquan Taoist. Perhaps this was one of the reasons he had been able to survive the Fire Calamity.

’So, after Long Xiang and Xiyi, the Zhengyuan Sect has also sent a gift,’ Xuzhuang mused. ’Now, only the Star-picking Sect has yet to acknowledge the True Form Temple’s control over the Celestial Permanence Domain. Perhaps Star Pointing Zhenren will never be able to swallow his pride, but I don’t really care.’

After a moment’s thought, Xuzhuang asked, "Is there anything else to report?"

The disciple replied, "The one who delivered the gift from the Zhengyuan Sect is a middle-aged Daoist named Zhengquan. He says the Zhengyuan Sect has another message to deliver personally and requests an audience with you, Venerable."

"What? Zhengquan Taoist came to offer congratulations in person?" Xuzhuang was shocked. No matter what, a Grotto Heaven Master was still a Zhenren, and Zhengquan Taoist had even shown impeccable courtesy.

Xuzhuang dared not show any slight. After a moment’s thought, he rose to his feet and asked, "Where is Zhengquan Taoist now? I will go and receive him personally."

Hearing Xuzhuang’s words, the disciple understood the guest’s esteemed status and had an inkling of who it might be. He quickly replied, "I have arranged for him to wait in the main reception hall by the mountain gate."