Home / Entry: I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World / Chapter 157 : tells the whole story of the path of cultivation!

Read free on Ficlyn

Entry: I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World

Chapter 157 : tells the whole story of the path of cultivation! · Sep 29, 2026

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter

Chapter List (317)

Page number / 7

151 Chapter 151 : Feng Jiu’s Journey to the Demon Realm! 2026-09-29
152 Chapter 152 : Supernatural Powers, the Path of Slaughter, Late Stage of Void Refinement! 2026-09-29
153 Chapter 153 : If one reaches the Tribulation Transcending Realm, what’s wrong with slaughtering all the demons in this world? 2026-09-29
154 Chapter 154 : Bestowing a Treasure! 2026-09-29
155 Chapter 155 : No Refining Required, A Thought Is Enough! 2026-09-29
156 Chapter 156 : Mount Buzhou, Preaching! 2026-09-29
157 Chapter 157 : tells the whole story of the path of cultivation! 2026-09-29
158 Chapter 158 : The Demon Realm, the Demon Ancestor’s Incarnation Descends! 2026-09-29
159 Chapter 159 : Isn’t the name of this top-grade innate spiritual treasure a bit too long? 2026-09-29
160 Chapter 160 : The Old Tradition: The Magic Duel Tournament! 2026-09-29
161 Chapter 161 : Changing tracks to continue the great cause of sacrificing the common people! 2026-09-29
162 Chapter 162 : The Grand Stage of the Spirit Realm is in Turmoil Once Again! 2026-09-29
163 Chapter 163 : Primordial Chaos, Limitless Destruction, Heavenly Punishment of the Great Demon Lord! 2026-09-29
164 Chapter 164 : The Birth of Miaohua! 2026-09-29
165 Chapter 165 : Ling Wuchen’s Journey to the Central Plains! 2026-09-29
166 Chapter 166 : Tao Qian! 2026-09-29
167 Chapter 167 : of the ”Primordial Qi Dao Scripture” has been updated to the Celestial Immortal version! 2026-09-29
168 Chapter 168 : Our Great Love Alliance members have something to look forward to again! 2026-09-29
169 Chapter 169 : Golden Entry: The One and Only Supreme Dream Master in All Ages! 2026-09-29
170 Chapter 170 : The Five Elements Immortal Golden Body of the Great Luo Heaven! 2026-09-29
171 Chapter 171 : A True Friend is Hard to Find! 2026-09-29
172 Chapter 172 : The Situation in the Spirit Realm! 2026-09-29
173 Chapter 173 : Yingluo’s Ascension! 2026-09-29
174 Chapter 174 : Feng Jiuge Awakens the Power of the Star God! 2026-09-29
175 Chapter 175 : Auspicious Beast, Jade Kirin! 2026-09-29
176 Chapter 176 : If this is how you surrender, you might as well just kill yourself. 2026-09-29
177 Chapter 177 : Master! Save me! 2026-09-29
178 Chapter 178 : Lu Yunzhou, a rogue cultivator from the Eastern Continent! 2026-09-29
179 Chapter 179 : Words become law, annihilation and burning of the heavens! 2026-09-29
180 Chapter 180 : The Sun and the Moon! 2026-09-29
181 Chapter 181 : Ah Lan, how come there’s a monkey inside this rock? 2026-09-29
182 Chapter 182 : New Entry: Three Lifetimes of Reincarnation 2026-09-29
183 Chapter 183 : The Ancient Demonic Dragon, Ao Cang! 2026-09-29
184 Chapter 184 : Our Great Immortal Venerable Doesn’t Cause Trouble, But He’s Not Afraid of It Either 2026-09-29
185 Chapter 185 : Guarding the Mortal Realm for Three Thousand Years! 2026-09-29
186 Chapter 186 : Demons Enter the Spirit Realm! 2026-09-29
187 Chapter 187 : Devouring Bones, Jiang Mingzi! 2026-09-29
188 Chapter 188 : A Demonic Being at the Fusion Realm, Slaughtering the Chu! 2026-09-29
189 Chapter 189 : The Nine Nether Ice Phoenix Arrives at the Azure Wave Sect! 2026-09-29
190 Chapter 190 : Knowing it’s a dream, yet forced to believe it 2026-09-29
191 Chapter 191 : A spirit pet? Touching and rubbing it is perfectly normal; it has nothing to do with being perverted. 2026-09-29
192 Chapter 192 : Cangwu Realm, Shen Qingyi 2026-09-29
193 Chapter 193 : This woman, could she be the reincarnation of an Immortal Emperor? 2026-09-29
194 Chapter 194 : Teaching the Way of the Sword! 2026-09-29
195 Chapter 195 : Breakthrough to Immortal King Realm! 2026-09-29
196 Chapter 196 : New entry: Nine Netherworld Reincarnation Underworld - Orange! 2026-09-29
197 Chapter 197 : Shen Qingyi Enters the Supreme Creation Lesser Luo Cave Heaven! 2026-09-29
198 Chapter 198 : Bestowing Treasures and Transmitting the Dharma! 2026-09-29
199 Chapter 199 : A Person from the Immortal Realm, True Monarch Xuanming! 2026-09-29
200 Chapter 200 : Gathering Information 2026-09-29

157: Chapter 157 tells the whole story of the path of cultivation!The three-month deadline was approaching.

Inside the Supreme Creation Small Luo Grotto-Heaven, at the Taiyi Dao Sect’s base, these days were exceptionally lively.

The Disciples packed up early, in groups of three or five, heading towards Mount Buzhou.

Some carried packs, some held food boxes, and others had dug out meditation cushions from somewhere, holding them in their arms.

Along the road, shadows were flickering, a continuous stream of people.

There were young Qi Refinement Stage Disciples, walking with light steps, their eyes full of anticipation.

There were Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples, their expressions calm, their steps steady.

There were Golden Core Stage True Disciples, their auras restrained, moving forward in silence.

There were also Taiyi Dao Sect deacons and Elders, in twos and threes, conversing in low voices.

Further ahead, one could see Xuan Chenzi and Yun Chenzi, one after the other, stepping onto the mountain path.

The two old men did not walk fast, but every step was extremely steady, as if this were not mountain climbing, but performing some solemn ritual.

The mountain path wound around, with stone steps stacked layer upon layer, leading straight to the clouds.

No one flew on Magic Treasures.

No one used evasion techniques.

No one even dared to walk too fast.

Everyone was following those stone steps, climbing upwards step by step.

On both sides of the mountain path, clouds and mist swirled, as if walking in the clouds.

Some stopped for a moment, looking down the mountain, only to see the road they had come from hidden in the clouds and mist, with no end in sight.

Looking up again, the summit was still far away, with the outline of a platform faintly visible.

At the foot of Mount Buzhou, many Disciples had just arrived.

The lowest cultivation was only at the Early Stage of Qi Refining.

In the outside world, such cultivation could not even manage flying on Magic Treasures.

Even climbing the mountain was quite strenuous.

But they did not hesitate, lifting their feet to step onto the mountain path, climbing upwards step by step.

Some walked for a while, then were panting, sweat appearing on their foreheads.

”Rest for a while?” a companion asked.

”No rest.” The person shook their head. ”The Longevity Dao Lord is giving a lecture, this is a rare opportunity. Even if I have to crawl, I must crawl to the summit.”

Having said that, they gritted their teeth and continued.

A passing Senior Brother saw this and nodded slightly, but did not offer to help.

When the Longevity Dao Lord lectures, one listens with the heart and comprehends the Dao.

If one has to cheat on the mere labor of climbing a mountain, how could one calm their heart when listening to the lecture?

Thus, everyone climbed on their own, with no one helping and no one complaining.

The three-month deadline finally arrived.

At the summit of Mount Buzhou, on the platform, it was empty.

Only one meditation cushion was placed quietly in the center.

Around the platform, it was already full of people.

Taiyi Dao Sect Disciples, from Qi Refining to Golden Core, sat in order.

Further back were the deacons and Elders.

Xuan Chenzi and Yun Chenzi sat in the front row, eyes closed and focusing.

Lin Wei and Elder Chen also sat cross-legged on the rocks not far away.

They could have come directly from the Hall of Longevity, but they also chose to climb the mountain to get here.

At this moment, everyone sat quietly waiting.

No one spoke.

No one moved around.

Only a breeze blew past, causing robes to flutter slightly.

At this moment, on the topmost meditation cushion, faint ripples appeared.

A figure appeared out of thin air and sat peacefully upon it.

The person was dressed in a black robe, with a restrained aura, as if they had merged with Heaven and Earth.

The person who arrived was Gu Yan.

Or rather, the Longevity Dao Lord.

Everyone felt a shiver in their hearts and bowed their heads in unison to pay respects.

Gu Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

From Qi Refining to Body Integration, from young Disciples to elderly Elders, everyone sat upright with reverent expressions.

He withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly:

”The path of cultivation has no fixed method.”

”Some seek speed, Undergoing Tribulation in a hundred years, ascending in a thousand.”

”Some seek stability, taking steady steps, letting success come naturally.”

”Some seek power, slaying Yao Beasts and demons, nourishing the Dao through battle.”

”Some seek the heart, cultivating in seclusion, ignoring worldly affairs.”

”However, what is the Dao?”

Gu Yan paused.

Everyone held their breath and focused.

”The Dao is the beginning of Heaven and Earth, the mother of all things.”

”The Dao is formless and faceless, without beginning or end.”

”The Dao can be comprehended but not sought, can be attained but not taken.”

”You all have been cultivating until now, have you ever thought about what you are cultivating?”

”Some Cultivate power, splitting mountains with a punch, severing rivers with a sword.”

”Some Cultivate techniques, summoning wind and rain, moving mountains and filling seas.”

”Some Cultivate the heart, clarifying the mind and seeing one’s nature, comprehending the Dao for longevity.”

”But where does power come from? Where do techniques come from? Where does the heart come from?”

”They all come from the Dao.”

”The Dao generates One, One generates Two, Two generates Three, Three generates all things.”

”All things bear Yin and embrace Yang, harmonizing through the blending of Qi.”

”For those who Cultivate, what they seek is merely to return to the source and merge with the true Dao.”

”How does one return to the source?”

”Observe the Dao of Heaven, and uphold the actions of Heaven.”

”The Dao of Heaven diminishes the excessive and supplements the insufficient.”

”The Dao of man diminishes the insufficient to serve the excessive.”

”Those who Cultivate should align the human Dao with the Heavenly Dao, seeking the infinite through the finite.”

”However, what is finite? The Physical Body, the Primordial Spirit, the Lifespan.”

”What is infinite? The Dao.”

”Seeking the infinite through the finite is like measuring the sea with a gourd, or looking at the sky through a tube.”

”Therefore, the path of cultivation does not lie in seeking, but in comprehending.”

”Comprehend one part, and you advance one step.”

”Comprehend ten parts, and you reach the summit.”

”Comprehend to Perfection, and you merge with the true Dao.”

Hearing this, some were lost in thought, some were enlightened, others were confused.

Gu Yan looked at these reactions, understanding in his heart.

Some had listened and understood.

Some did not understand.

Some thought they had understood, but actually did not.

Some did not understand, but kept it in their hearts, perhaps to comprehend it in the future.

He continued to speak, with a certain rhythm that went straight into people’s hearts.

”The beginning of cultivation lies in refining the Qi of Heaven and Earth for one’s own use.”

”Day by day, month by month, the Qi within the body becomes purer, thicker, and more condensed.”

”When Spiritual Qi is full, one naturally reaches Foundation Establishment.”

”Foundation Establishment is the building of the Dao foundation.”

”The Physical Body is the boat, the spirit is the rudder, the Dao Heart is the sail.”

”If the boat is not sturdy, it is difficult to cross the sea of bitterness.”

”If the rudder is not steady, one easily enters the path of confusion.”

”If the sail is not straight, one drifts with the wind.”

”Therefore, the path of Foundation Establishment lies in prioritizing all three, none can be missing.”

”Some prioritize the Physical Body, tempering it day and night, achieving copper skin and iron bones, impenetrable by blades or spears.”

”However, no matter how strong the Physical Body is, there is an end to it.”

”When the final limit arrives, the skin bag decays, where will the Primordial Spirit rest?”

”Some prioritize the spirit, focusing the mind and gathering Qi.”

”However, if the spirit is stronger than the Physical Body, the flesh and blood are like duckweed without roots, scattering with a single gust of wind.”

”Some prioritize the Dao Heart, contemplating day and night, clarifying the mind and seeing one’s nature.”

”However, even if the Dao Heart is clear, without cultivation to support it, it is like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water—visible but untouchable.”

”Therefore, those in Foundation Establishment must prioritize all three to reach the great Dao.”

Everyone nodded silently.

These principles, it was not that they did not know them.

But in their daily cultivation, there was always a bias.

Hearing Gu Yan point it out, they suddenly realized that they had been drifting off course all along.

Gu Yan did not pause and continued:

”Taking a step further, when one’s spiritual power condenses into a core, it is the Golden Core.”

”The way of the Golden Core lies in condensing without dispersing, gathering without chaos.”

”Once the Golden Core is formed, one is considered to have truly entered the gate of cultivation.”

”Above the Golden Core is the Nascent Soul.”

”The Nascent Soul is the embryonic form of the Primordial Spirit.”

”When Qi and spirit merge, the Nascent Soul gradually grows stronger.”

”When the Nascent Soul is stable, one can prepare to break through to the Soul Transformation.”

”Soul Transformation is the metamorphosis of the Nascent Soul into the Primordial Spirit.”

”Once the Primordial Spirit is formed, one can leave the Physical Body and travel ten thousand miles in a day.”

”Above Soul Transformation is the Void Refining Realm.”

”Void Refining is refining the Void, comprehending the Laws of Heaven and Earth.”

”This Realm cannot be reached by simply accumulating Spiritual Qi.”

”It requires comprehending the Dao, Undergoing Tribulations, and clarifying the mind to see one’s nature.”

”Some are stuck at the Peak of Soul Transformation for hundreds of years, never finding the way in.”

”Some have an Epiphany overnight and step directly into the Void Refining Realm.”

”This is the difference between having comprehension and not.”

”However, the Void Refining Realm has a wonderful aspect.”

Gu Yan’s tone paused slightly.

Everyone perked up their ears.

”Once you step into the Void Refining Realm, you are truly transcending the limits of Lifespan.”

”From then on, there is no more talk of Lifespan exhaustion.”

”Theoretically, as long as you are not killed or encounter a tribulation, you can live for a long time, with a Lifespan equal to Heaven and Earth.”

Everyone heard this and their hearts shook violently.

Longevity?

True longevity?

Those Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples immediately felt infinite yearning in their eyes.

Even Void Refining Cultivators like Xuan Chenzi and Yun Chenzi felt their hearts surging.

Although they had entered the Void Refining Realm, they had never thought deeply about the four words ’infinite Lifespan’.

Hearing Gu Yan say it personally, they finally knew exactly what step they had reached.

However, Gu Yan changed the subject.

”However, Heaven and Earth have balance, the Great Dao is impartial.”

”If it grants you longevity, it must also grant you tribulations.”

”After stepping into the Void Refining Realm, every three thousand years, a Great Heavenly Tribulation descends.”

”This tribulation is called the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, and some call it the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.”

”Rolling Heavenly Thunder, tribulation fire burning the body.”

”Yin wind eroding the bones, Heart Demons disrupting the spirit.”

”If you pass it, you gain another three thousand years of Lifespan and continue to live freely.”

”If you fail, your body dies and your Dao dissipates, your Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.”

”And each tribulation is more powerful than the last.”

”The first time might only be nine bolts of Heavenly Thunder.”

”The second time, Heavenly Thunder and Earth Fire arrive together.”

”The third time, Heart Demons and tribulation fire descend together.”

”Each subsequent time is ten times more dangerous than the previous one.”

Everyone listened, their spirits trembling.

So this longevity actually requires one’s life to exchange for it.

A tribulation every three thousand years, each one deadly.

Pass and you live, fail and you die.

This is the Heavenly Dao rewarding diligence, and also the Heavenly Dao being heartless.

Gu Yan looked at everyone’s reactions and found it amusing.

But he remained calm on the surface and continued:

”However...”

Everyone was stunned.

”You are currently within my Supreme Creation Small Luo Grotto-Heaven.”

”This world is self-contained, and although it has connections with the outside Major Thousand Worlds, it can conceal the Heavenly Secrets.”

”In short, that Heavenly Tribulation cannot sense you.”

”Even if it is time to undergo the tribulation, the Heavenly Tribulation cannot find you.”

”Therefore, as long as you do not leave this world, you do not need to worry about that three-thousand-year Great Tribulation.”

Everyone was stunned.

Immediately, someone couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

”Does that mean we get longevity in this Grotto-Heaven without Undergoing Tribulations?”

”Seems that is the meaning...”

Someone muttered in a low voice, was glared at by a Senior Brother beside them, and quickly shut their mouth.

But the joy in their eyes could not be hidden.

Xuan Chenzi and Yun Chenzi looked at each other and also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they had entered the Void Refining Realm, to say they were not worried about that three-thousand-year Great Tribulation would be a lie.

Now that they knew the Grotto-Heaven had this wonderful use, the heavy stone in their hearts finally fell to the ground.

Gu Yan let everyone digest for a moment and continued:

”After Void Refining is the Integration Stage.”

”Body Integration is the merging of the Primordial Spirit and the Physical Body, and the merging with Heaven and Earth.”

”From this point on, every move and action aligns with the Heavenly Dao.”

”A single thought moves, and Heaven and Earth respond.”

”This is the Integration Stage.”

Gu Yan spoke to this point and looked at where Lin Wei and Elder Chen were.

The two had calm expressions, but their eyes were flickering with light.

Clearly, they understood these words the most thoroughly.

Gu Yan withdrew his gaze and continued: ”Above Integration Stage is Mahayana.”

”Mahayana is the Perfection of Dao cultivation, with achievements reaching the level of creation.”

”At this Realm, one can integrate what one has learned and form one’s own school.”

”However, after Mahayana, there is still the Tribulation Crossing Realm.”

”The Tribulation Crossing Realm is also divided into nine levels.”

”Cultivators in this Realm are already standing before the threshold of Ascension, only one step away.”

”However, this step is extremely difficult.”

”Outside Cultivators, from the moment they step into the first level of Tribulation Crossing, every time they break through a level, a Heavenly Tribulation descends.”

”The power of this tribulation is no less than the Great Heavenly Tribulation that occurs every three thousand years in the Void Refining Realm.”

”Heavenly Thunder and Earth Fire, Yin wind and Heart Demons, layer upon layer of added pressure, every step is terrifying.”

”The first level of Tribulation Crossing is a gate to the underworld.”

”The second level of Tribulation Crossing is another life-and-death tribulation.”

”Until the ninth level of Tribulation Crossing, a one-in-ten survival chance, only then can one ascend to the Immortal Realm and become a Human Immortal.”

”Therefore, there is a saying in the outside world: of those at the ninth level of Tribulation Crossing, not one in ten survives.”

”Those who can reach the ninth level of Tribulation Crossing are one in ten thousand.”

”Those who can pass the nine levels of Heavenly Tribulation and ascend are even rarer than phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.”

Everyone listened, their hearts jumping with fear.

After Mahayana, there is actually such a dangerous path.

Nine levels of Tribulation Crossing, nine levels of Heavenly Tribulation.

Each level is a life-and-death test.

This path of cultivation is simply risking one’s life.

Gu Yan continued:

”Precisely because the path of Tribulation Crossing is too dangerous, many outside Cultivators seek external help.”

”Some search for Heaven And Earth Treasure to refine Tribulation Crossing Magic Treasures.”

”Some visit Grotto-Heavens and blessed lands, using the terrain to dissolve the tribulation’s might.”

”There are also some...”

”Searching for those with great Luck, and forming Karma with them.”

”Borrowing the other’s Luck to help oneself undergo the tribulation.”

”Those with great Luck are favored by Heaven and Earth, and tribulations naturally dissipate.”

”If one can form a bond with them, it is like sharing a bit of Luck, and one can find a glimmer of hope in that life-and-death situation.”

”Therefore, there are often old monsters in the Tribulation Crossing Realm searching everywhere for young Cultivators who possess great Luck.”

”Either taking them as Disciples and cultivating them carefully.”

”Or becoming Dao Companion, living and dying together.”

”Or planting Karma, waiting for the future.”

”What they seek is nothing more than that glimmer of hope.”

Everyone heard this and was lost in thought.

A person with great Luck...

In this world, is there really such a person?

In the crowd, a young Disciple was slightly stunned.

It was Ye Chen.

He heard Gu Yan mention a person with great Luck and remembered something.

When he was in the Spirit Realm back then...

It seemed he had met a powerful female Cultivator.

At that time, he was being chased by a Yao Beast, severely injured and dying, falling into an abyss, his Physical Body almost completely dissolved.

Fortunately, the other party helped him recast his Physical Body, so he survived, and from that moment on, his cultivation speed increased dramatically.

But afterwards, the woman said nothing and turned and left directly.

Ye Chen thought, could he also be a person with great Luck?

Had his Luck been borrowed?

Gu Yan’s gaze swept over the crowd, paused on Ye Chen for a moment, and then moved away.

He didn’t say much.

He continued: ”After the ninth level of Tribulation Crossing, it is Ascension.”

”Ascending to the Immortal Realm, achieving the status of Human Immortal.”

”From this point on, one is truly on the path to immortality.”

”However, I will not talk about the Immortal Realm today.”

”Talking too much will only disturb your Dao Heart.”

”You only need to know that the path of cultivation is long and arduous.”

”Ten days of lecturing, today it is complete.”

Everyone was stunned.

It has already been ten days?

They were immersed in Gu Yan’s lecture, completely unaware of the passage of time.

Gu Yan’s figure gradually faded.

Only one sentence remained, echoing in everyone’s hearts.

”The path of cultivation is beneath your feet, and also within your heart.”

”I am merely a guide; how far you can go depends entirely on yourselves.”

The voice dissipated.

On the meditation cushion, it was completely empty.

For a long time, Xuan Chenzi slowly stood up and bowed deeply towards the meditation cushion.

Yun Chenzi followed closely behind.

Then came the Elders and Disciples.

On the summit, everyone bowed, their expressions reverent.

After the rites were finished, everyone began to descend the mountain.

Still following those stone steps, step by step, they walked down slowly.

Some walked down the mountain with light steps, their eyes bright.

Some walked down the mountain with furrowed brows, lost in thought.

Some walked down the mountain muttering to themselves, as if reciting something.

Some walked down the mountain, suddenly stopped, and sat cross-legged on the spot.

A moment later, the person’s aura surged, and they actually made a Breakthrough on the spot.

Others saw this and were not surprised, just bypassed them from a distance, not disturbing them.

This was the lingering effect of Gu Yan’s lecture.

Ye Chen followed the crowd down the mountain, walking neither fast nor slow.

The events just now were still swirling in his mind.

A person with great Luck, that powerful female Cultivator.

He shook his head gently and stopped thinking about it.

In any case, he was now in the Longevity Dao Lord’s Supreme Creation Small Luo Grotto-Heaven, which could conceal Heavenly Secrets, so he thought he wouldn’t have his Luck borrowed by others again.

He just needed to live the present steadily, and when his cultivation was successful in the future, going to the Spirit Realm again would not be a bad thing.

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter