My Informative Cultivation Life

Just as the palm neared his face, a voice as gentle as a spring breeze and rain suddenly rang in his ears.

"Elder Qi, what's going on? Why did you suddenly make a move against our sect's disciple?" Without anyone noticing, a figure had quietly appeared in front of Yang Ji. With a wave of his hand, a divine light flashed and the square-faced elder's imposing palm of Daoist energy dissipated into nothingness.

"Sect... Sect Master, you..." Elder Qi's movements halted, utterly unexpected that Wang Tianli would intervene.

"Let's hear the full story. I will ensure justice here. There's no need for you, Elder Qi, to jump to conclusions and startle others by lashing out first," Wang Tianli said with a gentle smile.

"Sect Master, this disciple is cultivating the Humanoid Weapon, which is a technique from the Eastern Orthodox Demon Emperor. Our sect's elders have died at the hands of that demon, and I recognize this technique very well," Elder Qi said vehemently.

"This disciple's heart is not righteous, cultivating demonic techniques. I suggest we take him to the life-and-death stage for execution to preserve the integrity of our sect," Elder Qi continued with a harsh tone.

"Oh? A technique from the Eastern Orthodox Demon Emperor, the Humanoid Weapon?" Wang Tianli turned his head and looked at Yang Ji with curiosity.

"Execution? Damn it, this old stick is vicious. Just because you're cultivating a body refining technique, he wants to execute you? If he knew I was cultivating the Demonic Buddha Sutra, would he not flay me alive? Sect Master, the practices of this Dao Sect are too brutal. Why don't we join the Demon Sect?

The technique you're cultivating is from the Demon Emperor; surely, becoming a Demon Child wouldn't be difficult," Buddha Child said in a panicked telepathic message, desperately clutching onto Yang Ji's robe, fearing being discovered and chopped to pieces.

"Execution? You can't kill big brother! He's a good person," Yang Tong suddenly said, scrunching up his nose.

Facing the fierce questioning from Elder Qi, Yang Ji remained even more composed, giving a respectful bow and said in a deep voice, "In disciple's view, there is no such thing as demonic or righteous techniques. Techniques are merely means to pursue longevity. Good or bad depends on the heart, and it is up to the cultivator to control them."

"A mere disciple trying to argue sophistry! Sect Master, I suggest we detain him first," Elder Qi retorted, flinging his sleeve with a cold voice.

"Sect Master, who exactly did this Eastern Orthodox Demon Emperor kill to fill this old man with such deep resentment? To the extent that he vents his anger to such a degree and calls for the killing of his own sect disciples?" Buddha Child muttered angrily, her eyes darting back and forth.

Wang Tianli looked at the two with a smile and said, "Setting aside the technique, there isn't really any grudge between you two, right?"

Elder Qi's expression faltered, and he nodded.

"If that's the case, why the hot temper? Elder Qi, you really should work on that impulsive nature of yours. In front of disciples, it is not proper to lose your composure," Wang Tianli said with a gentle smile.

Elder Qi's demeanor flickered, and he reined in his anger, staring at Yang Ji and saying, "I'm the senior of the Hall of Rewarding Virtue and Punishing Vice, responsible for punishing the evil. Considering your ignorance and the wrong technique you have learned, if you are willing to sever the Humanoid Weapon yourself, you may avoid the sect's punishment.

As compensation, I am willing to provide you with a body refining technique to cultivate."

For me to sever my own foundation? Ridiculous! This was tantamount to destroying his path to immortality, cutting off his road to longevity; it was something he absolutely could not do.

Yet, faced with a situation stronger than him, Yang Ji dared not be overly obstinate, but he couldn't remain silent either; he had to fight for his own interests and thus replied in a modest yet dignified tone, "Isn't what the Elder saying a bit too severe?"

"Severe? You're cultivating the Demon Emperor's technique, it's not severe at all!" Elder Qi scoffed coldly.

Wang Tianli looked at Elder Qi and said with a warm smile, "Not every technique from the Demonic Path is bad, nor is everyone from the Demon Sect evil. That's not the standard to judge all right and wrong."

"Elder Qi, you mustn't let your mood be influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Demon Emperor. If you use this as a pretext to punish our sect's disciple, wouldn't you have lost another game to the Demon Emperor?"

"In my view, the fact that this disciple received the inheritance of the Demon Sect's Sect Master shows that he is a person of great destiny. The technique has fallen into the hands of our Dao Sect disciple; this round was lost by the Demon Emperor, marking the influx of fortune from the Demon Sect to our sect. This is a good thing, so why should we punish him?"

"In a sense, this disciple has even recaptured a victory for you, Elder Qi, and for our sect," Wang Tianli added.

Elder Qi paused, mumbling, "That... There is some sense to what Sect Master says."

Meanwhile, in the Wuji Pavilion, high upon the Ninth Heavens.

All the big shots of the Wuji Dao Sect were watching the matter through the Heaven-Watching Mirror.

Wuji Zi suddenly asked, "Gentlemen, how do you perceive this situation?"

An elder of the Mahayana replied, "Tian Li is not wrong. In a way, our Sect has indeed absorbed some of the fate of his Tianming Demon Sect. Cultivation techniques are just one way of cultivation, and in the end, they must return to the true self. As such a major sect, we shouldn't muddle through the mud; we must raise our sights higher and broaden our minds."

Another Mahayana elder said, "As long as one is loyal to the Sect, does not violate the heavenly principles and human relations, there's no need to be so extreme in our methods. Among us present, who hasn't contemplated the teachings of various schools? Evil and demonic cannot be superficially defined."

"Right and wrong are just a matter of perspective. Since he is one of our Dao Sect members, how can we judge him with the blade of the Demon Sect?" Yet another Mahayana elder spoke.

The beautiful woman suddenly smiled, "Hehe, this is actually an internal matter of your sect. Strictly speaking, I shouldn't interfere. However, since he blocked an Earth Demon for my son, I feel I must speak up for him."

"This disciple, on his own, stood against the Earth Demon for the sake of his fellow disciples, showing his kind heart and bravery—a far cry from those self-serving and cunning."

"Moreover, I've heard of this Humanoid Weapon. It's simply a technique for Body Refining and Divine Cultivation, not one of those demonic practices that consume flesh and gnaw on souls; it cannot be considered evil."

"Our Dao child Fang Wanyang even received the inheritance of the Ancient Demon Emperor Chong Lou, and he's doing just fine, isn't he? Every prominent figure harbors the legacy of many traditions. Without the fate involving the cultivation techniques of various schools, one would merely be mediocrity."

The beautiful woman glanced sideways with a smile, "Sect Master of Infinity, you need not remain silent, for I believe you already have a resolution in mind."

Wuji Zi smiled slightly and said, "Zi Yu is absolutely correct."

He then looked at an elder and instructed, "Tell Tian Li and Elder Qi to let this matter go."

After a pause, he added, "This disciple has good understanding, having integrated the Dharma Aspect of True Rigidity with the Humanoid Weapon, which shows great potential. Besides, his fate is strong; he is a man who plays with the winds and clouds. From today on, begin to notionally assess him according to the requirements for true discipleship.

During this period, do not deliberately interfere with his cultivation, and let's see how his fate unfolds."

The last sentence he communicated via telepathy, heard only by the four Mahayana elders.

...

The Hell Arena.

Above everyone's heads, the vital energy suddenly stirred. A spiraling vortex of spiritual energy quickly appeared in the sky, followed by the emergence of an image.

It depicted a cloud-shrouded expanse of the Ninth Heavens Fairyland, with numerous extraordinary figures seated in meditation.

One of the dignified elders slowly spoke, "By the order of the Sect Master, let this matter be dropped. Elder Qi is not to pursue the disciple's responsibility any further. This disciple's defense against the Earth Demon is meritorious; reward him with one hundred Nascent Soul Pills."

As he spoke, he waved out a stream of spiritual light, showering down in front of Yang Ji, containing the one hundred Nascent Soul Pills.

"Haha, Master, the tables have turned. I was ready to make a run for it, but now it seems there's no need," the Buddha Child said with a chuckle.

Yang Ji was also taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure, accepted the medicine pills, and bowed, "Thank you for the Sect's reward!"

"Hmm, you are a good disciple, I hope you cultivate well in the future, and attain the Dao early," the elder said with a warm voice.

"I will certainly cultivate diligently and not disappoint the expectations of the Sect," Yang Ji bowed and said.

Elder Qi, suddenly hearing the "milder" tone of the conversation above with Yang Ji, was struck with a chill in his heart. He glanced at Yang Ji and immediately cupped his hands toward the sky, "I will comply with the Sect Master's orders!"

"Hmm!" The dignified elder nodded, then turned to Wang Tianli, "Tian Li, take the injured disciples back for recuperation."

Wang Tianli gave a slight smile and nodded in agreement.