?

  Xiaobai said he wasn't afraid of hardship or pain, but Bai Mao didn't take it seriously. With a flick of his donkey eyes: "This isn't about whether you're afraid or not! Those who know difficulty and still advance are the brave ones. Without difficulties, they create their own, that's just stupid. Many times, taking a detour is actually the shortcut, sharpening the knife doesn't mistake chopping firewood, this saying won't go wrong."

  "But you said that being afflicted by calamity is something all cultivators must experience, I won't be able to avoid it either?"

  Bai Mao: "You're an amateur, lucky to have met a great master like me. If you had met another skilled cultivator, it would've been troublesome. Let me explain a few more things to you." Bai Mao then told Xiao Bai three more things.

  Firstly, even if Xiaobai is not afraid of hardship and pain, it's still difficult to maintain that clear and empty state in meditation without getting distracted, making it hard to practice. It would take a very long time to get used to it, but Bai Mao doesn't have that much time to wait.

  Secondly, the relapse of the disease is not only during meditation, but also when the body is subjected to stress. At that time, Xiaobai's left leg and right arm will become weak and numb, until he succeeds in his tribulation or has no choice but to give up. If he were a hermit living in the deep mountains, it would be fine, but Xiaobai is Luoxue's bodyguard. If he becomes half-crippled for a long time, he won't even be able to keep his rice bowl, let alone other things.

  Third, although the tribulation of the body cannot be avoided, the ways in which different schools and sects undergo the tribulation are not the same. The Golden Elixir Great Way starts with cultivating one's life and then, after piercing through the heart and nature to achieve great completion, cultivates both nature and life together, so that when undergoing the tribulation of the body, it is inevitable to re-experience pain. However, some schools are different, such as Buddhist cultivation, which mainly focuses on cultivating one's heart and nature during this trial, and reliving past pains in a state of stillness to "wash one's heart and refine demons". Although it may also feel very painful, it does not affect daily actions or the physical body.

  At that time, Qi Ye was not a Buddhist disciple, but he understood those Dharma methods. He just hadn't practiced them himself because his heart sought a different path. Of course, he didn't want Xiao Bai to become a monk or a lay practitioner at home. Instead, he considered whether he could borrow similar Dharma methods to let Xiao Bai take a seemingly crooked shortcut. Ordinary people wouldn't have such bold ideas, but Qi Ye was no ordinary donkey. His own temperament wasn't suitable for Buddhist cultivation, but looking at Xiao Bai's personality, it seemed like the right path. However, since there was no established method for transmission, Qi Ye needed to create his own. Therefore, he had to think carefully again, and these past few days could be described as racking his brains.

  "Baimao, you're really good to me, thinking of everything so thoroughly, it's really hard on you! ... Fortunately I met you, if I followed someone else and practiced blindly, who knows what kind of problems would arise." Xiaobai sincerely thanked him with deep feeling.

  Bai Mao: "Don't thank me yet, wait until you've mastered the Taoist techniques before saying anything. Actually, I want to teach you an introductory method that not only has no one tried before, but even I myself haven't tried it."

  Bai Shaofeng: "Someone has to be the first to eat crab, after all! ... Ah, I remember that when you were in the mortal world, you were a great sect leader, known for being open to teaching anyone who came to pay respects. So how did you teach back then? It's different from what you're saying today, isn't it? If I had met you back then, wouldn't I have been out of luck?"

  Bai Mao: "The situation is different, having no distinction in teaching is not false, but it also requires adapting to the individual's ability and making choices to guide them. I naturally understand this principle! At that time, I just used this as an excuse to gather people and expand my power, which is a kind of cunning tactic, unrelated to the orthodox way of cultivating and spreading the teachings. With so many people, how could I possibly instruct each one individually? Moreover, some people learned but didn't put it into practice, if they didn't go astray or get possessed by evil spirits, that's already a blessing. I only taught the most direct and convenient method, there will always be someone who understands, and once some people taste the sweetness, more people will admire me, spread my teachings, and follow me."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Baimao, you were quite bad at first!"

  Bai Mao: "Am I wrong? Those who achieve great things must have methods! Besides, 'the master leads the way, but cultivation depends on each individual'. Many people have problems because of their own issues, can't blame me!"

  Bai Shaoliu: "I myself have been injured, so I shouldn't blame you. You taught me how to cultivate and I should thank you. However, knowing that someone will cause trouble and not taking it seriously is not good."

  Bai Mao was somewhat displeased: "Isn't that someone else's business from years ago? I'm not like that with you now... Never mind, since you've come today don't waste the time, tell me what's been going on these past few days? I'll help you think it over."

  In these seven days, many things have happened, especially after Luoshuihan returned to China. Xiaobai told Baomao one by one, and just halfway through, Baomao said "Luoshuihan's life is not long". Xiaobai thought about it carefully and felt that it was not unreasonable, and he was silent for a long time with a heavy heart. Baomao knew his emotions were low and advised: "Luoshuihan has enjoyed all the wealth and glory in this life, there's nothing to regret, people will die eventually."

  Bai Shaoliu: "I'm thinking of Luo Xue, she's still young."

  Bai Mao: "At the age of sixteen, she's not young anymore. There are some things that everyone has to go through, it's just that her situation is more complicated. You said she's learning Western magic, what kind of spells does she know?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "You reminded me of something, I was just about to ask you, do you know what a werewolf is?"

  Bai Mao: "In those days, there were many wolves in the Zhongnan Mountains. Some of them had spiritual intelligence, but I never met a wolf demon that could transform into human form. It's not strange for demons to have spiritual intelligence and cultivate, but it's rarely seen."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Yokai? How interesting! Let's talk about that later. What I'm saying isn't a wolf yokai, but a human! Do you know what 'Power Awakening' is? It's a ritual, seemingly a Western-style cultivation technique."

  Bai Mao: "I haven't really studied the Western monk's and Taoist's set, but that's okay. Don't just blurt out a name without thinking, explain things clearly and I'll take a look at what kind of skills they have."

  He told Bai Mao everything that Gu Ying had taught him in class, how he met Wu Tong in the park, and what Wu Tong said and Gu Ying's explanation. After listening, Bai Mao smiled: "What Gu Ying is learning is probably an ancient traditional witchcraft technique, possibly with some changes, but the ultimate achievement is still 'materialization' divine ability. The cultivation sect I know also has similar Taoist techniques, although they are different, but the root will not be too far apart. She insists on calling it 'Power Awakening', it seems to have been influenced by Western culture, this combination I don't know if it's good or bad, in short, it doesn't count as an evil technique. Even if Luo Xue that little girl can't learn well, the teacher pays attention and the possibility of learning problems is not great."

  Bai Shaoliu: "I'm not worried about her having problems, I'm worried that person is a wolf."

  Bai Mao: "Congratulations, you can take in a younger brother now! You're on your own, and I won't be able to use my divine magic anymore. We'll have to find some people to help you out."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Take him in as a younger brother? Do you have a way to cure his illness? Gu Ying understands those ways, but she doesn't have a good method either."

  Bai Mao: "She may have a good cultivation, much stronger than yours, but how can she compare to me? Although I'm not clear about the wolf's ritual, from the symptoms, I can guess roughly - using the method of concentrated mind to seek wisdom in stillness, triggering the power of thoughts. However, he doesn't have any cultivation methods for his heart, so it's natural that he finds this sudden spiritual power hard to control. Earlier, I mentioned the seven inevitable trials in cultivation, one of which is 'Demon Realm'. In my opinion, no matter what 'Fallen Soul' is, it's actually a kind of Demon Realm heavenly calamity."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Right, right, right. Gu Ying also said that after falling, it's equivalent to selling one's soul to the devil."

  Bai Mao: "Those people can say whatever they want, but this way, the methods of salvation are limited. Only a firm belief in God is the only way out. Their mental cultivation is so simple and direct, passing through all the heavenly tribulations with it; otherwise, they would go to hell, which is even more ruthless than my tactics back then!"

  "Do you have another way?"

  Bai Mao: "I'm not in cahoots with Yang Jiao, of course there's a way. There are many ways to eliminate the demonic realm. Bring the person here for me to take a look one day, and I'll ask them clearly and know what to do. Even if they can't be cured, can't you still control them? This person is simply tailor-made for you. Three days later, I'll pass on a set of spells to you. Even if he can't free himself, with your characteristics, you can perfectly control this kind of person and use his superhuman strength at will."

  Bai Shaofeng: "You really know everything! Let's focus on curing him first, I'm not interested in controlling him... Hmm, didn't you say to come back and find you in seven days? Why are you saying three days later to teach me a set of skills?"

  Bai Mao had a hint of a smile in his heart, and it was clear that he had other plans. Xiao Bai could sense it, but couldn't understand it more clearly. He only heard Bai Mao's words: "The foreign toys you introduced today gave me many hints, and I suddenly understood how to teach you! I'll also play with the thing that combines things, using a feasible method. You don't have to wait seven days, just three days later will do. At that time, I won't just teach you one fundamental Dao method, but also ten cultivation techniques, among which three are for you to cultivate."

  Xiaobai was shocked: "Either you can't think of any, or you teach ten at once! I learned three, what about the remaining seven?"

  His smile grew thicker as he explained to Xiao Bai again: The levels of cultivation in the world are divided into three categories: Dao, Fa, and Shu. Dao is the spirit, directly referring to the realm of cultivation; Fa is the body, which is the way to verify one's cultivation; while Shu is the application, which can be used with various magical methods. In actual cultivation, Dao, Fa, and Shu are often integrated and difficult to separate, so people often say Dao Fa, Dao Shu, and Fa Shu. Baimao wanted to teach Xiao Bai a set of Dao Fa as the foundation for his cultivation, while also passing on another auxiliary Fa method, as well as ten applicable Shu methods.

  Why teach so much? In fact, it's no problem for Bai Mao to teach him thirty kinds of spells. He's just worried that Xiao Bai won't remember or learn them. The foundation of the Taoist method is naturally what Xiao Bai learned himself, and Bai Mao specially created it for him. As for the others, Xiao Bai needs to learn another auxiliary method and three spells, and this set of auxiliary methods as well as seven other spells are actually prepared by Bai Mao to teach others. Who are these people? Including Wu Tong, Bai Mao has thought very thoroughly, even thinking of the Black Dragon Gang - all these people can be taken in through some means.

  At the time when Bai Mao was "teaching" Xiao Bai, in the largest and most advanced hospital in Wuyou City, Ai Si sat anxiously in the ward waiting for the legendary "divine doctor" Hong Jiao, accompanied by the hospital's president and neurosurgery director. Ai Si was eager to save her son and would try anyone, even though she knew some were just quacks; medical experts all said Huang Ya needed a miracle to wake up, and miracles don't make sense.

  But Ai Si was not confused, she invited the "divine doctor" to see Huang Ya Su this afternoon, and also worried that something unexpected would happen, so she asked two experts from the hospital to watch on the side. The hospital director and dean were originally unwilling to have such a thing happen in their own hospital, but Ai Si had already decided that they could not stop it either, which was Ai Si's face, they would rather not go through professional knowledge than not go through money.

  The dean and the director accompanied Ai Si to speak, originally wanting to advise her not to have too high expectations for Jianghu practitioners, but Ai Si just frowned and looked at Huang Ya Su on the hospital bed without saying much. The two of them chatted and went off topic, starting to talk about strange things they had heard in the hospital, and the director told the dean a story that happened in the pediatric department.

  Recently, a young mother took her several-month-old daughter to the hospital for vaccination. This was her first time taking the baby out alone. After returning home from the hospital, the daughter became unwell, sleeping restlessly in her crib and crying weakly, unlike her usual energetic self. More seriously, the child refused to drink milk, even when the nipple was placed at her mouth, she wouldn't suckle! Not only did she refuse to eat, but her body also had mild convulsions, which occurred even when she was asleep.

  The mother found that the child was not right and was also anxious, so she called her husband who was at work to come back home. Her husband came home and saw that his daughter was different from usual, so he asked his wife if their daughter had been frightened when they went out today? His wife thought carefully but couldn't remember any time when the child had been frightened, except for going to the hospital. The couple thought the child was sick, so they took a taxi with the child and went to the hospital again, but the doctor didn't find any problem after checking.

  The doctor couldn't find anything wrong, but the child's symptoms persisted. The anxious father remembered his own mother and called his wife's mother who lived far away. She told him a folk remedy over the phone, so he took his wife and daughter home. After dark, when there were no longer any idle people outside, around 10 o'clock, the husband took one of his daughter's small clothes out the door. He walked around near their home, stopping at each intersection to call out his daughter's nickname. About a minute later, he returned home. After covering the child with the little garment, the child who had been crying and fussing for half a day fell asleep, and when she woke up, she was completely back to normal!

  Later, the mother took the child to the hospital for a physical examination and told the doctor and nurse about the incident. Everyone was amazed. The parents of other children in the ward began to discuss it, with some saying that there must be evil spirits outside stealing children; others said that the child's bright eyes saw something eerie and got scared, losing his soul; and others said that the child's mother had a weak "yang" energy after giving birth, so when she took the child out alone, he was affected by yin energy. ... The director's story had reached this point, not only was the hospital president curious, but even Ai Si looked up and listened carefully.

  In the ward, a story was being told. Outside the ward, in the corridor far away, three people came, including Zhang Taoyu who had been here before, and another one was Zhang Taoyu's friend Mimi Cat. Walking among the three was a man in his 40s. These three were all wearing neat woolen suits today, walking while talking.

  Zhang Taiyu: "Master, why do we have to wear Western suits? I still think wearing a long gown is more impressive!"

  The middle-aged man, who was called the Master, frowned and replied: "Didn't I tell you? From now on, don't call me Master anymore! It's like we're a cult or something. In front of outsiders, call me Director, and in front of our brothers in the church, call me Holy Brother... Today, we're not meeting with some ordinary, inexperienced little person, so your usual tricks won't work. Dress formally, it shows that we're not just any ordinary gang! Do you understand?

  Mimi Cat: "Got it, got it! The director is the director after all!... Zhang Taoyu, fix your collar and unbutton the bottom button. Why does this suit look like it's stolen on you?"

  As they spoke, they arrived at the door of the ward and were stopped by six plainclothes bodyguards who stood in a row with their hands outstretched. One of them asked: "May I ask what three people are you?"

  Zhang Taiyu took a step forward: "We were invited by Mrs. Luo to treat Mr. Huang's illness, I came last time, you should recognize me?"

  Bodyguard: "Oh? Didn't recognize you in a suit! The lady is waiting for you, mind if I check what you've got on you first?... Alright, follow me."

  In the ward, Ai Si couldn't help but ask: "Director Liang, do you think my son has also lost his soul? Is there a master in the folk who can bring him back?" Before she finished speaking, someone outside the suite replied: "It's possible, of course it's possible, as long as Mrs. Luo is sincere and faithful." The bodyguard led three men into the room, reporting: "Madam, the divine doctor has arrived!"

  Ai Si stood up to welcome them: "You've had a hard time! Who was the gentleman speaking just now?"

  "Mrs. Luo, this is Mr. Hong Hequan, the director of our Lord's Brothers' Association. Our director has come in person today to demonstrate a miracle and will certainly be able to awaken your son."

  Ai Si extended her hand to Hong and Quan, shook hands with them briefly, and thanked: "Thank you, Mr. Hong. I'm sincere in saving my son, and the reward I promised will be kept as long as you can save him. Do we need to prepare any equipment? The hospital director is right here, if there's anything that needs help, just say it." She got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

  Hong and Quan did not respond as extravagantly as Zhang Taifu, but instead replied with great demeanor: "No need for others to assist me, I can try it myself. All miracles come from devotion to God and the firm belief of my brothers in the sect, hoping that this faith can help your son... Let's begin now!"