Just like before, as the two walked, the scenery remained unchanged. All around, there were just jagged rocks, twisted dead trees, and a thick fog that wrapped around everything like a suffocating shroud.
The wind howled through the darkness, cold and hollow, carrying with it the scent of ash and decay.
Their boots crunched against the gravel and stone, each step ringing out with a quiet clink in the heavy silence.
And yet... this time, Langtian didn’t feel as afraid, nor did he feel as stifled or lost as before.
Perhaps he had simply grown used to this desolate atmosphere.
Or maybe... it was thanks to the Lotus Heart Sutra of the Tranquil Dao. Ever since he began practicing it, his mind had become clearer, steadier, less easily influenced by the demonic energy that saturated the very air of this valley.
Instead, a sense of quiet peace followed him now.
He even found himself imagining it: that he and his senior sister were two lotus blossoms drifting calmly through an endless swamp of shadows and rot.
He glanced up at the cliff walls that flanked the path. Strange crystal veins pulsed faintly along the stone, their glow muted beneath the fog. In his eyes, they looked like the spine of some ancient dragon slumbering beneath a veil of clouds.
The result of his own wild imagination made him smile.
’Strange,’ he thought, ’how much our hearts can shape what we see.’
Indeed, the way one felt deeply changed how the world appeared. To someone lost in despair, this valley might seem like the very edge of hell. But with clarity, with purpose... even a cursed land could seem gentle. Beautiful, even.
All it took was a calm heart.
And a little light within.
"You were really right," Langtian said at last, smiling as he breathed in the cold, tainted air. "Even though I ate quite a bit this morning, I haven’t felt any side effects at all. Well... maybe just a small increase in heart rate, but that’s it."
"Of course," Yue Ling chuckled, stepping ahead as she led the way through the mist. "Once you finish Stage Two of the Sutra, you’ll even be able to eat Rank Four demonic beast meat without issue. And from then on, you can truly begin your demonic cultivation path."
"Wow!" Langtian’s eyes lit up. "Then I really need to practice even more diligently!"
"Yup," Yue Ling nodded.
"And once I master the whole thing, I’ll be completely immune to demonic energy influence, right?"
She laughed softly, glancing over her shoulder. "I believe so. If you can reach the final stage, no demonic energy in this world will be able to corrupt your mind."
"And that means... my inner demon will be completely eradicated, right?"
"Yes," Yue Ling replied.
And then, as they continued walking, Langtian thought back to the book, recalling some of its teachings.
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Basically, the Lotus Heart Sutra of the Tranquil Dao consists of five sacred stages of cultivation, each one symbolized by a transformation of the lotus within one’s sea of consciousness. As the lotus matures, so too do the heart and mind.
Stage One – Seed of the Tranquil Dao
At this initial stage, a tiny lotus seed materializes within the sea of consciousness. It is no larger than an ordinary lotus seed, yet it pulses with serene light, synchronizing with the person’s breathing. This marks the cultivator’s first step on the path to inner peace.
Stage Two – First Sprout of the Lotus
The seed begins to sprout, growing into a tightly closed lotus bud. Its presence strengthens spiritual calm, continuing to stabilize the flow of qi, and refine the mind further with every breath.
Stage Three – First Bloom of the Lotus
The lotus begins to bloom. One by one, its petals unfurl. By the end of this stage, twenty pristine petals will have opened, each radiating gentle, tranquil light. The cultivator’s mind becomes impervious to minor corruptions, and their heart remains unmoved even amidst chaos.
Stage Four – Crown of Radiant Lotus Light
The lotus continues to expand in both size and power. Its petals multiply into forty, fifty, then even hundreds. At this stage, it emits waves of protective light that constantly purify the mind and guard against deeper forms of corruption or demonic intrusion.
Stage Five – Sea of Eternal Serenity Lotus
Upon completion, the cultivator’s sea of consciousness transforms into a breathtaking lotus realm. At its center blooms a majestic, thousand-petaled lotus, surrounded by countless smaller blossoms. Each one glows with soft, undying light. In this stage, the cultivator’s soul finally becomes a sanctuary. It’s now untouchable, unshaken by even the darkest forces in existence.
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"Haha, this is amazing," Langtian said, holding up his palm and staring at it. "And how ironic... who would’ve thought that one of the most revered meditation techniques from a righteous sect would turn out to be the key to mastering demonic cultivation?"
Yue Ling smiled faintly but said nothing.
Langtian quickened his pace, walking beside her, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"So, Senior Sister... how many stages have you reached?"
"Me? Stage Three," she replied calmly.
Langtian blinked in surprise. "Huh? Only three?"
He furrowed his brow.
’Could it be... the later stages are just that difficult to reach? So difficult that even a genius like Senior Sister Shangguan struggled to break through?’
"Yes, only three," Yue Ling said again, her voice growing serious. Her footsteps slowed. She turned to face him, her expression calm and steady.
"And in fact, I was just about to warn you... once you’ve completed Stage Three of the Lotus Heart Sutra of the Tranquil Dao, do not cultivate it any further."
Langtian stopped walking.
His eyes widened, his breath caught as he froze in place.
’Do not... cultivate further?’
"What do you mean? Didn’t you say this technique is essential for stabilizing my mind and resisting corruption? And now that it’s helping me walk the demonic path... why stop halfway?"
"Because, Junior Brother, if you go beyond that point... demonic cultivation will become impossible," Yue Ling replied.
Langtian stood still, blinking as if he hadn’t heard her properly.
"What? Impossible?" he echoed. "But why?"
Yue Ling gave a faint knowing smile.
"Think about it more carefully, Langtian. At Stage Four, most demonic energy won’t even be able to enter your body. Do you really want that to happen?"