Yu Ziqing felt that he was still young.
He never expected this. The last time, when Old Yang joked with him, he casually mentioned that Yu Ziqing had four stomachs and couldn't fear overfilling his stomach with that food.
At that time, Yu Ziqing actually sighed inwardly, thinking this world was indeed dangerous. A shepherd with an Evil Dao could wield the Beast Creation Skill to even alter the structure of a person's internal organs.
Lacking the knowledge reserve, he naturally didn't suspect anything.
But now he realized that such a method, capable of directly altering the life form's inner structure, couldn't possibly be achieved by common Beast Creation Skills.
The danger level of this world was currently within his understanding range.
As soon as this thought surfaced, he felt young again, falling into the trap of using his knowledge to define things he didn't understand.
What understanding range!
Completely incomprehensible.
Yu Ziqing was very sure that Old Yang had never cultivated before. He was just an ordinary person, at best having agile legs and good spirits.
Then, someone with extensive knowledge and a wide range of learning.
Even though Yu Ziqing was now practicing boxing with an extraordinary ordinary person, Er Han, his body improving steadily, there was a clear distinction from ordinary people before him.
Yu Ziqing still couldn't understand how Old Yang accomplished it.
How did he transform from a victim of the Beast Creation Skill into an actual goat, with a complete change in life form?
Moreover, how did he dare, or was willing to do this?
Old Yang saw Yu Ziqing's shock and confusion, stood up, and patted Yu Ziqing's shoulder with a hoof.
"Don't worry, this was already the best outcome. The only way for the old me to start anew was to die.
When I let you call me Old Yang, I had already made the decision.
Now, there's only Old Yang."
"You don't need to ask."
As Yu Ziqing started to speak, Old Yang interrupted him.
"I know you want to know why, but even in Jinlan Village, I dare not say anything. It's too dangerous, at least now I dare not speak.
Aren't you wanting to cultivate? I can teach you some things now."
Old Yang awkwardly changed the subject as Yu Ziqing remained silent, holding back from asking. He knew that since Old Yang claimed not to dare, transforming into a goat to hide suggests revealing it could lead to significant dangers.
"The paths of cultivation in this world are numerous, as are the cultivation methods.
First, choose the cultivation path, then select a method.
Qi Refinement cultivators are the most common, is orthodox, Qi eaters are bright and long-lived. Qi Refinement cultivators have the longest lifespans, naturally attracting many followers.
Body Refinement cultivators come next. They are like mysterious iron and fine steel, uncorrupted even in death, possessing numerous divine skills akin to demon beasts or barbarian tribes.
Refining God cultivators follow, mysterious and elusive, difficult to defend against, even if fallen, they have a chance to start anew.
These three have the largest numbers. Then there are various niche cultivation paths, numerous, and most are connected to the three main ones. You can explore them when you have the opportunity in the future."
"And what about Dao Cultivators?" Yu Ziqing asked; he had heard this term more than once by now.
Even the Evil Dao in the Wilderness knew that Dao Cultivators from Daqian held high statuses and were very tricky, especially the Dao Cultivators from the Langya Institute.
"Dao Cultivators are all mortals, or, regardless of what they once were or what they will be, they are mortals now."
This answer was somewhat unexpected for Yu Ziqing.
"Yes, mortals." Old Yang chuckled.
"Just as there are no two identical leaves, every person is different. Even identical twin brothers must be different.
There isn't a single classic or Dharma Method in the world that perfectly fits a person.
The so-called classics and Dharma Methods are merely the paths previous generations point out for the next. The true walking of the path must be done by oneself.
This inevitably leaves a flaw ignored by most. Reaching a certain height becomes an insurmountable chasm.
Because the path they walked no longer allows return.
Many, many years ago, someone reached the peak only to find the path ahead blocked. No amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures mattered. He dissolved all his mana, shattered his True Body, and obliterated his Divine Soul in despair.
However, he unexpectedly didn't die. He was cast down, becoming a mortal.
This time, he didn't rush to refine qi but first cultivated Dao as a mortal, studying everything.
Until he was eight hundred and thirty years old and could not extend his life with Spiritual Medicine, he had exhausted his lifespan. He hadn't even begun Qi Refinement or done Hundred Days Foundation Establishment.
At that time, he merged with all he had previously learned, adding his lifelong study, and achieved enlightenment — both for himself and future cultivators — opening a new path.
In a single intake of qi, he ascended a stage a day, after twelve days, laughed thrice, and transformed into a rainbow chasing the sun.
Thus began the age of the Dao Cultivator."
"What was this senior called?" Yu Ziqing's tone was respectful. This giant seemed to be legendary, breaking boundaries; complimenting him would only seem like an understatement.
"We younger generations respectfully call him Initial Daoist True Immortal, the beginning of Dao Cultivators.
Since then, among the cultivators, when someone ceased to progress, they sought to follow the senior's steps, dissolving their cultivation and self-slaughter to rebuild, countless seniors fell because of it. Slowly, they began summarizing some methods and finally found success.
Then afterward, everyone understood that the safest method was to start from being a mortal, first cultivating Dao, then Qi Absorption.
When the Dao was sufficient, and it became clear how to proceed on the cultivation path, entering the Dao in one fell swoop, absorbing qi into the body with overwhelming force, the path of Qi Refinement became devoid of bottlenecks and obstacles. Spanning several stages in merely a few months without any repercussions.
But alas, despite things being so, few are willing to settle down to study and gain enlightenment and cultivate the Dao.
After all, a Dao Cultivator remains a mortal one day without entering the Dao, extremely susceptible to falling without a Dao-Protecting person or self-defense. Some Dao Cultivators from Daqian scarcely leave even the Langya Institute."
Yu Ziqing pondered, suspecting it resembles leveling up first without adding skill points, reaching a high level with weak stats. Once deciding what class to transition into, transitioning straightforwardly and then adding skill points precisely, without any waste.
Therefore, all things being equal, they should be stronger.
"Alright, you don't need to concern yourself with these things now. Everything you need to know will be taught. Anyway, you can't refine qi here apart from maintaining your health. When you decide your path in the future, we'll talk about it.
I'm tired and need some rest. You go out for now."
Old Yang interrupted Yu Ziqing's thoughts and ushered him out.
Actually, Yu Ziqing still wanted to ask many things, like: can't I first cultivate a First-level Dao and then refine qi, then later cultivate Dao again?
Can I first level up to level ten and then transition and add points, then stop leveling after the transition?
Or if insufficient leveling would cause problems later?
With insufficient knowledge reserves, he didn't quite understand, but so many years of continuous improvement leading to this shouldn't be without reason.
Regarding that Langya Institute as an immortal cultivation academic institute, people there should naturally understand professional issues better than himself.
Stepping out from the underground dwellings, reaching the previous celebration site, more than half the people were already gone.
The trading had concluded, Yu Ziqing also witnessed many people acquiring new tools, some getting cold-resistant clothes, even several new big pots, everyone seemed quite content.
They probably didn't care about the preciousness of Jinlan Mine, after all, the thing couldn't be eaten or worn, and wasn't usable.
Of course, Yu Ziqing guessed that the traded items surely included more than trivial things, like the Molten Lava Yellow Rice Cake he'd seen, the raw material must have been traded from outside.
There was nothing like it in the village.
Such raw materials, if brought to Daqian, wouldn't be anything easy or cheap to acquire.
As Yu Ziqing approached, Er Han suddenly appeared from somewhere, pulling Yu Ziqing to walk outside.
"Brother Yu, Grandpa's looking for you."
Er Han led Yu Ziqing all the way to the village entrance.
Upon arrival, they saw the two brothers who secretly brought out Old Yang, tied up and thrown to the ground, a few burly and fierce villagers standing beside them.
The village chief stood with a cane, staring coldly at the front of the village.
"Village chief." Yu Ziqing saluted calmly, no longer impulsively demanding punishment upon meeting the two brothers.
The village chief turned around, revealing a slight smile and a hint of apology.
"Brother Yu, someone in the village broke the rules. It was my fault for not managing them. Today, I called you over to witness and to help you vent your anger."
The two on the ground struggled to say something, but unfortunately, their mouths were stuffed full. The man with a yellowish face was so terrified that his face turned pale blue, while the other had a fierce expression, as if wanting to say something.
They didn't even understand the village rules and dared to do such a thing.
Colluding with outsiders to harm fellow villagers was one of the most forbidden things, even though the rule hadn't been broken in many years, nearly forgotten by some.
But as long as one wasn't foolish and stayed in the village long enough, one should understand this point.
"Brother Yu, do you want to hear what they have to say?" the village chief asked again.
"No need, I don't care to listen, I already know what they would say."
Wouldn't it be about being bewitched by An Yue, deeply regretting, begging not to be killed, rambling on about how An Yue made them do it, allowed her to lead them away?
Besides that, what else?
How foolish, Yu Ziqing was sure, An Yue would absolutely never say anything similar, nor would she take them, or even spare a glance at them.
The village chief nodded approvingly, gesturing to the brawny men nearby.
The few who'd been eagerly waiting, eyes blazing, didn't hesitate. They hoisted the two, carried them to the village entrance, and threw them into the locust forest.
The dense layer of fallen leaves in the locust forest, like quicksand, with a rustling sound, slowly swallowed the struggling two, soon restoring the locust forest to its deathly stillness.
The group turned to leave, Yu Ziqing understood why the village chief did this.
It was to reassure Yu Ziqing.
It was to signify that he was part of the village, among the most valued inner circle.
Regardless of whether the village chief knew or suspected anything before, it didn't matter.
From today on, Old Yang was just a goat. Mentioning Old Yang as formerly human was taboo, even speculating it violated the village's major prohibitions, precluding the right of burial on the mountainside, ranking even below those who stole white meat.