I have a composite mirror

Chapter 10 Life Fire, Innate Techniques, True Laws

"You have all been following me to learn meditation for ten months now."

"In the first month, I taught you the 'Method of Entering Meditation'—how to eliminate distracting thoughts and bring your mind to peace."

"In the second month, I taught you the 'method of visualization'—how to construct a clear and stable image in your mind."

"From the third to the sixth month, I taught you the specific methods for visualizing the four elements."

He wrote the following on the blackboard in order:

Visualization of Earth - Rock Method

Water visualization – Stream method

Visualization of Fire - Candle Flame Method

Visualization of Wind - Gentle Breeze Method

"These four visualization methods are the foundation of the general principles of meditation."

"Only by first learning to visualize a single element can one move on to the next stage."

He continued:

"From the seventh to the ninth month, I taught you the 'Theory of Spiritual Perception'."

"It explains what spiritual essence is, how spiritual essence flows between heaven and earth, and why only a very few people can perceive spiritual essence."

He turned around and looked at the students:

"And today, I will teach you a new meditation technique—the Four Elements Breathing Method."

"This is an introductory method that combines Eastern breathing techniques with Western meditation, specifically designed for beginners."

Upon hearing the words "introduction method," all the students' eyes lit up.

It's been ten months!

After ten months of arduous training, they hadn't even seen a trace of spiritual energy.

Now there is finally a dedicated introductory method!

Qian Baolin's eyes lit up.

He had indeed had some vague feelings these past few days. If he were to learn this "Four Elements Breathing Method," he might be able to truly master it today!

Father Moore continued:

"Before explaining the Four Elements Breathing Method, I need to supplement your understanding with some theory, starting with the 'Four Elements Cosmology'."

Upon hearing the words "quaternary cosmology," the students' eyes lit up.

This is the real core knowledge!

Father Moore walked to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and began to draw on the blackboard.

He painted very slowly, with utmost care in every stroke.

Gradually, a complex pattern appeared on the blackboard.

The pattern consists of four circles, each containing a different symbol.

At the top of the circle is a pattern of flame, with the words "Fire Element Ignis" written in both Latin and Chinese characters next to it.

The bottom circle contains a rock pattern labeled "Earth Element - Terra".

The circle on the left features a water droplet pattern labeled "Water Element · Aqua".

The circle on the right features a whirlwind pattern labeled "Wind Element · Aer".

In the center of the four circles is a silhouette of a human figure, sitting cross-legged with his hands forming a mudra.

Inside the human silhouette, four thin lines connect to four circles, forming a complete loop.

Father Moore put down the chalk and turned to face the crowd:

"This is the core diagram of the 'Four-Element Cosmology'."

"Based on the teachings of ancient Mediterranean philosophers, and the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory of Eastern Taoism..."

He pointed to the pattern on the blackboard:

"All things in this world are composed of four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind."

"The human body is a 'microcosm.' The principles of heaven and earth and all things are contained within it."

"The four elements circulate endlessly within the body, creating and destroying life; this is the essence of life."

His finger moved slowly across the pattern:

"Earth element, mainly bones and muscles, located in the lower dantian, yellow in color, and calm in nature."

"Water element, the essence of blood, located in the middle dantian, black in color, and fluid in nature."

"The fire element governs the vital energy and blood, located in the upper dantian, and is red in color with an upward-flaming nature."

"The wind element governs the breath and spirit, circulates throughout the body, is blue in color, and has a fluid nature."

He spoke very slowly, pronouncing each word very clearly.

The classroom was completely silent; everyone was frantically taking notes.

This kind of knowledge is something you can't hear about outside.

Gu Shenyan was also listening attentively, but he was secretly comparing the information in his mind.

The theory of the four elements... does indeed have similarities to certain Taoist systems.

It's just that now, with the integration of Eastern and Western philosophical ideas, it appears even more complex.

"However……"

Father Moore then changed the subject:

"People are confused and ignorant, unaware of the way to harmonize things, allowing the four elements to become unbalanced."

"An excess of earth element will cause physical sluggishness and rigid thinking."

"An excess of water element leads to excessive emotions and a depressed will."

"When the fire element is excessive, the blood and qi become dry and hot, and the mind becomes restless."

"If the wind element is too scattered, the spirit will be scattered and difficult to concentrate."

He tapped the blackboard and emphasized:

"Ultimately, this leads to a lifespan filled with illness and the exhaustion of one's lifespan."

"Only through meditation and breath control can one perceive these four elements and bring them into balance."

"And when the four elements reach true balance..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over all the students:

"Then you can sense the 'spiritual essence' flowing between heaven and earth, which is the key to the path to transcendence."

Inside the classroom, even the breathing became rapid.

Spiritual Essence!

For all the students present, these two words meant hope and the future; they represented the possibility of changing their destiny.

Qian Baolin couldn't help but raise his hand: "Father! What happens after sensing the spiritual essence? Does that mean you can...?"

"So you can cultivate now?"

Father Moore shook his head:

"Perceiving spiritual essence is only the first step."

"After that, you will need to cultivate day after day to introduce spiritual energy into your body, integrate it with the four elements, and finally condense a 'spiritual core' in your dantian."

"Only when a spiritual core is formed can one truly embark on the path of cultivation and become an 'apprentice'."

"Apprentices who have completed core condensation can already cast basic spells—object manipulation, fire control, wind summoning..."

Father Moore explained:

"Since we've come this far, let me expand on that for you."

"The core of the apprenticeship is to condense the 'Life Flame'—a special and extraordinary power, with each Life Flame representing a supernatural ability."

"The condensation of the life fire requires two things."

Father Moore continued:

"Firstly, the 'Life Fire Diagram' records the cultivation method for condensing a specific life fire."

"Secondly, 'the essence or tissue of demons'—the supernatural power of the life fire originates from demons."

"The fusion of the three life flames requires the guidance of the 'Life Chart' in order to construct a complete Life Technique and advance to the Forging Realm."

"As for the Forging Law Realm and the Mystic Ritual Realm..."

The priest waved his hand:

"The Forging Realm is for consolidating one's innate technique and developing various techniques and variations."

The Mystic Realm requires the 'True Dharma Diagram' for advancement, but these are still too far beyond your reach, so don't worry about them.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shenyan felt a surge of shock and disbelief.

Does the life-giving fire originate from demons?

This means that if cultivators want to become stronger, they must hunt down demons and seize their essence and tissues!

No wonder cultivators and demons are like fire and water.

This isn't a battle between good and evil at all; it's simply a naked struggle for resources!

Moreover, each step of the Life Fire Diagram, the Natal Diagram, the True Law Diagram, etc., requires a specific cultivation method.

Who possesses these methods?

Sect!

Gu Shenyan understood.

This is the fundamental reason why sects never fall – resource monopoly!

They possess the cultivation methods and the means to extract demonic forces; this is the lifeblood of the entire cultivation system.

Even if an ordinary person manages to condense a spirit core by chance, they cannot condense a life fire without a life fire diagram.

Without the life-giving fire, one can only remain an apprentice forever, never truly embarking on the path to becoming a powerful being!

"Father."

Qian Baolin raised his hand:

"Are there any rules regarding these three types of life fire? Can I just choose any three?"

"Of course not."

Father Moore shook his head:

"The selection of the three life flames is extremely crucial. They must be condensed in the order represented by the life flame diagram to achieve final fusion."

"As to how to choose specifically, that involves the secrets of each school of thought, and I cannot say more about it."

He looked at Qian Baolin:

"If you can really get to that point, someone will guide you."

Qian Baolin sat down awkwardly.

The atmosphere in the classroom was somewhat heavy.

The students all understood.

The path of skill requires guidance and connections at every turn.

In other words, people without connections can't go far.

The priest sighed:

"Even among those who can sense spiritual essence, perhaps only one in ten can condense a spiritual core and become a basic apprentice."

"The path of magic is incredibly powerful, yet it is also as difficult as ascending to heaven."