Chen Jing summarized two key points regarding the mental cultivation methods of Dao Qi.

"When appearing in front of others, if you are not pretending, try to keep a low profile and use various methods to make people not notice you and ignore you."

"When concealing your identity or acting in a way that is not your true identity, try to create a sense of mystery, power, or unfathomable depth."

Chen Jing recalled how he maintained an air of mystery and power to avoid revealing his true identity when facing the girl named Mo Ke from the Black Flag Mercenary Group. Afterwards, he also received a boost in spiritual power and feedback on the problem. Although Chen Jing appeared in his true form at that time and did not hide it, from a social perspective, Chen Jing was not "Chen Jing, the hunter of the hunting party" at that time, but "a mysterious character of unknown origin".

After listening to Chen Jing's explanation, the expert said, "This does indeed match some of the characteristics of 'Tao' in most people's eyes, and it may be the mental cultivation method of Tao Qi."

Before Chen Jing could even rejoice at the affirmation, the expert added, "But you must be careful not to be misled."

Chen Jing asked in confusion, "Did it lead you astray?"

The expert said, "Remember, you are always yourself. Don't become someone else because of these principles."

Chen Jing was still somewhat confused.

The expert continued, "The purpose of mental cultivation is to refine your mind, not to turn you into another tool that only knows how to act according to the mental cultivation method. That would also turn you into a slave to the Tao."

“You may not understand if I tell you now, but you must remember this, and always remember it.”

Chen nodded and carefully wrote it down.

Afterwards, Chen Jing said, "Master, you said that there is a sect behind Black Hand Lu Gang. I thought it was the Lingguang Sect of the Xia Dynasty before, but now it seems that the priest did not know about the blood sacrifice. This contradicts the previous deduction."

The expert nodded: "It's quite good that you thought of that. Now I'm even more suspicious that the sect behind Lu Gang, the mastermind, is the Heavenly Dao Sect, a sect of the Celestial Dynasty."

The sects of the Celestial Empire… Chen Jing thought of feng shui masters, and the purple rain curtain he saw through the source of darkness.

"Okay, continue investigating the blood sacrifice, but stay discreet and don't be too proactive. Your own safety should be your priority."

...

Not long after Chen Jing left the expert's residence, he saw a familiar figure approaching on the street.

It's Daonan.

His spirit and energy were completely different from when he left; he no longer had that hesitant look.

Chen Jing already had a guess in his mind, and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations on becoming a cultivator!"

Dao Nan couldn't help but laugh and replied in the same way, "You can tell that I've become a person with extraordinary abilities?"

Chen Jing shook his head: "I guessed it. You came here to find your master?"

"Yes, the expert told me to go find him after I become a cultivator or a person with extraordinary abilities." Dao Nan looked at the mist in the distance.

"His original intention was for me to break through on my own, to become a cultivator through willpower, and to become the 'Champion Marquis.' Would you say I was being opportunistic?"

Chen Jing comforted him: "It definitely doesn't count. You earned the spoils through your own efforts and became a person of extraordinary abilities by using the spoils."

Dao Nan's smile faded, and he stood still, sighing.

"When I first heard that one could become a practitioner through one's own willpower, I longed for it. When I learned that the heroes who created miracles followed that path, I was even more inspired and my heart was filled with excitement."

"I want to be a miracle, a hope, a hero who can lead everyone out of the fog."

"But I can't see the road."

Chen Jing followed his gaze and saw that the end of the street was shrouded in a thick fog.

"I practiced diligently, day after day, without ever slacking off or backing down."

"I want to be the kind of hero who can create miracles, not an ordinary person. I want to be a champion who surpasses all others, not just an ordinary soldier among thousands of troops."

"This was my pride, my dream."

The boy's deep voice recounted the path he had given up, engraving his longing in the air with plain language.

Chen Jing looked at his friend, his heart brimming with countless words of comfort, but in the end, he didn't utter a single one.

I just listened quietly.

Dao Nan laughed again: "But I've found that this is impractical."

"After I got that elixir, I asked myself: Was I running away? Running away from my destiny to become a warrior, running away from the reality that I didn't have that much talent. Was I lacking courage? Was I not confident enough in myself? Was I not talented enough? Was I destined to be an ordinary person?"

"None of them. I rejected them."

Dao Nan's eyes revealed a proud sharpness, which remained sharp even when buried in the dust and shrouded in thick fog.

"I am not lacking in talent, I am not lacking in confidence, I am not lacking in courage. I just need to pick up the sword."

"I just don't want to be a burden, a drag. I want to be a warrior, a guardian who protects others, a hunter who slays monsters."

Even if I'm not the best soldier.

Chen Jing listened, deeply moved. By the time he came to his senses, Dao Nan had already walked far away.

Withdrawing his gaze from Chen Jing's back, Chen Jing found himself gaining a subtle understanding of the martial art 'Sword Mindset'. Although he still hadn't found the door, at least he could see that it was there.

...

Chen Jing returned to his temporary rented home and found the atmosphere particularly awkward.

The younger siblings remained silent, yet they seemed to have a thousand words to say. A large table was set up in the courtyard, laden with many delicacies that Chen Jing rarely saw, emitting an enticing aroma.

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