Sun Lingtong unwillingly said, "Is it truly impossible for me to acquire the Divination Skill?"
Zeng Jide gave him a deep look and replied, "Normally, you can have someone perform divination for you. Just like the Lord of Wanchuan arranged for the Grey Bone Elder to intervene this time."
"But if you truly manage to obtain the Divination Skill, it indicates..."
Sun Lingtong: "Indicates what?"
"It indicates that you play a quite significant role in heaven’s plan. Heaven will entrust a great mission to you, and the universe might even risk future consequences just to strengthen you as much as possible, so you can fulfill a certain mission!"
Sun Lingtong’s heart shivered, unable to speak for a moment.
After a long time, he frowned and said, "Even if the Divination Skill isn’t part of my destiny, I still want to try every possible way and give my utmost effort!"
"I am too eager to steal others’ lifespan; this must be quite fascinating!"
Zeng Jide laughed heartily again, patting Sun Lingtong’s shoulder, "Little rascal, what ambition!"
"Since you wish to do this, then go ahead."
"Perhaps this is your spiritual path. Heaven requires innovation in stealing technique related to lifespan, entrusting this crucial responsibility to you."
Sun Lingtong’s heart stirred, capturing a keyword: "Spiritual path?"
Zeng Jide stroked his beard, "This involves the Transforming Spirit Level and the cultivation thereafter."
"After Nascent Soul Stage, the nascent soul grows into the primordial spirit, naturally leading to a choice in the direction of cultivation."
"Just like the Lord of Wanchuan, he is at the Transforming Spirit Level, primarily cultivating the Water Element, but his Divine Separation cultivates the Earth Element. Water and Earth are two different spiritual paths."
"You may temporarily understand spiritual path as the direction of cultivation. Of course, this eases your comprehension but isn’t complete."
Sun Lingtong thought of the path struggle between Grey Bone Elder and the Lord of Wanchuan, his soul stirred: "Does spiritual path involve not only what we cultivate but also the division of life philosophies? Some submit to destiny, while others strive to defy it?"
Zeng Jide exclaimed, "You grasped this layer, which is unexpected."
He laughed heartily, "Genius like you and I cannot be gauged by common sense."
"Sword Cultivators often choose to break rather than yield; Martial Artists usually press forward bravely; the Demon Path may involve extreme emotions or cruelty and indifference; Taoists can be unrestrained or unite widely and govern simply. Buddhist Sect has distinctions between Great Vehicle and Small Vehicle, focusing on saving others or oneself."
"Confucianism, though younger, has many factions. From virtuous governance to valuing the people over rulers, and beliefs in innate goodness or evil, etc."
"These can all be spiritual paths."
Sun Lingtong listened as though hearing divine music! Such high-level speech was outside his experience.
If his master hadn’t passed away, perhaps he would teach him like this.
Such guidance, every word is worth a thousand gold!
Sun Lingtong pondered deeply, already forgotten he was in Wangchuan Immortal City, in the act of theft, asking self-absorbedly, "So, senior, how should I determine my spiritual path?"
Zeng Jide didn’t hesitate, giving direct guidance: "First, consider your cultivation talent."
"If you have innate aptitude, it is heaven’s expectation for you. Starting with innate aptitude will certainly be smoother than other directions."
"Second, consider your cultivation resources. You know the four words: method, location, partners, wealth?"
Sun Lingtong nodded.
Method refers to cultivation technique, spell, etc. Location refers to places like blessed lands, where cultivation occurs. Partners are like-minded people. Wealth is things like spirit stones.
Zeng Jide saw Sun Lingtong understood, so he didn’t elaborate on the second point but continued, "Lastly, it’s personal nature and aspirations."
"The road you want to take and the roads you don’t want, feel differently when traveling them. Those who follow their heart often find clarity of mind. At least during cultivation, won’t suffer much internal conflict, or even heart demon."
Sun Lingtong then understood: "So, senior wants me to persevere in seeking lifespan and Divination Skill because it’s my aspiration?"
Zeng Jide: "I am a senior from your sect, skilled in the Stealing Technique, naturally adept at observing and discerning."
"When you mentioned stealing others’ lifespan, the gleam in your eyes revealed this is your heart’s desire."
"This point is quite important for you, grasp it well, don’t easily give up!"
"Just like the Lord of Wanchuan, for his spiritual path, planned for a hundred years, knowing how many obstacles he would face, but steadfastly remained the same."
"This is holding fast to one’s aspirations, relentlessly pursuing the intended direction."
Sun Lingtong was immediately captivated, "It sounds like you understand the Lord of Wanchuan’s purpose quite well?"
Zeng Jide: "For the purpose of stealing Wanchuan’s vortex eye, I naturally prepared extensively in advance. The cost of intelligence alone in the early stage exceeds most of the treasure you see ahead."
"Thus, I am quite aware of the Lord of Wanchuan’s movements and situation."
"He possesses an innate aptitude to remain submerged in the River of Oblivion, viewing various memories and experiencing endless emotions."
"However, this aptitude is merely superior, not as extraordinary as Immortal Aptitude. Hence, it comes with significant drawbacks, which is—oblivion."
"Once he immerses in these memories and emotions and forgets to return, he risks being lost in Wangchuan, dying from excess."
"That’s why he spared no effort, scheming for a hundred years, to obtain a divine attribute from the skull of the Heavenly Ghost to compensate for his defects."
"Innate aptitude is heaven-assisted, bestowed upon you."
"However, any divine attribute obtained postnatally by humans is almost an act against heaven. So, the Lord of Wanchuan faced immense difficulties, had to accumulate for a hundred years, carefully preparing for this opportunity to strike now."