Chapter 1226: Foundation (Part 2)
It is precisely because of this that he attained Heaven's approval, forging a brand new path of cultivation.
That's right!
The Earth Immortal Path already recognized by Heaven.
There were no grand spectacles, and no Earth Spring Golden Lotus; everything was accomplished quietly.
However, as the founding Ancestor Master, Shen received a massive boost of luck and merit, ensuring that his future cultivation would certainly progress by leaps and bounds!
He might soon surpass Li Zhirui.
Though the Heavenly Immortal Realm remains distant and unclear, the Earth Immortal Realm poses no issue; it can be reached with ease.
"What do you plan to do next? Will you preach publicly or hide the Methods, imparting them only to a select few?" Li Zhirui asked.
If it were up to him, he would choose the former. The wider the spread of the Earth Immortal Path, the more people practicing it, the more flourishing its luck would become, and Shen, as the founding Ancestor Master, would gain various benefits from it.
"A brand new cultivation path isn't something that can be achieved by just one person. Therefore, I plan to preach openly, allowing more spiritual beings to engage with it. Who knows, perhaps a genius will emerge to further refine the Earth Immortal Path, even advancing it."
Shen understood this clearly and did not indulge in pride; his mental state remained lucid.
"Good!"
Li Zhirui nodded, saying, "Later, invitations will be sent out widely on your behalf, inviting all neighboring Immortal Dao influences to participate. Then you'll take the stage to preach, spreading the Earth Immortal Path."
"Thank you, Jiu, for planning all of this for me," Shen said gratefully.
"It's the least I can do, and it benefits the family as well."
Li Zhirui advised, "In the meantime, organize your preaching content. Make sure nothing goes wrong, and prepare some simple, basic cultivation techniques of the Earth Immortal Tao to offer directly."
"I'll prepare well."
Shen hadn't actually thought about the cultivation techniques, but it was indeed the most direct and effective method.
Many influences might dedicate a group of cultivators to practice the Earth Immortal cultivation method to better nurture Spiritual Objects, perhaps without earnestness, seeking just the foundational blessed territory.
Nonetheless, the Earth Immortal Tao will spread.
After returning to Mount Wanxian, Li Zhirui sought out Li Guangjie and said, "There is a very important matter the family needs to spread far and wide to as many cultivators as possible."
"Huh?"
Li Guangjie was puzzled, as the moment he arrived, he heard about advertising without further explanation.
"Just say the Li family has forged an entirely new path of Immortal Dao cultivation and plans to share it with peers for mutual progress."
"A new cultivation path?"
Li Guangjie asked with curiosity, "Ancestor Rui, what are you talking about?"
"You'll find out soon."
Without explaining further, Li Zhirui delegated the task and quickly departed.
Li Guangjie was full of curiosity but didn't forget his directives, promptly organizing many family members to send invitations to various sects, while others spread the word among loose cultivators.
"Have you heard? The Li family has allegedly created a brand new cultivation path, supposedly quite powerful, though its authenticity is unknown."
"I don't mean to mock the Li family, but given their current strength, how could they possibly develop a new cultivation path?"
"Exactly! It's pure fantasy, nothing but a pipe dream."
Among the loose cultivators, most expressed disbelief and criticism, as they, despite lacking knowledge or insight, understood what a cultivation path signifies.
...
"The Earth Immortal Tao?"
Upon receiving the invitation, the Cave Abyss Sect Leader read the content immediately, furrowing his brows, "Check the contents of this invitation and tell me if it's possible."
"Absolutely ridiculous! Without their two Star Lords, the Li family wouldn't even be standing here. Given their strength and foundation, it's impossible for them to accomplish this."
One elder who finished reading spoke up in outrage, indifferent to whether others had seen it, and cursed vehemently.
"Indeed! I also think it's just a gimmick from the Li family. Establishing a cultivation path isn't achieved so easily."
All the elders present did not believe the invitation's contents, deeming it a ploy by the Li family to attract attention and curiosity.
"So, should we accept the invitation?" The Sect Leader asked again.
An elder immediately replied, "Certainly, I wish to see what act the Li family intends to pull, and if it's merely a gimmick, they will face utter disgrace!"
It's clear that the Li family and the Cave Abyss Sect are at odds.
Although there hasn't been all-out conflict, small skirmishes on the border have been frequent.
Combined with some historical grievances, the relationship between the two forces is predictably strained.
This situation isn't unique to Cave Abyss Sect; nearly all Immortal Dao influences harbor doubts about the invitation's credibility.
Still, most agreed to attend, some out of courtesy to the Li family, others to witness a spectacle.
...
Time flew by, quickly arriving at the day of Shen's open sermon.
This sermon wasn't held at Mount Wanxian but rather at Spirit Mountain, where Shen cultivates.
The decision aimed to enhance persuasion, to convince everyone of the Earth Immortal Path.
"Why avoid Mount Wanxian to come to this remote place for a sermon? I don't understand the Li family's logic." Cave Abyss Sect elder grumbled.
The surroundings further deepened his skepticism, believing the Li family was playing another trick.
Yet, when Shen appeared, skepticism dissipated for many.
His presence emanated an aura that no Human Immortal Cultivators could possess, majestic and vast, resembling a powerful Earth Immortal.
Simultaneously, they felt various bindings and suppression, causing a noticeable decrease in strength, leaving them fearful.
All this was merely the natural effect of the Cave Heaven; Shen hadn't actively exercised control.
Indeed, where all the cultivators were standing was Shen's Cave Heaven!
In this realm, he was, hyperbolically speaking, the supreme ruler, with the power to decide life and death.
'Could the Li family really have created a new cultivation path, namely this Earth Immortal Path?' Everyone began to question their previous judgments.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I believe none of you initially trusted the existence of a new cultivation path, but it is true, for I fortunately succeeded and named it Earth Immortal Tao."
Saying so, Shen continued speaking without allowing any inquiries, "The cultivation methods of the Earth Immortal Path are not complex..."
He began his sermon, spreading the Earth Immortal Tao.
Shen naturally didn't divulge everything, only the foundational and crucial parts; the rest is left to individual skill.
When he paused, everyone felt unsatisfied, as the new path offered insights, leaving them craving more.
"I've prepared some simple, basic Earth Immortal Path Methods for my fellow Daoists. If you don't mind, you can replicate them and take a copy with you," Shen said smilingly.
Many cultivators recognized this was an overt scheme.
Listening earlier, they were aware of the advantage of blessed territories in cultivating Spiritual Objects; now, with readily available Methods, they could immediately arrange for some family members to switch to Earth Immortal techniques to create blessed territories and cultivate precious, rare Spiritual Objects.
Would they refuse such benefits?
But in doing so, the Earth Immortal Tao would spread widely, substantially boosting its luck, benefiting Shen immensely as its founder.
Hence, none among those present refused to replicate the techniques, quite eager indeed.