Chapter 159: Understanding

"Yes!"
The two young women dared not delay; they clasped their fists and bowed respectfully.
Following closely three steps behind Meng Fan, they retracted their cultivation power, appearing like ordinary mortals as the trio strode down the slopes of Wendaoshan.

"Much more sensible than that scoundrel Zhuang Wen," Meng Fan remarked with a slight sideways glance at Qing Li and Xue Lan behind him, feeling a touch of satisfaction.
He mused inwardly that he wasn’t entirely unlucky to always encounter such rascals. These two young ladies seemed promising and worth nurturing.

This time, by emerging as an ordinary person, he was sure some would be greatly disappointed. The teachings he would present on mundane cultivation basics would make people think he lacked true talent.
After the lecture, in a while, he planned to spend some spirit stones to hire formidable demonic cultivators to spread slanderous rumors. His reputation would plummet dramatically!
Within a year—no, six months!
Perhaps even just three months, he could finally enjoy a lifetime of peace!
Brilliant!
Truly brilliant...

With such thoughts, Meng Fan felt immense pride in his own cunning.

"Young master, you trust us so completely..."
Qing Li and Xue Lan, trailing behind, noticed Meng Fan’s apparent lack of concern about them slipping up, and a wave of emotion welled up inside them. Their eyes began to gleam with determination.
They vowed to perform well today.
After all, the garments they wore were made from cold silkworm silk purchased at the Xian Gu Pavilion auction house!
And the heavenly Dao sounds born from the icy regions of the celestial realm—how could ordinary people hear such things?

Just imagine: today, as the young master lectured, endless celestial melodies and Dao harmonies would flow forth, overflowing with profound Dao essence. Those cultivators would surely regard him as divine!
Worshipping him devoutly!
Such a benevolent young master deserved the reverence of the world.

Steeling their resolve, the three quickened their pace, and soon a grand, towering mountain gate appeared before them.

"Look! The Daoist has come out!"
Suddenly, someone shouted, and the crowd’s gaze converged like rivers merging into the sea, all falling upon Meng Fan and his companions.

"Heavens, the Daoist is so handsome!"
"The Daoist’s maidens are so ethereal!"
...
A chorus of admiring voices erupted, excitement flickering in their eyes as they appraised the trio.

Leading them was a youth clad in white, strikingly handsome, his calm eyes radiating a faint mocking smile that spoke of worldly mastery and supreme confidence—intoxicating indeed.
To his left stood a petite woman wrapped in a teal brocade robe, her long hair pinned up with a silver hairpin, her gentle smile perfectly poised. Her serene gaze swept over the crowd.
Her skin was like creamy jade, her brows reminiscent of distant ink strokes. The teal attire lent her an ineffable approachability.
As her long lashes fluttered, they blended with the warmth in her expression, each glance a soothing breeze in spring.

On the youth’s other side was another woman in flowing white robes, equally beautiful.
Though the robes were loose, on her they conveyed an indescribable purity and simplicity. Her graceful figure hinted subtly beneath the fabric, sparking limitless imagination.
Her sparkling eyes, playful and bright like stars, were framed by a confident smile that added to her allure.
One look, and anyone would be captivated by her aura.

These three were none other than Meng Fan, Qing Li, and Xue Lan.
Their arrival instantly made them the center of attention.
All eyes were upon them!

"Why can’t I sense the Daoist’s cultivation?"
Suddenly, a discordant voice arose. The crowd seemed to notice and exchanged puzzled looks, surprised.
Why was the Daoist walking over without displaying his power?

Of course, even the second generation of the Meng Immortal Sect heard this. The mocking smile on their lips deepened, and when they looked at the figure who uttered the words and then quickly hid in the crowd, a flicker of admiration glinted deep in their eyes.
This was exactly the reaction they wanted!
Question me! Challenge me!
Being doubted meant the dream was near, the other side within reach, the ultimate pursuit of their lives...
Meng Fan felt a bit giddy.

"The Daoist must want to communicate on equal footing, hence withdrawing his cultivation," a burly, honest-looking man said, scratching his head in confusion.
"Such a kind-hearted Daoist! Why would you care about the young master’s cultivation?"

Silence fell instantly.
Even Meng Fan was stunned, his smile frozen, a chill crawling up his spine as an imperceptible flicker of ill intent passed through his eyes.
Can he talk?

"Daoist!"
"Daoist! Daoist!"
Soon, someone started the chant, and thousands of cultivators raised their hands, shouting fervently, eyes blazing as they looked toward Meng Fan at the front.

That was Xianyun Daoist!
A true protector of low-rank cultivators like themselves!
They felt an unprecedented respect emanating from Meng Fan!

As the waves of cheers surged from all directions, a prickling sensation ran through Meng Fan’s scalp. Seeing the zeal in their eyes, it was as if he had plunged into an icy abyss, his whole body shivering uncontrollably.
How dare a mere Foundation Establishment disciple threaten him!

"Qinglin Dao Palace’s Jian Jingxian has come to listen to young friend Meng’s great Dao sound!"
Just as a cold shiver ran through Meng Fan, making him tremble and contemplate how to deal with the situation, the distant void trembled, and an elderly man in a deep blue robe bearing a sword appeared, stepping into the air.

The old man did not approach Meng Fan but instead sat cross-legged at the edge of the sky, quietly awaiting the lecture’s start.
This development caught everyone off guard, even Meng Fan was stunned.
Is this old geezer serious?

Struggling to suppress the urge to strike him down, Meng Fan forced a smile and was about to greet him with a bow.

Suddenly, an uproar!

"Qinglin’s subordinate, Zhao family head Zhao Hao, has come to listen to Daoist Meng’s lecture!"
"Qinglin’s subordinate, Wang family head Wang Tianlin, is here to listen!"
"Qinglin’s subordinate, leader of Xuexi Sect, Bai Chou, has come to hear the Daoist!"
...

With booming sounds from the horizon, the void quaked as imposing figures strode forth.
With each resonant announcement, the atmosphere surged with excitement!

"Even the head of Qinglin Dao Palace came to listen!"
"The Daoist must be immensely powerful!"
"I heard he once guided the sword palace master!"
"Seems that story is true!"
...

For a time, admiration for Meng Fan filled the air incessantly.

"Young master’s wisdom is unparalleled; the moment the thought arises, he grasps all movements!"
"Now that emotions run high, his future lectures will surely succeed!"
"Indeed, worthy of being called young master!"
"Truly a divine being!"

Behind him, Qing Li and Xue Lan exchanged looks of admiration, praising each other softly.
Only Meng Fan’s face darkened slightly as he watched the scene before him.

Mining in the Giant Rock Realm?
Casting a fleeting glance at the two girls behind him, Meng Fan said nothing, his eyes flickering with deep light as he walked toward the nearby raised platform.

That was the place Yun Cang had specially built after Meng Fan instructed him last night to change the lecture location.

"Stay calm... stay calm..."
"I still have a chance..."

As he stepped forward, Meng Fan kept reminding himself to remain steady.
This lecture was the crucial part!
If the content failed to interest the crowd, the entire lecture would be a failure! No matter how grand the reputation, it would be useless!

Soon, Meng Fan reached the top of the stone steps.
He seated himself cross-legged on the meditation cushion.

"Quiet!"
At that moment, Qing Li and Xue Lan arrived below the platform, their clear voices amplified by spiritual power, carrying far and wide.

The entire plain fell silent in an instant.
Thousands upon thousands of people looked up with reverence at the handsome youth on the platform, quietly waiting for the lecture to begin.

"Ahem..."
Meng Fan cleared his throat, gradually calming his thoughts. His steady gaze swept over the dense crowd below as his voice slowly echoed forth:
"Cultivation is to absorb the transformations of heaven and earth into one’s body, strengthening muscles and bones, calming qi, and nurturing the spirit."

"Mortals have a limited lifespan, but cultivators can perceive spiritual energy, seizing the transformations of heaven and earth for themselves, thus strengthening their bodies. The dantian may even give birth to a spiritual pearl.
This is the Qi Condensation stage.
Once mortals break through to this stage, even if they advance no further in life, their lifespan can reach two centuries!"

"The Qi Condensation stage is merely the standard for transcending mortality and is not yet truly a cultivator. To break through the lifespan limit, one must establish a foundation of cultivation, further strengthening the body and greatly expanding the capacity to receive spiritual energy.
At four layers of Qi Condensation, the pearl transforms into a stream; at seven layers, into a lake; at nine layers, when perfected, one may attempt to freeze the lake and condense the Dao foundation!
A Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan is five hundred years!"

"The Foundation Establishment stage has nine levels: the first three are initial, six is intermediate, nine is extreme. Perfecting this stage enables communication with the divine soul and condensation of the internal divine pill!
Even a weak cultivator at this stage can live a thousand years! A thousand years, in a blink, sees the rise and fall of dynasties and the passing of eras."

"The saying ‘a single golden pill swallowed, my fate is mine, not heaven’s’ refers to this."

Meng Fan spoke methodically, and the audience listened attentively. Even Jian Jingxian in the distant horizon wore a serious expression.

But the sect leaders and family heads looked uneasy, as if sitting on pins and needles, embarrassed as they glanced at Meng Fan on the platform.
Wasn’t this common knowledge throughout the celestial realm?
Any one of them could recite this.
Was there any point in continuing the lecture?

Meng Fan noticed this and his eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction as he continued:

"Upon reaching one-tenth of the Foundation Establishment, one can nurture the pill’s radiance. When the radiance rises and accepts the heavenly thunder’s baptism, it marks the time to break the pill and transform into an infant spirit."

"Therefore, accumulation during the Foundation Establishment stage is especially crucial!"

"After crossing Foundation Establishment comes the Nascent Soul stage. The Nascent Soul can be regarded as a second primal spirit. Cultivators at this stage harbor a divine infant and can perceive the power of heaven and earth, comprehending their own Dao."

"My own Dao was comprehended during the Nascent Soul stage."

Here, Meng Fan’s eyes revealed a wistful depth as he gazed toward the distant horizon.
He recalled that in those days, during his Nascent Soul phase, he had made a great vow amidst the pestering of several noble daughters:
To live freely and quietly as a second-generation celestial, no longer bound by worldly constraints!

Yet who could have predicted the subsequent celestial phenomena, the surging Dao essence, and the spreading Dao sounds that shook all of Zhongzhou!
After his Nascent Soul breakthrough, the Meng clan’s ancestral hall was flooded day and night with calls for meetings and worship.

Thinking on this, Meng Fan sighed.
Were it not for that damned phenomenon, would things have come to this?
Fortunately...
After today, that distant dream would finally be realized.
No Dao sound would appear, and everything was proceeding as planned...

Wait!

Suddenly, Meng Fan’s pupils contracted sharply, and his heart was swept by a raging storm!
At some unknown moment, a faint Dao sound began flowing here, and Dao essence spread across thousands of miles!
Even the spiritual energy of this place thickened under the influence of the Dao essence!

Who is it!!!!

Meng Fan was stunned, bloodshot eyes scanning wildly until they landed on the two graceful women below the platform!

At this moment, Qing Li was surrounded by a faint azure glow, shimmering over her teal brocade as a subtle Dao essence quietly emanated.
Xue Lan was the same: clad in snowy white, radiating a pure, celestial Dao sound that felt impossibly pure and heavenly.

Who ordered you to do this!!!

Meng Fan’s eyes turned scarlet, an indescribable grief and rage swelling within him, mingled with endless sorrow and despair...

It was over...

An ordinary lecture and one accompanied by flowing Dao essence were entirely different matters!
Dao essence was something that could greatly aid cultivators in comprehending the Dao, and paired with Dao sound, its effect was unprecedented!
Even if Meng Fan rambled nonsense they couldn’t understand, the Dao sound and essence alone would enable most talented cultivators to grasp the meaning and break through!

Buzz...

Just as Meng Fan pondered, someone in the crowd suddenly surged with aura, emitting a full Foundation Establishment cultivation!
Immediately, a faint humming filled the air, and heavenly thunder struck suddenly from above!

"Feel at ease in your comprehension; I shall protect you!"
At that moment, Jian Jingxian, seated above, opened his eyes and waved his hand, releasing an impenetrable formation that enveloped the crowd, shielding them completely!

Only the cultivator breaking through trembled uncontrollably under the thunder’s strike!
His internal Foundation Establishment pill shattered instantly!
A torrent of power erupted as his aura soared to a pinnacle—he had broken through!
Nascent Soul, achieved!!!

Meng Fan: “Damn it!”