On the path of cultivation, there is a saying: "What is poison to one may be honey to another."
Is water energy a good thing?
Not necessarily. If ordinary people have an excess of water energy, they may suffer from edema and blood stasis.
But without water energy, one might suffer from overheating and sores.
Now, Old Li's harmonious five-element pattern had been disrupted by the influx of mountain root water energy, causing an imbalance where water was dominant and fire weak, leading to chaos among the elements.
But is this a bad thing?
Of course not; water energy is just a type of energy. It isn't inherently good or bad but depends on whether someone needs it or not.
However, you can't simply choose not to absorb certain energies. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for imbalances in the personal microcosm to occur due to improper intake of other energies.
Absorbing or expelling different types of energy requires corresponding methods. Thus, the ghost Old Li was troubled by the pile of water energy in his tomb because he couldn't handle it.
But Li Qi had a solution!
Not only did he have a solution, but he also desperately needed this! Carp Flow Intent cultivation requires water energy to transform into internal qi!
Around the tomb, yin energy circled, nurturing the mountain root water energy for a century. The quality could rival the pure water energy bestowed by the spirit of the Li River!
What a windfall!
He had been searching everywhere for water energy, and now it was delivered right to him.
It was like receiving a pillow when you're sleepy.
"Can Wu Zhu help me clear the water energy?" the ghost exclaimed in surprise.
"I can, but regarding the Wang family..." Li Qi pondered.
"If Wu Zhu can help me clear the water energy and reconstruct my five elements, I will let go of the matter with the Wang family!" the ghost immediately said.
Then, feeling it wasn't enough, he added, "I am also willing to offer my ghostly power to protect Wu Zhu!"
Li Qi nodded upon hearing this: "See, what cannot be resolved through negotiation? Since we've agreed, so be it. Return now, and I will have the Wang family take me to your tomb to clear the water energy."
"Respectfully seeing off Wu Zhu," the ghost said respectfully.
Li Qi straightened his back and exited the altar space.
"Master! Master, what happened!? Did you resolve it!?" Seeing Li Qi come out, Squire Wang rushed over immediately.
Li Qi deftly dodged: "Resolved. Take me to the tomb, find the location."
Squire Wang didn't dare to speak further and led the way immediately.
Li Qi confirmed the location and instructed Squire Wang to prepare millet and five offerings along with clear water for another sacrifice.
Then, he hurried back to find Shen Shuibei and Old Horse.
Throughout the journey, Li Qi felt incredibly excited.
Not for any other reason but because he had truly completed something a Wu Zhu should do, acting as a cultivator.
It was like a recent graduate completing their first project perfectly after starting work, filled with genuine joy and accomplishment!
He fully utilized his knowledge to negotiate with spirits, mediate conflicts between humans and ghosts, and receive rewards from both sides.
Although he used Young Master Zhu's willow branch to intimidate the ghost, equipment is certainly part of one's strength.
Suddenly, he gained insight.
This is what it means to be a cultivator.
Cultivation is not merely about fighting; cultivators must use their power to fulfill their responsibilities.
Cultivation is not solely for personal power but more like mastering various skills and tools to better implement one's thoughts and beliefs.
The doctrine of Wu Zhu is to mediate harmony among humans, deities, and ghosts.
Sacrifices are not everything for Wu Zhu but a method and tool to achieve this belief.
Sacrifices help Wu Zhu enhance their power to better accomplish this belief and philosophy. Therefore, Wu Zhu studies sacrifices to increase their power.
Without classic guidance from the book "Wu", directing Wu Zhu, sacrifices would no longer be tools for mediation but weapons for individuals.
Like how a pencil can kill three people in a bar, its true purpose is writing, recording, and spreading words and ideas.
If one deviates from the philosophy of Wu Zhu...only mastering the cultivation and combat methods of Wu Zhu, what would ultimately happen?
Perhaps one would end up like Old Li, with an unbalanced personal microcosm, dying prematurely.
Through this event, Li Qi vaguely realized something.
"The Dao" refers not only to natural laws but also to the thoughts of practitioners.
A sect is a group of people with similar thoughts, attempting to spread their Dao, forming an organization.
So, pursuing Dao cultivation is about implementing one's thoughts to align with natural laws?
Or does it mean...if natural laws don't align, then—modify nature?
Is it about changing oneself to fit nature or forcing nature to change so that one's rules prevail?
Li Qi didn't know.
But he roughly understood why the human body is called a "personal microcosm".
"My body is also a universe, containing Dao, which is my thought, my Dao."
"The external universe also has Dao, which are natural laws."
"So...various schools and organizations naming themselves 'Dao' must be for this reason," Li Qi thought silently.
He wasn't sure if his thoughts were correct, but they made sense to him.
Anyway, regardless, the grave-digging incident was resolved.
However, he still needed to consult Shen Shuibei for accurate information to determine the next steps.
Moreover, regarding Grandma Wang's situation, Li Qi was conflicted.
Though he saved the Wang family, was it appropriate for them to offer their lives to save Old Horse?
Li Qi was hesitant.
He didn't feel much fondness for Grandma Wang, given her utilitarian attitude towards him initially and even later calculating how to exploit him.
But looking at the whole situation, she hadn't done anything wrong. Though utilitarian, she risked her life just to keep her son alive.
How pitiful parental love can be.
He would see later. Old Horse's situation...was indeed tricky. To really ask someone to commit suicide...
Thinking this, Li Qi walked into the forest.
Since they were already outside the city, returning to the woods, he whistled, and Shen Shuibei and Old Horse appeared quickly.
"Li Qi, you're back? Is everything settled? Are we ready to set off to find Nainai?" Shen Shuibei asked eagerly.
"Not quite yet," Li Qi replied. "Let's sit down first, Old Horse, come here too. I need to tell you both something."
Li Qi stopped with Old Horse and Shen Shuibei.
"Huh? What's up?" Shen Shuibei looked puzzled.
Old Horse was equally confused.
And Li Qi said, "Old Horse, about your previous owner..."
Before he finished speaking, Old Horse's hooves began to shift uneasily.