Nightfall

Chapter 575: Above All States

Translator: Transn Editor: Transn

Maser Qishan said with a slight smile, “Likelihood and reality are two different things. Even if I had broken through beyond the Five States, it wouldn’t have been something to be proud of. Just like what you said, it is difficult to think that you are the special one.”

Ning Que laughed and said, “You sound a little arrogant.”

Master Qishan was stunned and asked, “How is it arrogant?”

Ning Que said, “The Five States separate man and heaven. Those who can break the Five States would attain the legendary Sage state. No Sages have come forward in the cultivation world for years. But you said that it isn’t anything to be proud of, is that not arrogance?”

Master Qishan shook his head and said, “Breaking the Five States might be difficult, but there aren’t many in the cultivation world who have the opportunity. Furthermore, even if one broke the Five States, how can one be called a Sage?”

Ning Que did not understand. He said, “Why have I never heard of anyone who could break the Five States?”

Master Qishan looked at him and asked, “What is the current state of Mr. Second of the Academy?”

Ning Que considered his question and said, “Second Brother should be at the Peak of the Knowing Destiny State. But… you know how he is, he might break through into the next state if he really got mad.”

With that, he couldn’t help but start laughing.

Master Qishan did not laugh because he did not understand.

Ning Que’s laughter tapered off awkwardly.

Master Qishan said, “Since Mr. Second is already at the Peak of the Knowing Destiny State, then…”

With that, the Master extended a finger and pointed up.

Ning Que came to a sudden realization. Second Brother was already at the peak of Knowing Destiny State. Eldest Brother must be close to breaking the Five States or he might have already done so. As for teacher… well, they were talking about regular humans; it had nothing to do with his teacher.

“Alright, I admit that there might be people who have already broken the Five States.”

“Back then, Liu Bai had once fought with Master Yan Se. Strong wind blasted at the Eastern Seas then. Everyone thought that he was most likely to break the Five States. I think that he could have long broken through the Five States, but he just hasn’t taken the step yet.”

Master Qishan said, “Younger Brother Lotus was extraordinary then. He studied both Taoism and Buddism and had a grounding in diabolism. If he wanted to, breaking the Five States wouldn’t have been anything difficult. He just didn’t want to.”

Ning Que had heard Lotus say the same thing at the Front Gate of the Devil’s Doctrine. Back then, he hadn’t really believed Lotus because he felt that he was just a bigwig boasting before his death.

“Why?”

Ning Que asked in confusion, “Why have these people chosen not to take the last step?”

“Breaking the Five states would mean that the cultivator would leave the secular world. They would not only be able to grasp the inherent rules of the Heaven and Earth’s aura, and understand the rules of the world, they could even create new rules. However, this is Haotian’s world; the rules of the larger world cannot be challenged. Battle would still be done in accordance to the rules of the larger world.”

Master Qishan said, “That is the reason why, to the small number of true powerhouses, the largest difference between staying at the peak of Knowing Destiny State and breaking the Five States is their understanding of the source of the world. It does not do much in respect of boosting their powers.”

Ning Que could not understand. He said, “Being able to scale up would still be good. Who could resist such temptation?”

Master Qishan sighed, and he looked at the grey skies. He said, “You are very right, this temptation is too great. And because of this great temptation, these people do not dare to take that step.”

“Do you know of any other states above the Five States?”

“Tianqi, Limitless State… I have only heard of these two.”

Ning Que answered. This was what he had heard from Lyu Qingchen on his journey to Chang’an from the City of Wei. Back then, he had yet been unable to cultivate. Now, he was already a Grand Cultivator in the Knowing Destiny State. However, his understanding of the states above the five remained at the same standard.

He had once asked about it at the back of the mountain of Academy. His Senior Brothers thought that his question was too boring and did not bother answering him. Now that it seemed that the master was able to solve his doubts, so he could not help but feel excited.

“In the Classics, is stated that there are many states above that of the mortal realm. You talked about Tianqi, the West-Hill teachings mentioned it a lot. Limitless State, means knowing in Buddhism. Other than that, the Classics also mention the Buddhist Boundlessness and Nirvana. There is also the Divine Demon Realm of the Devil’s Doctrine, the Tranquility of Haotian Taoism… These states are all above the Five States, and are all interesting in their own right. There is no one state that is stronger or better than the other.”

There was a long pause.

“Legend says that there are other states above all these states. It is not recorded even in the oldest Classics. It is passed down by word of mouth in a Buddhist Temple, a Taoist Temple, and the Second floor of a sect. That is…”

“The Immortal State of the Devil’s Doctrine.”

“Nirvana of the Buddhism Sect.”

“Ascension to heaven and becoming immortal of Haotian Taoism.”

“The Academy’s Transcending the Worldly.”

The autumn rain grew heavier, and the front of the temple grew colder.

Master Qishan tightly pulled his cotton shirt around him.

“The Devil’s Doctrine only started a millennia ago, I have never heard of anyone cultivating to the Immortal State. When Buddha entered Parinirvana, the skies gave a sign, that should be Nirvana. Ascension to Heaven is more common, those are the legends of deities in the secular world.”

Ning Que seemed to understand something.

Master Qishan lamented, “In the past millennium, there might have been one person who could slowly walk to the end of the cultivation path. There might have been one person who could reach the shore astride, and one who could achieve living forever. Then, they would return to Haotian’s embrace.”

Ning Que looked at the stone steps that were wet by the rain. He asked, stunned, “Would that be death or eternal life?”

“No one knows.”

Master Qishan seemed a bit lost. He said, “Buddha cannot come back and tell us. Our Taoist seniors who have ascended into heaven and become immortals cannot tell us either. This is the greatest temptation and fear.”

Ning Que looked up at the master and asked, “Is that why both Liu Bai and Lotus did not dare to take that step?”

Master Qishan answered, “This should be the case.”

“There is still a large distance between the point where one breaks the Five States and reaching those states. However, once you get a taste of it, you’d want to do it again. After experiencing creating their own rules, cultivators would find it hard to control their desire to continue forth. That is why unless they truly believe that their talent can only bring them just past the threshold of Haotian Taoism, they would not dare to take another step.”

The master shook his head slowly and said, “However, those who can break the Five States are impressive characters like Liu Bai and Younger Brother Lotus. They are very confident in their own talents.”

Ning Que suddenly said, “The Headmaster…”

Master Qishan said, “Don’t ask me. Decades ago, the Headmaster himself said that he was not a Sage. If you want me to guess, I would guess that he has cultivated to the State of Peace.”

Ning Que smiled and said, “He is so noisy, how could he be peaceful?”

Master Qishan said, “The peace is in his heart and that is enough.”

Ning Que reached out and caught hold of the rain outside the temple. He rubbed it between his fingers, and after a long pause, he asked, “Is there no one who is capable of ascending to the heavens?”

Master Qishan said, “Is there anyone who can escape the cycle of nature?”

Ning Que retracted his hand and wiped it on his Academy uniform. He said, “Teacher never told me about this.”

Master Qishan said, “That’s because the Headmaster believed that you would definitely reach the Peak of Knowing Destiny State. When you see the separation between man and heaven, you would know then, the fear and temptations on Earth.”

Above the Earth was the Firmament.

Ning Que looked up at the skies in the autumn rain and realized that it was bleak.

He felt a little cold.

Heaven’s Way was indeed ruthless.