As a special sense of clarity welled up in his heart, a unique willpower slowly took form around Qi Ping’s body.
Roughly two incense sticks of time later, when Qi Ping opened his eyes again, the special artistic conception surrounding him had completely solidified.
“This is… the first layer of the Dao Heart’s Artistic Conception? I’ve comprehended it?”
Faced with this sudden surprise, Qi Ping was momentarily stunned.
This enlightenment had taken him completely by surprise.
Ever since learning about the Dao Heart’s Artistic Conception from Meng Yan, Qi Ping had been constantly attempting and exploring its mysteries.
He had repeatedly reflected on his experiences across two lifetimes, hoping to clarify his own Dao Heart.
He recalled his previous life’s academic journey, starting from a state of ignorant youth—over a decade spent studying all kinds of books—before stepping into society and becoming an ox-and-horse laborer, trapped and unable to control his own fate. Qi Ping disliked that kind of life, yet found it difficult to break free from the constraints of familial bonds, societal norms, and the world’s rules, ultimately becoming an inconspicuous speck among the masses…
In this life, Qi Ping transmigrated to the world of immortal cultivation. On the brink of death from starvation and illness, he was saved by Old Man Zhou. Later, he lived as a bottom-tier rogue cultivator for over five years. Although he lived relatively freely, he deeply felt the hardships of the cultivation path. The limitations of his innate talent and the scarcity of resources destined him to achieve nothing, no matter how hard he cultivated.
Thus, over time, Qi Ping gradually let go of his obsession with the path of immortality and began to accept his ordinary life of beekeeping.
It wasn’t until later, when Qi Ping awakened as a Druid, that he truly stepped onto a path of cultivation with a glimmer of hope. Leveraging the conveniences of the Beastmaster and Forest Druid paths, he utilized his Animal Companion talent and resources gained from farming.
Yet, Qing Stone County gradually descended into chaos—from robbers and rogue cultivators, to demonic insects, and now to sect wars. The death toll kept rising. Qi Ping witnessed many perish miserably in these turbulent times, dying like ants.
From lowly rogue cultivators at the bottom, to cultivation families and sect geniuses at the top, all were caught in this great vortex, unable to find peace.
Qi Ping didn’t want to live such a life of constant fear, nor did he wish to become one of them.
Compared to risking his neck in the midst of the vortex, Qi Ping preferred farming and beekeeping in peace. Using his Druid abilities to cultivate spiritual herbs, contemplate the heavens, earth, nature, and the cycles of life, death, growth, and decay—these were things he enjoyed far more.
However, no matter how many times Qi Ping reflected and sought enlightenment, he always felt separated by a thin film, unable to break through.
This sense of helplessness in achieving a breakthrough couldn’t be overcome by any resource; there was no way except to rely on his own clarity of understanding.
No external force could help Qi Ping.
Later, Qi Ping realized he had been too impatient.
Many cultivators spend their entire lives seeking clarity without necessarily comprehending their own Dao Heart. He had only walked this cultivation path for a few years and had already reached this stage, surpassing many others.
The key to clarifying the Dao Heart should be to properly experience one’s own life. This is a matter that spans one’s entire cultivation career; one shouldn’t rush for quick results. It’s something to contemplate alongside cultivation.
Qi Ping also reflected that he had originally only intended to rest properly today, never expecting to completely comprehend the Dao Heart’s Artistic Conception by sheer coincidence.
“This is what they mean by ‘the flowers you plant with care may not bloom, while the willows you plant unintentionally may thrive.'”
The enlightenment of the Dao Heart is truly elusive!
No wonder it can stump countless cultivators, even trapping numerous exceptionally talented prodigies.
“It’s just that my Dao Heart Artistic Conception seems quite special…”
After sensing the artistic conception surrounding him, Qi Ping discovered it had a notable protective effect, likely capable of resisting spiritual power attacks.
However, Qi Ping hadn’t come across this particular type of Dao Heart Artistic Conception in any related texts he’d read.
More common artistic conceptions included Slaughter, Emotionless, Ultimate Emotion, Battle, Protection, and so on. But Qi Ping’s didn’t fall into any of those categories.
While Qi Ping was still trying to explore his own Dao Heart Intent, he discovered that the Druid attribute panel had recorded his Dao Heart Intent in the special talent section under the Blessing of Heaven and Earth.
[Special Talents: Heaven and Earth’s Blessing, Farming Domain (Dao Heart Artistic Conception, First Layer)]
[Farming Domain: A special artistic conception produced upon comprehending the first layer of the Dao Heart’s Artistic Conception. After obtaining the Dao Heart’s Artistic Conception, one can use it to control more laws, energies, etc., and it has a good effect on resisting inner demons. Additionally, this talent has two special effects:]
[Effect One: Can form a special protective artistic conception around the user, usable to resist attacks from soul power, spiritual power, and various other forces. The protective will can improve as comprehension of the Dao Heart deepens.]
[Effect Two: Within the homestead territory of the talent owner, can control more of the power of Heaven and Earth. The degree of control over Heaven and Earth’s power can improve as comprehension of the Dao Heart deepens.]
“Farming Artistic Conception… Farming Domain… So this is my Dao Heart Artistic Conception?”
Upon seeing his own Dao Heart Artistic Conception, Qi Ping was utterly dumbfounded for a moment.
This is something!
And it suits his tastes perfectly!
In terms of the basic effects of the Dao Heart Artistic Conception, Qi Ping’s [Farming Domain] is the same as those comprehended by others. It can greatly enhance control over laws, spiritual power, and the physical body, and can also be used to resist inner demon assaults.
However, in terms of special effects, the Dao Heart Artistic Conception Qi Ping comprehended is somewhat unique.
First, the protective effect is perfectly aligned. Since beginning his cultivation, Qi Ping’s primary pursuit has always been defense and safety. The protective will perfectly matches Qi Ping’s needs for defense.
But Effect Two is somewhat peculiar—being able to control more of Heaven and Earth’s power within his own territory!
“Actually, thinking about it, it’s similar to the Slaughter Artistic Conception. The Slaughter Artistic Conception also significantly enhances one in ancient battlefields or during large-scale wars…”
“According to Effect Two’s description, my combat power should receive a certain boost when fighting on my own territory.”
“And if I can control more of Heaven and Earth’s power on my own land, it seems it would also provide considerable help in setting up powerful formations.”
“Only, this turns me into an even more archetypal enhanced formation master—explosively powerful in my own lair, but my power level dropping several notches the moment I step outside…”
However, Qi Ping wasn’t dissatisfied with this; on the contrary, he found it quite appealing.
For one, he never planned to go out unless necessary anyway. Secondly, this didn’t weaken his individual combat power; instead, it further enhanced his defensive capabilities.
It’s just that this combat system of his becomes exceptionally powerful when he’s on his home turf.
“In the future, when going out, with [Wild Shape] and [Nature’s Perception], my escape ability shouldn’t be a problem. Especially after both I and the bee swarm break through to Foundation Establishment, a massive swarm of second-order bees will make my survival capability exceptionally robust…”
“Looking at it this way, it’s not unworkable. If I encounter a strong enemy, I can flee back to my lair and then eliminate them. I just have to ensure complete eradication if I lure them back, to avoid any information about my territory leaking!”
Overall, Qi Ping was extremely satisfied with the Dao Heart Artistic Conception he had comprehended.
For someone who enjoys farming, it couldn’t be more fitting.
“I just wonder what effect merging my Dao Heart Artistic Conception with the Fire Intent would produce?”
For example, merging the Slaughter Artistic Conception with Sword Intent creates the extraordinarily powerful Slaughter Sword Intent.
Thinking of this, Qi Ping grew curious and immediately set about attempting the fusion…
