In the world of Under One Person, if one wished to grow stronger, the key lay in cultivating both nature and life—neither could be neglected.
"Nature" referred to a person's inner self: their spirit, thoughts, temperament. It emphasized the refinement and elevation of one's mind and character.
"Life," on the other hand, referred to the external: the body, vitality, and energy. It focused on physical health and the optimization of one's life force.
The goal of cultivating both was to achieve harmony between mind and body—a perfect unity of spirit and matter.
Among the various schools, the most renowned methods of dual cultivation included the Celestial Master Mansion's Golden Light Spell, Trinity Gate's Reverse Life Threefold, Quanzhen's internal alchemy, and other sect techniques.
During his years on Longhu Mountain—and even after descending the mountain—Gojo had devoted all his effort to cultivating life.
He strengthened his body, vitality, and qi to grow more powerful.
As for nature, thanks to the Soul Space, his spirit continuously evolved, even integrating memories from other worlds, enriching his experience and mental state.
While others required immense time to cultivate both aspects—
Gojo only needed to focus on life.
Because of this unique condition, combined with his stacked, terrifying talent, his progress with the Golden Light Spell had advanced at a staggering pace, and his understanding of it had deepened immensely.
"Based on my understanding of the Golden Light Spell," Gojo said slowly,
"I believe Reverse Life Threefold is quite similar—only far more complex in how it enters that state."
"And precisely because of that complexity, its effects are more varied and powerful."
"But in actual combat, complicated things are never as durable as simple ones."
"So I applied my understanding of the Golden Light Spell to Reverse Life Threefold… and intercepted Young Master Lu's qi circulation."
Under the gaze of Zuo Ruotong and Lu Jin, Gojo calmly laid out his reasoning.
"So that's how it is…"
After hearing this, Zuo Ruotong's expression grew complicated.
Their sect's method—
Had indeed been partially seen through.
With just a single exchange, Gojo had grasped its essence.
That level of talent…
Was simply terrifying.
In Trinity Gate, countless disciples had trained under him.
Most required long periods of practice just to enter the First Layer of Reverse Life Threefold.
Even the most talented needed at least a week.
And yet Gojo—
Needed only a single encounter to understand it.
Thinking this, Zuo Ruotong lifted his head, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lu Jin and Gojo.
"Master?"
Noticing the look, Lu Jin turned toward him, confused.
"Celestial Master," Zuo Ruotong suddenly said,
"since you're still disciplining your disciple so late, you must not be entirely satisfied with him."
"How about this—shall we exchange disciples?"
"I'll take Gojo to Trinity Gate, and you take Lu Jin to the Celestial Master Mansion?"
As he spoke, he grabbed Lu Jin's arm and extended it toward Zhang Jingqing.
"Ahhh—!"
"Master, no!!!"
"I'll train harder! I'll work twice as hard!"
Lu Jin immediately panicked, clutching Zuo Ruotong's arm with tears and snot streaming down his face, terrified he might actually be traded away.
"Sect Master Zuo, you really do know how to joke."
"Master raised me on Longhu Mountain. It's already my home—how could I leave?"
Gojo quickly stepped in to respond.
"Hahaha, Sect Master Zuo is only joking."
Zhang Jingqing laughed heartily, his gaze toward Gojo growing even more approving.
Just as both of them were laughing, Gojo suddenly asked:
"Sect Master Zuo, may I ask—can Reverse Life Threefold truly reach the heavens?"
He vaguely remembered that after Zuo Ruotong's battle with Wugen Sheng, upon realizing the path of Reverse Life Threefold was cut off, he abandoned the technique and passed away after settling his affairs.
Now that he had the rare chance to meet him—more than a decade before that battle—it was the perfect opportunity to ask.
"Reach the heavens? Of course it can."
"Our Trinity Gate's founder ascended to immortality through Reverse Life Threefold."
Zuo Ruotong was momentarily taken aback, but answered.
He didn't quite understand why Gojo would ask something so widely known.
Both Trinity Gate and the Celestial Master Mansion had records of ascension.
"Then what does it look like when one fully masters Reverse Life Threefold?" Gojo pressed.
"When it is mastered," Zuo Ruotong replied,
"one refines the spirit into emptiness, forms a body of qi, ascends to the Nine Heavens, descends into the Nine Abysses, and becomes an immortal."
Beside him, Lu Jin listened with burning eyes.
To him, Zuo Ruotong was the person most likely—aside from their founder—to bring Reverse Life Threefold to its peak.
"So," Gojo continued, "have you reached the Third Layer?"
"The path from the Second to the Third Layer is long. I have yet to reach it."
Though he didn't know Gojo's intentions, Zuo Ruotong found himself quite willing to answer, given Gojo's extraordinary talent.
"Why? Are you interested in Reverse Life Threefold?"
"Now that the banquet is over, why not visit Trinity Gate sometime?"
"Of course," Gojo replied quickly. "We've been away from Longhu Mountain for quite a while. If there's a chance, I'll definitely come and learn."
"Next time, for sure."
"Hahaha! Very well. It's getting late. Celestial Master, I'll take my leave."
Zuo Ruotong laughed, cupped his hands, and departed with Lu Jin.
"Safe travels, Sect Master Zuo."
Zhang Jingqing returned the gesture.
Once they were gone, Zhang Jingqing turned back to Gojo.
"Gojo… do you want to learn Reverse Life Threefold?"
Gojo immediately shook his head.
"I'm just curious."
"If the path to the heavens exists… why would it stop at three layers?"
"And even if one reaches the Third Layer—what then?"
"Is there no Fourth Layer? No Fifth?"
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