Chapter 428: The Path of Cultivation

...

Do we really have to kill spirit beasts and obtain spirit rings in order to become stronger?

Is there no way for a spirit master to become more powerful through their own means?

The idea had sprouted within Zeng Yi's heart a long time ago.

Now, witnessing this scene, Zeng Yi had started to doubt.

Is the path I'm walking really the right one?

What difference is there between me and those who indiscriminately slaughter the innocent?

Spirit beasts also have intelligence, not to mention those with cultivation of thousands of years. They may not possess human wisdom, but they are still living beings.

They live in this primitive forest, enjoying the blessings of nature.

However, humans come to this place, driven by their own desires and the need to become stronger, killing these creatures and acquiring their power.

They even treat them as livestock.

But in this world, the law is survival of the fittest!

If humans can do this to their own kind, what about other species, like spirit beasts?

To become stronger, we plunder, kill, and don't even need a reason.

Zeng Yi had long known that the world was like this, and he couldn't change it.

What he could do was change himself.

He wanted to become stronger, desired power. But obtaining power didn't have to come through killing.

But I am a spirit master!

To become stronger, I need to kill spirit beasts and obtain their spirit rings, so I can continue to cultivate, continue to grow stronger until I have the strength to protect myself.

But my principles, from the very moment I became a spirit master, have already been violated!

This is a contradictory problem that cannot be resolved.

Zeng Yi looked at the pair of spirit beasts, the mother and child, with hollow eyes. At this moment, his faith seemed to collapse and shatter completely.

"Hehe"

Zeng Yi forced a bitter smile, as if mocking himself.

Now, he no longer has the strength to wield his sword.

He can't find a reason to fight anymore.

The sorrowful cry of the Thorny Armored Beast mother, the tears streaming from her eyes, and the stubborn figure of the little spirit beast trying to protect its mother.

Zeng Yi couldn't bear to look at this anymore.

"Forget it."

Zeng Yi sighed sadly, sheathed his sword, turned around, and left the valley.

On a moonlit night in the Star Dou Forest, the night breeze blew, causing the leaves to rustle.

Everything was silent, and the forest seemed particularly tranquil.

But in the gentle night breeze, a sense of confusion seemed to linger.

Zeng Yi sat on the trunk of a giant tree, leaning against its broad trunk. He looked up, his gaze piercing through the dense branches and leaves, fixed on the bright full moon in the sky.

His eyes reflected a sense of confusion.

"What am I here for?"

Zeng Yi asked himself in a mumbled voice while leaning against the tree.

Entering the Star Dou Forest... Isn't it to become stronger?

For every spirit master, entering the Spirit Beast Forest should bring joy and excitement.

Because entering the Spirit Beast Forest means they will obtain new spirit rings and become stronger.

Zeng Yi had also entered the Star Dou Forest with such expectations.

But now, he didn't know why he had come here.

He only felt endless confusion!

To become a spirit master, must one plunder? Must one kill other lives, even innocent ones?

How laughable!

Since that's the case, why did I become a spirit master?

Zeng Yi couldn't understand.

For the first time, he felt how ridiculous the occupation of a spirit master, revered by everyone on the continent, was!

Even though spirit masters possess unparalleled power!

In this world, everyone possesses martial spirits. As long as spiritual power is born within their bodies during the awakening of their martial spirits, they can cultivate and become spirit masters.

To advance ten levels of spiritual power, one needs spirit rings to continue cultivation and reach the next realm.

And spirit rings can only be obtained from the bodies of spirit beasts.

If a person wants to cultivate to the level of a Titled Douluo, they would need to kill nine spirit beasts!

This cultivation method made Zeng Yi find it laughable. Humans themselves want to become stronger, but they must rely on the bodies of spirit beasts as a crucial factor.

Just imagine, if this cultivation method continues indefinitely, won't spirit beasts be extinct in ten thousand years? Without spirit beasts, the occupation of spirit masters would cease to exist.

On the other hand, spirit beasts don't need to rely on others; they can cultivate by themselves. They can absorb the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, refine it within their bodies, or absorb natural treasures to cultivate to the level of Titled Douluo equal to human spirit masters.

These are 10,000 year Spirit Beasts!

Moreover, 10,000 year Spirit Beasts can even transform into human form for further cultivation.

Even if they start from scratch, they can accumulate spirit rings on their own without killing spirit beasts.

By relying on their own cultivation methods, they can become stronger.

Compared to this, human spirit masters appear incredibly laughable!

Even pathetic!

Of course, killing spirit beasts is not the only way to obtain spirit rings.

There is another method of acquiring spirit rings, which is through divine inheritance places, where one can undergo trials set by gods and obtain spirit rings.

These spirit rings belong to divine bestowment.

But the problem is, one still needs to rely on external forces to become stronger.

Is this cultivation method really suitable for me?

Zeng Yi questioned himself.

Is it true that spirit masters cannot condense their own spirit rings?

Or is it absolutely necessary to have spirit rings? Without spirit rings, can't one cultivate?

Is spiritual power really forever stagnated here? Unable to advance?

Zeng Yi was now confused. Who was the idiot who created the current cultivation method for spirit masters? Didn't they ever think about this problem?

Or is it because this cultivation method is comparatively simple that it has been passed down?

Indeed, becoming stronger through plundering the power of others, the power of spirit beasts, is much simpler with this cultivation method.

The spirit master who created this cultivation method was also a genius.

But, is this cultivation method truly worthy of continuation?

Is there anyone on this continent who can reach the level of gods through this cultivation method?

Zeng Yi seemed to remember that in the original work, in order to become a god, one needed to inherit the position of another god.

The gods in the divine realm change from generation to generation.

Figures like Tang San, Qian Renxue, and Bibi Dong had all inherited the positions of existing gods.

Afterwards, the other members of Shrek Academy also sought various divine inheritance places on the continent to achieve godhood.

So the question is, why would those original gods give up their divine positions?

Could it be that the divine position is a kind of imprisonment for them?

With this thought, Zeng Yi became even more perplexed.

Now thinking back, the oath he made to become a self-made god no longer seemed ludicrous.

Perhaps this was the correct path of cultivation.

Of course, the difficulty and hardships in this path would also increase exponentially.

But isn't that what makes it challenging?

Zeng Yi drew out the [Ronin Sword], his gaze focused on the sword, and his palm touched the icy edge.

"You also don't want to become stronger by taking the lives of others, right!"

Clang!

At that moment, the [Ronin Sword] seemed to understand Zeng Yi's words. It gleamed and its sharp sword vibrated, as if responding to Zeng Yi.

At this moment, Zeng Yi made a decision, and his bewildered gaze became resolute.

Abandoning the current cultivation method and embarking on a completely new path of cultivation!

This crazy idea sprouted within Zeng Yi's heart, beginning to sprout and take root, waiting for the moment it would break through the soil.

In the eyes of others, it seemed like a crazy or foolish idea.

But for Zeng Yi, it seemed entirely possible.

Because his spirit is not of this world, his nature is different.

Moreover, Zeng Yi has the [Wind Sword Art].

Zeng Yi's martial spirit is called [Ronin Sword], not because it possesses the ability to control wind, but because it is an ordinary yet mysterious long sword.

The ability to control wind was obtained through this martial technique, and it belongs to Zeng Yi's own abilities!

The reason why Zeng Yi is incredibly powerful, surpassing spirit masters of the same level, is also due to this martial technique.

His profound spiritual power is unmatched by spirit masters of the same level.

Therefore, Zeng Yi has confidence that even without killing spirit beasts to obtain spirit rings, he can still become stronger!

If a year is not enough, then ten years!

If ten years are not enough, then a hundred years!

He must break the shackles,

Reach the peak!

With determination firmly set, Zeng Yi's heart became clear at this moment, as if everything became clear in an instant.

The sprout had now taken root, waiting to burst out of the soil.