Twilight Boundary-Chapter 735 - 726: Killing and Seizing Lives

"Cultivation?"

Hu Ma didn't expect Calculation to come up with this answer.

The concept of cultivation was tied to one's skills.

The human limit was **Three Column Tao**, but through certain methods, one could attain **four columns**, or even more.

Moreover, while cultivation was indeed significant, in crucial moments, having more cultivation meant better stamina. However, in cases where **dharma methods** were similar and skills indistinguishable, even highly advanced **dharma methods** and exquisite techniques could render cultivation somewhat redundant. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Take me, for instance. Whether as a **walking ghost** or during **Shousui**, my methods were the finest. When dueling, the outcome was usually decided swiftly, without reaching the point of pitting cultivations against each other.

Furthermore, there were many in the world versed in **improving their cultivation**. Some could achieve an extra two columns of cultivation with insects. The **Eldest Master Meng** even had **nine columns of Tao**, which didn't align with what Calculation suggested.

"It's **Righteous Skill**!"

As if he had seen through Hu Ma's thoughts, Calculation said in a low voice, "This is different from the **human pillar** I told you about before. It is an upright, internal **dharma method** of striving for life with one's own body."

Hearing this, Hu Ma felt a stir inside. "What is **Righteous Skill**? What is **abnormal magic**?"

"All that you observe in the various **Paths** are **abnormal magic**."

Calculation sighed. "The road to **Shangqiao** became available only after **Master Tai Sui** descended, but **the practice of cultivation** had long been a method among the **Paths**."

"Back then, it was much simpler. Killing someone could yield cultivation; killing one person yielded **one Column**. Of course, it could involve killing a good person or a **Human Demon**."

"But whether you killed a good person or an evil one, or used some method to create a **Body outside the body** or a **soul outside the soul**, it was all deceit. It was like an illusion; you saw only a shadow. You brought nothing into life and took nothing into death, and your life remained unchanged."

"The true method, however, is actually..."

Calculation's usually comical face turned solemn as he slowly said, "To kill oneself."

"To seize life from **God**."

"Once seized, it's your own, upright, with the flesh never dying."

"..."

Listening to Calculation, Hu Ma frowned involuntarily.

He didn't even rush to ask about the "killing oneself" method but rather noticed something. "These words, did he tell you to say them to me?"

Calculation immediately shrank his neck and whispered, "You know it, that's enough. Otherwise, I'd have to remind you!"

"My skills aren't up to it, so I can't see the boundaries of heaven and earth. The world's prowess has its limits, but only the **Main Sacrificial**, who has enquired of the heavens and earth, can see that high and that far."

"These words were engraved in my mind by my cheap master. He said you would ask eventually. I don't have to forcefully tell you, but if you ask, I'll say."

"..."

Is it because he knows I won't go to **Shangqiao**, yet isn't content with it, that he uses this opportunity to tell me?

Hu Ma wanted to vent his anger on Calculation again.

But seeing him with his head lowered and eyes drooped, Hu Ma simply squinted and said, "Then keep talking!"

"I'm just parroting his words here..."

Calculation said, "As for other things, he also mentioned **Shangqiao**. He said that the concept of **Shangqiao** is indeed a way to hide from the world. From the start, it involves the notion of 'hiding,' so it's not proper. Many have now gone to **Shangqiao**, but they've encountered obstacles they can't cross."

"The reason why people on the bridge don't see their hometown is because of this. So, if hiding from the world fails, staying in the world and contending with heaven and earth for life might be the right path."

"This method of **gradually improving cultivation** and the method of going to **Shangqiao** form a balance between yin and yang."

"However, if one continues down this path, it may all lead to the same crossing step, or it may prove one true and one false, with significant differences in between."

"..."

Hu Ma suddenly thought of something important. "So, you mean he hasn't practiced this method himself?"

"He said his fate wasn't strong enough, and his heart wasn't ruthless enough..."

Calculation said, "Most importantly, he himself is one of those who walked furthest on the bridge and can no longer retreat."

Seeing Hu Ma fall into contemplation again, Calculation sighed with relief and laughed. "Alright, anyway, I've repeated what needed to be said. It's not important. He may not know, but I know that you have **four columns** of cultivation."

"Earlier, when you asked me about the **Method** to create a **human pillar**, I didn't want to tell you. Now looking at it, it's better to have said it. The **human pillar** was an evil **Method**, and that path has long been blocked."

"Now, even if you want to **improve your cultivation**, you can't."

"..."

"That's no obstacle."

Hu Ma listened and calmly said, "I've already cut off my **One Incense** from my body."

"If you stayed on the **blood food mine** earlier, you should have seen the anomaly."

"..."

"What?"

Calculation's eyes widened. After a long while, he cautiously asked, "You didn't refine it back?"

"No."

Hu Ma lightly exhaled. "Originally, I had other plans, but now I've decided not to engage with them for the time being."

Seeing his demeanor, Calculation fell silent. He initially wanted to tug on the donkey's ear to make it walk slower and discreetly disappear from Hu Ma's sight, leaving him to his thoughts.

He didn't expect the donkey to be stubborn, walking faster and persistently alongside Hu Ma's carriage. This made Calculation feel a bit awkward staying with Hu Ma. After a while, he tentatively spoke, "If you ask me, this..."

"...these words aren't just parroting. It's truly what I think."

"..."

Hu Ma turned to look at him, gesturing for him to speak.

Calculation cleared his throat. "In my opinion, it doesn't matter who says it; you must see for yourself."

"You ask me about the fate issue, I can't answer because I don't have such high insight. Even if I knew, it's just what I've heard and not reliable. So, nothing is more useful than seeing it for yourself."

"**Shangqiao**?"

Hu Ma looked at him. To see his fate, he could only go to **Shangqiao**.

"A false bridge!"

Calculation lowered his voice. "Nowadays, countless people in the **jianghu** of various **Paths** want to go to **Shangqiao**, but those with shallow foundations can't even step on it."

"Some, by chance, may take that step and see themselves, but ultimately they slip back down. They often believe it's their destined fate and settle down, enduring age steadily."

"But frankly, it's just a lack of foundation."

"You're completely different from these people, with a solid foundation. You can step on anytime. But your body is too heavy; if you take that step, you'll have to worry about not being able to come down. However, if..."

"...you use something to tether yourself, just take a look, then immediately return to the **human world**?"

"..."

Can this be done?

Hu Ma listened and felt intrigued. He lowered the curtain to seriously consider its feasibility.

**Shangqiao**, transcendence, or avoidance, had various descriptions. Yet, it seemed like people inherently possessed the urge to 'escape' or 'hide.' Thus, after mastering their skills, the impulse to go to **Shangqiao** always persisted.

It was already hard enough to hold back. What if he could just 'test the waters' without fully committing...?

The more he thought about it, the more interesting it seemed. Outside the carriage window, blinding sunlight pierced the curtain onto his legs—it was noon.

Going to **Shangqiao** meant entering the **underworld**, requiring a period rich in **yin qi**. But to return, it was best to have strong **yang qi**. As for what might tether him, he thought of **Little Hongtang** and looked down.

**Little Hongtang**, bored from the journey, lay next to him. She was dazed for a moment before understanding the meaning in his eyes and slowly rolling up her sleeves.

So, Hu Ma relaxed, carefully contemplating, then suddenly closed his eyes.

The next moment, everything around suddenly exhibited a peculiar stillness. The wheels, grinding over the muddy road, seemed to lose their sound.

The gentle breeze passing through halted for a moment. The carriage driver ahead raised his whip high, but just as the tip was about to curl and crack sharply, it fell silent, as if time had been stolen.

"Hey, sister, let me tell you, there are more fun stories."

"Earlier in **Shima Town**, we taught a lesson to an old officer with a big head and a small body. You wouldn't know, he looked funny, but he was fierce. But my senior brothers gave him a good teasing..."

In the following carriage, **Immortal Miaoshan** was telling **Fourth Miss Zhou** amusing stories. **Fourth Miss Zhou** longed for the **jianghu** but was tightly controlled by her family and had not ventured much. But the more Miss Zhou listened, the more puzzled she grew. "Sister, the person you spoke of sounds familiar to me."

"Ah, then let me change the story..."

**Immortal Miaoshan** said, "I've told you, I've got many senior brothers, all with excellent skills."

"And indeed, we never hide our skills; whoever wants to learn, we teach. But isn't it funny? We're willing to teach our skills to others, and those we teach are willing to learn, yet paradoxically, some other people object."

"That time, we met a fellow named Zhou, nicknamed **Cloud Catcher**. He came meddling around, and ended up being thoroughly dealt with by our **Big Senior Brother**..."

"Hung on a tree for several days..."

"..."

**Fourth Miss Zhou** could no longer laugh. She said awkwardly, "My surname is Zhou."

"Sister, the person you talked about, seems to be... my **Third Uncle**!"

"..."

The merry chat in the carriage, which had been going on happily all the way, now turned slightly awkward.

**Fourth Miss Zhou** and **Immortal Miaoshan** stared at each other, wide-eyed. Both felt that things were not quite right. **Immortal Miaoshan** had talked about many **nobles** deserving a beating and the stubbornness of the **jianghu**, while **Fourth Miss Zhou** had shared tales of miscreants and mischief-makers...

They had seemed to have plenty to talk about when they got together, but now...

"BUZZ!"

But just as their gazes turned peculiar and the atmosphere neared the brink of awkwardness, **Fourth Miss Zhou** suddenly felt a jolt. Instinctively, she drew her attention back from **Immortal Miaoshan**.

In that instant, her surprise was indescribable. Without thinking, her form leapt through the carriage, spanning ten zhang.

"You... surely not..."

She stared at Hu Ma's carriage, her expression indescribable, not daring to believe her own speculation.

Why would someone do this while on the road?

Surely this required meticulous preparation over years to prevent unexpected issues?