"Mana is formed from the fusion of Spirit and Turbidity, but this fusion is imbalanced. The power of Turbidity is more overwhelming than that of Spirit. So, while it appears to be a fusion, in reality, Turbidity constantly suppresses Spirit.

Consequently, the moment a Cultivator uses their Mana, the Spiritual Turbidity within them becomes completely imbalanced. In mild cases, their Cultivation Level deteriorates. In severe cases, they perish completely."

"As humans are the most spiritual of all beings, Yuan Ji, do you know what methods those ancient masters devised?"

At this, Hai Shu Bodhisattva turned to Yang An.

Yang An’s heart skipped a beat; he already had an idea of the answer.

’Is this why everything and everyone that touches upon cultivation must bear a cost?’

"Exactly!"

"All the old methods of cultivating using either Spirit or Turbidity became obsolete. Since using the Mana in their bodies caused Spiritual Turbidity to fall out of balance, the ancient Cultivators changed things from the ground up. They abandoned the old ways and created new methods compatible with Mana—the very Cultivation and Techniques we practice today."

"However, this power, which originates from beyond living beings, has always transcended any method. No matter the method, it is ultimately just a means of Mystical Power."

"So, you’re saying there’s never been a true solution for the imbalance of Spiritual Turbidity?" Yang An asked curiously.

"Yuan Ji, you are exceptionally astute. You understand with the slightest hint."

Elder Monk Hai Shu praised Yang An once again.

"The new methods were never meant to balance Spiritual Turbidity, for that is beyond human influence. Rather, the new methods were created to establish a balance between the person and their Mana!"

"We cannot influence the Mana of the outside world. However, for the Mana that has already been condensed within our bodies, a Cultivator can, by partially sacrificing their own body and soul, channel the imbalanced Turbidity into themselves, thus achieving a balance between the person and their Mana!"

"We call this process... Contamination!"

"Only by doing this can Cultivators avoid the complete annihilation caused by an imbalance of Spiritual Turbidity. They use their own bodies as vessels to bear the erosion and contamination of Turbidity. At the same time, they wield the power born from this balance to reach higher realms, attain a longer life, and search for a chance at new life before their own comes to an end!"

"So... the so-called ’cost’ is actually just the different ways the erosion and contamination of the soul and body by Turbidity manifests?"

Yang An took a deep breath. ’This truly is a monumental secret.’

"Indeed."

Elder Monk Hai Shu nodded, affirming Yang An’s conclusion.

"But why is the power of Turbidity greater than that of Spirit? What if it were the other way around? Cultivators suffer all kinds of costs when they are contaminated by Turbidity. But if someone were to use the old methods to cultivate Turbidity directly, while using their body and soul to contain Spirit, could that have the opposite result?"

A torrent of thoughts and questions flooded Yang An’s mind. Disregarding the gap in status between himself and Elder Monk Hai Shu, he voiced them.

His curiosity was so intense, it felt like ants were crawling all over him—he had to know the answers.

Hai Shu Bodhisattva was not at all put off by Yang An’s rapid-fire questions; on the contrary, he appeared quite patient.

"Spirit has always existed. It is eternal and unchanging.

But Turbidity is constantly growing stronger. It has been growing for as long as this world has existed. The amount of Turbidity within Mana is ever-increasing. One might say the entire world is now contaminated by it.

That is why Spirit can never be stronger than Turbidity!"

With that, Elder Monk Hai Shu answered two of Yang An’s questions at once.

"As for the method you’ve imagined, the ancient Cultivators did in fact try it. And at first, it even proved to be a viable path!

However!

Not only were successful attempts exceedingly rare, but those who tried still suffered the cost of an imbalanced Spiritual Turbidity. The Spirit within them would gradually diminish until, in the end, they were completely overcome by Turbidity’s contamination and faced utter annihilation.

This is why that method did not survive to the present day."

"An ancient saying goes: ’To balance one’s humanity with power is to become an Immortal; to overreach with power is to become a Xian. The path of the Immortal holds promise, but the path of the Xian leads to ruin!’

In truth, this describes the two methods: the new path and the old path!"

’To balance one’s humanity with power is to become an Immortal; to overreach with power is to become a Xian!!!’

Hearing Elder Monk Hai Shu’s words, Yang An felt his breath catch in his throat, and a tidal wave of shock crashed through his mind.

’Immortal and Xian!’

’So that’s the difference between them!’

’So... this is what a Xian is.’

’Then the Earth Spirit Stele... Don’t tell me all the Cultivation and Techniques on it aren’t for becoming an Immortal on the new path? Are they actually for becoming a Xian on the old path?!’

’Within the Life Crane Sect, is everyone who practices the *Mystic Path Decoded* actually training to become a Xian?’

’Doesn’t that mean I’m also cultivating the old path, not the new one? That I’m becoming a Xian, not an Immortal?’

At this realization, Yang An nearly choked, his breath catching in his throat.

’Immortals cultivate for longevity, but Xians are destined for a short life.’

’No wonder everyone knows about Immortals but not Xians. It seems everyone who tried to become a Xian is already dead and gone.’

’That old bastard, Life Crane! Leading me astray like this... he’s done me irreparable harm!’

Yang An wailed internally, but then his thoughts came to a sudden halt.

’Oh, wait! I have a Golden Finger. Never mind, I’m fine.’

He had been so shocked by Elder Monk Hai Shu’s revelations that he’d forgotten: he possessed the power of Purification. He didn’t have to bear any cost at all.

In other words, he didn’t have to worry about being eroded and contaminated by Turbidity. He was completely different from everyone else.

But this inevitably led Yang An to another question.

’Does my Golden Finger devour all the imbalanced Turbidity in my body? Is that how it maintains the balance of Spiritual Turbidity, allowing me to avoid paying any cost?’