The Confucian Immortal of the Dao

Times have changed. This book was published around 2007. Classics from that era, like *The Journey of the Immortals*, *The Legend of the Little Soldier*, and even *Buddha is the Way*, might seem mediocre by today's standards. But regardless of what you critics say, this book has become a classic in the world of online literature, with countless authors drawing inspiration from and improving upon its worldview.

Honestly, I hesitated for a long time before finally not opening it, not even looking at the table of contents. It's 2017 now, and books from 2008 are unlikely to appeal to modern tastes; I was afraid of shattering my illusions...

The first fantasy novel I ever read was a real eye-opener. I remember finishing it standing in a used bookstore during my third year of junior high school, and I would rush there to read it every day after class.

Which idiot posted the "mortal cultivation" tag? This book wasn't even in the early stages of its development when it was finished.

I saw so many old books today. I vividly remember starting with a book called "The Search for the Gods" by Shuxia Yehou, and later "Strange Heroes"... My studies plummeted, and now I'm just a laborer, hopelessly addicted to the fantastical world of novels for 20 years.

Blindly seeking immortality and enlightenment leads to the loss of the heart of a great Confucian scholar. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism become a chaotic mess. What then constitutes Confucianism? All beings suffer; our ancestors knocked on our door. We follow them. Taoism cultivates oneself. Buddhism helps others. Confucianism saves all people. What one cultivates is unimportant. Without a heart, how can one save the world?

The first novel I read in junior high school 😭😭

I came to do an archaeological excavation in 2023, but I dared not look, afraid of ruining the classics I cherish.

A good novel will not be easily abandoned by the times. Sure enough, 13 or 14 years later, it is still a masterpiece.

Using reading as an analogy for cultivating immortality: Kindergarten: Determine if you are a foreigner learning bird language or a Chinese person learning Chinese (Foundation Building: Determine your cultivation direction, such as Taoism, Buddhism, or Demonism).