Xuanweizi asked Titus and Wolf to sit down, and then talked about his insights into the methods of refining and controlling weapons.
"Whether it is weapon refining or weapon control, these skills have an important world view premise, that is, people cannot exist apart from the real world. But the relationship between people and the world may not be what you think." Xuan Wei
Zi said: "It's like asking, does your body really belong to you?"
Wolf scratched his chest and said: "Of course it belongs to me! Could it be someone else's? Even if I am transformed into a berserker, my body is still mine."
Xuan Weizi turned to look at Tius. As a mage, his thinking and cognitive ability far exceeded that of Wolf, and he vaguely understood the meaning of what Xuan Weizi said, so he followed his words and said:
"Doesn't my body belong to me?"
Xuan Weizi handed a gem infused with "inert barrier" to Titus and asked: "Can you use this thing?"
Titus carefully identified it, then used "Detection Magic" to look around, nodded slightly and said: "Give me some time, I can display it."
"What kind of principle allows you to use it?" Xuan Weizi added: "This is a psychic item. Although it is still magic in a broad sense, it is still different from the mage's arcane magic."
Theus didn't think much about it at the moment and could only explain it according to the academy textbook: "A magic item is something that can be connected with the user's soul, and this connection will form various fuzzy nodes around the soul. Use
Magic items actually adjust these nodes through various methods. Some use passwords or spells, some rely on movement gestures, and some adjust directly through spiritual will."
Having said this, Titus suddenly understood why Xuanweizi was able to seal his spell slot and also prevent him from using magic items. That power was indeed not an anti-magic field, but a special psychic ability that restricted
The function of connecting one’s own soul with the outside world.
Theus continued: "One of the reasons why spell slots can be developed is that mages in the past discovered that when using magic items, these fuzzy nodes will be formed on the periphery of the soul. Even if ordinary people know how to use magic items, they cannot simultaneously
There are too many equipments because the peripheral nodes of the soul are limited.
However, after research on soul strength driven by soul enchantment, mages' understanding of soul nodes has also improved, and they can even have more soul nodes to wear and use magic items. Of course, this still has a limit, and the more types there are
, the more complex the function of a magic item, the heavier the burden on the soul and spirit."
Xuan Weizi smiled and said: "I don't understand the so-called soul strength and nodes, but for me, it is actually a question of understanding and defining the self-category. For example, why does a magic ring have an impact on me when it is worn on my hand?
The effect is because most people believe that the items worn on the body are actually part of the 'self'."
Theus nodded and said: "It can indeed be said that. Therefore, those who can use magic items must be intelligent beings who can understand the concept of 'self'. Like ordinary cats and dogs, or incapacitated vegetative people,
Even if you give him magic items, they won't be able to exert their effects."
After all, Theus had received a formal and rigorous education. He not only mastered magic theory, but also had a certain philosophical foundation. On the other hand, Wolf's eyes were empty, and his mouth was slightly open, unable to say anything.
Xuan Weizi showed a sly expression at this time and asked: "Then how do you define 'self'?"
Theus was about to say something, but his thoughts suddenly went haywire. His mouth was crooked, his eyes were slanted, and his fingers were moving randomly, as if he had been hit by a "retarded spell", and he said: "I, I..."
Not a whole sentence.
"Actually, the vast majority of people...including intelligent beings, only have a vague concept, as if there is such a 'self'."
The snow goblin wizard continued: "They do not really realize the 'self', but form the perception of color, sound, fragrance, and touch based on the organs of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body, and use various definitions of external concepts to in turn establish
The existence of 'self'. Such 'self' must be formed by interacting with the external environment."
"This, this..." Theus felt something was wrong and quickly asked: "Don't you first establish your 'self' before you can use magic items?"
"Possessiveness, everything is caused by this thinking mode." Xuan Weizi said: "It is not that when someone puts on a magic ring, the magic ring will naturally have an effect. It is his 'possessiveness' that works.
The soul then touches the magic effect in the ring, thus promoting the effect to be blessed on this person. This is why even the automatically activated magic items have no effect on the disabled and ignorant vegetable.
Possessing the heart', your soul knows how to form a connection with the magic item."
Titus was stunned and said nothing, and Xuan Weizi continued: "Then let me ask you again, are your shoes yours?"
"Of course it's mine..." Theus said with some guilt.
"Why do you say these shoes are yours?" Xuan Weizi asked.
"If it is worn on my feet, of course it is mine." Theus replied.
"Take it off and put it aside." Xuan Weizi pointed casually.
Titus did as he was told, took off his shoes and put them aside. Xuan Weizi continued to ask: "Are these shoes still yours now?"
Theus replied somewhat confusedly: "Should...or should I?"
"Why? This shoe no longer has any contact with you at this moment. It is placed on the ground. Why do you still say it is yours?" Xuan Weizi asked.
"But I paid for this!" Theus said matter-of-factly.
Xuan Weizi raised his hand to summon Akuma Matata, pointed to the pair of shoes on the ground and said, "Put them on."
Akuma Matata gave Titus a sarcastic smile, put on her ill-fitting leather shoes, and started walking around, sticking out her butt towards Titus from time to time, which was very charming.
The meaning of ridicule.
But Titus didn't have an attack, he was just confused. Xuan Weizi asked: "Now, are these shoes yours?"
"This...even if it is robbed, it should still be mine." Theus said a little stubbornly: "I bought it at the 'Arandu Leather Shop' in Huowu City, and I still have the receipt!"
"Is your possession of these shoes based on a piece of paper with some text symbols written on it?"
Akuma Matata's slave, will you become his slave?"
"Of course not! This kind of thing has no legal effect!" Even so, Theus knew very well that the other party was not talking about legal provisions or property ownership, but something more essential and deeper, but he couldn't figure it out at all.
reason.
Xuan Weizi said seriously at this time: "Your possession of the shoes is not a law, not a bill, not money, but your 'possession', which is an extension of your definition of 'self'. Do you think this pair of shoes belongs to you?"
Yourself. In fact, a shoe is just a shoe. It is just an object made up of a bunch of leather, string, and glue. It will not be truly possessed by anything, but is caused by the 'possessiveness' of the world."
Theus' head was swollen, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was hot. He felt as if his consciousness was being bombarded by various psychic powers in turn.
Xuan Weizi looked at Wolf again and asked: "Answer me now, does your body really belong to you?"
Wolf swallowed his saliva and said, "That's right...Look, my hands, feet, and body are all connected together. You can't just chop me into pieces and ask questions, right? This is so inappropriate."
Xuan Weizi smiled and said, "Then let me ask you, how did you grow up?"
"That's how I grew up." Wolf added: "Although I have been transformed into a berserker, I still have to grow up normally. I need to eat meat, drink water, and breathe."
"Well, does the meat you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe belong to you?" Xuan Weizi chased after him.
"Then, those...those things are mine after they enter my body!" Wolf retorted unreasonably.
"Okay, but before you take your first bite of meat, drink your first drink of water, or even take your first breath, is your body yours?" Xuan Weizi asked.
Wolf's mouth trembled, and he could only respond with a grin: "It's mine!"
Xuan Weizi nodded with a smile, and then his expression became solemn: "What about before you were born? Is your body yours?"
"Where did I come from before I was born?!" Wolf was completely confused now.
At this time, Theus interjected: "Before you were born, your body was conceived by your parents." He finally figured out some ideas, but soon he thought of the next question.
Sure enough, Xuan Weizi asked: "Then before your parents were born, were your bodies yours?"
This time, Theus and Wolf were completely dumbfounded. This was not about the training and discussion of psychic abilities. It was clearly about humans and nature!
"No matter what kind of life exists, it does not appear out of thin air. It is a combination of energy and matter expressed by different information." Xuan Weizi said: "Including what you and I wear, use, eat, drink, etc.
Every breath and every breath comes from everything in the world. So I would say - whether it is weapon refining or weapon control, these skills have an important world view premise, that is, people cannot exist apart from the real world.
"
After all, Titus is a mage and knows something about planes and various special existences. He can't help but ask: "Does it also include incorporeal life? I remember that the 'Ether Society' has researched various ghosts, ghosts and non-entity existences.
.They do not require any of the energy substances on which living things depend.”
"But they also need an environment." Xuan Weizi said: "In fact, the so-called virtual life also has its own 'body', but its performance is different from that of ordinary creatures, and it cannot exist apart from reality. It's just what I think
The 'reality' we are talking about is broader than the reality plane in the general sense... it can even be said to be the sum of all existence."
Theus pinched the bridge of his nose. The snow goblin wizard built a small pyramid with gravel next to it, and then pushed it down. He let out a sharp and harsh laugh. He could only ask: "This and that..."
…What does ‘possessiveness’ have to do with it?”
"The 'possessing mind' is the function of consciousness. In the final analysis, it can be traced back to the 'self' formed based on the feedback of perception of the external environment. In fact, the essence of that 'self' is consciousness, which is the self-perception of possession of the body."
Xuan Weizi said: "Because of consciousness, your body is just occupied by a mass of illusions such as perception, judgment, concept, knowledge, etc. You cannot really control your body."
"Why not?" Wolf waved his strong arms.
Xuan Weizi said: "If your body really belongs to you, then you should be able to fully control your body's organs and abilities. You should be able to clearly understand the impact of the external environment on your body, and you should be able to do so without any problems.
Obstructively observe any lesions or abnormalities in the internal environment... Can you do this? If you can't, why do you say that this lump of flesh with limbs is your body?"
Seeing Wolf and Titus looking at each other blankly, Xuan Weizi had no choice but to "seduce them with desire first" and said: "A person who truly controls his body can exert all the functions of his organs. Not only is his body strong,
Multiplied, vitality is strong, and you can acquire various special abilities that cannot be lifted based on your own talents and specialties. What's more, your life span can be extended, your appearance will not look old, and your muscles and bones will not weaken!
And to do this, you must take charge of the soul, recognize the spirit and withdraw from it, so as to realize how the external environment affects your body. This once again returns to what I said-people cannot exist in isolation from the real world.
Because it cannot be separated, the influence of the external environment on one's body must exist. And recognizing this influence is precisely the expression of the soul."
Theus suddenly realized something and asked: "Then the method of refining and controlling weapons that you mentioned just now, does it mean that people are the 'weapons'?"
"That's right! Refining weapons means refining people!" Xuan Weizi said firmly.
There is a saying in Taishang: Cultivation is based on the body, and its virtue is true. Why should cultivation be based on the body? The reason lies in this. This body cannot be separated from the external environment and exist in isolation. Taoist cultivation is not like Buddhism, which is about the joy of death.
Emptiness does not require ultimate nirvana.
Immortality and cherishing rebirth are not just words without foundation. If you live in the world and are born as human beings, if you don’t practice and cannot cherish rebirth in full form, then your life will be in vain.
Xuan Weizi's long speech was not only an opportunity to test the understanding and aptitude of Titus and Wolf, but also to remind him of the "Maian" in Biyun Ruyi.
Of course, we cannot directly say that Maian is an accomplished monk in Buddhist practice, but his practice of abandoning his body and grasping attachments, in the eyes of Xuan Weizi, means that his cultivation is biased and requires careful retraining and enlightenment.
In addition, Xuan Weizi is also re-evaluating his own practice. Because compared to the possession of the body by consciousness, the delusional possession of all things in the world may be the source of the shortcomings of his previous life.
In the elixir path, the soul appears clear and clear, fully controls the functions of the body, and reaches the state where the form and spirit are wonderful, and the body and mind are indivisible. This is the "golden elixir mastery". At this state, it is necessary to break through the calamity of the delusional mind and illuminate it.
See the difference between truth and falsehood.
This body cannot exist apart from the real world, but it must also be dominated by my soul. If it extends outwards, does it mean that the self can become the master of the real world? Use your own heart to occupy all existence and existence in the real world.