In the first two levels, "Tongtian" is the foundation of the body, "Ningqing" is the foundation of the mind, and the third level, the "Rushi" state, is the forging of the spiritual foundation. In this stage of cultivation, practitioners guide the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into their bodies, opening up all 361 acupoints throughout the body—this is a further transformation of the body.

According to George Baker, with each spiritual orifice opened, one's perception of the world deepens. When all the orifices are fully opened, there is a sensation as if a whole new world is rushing in. Only then do cultivators suddenly realize that the world is truly like this; before, living in the world was like looking at flowers through a mist. The name "Rushi" ("As It Is") comes from this realization.

Upon reaching the Rushi state, one's lifespan increases by twenty-seven years.

After finishing, George Baker changed the topic: "The Tongtian state for forging the body, the Ningqing state for forging the mind, the Rushi state for forging the spiritual foundation. Charles Smith, let me ask you, what do these first three levels have in common?"

James Smith had always been thoughtful. After a brief consideration, he replied, "All three realms are related to sensing nature." Drawing inferences from one instance, and always questioning further, was a habit James Smith developed under his teacher's guidance while studying. He then probed, "Looking at these three realms... the purpose of cultivation is to strive to comprehend nature and merge with heaven and earth."

George Baker chuckled, "Your answer is acceptable, but you missed the key point. It's true that all three realms strive to comprehend heaven and earth; however, the essence of cultivation is absolutely not to merge with heaven and earth. On the contrary, it is to make oneself a world unto oneself, and then break through heaven and earth! Thus comes the next stage of cultivation: Xiao Zhenyi (Lesser True One)."

To cultivate, one must draw the spiritual essence of heaven and earth into the body and comprehend the world. Inevitably, one will also be influenced by the world. This has nothing to do with whether one's mind is at peace; rather, it is a mental barrier.

The spiritual essence of heaven and earth is not like well water or apples that you can simply pick and absorb as nourishment. Although spiritual essence has no consciousness, it can still corrode the cultivator's mind, causing them to gradually lose themselves. The higher one's cultivation, the easier it is to become muddled—first unable to distinguish between illusion and reality, then confusing the external world with oneself, and finally losing all reason. The painstakingly refined true essence dissipates, one reverts to an ordinary person, and may even become dull-witted, never to awaken again.

Therefore, after completing cultivation at the third Rushi level, a cultivator must clarify their mind and see their true nature, fully realizing that "I am myself, and heaven and earth are heaven and earth." Seizing the spiritual essence of the world is not about merging with it, but about becoming harder and stronger, standing independently from the world.

The true self, the one and only—this is the fourth realm of cultivation, Xiao Zhenyi (Lesser True One). This is a realm of realization.

Once one fully comprehends the relationship between oneself and heaven and earth, a heavenly thunder tribulation will immediately descend. Breaking through Xiao Zhenyi, one must cross the Zhenyi Thunder Tribulation, and lifespan increases by eighty-one years.

After passing Xiao Zhenyi, one's cultivation enters an entirely new major stage.

Obviously, the realms beyond this are far too distant for James Smith at present, so George Baker did not explain in detail, only giving a brief mention.

Above "Xiao Zhenyi," the fifth realm is called "Chongsha" (Rushing Evil), where the qi sea is opened, increasing lifespan by three cycles of sixty years; the sixth realm, "Duogang" (Seizing the Firm), opens the sea of consciousness, and lifespan suddenly increases by nine cycles of sixty years; the seventh realm, "Baoping" (Treasure Vessel), opens the heart orifice, connecting the qi sea and the sea of consciousness. At this point, the body is strong inside and out, fully prepared to nurture the primordial spirit. As the saying goes: "The body, like the ancient treasure vessel of a true lord, can refine even a drop of ordinary water into spiritual essence!"

Upon forming the treasure vessel body, lifespan increases by another twenty-seven cycles of sixty years.

To nurture the primordial spirit is akin to using the spiritual essence of heaven and earth to forge another miraculous life within one's own body. One must comprehend the Great Dao of the heavens, so the eighth realm is again a realm of realization, with no one to guide you—you must experience it yourself in the world. This is called "Po Wuliang" (Breaking the Infinite).

If a cultivator succeeds in "Breaking the Infinite," they will immediately face the tribulation of infinite thunder and fire.

If they survive the tribulation, they truly gain immortality, and the next stage of cultivation is to nurture the primordial spirit. Entering this primordial spirit realm is truly a step toward the divine and immortal domain. There are still four stages of cultivation, namely "Ruyi" (As You Wish), "Huanxi" (Joy), "Yuanyou" (Distant Roaming), and "Da Xiaoyao Wen" (Great Inquiry of Freedom).

The first three of these realms refer to the stages of growth of the primordial spirit, also called "Ruyi Embryo," "Joyful Child," and "Wandering Youth." "Da Xiaoyao Wen" is again a realm of realization—break through the final realization, face the last tribulation, and if successful, one attains great freedom and great happiness!

Tongtian, Ningqing, Rushi, Xiao Zhenyi;

Chongsha, Duogang, Baoping, Po Wuliang;

Ruyi, Huanxi, Yuanyou, Da Xiaoyao Wen.

The complete twelve realms of mortal cultivation, George Baker explained in one breath. He did not deliberately emphasize his tone or dramatize his expression, yet James Smith listened with his heart stirred, deeply moved and excited.

Finally, George Baker said, "On the path to immortality, there are twelve realms and three tribulations. Cultivators call this the 'Three Tribulations and Twelve Realms.'"

James Smith let out a long breath. "I think... calling it, calling it the 'Three Stages and Twelve Scenes' is even more fitting."

The young man seemed a bit absent-minded—not from a moment's excitement, nor from fleeting novelty, nor even from envy of immortality or freedom. Rather, it was George Baker's words that truly stirred James Smith's heart, making him feel as if he had fallen into a magnificent dream he had never experienced before. He truly wished to climb those higher and higher stages, to experience each of those beautiful scenes one by one.