Chapter 105: Transcendence Above the Innate

Chapter 105: Transcendence Above the Innate (Monthly Ticket Request)

As Shi Er broke through to the Qi and Blood Realm in Li Xuan's Stone Second Martial Arts, Xu Yan's face was filled with surprise. Why was he so weak? The rumbling of his tendons and bones was much softer than his own initial breakthrough.

The Qi and blood, usually robust and vigorous, seemed feeble in comparison.

Meng Chong shared a similar sentiment.

Su Lingxiu, on the other hand, was astonished. So this was the rumbling of tendons and bones, the vigor of Qi and blood—it was truly extraordinary and carried an air of might.

It was far more impressive than the Inner Domain martial arts.

After Shi Er's breakthrough, Li Xuan noticed a golden light appear.

"Your servant, Shi Er, has cultivated the Martial Arts you created. Your true qi has improved slightly."

The feedback from his golden finger had changed to "the Martial Arts you created." As expected, the feedback from cultivating an already established technique was minimal.

And Shi Er was still his servant.

If it had been a stranger with no connection to him, he might not have received any feedback at all.

"True qi has indeed improved slightly," Li Xuan thought to himself, a bit helplessly. This time, the feedback from his golden finger had resulted in a minor increase in his true qi, not even reaching ten percent.

"So, only when my disciples cultivate the techniques I create can I receive abundant feedback.

"The feedback from others cultivating existing techniques is too little. However, if the number of cultivators is large, perhaps the collective gain would be slightly more significant."

However, Li Xuan knew that his primary focus must remain on his disciples.

Only through their constant cultivation and growth could he truly become stronger.

"Shi Er's Copper Bone Entry is about as good as it gets," Li Xuan assessed, having expected as much from Shi Er's breakthrough.

Shi Er retracted his Qi and blood, his heart filled with excitement. He immediately knelt and kowtowed to Li Xuan, saying, "Thank you, Master, for teaching me Martial Arts!"

Then he turned to Su Lingxiu and bowed, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Heavenly Mother, for bestowing me with your pill!"

"Mhm."

Su Lingxiu nodded.

"Sister, are you the Heavenly Mother?"

Xu Yan's face was a picture of surprise.

Kou Ruozhi had described her as a heavenly beauty, unparalleled in the world, and now it turned out that she was his junior sister?

But Kou Ruozhi hadn't lied.

His junior sister was indeed a breathtaking beauty.

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Su Lingxiu looked at her senior brother, confused by his strange expression.

"Kou Ruozhi told me..."

Xu Yan didn't hide anything and relayed everything Kou Ruozhi had said to him.

Su Lingxiu's face turned angry as she listened. Kou Ruozhi had dared to use her to try and win over her senior brother, clearly not putting her, the Heavenly Mother, in his eyes.

This was unacceptable!

"Kou Ruozhi has it coming! I'll bury him!"

Xu Yan nodded, "I've always felt that he's a treacherous little man!"

Su Lingxiu turned to Shi Er and said, "Shi Er, go and bring Kou Ruozhi to me!"

"Yes, Heavenly Mother!"

Shi Er nodded firmly.

"Don't call me Heavenly Mother!"

Su Lingxiu glared at him.

"Yes."

Shi Er nodded.

Having just broken through to the Qi and Blood Realm and become a true martial artist, Shi Er was still excited. Without delay, he set off to capture Kou Ruozhi in East River County.

After giving Shi Er his orders, Su Lingxiu returned to her pill refining.

The second batch of pills didn't turn out successfully either, but she had made progress.

After two attempts at pill refining, Su Lingxiu was tired and needed to rest and digest her experiences to improve her pill-refining technique.

Back in her room, she lay down on the bed.

"Miss."

Zhou Ying entered with a basin of water and helped Su Lingxiu wash her face.

"Aunt Zhou, after I successfully refine pills and enter the Martial Arts realm, you should also revise your Martial Arts. With my pills, you will definitely succeed in revising your Martial Arts."

Su Lingxiu spoke with determination.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Miss."

Zhou Ying nodded.

But then, a worried expression crossed her face as she said, "Miss, my sudden return to the Inner Domain may have attracted a Grand Master. Our whereabouts in the frontier might have been exposed."

Su Lingxiu shook her head, "It's not necessarily exposed. Grand Masters are proud, and dealing with you and me would be easy for them. He probably tracked your movements and followed you here without alerting anyone else.

"He's already been killed by my master, not even leaving behind ashes. Our whereabouts in the frontier should be safe."

Zhou Ying still looked concerned, "I hope so."

Su Lingxiu smiled, "What's there to fear with my master around?"

Zhou Ying nodded in agreement. That senior was indeed unfathomable.

Outside the estate, on a small hill.

Meng Chong sat cross-legged, holding his knife handle as he continued to nurture his blade and cultivate. During his cultivation, he also contemplated the Great Sun Golden Body.

Li Xuan strolled leisurely up the hill path, with Xu Yan following closely behind.

Due to Su Lingxiu, a Grand Master had attacked, and although he had been easily dispatched with a palm strike, Li Xuan remained vigilant.

Although the Grand Master, proud as he was, had likely discovered Zhou Ying and followed her without alerting anyone else, Li Xuan couldn't rule out the possibility that their whereabouts had been exposed.

He had to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

He wasn't afraid of Grand Masters, but the thought of a more powerful existence than a Grand Master worried him.

Of course, from all the information he had gathered so far, there didn't seem to be any martial artists above the Grand Master realm in the Inner Domain. Even if there were, they would be old hermits who kept themselves well-hidden.

Having already reached the Minor Success stage of the Innate Realm, Xu Yan was ready to be taught the Martial Arts of the realm above Innate.

Li Xuan stopped walking.

"Disciple."

"Master!"

Xu Yan replied respectfully.

His heart raced with excitement, as he knew his master was about to teach him the Martial Arts of the realm above Innate.

"What insights did you gain from yesterday's battle with the Grand Master?" Li Xuan asked.

Xu Yan pondered for a moment before answering, "The Grand Master was very strong. His internal Martial Arts Qi was much thicker than that of a Master, like the difference between a stream and a river. And I felt that the Grand Master seemed to have a kind of...heavenly might."

It was only after fighting a Grand Master that he realized the Inner Domain Martial Arts were not entirely useless.

"Today, I will teach you the Martial Arts of the realm above Innate. You must carefully contemplate and understand the technique. Once you understand it, the realm above Innate will hold no bottlenecks for you."

Li Xuan turned to face Xu Yan as he spoke.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan replied respectfully.

"Theoretically, the Innate Realm corresponds to the Inner Domain Master Realm, and the realm above Innate corresponds to the Grand Master Realm. But remember, never underestimate the Inner Domain Martial Arts.

"On the path of Martial Arts, you must take the long view, compensating for your shortcomings, and gaining insight into yourself, the mysteries of heaven and earth, and the infinite Dao. Only then will you be invincible on the path of Martial Arts."

Li Xuan's expression was solemn as he spoke in a low voice.

Xu Yan bowed, "Disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind!"

"Mhm."

Li Xuan nodded.

With one hand holding a jade scepter and the other tucked behind his back, he stood on the hill, gazing into the distance. "The Innate Realm is where one truly transcends the mundane and embarks on the Martial Arts path.

"And the realm above Innate is where one begins to touch upon the mysteries of heaven and earth."

Xu Yan's heart trembled. So, even at the realm above Innate, one was already touching upon the mysteries of heaven and earth?

He thought of the Grand Master's might, that aura akin to heavenly might. Was that the power of this realm?

He listened intently with reverence.

Li Xuan continued, "The realm above Innate is called the 'Transcendent Realm'!"

Transcendent Realm!

This was the third realm Li Xuan had created, carefully crafted and refined after much consideration and reference to Inner Domain techniques.

"If I break through to the enlightenment realm, how many grandmasters in this world could stand against me? Crushing them with a single palm strike would no longer be a dream!" Xu Yan's excitement grew with each thought.

Li Xuan continued, "The Innate Realm involves refining innate true qi, while the enlightenment realm involves refining true yuan. True qi transforms and sublimates into true yuan, flowing like an endless spring and surging like a mighty river..."

Xu Yan listened intently as his master explained the intricacies of enlightenment true yuan, his mind already beginning to unravel the mysteries of how to transform true qi into true yuan.

"Enlightenment true yuan is the result of the sublimation of innate true qi," Li Xuan elaborated. "To transform true qi into true yuan, one must focus on the sublimation and refinement of true qi. Just as mist condenses and settles to form water droplets, so too does true qi transform into true yuan."

Li Xuan painted a vivid picture of true qi's transformation into true yuan, capturing the essence of their relationship.

While true qi condensing into a liquid state resulted in true yuan, breaking through to the enlightenment realm and mastering this transformation was no easy feat.

"The dantian is like a spring, and true yuan is like a flowing river, endless and ever-present. This is the foundation of the enlightenment realm. Enlightenment true yuan can harmonize with the spiritual energy of the universe, and the strength of your true yuan determines the extent of your control over this energy." Li Xuan's eyes held a faraway look as he spoke, his gaze fixed on a distant point. "If one's true yuan is strong enough, they may even be able to control the spiritual energy within a radius of one li."

Li Xuan glanced at Xu Yan, seeing the spark of understanding in his eyes as he delved deep into contemplation.

"Master, how does true yuan harmonize with the spiritual energy of the universe?" Xu Yan asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

A smile played at the corners of Li Xuan's mouth as he replied, "Imagine the spiritual energy of the universe as mist, and true yuan as water. How do you think water can blend with mist?"

Xu Yan's eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him, and he murmured, "I understand, Master."

"Remember, my disciple," Li Xuan continued, his voice filled with warmth, "enlightenment is about comprehending the mysteries of the universe, and spiritual energy is the foundation of these mysteries. Only by harmonizing with the spiritual energy and harnessing its power can you truly grasp the fundamentals of enlightenment. When true yuan harmonizes with spiritual energy, it gains the power to unravel the mysteries, giving you a foundation to control the mighty forces of the universe."

Li Xuan's words painted a captivating picture of the enlightenment realm, leaving Xu Yan eager to delve deeper into its mysteries.

After imparting the enlightenment realm martial arts theory he had crafted, Li Xuan turned and strolled back towards the manor, his steps relaxed and confident.

Xu Yan remained behind, his mind buzzing with excitement as he delved into his own contemplations.

Li Xuan had absolute confidence in his disciple's ability to grasp the enlightenment realm martial arts. The cultivation technique he had created for this realm was more refined and coherent than those of the Qi and Blood Realm or the Innate Realm. Even with just a vague theory to work with, Xu Yan had successfully comprehended the previous realms, and the enlightenment realm technique provided him with concrete guidance.

Moreover, Li Xuan had referenced the Inner Domain's martial arts techniques, ensuring a solid foundation for Xu Yan's cultivation.

Given Xu Yan's exceptional talent, mastering the enlightenment realm cultivation technique was well within his grasp.

"I've already passed on the enlightenment realm technique to Xu Yan, so it's time to start preparing for the realm beyond enlightenment," Li Xuan mused to himself as he returned to the manor. "How should cultivation progress after enlightenment? How can I create a technique that seamlessly builds upon this foundation and presents a logical progression of realms?"

Seated in a chair, Li Xuan pondered these questions, picking up the Inner Domain martial arts manual written by Xie Lingfeng and his companion. He flipped through the pages, seeking inspiration for the next realm beyond what was described in the manual.

However, the manual only detailed cultivation up to the grandmaster level, leaving the path beyond shrouded in mystery.

"The Qi and Blood Realm cultivates qi and blood, the Innate Realm refines true qi, and the enlightenment realm refines true yuan. But what comes after?" Li Xuan fell into a deep reverie, his eyes unfocused as he sought answers within his mind.

On the slope, Xu Yan recorded the enlightenment realm cultivation method, then settled into a cross-legged position, absorbing and refining the spiritual energy of the universe. At the same time, he began to sense the subtle mysteries of this energy, striving to unravel the secrets of the enlightenment realm.

"Wait, something's not right!" Xu Yan's eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him. "In the enlightenment realm, true yuan harmonizes with the universe, but how does it do that? Like Master said, how does water blend with mist? I've cultivated innate true qi, but do I truly understand it? Have I truly grasped the mysteries it holds? True yuan is a transformation of true qi, but if I don't fully comprehend true qi, how can I transform it into true yuan?"

With this epiphany, Xu Yan retracted his consciousness and focused entirely on sensing the true qi within him.

"Back when I was in the Qi and Blood Realm, I improved my control over qi and blood by roasting meat," he recalled. "How can I apply that same principle to enhance my control over true qi?"

Suddenly, an idea struck him. "I refined my qi and blood by roasting meat, gaining a deeper understanding of its fundamental nature. Can I do the same with true qi? No, true qi is too powerful, roasting meat would be too easy, and it wouldn't help me improve my control or understand its mysteries."

Xu Yan's eyes narrowed in concentration as he delved deeper into his thoughts. In that moment, he felt as though he had returned to the small mountain village, reliving the moments when he first began to comprehend the cultivation technique.

He raised his hand, and true qi materialized in the form of a golden dragon, coiling around his palm. With a flick of his wrist, Xu Yan attempted to divide the dragon in two, only to find that he couldn't even split this small amount of true qi. The dragon began to disintegrate before it could split into two, leaving him with a single, intact dragon.

In that instant, a spark of insight ignited in his eyes, and he felt he had found the key to improving his control over true qi.

A powerful surge of true qi exploded forth, taking the form of a massive golden dragon that soared into the sky. With a mere thought, Xu Yan split the dragon in two, then into three, four, and finally into eighteen separate dragons.

"I can effortlessly manipulate and divide this vast amount of true qi," he marveled, "yet I struggle to control and divide a tiny strand of it."

Xu Yan's heart raced with excitement. "I will break down my true qi bit by bit, making it finer and finer until I can divide a single strand into ten or even a hundred parts."

With this newfound understanding, Xu Yan's enthusiasm knew no bounds. He extended his fingers, channeling true qi from each one, and began experimenting with different ways of dividing and separating the true qi, even intertwining the strands without allowing them to merge.

"Once I unravel the mysteries of true qi, I will understand the path to enlightenment," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "When I perfect my Innate Realm cultivation, breaking through to the enlightenment realm will be as easy as flowing water!"

Xu Yan's entire being buzzed with excitement as he dedicated himself to the task of unraveling the mysteries of true qi.

Meanwhile, after a period of rest, Su Lingxiu prepared to resume her pill refining. Just then, Shi Er arrived, dragging a captive Kou Ruozhi behind him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end