Chapter 312: The Path of Cultivation, Returning to Qinglong City

Chapter 312: The Path of Cultivation, Returning to Qinglong City

August 16, 2024

The elderly physician stared at Lu Qing's palm in shock. In the center of his palm was a small domain, no larger than an egg, slowly rotating. It resembled the technique he had previously demonstrated to Lu Qing. However, the key difference was that the elderly physician's small domain was a sword qi domain infused with water and fire energies, while Lu Qing's domain appeared dull and unremarkable, filled with only misty vapors. Yet, the physician could sense a profound depth to Lu Qing's small domain, a sense of completeness that belied its humble appearance.

"Aqing, your domain seems to contain multiple types of spiritual energy?" The physician's heart stirred with curiosity. It wasn't just because Lu Qing had achieved such a level of control over his domain in such a short time, nearly matching his own. It was also because he intuitively sensed that Lu Qing's small domain held a mysterious quality that even he couldn't see through.

"You've seen right through it, Master. Indeed, my domain contains the five elements—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth," Lu Qing replied with a smile.

"All five elements?" The physician's body trembled slightly. "And you were absorbing the five types of elemental energy just now..."

"That's right, Master. This is a new cultivation technique I've been practicing, a body refinement technique that trains all five elements together. After transcending the Thunder Tribulation, my physical body underwent a transformation, increasing my capacity to accommodate different types of elemental energy. Practicing this technique has been extremely beneficial," Lu Qing explained.

"Body refinement technique?" The physician's interest was piqued.

"Yes, in the ancient cultivation era, the path of cultivation was divided into various schools of thought. This body refinement technique is one of them. If you're interested, I can prepare a detailed guide for you later, Master," Lu Qing offered.

"Good," the physician nodded. He was aware that Lu Qing had received a mysterious inheritance and possessed extensive knowledge about the ancient cultivation era.

"Your domain only contains spiritual energy, without any primal energy. Have you converted all the power within your body into spiritual energy?" The physician inquired further.

"The cultivation technique I practice is rather unique, Master. The spiritual energy it refines is quite domineering, and it's difficult for it to coexist with true qi. They tend to devour each other, so I've decided to focus solely on cultivating spiritual energy," Lu Qing explained.

The physician understood. Indeed, spiritual energy was significantly more powerful than true qi. As someone who had cultivated both, he could clearly perceive the difference between the two.

"Master, now that spiritual energy is reviving, it's becoming the dominant force. Its power and potential far surpass those of true qi. In the future, the path of cultivation will once again be dominated by the pursuit of immortality. Perhaps it's time for you to make a decision as well, Master," Lu Qing suggested.

The elderly physician fell into deep thought. In his recent cultivation, he had encountered similar issues. Spiritual energy and true qi were fundamentally different in nature. Not only was spiritual energy more potent, but it also possessed a higher level of spirituality. Additionally, it nurtured and enhanced the body to a greater extent.

Although the practice of absorbing qi was more challenging and slower in progress compared to innate techniques, the benefits of spiritual energy far outweighed this minor drawback.

Considering this, the physician finally made his decision.

"You're right. When spiritual energy first began to revive, it was scarce and thin, making it challenging to refine. But now, it's becoming increasingly abundant, and there are no more obstacles to our cultivation. It's time for me to focus on cultivating spiritual energy as well."

"In that case, Master, which path would you like to pursue? I can prepare a set of teachings for you," Lu Qing said, seeing his master's determination.

"There's no need to rush. I know very little about the path of cultivation. Let me first understand the various schools of cultivation you mentioned, and then I'll make a decision. For now, I'll start by converting the true qi in my body into spiritual energy," the physician replied.

"Then, I shall assist you, Master, and provide protection during the process," Lu Qing assured him.

The elderly physician was a decisive man. Having made up his mind, he didn't hesitate any further and immediately sat down to begin his cultivation.

Within the physician's dantian and qi sea, there were four types of energy—water-attributed spiritual energy, fire-attributed spiritual energy, water-attributed true qi, and fire-attributed true qi. He had attained a profound understanding of the harmony between water and fire, allowing him to perfectly control and balance the two energies. As a result, instead of conflicting with each other, the water and fire spiritual energy and true qi coexisted and promoted each other's growth, circulating harmoniously.

However, due to the superior power of spiritual energy, a similar situation to what Lu Qing had experienced previously occurred in the physician's dantian. The water and fire spiritual energy occupied the central position, while the water and fire true qi were pushed to the peripheral regions.

The physician had a hunch that even if he hadn't made a decision at this moment, his body would have eventually made the choice for him.

"As his cultivation grew, the water and fire spirit energies within him continued to thrive, leaving no room for true qi in his dantian."

"Rather than waiting for a conflict to erupt between the two and harm himself, it's better to resolve this issue as soon as possible."

The elderly physician focused his mind and, with his spiritual power, urged his true qi towards the central water and fire spirit energies.

The water and fire spirit energies, in turn, began to devour the true qi without hesitation.

Since they shared the same source, both were cultivated by the elderly physician.

Despite their differing natures, the fusion process proceeded smoothly.

Before long, the water and fire spirit energies had devoured all the true qi.

When the true qi was completely devoured by the spirit energies, the physician felt his dantian empty.

A sense of relief spread throughout his body.

The spirit energies in his dantian circulated without hindrance, flowing smoothly.

He suddenly realized that his decision had been the right one.

If he had delayed any longer, the conflict between true qi and spirit energy might have affected his cultivation.

"Master's refinement speed is quite fast."

Lu Qing had been closely monitoring his master's condition.

Seeing him suddenly shudder, a sense of ease and harmony rose from his body.

Instantly, Lu Qing understood that his master had allowed the spirit energies to refine and absorb all the true qi in his body.

He thought for a moment, then took out a jade slip and infused it with his spiritual power, beginning to engrave it.

Even Li Weitian, at the moment of his death, had been able to create a legacy jade slip.

Lu Qing's spiritual power was far stronger than Li Weitian's had been.

He could easily create a legacy jade slip.

Half an hour later, the elderly physician awoke from his cultivation.

His eyes sparkled with vitality, and his spirit seemed high.

A ethereal aura emanated from him, resembling an immortal, causing Ma Gu and the others to stare in astonishment.

With this, the master and disciple had both converted the true qi in their bodies, officially becoming true cultivators.

At that moment, Lu Qing had also finished engraving the jade slip.

He handed it to his master, saying, "Master, I've recorded all the information about the various sects and cultivation paths of the cultivation world into this jade slip. You can take your time to peruse it when you have the leisure."

The elderly physician nodded and accepted the jade slip, keeping it safely.

At this point, the formality between master and disciple had naturally faded.

After keeping the jade slip, the elderly physician glanced at the sky and noticed that Xiao Yan was already struggling to keep her eyes open.

He smiled and said, "Alright, the hour is also late. Let's all get some rest for now, and we can discuss other matters tomorrow."

Hearing the physician's suggestion, everyone felt a wave of drowsiness wash over them.

After all, they had been traveling all day.

Lu Qing and the physician's cultivation earlier had also taken up quite some time, and it was already well past midnight.

Thus, no one said anything more, and they all retired to their respective resting places.

The night watch was left to Lu Qing.

With his powerful spiritual power, even if he went without sleep for several days, it wouldn't affect him much.

For him, keeping watch was as simple as meditating.

In fact, he didn't even bother to have Ma Gu relieve him during the latter half of the night, and he kept watch alone until dawn.

Not only that, but by the time everyone woke up in the morning, he had already prepared breakfast.

"Lu Qing, brother, what should we do now? Should we head back to the village directly, or is there something else?" Ma Gu asked during breakfast.

The previous day, they had rushed their journey, traveling all day to put distance between themselves and the spies from the various factions in the Holy City.

Now, they were already thousands of miles away from the Holy City, and those spies had no chance of catching up.

Lu Qing pondered for a moment before replying, "Let's head back to the village directly. We've been away for quite some time, and I'm not sure what the situation is back home. It's better to return sooner rather than later."

Lu Qing's thoughts turned to the patient he had encountered in Yunlai Town on their way here—the one bitten by a snake with an unusual poison, a poison of sinister energy.

The snake that had bitten him was normally non-venomous, indicating that the changes in the world were not limited to the revival of spiritual energy but also included the resurgence of sinister and toxic energies.

Backed by the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, Lu Qing wondered about the situation in the mountains and whether similar mutations had occurred there as well.

Filled with concern, he naturally wanted to return to the village as soon as possible.

The elderly physician also considered this and nodded in agreement. "You're right, Aqing. We've been away from the village for too long. It's time we headed back."

"Alright, then. Let's set off after we finish eating," Ma Gu replied.

"Xiao Hu, in two days at most, we'll arrive in Qinglong City, and you'll be able to reunite with your father."

"Lu Qing said to Hu Zezhi.

"Mhm." A hint of yearning flashed in Hu Zezhi's eyes at his words.

Although she hadn't been away from home for very long—not even a full month, to be exact—a lot had happened during that time.

She had even faced death several times, which made her miss her father dearly—that warm presence who had always smiled and protected her for over a decade.

The next two days passed with Lu Qing and his companions continuing their journey.

Thanks to the speed of the Formation Chariot, they indeed arrived at Qinglong Pass early on the third morning.

"Brother Lu Qing, Old Physician, I just went to ask, and today is indeed the day Qinglong City opens its gates."

Ma Gu, who had just returned from inquiring, said joyfully as he stood before the canyon of Qinglong Pass.

"Looks like our luck is pretty good." Lu Qing smiled.

Hu Zezhi stood at the edge of the cliff, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions as she gazed down into the abyss.

It was here that the red-clad woman, who was originally supposed to escort her but later tried to harm her, had met her end, her corpse thrown off this very cliff by Ma Gu.

That day had been Hu Zezhi's first taste of the cruelty of the world, far exceeding her imagination.

Now, returning to this place, her thoughts remained complex.

"Sister Hu, we're about to set off!"

Xiao Yan's voice interrupted Hu Zezhi's reverie as she stared into the misty depths of the cliff. She snapped back to the present and, after one last lingering glance, turned and ran towards the others.

"Let's go."

Returning once more to the Qinglong Canyon, Lu Qing and the others felt the same as before.

The mysterious canyon still exuded that peculiar pressure, as formidable and solemn as ever, compelling reverence and not daring to invite the slightest disrespect.

Even Lu Qing, whose cultivation had greatly improved, becoming a true cultivator, felt a sense of oppression within his heart.

It was hard to imagine just how terrifying the existence that had created this massive rift must have been.

Crossing the canyon and stepping onto the massive Qinglong Bridge, they found the scenery as majestic as before, but it no longer evoked the same awe and astonishment as the first time they had seen it.

Lu Qing and his group crossed the bridge and reached the enormous platform before Qinglong City.

Several merchants and travelers had already gathered on the platform, waiting for the city gates to open.

"The spiritual energy here in Qinglong City seems even richer than when we last left, not much inferior to the Central Plains."

Lu Qing sensed the spiritual energy in the area and found it to be even denser than before.

Going by this rate of increase, the spiritual energy in the outer regions must have also become more concentrated.

This eased his worries somewhat.

Since the spread of spiritual energy seemed to radiate outward from the Central Plains, the remote Nine Li Village should not have undergone drastic changes.

As his concerns lessened, he began to take in the surrounding scenery.

Just then, a snippet of conversation from a group not far away caught his attention.

"Have you heard the news? I hear something major happened in the Holy City!" a man exclaimed.

"Brother Zhao, your business has reached as far as the Holy City? Impressive!" another man replied in surprise.

"I don't have that capability. I heard this from a disciple of my sect.

Apparently, a few days ago, there were extraordinary signs in the Holy City, bringing about countless opportunities.

It attracted fierce competition among the martial artists there, and even quite a few Precelestial Realm experts lost their lives!"

The first man continued.

"Precelestial Realm experts died? What opportunity could be so amazing?" The crowd exclaimed in shock.

"I don't know the details, but I heard that on that day, a vortex of clouds and whirlwinds covered the sky, and lightning flashed. It was an extraordinary spectacle."

"No wonder the martial artists fought so fiercely. Such phenomena indicate that the opportunity must have been extraordinary.

Speaking of which, it's not just the Holy City that's witnessed strange events. I also heard that a white wolf over three meters tall appeared in the north of the Central Plains.

It's incredibly handsome and can command a wolf pack.

What's more, it's unbelievably powerful.

I heard that many experts from the Guiyuan Sect were no match for it and even suffered casualties.

Now, the white wolf has fled into the depths of the mountains, and they can't find it anymore!"

Another man added.

"A white wolf that's over three meters tall? It could swallow a person in one bite!" Someone exclaimed in shock.

"A white wolf is nothing. I heard that an even more terrifying white elephant appeared in the south. With a single sniff, it can suck up rocks as big as a small mountain!"

Lu Qing's interest was piqued, and he turned towards the direction of the conversation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end