9 Chapter 09: Qi Gathering Realm.
As Luo Tian descended to the ground floor, his thoughts still swirling with the possibilities presented by Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture and Elemental Mirage Swordplay, Luo Tian encountered Xie Fang. His friend's eyes shone with excitement, clearly eager to share his own discovery.
"Brother Luo, what martial technique did you choose?" Xie Fang asked, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
"Elemental Mirage Swordplay," Luo Tian replied hiding the fact that he had chosen one of the most difficult to master cultivation techniques in the whole Profound Sword Palace, "It's slightly challenging, but with great potential."
"Ah, intriguing!" Xie Fang nodded, impressed. "I chose the Zephyr Blade Mastery. It's a wind-based sword cultivation technique that emphasizes speed and agility. I believe it suits my spiritual root well."
"Indeed, Xie Fang," Luo Tian agreed, genuinely happy for his friend. "With your natural affinity for the sword, a cultivation technique related to sword would be best suitable for you."
"Thank you, Brother Luo," Xie Fang replied, his cheeks flushed with pride. "We must both strive to master our respective techniques and breakthrough to Qi gathering realm as soon as possible!"
"Agreed!" Luo Tian declared, clasping Xie Fang's shoulder. As they exchanged these few words.
Amidst the murmurs and shuffling of countless disciples, a thunderous voice echoed through the hall, commanding attention. Deacon Xiao Shirong stood tall, his stern gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd like a hawk surveying its prey.
"Time is up!" he declared, his voice brooking no room for dissent or delay. "Return to your positions, all of you!"
"Let's make haste, Xie Fang,"
"Of course, Brother Luo," Xie Fang nodded, determination etched across his face. Both Luo Tian and Xie Fang went the area where deacon Xiao Shirong and newly gathered disciples were standing.
As they finally reached their designated spots, Luo Tian couldn't help but notice several despondent faces among the crowd – those who had failed to grasp any suitable cultivation techniques within the allotted time frame.
Deacon Xiao Shirong's gaze swept over the crestfallen disciples, his expression unyielding. "For those of you who were unable to choose an appropriate cultivation technique, fear not," he announced, his tone firm yet not entirely devoid of compassion. "You shall be given the foundation cultivation technique that will allow you to reach the peak of the qi gathering realm."
A murmur of relief rippled through the crowd, though it did little to alleviate the lingering disappointment etched upon the faces of the affected disciples.
deacon Xiao Shirong stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the eager faces of the new disciples.
Luo Tian felt a surge of anticipation as deacon Xiao began unraveling the mysteries of cultivation. "Cultivation is the process of drawing spiritual energy from the world around us and refining it into our own power," he explained. "At the core of this process are meridians—channels within your body that distribute spiritual energy."
"By opening and strengthening your meridians, you can enhance your ability to absorb spiritual energy, thereby increasing your cultivation base." His voice was authoritative but patient, as if he understood the weight of the knowledge he was imparting.
Luo Tian listened intently, his mind racing with questions. How many meridians were there? How could he open them efficiently?
"Here," deacon Xiao continued, handing each disciple a thin booklet. "This is a basic cultivation guidebook. Study it well—it will be invaluable in helping you navigate the complexities of cultivation."
"Thank you, Elder Xiao," disciples murmured. "Remember, diligence and perseverance are key to success in cultivation," Elder Xiao emphasized, "No matter how talented you may be, without hard work, you will never reach your full potential."
"With this we will conclude your tour to the Profound Sword Palace. Lastly," Elder Xiao said, his voice shifting to a lighter tone, "let me introduce you to some servant disciples who will help you settle into your new lives here at Profound Sword Palace."
A group of young disciples clad in the sect's grey robes stepped forward, their faces a mix of curiosity and excitement as they gazed upon the new arrivals.
"Follow these servant disciples," Elder Xiao instructed. "They will guide you to your assigned outer disciple courtyard where your cultivation journey truly begins."
"Thank you, Elder Xiao," disciples repeated.
As Luo Tian and others followed the servant disciples, they couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This was it—the beginning of their journey in the cultivation world.
The sun dipped below the horizon as Luo Tian and Xie Fang stepped into the outer disciple courtyard, casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths and the vibrant greenery that surrounded them. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass filled their lungs as they breathed in deeply, savoring the tranquility that enveloped the area.
AS it turned out both Luo Tian and Xie Fang would be roommates sharing the same courtyard.
"Here we are," one of the servant disciples announced, gesturing towards a pair of quaint, yet elegant wooden buildings nestled between two ancient trees. "These are your living quarters. Each courtyard can house two disciples, so you two will be sharing this courtyard."
"Thank you," Luo Tian replied, his gaze taking in the intricate carvings on the wooden doors, depicting various creatures.
As they settled into their shared courtyard, Luo Tian couldn't help but marvel at its simple beauty. A small pond shimmered beneath the moonlight, while a stone bench sat nestled under a flowering tree. It was a place designed for peaceful reflection and intense cultivation alike.
"Take care fellow disciples, I will be taking my leave." Saying that the servant disciple bowed and slowly proceeded away.
Xie Fang glanced around the courtyard. The sun shone through the trees, the birds were singing joyfully in the sky, and a steady stream of crisp air filled his lungs as he breathed in deeply. He couldn't help but appreciate the warm embrace of this place – It was certainly much cozier than his home. "Wow, this place is quite cozy isn't it, brother Luo? At least it's better than my home. I never thought we would be roommates as well," Xie Fang said with a slight smirk on his face. "Doesn't this hint that we are good brothers?" He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment in his heart as he surveyed the courtyard.
Luo Tian voiced his surprise, "I never expected that we would be roommates!" As he knew it was a longshot for two friends from the ark to end up living in the same courtyard, given that disciples were assigned randomly. The chances of being paired together were less than 1%.
Luo Tian's eyes lit up with anticipation as he spoke, his voice brimming with urgency and a hint of doubt. "We have no time to waste, let us both retreat to our rooms and begin cultivating immediately." Without waiting for Xie Fang's response, Luo Tian hurried off to his own room.
Xie Fang watched him go, sensing the same excitement and urgency in his own voice. "Good luck, brother Luo Tian. I will follow suit and start my cultivation as well." He didn't try to stop Luo Tian or question his sudden change in demeanor. Instead, he reflected on how Luo Tian had masked his excitement when they were around others earlier. But now, in the privacy of their courtyard, it was clear that becoming a cultivator was all Luo Tian could think about.
Feeling inspired by Luo Tian's dedication, Xie Fang clenched his fists and determinedly declared to himself, "I must not fall behind. I must also begin my cultivation." With a newfound determination burning in his eyes, he headed towards his own room.
Luo Tian opened the door to his room and stepped in. It was plain and simple, with only the necessities of a disciple: a bed, a small table, and some storage cabinets. The walls were made of red brick, giving an earthy yet calming feel to the room.
Luo Tian shut the door behind him and focused on regulating his breathing. After a few deep breaths, he felt his heart rate slow down and he was able to calm himself.
Filled with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and skepticism, he called out, "System?" In response, a blue curtain materialized right before his very eyes.
---
Name: Luo Tian.
Qi Cultivation: None.
Body Cultivation: None.
Inventory: Cultivation Giftpack.
---
As Luo Tian's gaze fell upon the glowing screen, his heart began to race with excitement. His entire body trembled with anticipation when he read the words in his line of sight previously on the ark: "The System is booting." He had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like an eternity, and now it was finally happening. But despite his overwhelming eagerness, he managed to keep his composure, knowing that he couldn't risk anyone else seeing or finding him behaving suspicious. It wasn't until he was completely alone in the disciple courtyard that he allowed himself to fully investigate and explore the system that had suddenly appeared in his life.
Luo Tian's heart was filled with excitement as he gazed at the blue curtain. "Finally, I have my own system, my own gold finger," he exclaimed gleefully, unable to contain his joy any longer. "Hahaha, let's see who will stop me from becoming a harem king now!" The moment he found out that he had somehow transmigrated into a world of cultivation, he had always dreamed of being a protagonist, armed with boundless destiny and a mighty powerful golden finger that would help him conquer those fairy beauties, riding the wind, calling forth thunder, drinking wine together under the pavilion surrounded by immortal cranes.
But the reality proved to be quite different from his expectations. As Luo Tian transmigrated into the cultivation world, he realized that he didn't possess any special abilities. No system, no status screen, no heavenly inheritance waiting for him. Just an ordinary mortal in a world filled with cultivators and powerful spiritual qi.
He could still vividly recall the time when his parents caught him standing in the garden, doing strange poses and shouting terms like "SYSTEM", "STATUS" and even "HEAVENLY INHERITANCE." They had looked at him with concern and asked if he had gone mad. Or the time they found him rummaging through old things, desperately searching for old, rusted rings while chanting "ANCESTOR COME OUT." He had done quite a few ridiculous things in hopes of triggering a hidden gold finger, but all in vain.
After confirming that he didn't possess a gold finger or any other cheat-like powers, Luo Tian didn't lose himself or fall into depression... well, maybe just a little bit. But he quickly gathered himself and focused on training in martial arts. His determination paid off as he was able to push himself to the limit and easily defeat a hundred normal men in combat. However, he knew deep down that he was still no match for cultivators who could harness spiritual qi.
He often found himself questioning his path as a martial artist. The endless hours of training and strict discipline seemed to pale in comparison to the allure of being a cultivator. After all, martial artists were not weak either and had access to incredible power and wealth. But he couldn't deny the fact that the status of a martial artist and a cultivator was like mud and cloud.
Despite his success as a martial artist, there was always a lingering sense of inferiority when he encountered those from cultivation families. They were born into a world beyond mortals, with abilities far surpassing anything he could achieve as a mere martial artist. He had also indulged in the pleasures that came with his status, he indulged himself in luxuries and women, but even then, he would have to lower his head in front of those from cultivation families.
The thought of laying hands on someone from a cultivation family sent shivers down his spine. Not only would it be considered taboo, but it could also lead to dire consequences for him.
However, now he possessed a system - just like the protagonists in the cultivation novels he used to read in his previous life. With this system, he was confident that he would become a powerhouse.
Eagerly, Luo Tian clicked on the blue curtain, curious to see what treasures awaited him in the gift pack. Four lines of text appeared, one of them caught his attention- "Cultivation Giftpack". Without hesitation, he clicked on it and was met with two congratulatory messages.
congratulations you have obtained Low Grade-spirit stones X100.
congratulations you have obtained Top Grade-Qi Gathering pills X5.
A new blue curtain materialized, revealing the contents of the giftpack- 100 low-grade spirit stones and 5 top-grade Qi Gathering pills. Excitement coursed through his veins as he clicked on the items and felt them appearing in his inventory. As he held the pills in his hand, he could feel their potent energy pulsing within. Turning to the sack filled with spirit stones, Luo Tian's eyes widened in disbelief. This was almost ten times the amount given to outer court disciples at the Profound Sword Palace each year. He couldn't help but marvel at his newfound wealth as he ran his hands through the shiny blue stones. "This is unbelievable," he muttered in awe.
With a determined expression, Luo Tian reached into his bag and pulled out the coveted cultivation technique he had acquired from the Myriad Technique Pavilion. Excitement coursed through him as he flipped open the yellowing pages of the "Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis". Despite its age, not a single page was torn or missing, a testament to its value and rarity. The cover depicted a majestic visage of the five elements, further fueling Luo Tian's eagerness to learn its secrets.
He settled into a comfortable Lotus position and began delving into the ancient text, pouring over every word with intense focus. As he read on, his excitement turned to puzzlement, then frustration. He couldn't make sense of the complex techniques and theories presented in the scripture. But he refused to give up, flipping back and forth between pages, determined to uncover even a hint of understanding.
"Let's see what other things this system can do," he muttered under his breath, feeling a mix of determination and desperation.
Luo Tian's heart raced as another Blue Screen materialized in front of him, its bright glow illuminating his face. His eyes widened with excitement as he read the message that appeared on it. "A Cultivation technique has been detected; would you like to learn it?" Without hesitation, he eagerly replied with a resounding "Yes!"
The screen shifted once more, replacing the rows of text with a virtual bookshelf. Only one book sat on the shelf, titled "Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis." Luo Tian eagerly selected the book and a popup appeared in front of him with a single button: "Comprehend." Without hesitation, he clicked the button and his surroundings blurred as he delved into the virtual world of the book.
Suddenly, Luo Tian found himself in a dark space. He felt himself becoming disconnected from the outside world as his mind began to comprehend the technique- various complicated comprehension and mysterious concepts became clear to him. As he proceeded further, he could feel the power of each element coursing through him. His understanding of the five elements and the cultivation technique deepened with every passing moment, feeling a newfound clarity and understanding of the Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture. His mind buzzed with excitement.
The cultivation technique "Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis" was split into five parts, one for each element - fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. Each stage required a deep understanding of the corresponding element in order to progress.
As he stood there, the echoes of ancient whispers reverberated through the void, carrying the secrets of the Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture - Supreme Synthesis. The air was charged with the essence of wood, fire, water, earth, and metal, as if the very elements themselves were awaiting his awakening.
His journey of comprehension began with the ethereal embrace of the wood element. The whispers guided him through the sacred groves and ancient forests, teaching him the essence of growth, vitality, and resilience. He felt the gentle caress of leaves brushing against his skin, and a profound connection to the life force that flowed through the heartwood of towering trees.
The transition to the fire stage was marked by a sudden surge of heat. Flames danced around him, revealing the dance of destruction and creation inherent in the fiery element. Luo Tian found himself immersed in the forge of creation, where raw potential was tempered into strength. The flames seared away impurities, leaving behind only the purest essence of power.
Water beckoned him next, pulling him into a realm of fluidity and adaptability. Luo Tian felt the ebb and flow of rivers and oceans, understanding the power of gentleness and the relentless force of a torrential flood. He became one with the currents, learning to harness the flexibility and resilience embodied by the water element.
Earth followed suit, grounding him in the solidity of mountains and the stability of the land. Luo Tian felt the weight of boulders and the unyielding nature of the earth beneath his feet. The secrets of endurance and steadfastness were unveiled, as he became a stalwart guardian of the earth element.
Metal enveloped him in a cascade of metallic echoes, leading him to an ancient forge where alloys were forged and blades were tempered. Luo Tian delved into the intricacies of refinement and precision, understanding the sharpness of a blade and the unyielding strength of metal. He became a master of precision and control, wielding the metal element with the finesse of a seasoned blacksmith.
As Luo Tian traversed through these elemental realms, his comprehension deepened, and the quintessence of each element merged within him.
He continued to meditate and practice for hours, unknowingly the night had passed, and it was already a new day outside, yet Luo Tian was still sitting crossed legged, his mind was still comprehending the five elements, he kept meditating until finally, an explosion of Five elemental Spiritual Qi burst from within him. A luminous light surrounded him as he felt himself reaching a breakthrough in his cultivation.
Luo Tian's eyes fluttered open, the world slowly coming into focus as he regained consciousness. As his senses returned, he saw a bright line of text materializing in front of him.
"You have gained comprehension of Five elements, the comprehension of your cultivation technique 'Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis' has increased, Your Qi Cultivation has broken through to 1st layer of Qi Gathering realm."
Luo Tian raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the air around him started to stir violently. A gust of wind swirled around him, causing his robes to flutter dramatically. A satisfied smirk graced his face as he reveled in his newfound power.
"This is amazing," he whispered to himself, feeling rejuvenated and invigorated by the rush of energy coursing through his body. Becoming a cultivator was truly an awe-inspiring experience, unlike anything he had ever felt before. It surpassed even the exhilaration of reaching new heights in his mortal martial arts.
With a focused mind, Luo Tian could sense the Spiritual Qi in the surrounding heaven and earth. The world seemed clearer, more vibrant and alive than ever before. He knew that he had not only grown stronger physically, but also mentally and spiritually.
Gazing at his hands, he couldn't help but exclaim out loud, "Is this the true benefit of cultivating? I can't wait to see what else I am capable of!"
Luo Tian's heart raced with excitement as he felt the power coursing through his body. He had finally reached the 1st layer of Qi Gathering in his cultivation journey. But as a beginner, he still had a long way to go.
"I wonder what other layers and realms there are," he pondered aloud, his mind was filled with questions about the different layers of and realms of cultivation, but he quickly remembered the thick booklet given to him by deacon Xiao Shirong.
With a grin on his face, Luo Tian pulled out the blue-covered handbook from his bag. He flipped through its pages until he found the section related to cultivation. His eyes scanned the text eagerly, searching for information on the different cultivation realms and technique mastery.
Luo Tian read through the booklet with rapt attention, absorbing all the information it had to offer. According to the handbook, cultivation was divided into different realms and layers, each one marked by a significant overall increase in strength, power and other parameters.
The first stage was Qi Gathering, where cultivators used their spiritual qi to strengthen their bodies and enhance their physical abilities. This was further divided into nine layers, with each layer representing a higher level of qi cultivation, followed by the Peak Layer.
Next was Foundation Building, which focused on refining the inner spiritual energy and building a solid foundation for further cultivation. This would allow cultivators to access more advanced techniques and make breakthroughs in their cultivation.
Following Foundation Building was Core Formation, where cultivators formed a core in their dantian. This core served as a container for spiritual energy, allowing cultivators to store more qi and cultivate even stronger techniques.
After Core Formation came Golden Core, which involved cultivating an inner golden core within the dantian. This core was very powerful allowed cultivators to access even greater levels of strength and Spiritual Qi, and further increased their Spiritual Qi reserves.
The last two realms were Soul Formation and Soul Wondering. These were considered the peak of cultivation, where cultivators could transcend mortal limitations and gain immortality.
As Luo Tian finished reading about these different realms, his heart raced with excitement at the prospect of reaching such heights in his own cultivation journey. However, he also knew that it would take years if not decades to reach these stages.
Luo Tian's determination was unshakeable as he refused to believe that the cultivation path would end at soul wondering. He knew in his heart that there must be an even higher realm of power waiting for him.
But for now, he pushed aside thoughts of this unknown future and focused on the present. He had just begun his cultivation journey, a mere 1st layered Qi Gathering disciple.
he pulled up his status again.
---
Name: Luo Tian.
Qi Cultivation: 1st Layer of Qi Gathering Realm.
Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Sovereignty Scripture-Supreme Synthesis.
Body Cultivation: None.
Inventory: Spirit Stones X100, Qi Gathering Pills X5.
---
…
Discord: https://discord.gg/QcV5Zj3Yda
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know....
