Chapter 5

"Chongxu, maintaining the center as the right, full or not lacking, the mysterious sky has qi, manifesting before the first light of dawn, continuous and inexhaustible."

This mnemonic roughly means: The realm is intangible and invisible, so one must embrace "qi" to solidify the realm. Between the hours of Yin and Mao (3-5 AM), there is a trace of the essence of the mysterious sky that precedes the first light of dawn. Those who cultivate qi can absorb this essence in a specific way. Since the sun rises every day, the essence of the mysterious sky is almost never exhausted.

With diligent practice, in as little as one or two years, or as long as five or six years, one can condense qi into a vortex, symbolizing the unceasing nature of life, and it will have the ability to sustain life. If successful, one enters the Guiyuan stage, where one can control the spiritual qi to spread throughout the body, beginning to forge the body. After this, even if there is consumption, one can gradually recover, and there is no longer a worry about the dissipation of spiritual qi.

Forging the body has a clear benefit: common illnesses cannot affect one, and the five senses become increasingly sensitive. Before developing spiritual awareness, the five senses are the key to preserving one's life.

This is the fundamental principle of the *Taishang Ganying Pian*, which is widely spread in the True Realm. From the disciples of major clans to ordinary scattered cultivators, all use this method to lay the foundation. It is simple, practical, and costs only ten talisman coins to purchase.

The essence of the mysterious sky differs from ordinary spiritual qi, being a pure and innate qi. Ordinary spiritual qi must be refined to remove impurities; otherwise, it can corrupt the sea of consciousness, leading to its collapse and the loss of the foundation of the Dao, or even death. However, the refinement efficiency is extremely low, so few people undertake this arduous and unrewarding task.

This is why the *Taishang Ganying Pian* has remained popular in the True Realm for a long time.

Su Fu sat quietly, the windows and doors of the room wide open. Threads of qi entered through his crown, passing through the Niwan, Fengfu, and Futu points, reaching the Qihai point in the lower dantian.

The threads of qi, like mist, lay within the qi sea. Su Fu could recite the *Taishang Ganying Pian* backward, and the principles of the text flowed through his mind. Suddenly, he sensed something. In his spiritual awareness, someone nearby was also absorbing the essence of the mysterious sky, causing the surrounding spiritual qi to become somewhat chaotic.

In his spiritual awareness, the method this person used to absorb the essence of the mysterious sky was slightly different, entering through the crown and directly descending to the qi sea. With his existing understanding, he was now even more certain.

He focused his mind and followed the method, allowing the threads of qi, like mist, to enter through his crown and directly descend to the qi sea.

*Boom*

With just this change, the qi sea began to rotate, the threads of mist spinning wildly. In his spiritual awareness, the spinning mist gradually formed patterns. Suppressing his joy, Su Fu focused even more on absorbing the essence of the mysterious sky.

On the other side, Ji Sui Feng suddenly stopped, looking in his direction thoughtfully.

This pause immediately made Su Fu sense something, and he felt grateful. The essence of the mysterious sky was absorbed at an unprecedented speed.

After a long time, Su Fu suddenly felt a vibration in his qi sea. In his spiritual awareness, the mist had gradually condensed into a vortex the size of a dragon's eye. Witnessing this process, Su Fu felt an indescribable sensation. This easy breakthrough was likely due to the accumulation of qi.

At this moment, the first light of dawn appeared, and a faint glow spread. In no time, it became a boundless light.

Su Fu stopped, taking a deep breath. Using his spiritual awareness, he observed that the newly formed qi vortex was rotating at a subtle speed, with threads of spiritual qi spreading to his limbs and body. He felt a great joy, knowing that he had entered the Guiyuan stage. From then on, he only needed to refine the qi vortex daily until it became substantial, forming a pill shape, and could develop consciousness, allowing him to communicate with external objects, which is the Lingtong stage.

After years of diligent practice, Su Fu finally achieved success. The feeling of breaking through was the most wonderful. He tightly closed his eyes, almost becoming addicted to this sensation... and thus, he finally understood why the qi vortex had never formed.

The reason must be attributed to the *Lianyao Jing*. Before entering the qi-sensing stage, he had already begun to refine his acupoints according to the method. Theoretically, the *Lianyao Jing* and the *Taishang Ganying Pian* cannot coexist. Fortunately, his luck was very good, and the refined acupoints did not obstruct the qi sea. Otherwise, not only would he not have entered the Guiyuan stage, but he might not even have been able to anchor the spiritual qi in the qi sea. The two methods belong to different systems.

At that time, his body was weak, and he needed to constantly supplement himself and first strengthen his body to increase his chances of survival. This was also the advice given by Ye Xuanyi before she left.

If someone had corrected him or if he had a guiding master, he would not have taken this detour. As the saying goes, "A master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual." But if you can't even see the door, how can you cultivate?

This was the fundamental reason for being stuck in the qi sea stage. It was also why Ji Sui Feng had no ill intentions; otherwise, a small act of sabotage would have prevented this breakthrough and even posed a risk of never forming a qi vortex. Therefore, few cultivators practice together in close proximity.

After a moment, he immersed his mind in the sea of consciousness. The green light still surrounded him, and his consciousness was no longer weak. With the presence of a yin spirit, it was more solid, standing still in a small boat. The blood sea still roared like a dragon, with grotesque faces within.

Seeing this, Su Fu couldn't help but smile, feeling very satisfied, and was even more grateful to Ye Xuanyi. Finally, he reined in his smile and said calmly, "After twenty years of struggle, I finally have the means to resist you. Let's see how this ends."

Seemingly sensing the challenge, the blood sea suddenly churned, but was blocked by the green light, unable to advance. A human form materialized within the blood sea, looking exactly like Su Fu, but with a strange appearance. He laughed loudly, "Means? Ha, the alien star descending to the world is just a method of soul-snatching. In this aspect, you and I are the same. Don't think that breaking through a small stage can resist me. I am the first demon incarnation in the True Realm to occupy the true spirit of a magical treasure."

"Little cultivator, it would be much better to obediently accept my control, saving you from all the hardships, and immortality is still far away. Just open your mind and body, and I will ensure you a long life, and perhaps even let you achieve the Pure Yang stage."

The demon spirit had a complete consciousness and had almost never stopped tempting him for twenty years. This constant harassment was the most headache-inducing.

At first, Su Fu would shout loudly, out of frustration. Anyone in his situation would find it hard to accept, and it took time. Twelve years of life and death, and eight years of walking on thin ice, had built up his immunity. He remained silent, knowing that if he could one day break free or control the demon, it would be a clear victory. Otherwise, all the shouting would be in vain.

The demon spirit paused, his laughter gradually stopping, and he said enticingly, "The evil spirit last time tasted quite good. If you give me the soul of the cat demon, I will teach you another supreme technique."

Su Fu couldn't help but laugh coldly, knowing he was talking about the monster in Wanshan County. He mocked, "Last time you also said it was a supreme technique. Is a small disguise technique really supreme? If you can't give me something satisfactory, don't expect me to find food for you again."

After saying this, he ignored the demon's persuasion and focused his attention on the floating object in the void. After entering the Guiyuan stage, this book-like object had indeed changed. He saw that it now had six large characters.

"Great Profound Boundless Treasure Canon?"

Su Fu murmured, and the large characters seemed to have a calming effect, gradually soothing his agitated heart, turning into a cold smile, "Very good, very good. Whoever planted the demon spirit in me and caused the destruction of my entire clan, I will make you pay the price."

Thinking about this, he muttered to himself, "Everyone admires the immortal path, but who knows the hardships of this journey? How many nights have I not relaxed, walking on thin ice, just to live a few more years... Regardless, breaking through is always a good thing."

Thinking of this, he put aside his slight melancholy and pondered, "This green light cannot protect me forever, and I cannot rely too much on this object. For my own life, cultivation is the most important."

...

An hour later, Su Fu and the others were invited to a meal together.

This was a luxurious hall in the residence of the local county magistrate, Wang Zhikai. Du Song had some needs, and Wang Zhikai was considerate, so he moved his entire family out.

The hall was adorned with intricate carvings and warm wood, with brocade curtains overlapping. From the furniture and decorations to the bowls and chopsticks, everything was of the highest quality, which ordinary people rarely see. Wang Zhikai, a mere county magistrate, showed how rich the county was.

Maidens moved about, continuously serving dishes. Even for breakfast, it was exceptionally lavish. With Du Song and Meng You accompanying them, this was the most direct benefit of strength, and Su Fu understood this.

Ji Sui Feng and Yun Xi were already accustomed to this. Before joining the Yuxing Sect, their status was not comparable to ordinary scattered cultivators.

All of them were cultivators, and their need for food was not high, except for Su Fu. Twelve years of life and death had made him abnormally obsessed with food, preferring to be a well-fed ghost rather than a hungry man.

"By the way, I haven't congratulated you, Su brother. You broke through again this morning, which is truly a cause for celebration," Ji Sui Feng said with a smile, as if he had discovered something.

Su Fu was enjoying his meal and, hearing this, felt at ease, saying frankly, "Indeed, I broke through, and I must thank Ji brother for your help."

Yun Xi's beautiful eyes widened in curiosity. She had not been there this morning, but she was more interested in how Su Fu, who looked so handsome, could eat so messily. She mocked, "Did Su Fu disciple never have enough to eat when he was young?"

Su Fu paused, lowered his head, and thought carefully before nodding, "More or less."

Each time the demon spirit flared up, it consumed a bit of his vitality, requiring a large amount of food to replenish. Otherwise, his body would become weaker day by day, a method the demon used to gradually break down his will. Fortunately, the Su family was wealthy; otherwise, even if they were not exterminated, they would have been impoverished by his appetite.

Because of this, for the first twelve years of his life, he had almost never had a full stomach.

Yun Xi was taken aback, perhaps misunderstanding, thinking Su Fu was an orphan who had begged for a living and only found a way into the cultivation world by chance.

Thinking of this, her maternal instincts kicked in, and she frequently served him more food, her voice becoming softer, "Then eat more."

Ji Sui Feng, seeing this, felt a bit jealous and said sourly, "Sister, I also grew up in hardship. Why have you never served me food?"

Yun Xi giggled, flipped her wrist, and a pill appeared in her hand. She said mischievously, "Brother, let me feed you..."

Seeing this pill, Du Song and Meng You, the two elders, were secretly amazed. This was a辟谷丹 (Pigudan, Fasting Pill), which, when taken by a cultivator, would prevent hunger for a month. Although the materials were common, ordinary scattered cultivators could not refine them and had to buy them from large merchants, which was quite expensive.

Ji Sui Feng's face turned green. He had been in seclusion for over two years to break through the Yinshen stage, eating so many Pigudan that he wanted to vomit. Thinking of this, he tightly pressed his lips, looking at Su Fu for help.

This scene made Su Fu burst out laughing, releasing the years of pent-up frustration.

Du Song and the two elders smiled, seeing the opportunity, and cautiously said, "Senior, the monster attacked again last night."

The page flip ad begins

The page flip ad ends