Chapter 84

Shen Lian's experience is one that the vast majority of cultivators in the world must go through.

Even some great scholars in the mortal world, after cultivating their bodies and nourishing their qi for decades, would suddenly have a moment of enlightenment and let out a long, resonant howl, the sound carrying for miles.

This kind of howl is no less than the natural sounds of the wind and water, continuous and unending.

Even people outside could see the primordial qi of heaven and earth condensing into spiritual mist above Shen Lian's house, lingering for a long time like smoke and clouds.

This howl startled everyone on Qingliang Peak. Chen Jianmei was the first to appear in the air in front of Shen Lian's room, his sword light piercing the sky, isolating the inside from the outside.

Yan Bugui also appeared. In the lower courtyard, the new disciples who had entered the sect over the past half year, seeing such a spectacle, all thought that one of their senior brothers had made a breakthrough.

They were all envious, but as they gradually approached, they were shocked to find that the terrifying sound actually came from Shen Lian's room, leaving them speechless.

Although Shen Lian's time of questioning his heart was extremely short, he was already somewhat famous among the upper courtyard disciples. However, for some unknown reason, no elder had taken him as a disciple, and he practiced alone, even missing the elders' teachings every two months. Very few had actually seen him in person.

Others could not guess his cultivation level, but since all the lower courtyard disciples taken in by Qingxuan were under twenty years old, even the most talented ones would not be too powerful.

But in this place, the primordial qi formed clouds and mist, and such a spectacle was already considered profound and unfathomable in their eyes.

Chen Jianmei and Yan Bugui were both somewhat surprised. After all, in the long history of Qingxuan, there had been no shortage of even more astonishingly talented individuals, some younger than Shen Lian, who had condensed the Xuan Pass. The Xuan Pass is the key to integrating divine qi, and at this stage, one's divine qi forms into magical power, which can both nourish the soul and manifest Daoist techniques.

Only at this step is it called the foundation of the Great Dao, truly completed.

After forming magical power, the choice of cultivation techniques must be handled with great caution, because once a path is chosen, it is very difficult to change it in the future, and the loss would outweigh the gain.

Shen Lian's strength lies in his ability to mobilize such a vast amount of primordial qi at this critical juncture.

The amount of primordial qi mobilized is certainly related to the cultivation technique and the body's meridians' capacity, but it also requires a powerful soul to avoid the body being overwhelmed and ultimately dying from exhaustion.

The intensity of the primordial qi seen by the two was such that even cultivators at the Out-of-Body stage might find it difficult to achieve such a spectacle.

Of course, Shen Lian cannot be measured by ordinary standards, as he first cultivated his soul before his qi.

The howl gradually faded.

Shen Lian was unaware of the external situation, with primordial qi surging into him, not all of it absorbed, but all directed toward him.

He was now sitting cross-legged, feeling his body much lighter, with no sorrow or joy in his heart.

Suddenly, a vortex appeared in his body, the Xuan Pass, moving through his meridians. Wherever the vortex went, primordial qi, internal qi, and soul power intertwined, and the true qi in his body, like a river, reacted strangely with the primordial qi of heaven and earth and his own soul power.

It became increasingly solid, forming a strange force between soul power and internal qi.

When all his true qi was transformed, the vortex disappeared, and this strange force, some of it following the meridians, reached the spiritual platform, encountering Shen Lian's soul, condensing like sweet dew and attaching to his soul.

Shen Lian felt his soul being purified and cleansed, like a mirror being wiped clean of dust.

He suddenly thought of a verse, opened his eyes, and the primordial qi gradually dissipated. He recited softly:

"The body is the Bodhi tree, the heart is the bright mirror stand;

Daily wipe it clean, do not let it be stained with dust."

He finally understood the profound meaning of the Dao Master setting the nine stages of cultivation. After the Xuan Pass is activated, the internal qi combines with the soul power that escapes from the body, forming a new special energy. This energy can absorb primordial qi to grow stronger and directly affect the soul, purifying one's thoughts and strengthening the soul. This stage is therefore called 'Nourishing the Soul.'

Not all cultivators have the *Supreme Clarity Spirit Treasure Natural Lock Heart and Stabilize Soul True Explanation*, which can directly consume one's blood, flesh, essence, and internal qi to strengthen the soul.

And to enter dreams and consume others' soul thoughts to strengthen oneself, not only is this method considered evil, but it also requires a rare opportunity to leave the body before reaching the Out-of-Body stage.

Moreover, the soul thoughts in dreams are inherently mixed, and consuming them would be counterproductive.

Therefore, Nourishing the Soul is an extremely important path in cultivation, as it systematically strengthens the soul until it can break free from the physical body and leave the body as a ghost.

Thus, the transition from Nourishing the Soul to the Out-of-Body stage is not particularly difficult, mostly a natural progression.

Shen Lian could also be said to have been in the Nourishing the Soul stage all along, but unlike the nourishment of magical power, it was his blood and qi being consumed by his soul.

******

Since Shen Lian's unusual phenomenon began, a day and a night had passed. The curious people outside had long dispersed, but Chen Jianmei remained. When Shen Lian finished his cultivation, he also retracted his sword light.

He whispered softly, "Well said, 'daily wipe it clean, do not let it be stained with dust.'"

Shen Lian's recitation in the room was heard by him without missing a word.

He murmured softly, unheard by anyone, and then quietly left.

The next day, Shen Lian was taken away by Jing Qing, the child attendant, because the sect leader had summoned him.

When Shen Lian saw Zhang Ruoxu this time, he was once again surprised.

It turned out that Zhang Ruoxu looked much younger, with black hair flowing, clear and handsome features, and the air of a famous scholar in the mortal world.

Zhang Ruoxu did not mind Shen Lian's reaction, just looking at him and nodding slightly.

Shen Lian, not understanding, asked, "Sect leader, why have you summoned me?"

"Feixian Island in the South Sea was originally a legacy left by a senior of our Qingxuan in the mortal world. Recently, a monster has appeared nearby, preying on young boys and girls. No cultivator on the island can match it, so you must go down the mountain and subdue it," Zhang Ruoxu said slowly.

Although these scattered legacies in the mortal world are not officially recognized, they still have a connection. Moreover, with Qingxuan's current decline, if it cannot even deal with such monsters, it would lose all its face and reputation, and there would be no talk of being a true Daoist sect.

Sending Shen Lian is also well-considered. After all, he has only recently joined the sect, so even if he fails, it won't be a loss of face. If he succeeds, it will be a face-saver for the next 'Spiritual Platform Dao Discussion.'

"Yes, Sect Leader," Shen Lian did not hesitate for a moment and immediately agreed. He did not ask if he could handle it, as Zhang Ruoxu would not send him if he couldn't.

Zhang Ruoxu added, "Since you have already opened the Xuan Pass, you indeed need to choose a fundamental Dao technique. However, this matter requires careful consideration, and it's not too late to wait until you return."

Shen Lian, having just broken through, actually needed a period of rest. Balance and moderation are the true methods of cultivation.

PS: Thank you to Zangjingren, Guangyin Huafumo, Shuyou 160303091255366, Xiaomao, Tianhu Zixiao, Wanqian@#, Huantie, Jianxia Fuyun, Cunzhang Yimei, ChangeChen, and Shunying Mohen for your generous support.

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