Chapter 4

As the deep autumn night was about to unfold, a gentle breeze carried the scent of fireworks. Jun Wuming stood atop an ancient tree, and the autumn evening wind had already taken away all the green leaves from the ancient peach tree beneath his feet. Most of the powerful figures of the eighteen strongholds of Lianyun were deeply entrenched on the waist of Peach Mountain.

The Peach Mountain range rises to several thousand meters, but in this region renowned for martial prowess, one could not truly enter the core and wield great power without a profound cultivation base. Although the Peach Mountain range rises to several thousand meters, it is like flat ground to the strong, who can traverse it in an instant.

Looking back at the foot of the mountain, the ancient town of Peach Mountain has stood there for hundreds of years, nestled against the mountain and far from the riverbank. The ancient town was now in the depths of night, with bright lights and a bustling crowd of hundreds of thousands. The development from a small stronghold of ten thousand people to a town of hundreds of thousands made the current ancient town of Peach Mountain appear ancient, majestic, and grand.

Pausing his thoughts, Jun Wuming smiled faintly, considering it a fortunate thing to be born in such a land.

His figure moved, his toes lightly touching the ground, and he had already passed through several unknown evergreen trees. His movements were as smooth as flowing clouds, turning with the wind, his black hair flying wildly in the wind, his posture elegant and captivating.

This set of steps is called the Cloud Water Step, the only step technique in his cultivation method. It is said that when perfected, one can leap across the world in a single step. However, Jun Wuming scoffed at such claims. In reality, this technique is primarily flexible and versatile, and is completely useless for travel or escape. Every time he thought about this, Jun Wuming gritted his teeth in frustration, wondering how a great cultivator could be so petty. The cultivation method he was given only included one set of steps, one sword technique, and a meditation method of unknown rank, with nothing else.

Thinking about this, the young man in blue, with his clear and refined eyebrows slightly raised, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

When his soul reincarnated, Jun Wuming was blessed with the ability to absorb the purple energy of the sun using the Purple Light Spirit Method, absorbing the pure yang purple energy of heaven and earth and the innate prenatal essence from his mother, thus being born with a sacred body.

However, what made Jun Wuming helpless was that his body was inherently of the water element, with a yin nature, which should have made him a female.

This situation truly troubled Jun Wuming. Although he always admired beautiful women, the idea of becoming a woman himself was something he had no desire for.

Yin and yang clash, water and fire do not mix. The innate yin energy in his body was naturally in conflict with the Purple Light Spirit Method he cultivated. The two energies battled fiercely within the prenatal essence he was nurturing.

To be reborn as a complete male, Jun Wuming had no choice but to use his vast spiritual power to absorb and refine the innate purple energy, strengthening his body daily without any slack. Only when the yang energy finally overpowered the yin energy did he dare to be born from his mother's womb. For this, his mother endured twelve months of hardship before safely giving birth to him!

The northern region is of the water element, with an innate yin nature, and he was born with a body of innate water essence. Unfortunately, according to Jun Wuming's own estimation, if he had not reversed the yin and yang and been born as a female, he could have directly achieved the innate water source body. The difference between the water essence body and the water source body is significant, despite their similar names!

The innate water source body is the son, form, spirit, and source of water, born to control the water element, and is a revered figure in the north. The innate water essence body, while also an innate body, is inferior in controlling the water element compared to the water source body!

This matter truly troubled Jun Wuming for a long time before he could let it go.

Suddenly, the Spirit Water Technique reached its peak, and his blue figure darted through the towering trees in the forest like a bolt of lightning, blending seamlessly with the night wind.

A flash of blue light, and he landed like a leaf, gently touching the ground. He had arrived at the entrance of a quiet courtyard. The ancient red door had a simple and heavy feel, with a unique fragrance of peach wood that was refreshing. In the center, a red plaque read "Qing Mansion" in bold, elegant calligraphy.

An elderly man with white hair and a long beard stood there. Seeing Jun Wuming, he raised his eyelids slightly. "Young Master Wuming, your father has invited you to the main hall for a meal!"

"Uncle Liu, I understand."

Jun Wuming smiled at the old man and bowed slightly before passing by. The Liu family is a major clan in Lianyun, one of the eighteen strongholds. This Uncle Liu has followed Jun Wuming's master for many years and serves as the chief steward of Qing Mansion, respected by all the disciples of the Qing Elder.

Soon, they arrived at the main hall, where twelve large torches illuminated the entire hall brightly. An old man in blue seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

"Master, I kept you waiting."

"No problem, let's eat."

His voice was magnetic and warm, with a hint of dark tranquility and a devouring aura.

A faint light in Jun Wuming's spiritual power resembled a dark, luminous sun. In the sun, an ancient book with black divine patterns floated, slightly surprised, then as if realizing something, Jun Wuming exclaimed joyfully:

"Master, you've broken through?"

The old man in blue had strands of black hair shining with a lustrous light, looking extraordinarily graceful. His face was as rosy as a baby's, and his every move was elegant. He gestured for Jun Wuming to sit and smiled.

"Sixth, you are indeed perceptive. However, I have only taken a half-step. I need to undergo a full seclusion to achieve the final step and break through."

"This time, I have called you here to help you solve any cultivation problems you have. This might be the last time I can guide you."

Looking at the old man in blue, who seemed a bit weary, Jun Wuming felt a sharp pain in his heart, a numbness, and a worry he himself did not even notice. In his previous life, as a killer, Jun Wuming's only purpose was to kill, and even the last bit of warmth was completely buried by that couple!

Jun Wuming thought he would never feel this way again, but when the feeling came, he realized how small and powerless he was!

Biting his lip, his heart ached and roared. "I must become stronger! I must become stronger!!" A hint of red appeared in his tightly clenched hands. Only then did Jun Wuming realize that all his tragedies and misfortunes had one reason: he was not strong enough!

"I will only say this once. Understand as much as you can. This might be the last time I explain things to you."

The old man in blue, unaware of the changes in Jun Wuming, continued speaking, seemingly lost in his own emotions.

"Everyone knows that the path of cultivation is not easy. First, one must have the talent, with a prominent spiritual power to cultivate. When you were born, not only did you have an innate body and a thick bloodline, but your spiritual power was also extremely strong. When I sensed a pure and powerful aura, I immediately found you and took you as my disciple. Although I am an elder of the clan, my innate spiritual power is shallow, far inferior to yours, and I have spent decades at this level, which is truly regrettable." The old man in blue stroked his beard and sighed.

"Master..." Jun Wuming's eyes were deep with a blue light, his voice low and tinged with unspoken pain.

The old man in blue looked at the stubborn and somewhat cold Jun Wuming, a hint of worry flashing across his face. Jun Wuming had been mature and steady since childhood, which comforted the old man. However, Jun Wuming's cold nature, though outwardly friendly, was something the old man had noticed over the ten years they had known each other. This coldness and ruthlessness even made the old man feel a bit uneasy.

A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, and the old man in blue looked at the stubborn young man in blue, shook his head, and thought, "Each generation has its own fortune. I cannot change him, but I hope he will not regret it in the future!"

"You don't need to comfort me. At this point, I have no opportunity and no great cultivation method. If I can break through and live for a few hundred more years, it is already a favor from heaven!"

"Master, there's no need to worry. Once you break through to the Yin Spirit realm and condense your innate magic book, you can live for three hundred years. With three hundred years, it's impossible not to find an opportunity!" The old man in blue smiled, neither confirming nor denying, but a hint of joy in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

"First stage is body cultivation, second stage is qi cultivation, third stage is soul cultivation, fourth stage is evil spirit cultivation, and fifth stage is Yin Spirit. Each stage is not easy to break through. Do you know the specific reasons why only one in a hundred cultivators can break through?"

Jun Wuming shook his head slightly, a bitter smile in his heart. In his previous life, even the innate-level beings were only second-stage cultivators in this world. How could he understand the realms beyond the second stage? Moreover, as an innate water essence body, cultivating water-based techniques was always smooth and did not require much effort. Once his magic power reached a certain level, his realm would naturally break through.

This is the most enviable aspect of an innate body: being naturally in harmony with a certain law, making cultivation much easier.

"The path of cultivation emphasizes enlightenment. Once enlightened, everything becomes clear. Without enlightenment, one will find it difficult to break through, even until death. If one forces a breakthrough, the consequences can range from becoming a demon to exploding and dying. However, don't worry, my good disciple. As an innate water essence body, cultivating water-based techniques is risk-free as long as your foundation is solid."

The old man in blue seemed a bit embarrassed and glanced at the uncomfortable Jun Wuming, then continued.

"However, once you break through to the Yin Spirit realm and condense your innate magic book, these risks will be greatly reduced. We cultivators are known for our strange and varied methods and countless attack techniques. Few dare to provoke us, and those who do face the destruction of their sects or the extraction of their souls."

Jun Wuming's lips twitched, secretly thinking that no wonder cultivators are despised and feared. The unorthodox and unscrupulous nature of these methods is indeed justified.

Looking at his master, who was speaking confidently, Jun Wuming sighed inwardly. The allure of the path of cultivation is too great. Even a gentle person like his master is tempted by the darkness and killing, and cultivators with insufficient character will eventually become killers.

No wonder they are hunted like rats. Jun Wuming pursed his lips, looking at the enthusiastic old man, and thought that he was already on the wrong path and would have to be more cautious in the future.

"Gold, wood, water, fire, earth, light, darkness, life, and death. Life and death are strange, light and darkness are revered. Sixth, you must be extremely cautious of these four types of cultivators and not be careless!"

"These four types of cultivators are known for their strange techniques and are notoriously difficult to deal with. When facing them, you must have a solid plan, or be able to retreat or escape. Do not resist stubbornly!" The old man in blue's tone was now stern.

"Yes, Master!" Jun Wuming's expression turned serious, and he nodded calmly. These four types of cultivators were known for their tricky techniques and were notoriously difficult to deal with. Jun Wuming would not be foolish enough to fight them to the death!

The old man in blue's fatigue showed for a moment, and he smiled, nodding with a hint of satisfaction. He sighed, took something from his pocket, hesitated for a moment, and then handed it to Jun Wuming, saying:

"Sixth, keep this well!"

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