Chapter 6

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and a faint light of dawn appeared on the horizon. Jun Wuming opened his eyes, then closed them again, focusing on the Purple Light Soul Cultivation Technique. A faint purple glow descended from the sky, seeping into the young man sitting cross-legged through his forehead. After a few breaths, he opened his eyes again, his pupils filled with a faint purple light, exuding a powerful aura that was captivating.

At this moment, Jun Wuming had reached the peak of the first stage and was about to break through to the second stage. His mental power had finally broken through the barrier of the second stage during this cultivation session. What remained was to break through the bottleneck of the second stage's magical power!

The first stage focuses on body refinement, the second stage on qi refinement. The first stage of body refinement involves strengthening the tendons and bones with secret techniques, transforming the skin into qi. The body is the bed for magical power; without a strong physique, even a trace of magical power could burst the mortal body and destroy the internal organs!

Cultivating qi within the body is a unique method in this world. When the body reaches its limit, a strand of innate primordial qi is generated internally, nourishing the body. At this point, the first stage of qi transformation begins.

As the internal qi is generated, it nourishes the body. When a cultivator comprehends a strand of qi, they can smoothly break through to the second stage. For example, the divine water lotus platform that Jun Wuming comprehended is a unique manifestation of his qi.

The second stage focuses on qi refinement, transforming qi into techniques and enhancing mental power. Second-stage cultivators excel in the application of mental power and control of magical power, far surpassing first-stage cultivators. A single strand of their magical power can crush a first-stage cultivator. Each strand of magical power contains the power of a giant, even a newly formed second-stage cultivator possesses the strength of three giants.

These giants are not ordinary creatures but the ancient world's unique fierce beasts, the Xuanhuang Giants. A single strand of their power can pierce through a piece of fine iron with a single finger!

However, what sets second-stage cultivators apart from first-stage cultivators is not just the transformation of their power but also the strength of their mental power.

If the mental power of a second-stage cultivator is compared to an adult, then the mental power of a first-stage cultivator is like that of an infant.

Of course, there are also cultivators with innate talents who possess strong mental power. Jun Wuming, with his innate constitution, has a robust innate mental power. Combined with the Purple Light Soul Cultivation Technique he practices, he has been cultivating his soul with innate purple qi since he was in his mother's womb. Now, Jun Wuming's soul is exceptionally strong. Once he reaches the second stage, the mental power he will unleash will be astonishing!

Reining in his overflowing mental power, Jun Wuming looked around, smiled, and then leaped lightly from the rooftop, leaving the residence.

The faint morning light filtered through the deep autumn forest, carrying a chill. Walking through the forest in the early morning, he felt refreshed.

"Screech!"

A loud eagle cry echoed from the sky. Jun Wuming instinctively looked up and saw a giant blue eagle dart through the clouds like a shadow. The blue eagle, several meters long with wings like sharp blades, sliced through the clouds, creating a storm of wind.

Danger! His eyes narrowed, instantly alert. He leaped into the dense branches of a large tree. This giant eagle, known as the Storm Blue Eagle, is a third-stage wind attribute fierce beast, born with control over wind, and is extremely aggressive, often attacking humans. Jun Wuming naturally dared not face it directly, or he might be killed in a single breath.

However, although he dared not show himself, Jun Wuming was not afraid of it. Scanning the sky with his eyes, he thought to himself, this foolish eagle must be impatient. The Cloud Ridge territory is patrolled by strong cultivators. A mere third-stage Storm Blue Eagle would surely be killed within a few breaths.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven."

Counting in his mind, Jun Wuming had only reached seven when a massive black and white sun rose from the ground, emitting a powerful black and white light. The black and white qi swept through the sky, piercing the chest of the flying blue eagle.

Silently, the black and white light flashed, and the blue eagle was instantly annihilated, turning to ashes.

A shiver ran down Jun Wuming's spine. He was momentarily startled by the powerful technique. A third-stage Storm Blue Eagle couldn't withstand a single strand of magical power. Excitement flashed in his eyes, and his heart raced. He laughed inwardly, finding this world fascinating and exactly what he had been seeking. This is the world I, Jun Wuming, aspire to. In such a world, how could I be left behind?

"Phew, that was close! Fortunately, a strong cultivator from our camp intervened, or we would have been in trouble!"

"Luckily, Chief, if we establish great merit this time, do you think Lord Wushang will grant our request and bestow us with the 'Rising Sun Technique'?"

"Of course, Lord Wushang's word is as good as gold. Let's go, we must act quickly. We must deliver this eagle egg to Lord Wushang!"

Hearing the commotion below, Jun Wuming snapped out of his thoughts. He saw two suspicious-looking middle-aged men in yellow robes dragging a large bundle past the tree. Recognizing the yellow robes as the uniform of the Cloud Ridge guards, he understood the situation. These two guards must have stolen the Storm Blue Eagle's chick, causing the giant eagle to lose control and invade the Cloud Ridge territory.

"Jun Wushang?"

He chuckled and then continued through the forest, the morning light no longer holding his attention. He passed through the training ground, where the training was already in full swing. He saw Jun Shan wielding a thorny branch, but he didn't stop to talk, heading straight for the Spring Hall.

The Spring Hall, with its lush peach trees and serene paths, was a place of beauty and elegance. The red wooden architecture exuded a grand and dignified atmosphere. Jun Wuming stopped and climbed the steps, ignoring the guards' greetings, and walked into the inner courtyard.

A robust young man crossed a stone bridge, grumbling, and upon seeing Jun Wuming, his eyes lit up. He shouted from a distance, "Brother Ming, you came just in time! Mother was just mentioning you and urging me to find you for breakfast!"

Jun Wuming smiled. This was his second cousin, Jun Wuwei, who was three years older, tall and strong, with a simple and hearty personality. Compared to his older brother, who was shrewd, Jun Wuwei was more endearing.

The inner courtyard of the Spring Hall was the residence of the chief of the vast Cloud Ridge, who was obsessed with martial arts and had a formidable reputation. However, the true power behind the scenes was Jun Wuming's aunt, Lin Hong. Jun Wuming's mother was the chief's cousin, and after his parents' death, she raised Jun Wuming. Thus, Jun Wuming was very close to the chief's family.

His aunt, Lin Hong, was no ordinary woman. She had the skills to push her husband, Jun Yuan Yun, to the position of chief, and she managed the Cloud Ridge with great efficiency, ensuring its prosperity.

In recent years, the prosperity and strength of the Cloud Ridge were largely due to the "care" of the chief's wife.

Passing through a red corridor to a small garden, a beautiful woman in a light green palace dress was already waiting at a round table. She wore a flowing cloud hairpin, with a red dot on her forehead, her shoulders slender, her waist delicate, her eyes calm, and her face pure. A robust middle-aged man sat to her left, and a young man in white, holding a book and deep in thought, sat to her right. Seeing Jun Wuming, he stood up to invite him to sit.

Jun Wuming smiled, "Aunt, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"We're family, no need for formalities. Come, sit down!"

"Hey, you're about to break through, aren't you?"

She smiled, her eyebrows arching, and then playfully said, "Ming, if you have any cultivation problems, you can ask your uncle. He's been wanting to take a disciple."

Jun Wuming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned away. His aunt's personality, sometimes dignified and sometimes mischievous, was well-known to him. Having been tricked a few times, he was not about to fall for the same trick again.

Clearly, his aunt was no ordinary person. Jun Wuming was certain that she practiced a unique method, not martial arts, but something mysterious. However, as it involved her privacy, he did not pry too much, keeping his curiosity to himself.

"Little Ming, your aunt is right. If you have any questions, although I may not be the most accomplished, I can certainly offer some guidance," the middle-aged man said with a hearty laugh.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Jun Wuming did not underestimate his uncle, Jun Yuan Yun. Although he held the position of chief, he focused on martial arts, leaving most secular matters to his wife, Lin Hong. His martial arts skills were profound, and few in the camp could match him.

Jun Wuming took the opportunity during breakfast to ask Jun Yuan Yun about his cultivation. Jun Yuan Yun was patient and thorough, explaining and demonstrating everything until all of Jun Wuming's questions were resolved.

"Ming, you're about to break through. Your aunt has a small gift for you. She recently built an estate near the Lingsha Waterfall on Peach Mountain. You're already ten years old, and I know you are wise and brave. With us protecting you, no one will dare to harm you. Would you like to accept this gift?"

Lin Hong smiled, looking at Jun Wuming with satisfaction. She had raised him from a toddler to a young man, and now he was about to become a second-stage cultivator at the young age of ten, a rare achievement in the history of the Cloud Ridge. She felt a deep sense of pride.

Jun Wuming, of course, did not refuse. Living under someone else's roof was not a long-term solution, and having his own estate to rest in was a great opportunity.

He gratefully thanked the beautiful woman. His cousins, Jun Wuyou and Jun Wuwei, looked on enviously. Although Jun Wuyou had already reached the second stage, Lin Hong had kept him close for a few years, citing his inability to take care of himself. Now, at fifteen, Jun Wuyou was a handsome young man, and according to the camp's rules, he would soon be an adult and participate in the coming-of-age ceremony.

"You two don't need to be envious. Wuwei, I have also prepared a residence for you, near Yuan's. You two have been close since childhood, so you can be companions."

"As for Wuyou, we'll discuss your future after your coming-of-age ceremony. You'll spend another year with me before I make any arrangements." Jun Wuyou, Lin Hong's chosen successor, had less freedom. He understood this and did not argue. His younger brother and cousin would be his future lieutenants. Although they had more freedom, they received similar training. He had lost much but gained much as well.

"By the way, I almost forgot. Recently, a major battle erupted in the north. The Northern Moon Kingdom was attacked by many forces, and all the male nobles were executed, while the women were sold into slavery. I asked Uncle Lin Yuan, who manages our business in the north, to buy a batch of female slaves. He kept a group of girls between five and twelve years old for me. They have already arrived at the mountain. We'll go and select them later."

Page break for ads

End of page break for ads