Humans draw upon Heaven and Earth Essence Qi to temper their bloodline, and the resulting energy is called True Qi.
If one used the Five Elements Fire Qi to temper their bloodline, it would easily produce Fire True Qi.
However, ordinary people would never dare to do such a thing.
Drawing fire into the body was a fatal mistake.
Just like Ling Fei drawing the Cold Chi Dragon Qi into his body, it was not something an ordinary person could do.
"The more of this True Qi I have, the stronger I will become. Only when my Qi is full can I attempt to break through to the Innate Realm," Ling Fei murmured.
Although he had stepped into the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering, he didn't slack off in the slightest.
Instead, he immediately continued to draw in the Cold Chi Dragon Qi to temper his bloodline, eager to refine even more True Qi.
After the Cold Chi Dragon Qi completed one Circulation through his bloodline, a second wisp of energy was finally produced.
'The second wisp of True Qi has appeared.' Ling Fei's heart leaped with joy when the wisp materialized.
The more True Qi he had in his body, the stronger he would be.
But the moment this second wisp of Cold Chi True Qi appeared, Light Patterns suddenly bloomed across the vertebrae of Ling Fei's spine.
The Light Patterns flashed, and a True Dragon seemed to materialize.
Then, a suction force emerged, pulling the newly generated wisp of Cold Chi True Qi from Ling Fei's bloodline into his spine.
WHOOSH!
The dragon shadow flickered, devoured the wisp of Cold Chi True Qi, and then dissipated.
The radiant glow from Ling Fei's spine also began to dim.
Everything returned to calm.
But how could Ling Fei possibly not notice such a strange phenomenon?
'A strange force just came from my spine and absorbed that wisp of True Qi?' Ling Fei's brow furrowed tightly.
That was what he had sensed.
However, he had no idea why his spine would do that.
He hadn't even seen the fleeting dragon shadow.
The dragon shadow was illusory, seemingly undetectable.
...
Atop a mountain peak in Dragon Pool Valley, Elder Ling stood against the wind.
"The Cold Chi True Qi is born, the Dragon Bone awakens... I've finally waited for this day!" Elder Ling stroked his long beard and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
His slightly cloudy eyes were filled with a wistful expression.
While Elder Ling was lost in his wistful thoughts, Ling Fei continued to temper his bloodline.
After another Circulation, yet another wisp of Cold Chi True Qi was produced.
But before Ling Fei could even be happy about it, the Light Patterns on his spine flashed, a strange power appeared, and it devoured the Cold Chi True Qi.
"What the—it happened again?" Ling Fei was dumbfounded, his face a mask of frustration.
He sensed that something was wrong.
After a moment of stunned silence, he continued to guide the Cold Chi Dragon Qi to temper his Blood Qi.
'Let's see if this strange force will show up again,' Ling Fei thought after another wisp of True Qi was generated.
But, just as he expected, the Light Patterns on his spine flashed and devoured the newly generated wisp of True Qi from his bloodline.
"What the hell is going on?" At this point, Ling Fei couldn't help but curse.
Without enough True Qi, how was he supposed to break through to the Innate Realm?
However, a single wisp of Cold Chi True Qi always remained in Ling Fei's bloodline.
This astonished him.
Why didn't it devour all of it, leaving just one wisp?
'Is it leaving me a foundation to build on?'
Filled with frustration, Ling Fei continued to draw in Cold Chi Dragon Qi for Blood Refining.
But, as expected, the moment a new wisp of Cold Chi True Qi was produced, it was absorbed by his spine.
"Son of a bitch, just how much are you going to devour?" Ling Fei finally lost his temper.
'I refuse to believe this!' However, he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he continued to draw in Qi to temper his blood, looking as if he was now locked in a battle of wills with his own spine.
Ling Fei had been frail and sickly since childhood. Even after cultivating the True Dragon Body Refining Technique, it was only in the last few months that he had recovered to the level of a normal person.
During that time, he had undergone countless rounds of Body Tempering.
He had lost count of how many times he had hoped to get better sooner, only to be met with disappointment.
This training had gone on for eight years!
Eight years had forged Ling Fei's unyielding perseverance.
So, even though the True Qi he refined was being devoured by his spine, his confidence remained unshaken.
...
"If this child can maintain this spirit, he is destined for greatness." Atop the mountain peak, Elder Ling stroked his long beard and smiled with satisfaction.
With a smile, Elder Ling transformed into a rainbow streak that shot across the sky, leaving the area.
「Inside Ling's Medical Clinic.」
Qin Hong had already been waiting in the living room for a long time.
In the seat next to him was another young man.
This young man had sharp, sword-like brows and a chiseled face, and his entire being exuded a piercing aura.
He sat upright in a Master's Chair with his eyes narrowed, yet he gave off a feeling of being one with the heavens and the earth.
This young man was none other than Qin Hong's older brother, Qin Ming. At eighteen years old, he had already stepped into the Innate Realm.
Qin Zhong stood to the side, feeling an inexplicable pressure.
At the same time, a look of reverence appeared in his eyes.
The Innate Realm...
These were exceptional individuals who had shed their mortal shells. They were high and mighty, and as long as their core wasn't damaged, they could live for two hundred years.
'This old man Ling really puts on airs. The young master has been waiting for so long, and he still hasn't shown up?' Qin Zhong's eyes flickered, his face full of displeasure.
Although Qin Ming said nothing, the aura radiating from him grew increasingly sharp.
Clearly, after waiting for so long, he was also getting angry.
From a side door, a somewhat haggard figure suddenly appeared and walked to the head seat of the living room.
The newcomer was Elder Ling.
Elder Ling approached with slow, seemingly difficult steps. He looked truly ancient.
He gave the Qin brothers a faint glance before taking a seat on his own.
At this, Qin Hong rose with some embarrassment.
Qin Ming's closed eyes snapped open, and two sharp glints of light, like daggers, fell upon Elder Ling.
At the same time, a powerful aura pressed down.
"Junior Qin Ming greets Elder Ling!" Qin Ming stood up and cupped his fists in salute to Elder Ling, but his brow was filled with unconcealed arrogance.
"Junior Qin Hong greets Elder Ling!" Qin Hong also bowed in salute.
"What business brings you two to my clinic?" Elder Ling waved his hand, motioning for them to sit down, then took a sip of tea and spoke nonchalantly.
"Heh, Elder Ling, it's like this. My younger brother, Qin Hong, has long admired your esteemed daughter. So, as his older brother, I wanted to act as a matchmaker. We've come today to propose a marriage." Qin Ming also took a sip of tea, a smile playing on his lips as he addressed Elder Ling in the head seat.
"A marriage proposal!" Elder Ling's brows arched. He set down his teacup and said flatly, "If that's why you've come, then please see yourselves out."
"This..." Qin Hong frowned. 'We've barely said anything and we're already being rejected. This Elder Ling is really showing no respect!'
His brother was an Innate Realm expert, after all!
To reach the Innate Realm at only eighteen years old meant he was sure to become a Divine Guard in the future.
'This old man is so unreasonable.' Qin Ming's brows also furrowed tightly.
Originally, he hadn't cared much about this matter.
He was only here helping with the proposal because his younger brother had begged him.
But Elder Ling's attitude now angered Qin Ming.
He was a prominent figure at the Divine Academy with a boundless future.
How dare some old man from a tiny medical clinic in Longtan Town look down on him like this?
How could he not be furious?
"Elder Ling, won't you reconsider?" Qin Ming's gaze sharpened. "My Qin Clan is a major clan in Longtan Town. Not only that, but many exceptional members of our clan have become Divine Guards. Even in the Great Tang Empire, we are considered a prestigious family. Although my younger brother is untalented, he is more than a worthy match for your adopted daughter. Furthermore, with my potential, I can certainly find a way to help you recover from your injuries in the future."
His tone was filled with arrogance.
"A prestigious family?" Hearing this, Elder Ling's gaze lifted, and a cold smile curved his lips. "In my eyes, your younger brother wanting to marry my adopted daughter is nothing but a fool's dream. If you wish to discuss this matter, then please leave. This old man doesn't have time to chat with you. There is a line of patients waiting outside." He picked up his teacup, making a gesture to see them out.
"Elder Ling, giving others a chance is giving yourself a chance. Are you... really not going to consider it?" Qin Ming's eyes narrowed as he stared directly at Elder Ling.
A powerful aura burst forth from his body.
This aura caused the very air in the living room to freeze. Elder Ling's teacup trembled as if it were about to shatter.
An aura like this was enough to make a Body Tempering Realm cultivator cough up blood under its pressure.
Even Qin Zhong, who was standing nearby, felt an immense pressure.
"Trying to use your power to intimidate me?" Seeing this, Elder Ling's gaze turned cold.
Although he appeared gentle, he had his limits. He had been tolerating the Qin Mansion for a very long time.
In an instant, his eyes flashed, and a powerful aura erupted from his body.
WHOOSH!
As this aura burst out, his dry temple hairs whipped about, dancing like swords that threatened to tear the Void.
A terrifying aura pressed down, causing the aura Qin Ming had released to completely disintegrate.
Not only that, but the teacup on the nearby table shattered with a sharp BUZZ.
Under the pressure of this aura, Qin Hong felt his Blood Qi churn, and his meridians felt as if they were about to rupture.
The terrifying pressure made it difficult for him to breathe.
"This... This is the aura of the Innate Realm!" Qin Hong's face was filled with fear.
"This old ghost really is an Innate Realm master." Qin Zhong's body stumbled back several steps.
'An aura like this... it's already surpassed the Late Innate Stage.' Qin Ming's face turned pale under the pressure. He was shocked, and the arrogance on his face vanished in an instant.
WHOOSH!
At that moment, Elder Ling's eyes flickered, and he withdrew his powerful aura.
Only then were the three from the Qin Clan able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Young man, don't be so arrogant. When I was using my power to intimidate people, you hadn't even been born yet," Elder Ling said flatly.
"I have offended you." Qin Ming stood up and bowed, still shaken.
"Leave," Elder Ling said, his tone slightly harsh. "And don't let me see you in my Ling's Medical Clinic ever again."
"We'll take our leave!" Qin Ming frowned, then cupped his fists and departed.
'It's a good thing my brother was with me.' Qin Hong looked relieved. If his brother hadn't been there, he would have been completely unable to withstand such might.
Then, he hurried to follow.
The other disciples of the Qin Clan waiting outside the living room quickly trailed after them.
On the way back, both Qin Ming and Qin Hong wore grim expressions.
"Damn it, that old man is so unappreciative." Qin Ming in particular felt that he had suffered a great humiliation. After walking out of the clinic, he couldn't help but snort coldly.
He was the chosen one of Longtan Town. When had he ever been so humiliated?
"Brother, that Elder Ling seems very strong," Qin Hong said outside Ling's Medical Clinic, his brow slightly furrowed as he cast a resentful glance back at the clinic.
"Yes," Qin Ming nodded. "Before he was injured, that old man was likely an expert at Innate Realm Perfection."
"Innate Realm Perfection?" Hearing this, a look of fear crossed Qin Hong's eyes. "That strong?"
His brow furrowed deeply.
After all, his brother had only just stepped into the Mid Stage of the Innate Realm.