"Sword-Riding Formula... Qi Mastery Formula..." Lin Dalu only felt a mess in his brain, becoming even more confused, and then hearing the strange term "Foundation Establishment Stage," he only felt his head was as big as a bucket, full of blankness, actually not knowing where to start asking.
Seeing him in this state, Xiang'er knew she had explained too much and he wouldn't be able to understand for a while, so...
Xiang'er looked at the bewildered Lin Dalu and spoke patiently, "If an ordinary person wants to shed their mortal coil and step into the gate of cultivation, they must start practicing from the most basic 'Qi Refinement Technique.' This technique aims to sense and condense the spirit qi between heaven and earth, and through a specific method of Breath Cultivation, introduce it into oneself, transforming it into spirit power that can be driven and stored within the body. As the spirit power deepens day by day, the cultivation will gradually increase, until breaking through a certain boundary and reaching Qi Refinement Level 1. Only then can one be considered a true cultivator."
Xiang'er paused again, seeing Lin Dalu listening intently, and continued, "However, to reach Qi Refinement Level 1 is not something everyone can do. The first priority is to possess a 'spirit root' and have a certain 'talent.' So-called talent is roughly equivalent to what you mortals often call 'root bone,' yet it is not entirely so. It encompasses many aspects such as comprehension, insight, concentration, research spirit, fusion ability, memory, and even perseverance and character, collectively called—talent. Even if talent is extraordinary, without a spirit root, it is in vain. Because during practice, one needs to perform Breath Cultivation of spirit qi that matches one's own Five Elements attributes, and the practiced technique also needs to match the spirit root, only then can the power of the technique be brought to the extreme, and the cultivation progress can be faster. If talent is mediocre, or the spirit root is contrary to the attributes of the practiced technique, many people may spend their whole lives practicing hard, wasting thirty years, and still might not break through to Qi Refinement Level 1."
Lin Dalu clicked his tongue incessantly, "So there are so many tricks! The lifespan of a common mortal is only about one jiazi. Removing the ignorant childhood years, doesn't that mean many people, even if they exhaust their whole lives, can only barely touch the threshold of cultivation and reach Qi Refinement Level 1? This... this is too hard!" After speaking, he suddenly thought of his best friend Sun Ge, who wholeheartedly wanted to join the Feather Crane Sect. He wondered what his talent and spirit root were like? In an instant, another picture involuntarily appeared, Decades later, a white-haired, decrepit old man leaning on a cane and coughing incessantly, tremblingly waved at him, saying hoarsely, "Brother Dalu... this old man... this old man has finally broken through to Qi Refinement Level 1... I specifically came... specifically came to lead you to practice immortality together..." Lin Dalu shivered, and quickly shook his head again, dispersing this depressing picture.
Xiang'er sighed lightly, "What Young Master Lin said is only the tip of the iceberg on the path of cultivation. Breaking through Qi Refinement Level 1 is only the beginning of a long road. After that, one must practice all the way, going through Qi Refinement Level 2, Level 3... all the way to the state of Qi Refinement Level 13 — Grand Perfection, before one can be called a true 'Qi Cultivator.'"
Hearing this, Lin Dalu felt that Xiang'er before him seemed to be shrouded in a halo of wisdom, like a painstakingly teaching immortal teacher, while he had become an ignorant child, and a feeling of shame arose in his heart, his attitude becoming more respectful and humble. He bowed and asked, "Miss Xiang'er, is this 'Qi Cultivator' an Immortal? Also, what is the difference between the 'Dao Cultivator' and 'cultivator' you mentioned just now and this 'Qi Cultivator'? This humble one is dull, I hope Miss clarifies."
Xiang'er pondered for a moment, seemingly remembering, and slowly said, "When I was serving as an incense attendant in the Yin Spirit Pavilion, I was fortunate enough to be sent to clean the sect's important place—the 'Scroll Repository Chamber.' During that time, I also... secretly flipped through some classics and notes. According to the records, in this vast world, all living beings, whether mortals, birds, or beasts... their path of cultivation can roughly be divided into three types of cultivators, Dark Cultivators, Demon Cultivators, and Qi Cultivators. These three are collectively called 'cultivators.'"
She spoke eloquently, "Those Dark Cultivators act mysteriously, mostly being people of ancient families with long heritages or hidden tribes, expert in formations and restrictions, astrology and divination, and gu-worm exotic arts, also called Astrologers. Demon Cultivators refer to those strange ferocious beasts and vegetation spirits that have opened their intelligence and stepped onto the path of cultivation. And Qi Cultivators are the Daoists and alchemists you usually speak of, which are people who practice the Dao. Those who have just entered the gate can be called 'Dao Cultivators.' When their cultivation reaches Qi Refinement Level 13 — Grand Perfection, they can be called true 'Qi Cultivators.' If one day, a Qi Cultivator's cultivation becomes profound and they can undergo Ascension and transcend this realm, they can be called 'Immortal Cultivators,' which are the 'Immortals' in the mouths of you mortal people."
Lin Dalu seemed to understand something and followed up by asking, "So, those who can ride swords and fly in the sky are also not true Immortals?"
Xiang'er nodded, "Precisely. Only cultivators whose cultivation reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage can initially practice and govern the 'Sword-Riding Formula,' and they must rely on magic treasures such as flying swords to soar in the sky. If their cultivation goes a step further and reaches the Core Formation Stage, they can rely on the power of the Golden Core formed in the body to achieve short-distance mid-air flight. But if they want to completely separate from external objects like flying swords and roam the world only with their own magic power, they need a more profound cultivation realm. However, even for cultivators at the Core Formation Stage or even higher realms, as long as they haven't undergone Ascension and transcended, they still belong to the category of 'Qi Cultivators' and are not considered true Immortals."
After listening, Lin Dalu finally had a vague outline of that mysterious world of cultivating immortality in his heart. He couldn't help but stand up and solemnly bow to Xiang'er, "Many thanks to Miss Xiang'er for clarifying my doubts, giving this humble one his first recognition of this field he has never set foot in." After finishing the bow, a thought suddenly moved in his heart, and with a trace of hard-to-detect expectation, he tentatively asked, "According to this, Miss Xiang'er... you are also not considered an Immortal now?"
This question actually hid his personal motive. If Xiang'er was not that unreachable Immortal, did it mean the gap between them, which seemed like clouds and mud, was not insurmountable? Was it possible... there was still a possibility between them? Thinking of this, a weak light of hope actually rose in his heart.
Xiang'er heard this and smiled beautifully. That smile dispersed a lot of the heavy atmosphere when discussing Dao methods earlier, "Naturally not. Although I am a Dao Cultivator, my cultivation now is only at Qi Refinement Level 7, which is still some distance from Foundation Establishment, and I haven't reached the Bigu (Abstaining from Grain) where one can live on wind and dew. Now I still need to eat the food of the mortal world, and compared to mortals... there isn't much difference."
"Wh... What?! Qi Refinement Level 7!" Lin Dalu was shocked, his voice suddenly rising, "Didn't you just say that breaking through Qi Refinement Level 1 requires thirty years of hard work? You are already at Qi Refinement Level 7, then... then doesn't that mean you have already practiced for over two hundred years?!" His brain went "buzz," and it instantly became a complete blank. Immediately after, an extremely weird picture flashed uncontrollably, Red candles shone high, the wedding hall was magnificent, and he and Xiang'er were dressed in bright red wedding clothes, bowing to heaven and earth and entering the bridal chamber. He was full of longing and excitement, gently lifting that vivid Bridal Veil, but what was revealed was a face of an old woman covered with deep wrinkles and crane-like skin, smiling at him with missing teeth, calling hoarsely, "Husband Lin... my husband... come quickly..." Lin Dalu showed horror, his face turned pale in an instant, and he stood frozen on the spot, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
"Hey! What... what nonsense are you thinking?!" Xiang'er saw his face change greatly and his eyes full of fear, immediately guessed what he was thinking, her pretty face instantly turned red, and she couldn't help but stomp her feet, "Look at me... do I look that old? Two hundred years old?! I... I just turned sixteen this year!"
Lin Dalu was woken up by her chiding, immediately knew he had misspoken and was abrupt, and hurriedly bowed again, almost bowing to the ground, apologizing repeatedly, "This... this humble one misspoken! Talking nonsense! I have offended the young lady! I hope Miss Xiang'er will be very magnanimous and forgive me, forgive me!" Lin Dalu was so anxious his forehead was sweating, "It's just that Miss said earlier that breaking through one level requires thirty years, this humble one... this humble one thought..."
Xiang'er turned around, her back to him, her tone carrying a thin layer of displeasure, but she also explained, "That is for the majority of people with mediocre talent and poor spirit roots! Does everyone need thirty years to break through? This path of cultivating the Dao and cultivating immortality values 'Heavenly Fate' and 'Immortal Fate' most. If you don't have enough talent and a matching spirit root, no matter how hard you practice without stopping, it will be in vain and a waste of years. And I possess a top-grade fire spirit root and have this 'Tranquil Spirit Art' to assist from the side. Practicing it achieves twice the result with half the effort, so naturally it doesn't need that many long years."
A big stone fell to the ground in Lin Dalu's heart, he secretly said "Shame, luckily...", knowing Xiang'er's age was similar to his, that hidden joy couldn't help but quietly grow again. He quickly composed his mind and changed the subject to hide the embarrassment, asking curiously, "So Xiang'er... you are a fire spirit root! I wonder what other mysteries there are to this talk of spirit roots?"
Xiang'er's expression softened slightly, she turned around again and said, "My cultivation is low and what I know is limited. I only know that spirit roots roughly have the attributes of the Five Elements, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. As for whether there are other mutated or rare spirit roots, that is beyond my knowledge." After finishing, she raised her jade hand again, and saw that white qi thread reappearing at her fingertips. Then, the color of the qi thread changed rapidly, from white to red, emitting a slight warmth. She flicked her finger, and the red qi thread shot out like a spirit snake, aiming directly under the Stove that had long been extinguished and only had cold ash.
With a soft "pfft" sound, a fist-sized, hot, and bright flame suddenly formed under the Stove, instantly igniting the residual firewood. The orange-red flame jumped up, lighting up the dim room.
Lin Dalu was once again dumbfounded by this method of creating fire out of thin air, murmuring, "Xiang'er, although you said yourself you are just a Dao Cultivator and not yet a Qi Cultivator, let alone an Immortal... but in the eyes of a mortal like me, such divine powers of summoning wind and fire and taking objects from a distance are already no different from the Immortals in legends!" Amidst the exclamation, an inexplicable feeling of desolation quietly crept into his heart. That weak hope for the future that had just been ignited seemed to be poured with a basin of cold water by this real difference between Immortals and mortals.
Xiang'er seemed not to notice the subtle change in Lin Dalu's mood and continued to explain, "When a cultivator's cultivation reaches Qi Refinement Level 2, they can practice basic techniques such as the 'Qi Mastery Formula' and 'Tranquil Spirit Art.' At Qi Refinement Level 3, they can try to practice low-level attack spells like this 'Fireball Art.' After that, it usually requires reaching Qi Refinement Level 7 to come into contact with and practice higher-level techniques. The fire spirit root I possess is quite helpful for practicing such fire-attribute techniques. Not only does performing them increase the power slightly, but it is also of great benefit to the improvement of my own cultivation."
Speaking to this point, her tone paused slightly, showing a look of longing intertwined with regret, "As for that 'Sword-Riding Formula'... although it is also classified as a 'False Technique,' far from a orthodox technique that points directly to the Grand Dao of longevity, its practice threshold is far beyond what a Qi Refinement stage cultivator can reach. Therefore, I am still unable to practice the 'Sword-Riding Formula' and cannot experience the feeling of riding a sword through the blue void and soaring through the nine heavens..." The implication was not without loss and shame.
Seeing her looking dejected, Lin Dalu's bit of self-pity instantly vanished, and instead, a burst of pride and thoughtfulness surged. He laughed loudly, "Why should Xiang'er belittle herself? In my view, your skills are already miraculous! As for that 'Sword-Riding Formula,' whether you have it or not, what's the difference? No matter where you want to go, Lin is willing to walk with you on foot, traveling through these thousands of miles of mountains and rivers! I will never let you be alone!"
This word was sincere and frank, without any decoration. Entering Xiang'er's ears, she only felt a warm current surge through her whole body, moved in her heart. On her pretty face, a touching red blush inevitably rose again. She lowered her eyelids, and although her voice was light, it was clearly audible, "Many... many thanks to Young Master Lin."
At this time, it was slightly bright outside the window, and the horizon already showed the dawn of a fish-belly white. From a distance came the faint sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking, the long night was about to end and dawn was coming. Although the rising sun had not yet risen, that morning light faintly appearing in the east had quietly dispersed the cold silence of the night, bringing a trace of vitality and warmth to this dyehouse courtyard.
Lin Dalu gazed at this girl he cherished from the bottom of his heart and was willing to protect with all his strength, his belief becoming more and more firm. No matter where she came from, no matter for what reason she appeared in that wooden box, and no matter how many unknown difficulties lay ahead, he, Lin Dalu, was determined to protect her safety and not let her suffer the slightest grievance or harm. This was his heart's direction and also the oath he made at this moment.
However, just as this morning light was dim and the atmosphere was becoming warm and quiet, a sudden change occurred!
Xiang'er, who was originally sitting well on the edge of the couch with a shy smile on her face, suddenly her body stiffened, and then her eyes suddenly lost focus, her face turning as pale as paper in an instant! She couldn't even let out a cry of surprise before her whole person, like a puppet with its strings cut, suddenly lost support and fell heavily onto the couch, a dull thud exploding in the room!
Immediately after, Xiang'er's slender body suddenly became rigid, then began to tremble uncontrollably. A suppressed and painful groan came from her throat, as if there was some force running wild in her body, making her feel unbearable pain. In just a moment, that low and short painful sound gradually turned rapid, her hands aimlessly grabbing in front of her, the fabric of her clothes rubbing out several faint marks, her breath disordered, looking like she was out of control, making people's hearts tremble!
Lin Dalu was also at a loss by this sudden change, pouncing to the couch in one step, his voice tearing and changing pitch, "Xiang'er! Xiang'er! What happened to you?! What happened to you again?!"
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/brKRD17x/Q0007F.jpg
——(End of Chapter)