In a secluded cave dwelling behind Qingxu Temple, enclosed by formations.
Xiao Qi sat cross-legged on a cushion, eyes slightly closed. Spiritual energy around him surged slowly like tides. Half a month had passed since returning from the secret realm. He had declined all unnecessary social interactions and tasks, putting all his mind into digesting the tremendous gains from this secret realm trial.
First was consolidating his cultivation. In the secret realm's core inheritance hall, with the help of that vast pure energy and the Vermillion Fruit he later consumed, he broke through the Qi Refining stage's shackles in one go and stepped into Foundation Establishment early stage. But this breakthrough came too quickly. His foundation was inevitably somewhat flimsy. At this moment, he was operating the "Spring Evergreen Technique," guiding the liquid spiritual power in his body along meridians widened several times over, slowly flowing, washing, and condensing, again and again.
The "Spring Evergreen Technique" was indeed the technique the jade pendant vaguely guided him to choose. Its spiritual power was upright and gentle, carrying a continuous vitality. It had excellent effects on stabilizing the realm and nourishing meridians. Where the spiritual power flowed, the meridian wall barriers that were slightly fragile due to the rapid breakthrough gradually became tough and elastic. The liquid spiritual power vortex in his dantian and qi sea also became more condensed and rotated orderly. He could clearly feel his power slowly accumulating, becoming more controllable.
Besides the "Spring Evergreen Technique," he also cultivated the "Heart Concentrating and Qi Stabilizing Art" his master gave. This technique did not improve spiritual power but was specifically for tempering spiritual sense and stabilizing the mind. As he operated this technique, he felt his heart and mind as if sinking into a peaceful lake, distractions gradually dissipating, his thinking becoming unprecedentedly clear and transparent. The subtle spiritual trauma and residual violent energy from the life-and-death battles and illusion trials in the secret realm quietly healed and dissipated under this tranquil cleansing. He understood this was crucial for resisting future possible inner demon attacks.
Beyond consolidating cultivation, Xiao Qi placed more energy on his newly obtained Red Flame Sword and that thread of guardian sword intent.
The Red Flame Sword was floating before him. The sword body was crimson red with faintly flowing light, emanating a gentle warmth and heroic aura. He extended his right hand and gently grasped the sword hilt. A sense of blood connection arose. This was not simply blood oath to the treasure. In the inheritance hall, he and this ancient sword had together experienced fighting against demonic thoughts. Their auras had long since merged.
He did not display any earth-shaking sword moves. He only used his spiritual sense to carefully sense the blazing yet pure power contained within the sword body, while slowly injecting his gentle "Spring Evergreen Technique" spiritual power into it. Initially there was some stagnation, but with patient communication and adjustment, the Red Flame Sword gradually became "docile." Spiritual power flowed unimpeded within it. The sword's glow brightened and dimmed with his will.
He recalled the moment at the secret realm exit, when, in desperation, he slashed at those black vines, the strong protective intent toward his fellow disciples that surged in his heart, and how the Red Flame Sword correspondingly burst forth with that majestic sword intent. That was not sword intent he had cultivated himself. It was more like a thread of original power contained within the Red Flame Sword itself, guided by his belief at that moment.
"Protection..." Xiao Qi murmured to himself, trying to condense that mindset again. He sunk his spiritual sense into his dantian, visualizing Senior Brother's steady as-mountain back, Third Sister's sharp-tongue but soft-heart concern, the master's earnest gaze when teaching, even the rabbit spirit's spirited eyes when it brought the heart-clearing stone... A warm current rose from the bottom of his heart. That was a pure wish to protect these beautiful things from harm.
When he again integrated this intent into his spiritual power and poured it into the Red Flame Sword, the sword body trembled lightly and emitted a clear hum. A though not strong, incredibly resolute meaning emanated from the sword's edge, seemingly making the surrounding space more stable.
"It worked!" Xiao Qi was delighted in his heart. Although this thread of guardian sword intent was still extremely faint, far incomparable to what he felt in the inheritance hall, at least he had found a method to guide and utilize it. This was not purely attack sword intent. It leaned more toward stability, defense, and dispelling evil. It had a complementary effect with the Red Flame Sword's characteristics and his own Purification Source.
He repeatedly practiced using the guardian sword intent to activate the Red Flame Sword, not seeking power, only seeking proficiency and control. Sword light flashed in the meditation room. Sometimes like crimson clouds flowing, sometimes condensed like a shield, carrying a reassuring weight.
Of course, the most important part of this retreat was deepening understanding and application of the Purification Source.
The jade pendant on his chest was usually warm and plain. Only when Xiao Qi meditated with focused mind, guiding his spiritual power and sense to touch it in a specific way, could he feel the vast as-sea, yet gentle and infinite purification power within. He dared not be careless. Following the method recorded in that "Basic Purification Technique" remnant text from the secret realm stone room, he carefully guided a trace of barely noticeable purification power to flow out of the jade pendant and merge into his own spiritual power.
This process required extreme mental control. If not careful, either the purification power could not be guided, or too much might be drawn and injure himself. He held his breath and concentrated, like carving the most exquisite jade, trying and adjusting bit by bit.
He first took out a "Bone-Rotting Flower" he had collected in the secret realm, which had been tainted by some yin energy. This spiritual herb itself was a material for refining certain special pills, but its contained yin energy, if not handled properly, was harmful to cultivators. Xiao Qi's fingertip condensed a thread of spiritual power fused with faint purification power and gently touched the flower petal.
That wisp of yin energy, like snow meeting its nemesis, quickly melted away. Yet the herb's medicinal nature was not greatly affected. Instead, due to the yin energy's removal, it appeared even more pure.
"It works indeed!" Xiao Qi was greatly encouraged. This proved his control over the purification power had reached a relatively refined level. He could purify only the harmful parts without damaging the main substance.
He also tried applying purification power to himself. After consecutive days of cultivation and enlightenment, his spirit was inevitably tired. His spiritual sense had also been consumed quite a bit. He guided a thread of cool purification power to flow through his consciousness sea. Instantly he felt like drinking sweet spring water in summer heat. The fatigue vanished. His spiritual sense became bright and clear. The effect was even better than specialized tranquility pills.
"Purification is not limited to expelling demonic energy and toxins. Purifying fatigue, purifying distractions, purifying impurities in spiritual power... Its applications are much broader than I previously imagined." Insight deepened in Xiao Qi's heart. The Purification Source was more like a primordial power that restored things to a "pure" and "original" state.
He even whimsically tried using a thread of purification power to nourish that seemingly ordinary black iron frying pan. When that cool aura merged into the pan's body, the frying pan seemed to vibrate extremely lightly. The layer of soot and fire residue on its surface appeared to fade slightly, revealing a more internally profound and weighty aura.
"You really are not simple either." Xiao Qi patted the frying pan, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. This pan had accompanied him the longest, saving him from danger many times. It had long become his indispensable companion.
Time flew by in focused cultivation. In the cave dwelling, Xiao Qi sometimes condensed spiritual power to consolidate cultivation; sometimes practiced sword forms to comprehend sword intent; sometimes guided purification to explore its wonders. These three different cultivation methods alternated, complementing each other. His control over his own power became increasingly proficient.
The Foundation Establishment early stage realm was thoroughly stabilized. The Red Flame Sword could already achieve basic heart-sword communion. Although the guardian sword intent was weak, it could already move with thought. His application of the Purification Source also no longer limited to simple dispelling of evil. It began developing toward more refined and diverse directions.
When he opened his eyes again, his pupils contained inner spiritual light, his aura settled and condensed like a mountain. Compared to half a month ago when he first returned, he had already undergone an almost transformative change. The vast gains from the secret realm had finally been initially digested and transformed into tangible foundation and strength.
He let out a long breath of turbid air, feeling the rushing power within his body. His gaze was firm and bright.
The road ahead was still full of thorns, but at this moment, he had more confidence and ability to face unknown storms. Digesting gains was a new starting point. The road ahead, he needed to walk step by step, more steadily and firmly.