Chapter 145 - 100: Breakthrough, Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, Triple Transformation

Cultivation has never been about the mere accumulation of Magical Power. It is, and always has been, about the "Dao Practice" that settles within one’s heart.

Dao Practice is the understanding and living of the "Dao," as well as the tempering of one’s mind and character.

And since man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature... Dao Practice can also be simplified as a cultivator’s perception and understanding of the world, which they must then practice with unity of knowledge and action.

Of course, this description is far too profound. For an ordinary cultivator, the depth of their Dao Practice is often linked to the realm of their Basic Technique.

The Cultivation Technique First Realm, "Initiation," allows a cultivator to succeed at Introducing Qi into the Body, stepping into the early stage of Qi Cultivation.

Only by reaching the Second Realm, Insight, can one break through the bottleneck and advance to the middle stage of Qi Cultivation.

Once the Cultivation Technique reaches the Third Realm, Refinement, one is qualified to attempt a breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

If one wishes to knock open the door to Foundation Establishment... merely reaching the Fourth Realm, Minor Achievement, might not be enough.

This is where the Cultivation Method Level comes into play.

Powerful Cultivation Techniques contain profound truths of the Great Dao. Even at the First Realm, Initiation, they can awaken powerful Divine Techniques, just like Zhong Ming’s [Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation].

Weaker Cultivation Techniques contain principles that are too shallow and provide very little Dao Practice. In this situation, even if you train painstakingly to become a Five Realms Master, or even a Sixth Realm Grandmaster, you might not be able to break through.

This is the root cause of why many cultivators from minor sects find it difficult to break through a realm in their entire lifetime.

It is also the reason why Sect Leader Zong Chengze is so accommodating towards Zhong Ming.

Of course, the Seven Profound Sect’s Cultivation Techniques aren’t top-tier, but they aren’t bad either. Cultivating to the Fourth Realm gives one a certain chance of succeeding in Foundation Establishment (the success rate is between ten and thirty percent).

And the Third Realm guarantees a breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

But this leads to another problem—advancing one’s Cultivation Method Realm is difficult. Yan Chen, Han Yu, Su Lingya, and the others are all at the Second Realm in their cultivation methods.

This is also why Zhong Ming said that even if they could take unlimited Elixir Pills, they still wouldn’t be able to advance.

’Thankfully, I don’t have to face this problem.’

’Thanks to my arduous cultivation and hard work, plus a little help from Heaven Rewards Diligence, my Longxi Breathing Technique broke through to the Third Realm long ago. As long as I accumulate enough Magical Power, I can advance!’

With this thought in mind, Zhong Ming took out the Elixir Pills and began to frantically refine them.

Whenever the Erysipelas in his body exceeded a certain level, he would release the restrictions on his [Candlelight Heart Eye]. He would first use As Clear as Daylight combined with [Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples] to mark the residual pill toxins in his body, then incinerate them with his Purifying Flame.

After this process, the Magical Power in Zhong Ming’s Dantian surged like rivers flowing into the sea, filling up rapidly.

Of course, doing so also caused some slight damage to Zhong Ming’s body. Whether it was the strain on his meridians from the rapidly circulating power of the Elixir Pills or the burning of his body by the Purifying Flame, both placed immense pressure on his ’frail’ physical body.

’But it doesn’t matter. Elixir Pills aren’t just for increasing Magical Power. There are also pills to heal injuries and reduce the strain on my meridians. I can take them to lessen the burden on my body!’

’As for the Erysipelas they come with, I can just burn it away with my Purifying Flame.’

This cycle—using elixirs to sustain his body and flames to purge the toxins—allowed Zhong Ming’s cultivation to advance at an astonishing rate.

Of course, in this process, Zhong Ming also consumed a large amount of Elixir Pills, worth hundreds or even thousands of Spirit Stones.

However, while these Elixir Pills were a huge sum for Zhong Ming personally, from the perspective of the sect—even a small one the size of the Seven Profound Sect—it was a mere drop in the bucket.

And this made Zhong Ming truly appreciate the benefits of having a sect’s protection.

’I really can’t underestimate the support of others.’

...

While Zhong Ming quietly focused on raising his cultivation level in the residence provided by Princess Qingyue, Qinghe County City grew increasingly lively.

More sects and families were invited to Qinghe County City.

Among them, naturally, were the Golden Armor Sect and the Mist and Smoke Sect from Jade Lake City.

They arrived at nearly the same time as the Seven Profound Sect.

Gazing upon the prosperous, magnificent scenery of Qinghe County City, wreathed in dense Spiritual Qi, Mist and Smoke Sect Leader Luo Qi, Elder Yang Jing of the Cloud Heaven Sect, and True Disciple Jiang Ye felt a pang of envy. But they also sensed an opportunity.

"Inviting so many people here... Prince Qinghe’s ambitions are definitely not small. We might be able to get a piece of the pie!"

As he spoke, Luo Qi glanced at Yang Jing and said in a probing, expectant tone, "Elder Yang, for this grand event, will the Cloud Heaven Sect be sending more people?"

Sighing, Yang Jing said with regret and a hint of anger, "Alas... Those bastards from the Six Extremes Demon Sect are running rampant in the Prefecture City. The sect’s main forces are tied up defending against them, so we simply can’t spare the manpower."

Clearly, he also felt this was an opportunity, but the involvement of the Six Extremes Demon Sect prevented them from doing more.

When he finished, knowing full well what Luo Qi was thinking, he snorted coldly at him.

"I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’d advise you to give up on your delusions. As I was arriving, I saw several familiar flying ships. The powers they belong to are no weaker than our Cloud Heaven Sect."

"..."

Luo Qi’s expression flickered when he heard there were powers in Qinghe County City on par with the Cloud Heaven Sect. He quickly composed himself, however, and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Elder Yang. I wouldn’t dare be arrogant. This time, the Mist and Smoke Sect only hopes to gain some minor benefits. We wouldn’t dare dream of taking the lead at this grand affair."

"Even so, your Mist and Smoke Sect may not be able to get what it wants on its own," Yang Jing said coolly.

Luo Qi replied, "I am naturally aware of that. Therefore, before we make a move, we must first subdue the Seven Profound Sect and the Golden Armor Sect. By combining the strength of our three sects, we can claim some benefits from this grand event."