Chapter 152 - 151: Mettle

Chapter 152: Chapter 151: Mettle

Cultivators are those who cultivate Qi.

They circulate this Qi through their own Meridians and Dantian.

A person has two seas, known as the Dantian and the Spiritual Sea. A hundred and eight Meridians run through the body, connecting these two seas and allowing Primordial Energy to circulate endlessly.

The so-called Nine Acupoints of Ascension are nine crucial "Guanai," or gates, located along these one hundred and eight Meridians.

They store True Essence and form Qi Vortexes. They also act as a support to the two seas, allowing a mortal body to be completely filled with Spiritual Qi and transform the essence of food into Qi. Accomplishing this is Foundation Establishment!

This is also the completion of "Refining Essence into Qi."

The Nine Acupoints can refine Yin Fiend, True Fire, Essence, Purple Qi, Celestial Constitution, Illusion-Breaking, Three Flowers, Breath of Life, and the Celestial Soul. These correspond perfectly to the Nine Acupoints of Ascension.

Chen Qingyang had now passed the Earth Root stage of refining Yin Fiend and entered the Mingtang stage of cultivating True Fire. This breath of True Fire connected to a Cultivator’s fate, could form a Dragon and Tiger Phenomenon around the body to act as Gang Qi, and greatly enhanced one’s Life Force.

While healing, Chen Qingyang was borrowing the power of this Mingtang True Fire to burn away corruption and grow new flesh, incinerating the poison in his Meridians and body. Afterward, he would draw upon the Earth Root Yin Fiend for further repairs.

The Dharma Gate he circulated was the *Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual*. The rosy glow above his head did not disperse, and a gentle breeze slowly gathered around him. The acupoints throughout his body opened freely, expelling the turbid and retaining the pure, a clear separation of heaven and earth.

One Circulation after another passed through his Meridians. Now that his Cultivation of the *Great Soul Scripture* had reached this level, his Divine Soul was powerful and his control over his internal Qi Mechanism was much stronger. Everything flowed smoothly.

As his Circulations quickened, the speed of his Cultivation also underwent a fundamental change compared to before.

When the True Essence in his body was restored and his injuries healed, Chen Qingyang slowly opened his eyes. He glanced out the window; it seemed to be noon already.

Looking in front of him, he saw Liu Tao was still deep in meditation.

Not wanting to disturb her, he sat down at the round table and drank a cup of tea. But even this slight movement startled Liu Tao.

"That *Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual* of yours is incredible. The aura it gives off when you cultivate is astounding. It seems Master Jing Yuan of Cyan Bamboo Peak values you highly, otherwise how could he have gotten you these Sword Formulas!"

Perhaps having seen Chen Qingyang cultivate last night, Liu Tao was feeling rather emotional today.

"Senior Sister, although you’re at the Four Golden Peaks, your master is also a top-tier powerhouse. The Dharma Gates passed down by him are not to be underestimated. If you cultivate diligently, your future accomplishments will surely not be poor. In my opinion, what Dharma Gate you cultivate isn’t the most important thing. The most important thing is that it’s suitable for you..."

After listening to Chen Qingyang’s long-winded speech, Liu Tao didn’t speak, only blinked.

"Senior Sister, what is it?"

Liu Tao finally said, "Why have you suddenly become so preachy? You sound just like my master!"

Chen Qingyang was struck speechless. He looked himself over and couldn’t help but wonder, ’Is that really true?’

"You jest, Senior Sister. How could I dare compare myself to your master? These are just a few suggestions, that’s all."

"Heh heh!" Liu Tao shook her head. "You’re not just comparing—you’re more than qualified. Our Tai Xu Sect believes in learning from the most skilled, not in that whole ’respect your elders and teachers’ business. Maybe in the future, when you become a Foundation Establishment Master, I’ll really have to call you ’Master’ instead."

That day seemed so very far away.

Chen Qingyang was silent for a moment. "What are your plans for today, Senior Sister?"

Liu Tao immediately guessed why he was asking. "What, are you planning to go out alone behind my back? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be asking me that."

Seeing that she had seen right through him, Chen Qingyang didn’t try to hide it anymore. "I want to take a look around in those mountains. You can wait for me here at the Nine True Temple. If I’m not back in a while, don’t go looking all over for me. I will definitely be back within two days."

"No way." Liu Tao shook her head so vigorously it was a blur. "Weren’t you the one lecturing me just yesterday, saying we just need to get back safely? Why go looking for trouble in this situation? Do you really think you’ll find your Yan Ruyu in those mountains?"

Chen Qingyang could only reply, "Senior Sister, you know I practice the Sword Dao. So I want to go search for the opportunity left behind by Li Qianxue."

The moment he said this, Liu Tao immediately shook her head again. "The Demon Sect has been searching for so long with no results. Do you think you’ll find it just by going there? Isn’t that just wishful thinking?"

"I know it’s unlikely. I just want to take a look. If I don’t go, I’ll regret it. I’ll just wander around a bit and come back, and then I’ll be able to let it go."

Liu Tao gritted her teeth and finally forced out a few words. "Then I have to go with you. If we run into danger, we can look out for each other."

This was exactly what Chen Qingyang was afraid of, which was why he had come up with so many reasons. "Senior Sister, my Cultivation has improved. When I use the Void Step Introduction, my speed is extremely fast, and I can move very flexibly. If you come along, it will just add another layer of danger."

Liu Tao wasn’t an unreasonable person. It was a fact, right in front of her, that Chen Qingyang’s Cultivation was higher than hers. If she went with him, she really might become a burden.

Thinking of this, her eyes carefully sized up the man before her. For the first time, he felt like a stranger, like she was getting to know a familiar person all over again.

Liu Tao even thought that, given the talent Chen Qingyang displayed in Cultivation, there would come a day when their paths would diverge.

"Fine. Be careful, then." After a long silence, these were the only words she said.

Chen Qingyang nodded at her. "Then please keep this a secret for me, Senior Sister. After all, I’m still officially at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm."

"Alright."

...

The map was tucked inside his robes. Chen Qingyang headed towards an unmarked area on it. Wherever he went, his Conscious Fish scouted ahead, with him following behind.

If he really did run into any danger, he would be able to escape in time.

About an hour later, he reached the location and began to patrol in the same manner. For a long time, he saw no trace of anyone.

He was quite patient about this. He had said he’d prepared for two days, and he was going to use all of that time here.

He watched the sun rise and set. A full day passed with no results. He hadn’t even run into a single person.

’First, someone from the Demon Sect died, and they started retaliating against the Tai Xu Sect. The Tai Xu Sect then pulled everyone back. Logically, the Demon Sect should be taking this opportunity to search properly. How could I not even run into a single living person? This shouldn’t be happening!’

As he was pondering this, his Conscious Fish had already reached the bank of a Great River. Seeing figures gliding across from the opposite side, he first had the Conscious Fish follow them from a distance. Only after the people stopped did he slowly approach.

Even when he was close, he wasn’t detected. Chen Qingyang began to assess their Cultivation levels.

There were nine people in total. He couldn’t see the Cultivation of at least five of them. Of the remaining four, two were at the Essence Condensation First Realm, and two were at the Essence Condensation Second Realm.

It seemed that ever since the incident, the Demon Sect had strengthened the forces sent here. He wondered if he could still find an opportunity. When they reached a stream in a valley, the group finally stopped.

The leader of the nine was an old man with white hair and a youthful complexion. Dressed in a moon-white robe, he had an immortal air about him. The old man sat on high ground, while the eight below him all stood.

"Junior Brothers, the Daoist Sect knows about the Sword Embryo and will be making a major move tomorrow. When you all go out to search this time, you must be back before noon tomorrow. I will remain here to provide support."

"The Sect is considerate of you all. This time, we only ask that you return safely; we don’t ask for meritorious deeds. If the route is too tight, just go as far as you can..."

’I wonder how that spy in the Nine True Temple is relaying information to them. No matter what happens, they know everything so clearly.’

The eight people standing below were very respectful towards this old man. They all bowed in unison. "Yes, Senior Brother!"

After giving his instructions, the old man gave a cold smile. "Hmph, my only fear now is that the Daoist Sect disciples will hide in the Nine True Temple and not come out. Otherwise, we will kill every one that comes. If you see them, you must not hesitate. Kill when you must!"

The eight people echoed his words, then split up to act.

Chen Qingyang noticed their formation was very unique this time. Besides the old man providing support here, two others whose Cultivation he couldn’t see through went south and north, following the Great River. Then, the ones at Essence Condensation First and Second Realms split into two teams, with another person quietly following each team from behind.

In this way, the nine people each had their own duty, their formation tight and disciplined, giving him no opportunity for a sneak attack. If he dared to make a move on the people from the First and Second Realms, he would surely attract the attention of the person secretly tailing them.

Since he couldn’t see through their Cultivation, they were naturally stronger than him. He clearly had no chance of winning.

But since he had already come and waited for so long, how could Chen Qingyang give up so easily? He followed their steps, wanting to see if they would separate later.

The three-man team moved with extreme regularity, resting once every three hours. When they rested, they would gather together. Even when they chatted idly, they never mentioned anything related to the Sword Embryo.

Nine hours passed, and Chen Qingyang had gained nothing. Just as the sky was about to lighten again and he was anxiously thinking about whether to return, the person at the very back suddenly sped up and rushed towards the man and woman in front.

Then, the three of them landed in a valley below.

"Junior Brother, Junior Sister, I just received news that Senior Brother Tie’s side has been ambushed by Daoist Sect disciples. The situation is critical. I must go over there. You two can either go back now or continue forward a little more!"

’Chen Qingyang immediately thought that Master Xuanwei, Zhu Qi, had planned for everyone to hunker down, but a great sect like the Tai Xu Sect must have some hot-blooded members. Someone might have defied Master Xuanwei’s orders and gone out to ambush the Demon Sect disciples.’

"Senior Brother Zhang, the situation is critical, so you should hurry. My Junior Sister and I will be careful. We’ll just go a little further to mark this route, and then we’ll head back."

Hearing his junior brother agree, the man nodded, then shot off towards the west at extreme speed, disappearing in an instant.

After the remaining two rested for a bit, they started chatting again. "Senior Brother, do you think we’ll run into danger if we keep going forward?"

The man, however, had his own opinion. "I doubt it. Since Zhu Qi won’t let his disciples leave easily, there can’t be many Daoist Sect disciples out here. They’ve already gathered in the west, so they definitely won’t come this way."

"Let’s just walk a bit more. Bit by bit, we’ll finally earn enough merit points, and we won’t have to come to this godforsaken place to suffer anymore."

After listening to his analysis, the junior sister said, "Senior Brother, I want to go west and join the excitement. My Soul Division is currently lacking a powerful Main Soul. Maybe I can find a good opportunity!"

The man shook his head and smiled. "I almost forgot you’re from Netherworld Peak, Junior Sister. Your skills are quite formidable. As you wish, then. Let’s go over there too."

The girl looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old. Dressed in red, she had a pure and lovely smile.

Just as they decided on their course of action and were about to move forward again, they were startled to see a man in cyan robes standing under a tree.

On this dark and windy night, the man stood with his arms crossed over a sword, looking exceptionally cold and aloof.