Wolong Ridge. Inner chamber of the underground palace.
Within the chamber, aside from several burial artifacts, the most eye-catching item was an aged, dust-laden piece of parchment resting atop a stone rack — a relic etched with the erosion of time.
Xiang Shaoyun, carrying his dry halberd upon his back, reached for the parchment. The script inscribed upon it was abstruse, unfathomable to one unversed in ancient literature like him.
However, the moment a wisp of spiritual energy surged from his dantian and infused the parchment, comprehension dawned. In his mind, the cultivation method recorded within revealed itself — The Spirit-Wielding Sword Manual, a technique for swordsmen to breathe and guide spiritual energy.
He furrowed his brows slightly, turned his gaze toward the limping Li Sansi, and tossed the parchment his way.
"You wield a sword. This immortal technique suits you. Channel your spiritual energy to activate it," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Li Sansi caught the parchment, his brows arching in interest. Guiding a strand of spiritual energy into it, the method imprinted itself upon his mind. As he delved deeper, awe swept over him — brilliance burst within his gaze.
Xiang Shaoyun retrieved another fragment of nearly crumbling parchment. After channeling energy into it, another cultivation method emerged in his consciousness — The Grand Spirit Circulation Technique.
Though still not entirely satisfactory, it was at least more compatible with him than the previous sword-focused method.
The remaining two parchments did not contain cultivation methods but aggressive immortal techniques — Sword Command Technique and Resonant Sword Technique — both relating to sword mastery.
Xiang Shaoyun was visibly disappointed but still perused them briefly, hoping to grasp insights by analogy.
Kong Nanfei, after studying The Grand Spirit Circulation Technique, wore a somewhat peculiar expression.
"This technique bears striking resemblance to the Confucian method Harmonious Blood Circulation Art passed down in our sect... only far more profound. Could it be that our technique originated from this ancient immortal art?" he pondered silently.
The three continued to explore the celestial palace before eventually ceasing their wanderings.
In every corner of the palace, wisps of spiritual energy began to recondense, gradually taking the shape of spectral imps and phantasmal beings.
"These spirits are but the embodiment of spiritual energy. So long as the energy remains, they shall return. Slaying them grants entangled energy... Perhaps, in time, this palace shall become an ideal cultivation ground," they mused.
With that, they quickened their steps and exited the immortal palace.
Outside, a heavy stench of blood clung to their nostrils.
Five miles beyond the palace, corpses lay strewn across the yellow sands, dyed crimson with blood.
"Someone must have succumbed to greed," Li Sansi said, shaking his head as he grasped his wooden sword.
They were no fools. Mo Shougui had fled the palace, exposing the secret of the alchemists' condensate core, inciting the greed of those stationed outside.
Thus, Baiyu Capital's disciples, Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing, faced the encroaching tide of avaricious forces.
Clad in white robes and skirts, the two carved a path of blood and thunder, the battlefield a scene of utter carnage.
…
As the sun dipped westward, a lone boat swayed gently upon the river.
After reaching shore, Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing leapt lightly from the vessel. Blood stained their white garments, and a murderous gleam lingered in their eyes.
From afar, the assassin Mo Liuqi, who had a thread of spiritual energy infused into him, opened his eyes, his nerves tensing at the sight.
Their blood-soaked forms, their terrifying presence — had they carved their way through a sea of soldiers?
Nie Shuang and Ni Yu stood in the distance, fear evident in their gazes.
Yet the two remained composed, wiping the blood from their faces and raising their heads toward the terrace of Baiyu Pavilion.
There, behind the wooden balustrade, Lu Fan's figure appeared.
Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao ascended the pavilion steps.
Bathed in blood, they stood before him.
"Young Master," they said, bowing low.
"Why do you appear so disheveled?"
Lu Fan's wheelchair pivoted on its own, turning to face them. He raised a brow slightly.
"We obtained the condensate core of an ancient alchemist. But… we encountered an unexpected incident on our return," Nie Changqing replied.
"Someone leaked the news?"
Lounging in his wheelchair, Lu Fan rested his chin upon his hand, his gaze half-lidded.
"Yes," Nie Changqing nodded. Ning Zhao remained silent, lips pressed together.
"And that person?"
"Lost an arm, then was rescued."
"I failed in my duty… Please punish me, Young Master," Ning Zhao said softly.
Lu Fan waved his hand.
"Am I the type to issue punishments on a whim?"
"If they escaped, so be it. Next time, simply kill them."
The sunlight bathed Lu Fan's skin in a crimson hue.
"Yes, Young Master."
Relieved, the two exhaled softly.
Then, Ning Zhao carefully unwrapped the cloth bundle and handed the condensate core to Lu Fan.
He caught it and tossed it lightly in his palm.
"The ancient alchemist was the sovereign of the Wolong Ridge's hidden realm. Acquiring his condensate core should not have been easy — only the one who kills him may claim it.
"But since he self-destructed, his core became unbound, free for any to take.
"When you explore future realms, beware of such sovereigns. Lest your spoils be snatched away."
Lu Fan's words startled the two, their gazes lifting in disbelief.
"Such is the nature of all things tied to 'immortality' — the incredible becomes commonplace," Lu Fan said with a quiet chuckle.
"I once said, to battle immortals… is a joy beyond compare. But the depths of that joy — you have yet to grasp."
Lu Fan's smile was laced with meaning.
"Ning, your dantian now holds nine wisps of spiritual energy. You've reached the peak of the Qi Core Realm. You may attempt to condense a true core now.
"Take this — study it, and perhaps refine the energy within."
He tossed the condensate core to Ning Zhao.
She caught it as if it were a scalding ember, nervousness and astonishment on her bloodied face.
"Young Master… something so rare…"
"To you, it is rare. To me… of little value."
Lu Fan shook his head.
"Your talent is lacking. Your core holds only nine wisps. Old Nie, however, holds twelve. If he too reaches the peak and wields the Blade Command Technique, he could easily defeat you."
Ning Zhao froze.
"Even cultivators differ in innate gifts. Some are born with vast dantians, others with narrow ones — a disparity present from birth.
"Take Xiang Shaoyun of the Western Province. In martial arts, he advanced swiftly due to his natural aptitude — at ten, already a grandmaster. That is innate talent.
"To make up for this gap, Ning, you must work harder — break through faster than the rest."
Lu Fan's words rang clear.
Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao listened, utterly entranced.
"Young Master… how exactly are cultivation realms divided?" Ning Zhao finally asked. She had reached the peak of Qi Core Realm, but what lay beyond?
Nie Changqing, too, was filled with curiosity.
Lu Fan's lips curved into a faint smile.
His wheelchair turned toward the railing, his gaze settling on the sunset river.
Golden rays bathed him like a silken shroud.
"The first realm in cultivation is the Qi Core Realm.
"In this realm, one draws in spiritual energy, condensing it into a core. Though one cannot yet soar through the skies or vanish into the earth, flight through energy is possible — not inferior to a war steed. In offense and defense, Qi becomes weapon and armor alike.
"At its peak, one may stride unhindered through a battlefield of ten thousand."
Lu Fan's voice was calm and steady.
Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing nodded. They had just battled through hordes and knew firsthand the strength of the Qi Core Realm.
Yet what they yearned to know… was what came next.
Lu Fan gazed into the dying sun, his eyes half-lidded, a lazy smile playing on his lips, laced with mystery.
"The second realm is the Hidden Body Realm.
"In this realm, one excavates the hidden treasures within the body.
"The five viscera — heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys — correspond to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Spiritual energy flows through the meridians, tempering the organs.
"When the Hidden Body Realm is mastered, elemental spiritual energy manifests. Lifespan extends. Power becomes unmatched.
"With a single strike, one may shatter city walls; with one man, rout an army.
Such… is the Hidden Body Realm."